TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11-1.19 for VIC-20 in BASIC

[TRIANGULAR OS]

Finally, after 2 months of perfecting, improving and bugfixing TRIANGULAR μOS 1.10/VIC for Commodore VIC-20 5KB is released.
System Disk contains 20 files, which take 44.64 KB (192 disk blocs = 48.00 KB on disk)
I added Documents image of empty, formatted disk as a bonus for use as Work Disk (that's optional, but recommended if you have 2 disk drives).
There is also SDK Pack with references and source code below preview video to download.


What’s new in TRIANGULAR μOS 1.10/VIC for Commodore VIC-20 (in comparison to 1.05/PET version, for changes in comparison to last released version 1.10/VIC RC2 check previous posts):
- Support for Commodore VIC-20 with at least 5KB and it’s 22 column 8 color text mode
- New colorful loader for inter-loading operations
- BIOS Setup menu offers option to enable/disable Datasette
- BIOS Setup supports separate Work disk drive for storing system apps documents
- BIOS improvements and bugfixes
- GUI cursor is joystick operated and can move diagonally
- GUI windowed environment uses custom color background and title bar
- Up arrow button added to task bar (placed right of clock) to go back to main desktop screen
- SETTINGS is split into two apps: SETTINGS which can change time plus work disk and printer options and COLORS which can change colors of GUI elements.
- DISK is now windows & cursor operated. Changed disk content display mechanism.
- CMD Introduced improved mechanism for displaying success or error of performed operation. Minor review of command syntax (I> and V> instead of I and V). Bugfixes.
- APPS folder instead of OFFICE, contains WORDS, MATH, MONITOR, SYNTH
- MATH calculator revamped, simplified and cursor operated
- MONITOR have blue background. Command SHOW displays 2 hex digits instead of 4. HELP consolidated. Minor bugfixes.
- 4 new games: SIMCITY, STAR WARS X-Wing vs TIE-Fighter (new version), BREAKOUT (new version), NEED4VIC
- Various other bugfixes and improvements
- Empty and formatted disk image called TRIANGULAR uOS 1.10-VIC Documents in .d64 and archived .zip file formats added for use as Work disk


DOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.10/VIC:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.10-VIC.zip

(213.19 KiB) Downloaded 80 times

Preview (YouTube):


TRIANGULAR μOS 1.10/VIC SDK Pack:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.10-VIC SDK.zip

(115.82 KiB) Downloaded 82 times

SDK Pack contains references and source code in .bas files (rename cmd-hlp to CMD>HLP and star wars-eng to STAR WARS>ENG) and default uos-cfg file (rename to UOS>CG) on disk.


TRANGULAR μOS for Commodore VIC-20 on Lemon64 forum:
https://www.lemon64.com/forum/...hp?t=79488

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.05/PET for Commodore PET on Lemon64 forum:
https://www.lemon64.com/forum/...hp?t=78834


What's in the future?
I will consolidate TRIANGULAR μOS for VIC in future instalments (1.11/VIC, 1.12/VIC, etc.) Right now I will be consolidating it for VIC-20 8KB with 3KB RAM expansion as minimum setup. Version 1.11/VIC will consolidate CMD and its help file CMD>HLP, STAR WARS and its game engine STAR WARS>ENG and UOS with BIOS. This will bring down number of files on System Disk to 17. Also CMD will have more comprehensive improvements. Some reorganization of combined UOS is also in plan.
First Alpha0 release will be with CMD consolidated, and that alone will bring number of files to 19. Less the better.
Version 1.12 will consolidate GUI programs and improve DISK & MATH with new capabilities (planned, but not added due to memory constrains).

I will try to push updates as fast as possible. Realistically speaking I doubt that I will be able star development of TRIANGULAR μOS Next-Gen version 2.00 (ML) in August as previously planned. It will be OK, if I will deliver 1.20/C64 in any decent state (even very functional beta) in August (40th anniversary of release of C64). As I stated before I've reached already my minimal & initial goal of creating BASIC GUI OS for smallest Commodore computers: PET 4KB and VIC-20 5KB (and by doing so, also probably smallest GUI OS in the world), so I won't apply perfectionist approach as much as before for next releases. Also will release updates more frequently and oftentimes without videos (especially that there won't be much more functionality updates since μOS is very functional right now).

