Changes from 6.0 to 6.1

Improved target performance.

The VFX compilers have been improved since v6.0, and the 16 bit targets have been changed from direct threaded code (DTC) to subroutine threaded code (STC) and some optimisation. On an 8051, the v6.1 target can be twice as fast with no increase in code size. On other 16 bit targets, such as the 68HC12, the improvement is considerably more. VFX targets are ten to fifteen times faster than their DTC predecessors.

Target code disassembler.

You can now disassemble any definition, whether Forth or code. You can also see the new code generation optimisations.

Generic I/O

Generic I/O permits you to add new I/O devices very easily and to use the standard I/O words such as KEY and EMIT with them. Each task may access a different default device, and the default can be changed at any time.

Enhanced multitasker.

The v6.1 target multitasker uses less RAM and code space, and is even faster. There is also a stripped down version for use with some single chip models. New control switches permit easy configuration of the multitasker features, including provision of semaphores, message handling and event handling.

TIMEBASE

A time and delay management system. Using a single periodic clock interrupt, you can generate delays, timeouts, and periodic execution very simply, using phrases such as:
  ' <action> <ms> AFTER \ once after <ms> ms
  ' <action> <ms> EVERY \ every <ms> ms
Timers can be cancelled at any time.

Enhanced Umbilical Forth.

Previous versions of the compiler only supported Umbilical Forth with a serial line and an EPROM emulator. From 6.1 onwards, Umbilical Forth also supports other protocols, such as SPI access for the Atmel 89S8252 and BDM access for Motorola CPU32 cores. This allows fully interactive programming and debugging through the PC parallel port and frees up the target serial port.

Heap Code

Heap code is now provided with all targets, not just the VFX compilers.

Automatic build numbering system.

You can embed a build version string into the application. This string can be automatically updated after each successful build of your project.

More examples.

These include I2C and SPI drivers for common peripherals.

Enhanced documentation.

The manual has been revised, incorporating many comments suggestions from users since the introduction of the Forth 6 compilers.