Simtel MSDOS 1992 June/SIMTEL_0692.cdr/msdos/emulatrs/v2080j88.arc/V2080-3.DOC

Text File | 1988-01-09 | 18KB | 436 lines

V2080-3                                       8 January 1988 -med


     The  V2080-3 CPeMulator is the latest release of  the  V2080
program  which allows CP/M-80 programs to be run on the  V20/V30.
If  you  don't have a V20 or V30, see the  shareware  information
below on how to obtain a 8086/286/386 version below.


     The  V2080 program can only run 8080 code which is what  the
V20/V30  processors  can  emulate. There are  also  a  few  other
limitations  due  to the minor differences in the  file  handling
structures of MS-DOS and CP/M, and of course any program that  is
machine dependent is probably not going to run.

     One area where the V2080 program has problems is when a CP/M
program accesses file extents directly. MS-DOS does not use  file
extents, thus they don't exist. What will happen if an extent  is
accessed is that the primary file will re-accessed. This  problem
only  occurs  when  the  extent  is  accessed  directly.   Proper
sequential accessing or random accessing will not have a problem.

     The  file extent problem occurs in programs that try  to  be
compatible  to  V1.x  CP/M  which  did  not  have  random  access
capability.  Random access was performed by accessing the  hidden
extent files directly. As long as the file being read is  smaller
than 16K (can be contained within one file extent) this is not  a
problem.  The  problem only occurs when the file is  larger  than
16K.  If you have access to the original code this can be  easily
solved by changing it to use the proper random access method.

     Much work has gone into the file handling emulation to allow
it  to  work  with  as many  programs  as  possible  while  still
operating through the MS-DOS operating system and thus  providing
all  the benefits of operating under MS-DOS. Many  programs  that
are not able to operate in this environment will operate with the
V2080  emulator, including PIP, STAT, and ED. The  emulator  even
supports  the  IO byte function for those programs that  use  it.
(The value is lost when returning to MS-DOS though.)

     The  STAT program will not give correct information  in  all
cases,  but  as  much  as can be  obtained  through  its  program
structure is provided.

     The  SUBMIT  program will not work under the  V2080  program
since it is very closely tied to the CP/M operating  environment.
When  a CP/M program is terminated, complete control is  returned
to  MS-DOS,  thus  any hooks that submit created  into  the  CP/M
environment  are  lost. The MS-DOS batch program should  be  used
instead.  The batch program performs the same function in  MS-DOS
as  the  submit  program does in CP/M, but gives  you  a  greater
degree of flexibility.


     Programs  which use Z80 specific code will not run with  the
V2080 program. The V20/V30 processors do not have the ability  to
emulate  the  Z80 specific code. Most CP/M programs  are  written
with the 8080 processor in mind since many CP/M systems used that
processor. The Z80 processor was based on the 8080 processor,  so
it can run code for the 8080 processor without any problems.

     Note: If a CP/M program should ever crash on you be sure  to
reboot  your computer since the 8080 emulation mode may get  left
on  the stack causing some weird problems to occur the next  time
you try to run a program.

     One  way to find out if the program uses Z80 code is to  try
running  it.  If the program crashes it probably uses  Z80  code.
Another  way  to find out is to send in your  shareware  donation
($40.00).  Included in the package that you will receive  is  the
8080 software emulator. This program performs exactly the same as
the V2080 emulator except that it performs the action entirely in
software  under  the  normal 8088 environment. Thus  when  a  Z80
specific  op-code  is encountered it will flag it and  abort  the
program  gracefully. As with the V2080 emulator you will  receive
full source code listings with the program so that you can modify
it to suit your needs.

     If  you  think you may need to run a Z80 program  under  the
emulator, you may want to use the Z80 CPeMulator instead. The Z80
CPeMulator  operates  in software emulation mode,  and  does  not
require  the special V20/V30 emulation mode to run. Thus you  can
run  the Z80 emulator on a 8088/8086 cpu, or a V20/V30  processor
without conflict.


     The  advantage to using the software CPeMulator is  that  it
allows  you to run the CPeMulator program on a regular  8088/8086
processor, or a 286, or even a 386! Thus you won't be left out in
the  cold when you upgrade to these newer processors.  The  price
you pay for this is a slower emulation speed. Keep in mind though
that  speed  is relative. Processing speed on a 16Mhz  386  is  a
whole lot faster than on a 4.77Mhz V20.


Speed comparisons:

V2080 CPeMulator on a V20  @ 4.77Mhz =  Kaypro @ 2Mhz
8080  CPeMulator on a 8088 @ 4.77Mhz =  Kaypro @ 0.5Mhz
8080  CPeMulator on a 286  @ 8Mhz    =  Kaypro @ 2Mhz
Z80   CPemulator on a 386  @ 16Mhz   =  Kaypro @ 4Mhz

     These times are very approximate. The actual times depend on
the programs being run and the particular characteristics of your
computer.  I  provided them here to give you an idea of  what  to
expect.



