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matherp
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Posted: 07:44pm 12 Jan 2025

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Ram slots in memory (just like flash slots) but with the ability to load and run programs from within another program with or without the variable space being preserved.

NB: 6.00.02 will also have a CHAIN command for all versions
Edited 2025-01-13 05:44 by matherp

Mixtel90

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Posted: 07:47pm 12 Jan 2025

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Lol! You just don't know when to stop, do you Peter? ;)
Very nice.....

Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs

cosmic frog
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Posted: 09:31pm 12 Jan 2025

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I knew I shouldn't have printed out the latest manual just yet! 😆

Dave.

javavi

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Posted: 09:57pm 12 Jan 2025

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This is an important development in the use of a large volume of PSRAM for PicoMite on RP2350A/B chips!

Interesting! Is it possible to organize color video modes for high HDMI resolutions when PSRAM is connected?

1024x768 x16 colors = 384kB
1280x720 x16 colors = 450kB

In this case, the internal memory of the RP2350 should be given over to video memory, and the variable area should be moved to the PSRAM.

Volhout
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Posted: 07:39am 13 Jan 2025

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Peter,

When 6.00.02 is developing, it would be very nice to have the PIO assembler work for individual state machines. You explained the current implementation does not allow it, but it would increase the value of the assembler when a workable solution could be found that avoids manual copying of hex values.

Just give it a thought...

Volhout

PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS

matherp
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Posted: 08:36am 13 Jan 2025

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Quote When 6.00.02 is developing, it would be very nice to have the PIO assembler work for individual state machines.

Did you try my suggestion of having two separate blocks of compilation in the program?

Quote Is it possible to organize color video modes for high HDMI resolutions when PSRAM is connected?

No: It would have to be separate images specifically for PSRAM and we have more than enough already
Edited 2025-01-13 18:38 by matherp

Volhout
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Posted: 09:56am 13 Jan 2025

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Hi Peter,

I think this is your suggestion.

'test for PIO assembler

'for state machine 1
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".program test"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".line 0"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap target"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"SET PINS,1"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"JMP X-- 1"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"PUSH"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap"

Print Pio(.WRAP),Pio(.WRAP TARGET)

'for state machine 2
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap target"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"SET PINS,2"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"PULL"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap"

Print Pio(.WRAP),Pio(.WRAP TARGET)

'done... list the program
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".end program list"

But that does not work...

> run
2 0
[15] PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap target"
Error : Repeat directive

But this is not all. The assembler also does not allow different number fo side set pins per state machine. (".side set 2").

So for a more complex PIO program you have to have different MMBasic programs, each husing the PIO assembler, then (on the console terminal screen) type the LIST hex codes into a 3'rd program, in an array. And manually count the .wrap and .wrap target addresses. That is quite a lot of work. (not far of manual assembly).

Volhout
Edited 2025-01-13 20:01 by Volhout

PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS

matherp
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Posted: 09:59am 13 Jan 2025

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No:

Two complete "program" , "end program" sections with different .line

Volhout
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Posted: 10:05am 13 Jan 2025

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Hi Peter,

That almost works. The only problem is that you need to calculate the new ".line x" for each state machine. But that is a no brainer. Problem 99% solved.

'test for PIO assembler

'for state machine 1
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".program test"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".line 0"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap target"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"SET PINS,1"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"JMP X-- 1"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"PUSH"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".end program list"

Print Pio(.WRAP),Pio(.WRAP TARGET)

'for state machine 2
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".program test"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".line 10"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap target"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"SET PINS,2"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,"PULL"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".wrap"
PIO ASSEMBLE 1,".end program list"

Print Pio(.WRAP),Pio(.WRAP TARGET)
> RUN
0: E001
1: 0041
2: 8000
2 0
10: E002
11: 8080
11 10
[24] Print Pio(.WRAP),Pio(.WRAP TARGET)
Error : Syntax

Strange behaviour: first time you run the program, the error does not show. Second time you run the program you get the error. When you add an explicit END to the program, the error does not show.

I focussed on the single ".program xxx" because of your remark that there could only be a single program for the assembler. I must have mis understood.

Volhout
Edited 2025-01-13 20:11 by Volhout

PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS

Volhout
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Posted: 07:46am 14 Jan 2025

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Hi Peter,

I continued this in the 6.00.01 release thread, where this item should reside in the first place (I think).
There is still something wrong (or I am doing the wrong thing).

Volhout

PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS

bfwolf
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Joined: 03/01/2025
Location: Germany
Posts: 75

Posted: 10:50am 14 Jan 2025

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"Having fun with PSRAM" vs. "Having fun with Romans"..

bfwolf
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Location: Germany
Posts: 75

Posted: 12:43pm 14 Jan 2025

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Hello Peter,

after the joke "Fun with Romans" now for something sensible:

When I saw this thread, something spontaneously occurred to me:
I have a Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 and have the PSRAM enabled (with OPTION ..). Then you have an incredible amount of free memory, but which BASIC program needs 8MB? So I thought it would be great to have a RAM disk on the PICOMITE!

So - how about:

OPTION RAMDISK PSRAM 2048 'kBytes

or if there is no PSRAM but for example an RP2350 with 520kB internal RAM:

OPTION RAMDISK RAM 128 'kBytes

The RAM disk should then be given the drive letter C: and should be operated with FAT. The FAT file system is in the code for SD cards anyway.
LittleFs would be too inefficient for that. It is only good for flash and has poor write performance and files can grow up to twice their required space when rewritten unless committed (by flush() or close()).

Thank you for your work and continued work!

bfwolf

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