Re: beagle basic compiler, fastmath, FPE

[Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com>]

<aiiadict@gmail.com> wrote:
> http://lostclassics.apple2.info/downloads/
> 
> I didn't know the software made it as far as mentioned
> in the notes:
> 
>   Expanded Memory Versions 
> 
> There are three new system files that allow compiled programs to access
> expanded memory cards.  Use them instead of COMPILER.SYSTEM with the following:
> 
>   AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM 
>      IIc or 128K IIe, IIGS (only 128K will be accessed), Applied
> Engineering RamWorks, (all models), Checkmate MultiRam (all models), any
> other memory card that plugs in the auxiliary slot on a IIe.
> 
>   APPLEMEM.SYSTEM 
>      Apple Memory Expansion Card (IIe, IIc, or IIGS), Applied Engineering
> RamFactor, Flipster, most any other memory card that will plug in any slot (1-7).
> 
>   GS.SYSTEM 
>      IIGS
> 
> 
> To use one of these expanded memory system files, transfer it to another
> disk along with the file PRODOS.  Then boot that disk.  The file you want
> installed during bootup (COMPILER.SYSTEM, AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM,
> APPLEMEM.SYSTEM, or GS.SYSTEM) must be the first type-SYS file whose name
> ends in ".SYSTEM" on the disk.
> 
> AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM does not use about 28% of the memory available.  The
> other two memory expanders can use all available memory.
> 
> The STORE and RESTORE commands will not work with the expanded memory versions.
> 
> IMPORTANT!  When you install APPLEMEM.SYSTEM or AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM, anything
> stored in a RAM disk on that card will be WIPED OUT.  Be sure all of your
> files are copied to a real disk first.  GS.SYSTEM does not wipe out the GS Ram disk, /RAM5.
> 
> 
> AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM can be used with a RAM disk if you do the following:
> 
> 1. With BASIC.SYSTEM installed (not one of the Compiler's SYSTEM
> programs), run the CONFIGURE.BANKS program and specify the minimum and
> maximum memory banks that will be used by the compiler.  Press <RETURN>
> to save a reconfigured version of AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM.  Be sure the range you
> have selected does not overlap the memory that will be used by your RAM disk.
> 
> 2. Use the partition program that came with your RAM disk to limit the
> memory your RAM disk uses.  Be sure this memory does not overlap the
> memory used by the compiler.
> 
> Most RAM disks don't use bank 0.  You can skip step 2 by configuring the
> compiler to use only bank 0 (in step 1, set both minimum and maximum to 0).
> 
> 
> With the expanded memory versions installed, arrays can be dimensioned to
> the following maximum sizes:
> 
>   Array Type             AUX.SLOT.SYSTEM     GS.SYSTEM or APPLEMEM.SYSTEM
>   ----------             ---------------     ----------------------------
>     Real                      9419                    13106
>     Integer (%)              23550                    32766
>     String  ($)              15699                    21844
> 
> Your compiled programs may run slightly slower with the expanded memory
> versions.  The difference in speed will depend mainly upon how much
> string manipulation your program does.
> 
> 
>  Floating Point Card Support 
> 
> There are two files that allow compiled programs to access floating point
> accelerator cards:
> 
>   FPE
>     Use with Innovative Systems' Floating Point Engine card.
> 
>   FASTMATH
>     Use with Applied Engineering's FastMath card.
> 
> To use the floating point enhancements, just BRUN the programs from the
> keyboard or from the very beginning of your program.  There is no harm in
> BRUN'ing the files if the respective cards are not installed.  If your
> program is for sale and will be used by many customers who may or may not
> have either card, just BRUN both files at the beginning of your program. 
> If either card is installed, the appropriate enhancements will be made. 
> If both cards are installed, the last one that is BRUN will be the effective one.
> 
> 
> On a IIGS, it is not necessary to set the control panel to "Your Card"
> for the slot containing the floating point card.
> 
> 
> These patches will only affect the speed of your program if it does a lot
> of floating point math:
> 
>     Uses numbers with decimals (3.14159, 107.67, 2.1, etc)
>     Uses numbers > 32767 or < -32768
>     Uses SQR, SIN, COS, TAN, ATN, LOG, EXP, or ^.
> 
> 
> Most programs will not notice any measurable speed improvements.  Those
> that do a lot of floating point math will have a tremendous increase in
> speed as illustrated by the following two benchmark programs--one a hires
> plotting program using a lot of transcendental functions, and the other
> the Savage benchmark repeated 2000 times. Times are in seconds followed
> by a ratio in parenthesis.
> 
>   Mode                        Hires Plot            Savage
>   ----                        ----------            ------
>   AppleSoft BASIC                 21.1 ( 1.0)         140   ( 1.0)
>   Compiled                        15.8 ( 1.3)         138   ( 1.01)
>   Compiled with FastMath           7.1 ( 3.0)          36.3 ( 3.9)
>   Compiled with F.P.E.             2.0 (10.6)           4.8 (29.2)
> 
> 
> 
>  End of Notes

Many thanks!  I'll give these a try!

-michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon