lOth Anniversary Issue lOth Anniversary Issue
`
`
`
`SEPTEMBER 1985 VOL. 10, NO.9 SEPTEMBER 1985 VOL. 10, NO.9
`
`
`$3.50 IN UNITED STATES $3.50 IN UNITED STATES
`
`$4.25 IN CANADA / £2.10 IN U.K. $4.25 IN CANADA / £2.10 IN U.K.
`
`A McGRAW-HILL PUBLICATION A McGRAW-HILL PUBLICATION
`
`0360-5280 0360-5280
`
`t.
`
`
`CIARCIA'S CIARCIA'S
`
`SUPER SYSTEM SUPER SYSTEM
`
`6-MHz, HD64180 Z80-compatible, 6-MHz, HD64180 Z80-compatible,
`
`256K RAM , 2 serial, 1 parallel , floppy 256K RAM , 2 serial, 1 parallel , floppy
`
`controller, ZCPR3 with RAM-disk software controller, ZCPR3 with RAM-disk software
`
`

`
`
`
`197 197
`
`
`
`84 84
`
`
`
`IOtn Anniversary Section IOtn Anniversary Section
`
`
`
`C·Q·N·r·E·N·r·s C·Q ·N·r·E·N·r·s
`
`
`
`.' .'
`
`
`
`FEATURES FEATURES
`
`
`
`INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION
`
`
`ClARCIA'S CIRCUIT CELLAR: BUILD THE SBI80 SINGLE-BOARD COMPUTER. ClARCIA'S CIRCUIT CELLAR: BUILD THE SBI80 SINGLE-BOARD COMPUTER.
`
`PART I: THE HARDWARE by Steve Ciarcia . PART I: THE HARDWARE by Steve Ciarcia .
`
`The SBI80 is the 29-chip equivalent o f a large S-IOO system. The SBI80 is the 29-chip equiva lent o f a large S- IOO system.
`
`PROGRAMMING PROJECT: AN ANALYSIS OF SORTS by Jonathan Amsterdam PROGRAMMING PROJECT: AN ANALYSIS OF SORTS by lonathan Amsterdam
`
`Th is article analyzes the efficiency of th ree sorting aleorithms. This article analyzes the efficiency of th ree sorting alflorithms.
`
`
`
`84 84
`
`
`
`.86 .86
`
`
`
`. 104 .1 04
`
`
`THE DSI-32 COPROCESSOR BOARD. PART 2: THE SOFTWARE THE DSI-32 COPROCESSOR BOARD. PART 2: THE SOFTWARE
`
`by Trevor G. Marshall. George Scolaro. David L. Rand. Tom King. and Vincent P. William s . . . 1\6 by Trevor G. Marshall. George Scolaro. David L. Rand. Tom King. and Vincent P. Williams . . . 1\6
`
`The software environment for the DSI board lets it run both UNIX and MS-DOS applications. The software envi ronment for the DSI board lets it run both UNIX and MS-DOS applications.
`
`AN ALGORITHM FOR DISK CACHING WITH LIMITED MEMORY by Brian McKeon AN ALGORITHM FOR DISK CACHING WITH LIMITED MEMORY by Brian McKeon
`
`Several C routines execute an algorithm for efficient disk buffering in a limited mem ory space. Several C routines execute an algorithm for efficient disk buffering in a limited memory space.
`
`ASTROPHYSICAL NUMBER CRUNCHING by A. G. W. Cameron ASTROPHYSICAL NUMBER CRUNCHING by A. G. W. Cameron
`
`A Harva rd astronomy professor reminisces about the various computers he's used A Harvard astronomy professor reminisces about the various computers he's used
`since the fifties.
`si nce the fi fties.
`
`Two GENERALIZED FLOATING-POINT REPRESENTATIONS by David Salomon. Two GENERALIZED FLOATING-POINT REPRESENTATIONS by David Salomon.
`
`Partitioned and variable-base representations are the two designs proposed here. Partitioned and variable-base representations are the two designs proposed here.
`
`TURBO PASCAL DRIVES THE MOUSE by John Figueras TURBO PASCAL DRIVES THE MOUSE by lohn Figueras
`
`The procedure described lets you use the Microsoft Mo use with Borland's Pascal. The procedu re described lets you use the Microsoft Mouse with Borland's Pascal.
`
`IBM COMPATIBILITY FOR THE NEC APC III by Herbert Stein IBM COMPATIBILITY FOR THE NEC APC III by Herbert Stein
`
`An operatin g-system patch and a few other alterations give the NEC APC III clone status. An operating-system patch and a few other alterations give the NEC APC III clone status.
`
`PROGRAMMING INSIGHT: BUILD A TRAVESTY TREE by Peter Wayner . PROGRAMMING INSIGHT: BUILD A TRAVESTY TREE by Peter Wayner .
`
`A tree data structure speeds up travesty generation. A tree data structure speeds up travesty generation.
`
`PROGRAMMIi,G INSIGHT: PRINTING PASCAL GRAPHICS by Kelly W. Davis PROGRAMMIi,G INSIGHT: PRINTING PASCAL GRAPHICS by Ke{{y W. Davis
`
`Dump Apple Pascal graphics to any Epson MX-series printer. Dump Apple Pascal graph ics to any Epson MX-series printer.
`
`
`
`.129 .129
`
`
`
`.141 .141
`
`
`
`.. 154 .. 154
`
`
`
`. 161 . 161
`
`
`
`. 171 . 171
`
`
`
`. 183 . 183
`
`
`
`. 193 . 193
`
`
`
`THEMES THEMES
`
`
`INTRODUCTION . INTRODUCTION .
`
`EGO: A HOMEBUILT CPU, PART I: THE SOFTWARE by Clifford Kelley. EGO: A HOMEBUILT CPU, PART I: THE SOFTWARE by Clifford Kelley.
