>From: markl@cs.yale.edu (Mark Lindner)
>Date: Sun, 20 Feb 1994 04:16:53 GMT

Excerpts from....

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		     The WeirDOS Operating Manual

       WeirDOS Advanced Operating System for Personal Computers
		  (c) 1992-94 by Broaderbuns Oftwear
			 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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 Implementation of the system described below is strictly prohibited!
		      (this part is not a joke)

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1.1: WeirDOS Command Scripts

In the WeirDOS environment, one may construct command scripts to
emulate macros. Command script entry mode is invoked by typing:

DOES { <script name> }

The WeirDOS prompt then changes to a "[" character, signifying
deferred execution mode. Each subsequent line may be any valid WeirDOS
command. The last command must always be:

DID

which exits back to immediate execution mode and writes a tokenized
version of the command script to blocks $0000 through $000F on the
currently logged volume. To store this script in a file, follow this
simple procedure:

TAKE { <script name> }

This command initializes a file with a ".SCR" extension, signifying
that it's a WeirDOS script, and then proceeds to write the script to
it.

To load this script and execute it, use these commands:

GIVE { <script name> }
DO

1.2: Disk Management with WeirDOS

WeirDOS formats its 800K disks into 400 quatroblocks, each quatroblock
equaling 4 blocks of 512 bytes each.

WeirDOS is rather quick in disk access; it takes approximately 10
seconds to load 10Qb of information. A file that is 10Qb in size (and
is the only file on a fresh disk) can be loaded in about 10 seconds. A
full disk however, containing large files that are scattered about on
various quatroblocks, slows WeirDOS down considerably. The same 10Qb
file on a full disk may take approximately 14 minutes to load.

To decrease access time, you may crunch the volume by instructing
WeirDOS to move all unused quatroblocks to the high end of the
disk. To do this, issue the command:

CRUNCHVOL

WeirDOS will then reorganize the disk so that all unused blocks are
moved to the high tracks of the disk. If you also wish to have the
files organized in quatroblock sequence, use the command:

RAISEHELLONDISK

If you find this command unnaceptable due to religious convictions,
you may use the alternative command,

CAUSEHAVOCONDISK

Be patient; a full 800K disk takes approximately 16 hours to
organize. (You may purchase an optional disk drive catalyst unit for
$99.95 that decreases this time by as much as half.)

WeirDOS also has two very powerful direct disk access commands;
GIVEBYTE and TAKEBYTE. The command

GIVEBYTE

will turn the currently logged drive on, allow the drive to come up to
speed, load the data latch with one byte, and turn the drive off. The
value read from the disk will be in level one of the stack. Similarly,

TAKEBYTE

will turn the currently logged drive on, allow the drive to come up to
speed, load the write latch with one byte, and turn the drive off. The
value to be written to the disk should be stored in level one of the
stack.

Be sure that the motor-on time count value (in microseconds) is stored
on level one of the stack and the autosync-byte identification
bit-string value is in level two. (You will read more about the stack
in the next section.)

2.1: Stack Manipulation with WeirDOS

WeirDOS contains a dynamic stack which is used as a type of temporary
storage area. The stack has many uses, but before we explore these
uses, let's look at WeirDOS's stack manipulation commands:

PUSH <register>		pushes the contents of the specified register
			on the stack

PULL <register>		pulls the top item off the stack astores it in
			the specified register (X, Y, Z, or T)

LEVEL			pushes the current level depth of the stack on
			the stack (may then be retrieved using PULL)

FLOAT <level>		"floats" the item in the specified level of
			the stack to the top level; all items above
			that level are pushed down one level to fill
			the gap (the depth of the stack remains
			unchanged)

SINK <level>		"sinks" the item in the specified level of the
			stack to the top level; all items above that
			level are pushed up one level to fill the gap
			(the depth of the stack remains unchanged)

CHUCK <levels>		pulls the specified number of levels off the
			stack and discards them

CLEAR			clears the stack of all information

2.2: Applications for the WeirDOS stack

The WeirDOS stack has manu uses, among them, temporary scratch
storage, operation evaluation, and parameter list storage. The stack
contains twenty levels, each of which may hold up to 127 bytes of
information. Attempting to push a 21st item on the stack causes a "*
STACK FULL" error if error message notification is on; otherwise, a
value of $BB is stored in the WeirDOS global page in a memory location
whose address may be found at the zero page error storage area
pointer.

