| \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*- |
\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*- |
| @comment The source is gforth.ds, from which gforth.texi is generated |
@comment The source is gforth.ds, from which gforth.texi is generated |
| @comment %**start of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.) |
@comment %**start of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.) |
| @setfilename gforth-info |
@setfilename gforth.info |
| @settitle GNU Forth Manual |
@settitle Gforth Manual |
| @setchapternewpage odd |
@comment @setchapternewpage odd |
| @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 GNU Forth 0.0 |
This file documents Gforth 0.1 |
| |
|
| Copyright @copyright{} 1994 GNU Forth Development Group |
Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
| |
|
| Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of |
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of |
| this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice |
this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice |
| of in the original English. |
of in the original English. |
| @end ifinfo |
@end ifinfo |
| |
|
| |
@finalout |
| @titlepage |
@titlepage |
| @sp 10 |
@sp 10 |
| @center @titlefont{GNU Forth Manual} |
@center @titlefont{Gforth Manual} |
| @sp 2 |
@sp 2 |
| @center for version 0.0 |
@center for version 0.1 |
| @sp 2 |
@sp 2 |
| @center Anton Ertl |
@center Anton Ertl |
| |
@sp 3 |
| |
@center This manual is under construction |
| |
|
| @comment The following two commands start the copyright page. |
@comment The following two commands start the copyright page. |
| @page |
@page |
| @vskip 0pt plus 1filll |
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll |
| Copyright @copyright{} 1994 GNU Forth Development Group |
Copyright @copyright{} 1995 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
| |
|
| @comment !! Published by ... or You can get a copy of this manual ... |
@comment !! Published by ... or You can get a copy of this manual ... |
| |
|
| |
|
| @node Top, License, (dir), (dir) |
@node Top, License, (dir), (dir) |
| @ifinfo |
@ifinfo |
| GNU Forth 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 0.0. |
personal machines. This manual corresponds to version 0.1. |
| @end ifinfo |
@end ifinfo |
| |
|
| @menu |
@menu |
| * License:: |
* License:: |
| * Goals:: About the GNU Forth Project |
* Goals:: About the Gforth Project |
| * Other Books:: Things you might want to read |
* Other Books:: Things you might want to read |
| * Invocation:: Starting GNU Forth |
* Invocation:: Starting Gforth |
| * Words:: Forth words available in GNU Forth |
* Words:: Forth words available in Gforth |
| * ANS conformance:: Implementation-defined options etc. |
* ANS conformance:: Implementation-defined options etc. |
| * Model:: The abstract machine of GNU Forth |
* Model:: The abstract machine of Gforth |
| * 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 GNU Forth |
* Pedigree:: 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 |
| |
|
| @node License, Goals, Top, Top |
@node License, Goals, Top, Top |
| @unnumbered License |
@unnumbered GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
| !! Insert GPL here |
@center Version 2, June 1991 |
| |
|
| |
@display |
| |
Copyright @copyright{} 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
| |
675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA |
| |
|
| |
Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies |
| |
of this license document, but changing it is not allowed. |
| |
@end display |
| |
|
| |
@unnumberedsec Preamble |
| |
|
| |
The licenses for most software are designed to take away your |
| |
freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public |
| |
License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free |
| |
software---to make sure the software is free for all its users. This |
| |
General Public License applies to most of the Free Software |
| |
Foundation's software and to any other program whose authors commit to |
| |
using it. (Some other Free Software Foundation software is covered by |
| |
the GNU Library General Public License instead.) You can apply it to |
| |
your programs, too. |
| |
|
| |
When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not |
| |
price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you |
| |
have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for |
| |
this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it |
| |
if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it |
| |
in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things. |
| |
|
| |
To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid |
| |
anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights. |
| |
These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you |
| |
distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it. |
| |
|
| |
For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether |
| |
gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that |
| |
you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the |
| |
source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their |
| |
rights. |
| |
|
| |
We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the software, and |
| |
(2) offer you this license which gives you legal permission to copy, |
| |
distribute and/or modify the software. |
| |
|
| |
Also, for each author's protection and ours, we want to make certain |
| |
that everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free |
| |
software. If the software is modified by someone else and passed on, we |
| |
want its recipients to know that what they have is not the original, so |
| |
that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on the original |
| |
authors' reputations. |
| |
|
| |
Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software |
| |
patents. We wish to avoid the danger that redistributors of a free |
| |
program will individually obtain patent licenses, in effect making the |
| |
program proprietary. To prevent this, we have made it clear that any |
| |
patent must be licensed for everyone's free use or not licensed at all. |
| |
|
| |
The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and |
| |
modification follow. |
| |
|
| |
@iftex |
| |
@unnumberedsec TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION |
| |
@end iftex |
| |
@ifinfo |
| |
@center TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION |
| |
@end ifinfo |
| |
|
| |
@enumerate 0 |
| |
@item |
| |
This License applies to any program or other work which contains |
| |
a notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may be distributed |
| |
under the terms of this General Public License. The ``Program'', below, |
| |
refers to any such program or work, and a ``work based on the Program'' |
| |
means either the Program or any derivative work under copyright law: |
| |
that is to say, a work containing the Program or a portion of it, |
| |
either verbatim or with modifications and/or translated into another |
| |
language. (Hereinafter, translation is included without limitation in |
| |
the term ``modification''.) Each licensee is addressed as ``you''. |
| |
|
| |
Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not |
| |
covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of |
| |
running the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program |
| |
is covered only if its contents constitute a work based on the |
| |
Program (independent of having been made by running the Program). |
| |
Whether that is true depends on what the Program does. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's |
| |
source code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you |
| |
conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate |
| |
copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the |
| |
notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty; |
| |
and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License |
| |
along with the Program. |
| |
|
| |
You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and |
| |
you may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion |
| |
of it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and |
| |
distribute such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1 |
| |
above, provided that you also meet all of these conditions: |
| |
|
| |
@enumerate a |
| |
@item |
| |
You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices |
| |
stating that you changed the files and the date of any change. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in |
| |
whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any |
| |
part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third |
| |
parties under the terms of this License. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
If the modified program normally reads commands interactively |
| |
when run, you must cause it, when started running for such |
| |
interactive use in the most ordinary way, to print or display an |
| |
announcement including an appropriate copyright notice and a |
| |
notice that there is no warranty (or else, saying that you provide |
| |
a warranty) and that users may redistribute the program under |
| |
these conditions, and telling the user how to view a copy of this |
| |
License. (Exception: if the Program itself is interactive but |
| |
does not normally print such an announcement, your work based on |
| |
the Program is not required to print an announcement.) |
| |
@end enumerate |
| |
|
| |
These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. If |
| |
identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program, |
| |
and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in |
| |
themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those |
| |
sections when you distribute them as separate works. But when you |
| |
distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based |
| |
on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of |
| |
this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the |
| |
entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it. |
| |
|
| |
Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or contest |
| |
your rights to work written entirely by you; rather, the intent is to |
| |
exercise the right to control the distribution of derivative or |
| |
collective works based on the Program. |
| |
|
| |
In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the Program |
| |
with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a volume of |
| |
a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other work under |
| |
the scope of this License. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, |
| |
under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of |
| |
Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following: |
| |
|
| |
@enumerate a |
| |
@item |
| |
Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable |
| |
source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections |
| |
1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or, |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three |
| |
years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your |
| |
cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete |
| |
machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be |
| |
distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium |
| |
customarily used for software interchange; or, |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer |
| |
to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is |
| |
allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you |
| |
received the program in object code or executable form with such |
| |
an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.) |
| |
@end enumerate |
| |
|
| |
The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for |
| |
making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source |
| |
code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any |
| |
associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to |
| |
control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a |
| |
special exception, the source code distributed need not include |
| |
anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary |
| |
form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the |
| |
operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component |
| |
itself accompanies the executable. |
| |
|
| |
If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering |
| |
access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent |
| |
access to copy the source code from the same place counts as |
| |
distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not |
| |
compelled to copy the source along with the object code. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program |
| |
except as expressly provided under this License. Any attempt |
| |
otherwise to copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is |
| |
void, and will automatically terminate your rights under this License. |
| |
However, parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under |
| |
this License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such |
| |
parties remain in full compliance. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
You are not required to accept this License, since you have not |
| |
signed it. However, nothing else grants you permission to modify or |
| |
distribute the Program or its derivative works. These actions are |
| |
prohibited by law if you do not accept this License. Therefore, by |
| |
modifying or distributing the Program (or any work based on the |
| |
Program), you indicate your acceptance of this License to do so, and |
| |
all its terms and conditions for copying, distributing or modifying |
| |
the Program or works based on it. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the |
| |
Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the |
| |
original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to |
| |
these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further |
| |
restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein. |
| |
You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to |
| |
this License. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent |
| |
infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues), |
| |
conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or |
| |
otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this License, they do not |
| |
excuse you from the conditions of this License. If you cannot |
| |
distribute so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this |
| |
License and any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you |
| |
may not distribute the Program at all. For example, if a patent |
| |
license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by |
| |
all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then |
| |
the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to |
| |
refrain entirely from distribution of the Program. |
| |
|
| |
If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under |
| |
any particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to |
| |
apply and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other |
| |
circumstances. |
| |
|
| |
It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any |
| |
patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any |
| |
such claims; this section has the sole purpose of protecting the |
| |
integrity of the free software distribution system, which is |
| |
implemented by public license practices. Many people have made |
| |
generous contributions to the wide range of software distributed |
| |
through that system in reliance on consistent application of that |
| |
system; it is up to the author/donor to decide if he or she is willing |
| |
to distribute software through any other system and a licensee cannot |
| |
impose that choice. |
| |
|
| |
This section is intended to make thoroughly clear what is believed to |
| |
be a consequence of the rest of this License. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in |
| |
certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the |
| |
original copyright holder who places the Program under this License |
| |
may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding |
| |
those countries, so that distribution is permitted only in or among |
| |
countries not thus excluded. In such case, this License incorporates |
| |
the limitation as if written in the body of this License. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions |
| |
of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will |
| |
be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to |
| |
address new problems or concerns. |
| |
|
| |
Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program |
| |
specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and ``any |
| |
later version'', you have the option of following the terms and conditions |
| |
either of that version or of any later version published by the Free |
| |
Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of |
| |
this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software |
| |
Foundation. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free |
| |
programs whose distribution conditions are different, write to the author |
| |
to ask for permission. For software which is copyrighted by the Free |
| |
Software Foundation, write to the Free Software Foundation; we sometimes |
| |
make exceptions for this. Our decision will be guided by the two goals |
| |
of preserving the free status of all derivatives of our free software and |
| |
