* The DDS MICRO-C Compiler *
Dunfield Development Systems (DDS) MICRO-C is a compact, portable
compiler suitable for code development targeting small 8 or 16 bit
systems. At the time of this writing, versions of the compiler are
available which produce code for the 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12,
68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85/Z80, 8086 and 8096 processor families.
This version of MICRO-C, runs on, and produces code for the IBM PC
family of desktop computers. Included in the package is a complete
implementation of MICRO-C, with a comprehensive library suitable for the
PC. This implementation of the compiler requires a Microsoft (MASM)
compatible assembler and linker.
Commercial versions of the compiler are designed for "embedded"
systems. This means that the code produced by the compiler is ROMable,
and does not require that it be run under any particular operating
system. These compilers are completely configurable so that you can run
the compiled code in almost any hardware/software environment
imaginable. The commercial packages also include their own assembler,
linker and debugger. No other software is required to develop code for
the target cpu. See the included CATALOG file for ordering information.
This MICRO-C/PC package is FREE. You may use it as long as you like
without payment. If however, you would like to support me in my efforts
to develop MICRO-C for the PC, a $25 "registration" fee would be
appreciated. In return, I will send you a diskette containing:
- The latest version of MICRO-C/PC
- A "non-DEMO" version of the Integrated Environment (DDSIDE)
- The MAKE and TOUCH utility programs for automated builds
- A nice SPRITE EDITOR for use with the LRG library
- The full compliment of example programs (**LOTS** of source)
- The source code to the entire MICRO-C/PC library
- Third party libraries and utilities
- A compatible Public Domain Assembler and Linker
- More product demos and other free software
This MICRO-C "package" (software and documentation) is copyrighted,
and all rights to it are reserved. Permission is granted to distribute
ORIGINAL UNMODIFIED copies ONLY of the MC???PC.ZIP archive via BBS and
disk copying services. MICRO-C is provided on an "as is" basis, with no
warranty of any kind. In no event shall the author be liable for any
damages arising from its use or distribution.
For more information on the compiler, see the file MC.DOC. If you
print it, be warned that the file is quite large. The table of contents
pages are printed last, and should be inserted between the title page
and page 1. The "Browse" function of the included DDSIDE editor can be
used to view the documentation online.
* Getting Started *
To install MICRO-C on a hard drive, simply create a directory and
unpack this archive into it. The directory "\MC" is preferred, since
some of the utilities assume this is the MICRO-C home directory unless
told otherwise. Note that the archive contains subdirectories (with
PKUNZIP be sure to specify the '-d' option to enable subdirectory
creation).
[Example: Installing MICRO-C to drive C from archive on drive A]
C:\> md mc
C:\> cd mc
C:\MC> pkunzip -d a:mc???pc
To use MICRO-C, you must have a Microsoft (MASM) compatible assembler
and linker available on your system. The exact commands and options used
with the assembler/linker differ with different versions of these tools.
Run the program MCSETUP to select your particular assembler and linker.
For those users who do not already have a suitable assembler and
linker, I have located a freeware assembler and linker that appear to
work quite well with MICRO-C. I take no responsibility for these
programs, however they are available on my BBS (in the "Assemblers" file
area) under the filenames: ARROWASM.ZIP and VAL.ZIP. These archives
should be unpacked into the MICRO-C home directory AFTER the MICRO-C
package, but BEFORE the MCSETUP program is run.
[Example: Installing PD assembler and linker for MICRO-C]
C:\MC> pkunzip a:arrowasm
C:\MC> pkunzip a:val
C:\MC> mcsetup
Refer to the following document files for more information:
MC.DOC - General information about the compiler
DDSIDE.DOC - Information on the Integrated Development Editor
LIBRARY.DOC - MICRO-C/PC library function reference
CINTRO.DOC - Beginners introduction to 'C'
The MCDIR and TEMP environment variables should be set up as
described in the documents before attempting to use the compiler.
* MICRO-C under MS-DOS *
* Implementation notes *
This 8086 MS-DOS implementation of the compiler produces code for the
Microsoft MASM (or compatible) assembler in either the TINY or SMALL
models. The LINK utility is required to create an EXE file. NOTE that
programs produced for the TINY model will execute as ".EXE" files,
however, due to PSP being outside of the data/code segment, command line
parameters are only available when the program is converted to ".COM"
format with the supplied EXE2BIN utility.
The memory model to use is selected by the runtime library, which
MUST BE FIRST in the list of object files passed to the linker. The
PC86RL_T.OBJ file distributed with MICRO-C is configured for the TINY
model, and the PC86RL_S.OBJ file is configured for the SMALL model.
The startup code for the PC defines the following external variables
which can be used within your 'C' programs:
ie: extern int ARGC; /* Count of arguments */
extern char *ARGV[]; /* Array of ptrs to args */
extern int PSP; /* PSP segment */
extern int ENV; /* Environment segment */
The usual argc and argv parameters are provided to the main()
function, however the ARGC and ARGV variables make it easy for other
functions to access the programs command line arguments.
If you are using a DOS version prior to 3.0, the argv[0] (program
name) argument will not work correctly.
* Files in this package *
READ.ME - This file
CATALOG - Catalog of available software
MC.DOC - MICRO-C/PC Technical Documentation
LIBRARY.DOC - MICRO-C/PC Library Reference
DDSIDE.DOC - Integrated Editor Documentation
CINTRO.DOC - Introduction to 'C'
MCSETUP.COM - Assembler/Linker setup utility
MCP.EXE - Preprocessor
MCC.EXE - PC/80x86 Compiler
MCO.COM - PC/80x86 Optimizer
EXE2BIN.COM - Executable to Binary convertor
DDSIDE.EXE - Integrated Development Editor (Demo)
DDSIDE.HLP - Help file for DDSIDE
PC86RL_T.OBJ - Tiny model runtime library
PC86RL_S.OBJ - Small model runtime library
MCLIB.LIB - MICRO-C/PC Function Library
*.H - Header files as described in the documentation
EXAMPLES\*.* - Source code to LOTS of example programs (optional)
All of the source and header files were written using tab stops every
4 characters, which is much more convenient for 'C' development than the
usual MS-DOS tab stops of every 8 characters. The included DDSIDE editor
has default tab stops at 4 space intervals. Also, source for a program
called "type4.c" is provided in the EXAMPLES\DOSUTIL directory, which
reads a file and displays it using spaces to simulate the tabs at 4
character intervals. To compile this program, use:
cc type4 -fp
The resulting "type4.com" file may be used to view/print the source
files with proper spacing.
* Limited Distribution License *
Permission is granted to copy and distribute this "demo" archive via
electronic "Bulletin Board Systems" (BBS), and disk copying services,
subject to the following restrictions:
- The archive must be presented in its original form, without modification.
- The archive may not be distributed as part of or in assocation with any
other product.
- Only one version of this archive may be offered at any given time, IE:
when you post a new version of one of my archives, any older versions of
that archive must no longer be offered for distribution.
- I reserve the right to request of anyone distributing this archive that
they upgrade to the current release (which I will provide).