The Microprocessor
- An Introduction
A-J E-->
9 / 84
Axxxxx J. Dubrexxx
CEO
A-J Enterprises
ReReleased - 7/98 - 'historical'
T A B L E 0 F C 0 N T E N T S
1. the CPU - a Historical Perspective 1-1
1.1. the Birth of the Microcomputer
- 11/71 1-1
1.1.1.
Enter the 8-bit Microprocessor - 1972 1-1
1.2. the Dawn of the Microcomputer Age
- 1973 1-1
1.2.1.
a Better 8-bit Microprocessor - 1976 1-2
1.3. the Dawn of the 16-bit Microprocessor
- 1978 1-2
1.3.1.
the 16-bit Processor Family 1-2
1.4. the Intel iAPX Series 1-2
1.4.1. the iAPX
186 1-2
1.4.2. the iAPX
286 1-3
1.4.3. the iAPX 432 1-3
1.4.4. S-100 Implementation 1-3
1.5. Design Requirements for a Basic
Computer System 1-3
1.5.1. Speed
1-3
1.5.2. Security
1-3
1.5.3. Reliability
1-3
1.5.3.1. Software
Protection 1-3
1.5.3.2. Hardware
Protection1 1-4
1.5.4. Expandability
1-4
1.5.5. Ease
of Programming 1-4
2. the System Bus - a Historical Perspective 2-1
2.1. the S-100 bus 2-1
2.2. the S-100 Enclosure 2-1
2.3. S-100 Advantages 2-1
2.3.0.1. Expandability 2-1
2.3.0.2. Upgrading -- New Technology 2-1
2.20.3. Upgrading
-- Obsolete Board Replacement 2-2
3. Operating Systems - a Historical Perspective 3-1
3.1. the Pre-Natal Years '73-74
3-1
3.2. CP/M is Born - 1975 3-1
3.2.1.
Utilities 3-1
3.3. CP/M-86 - a Late Release - 19BO
3-1
3.4. More Operating Systems Advancements
3-2
3.4.1.
Multiuser MP/M-86 - 1981 3-2
3.4.2.
Concurrent-CP/M 3-2
3.5. Advanced Operating Systems
3-2
3.5.1.
Concurrent DOS 3-2
3.5.2.
StarLink - a Work Station link 3-2
3.5.3.
MS-DOS - 1981 - a Brief Word 3-2
4. Some Conclusions 4-1
4.1. Concerning the IBM-XT 4-1
4.2. a System Recommendation 4-1
4.3. a Personal Developement-System
4-1
4.3.0.1.
Hardware 4-1
4.3.0.2.
Software 4-1
4.3.0.3.
Operating System 4-1
5. Computer Languages - a Historical Perspective 5-1
5.1. Preliminary - 'Other' Number Bases
5-1
5.1.1.
an Electric Circuit 5-1
5.1.2.
Binary Numbers 5-1
5.1.3.
the Nibble & Byte 5-2
5.1.4.
Octal & HEX 5-2
5.2. Assembly Language 5-3
5.2.1.
Mnemonics 5-3
5.2.2.
ASM & DDT 5-3
5.3. the 'Higher' Languages 5-4
Appendices
A. Glossary …….A-1
B. Utilities
B-1
B.1. DOS Utilities (Required)
B-1
B.2. DOS Utilities (Optional)
B-1
B.3. Comparative Clock Speeds
B-1
B.4. Miscellaneous
B-1
C. Minimum Configuration - Starter
System … C-1
C.1. Hardware Requirements . …C-1
C.2. Software Requirements . …C-1
C.3. Comment . …C-1
L I S T 0 F T A B L E S
1-1: 1971 Advertisement 1-1
1-2: the MCS-4 Chip Set 1-1
3-1: the CP/M Modules 3-1
5-1: Numbers in Different Bases 5-3
L I S T 0 F F 1 G U R E S
5-1: a Knife Switch Example 5-1
Original Page References : <#.#>
(Bottom of Original Page)
1. the CPU - a Historical Perspective
1.1. the Birth of the Microcomputer - 11/71
The 17 November 1971 issue of Electronics News carried an advertisement
touting the attributes of Intel's MCS-4 microcomputer. In part, it boasted
–
Table 1-1: 1971 Advertisement
a 4-bit parallel adder 16 4-bit Reqisters
an Accumulator a push down Stack
The MCS-4 design team was headed by Ted Hoff, Jr. The project
originated as a cooperative effort with a (now defunct) Japanese company
(Bisicom) to design a calculator based on existing transistor technology.