My Roadmap of development of TRIANGULAR μOS:
1. I will consolidate code into bigger chunks of software (1.1x/VIC series). First 1.11/VIC, then 1.12/VIC, etc. Expected ending of this phase in August 2022.
2. After considerable big consolidation of it (probably for maximum VIC-20 memory of 29KB) I will convert μOS into C64 40 column/16 colors version 1.20/C64. Expected start of development August 2022.
3. Next add sprites, maybe turboloader etc. (1.30/C64).
4. Commodore 128 BASIC 7.0 version (1.40/C128).
5. Next-Gen TRIANGULAR μOS 2.00/C64 version in ML, some functional API, different architecture (but text, or rather PETSCII user interface similar to 1.30/1.40), most probably on cartridge. That would be long-term project. Start of development after finishing TRIANGULAR μOS 1.xx BASIC branch (that is 1.40/C128).
5.X Probably I will also try to deliver 1.50/VIC, a lite version of ML TRIANGULAR μOS Next-Gen for Commodore VIC-20 5KB (similar concept of 1.10/VIC or rather more consolidated future 1.1x/VIC version) as I will be converting BASIC TRIANGULAR μOS to ML in order to produce Next-Gen μOS (I have feeling that that would be long process). Something like crossover version: μOS for VIC-20 interface, ML architecture based on BASIC version not on Next-Gen and ML elements from Next-Gen 2.00 version. That version will be running within 5KB of memory like 1.10/VIC and be more extra/hobbyist rather than real improvement over fully consolidated 1.1x/VIC, 1.3x/C64 or 1.4x/C128. Maybe even PET 4KB version will be produced in similar fashion. But those extra versions will be released in late 2022 or even 2023, that's not priority at all.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

OK, let's keep it rolling. I've commenced development of TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC version for Commodore VIC-20 8KB (3KB expansion) and higher.

I'm releasing version 1.11/VIC Alpha0 for Commodore VIC-20 8KB.
What's new:
- Version number bumped to 1.11/VIC
- CMD and its help file CMD>HELP combined
- Although UOS is the same as in 1.10/VIC (besides version number changed to 1.11) it won't start on unexpected VIC-20 5KB, on which will throw error NOT ENOUGHT RAM!
- Those programs that were changed thus far (UOS, BIOS, CMD, SETTINGS, COLORS) are set to default 3KB RAM expansion setting in CBM prg Studio (starting BASIC program at $0400).
- Even User's Manual is updated and added to this release

As now old CMD is consolidated. TRIANGULAR μOS have now 19 file (1 file less), is 348 bytes lighter and consumes 2 disk block less than 1.10/VIC. All with same functionality, stability. Actually even better stability, since there is 2 less inter-loading if someone wants to see help in CMD (call and back to CMD)

Next I will consolidate STAR WARS and STAR WARS>ENG into one STAR WARS program. Then Merge UOS and BIOS programs and return to add improvements to CMD.



DOWNLOAD (1.11/VIC Alpha0):

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC Alpha0.zip

(211.61 KiB) Downloaded 74 times

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC Alpha1 is released. 3 releases in one day, WOW.

What's new:
- STAR WARS and STAR WARS>ENG merge into one STAR WARS program.

Compared to version 1.11/VIC Alpha0, Alpha1 has 1 file less (18 files), is 221 bytes lighter (has 44.09 KB), 1 disk block less, that is have 189 disk blocks = 47.25 KB on System Disk. Manual updated.

DOWNLOAD (1.11/VIC Alpha1):

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC Alpha1.zip

(211.69 KiB) Downloaded 65 times

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC Alpha2 is released.

What's new:
- UOS and BIOS merged into single UOS program

DOWNLOAD (1.11/VIC Alpha2):

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC Alpha2.zip

(212.5 KiB) Downloaded 75 times

Now there are only 17 files (1 file, 438 bytes, and 2 disk blocks less than Alpha1 and 3 file, 1005 bytes [nearly 1 KB] and 5 disk blocks less than version 1.10/VIC for unexpanded VIC-20 5KB with exactly same functionality).
And that number of files that will be kept in 1.11/VIC version. Now only some reorganization of UOS (a united μOS BIOS file) and improvements and expansion of CMD will be administered + overall bugfixing.

