


                          ASIC 4.00 Version Notes--03/25/93



            ASIC is a "BASIC" programming language compiler for IBM PCs and
       compatibles.  It includes an integrated full screen editor, from which
       you can edit, compile, and debug your programs.  Or, at your option,
       you can use your own text editor, and compile your programs from the
       MS DOS command line.  ASIC supports over 80 BASIC statements, decimal,
       integer and string variables and arrays.  It will compile your
       programs at high speed, and the code it generates is fast and compact.
       The syntax of each ASIC statement is generally a valid subset of the
       syntax used by BASICA and GWBASIC.

                                   Major Features

                 *    Integrated Development Envronment   (Editor, Compiler,
                      and Debugger)
                 *    Over 80 BASIC Statements are supported
                 *    Produces fast , compact  executable files (as small as
                      a few hundred bytes)
                 *    Includes extensive on-line help (for all keywords and
                      menu options)
                 *    Fast in-memory compilation
                 *    Stand-alone command-line compiler also included

       ASIC 4.00 has many new features that provide more power than ever
       before, plus it still compiles at high speed, and generates fast,
       compact executable files.  And with new mouse support, it is even
       easier to use.

                                Decimal Math Support

       Perhaps the most long awaited feature is support for decimal math.
       With ASIC 4.00 you are no longer restricted to integer numbers.  With
       the new "Decimal" variable type you can create numbers in the range of
       +999,999,999,999.99999 to -999,999,999,999.99999. And the ASIC
       "Decimal" variable is more accurate than the floating point type math
       used in other language products.

                                    String Arrays

       ASIC now supports single dimension string arrays.  With the addition
       of the string variable type, you can now create arrays of any type of
       ASIC variable (integer, long integer, decimal, or string).

                               Create Larger Programs

       The integrated development environment can now utilize all available
       memory, allowing much larger programs.  Plus, in addition to the
       ".COM" files that ASIC has always produced, you can now also produce
       ".EXE" files up to twice as large (64k of program code, and 64k of
       program data).  And no linker is required.  ASIC produces the EXE file
       as it compiles.

                                    Easier to Use

       Mouse support has been added, so ASIC is easier than ever to use.
       Most functions are just a "point and click" away.  Of course, all
       commands are still available through the keyboard, and some new
       keyboard "short cut" keys have been added.  Other features have been
       added to the integrated environment to make it even easier to use.
       For example, when opening a file, you can type in the file name as
       before, or, you can select the file name from a list of programs that
       ASIC displays.  Or, scroll through the edit buffer by using the new
       scroll bars and a mouse.  You need to execute an MS DOS command but
       you don't want to leave your edit session--try using the new DOS SHELL
       feature.  This lets you temporarily suspend your edit session, exit to
       DOS to execute one or more commands, and return back to ASIC.

                    CALL Subroutines Written in Assembly Language

       Earlier versions of ASIC provided a "CALL" statement that allowed you
       to run other programs from within an ASIC program.  ASIC 4.00 now
       includes a "CALL SUB" statement, that allows you to call subroutines
       written in Assembly Language.  When using this option, ASIC produces
       an ".OBJ" output file and calls the MS DOS LINKer to link your ASIC
       program with your assembly language file.  (Note:  An assembler, not
       included, is required to create assembly language subroutines).

                                Project Option Files

       ASIC now "remembers" compile options for each program, by creating a
       project file for each program.  Every time you load a program, ASIC
       also loads the corresponding project file and sets the options the way
       they were when you last edited your program.

                              Summary of new features:

       *    Decimal Math Support
       *    Single Dimensioned String Variable Arrays
       *    Single Dimensioned Decimal Variable Arrays
       *    Support for multiple output file types.
                 B/EXE option to build EXE files
                 B/COM option to build COM output files
                 B/OBJ option to build OBJ files to be linked with the MS DOS
                 LINK program
       *    CALL statement has new "SUB" option that allows you to call
            external subroutines
       *    INPUT statement now provides an option to suppress the "?" prompt
       *    Compiler has been tuned to use memory more efficiently for
            internal structures
       *    Integrated Development Environment can now utilize all available
            memory allowing larger programs
       *    Microsoft Compatible Mouse support is available in the Integrated
            Development Environment
       *    Project Option Files "remember" your compile options for each
            program automatically
       *    DOS Shell Command allows you to temporarily exit to DOS
       *    New keyboard short cut keys:
                 Alt-x to exit the editor
                 Alt-i to insert a blank line before the current line
                 <F2> to save the current file
                 <F3> to open a file
                 Ctl-LeftArrow/Ctl-RightArrow move cursor left/right one word
       *    Respond to informational dialog box messages with any key (not
            just ENTER or ESC)
       *    Pressing ENTER will now "split" the line at the point of the
            cursor
       *    Additional compiler options to support the OBJ output type
                 STK option sets your program's stack size
                 LIB option identifies libraries to link with your program
                 OBJ option identifies object files to link with your program
                 LNK option identifies the directory containing LINK.EXE



                                    Keyword List

       ABS       AS        ASC       BEEP      BLOAD     BSAVE     CALL
       CHDIR     CHR$      CLOSE     CLS       CODE      COLOR     COMMAND$
       COMSTAT   CSRLIN    DATA      DATE$     DEFSEG    DIM       ELSE
       END       ENDIF     ENVIRON$  ERROR     EXTENDED  FILEPOS   FIND
       FOR       GETDIR    GOSUB     GOTO      IF        INKEY$    INP
       INPUT     INPUT#    INSTR     INT86     KILL      LCASE$    LEFT$
       LEN       LOCATE    LPRINT    LTRIM$    MID$      MKDIR     MOD
       NAME      NEXT      OPEN      OPENCOM   OUT       PEEK      POINT
       POKE      POS       PRESET    PRINT     PRINT#    PSET      RANDOMIZE
       READ      RECEIVE   REM       RESTORE   RETURN    RIGHT$    RMDIR
       RND       RTRIM$    RUN       SCREEN    SEND      SOUND     SPACE$
       STR$      STRING$   THEN      TIME$     TIMER     TO        UCASE$
       VAL       VARPTR    WHILE     WEND      WIDTH     ZBIT      ZMODE
