INTRO TO SPHINX C-- (updated 28 Oct 1996) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello, and welcome to SPHINX C--. C-- is a language I (Peter Cellik) created, it is a half way point between C and Assembly. The main thought behind C-- is to create very small, and hopefully fast programs. The output efficiency is close to assembly with the source file being similar to C and thus more readable than assembly source. C-- can be used as a stand alone language, or, via the use of Microsoft compatible OBJ output, be used within another language such as C++ or Borland Pascal. This is the final release of C--! It has been over a year since I have made any changes to C--, so I have decided its time to release it all to the public domain. I have enjoyed your responses over the years and I look forward to more. I have had replies from over 25 different countries. Thank you everyone for saying hello. Sorry if I did not reply, sometimes there just isn't time. The file is C--FINAL.ZIP. It should contain the compiler, the examples and also the source code. REQUIREMENTS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ System Requirements: - 8086 or higher CPU computer - DOS 3.0 or greater - 512K RAM or greater - Keyboard (I should hope) - a hard drive will really speed things up, though C-- can even run off a floppy if you are not in a hurry - a mouse may assist navigation through the C-- Work Bench, but the keyboard can be used instead - some of the example files require VGA display, if you do not have VGA you are missing out on life Programmer Requirements (uh-oh): - Brain (a good one too) - Reasonable understanding of C or similar high level language - Some 8086 or higher assembly knowledge, the more the better FILE LIST: ~~~~~~~~~~ The following files should be included in the C--C????.ZIP package: .\C-- EXE // The SPHINX C-- Compiler .\C-- OVL // File required by C--.EXE .\WB COM // C-- Work Bench Driver .\WB EXE // C-- Work Bench Main Program .\C--INFO DOC // Info on the C-- Programming Language .\C--ASM DOC // Info on C-- Inline Assembly Language .\STAKPROC DOC // Info on C-- stack procedures .\REGPROCS DOC // Info on C-- REG procedures and macros .\WBHELP DOC // Info on using the C-- Work Bench .\ALLPROCS DOC // List of all stack and REG procedures and macros .\???????? H-- // Some C-- header files .\README DOC // This file your reading .\examples\GUS\*.* // Gravis Ultra Sound example programs .\examples\OBJ\*.* // OBJ file output example programs .\examples\OTHER\*.* // Misc. example programs .\examples\ROCK\*.* // VGA game example program .\examples\SBLASTER\*.* // Sound blaster example programs .\examples\SIMPLE\*.* // Small and simple example programs .\examples\SYSTEM\*.* // System detection example programs .\examples\TSR\*.* // Terminate and Stay Resident example programs .\examples\VGA\*.* // VGA example programs .\examples\stuff\*.* // some personal examples .\examples\HISTORY.DOC // Revision history of this example package .\source\*.* // Source for SPHINX C-- Compiler and Work Bench NOTE: I do not take credit (or blame) for EURO_MOD.EXE, it is supplied as a usefully utility which can be accessed via a C-- header file. It is free and, as far as I understand, can be used and distributed by anyone for anyone. HOW TO START: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UnZIP the C--FINAL.ZIP package using the '-d' option. Next, set the 'C--' environmental variable to the full path of the directory you unzipped into. C-- uses the 'C--' environmental variable to find the compiler, help files and include files. For example, if you unzipped C-- into the directory 'C:\C--', then you would type: SET C--=C:\C-- You may wish to add the above line to your 'AUTOEXEC.BAT'. You may then type WB at the DOS prompt to start the C-- Work Bench. Take a look at some the *.C-- example files. Press F3 to load and F5 to compile and run. Be sure to be in the same directory as the source file(s) for the *.C-- file may need to load some other files, such as palettes and bitmaps. Use the 'Change Dir...' command in the 'File' menu to change directories. After you get a taste of what it can do, take a look at the file 'C--INFO.DOC' for information on how to program in C--. 'C--INFO.DOC' can be viewed in the C-- Work Bench by pressing or selecting 'Main General Help' from the 'Help' menu. THE PRICE: ~~~~~~~~~~ This version of C-- is GREENWARE, and you are free to use it so long as you make an effort everyday to help out the environment. A few ideas: - use only recycled computer paper - be sure to recycle the computer paper after you use it - use public transport - sell that 80 cylinder car of yours and buy a small 4 cylinder, or better yet, buy a motorbike - support Green Peace - REDUCE-REUSE-recycle - stop smoking - ride a bike to work or school - don't buy products that are harmful to the environment - stop using weed killers on your lawn - support Friends of the Earth - recycle your cans - don't buy products that have lots of extra packaging - use a fax modem instead of a paper fax machine - reuse your plastic bags - (you get the idea) DISCLAIMER: ~~~~~~~~~~~ I accept no responsibility for any damage or loss of time, hardware, sanity, software or data caused by this product or programs made with it. So there! FINAL NOTES: ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Any programs you make with C-- you may do with as you wish. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you can give me. Just say hello, or send me some cool stuff. Send me your comments, maybe even some code you have written, I would like them very much. I can be contacted at: PETER SPHINX CELLIK RR#2 SITE 33 C11 GABRIOLA ISLAND B.C. V0R 1X0 CANADA Current E-mail Address: cellik@sfu.ca Hope to hear from you soon. /* end of README.DOC */