of promoting the sharing and reuse of software generally. |
| |
|
| |
@iftex |
| |
@heading NO WARRANTY |
| |
@end iftex |
| |
@ifinfo |
| |
@center NO WARRANTY |
| |
@end ifinfo |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY |
| |
FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN |
| |
OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES |
| |
PROVIDE THE PROGRAM ``AS IS'' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED |
| |
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF |
| |
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS |
| |
TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE |
| |
PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, |
| |
REPAIR OR CORRECTION. |
| |
|
| |
@item |
| |
IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING |
| |
WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR |
| |
REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, |
| |
INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING |
| |
OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED |
| |
TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY |
| |
YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER |
| |
PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE |
| |
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. |
| |
@end enumerate |
| |
|
| @iftex |
@iftex |
| |
@heading END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
| |
@end iftex |
| |
@ifinfo |
| |
@center END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
| |
@end ifinfo |
| |
|
| |
@page |
| |
@unnumberedsec How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs |
| |
|
| |
If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest |
| |
possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it |
| |
free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms. |
| |
|
| |
To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest |
| |
to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively |
| |
convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least |
| |
the ``copyright'' line and a pointer to where the full notice is found. |
| |
|
| |
@smallexample |
| |
@var{one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.} |
| |
Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author} |
| |
|
| |
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify |
| |
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by |
| |
the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or |
| |
(at your option) any later version. |
| |
|
| |
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, |
| |
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of |
| |
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the |
| |
GNU General Public License for more details. |
| |
|
| |
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License |
| |
along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software |
| |
Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. |
| |
@end smallexample |
| |
|
| |
Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail. |
| |
|
| |
If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this |
| |
when it starts in an interactive mode: |
| |
|
| |
@smallexample |
| |
Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author} |
| |
Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details |
| |
type `show w'. |
| |
This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it |
| |
under certain conditions; type `show c' for details. |
| |
@end smallexample |
| |
|
| |
The hypothetical commands @samp{show w} and @samp{show c} should show |
| |
the appropriate parts of the General Public License. Of course, the |
| |
commands you use may be called something other than @samp{show w} and |
| |
@samp{show c}; they could even be mouse-clicks or menu items---whatever |
| |
suits your program. |
| |
|
| |
You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your |
| |
school, if any, to sign a ``copyright disclaimer'' for the program, if |
| |
necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names: |
| |
|
| |
@smallexample |
| |
Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the program |
| |
`Gnomovision' (which makes passes at compilers) written by James Hacker. |
| |
|
| |
@var{signature of Ty Coon}, 1 April 1989 |
| |
Ty Coon, President of Vice |
| |
@end smallexample |
| |
|
| |
This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into |
| |
proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you may |
| |
consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the |
| |
library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library General |
| |
Public License instead of this License. |
| |
|
| |
@iftex |
| |
@node Preface |
| |
@comment node-name, next, previous, up |
| @unnumbered Preface |
@unnumbered Preface |
| This manual documents GNU Forth. The reader is expected to know |
@cindex Preface |
| |
This manual documents Gforth. The reader is expected to know |
| Forth. This manual is primarily a reference manual. @xref{Other Books} |
Forth. This manual is primarily a reference manual. @xref{Other Books} |
| for introductory material. |
for introductory material. |
| @end iftex |
@end iftex |
| |
|
| @node Goals, Other Books, License, Top |
@node Goals, Other Books, License, Top |
| @comment node-name, next, previous, up |
@comment node-name, next, previous, up |
| @chapter Goals of GNU Forth |
@chapter Goals of Gforth |
| @cindex Goals |
@cindex Goals |
| The goal of the GNU Forth Project is to develop a standard model for |
The goal of the Gforth Project is to develop a standard model for |
| ANSI Forth. This can be split into several subgoals: |
ANSI Forth. This can be split into several subgoals: |
| |
|
| @itemize @bullet |
@itemize @bullet |
| @item |
@item |
| GNU Forth should conform to the ANSI Forth standard. |
Gforth should conform to the ANSI Forth standard. |
| @item |
@item |
| It should be a model, i.e. it should define all the |
It should be a model, i.e. it should define all the |
| implementation-dependent things. |
implementation-dependent things. |
| is the most difficult one. |
is the most difficult one. |
| @end itemize |
@end itemize |
| |
|
| To achieve these goals GNU Forth should be |
To achieve these goals Gforth should be |
| @itemize @bullet |
@itemize @bullet |
| @item |
@item |
| Similar to previous models (fig-Forth, F83) |
Similar to previous models (fig-Forth, F83) |
| Available on many machines/easy to port. |
Available on many machines/easy to port. |
| @end itemize |
@end itemize |
| |
|
| Have we achieved these goals? GNU Forth conforms to the ANS Forth |
Have we achieved these goals? Gforth conforms to the ANS Forth |
| standard; it may be considered a model, but we have not yet documented |
standard. It may be considered a model, but we have not yet documented |
| which parts of the model are stable and which parts we are likely to |
which parts of the model are stable and which parts we are likely to |
| change; it certainly has not yet become a de facto standard. It has some |
change. It certainly has not yet become a de facto standard. It has some |
| similarities and some differences to previous models; It has some |
similarities and some differences to previous models. It has some |
| powerful features, but not yet everything that we envisioned; on RISCs |
powerful features, but not yet everything that we envisioned. We |
| it is as fast as interpreters programmed in assembly, on |
certainly have achieved our execution speed goals (@pxref{Performance}). |
| register-starved machines it is not so fast, but still faster than any |
It is free and available on many machines. |
| other C-based interpretive implementation; it is free and available on |
|
| many machines. |
|
| |
|
| @node Other Books, Invocation, Goals, Top |
@node Other Books, Invocation, Goals, Top |
| @chapter Other books on ANS Forth |
@chapter Other books on ANS Forth |
| |
|
| As the standard is relatively new, there are not many books out yet. It |
As the standard is relatively new, there are not many books out yet. It |
| is not recommended to learn Forth by using GNU Forth and a book that is |
is not recommended to learn Forth by using Gforth and a book that is |
| not written for ANS Forth, as you will not know your mistakes from the |
not written for ANS Forth, as you will not know your mistakes from the |
| deviations of the book. |
deviations of the book. |
| |
|
| There is, of course, the standard, the definite reference if you want to |
There is, of course, the standard, the definite reference if you want to |
| write ANS Forth programs. It will be available in printed form from |
write ANS Forth programs. It is available in printed form from the |
| Global Engineering Documents !! somtime in spring or summer 1994. If you |
National Standards Institute Sales Department (Tel.: USA (212) 642-4900; |
| are lucky, you can still get dpANS6 (the draft that was approved as |
Fax.: USA (212) 302-1286) as document @cite{X3.215-1994} for about $200. You |
| standard) by aftp from ftp.uu.net:/vendor/minerva/x3j14. |
can also get it from Global Engineering Documents (Tel.: USA (800) |
| |
854-7179; Fax.: (303) 843-9880) for about $300. |
| |
|
| |
@cite{dpANS6}, the last draft of the standard, which was then submitted to ANSI |
| |
for publication is available electronically and for free in some MS Word |
| |
format, and it has been converted to HTML. Some pointers to these |
| |
versions can be found through |
| |
@*@file{http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/projects/forth.html}. |
| |
|
| @cite{Forth: The new model} by Jack Woehr (!! Publisher) is an |
@cite{Forth: The new model} by Jack Woehr (Prentice-Hall, 1993) is an |
| introductory book based on a draft version of the standard. It does not |
introductory book based on a draft version of the standard. It does not |
| cover the whole standard. It also contains interesting background |
cover the whole standard. It also contains interesting background |
| information (Jack Woehr was in the ANS Forth Technical Committe). It is |
information (Jack Woehr was in the ANS Forth Technical Committe). It is |
| @chapter Invocation |
@chapter Invocation |
| |
|
| You will usually just say @code{gforth}. In many other cases the default |
You will usually just say @code{gforth}. In many other cases the default |
| GNU Forth image will be invoked like this: |
Gforth image will be invoked like this: |
| |
|
| @example |
@example |
| gforth [files] [-e forth-code] |
gforth [files] [-e forth-code] |
| |
|
| @table @code |
@table @code |
| @item --image-file @var{file} |
@item --image-file @var{file} |
| |
@item -i @var{file} |
| Loads the Forth image @var{file} instead of the default |
Loads the Forth image @var{file} instead of the default |
| @file{gforth.fi}. |
@file{gforth.fi}. |
| |
|
| @item --path @var{path} |
@item --path @var{path} |
| |
@item -p @var{path} |
| Uses @var{path} for searching the image file and Forth source code |
Uses @var{path} for searching the image file and Forth source code |
| files instead of the default in the environment variable |
files instead of the default in the environment variable |
| @code{GFORTHPATH} or the path specified at installation time (typically |
@code{GFORTHPATH} or the path specified at installation time (typically |
| after processing the command line (instead of entering interactive mode) |
after processing the command line (instead of entering interactive mode) |
| append @code{-e bye} to the command line. |
append @code{-e bye} to the command line. |
| |
|
| |
If you have several versions of Gforth installed, @code{gforth} will |
| |
invoke the version that was installed last. @code{gforth-@var{version}} |
| |
invokes a specific version. You may want to use the option |
| |
@code{--path}, if your environment contains the variable |
| |
@code{GFORTHPATH}. |
| |
|
| Not yet implemented: |
Not yet implemented: |
| On startup the system first executes the system initialization file |
On startup the system first executes the system initialization file |
| (unless the option @code{--no-init-file} is given; note that the system |
(unless the option @code{--no-init-file} is given; note that the system |
| option @code{--no-rc} is given; this file is first searched in @file{.}, |
option @code{--no-rc} is given; this file is first searched in @file{.}, |
| then in @file{~}, then in the normal path (see above). |
then in @file{~}, then in the normal path (see above). |
| |
|
| @node Words, , Invocation, Top |
@node Words, ANS conformance, Invocation, Top |
| @chapter Forth Words |
@chapter Forth Words |
| |
|
| @menu |
@menu |
| * Stack Manipulation:: |
* Stack Manipulation:: |
| * Memory access:: |
* Memory access:: |
| * Control Structures:: |
* Control Structures:: |
| * Local Variables:: |
* Locals:: |
| * Defining Words:: |
* Defining Words:: |
| * Vocabularies:: |
* Wordlists:: |
| * Files:: |
* Files:: |
| * Blocks:: |
* Blocks:: |
| * Other I/O:: |
* Other I/O:: |
| * Programming Tools:: |
* Programming Tools:: |
| |
* Assembler and Code words:: |
| |
* Threading Words:: |
| @end menu |
@end menu |
| |
|
| @node Notation, Arithmetic, Words, Words |
@node Notation, Arithmetic, Words, Words |
| The Forth words are described in this section in the glossary notation |
The Forth words are described in this section in the glossary notation |
| that has become a de-facto standard for Forth texts, i.e. |
that has become a de-facto standard for Forth texts, i.e. |
| |
|
| @quotation |
@format |
| @var{word} @var{Stack effect} @var{wordset} @var{pronunciation} |
@var{word} @var{Stack effect} @var{wordset} @var{pronunciation} |
| |
@end format |
| @var{Description} |
@var{Description} |
| @end quotation |
|
| |
|
| @table @var |
@table @var |
| @item word |
@item word |
| The name of the word. BTW, GNU Forth is case insensitive, so you can |
The name of the word. BTW, Gforth is case insensitive, so you can |
| type the words in in lower case. |
type the words in in lower case (However, @pxref{core-idef}). |
| |
|
| @item Stack effect |
@item Stack effect |
| The stack effect is written in the notation @code{@var{before} -- |
The stack effect is written in the notation @code{@var{before} -- |
| @var{after}}, where @var{before} and @var{after} describe the top of |
@var{after}}, where @var{before} and @var{after} describe the top of |
| stack entries before and after the execution of the word. The rest of |
stack entries before and after the execution of the word. The rest of |
| the stack is not touched by the word. The top of stack is rightmost, |
the stack is not touched by the word. The top of stack is rightmost, |
| i.e., a stack sequence is written as it is typed in. Note that GNU Forth |
i.e., a stack sequence is written as it is typed in. Note that Gforth |
| uses a separate floating point stack, but a unified stack |
uses a separate floating point stack, but a unified stack |
| notation. Also, return stack effects are not shown in @var{stack |
notation. Also, return stack effects are not shown in @var{stack |
| effect}, but in @var{Description}. The name of a stack item describes |
effect}, but in @var{Description}. The name of a stack item describes |
| the type and/or the function of the item. See below for a discussion of |
the type and/or the function of the item. See below for a discussion of |
| the types. |
the types. |
| |
|
| |
All words have two stack effects: A compile-time stack effect and a |
| |
run-time stack effect. The compile-time stack-effect of most words is |
| |
@var{ -- }. If the compile-time stack-effect of a word deviates from |
| |
this standard behaviour, or the word does other unusual things at |
| |
compile time, both stack effects are shown; otherwise only the run-time |
| |
stack effect is shown. |
| |
|
| @item pronunciation |
@item pronunciation |
| How the word is pronounced |
How the word is pronounced |
| |
|
| uses the more portable it will be in theory. However, we suspect that |
uses the more portable it will be in theory. However, we suspect that |
| most ANS Forth systems on personal machines will feature all |
most ANS Forth systems on personal machines will feature all |
| wordsets. Words that are not defined in the ANS standard have |
wordsets. Words that are not defined in the ANS standard have |
| @code{gforth} as wordset. |
@code{gforth} or @code{gforth-internal} as wordset. @code{gforth} |
| |
describes words that will work in future releases of Gforth; |
| |
@code{gforth-internal} words are more volatile. Environmental query |
| |
strings are also displayed like words; you can recognize them by the |
| |
@code{environment} in the wordset field. |
| |
|
| @item Description |
@item Description |
| A description of the behaviour of the word. |
A description of the behaviour of the word. |
| @end table |
@end table |
| |
|
| The name of a stack item corresponds in the following way with its type: |
The type of a stack item is specified by the character(s) the name |
| |
starts with: |
| |
|
| @table @code |
@table @code |
| @item name starts with |
|
| Type |
|
| @item f |
@item f |
| Bool, i.e. @code{false} or @code{true}. |
Bool, i.e. @code{false} or @code{true}. |
| @item c |
@item c |
| Pointer to a name structure |
Pointer to a name structure |
| @end table |
@end table |
| |
|
| @node Arithmetic, , Notation, Words |
@node Arithmetic, Stack Manipulation, Notation, Words |
| @section Arithmetic |
@section Arithmetic |
| Forth arithmetic is not checked, i.e., you will not hear about integer |
Forth arithmetic is not checked, i.e., you will not hear about integer |
| overflow on addition or multiplication, you may hear about division by |
overflow on addition or multiplication, you may hear about division by |
| operators. If you perform division with potentially negative operands, |
