the intent of this blurb is to see if there is any interest in a little 
project i've been toying around with - a zcpr version of the small-c 
compiler. small-c is not a full c, but:

- the source is available and enhancements are possible. (i've done a 
  few that are detailed below. if there is real interest, others are 
  possible.)
- it produces reasonable code for what it is, and that too can be 
  improved upon.
- it is free and documentation on 2.1 can be purchased. i'd like to 
  make that unnecessary, tho...
- it allows in-line assembler code, and you can link separate modules, 
  which can be assembler or small-c. this also means that if your 
  linkable libraries are properly constructed, your programs only 
  contain code they actually use (some compilers have bloated runtime 
  routines).
- it supports redirection. one direct example of a benefit of this is 
  that you can crank up the compiler without an input file, type in 
  code at the keyboard, and actually see the assembler code it generates 
  on the screen.

the version i currently have:

- is based on small-c version 2.1, which is the most recent 8-bit 
  version and the one that the books and source code marketed by dr. 
  dobbs support.
- now outputs z80 rather than 8080 mnemonics for assembly.  default 
  filetype is .Z80 to support the slr assembler/linker combo. i think 
  they still work fine with m80/l80, but the latter are slow enough to 
  drive me crazy, so i haven't tried lately.
- sets the zcpr program error flag on exit if compile errors were 
  encountered to facilitate aliases and zex/submit files that don't do 
  unnecessary assemblies.
- is capable of writing a standard zcpr "z3env" header to its assembler 
  source output file with a "-z" command line switch.  defaults to a 
  type one environment, but generates type 1-4 with -z1, -z2, -z3, and 
  -z4 switches. if one of these switches is specified, three global 
  variables are created, one containing the environment type, one 
  pointing at the environment descriptor, and one pointing at the base 
  of the program in memory. this last is in support of type 3 and 4 
  programs. these are accessible without declaration in the main
  module. other modules must declare them external.

the possibilities are limited mainly by the imagination and effort.  
for example:

- writing downloadable documentation of the compiler and library(ies).
- optimizing/enhancing the code in the standard clib for both size 
  and speed.
- making the file i/o routines in the clib respect zcpr standards 
  (multiple user areas, named directories, etc.) one would want to 
  retain the ability to redirect stdin and stdout tho.  - writing 
  equivalents of vlib and z3lib. given source to those this could be 
  relatively easily done, with the major changes involving interface 
  (parameters to and return codes from the functions).
- optimizing the code the compiler itself outputs. there may be a 
  variety of things that can be done regarding this, tho i haven't 
  looked into it in detail yet.
- it may be possible to build profiling routines into the compiler and 
  clib that are invoked with a compiler option, imbedded into the 
  compiled program, and help debug or identify "hot spots" in the code 
  that are candidates for optimization. the profiling code could later 
  be left out of the final version of the program by recompiling.
- one would imagine that almost any kind of debugger could be written  
  that is possible within the memory constraints involved, since the 
  compiler can be changed to support it. source level debugging anyone?

if you are interested in this either because you'd like to see a zcpr 
public domain higher level language, or because you find the concept 
interesting and would be into working on one or another aspect of it, 
let me know. if there is enough interest, perhaps something can be 
organized. input is appreciated in any case. i have only so much time, 
energy, and ideas.



i'm reachable at the following boards in chicago:

			lillipute znode 1	(312) 649-1730
			lillipute znode 2	(312) 649-1730
			the advocate		(312) 939-4411

			al grabauskas		10/19/88