The team realized this was a weighty undertaking and sought a better way.
This turned out to be large scale integrated (LSI) chips - the 4000 series.
Table 1-2: the MCS-4 Chip
Set
4004
CPU w/ set of 45 instructions
4001
ROM 'hard-wired' procedures unit
4002
RAM user program area
4003
Shift Register
The MCS-4 was modeled after Digital Equipment's (DEC) PDP-8 minicomputer.
It contained a 19 byte interpreter and could do 100,000 additions of 4-bit
operands per second.
1.1.1. Enter the 8-bit Microprocessor - 1972
Intel introduced the 8-bit 8008 CPU during 1972. It had a repertoire
of 48 instructions, seven 8-bit registers, and could address 16,384 (16
K) bytes of RAM. It could perform 80,000 8--bit additions per second.
It was NOT compatible with the origin-al MCS-4.
1.2. the Dawn of the Microcomputer Age - 1973
Intel released the 8080 CPU late in 1973. Shina Masutushi, a member of
the MCS-4 design team, had designed it. The 8080 CPU supported the
8008's 48-instruction set, plus an additional 30 more. It contained
eight 8-bit registers or four 16-bit registers. Upward mobility for established
8008 users was possible without penalty.
<1-1>
The 8080 CPU could address 65,536 (64 K) bytes of RAM. It could
generate 256 input strobe signals and 256 output strobe signals. It was
an NMOS chip (N-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor) with 'fast' clock rates.
It could perform 500,000 8-bit arithmetic operations per second.
1.2.1. a Better 8-bit Microprocessor – 1976
In 1976, Intel introduced the 8085 CPU with 1/0 added to the chip.
It provided 770,000 8-bit additions per second and was still compatible
with the 8008 and 8080 CPU's.
1.3. the Dawn of the 16-bit Microprocessor - 1978
Late in 1978, Intel released the 8086 CPU. It was a 16-bit microprocessor,
which could address mega-byte (MB) of RAM. It further provided for
16 distinct user areas.
The next year Intel released the 8088 CPU. Internally, it was functionally
identical to the 8086. Externally, it had an 8bit bus, making it 'compatible'
with the 8080 & 8085 CPU's. (This was not always a painless procedure.)
1.3.1. the 16-bit Processor Family
Intel soon released two more 'sisters' to the 8086 CPU. They were
the 8087 NDP (Numeric Data Processor) and the 8089 IOP (Input-Output Processor).
The 8086 CPU, standing alone, is somewhat inferior to the 16-bit MC68000.
However, when the three processors are used together, they blow away other
16-bit processors, outside of Hewlett-Packard!
1.4. the Intel iAPX Series
Intel has developed three iAPX's : the 186, 286 and 432. Each higher
number represents a vast improvement over each lower number, which began
with the iAPX-86 (8086 CPU). The 186 and 286 are 16-bit microprocessors
while the 432 is a true 32-bit microprocessor.
1.4. 1. the iAPX 186
The iAPX 186 can address 16 MB of RAM (the maximum supported by the S-100
bus, IEEE-696 standard). It is designed to use a conventional operating
system including privilege levels (to 4 deep) to protect data.
<1-2>
1.4.2. the iAPX 286
The iAPX 286 has three new registers and several new flags as well as new
instructions. Both the 186 and 286 are compatible with the current
8086 and 6088 CPU's.
