Atari XL manual Development and Testing, WHY LW Came Into Being

Page 73

The Last Word 3.0 Reference Manual

as critical a factor as it has always been with LW. After many years trying to get the Atari Macro Assembler to co-operate with SpartaDOS X, I finally wrote my own Macro Assembler. The result - MA65 – was used in emulation until quite recently to compile LW. It was only when the superb WUDSN IDE cross-development platform for Eclipse was published that I finally ported LW’s 20,000 lines of source code to the PC, where I continued to develop the software using the superb WUDSN plug-in for the Eclipse platform, along with the ATASM cross-assembler. It now only takes a second to compile the whole program. Nevertheless, MA65 remains my disk-to-disk assembler of choice on the Atari platform.

12.4 DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING

After nine years of thinking about writing a word processor, I finally began LW at the start of 1999. It took only 3 months to get a fully working version, and a further 2 months to produce one which was reliable. It was this test period, during which I used LW to write utility macros and the bulk of this documentation, that highlighted bugs and design faults for later correction. During this time probably hundreds of complete re- compilations were done. The program culminated in version 2.1 in 2000.

After version 2.1 was published (to an audience of none!) in 2000, there was a hiatus of eight years while my Atari lay in a storage box on top of a wardrobe. Then, in November 2008, a nostalgic conversation with a friend who was also interested in programming led me to retrieve the Atari. Amazed to find it still worked, I soon set about porting my files over to the PC using the fantastic new gadgets that had become available in the intervening time, and by the turn of the year LW 2.1 finally found publication. It drew such interest among Atarians that it became obvious the program would have to be updated to take advantage of all the new hardware that had been developed. 320K was now virtually the minimum amount of memory fitted to an Atari XE, while 1MB was common. Disk storage was almost unlimited thanks to SIO2IDE, SIO2SD and SIO2PC, and emulation meant the program development time could be dramatically lessened. The number one feature people wanted to see in a new word processor for the Atari8 was a fast 80 column display which didn’t use any hardware add-ons. The 80 column display only took a few weeks to write. Then I began to see other things I could improve...

12.5 WHY LW CAME INTO BEING

As well as being popular gaming machines, the Atari 8-bit line of computers have a huge catalogue of “serious” application titles, including many word processors. The most popular commercial offerings back in the Eighties included AtariWriter (and later, AtariWriter Plus), Paperclip, The First XLEnt Word Processor, and Superscript, although there were also dozens of other, less “heavyweight” word processors. Many public domain and open source text editors and word processors were also written for the Atari 8, including Speedscript and TextPro, the latter going through many incarnations and being one of the few word processors to offer tight integration with SpartaDOS, the advanced disk operating system by ICD. AtariWriter 80 and TurboWord used 80 column displays (most Atari 8 word processors were limited to the Atari’s 40 column screen), although these programs required special hardware in the form of the XEP-80 device.

I got my first Atari 8 – a 65XE – in the late Eighties while still at school and as soon as I got a disk drive I began using TextPro for word processing. At the same time, I started to learn to program: first using Atari BASIC, then Turbo BASIC XL, then C and finally Assembly Language. Having written a database, a drawing program, various

