Delta Forth .NET

(15,933 Views)


World’s First Forth Compiler for the .NET Platform 

Quick Facts

Version: 1.31
Release date: Jan. 21st, 2006
Platform: .NET Framework 2.0, Mono
Features:

  • Fast compilation directly to MSIL (no intermediate code generation)
  • Compilation to either .EXE or .DLL
  • Support for integer and string constants
  • Support for local variables
  • Support for include files
  • Support for external libraries
  • Support for strong signatures

    • Download

    Click here to download the latest version.

    Welcome to the world of Forth.

    Forth is a procedural, stack-oriented, reflective programming language and programming environment. It was initially developed by Chuck Moore at the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the early 1970s, formalized as a programming language in 1977, and standardized by ANSI in 1994. The original implementations featured both interactive execution of commands (making it suitable as a shell for systems that lack a more formal operating system), as well as the ability to compile sequences of commands for later execution. 

    Forth is so named because Moore considered it appropriate for fourth-generation computers (i.e. microcomputers), and the system on which he developed it was limited to five-letter filenames. Although the name is not an acronym, it is sometimes spelled in all capital letters, following the customary usage during its earlier years.

    Forth offers a standalone programming environment consisting of a stack-oriented, interactive, incremental interpreter and compiler. Programming is done by extending the language with words (the term used for Forth subroutines), which become part of the language once defined.

    Forth has been popular for developing embedded systems and instrument controls because it is easy to add small machine code definitions to the language and use those in an interactive high-level programming environment.

    The logical structure of Forth resembles a virtual machine. It has been implemented efficiently on modern RISC processors, and processors that use Forth as machine language have been produced. The modular extensible nature of Forth permits many high-level applications such as CAD systems to be written in Forth.

    Forth is used in the Open Firmware boot ROMs used by Apple, IBM, and Sun Microsystems. It is also used by the FreeBSD operating system as the first stage boot controller.

    Forth is quick to implement and can be ported at low cost. A skilled programmer with good tools can port Forth to a new computer architecture in as little as two weeks. Porting a familiar computer architecture to a new computer is often much faster because only a few drivers are needed. Even programmers unfamiliar with Forth can use low-quality tools and write a Forth system from scratch in a few months of part-time effort.

    Delta Forth .NET is a modern incarnation of the Forth programming language. Although it is a compiler in its own right, Delta Forth .NET has almost all the features of original Forth implementations. Being a one-man effort, this implementation cannot be regarded as rock-solid. Use it to discover the world of Forth and for your small scientific projects.
    Testimonials

    • Tim Sneath, .NET Developer Group, Microsoft Corp.
      Well done on your Forth compiler for .NET. It must be over fifteen years since I last touched Forth, but it’s a great example of how the .NET Framework supports stack-based languages well.
    • Brad Merrill, Microsoft Corp.
      I work with all of our .NET language partners, and noticed your recent announcement of your Forth compiler […]
    • Chris Maunder, www.codeproject.com
      Excellent work Valer - I’m most impressed!
    • Howard Harawitz, author of HTML Assistant Pro
      I taught Forth during most of the eighties. It’s a wonderful language and many of my students loved it. I’m glad to see another modern incarnation. Congratulations!
    • Dennis Misener
      What a delight to trip across your Delta Forth .NET. I was wondering who’d have the first FORTH .NET offering. I need wonder no more. […] Keep up the good work.
    • Lennie De Villiers
      I started out with your Delta Forth. NET […] and found it very interesting using Forth for writing .NET applications.
    • Cherng Chin
      I teach Forth and C# in Providence in Taiwan and how wonderful I could tell students Forth has a .Net version that could be used with C#. Thanks a lot!
    • Jim Shaw
      Thanks for keeping FORTH alive on .NET