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version 1.25, 1995/11/28 18:45:28 version 1.30, 1996/01/25 16:45:50
Line 7 Line 7
 @comment %**end of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.)  @comment %**end of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.)
   
 @ifinfo  @ifinfo
 This file documents Gforth 0.1  This file documents Gforth 0.2
   
 Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Software Foundation, Inc.  Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
   
Line 41  Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Softwar Line 41  Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Softwar
 @sp 10  @sp 10
 @center @titlefont{Gforth Manual}  @center @titlefont{Gforth Manual}
 @sp 2  @sp 2
 @center for version 0.1  @center for version 0.2
 @sp 2  @sp 2
 @center Anton Ertl  @center Anton Ertl
 @center Bernd Paysan  @center Bernd Paysan
Line 77  Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Softwar Line 77  Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Softwar
 @node Top, License, (dir), (dir)  @node Top, License, (dir), (dir)
 @ifinfo  @ifinfo
 Gforth is a free implementation of ANS Forth available on many  Gforth is a free implementation of ANS Forth available on many
 personal machines. This manual corresponds to version 0.1.  personal machines. This manual corresponds to version 0.2.
 @end ifinfo  @end ifinfo
   
 @menu  @menu
Line 91  personal machines. This manual correspon Line 91  personal machines. This manual correspon
 * Emacs and Gforth::            The Gforth Mode  * Emacs and Gforth::            The Gforth Mode
 * Internals::                   Implementation details  * Internals::                   Implementation details
 * Bugs::                        How to report them  * Bugs::                        How to report them
 * Pedigree::                    Ancestors of Gforth  * Origin::                      Authors and ancestors of Gforth
 * Word Index::                  An item for each Forth word  * Word Index::                  An item for each Forth word
 * Node Index::                  An item for each node  * Node Index::                  An item for each node
 @end menu  @end menu
Line 1234  arithmetic). This behaviour is usually n Line 1234  arithmetic). This behaviour is usually n
 Gforth offers @code{+DO} and @code{U+DO} (as replacements for  Gforth offers @code{+DO} and @code{U+DO} (as replacements for
 @code{?DO}), which do not enter the loop if @var{start} is greater than  @code{?DO}), which do not enter the loop if @var{start} is greater than
 @var{limit}; @code{+DO} is for signed loop parameters, @code{U+DO} for  @var{limit}; @code{+DO} is for signed loop parameters, @code{U+DO} for
 unsigned loop parameters. These words can be implemented easily on  unsigned loop parameters.
 standard systems, so using them does not make your programs hard to  
 port; e.g.:  
 @example  
 : +DO ( compile-time: -- do-sys; run-time: n1 n2 -- )  
     POSTPONE over POSTPONE min POSTPONE ?DO ; immediate  
 @end example  
   
 @code{LOOP} can be replaced with @code{@var{n} +LOOP}; this updates the  @code{LOOP} can be replaced with @code{@var{n} +LOOP}; this updates the
 index by @var{n} instead of by 1. The loop is terminated when the border  index by @var{n} instead of by 1. The loop is terminated when the border
Line 1268  between @var{limit+1} and @var{limit} is Line 1262  between @var{limit+1} and @var{limit} is
   
 @code{ 0 0 -DO  i .  1 -LOOP}  prints nothing  @code{ 0 0 -DO  i .  1 -LOOP}  prints nothing
   
 Another alternative is @code{@var{n} S+LOOP}, where the negative  Unfortunately, @code{+DO}, @code{U+DO}, @code{-DO}, @code{U-DO} and
 case behaves symmetrical to the positive case:  @code{-LOOP} are not in the ANS Forth standard. However, an
   implementation for these words that uses only standard words is provided
 @code{-2 0 -DO  i .  -1 S+LOOP}  prints @code{0 -1}  in @file{compat/loops.fs}.
   
 The loop is terminated when the border between @var{limit@minus{}sgn(n)}  
 and @var{limit} is crossed. Unfortunately, neither @code{-LOOP} nor  
 @code{S+LOOP} are part of the ANS Forth standard, and they are not easy  
 to implement using standard words. If you want to write standard  
 programs, just avoid counting down.  
   