1.4.3. the iAPX 432
The iAPX 432 could theoretically link upto 256 copies of the same microprocessor,
to work together cooperatively yet independently, to form the care of a
large computer. It is a true 32bit microprocessor designed to service
a large number of users and also provide a high degree of security for
data. It can address upto one million mega-bytes of RAM! (This is
equivalent to 1,000,000 maximized Compupro 816-C's!)
1.4.4. S-100 Implementation
Several S-100 hardware manufacturers have CPU boards based on the iAPX
186 microprocessor. CompuPro is one such manufacturer.
1.5. Design Requirements for a Basic Computer System
This section will use Intel's iAPX 432 as an example of a microprocessor
which addresses five major areas central to design considerations.
1.5.1. Speed
The system must provide methods for dividing large jobs into smaller, manageable
tasks. This will prevent one job from interfering with other job-executions.
Thus, "bottle-necks' are prevented.
1.5.2. Security
The system uses an object-based operating system with capacity-based addressing
scheme. This allows a user to modify his own data area. read some
other data areas. but not be able to access certain critical/protected
data.
1.5.3. Reliability
The system must provide built-in protection from software and hardware
malfunctions.
1.5-3.1. Software Protection
Data is strongly 'typed'. Automatic (built-in hardware) ‘type' checking
is done for each access.
<1-3>
1.5.3.2. Hardware Protection
Dual copies of the 432 can run the same instructions together and check
each other for accuracy.
1.5.4. Expandability
The 432 allows adding new processors to an existing system without changing
the operating system. Theoretically, upto 256 copies of the 432 could work
together.
1.5.5. Ease of Programming
The 432 incorporates preprogrammed pieces into the hardware. It has
an extensive set of Operating system 'Primitives' in its hardware instruction
set.
<1-4>
2. the System Bus - a Historical Perspective
2.1. the S-100 bus
The S-100 (IEEE-696 Standard) is a bus system of 100 parallel/independent
lines. Each line is numbered and has specific signals/information
allowed on them.
The origin of the S-100 bus can be traced to the 8080-CPU based Altair
8800 released in early 1975 by MITS. Inc. Many companies made plug-in compatible
boards for the Altair 8800. The unit, in kit form, sold for under $400.
Motherboards group several S-100 slots in parallel. This permits
modular special function S-100 boards to be installed perpendicular to
the motherboard.
2.2. the S-100 Enclosure
An S-100 enclosure contains a motherboard. an elaborate power supply and
a cooling fan. CompuPro's Enclosure-2 provides a highly reliable
20 slot motherboard and power supply. it sells for about $650. )
2.3. S-100 Advantages
The S-100 derives its value from its modular structure. The benefits
are three-fold.
2.3.0.1. Expandability
First, extra S-100 boards can be added. RAM, Ram-Disk or I/O. These
can expand RAM, RAM-Disk or I/O.
A serious user could begin with a basic advanced S-100 system for under
$6.500. Then, as economics permit, he could add many thousands of
dollars in expansion boards. The final system would be very powerful
and less expensive than other approaches.
2.3.0.2. Upgrading - -New Technology
Second, as new technologies become cost-effective, they can be added to
the system. A hard disk is such a technology
A 40 MB hard disk with CompuPro Disk-3 controller now costs under
$2,500. A 20 MB hard disk & controller sells for $1700.
The price may fall even more.
<2-1>
2.3.0.3. Upgrading - Obsolete Board Replacement
Third, as a board becomes obsolete, it may be replaced. Thus, only
antiquated parts need be replaced, not the whole system.
A computer 'generation' is generally accepted to be only a five-year
period. Therefore, today’s state-of-the-art CPU board is destined
to be eligible for replacement within five to ten years.
<2-2>
3. Operating Systems - a Historical Perspective
3.1. the Pre-Natal Years '73-74
Dr. Gary Kildall was a consultant for Intel in 1973 when he developed
a disk operating system (DOS) for the 8" Shugart Associates disk drive.
During 1973 and 1974 Intel saw no commercial application for a DOS.
