home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
World of Shareware - Software Farm 2
/
wosw_2.zip
/
wosw_2
/
CPROG
/
COREW222.ZIP
/
COREWARS.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-08-02
|
9KB
|
216 lines
COREWARS (Revision 2.22) Page 1 of 5
Copyright (c) Triskelian Simulations 1990.
Program: COREWARS
Revision: 2.22
Date: 02 August 1990
COREWARS (just a little light reading)
======================================
The enclosed files are released (again) into the public domain.
The original program was written by Kevin A. Bjorke in May 1984.
Mr.Bjorke's version was targeted at Unix machines and used the
Small-C dialect.
The program itself is based on several Scientific American
"Computer Recreations" articles written by A.K.Dewdney. These
articles appeared in the May 1984, March 1985, and January 1987
issues. Check these articles at your local library for the gory
details.
"REDCODE"
=========
Core Wars uses a machine language-like instruction set called
"REDCODE". The table below shows the basic instruction formats
and their addressing modes. Programs must be terminated by the
instruction END (no arguments).
Description Instruction
----------------------------------- -----------
Move A to B MOV A B
Add A to B ADD A B
Subtract A from B SUB A B
Jump to A JMP A
Jump to A if B is zero JMZ A B
Jump to A if B is > zero JMG A B
Decrement B, jump to A if zero DJZ A B
Compare A to B, skip next loc if != CMP A B
Data DAT B
Protect PCT A
Addressing modes: IMMEDIATE #n
DIRECT n
INDIRECT @n
COREWARS (Revision 2.22) Page 2 of 5
Copyright (c) Triskelian Simulations 1990.
This is not the place to wax loquacious [Editor's note: that
means long winded and usually indicates that SOMEONE is using big
words just to impress you with their vocabulary...] As we were
saying, this simply isn't the place to describe what assembly
language programming is all about. People have written entire
books on the subject. (Then again, people have written entire
books on the mating habits of frogs.) The original Scientific
American articles contain a good overview and list some useful
references for further reading.
SAMPLE PROGRAMS
===============
Some sample REDCODE programs have been included. All of the
sample programs are in files with an *.WAR extension. Most of
these programs are taken directly from the magazine articles and
discussed there in some detail. Two programs, A_IMP and AA_IMP,
were borrowed from R.Sawyer. DDWARF and IMPACT were added just
to keep everything interesting.
Filename Description
-------- -----------
CHANG1 A sample program using SPL (a proposed but
non-implemented REDCODE instruction)
DWARF A simple attack program, step of 5
DWARF13 Same as DWARF, step of 13
DWARF29 Same as DWARF, but hits every 29th
DDWARF DWARF modified to cope with PCT instruction
GEMINI A self-cloning program (offset 100)
BIGFOOT A GEMINI clone using a prime number offset
JUGGER A GEMINI clone that rolls through memory
IMP Core Wars' answer to the tortoise
IMPSTOMP Defensive Anti-IMP program
IMPACT IMPSTOMP using PCT instruction
A_IMP Anti-IMP program
AA_IMP Anti-Anti-IMP program
COREWARS (Revision 2.22) Page 3 of 5
Copyright (c) Triskelian Simulations 1990.
REVISION HISTORY
================
Okay, like most programmers, it was impossible to resist the urge
to spruce COREWARS up a bit. This version [2.xx] was created in
May 1990 and revised in a flurry of furious coding during one
week in July/August 1990. Initially the changes were only
intended to make the thing play with more recent developments
(like Borland's Turbo-C, ANSI graphics, and MS-DOS) on an IBM-
PC/AT clone. I refuse to get addicted to this thing and spend my
non-existent free time on tweaking it {this after three or four
revisions. Sheesh}. There are probably newer and better versions
out there somewhere, but I haven't seen them.
The following extras HAVE been added. The version where each
upgrade was added is shown in square brackets.
Upgrade COREWARS to Turbo-C, ANSI, etc. [2.00]
---
Use the *.WAR extension (borrowed from R.Sawyer) [2.10]
Semicolon comments in *.WAR files [2.10]
Selectable maximum memory size [2.10]
Selectable starting locations [2.10]
Options to suppress execution outputs [2.10]
Flags to support memory displays, PCT, etc. [2.10]
A_IMP.WAR & AA_IMP.WAR (borrowed from R.Sawyer) [2.10]
---
Selectable CPU slice (instructions per cycle) [2.11]
Added numerous *.WAR files [2.11]
---
Added PCT instruction [2.20]
Detect program subversion (IMP problem) [2.20]
User interrupt of memory dump (hit [ESCAPE]) [2.20]
Add flags (MemA, MemB, PROTECT) to memory dump [2.20]
Cosmetic changes to execution display [2.20]
---
Show user why *.WAR file input aborted and recover [2.21]
Trap user null programs and recover [2.21]
---
Selectable instruction addressing range [2.22]
COREWARS (Revision 2.22) Page 4 of 5
Copyright (c) Triskelian Simulations 1990.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
====================
Contact the following people for further information about
COREWARS. Please note this information is over three years old
and therefore is rather suspect.
The Core Wars Newsletter
c/o William R. Buckley
5712 Kern Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
International Core Wars Society
c/o Mark Clarkson
8619 Wassall Street
Wichita, KS 67210-1934
A.K.Dewdney
c/o The Editors
Scientific American
415 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
COREWARS (Revision 2.22) Page 5 of 5
Copyright (c) Triskelian Simulations 1990.
NONE OF THE ABOVE (obviously)
=============================
COREWARS requires ANSI.SYS support to run normally. If you start
seeing things like "[4;H" or "[35m" popping up on your screen --
DON'T PANIC. Just add a line like "DEVICE=ANSI.SYS" to your
CONFIG.SYS file. Pertinent details can be found in your (or
anybody else's) DOS manual.
This program is hereby released to the PUBLIC DOMAIN. No copies
or derivatives of this product may be distributed for profit or
personal gain. A minimal handling fee may be charged for
distribution.
COREWARS and any associated files and documentation are
distributed without any express or implied warranties.
Triskelian Simulations does not warrant that COREWARS or any
associated files operate as claimed. You the user assume full
risk for any direct or consequential damages, even if Triskelian
Simulations has been advised of the possibility of any damages.
By using this program you agree to abide by the terms and
conditions stated above.
If all else fails, contact Triskelian Simulations on our local
support bulletin board: TECHLINE BBS (206)532-9220. We are
probably more confused than you are, but we will try and help.
COREWARS source code, in ANSI standard Turbo-C, is available for
$15.00 (cash, check, or money order) from Triskelian Simulations.
One final parting shot, er, note. I would like to thank Richard
Edwards for nagging me so much about COREWARS that I spiffied the
thing up just to make him go away. Actually, it was a blast.
David E. Thomas
Triskelian Simulations
630 Washington
Hoquiam, WA 98550