Simtel MSDOS 1992 December/simtel1292_SIMTEL_1292_Walnut_Creek.iso/msdos/max/max130.arc/README.DOC

Text File | 1988-10-30 | 7KB | 180 lines

    Max, The Programming Language, Version 1.30
    Copyright (c) Anthony F. Stuart, 1988. All rights reserved.


    THIS IS EXPERIMENTAL SOFTWARE. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE
    AUTHOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR
    INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
    THIS SOFTWARE IS SUPPLIED AS-IS AND IS NOT SUPPORTED.


    1.0  Getting Started

         Max may be run from the distribution diskette or from a
    hard disk. To run from a hard disk, create a directory and copy
    all of the files to the directory. Run Max from the directory.

         The Max configuration file (config.max) is set up to load
    the integrated environment. A command entry window and a function
    definition window are displayed. The size, location and color of
    these windows is defined in window.max and may be changed if
    desired. The default is monochrome with two equal sized tiled
    windows. Remove the reference to window.max from the configuration
    file if you do not want to use the integrated environment.

         The command entry window provides an interactive session
    with the Max command interpreter. Commands are entered by typing
    the function name and any arguments. The command is sent when a
    carriage return is entered. It is not necessary to retype a
    command. Just position the cursor to the right of the text you
    wish to send and press return. All text to the left of the
    cursor is sent. See maxedit.doc for more information.

         The configuration file also loads several demonstration
    programs. These may be run by entering the name of the program
    and a null argument list. Try dir(), type() and showsine(). Max
    is a function oriented language and will not act on a command
    until it reads the argument list, even if the list is null. If
    Max is ignoring you, type control c to return to command level.

         The function definition window can be used to create or
    edit functions. The primary difference between the two windows
    is that carriage return is handled differently in the function
    definition window. It does not send the line to the command
    interpreter but simply positions to the next line. To send
    the contents of the function definition window to the command
    interpreter (i.e. compile a function), use function key F1.

         To enter a simple demo function in the function definition
    window, use Alt-N to select the window and type:

        Function first
            Begin
                print ("Hello world, the time is " time () )
            End
        EndFunction

    Press F1 to compile the program and return to the command
    entry window. Then type first() to run it. To clear a program
    from memory enter tclear(). This clears all programs defined
    since the last tset(). Max will complain about a duplicate
    function definition if you do not clear the transient area
    before compiling a new version of the same function. Put a
    call to tclear in the function definition window if you want
    to automatically clear the transient area before compiling a
    program. Be sure to put it before your function definition.
    To exit the Max integrated environment press function key F10
    or use the quit() builtin function.


    2.0  Files

    The following files constitute version 1.30 of Max. They may
    be copied and transferred provided that they are not modified
    in any way and that no fee is charged. Any other distribution
    of these files requires the written permission of the author.

    2.1  Executable

    MAX.EXE    - This file contains the executable code for the Max
    interpreter and the MaxEdit integrated environment.


    2.2  Documentation

    The Max Reference Manual is composed of five files:

    INTRO.DOC - This file contains a description of the basic features
    and elements of the Max programming language and is required
    reading for getting started in Max.

    SUMMARY.DOC - This file contains a summary of all of the Max
    builtin functions. It is useful for getting an overview of the
    functions available through Max and for finding related functions.

    DETAIL1.DOC - This is the first half of the detailed description
    of Max builtin functions. This half contains the naming conventions
    used in both the detailed description files.

    DETAIL2.DOC - This is the second half of the detailed description
    of Max builtin functions. Both sections are useful for finding out
    more about each function, including calling sequence/argument lists.

    MAXEDIT.DOC - This file contains a description of the MaxEdit
    integrated environment and editor. It includes a summary of
    the editing commands, followed by detailed information.


    2.3  Max Source Files

    CONFIG.MAX - This file contains the configuration parameters for
    the Max translator interpreter. It is used by Max during startup.
    It contains a description of all available parameters.

    BLOCK.MAX - This file contains several preprocessor definitions
    that make it easier to write structured code. Each flow of control
    block is defined as a Begin ... End pair.

    WINDOW.MAX - This file contains the initialization code for the
    MaxEdit integrated environment. It allows you, for example, to
    change the size, color and other attributes of the default windows.

    SAMPLE.MAX - This file contains sample Max programs to get you
    started and provides a few useful utilities that can be used from
    within the MaxEdit integrated environment.

    WINDEF.MAX - This file contains window command definitions for
    use with the window builtin function.

    ANIMAL.MAX - This file contains a simple Max program that
    illustrates machine learning by asking the user to think of
    an animal and then trying to guess it.

    LSTNAV.MAX - This file contains a simple Max program that
    allows the user to create and modify lists and play with the
    basic list processing primitives.

    ARYNAV.MAX - This file contains a simple Max program that
    allows the user to create and modify arrays and play with the
    basic array processing primitives.

    SHELL.MAX - This file contains the framework of a Max command
    processing shell, good for users who like an input prompt.

    TRIM.MAX - This file contains several general purpose string
    functions that illustrate the use of the pattern matching
    primitives.

    To load a Max source file that is not loaded by CONFIG.MAX,
    use the feval builtin function. Try feval("animal.max") for
    example.


    3.0  Comments

    If you have any comments or questions about Max, please send them
        to the author at this address:

        Anthony F. Stuart
        The Max Development Center
        21042 Thoreau Court
        Sterling, VA 22170


    4.0  Source Code

         If you would like to learn more about Max, or modify and
    personalize it, you may order a copy of the source code. Max was
    written in the 'C' programming language. The source is commented
    and consists of approximately 20,000 lines. It is available on
    360 kbyte 5.25 inch diskette. Please send check or money order
    for $20.00 to the author at the above address. This offer may
    be withdrawn at any time.

         Please note that the source to Max is for your personal
    use only. It may not be distributed in any form or used in any
    other software without the written permission of the author.