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2022-08-26
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COMAL Yet Another Language
==========================
by: Joel Ellis Rea
--------------------------------------
COMAL is a PASCAL-like or C-like
computer language which is available
for the Commodore 64. It is the first
language in some time to have a real
chance of replacing BASIC as the
premiere language for introducing the
art of programming.
The word COMAL (say: "co-mall") is
an acronym for COMmon Algorithmic Lan-
guage. It was invented over a decade
ago by Borge Christensen of Denmark.
Unlike BASIC, an international stan-
dard exists for the language. This
standard is called the COMAL Kernal.
In order to be called COMAL, all im-
plementations of the language must be
compatible with the Kernal. (Not to be
confused with Commodore's Kernal, the
main operating system routines in the
ROMs of all Commodore computers.) Of
course, each implementation may add
additional features to support fancy
hardware (such as the 64's VIC and SID
chips, etc.), and add more utility.
This means that any COMAL program
which uses only the Kernal features
can be used "as is" on ANY system that
runs COMAL! If you have ever tried to
translate, say, a TRS-80 BASIC program
to the 64, you can really appreciate
the advantages of a standard!
Since Mr. Christensen is from Den-
mark, COMAL first took hold in Europe.
It is now one of the most popular lan-
guages in Europe. Since Commodore has
LONG been the #1 microcomputer maker
in Europe, there are more implementa-
tions of COMAL for Commodore computers
than any other brand. This has led to
the misunderstanding prevelant in this
country that the "COM" in COMAL stands
for "COMmodore", not "COMmon". There
are two versions available for the 64:
COMAL 0.14, which has been available
on disk for some time at $19.95 (!!),
and COMAL 2.0, which exists only on
cartridge for the 64 and costs $99.95.
Special packaged editions with printed
documentation and sample programs on
disk are available for $29.95 (0.14)
and $128.90 (2.0). LOADSTAR is nego-
tiating to become a COMAL distributor.
If you can't wait, your local User's
Group should have 0.14 available for
you to try out. You may also contact:
The COMAL User's Group, U.S.A., Ltd.
5501 Groveland Terrace
Madison, WI 53716-3251
1(800)356-5324 ext. 1307
(for VISA or MC orders ONLY!)
1(608)222-4432 (general information)
If there is sufficient interest,
we may set up a regular feature -- a
series of COMAL tutorials, reviews,
technical information and (of course)
COMAL programs.
This month, we have three programs
in COMAL 0.14: C.POLYSPIRAL which
draws random LOGO-style pictures,
C.GLASS, which draws beautiful random
"stained-glass" patterns, and C.FFDB,
a Free-Form DataBase which has only 5
commands, but can store, search and
print many different kinds of data!
All of these programs were written by
yours truly. (Note: the "C." in the
above program names denotes a COMAL
0.14 program that was SAVEd to disk
in its compiled (PRG) form. Use the
COMAL "LOAD" or "CHAIN" command on
these.)
** Important Note **
Be aware that you won't be able to run
any of the COMAL programs on this disk
without COMAL 0.14 or 2.0.
Hopefully, each month there will
be more programs.
Of course, we welcome program sub-
missons in COMAL. In addition to the
normal program submission policy, we
ask that each COMAL program have the
prefix "C." in front of its name if it
is in COMAL 0.14 SAVE (PRG) format,
"L." if it is in COMAL 0.14 LIST (SRC)
format, "C2." if it is in COMAL 2.0
SAVE format, or "L2." if it is in
COMAL 2.0 LIST format. For a program
that is Kernal compatible and there-
fore works under both versions, use
the LIST command to save it to disk,
with the prefix "LK.". Remember: if
you are using COMAL 2.0, use the
"keywords'in'upper'case(FALSE)" proce-
dure in the SYSTEM package BEFORE
issuing the LIST to disk command!
Your support of this column will
ensure its continuation. If you like
it let us know. Please send us your
COMAL programs, or if you'd like, and
you're able, send in an article.
==========< end of article >==========