Thinking about an HP-41CL

[hth]

(08-06-2016 05:33 PM)smp Wrote:  I've received my NiMH rechargeable batteries, and charged them overnight, and now I'm good to go.

Trying to get into HP-41C programming, I am running into many programs that have synthetic instructions in them. Not the best help to get familiar with programming when you cannot enter the instruction you come up to in the middle of a program.

I've been looking at snippets on synthetic programming and I'm getting confused by byte grabbers, byte jumpers, and byte loaders, and each needs to be generated by starting with a Memory Lost condition, so especially since I do not have any storage mechanism this seems interesting.

I'm wondering about simply obtaining one of the PPC ROMs. I believe it has a byte loader in it, so I would not have to worry about generating one, and I could get on with entering programs as I wish.

Is this a good idea, or should I simply cool my heels and wait until Monte has more 41CL boards available?

It appears that my HP-41C, along with my Quad Memory module, my Extended Functions/Memory module, and a PPC module might really be sufficient. Or, am I fooling myself?

Your thoughts would be most welcome.

smp

Just an idea that might work. Your Extended Functions/Memory module can be used for storage. It might be possible to load all your valuable things into it, turn the calculator off, unplug the module, do a memory lost (with the EF/M module OUTSIDE), then turn off, plug the module back in. It should survive a short time without power and the memory lost will not reach it when it is unplugged. Just an idea... have not tried it myself, be warned.

The byte grabber is the tool to get if you want to play with synthetics. The easiest way is to create it is from a memory lost. I think it might be possible to do it by other means, consult "Extend you HP-41" for more details.

With the arrival of more accessible MCODE programming devices, these procedures are perhaps a little bit less important these days. There are other ways to access synthetic instructions. I have not created or used a byte grabber for years as I have not felt the need to do synthetic programming.

The PPC ROM is nice. You should be aware of (if you do not already know it) that it was developed at a time when the concept of I/O buffers were not known to the community. As a result, it contains several functions that will make a mess of your alarms, but since you do not currently have the Time module, you will not have a problem by that. You may have a problem when you get the CL as it gives access to many other modules that also are affected by this. The PPC ROM also comes built into the CL when it arrives.

A byte grabber and some books can probably provide many evenings of fun and exploration.

If you want to go hunting for a module, a Time module is a very valuable addition in my opinion, but of course it depends on your needs.