SD: Let me propose something then...
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SD: Let me propose something then...
How about creating a new tokenised language (TI-BASIC is tokenised)
for TI calculators. First of all scrap expression evaluation becuase
that is too slow, replace is with assembler like arithmatic. Allow fixed
point maths for increased speed. Then replace the Lbl statement with
absolute jumps like with jp and jr. Create a comprehensive platfrom
independant API for accessing functions. Then replace slow interpreted
code with Just-In-Time compiling. The majority of the work of the JIT
would simply involve replacing language tokens with machine-dependant
macros or ROM calls. The end result would of course be slower than
writing programs in pure assembly, but still much faster (and more
functional) than BASIC and still machine independant (between Z80 and
68K). Or course this require programmers to port the underlying shell to
all the different calculators first, but after that (in theory) any
program written in the new language would work without modification of
any TI-Calc. Such a system --could-- revolutionise programming TIs as we
know it, much in the same way that Java is doing on the PC platform.
Think about it, and then reply with your position...
--Robin Kay--
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