Axe Parser
Alpha 0.0.1

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WARNING:
This is still an alpha version.  It is not stable and you should not run this on any calculator that has anything intellectually valuable in the RAM.  Just for liability reasons, I will also add that there is a non-zero possibility your archive might not be safe either.

Description:
It is a new programming language for the calculator.  It is typed directly into a program just like BASIC and with a similar syntax.  Unlike BASIC however, this is a compiled language, not an interpreted one.  The program gets compiled into an assembly program.  In the future you will be able to make Ion, MirageOS, and Doors programs; possibly apps too.

Advantages:
You basically get the simplicity of BASIC programming but with nearly the same size, speed, and compatibility of assembly programs.  You won’t need “Shells” or “Libraries” to run the programs.  They are just like any other assembly program.

Syntax:
It is similar to BASIC, but also very different.  First, it has an extremely loose syntax.  You know how you can leave the end parenthesis off of BASIC commands and do multiple same-line DelVars?  It’s like that on steroids (if you so choose).  For instance: the store “->” can be used in expressions like A+B->C+1->D so now C holds A+B and D holds A+B+1.

Differences With BASIC:
I will be re-defining a lot of commands.  Most are usually unused anyway, but some are not.  For instance, “DiagnosticOff” turns off the run indicator.  But “sub()” now runs a subroutine since you will be able to take characters from a string the same way you do with lists in the future.

Variables and Numbers:
All numbers and letters A-Z are 16-bit unsigned integers.  Unlike BASIC variables, they don’t reside in the user ram so they take up zero memory.  You might want to read about unsigned numbers on Wikipedia or something if you are not familiar with it.

User Defined Variables:
Things like strings, lists, sprites, and floats will be defined by the user.  However, I haven’t gotten to that point yet, but expect that soon.



There is no UI right now.  Select your program, which must be in RAM, from the list, which is not in alphabetical order, and it will compile into a program called “LOL”, you can’t name it right now.  I figured I’d get the compiler working before I get back to the UI.  I’ve also attached a document with the complete instruction set so far.

I’d like to hear your thoughts
I have too many ideas right now to put on paper.

Yes, I am hoping it will be all that and more. 

By the way, since this is a lot to take in, here is an example program to simply display the "getkey" codes for each key (which are different from the BASIC getkey.  Its the GetCSC codes for all you asm programmers)

 
Amazing!

Axe Parser
Alpha 0.0.1

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WARNING:
This is still an alpha version.  It is not stable and you should not run this on any calculator that has anything intellectually valuable in the RAM.  Just for liability reasons, I will also add that there is a non-zero possibility your archive might not be safe either.

Thanks for warning us, I'll try it once I backup my calc files or finish Crystal Defenders.

Nice job man! I've never been able to get past the planning stage for anything like this

Edit: I'll be glad to write multiplication and division routines if you need me to

Edit3: Removed Edit2 for stupidity

Okay, that's like a million questions, but I will attempt to answer them all:

Apps?  How do you make large Apps if the source file can only be 1.25ish pages large, due to lack of RAM?

When its finished, it will allow the source programs to be in archive.  You will also be able to include subprograms in your programs like the "include" feature in C.  If it compiles to an app, it will have to be a one page app since it will be too complicated to switch pages with anything that resembles basic.  But that's still 16k, which is large enough for most applications.

How do you use the predefined A - Z and Theta?  And what about Theta?

They are stored in the saveSScreen ram location.  I have not included theta yet because I am still considering using it for some other purpose.

Can you have comment blocks?

You can do single line comments, but I feel that inline comments will just make the code very unreadable.

Can you include the ++ and -- operators from C++?

I might.  A++ can save 2 bytes when assembled instead of doing A+1.

Does the Ans Variable work the same way as in basic?

No, I no longer use it, its pointless.  If you have no argument, it automatically assumes the last expression.  But it must immediately follow or it will just be garbage.

If you Pause, and the run indicator is off, does it stay off?

Yes

How does Disp work when you get to the end of a line?

Disp is not fully functional right now.  I only included it so I have some type of output to test everything.  Nothing will display at the end of the line.  It will work like it does in BASIC when its finished.

Can getKey ever go back to the getKey of basic, or is it always GetScanCodes?

Probably not, but I will have a directkey command in the future (for multiple key presses)

While is still PreTest, and Repeat is still PostTest, right?

Its pretest right now... was it post test in basic?  I've never used it before, but that would be very easy to change and also save 3 bytes.

Can you check if sub( has a comma in it, and if so use it like it is in TiBasic? (If it dosn't have a comma, it's subroutien.)

Nope.  You will be able to do substrings like this: Str(5) gets 5th character in string.

__=Var means what equals Var?  And is the underscore a space?  Is it Ans?

Yes, basically any expression, variable, number, or Ans before it.

Wow, this is great!  I have seen/heard things where people have tried stuff like this before, but as calc84 said, none of them ever got past planning stages.  Just the fact that you have gotten this far is amazing.  Writing an asm compiler in asm ^^.  Well i for one can't wait to try this out, although i will have to back up my calc first just to be safe

Another thing I love about this project is how the produced programs are not dependent on the application. I mean, when running a FastRPL game you need the FastRPL app installed on the calc, same with BBC Basic. Since these apps are huge, this limits the amount of games or programs you can have on your calc at once. Not to mention many people like to be able to run their programs either from the PRGM menu using Asm( or from a popular shell like Ion/MirageOs

@Art_Of_Camelot: IS/DS commands were useful back in the TI-81 and first-gen Casio BASIC days, as back then For( didn't exist on these calcs

Another thing I love about this project is how the produced programs are not dependent on the application. I mean, when running a FastRPL game you need the FastRPL app installed on the calc, same with BBC Basic. Since these apps are huge, this limits the amount of games or programs you can have on your calc at once. Not to mention many people like to be able to run their programs either from the PRGM menu using Asm( or from a popular shell like Ion/MirageOs

But so many people have 84+'s these days, where the 48KB doesn't really matter.