12-73

Page 72 Page 74
Image 73
Page 72 Page 74
Contents Last Word Contents Configuring LW Configuring LW for Your PrinterMacros Print Formatting Commands LW Command SummaryDOS Packages and LW Programmers Technical NotesOverview of the Last Word IntroductionStarting LW About the ManualLoading LW from Spartados Edit Screen Basic OperationLW LETTER.TXT SHIFT+CTRL+WLast Word 3.0 Reference Manual Saving and Loading Text Text BanksSHIFT+CTRL+? Filename exists Overwrite / ?Last Word 3.0 Reference Manual File Selector Basic ConfigurationCTRL+X Leaving the ProgramCursor Movement Editor CommandsText Entry Modes Delete ord, ine, entence, aragraph? Inserting and Deleting TextMoving and Copying with Text Blocks Hange, ll, To nd, kip? Finding and Replacing TextFindTH S Searching with WildcardsFind Change to Edited Text Indicator Additional Editor FeaturesCounting Words TabulationText and Document Modes BookmarksCTRL+B Editing Multiple Files User OptionsWildcards Y LoadREPORT.DOC/C Handling Large Files2DTHESIS.TXT2 Save AsDREPORT.DOC/ADisk Operations from the Editor Disk OperationsDisk Menu CTRL+JIew PecOpy Ormat OckVail Subdirectory Features Additional CommandsCTRL+H SHIFT+CTRL+ DownPrinting with LW Editor Print CommandsPreviewing Text Keeping Track of PaginationStage 1 Commands Embedded CommandsL20Return L20r60helloReturnLast Word 3.0 Reference Manual Set the left margin. The default is Left header/footer margin, default 10. This works like Stage 2 Commands Creating Hanging Indents Other Print FeaturesInternational Characters SHIFT+CTRL+SPACEConfiguring the Print Formatter Printer Drivers Configuring LW for Your PrinterCreating a Printer Driver Control Strings Print TogglesInit International on 27,82,12 International OFF 27,82,0 Code 1,129Style 1,27,45,8 Style 2,27,83,2 Last Word 3.0 Reference Manual Loading Macros MacrosAutorun Macros Running MacrosWriting and Editing Macros Special Macro CommandsField. To actually get input from the user, you Must include Oad Oad AveRint Special Characters Disabling the Screen from MacrosSpecial Macro Font Entering Other Commands from MacrosKeyboard Conventions for Macros Creating and Editing Macros Font Set Example MacrosTranspose Characters Last Word 3.0 Reference Manual Configuration Options in the Editor Configuring LWCFG Configuration Files Drive D1 Default DriveLW.SYS File Configuration Using a Supported DOSBanks 1,2,3,4 Extpages Reserve Configuration Using Other DOS PackagesBanked on Reserve ExtpagesBanks 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 Search PathPath D8D1LW Custom Fonts Using Multipe Text BuffersKeyboard Buffer Keyboard Table Customising the KeyboardKEY n,n Invalid KEY 10,97 Remapping Commands Using MacrosKEY 150,3 3 1200 XL Keys Memory Requirements DOS Packages and LWAtari DOS XE MemloSpartados DISK-BASED SpartadosLW files /Mc /Ppath /Q /X LW TEST.DOC /M% /PD1LWSpartados X Lwpath Environment Variable Spartados X Memory ConfigurationsKEY OFF LW.EXE KEY on SET LWPATH=D8D1\LWLast Word 3.0 Reference Manual Editor Commands LW Command SummaryCommand Function Macro Equivalent SHIFT+CTRL W See SET CommandInverse Ctrl W Ctrl YKEY Function Special KeysCommand Function Macro CommandsINV Ctrl INV CTRL+LCommand Function Default Value Print Formatting CommandsUP Arrow Down ArrowRight Arrow Left ArrowProgrammers Technical Notes Assembly Language ADD-INSMemory Usage SEC Program DesignWHY LW Came Into Being Development and Testing12-74 12-75 Development Correspondence

XL specifications

The Atari XL series, launched in 1982, represented a significant evolution in home computing, building upon the foundation laid by the Atari 400 and 800 systems. This line of computers included popular models such as the Atari 600XL and 800XL, both of which combined affordability with robust capabilities, making them attractive options for home users, educators, and enthusiasts alike.

One of the standout features of the Atari XL series was its color display capabilities. The systems supported a resolution of 320x192 pixels with a vibrant palette of 128 colors, which enabled rich graphics for games and applications. This was complemented by the system's powerful Antic graphics chip that allowed for advanced video display modes, making the Atari XL series particularly popular for gaming and multimedia applications.

Another key technology driving the Atari XL series was its use of the 6502 processor, which delivered efficient performance and allowed for smooth multitasking. The systems typically came with 64KB of RAM, expandable to 128KB, providing ample memory for running multiple applications simultaneously, a notable feature in comparison to other microcomputers of the time.

The Atari XL series also introduced a new, user-friendly operating system known as Atari DOS. This improved disk management capabilities, making it easier for users to manage files and applications on floppy disks. The systems were equipped with built-in BASIC programming language, enabling users to dive into programming and coding, fostering a generation of hobbyists and developers.

Each model in the Atari XL series came with a distinctive keyboard design, offering both a chic and functional layout. The keyboards were known for their tactile feel, making them suitable for typing and coding over extended periods.

Additionally, the Atari XL computers were compatible with a wide range of peripherals, such as printers, modems, and disk drives, enhancing their versatility. Users could also take advantage of a rich library of software, including educational programs, productivity tools, and an ever-growing selection of games.

The Atari XL series not only boasted solid technology and capabilities but also garnered a devoted community. The systems contributed to a vibrant culture of gaming and computing in the early 1980s, which remains fondly remembered by enthusiasts today. With their combination of innovative technology, user-centric design, and a diverse software library, the Atari XL series played a crucial role in the evolution of home computing.
Top Page Image Contents