@mainpage Foenix A2560 Foenix Retro OS: fr/OS

A2560-FoenixRetroOS

This project provides 2 things:

1. A static C library/framework that anyone can use to build applications for the Foenix retro computers. Included functionality: Windowing, events, bitmapped graphics including proportional fonts, support for "text mode".
2. A single-tasking operating system and file browser that sits atop the Foenix MCP Kernel, and lets you access and manage the files on your hard drive, floppy, and SD cards.

What's an A2560?

The A2560 is a newly-created retro computer based around a Motorolla 680x0. It is not a new Amiga, Atari ST, Mac, NeXT: it is a new thing, designed for hobbyist users who want to experience coding and using the "simpler" computers of the late 1980s/early 1990s. It is part of a family of computers that share much of the same architecture. Predecessors include the C256 Foenix, running a 65816 (fast) 8-bit processor. An upcoming variant includes a 65816 CPU, and push-button to switch between the processors. Future planned versions a 486 in the place of the 680x0.

About this project

This is (currently) a one-person project to build a new OS and file manager for the A2560. That is the ultimate goal, but when that is accomplished, and how ambitious/complete version 1.0 will be is yet to be determined!

Why you might want this:

If you have, or are considering acquiring an A2560K or GenX (68040 OR 486 + 65816), and want to make or port applications (as opposed to games). As a development framework, it is primarily geared towards application development, but mouse- and text-based games would be viable candidates for building/porting under this framework. If you are making a fast action game, you will most likely want to bang directly on the hardware. Note: NO ONE SHOULD USE THIS, OR EVEN LOOK IN ITS DIRECTION! (until I get some real hardware and can complete the job).

How to use it

Development platform

Currently, for the A2560, all development is cross-compiling from a modern computer to the Foenix. All the tools you need are available for Windows, Linux, and Mac. At a high-level, the process involves setting up a C environment, writing code, compiling to the A2560 target, and then opening the resulting executable file in an emulator, or transferring it to a real A2560 and running it there.

Setting up your development tool chain

The only tested tool chain is the VBCC C compiler, with the A2560 VBCC target. Another C compiler toolchain, Calypsi, is available, but I have not had a chance to test it.

The A2560 kernel/OS doesn't support dynamically linked libraries yet, so for now, it is only available as a static library. In the "for_vbcc" folder in this project, you will find several header files, and the system library.

1. Download and install the f68 emulator (or buy a Foenix).

2. Download/build/install VBCC

3. Download the A2560 VBCC target

4. Add these to your $VBCC "targets/a2560-elf" folder.
   $VBCC/targets/a2560-elf/include/mb/
$VBCC/targets/a2560-elf/lib/a2560_sys.lib

5. Modify your VBCC config file to include the library: Add "-la2560_sys" to each vlink line.

6. Include the relevant header files in your C file(s):
   #include <mb/lib_sys.h>
#include <mb/window.h>
   etc.

7. Create a makefile or other script to build. I prefer a shell script system I have configured for my development environment (BBEdit on Mac), but whatever you normally do will work fine. Take a look at the _build_vbcc.sh shell script to check the warning on the .s28 files generated from VBCC and how they need to be tweaked after generation.

I will add instructions for developing with the Calipsi tool chain once I have had a chance to test it out.

Documentation

Doxygen Docs

Doxygen low-level documentation can be found in docs/html/index.html.

Examples/Demos

Each major category of functionality in the platform has a xxxx_demo.c file, and a corresponding .s28 executable in the "build_vbcc" folder. I recommend loading up each of those in turn, and tapping through them to see an example of what the key functions do and how they are used. Most demos have a "hit any key to advance" style.

Programmer's Reference Guide

I do hope to publish a Programmer's Reference Guide once the framework graduates from frothy liquid to vaguely gelatinous.

fr/OS User's Guide

I really hope so! I love the "Congratulations on the purchase of your new XXXX computer" documentation from the 1980s and 1990s. Just need to write the OS and file manager first...

Breakdown of functionality -- Application framework

• Bitmap functions
• Font functions
• Text mode functions
• Window functions

Expected functionality -- File Manager / Desktop environment

• Icon view
• List view
• Column view (a la NeXT or OS X)
• Custom themes - window colors, widgets, fonts, size, background pattern, icons.
• Basic file management: delete, duplicate, drag-n-drop, move, new folder, etc.
• Ability to launch executables
• Easter eggs: probably very limited: This is an open source project, so it would be hard to hide them.
• Super-cool-idea: too early to share :)

Status

Framework: 10% complete. Current phase: continue to build out windowing functionality
File Manager: 0% complete. Current phase: wait until enough base functionality is present in the framework.
I do not have any hardware yet. I'm doing all development against the f68 emulator, but that itself is also a tool in development.

Completed

ToDo