Dis*Doc, a new automated disassembler and patcher for the IBM PC, XT, AT, and compatibles, has been released by RJ Swantek & Associates. Dis*Doc uses four algorithms to separate code from data at a rate of 10,000 lines per minute on a hard disk.
It also processes the 80386/80387 instruction set; disassembles anything in files or RAM memory; patches any file using the same addresses given in the disassembled listing; creates a MASM ready output, including program declarations; automatically generates five different labels from Jump, Branch, Call, Data, Stack, or allows programmers to create their own; automatically generates comments for MS-DOS and BIOS services as well as 1/0 commands; keeps patches in a separate file for documentation purposes; saves the results of its first program pass to expedite the creation of future listings; and has error messages that tell the programmer how to fix the problem.
Selling for $99.95 plus $4 shipping and handling, Dis*Doc requires two floppy drives, or a hard disk and floppy drive, and at least 256K bytes of memory for MS-DOS or PC-DOS 2.0 or higher. Reader Service No. 23.
RJ Swantek P.O. Box 1032 Hartford, CT 06111 203-560-0236
SLR Systems has announced OPTASM, an optimizing 80x86 assembler. It is fully (except for 386) source compatible with MASM 5.0 and includes lull support for Microsoft's CodeView debugger. Version 1.5 also features comprehensive on-line help. It interfaces with most high-level languages including Borland's Turbo Pascal, Turbo C, and Microsoft's C 5.1.
This product requires DOS 2.0 or greater and 256K of available memory; a hard disk is recommended. OPTASM, Version 1.5 sells for $125; upgrades are available to currently registered users of version 1.0 for $29.95. Reader Service No. 38.
SLR Systems 1622 N Main St. Butler, PA 16001 412-282-0864
Ready Systems has introduced VRTX32, a real-time operating system for the Intel 80386 microprocessor. VRTX32 includes a real-time multitasking kernel. Ready Systems also announced RTscope, a real-time debugger which includes a VRTX32 system monitor. VRTX32/386 is a real-time executive designed for use as a standard software component in security applications. It provides comprehensive support for the 386 architecture, specifically, full 32-bit addressing.
RTscope monitors VRTX32's system objects (such as queues and tasks) while operating concurrently with the multitasking system. It also performs traditional debugging functions such as displaying and setting 386 register and memory functions. RTscope operates in both tasking and command mode, and it displays the contents of local and global descriptor tables (LDTs and GDTs), and can set and remove 386 hardware breakpoints.
The R&D package sells for $6,775 for VRTX32/386 and $3,000 for RTscope 386. Reader Service No. 27.
Ready Systems 449 Sherman Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94306 415-326-2950
Programmer's Library, a new CD-ROM product by Microsoft, given programmers on-line access to a comprehensive collection of books, technical manuals, and sample programs
The 48 books and technical manuals in the library provide information on Microsoft's operating systems and languages, ranging from quick reference help to detailed discussions The disk also includes several references for hardware devices, including the Microsoft Mouse, CD-ROM drives, and video cards, as well as 7 Mbytes of sample code. All material can be accessed from inside the user's text editor or word processor and copied into programs or documents without rekeying.
Suggested price is $395 which includes one free update to be available in early 1989. Reader Service No. 28.
Microsoft 16011 NE 36th Way Redmond, WA 98073-9717 206-882-8080
The Software Bottling Company has released SoftCode, a new type of program generator that allows programmers to generate any type of code in any programming language. SoftCode comes complete with editor and program generator, reads program templates to control what it generates, and provides a complete, fully-documented Program Template Language.
Designed for the IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, and compatibles, SoftCode sells for $195 which includes one template set; other template sets are priced at $49. This product requires DOS 2.00 or higher. Reader Service No. 29.
Software Bottling Co. 6600 Long Island Express Wy. Maspeth, NY 11378 718-458-3700
Opus Systems and Ibuki have announced the Lisp Wizard, a Common Lisp co-processor board that allows high performance Lisp-based applications to run on the IBM PC, AT, or compatibles in a pure DOS environment.
Wizard of OS hardware provides virtual memory, multitasking capabilities, 32-bit CPU, on-board FPU, and up to 16 Mbytes of on-board RAM. Discounted prices range from $2,820 (2.5 MIPS, 4 Mbytes) to $8,460 (5 MIPS, 16 Mbytes). Reader Service No. 30.
Opus Systems 20863 Steven Creek Blvd., Bldg. 400 Cupertino, CA 95014 408-446-2210
Recently released by Applied Logic Systems is ALS Prolog Macintosh, Version 1.0 compiler, a development environment which broadens the spectrum of hardware on which ALS Prolog systems are available.
Interaction occurs through text editor windows, and there is a programmer's interface to Quickdraw as well as a graphics window for making pictures with Prolog. Compilation is completely transparent. There is no interpreter and no need to separately link a program once it has been compiled.
