THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rodwelch@pacbell.net


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: January 5, 2009 06:49 AM Monday; Rod Welch

Morris visit in Saratoga to see Medit progress.

1...Summary/Objective
2...SDS Code and Records Updated on Morris' Computer in Saratoga
3...Medit Java Application 32-bit and 64-bit Technology
4...Assembly Language Update Medit for 64-bit Technology


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CONTACTS 

SUBJECTS
Default Null Subject Account for Blank Record

0403 -
0403 -    ..
0404 - Summary/Objective
0405 -
040501 - Follow up ref SDS 11 0000. ref SDS 6 0000.
040502 -
040503 -
040504 -
040505 -
040506 -
040508 -  ..
0406 -
0407 -
0408 - Progress
040901 -  ..
040902 - SDS Code and Records Updated on Morris' Computer in Saratoga
040903 -
040904 - Updated SDS code for Morris from 081114, that was the last time Welch
040905 - records were updated on his computer. ref SDS 6 YD98  Tried this on
040906 - 081204, but ran out of time, ref SDS 11 JF8J, so did it today from
040907 - 080901.
040909 -  ..
040910 - Today, deleted all of SDS, including records and files, and installed
040911 - from c15 by copying files to Morris' computer.
040912 -
040913 -
040915 -  ..
040916 - Medit Java Application 32-bit and 64-bit Technology
040917 -
040918 - On 081204, Morris installed Java on c15, ref SDS 11 AH8J, so we can
040919 - begin working with the new Java version of Medit, per planning on
040920 - 081123, ref SDS 9 RO4X, for meeting today scheduled on 081126.
040921 - ref SDS 10 G859
040923 -  ..
040924 - This shows up as "Netbeans" icon on the desktop in top right corner.
040926 -  ..
040927 - Today, Morris worked on dash macro commands, including the if command,
040928 - which seems to be working now.  He plans to expand if commands to
040929 - include....
040930 -
040931 -         then
040932 -         or
040933 -         else
040935 -  ..
040936 - Morris will add support for nested @ processing for counters.
040938 -  ..
040939 - During the meeting, he debugged several issues.
040941 -  ..
040942 - Morris feels that SDS development may work better with Java tools,
040943 - rather than Medit debug commands.  We reviewed advantages of
040944 - continuity for the initial work product of Java Medit code.
040946 -  ..
040947 - Morris noted that working with Java debugging tools provides a path
040948 - for geater use of the underlying Java development code.
040950 -  ..
040951 - In about 2 weeks, he feels there will be enough code to begin testing
040952 - at least aspects of SDS macro ops.
040953 -
040954 -
040956 -  ..
040957 - Assembly Language Update Medit for 64-bit Technology
040958 -
040959 - Follow up ref SDS 11 V24F.
040960 -
040961 - Morris did some research today on the Internet for projects that
040962 - update line-of-business 16-bit assemply applications to 32-bit and/or
040963 - 64-bit software that runs on Microsoft quad-core Vista operating
040964 - system.  He found no guidance on resolving complications updating
040965 - existing code.  Morris cited a Microsoft recommendation to re-write
040966 - 16-bit assembly applications into C software programs.
040968 -  ..
040969 - Morris explained again today that current Intel quad-core 64-bit
040970 - processors incorporate previous 16-bit and 32-bit architectures.
040971 - However to run 16-bit applications, the processor must be set for that
040972 - mode, and then cannot run 32-bit nor 64-bit software.  The default
040973 - mode for Intel 64-bit processors also support 32-bit software, but not
040974 - 16-bit applications.
040976 -  ..
040977 - Morris indicated that transforming current Medit 16-bit assembly into
040978 - 32-bit code that will run on 64-bit Intel microprocessors is
040979 - complicated by...
040980 -
040981 -    1.  The medit program written in 16 bit assembly writes directly to
040982 -        hardware registers in the VGA graphics controller operating in
040983 -        text mode.  Microsoft Windows support for DOS (NTVD) emulated
040984 -        this functionality in 32 bit mode.  This is mapped differently
040985 -        in 64 bit modes.  (Writes directly to the "metal")
040987 -         ..
040988 -    2.  This change in memory mapping requires modifying about every
040989 -        3rd line of code for Medit from using segment registers to a
040990 -        memory indexing system.
040992 -  ..
040993 - In discussion, Morris seemed to present a number of issues that
040994 - complicate converting the current Medit 16-bit application to run on
040995 - 64-bit technology, which essentially requires developing the code for
040996 - 32-bit design.
040998 -  ..
040999 - We discussed developing some examples of this change to the current
041000 - Medit code.  Morris feels there is not enough time, because he wants
041001 - to invest all of his time to the current Medit Java application.
041002 -
041003 -
041004 -
041005 -
041006 -
041007 -
041008 -
041009 -
0411 -