BDS C
Encyclopedia
BDS C is a compiler for a sizeable subset of the C programming language
, that ran on and generated code for the Intel 8080
and Zilog Z80
processors. It was written by Leor Zolman and first released in 1979 when he was 20 years old. "BDS" stood for "Brain Damage Software".
BDS C was very popular and influential among CP/M
users and developers in the 8-bit microcomputer era. It ran much faster and was more convenient to use than other Z80-hosted compilers of the time. It was possible to run BDS C on single-floppy
machines with as little as 30K of RAM - something of a minor miracle by comparison to most other commercial compilers which required many passes and the writing of intermediate files to disk. Around 75,000 copies were sold, including a stripped down Japanese incarnation.
A number of important commercial CP/M products were written in the BDS C subset of the C language, including Mince and Scribble from Mark of the Unicorn
, and most of the software in the Perfect Software suite including Perfect Writer, PerfectCalc, PerfectSpeller and PerfectFiler (which suite was bundled with the Kaypro
).
BDS C was bundled with a significant subset of the Unix system written in about 1980, called MARC (Machine Assisted Resource Coordinator). This effort in some ways resembled Linux
, though MARC was to be able to run CP/M software through emulation. Unfortunately MARC's author, Ed Ziemba, perished in a snorkeling
accident before he could complete the project.http://books.google.com/books?id=pD0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT14&lpg=PT14&dq=marc+ed+ziemba&source=bl&ots=2iWcn6Hwk1&sig=ExVtU-OFrnLbZklae0D9g7UH2ME&hl=en&ei=0L_3TPOLLo-t8AbVpKC2Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=marc%20ed%20ziemba&f=false
In 2002, with its commercial viability long past, Leor Zolman released BDS C's source code into the public domain
, thus making it free software
. Written in 8080 assembly language
, the code is now mostly of historical rather than practical interest, but it is interesting to peruse for anyone wishing to see how sizeable programs for small computers were written in those days.
C (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
, that ran on and generated code for the Intel 8080
Intel 8080
The Intel 8080 was the second 8-bit microprocessor designed and manufactured by Intel and was released in April 1974. It was an extended and enhanced variant of the earlier 8008 design, although without binary compatibility...
and Zilog Z80
Zilog Z80
The Zilog Z80 is an 8-bit microprocessor designed by Zilog and sold from July 1976 onwards. It was widely used both in desktop and embedded computer designs as well as for military purposes...
processors. It was written by Leor Zolman and first released in 1979 when he was 20 years old. "BDS" stood for "Brain Damage Software".
BDS C was very popular and influential among CP/M
CP/M
CP/M was a mass-market operating system created for Intel 8080/85 based microcomputers by Gary Kildall of Digital Research, Inc...
users and developers in the 8-bit microcomputer era. It ran much faster and was more convenient to use than other Z80-hosted compilers of the time. It was possible to run BDS C on single-floppy
Floppy
Floppy may refer to:* Floppy disk or floppy disk drive* Floppy disk controller* The Floppy Show* Mr. Floppy from the Sitcom Unhappily Ever After* Mr Floppy Australian rock band* Floppy a character from The Magic Key...
machines with as little as 30K of RAM - something of a minor miracle by comparison to most other commercial compilers which required many passes and the writing of intermediate files to disk. Around 75,000 copies were sold, including a stripped down Japanese incarnation.
A number of important commercial CP/M products were written in the BDS C subset of the C language, including Mince and Scribble from Mark of the Unicorn
Mark of the Unicorn
Mark of the Unicorn is a music-related computer software and hardware supplier. It is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has created music software since 1984.Products by MOTU include:*Digital Performer*AudioDesk*BPM*MachFive*MX4*Unisyn...
, and most of the software in the Perfect Software suite including Perfect Writer, PerfectCalc, PerfectSpeller and PerfectFiler (which suite was bundled with the Kaypro
Kaypro
Kaypro Corporation, commonly called Kaypro, was an American home/personal computer manufacturer of the 1980s. The company was founded by Non-Linear Systems to develop computers to compete with the then-popular Osborne 1 portable microcomputer...
).
BDS C was bundled with a significant subset of the Unix system written in about 1980, called MARC (Machine Assisted Resource Coordinator). This effort in some ways resembled Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, though MARC was to be able to run CP/M software through emulation. Unfortunately MARC's author, Ed Ziemba, perished in a snorkeling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
accident before he could complete the project.http://books.google.com/books?id=pD0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT14&lpg=PT14&dq=marc+ed+ziemba&source=bl&ots=2iWcn6Hwk1&sig=ExVtU-OFrnLbZklae0D9g7UH2ME&hl=en&ei=0L_3TPOLLo-t8AbVpKC2Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=marc%20ed%20ziemba&f=false
In 2002, with its commercial viability long past, Leor Zolman released BDS C's source code into the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
, thus making it free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
. Written in 8080 assembly language
Assembly language
An assembly language is a low-level programming language for computers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other programmable devices. It implements a symbolic representation of the machine codes and other constants needed to program a given CPU architecture...
, the code is now mostly of historical rather than practical interest, but it is interesting to peruse for anyone wishing to see how sizeable programs for small computers were written in those days.
External links
- BD Software download page
- MUF Mastery - historical note about Leor Zolman and BDS C
- Interview with Leor Zolman (Alternate URL)
- BDS C Users GroupC/C++ Users JournalC/C++ Users Journal was a computer magazine published by CMP Media LLC in the United States. The magazine concentrated on the C++ programming language and was one of the last printed magazines to cover the topic....