`
`The fi rst in thi s tlVo-part series covers the in struction set and software aspects The first in this tlVo-part series covers the instruction set and software aspects
`
`o f the EGO computer. o f the EGO computer.
`
`THE QUARTER-MEG ATARI 800XL by Claus Buchholz . .. THE QUARTER-MEG ATARI 800XL by Claus Buchholz . ..
`
`Upgrade you r 8-bit microprocessor to 256K bytes and add a RAM disk. Upgrade you r 8-bit microprocessor to 256K bytes and add a RAM disk.
`
`A PARALLEL-TO-SERIAL PRINTER PORT ADAPTER by Howard Austerlitz A PARALLEL-TO-SERIAL PRINTER PORT ADAPTER by Howard Austerlitz
`
`Wi th this 535 adapter you can use your parallei port for serial devices. With this 535 adapter you can use yo ur parallei port for serial devices.
`
`ADD FUNCTION KEYS TO YOUR MICROCOMPUTER by Mark Hanslip ADD FUNCTION KEYS TO YOUR MICROCOMPUTER by Mark Hanslip
`
`Expand your parallel keyboard . Expand you r parallel keyboard .
`
`
`
`REVIEWS REVIEWS
`
`
`INTRODUCTION . INTRODUCTION .
`
`REVIEWER'S NOTEBOOK by Glenn Hartwig REVIEWER'S NOTEBOOK by Glenn Hartwi g
`
`THE KAYPRO 16 by Sieve McManon . THE KAYPRO 16 by SIeve McManon .
`
`A transportable IBM PC- and PC XT-compatible. A transportable IBM PC- and PC XT-compatible.
`
`THE OSBORNE 3 by Donna Osgood THE OSBORNE 3 by Donna Osgood
`
`A 12-pound system based on the 80C86. A 12-pound system based on the 80C86.
`
`
`
`. 226 . 226
`
`
`
`. 229 . 229
`
`. 247
`. 247
`
`
`
`. 257 . 257
`
`
`
`. 263 .2 63
`
`.272
`. 272
`.275
`. 275
`
`
`
`. 276 . 276
`
`.284
`.284
`
`
`
`226 226
`
`
`
`BY T E • SEPTEMBER 1985 BY T E • SEPTEMBER 1985
`
`BY!!- {ISS".; O1bO·~2ISU) I" published monthly with <.'ne ex tra issue per year by .vlcGraw-Hilllnc Founder lames H McGraw 11860-jl},181 Executive. editorial
`BY ! !- {ISS". 03bO-'i}/SO! I" published monthly with <.'ne ex tra issue per year by .\'lcCraw-Hilllnc Founder lames H McGraw 11860-11},181 Executive. editorial
`.. ULulation and adVerllSlnb c!fflces 70 Mam 51 Peterborough. NH 034'58 phone 16031924-9281 Office hours Mon-Thur 8 30 AM - a"30 PM . Friday
`lULulatlon and ad\'ertl~lnb c!fflces 70 Mam 51 Peterborough. NH 03 4'58 phone 1603 1 924 -9281 O ffice hou rs Mon-Thur 8 30 AM - a"30 PM . Fr iday
`.'t 10 A,\1 - 100 PM Eastern Time Add ress subscrt ptlons to BYT E Subscript ions. POB 590. Martinsvi lle. Nf 088 36 Postm aster send address changes.
`.'t 10 A ~I - 100 PM Eastern Time Address subscrtpt lons to BYTE Subscriptions. POB 590. Martinsville. Nf 08836 Postmaster send address changes.
`USPS Form 3<; 79 undeliverable copies. and fulfill me nt questions to BYTE Subscriptions. POB 596, Martinsville. NI 08836 Second-class postage paid
`USPS Form 1 <;79 undeliverable copies. and fulfillment questions to BYTE Subscriptions. POB 596, Martinsville. NI 08836 Second-class postage paid
`ci t Peterborough NH 03 J'i8 and addi tional mailing offices. Postage paid a t Winnipeg. Manitoba . Registration number 9321 Su bscriptions are 521 for
`ci t Peterborough NH 03 4;8 and addi tional mailing offices. Postage paid at Winnipeg. Manitoba. Registrati:m number 9321 Subscriptions afe 521 for
`... 'ne year 538 for tWO years and 555 fo r three years In the USA and its possessions [n Canada and Mexico. 523 for one year. 542 for two years. 56 [
`~lne year 538 for tWO years and 555 fo r three years In the USA and its possessions In Canada and Mexico. S23 for one year. 542 for two years. 56 1
`f,)r three yea rs S69 for o ne yea r air deli very to Europe 17.100 yen for one year surface delivery to lapan. 537 surface delivery elsewhere Air delivery
`f,)f three years 569 for one yea r ai r deli very 10 Euro pe 17.100 yen for one year surface delivery to lapan. 537 surface delivery elsewhere Air delivery
`I,' .,('Iecled rHeas at dddl ll,'n il l rates upo n requC''>l Smgle copy price is 51 'i0 in th e USA and its possessions S3 95 In Canada and Mexico. S4 50 In
`I,' "l'lected dl eas at dddl tl,'nal rates upon requC''>l Smgle copy price is 53 'i0 in the USA and its possessions 5395 In Canada and M e xico. 54 sO In
`I ur,)pe and 5; elsewhere For el(:n subsc fJptlons and sates should be rernllted in United States funds drawn on a U.S bank Please allow si x to eight
`I ur ... 1pe and S'i else\. here For el(:n subsc rlpllons and sates should be remllted in United States funds drawn on a U.S ba nk Please allow si x to eight
`\~ t'e k s for delivery of ft rst Issue Printed In th e United States of America
`\,t'eks for delivery of first Issue Printed In th e Uni ted States o f America
`
`
`
`COV ER PHOTO BY PAUL AVIS COV ER PHOTO BY PAUL AV IS
`
`

`
`I3~TE Se tern er
`I3~TE Se tern er
`
`WORDSTAR 2000 by Malcolm C. Rubel
`WORDSTAR 2000 by M alcolm C Rubel
`
`MicroPro makes changes to its classic. MicroPro makes changes to its classic.