operators. If you perform division with potentially negative operands, |
| you do not want to use @code{/} or @code{/mod} with its undefined |
you do not want to use @code{/} or @code{/mod} with its undefined |
| behaviour, but rather @code{fm/mod} or @code{sm/mod} (probably the |
behaviour, but rather @code{fm/mod} or @code{sm/mod} (probably the |
| former). |
former, @pxref{Mixed precision}). |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Single precision:: |
| |
* Bitwise operations:: |
| |
* Mixed precision:: operations with single and double-cell integers |
| |
* Double precision:: Double-cell integer arithmetic |
| |
* Floating Point:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Single precision, Bitwise operations, Arithmetic, Arithmetic |
| @subsection Single precision |
@subsection Single precision |
| doc-+ |
doc-+ |
| doc-- |
doc-- |
| doc-min |
doc-min |
| doc-max |
doc-max |
| |
|
| |
@node Bitwise operations, Mixed precision, Single precision, Arithmetic |
| @subsection Bitwise operations |
@subsection Bitwise operations |
| doc-and |
doc-and |
| doc-or |
doc-or |
| doc-2* |
doc-2* |
| doc-2/ |
doc-2/ |
| |
|
| |
@node Mixed precision, Double precision, Bitwise operations, Arithmetic |
| @subsection Mixed precision |
@subsection Mixed precision |
| doc-m+ |
doc-m+ |
| doc-*/ |
doc-*/ |
| doc-fm/mod |
doc-fm/mod |
| doc-sm/rem |
doc-sm/rem |
| |
|
| |
@node Double precision, Floating Point, Mixed precision, Arithmetic |
| @subsection Double precision |
@subsection Double precision |
| |
|
| |
The outer (aka text) interpreter converts numbers containing a dot into |
| |
a double precision number. Note that only numbers with the dot as last |
| |
character are standard-conforming. |
| |
|
| doc-d+ |
doc-d+ |
| doc-d- |
doc-d- |
| doc-dnegate |
doc-dnegate |
| doc-dmin |
doc-dmin |
| doc-dmax |
doc-dmax |
| |
|
| @node Stack Manipulation,,, |
@node Floating Point, , Double precision, Arithmetic |
| |
@subsection Floating Point |
| |
|
| |
The format of floating point numbers recognized by the outer (aka text) |
| |
interpreter is: a signed decimal number, possibly containing a decimal |
| |
point (@code{.}), followed by @code{E} or @code{e}, optionally followed |
| |
by a signed integer (the exponent). E.g., @code{1e} ist the same as |
| |
@code{+1.0e+1}. Note that a number without @code{e} |
| |
is not interpreted as floating-point number, but as double (if the |
| |
number contains a @code{.}) or single precision integer. Also, |
| |
conversions between string and floating point numbers always use base |
| |
10, irrespective of the value of @code{BASE}. If @code{BASE} contains a |
| |
value greater then 14, the @code{E} may be interpreted as digit and the |
| |
number will be interpreted as integer, unless it has a signed exponent |
| |
(both @code{+} and @code{-} are allowed as signs). |
| |
|
| |
Angles in floating point operations are given in radians (a full circle |
| |
has 2 pi radians). Note, that Gforth has a separate floating point |
| |
stack, but we use the unified notation. |
| |
|
| |
Floating point numbers have a number of unpleasant surprises for the |
| |
unwary (e.g., floating point addition is not associative) and even a few |
| |
for the wary. You should not use them unless you know what you are doing |
| |
or you don't care that the results you get are totally bogus. If you |
| |
want to learn about the problems of floating point numbers (and how to |
| |
avoid them), you might start with @cite{David Goldberg, What Every |
| |
Computer Scientist Should Know About Floating-Point Arithmetic, ACM |
| |
Computing Surveys 23(1):5@minus{}48, March 1991}. |
| |
|
| |
doc-f+ |
| |
doc-f- |
| |
doc-f* |
| |
doc-f/ |
| |
doc-fnegate |
| |
doc-fabs |
| |
doc-fmax |
| |
doc-fmin |
| |
doc-floor |
| |
doc-fround |
| |
doc-f** |
| |
doc-fsqrt |
| |
doc-fexp |
| |
doc-fexpm1 |
| |
doc-fln |
| |
doc-flnp1 |
| |
doc-flog |
| |
doc-falog |
| |
doc-fsin |
| |
doc-fcos |
| |
doc-fsincos |
| |
doc-ftan |
| |
doc-fasin |
| |
doc-facos |
| |
doc-fatan |
| |
doc-fatan2 |
| |
doc-fsinh |
| |
doc-fcosh |
| |
doc-ftanh |
| |
doc-fasinh |
| |
doc-facosh |
| |
doc-fatanh |
| |
|
| |
@node Stack Manipulation, Memory access, Arithmetic, Words |
| @section Stack Manipulation |
@section Stack Manipulation |
| |
|
| gforth has a data stack (aka parameter stack) for characters, cells, |
Gforth has a data stack (aka parameter stack) for characters, cells, |
| addresses, and double cells, a floating point stack for floating point |
addresses, and double cells, a floating point stack for floating point |
| numbers, a return stack for storing the return addresses of colon |
numbers, a return stack for storing the return addresses of colon |
| definitions and other data, and a locals stack for storing local |
definitions and other data, and a locals stack for storing local |
| additional difficulty, you don't know how many cells a floating point |
additional difficulty, you don't know how many cells a floating point |
| number takes. It is reportedly possible to write words in a way that |
number takes. It is reportedly possible to write words in a way that |
| they work also for a unified stack model, but we do not recommend trying |
they work also for a unified stack model, but we do not recommend trying |
| it. Also, a Forth system is allowed to keep the local variables on the |
it. Instead, just say that your program has an environmental dependency |
| |
on a separate FP stack. |
| |
|
| |
Also, a Forth system is allowed to keep the local variables on the |
| return stack. This is reasonable, as local variables usually eliminate |
return stack. This is reasonable, as local variables usually eliminate |
| the need to use the return stack explicitly. So, if you want to produce |
the need to use the return stack explicitly. So, if you want to produce |
| a standard complying program and if you are using local variables in a |
a standard complying program and if you are using local variables in a |
| word, forget about return stack manipulations in that word (see the |
word, forget about return stack manipulations in that word (see the |
| standard document for the exact rules). |
standard document for the exact rules). |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Data stack:: |
| |
* Floating point stack:: |
| |
* Return stack:: |
| |
* Locals stack:: |
| |
* Stack pointer manipulation:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Data stack, Floating point stack, Stack Manipulation, Stack Manipulation |
| @subsection Data stack |
@subsection Data stack |
| doc-drop |
doc-drop |
| doc-nip |
doc-nip |
| doc-2swap |
doc-2swap |
| doc-2rot |
doc-2rot |
| |
|
| |
@node Floating point stack, Return stack, Data stack, Stack Manipulation |
| @subsection Floating point stack |
@subsection Floating point stack |
| doc-fdrop |
doc-fdrop |
| doc-fnip |
doc-fnip |
| doc-fswap |
doc-fswap |
| doc-frot |
doc-frot |
| |
|
| |
@node Return stack, Locals stack, Floating point stack, Stack Manipulation |
| @subsection Return stack |
@subsection Return stack |
| doc->r |
doc->r |
| doc-r> |
doc-r> |
| doc-2r@ |
doc-2r@ |
| doc-2rdrop |
doc-2rdrop |
| |
|
| |
@node Locals stack, Stack pointer manipulation, Return stack, Stack Manipulation |
| @subsection Locals stack |
@subsection Locals stack |
| |
|
| |
@node Stack pointer manipulation, , Locals stack, Stack Manipulation |
| @subsection Stack pointer manipulation |
@subsection Stack pointer manipulation |
| doc-sp@ |
doc-sp@ |
| doc-sp! |
doc-sp! |
| doc-lp@ |
doc-lp@ |
| doc-lp! |
doc-lp! |
| |
|
| @node Memory access |
@node Memory access, Control Structures, Stack Manipulation, Words |
| @section Memory access |
@section Memory access |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Stack-Memory transfers:: |
| |
* Address arithmetic:: |
| |
* Memory block access:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Stack-Memory transfers, Address arithmetic, Memory access, Memory access |
| @subsection Stack-Memory transfers |
@subsection Stack-Memory transfers |
| |
|
| doc-@ |
doc-@ |
| doc-df@ |
doc-df@ |
| doc-df! |
doc-df! |
| |
|
| |
@node Address arithmetic, Memory block access, Stack-Memory transfers, Memory access |
| @subsection Address arithmetic |
@subsection Address arithmetic |
| |
|
| ANS Forth does not specify the sizes of the data types. Instead, it |
ANS Forth does not specify the sizes of the data types. Instead, it |
| accessed at addresses divisible by 4. Even if a machine allows unaligned |
accessed at addresses divisible by 4. Even if a machine allows unaligned |
| accesses, it can usually perform aligned accesses faster. |
accesses, it can usually perform aligned accesses faster. |
| |
|
| For the performance-concious: alignment operations are usually only |
For the performance-conscious: alignment operations are usually only |
| necessary during the definition of a data structure, not during the |
necessary during the definition of a data structure, not during the |
| (more frequent) accesses to it. |
(more frequent) accesses to it. |
| |
|
| created. |
created. |
| |
|
| The standard guarantees that addresses returned by @code{CREATE}d words |
The standard guarantees that addresses returned by @code{CREATE}d words |
| are cell-aligned; in addition, gforth guarantees that these addresses |
are cell-aligned; in addition, Gforth guarantees that these addresses |
| are aligned for all purposes. |
are aligned for all purposes. |
| |
|
| |
Note that the standard defines a word @code{char}, which has nothing to |
| |
do with address arithmetic. |
| |
|
| doc-chars |
doc-chars |
| doc-char+ |
doc-char+ |
| doc-cells |
doc-cells |
| doc-dfloat+ |
doc-dfloat+ |
| doc-dfalign |
doc-dfalign |
| doc-dfaligned |
doc-dfaligned |
| |
doc-maxalign |
| |
doc-maxaligned |
| |
doc-cfalign |
| |
doc-cfaligned |
| doc-address-unit-bits |
doc-address-unit-bits |
| |
|
| |
@node Memory block access, , Address arithmetic, Memory access |
| @subsection Memory block access |
@subsection Memory block access |
| |
|
| doc-move |
doc-move |
| doc-fill |
doc-fill |
| doc-blank |
doc-blank |
| |
|
| @node Control Structures |
@node Control Structures, Locals, Memory access, Words |
| @section Control Structures |
@section Control Structures |
| |
|
| Control structures in Forth cannot be used in interpret state, only in |
Control structures in Forth cannot be used in interpret state, only in |
| limitation, but have not seen a satisfying way around it yet, although |
limitation, but have not seen a satisfying way around it yet, although |
| many schemes have been proposed. |
many schemes have been proposed. |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Selection:: |
| |
* Simple Loops:: |
| |
* Counted Loops:: |
| |
* Arbitrary control structures:: |
| |
* Calls and returns:: |
| |
* Exception Handling:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Selection, Simple Loops, Control Structures, Control Structures |
| @subsection Selection |
@subsection Selection |
| |
|
| @example |
@example |
| ENDIF |
ENDIF |
| @end example |
@end example |
| |
|
| You can use @code{THEN} instead of {ENDIF}. Indeed, @code{THEN} is |
You can use @code{THEN} instead of @code{ENDIF}. Indeed, @code{THEN} is |
| standard, and @code{ENDIF} is not, although it is quite popular. We |
standard, and @code{ENDIF} is not, although it is quite popular. We |
| recommend using @code{ENDIF}, because it is less confusing for people |
recommend using @code{ENDIF}, because it is less confusing for people |
| who also know other languages (and is not prone to reinforcing negative |
who also know other languages (and is not prone to reinforcing negative |
| CASE |
CASE |
| @var{n1} OF @var{code1} ENDOF |
@var{n1} OF @var{code1} ENDOF |
| @var{n2} OF @var{code2} ENDOF |
@var{n2} OF @var{code2} ENDOF |
| @dots |
@dots{} |
| ENDCASE |
ENDCASE |
| @end example |
@end example |
| |
|
| the last @code{ENDOF}. It may use @var{n}, which is on top of the stack, |
the last @code{ENDOF}. It may use @var{n}, which is on top of the stack, |
| but must not consume it. |
but must not consume it. |
| |
|
| |
@node Simple Loops, Counted Loops, Selection, Control Structures |
| @subsection Simple Loops |
@subsection Simple Loops |
| |
|
| @example |
@example |
| |
|
| This is an endless loop. |
This is an endless loop. |
| |
|
| |
@node Counted Loops, Arbitrary control structures, Simple Loops, Control Structures |
| @subsection Counted Loops |
@subsection Counted Loops |
| |
|
| The basic counted loop is: |
The basic counted loop is: |
| |
|
| @code{LEAVE} leaves the innermost counted loop immediately. |
@code{LEAVE} leaves the innermost counted loop immediately. |
| |
|
| |
If @var{start} is greater than @var{limit}, a @code{?DO} loop is entered |
| |
(and @code{LOOP} iterates until they become equal by wrap-around |
| |
arithmetic). This behaviour is usually not what you want. Therefore, |
| |
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 |
| |
@var{limit}; @code{+DO} is for signed loop parameters, @code{U+DO} for |
| |
unsigned loop parameters. These words can be implemented easily on |
| |
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 |
| between @var{limit-1} and @var{limit} is crossed. E.g.: |
between @var{limit-1} and @var{limit} is crossed. E.g.: |
| |
|
| @code{4 0 ?DO i . 2 +LOOP} prints @code{0 2} |
@code{4 0 +DO i . 2 +LOOP} prints @code{0 2} |
| |
|
| @code{4 1 ?DO i . 2 +LOOP} prints @code{1 3} |
@code{4 1 +DO i . 2 +LOOP} prints @code{1 3} |
| |
|
| The behaviour of @code{@var{n} +LOOP} is peculiar when @var{n} is negative: |
The behaviour of @code{@var{n} +LOOP} is peculiar when @var{n} is negative: |
| |
|
| |
|
| @code{ 0 0 ?DO i . -1 +LOOP} prints nothing |
@code{ 0 0 ?DO i . -1 +LOOP} prints nothing |
| |
|
| Therefore we recommend avoiding using @code{@var{n} +LOOP} with negative |
Therefore we recommend avoiding @code{@var{n} +LOOP} with negative |
| @var{n}. One alternative is @code{@var{n} S+LOOP}, where the negative |
@var{n}. One alternative is @code{@var{u} -LOOP}, which reduces the |
| case behaves symmetrical to the positive case: |
index by @var{u} each iteration. The loop is terminated when the border |
| |
between @var{limit+1} and @var{limit} is crossed. Gforth also provides |
| |
@code{-DO} and @code{U-DO} for down-counting loops. E.g.: |
| |
|
| @code{-2 0 ?DO i . -1 +LOOP} prints @code{0 -1} |
@code{-2 0 -DO i . 1 -LOOP} prints @code{0 -1} |
| |
|
| @code{-1 0 ?DO i . -1 +LOOP} prints @code{0} |
@code{-1 0 -DO i . 1 -LOOP} prints @code{0} |
| |
|
| @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 |
| |
case behaves symmetrical to the positive case: |
| |
|
| |
@code{-2 0 -DO i . -1 S+LOOP} prints @code{0 -1} |
| |
|
| The loop is terminated when the border between @var{limit@minus{}sgn(n)} and |
The loop is terminated when the border between @var{limit@minus{}sgn(n)} |
| @var{limit} is crossed. However, @code{S+LOOP} is not part of the ANS |
and @var{limit} is crossed. Unfortunately, neither @code{-LOOP} nor |
| Forth standard. |
@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 |
| @code{?DO} can be replaced by @code{DO}. @code{DO} enters the loop even |
programs, just avoid counting down. |
| when the start and the limit value are equal. We do not recommend using |
|
| @code{DO}. It will just give you maintenance troubles. |
@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 |
| |
if you know that the loop is entered in any case. Such knowledge tends |
| |
to become invalid during maintenance of a program, and then the |
| |
@code{DO} will make trouble. |
| |
|
| @code{UNLOOP} is used to prepare for an abnormal loop exit, e.g., via |
@code{UNLOOP} is used to prepare for an abnormal loop exit, e.g., via |
| @code{EXIT}. @code{UNLOOP} removes the loop control parameters from the |
@code{EXIT}. @code{UNLOOP} removes the loop control parameters from the |
| NEXT |
NEXT |
| @end example |
@end example |
| This is the preferred loop of native code compiler writers who are too |
This is the preferred loop of native code compiler writers who are too |
| lazy to optimize @code{?DO} loops properly. In GNU Forth, 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. |
| |
|
| |
@node Arbitrary control structures, Calls and returns, Counted Loops, Control Structures |
| @subsection Arbitrary control structures |
@subsection Arbitrary control structures |
| |
|
| ANS Forth permits and supports using control structures in a non-nested |
ANS Forth permits and supports using control structures in a non-nested |
| way. Information about incomplete control structures is stored on the |
way. Information about incomplete control structures is stored on the |
| control-flow stack. This stack may be implemented on the Forth data |
control-flow stack. This stack may be implemented on the Forth data |
| stack, and this is what we have done in gforth. |
stack, and this is what we have done in Gforth. |
| |
|
| An @i{orig} entry represents an unresolved forward branch, a @i{dest} |
An @i{orig} entry represents an unresolved forward branch, a @i{dest} |
| entry represents a backward branch target. A few words are the basis for |
entry represents a backward branch target. A few words are the basis for |
| doc-cs-pick |
doc-cs-pick |
| doc-cs-roll |
doc-cs-roll |
| |
|
| On many systems control-flow stack items take one word, in gforth they |
On many systems control-flow stack items take one word, in Gforth they |
| currently take three (this may change in the future). Therefore it is a |
currently take three (this may change in the future). Therefore it is a |
| really good idea to manipulate the control flow stack with |
really good idea to manipulate the control flow stack with |
| @code{cs-pick} and @code{cs-roll}, not with data stack manipulation |
