CP/M Primer, Operating with CP/M | Amstrad DDI-1 guide

Chapter 3 CP/M Primer

Operating with CP/M

Subjects covered in this chapter:

•Booting CP/M

•Configuration sector

•Direct console mode

•Transient programs

•Managing peripherals

CP/M is a disc operating system. It is a special program which gives you access to the full power of your CPC464 disc system. Because CP/M is available for so many different computers it means that there are thousands of applications packages available for you to choose from and a whole wealth of knowledge and experience for you to draw upon.

Full details of CP/M including information on how to write your own programs and the information for the CPC464 implementation are contained in SOFT159 A Guide to CP/M.

3.1 Introduction.

The CP/M operating system provides a user interface for disc hardware - a way for you to communicate with the computer and manipulate files and peripherals.

The fundamental interface that is available is called the Direct Console Mode and is identified by the A> or B> prompt. Certain built-in commands are available but the majority of the functionality is obtained by loading and running 'Transient Programs'. They are called 'transient' because they are only in the computer (rather than on the disc) whilst you are using them, as opposed to being built-in.

As well as standard CP/M error messages the AMSTRAD disc system also generates a number of specialised hardware error messages. Refer to section 2.7 of the AMSDOS primer.

3.2 CP/M system tracks

The major part of CP/M resides on the outermost two tracks of the disc. The DDI-1 disc interface loads CP/M from these tracks into the CPC464 memory using a two stage process.

Chapter 3.1

AMSTRAD Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual

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Amstrad DDI-1 manual CP/M Primer, Operating with CP/M, CP/M system tracks

Contents

Page Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Amstrad Contents Contents Page Connecting the Mains Lead Foundations 1 Setting Up Connecting the DDI-1 to the Computer Computer Interface Unit Main Disc Drive Drive a Computer Write Protection Foundations 2 About Discs Open Closed When Your Disc Is Eject Button Indicator Lamp Foundations Loading Software/Games Drive a disc missing Retry, Ignore or Cancel?Run rolcave ROLCAVE. not found Syntax error Bad commandDrive a read fail Retry, Ignore or Cancel? Type mismatch Foundations Introducing Amsdos and CP/M Load filename Drive B disc missing Retry, Ignore or CancelDisc Tape.in Storing Data Onto Disc First Steps Using The CP/M DiscCpm CLS? Beware Back to AmsdosSaving a Program in Memory onto Disc Loading From Disc CatalogEXAMPLE.BAS Copying Programs From Cassette to Disc Copying Programs From Disc to DiscCopying Programs From Disc to Cassette Copying Using Disccopy Copying Using the CP/M System Disc Copying started Reading track 0 to Copying Using CopydiscWriting track 0 to Do you want to copy another disc Y/N Aborting Checking DiscsDiscchk Chkdisc Installation Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Making Working Discs Backup Master Disc Basic only disc Working SYSTEM/UTILITY discTurnkey Amstrad Basic discs DISCCOPY.COM Turnkey CP/M Discs Turnkey Basic using disc suppliedTurnkey Basic onto your Working disc Creating a Turnkey CP/M System disc Configuring the Output from the package Configuring a CP/M ProgramAmbiguous filename Confirm individual files Y/N ? Starting a Turnkey CP/M Package Configuring the Input to the packagePayroll Autostarting a Turnkey CP/M Package Introduction Amsdos Primer Amsdos filenames and filetypes Disc DirectoryConstruction of Filenames Filenames on two drives Amsdos headersSave PROG.BAS a Save Bprog .BAS Wild cards Examples of Using Amsdos Commands in a programSaving variables and performing a Screen Dump BERT.BAS FRED1.BAS FRED2.BAS FRED3.BAK FRED3.BAS FINISH.BAS Closeout Neat Pre-empting a Garbage Collection Reference guide to Amsdos commandsWhile not EOF Wend Closein Summary of Amsdos external commands Summary of Basic commandsSave OPENOUT, Print #9, Write #9, List #9, Closeout CAT DIR CPMDisc DISC.IN REN ERATape TAPE.IN Copying Files File Copying proceduresAmsdos files with headers Ascii files File has a header Amstrad Reference guide to Amsdos Error Messages Drive Drive disc is write protected Drive Drive disc missingDrive Drive read fail Drive Drive write fail Operating with CP/M CP/M PrimerCP/M system tracks Console control codes Configuration SectorLogging in a disc Switching default drives Direct Console CommandsDIR command ERA command REN command Transient commandsType command Peripheral Management Single file copying File and disc copyingWhole disc copiers and checkers Cassette files Stat System Management Do you want to update your system disc Y/N SetupStat SECRET.BAS $DIR Is this correct Y/N Amsdos Disc GenerationFormat Format D Format I Format Advanced programming BootgenMovcpm Sysgen Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Introduction to Logo What is Logo Getting Started Dr. Logo Repeat 4 fd 60 rt Procedures with parametersTo square Repeat 4 fd 60 rt 90 end To squareanysize side repeat 4 fd side rt 90 end Editing programs and procedures Using Variables to remember valuesCs squareanysize 100 rt 45 squareanysize To triangle Repeat 3 fd edge rt 120 end Summary of Dr. Logo primitives Operating hints Ascii Word and List ProcessingChar Count First EmptypFput List Arithmetic Operations Logical Operations ?= Logo Logo Not Variables Procedures Text Screen EditingSetsplit Show Graphic Screen CleanType Dot Setpal PalWindow Wrap Turtle Graphics Setpc Seth Setpos Workspace ManagementErn Nodes Glist RecycleGprop Plist Load Disc Files DirSave KEYBOARD, Joystick buttonp ?paddle 0 Paddle?make key rc ?key Env SoundEnt Release Repeat LabelRun Stop Catch ErrorPause Throw System Properties Headers Technical information for the user Firmware Store requirements Changing Discs Bios messages Error MessagesAmsdos messages Failed to load boot sector Common to ALL Formats Disc Organisation Jump Block Re-Interception by the User Jump Block Interception by AmsdosReturn Parameters 132 #BC8C 133 #BC8F 134 #BC92 135 #BC95 #BC98 Intercepted Firmware Calls137 #BC9B Page Appendix Glossary of Terms CP/M Dr.Logo Primitives TPA Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Appendix Term Limitations of Remedies Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Appendix Index ERA Setpos