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BCI51 is an acronym for
Basic Compiler Integer for 8051s.
BCI51 is the first,
and as far as we know, still the only real-time BASIC compiler
for the 8051 family. "Real time" means that BCI51 supports
true interrupts. It comes with ring-buffered, interrupt-driven
serial I/O. The BCI51 function library is re-entrant (another
real time requirement.
BCI51 is NOT derived
from the BASIC-52 interpreter. We wrote it 'from scratch' to
combine the speed of true compiled code with the ease and familiarity
of BASIC. BCI51 is a command-line program which runs in a DOS
window under any Windows or NT operating system. It generates
standard Intel Hex files. BCI51 has great support for in-line
or #included assembly code.
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Photo:
DPB2 and some accessories running a BCI51 Program. BCI51 and
DPB2 together received an EDN
100 Hot Products award. |
REQUIREMENTS and LIMITATIONS: All versions do not support floating point
math. However, you can simulate decimal data a number of ways
so this is not really a limitation. Without floating point math
there are no trig functions. All versions have 8- and 16- bit
integer math, signed and unsigned. There is an unsigned 32-bit math library
and it does require some knowledge of assembly code. All BCI51
programs require at least a few bytes of "movx" data
memory, so the very small 8051s without any possibility of so-called
"external data memory" will not run a BCI51 program.
Some controllers such as the DS87C520 and DS87C530 have 1 KByte
of movx SRAM built in - this is acceptable to a BCI51 program. |
BCI51 PRO: Includes support (50 added keywords) for Dallas
Secure Micros. Doesn't need line numbers, can use descriptive
labels instead. More complex if-else-endif constructs than BCI51.
Outsells BCI51 10:1. Does not have specific support for the Dallas
High Speed Micros, but does generate code which runs on them
in their 8051-compatible modes. BCI51-generated code is in use
in many commercial products world wide from radio station automation
equipment to portable data loggers. |
BCI51: The original version, requires line numbers.
No special Dallas Secure Micro support. Frankly, we don't sell
many of these. |
ALPT: Assembly Language Programmer's Toolkit. This
is commented source code for the entire BCI51 run-time library.
It is not needed to simply use in-line assembly code. It is intended
for you who will be modifying the run-time libraries or who want
to call the run-time routines directly from your own assembly
code. Or if you are just curious how the libraries work. |
FUTURE PLANS: It is our intent to add a new version of BCI51
to the RAD51 development environment. But it took us over a year
to get RAD51 out the door, so don't hold your breath... All BCI51
Pro registered owners will receive a free RAD51 & BCI51 update
when and if it is completed. |
BCI51 Files Area: sample
programs and enhancements |
BCI51 FAQs |