markgbeckett/jupiter_ace

Software I have developed for the Jupiter Ace and Minstrel 4th

Software for the Jupiter Ace, Minstrel 4D, and Minstrel 4th

Some software I have developed for the Jupiter Ace, Minstrel 4D, and Minstrel 4th, which may be interesting or useful for others.

• getting_started - A quick introduction to using Forth on the Minstrel 4th (or Jupiter Ace).
• bubble_led - Minstrel 4th version of Forth toolbox and example message scroller for the RC2014 Bubble Display module.
• case - Many FORTH implementations include a CASE construct, which can be useful for choosing between different paths of execution based on a stack value. Sadly, Ace Forth does not, but it is relatively easy to add one, provided you can get to grips with the COMPILER and RUNS> words.
• clock_check - The Minstrel 4th can be run with a clock speed of either 3.25 MHz or 6.5 MHz (selected by a jumper on the board). Sometimes it is useful to be able to check, from software, which clock speed has been set, and adapt accordingly. This simple machine-code routine lets you check.
• examples - Sample Forth programs to illustrate key FORTH programming concepts and techniques.
• maze - In May 2021, the curator of the Jupiter Ace archive put out a call for help to recover a corrupted game known simply as Maze. Here is the recovered game, with commented source, and a blog of the recovery process.
• rc2014_source_card - Inspired by the ZX Spectrum+ 128k's PLAY command, this is FORTH/ assembly language client for writing music for the RC2014 YM/AY Sound Card on your Minstrel 4th. Also, this folder includes a port of the Boldfield Soundbox utility for the RC2014 sound card.
• serial_int - A library of Forth and machine-code routines to drive the RC2014 serial interface from your Minstrel 4th, including: simple send/ receive of bytes, echoing display output to the serial device, and transferring blocks of data to/ from the micro using the XMODEM protocol.
• starfield - Inspired by posts on Twitter from @BreakIntoProg, here are several Forth implementations of a star-field simulator.
• tut-tut - An Ace FORTH implementation of David Stephenson's Egyptian-themed arcade game.
• 3d_monster_maze - Ace FORTH port of the classic ZX81 game.
• utilities - Additional words (mostly from the Jupiter Ace manual), which probably should have been in the Ace FORTH ROM.
• valkyr-minstrel - A version of the Jupiter Ace game, Valkyr, which will work on the Minstrel 4th (and supports enhanced sound via the RC2014 YM2149 sound card).