beagle basic compiler, fastmath, FPE

[aiiadict@gmail.com]

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