After release of final 1.11/VIC, further consolidation of TRIANGULAR μOS for Commodore VIC-20 with 8KB RAM will be released as version 1.12 and there GUI applications will be merged. That would be more tedious process (many interdependencies will require more extensive re-linking), but given huge code base of similar subroutines I expect there will be most gains memory-wise. My experience with TRIANGULAR μOS 1.03/PET where there were 2 version: 4KB standard and consolidated 8KB (free BASIC memory: 3KB and 7KB) and 8KB version had all 4 GUI programs combined into 1 program (DEKSTOP [old name of GUI], SETTINGS, OFFICE, GAMES) and was able to merge all those sub-3KB programs to fit less than 6.5 KB program file with added small code expansions (especially SETTINGS).

[orion70]

Too many releases in such a short time - I'm getting confused, going into tl;dr mode

[TRIANGULAR OS]

Too many releases in such a short time - I'm getting confused, going into tl;dr mode

Yeah, 4 so far
1.10/VIC is most essential and most awaited for: Ultimate BASIC release for Commodore VIC-20 5KB
1.11/VIC Alpha2 (most recent) is newest, functionally exact same as 1.10/VIC (minus few less inter-loading). (1.11/VIC Alpha0 and Alpha1 just intermediate between them.)

I will try to make Beta0 with updated UOS today. That version will have UOS slightly rearranged and improved.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC Beta0 is released. 5 releases in 24 hours

What's new:
- UOS program streamlined (210 bytes)

System Disk is now 210 bytes, and 1 disk blocks less than Alpha2 and 3 file, 1215 bytes [1.2 KB] and 6 disk blocks less than version 1.10/VIC for unexpanded VIC-20 5KB with exactly same functionality).

DOWNLOAD (1.11/VIC Beta0):

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC Beta0.zip

(212.58 KiB) Downloaded 80 times

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC Beta1 release:

What's new:
- UOS program improved with better disk error messaging system

DOWNLOAD (1.11/VIC Beta1):

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC Beta1.zip

(212.45 KiB) Downloaded 81 times

From now on 1.11/VIC System Disk will only grew. Beta1 grew 100 bytes. I've ended improving UOS, now will focus on expanding CMD: more comprehensive listing of disk content $ function and updating syntax of R> (rename) and C> (copy) to [original file]=[new file] from CBM DOS native [new file]=[original file].
After some additional debugging I will release 1.11/VIC final version.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC RC Release candidate is released:

What's new:
- CMD further improved: 1. $ directory listing command now first fetches data form disk then displays it 2. Copy c> and Rename R> commands have changed syntax from old [new file]=[original file] (CBM DOS) to more intuitive [original file]=[new file] plus added more comprehensive safeguards throwing Bad parameter! error if file names are invalid!

DOWNLOAD (1.11/VIC RC):

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC RC.zip

(212.6 KiB) Downloaded 78 times

After some additional debugging I will release 1.11/VIC final version, possibly today.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC final release. A lot of minor improvements in UOS BIOS mechanism and CMD plus bugfixes.
System Disk contains 17 files, which take 44.11 KB (189 disk blocs = 47.25 KB on disk)

What's new:
- TRIANGULAR μOS won’t start on unexpanded VIC-20 5KB. VIC-20 with 8KB of RAM (3KB RAM Expansion) is needed (or higher)
- UOS and BIOS merged into single UOS program and improved error messages system
- CMD merged with its help file CMD>HLP and further improved
- CMD syntax of R> and C> operations changed to more intuitive [original file]=[new file]
- STAR WARS merged with its game engine file STAR WARS>ENG

DOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.11/VIC:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC.zip

(213.03 KiB) Downloaded 71 times

DOWNLOAD SDK pack for TRIANGULAR μOS:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.11-VIC SDK.zip

(113.76 KiB) Downloaded 78 times

Preview of TRIANGULAR μOS 1.10/VIC (YouTube):