`XyWRITE II PWS by Rubin Rabinovitz
`XYWRITE II PWS by Rubin Rabinovitz
`A word processor written by some of the designers o f Atex . with macro routines
`A word processor written by some o f the designers o f Atex . with macro ro utines
`and programming capability.
`and programming capability.
`FILEVISION by Seal! L. Norman ..
`FllEVISION by Scott L. Norman ....... .
`
`Da ta management with an emphasis on graphics. Data management with an emphasis on graph ics.
`DB MASTER FOR THE MACINTOSH by Jeffrey M . Jacques
`DB MASTER FOR THE MACINTOSH by Jeffrey M. Jacques
`Sto newa re·s database manager on another Appl e.
`Sto neware·s database manager on another Apple.
`PARADISE MODULAR GRAPHICS CARD by Harry Krause.
`PARADISE MODULAR GRAPHICS CARD by Harry Krause .
`A graphics boa rd for color and monochrome monitors.
`A graphics boa rd for color and monochrome monitors.
`...... . . . .
`THE RAMDISK-64 by Warren Block
`THE RAMDISK-64 by Warren Block
`Speed for the Commodore.
`Speed for the Commodore.
`KEYPORT 717 by David L. Salahi.
`KEYPORT 717 by David L. Salahi.
`
`A program mable keyboa rd for the Apple II line. A program mable keyboard for the Apple " line.
`
`· . 291
`· . 291
`
`...... 297
`..... . 297
`
`. ..... . 305
`· .. 305
`
`. . . . ....... . . . . . .... . . .. . 311
`. 311
`
`. 321
`. 321
`
`. .. . . . . . .. . . . 325
`· . 325
`
`VOLUME 10, NUMBER 9, 1985
`VOLUME 10, NUMBER 9 , 1985
`
`PICTURED ON THE COVER IS THE NEW SBI 80
`PICTURED ON THE COVER IS THE NEW SBI 80
`SINGLE-BOARD COMPUTER FROM Cl ARC IA·S
`SINGLE-BOA RD COMPUTER FROM CIARC IAS
`
`CIRCUIT CELLA R. AS WITH ALL CIRCUIT CELLAR CIRCUIT CELLAR. AS WITH ALL CIRCUIT CELLAR
`PROIECTS. THIS PRINTED-CIRCUIT BOARD WAS
`PROJECTS. THIS PRINTED·CIRCUIT BOA RD WAS
`DESIGNED BY CUSTOM PHOTO AN D DESIGN OF
`DESIGNED BY CUSTOM PHOTO AND DESIGN OF
`WALLING FORD. CONNECTICUT THE BOARD WAS
`WALLING FORD. CONNECTICUT THE BOARD WAS
`MANUFACTURED BY TECH CIRCUITS. ALSO OF
`MANUFACTURED BY TECH CIRCUITS. ALSO OF
`WALLINGFORD STEVE CIARCIA WOULD LIKE TO
`WALLINGFORD. STEVE CIARCIA WOULD LIKE TO
`EXTEND SPECIAL TH ANKS TO GREG PETERSON.
`EXTEND SPECIAL THANKS TO GREG PETERSON.
`PH IL WALTON. AN D RAY LONG FOR THEI R FAST
`PH IL WALTON. AN D RAY LONG FOR THEIR FAST
`TURNAROUND ON THIS PROIECT TO MEET
`TURNARO UND ON THI S PROIECT TO MEET
`PUBLI CATI ON DEADLI NES.
`PUBLI CATI ON DEADLI NES.
`
`. .. . 331
`. .. . 331
`
`· . 335
`· .335
`
`. 344
`. 344
`
`· . 347
`· . 347
`
`· . 382
`· . 382
`
`. .. . . 385
`· . . 385
`
`REVIEW FEEDBACK . .
`REVIEW FEEDBACK
`Readers respond to previous reviews.
`Readers respond to previous reviews.
`
`
`
`KERNEL KERNEL
`
`INTRODUCTION
`INTRODUCTION
`
`COMPUTING AT CHAOS MANOR: PCS, PERIPHERALS.
`COMPUTING AT CHAOS MANOR: PCs, PERIPHERALS.
`PROGRAMS, AND PEOPLE by Jerry Pournelle .
`PROGRAMS, AND PEOPLE by Jerry Pournelle . ..
`
`A new spreadsheet for the Mac prompts lerry to look at the concept of integrated softwa re. A new spreadsheet for the Mac prompts Jerry to look at the concept of integrated software.
`..... . . . .
`CHAOS MANOR MAIL conducled by Jerry Pournelle
`CHAOS MANOR MAil conducled by Jerry Pournelle
`Jerry·s readers write. and he replies.
`lerry"s readers write. and he replies.
`BYTE U.K.: SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF MICROCOMPUTING by Dick Pountain
`BYTE U.K.: SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF MICROCOMPUTING by Dick Pounlain
`Our U.K. correspondent brings us a brief history o f compu ti ng in Great Britai n.
`Our U.K. correspondent brings us a brief history of computing in Great Britai n.
`
`BYTE JAPAN: A HISTORY OF JAPAN'S MICROCOMPUTERS by William M. Raike. BYTE JAPAN: A HISTORY OF JAPAN'S MICROCOMPUTERS by William M . Raike.
`Bill takes a look at the progress of microcomputing from his part o f the world.
`Bill takes a look at the progress of microcomputi ng from his part o f the wor ld.
`
`ACCORDING TO WEBSTER: WEST COAST FAIRE, MAC STUFF.
`ACCORDING TO WEBSTER: WEST COAST FAIRE, MAC STUFF.