@code{cs-pick} and @code{cs-roll}, not with data stack manipulation |
| Counted loop words constitute a separate group of words: |
Counted loop words constitute a separate group of words: |
| |
|
| doc-?do |
doc-?do |
| |
doc-+do |
| |
doc-u+do |
| |
doc--do |
| |
doc-u-do |
| doc-do |
doc-do |
| doc-for |
doc-for |
| doc-loop |
doc-loop |
| doc-s+loop |
doc-s+loop |
| doc-+loop |
doc-+loop |
| |
doc--loop |
| doc-next |
doc-next |
| doc-leave |
doc-leave |
| doc-?leave |
doc-?leave |
| doc-unloop |
doc-unloop |
| doc-undo |
doc-done |
| |
|
| The standard does not allow using @code{cs-pick} and @code{cs-roll} on |
The standard does not allow using @code{cs-pick} and @code{cs-roll} on |
| @i{do-sys}. Our system allows it, but it's your job to ensure that for |
@i{do-sys}. Our system allows it, but it's your job to ensure that for |
| every @code{?DO} etc. there is exactly one @code{UNLOOP} on any path |
every @code{?DO} etc. there is exactly one @code{UNLOOP} on any path |
| through the definition (@code{LOOP} etc. compile an @code{UNLOOP} on the |
through the definition (@code{LOOP} etc. compile an @code{UNLOOP} on the |
| fall-through path). Also, you have to ensure that all @code{LEAVE}s are |
fall-through path). Also, you have to ensure that all @code{LEAVE}s are |
| resolved (by using one of the loop-ending words or @code{UNDO}). |
resolved (by using one of the loop-ending words or @code{DONE}). |
| |
|
| Another group of control structure words are |
Another group of control structure words are |
| |
|
| @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. |
| |
|
| |
@node Calls and returns, Exception Handling, Arbitrary control structures, Control Structures |
| @subsection Calls and returns |
@subsection Calls and returns |
| |
|
| A definition can be called simply be writing the name of the |
A definition can be called simply be writing the name of the |
| definition. When the end of the definition is reached, it returns. An earlier return can be forced using |
definition. When the end of the definition is reached, it returns. An |
| |
earlier return can be forced using |
| |
|
| doc-exit |
doc-exit |
| |
|
| |
|
| doc-;s |
doc-;s |
| |
|
| |
@node Exception Handling, , Calls and returns, Control Structures |
| @subsection Exception Handling |
@subsection Exception Handling |
| |
|
| doc-catch |
doc-catch |
| doc-throw |
doc-throw |
| |
|
| @node Locals |
@node Locals, Defining Words, Control Structures, Words |
| @section Locals |
@section Locals |
| |
|
| Local variables can make Forth programming more enjoyable and Forth |
Local variables can make Forth programming more enjoyable and Forth |
| locals wordset, but also our own, more powerful locals wordset (we |
locals wordset, but also our own, more powerful locals wordset (we |
| implemented the ANS Forth locals wordset through our locals wordset). |
implemented the ANS Forth locals wordset through our locals wordset). |
| |
|
| |
The ideas in this section have also been published in the paper |
| |
@cite{Automatic Scoping of Local Variables} by M. Anton Ertl, presented |
| |
at EuroForth '94; it is available at |
| |
@*@file{http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/papers/ertl94l.ps.gz}. |
| |
|
| @menu |
@menu |
| |
* Gforth locals:: |
| |
* ANS Forth locals:: |
| @end menu |
@end menu |
| |
|
| @subsection gforth locals |
@node Gforth locals, ANS Forth locals, Locals, Locals |
| |
@subsection Gforth locals |
| |
|
| Locals can be defined with |
Locals can be defined with |
| |
|
| Ar Bi f* Ai Br f* f+ ; |
Ar Bi f* Ai Br f* f+ ; |
| @end example |
@end example |
| |
|
| GNU Forth currently supports cells (@code{W:}, @code{W^}), doubles |
Gforth currently supports cells (@code{W:}, @code{W^}), doubles |
| (@code{D:}, @code{D^}), floats (@code{F:}, @code{F^}) and characters |
(@code{D:}, @code{D^}), floats (@code{F:}, @code{F^}) and characters |
| (@code{C:}, @code{C^}) in two flavours: a value-flavoured local (defined |
(@code{C:}, @code{C^}) in two flavours: a value-flavoured local (defined |
| with @code{W:}, @code{D:} etc.) produces its value and can be changed |
with @code{W:}, @code{D:} etc.) produces its value and can be changed |
| Currently there is no way to define locals with user-defined data |
Currently there is no way to define locals with user-defined data |
| structures, but we are working on it. |
structures, but we are working on it. |
| |
|
| GNU Forth allows defining locals everywhere in a colon definition. This poses the following questions: |
Gforth allows defining locals everywhere in a colon definition. This |
| |
poses the following questions: |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Where are locals visible by name?:: |
| |
* How long do locals live?:: |
| |
* Programming Style:: |
| |
* Implementation:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Where are locals visible by name?, How long do locals live?, Gforth locals, Gforth locals |
| @subsubsection Where are locals visible by name? |
@subsubsection Where are locals visible by name? |
| |
|
| Basically, the answer is that locals are visible where you would expect |
Basically, the answer is that locals are visible where you would expect |
| BEGIN |
BEGIN |
| x |
x |
| [ 1 CS-ROLL ] THEN |
[ 1 CS-ROLL ] THEN |
| { x } |
@{ x @} |
| ... |
... |
| UNTIL |
UNTIL |
| @end example |
@end example |
| warns the user if it was too optimisitic: |
warns the user if it was too optimisitic: |
| @example |
@example |
| IF |
IF |
| { x } |
@{ x @} |
| BEGIN |
BEGIN |
| \ x ? |
\ x ? |
| [ 1 cs-roll ] THEN |
[ 1 cs-roll ] THEN |
| @example |
@example |
| IF |
IF |
| SCOPE |
SCOPE |
| { x } |
@{ x @} |
| ENDSCOPE |
ENDSCOPE |
| BEGIN |
BEGIN |
| [ 1 cs-roll ] THEN |
[ 1 cs-roll ] THEN |
| @code{AHEAD} or @code{EXIT}), the compiler cannot even make an |
@code{AHEAD} or @code{EXIT}), the compiler cannot even make an |
| optimistic guess, as the locals visible after the @code{BEGIN} may be |
optimistic guess, as the locals visible after the @code{BEGIN} may be |
| defined later. Therefore, the compiler assumes that no locals are |
defined later. Therefore, the compiler assumes that no locals are |
| visible after the @code{BEGIN}. However, the useer can use |
visible after the @code{BEGIN}. However, the user can use |
| @code{ASSUME-LIVE} to make the compiler assume that the same locals are |
@code{ASSUME-LIVE} to make the compiler assume that the same locals are |
| visible at the BEGIN as at the point where the item was created. |
visible at the BEGIN as at the point where the top control-flow stack |
| |
item was created. |
| |
|
| doc-assume-live |
doc-assume-live |
| |
|
| E.g., |
E.g., |
| @example |
@example |
| { x } |
@{ x @} |
| AHEAD |
AHEAD |
| ASSUME-LIVE |
ASSUME-LIVE |
| BEGIN |
BEGIN |
| arranged into: |
arranged into: |
| @example |
@example |
| BEGIN |
BEGIN |
| { x } |
@{ x @} |
| ... 0= |
... 0= |
| WHILE |
WHILE |
| x |
x |
| REPEAT |
REPEAT |
| @end example |
@end example |
| |
|
| |
@node How long do locals live?, Programming Style, Where are locals visible by name?, Gforth locals |
| @subsubsection How long do locals live? |
@subsubsection How long do locals live? |
| |
|
| The right answer for the lifetime question would be: A local lives at |
The right answer for the lifetime question would be: A local lives at |
| afterwards its address is invalid (and programs that access it |
afterwards its address is invalid (and programs that access it |
| afterwards are erroneous). |
afterwards are erroneous). |
| |
|
| |
@node Programming Style, Implementation, How long do locals live?, Gforth locals |
| @subsubsection Programming Style |
@subsubsection Programming Style |
| |
|
| The freedom to define locals anywhere has the potential to change |
The freedom to define locals anywhere has the potential to change |
| write the items in the order you want. |
write the items in the order you want. |
| |
|
| This seems a little far-fetched and eliminating stack manipulations is |
This seems a little far-fetched and eliminating stack manipulations is |
| unlikely to become a conscious programming objective. Still, the |
unlikely to become a conscious programming objective. Still, the number |
| number of stack manipulations will be reduced dramatically if local |
of stack manipulations will be reduced dramatically if local variables |
| variables are used liberally (e.g., compare @code{max} in \sect{misc} |
are used liberally (e.g., compare @code{max} in @ref{Gforth locals} with |
| with a traditional implementation of @code{max}). |
a traditional implementation of @code{max}). |
| |
|
| This shows one potential benefit of locals: making Forth programs more |
This shows one potential benefit of locals: making Forth programs more |
| readable. Of course, this benefit will only be realized if the |
readable. Of course, this benefit will only be realized if the |
| Here it is clear from the start that @code{s1} has a different value |
Here it is clear from the start that @code{s1} has a different value |
| in every loop iteration. |
in every loop iteration. |
| |
|
| |
@node Implementation, , Programming Style, Gforth locals |
| @subsubsection Implementation |
@subsubsection Implementation |
| |
|
| GNU Forth uses an extra locals stack. The most compelling reason for |
Gforth uses an extra locals stack. The most compelling reason for |
| this is that the return stack is not float-aligned; using an extra stack |
this is that the return stack is not float-aligned; using an extra stack |
| also eliminates the problems and restrictions of using the return stack |
also eliminates the problems and restrictions of using the return stack |
| as locals stack. Like the other stacks, the locals stack grows toward |
as locals stack. Like the other stacks, the locals stack grows toward |
| compile the right specialized version, or the general version, as |
compile the right specialized version, or the general version, as |
| appropriate: |
appropriate: |
| |
|
| doc-compile-@@local |
doc-compile-@local |
| doc-compile-f@@local |
doc-compile-f@local |
| doc-compile-lp+! |
doc-compile-lp+! |
| |
|
| Combinations of conditional branches and @code{lp+!#} like |
Combinations of conditional branches and @code{lp+!#} like |
| initializing code. @code{W:} etc.@ are normal defining words. This |
initializing code. @code{W:} etc.@ are normal defining words. This |
| special area is cleared at the start of every colon definition. |
special area is cleared at the start of every colon definition. |
| |
|
| A special feature of GNU Forths dictionary is used to implement the |
A special feature of Gforth's dictionary is used to implement the |
| definition of locals without type specifiers: every wordlist (aka |
definition of locals without type specifiers: every wordlist (aka |
| vocabulary) has its own methods for searching |
vocabulary) has its own methods for searching |
| etc. (@xref{dictionary}). For the present purpose we defined a wordlist |
etc. (@pxref{Wordlists}). For the present purpose we defined a wordlist |
| with a special search method: When it is searched for a word, it |
with a special search method: When it is searched for a word, it |
| actually creates that word using @code{W:}. @code{@{} changes the search |
actually creates that word using @code{W:}. @code{@{} changes the search |
| order to first search the wordlist containing @code{@}}, @code{W:} etc., |
order to first search the wordlist containing @code{@}}, @code{W:} etc., |
| @code{lp+!#} orig-locals-size @minus{} new-locals-size |
@code{lp+!#} orig-locals-size @minus{} new-locals-size |
| @end format |
@end format |
| The second @code{lp+!#} adjusts the locals stack pointer from the |
The second @code{lp+!#} adjusts the locals stack pointer from the |
| level at the {\em orig} point to the level after the @code{THEN}. The |
level at the @var{orig} point to the level after the @code{THEN}. The |
| first @code{lp+!#} adjusts the locals stack pointer from the current |
first @code{lp+!#} adjusts the locals stack pointer from the current |
| level to the level at the orig point, so the complete effect is an |
level to the level at the orig point, so the complete effect is an |
| adjustment from the current level to the right level after the |
adjustment from the current level to the right level after the |
| usually less than reclaiming this space would cost in code size. |
usually less than reclaiming this space would cost in code size. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@node ANS Forth locals, , Gforth locals, Locals |
| @subsection ANS Forth locals |
@subsection ANS Forth locals |
| |
|
| The ANS Forth locals wordset does not define a syntax for locals, but |
The ANS Forth locals wordset does not define a syntax for locals, but |
| words that make it possible to define various syntaxes. One of the |
words that make it possible to define various syntaxes. One of the |
| possible syntaxes is a subset of the syntax we used in the gforth locals |
possible syntaxes is a subset of the syntax we used in the Gforth locals |
| wordset, i.e.: |
wordset, i.e.: |
| |
|
| @example |
@example |
| |
|
| @itemize @bullet |
@itemize @bullet |
| @item |
@item |
| Locals can only be cell-sized values (no type specifers are allowed). |
Locals can only be cell-sized values (no type specifiers are allowed). |
| @item |
@item |
| Locals can be defined only outside control structures. |
Locals can be defined only outside control structures. |
| @item |
@item |
| Locals can interfere with explicit usage of the return stack. For the |
Locals can interfere with explicit usage of the return stack. For the |
| exact (and long) rules, see the standard. If you don't use return stack |
exact (and long) rules, see the standard. If you don't use return stack |
| accessing words in a definition using locals, you will we all right. The |
accessing words in a definition using locals, you will be all right. The |
| purpose of this rule is to make locals implementation on the return |
purpose of this rule is to make locals implementation on the return |
| stack easier. |
stack easier. |
| @item |
@item |
| @end itemize |
@end itemize |
| |
|
| Locals defined in this way behave like @code{VALUE}s |
Locals defined in this way behave like @code{VALUE}s |
| (@xref{values}). I.e., they are initialized from the stack. Using their |
(@xref{Values}). I.e., they are initialized from the stack. Using their |
| name produces their value. Their value can be changed using @code{TO}. |
name produces their value. Their value can be changed using @code{TO}. |
| |
|
| 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{anslocal.fs} to implement the syntax |
| on the other system. |
on the other system. |
| |
|
| The ANS Forth locals extension wordset defines a syntax, but it is so |
The ANS Forth locals extension wordset defines a syntax, but it is so |
| awful that we strongly recommend not to use it. We have implemented this |
awful that we strongly recommend not to use it. We have implemented this |
| syntax to make porting to gforth easy, but do not document it here. The |
syntax to make porting to Gforth easy, but do not document it here. The |
| problem with this syntax is that the locals are defined in an order |
problem with this syntax is that the locals are defined in an order |
| reversed with respect to the standard stack comment notation, making |
reversed with respect to the standard stack comment notation, making |
| programs harder to read, and easier to misread and miswrite. The only |
programs harder to read, and easier to misread and miswrite. The only |
| merit of this syntax is that it is easy to implement using the ANS Forth |
merit of this syntax is that it is easy to implement using the ANS Forth |
| locals wordset. |
locals wordset. |
| |
|
| @node Internals |
@node Defining Words, Wordlists, Locals, Words |
| |
@section Defining Words |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Values:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Values, , Defining Words, Defining Words |
| |
@subsection Values |
| |
|
| |
@node Wordlists, Files, Defining Words, Words |
| |
@section Wordlists |
| |
|
| |
@node Files, Blocks, Wordlists, Words |
| |
@section Files |
| |
|
| |
@node Blocks, Other I/O, Files, Words |
| |
@section Blocks |
| |
|
| |
@node Other I/O, Programming Tools, Blocks, Words |
| |
@section Other I/O |
| |
|
| |
@node Programming Tools, Assembler and Code words, Other I/O, Words |
| |
@section Programming Tools |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Debugging:: Simple and quick. |
| |
* Assertions:: Making your programs self-checking. |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Debugging, Assertions, Programming Tools, Programming Tools |
| |
@subsection Debugging |
| |
|
| |
The simple debugging aids provided in @file{debugging.fs} |
| |
are meant to support a different style of debugging than the |
| |
tracing/stepping debuggers used in languages with long turn-around |
| |
times. |
| |
|
| |
A much better (faster) way in fast-compilig languages is to add |
| |
printing code at well-selected places, let the program run, look at |
| |
the output, see where things went wrong, add more printing code, etc., |
| |
until the bug is found. |
| |
|
| |
The word @code{~~} is easy to insert. It just prints debugging |
| |
information (by default the source location and the stack contents). It |
| |
is also easy to remove (@kbd{C-x ~} in the Emacs Forth mode to |
| |
query-replace them with nothing). The deferred words |
| |
@code{printdebugdata} and @code{printdebugline} control the output of |
| |
@code{~~}. The default source location output format works well with |
| |
Emacs' compilation mode, so you can step through the program at the |
| |
source level using @kbd{C-x `} (the advantage over a stepping debugger |