The following WeirDOS command script uses the stack as a keypress
input buffer:

[[ DOES (INPUT_BUFFER)
 [ CLEAR
 [ READKEY
 [ PUSH T
 [ COMMENT ("Keypresses always returned in T register")
 [ DID
]]

2.3: Advanced File Organization with WeirDOS

WeirDOS has a very advanced set of file management routines in the
form of compiled BASIC. When loaded, these routines occupy a total of
35K of memory (if the language card is active, the total is only
3K). Unlike version 1.0, it is no longer necessary to
allocate/deallocate the file manager. Instead, a value may be set in
the WeirDOS global page specifying whether or not WeirDOS should load
the FM at boot time.

The FM adds these commands to WeirDOS:

SPIT <drive>		Ejects the disk in the specified drive.

LOOGIE			Ejects disks in all drives.

SETDRIVE <drive>	Logs the FM to the volume in the specified
			drive.

SMUDGE <block>		Writes garbage or zeros to the specified
			block, depending on the status of the smear
			flag in the global page.

SMEAR <drive>		Calls the smudge routine repeatedly to clobber
			the entire disk in the specified drive.

LIST <drive>		Produces a hex dump of the disk catalog block.
			To assemble this data into a meaningful
			format, type in and execute the command script
			on pages 356-388 of the WeirDOS Operating
			Manual.

TRASH <filename>	Calls the SMUDGE routine repeatedly to
			overwrite all blocks containing parts of the
			specified file, in effect deleting the file.
			Since the disk catalog is static, the filename
			of the deleted file will appear as "@>R.I.P."
			Using TRASH without a filename clobbers the
			entire disk and renames the volume to
			"@>R.I.P."

GIVE <filename>		Retrieves the specified file from disk.

TAKE <filename>		Saves the data in memory to the specified file
			on disk.

RENAME <newname>	Renames the file whose filename is stored in
			the top level of the stack to the name
			specified in the command. Attempting to delete
			a file by renaming it to "@>R.I.P." causes a
			"** SYSTEM FAILURE" error.

OPEN <filename>		Opens the specified file for reading and
			writing.

CLOSE <filename>	Closes the specified file.

SLAM			Closes all open files.

DUMP <filename>		Dumps the specified file to the printer.
			Specify printing device characteristics in the
			IO table in the WeirDOS global page.

2.4: Assembly Language Programming with WeirDOS

Since memory space is tight with WeirDOS, assembly language
programming is not feasible with the operating system
installed. Therefore, use the command:

SUICIDE

which causes WeirDOS to remove itself from memory. WeirDOS
automatically exits to the system machine language interpreter, whose
promtp is "*". If you accidentally type SUICIDE and you realize your
mistake immediately (before typing anything ito the SMLI) you may
type:

RESURRECT

to get WeirDOS back.

2.5: Functions in WeirDOS

WeirDOS contains only two predefined mathematical functions, namely,
ARG (argument) and AARG (arc-argument). The ARG function returns the
value of its argument. For example,

ARG(-3) = -3 and
ARG(1.834) = 1.834

The inverse of the ARG function, the arc-argument function, AARG,
returns the argument of its value. For example,

AARG(-3) = -3 and
AARG(1.834) = 1.834

These functions may be nested. For example,

ARG(AARG(ARG(ARG(AARG(1.3))))) = 1.3

These two functions are very useful in the WeirDOS environment, as we
shall see in appendix 35.

In addition to functions that return the values of their arguments,
WeirDOS supports values that return the arguments of their functions,
but this feature is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

In addition to these two powerful mathematical functions, WeirDOS
contains five string functions which provide for the manipulation of
the internal WeirDOS babe list. These functions are:

RANK(<name>)		Returns the rank in the babe list of the babe
			whose name is specified by the argument.

NAME(<rank>)		Returns the name of the babe whose rank in the
			babe list is specified by the argument.

ADD(<name>,<rank>)	Adds a babe with name and rank specified by
			the arguments to the babe list. Ranks of other
			babes are adjusted accordingly.