`AND THE AMIGA by Bruce Webster . . . .
`. .. . . .. .
`AND THE AMIGA by Bruce Webster .
`A tri p to the West Coast Computer Fa ire highlights Bru ce·s month.
`A trip to the West Coast Computer Faire highlights Bru ce·s month .
`MATHEMATICAL RECREATIONS: 7r , e, AND All THAT by Robert T. Kurosaka .
`MATHEMATICAL RECREATIONS: 71" , e, AND ALL THAT by Robert T Kurosaka .
`Th is month·s column looks at transcendental numbers.
`Th is month·s column looks at transcendenta l numbers.
`
`CIRCUIT CEllAR FEEDBACK conducled by Steve Ciarcia CIRCUIT CELLAR FEEDBACK conducted by Steve Ciarcia
`
`Steve answers project-related queries from readers. Steve answers project-related queries from readers.
`
`BYTELINES conducted by Sol Libes BYTELINES conducted by Sol Libes
`
`News and speculation about personal computers. News and speculation about personal computers.
`
`. 416
`.. . . • .. .. ...• . .. • ... • . . ... .416
`
`. . .• . .. . • .. .• . . .• . .. •. .. • . .. ... 418
`· .418
`
`. 395
`· . 395
`
`.401
`.401
`
`.409
`. 409
`
`272
`272
`
`EDllORIAL:
`EDllORIAL:
`TEN GOOD Y EARS.
`TEN GOOD Y EARS.
`
`MICROBYTES
`MICROBYTES
`
`LETTERS
`LETTERS
`
`WHAT S NEW
`WH ATS NEW
`
`
`
`ASK BYTE ASK BYTE
`
`FIXES AND UPDATES.
`FIXES AND UPDATES.
`
`. 6
`. 6
`.9
`. 9
`. .. . . . .. . . .. . 14
`.. . 14
`.. 33
`. 33
`. . . . . 37 , 431
`.. . .... . .. . 37 , 431
`
`CLU BS & NEWSLETTERS
`CLU BS & NEWSLETTERS.
`BOOK REVIEWS
`BOOK REVIEWS
`
`.. . 54
`. . 54
`
`. . . 57 . 57
`
`. .. 80
`EVENT Q UEUE . . .... .. . • . . . • . . .. . 80
`EVENT Q UEU E.
`
`
`
`UNCLASSIFIED A DS . U NCLASSIFIED A DS .
`
`
`BYTE· s O NGOING M ONllOR Box. BYTE· s O NGOING M ON llOR Box.
`BOMB RESULTS
`BOMB RESULTS
`
`. .485
`. . 485
`
`.486
`.486
`
`. 487
`· . .487
`
`..... . 44
`. . 44
`
`READER SERVICE
`READER SERVICE
`
`Address all edi tOrial correspondence to the Editor. BYTE. POB 372 . Hancock NH 0) 449 Unacceptable manuscripts Will be relUrned if accom panied
`Add ress all edl lonal correspondence to the Editor. BYTE. POB 37 2. Hancock NH 0 ] 44 9 Unacceplable manuscripts will be relUrned if accompanied
`by suffiCIent first-class postage Not responsible for lost manuscripts or photos Opinions expressed by the au thors are not necessarily those o f BYTE
`by sufllclent first-class postage Not responsible lor lost manuscripts or photos Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessa rily those of BYTE
`
`Copynght © 1985 by McG ra ..... ·Hlll lnc All rif$hts reserved n-ademark registered in the Uni ted States Patent and Trademark Office Where necessary. Copynghl © 1985 by McCraw·HIIi Inc All ril$hts reserved Tl"ademark registered In the United Stales Patent and Trademark Office Where necessary
`permisslcn LS granted by the cOPYright owner for libra ries and ot hers registered w,th the COPYright Clea rance Center ICCCI to pho tocopy any article
`permLSSLcn is gramed by the coPYright owner for libraries and others registered w,th the Copyright Clea rance Center I(CCI to pho tocopy any article
`herem fot the flat fee of SI SO per copy o f the artlcte or any part thereof Correspondence and payment should be sent directly to the CCc. 29 Congress
`herem fOI the flat fee of SI SO per copy of the artLcle or any part thereof Correspondence and pa~'menl should be sent directly to the CCc. 29 Congress
`5t Salem MA 01 970 Specify 15SN 0 360·5280183 51 50 CopyIng d one for other than personal or mternal reference use Wll h OUI the permis-
`51 Salem MA 01 9 70 Spe<tfy ISSN 0160·528018 3 SI 50 Copyi ng done for other than personal or Internal reference use 'Nll hOUI the permiS-
`
`sion of McGraw-Hili Inc IS ~rohibited Requests for special permission o r bulk orders should be addressed to the publi sher BYTE Is available e
`sion ~f McGraw-Hili Inc IS prohibited Requests for special permissIon o r bulk orders should be addressed to the publi sher BYTE Is available e
`
`In microform from University MIC rofilms Internationa l. 300 North Zeeb Rd Dept PR, An n Arbor 1\01148106 or 18 Bedford Row Dept PR o ~
`m mIC ro form from Universi ty M ic ro fi lms Internationa l. 300 Nonh Zeeb Rd Dept PR o An n Arbor MI 48106 or 18 Bedford Row Dept PRo ~
`London WCI R 4EI Engla nd
`London WCI R 4EI England
`Subscription questions or p roblems should be add ressed to: BYTE Subscriber Service. POB 328 Hancock. NH 0 311 49
`Subscriptio n questions or problems should be addressed to: BYTE Subscriber Se rvice. POB 328. Hancock. NH 031\49
`
`
`
`SECTION A RT BY ROB ERT TINN EY SECTION ART BY ROB ERT TINNEY
`
`344
`344
`
`SEPTEMBER 1985 • BY T E
`SEPTEMBER 1985 • BY T E
`
`

`
`
`
`Inquiry 269 Inquiry 269
`
`IEEE-488 Interfaces"and
`IEEE-488 Interfaces 'and
`Bus ExtendersF-o .. :
`Bus ExtendersF-or:
`IBM PC, PCjr IBM PC, PCjr
`
`& COMPATIBLES
`" COMPATIBLES
`DEC UNIBUS, Q~BUS
`DEC UNIBUS, O~ BUS
`& RAINBOW 100
`& RAINBOW 100
`
`MULTIBUS, VMEbus MULTIBUS, VMEbus
`
`STD & S-100 STD & S-100
`
`
`FuIlIEEE-488 functionality, with the 1)10st com(cid:173)FuIlIEEE-488 functionality, with the f110st com(cid:173)
`
`prehensive language and operating system cover(cid:173)prehensive language and ope[ating system cover(cid:173)
`age in the industry. It takes experience to make
`age in the industry. It takes exp~rien'cef to make
`I~EE-488, systems work with nel\ny 4QQO devices ,
`II;EE-488:systems work with nelliiy 4QQO devices
`
`available frem more than 500 different manufac(cid:173)available frem more than 500 different manufac(cid:173)
`
`turers, and experience is what enables National turers, and experience is what enables'National
`
`Instruments Instruments
`
`to to
`
`
`take take
`the GPIB to the GPIB to
`
`the the
`
`second power and beyond. second power and beyond.
