ZX Format #06 29 июля 1997

Интервью

Interview - An interview with one of the most famous spektrumistov - Andrew Larchenko.

   Interview Andrew Larchenko
 given for the magazine ZX-Format

music by Jaan
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 ZF: Some people still remember you as
One of the first sinkleristov in St. Petersburg.
Kogda you engaged Spectrum'om?

 AL: Somewhere in 87 godu.Ya not want to repeat myself, because 
in some detail about this was written, it seems, in the second

issue of your magazine.

 ZF: Which car did you get started, and what
model you had popolzovat for all
when he was sinkleristom?

 AL: The first was "Novosibirsk" option. If anyone remembers, 
it pays the size of a sheet of A4, with two "rulers" of RAM 
(Ground and under the screen), with several PLA. Why 
"Novosibirsk"? Because he was. " These fees somehow got to us

the department, and we started picking them up.
I must say that choice, though not rich in those days, we've 
had. But we decided to stay at the "Novosibirsk" option, 
because, firstly, to collect all complete set, and, secondly, 
the board had provides chip peripherals - parallel and serial 
ports, which we would like to adapt to their needs. 

 ZF: A Why, indeed, you have attracted
namely Sinclair, a not any other
machine, because then there were other options
- RADIO-86, BK-0010 (ITP), Atari, MSX finally. What are the 
advantages of giving it he?


 AL: The options have been significantly higher. Generally, ZX 
Spectrum is not my first machine on which I worked (I want to 
note that the word has worked here without the quotes). The 
first computer I saw was called "Iskra" (can not remember its 
number). Machine has been training with built-in interpreters 
of Fortran (!) and Algol. Despite "Toy" machine allows a lot of 
opportunities for learning, so and entertainment (if it was a 
wholesale interest calculation of biorhythms, and calendars). 
Of course, to repeat it was not at home no way - it was a 
spacious box, except where CRT, housed more than a dozen 
boards. The next, already a serious machine, has become a 
"Measure-60" - a Polish "cast" from the famous series of 
machines Corporation PDP (domestic imitation - 
"Elektronika-60"). Here already appeared (to me) the real 
processor, the console input / output devices, operating 
systems and "multitasking." I must say that I "walked" into the 
computer the world through a "home electronics". I am ill with 
almost all hobbies "standard" for radiokruzhka with 
"cybernetic" gradient - power supplies, radio control,

amplifiers, soundlights (already digital), television game 
show. The only thing that remained from those times - the 
electronic hours, oddly enough, working up to now

far. Self-programming - an algorithmic solution of certain 
problems, it was distracted, and to develop "parallel

path. "From the standpoint of ham again" Electronics "to" home 
"of the same did not seem real, and now use the machine for, in 
fact, "Programmatic" problems turned out to be quite

possible. And in the NIRS (research students' work) I am 
pleased to participate in the formulation of various labs, 
"hooked" to machines of various amateur stuff.

"Measure" was the first car of this class
the department, so no one really knew
What to do with it ("What?" She considers herself? And what 
will students do? ") in the most part I was given very

themselves and had the opportunity to "dig" in
software guts of the system and applied
problems, and them there was not enough already attained.
The Union had several ministries,
somehow related to computer technology. None of them failed to 
create something different, but each was "his" prototype, 
which, under the ministry, was repeated with scrupulous 
accuracy. Machine families "PDP" were the "bread" seems 
MinRadioElektronProma (or something like that). MinProsvet 
tossed from Apple (native "Agate") to the 8-bit machines based 
on Intel 8080 (type "Corvette"). Ministry of Education, in my 
opinion, trying to make their IBM PC (EU 1840). As a result, 
any attempts and "Competition" born freaks such as

BK-0010 ". Processor and defined them
architecture is designed for science and
production (in particular management
CNC machines), you can still submit a
a personal computer DCK, but
"Castrate" to a "domestic computer" - this is too much.

 ZF: Probably will not retreat from
truth if we say that very few people from
Russian sinkleristov had to deal
to "brand" of software that is included in TR-DOS. What do you 
think, why? Really it was so bad? 

