CFOG's PIP, October 1986, Volume 4 No. 12, Whole No. 48, page 11
Modula-2 to be Released by Borland
[The following message was downloaded from the Lillipute Z-Node. While it's really a press release and essentially a commercial message, I thought it of sufficient interest to justify publicatin as a news item -- bhc]
Z80 Turbo Modula-2 was created by Borland International, the creators of Turbo Pascal. It is an in-depth and professional implementation of Modula-2 for Z80-compatible computers running a CP/M-80 compatible disk operating system. This includes Kaypro, Commodore 128, Morrow, Osborne, Amstrad, and many other computers. The Z80 Turbo Modula-2 package comes complete with 500+ page manual; WordStar-like programming editor for creating and modifying program source code or any text file, compiler, extensive function library (modules), and installation program and terminal descriptor database. Everything needed to begin creating useful programs in Modula-2 has been included.
Z80 Turbo Modula-2 supports the following features:
- Instant invocation of editor when the compiler detects programming errors. You can quickly correct the mistake, and the compiler resumes where it left off.
- Very fast compilation utilizing a one-pass method.
- Extensive function library -- 14 modules incorporating over 100 procedures. Standard Modula-2 modules such as InOut are available, in addition to single (6 digits) and double precision (14 digits) math, command line access and manipulation, input/output redirection, and much more. You may also add your own extensions or replace existing modules as you see fit.
- Programs can be organized with overlays; permits code size to exceed available memory.
- Can generate Z80 native code using an optional second pass of the compiler.
- Bit manipulation and sets.
- Easy inclusion of assembly-language routines in binary form, or in relocatable (REL) form. Turbo Modula-2 can even search REL libraries and include only the routines of interest.
- Extensions to Modula-2 include comfortable generalized READ and WRITE statements (like Turbo Pascal), string comparison and assignment, multidimensional open arrays, and exception handling to control the program in case of errors.
- The compiler can optionally flag nonstandard statements to ensure portability to other Modula-2 environments. Programs written with Turbo Modula-2 can be portable to any other computing environment.
Turbo Modula-2 compared to Turbo Pascal:
- Turbo Modula-2 has separate compilation. This means that whenever a change is made in a supporting or dependent module, only the changed module must be recompiled. This is especially important on large projects, where under Turbo Pascal, even the smallest change required recompilation of the entire project. Unlike some other languages that allow separate compilation, Modula-2 still performs full type and version checking between modules.
- The library facilities of Turbo Modula-2 allow a full and extensible set of primitives, which are not included in the final program unless specifically requested by the programmer. Thus, programs can be optimized for size even though hundreds of library functions may exist.
- Turbo Modula-2 includes support for coroutines (multiprocessing) and interrupt handlers.
- Existing Turbo Pascal programs can be easily converted to Turbo Modula-2.
- Turbo Modula-2 possesses additional numeric types: unsigned integers (cardinal), long integers (longint), and long reals (longreal). These allow greater precision and flexibility in mathematical calculations and data handling.
The Z80 Turbo Modula-2 package includes:
- Full-screen WordStar-like text editor
- Turbo Modula-2 compiler
- Turbo Modula-2 linker
- Turbo Modula-2 menu shell
- Z80 native code generator
- Library manager
- Full module library with more than 100 routines
- Installation program
- Utility to manipulate Microsoft REL files
- Profiler utility for analysis of program performance
- 500-plus page manual
The price of the Turbo Modula-2 package is $69.95, which includes everything listed above. This is a tremendous value for the price! Visa/Mastercard, personal check, or UPS COD accepted. Add $6 shipping / handling in USA, actual cost elsewhere. Shipments will begin December 5th, 1986.
Echelon, Inc.
885 N. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA USA 94022
415/948-3820 for orders and technical questions
415/489-9005 Z-Node Central 300 / 1200 / 2400 baud 24 hours
Telex 4931646