Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: A Z80 guy needs help!

Hi, Marris

> It seems I will have to learn C as well (learning makes my head
> hurt!).

Just to add my 2 cents on the subject... I have been programing in
assembler for more than 15 years and I really think that it is easier to use
for many applications. If you already know assembly language and can
prototype your algorithms in some other high level language on the PC you
will make a much better product if you go to all assembly. The math can be
table based using CORDIC algorithms and interpolation. It will surely be
much faster and smaller than C. If you want the ultimate interactivity you
should take a look at a language called FORTH. It is the best thing for
working with motors and this kind of stuff in real time. You can debug
without an ICE and make tests very fast. You just use a serial terminal
program and you have control over everything. It is a little awkward and
seems to be completely crazy when you see it at the first time but once you
make your first words you see how much it makes sense ! If you want more
details contact me off list and I can send you some samples related to
motion control. There are a number of FORTH compilers for free, so you do
not have to spend money to test it. And when you need real speed you can
always write the critical routines in assembly. I have taken some projects
in the past where I could cut in half the scheduled development time !!! It
has been some years that I do not use it but it is perfect for your
application IMHO.

Best regards,
Alexandre Guimaraes