 AL: I do not quite understand what kind of "branded" software 
speech. Disk systems have appeared on the Spectrum, I believe, 
contrary to the intention of "ottsaosnovatelya. We now, like 
standards, and so, was the only standard Interface One, which 
is supported by all software vendors do (this is seen for 
advertising sheets of the English Spectrum magazines). And 
since the tape - it is always tape drives it slowly started to 
close, but by then he already Spectrum was "forced out". 
Analysis of the "internals" TR-DOS shows that the system 
unfinished. Maybe if she did not appear at sunset Spectrum "out 
there", she would be brought up to the end, and taking into 
account Competition with Opus, Plus D, there would be

and programs it supports. And so ... In
Generally, a "branded" software that came with us along with 
the system (disk-doctor and something else), it was at the same 
level as that and the system itself, which is unchanged

stands at each of our sinklerista. By
large and the system is called a
impossible. In fact, this device replaces tape and is used for 
storage programs, but not to work with them.


 ZF: Remind them what programs other than
More tenevika you write?

 AL: On the Spectrum? From what is widely published in the 
light - MOA Service and AMCopier. Oh, and adaptation to this 
very TR-DOS "Gens4 and Mons4, Art Studio 128,

Laser Genius, The Last Word 2. By the way,
Last I especially roads, as
except for the Russian language there managed to do
normal insertion of symbols, and
process itself, "there has not changed the original
file, it loads as is "and" propatchivalsya "is already in 
memory. 

 ZF: How would you rate the class performance
domestic software for Speccy?

 AL: Much better and higher than it might seem on its price ...

 ZF: Tell us briefly, how did your collaboration with Sergei 
Zonov and appeared as "shadow businesses?


 AL: Again, see the second issue of ZX
Format "as well. And so briefly - Sergei hovered
on the market with a new if your computer
(His name something else was not), and asked him to put on CP / 
M. And somehow after this came the idea of ​​embedded

debugger, which somehow imperceptibly turned into a Shadow 
Monitor, which in turn turn imperceptibly turn into something

reminiscent of the OS. Hopefully, however, that
this does not happen. Very timely appeared and Cyril Murzin 
with Laser Genius "om, that solved the problem with the 
interface. 

 ZF: Who designed the shadow monitor?

 AL: First of all, it was the debugger, and I
it did to debug their programs
(Incidentally, reassemblera to disk so there
not until now).

 ZF: A Why, indeed, you took the design of "laser genius"?

 AL: At the beginning of work on the Monitor that was the best 
debugger, although cumbersome.


 ZF: Tell us what you expect Scorpiona later (on the monitor)?

 AL: I'm trying to extend the debugger to use it in the 
configuration CP / M (really want to put on the Scorpion

Z-System). If you manage to "win" the equipment, the debugger 
will be an part of the C-assembler-debuger. Monitor receives 
Russian language help system, and something resembling a file 
wrapper. In short, the work goes. 

 ZF: You have long ceased to be simply sinkleristom what 
patformu you choose to yourself? And for what reasons?


 AL: It's improper question, because
ZX.Spectrum was not the first. As a programmer I were 
comfortable with the PDP-11, (Read DCK). But, for obvious 
reasons, he did not suit the majority of other users, and 
therefore died. What would be a good or was architecture of a 
computer, all determine the ultimate range of programs, which 
for him there. To date, so it happened that a clone IBM PC 
meets almost all of my requests from systems programming (and 
cross-programming), training, publications, e-mail to an 
automatic chip design. 

 ZF: You write something on the PC?

 AL: And why does he even need one? Now,
Now, prepare for a "public" version of the spread of cross 
debugger with Support Scorpion.


 ZF: How would you characterize the complexity of the 
programming on the PC with respect to Speccy?


 AL: Programming the same everywhere.
And before the start of the assembler or C
need to understand what actually you want to do, ie to "solve" 
the problem, making the algorithm (whether on paper or right in 
the head). When it becomes clear that can already choose how. 
Unfortunately, choice of means to Speccy is not rich. Person on 
the other modern machines available much more support and 
tools, libraries of ready sets of modules that would not load 
itself, such as routine interface (if it not included in the 
problem solving). At Spekrume a person is forced before writing

something worthwhile to spend a lot of time
to write their own procedures
interface (to the screen, a keyboard, disk ...). Yes, and the 
assembler does not contribute to acceleration of the finished 
result in a program, and the other Nothing and no. That's why 
me and want to put on the Scorpion for something more

"Friendly". Of course the program after
do not will flow from the horn of plenty
but still that something.

