CHAPTER 2

THE EDITOR BASICS

The following editor basics are described in this chapter:

•Keyboard

•Cursor

•End-of-file (EOF) marker

•Screen-mode editing

•AEDIT-86 display and menu format

•Beep warning

•Lines and line terminators

•Printing and non printing characters

•Tags

•Repeat function (count)

•Buffer

2.1 Keyboard

The keyboard is your interface with the editor. It is a typewriter style. electronic keyboard that supports the ASCI I character set.

Every keyboard character can be considered a command because every key causes something to happen. Most keys are self-explanatory. Some, however, are configured to perform functions rather than enter characters. These keys are called function keys; their names are enclosed in angle brackets throughout this manual.

ARROWS

The four keys labeled with directional arrows are the cursor

 

control keys < LEFT), < RIGHT). < UP ) ,and < DOWN) .

CAPS LOCK

The CAPS LOCK or TPWR key provides uppercase or lower-

or

case entry of alphabetic characters. This key functions with the

TPWR

alphabetic keys only.

CONTROL

The CONTROL ( < CTRL) ) key changes the function of some

<CTRL)

keys on the keyboard. (For example, to change the function of X,

 

hold down the < CTRL) key and press X).

<ESC)

The < ESC) (escape) key exits modes. terminates commands,

 

and returns the editor to main command level.

<HOME)

The < HOME) key allows faster cursor movement. Press an

 

arrow key followed by < HOME) to page backward or forward

 

through a file or to move rapidly to the beginning or end of a

 

line. < HOME) is also used to enter the reedit mode for line-

 

edit prompts.

<RETURN)

The < RETURN) key moves the cursor to the beginning of the

 

next line in INSERT and XCHANGE modes and at main

 

command level. It also terminates line-edit prompt except for the

 

search commands (-)FIND and (?)REPLACE. The carriage

 

return/line feed character is displayed in text as a blank.

2-1

Page 22 Page 24
Page 23
Image 23
Intel AEDIT-86 manual Arrows, Caps Lock, Tpwr, Control, Ctrl, Esc, Home, Return
Page 22 Page 24

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.
Top Page Image Contents