`
`Your personal guarantee of unsurpassed
`Your personal guarantee of unsurpassed
`
`~'l~~~-':o~~f~~8tl~dl:~1~:~a"~\O.".;cess ~A~~~-,:o~~ff1~8tl~dl~~1~:r;~\Oa".;cess
`to lOa + ma;-,years of GPI,~ experience.
`to 100 + man-,years of GPI,B,ext;>erlence.
`
`V NATIONAL V NATIONAL
`
`
`11 ~!~!~~TS 11 ~!~!~~!!TS
`
`
`~ Austin, TX 78727 ~ Austin, TX 78727
`512/250-9119
`1-800-531 -5066
`1-800-531-5066
`512/250-9119
`Telex: 758737 NAT INST AUS
`Telex: 756737 NAT INST AUS
`
`IBM and pelr care lractemarks of 100ernaiionai BusinesS MaGhloes. MUL'TI·
`IBM and PClrcare trademarks of International Business Machines. MUL'TI·
`BUS ~. a trad'mark 01 Inlel" DEC, UNIBUS, a·BUS, and RainboW 100 are
`BUS ~. a trademark 01 Inlel" QEC, UNIBUS, O·BUS, and RainboW 100 are
`Irademarks 01 Dlgilal EquIpment Corporation.
`Irademarks 01 Digital Equipment Corporation.
`
`4
`4
`
`B Y T E • SEPTEMBER 1985
`B Y T E • SEPTEM BER 1985
`
`
`
`El~TE El~TE
`
`
`ED ITOR IN CHIEF ED ITOR IN CHIEF
`
`PHILIP LEMMONS PHILIP LEMMONS
`
`MANAGING EDITOR, PRINT MANAGING EDITOR, PRINT
`
`GF:\F. SMARTE GF:\F. SMARTE
`MANAGING EDITOR .
`MANAGING EDITOR .
`ELECTRONIC PUBLISH ING AND COMMUNICATIONS
`ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING AND COMMUNICATIONS
`GEORGE BOND
`GEORGE BOND
`CONSULTING EDITORS
`CONSULTING EDITORS
`STEVE ClARC1A
`STEVE ClARC1A
`IERRY POURNELLE
`I ERRY POURNELLE
`BRUCE WEBSTER
`BRUCE WEBSTER
`
`SENIOR TECHN ICAL EDITORS SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITORS
`
`G, M ICHAEL VOSE. Themes G, M ICHAE L VOSE. Themes
`
`GREGG W ILLI AMS GREGG W ILLI AMS
`
`TECHNICAL EDITORS TECHNICAL EDITORS
`
`THOMAS R. CLUNE THOMAS R. CLUNE
`ION R EDWARDS
`ION R EDWARDS
`RICI-IARD GREHAN
`RICI-IARD GREHAN
`GLENN HARTWIG. Rel'i~'U's G LENN HARTW IG. Rel'it'U'$
`
`KF.:\ SHELDON
`KF.:\ SHELDON
`
`IA .\ ' E MORRILL T/\ZELA,\R IA .\ ' E MORRILL T/\ZELA/\R
`
`CHARLES D. WESTON CHA RLES D. WESTON
`
`EVA WH ITE EVA WH ITE
`
`STANLEY WSZO LA STANLEY WSZO LA
`MARGARET COO K GURNEY . Associat~' MARGARET COO K GURNEY . Assoria/t'
`
`ALAN [,\STON. Draftill:/
`ALAN [,\ STON. DmftilJ:/
`
`NEWS AND TECHNOLOGV NEWS AND TECHNOLOGV
`
`EZRA SHAPIRO . Blneatl CMef Sail Frallcisco EZR A SHAPIRO. Blnt'au (Mef Sal! Fral!cisco
`I~I C H MALLOY. Sellior Tl'clinical Edilo/,. Nell ' Yorfl
`1~ICI·t MALLOY. Senior Tl'cllnical Editor . Nett' Yorfl
`PHILLIP ROBINSON . Sflliar Techllieal Edilor. Palo AIIO
`PHILLIP ROBINSON. Sfllior Teclilliwl Edi/or. Palo AIIO
`TONY LOCKWOOD. Senior News Editor. Peler(JOroll~lrl
`TONY LOCKWOOD. Sellior News Editor. Peler(JOfOIl~lrl
`
`ASSOC IATE NEWS EDITORS ASSOC IATE NEWS EDITORS
`DE~N I S BARKER . PeledJ(lrO[lgh
`DE:-JN IS BARKER . PeICdJ(lr(l[lgh
`BRENDA McL.'\UGHLIN. Sal! Francisco
`BRENDA McL.'\UGHLIN. San Francisco
`LVNNE M . NADEAU . Pelerborough
`LVNNE M , N ADEAU . PClrrfJorDugfi
`
`MARK WE LCH. Sail Fro/Kisco MARK WE LCH. Sail Fro/Kisco
`
`
`CONTR IBUTING EDITORS CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
`IONATHAN AMSTERDM ... I . t'ro!lrmHuling projects
`ION ATHAN AMSTERDM ... I . t,rO!lrm/1uling projccts
`
`MARK DAHMKE, video. (lvera/iug syslems MARK DAHMKE , video. (lperatiug systems
`MARK HAAS. at large
`MARK HAAS. a/ large
`RIK IADRNICEK. CAD. gmpJlics. spreatlsht~'15
`RIK IADRNICEK. CAD. gmpJlics. sprec1t/sJltt'ts
`
`MARK KLEIN . COI)11H1HlicaliollS MARK KLEIN . comllwl1icaliollS
`A LASTAIR J. W. M~\YER . software
`A LASTAIR J. W . M~\YER . software
`;\ L,\N MILLER . 11H!!luages ami CIIgillceriJl~1
`/\ L,\ N MILLER . 11H!!ltwges ami ('IIgillct'riJl~1
`
`IO HN C. NASH. sciclltific computing IO HN C. NASH. scientific compu/ing
`
`DICK POUNTAIN . U.K. DICK POUNTA IN . U.K.