READCPM utility:

     In addition to the other programs on the shareware disk, you
will receive a utility program that allows you to read Kaypro  II
CP/M  disks on your IBM PC. The source code for this  program  is
also  provided for the true hacker who wants to dig into it.  The
utility is primitive, and will not handle Kaypro IV DS disks, but
it does provide a mechanism to get those CP/M programs onto  your
IBM PC.

Shareware donations:

     Here's what you get with your donation.

The  basic donation is $40.00 American. For this you will  get  a
disk that includes the following:

   1. The latest version of the V2080 CPeMulator.
   2. The complete source code listing for the V2080 CPeMulator.
   3. An introductory lesson on the V20/V30 processor.
   4. Sample CP/M programs.
   5. The latest version of the 8080 software CPeMulator.
   6. The complete source code for the 8080 software CPeMulator.
   7. The latest version of the Z80 software CPeMulator.
   8. The complete source code for the Z80 software CPeMulator.
   9. A utility program to allow you to read Kaypro II disks.
  10. Complete source code listing for the READCPM program.
  11. A manual and all this nifty documentation.

     Distribution is on a IBM 360K  5.25 inch diskette.
     The 3.5 inch 1.44M disk format is available on request.

     Although  I  ask that you include $5.00 to help  defray  the
cost of shipping and handling, don't worry about it if you forget
or don't think it is worth it. If you send the $40.00 you'll  get
the  stuff  anyway. And of course no one is forcing  you  to  pay
anything.  The only reason you need to send the money is  to  get
the  above listed goodies. Of course if you simply feel that  the
product is worth the $40.00 anyway I'm not going to complain, and
I'll still send you the stuff.





OEM's:

     Are you thinking of using the CPeMulator in conjunction with
another  product?  No  problem. The commercial  license  for  the
CPeMulator  is  very simple: I ask that you purchase  the  $40.00
shareware   package  as  a one time fee.  As long as you  do  not
modify  the code and leave the Copyright notice intact  there  is
no  other  requirement.  If you wish to modify  the  code  and/or
change the copyright notice then I only ask that you  pay  a  one
percent royalty on each modified CPeMulator product sold.

     One percent royalty on what? Normally royalties are based on
the overall product in which the component is used. This is based
on the assumption that the overall product would not be  possible
without the component. If the CPeMulator is the only component in
the  product, then the royalty would be based on  the  CPeMulator
itself.

     Some  may not feel that it is worth the one percent  royalty
fee. I understand your feelings in this regard. No one is forcing
you  to pay the royalty, I am only asking that you do so. I  will
not  pursue the matter if you don't wish to pay it, it is only  a
request.  Use your own good judgment, pay what I ask,  what   you
think it is worth, or nothing at all.


Full rights purchase:

     Some  of  you  may  not want to deal  with  the  hassles  of
royalties.  You may purchase the complete non-exclusive right  to
use  the CPeMulator as you see fit for $1000.  What you will  get
is the complete source code to the CPeMulator and the right to do
anything you want to it including putting your own name on it and
selling it for any price you want.

     The  full-purchase  rights are non-exclusive  to  the  basic
CPeMulator  package. What that means is that you can do  anything
you want with the package. Any derivatives you generate from  the
package are you own and will be covered by your own copyright.  I
will  not  have any rights to the derivative packages  you  might
produce (unless an agreement is made otherwise).

     What  you  do  not  get is exclusive  rights  to  the  basic
CPeMulator   package.   I as the author retain the right  to  the
basic  package  and any derivation that  I might  make   to   the
package  myself, and  any  other  full-rights purchaser   retains
the rights to their own derivations that they might make.


Support:

     I  do not imply that any support for the CPeMulator will  be
provided   by  sending  in  a  donation,  paying  royalties,   or
purchasing  full rights to the package. (At these prices what  do
you expect?) Any support arrangement must be made separately on a
retainer  basis.  That is not to say that I will necessarily  not
support  the  product,  only  that sending  in  the  donation  or
purchasing  full rights does not imply that any support  will  be
provided as a part of the transaction. The only obligation that I
have in exchange for receiving the donation is to ship the latest
source code disk.

But enough weasel words, on to other items...


Modifying the emulator:

     In many cases the CPeMulator program may be better suited to
your needs if you modified it to suit them.  By all means  please
do  so.   It  won't crush my ego if you modify the  code.   I  do
recommend  that you get the shareware package first so  you  know
what impact the changes will have.

     In  some  cases  you may have modified the  program  to  the
extent  that you may consider it more your program than  mine.  I
don't  have  any problems with this.  You have as much  right  to
your  work as I do to mine.  If you reach this point I  only  ask
that you refer to my original work somewhere. Something along the
lines  of  "Based on CPeMulator program by Michael Day".  If  you
have  objections  to  even this, no  problem,  simply  don't  say
anything, I won't be hurt by it.



Your Basic General Disclaimer:

     I  make  no  warranties or claims of  the  fitness  of  this
product for any particular purpose.

Or to put it in layman's terms...