By 1975, many companies were producing computers and other companies
were producing disk drives. Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) had
to write a DOS for each system they integrated. (Some companies
were known to have shipped systems without a DOS at all.)
3.2. CP/M is Born - 1975
It was during 1975 that several system integrators opted to use Kildall's
DOS. (Kildall formed the software company Digital Research - DR or DRI.)
The disk drive manufacturers were ecstatic, an operating system was available
to allow their drives to be added to any microcomputer with only minor
integration required. Nationwide, 'hackers' touted a common language they
could use to exchange programs.
CP/M means Control Program for Microprocessors. It employs a three-module
approach to link the 8080 CPU to the disk drive. Two of the modules (CCP
& BDOS) are device independent. The third module (BIOS) must
be customized to each microcomputer.
Table
3-1: the CP/M Modules
CCP Command Console Processor
BDOS Basic Disk Operating System
BIOS Basic Input-Output System
3.2.1. Utilities
Microcomputer enthusiasts (hackers) responded quickly and positively to
the CP/M operating system. Many utility programs were written and placed
in public domain. These facilitated the development of "higher' languages,
more acceptable to the human users.
3.3. CP/M-86 - a Late Release - 1980
Digital Research released CP/M-86 late in 1980, nearly two years after
the release of Intel's 8086 CPU. (Problems obtaining a prototype
processor board as well as a dedication to continued upward mobility
<3-1>
contributed to the time lag.) This was a 16-bit disk operating system
for the 8086 and 8088 CPU's. It provides for upto 16 disk drives
on a system and can address a full megabyte of RAM.
By the end of 1981, over a quarter of a million copies of CP/M were in
use. Also, over 300 OEM's employed CP/M based systems.
3.4. More Operating Systems Advancements
3.4.1. Multi-user MP/M-86 , 1981
MP/M means multi-programming monitor. It can detach from and attach to
processes, thus, it can do multitasking It further allows upto 254 operators/users
at separate terminals. These users can be partitioned by assigning
them among the 16 user areas.
3.4.2. Concurrent-CP/M
C-CP/M allows multi-tasking on single user microcomputer systems.
This allows the system to print file(s) while the operator updates other(s).
3.5. Advanced Operating Systems
3.5.1. Concurrent DOS
Most recently, Digital Research has released Concurrent Disk Operating
System for the IBM-XT (the IBM-PC w/ 10MB hard disk). Concurrent DOS reads
and writes both MS-DOS and CP/M-86. It incorporates advanced features
beyond C-CP/M. including upto four windows to monitor multitasking operations.
3.5.2. StarLink - a Work Station link
Digital Research just released StarLink for the IBM-XT. The minimum
system required is 512 KB RAM with a 10-MB hard disk. Four dumb terminals
may be added to an XT forming a workstation for five users. They
can share station resources such as printers, as well as the hard disk.
3.5.3. MS-DOS - 1981 - a Brief Word
In 1979, Seattle Computer made only two developmental boards using the
Intel 8086 CPU and it claimed to need both for its own in-house work.
From 1979 through 1981, Seattle developed 86-DOS to link the 6086 CPU and
disk drives. The first version was called QDS for quick & dirty
system.
<3-2>
In July 1981, MicroSoft bought the development rights to 86-DOS and
thus, MS-DOS was born. Later that year. IBM released its Original PC (personal
computer) which ran on the MS-DOS, called PC-DOS. Update 2.0 came later
to correct inherent problems with version 1.0. Most recently announced
is version 3.0.
<3-3>
4. Some Conclusions
4.1. Concerning the IBM-XT
It seems that Digital Research's Concurrent DOS and StarLink will be a
powerful combination for IBM-XT users. But - presently, the IBM XT
is hindered with an 8086 CPU running at only 4 MHz. Still, the possibility
of a work station for those who have XT is quite encouraging. Most
users will not notice the slower speed inherent with the IBM.
