CP/M 80 Programmer’s Guide

Frontmatter

1. Introduction

Abstract

CP/M is an operating system which was first produced in 1975 by Gary Kildall, a consultant at Intel Corporation, and its name stands for Control Program for Microcomputers. It was first used on the 8-bit 8080 microprocessor and subsequently ran on a number of different computers.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

2. Program Development

Abstract

This chapter covers the main stages of program development. Some of the areas covered may seem incongruous to the home programmer. However, the boundary between the professional and the amateur programmer is blurred these days, when home enthusiasts are selling their wares.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

3. Design

Abstract

The design process is not and should not be a rigid one. There is scope for innovation, particularly when you are dealing with a completely new concept. However, a certain amount of self-discipline is necessary if you want a project to run smoothly.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

4. Using Simple BDOS Functions

Abstract

This chapter introduces you to the mechanism by which your programs communicate with CP/M: the BDOS function call. The first section describes the basic principles involved: the rest explain how to use the simple BDOS functions.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

5. File Handling

Abstract

Discs are one of the most versatile ways of storing computer data. They are compact and can hold a large amount of information which can be retrieved quickly and easily. This chapter and the next describe the ways that you can access discs and the files into which they are divided. The present chapter describes file operations and the BDOS functions that they use. The next chapter covers more sophisticated disc operations and their BDOS functions.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

6. Disc Operations

Abstract

The first section of this chapter introduces some of the terms used in disc handling and describes some of the basic disc handling functions. The second section describes how you can protect your discs and files from accidental overwriting. Finally, the third section tells you how to get hold of disc characteristics.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

7. Debugging your Programs

Abstract

We have designed this chapter so that the first section is independent of the computer language that you use. It covers the general principles of debugging and describes a philosophy that applies as much to the home programmer using BASIC as it does to the masochist using machine code.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

8. Random Access Files

Abstract

Chapter 5 explained the basic principles of using random access files. This chapter explains more of the theory so that you can avoid the pitfalls that exist with random access under CP/M.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

9. Using BDOS Functions from High Level Languages

Abstract

Why should you want to access BDOS functions from a high level language? Well, the majority of high level languages are designed without a specific operating system in mind, and some of the operations you might want to carry out will only be possible via the operating system itself.

Barry Morrell, Peter Whittle

Backmatter