 @code{?DO} can also be replaced by @code{DO}. @code{DO} always enters  @code{?DO} can also be replaced by @code{DO}. @code{DO} always enters
 the loop, independent of the loop parameters. Do not use @code{DO}, even  the loop, independent of the loop parameters. Do not use @code{DO}, even
Line 1300  This is the preferred loop of native cod Line 1288  This is the preferred loop of native cod
 lazy to optimize @code{?DO} loops properly. In Gforth, this loop  lazy to optimize @code{?DO} loops properly. In Gforth, this loop
 iterates @var{n+1} times; @code{i} produces values starting with @var{n}  iterates @var{n+1} times; @code{i} produces values starting with @var{n}
 and ending with 0. Other Forth systems may behave differently, even if  and ending with 0. Other Forth systems may behave differently, even if
 they support @code{FOR} loops.  they support @code{FOR} loops. To avoid problems, don't use @code{FOR}
   loops.
   
 @node Arbitrary control structures, Calls and returns, Counted Loops, Control Structures  @node Arbitrary control structures, Calls and returns, Counted Loops, Control Structures
 @subsection Arbitrary control structures  @subsection Arbitrary control structures
Line 1346  doc-u-do Line 1335  doc-u-do
 doc-do  doc-do
 doc-for  doc-for
 doc-loop  doc-loop
 doc-s+loop  
 doc-+loop  doc-+loop
 doc--loop  doc--loop
 doc-next  doc-next
Line 1411  while Line 1399  while
 repeat  repeat
 @end example  @end example
   
 That's much easier to read, isn't it? Of course, @code{BEGIN} and  That's much easier to read, isn't it? Of course, @code{REPEAT} and
 @code{WHILE} are predefined, so in this example it would not be  @code{WHILE} are predefined, so in this example it would not be
 necessary to define them.  necessary to define them.
   
Line 1939  name produces their value. Their value c Line 1927  name produces their value. Their value c
   
 Since this syntax is supported by Gforth directly, you need not do  Since this syntax is supported by Gforth directly, you need not do
 anything to use it. If you want to port a program using this syntax to  anything to use it. If you want to port a program using this syntax to
 another ANS Forth system, use @file{anslocal.fs} to implement the syntax  another ANS Forth system, use @file{compat/anslocal.fs} to implement the
 on the other system.  syntax on the other system.
   
 Note that a syntax shown in the standard, section A.13 looks  Note that a syntax shown in the standard, section A.13 looks
 similar, but is quite different in having the order of locals  similar, but is quite different in having the order of locals
Line 2528  The next invocation of a parsing word re Line 2516  The next invocation of a parsing word re
 Compiles a recursive call to the defining word not to the defined word.  Compiles a recursive call to the defining word not to the defined word.
   
 @item argument input source different than current input source for @code{RESTORE-INPUT}:  @item argument input source different than current input source for @code{RESTORE-INPUT}:
 !!???If the argument input source is a valid input source then it gets  @code{-12 THROW}. Note that, once an input file is closed (e.g., because
 restored. Otherwise causes @code{-12 THROW}, which, unless caught, issues  the end of the file was reached), its source-id may be
 the message "argument type mismatch" and aborts.  reused. Therefore, restoring an input source specification referencing a
   closed file may lead to unpredictable results instead of a @code{-12
   THROW}.
   
   In the future, Gforth may be able to retore input source specifications
   from other than the current input soruce.
   
 @item data space containing definitions gets de-allocated:  @item data space containing definitions gets de-allocated:
 Deallocation with @code{allot} is not checked. This typically resuls in  Deallocation with @code{allot} is not checked. This typically resuls in
Line 2602  Not checked. As usual, you can expect me Line 2595  Not checked. As usual, you can expect me
 None.  None.
   
 @item operator's terminal facilities available:  @item operator's terminal facilities available:
 !!??  After processing the command line, Gforth goes into interactive mode,
   and you can give commands to Gforth interactively. The actual facilities
   available depend on how you invoke Gforth.
   
