Re: The integral type 'byte' (was Re: Suggested method for returning a string from a C program?)

On 28.03.2025 12:29, bart wrote:

On 28/03/2025 10:03, David Brown wrote:

On 28/03/2025 02:59, Janis Papanagnou wrote:

 

Have a look at the NS 32016/32 processors
(around 1979/1984). If you know the 68k but not the NS 32xxx you may
want to have a look into, e.g., "1986_National_NS32000_Databook.pdf"
(that you will find online).

>
I had a look, to augment the little I knew of the NS30000 ISA.  It is
very similar to the 68k in many ways.  I think you'd have to dig into
fine detail to see real differences.
>
So, again, what do /you/ think is "inferior" about the 68k
architecture?   Either I'm missing something, or you are missing
something.

 
I suspect the problem with the 68000 was that it was available to
'ordinary' people.

If that was so, that wouldn't be a problem, would it?

The NS device was more exclusive.

I can't tell; I never bought any processor [separately]. Was
it significantly more expensive than the other CPUs? (That
would at least explain its failure on the market.) Or was its
market "failure" just the often observable effect of being a
few cents more expensive and thus dismissed.

 
Similar with BASIC.

It was at least shipped with all the common popular systems.
Other languages typically had to be obtained separately.

 
A one-off machine based on NS32032 and only running Simula would have
been ideal!

The NS would probably have been fine for _any_ more progressive
higher-level programming language.

If folks would have learned Simula instead of BASIC it would
have been a gain for the software evolution, for sure.

Janis

PS: I presume your post being meant sarcastic, but my answers
are meant honest (and not relying on you being serious or not).