Right away I will commence development of second iteration of TRIANGULAR μOS for Commodore VIC-20 (1.12/VIC). And that will be ultimate version of μOS for 8KB VIC-20 (5KB+3KB expansion). I planned to make more iterations of 1.1x series (even up to 1.19), but after looking on System Disk file list I will next publish:
- 1.13/VIC for VIC-20 13KB (5KB + 8KB)
- 1.14/VIC for VIC-20 21KB (5KB +16KB)
- 1.15/VIC for VIC-20 29KB (5KB +24KB) and that will be final VIC-20 BASIC version of TRIANGULAR μOS

My Roadmap of development of TRIANGULAR μOS:
1. I will consolidate code into bigger chunks of software (1.1x/VIC series). First 1.11/VIC, then 1.12/VIC, etc. up to 1.15/VIC. Expected ending of this phase in August 2022.
2. After considerable big consolidation of it (probably for maximum VIC-20 memory of 29KB) I will convert μOS into C64 40 column/16 colors version 1.20/C64. Expected start of development August 2022.
3. Next add sprites, maybe turboloader etc. (1.30/C64).
4. Commodore 128 BASIC 7.0 version (1.40/C128).
5. Next-gen TRIANGULAR μOS 2.00/C64 version in ML, some functional API, different architecture (but text, or rather PETSCII user interface similar to 1.30/1.40), most probably on cartridge. That would be long-term project. Start of development after finishing TRIANGULAR μOS 1.xx BASIC branch (that is 1.40/C128).
5.X Probably I will also try to deliver 1.50/VIC, a lite version of ML TRIANGULAR μOS Next-Gen for Commodore VIC-20 5KB (similar concept of 1.10/VIC or rather more consolidated future 1.1x/VIC version) as I will be converting BASIC TRIANGULAR μOS to ML in order to produce Next-Gen μOS (I have feeling that that would be long process). That version would be running within 5KB of memory like 1.10/VIC and be more extra rather than real improvement over fully consolidated 1.1x/VIC, 1.3x/C64 or 1.4x/C128. Maybe even PET 4KB version will be produced in similar fashion. But those extra version will be released in late 2022 or even 2023, that's not priority at all.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC Alpha0 release.

What's new:
- GUI merged with APPS

DOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.12-VIC Alpha0.zip

(212.56 KiB) Downloaded 70 times

That one merge alone bring down size of μOS System Disk to 16 files, 42.77 KB, 182 disk blocks = 45.5 KB Disk Space, which is 1.3 KB less that 1.11/VIC and 1.9 KB less than 1.10/VIC versions.

Tomorrow I will merge in similar fashion GAMES folder into GUI. Also I will try to integrate SETTINGS and its sub-window COLORS into GUI or at least merge them together when that won't be possible. After that I will further buildup DISK and MATH programs.

[orion70]

IMHO, you really should realize that nobody's following the pace of your new releases here . There's a release almost every day, often with minor changes. Even if I was following only the development of your OS, I wouldn't have the time to test every single version, and it would be frustrating to play test one, just to see it's been surpassed by a new one the day after.
Why don't you just release one per week for example?

[TRIANGULAR OS]

IMHO, you really should realize that nobody's following the pace of your new releases here . There's a release almost every day, often with minor changes. Even if I was following only the development of your OS, I wouldn't have the time to test every single version, and it would be frustrating to play test one, just to see it's been surpassed by a new one the day after.
Why don't you just release one per week for example?

OK I will slow the pace of releases, only to instances where there are file merging and more cumulative upgrades. So I will release only 1-2 more consolidation + 1 update with disk and math updated then debugged release.

Currently I've released whenever I had time, because I had o lot of idle times this couple of day, not knowing whenever I will have time for next release, so I've pushed when I'm done something of substance. Actually amount of time/work spend on those updates was similar if not bigger that 1.10/VIC RC1 vs 1.10/VIC RC2 it's just that I have lots of free time and I used it for developing μOS.

