CHAPTER 8

ADVANCED AEDIT-86 USAGE

Macros give AEDIT-86 great flexibility and power. Macros can be written to incor- porate the CALC command and AEDIT-86 variables. These macros allow you to print dates, directories, use an on-line calculator, and convert letters from uppercase to lowercase and vice versa.

Several macros are included with AEDIT-86 in the file USEFUL.MAC. You must have AEDIT-86 version V2.0 or later to use this macro file. To activate these macros, type the following:

I.ACRO) I<et) _ 5 ~ F UL . MAC < RET U~ N )

However, it is recommended that you append USEFUL. MAC to your default macro file (AEDIT.MAC), or include the macros you find useful in your default macro file. It is also recommended that the default macro file contain the appropriate configu- ration command to set the hardware identification for your terminal automatically (e.g., AH=S3E).

The macros in USEFUL.MAC occupy about 1900 bytes of the macro buffer. The default macro size (3072 bytes) is usually sufficient for USEFUL.MAC. However, you may use the invocation control MACROSIZE(macro_buffe,-size) if you need to increase the macro buffer capacity.

The macros in USEFUL.MAC use the N-variables, N7. N8, and N9, and the S- variable S9 only. All other variables are not affected by USEFUL.MAC macros.

8.1 USEFUL.MAC

The following macros are contained in USEFUL.MAC. They are listed by name w~h a short descriptive sentence.

Macro Name

Description

(BL)

The space bar may be used in addition to the TAB key to

 

insert tabs.

 

Find the next occurrence of the target string in the FIND

 

buffer.

 

Find the previous occurrence of the target string in the

 

FIND buffer.

L

Convert the character "under" the cursor to a lowercase

 

character.

U

Convert the character "under" the cursor to an uppercase

 

character.

 

Convert the word starting "under" the cursor from upper-

 

case to lowercase letters.

1\

Convert the word starting "under" the cursor from)ower-

 

case to uppercase letters.

8-1

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AEDIT-86 specifications

The Intel AEDIT-86, also known as the Intel 8086, is a notable microprocessor that played a critical role in shaping the computing landscape. Released in 1978, it was Intel's first 16-bit microprocessor, setting the stage for the x86 architecture that continues to influence modern computing.

One of the main features of the AEDIT-86 is its 16-bit architecture, which allows it to process data in larger chunks compared to its 8-bit predecessors. This capability not only improves performance but also increases the amount of memory that can be addressed, allowing for a maximum of 1 MB of RAM. This was a significant advancement at the time, enabling more complex software and operating systems to run efficiently.

The AEDIT-86 is built on a 3-micron process technology, which was innovative for its time and contributed to its performance capabilities. The microprocessor operates at a clock speed of up to 5 MHz, which allowed it to execute more instructions per second than previous generations of processors. This speed, combined with its wide data bus (16 bits), enables the processor to handle a larger volume of information more quickly.

Intel incorporated several key technologies in the AEDIT-86, including segmentation. This feature divides the memory into different segments, making it easier for programs to access data and improving memory management. The AEDIT-86 also supports a minimum of four 64 KB segments, which enhances the organization and access of programs and data in memory.

Another significant aspect of the AEDIT-86 is its compatibility with the existing 8080 and 8085 instruction sets, which facilitated easier migration for developers and helped the processor gain traction in the market. This backward compatibility allowed existing software to be ported to the new platform with minimal modification.

Furthermore, the Intel AEDIT-86 introduced a powerful instruction set that includes both integer and string manipulation commands, paving the way for more versatile programming. The instruction set architecture (ISA) of the AEDIT-86 supports both high-level programming languages and low-level assembly language, offering flexibility for various applications.

In summary, the Intel AEDIT-86 is a groundbreaking microprocessor known for its 16-bit architecture, advanced segmentation technology, and compatibility with earlier instruction sets. Its introduction marked the beginning of the x86 architecture, which has influenced countless processors and computing systems that followed. The AEDIT-86's features and technologies were instrumental in the evolution of personal computing, laying the groundwork for future innovations in the industry.
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