 @item program data space available:  @item program data space available:
 @code{sp@ here - .} gives the space remaining for dictionary and data  @code{sp@ here - .} gives the space remaining for dictionary and data
 stack together.  stack together.
   
 @item return stack space available:  @item return stack space available:
 !!??  By default 16 KBytes. The default can be overridden with the @code{-r}
   switch (@pxref{Invocation}) when Gforth starts up.
   
 @item stack space available:  @item stack space available:
 @code{sp@ here - .} gives the space remaining for dictionary and data  @code{sp@ here - .} gives the space remaining for dictionary and data
Line 2930  System dependent; @code{REPRESENT} is im Line 2926  System dependent; @code{REPRESENT} is im
 function @code{ecvt()} and inherits its behaviour in this respect.  function @code{ecvt()} and inherits its behaviour in this respect.
   
 @item rounding or truncation of floating-point numbers:  @item rounding or truncation of floating-point numbers:
 What's the question?!!  System dependent; the rounding behaviour is inherited from the hosting C
   compiler. IEEE-FP-based (i.e., most) systems by default round to
   nearest, and break ties by rounding to even (i.e., such that the last
   bit of the mantissa is 0).
   
 @item size of floating-point stack:  @item size of floating-point stack:
 @code{s" FLOATING-STACK" environment? drop .}. Can be changed at startup  @code{s" FLOATING-STACK" environment? drop .}. Can be changed at startup
Line 3232  Also, if you @code{include} @file{etags. Line 3231  Also, if you @code{include} @file{etags.
 contains the definitions of all words defined afterwards. You can then  contains the definitions of all words defined afterwards. You can then
 find the source for a word using @kbd{M-.}. Note that emacs can use  find the source for a word using @kbd{M-.}. Note that emacs can use
 several tags files at the same time (e.g., one for the Gforth sources  several tags files at the same time (e.g., one for the Gforth sources
 and one for your program).  and one for your program, @pxref{Select Tags Table,,Selecting a Tags
   Table,emacs, Emacs Manual}). The TAGS file for the preloaded words is
   @file{$(datadir)/gforth/$(VERSION)/TAGS} (e.g.,
   @file{/usr/local/share/gforth/0.2/TAGS}).
   
 To get all these benefits, add the following lines to your @file{.emacs}  To get all these benefits, add the following lines to your @file{.emacs}
 file:  file:
Line 3641  Sieve benchmark on a 486DX2/66 than Gfor Line 3643  Sieve benchmark on a 486DX2/66 than Gfor
   
 However, this potential advantage of assembly language implementations  However, this potential advantage of assembly language implementations
 is not necessarily realized in complete Forth systems: We compared  is not necessarily realized in complete Forth systems: We compared
 Gforth (compiled with @code{gcc-2.6.3} and @code{-DFORCE_REG}) with  Gforth (direct threaded, compiled with @code{gcc-2.6.3} and
 Win32Forth 1.2093 and LMI's NT Forth (Beta, May 1994), two systems  @code{-DFORCE_REG}) with Win32Forth 1.2093, LMI's NT Forth (Beta, May
 written in assembly, and with two systems written in C: PFE-0.9.11  1994) and Eforth (with and without peephole (aka pinhole) optimization
 (compiled with @code{gcc-2.6.3} with the default configuration for  of the threaded code); all these systems were written in assembly
 Linux: @code{-O2 -fomit-frame-pointer -DUSE_REGS}) and ThisForth Beta  language. We also compared Gforth with three systems written in C:
 (compiled with gcc-2.6.3 -O3 -fomit-frame-pointer). We benchmarked  PFE-0.9.11 (compiled with @code{gcc-2.6.3} with the default
 Gforth, PFE and ThisForth on a 486DX2/66 under Linux. Kenneth O'Heskin  configuration for Linux: @code{-O2 -fomit-frame-pointer -DUSE_REGS}),
 kindly provided the results for Win32Forth and NT Forth on a 486DX2/66  ThisForth Beta (compiled with gcc-2.6.3 -O3 -fomit-frame-pointer;
 with similar memory performance under Windows NT.  ThisForth employs peephole optimization of the threaded code) and TILE
   (compiled with @code{make opt}). We benchmarked Gforth, PFE, ThisForth
   and TILE on a 486DX2/66 under Linux. Kenneth O'Heskin kindly provided
   the results for Win32Forth and NT Forth on a 486DX2/66 with similar
   memory performance under Windows NT. Marcel Hendrix ported Eforth to
   Linux, then extended it to run the benchmarks, added the peephole
   optimizer, ran the benchmarks and reported the results.
     
