• DOI:10.1145/122089.122091
• Corpus ID: 26362015

Developing a tethered Forth model

@article{Martin1991DevelopingAT,
  title={Developing a tethered Forth model},
  author={Harold M. Martin},
  journal={ACM Sigforth Newsletter},
  year={1991},
  volume={2},
  pages={17-19}
}

• H. M. Martin
• Published 1 February 1991
• Computer Science
• ACM Sigforth Newsletter

L WHAT EXACTLY IS A TETHERED FORTH MODEL? The term "tethered Forth model" can reasonably be used to describe a Forth model designed to run in conjunction with a source processor and one or more small target processors. More specifically, one could say that the source and target processors between them are running a Forth model. The source would typically be a general purpose processor such as an IBM PC or clone, with a full complement of hard disk and peripherals, while the target(s) would be a small, microprocessorbased controller board performing a highly specialized control function. The source system would be expected to perform the functions of initial development and debugging of the target software, as well as performing a supervisory role over the target software when the target processor is performing its control function. As such, Forth running in the source should have a complete set of Forth capabilities, including an outer interpreter and keyboard words to accept software changes and commands for the target, terminal screen display words, and the like. The target, on the other hand, should not be burdened with any tasks which are not directly related to the performance of its dedicated function. Thus, in a tethered model, the additional functions necessary to make the target a "complete" Forth model would be performed by the source.