The Machine Binary-Block is a binary-block extension for the 9830 providing some machine-level support functions and commands.
The MBB is generally loaded from a tape BIN file, although it could be incorporated as a ROM card if one wished,
with some minor modifications to the code to move some variables out of the binary-block.
The MBB currently provides the following:
- Functions
- MPEEK( address ) : Return the contents of the memory word at address.
- MPOKE( address, value ) : Set the content of the memory word at address to value.
The prior contents of the word are returned.
- MBAND( a, b ) : Binary AND function.
Return the 16-bit bitwise AND of a and b.
- MBOR( a, b ) : Binary OR function.
Return the 16-bit bitwise OR of a and b.
- Commands
- MDUMP :
Print a list of the contents of memory on the standard printer (select code #15).
The output is in XNS format, with 16 memory locations per line.
- MTAPE :
This command runs the MPSI Tape Relay program, turning control of the internal tape drive over to an external control program.
See Applications on the MPSI page.
The 9830 will appear continuously busy while this command executes.
Press STOP to terminate MTAPE.
- SPUTNIK :
This was the first binary program we created and ran on the 9830.
As may be guessed from the name, it simply beeps once every second or so.
Press STOP to terminate.
SPUTNIK is only a few instructions and originally was hand-assembled with block-linking tables.
The MBB essentially began with the SPUTNIK command.
BlockScan BASIC Program
Included in the tape image with MBB is the BlockScan program.
BlockScan scans the 9830 memory looking for installed binary-blocks, and prints the block linking tables and information.
This includes all the keywords (commands, functions, statements) in those binary-blocks.
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