 We used four small benchmarks: the ubiquitous Sieve; bubble-sorting and  We used four small benchmarks: the ubiquitous Sieve; bubble-sorting and
 matrix multiplication come from the Stanford integer benchmarks and have  matrix multiplication come from the Stanford integer benchmarks and have
 been translated into Forth by Martin Fraeman; we used the versions  been translated into Forth by Martin Fraeman; we used the versions
 included in the TILE Forth package; and a recursive Fibonacci number  included in the TILE Forth package, but with bigger data set sizes; and
 computation for benchmarking calling performance. The following table shows  a recursive Fibonacci number computation for benchmarking calling
 the time taken for the benchmarks scaled by the time taken by Gforth (in  performance. The following table shows the time taken for the benchmarks
 other words, it shows the speedup factor that Gforth achieved over the  scaled by the time taken by Gforth (in other words, it shows the speedup
 other systems).  factor that Gforth achieved over the other systems).
   
 @example  @example
 relative             Win32-        NT               This-  relative      Win32-    NT       eforth       This-
   time     Gforth     Forth     Forth       PFE     Forth    time  Gforth Forth Forth eforth  +opt   PFE Forth  TILE
 sieve        1.00      1.30      1.07      1.67      2.98  sieve     1.00  1.39  1.14   1.39  0.85  1.78  3.18  8.58
 bubble       1.00      1.30      1.40      1.66  bubble    1.00  1.31  1.41   1.48  0.88  1.67        3.88
 matmul       1.00      1.40      1.29      2.24  matmul    1.00  1.47  1.35   1.46  1.16  2.36        4.09
 fib          1.00      1.44      1.26      1.82      2.82  fib       1.00  1.52  1.34   1.22  1.13  1.93  2.99  4.30
 @end example  @end example
   
 You may find the good performance of Gforth compared with the systems  You may find the good performance of Gforth compared with the systems
Line 3678  method for relocating the Forth image: l Line 3686  method for relocating the Forth image: l
 the actual addresses at run time, resulting in two address computations  the actual addresses at run time, resulting in two address computations
 per NEXT (@pxref{System Architecture}).  per NEXT (@pxref{System Architecture}).
   
 The speedup of Gforth over PFE and ThisForth can be easily explained  Only Eforth with the peephole optimizer performs comparable to
 with the self-imposed restriction to standard C (although the measured  Gforth. The speedups achieved with peephole optimization of threaded
 implementation of PFE uses a GNU C extension: global register  code are quite remarkable. Adding a peephole optimizer to Gforth should
 variables), which makes efficient threading impossible.  Moreover,  cause similar speedups.
 current C compilers have a hard time optimizing other aspects of the  
 ThisForth source.  The speedup of Gforth over PFE, ThisForth and TILE can be easily
   explained with the self-imposed restriction to standard C, which makes
   efficient threading impossible (however, the measured implementation of
   PFE uses a GNU C extension: @ref{Global Reg Vars, , Defining Global
   Register Variables, gcc.info, GNU C Manual}).  Moreover, current C
   compilers have a hard time optimizing other aspects of the ThisForth
   and the TILE source.
   
 Note that the performance of Gforth on 386 architecture processors  Note that the performance of Gforth on 386 architecture processors
 varies widely with the version of @code{gcc} used. E.g., @code{gcc-2.5.8}  varies widely with the version of @code{gcc} used. E.g., @code{gcc-2.5.8}
Line 3692  machine registers by itself and would no Line 3706  machine registers by itself and would no
 register declarations, giving a 1.3 times slower engine (on a 486DX2/66  register declarations, giving a 1.3 times slower engine (on a 486DX2/66
 running the Sieve) than the one measured above.  running the Sieve) than the one measured above.
   
