INTRO TO SPHINX C-- (updated 14 Sept 1994)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and welcome to SPHINX C--. C-- is a language I (Peter Cellik)
created, it is a half way point between C and Assembly. The main thought
behind C-- is to create very small, and hopefully fast programs. The output
efficiency is close to assembly with the source file being similar to C and
thus more readable that assembly source. C-- can be used as a stand alone
language, or, via the use of Microsoft compatible OBJ output, be used within
another language such as C++ or Borland Pascal.

C-- is now distributed in two ZIP files (one was too big for some):
C--C????.ZIP === SPHINX C-- Compiler, Work Bench and header files.
C--EX???.ZIP === all the example programs for SPHINX C--.

This is version 0.200 of the SPHINX C-- Compiler. This ZIP file should be
named C--C0200.ZIP.

A vast and very useful collection of example programs is available in the
other ZIP file (C--EX???.ZIP).

At time of release of this ZIP file, the most current version of the C--
example package is 1.00, and should be found in a ZIP file called
C--EX100.ZIP.


REQUIREMENTS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
System Requirements:
- 8086 or higher CPU computer
- DOS 3.0 or greater
- 512K RAM or greater
- Keyboard (I should hope)
- a hard drive will really speed things up, though C-- can even run off a
floppy if you are not in a hurry
- a mouse may assist navigation through the C-- Work Bench, but the
keyboard can be used instead
- some of the example files require VGA display, if you do not have VGA
you are missing out on life

Programmer Requirements (uh-oh):
- Brain (a good one too)
- Reasonable understanding of C or similar high level language
- Some 8086 or higher assembly knowledge, the more the better


FILE LIST:
~~~~~~~~~~
The following files should be included in the C--C????.ZIP package:

.\C-- EXE // The SPHINX C-- Compiler
.\C-- OVL // File required by C--.EXE
.\WB COM // C-- Work Bench Driver
.\WB EXE // C-- Work Bench Main Program
.\C--INFO DOC // Info on the C-- Programming Language
.\C--ASM DOC // Info on C-- Inline Assembly Language
.\STAKPROC DOC // Info on C-- stack procedures
.\REGPROCS DOC // Info on C-- REG procedures and macros
.\WBHELP DOC // Info on using the C-- Work Bench
.\ALLPROCS DOC // List of all stack and REG procedures and macros
.\???????? H-- // Some C-- header files
.\README DOC // This file your reading


HOW TO START:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UnZIP the C--C????.ZIP package.
UnZIP the C--EX????.ZIP package using the '-d' option.

Next, set the 'C--' environmental variable to the full path of the directory
you unzipped into. C-- uses the 'C--' environmental variable to find the
compiler, help files and include files. For example, if you unzipped C--
into the directory 'C:\C--', then you would type:

SET C--=C:\C--

You may wish to add the above line to your 'AUTOEXEC.BAT'.

You may then type WB at the DOS prompt to start the C-- Work Bench. Take a
look at some the *.C-- example files. Press F3 to load and F5 to compile and
run.

Be sure to be in the same directory as the source file(s) for the *.C-- file
may need to load some other files, such as palettes and bitmaps. Use the
'Change Dir...' command in the 'File' menu to change directories.

After you get a taste of what it can do, take a look at the file 'C--INFO.DOC'
for information on how to program in C--. 'C--INFO.DOC' can be viewed in the
C-- Work Bench by pressing or selecting 'Main General Help' from
the 'Help' menu.


THE PRICE:
~~~~~~~~~~
This version of C-- is GREENWARE, and you are free to use it so long as you
make an effort everyday to help out the environment. A few ideas:
- use only recycled computer paper
- be sure to recycle the computer paper after you use it
- use public transport
- sell that 80 cylinder car of yours and buy a small 4 cylinder, or
better yet, buy a motorbike
- support Green Peace
- REDUCE-REUSE-recycle
- stop smoking
- ride a bike to work or school
- don't buy products that are harmful to the environment
- stop using weed killers on your lawn
- support Friends of the Earth
- recycle your cans
- don't buy products that have lots of extra packaging
- use a fax modem instead of a paper fax machine
- reuse your plastic bags
- (you get the idea)


DISCLAIMER:
~~~~~~~~~~~
I accept no responsibility for any damage or loss of time, hardware, sanity,
software or data caused by this product or programs made with it. So there!


FINAL NOTES:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Any programs you make with C-- you may do with as you wish. I would greatly
appreciate any feedback you can give me. I am sure you are going to find
some things which I have overlooked, that you feel must be added or changed.
Send me your suggestions or comments, maybe even some code you have written,
I would like them very much.

I can be contacted at: PETER SPHINX CELLIK
RR#2 SITE 33 C11
GABRIOLA ISLAND B.C.
V0R 1X0
CANADA

Current E-mail Address: [email protected]

Hope to hear from you soon.

/* end of README.DOC */