nuttx-apps/interpreters

apps/interpreters README file
=============================

This apps/ directory is set aside to hold interpreters that may be
incorporated into NuttX.

ficl
----

  This is DIY port of Ficl (the "Forth Inspired Command Language").  See
  http://ficl.sourceforge.net/.  It is a "DIY" port because the Ficl source
  is not in that directory, only an environment and instructions that will
  let you build Ficl under NuttX.  The rest is up to you.

micropython
-----------

  This is a port of a build environment for Micro Python:

    https://micropython.org/

  Configuration Options:

    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON - Enables support for the Micro Python
      interpreter
    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_URL - URL where Micro Python can be
      downloaded. default "https://github.com/micropython/micropython/archive".
      There are more recent snapshots at https://micropython.org/download/
    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_VERSION - Version number. Default "1.3.8"
    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_APPNAME - Executable name.  Only needed
      if CONFIG_NSH_BUILTIN_APPS=y.  Default: "micropython"
    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_STACKSIZE - Interpreter stack size.  Only
      needed if CONFIG_NSH_BUILTIN_APPS=y.  Default: 2048
    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_PRIORITY - Interpreter priority.  Only
      needed if CONFIG_NSH_BUILTIN_APPS=y.  Default: 100
    CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_PROGNAME - Program name.  Only needed
      if CONFIG_BUILD_KERNEL=y.  Default: "micropython"

  NOTE that Micro Python is not included in this directory.  Be default,
  it will be downloaded at build time from the github .  You can avoid
  this download by pre-installing Micro Python.  Before building, just
  download Micro Python from:

    https://micropython.org/download/
    https://github.com/micropython/micropython/releases

  Or clone from the GIT repository at:

    https://github.com/micropython/
    https://github.com/micropython/micropython

  The Micro Python should be provided as a tarbll name:

    apps/interpreters/micropython/v$(CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_VERSION).tar.gz

  and the unpacked code should reside in directory at:

    apps/interpreters/micropython/micropython-$(CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_MICROPYTHON_VERSION)

  This port was contributed by Dave Marples using Micro Python circa
  1.3.8.  It may not be compatible with other versions.

  NOTES:

  1. Micro Python will not build on Windows with a Windows native toolchain
     due to use of POSIX paths in the Micro Python build system.  It should build
     correctly on Linux or under Cygwin with the NuttX buildroot tools.

  2. Micro Python will not run correctly on a 64-bit target (such as the NuttX
     simulation on a 64-bit platfform).  In that case it generates assertions
     like:

       OverflowError: long int not supported in this build

     This change to mpconfigport.h is a partial work-around but does not solve
     all issues:

       -#define MICROPY_LONGINT_IMPL           (MICROPY_LONGINT_IMPL_MPZ)
       +#define MICROPY_LONGINT_IMPL           (MICROPY_LONGINT_IMPL_LONGLONG)

     Someday it will probably be necessary to autogenerate the mpconfigport.h
     header file with the correct properties for the target system.\

  3. Can't fine alloca.h?  With GCC compilers you may be able replace the
     inclusion of alloca.h in mkconfigport.h with:

       #define alloca(a) __builtin_alloca(a)

  4. Micro Python needs the math library libm.a.  The math library built into
     NuttX is sufficient and that can be included with CONFIG_LIBM=y.  If you
     prefer a more highly tuned math library then refer to the discussion of
     math.h in the the top-level nuttx/README.txt file.  Also refer to the
     discussions in the NuttX Yahoo! forum; people have found many creative
     way to link with the newlib math library, for example.

pcode
-----

  At present, only the NuttX Pascal add-on is supported.  This NuttX add-on
  must be downloaded separately (or is available in an GIT snapshot in the
  misc/pascal directory).

  This Pascal add-on must be installed into the NuttX apps/ directory.  After
  unpacking the Pascal add-on package, an installation script and README.txt
  instructions can be found at pascal/nuttx.

  INSTALL.sh -- The script that performs the operation.  Usage:

     ./INSTALL.sh [-16|-32] <install-dir>

      If you are using this standard NuttX apps/ package, the correct
      location for the <install-dir> is apps/interpreters.  That is
      where the examples and build logic will expect to find the pcode
      sub-directory.

    Example:

      ./INSTALL.sh -16 $PWD/../../../apps/interpreters

    After installation, the NuttX apps/interpresters directory will contain
    the following files

      pcode
      |-- Makefile
      |-- include
      |   `-- Common header files
      |-- libboff
      |   `-- Pascal object format (POFF) library
      `--insn
          |-- include
          |   `-- model-specific header files
          `-- prun
              `-- model-specific source files

  pashello

    There is a simple Pascal example at apps/examples/pashello.  This is the
    standard "Hello, World!" example written in Pascal and interpreted from
    Pascal P-Code at runtime.  To use this example, place the following in
    your defonfig file:

      CONFIG_EXAMPLES_PASHELLO=y
      CONFIG_INTERPRETERS_PCODE=y

prun

  This directory holds some simple, convenience functions to simplify and
  standardize the interaction with the P-Code library.