 The numbers in this section have also been published in the paper  In @cite{Translating Forth to Efficient C} by M. Anton Ertl and Martin
 @cite{Translating Forth to Efficient C} by M. Anton Ertl and Martin  Maierhofer (presented at EuroForth '95), an indirect threaded version of
 Maierhofer, presented at EuroForth '95. It is available at  Gforth is compared with Win32Forth, NT Forth, PFE, and ThisForth; that
   version of Gforth is 2\%@minus{}8\% slower on a 486 than the version
   used here. The paper available at
 @*@file{http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/papers/ertl&maierhofer95.ps.gz};  @*@file{http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/papers/ertl&maierhofer95.ps.gz};
 it also contains numbers for some native code systems. You can find  it also contains numbers for some native code systems. You can find
 numbers for Gforth on various machines in @file{Benchres}.  numbers for Gforth on various machines in @file{Benchres}.
   
 @node Bugs, Pedigree, Internals, Top  @node Bugs, Origin, Internals, Top
 @chapter Bugs  @chapter Bugs
   
 Known bugs are described in the file BUGS in the Gforth distribution.  Known bugs are described in the file BUGS in the Gforth distribution.
Line 3719  For a thorough guide on reporting bugs r Line 3735  For a thorough guide on reporting bugs r
 to Report Bugs, gcc.info, GNU C Manual}.  to Report Bugs, gcc.info, GNU C Manual}.
   
   
 @node Pedigree, Word Index, Bugs, Top  @node Origin, Word Index, Bugs, Top
 @chapter Pedigree  @chapter Authors and Ancestors of Gforth
   
   @section Authors and Contributors
   
   The Gforth project was started in mid-1992 by Bernd Paysan and Anton
   Ertl. The third major author was Jens Wilke.  Lennart Benschop (who was
   one of Gforth's first users, in mid-1993) and Stuart Ramsden inspired us
   with their continuous feedback. Lennart Benshop contributed
   @file{glosgen.fs}, while Stuart Ramsden has been working on automatic
   support for calling C libraries. Helpful comments also came from Paul
   Kleinrubatscher, Christian Pirker, Dirk Zoller and Marcel Hendrix.
   
   Gforth also owes a lot to the authors of the tools we used (GCC, CVS,
   and autoconf, among others), and to the creators of the Internet: Gforth
   was developed across the Internet, and its authors have not met
   physically yet.
   
   @section Pedigree
   
 Gforth descends from BigForth (1993) and fig-Forth. Gforth and PFE (by  Gforth descends from BigForth (1993) and fig-Forth. Gforth and PFE (by
 Dirk Zoller) will cross-fertilize each other. Of course, a significant  Dirk Zoller) will cross-fertilize each other. Of course, a significant
Line 3747  the 1802, and subsequently implemented o Line 3780  the 1802, and subsequently implemented o
 Z80.  Z80.
   
 All earlier Forth systems were custom-made, usually by Charles Moore,  All earlier Forth systems were custom-made, usually by Charles Moore,
 who discovered (as he puts it) Forth in the late 60s.  who discovered (as he puts it) Forth during the late 60s. The first full
   Forth existed in 1971.
   
 A part of the information in this section comes from @cite{The Evolution  A part of the information in this section comes from @cite{The Evolution
 of Forth} by Elizabeth D. Rather, Donald R. Colburn and Charles  of Forth} by Elizabeth D. Rather, Donald R. Colburn and Charles
Line 3755  H. Moore, presented at the HOPL-II confe Line 3789  H. Moore, presented at the HOPL-II confe
 Notices 28(3), 1993.  You can find more historical and genealogical  Notices 28(3), 1993.  You can find more historical and genealogical
 information about Forth there.  information about Forth there.
   
 @node Word Index, Node Index, Pedigree, Top  @node Word Index, Node Index, Origin, Top
 @chapter Word Index  @chapter Word Index
   
 This index is as incomplete as the manual. Each word is listed with  This index is as incomplete as the manual. Each word is listed with
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