Starting Forth, First Edition is from 1981. These web pages were designed in 2003, when it became apparent that SF would never be re-issued by the copyright holder. A small supply of about 500 books was all that was left.
When you can get hold of the original, do so.
In this transcript Forth code has been ANSified. The samples should run on, at least, iForth and SwiftForth. Where necessary, statements that were valid in 1981 have been exchanged with statements more appropriate for 2003 (when this tribute was written).
Starting Forth is full of very difficult to reproduce graphics. These enormously enhance the text's mnemonic value, and are invaluable for a first-time Forth user. I have therefore added "substitute" graphic elements, roughly at the same spot where they are in the original. The original graphics are, of course, much better.
In this transcript I have assumed a 32-bit, byte-addressing Forth, with 8-bit characters. The address returned by WORD is assumed to be HERE. This allows the common trick of ALLOTing length of str CHARS after using WORD in order to compile string str to memory. Multitasking issues are ignored (e.g. no >TYPE, just TYPE). Division is symmetric, not floored, and two's complement is assumed throughout. Most Forths should not have problems with this. Chapter 7 exploits extended uses of number conversion. Some Forths are broken in this respect, but iForth and SwiftForth do support these neat features.
| | |
|---|---|
| Copyright | The original print edition of Starting FORTH is copyrighted by FORTH, Inc. and all rights are reserved. Permission has been granted to Marcel Hendrix to make this on-line version of the work available and to make certain modifications to the original printed work. Further reproduction (except for the printing of single copies for personal use), modification, distribution, posting on other web sites, or unauthorized use of either the printed or on-line version of Starting FORTH by any party other than Marcel Hendrix is expressly forbidden without prior written permission from: |
| More information | FORTH, Inc. 5959 W. Century Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90045 USA 800.553.6784 (main office) 888.553.6784 (sales hotline) |
| | |
free counter