So to not get confused: only mayor final releases and last Alpha/Beta/RC are worth testing (and after 1.12 final version release 1.10 and 1.12 final would be worth checking out). Versions in between are not that important, you can skip them and wait for beta1 or RC or even final release editions. As I said I will try to make those versions updates less frequent.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC Beta1 release.
All essential apps merged as planed for VIC-20 8KB RAM (5+3).

What's new:
- GUI merged with APPS, GAMES and SETTINGS with all apps relinked to new file structure

DOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC Beta1:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.12-VIC Beta1.zip

(212.24 KiB) Downloaded 72 times

That one merge alone bring down size of μOS System Disk to 14 files, 40.23 KB, 171 disk blocks = 42.75 KB Disk Space, which is 3.9 KB less that 1.11/VIC and 4.4 KB less than 1.10/VIC versions.

Now I will building up DISK and MATH + some minor updates. After that final release of 1.12/VIC for Commodore VIC-20 with 3KB expansion.

[TRIANGULAR OS]

TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC final version release.
Great part of GUI is consolidated (GUI, SETTINGS, APPS, GAMES). DISK & CMD mechanism showing disk content is updated. CMD command syntax updated, D> (duplicate) command added, ! instead @ for show drive status command. MATH greatly build-up with new functions. Monitor new command syntax.

What's new in TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC:
- GUI merged with APPS, GAMES and SETTINGS
- COLORS retrieve default settings with DEAULT button
- DISK & CMD mechanism of disk content retrieving updated by retrieve directory by once
- CMD updates and minimal command syntax change, D> (duplicate) command added
- MATH improved, various functions added and few additional keys mapped
- MONITOR command syntax overhauled into 1-line commands
- Bugfixes and other minor improvements

DOWNLOAD TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.12-VIC.zip

(225.96 KiB) Downloaded 74 times

DOWNLOAD SDK pack for TRIANGULAR μOS 1.12/VIC:

TRIANGULAR uOS 1.12-VIC SDK.zip

(110.35 KiB) Downloaded 89 times

Preview of TRIANGULAR μOS 1.10/VIC (YouTube):


Right away I will commence development of second iteration of TRIANGULAR μOS for Commodore VIC-20 (1.13/VIC). And that will be ultimate version of μOS for 13KB VIC-20 (5KB+8KB expansion).

My Roadmap of development of TRIANGULAR μOS:
1. I will consolidate code into bigger chunks of software (1.1x/VIC series). First 1.11/VIC, then 1.12/VIC, etc. up to 1.15/VIC. Expected ending of this phase in August 2022. Series 1.1x/VIC:
- 1.10/VIC - released
- 1.11/VIC - released
- 1.12/VIC - in development
- 1.13/VIC for VIC-20 13KB (5KB + 8KB)
- 1.14/VIC for VIC-20 21KB (5KB +16KB)
- 1.15/VIC for VIC-20 29KB (5KB +24KB) and that will be final VIC-20 BASIC version of TRIANGULAR μOS

2. After considerable big consolidation of it (probably for maximum VIC-20 memory of 29KB) I will convert μOS into C64 40 column/16 colors version 1.20/C64. Expected start of development August 2022.

3. Next add sprites, maybe turboloader etc. (1.30/C64).

4. Commodore 128 BASIC 7.0 version (1.40/C128).

5. Next-gen TRIANGULAR μOS 2.00/C64 version in ML, some functional API, different architecture (but text, or rather PETSCII user interface similar to 1.30/1.40), most probably on cartridge. That would be long-term project. Start of development after finishing TRIANGULAR μOS 1.xx BASIC branch (that is 1.40/C128).

5.X Probably I will also try to deliver 1.50/VIC, a lite version of ML TRIANGULAR μOS Next-Gen for Commodore VIC-20 5KB (similar concept of 1.10/VIC or rather more consolidated future 1.1x/VIC version) as I will be converting BASIC TRIANGULAR μOS to ML in order to produce Next-Gen μOS (I have feeling that that would be long process). That version would be running within 5KB of memory like 1.10/VIC and be more extra rather than real improvement over fully consolidated 1.1x/VIC, 1.3x/C64 or 1.4x/C128. Maybe even PET 4KB version will be produced in similar fashion. But those extra version will be released in late 2022 or even 2023, that's not priority at all.