`WILLIAM M . RA IKE . )apC/J1
`WILLIAM M . RA IKE. lapell!
`
`PERRY SA IDMAN. compu/e/,s (Iud lau PERRY SA IDMAN. WII1PU/('fS (Iud lau
`ROBERT STERNE . comptltl'rs and law
`ROBERT STERNE . complltl'rs and law
`
`
`COPY EDITORS COPY EDITORS
`I3UD SADLER . Cllief
`I3UD SADLER . C/lief
`
`DE~NIS BARKER DE~NIS BARKER
`ELIZABETH COOPER
`ELIZABETH COOPER
`
`ANNE L. FISCHER ANNE L. FISCHER
`
`NANCY HAYES NANCY HAYES
`
`LVNNE M . NADEAU LVNNE M. NADEAU
`
`PAULA NOONAN PAULA NOONAN
`
`lOAN VIGNEAU ROY lOAN VIGNEAU ROY
`
`WARREN WILLIAMSO N WARREN WILLIAMSO N
`
`
`ASSISTANTS ASSISTANTS
`PEGGY DUNHAM Office I\ltwwgrr
`PEGG Y DUNHAM Office I\ltwwger
`
`M,\RTHA H ICKS M,\RTHA H ICKS
`
`CATHY KINGERY CATHY KINGERY
`IU NE N. SHELDON
`IUNE N. SHELDON
`
`ART
`ART
`
`ROSSLYN A . FRICK . Art Director ROSSLYN A . FRICK. Art Director
`
`NANCY RICE . Associate Art Director NANC Y RICE . Associate Art Director
`
`
`PRODUCT ION PRODUCTION
`D,WID R, ANDERSON. ProducliOl1 Din'(tor
`D,WID R, ANDERSON . ProdUC/iOII Dimtor
`
`DENISE CHARTRAND DENISE CHARTRAND
`M ICHAEL l. LONS KY
`M ICHAEL). LONS KY
`
`JAN MULLER JAN MULLER
`
`
`SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
`
`HARRY L. BROWN HARRY L . BROWN
`
`PUBLISHER 'S ASS IST ANT PUBLISHER 'S ASSIST ANT
`
`BEVERLY JACKSON BEVERLY JACKSON
`
`
`PERSONNEL PERSONNEL
`CHERYL HURD , Office Mmwger
`CHERYL HURD , Office Mmwger
`
`PATR IClr\ BURKE. Perso/lllei Coordil1ator PATR IClr\ BURKE. Personnel Coordil1ator
`
`
`ADVERTIS ING SALES 1603·924·6137) ADVERTIS ING SALES 1603·924·6137 )
`
`DDIN IS I. R ILEY. Direc/or of Still'S and M(lrf(~'t ill~' DE\,N IS l. RILEY . Director (If Still'S (lnd M(lrf(l'till~'
`
`S,\NDRA FOSTER. Administrative Assis/ant SAN DRA FOSTER. Adminislrative Assistal11
`
`ADVERTIS ING/PRODUCTION 1603·924-64481 ADVERTIS ING/PRODUCTION 1603·924-64481
`LISA WOZMAK . Supervisor
`LISA WOZMAK. Supervisor
`ROBERT D. HANNINGS 5£'l1ior MWUIl/ Coordilhl/clI
`ROBERT D. HAN NINGS Senior MWUIl/ (oordilhiltll
`
`M/\RION CARLSON MARION CARLSON
`KAR EN CILLEY
`KAREN CILLEY
`LYD!\ CLARK
`LYD~\ CL~\R K
`
`MICH ELE G ILMORE MICHELE G ILMORE
`
`DENISE PROClOR DENISE PROClOR
`
`\VAl O-I IU LL OI/(/lit[I COl1lrol Mal1t1yn' \VAl CI-I IU LI. Olwlit[I COIllrol Mal1t1~rr
`JULIE NELSON. Adlwlisill!/ Produ(lioll Coordilla/m'
`JU LI E NELSON. AdI'i'fIiSil1!/ PrMuclioli Coort/illt/lm'
`
`
`CIRCULATION 1800·258-54851 CIRCULATION 1800·258-548 51
`GI~EGORY Sr ITZFADEN. Dire(/m'
`GI~EGO RY SP ITZFADEN . Dir£'(/(1I'
`ANDREW I,\CKSON . SU[)5{riptions M(/l!a!1l'f
`ANDREW I,\CKSON. SU[)5{riv/iolls M(/l!a!1cf
`CAT HY A. RUTHERFORD. Assistant Mmwljcr
`CAT HY A . RUTHERFORD. Assistant Mmwgcf
`LAURIE SEAMANS. Assistmll Mallager
`LAURIE SEAMANS. Assistant Mallager
`
`SUSAN BOYD SUSAN BOYD
`
`PHIL DECHERT PHIL D EC HERT
`
`MARY EMERSON MARY EMERSON
`
`LOUISE MENEGUS LOUISE MENEGUS
`
`AGNES E. PERRY AGNES E. PERRY
`I E .\'~·>lII·"[R PR ICE iE.\,\, IFER PR ICE
`
`JM .. 1ES BING HAM . Single-Copy 5.1/('5 Manaqcr
`JM .. 1ES BING HAM . Sillg/c-COV!I Sales Mallaql'l"
`
`LINDA RUTH. Assistmll Mmwyrr LINDA RU TH. Assistmlt Mmwger
`
`CAROL AHa CA ROL AHO
`
`CLAUDETTE CARSWELL CLAUDETTE CARSWELL
`KAREN DESROCHES
`KAR EN DESROCHES
`
`
`MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MARKETING COMMUN ICATIONS
`HORIKE T. HOWLAND, Dim/or !603-q211-Jd24J
`HORAC E T. HOWLAND, Dim/or !603-q211-Jd24J
`
`VI CKI REYNOLDS. MarkrtilUI ['rMllc/roli MlllwaCI VI CKI REYNOLDS. Marke/ iml ProdlictiOH MalwaCI
`PRISCILL;\ ARNOLD, Mark/:UII(/ Assist£lH/
`.