The ALS Prolog Macintosh version provides a module system, tail recursion optimization, garbage collection, DCGs, and a debugger. The $349 price includes a programmers' reference manual and one year of updates. Reader Service No. 31.
Applied Logic Systems Inc. Box 90, University Station Syracuse, NY 13210 315-271-3900
Forth Inc. has released chipForth 8051 interactive software for developing embedded systems on the Intel 8051 MPs family. This product includes these features: it is fully interactive (an incircuit emulator is not required); programming can be in assembler, high-level Forth, or both; and a real-time, multitasking executive is included.
It comes with a resident full-screen editor, source program control utilities, online documentation, PROM burning utilities, and source and documentation printing utilities. Also, chipForth uses an IBM PC or compatible as host to write 8051 code and download it to the chip via a serial link.
Available for $3,750, chipForth includes one year of telephone hotline technical support and use of the Forth Inc. Bulletin Board. Reader Service No. 32.
Forth Inc. 111 N Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 213-372-8493 800-55-FORTH
Quantum Software has announced Asmflow, an assembly language flow charting and source code analysis tool for MS-DOS assembly language programmers.Asmflow automatically generates flow charts and call tree diagrams from Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) source files.
The call tree features include the ability to control the maximum nesting level and to determine whether duplicate sub-trees are displayed. You can conditionally include macro calls, external references, recursive code, and the stack depth at each procedure call.
Other features include maximum stack size determination, CPU timing analysis, procedural cross-reference, CPU register analysis, and flagging of questionable code. AsmFlow can be used on all IBM PCs and compatibles. The product costs $99.95. Reader Service No. 33.
Quantum Software 19855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Ste. 154 Cupertino, CA 95014 408-244-6826
Recently released by Mortice Kern Systems is Version 2.3 of the MKS Toolkit which provides implementations of over 115 Unix System V compatible commands designed to run in the DOS environment on the IBM PS/2 and IBM PC families and compatibles. This item sells for $169.
Also announced is the release of two new software items, the MKS Trilogy which provides Xenix and Microport users with three replacement utilities--the MKS Korn Shell, MKS Awk, and MKS Crypt-and MKS RCS (Revision Control System) that manages multiple revisions of text files and program source code on Xenix and Microport systems. The Trilogy is priced at $119 and the RCS at $189. Reader Service No. 34.
Mortice Kern Systems Inc. 35 King St. N Waterloo, Ont., Canada N2J2W9 519-884-2251 800-265-2797
CSSL's System Sleuth, a new PC diagnostic software program, is an all-in-one configuration and troubleshooting utility which supports PC/MS-DOS or PC-MOS/386. Starting with simple information like the amount of memory installed and general system configuration, the program progresses lower into the system, providing information such as device chain maps, user memory maps with currently loaded TSRs, and the interrupt chain. Also, hardware information (types and brands of expansion boards installed) is available.
Additionally, System Sleuth will independently verify system configuration information such as absolute disk parameters determined through probing the physical device. Priced at $149, this product can also break out the available 1/0 expansion card ROM area with a resolution of 2K. Reader Service No. 35.
CSSL Inc. 909 Electric Ave., Ste. 202 Seal Beach, CA 90740 213-493-2471
Microcosm Inc. has released hyperICE-386, a real-time in-circuit emulator that allows engineers to develop systems based on the Intel 80386 microprocessor. HyperICE-386 consists of a microprocessor-specific probe and a universal chassis.
The product offers software and hardware engineers a host-independent way to debug systems at full speed by emulating the 80386 at clock speeds up to 25 MHz. Also, overlay memory runs with zero wait states at speeds up to 20 MHz.
Instead of using the 80386's debug registers, hyperICE-386 incorporates three 8,000-gate arrays. hyperICE-386 provides extensive trigger logic, monitoring all address, data and status lines, and 16 logic probe lines. Triggering controls trace collection and can stop the emulator at any point, down to the register level. Also, the transparent tracing of hyperICE-386 gives users a record of all chip functions as it runs in real time.
Fully configured systems, including chassis and probe, start at $17,500.
Reader Service No. 20. Microcosm Inc. 15275-E SW Koll Pkwy. Beaverton, OR 97006 503-626-6100
SDI Signal-to-Disk Interface by Ariel Corp. allows host independent, realtime, full-bandwidth data acquisition to disk, as well as signal editing and processing for any PC. The new SDI systems are available with 50- or 250-Mbyte internal- or external-hard disks or optical (WORM) disks for archives, permitting hours of storage at maximum bandwidth.
SDI permits direct-to-disk recording/playback of 16-bit data at sample rates of up to 50 KHz on two channels simultaneously. The recorded signal can be viewed graphically and edited; parts of the signal can be marked, zoomed, moved, repeated, attenuated, and deleted; special effects can be added; and the revised signal can be saved and played back. System prices start at $3,495. Reader Service No. 22.
Ariel Corp. 110 Greene St., Ste. 404 New York, NY 10012 212-925-4155