| |
is that you can step in any direction and you know where the crash has |
| |
happened or where the strange data has occurred). |
| |
|
| |
Note that the default actions clobber the contents of the pictured |
| |
numeric output string, so you should not use @code{~~}, e.g., between |
| |
@code{<#} and @code{#>}. |
| |
|
| |
doc-~~ |
| |
doc-printdebugdata |
| |
doc-printdebugline |
| |
|
| |
@node Assertions, , Debugging, Programming Tools |
| |
@subsection Assertions |
| |
|
| |
It is a good idea to make your programs self-checking, in particular, if |
| |
you use an assumption (e.g., that a certain field of a data structure is |
| |
never zero) that may become wrong during maintenance. Gforth supports |
| |
assertions for this purpose. They are used like this: |
| |
|
| |
@example |
| |
assert( @var{flag} ) |
| |
@end example |
| |
|
| |
The code between @code{assert(} and @code{)} should compute a flag, that |
| |
should be true if everything is alright and false otherwise. It should |
| |
not change anything else on the stack. The overall stack effect of the |
| |
assertion is @code{( -- )}. E.g. |
| |
|
| |
@example |
| |
assert( 1 1 + 2 = ) \ what we learn in school |
| |
assert( dup 0<> ) \ assert that the top of stack is not zero |
| |
assert( false ) \ this code should not be reached |
| |
@end example |
| |
|
| |
The need for assertions is different at different times. During |
| |
debugging, we want more checking, in production we sometimes care more |
| |
for speed. Therefore, assertions can be turned off, i.e., the assertion |
| |
becomes a comment. Depending on the importance of an assertion and the |
| |
time it takes to check it, you may want to turn off some assertions and |
| |
keep others turned on. Gforth provides several levels of assertions for |
| |
this purpose: |
| |
|
| |
doc-assert0( |
| |
doc-assert1( |
| |
doc-assert2( |
| |
doc-assert3( |
| |
doc-assert( |
| |
doc-) |
| |
|
| |
@code{Assert(} is the same as @code{assert1(}. The variable |
| |
@code{assert-level} specifies the highest assertions that are turned |
| |
on. I.e., at the default @code{assert-level} of one, @code{assert0(} and |
| |
@code{assert1(} assertions perform checking, while @code{assert2(} and |
| |
@code{assert3(} assertions are treated as comments. |
| |
|
| |
Note that the @code{assert-level} is evaluated at compile-time, not at |
| |
run-time. I.e., you cannot turn assertions on or off at run-time, you |
| |
have to set the @code{assert-level} appropriately before compiling a |
| |
piece of code. You can compile several pieces of code at several |
| |
@code{assert-level}s (e.g., a trusted library at level 1 and newly |
| |
written code at level 3). |
| |
|
| |
doc-assert-level |
| |
|
| |
If an assertion fails, a message compatible with Emacs' compilation mode |
| |
is produced and the execution is aborted (currently with @code{ABORT"}. |
| |
If there is interest, we will introduce a special throw code. But if you |
| |
intend to @code{catch} a specific condition, using @code{throw} is |
| |
probably more appropriate than an assertion). |
| |
|
| |
@node Assembler and Code words, Threading Words, Programming Tools, Words |
| |
@section Assembler and Code words |
| |
|
| |
Gforth provides some words for defining primitives (words written in |
| |
machine code), and for defining the the machine-code equivalent of |
| |
@code{DOES>}-based defining words. However, the machine-independent |
| |
nature of Gforth poses a few problems: First of all. Gforth runs on |
| |
several architectures, so it can provide no standard assembler. What's |
| |
worse is that the register allocation not only depends on the processor, |
| |
but also on the gcc version and options used. |
| |
|
| |
The words Gforth offers encapsulate some system dependences (e.g., the |
| |
header structure), so a system-independent assembler may be used in |
| |
Gforth. If you do not have an assembler, you can compile machine code |
| |
directly with @code{,} and @code{c,}. |
| |
|
| |
doc-assembler |
| |
doc-code |
| |
doc-end-code |
| |
doc-;code |
| |
doc-flush-icache |
| |
|
| |
If @code{flush-icache} does not work correctly, @code{code} words |
| |
etc. will not work (reliably), either. |
| |
|
| |
These words are rarely used. Therefore they reside in @code{code.fs}, |
| |
which is usually not loaded (except @code{flush-icache}, which is always |
| |
present). You can load them with @code{require code.fs}. |
| |
|
| |
Another option for implementing normal and defining words efficiently |
| |
is: adding the wanted functionality to the source of Gforth. For normal |
| |
words you just have to edit @file{primitives}, defining words (for fast |
| |
defined words) probably require changes in @file{engine.c}, |
| |
@file{kernal.fs}, @file{prims2x.fs}, and possibly @file{cross.fs}. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@node Threading Words, , Assembler and Code words, Words |
| |
@section Threading Words |
| |
|
| |
These words provide access to code addresses and other threading stuff |
| |
in Gforth (and, possibly, other interpretive Forths). It more or less |
| |
abstracts away the differences between direct and indirect threading |
| |
(and, for direct threading, the machine dependences). However, at |
| |
present this wordset is still inclomplete. It is also pretty low-level; |
| |
some day it will hopefully be made unnecessary by an internals words set |
| |
that abstracts implementation details away completely. |
| |
|
| |
doc->code-address |
| |
doc->does-code |
| |
doc-code-address! |
| |
doc-does-code! |
| |
doc-does-handler! |
| |
doc-/does-handler |
| |
|
| |
The code addresses produced by various defining words are produced by |
| |
the following words: |
| |
|
| |
doc-docol: |
| |
doc-docon: |
| |
doc-dovar: |
| |
doc-douser: |
| |
doc-dodefer: |
| |
doc-dofield: |
| |
|
| |
Currently there is no installation-independent way for recogizing words |
| |
defined by a @code{CREATE}...@code{DOES>} word; however, once you know |
| |
that a word is defined by a @code{CREATE}...@code{DOES>} word, you can |
| |
use @code{>DOES-CODE}. |
| |
|
| |
@node ANS conformance, Model, Words, Top |
| |
@chapter ANS conformance |
| |
|
| |
To the best of our knowledge, Gforth is an |
| |
|
| |
ANS Forth System |
| |
@itemize |
| |
@item providing the Core Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Block word set |
| |
@item providing the Block Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Double-Number word set |
| |
@item providing the Double-Number Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Exception word set |
| |
@item providing the Exception Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Facility word set |
| |
@item providing @code{MS} and @code{TIME&DATE} from the Facility Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the File Access word set |
| |
@item providing the File Access Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Floating-Point word set |
| |
@item providing the Floating-Point Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Locals word set |
| |
@item providing the Locals Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Memory-Allocation word set |
| |
@item providing the Memory-Allocation Extensions word set (that one's easy) |
| |
@item providing the Programming-Tools word set |
| |
@item providing @code{;code}, @code{AHEAD}, @code{ASSEMBLER}, @code{BYE}, @code{CODE}, @code{CS-PICK}, @code{CS-ROLL}, @code{STATE}, @code{[ELSE]}, @code{[IF]}, @code{[THEN]} from the Programming-Tools Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the Search-Order word set |
| |
@item providing the Search-Order Extensions word set |
| |
@item providing the String word set |
| |
@item providing the String Extensions word set (another easy one) |
| |
@end itemize |
| |
|
| |
In addition, ANS Forth systems are required to document certain |
| |
implementation choices. This chapter tries to meet these |
| |
requirements. In many cases it gives a way to ask the system for the |
| |
information instead of providing the information directly, in |
| |
particular, if the information depends on the processor, the operating |
| |
system or the installation options chosen, or if they are likely to |
| |
change during the maintenance of Gforth. |
| |
|
| |
@comment The framework for the rest has been taken from pfe. |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* The Core Words:: |
| |
* The optional Block word set:: |
| |
* The optional Double Number word set:: |
| |
* The optional Exception word set:: |
| |
* The optional Facility word set:: |
| |
* The optional File-Access word set:: |
| |
* The optional Floating-Point word set:: |
| |
* The optional Locals word set:: |
| |
* The optional Memory-Allocation word set:: |
| |
* The optional Programming-Tools word set:: |
| |
* The optional Search-Order word set:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The Core Words, The optional Block word set, ANS conformance, ANS conformance |
| |
@comment node-name, next, previous, up |
| |
@section The Core Words |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* core-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* core-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
* core-other:: Other System Documentation |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node core-idef, core-ambcond, The Core Words, The Core Words |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item (Cell) aligned addresses: |
| |
processor-dependent. Gforth's alignment words perform natural alignment |
| |
(e.g., an address aligned for a datum of size 8 is divisible by |
| |
8). Unaligned accesses usually result in a @code{-23 THROW}. |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{EMIT} and non-graphic characters: |
| |
The character is output using the C library function (actually, macro) |
| |
@code{putchar}. |
| |
|
| |
@item character editing of @code{ACCEPT} and @code{EXPECT}: |
| |
This is modeled on the GNU readline library (@pxref{Readline |
| |
Interaction, , Command Line Editing, readline, The GNU Readline |
| |
Library}) with Emacs-like key bindings. @kbd{Tab} deviates a little by |
| |
producing a full word completion every time you type it (instead of |
| |
producing the common prefix of all completions). |
| |
|
| |
@item character set: |
| |
The character set of your computer and display device. Gforth is |
| |
8-bit-clean (but some other component in your system may make trouble). |
| |
|
| |
@item Character-aligned address requirements: |
| |
installation-dependent. Currently a character is represented by a C |
| |
@code{unsigned char}; in the future we might switch to @code{wchar_t} |
| |
(Comments on that requested). |
| |
|
| |
@item character-set extensions and matching of names: |
| |
Any character except the ASCII NUL charcter can be used in a |
| |
name. Matching is case-insensitive. The matching is performed using the |
| |
C function @code{strncasecmp}, whose function is probably influenced by |
| |
the locale. E.g., the @code{C} locale does not know about accents and |
| |
umlauts, so they are matched case-sensitively in that locale. For |
| |
portability reasons it is best to write programs such that they work in |
| |
the @code{C} locale. Then one can use libraries written by a Polish |
| |
programmer (who might use words containing ISO Latin-2 encoded |
| |
characters) and by a French programmer (ISO Latin-1) in the same program |
| |
(of course, @code{WORDS} will produce funny results for some of the |
| |
words (which ones, depends on the font you are using)). Also, the locale |
| |
you prefer may not be available in other operating systems. Hopefully, |
| |
Unicode will solve these problems one day. |
| |
|
| |
@item conditions under which control characters match a space delimiter: |
| |
If @code{WORD} is called with the space character as a delimiter, all |
| |
white-space characters (as identified by the C macro @code{isspace()}) |
| |
are delimiters. @code{PARSE}, on the other hand, treats space like other |
| |
delimiters. @code{PARSE-WORD} treats space like @code{WORD}, but behaves |
| |
like @code{PARSE} otherwise. @code{(NAME)}, which is used by the outer |
| |
interpreter (aka text interpreter) by default, treats all white-space |
| |
characters as delimiters. |
| |
|
| |
@item format of the control flow stack: |
| |
The data stack is used as control flow stack. The size of a control flow |
| |
stack item in cells is given by the constant @code{cs-item-size}. At the |
| |
time of this writing, an item consists of a (pointer to a) locals list |
| |
(third), an address in the code (second), and a tag for identifying the |
| |
item (TOS). The following tags are used: @code{defstart}, |
| |
@code{live-orig}, @code{dead-orig}, @code{dest}, @code{do-dest}, |
| |
@code{scopestart}. |
| |
|
| |
@item conversion of digits > 35 |
| |
The characters @code{[\]^_'} are the digits with the decimal value |
| |
36@minus{}41. There is no way to input many of the larger digits. |
| |
|
| |
@item display after input terminates in @code{ACCEPT} and @code{EXPECT}: |
| |
The cursor is moved to the end of the entered string. If the input is |
| |
terminated using the @kbd{Return} key, a space is typed. |
| |
|
| |
@item exception abort sequence of @code{ABORT"}: |
| |
The error string is stored into the variable @code{"error} and a |
| |
@code{-2 throw} is performed. |
| |
|
| |
@item input line terminator: |
| |
For interactive input, @kbd{C-m} and @kbd{C-j} terminate lines. One of |
| |
these characters is typically produced when you type the @kbd{Enter} or |
| |
@kbd{Return} key. |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum size of a counted string: |
| |
@code{s" /counted-string" environment? drop .}. Currently 255 characters |
| |
on all ports, but this may change. |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum size of a parsed string: |
| |
Given by the constant @code{/line}. Currently 255 characters. |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum size of a definition name, in characters: |
| |
31 |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum string length for @code{ENVIRONMENT?}, in characters: |
| |
31 |
| |
|
| |
@item method of selecting the user input device: |
| |
The user input device is the standard input. There is currently no way to |
| |
change it from within Gforth. However, the input can typically be |
| |
redirected in the command line that starts Gforth. |
| |
|
| |
@item method of selecting the user output device: |
| |
The user output device is the standard output. It cannot be redirected |
| |
from within Gforth, but typically from the command line that starts |
| |
Gforth. Gforth uses buffered output, so output on a terminal does not |
| |
become visible before the next newline or buffer overflow. Output on |
| |
non-terminals is invisible until the buffer overflows. |
| |
|
| |
@item methods of dictionary compilation: |
| |
What are we expected to document here? |
| |
|
| |
@item number of bits in one address unit: |
| |
@code{s" address-units-bits" environment? drop .}. 8 in all current |
| |
ports. |
| |
|
| |
@item number representation and arithmetic: |
| |
Processor-dependent. Binary two's complement on all current ports. |
| |
|
| |
@item ranges for integer types: |
| |
Installation-dependent. Make environmental queries for @code{MAX-N}, |
| |
@code{MAX-U}, @code{MAX-D} and @code{MAX-UD}. The lower bounds for |
| |
unsigned (and positive) types is 0. The lower bound for signed types on |
| |
two's complement and one's complement machines machines can be computed |
| |
by adding 1 to the upper bound. |
| |
|
| |
@item read-only data space regions: |
| |
The whole Forth data space is writable. |
| |
|
| |
@item size of buffer at @code{WORD}: |
| |
@code{PAD HERE - .}. 104 characters on 32-bit machines. The buffer is |
| |
shared with the pictured numeric output string. If overwriting |
| |
@code{PAD} is acceptable, it is as large as the remaining dictionary |
| |
space, although only as much can be sensibly used as fits in a counted |
| |
string. |
| |
|
| |
@item size of one cell in address units: |
| |
@code{1 cells .}. |
| |
|
| |
@item size of one character in address units: |
| |
@code{1 chars .}. 1 on all current ports. |
| |
|
| |
@item size of the keyboard terminal buffer: |
| |
Varies. You can determine the size at a specific time using @code{lp@ |
| |
tib - .}. It is shared with the locals stack and TIBs of files that |
| |
include the current file. You can change the amount of space for TIBs |
| |
and locals stack at Gforth startup with the command line option |
| |
@code{-l}. |
| |
|
| |
@item size of the pictured numeric output buffer: |
| |
@code{PAD HERE - .}. 104 characters on 32-bit machines. The buffer is |
| |
shared with @code{WORD}. |
| |
|
| |
@item size of the scratch area returned by @code{PAD}: |
| |
The remainder of dictionary space. You can even use the unused part of |
| |
the data stack space. The current size can be computed with @code{sp@ |
| |
pad - .}. |
| |
|
| |
@item system case-sensitivity characteristics: |
| |
Dictionary searches are case insensitive. However, as explained above |
| |
under @i{character-set extensions}, the matching for non-ASCII |
| |
characters is determined by the locale you are using. In the default |
| |
@code{C} locale all non-ASCII characters are matched case-sensitively. |
| |
|
| |
@item system prompt: |
| |
@code{ ok} in interpret state, @code{ compiled} in compile state. |
| |
|
| |
@item division rounding: |
| |
installation dependent. @code{s" floored" environment? drop .}. We leave |
| |
the choice to gcc (what to use for @code{/}) and to you (whether to use |
| |
@code{fm/mod}, @code{sm/rem} or simply @code{/}). |
| |
|
| |