`PR ISCILL;\ ARi'!OLD. Mtll'kj:Ung AssistclHl
`.
`
`STEP HANIE WARNESKY. Marketing Art DirC(/{l1 STEPHAN IE WAR NESKY. Marketing Art Dif('(/(ll
`
`SHARON PRICE. Assistant Art Direc/or SHARON PRICE. Assistant Art Dire(/or
`DOUG WEBSTER . Director of Publi( RelatiollS (603-Q24-q0271
`DOUG WEBSTER . Director of Public Rela/iollS (603-Q24-q0271
`
`WILBUR S. WATSON. Opera/iolls Manager. Exf!ibit5 WILBUR S. WATSON . Operations Manager. Exflibits
`
`
`PLANN ING AND DEVELDPMENT PLANN ING AND DEVELOPMENT
`
`M ICHELE P. VERV ILLE, Manager M ICHELE P. VERV ILLE, Manager
`PI\TR ICIA AKERLEY. Resrarcli Mm1afl!'1
`PI\TR ICIA A KER LEY. Rcsrarcli Mm1afll'I'
`CY .\,THIA DAMAIO SA:\DS, Reall!"r Serl'icl' C(ltll"tiillat(lr
`CY .\,TH I A DAMAIO SA:\DS, Rl'al/l"f Serdcl' CIltmiillator
`
`FAITH KLUNTZ. Copyrig{lts Coordinator FAITH KLUNTZ. (OPWig{lts (oordinator
`
`
`. MANUFACTURING/FINANCE/SERV ICES . MANUFACTURING/FINANCE/SERVICES
`DANIEL RODRIGUES . Director
`DANIEL RODRIGUES . Dirc(tor
`
`ACCOUNT ING ACCOUNTING
`KF.~~ETH A. KING . N~i~talll C(lli/rolll'r
`KF.~\,ETH A . KI NG. N~i~teHiI C(1I1/ral/!'1'
`
`VICKI WESlO ~ . Aaoumillg Mmwqrl' VICKI W ESlON. Aaoul1lillg Mallaqrr
`
`L I:-.IDA SHORT. DIP Manager L I:-.IDA SHORT. Di P Manager
`
`. .
`
`EDSON W,\RE. Credit EDSON W,\RE. Credit
`
`MAR IE CAGGIANI MAR IE (AGGIANI
`MARILYN HAIGH MARILYN HAIGH
`
`
`DIANE HENRY DIANE HENRY
`
`VERN ROC KWELL VERN ROC KWELL
`
`loANN WALTER IOANN WALTER
`TYPOGRAPHY
`TYPOGRAPHY
`SHERRY MCCARTH Y. Chie[ Typographer
`SHERRY MCCARTHY Chip[ Typographl'f
`
`NAN FORNAL NAN FORNAL
`
`LEN loRETTE LEN loRETTE
`
`DONNA SWEENEY DONNA SWEENEY
`
`BUILD ING SERVICES/TRAFFIC BUILDING SERVICES/TRAFFIC
`ANTHONY BENNETT. Building Servi(rs Managl'1
`ANTHONY BENNETT. Building Services Managel
`
`BRIAN H IGG INS Br~IAN H IGG INS
`
`MARK MONKTON MARK MONKTON
`
`RECEPTIONISTS RECEPTIONISTS
`L. RYAN MC(OMBS
`L . RYAN MCCOMBS
`CHERYL CASTRO. Assistalll
`C HERYL CASTRO. Ass;stallt
`
`
`
`.-in II tionaL Senioc Vice Presidenls FranCIS A Shinal. Controller: Robert C Violette, Manufacturing and Technology Semo r Vice Presidents and .-in II lional. Senior Vice Presidenls FranCIS A Shi na l. Conlroller: Robert C Violette, Manu facturing and Technology Selllo r Vice Presidents an d
`
`
`Editorial and Business Office: 70 Main Slreel Petecbocough New Ham p..,h,re 03 <1 58. 16011 92 ,1-9281 Editorial and Business Office: 70 Main Sireet Peteebocough New Hamp ... hlre 03<158. 16031 92 ,1·9281
`West Coast Offices: ,\lcGraw·HIII ;12 5 Bauery S( Sa n Francisco. CA 9·11 1 I 1'( I 'il M2-4600
`West Coast Offices: ,\1(C raw·HIII ,125 Bauery 51 Sa n Francisco. CA 9·11 1 \ I-I I 'il l62-4600
`
`\l l"G raw·H ili 1000 Elwell (,'Iln Palo All" CA ().11m 1·11' 1 96:1·062·1 1·11'1 96:1·062·1 \l cG raw·Hili 1000 Elwell (,111ft Palo AlIC" CA 1).11 m
`
`
`New York Office: 1221 ,\venue o f the Amencas New Vo rk NY \0020 12121,11·1000 New York Office: 1221 ,-\venue o f the Amencas New Yo rk NY 10020 121 21, 12·2000
`
`.. , ~ Ofhcer~ ... ,1 .\\l (,r<lw· Hll1lnformilllo n Sy--!t.'m.; Company f'lreside nl 1~ll hclrd H l'vlil1er Exect!ll\t' \ ·'1 ... • (lre'ldenb Fl edentk (l l,mr10 !! C("In · .. , ~ Ofhcer~ ... ,1 .\\l (,ra w·Hll1lnfo rmall(\11 Sy..;t<;.·m.; Company f'lresidelll 1~ ll hclrd H ," I iller EXeCUII\t' \ ·'1 ... • Pre'ldenb Fl edenc!.:. P 1,11111011 C("IIl '
`tI ~
`tJ ~
`
`struction Information Group: Russell C Whi te, Computers and Commu nica tions Informall ..... 'll Gro up. I Thomas Ryan Mmkelll1g and Imerna· str uclion Informal ion Group: Russell C Whi le, Computers and Co mmunica tions Informallo ll Gro up. I Tho mas Ryan Mm kelll1g and Imerna·