 ZF: Do you use assembler for
programming on a PC?


  When necessary - of course.

 ZF: if not - why. if so - why?

 AL: Every tool requires a certain time and for a specific 
task. Say, a shell programmer appeal to the ports of me it was 
easier to write in assembly language, basic program for C, and 
for processing input parameters attract YACC.


 ZF: what language do you prefer on the PC? AND
Why?

 AL: C or C + +, depending on the amount of
problem. Why? Firstly, I close it
"Ideology" and, secondly, there is a rich
 selection tools.

 ZF: Does your experience gained in
Speccy at work on another platform? How?

 AL: On the Spectrum helps me experience gained in the 
"Measure-60" ... When any job a person acquires a

experience, which then can be useful.
For example, some algorithms (fast
search for, say), I tried to discover if
  apply for the first time on the Spectrum.

 ZF: What are you doing on the Speccy now?

 AL: I am engaged in support of integrated
ON Scorpio. In fact, for me now
Spectrum - range for tests, and sometimes nostalgic gaming 
computer. 

 ZF: What planituete in the future?

 AL: Great question, I wonder, as
that you have planned for him to say? Probably, live and play 
... 

 ZF: What prospects do you see for
Spectruma in the near future?

 AL: Sooner or later must Spekrum
leave the scene, but as shown by my
experience and the dynamics of behavior in our Speccy
country, it's not going to happen soon.

 ZF: You know about the project (C) Nemo -
"Transformer"? If yes, how do you assess its prospects?

 AL: It seems to me Praise does not take into consideration the 
"market conditions". He actually proposes to make a new 
computer, I have a question - who will support its software? 
Judging on the description it will be powerful enough

computer - where multi-tasking operating system, word processor 
(with elements of publishing systems), protocols and software 
to access the Internet ... If this is all there (and this is a 
very large amount of work that includes predpodgotovku: 
compilers, linkers - Ie, tools that are all will be done, or 
cross funds that also needs to be done-set), then the prospects 
are sad. Further, how much it all cost? And not only hardware 
but also software. In short, if the glory of a sudden make 
experienced sample I'd really like to see him (and on the 
sample, too). Generally, it is large separate conversation. I 
have many assumptions agree, but disagree with the conclusions, 
we must take the article Nemo and delve in each paragraph, and 
it's enough unfounded.


 ZF: How do you feel about "navorachivaniyu"
Hardware Speccy (General Sound,
videoakseleratory, the new processors ...)

 AL: In general, positive. This is a natural output of unmet 
needs. Incidentally, this shows that the Spectrum still alive.


 ZF: What, in your opinion, the influence
Spectrum has had on modern youth?

 AL: I have already, then who? Unfortunately,
much smaller than Thomas with his
Vist-1000.

 ZF: Well now a traditional issues:

 ZF: Your attitude to the Speccy?

 AL: And from the above, it is not clear? I can only say that 
this computer that I gave more time than any other. 

 ZF: Your attitude to the PC?

 AL: A positive, although I would like to
desired.

 ZF: Your attitude to the Amiga?

 AL: Even indifferent.

 ZF: Your attitude to the Macintosh?

 AL: As indifferent.

 ZF: At what time of day work best?

 AL: In the quiet, when no distractions.
Typically it is night, but if you close the window
draw the curtains and turn off the phone and TV - all the same.

 ZF: Keep a pet (no:)?

 AL: No. I love cats, but to see them
prefer to have friends.

 ZF: What music prefer (style)?

 AL: Horoshuyu.V depending on the mood I'm with the same 
pleasure to listen to and Tchaikovsky and Queen, and so much 
more. 

 ZF: What you like reading this sinkleristam?

 AL: You have the most amazing of all existed ever
computers. Rate it.

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