     I  can't control how you use the program or what you use  it
for. Like all software there can be no guarantee that the program
will  work  in  your situation. With  an  emulator  program  this
becomes  even more so. There are umpteen zillion  different  CP/M
machines  out  there,  and a lot  of  programmers  write  machine
dependent  code.  Add to that that I am not God  (a  minor  deity
maybe...) and thus there are bound to be bugs in the software. So
don't  be surprised if your particular program doesn't work  with
the emulator.

Remember:  the prudent user *always* backs up  everything  before
trying something new.




To other shareware authors:

     If you see anything in the shareware concepts brought  forth
in this document that you like, by all means plagiarize!









Distribution:

     The CPeMulator is being offered as a shareware product,  and
thus there are some things that should be considered in regard to
distribution.

     The  basic  product  is being  distributed  as  an  archived
file  which includes the latest version of the emulator and  some
documentation.  I  encourage  you to give  the  product  to  your
friends,  place it in libraries, on BBS's and other  areas  where
shareware  is normally distributed. I do however have some  basic
requests in this.

     Please  only distribute the original shareware archive  file
so  that  the next  person will get the same  thing  as  everyone
else   including the documentation. Please do not distribute  the
donation  response source  code  disk. This is how I support  the
effort  to  get  the product out. If everyone gets  the  donation
source  code disk there is no incentive to send in the  donation,
and I lose incentive to continue with the effort.

     I will send the donation response source code disk to anyone
who  sends the required $40.00 American.  I recognize  that  many
times there will be group purchases involved. Though I would hope
that  every  individual who uses the program would  send  in  the
donation, I am realistic enough in this to accept what I can get.
I would rather get $40.00 out of every ten users than nothing  at
all from anyone.


Where does the donation money go:

     The  donation  money  goes many places,  some  of  them  are
obvious,  and others not so obvious. Some of the areas where  the
money goes are:

Purchase of supplies: Disks, labels, shipping  boxes, etc.
Postage: P.O. Box rent, postage on package, fliers.
Travel: Gas and time to and from post office and suppliers.
Package prep: Time and effort to put package together,
              Wear and tear on computer and printer,
              Operating supplies - ribbons, paper, disks, pens.
Support: Answering letters and E-mail, phone, service fees.
Development: Purchasing or obtaining access to equipment to
             expand and improve the product.
Future: Hopefully there will be enough income to encourage me to
        continue to support and improve the product and
        introduce others. If I lose money on this it's not
        exactly going to encourage me to continue...






An open letter to the software industry in general:

     It  has  long been my considered opinion that  since  people
who would think twice about taking a pencil home from the  office
will  steal  (err...make off-site backups  of...)  software  that
there is a major  discrepancy between how the users view software
and the way manufactures do.

     When  the problem is as rampant as it is in our industry  it
goes beyond moral issues of theft. It indicates that the software
industry  itself  is  not  properly  serving  the  needs  of  the
customer. When the customer takes the software, it indicates that
there is a perceived need for it. When they steal the product, it
indicates that the pricing strategy is wrong.

     Let's be realistic here, *nobody* is going to pay $700+  for
a  spreadsheet package to do their home budget on.  Yet  software
companies  get  upset  and start screaming  foul  when  the  user
"borrows"  the  software to use it. The problem here is  not  the
customer, it is the software manufacturer for placing the product
outside the reach of the small user. As a result the user is left
with a dilemma. Do they steal the software, use a cheap clone, or
continue to use pen and paper?

     In  some  cases the software manufacturer rubs salt  in  the
wound  by  taking  legal action against  the  clone  manufactures
threatening to remove one of the options available.

     The  end result of all this is that the end user  begins  to
see  the  software  manufacturer  in  a  different  light,  as  a
predatory  robber baron. This then gives the end user the  excuse
needed to take the software without regret.

     I  am not attempting to apologize for, or  justify  software
piracy.   What  I am trying to do is understand it and  find  out
what can be done to solve it.  This is particularly important  to
me as a software developer since the small user is my customer.

     One thing is certain, continuing to treat the small user  as
pond  scum  and laying guilt trips on them in the form  of  "Thou
Shalt Not Dupe" only alienates the customer even further and does
nothing to solve the problem.

     The  needs  and requirements of the small user are  not  the
same as the needs and requirements of the business user. As  long
as we the software manufacturer continue to ignore the needs  and
requirements  of the small user, that customer will  continue  to
ignore our needs and requirements and the problems of theft  will
continue.







                           Request Form

Send your request to:

 Michael Day
 C/O Day Research
 P.O. Box 22902
 Milwaukie, OR 97222



                                             Date________________



Please send me

______ copies of the V2080 source disk at $40.00 ea.


                             Total ______________________________

                             Shipping and handling ------- $5.00

                             Total enclosed _____________________





Please send to:

Name____________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

City____________________________________________________________

State________________________________Zip________________________




Thank you for your support!


Mike Day    UUCP:...!tektronix!reed!qiclab!bakwatr!mikeday
                                   !percival
Day Research, P.O. Box 22902, Milwaukie, OR 97222