4.2. a System Recommendation
A 20-slot microframe using the S-100 standard bus is the basis of
a very powerful system. Start with CompuPro's dual processor
(8085/8088 CPU) board running at 6 MHz and 8 MHz. Add to this the
MP/M operating system, for multitasking and multi- processing; and CompuPro’s
Static RAM and M-Drive/H for electronic disk work. The system should
provide Capability for six to eight tasks to run simultaneously without
noticeable delays. Further, upgrading with boards based on Intel's
iAPX-186 or 286 CPU's is possible.
4.3. a Personal Development-System
COLOSSUS-0
4.3.0.1. Hardware
CompuPro 816B
20 Slot S-100 Enclosure the 'boat anchor'
CPU 8085/8088 6/8 MHz 8/16 bit CoProcessor
4 RAM-16/10-MHz Static RAM -- 256 KB total
M-Drive/H 512 K RAM-Disk
System Support I Clock. Calendar, etc.
Disk I Controller for upto 4 drives
Interfacer 3 8 Serial Parts
Interfacer 4 3 Serial, 1 Centronics,
1 Parallel
Mitshubishi Dual 8" Disk Drives
2.4 MB total
Liberty
Freedom 100 (in TeleVideo 910 emulation)
4.3.0.2. Software
SuperCalc 86 Spread Sheet Program
dBASE II v2.4 Data Base Management System
WordStar v3.0 Professional Package -- Word Processor
CB-86 Compiler (CBASIC)
Final Word v1.15 -- Word Processor
Hyper Typer -- Typing Practice
4.3.0.3. Operating System
MP/M-86 Multi-user, Multi-Tasking
w/ 10 Consoles max, 3 Printers max.
<4-1>
5. Computer Languages - a Historical Perspective
5.1. Preliminary - 'Other' Number Bases
5.1.1. an Electric Circuit
An electric circuit has just two states. It may be closed, carrying a current,
but having no potential difference <voltage>. Or, it could be open,
not carrying a current, but having a potential difference <voltage>.
Fig. 5-1: a Knife Switch Example
Closed Circuit (+)-------o--------------o-------(-)
0 Volts
O
\
\
\
Open Circuit
(+)-------o
o-------(-)
5 Volts
This suggests a binary <base two> system.
Such a system allows the digits zero <0> and one <1>.
A 'bit' is a BInary digiT. { 0, 1, }
All numbers could be represented by a sequence of zeros and ones.
However, physical constraints have limited actual application.
5.1.2. Binary Numbers
The base ten system of numbers <'our' number system> starts with the
units digit just to the left of the decimal point. The next place
left represents tens (1*10), the next place is ten times larger (1*10*10),
and so on. This is the nature of any base system of numbers.
In the following base two example, each pair of angle brackets '<>'
represents a place value base two <binary> :
<1*2*2*2*2*2> <1*2*2*2*2> <1*2*2*2>
<1*2*2> <1*2> <units>
<5-1>
5.1.3. the Nibble & Byte
Intel's 1971 MCS-4 was a 4-bit microprocessor. It was able to 'nibble'
at large numbers.
A 'nibble' is defined to be 4-bits.
Intel's 1972 8008 CPU was an 8-bit microprocessor. It could take
a big 'byte' out of large numbers.
A
Byte is defined to be 8-bits.
5.1.4. Octal & HEX
A byte of binary digits can represent the decimal number 255,
but it is cumbersome.
1111 1111 <==> 255
The octal <base 8> system was adopted to simplify entering binary
numbers. The only requirement was that someone first build a keyboard
decoder to translate the octal number into binary for the chip. 377
<octal> represents 255 decimal.
The octal place value ‘< >' :
<1*8*8*8*8*8> <1*8*8*8*8> <1*8*8*8>
<1*8*8> <1*8> <units>
The
octal digit set is : { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 }
As
the microcomputer industry grew, the octal system was replaced by the hexadecimal
<HEX> system. This is the formal name for the base 16 system.
The place value and digit set are shown below.
<1*16*16*16*16> <1*16*16*16>
<1*16*16> <1*16>
<units>
The
hexadecimal digit set is : { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
A, B, C, D, E, F }
The characters A, B, C, D, E & F have been 'drafted' to represent
the base ten two-digit numbers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively.