`
`
`Publishers: Laurence Allman . ElecHonics Week : Harry L. Brown. BYTE and Popular Computing: David J. McGrath. Construction Publicallons Publishers: Laurence Altman . EleCHOntCS Week : Harry L. Brown. BYTE and Popular Computing: David J. McGrath. ConstrUClion Publicallo ns
`•
`•
`
`Group Vice President: Peter B McCuen. Communications Information Vice President Fred O. lensen. Planning and Develo pment Group Vice President: Peter B McCuen. Communi catio ns Informal ion Vice President: Fred O. lensen. Planning and Develo pment
`Ollicers of McGraw·Hill. Inc Harold W. McGraw Ir . Chairma n: loseph L. Dionne. Presiden t and Chief Executive Officer: Roben N Landes Executive
`O/ficers of McGraw·Hill. Inc Harold W. McG raw Jr . Chairman : loseph L. Dionne. Presiden t and Chief Executive Officer: Roben N Landes Executive
`
`Vice President and Secretary, Ralph J Webb. Vice President and Treasurer: Shel F, Asen. Vice President. Manufacluring. George R E1slnger. Vice Presl' Vice President and Secrelary, Ralph J Webb. Vice President and Treasurer: Shel F, Asen. Vice Presiden\. Manufacturing. George R E1slnger. Vice Presl'
`
`dent. Circulation : Ralph R Schulz , Senior Vice President, Editorial (Publishmg Operations) dent. Circulation : Ralph R Schulz , Senior Vice President, Editorial (Publishing OperationSI
`
`

`
`W·H·A·T'S N·E·W
`W·H·A·T'S N·E·W
`
`Application Environ(cid:173)
`Application Environ(cid:173)
`ment for Apple lie
`ment for Apple lie
`
`
`
`FIRST LOOK FIRST LOOK
`
`
`
`T he SwyftCard from In(cid:173)T he SwyftCard from In(cid:173)
`
`
`formation Appliance formation Appliance
`
`Inc. is a text-oriented data(cid:173)Inc. is a text-oriented data(cid:173)
`
`handling product based in handling product based in
`ROM that comes as an add(cid:173)
`ROM that comes as an add(cid:173)
`
`in card for the Apple lie in card for the Apple lie
`
`The brainchild of Jef Raskin, The brainchild of Jef Raskin.
`former head of the Apple
`former head of the Apple
`Macintosh development team, Macintosh development team,
`
`
`the ca rd offers word-process(cid:173)the card offers word-process(cid:173)
`ing, information-retrieval.
`ing. information-retrieval.
`
`program-development. cal(cid:173)program-development. cal(cid:173)
`
`culation, and telecommunica(cid:173)culation. and telecommunica(cid:173)
`tions capabilities in an inte(cid:173)
`tions ca pabilities in an inte(cid:173)
`grated package.
`grated package.
`The SwyftCard envi ron(cid:173)
`The SwyftCard environ(cid:173)
`ment is designed for speed
`ment is designed for speed
`Because the program re(cid:173)
`Because the program re(cid:173)
`sides in firmware, there is
`sides in firmware. there is
`no need to access a disk for
`no need to access a disk for
`program information. All
`program information. All
`data manipulation occurs in
`data manipulation occurs in
`memory, roughly 40K bytes
`memory. roughly 40K bytes
`on a 64K-byte Apple lie. The
`on a 64K-byte Apple lie. The
`
`SwyftCard uses a disk for(cid:173)SwyftCard uses a disk for(cid:173)
`
`mat that equates one disk mat that equates one disk
`to that 40K-byte figure: this
`to that 40K-byte figure: this
`wastes some disk c;apacity,
`wastes some disk capacity.
`but the only times the pro(cid:173)
`but the only times the pro(cid:173)
`gram really has to use the
`gram really has to use the
`disk drive are at the begin(cid:173)
`disk drive are at the begin(cid:173)
`ning of a wor