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INTRO TO SPHINX C-- (updated 28 Oct 1996)

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Hello, and welcome to SPHINX C--.  C-- is a language I (Peter Cellik)

created, it is a half way point between C and Assembly.  The main thought

behind C-- is to create very small, and hopefully fast programs.  The output

efficiency is close to assembly with the source file being similar to C and

thus more readable than assembly source.  C-- can be used as a stand alone

language, or, via the use of Microsoft compatible OBJ output, be used within

another language such as C++ or Borland Pascal.

This is the final release of C--!  It has been over a year since I have made

any changes to C--, so I have decided its time to release it all to the

public domain.  I have enjoyed your responses over the years and I look

forward to more.  I have had replies from over 25 different countries.

Thank you everyone for saying hello.  Sorry if I did not reply, sometimes

there just isn't time.

The file is C--FINAL.ZIP.  It should contain the compiler, the examples and

also the source code.

REQUIREMENTS:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    System Requirements:

    - 8086 or higher CPU computer

    - DOS 3.0 or greater

    - 512K RAM or greater

    - Keyboard (I should hope)

    - a hard drive will really speed things up, though C-- can even run off a

      floppy if you are not in a hurry

    - a mouse may assist navigation through the C-- Work Bench, but the

      keyboard can be used instead

    - some of the example files require VGA display, if you do not have VGA

      you are missing out on life

    Programmer Requirements (uh-oh):

    - Brain (a good one too)

    - Reasonable understanding of C or similar high level language

    - Some 8086 or higher assembly knowledge, the more the better

FILE LIST:

~~~~~~~~~~

The following files should be included in the C--C????.ZIP package:

.\C--      EXE   // The SPHINX C-- Compiler

.\C--      OVL   // File required by C--.EXE

.\WB       COM   // C-- Work Bench Driver

.\WB       EXE   // C-- Work Bench Main Program

.\C--INFO  DOC   // Info on the C-- Programming Language

.\C--ASM   DOC   // Info on C-- Inline Assembly Language

.\STAKPROC DOC   // Info on C-- stack procedures

.\REGPROCS DOC   // Info on C-- REG procedures and macros

.\WBHELP   DOC   // Info on using the C-- Work Bench

.\ALLPROCS DOC   // List of all stack and REG procedures and macros

.\???????? H--   // Some C-- header files

.\README   DOC   // This file your reading

.\examples\GUS\*.*       // Gravis Ultra Sound example programs

.\examples\OBJ\*.*       // OBJ file output example programs

.\examples\OTHER\*.*     // Misc. example programs

.\examples\ROCK\*.*      // VGA game example program

.\examples\SBLASTER\*.*  // Sound blaster example programs

.\examples\SIMPLE\*.*    // Small and simple example programs

.\examples\SYSTEM\*.*    // System detection example programs

.\examples\TSR\*.*       // Terminate and Stay Resident example programs

.\examples\VGA\*.*       // VGA example programs

.\examples\stuff\*.*     // some personal examples

.\examples\HISTORY.DOC   // Revision history of this example package

.\source\*.*           // Source for SPHINX C-- Compiler and Work Bench

NOTE:  I do not take credit (or blame) for EURO_MOD.EXE, it is supplied as a

       usefully utility which can be accessed via a C-- header file.  It is

       free and, as far as I understand, can be used and distributed by

       anyone for anyone.

HOW TO START:

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UnZIP the C--FINAL.ZIP package using the '-d' option.

Next, set the 'C--' environmental variable to the full path of the directory

you unzipped into.  C-- uses the 'C--' environmental variable to find the

compiler, help files and include files.  For example, if you unzipped C--

into the directory 'C:\C--', then you would type:

	SET C--=C:\C--

You may wish to add the above line to your 'AUTOEXEC.BAT'.

You may then type WB at the DOS prompt to start the C-- Work Bench.  Take a

look at some the *.C-- example files.  Press F3 to load and F5 to compile and

run.

Be sure to be in the same directory as the source file(s) for the *.C-- file

may need to load some other files, such as palettes and bitmaps.  Use the

'Change Dir...' command in the 'File' menu to change directories.

After you get a taste of what it can do, take a look at the file 'C--INFO.DOC'

for information on how to program in C--.  'C--INFO.DOC' can be viewed in the

C-- Work Bench by pressing  or selecting 'Main General Help' from

the 'Help' menu.

THE PRICE:

~~~~~~~~~~

This version of C-- is GREENWARE, and you are free to use it so long as you

make an effort everyday to help out the environment.  A few ideas:

	- use only recycled computer paper

	- be sure to recycle the computer paper after you use it

	- use public transport

	- sell that 80 cylinder car of yours and buy a small 4 cylinder, or

	  better yet, buy a motorbike

	- support Green Peace

	- REDUCE-REUSE-recycle

	- stop smoking

	- ride a bike to work or school

	- don't buy products that are harmful to the environment

	- stop using weed killers on your lawn

	- support Friends of the Earth

	- recycle your cans

	- don't buy products that have lots of extra packaging

	- use a fax modem instead of a paper fax machine

	- reuse your plastic bags

	- (you get the idea)

DISCLAIMER:

~~~~~~~~~~~

I accept no responsibility for any damage or loss of time, hardware, sanity,

software or data caused by this product or programs made with it.  So there!

FINAL NOTES:

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Any programs you make with C-- you may do with as you wish.  I would greatly

appreciate any feedback you can give me.  Just say hello, or send me some

cool stuff.  Send me your comments, maybe even some code you have written,

I would like them very much.

I can be contacted at:   PETER SPHINX CELLIK

			 RR#2 SITE 33 C11

			 GABRIOLA ISLAND B.C.

			 V0R 1X0

			 CANADA

Current E-mail Address:  cellik@sfu.ca

Hope to hear from you soon.

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