This is necessary since base sixteen must allow for upto 15 units before
moving place value. The first five upper case characters of the alphabet
were available. The decimal number 255 is FF <HEX>.
N. B.
The reader may have noticed 'upto' being typed as one word, sans the
usual space. This was intentional, as many computer commands must
be typed without a space. For example, the 'end if' command is written
ENDIF.
<5-2>
Table 5-1: Numbers in Different
Bases
HEX Octal Byte
Binary Nibble Binary
Decimal
00 000
0000 0000
0000
0
01 001
0000 0001
0001
1
02 002
0000 0010
0010
2
03 003
0000 0011
0011
3
04 004
0000 0100
0100
4
05 005
0000 0101
0101
5
06 006
0000 0110
0110
6
07 007
0000 0111
0111
7
08 010
0000 1000
1000
8
09 011
0000 1001
1001
9
OA 012
0000 1010
1010
10
OB 013
0000 1011
1011
11
OC 014
0000 1100
1100
12
OD 015
0000 1101
1101
13
OE 016
0000 1110
1110
14
OF 017
0000 1111
1111
15
10 020
0001 0000
<END>
16
11 021
0001 0001
17
. . .
. . .
. . . . . .
FF 377
1111 1111
255
<END>
5.2. Assembly Language
5.2.1. mnemonics
Programming long routines using only numeric representation for commands,
is more than tedious, it is horrendous! Often, even the original
programmer cannot decipher his own code a few months after he has completed
a program.
A mnemonic code for 8-bit microprocessors was developed. A mnemonic
is a 3-character 'abbreviation' for a computer directive. Some examples
- LoaD the Accumulator is LDA, MoVe the Immediate byte is MVI, Jump for
flag Not equal to Zero is JNZ.
A programmer would write his code in assembly, a more 'friendly" approach
than staring at numeric codes. When the program was completed, he
would use a look-up table for the numeric codes to enter into the microprocessor.
5.2.2. ASM & DDT
When larger capacity micros became available, the look-up function was
done by the computer. This was a two step process.
A program, written in assembly language, is first translated into Hex
code by the Assembler (ASM). Then, a LOAD program translates the Hex code
into computer level Binary code for executable program.
<5-3>
Finally, a dynamic debugging program (DDT) had to be written.
This program allowed the programmer to correct coding errors, which are
inherent in any program longer than a few pages.
The assembler, loader and Dynamic Debugging Tool provided the 'tools'
programmers needed to write long programs. Programs - in excess of
1,000 lines were not uncommon.
5.3. the 'Higher' Languages
Assembly language (one step up from Hex Codes) was employed to write the
CP/M utilities. Gordon Eubanks used this code to write E-BASIC. an
early version of a 'high' language.
E-BASIC was the forerunner of the 1977 CBASIC. In 1978, CBASIC
version 2, a pseudo compiled BASIC, with extensive file" handling capability
was released. This provided the foundation to permit application
programs, such as the General Ledger family (including Accounts Payable
& Receivable, etc.) to be written.
Other 'high' level application software was written in assembly language
during the late 70's. WordStar, a word processing program from MicroPro
has been widely acclaimed as an excellent program. SuperCalc a spread
sheet calculator program from Sorcim, is a formidable program. Both were
developed in the CP/M-80 environment.
<5-4>
A. Glossary
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit
bus communication lines w/i the computer
CPU
Central Processing Unit
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube, a monitor, screen, etc.
DMA
Direct Memory Access
DOS
Disk Operating System
I/0
Input (a keyboard, disk, etc.)
/ Output (a CRT, printer, disk, etc.)
