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====== A Start With Forth - eBook ======

Link to this description in German:  [[projects:a-start-with-forth:start]]

This eBook had always been planned to be readable and distributed via amazon on PC Tablet and Mobile. 
Some people do not like to download Kindle – then the option of reading it in the Cloud is possible for – as I know – any screen/keyboard combination. 
See it at\\ 
[[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Start-Forth-2017-Bits-Bites-ebook/dp/B073NMX1XP/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499278235&sr=1-13]] \\ 
You can LOOK INSIDE (above the picture) and see part of it or ask for a free sample on the right hand side.

But there is still the requirement for beginners to download and print. Most of the chapters of this eBook you can find here.
===== Chapter 4:  Imagine, you Invent a Language ... =====

A different start here. Rather than explaining how it works, we start from nothing and just imagine the steps
You just need 12 constructs here as a first step – in Forth these are Words –
and these at then put together to  run a small application
– to switch the usual (here virtual) LED on and off.  {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:4_describing_is_more_difficult_than_starting_and_go_through_the_process_v13a_to_michael.pdf |Imagine to Invent a Language}}

===== Chapter 5 - Now try it out on the Web - no Installation needed ======

Normally, you would now need to download and install a Forth of your choice to run this code. 
easyForth is on the web, written in Javascript. And, you can type the code directly into the window supplied and run Forth code – and there are very good explanations that Nick supplied. 
Here I made it into a PDF with Nick’s ok for download and print.

[[https://skilldrick.github.io/easyforth/|Easy Forth by Nick Morgan]] - type Forth code into your browser. Instant experience. Build up your initial Forth know-how. You can print this document as well: {{:en:projects:a-start-with-forth:05_easy_forth_v16_a5_withexp_comments.pdf |Easy Forth}} \\
One Word is different: The Word for ''ms'' delay is different, Nick calls it ''sleep''.


===== Chapter 6 - Extend the 12 Words to 35 Words =====

This part of the new((2017)) eBook //A Start With Forth// published by Juergen, [[en:projects:a-start-with-forth:start|here in printable form]] and with PDFs also printable, so you have lots of material for your exercises.
 
You can run this code in easyForth as well, but there is no sound compared to the next step, and ''ms'' = ''sleep''
compared to our next option VFXTESTAPP.exe .

===== Chapter 7 - Use the downloadable VFXTESTAPP.exe =====

Here you just download an .exe, which can execute most of the VFX Words. The VFX Manual you can find as part of the VFX download on the www.mpeforth.com website or here as PDF. Run the code of chapter 4 and 6. Advantage: there is no installation needed. You can store it locally on your PC and the word SAVE adds your work for next time. ( sorry, no Linux or Mac yet )

[[en:projects:a-start-with-forth:start|Get VFXTESTAPP.exe here.]]

The manual of the full VFX version explaining the Words in VFXTESTAPP.exe can be downloaded here: {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:vfxman.pdf |vfxman.pdf}}
===== Chapter 8 - Editor / File Handling – AIDE and VFX_LITE MSP430 =====

Here the manual for MPE’s AIDE, the VFX Helper and editor. There is more you can do, but not planned in this context here.  {{:en:projects:a-start-with-forth:08_aide_from_soton.pdf_a5_v2_2016_09_16.pdf |AIDE}}

===== Chapter 9 - Running Forth on a TI MSP430 using VFX LITE 430 =====

MPE made this available as a free Starter version, and it was prepared for the MicroBox event for the Scouts Jamboree. Here you run the complete Forth ON a controller, the TI MSP430G2553. And AIDE helps. {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:09_msp430targlite_v5.pdf |VFX LITE 430}}

( ARM will follow in a later version )


===== Chapter 11a - 4e4th Manual 1 =====
Dirk Bruehl and Michael Kalus have spent a lot of their time to make 4e4th available for the TI Launchpad. As well written for the MSP430G2553. Without them and Paul, I would have never gotten to the MicroBox Project running. {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:11_4e4th-ide-startnotes_2016_03_29_a5_v1.pdf |4e4th-ide-startnotes}}

===== Chapter 11b - 4e4th Manual 2 =====

And the next steps in 4e4th. {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:10_4e4th-ide-instructions_including_microbox_a5_2016_03_18_v1.pdf |4e4th-ide-instructions_including_microbox}}
===== Chapter 11c - uMMT – Some small Example Code to try out =====
Have fun: {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:11cummtshort_v5workinprogress.pdf |uMMT v5}}

===== Chapter 12 - MicroBit – Running Mecrisp Forth on the MicroBit =====
The BBC micro:bit with its 25 LEDs and the many additional functions needed a Forth. 
1,000,000 of them are supposedly now at UK schools and there is a lot of documentation.
As I had access to one, Matthias Koch kindly ported his MECRISP to this board. Get: 
[[en:projects:microbit:start|MECRISP for micro:bit]]. 
Follow the links for installation information. I tried mine using the same 35 Word Forth.
Needed a few additions but no problem – help is always available in the Forth community.



===== Chapter 13 - Minimal Invasive Serial Link - 3 Word Forth Interface =====

I like Minimal Solutions. I got the ok to add this option of poking around inside a controller for this eBook.\\
3 Words: Read a byte, Write a byte, Start a subroutine. Interfaced via a serial link, a Forth can control the chip. {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:3_instruction_forth.pdf |3 Instruction Forth}}
===== Chapter 14 - MPE -  Mixed Language Design using Sockpuppet =====
One of the new developments for using Forth: The advantages of Interactive Programming/Testing
and linked to other languages, here C and ARM. Get system design ready quicker.
See as well Rob’s presentation from 22 July 2017 on youtube at 1h50mins. {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:14_mpeforth_sockpuppet.pdf |Sockpuppet article}}

As in December 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlDloFOdrZQ

There are infomations on github too: https://github.com/rbsexton?tab=repositories

And here as well: http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/anton/euroforth/ef16/papers/pelc.pdf

===== Chapter 15 - v4th – An Approach using Forth Techniques =====

Vic uses the Forth structures but stays closer to assembler. {{:en:projects:a-start-with-forth:15_vics_v4thv4_final_as_sent_to_michael.pdf |v4th}}
===== Chapter 16 - Minimum Word Sets and Comparison =====
How many Forth Words do you really need? Either as SW or even implemented in FPGA.\\
A quick comparison of what we found on the web and Paul’s explanations. {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:minimum_word_set_and_comparison.pdf |Minimum Wordset}}

===== Chapter 17 - Certifying your Code =====
Certification becomes more and more important, especially with IOT - and Forth is a very good candidate in this respect. \\ {{ :en:projects:a-start-with-forth:certifyingforthsource_004_.pdf |Certifying your Code, by
Paul E. Bennett}}

====== We hope you find something useful here. ======
 The eBook //A Start With Forth// is part of [[https://www.amazon.com/Juergen-Pintaske/e/B00N8HVEZM|The Forth Bookshelf]].

More Literatur:\\
[[en:projects:pintaske_s_electronic_forth_bookshelf|Juergens Collection]]\\
[[en:projects:litlist|Klaus' Collection]]


… and if you want to see which Forth eBooks people are interested in, see how the  [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/3970/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_5_last#1|Bestseller List]] is doing today((Today 24 July 2017, eForth and Zen 2017 is in place 2, A Start With Forth is in place 3, and Stephen Pelc’s Programming forth follows in place 19. And there are more, check yourself.)) ...