• Z80A @ 4MHz
• 32k RAM (default), 24kb ROM
• Additional 1 line VF display

• Native console output
• Native console input
• ANSI vt100 engine
• Generic console
  • Redefinable font
  • UDG support
  • Paper colour
  • Ink colour
  • Inverse attribute
  • Bold attribute
  • Underline attribute
• Lores graphics
• Hires graphics
• PSG sound
• One bit sound
• Inkey driver
• Hardware joystick
• File I/O
• Interrupts
• RS232

The Grundy Newbrain platform is still supported quite at a base level, but it already features a powerful appmake tool.

The binary code can be relocated or left at its default position at 10000 (decimal).

zcc  +newbrain -lm -lndos -create-app program.c

-or-

zcc  +newbrain -lm -lnbdrv -create-app program.c

The above examples will build a BASIC loader, a binary block and a "directory file", suitable for the tape support of the Newbrain emulator by Chris Despinidis. In the second case the file library is linked in place of the foo fcntl one.

zcc  +newbrain -lm -startup=2 -create-app program.c

The "startup=2" option enables an irq extender, still under development. This option won't work on expanded models.

zcc  +newbrain -lm -zorg=20000 -create-app program.c

The "-zorg=<location>" option locates the code at the desired position; it has effect also on the "appmake" tool, which will adapt the loader for the new location.

zcc  +newbrain -lm -Cz-o -Cz-myname -create-app program.c

It is an advanced way to pass parameters to the appmake tool; in this case we've specified a different file name. The available options are:

 1. h   --help            (bool)    Display this help
 2. b   --binfile         (string)  Linked binary file
 3. c   --crt0file        (string)  crt0 file used in linking
 4. o   --output          (string)  Name of output file
 5. a   --ascii           (bool)    Generate a BASIC loader in plain text
       --blockname       (string)  Name of the binary block in tape
       --org             (integer) Origin of the binary

Additional, NewBrain specific functions and variables are provided in <newbrain.h>

/*
 *	Example of advanced use of the NewBrain specific functions
 *	Display disk directory in expanded NewBrain
 */

#include <stdio.h>
#include <newbrain.h>
#include <string.h>

#define NBCHAN 100

main()
{
char buf[150];

	/*  Open the directory device on stream 15 */
	nb_open( OUTP, NBCHAN, DEV_SDISCIO, 0, "" );
	
	/* send 'DIR' command (3) for 'A:*.*' to directory device */
	nb_puts( NBCHAN, "3A:*.*\n" );
	
	while (strlen( nb_gets(NBCHAN, buf) )>0) {
	  printf ("%s\n",buf);
	  nb_puts( NBCHAN, "4");	/* ask for next item */
	}

	nb_close( NBCHAN );
}

To select the tape device in disk-enabled models, you need to change the default I/O device before LOADing the program:

POKE 19,1

Then you can use the LOAD command as usual.

The CP/M target environment can be extended with Newbrain specific functions simply linking the "nbcpm" library. Refer to the library documentation for details.

To create a system disk image the NewBrain emulator (v.2.64) can be used:

Launch the emulator in CP/M mode, it will create a temporary file in the "disks" directory named "cpmmaster.dsk". Keep a copy of the file before closing the emulator.

newbrainemu.eu (please register to download)