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  • Do something

    From T. Ment@t.ment@protocol.invalid to comp.os.msdos.misc on Sun Apr 14 17:30:43 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    In another thread, I said

    Do something worthwhile. Learn assembly

    If that's too hard, start with something easier. Here's an archive of PC Magazine source code:

    http://mpolibbs.steptail.com/software/MISC/PCMAG/

    with many projects to choose from.


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  • From R.Wieser@address@not.available to comp.os.msdos.misc on Sun Apr 14 20:05:57 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    T,

    http://mpolibbs.steptail.com/software/MISC/PCMAG/

    If only there was a description of what is inside all those featureless zipfiles ...

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From Sjouke Burry@burrynulnulfour@ppllaanneett.nnll to comp.os.msdos.misc on Mon Apr 15 00:20:57 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    On 14-4-2019 20:05, R.Wieser wrote:
    T,

    http://mpolibbs.steptail.com/software/MISC/PCMAG/

    If only there was a description of what is inside all those featureless zipfiles ...

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


    Just downloaded the lot.

    Quite a few files seem to be missing.

    General contents:sourcecode, exe's and com's, and batchfiles.
    Also a lot of zips inside the zip files.

    Not much info, for that you need the magazines, i presume.
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  • From T. Ment@t.ment@protocol.invalid to comp.os.msdos.misc on Sun Apr 14 23:00:34 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    On Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:20:57 +0200, Sjouke Burry wrote:

    http://mpolibbs.steptail.com/software/MISC/PCMAG/

    General contents:sourcecode, exe's and com's, and batchfiles.


    VOL7N06, CALC.DOC:

    Purpose: A pop-up programmer's calculator with base conversion,
    bit-shifting, logical operator, and mod functions, and 32-bit number
    representation that also supports a 2-decimal place integer arithmetic
    calculations.


    Not much info, for that you need the magazines, i presume.

    The CALC.ASM source code is enough info. Some hackers don't even need
    that. They read machine code and disassemble it in their mind. How much
    info you need, depends on your skill level.


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  • From R.Wieser@address@not.available to comp.os.msdos.misc on Mon Apr 15 08:44:47 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    Sjouke,

    Just downloaded the lot.

    I downloaded the first two, and I do not consider any of the three contained assembly files as novice-grade examples. Such examples should be self-contained or come with a "this is the expected output" description.

    Not much info, for that you need the magazines, i presume.

    You might hope so ...

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From R.Wieser@address@not.available to comp.os.msdos.misc on Mon Apr 15 09:05:50 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    T,

    Not much info, for that you need the magazines, i presume.

    The CALC.ASM source code is enough info. [snip]

    You start with "If that's too hard, start with something easier." and now follow it up with "you figure it out yourself". Make up your mind please. :-)

    Also, for a beginner that particular sourcecode is /way/ to big and complex
    to be in any measure comfortable with. And thats regardles of the ammount
    of remarks in there.


    Bottom line: those files (as is) might be usefull as a "how do other people
    do it?" kind of reference, /after/ you already got the (very loosely put) "basics" down.

    And as such (a "how do other people do it?" reference) I have to thank you
    for posting that link. :-)

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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  • From JJ@jj4public@vfemail.net to comp.os.msdos.misc on Tue Apr 16 14:49:39 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    On Mon, 15 Apr 2019 09:05:50 +0200, R.Wieser wrote:

    Also, for a beginner that particular sourcecode is /way/ to big and complex to be in any measure comfortable with. And thats regardles of the ammount of remarks in there.

    I'd have to agree. Most PCMag's Assembly based DOS tools are intermediate to advanced levels, for those who are learning Assembly. Because they involve
    DOS environment and sometimes, DOS internals. They're not like average
    "Hello World" level projects.
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  • From T. Ment@t.ment@protocol.invalid to comp.os.msdos.misc on Tue Apr 16 15:14:39 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    On Tue, 16 Apr 2019 14:49:39 +0700, JJ wrote:

    Most PCMag's Assembly based DOS tools are intermediate to
    advanced levels, for those who are learning Assembly. Because they involve DOS environment and sometimes, DOS internals. They're not like average
    "Hello World" level projects.

    People don't need to understand all the code to assemble and link it.
    Learning how to use the build tools comes first. Then you can use the
    finished product. Some are useful in themselves.

    You can fix bugs and add features later, as skills advance. Get started,
    and dismiss the negative critics, those who always complain and never do anything.


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  • From R.Wieser@address@not.available to comp.os.msdos.misc on Tue Apr 16 18:32:06 2019
    From Newsgroup: comp.os.msdos.misc

    T,

    People don't need to understand all the code to assemble and link it.

    That might be a good approach if you are only interrested in the end result, but definitily not for an aspiring programmer - for which the road towards
    the goal probably is more important than the goal itself.

    It might be used by a teacher as a "look, this is how easy it is" show preliminary to doing something yourself, but not much more.

    Learning how to use the build tools comes first.

    I disagree there. You first create the need for a tool, and than explain how its used (best way: Have them ask how to do a certain thing). The
    lesson will be remembered /much/ better that way.

    You can fix bugs and add features later, as skills advance.

    In my experience its the other way around : Its the challenge to figure out how to add a certain feature is what advances their skills. And I've often used fixing "bugs" as a challenge to learn new stuff.

    Than again, I've never had the displeasure to have to instruct kids who
    didn't want to learn to program, so my experiences might be different from
    the ones of teachers infront of a disinterrested classroom.

    Regards,
    Rudy Wieser


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