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General Category => Applications (CPC and CPC-related) => Topic started by: XeNoMoRPH on 07:33, 11 February 23

Title: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 07:33, 11 February 23
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: Gryzor on 08:13, 11 February 23
Wax on
Wax off

Following to see what it'll bring 🙂
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: TotO on 12:41, 11 February 23
The video link ask to enter a word to be watched. And it is not working at all.
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: Gryzor on 12:59, 11 February 23
Quote from: TotO on 12:41, 11 February 23The video link ask to enter a word to be watched. And it is not working at all.
Works fine for me, both embedded here and on YouTube. 
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: BSC on 13:13, 11 February 23
So you have an OS where you can toggle the split and change the vertical size of the screen?! ;-)

Seriously, this looks cool. Would code completion be possible? That's one of the nicest features
modern shells etc. introduced which I would not want to live without.
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: Prodatron on 13:46, 11 February 23
Looks interesting!
What is the intention/objective of this?
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: asertus on 15:47, 11 February 23
About to ask the same thing.., any special purpose? Gaming?
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: GUNHED on 16:34, 11 February 23
Well, what can be seen?

- Space for different programs (every one gets its own 64 KB bank) and they have their own screen each. Probably four programs + screen. Just guessing

- Nice format for anything 'machine monitor' alike. Yes, the DUMP inspires me here

Looks very interesting! Good luck and happy coding!  :) :) :)

@abalore : Let me know if I can support you in any way  :)
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: abalore on 16:56, 11 February 23
What you can see in the video is a command interpreter which runs as an app on top of the actual OS. The OS is a collection of firmware routines that replaces the lower ROM from cartridge.

It allows screen manipulation (also horizontal resizing and one pixel smooth scrolling in both split and non-split modes), and also compiled sprites designed with an external tool, sound FX and Music playing (based on Arkos Tracker).

It also handles a kind of cartridge based "file system". It can search and execute compatible programs in the cartridge, manage resources, etc. Also some debugging features are included as a external tool ROM, like memory inspection and disassembler (and maybe assembler at some point).

The purpose of this development is to put all the lessons learned with Alcon 2020 into a reusable engine that anybody can use to create their own games. My first goal is to be able to replicate Alcon using this engine, and in second place to add support for expanded hardware like the Play2CPC VROM and extra sound channels.

There is no BASIC interpreter or compiler of any kind. The firmware is meant to be accessed from assembler code just importing the routine definitions from a provided .asm file. I managed to create a fluid workflow with Visual Studio Code (for coding) + CPR Creator (own tool) + WinAPE (to test and debug). I don't consider a high level interpreter at this moment because the engine is aimed to maximise execution speed, only achievable in pure assembler.

About the schedule, it's a long term project, but I will keep publishing videos of the progress.

@GUNHED for sure I'll ask you in a later stage about the implementation of drivers and other stuff
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: GUNHED on 14:59, 12 February 23
Thanks for sharing your 'insider information'  :) :) :)

It reminds me a lot about some goals I had with FutureOS. Now you bring a fresh breeze in the OS circus for the CPC! That push will be very good for the scene - in may ways.

The two things I like the most about your concept are: You clearly state that it's made for Z80 assembler. Great so it's quick! And in addition it's cool to be able to adjust the screen features!

I'm really looking forward to the evolution of AbalOS. Please keep us updated. :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: abalore on 23:38, 12 February 23
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: abalore on 20:22, 13 February 23
Another video showing the screen size switch maintaining the text output compatibility with hardware scrolling in all sizes.

Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: GUNHED on 00:36, 14 February 23
Very nice! For the split screen of smooth vertical scrolling do you select a height of 1 for the characters?
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: abalore on 09:36, 14 February 23
Quote from: GUNHED on 00:36, 14 February 23Very nice! For the split screen of smooth vertical scrolling do you select a height of 1 for the characters?
Do you mean setting R9? No, that requires too much CPU. I use R5 that is almost free.
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: abalore on 21:44, 18 February 23
50hz, double buffer, transparent, 1 pixel precision sprites

Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: abalore on 22:42, 25 February 23


AbaloreOS can run from disc now, with all the features of the cartridge version available for disc games.
Title: Re: AbaloreOS [ wip ]
Post by: zhulien on 18:59, 08 March 23
Can it make an overscan sized screen?  Perhaps if all your code can run in the 64kb bank and not use firmware, then you can use a 32kb screen in overscan mode - multiple of them like you demonistrate with the screen command.  Also if you make some screens text screens, then they will take less RAM in thier buffers.
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