MPE Forth5 Cross Compilers

Forth5 allows code to be written, compiled, and interactively tested using a PC as the host. The cross compilers have been designed from the outset for embedded systems use, and include all support tools.

• Complete and ready to use immediately after installation
• Save Time by interactive debugging and integration
• Test as you go along
• Execution speed:
• Forth code is fast
• Can be rewritten in assembler for even greater speed
• Fast Compilation speed:
• Direct compilation to EPROM Emulator
• Convert source code to binary image at rates exceeding 2k bytes per second
• Full source code provided
• XShell: The XShell programming environment gives transparent access to all required tools with a single keystroke, maintaining the user's focus on the target application. XShell is user configurable
• No royalties on sealed applications
• PowerForth target
• The targets use a direct threaded model optimised for speed
• Source code is provided
• Full Memory
• The cross compiler allocates space automatically
• Memory allocation can be forced
• Sample Configuration Files
• Umbilical Forth:
• Provides compilation and interactivity
• Interrupt handlers:
• Execute interrupts in high level Forth or in low level assembler
• Communicate directly with variables and data structures defined in Forth
• Multi-tasking
• Inter-task messages
• Semaphores
• Task synchronisation
• External event processing
• Target specific help
• On-line help system
• Can be maintained and extended by the user
• Software floating point
• Floating point package with logarithms and trigonometric functions
• I/O handlers for floating point number entry
• Floating point number output
• Partial compilation
• Only new code needs to be compiled
• Enhanced paging system
• Text files and MPE Editor
• Target source code is in text files
• Selective compilation of code
• Macros for the BRIEF editor are provided
• EPROM Emulator Control
• TSR emulator driver
• PC PowerForth Plus
• Installer
• Controls the installation process
• Configures your compiler
• Full or custom installation provided
• Compiler Source Code
• Add special features to the compiler
• Xshell Support
• Access functions with a single keystroke
• On-line help available
• Configure keystrokes, and add new commands
• Target applications can request disc services from the PC's disc
• XC-COMM
• Produce support utilities to test hardware for production
• Capture and analyse data gathered by the instrument

Version 4 Compilers

These cross compilers provide similar facilities to version 5.1 compilers, but without target specific help, without software floating point, and without the large symbol table memory. Version 4 compilers are provided with the same XShell system and help facilities. Version 4 compilers have been in use for many years, so are stable and mature products.

Special compilers

Other compilers are available which for various reasons have not been upgraded to current standards These compilers are available to special order

Forth5 Targets

A list of Forth5 cross-compiler targets, along with all current Forth 6 compilers, can be found in the table at the end of the Forth 6 / VFX Code Generators page.

Forth4 Targets

A list of Forth4 cross-compiler targets, along with all current Forth 6 compilers, can be found in the table at the end of the Forth 6 / VFX Code Generators page.