@item values of @code{STATE} when true: |
| |
-1. |
| |
|
| |
@item values returned after arithmetic overflow: |
| |
On two's complement machines, arithmetic is performed modulo |
| |
2**bits-per-cell for single arithmetic and 4**bits-per-cell for double |
| |
arithmetic (with appropriate mapping for signed types). Division by zero |
| |
typically results in a @code{-55 throw} (floatingpoint unidentified |
| |
fault), although a @code{-10 throw} (divide by zero) would be more |
| |
appropriate. |
| |
|
| |
@item whether the current definition can be found after @t{DOES>}: |
| |
No. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node core-ambcond, core-other, core-idef, The Core Words |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item a name is neither a word nor a number: |
| |
@code{-13 throw} (Undefined word) |
| |
|
| |
@item a definition name exceeds the maximum length allowed: |
| |
@code{-19 throw} (Word name too long) |
| |
|
| |
@item addressing a region not inside the various data spaces of the forth system: |
| |
The stacks, code space and name space are accessible. Machine code space is |
| |
typically readable. Accessing other addresses gives results dependent on |
| |
the operating system. On decent systems: @code{-9 throw} (Invalid memory |
| |
address). |
| |
|
| |
@item argument type incompatible with parameter: |
| |
This is usually not caught. Some words perform checks, e.g., the control |
| |
flow words, and issue a @code{ABORT"} or @code{-12 THROW} (Argument type |
| |
mismatch). |
| |
|
| |
@item attempting to obtain the execution token of a word with undefined execution semantics: |
| |
You get an execution token representing the compilation semantics |
| |
instead. |
| |
|
| |
@item dividing by zero: |
| |
typically results in a @code{-55 throw} (floating point unidentified |
| |
fault), although a @code{-10 throw} (divide by zero) would be more |
| |
appropriate. |
| |
|
| |
@item insufficient data stack or return stack space: |
| |
Not checked. This typically results in mysterious illegal memory |
| |
accesses, producing @code{-9 throw} (Invalid memory address) or |
| |
@code{-23 throw} (Address alignment exception). |
| |
|
| |
@item insufficient space for loop control parameters: |
| |
like other return stack overflows. |
| |
|
| |
@item insufficient space in the dictionary: |
| |
Not checked. Similar results as stack overflows. However, typically the |
| |
error appears at a different place when one inserts or removes code. |
| |
|
| |
@item interpreting a word with undefined interpretation semantics: |
| |
For some words, we defined interpretation semantics. For the others: |
| |
@code{-14 throw} (Interpreting a compile-only word). Note that this is |
| |
checked only by the outer (aka text) interpreter; if the word is |
| |
@code{execute}d in some other way, it will typically perform it's |
| |
compilation semantics even in interpret state. (We could change @code{'} |
| |
and relatives not to give the xt of such words, but we think that would |
| |
be too restrictive). |
| |
|
| |
@item modifying the contents of the input buffer or a string literal: |
| |
These are located in writable memory and can be modified. |
| |
|
| |
@item overflow of the pictured numeric output string: |
| |
Not checked. |
| |
|
| |
@item parsed string overflow: |
| |
@code{PARSE} cannot overflow. @code{WORD} does not check for overflow. |
| |
|
| |
@item producing a result out of range: |
| |
On two's complement machines, arithmetic is performed modulo |
| |
2**bits-per-cell for single arithmetic and 4**bits-per-cell for double |
| |
arithmetic (with appropriate mapping for signed types). Division by zero |
| |
typically results in a @code{-55 throw} (floatingpoint unidentified |
| |
fault), although a @code{-10 throw} (divide by zero) would be more |
| |
appropriate. @code{convert} and @code{>number} currently overflow |
| |
silently. |
| |
|
| |
@item reading from an empty data or return stack: |
| |
The data stack is checked by the outer (aka text) interpreter after |
| |
every word executed. If it has underflowed, a @code{-4 throw} (Stack |
| |
underflow) is performed. Apart from that, the stacks are not checked and |
| |
underflows can result in similar behaviour as overflows (of adjacent |
| |
stacks). |
| |
|
| |
@item unexepected end of the input buffer, resulting in an attempt to use a zero-length string as a name: |
| |
@code{Create} and its descendants perform a @code{-16 throw} (Attempt to |
| |
use zero-length string as a name). Words like @code{'} probably will not |
| |
find what they search. Note that it is possible to create zero-length |
| |
names with @code{nextname} (should it not?). |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{>IN} greater than input buffer: |
| |
The next invocation of a parsing word returns a string wih length 0. |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{RECURSE} appears after @code{DOES>}: |
| |
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}: |
| |
!!???If the argument input source is a valid input source then it gets |
| |
restored. Otherwise causes @code{-12 THROW}, which, unless caught, issues |
| |
the message "argument type mismatch" and aborts. |
| |
|
| |
@item data space containing definitions gets de-allocated: |
| |
Deallocation with @code{allot} is not checked. This typically resuls in |
| |
memory access faults or execution of illegal instructions. |
| |
|
| |
@item data space read/write with incorrect alignment: |
| |
Processor-dependent. Typically results in a @code{-23 throw} (Address |
| |
alignment exception). Under Linux on a 486 or later processor with |
| |
alignment turned on, incorrect alignment results in a @code{-9 throw} |
| |
(Invalid memory address). There are reportedly some processors with |
| |
alignment restrictions that do not report them. |
| |
|
| |
@item data space pointer not properly aligned, @code{,}, @code{C,}: |
| |
Like other alignment errors. |
| |
|
| |
@item less than u+2 stack items (@code{PICK} and @code{ROLL}): |
| |
Not checked. May cause an illegal memory access. |
| |
|
| |
@item loop control parameters not available: |
| |
Not checked. The counted loop words simply assume that the top of return |
| |
stack items are loop control parameters and behave accordingly. |
| |
|
| |
@item most recent definition does not have a name (@code{IMMEDIATE}): |
| |
@code{abort" last word was headerless"}. |
| |
|
| |
@item name not defined by @code{VALUE} used by @code{TO}: |
| |
@code{-32 throw} (Invalid name argument) |
| |
|
| |
@item name not found (@code{'}, @code{POSTPONE}, @code{[']}, @code{[COMPILE]}): |
| |
@code{-13 throw} (Undefined word) |
| |
|
| |
@item parameters are not of the same type (@code{DO}, @code{?DO}, @code{WITHIN}): |
| |
Gforth behaves as if they were of the same type. I.e., you can predict |
| |
the behaviour by interpreting all parameters as, e.g., signed. |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{POSTPONE} or @code{[COMPILE]} applied to @code{TO}: |
| |
Assume @code{: X POSTPONE TO ; IMMEDIATE}. @code{X} is equivalent to |
| |
@code{TO}. |
| |
|
| |
@item String longer than a counted string returned by @code{WORD}: |
| |
Not checked. The string will be ok, but the count will, of course, |
| |
contain only the least significant bits of the length. |
| |
|
| |
@item u greater than or equal to the number of bits in a cell (@code{LSHIFT}, @code{RSHIFT}): |
| |
Processor-dependent. Typical behaviours are returning 0 and using only |
| |
the low bits of the shift count. |
| |
|
| |
@item word not defined via @code{CREATE}: |
| |
@code{>BODY} produces the PFA of the word no matter how it was defined. |
| |
|
| |
@code{DOES>} changes the execution semantics of the last defined word no |
| |
matter how it was defined. E.g., @code{CONSTANT DOES>} is equivalent to |
| |
@code{CREATE , DOES>}. |
| |
|
| |
@item words improperly used outside @code{<#} and @code{#>}: |
| |
Not checked. As usual, you can expect memory faults. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node core-other, , core-ambcond, The Core Words |
| |
@subsection Other system documentation |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item nonstandard words using @code{PAD}: |
| |
None. |
| |
|
| |
@item operator's terminal facilities available: |
| |
!!?? |
| |
|
| |
@item program data space available: |
| |
@code{sp@ here - .} gives the space remaining for dictionary and data |
| |
stack together. |
| |
|
| |
@item return stack space available: |
| |
!!?? |
| |
|
| |
@item stack space available: |
| |
@code{sp@ here - .} gives the space remaining for dictionary and data |
| |
stack together. |
| |
|
| |
@item system dictionary space required, in address units: |
| |
Type @code{here forthstart - .} after startup. At the time of this |
| |
writing, this gives 70108 (bytes) on a 32-bit system. |
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Block word set, The optional Double Number word set, The Core Words, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Block word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* block-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* block-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
* block-other:: Other System Documentation |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node block-idef, block-ambcond, The optional Block word set, The optional Block word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item the format for display by @code{LIST}: |
| |
First the screen number is displayed, then 16 lines of 64 characters, |
| |
each line preceded by the line number. |
| |
|
| |
@item the length of a line affected by @code{\}: |
| |
64 characters. |
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node block-ambcond, block-other, block-idef, The optional Block word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item correct block read was not possible: |
| |
Typically results in a @code{throw} of some OS-derived value (between |
| |
-512 and -2048). If the blocks file was just not long enough, blanks are |
| |
supplied for the missing portion. |
| |
|
| |
@item I/O exception in block transfer: |
| |
Typically results in a @code{throw} of some OS-derived value (between |
| |
-512 and -2048). |
| |
|
| |
@item invalid block number: |
| |
@code{-35 throw} (Invalid block number) |
| |
|
| |
@item a program directly alters the contents of @code{BLK}: |
| |
The input stream is switched to that other block, at the same |
| |
position. If the storing to @code{BLK} happens when interpreting |
| |
non-block input, the system will get quite confused when the block ends. |
| |
|
| |
@item no current block buffer for @code{UPDATE}: |
| |
@code{UPDATE} has no effect. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node block-other, , block-ambcond, The optional Block word set |
| |
@subsection Other system documentation |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item any restrictions a multiprogramming system places on the use of buffer addresses: |
| |
No restrictions (yet). |
| |
|
| |
@item the number of blocks available for source and data: |
| |
depends on your disk space. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Double Number word set, The optional Exception word set, The optional Block word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Double Number word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* double-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node double-ambcond, , The optional Double Number word set, The optional Double Number word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{d} outside of range of @var{n} in @code{D>S}: |
| |
The least significant cell of @var{d} is produced. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Exception word set, The optional Facility word set, The optional Double Number word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Exception word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* exception-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node exception-idef, , The optional Exception word set, The optional Exception word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
@item @code{THROW}-codes used in the system: |
| |
The codes -256@minus{}-511 are used for reporting signals (see |
| |
@file{errore.fs}). The codes -512@minus{}-2047 are used for OS errors |
| |
(for file and memory allocation operations). The mapping from OS error |
| |
numbers to throw code is -512@minus{}@var{errno}. One side effect of |
| |
this mapping is that undefined OS errors produce a message with a |
| |
strange number; e.g., @code{-1000 THROW} results in @code{Unknown error |
| |
488} on my system. |
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Facility word set, The optional File-Access word set, The optional Exception word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Facility word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* facility-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* facility-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node facility-idef, facility-ambcond, The optional Facility word set, The optional Facility word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item encoding of keyboard events (@code{EKEY}): |
| |
Not yet implemeted. |
| |
|
| |
@item duration of a system clock tick |
| |
System dependent. With respect to @code{MS}, the time is specified in |
| |
microseconds. How well the OS and the hardware implement this, is |
| |
another question. |
| |
|
| |
@item repeatability to be expected from the execution of @code{MS}: |
| |
System dependent. On Unix, a lot depends on load. If the system is |
| |
lightly loaded, and the delay is short enough that Gforth does not get |
| |
swapped out, the performance should be acceptable. Under MS-DOS and |
| |
other single-tasking systems, it should be good. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node facility-ambcond, , facility-idef, The optional Facility word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{AT-XY} can't be performed on user output device: |
| |
Largely terminal dependant. No range checks are done on the arguments. |
| |
No errors are reported. You may see some garbage appearing, you may see |
| |
simply nothing happen. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional File-Access word set, The optional Floating-Point word set, The optional Facility word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional File-Access word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* file-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* file-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node file-idef, file-ambcond, The optional File-Access word set, The optional File-Access word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item File access methods used: |
| |
@code{R/O}, @code{R/W} and @code{BIN} work as you would |
| |
expect. @code{W/O} translates into the C file opening mode @code{w} (or |
| |
@code{wb}): The file is cleared, if it exists, and created, if it does |
| |
not (both with @code{open-file} and @code{create-file}). Under Unix |
| |
@code{create-file} creates a file with 666 permissions modified by your |
| |
umask. |
| |
|
| |
@item file exceptions: |
| |
The file words do not raise exceptions (except, perhaps, memory access |
| |
faults when you pass illegal addresses or file-ids). |
| |
|
| |
@item file line terminator: |
| |
System-dependent. Gforth uses C's newline character as line |
| |
terminator. What the actual character code(s) of this are is |
| |
system-dependent. |
| |
|
| |
@item file name format |
| |
System dependent. Gforth just uses the file name format of your OS. |
| |
|
| |
@item information returned by @code{FILE-STATUS}: |
| |
@code{FILE-STATUS} returns the most powerful file access mode allowed |
| |
for the file: Either @code{R/O}, @code{W/O} or @code{R/W}. If the file |
| |
cannot be accessed, @code{R/O BIN} is returned. @code{BIN} is applicable |
| |
along with the retured mode. |
| |
|
| |
@item input file state after an exception when including source: |
| |
All files that are left via the exception are closed. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{ior} values and meaning: |
| |
The @var{ior}s returned by the file and memory allocation words are |
| |
intended as throw codes. They typically are in the range |
| |
-512@minus{}-2047 of OS errors. The mapping from OS error numbers to |
| |
@var{ior}s is -512@minus{}@var{errno}. |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum depth of file input nesting: |
| |
limited by the amount of return stack, locals/TIB stack, and the number |
| |
of open files available. This should not give you troubles. |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum size of input line: |
| |
@code{/line}. Currently 255. |
| |
|
| |
@item methods of mapping block ranges to files: |
| |
Currently, the block words automatically access the file |
| |
@file{blocks.fb} in the currend working directory. More sophisticated |
| |
methods could be implemented if there is demand (and a volunteer). |
| |
|
| |
@item number of string buffers provided by @code{S"}: |
| |
1 |
| |
|
| |
@item size of string buffer used by @code{S"}: |
| |
@code{/line}. currently 255. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node file-ambcond, , file-idef, The optional File-Access word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item attempting to position a file outside it's boundaries: |
| |
@code{REPOSITION-FILE} is performed as usual: Afterwards, |
| |
@code{FILE-POSITION} returns the value given to @code{REPOSITION-FILE}. |
| |
|
| |
@item attempting to read from file positions not yet written: |
| |
End-of-file, i.e., zero characters are read and no error is reported. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{file-id} is invalid (@code{INCLUDE-FILE}): |
