8 bit inspired "fantasy" computer virtual machine

[Oli1974]

Hi folks,

I thought I simply threw in here the "virtual machine", a sort of playground which I started developing back in 1989 (when I was 15 years old). It's called "make" and is inspired by old CBMs, C64, C128, Apple, Atari ...

After I had switched to Apple in 1997, it lay idle until 2001, when (out of nostalgia) I bought a 3000 again and restored the old backup.
(https://www.instagram.com/p/BtKUWb_nioK/ and https://www.instagram.com/p/BtL29cqnFcO/)

Unfortunately I sold the 3000 by the end of 2004, but I kept an image of the hard disk. When the UAE became strong enough around 2010, I was able to bring my Amiga OS installation, which had been continuously maintained since the 1990s, back to life. And since around 2012, I've continued to work on "make" from time to time until the oats bit me at the beginning of 2022 and I gradually worked through all the outstanding issues - until today. Because now it's finished.

It sports its own programming language, a "hardware" text mode with "hardware" blinking attribute and redefinable characters, and a monochrome gfx mode.

To install, just create a folder "make" anywhere on your harddisk and unpack the .lha archive into it. Then simply start "make". It uses the 640x256x3 Amiga OCS hires mode, but without any problems it can also be promoted to an adequate RTG screenmode.

With "help" you get a list of help options. Check out the included demo programs. Have fun! And of course, I'd be eager to get some feedback.

[Karlos]

I feel we may share certain interests

[Oli1974]

Ah, do we?

So did you try it out? What do you think? Does it run well on your machine (which?)?

[Karlos]

Originally Posted by Oli1974

Ah, do we?

So did you try it out? What do you think? Does it run well on your machine (which?)?

I haven't yet, and I only have emulation to hand so I think my results won't be useful. It's more the idea of making up your own virtual computer platforms I was referring to. I've created a 68K assembler inspired 64-bit virtual machine that comes with a basic host providing IO, graphics and what not.

[Oli1974]

Wow, sounds nice. About the same approach, but more sophisticated
My virtual machine is 8-bit/VDC inspired

But anyway, please give it a try. Emulation or not. I am interested in people's opinions! Maybe you even gonna write your own program?

[Karlos]

I'll give it a whirl later!

[Oli1974]

Check out the provided "Space Invaders" example program (load "spinv.mk") - it is in text mode, the aliens are redefined characters, and it implements a rudimentary time slicing to move the objects at different speeds and detect collisions. The game runs at exact the same speed on any computer, provided, that it is fast enough to handle it in the first place

it is still missing bunkers, the alien attack ship on the top of the screen and the aliens can't shoot. But that is only because I am too lazy

Ah, by the way: to slow down text scrolling hit the "." while text is output, and to pause scrolling, hit the space bar.

[Oli1974]

Uploaded final version with some ultimate bug fixes and, more importantly, enhanced help system. With help "<command>" or simply <command> ? you get detailed help to every command now.

[giantclam]

Just note this has a runtime dependency on hbasic2.library ,,,

[Oli1974]

The library should be built into the code. Does it really not run without it? Yes, it is implemented in MaxonBASIC 3.

Anyway, here's the library in the correct version.