DUMP(<name>)		Removes the babe whose name is specified by
			the argument from the babe list. Ranks of
			other babes are adjusted accordingly.

BABES			Returns the number of babes in the babe list.

The babe list may contain up to 40 babes; attempting to ADD more babes
to the list will cause a "* BABE LIST FULL" error.

Finally, there exists one function for memory manipulation, MEM. MEM
stores in the address specified by the argument the value originally
in that address. (In BASIC, this would be comparable to
POKE(X),PEEK(X).) For a more in-depth look at the MEM function, see
Appendix 53.

2.5.1: A sample session using the built-in babe list.

Initially, the WeirDOS babe list contains five items. Type "BABES" at
the WeirDOS prompt. You will notice that a value of 5 appears on the
next line. Suppose you wanted to find out the rank of Danya Peters in
the babe list. Type:

RANK ("Danya Peters")

WeirDOS will display the value 1 on the following line. Suppose you
wish to add the name "Valerie Sorenson" to the babe list and rank her
as #1. Type:

ADD ("Valerie Sorenson",1)

Now recall the rank of Danya Peters

RANK ("Danya Peters")

WeirDOS will display the value 2. As you can see, the ranks of other
babes were automatically adjusted.

2.5.2: Possible errors with the string functions.

There are only two possible logic errors when using string
functions. Attempting to execute the command:

RANK ("Michelle Nicholson")

causes an "* INFINITE RESULT" error. Attempting to execute:

ADD ("Michelle Nicholson",<x>)

where <x> is any integer, causes a "** SYSTEM FAILURE" error.

3.1: WeirDOS Error Messages

The following is a table listing all possible WeirDOS errors:

#	Message				Description

001	STACK FULL			the stack is full
002	BABE LIST FULL			the babe list is full
003	UNABLE TO ACCESS DISK		the disk is defective
004	DRIVE VACANT			there is no disk in the drive
005	ILLEGAL ARGUMENT		an illegal argument was used
					in a function
006	SYNTAX ERROR			the command was not recognized
007	TOO MANY SYNTAX ERRORS		too many syntax errors have
					occurred
009	NO ASSIGNMENT			a value in a command script
					was not assigned to anything
010	FM WORK AREA OVERFLOW		see tech note #128
011	ILLEGAL STREAM CHANNEL		the I/O stream channel
					address(es) is/are illegal
012	BAD GLOBAL PAGE STRUCTURE	there are illegal values in
					the global page or the global
					page is not properly defined
013	VOLUME SMEARED			access to a smeared disk was
					attempted
014	LOW MEMORY			less than 1K of memory remains
015	NO MEMORY			there is no memory to carry
					out any WeirDOS functions
016	IT'S DARK....			WeirDOS has lost control
019	WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?	WeirDOS has been detached from
					the I/O stream
020	INFINITE RESULT			there was an attempt to
					divide by zero or to recall
					the rank of Michelle Nicholson
					in the babe list, which is
					equal to infinity
027	NO SUCH BABE			an attempt was made to remove
					or rank a babe that is not in
					the babe list
028	UNABLE TO DIE			the SUICIDE command was issued
					while files were still open
035	DISK LOADED			the disk cannot hold any more
					information
036	SYSTEM FAILURE			an attempt was made to add
					Michelle Nicholson to the babe
					list or to rename a file to
					"@>R.I.P."
037	GLOBAL PAGE CHECKSUM BYTES
	FOR ZERO PAGE IMPLIED ADDRESS
	POINTER TO TEMPORARY STORAGE
	AREA FOR PROCESSOR STATUS
	REGISTER AND INTERNAL 16-BIT
	STACK POINTER NOT PROPERLY
	INITIALIZED			see tech note #51 (only
					occurrs during direct FM
					calls)
038	NO SUCH ERROR			an error that is not currently
					defined by WeirDOS has been
					returned by the FM
039	STUPID COMMAND			a file was renamed to the same
					name, a file of name
					"@>R.I.P." was deleted, a non-
					open file was closed, an
					attempt was made to take the
					argument of nothing, the
					contents of a register were
					transferred to the same
					register, the stack pointer
					was set to its current value,
					the command "DO {NOTHING}" was
					executed, or a GOTO points to
					the next command in a command
					script
040	INFINITE LOOP			a GOTO points to iteslf in a
					command script
041	USER TYPES TOO FAST		WeirDOS's input routine
					(written in compiled Logo)
					cannot keep up with the
					keyboard
042	USER TYPES TOO SLOW		WeirDOS's routine is too idle
043	IS THERE ANYONE THERE?		The keyboard strobe has been
					clear in excess of 20 minutes
050	LIST FULL			The catalog on the current
					disk is full and no more files
					can be added
051	SLANG ERROR			slang was typed in response to
					a WeirDOS prompt
127	"ERROR" ERROR			the ERROR variable was
					improperly used

