Geoffrey Bogeaus' Review of Wil Baden's F83X


Hdiscs.arc is the compiled version of F83X designed for use with systems
having one or more hard disks.  F83X.com is for use with systems having
only floppy disks, and can be found in the file, Pong330x.arc.  Both
files contain the kernel, together with meta86, cpu8086, extend 86 and
utilities, as revised and compiled. 

Both files also contain compiled versions of several blocks, specially
written for this system, including the following: eds, exile, menu,
quickkey, stretch, stuff and swords (s-words).  These blocks are also in
the Pong330.arc file.  They may be selectively compiled using
F83base.com, which is in the file Pang330.arc.  

Pang also contains the source code for cpu086, the extend block and the
utility block, which must be on your system if you are going to get the
view system to work (whereas the source tells you what is in the word -
view tells you what it does), as is true for any of the blocks. The
Exile block has been compiled into the fully compiled version with the
intent to make the system fully compatible with the original L&P F83
Forth.  However, the mark and resolve words did not seem to get
included, which makes F83x incompatible with many of my old files.  The
situation is easily remedied by compiling screen 5 from the exile block.

Pong also contains a block (which must be compiled to be used) Old.blk,
which re-ups the old f83 definitions which Baden changed to make the new
system. 

The editing facilities in F83x are immense.  The line editor is
structured so that it is on whenever you "list" - but you can go right
through it to the Forth commands - of which there are hundreds.... 
There is also a vast screen editor with upwards of 50 commands, which,
although comprehensive, take time to learn.  The Ved23-86 editor is much
smaller and easier to learn, and if you prefer it, you can just compile
it, or recompile it, into the system. 

Ping330.arc contains the kernel, compiled alone, and in source form.
Calif330.arc contains a 190K glossary, together with a number of files
reflecting Baden's cogitations on Forth, and his explanations of how
some of his incredible stuff works. 

I have had the temerity to add to F83x some of the nifty tools from the
Tools.blk, which were not expressly included, together with my own set
of tools, Opsys, to create what I call Forth83x.com.  If anybody
expresses an interest, I will upload it.  As far as I know, it is fully
compatible with F83. 

Anyone interested enough to read this really should download this mutha'
and fire it up.  It really is an experence - if for no other reason than
to watch the system "hunt" (locate any word across vocabulary
boundaries), "ref" (locate words into which the given words is compiled)
and "sword" (list all of the words in the system in alphabetical order).

Like the father, F83, the son, F83x, is quite an achievement. 

 -- Geoffrey Bogeaus