| |
An appropriate exception may be thrown, but a memory fault or other |
| |
problem is more probable. |
| |
|
| |
@item I/O exception reading or closing @var{file-id} (@code{include-file}, @code{included}): |
| |
The @var{ior} produced by the operation, that discovered the problem, is |
| |
thrown. |
| |
|
| |
@item named file cannot be opened (@code{included}): |
| |
The @var{ior} produced by @code{open-file} is thrown. |
| |
|
| |
@item requesting an unmapped block number: |
| |
There are no unmapped legal block numbers. On some operating systems, |
| |
writing a block with a large number may overflow the file system and |
| |
have an error message as consequence. |
| |
|
| |
@item using @code{source-id} when @code{blk} is non-zero: |
| |
@code{source-id} performs its function. Typically it will give the id of |
| |
the source which loaded the block. (Better ideas?) |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Floating-Point word set, The optional Locals word set, The optional File-Access word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Floating-Point word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* floating-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* floating-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node floating-idef, floating-ambcond, The optional Floating-Point word set, The optional Floating-Point word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item format and range of floating point numbers: |
| |
System-dependent; the @code{double} type of C. |
| |
|
| |
@item results of @code{REPRESENT} when @var{float} is out of range: |
| |
System dependent; @code{REPRESENT} is implemented using the C library |
| |
function @code{ecvt()} and inherits its behaviour in this respect. |
| |
|
| |
@item rounding or truncation of floating-point numbers: |
| |
What's the question?!! |
| |
|
| |
@item size of floating-point stack: |
| |
@code{s" FLOATING-STACK" environment? drop .}. Can be changed at startup |
| |
with the command-line option @code{-f}. |
| |
|
| |
@item width of floating-point stack: |
| |
@code{1 floats}. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node floating-ambcond, , floating-idef, The optional Floating-Point word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{df@@} or @code{df!} used with an address that is not double-float aligned: |
| |
System-dependent. Typically results in an alignment fault like other |
| |
alignment violations. |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{f@@} or @code{f!} used with an address that is not float aligned: |
| |
System-dependent. Typically results in an alignment fault like other |
| |
alignment violations. |
| |
|
| |
@item Floating-point result out of range: |
| |
System-dependent. Can result in a @code{-55 THROW} (Floating-point |
| |
unidentified fault), or can produce a special value representing, e.g., |
| |
Infinity. |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{sf@@} or @code{sf!} used with an address that is not single-float aligned: |
| |
System-dependent. Typically results in an alignment fault like other |
| |
alignment violations. |
| |
|
| |
@item BASE is not decimal (@code{REPRESENT}, @code{F.}, @code{FE.}, @code{FS.}): |
| |
The floating-point number is converted into decimal nonetheless. |
| |
|
| |
@item Both arguments are equal to zero (@code{FATAN2}): |
| |
System-dependent. @code{FATAN2} is implemented using the C library |
| |
function @code{atan2()}. |
| |
|
| |
@item Using ftan on an argument @var{r1} where cos(@var{r1}) is zero: |
| |
System-dependent. Anyway, typically the cos of @var{r1} will not be zero |
| |
because of small errors and the tan will be a very large (or very small) |
| |
but finite number. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{d} cannot be presented precisely as a float in @code{D>F}: |
| |
The result is rounded to the nearest float. |
| |
|
| |
@item dividing by zero: |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault) |
| |
|
| |
@item exponent too big for conversion (@code{DF!}, @code{DF@@}, @code{SF!}, @code{SF@@}): |
| |
System dependent. On IEEE-FP based systems the number is converted into |
| |
an infinity. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{float}<1 (@code{facosh}): |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault) |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{float}=<-1 (@code{flnp1}): |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault). On IEEE-FP systems |
| |
negative infinity is typically produced for @var{float}=-1. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{float}=<0 (@code{fln}, @code{flog}): |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault). On IEEE-FP systems |
| |
negative infinity is typically produced for @var{float}=0. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{float}<0 (@code{fasinh}, @code{fsqrt}): |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault). @code{fasinh} |
| |
produces values for these inputs on my Linux box (Bug in the C library?) |
| |
|
| |
@item |@var{float}|>1 (@code{facos}, @code{fasin}, @code{fatanh}): |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault). |
| |
|
| |
@item integer part of float cannot be represented by @var{d} in @code{f>d}: |
| |
@code{-55 throw} (Floating-point unidentified fault). |
| |
|
| |
@item string larger than pictured numeric output area (@code{f.}, @code{fe.}, @code{fs.}): |
| |
This does not happen. |
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Locals word set, The optional Memory-Allocation word set, The optional Floating-Point word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Locals word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* locals-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* locals-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node locals-idef, locals-ambcond, The optional Locals word set, The optional Locals word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum number of locals in a definition: |
| |
@code{s" #locals" environment? drop .}. Currently 15. This is a lower |
| |
bound, e.g., on a 32-bit machine there can be 41 locals of up to 8 |
| |
characters. The number of locals in a definition is bounded by the size |
| |
of locals-buffer, which contains the names of the locals. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node locals-ambcond, , locals-idef, The optional Locals word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item executing a named local in interpretation state: |
| |
@code{-14 throw} (Interpreting a compile-only word). |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{name} not defined by @code{VALUE} or @code{(LOCAL)} (@code{TO}): |
| |
@code{-32 throw} (Invalid name argument) |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Memory-Allocation word set, The optional Programming-Tools word set, The optional Locals word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Memory-Allocation word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* memory-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node memory-idef, , The optional Memory-Allocation word set, The optional Memory-Allocation word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item values and meaning of @var{ior}: |
| |
The @var{ior}s returned by the file and memory allocation words are |
| |
intended as throw codes. They typically are in the range |
| |
-512@minus{}-2047 of OS errors. The mapping from OS error numbers to |
| |
@var{ior}s is -512@minus{}@var{errno}. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Programming-Tools word set, The optional Search-Order word set, The optional Memory-Allocation word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Programming-Tools word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* programming-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* programming-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node programming-idef, programming-ambcond, The optional Programming-Tools word set, The optional Programming-Tools word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item ending sequence for input following @code{;code} and @code{code}: |
| |
Not implemented (yet). |
| |
|
| |
@item manner of processing input following @code{;code} and @code{code}: |
| |
Not implemented (yet). |
| |
|
| |
@item search order capability for @code{EDITOR} and @code{ASSEMBLER}: |
| |
Not implemented (yet). If they were implemented, they would use the |
| |
search order wordset. |
| |
|
| |
@item source and format of display by @code{SEE}: |
| |
The source for @code{see} is the intermediate code used by the inner |
| |
interpreter. The current @code{see} tries to output Forth source code |
| |
as well as possible. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node programming-ambcond, , programming-idef, The optional Programming-Tools word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item deleting the compilation wordlist (@code{FORGET}): |
| |
Not implemented (yet). |
| |
|
| |
@item fewer than @var{u}+1 items on the control flow stack (@code{CS-PICK}, @code{CS-ROLL}): |
| |
This typically results in an @code{abort"} with a descriptive error |
| |
message (may change into a @code{-22 throw} (Control structure mismatch) |
| |
in the future). You may also get a memory access error. If you are |
| |
unlucky, this ambiguous condition is not caught. |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{name} can't be found (@code{forget}): |
| |
Not implemented (yet). |
| |
|
| |
@item @var{name} not defined via @code{CREATE}: |
| |
@code{;code} is not implemented (yet). If it were, it would behave like |
| |
@code{DOES>} in this respect, i.e., change the execution semantics of |
| |
the last defined word no matter how it was defined. |
| |
|
| |
@item @code{POSTPONE} applied to @code{[IF]}: |
| |
After defining @code{: X POSTPONE [IF] ; IMMEDIATE}. @code{X} is |
| |
equivalent to @code{[IF]}. |
| |
|
| |
@item reaching the end of the input source before matching @code{[ELSE]} or @code{[THEN]}: |
| |
Continue in the same state of conditional compilation in the next outer |
| |
input source. Currently there is no warning to the user about this. |
| |
|
| |
@item removing a needed definition (@code{FORGET}): |
| |
Not implemented (yet). |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
@node The optional Search-Order word set, , The optional Programming-Tools word set, ANS conformance |
| |
@section The optional Search-Order word set |
| |
@c ===================================================================== |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* search-idef:: Implementation Defined Options |
| |
* search-ambcond:: Ambiguous Conditions |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node search-idef, search-ambcond, The optional Search-Order word set, The optional Search-Order word set |
| |
@subsection Implementation Defined Options |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item maximum number of word lists in search order: |
| |
@code{s" wordlists" environment? drop .}. Currently 16. |
| |
|
| |
@item minimum search order: |
| |
@code{root root}. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
@node search-ambcond, , search-idef, The optional Search-Order word set |
| |
@subsection Ambiguous conditions |
| |
@c --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|
| |
@table @i |
| |
|
| |
@item changing the compilation wordlist (during compilation): |
| |
The definition is put into the wordlist that is the compilation wordlist |
| |
when @code{REVEAL} is executed (by @code{;}, @code{DOES>}, |
| |
@code{RECURSIVE}, etc.). |
| |
|
| |
@item search order empty (@code{previous}): |
| |
@code{abort" Vocstack empty"}. |
| |
|
| |
@item too many word lists in search order (@code{also}): |
| |
@code{abort" Vocstack full"}. |
| |
|
| |
@end table |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@node Model, Emacs and Gforth, ANS conformance, Top |
| |
@chapter Model |
| |
|
| |
@node Emacs and Gforth, Internals, Model, Top |
| |
@chapter Emacs and Gforth |
| |
|
| |
Gforth comes with @file{gforth.el}, an improved version of |
| |
@file{forth.el} by Goran Rydqvist (icluded in the TILE package). The |
| |
improvements are a better (but still not perfect) handling of |
| |
indentation. I have also added comment paragraph filling (@kbd{M-q}), |
| |
commenting (@kbd{C-x \}) and uncommenting (@kbd{C-u C-x \}) regions and |
| |
removing debugging tracers (@kbd{C-x ~}, @pxref{Debugging}). I left the |
| |
stuff I do not use alone, even though some of it only makes sense for |
| |
TILE. To get a description of these features, enter Forth mode and type |
| |
@kbd{C-h m}. |
| |
|
| |
In addition, Gforth supports Emacs quite well: The source code locations |
| |
given in error messages, debugging output (from @code{~~}) and failed |
| |
assertion messages are in the right format for Emacs' compilation mode |
| |
(@pxref{Compilation, , Running Compilations under Emacs, emacs, Emacs |
| |
Manual}) so the source location corresponding to an error or other |
| |
message is only a few keystrokes away (@kbd{C-x `} for the next error, |
| |
@kbd{C-c C-c} for the error under the cursor). |
| |
|
| |
Also, if you @code{include} @file{etags.fs}, a new @file{TAGS} file |
| |
(@pxref{Tags, , Tags Tables, emacs, Emacs Manual}) will be produced that |
| |
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 |
| |
several tags files at the same time (e.g., one for the Gforth sources |
| |
and one for your program). |
| |
|
| |
To get all these benefits, add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} |
| |
file: |
| |
|
| |
@example |
| |
(autoload 'forth-mode "gforth.el") |
| |
(setq auto-mode-alist (cons '("\\.fs\\'" . forth-mode) auto-mode-alist)) |
| |
@end example |
| |
|
| |
@node Internals, Bugs, Emacs and Gforth, Top |
| @chapter Internals |
@chapter Internals |
| |
|
| Reading this section is not necessary for programming with gforth. It |
Reading this section is not necessary for programming with Gforth. It |
| should be helpful for finding your way in the gforth sources. |
should be helpful for finding your way in the Gforth sources. |
| |
|
| |
The ideas in this section have also been published in the papers |
| |
@cite{ANS fig/GNU/??? Forth} (in German) by Bernd Paysan, presented at |
| |
the Forth-Tagung '93 and @cite{A Portable Forth Engine} by M. Anton |
| |
Ertl, presented at EuroForth '93; the latter is available at |
| |
@*@file{http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/papers/ertl93.ps.Z}. |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Portability:: |
| |
* Threading:: |
| |
* Primitives:: |
| |
* System Architecture:: |
| |
* Performance:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Portability, Threading, Internals, Internals |
| @section Portability |
@section Portability |
| |
|
| One of the main goals of the effort is availability across a wide range |
One of the main goals of the effort is availability across a wide range |
| double numbers. GNU C is available for free on all important (and many |
double numbers. GNU C is available for free on all important (and many |
| unimportant) UNIX machines, VMS, 80386s running MS-DOS, the Amiga, and |
unimportant) UNIX machines, VMS, 80386s running MS-DOS, the Amiga, and |
| the Atari ST, so a Forth written in GNU C can run on all these |
the Atari ST, so a Forth written in GNU C can run on all these |
| machines@footnote{Due to Apple's look-and-feel lawsuit it is not |
machines. |
| available on the Mac (@pxref{Boycott, , Protect Your Freedom--Fight |
|
| ``Look And Feel'', gcc.info, GNU C Manual}).}. |
|
| |
|
| Writing in a portable language has the reputation of producing code that |
Writing in a portable language has the reputation of producing code that |
| is slower than assembly. For our Forth engine we repeatedly looked at |
is slower than assembly. For our Forth engine we repeatedly looked at |
| explicit register declarations are used. So by default |
explicit register declarations are used. So by default |
| @code{-DFORCE_REG} is not used. |
@code{-DFORCE_REG} is not used. |
| |
|
| |
@node Threading, Primitives, Portability, Internals |
| @section Threading |
@section Threading |
| |
|
| GNU C's labels as values extension (available since @code{gcc-2.0}, |
GNU C's labels as values extension (available since @code{gcc-2.0}, |
| Of course we have packaged the whole thing neatly in macros called |
Of course we have packaged the whole thing neatly in macros called |
| @code{NEXT} and @code{NEXT1} (the part of NEXT after fetching the cfa). |
@code{NEXT} and @code{NEXT1} (the part of NEXT after fetching the cfa). |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Scheduling:: |
| |
* Direct or Indirect Threaded?:: |
| |
* DOES>:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Scheduling, Direct or Indirect Threaded?, Threading, Threading |
| @subsection Scheduling |
@subsection Scheduling |
| |
|
| There is a little complication: Pipelined and superscalar processors, |
There is a little complication: Pipelined and superscalar processors, |
| the NEXT comes strictly after the other code, i.e., there is nearly no |
the NEXT comes strictly after the other code, i.e., there is nearly no |
| scheduling. After a little thought the problem becomes clear: The |
scheduling. After a little thought the problem becomes clear: The |
| compiler cannot know that sp and ip point to different addresses (and |
compiler cannot know that sp and ip point to different addresses (and |
| the version of @code{gcc} we used would not know it even if it could), |
the version of @code{gcc} we used would not know it even if it was |
