TDI MODULA-2

I have included some M2 programmes source code for you to play with:-

	DSavage		This is the double precision SAVAGE benchmark
			written in M2, it is quite fast and accurate,
			better than some implementations of 'C'.

	Function	This was downloaded from BIX/Modula, and is
			an assortment of very useful numeric and
			string functions.  It will not compile as is
			because of incompatibility with Strings Library
			but shouldn't take too much trouble.  I have gone
			through it and put in all the spaces that TDI
			seems to need, but I haven't tried to compile it
			so you may find some more.

	LongMatrix	This is a double precision, opaque data type,
			dynamically allocated Matrix TYPE.  It is based
			on a programme in the book "Modula-2, a software
			development approach" by G.A.Ford & R.S.Wiener,
			but I have done some AMIGA adaptions.
			I haven't yet implemented the disc saveing and
			reading procs, and it needs a bit more work for
			some extra procedures such as :-
			MatConst(m:matrix ; a:LONGREAL) to assign a 
				constant to every element
			RSum(m:matrix; r:ARRAY OF LONGREAL): LONGREAL
			CSum(m:matrix; c:ARRAY OF LONGREAL): LONGREAL
				sums the rows or cols to a vector
			Det(m:matrix) Determinant of the matrix
			Trans(m:matrix) Transpose of m
				There are many others!!!
			I am not sure if I need LONGCARDs in the
			ALLOCATE and DEALLOCATE procedures as 32 bits
			should be enough for any address.
			Both the .def and the .mod compile ok but are 
			mathematically untested, and could have some
			errors in them.

If anyone is interested in doing some work on any of these please keep me
informed, I will return any discs that you might send me. (hint!)

The books 
Modula-2, A Software Development Approach by Gary A. Ford and
Richard S. Wiener (Wiley 1986 ISBN 0-471-84443-8) is an excellent and
comprehensive book but not elementary, and includes lots of examples.  

Modula-2, A Seafarer's Guide and Shipyard Manual by Edward J. Joyce 
(Addison-Wesley ISBN 1-201-11587-5) is also a very well written book,
comprehensive, but elementary enough for a beginner.

These two books are complementary and I would advise the purchase of both
for anyone wanting to learn Modula-2.  I wrote to seven technical
bookshops, and after two months, had seven replies all with different
prices mostly estimates. ( With the profit that booksellers make, they
don't have to bother with prompt replies ($US17 becomes $NZ65) )

I would be interested to hear from anyone on STARNET as this appears to
be an ideal medium for transferr of development material, especially for
Modula-2 as the knowlege is limited for this newish language, and the 
TDI Mudula-2 is a bit quirkey and dosen't always do what you expect.  I
have had the biggest problems with LONG types especially CONST of LONG
types.  The only way I have been able to use a CONST of LONGREAL type is
to declare a VAR x : LONGREAL ; ......... x := LONG( 1.2345E-035 ), which
works but is a bit of a mess.

I have two MS-DOS discs that are nearly full, one has a good Modula-2
tutorial on it, and the other has all the source code programmes to go
with the tutorial.  As soon as I get the time I will either take my AMIGA
to work and do the transferr there ( MESS-DOS to AMIGA-DOG !!) or go
around to Gary's works (REL) and use their machines, he has a MESS-DOS
machine with only one drive which should make some fun.  However I will
do it soon and distribute the disc among Modula-2.users!!

If you have tried to compile any large programmes in TDI Modula-2 you
will have noticed that the compiler complains of lack of memory, and even
with small programmes, you seem to loose some memory each compile until
you have to re-boot to get your memory back.  Well, with extra memory, it
really comes to life.  The T directory usually in RAM: can expand to is't
hearts content,  up to a meg of T DIR for big compiles!! as this holds
all the cross-referencing data necessary.  The Starboard-2 with 2 megs
and a recoverable ram-disc really make TDI Modula-2 dramatically easier
to use. 

Incidentally my Starboard 2 died last Saturday, it wouldn't let the AMIGA
ask for the KICKSTART, so I took it around to Gary Walker from REL.  On
Monday afternoon he phoned me to say that something had gone wrong with
the interface circuit and he had to send it back to Microbotics, but if I
went around there he would loan me another while mine was being fixed.

Not bad service eh? even if I did have to pay a bit less than importing
it myself ??!!

	Peter J. Burgess
	77 Scotia St.
	Nelson		Phone (054) 73-101 Home