[colorforth] colorForth Discription

["pattenre" <pattenre@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Please correct errors, make additions deletions sugestions until this is
correct.
Robert

My computer has a dictionary for my use.
 The first list of words in the dictionary,   name the
computer's machine instructions that I need. They include words that allow
information input,  output and storage, basic logic and math. This list is
named  macro because these words usually  build their action into the
command stream.
 The second list of words in the dictionary name entries, in
the command stream,   that I can use at the keyboard to control
the computer.  This list is Forth.  Words not found  in the
dictionary are flagged with a question mark? and the word source is returned
to the keyboard for  me to correct the word problem and then to continue.
Some words get data, some words act on the data, some words put data away.
A very few words do all three and are called programs or applications.
Needed data is gathered to the  data stack, acted on  and put away or told
when no longer needed.  Factoring or separating  this process into simple
well named words, aids in testing  understanding and simplifying and reuse
in other word definitions.   A red word creates an entry into the command
stream and it's name and address is placed at the beginning of the current
word and associated address list so that it can be found. Yellow words found
in the forth word list start action now in the command stream where they
were created  in red.  Cyan words found in  the macro or forth list and
green words found in the forth list compile their  call entry into  the
command stream delaying action until executed.     Green words found in the
macro list are executed now probably compiling it's machine  action into the
command stream for later execution.  The if  words split  the command stream
into a true stream ; then a false stream ; The green word ; ends a command
stream by compiling a return or if the last word is a call change it to a
jump allowing loops to form in the command stream.  A cyan ;  will defer
ending the command stream until  execution of this word definition.
Integer Littorals are computed with yellow words  and taken from the stack
and put into the command stream only before the following  green word.
Yellow numbers are put on the stack.  Green numbers are put in the command
stream and when executed are put on the stack.  Yellow and green numbers are
decimal integers,  darker numbers are hexadecimal integers. White words are
comments. Magenta words define variables with the following cell in the word
stream  it's value.  The word stream can come from me via the keyboard or
from preedited  numbered blocks of less than 256 words.
 Now go forth and create your Color  world.

w - white words (execute)
· r - red words (define)
· g - green words (compile)
· m - magenta words (variable)
· c - cyan words (compile macros)
· t - white (text, comment) words
· C - text words with first character capitalized
· S - text words, all caps

Colorforth is based on a Forth with a   "cell sized word token"  having two
parts, the  name and the action.  The name can be compressed to increase the
characters  or uniqueness represented in  the name.  The action is an index
into the action table of  possible actions and is placed in the lower bits
of the token for efficiency. Each action is assigned a unique color, shape,
sound, or feel depending  on the needs of the user for identifing the action
of the word.

· define   Red word marks here in the command stream as the execution entry
point.   When the word stream is loaded, this name and address is placed at
the head of  the current word and associated address list. When the word is
used again  it refers to this entry point.
· execution  Words in yellow  are  executed if found in the forth word list.
· compile    Cyan  words are compiled.  Can be used to defer the action  of
a macro word until the definition is executed.
· execute/compile  If the green word is found in the macro word list, it is
executed.  if found in the Forth word list it is compiled into the command
stream.
· Constant  is a compiled literal and  happens  when there is a transition
from  yellow word to a green word.  Yellow words should be used to compute
the value of the literal.



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