Compass Compiler Assembler Package

After trying to use the COMPASS Compiler for three days, and becoming very frustrated, I decided to give up. This compiler is the best I have seen for the Timex computer, but it still has a lot of shortcomings. (Editor Note: as far as we know, this is the only integer Basic compiler that is presently available for the TS 2068) I believe that it can only be used on less than 25% of your BASIC programs. It cannot do curved graphics because it will not compile trig functions.

Although the instructions say that the program will compile PAUSE statements, I found that the program seemed to lock-up in a loop when told to compile PAUSE. The following are BASIC commands that cannot be compiled: SQR, SIN, COS, TAN, INT, and ABS. Also, RND is not totally acceptable in the only form allowed in BASIC for the compiler. The compiler program appears to have been offered for sale before it was completed.

The assembler portion of the program, although not on the level of the Zeus Assembler (available from Softsync), it is very well written and has several features that the Zeus does not have. It allows for the addition of explanations along side of the preassembled listing of the op-codes. Also, multiple op-code statements on each line are allowed.

This Compass compiler/assembler package will be a very useful tool when the above commands are incorporated into it.