VT202/1303 BDS-C Compiler

Having got Kermit running on the Lexitron CP/M my attention could turn to adding some more applications. The Lexitron does have the limitation that it uses an 8085 microprocessor and that rules out any apps that assume a Z80. This seems, for example, to include Turbo Pascal. The Lexitron also uses 35 track single sided drives; the space available is only 140kB which is tight.

BDS-C was written for the 8080 and doesn’t require a lot of disk space. The author’s website provides the software, sources, and various other files for the last version, 1.6. It also has a video where he talks about the history of the compiler and more:

https://www.bdsoft.com/resources/bdsc.html

i was able to transfer the files to Lexitron floppy disks by means of kermit. Once i had set up a disk with just the essential items it was good to go.

I started to punch in hello world and then realised that there were no braces {} on the keyboard. I eventually worked out that the ascii codes correspond to some unusual characters that the Lexitron uses so i just used them in place of the braces.

{ = §

} = †

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