After an error has occurred, the command:

ERROR

returns the error number.

3.2: WeirDOS Utilities

WeirDOS 2.0 contains four very powerful utility kits. The first is the
WTFE, or WeirDOS text file editor. Invoke this utility by typing:

EDIT <filename>				the filename is optional

The second, and even more powerful utility, is VWT, the Virus Writer's
Toolkit. Invoke this utility by typing:

VIRUS <filename>			the filename is optional

There is a separate manual that covers VWT.

The third utility of WeirDOS is called the Virtual Reality Software
Processor. It allows programmers who exist in virtual reality to write
virtual software (in other words, software that exists only in the
imagination of its writer(s), but is nevertheless fully functional in
virtual reality).

If you do not exist in acutal reality, you may use this useful
utility. To enter the VRSP, issue a virtual command (that is, a
command that exist only in your imagination). Note that this command
cannot be a random figment of your thought processes; it must be a
valid command that exists and is defined in virtual reality. Note also
that you cannot issue the command by typing it at the keyboard, as
this action exists in actual--not virtual--reality.

Once in VRSP, you may define commands and command structures
quintessentially. Then you may execute these commands and structures
with figmentative execute commands. Since the structures occupy
virtual memory, there is no limit to their size.

To exit the VRSP and return to WeirDOS, issue a virtual "exit"
command. As before, this command must exist in--and only in--virtual
reality. It cannot, however, be a "made-up" command, as this will
cause a virtual syntax error. (The error message won't be displayed on
the screen but will appear virtually.)

No manual is needed for the VRSP due to its user-defined
functionality.

NOTE: If you exist only in virtual reality, do not attempt to
dismantle the VRSP once you are in it as this will return you to
actual reality and you will cease to exist. (In no event will
Broaderbuns Oftwear be liable for direct, indirect, specila,
incidental, or consequential damages resulting form any misuse of the
VRSP.)

The fourth utility, called the Hexadecimal Extrapolation Manipulator
and Analog Navigator (HE-MAN), is a set of routines directed toward
the brainwashed hermit assembly language programmer. The highly
complex functionality of this utility is beyond the scope of this
tutorial and is completely documented in the HE-MAN User's Manual,
avaliable in six volumes (condensed) from Broaderbuns Oftwear.

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--

Cheers!
Mark

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
markl@suned.zoo.cs.yale.edu          | computer jokes: Bill Gates, Macintosh,
(Mark Lindner)                       | Newton, IBM, Pentium, WordPerfect, twm,
436-1723 (Silliman College)          | AIX, A/UX, PowerOpen, System 7, MS-DOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               System 7... CP/M with a graphical interface.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  "I called you guys about four hours ago to come fix my sink! Water's all
   over the place."

    "No, you said Monday....what? Oh, well now you're callin' me a liar?"
                                                                -Kissle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Poor miserable Minerva saps. Zapped at the slightest whim of the Sun God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--

Cheers!
Mark

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
markl@suned.zoo.cs.yale.edu          | computer jokes: Bill Gates, Macintosh,
(Mark Lindner)                       | Newton, IBM, Pentium, WordPerfect, twm,
436-1723 (Silliman College)          | AIX, A/UX, PowerOpen, System 7, MS-DOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               System 7... CP/M with a graphical interface.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  "I called you guys about four hours ago to come fix my sink! Water's all
   over the place."

    "No, you said Monday....what? Oh, well now you're callin' me a liar?"
                                                                -Kissle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Poor miserable Minerva saps. Zapped at the slightest whim of the Sun God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------