| so it could not move the load of the cfa above the store to the |
possible), so it could not move the load of the cfa above the store to |
| TOS. Indeed the pointers could be the same, if code on or very near the |
the TOS. Indeed the pointers could be the same, if code on or very near |
| top of stack were executed. In the interest of speed we chose to forbid |
the top of stack were executed. In the interest of speed we chose to |
| this probably unused ``feature'' and helped the compiler in scheduling: |
forbid this probably unused ``feature'' and helped the compiler in |
| NEXT is divided into the loading part (@code{NEXT_P1}) and the goto part |
scheduling: NEXT is divided into the loading part (@code{NEXT_P1}) and |
| (@code{NEXT_P2}). @code{+} now looks like: |
the goto part (@code{NEXT_P2}). @code{+} now looks like: |
| @example |
@example |
| n=sp[0]+sp[1]; |
n=sp[0]+sp[1]; |
| sp++; |
sp++; |
| sp[0]=n; |
sp[0]=n; |
| NEXT_P2; |
NEXT_P2; |
| @end example |
@end example |
| This can be scheduled optimally by the compiler (see \sect{TOS}). |
This can be scheduled optimally by the compiler. |
| |
|
| This division can be turned off with the switch @code{-DCISC_NEXT}. This |
This division can be turned off with the switch @code{-DCISC_NEXT}. This |
| switch is on by default on machines that do not profit from scheduling |
switch is on by default on machines that do not profit from scheduling |
| (e.g., the 80386), in order to preserve registers. |
(e.g., the 80386), in order to preserve registers. |
| |
|
| |
@node Direct or Indirect Threaded?, DOES>, Scheduling, Threading |
| @subsection Direct or Indirect Threaded? |
@subsection Direct or Indirect Threaded? |
| |
|
| Both! After packaging the nasty details in macro definitions we |
Both! After packaging the nasty details in macro definitions we |
| lines. I.e., even porting direct threading to a new machine is a small |
lines. I.e., even porting direct threading to a new machine is a small |
| effort. |
effort. |
| |
|
| |
@node DOES>, , Direct or Indirect Threaded?, Threading |
| @subsection DOES> |
@subsection DOES> |
| One of the most complex parts of a Forth engine is @code{dodoes}, i.e., |
One of the most complex parts of a Forth engine is @code{dodoes}, i.e., |
| the chunk of code executed by every word defined by a |
the chunk of code executed by every word defined by a |
| a cell unused in most words is a bit wasteful, but on the machines we |
a cell unused in most words is a bit wasteful, but on the machines we |
| are targetting this is hardly a problem. The other reason for having a |
are targetting this is hardly a problem. The other reason for having a |
| code field size of two cells is to avoid having different image files |
code field size of two cells is to avoid having different image files |
| for direct and indirect threaded systems (@pxref{image-format}). |
for direct and indirect threaded systems (@pxref{System Architecture}). |
| |
|
| The other approach is that the code field points or jumps to the cell |
The other approach is that the code field points or jumps to the cell |
| after @code{DOES}. In this variant there is a jump to @code{dodoes} at |
after @code{DOES}. In this variant there is a jump to @code{dodoes} at |
| this approach for direct threading. We did not want to add another |
this approach for direct threading. We did not want to add another |
| cell to the code field. |
cell to the code field. |
| |
|
| |
@node Primitives, System Architecture, Threading, Internals |
| @section Primitives |
@section Primitives |
| |
|
| |
@menu |
| |
* Automatic Generation:: |
| |
* TOS Optimization:: |
| |
* Produced code:: |
| |
@end menu |
| |
|
| |
@node Automatic Generation, TOS Optimization, Primitives, Primitives |
| @subsection Automatic Generation |
@subsection Automatic Generation |
| |
|
| Since the primitives are implemented in a portable language, there is no |
Since the primitives are implemented in a portable language, there is no |
| @example |
@example |
| I_plus: /* + ( n1 n2 -- n ) */ /* label, stack effect */ |
I_plus: /* + ( n1 n2 -- n ) */ /* label, stack effect */ |
| /* */ /* documentation */ |
/* */ /* documentation */ |
| { |
@{ |
| DEF_CA /* definition of variable ca (indirect threading) */ |
DEF_CA /* definition of variable ca (indirect threading) */ |
| Cell n1; /* definitions of variables */ |
Cell n1; /* definitions of variables */ |
| Cell n2; |
Cell n2; |
| n2 = (Cell) TOS; |
n2 = (Cell) TOS; |
| sp += 1; /* stack adjustment */ |
sp += 1; /* stack adjustment */ |
| NAME("+") /* debugging output (with -DDEBUG) */ |
NAME("+") /* debugging output (with -DDEBUG) */ |
| { |
@{ |
| n = n1+n2; /* C code taken from the source */ |
n = n1+n2; /* C code taken from the source */ |
| } |
@} |
| NEXT_P1; /* NEXT part 1 */ |
NEXT_P1; /* NEXT part 1 */ |
| TOS = (Cell)n; /* output */ |
TOS = (Cell)n; /* output */ |
| NEXT_P2; /* NEXT part 2 */ |
NEXT_P2; /* NEXT part 2 */ |
| } |
@} |
| @end example |
@end example |
| |
|
| This looks long and inefficient, but the GNU C compiler optimizes quite |
This looks long and inefficient, but the GNU C compiler optimizes quite |
| account, most notably @code{?dup}, but also words that do not (always) |
account, most notably @code{?dup}, but also words that do not (always) |
| fall through to NEXT. |
fall through to NEXT. |
| |
|
| |
@node TOS Optimization, Produced code, Automatic Generation, Primitives |
| @subsection TOS Optimization |
@subsection TOS Optimization |
| |
|
| An important optimization for stack machine emulators, e.g., Forth |
An important optimization for stack machine emulators, e.g., Forth |
| engines, is keeping one or more of the top stack items in |
engines, is keeping one or more of the top stack items in |
| registers. If a word has the stack effect {@var{in1}...@var{inx} @code{--} |
registers. If a word has the stack effect @var{in1}...@var{inx} @code{--} |
| @var{out1}...@var{outy}}, keeping the top @var{n} items in registers |
@var{out1}...@var{outy}, keeping the top @var{n} items in registers |
| @itemize |
@itemize |
| @item |
@item |
| is better than keeping @var{n-1} items, if @var{x>=n} and @var{y>=n}, |
is better than keeping @var{n-1} items, if @var{x>=n} and @var{y>=n}, |
| @item In the case of @code{dup ( w -- w w )} the generator must not |
@item In the case of @code{dup ( w -- w w )} the generator must not |
| eliminate the store to the original location of the item on the stack, |
eliminate the store to the original location of the item on the stack, |
| if the TOS optimization is turned on. |
if the TOS optimization is turned on. |
| @item Primitives with stack effects of the form {@code{--} |
@item Primitives with stack effects of the form @code{--} |
| @var{out1}...@var{outy}} must store the TOS to the stack at the start. |
@var{out1}...@var{outy} must store the TOS to the stack at the start. |
| Likewise, primitives with the stack effect {@var{in1}...@var{inx} @code{--}} |
Likewise, primitives with the stack effect @var{in1}...@var{inx} @code{--} |
| must load the TOS from the stack at the end. But for the null stack |
must load the TOS from the stack at the end. But for the null stack |
| effect @code{--} no stores or loads should be generated. |
effect @code{--} no stores or loads should be generated. |
| @end itemize |
@end itemize |
| |
|
| |
@node Produced code, , TOS Optimization, Primitives |
| @subsection Produced code |
@subsection Produced code |
| |
|
| To see what assembly code is produced for the primitives on your machine |
To see what assembly code is produced for the primitives on your machine |
| with your compiler and your flag settings, type @code{make engine.s} and |
with your compiler and your flag settings, type @code{make engine.s} and |
| look at the resulting file @file{engine.c}. |
look at the resulting file @file{engine.s}. |
| |
|
| |
@node System Architecture, Performance, Primitives, Internals |
| @section System Architecture |
@section System Architecture |
| |
|
| Our Forth system consists not only of primitives, but also of |
Our Forth system consists not only of primitives, but also of |
| same image file, and to make it easy for the users to use their image |
same image file, and to make it easy for the users to use their image |
| files on many machines. We currently need to create a different image |
files on many machines. We currently need to create a different image |
| file for machines with different cell sizes and different byte order |
file for machines with different cell sizes and different byte order |
| (little- or big-endian)@footnote{We consider adding information to the |
(little- or big-endian)@footnote{We are considering adding information to the |
| image file that enables the loader to change the byte order.}. |
image file that enables the loader to change the byte order.}. |
| |
|
| Forth code that is going to end up in a portable image file has to |
Forth code that is going to end up in a portable image file has to |
| comply to some restrictions: addresses have to be stored in memory |
comply to some restrictions: addresses have to be stored in memory with |
| with special words (@code{A!}, @code{A,}, etc.) in order to make the |
special words (@code{A!}, @code{A,}, etc.) in order to make the code |
| code relocatable. Cells, floats, etc., have to be stored at the |
relocatable. Cells, floats, etc., have to be stored at the natural |
| natural alignment boundaries@footnote{E.g., store floats (8 bytes) at |
alignment boundaries@footnote{E.g., store floats (8 bytes) at an address |
| an address dividable by~8. This happens automatically in our system |
dividable by~8. This happens automatically in our system when you use |
| when you use the ANSI alignment words.}, in order to avoid alignment |
the ANS Forth alignment words.}, in order to avoid alignment faults on |
| faults on machines with stricter alignment. The image file is produced |
machines with stricter alignment. The image file is produced by a |
| by a metacompiler (@file{cross.fs}). |
metacompiler (@file{cross.fs}). |
| |
|
| So, unlike the image file of Mitch Bradleys @code{cforth}, our image |
So, unlike the image file of Mitch Bradleys @code{cforth}, our image |
| file is not directly executable, but has to undergo some manipulations |
file is not directly executable, but has to undergo some manipulations |
| primitive calls with the appropriate code-field addresses (or code |
primitive calls with the appropriate code-field addresses (or code |
| addresses in the case of direct threading). |
addresses in the case of direct threading). |
| |
|
| |
@node Performance, , System Architecture, Internals |
| |
@section Performance |
| |
|
| |
On RISCs the Gforth engine is very close to optimal; i.e., it is usually |
| |
impossible to write a significantly faster engine. |
| |
|
| |
On register-starved machines like the 386 architecture processors |
| |
improvements are possible, because @code{gcc} does not utilize the |
| |
registers as well as a human, even with explicit register declarations; |
| |
e.g., Bernd Beuster wrote a Forth system fragment in assembly language |
| |
and hand-tuned it for the 486; this system is 1.19 times faster on the |
| |
Sieve benchmark on a 486DX2/66 than Gforth compiled with |
| |
@code{gcc-2.6.3} with @code{-DFORCE_REG}. |
| |
|
| |
However, this potential advantage of assembly language implementations |
| |
is not necessarily realized in complete Forth systems: We compared |
| |
Gforth (compiled with @code{gcc-2.6.3} and @code{-DFORCE_REG}) with |
| |
Win32Forth 1.2093 and LMI's NT Forth (Beta, May 1994), two systems |
| |
written in assembly, and with two systems written in C: PFE-0.9.11 |
| |
(compiled with @code{gcc-2.6.3} with the default configuration for |
| |
Linux: @code{-O2 -fomit-frame-pointer -DUSE_REGS}) and ThisForth Beta |
| |
(compiled with gcc-2.6.3 -O3 -fomit-frame-pointer). We benchmarked |
| |
Gforth, PFE and ThisForth 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. |
| |
|
| |
We used four small benchmarks: the ubiquitous Sieve; bubble-sorting and |
| |
matrix multiplication come from the Stanford integer benchmarks and have |
| |
been translated into Forth by Martin Fraeman; we used the versions |
| |
included in the TILE Forth package; and a recursive Fibonacci number |
| |
computation for benchmarking calling performance. The following table shows |
| |
the time taken for the benchmarks scaled by the time taken by Gforth (in |
| |
other words, it shows the speedup factor that Gforth achieved over the |
| |
other systems). |
| |
|
| |
@example |
| |
relative Win32- NT This- |
| |
time Gforth Forth Forth PFE Forth |
| |
sieve 1.00 1.30 1.07 1.67 2.98 |
| |
bubble 1.00 1.30 1.40 1.66 |
| |
matmul 1.00 1.40 1.29 2.24 |
| |
fib 1.00 1.44 1.26 1.82 2.82 |
| |
@end example |
| |
|
| |
You may find the good performance of Gforth compared with the systems |
| |
written in assembly language quite surprising. One important reason for |
| |
the disappointing performance of these systems is probably that they are |
| |
not written optimally for the 486 (e.g., they use the @code{lods} |
| |
instruction). In addition, Win32Forth uses a comfortable, but costly |
| |
method for relocating the Forth image: like @code{cforth}, it computes |
| |
the actual addresses at run time, resulting in two address computations |
| |
per NEXT (@pxref{System Architecture}). |
| |
|
| |
The speedup of Gforth over PFE and ThisForth can be easily explained |
| |
with the self-imposed restriction to standard C (although the measured |
| |
implementation of PFE uses a GNU C extension: global register |
| |
variables), which makes efficient threading impossible. Moreover, |
| |
current C compilers have a hard time optimizing other aspects of the |
| |
ThisForth source. |
| |
|
| |
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} |
| |
failed to allocate any of the virtual machine registers into real |
| |
machine registers by itself and would not work correctly with explicit |
| |
register declarations, giving a 1.3 times slower engine (on a 486DX2/66 |
| |
running the Sieve) than the one measured above. |
| |
|
| |
The numbers in this section have also been published in the paper |
| |
@cite{Translating Forth to Efficient C} by M. Anton Ertl and Martin |
| |
Maierhofer, presented at EuroForth '95. It is available at |
| |
@*@file{http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/papers/ertl&maierhofer95.ps.gz}; |
| |
it also contains numbers for some native code systems. You can find |
| |
numbers for Gforth on various machines in @file{Benchres}. |
| |
|
| |
@node Bugs, Pedigree, Internals, Top |
| |
@chapter Bugs |
| |
|
| |
Known bugs are described in the file BUGS in the Gforth distribution. |
| |
|
| |
If you find a bug, please send a bug report to |
| |
@code{gforth-bugs@@mips.complang.tuwien.ac.at}. A bug report should |
| |
describe the Gforth version used (it is announced at the start of an |
| |
interactive Gforth session), the machine and operating system (on Unix |
| |
systems you can use @code{uname -a} to produce this information), the |
| |
installation options (send the @code{config.status} file), and a |
| |
complete list of changes you (or your installer) have made to the Gforth |
| |
sources (if any); it should contain a program (or a sequence of keyboard |
| |
commands) that reproduces the bug and a description of what you think |
| |
constitutes the buggy behaviour. |
| |
|
| |
For a thorough guide on reporting bugs read @ref{Bug Reporting, , How |
| |
to Report Bugs, gcc.info, GNU C Manual}. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
@node Pedigree, Word Index, Bugs, Top |
| |
@chapter Pedigree |
| |
|
| |
Gforth descends from BigForth (1993) and fig-Forth. Gforth and PFE (by |
| |
Dirk Zoller) will cross-fertilize each other. Of course, a significant |
| |
part of the design of Gforth was prescribed by ANS Forth. |
| |
|
| |
Bernd Paysan wrote BigForth, a descendent from TurboForth, an unreleased |
| |
32 bit native code version of VolksForth for the Atari ST, written |
| |
mostly by Dietrich Weineck. |
| |
|
| |
VolksForth descends from F83. It was written by Klaus Schleisiek, Bernd |
| |
Pennemann, Georg Rehfeld and Dietrich Weineck for the C64 (called |
| |
UltraForth there) in the mid-80s and ported to the Atari ST in 1986. |
| |
|
| |
Laxen and Perry wrote F83 as a model implementation of the |
| |
Forth-83 standard. !! Pedigree? When? |
| |
|
| |
A team led by Bill Ragsdale implemented fig-Forth on many processors in |
| |
1979. Robert Selzer and Bill Ragsdale developed the original |
| |
implementation of fig-Forth for the 6502 based on microForth. |
| |
|
| |
The principal architect of microForth was Dean Sanderson. microForth was |
| |
FORTH, Inc.'s first off-the-shelf product. It was developped in 1976 for |
| |
the 1802, and subsequently implemented on the 8080, the 6800 and the |
| |
Z80. |
| |
|
| |
All earlier Forth systems were custom-made, usually by Charles Moore, |
| |
who discovered (as he puts it) Forth in the late 60s. |
| |
|
| |
A part of the information in this section comes from @cite{The Evolution |
| |
of Forth} by Elizabeth D. Rather, Donald R. Colburn and Charles |
| |
H. Moore, presented at the HOPL-II conference and preprinted in SIGPLAN |
| |
Notices 28(3), 1993. You can find more historical and genealogical |
| |
information about Forth there. |
| |
|
| |
@node Word Index, Node Index, Pedigree, Top |
| |
@chapter Word Index |
| |
|
| |
This index is as incomplete as the manual. Each word is listed with |
| |
stack effect and wordset. |
| |
|
| |
@printindex fn |
| |
|
| |
@node Node Index, , Word Index, Top |
| |
@chapter Node Index |
| |
|
| |
This index is even less complete than the manual. |
| |
|
| @contents |
@contents |
| @bye |
@bye |
| |
|