OS
Operating System
RAM
Random Access Memory - read/write memory
ROM
Read Only Memory
- programmed into a chip
Accumulator
register through which all 1/0 is handled
Flag
a 1-bit on/off switch for CPU control
Register
memory location w/i CPU
Stack
reserved registers for program control
bit
BInary digiT Base 2 digit { 0, 1 }
nibble
4-bits Original width of Intel's MCS-4
Byte
8-bits Original width of Intel's 8008'CPU
Octal
Base 8 Digit Set { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 }
HEX
Hexadecimal - Base 16 Digit Set:
{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E,
F }
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
Characters use lowest 7 bits - 8th bit free or 0
{ Wordprocessors , spreadsheets & DBMS's use the eighth
bit to encode information for program use. }
BASIC
Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Information Code
A 'high' level language written in assembly code
dBASE II
Data Base Management System from Ashton-Tate
Written in assembly language
FORTRAN
FORmula TRANslation 'high' language for engineers
KB
kiloB
1-thousand (1024) Bytes
MB
megaB 1-million Bytes
Hz
hertz cycle per second
bug
(descriptive) name for microprocessor chip
chip
Silicon based electronic device
IC
Integrated Chip - cascaded transistors on a chip
LSI
Large Scale Integration
w/ with 'avec'
\ \ many 'boucoup'
w/i within 'dans'
w/o without 'sans'
NB nota bene ( L, mark well
)
<A-1>
B. Utilities
B.1. DOS Utilities (Required)
DIR
DIRectory List of files on disk
ERA
ERAse Removes files from disk
FORMAT
prepare a new disk to be written on; cleans 'old' disks
PIP
Peripheral Interchange Program
File transfer program w/ 'beaucoup' options!
REN
REName Change file name
STAT
STATistics Stats on files, drives or system
Has 'beaucoup' options
SUBMIT
a program to run a series of 'tedious' DOS commands
SYSGEN
places DOS on freshly formatted disk
TYPE
list contents of ASCII files to screen or printer
Can have 'beaucoup' options
B.2. DOS Utilities (Optional)
ASM
ASseMbly language ASseMbler
Translates assembly file to a HEX file
DDT
Dynamic Debugging Tool
Aids programmer to clean up the assembly program
LOAD
Converts a HEX file to a runnable COM file
B.3. Comparative Clock Speeds
8-bit
8080 .7 MHz
8080A 2 MHz
16 bit
8086 8, 10 MHz
8088 8, 10 MHz
B.4. Miscel1aneous
MS-DOS MicroSoft Disk Operating
System
PC-DOS
MS-DOS on the IBM-PC & XT
TRSDOS Tandy Radio Shack
Disk Operating System
<B-1>
C. Minimum Configuration - Starter System
C.1. Hardware Requirements
N.B.
0sborne-01; OK, three years ago
/ recommended
1984
CPU
4 MHz Z-8OA
8 MHz 8088
8-bit
16-bit
RAM
64 KB
128 KB
Bus
8-bit
8- & 16-bit
Monitor
5" built-in, 12"ext.
9" built-in, 14"external
DSK Capacity
90 KB each
180 KB each
1/0 Ports
2 RS-232C Serial, IEEE-696 Parallel <=='ditto'
Dual Disk Drives and a detachable
Key Board are a must!
Printer Dot Matrix w/ 15"
Carriage & Tractor Feed
C.2. Software Requirements
Word Processor
WordStar v2.3
/ WS v3.0 &
Pro Pack
Spread Sheet
SuperCalc
/ SuperCalc
2
Operating Sys
CP/M-80
/ CP/M-86
+ Full Utilities
Programming Lang
CBASIC-8O
/ CB-86 Compiler
MBASIC v5.3
Data Base Mangmt
/ dBASE
II v2.4
C.3. Comment
The above system (left side of cost under $2,500 in the fall of 1982.
It is composed of an Osborne 01 "transport-able' microcomputer, an
external Zenith monitor and an Epson MX- 100 dot matrix printer.
Today, the 8-bit, CP/M v3.3 Osborne Executive meets most of the above
requirements (right side of '/'). Including Personal Pearl (a DBMS);
the Exec now goes for $1,600.
A new Exec revision is due from the restructured Osborne Corporation.
It should better meet the specified requirements. A KayPro 2 or 4
are other alternatives in the same price range.
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