HP-41: OS4 module and Ladybug 1A

[hth]

This is to announce the first release of the OS4 module. It is a banked module that must be loaded to page 4 as it uses the 0x4000 vector.

OS4 aims to provide a lot of new features that can transform the HP-41 quite dramatically, while at the same time preserving all the behavior we like to keep as is.

At a very high level OS4 does the following:

1. Removes the 64 function limitation for a single plug-in module page.
2. Support for programmable prompting XROM functions with one or two postfix arguments.
3. Provides a robust way of defining new alternative keyboard layouts, supporting both full and partial layouts without relying on key assignments.
4. A way to override the default display of the X register with something else.
5. Support for writing temporary modes, such as input modes, updating clock style modes and catalogs. The interval timer can be borrowed (if timer chip present) to allow for periodic updates and timeouts in such modes.
   

On its own OS4 will not do much as it is in page 4. You will need other modules to enable its features. Two such modules are available now, Ladybug 1A and Boost 0A (early snapshot release). Ladybug provides a integer mode for the HP-41, much like the HP-16C. Boost has XEQ and ASN replacements that allow for direct execution and assignment of secondary functions, plus some other goodies. Boost also provides an extensible catalog mechanism and adds one new catalog (so far), number 07 which shows buffers.

You can also use OS4 for developing your own modules.

References:
https://github.com/hth313/OS4/releases
https://github.com/hth313/ladybug/releases
https://github.com/hth313/boost41/releases

[HP-Collection]

What a nice birthday present. thanks a lot
Matthias

[rprosperi]

Looks like a huge amount of work. Thanks for sharing these Håkan.

Happy Birthday Matthias.

[RobertM]

Thanks for all the hard work that went into this release! Congrats!

[hth]

A couple of issues were found just after the release of OS4 so there is now a version 1B.

https://github.com/hth313/OS4/releases

[twoweims]

(06-03-2020 07:39 PM)hth Wrote:  A couple of issues were found just after the release of OS4 so there is now a version 1B.

https://github.com/hth313/OS4/releases

I am assuming this update did not make it into Monte’s latest 41CL release.

[Monte Dalrymple]

(06-04-2020 12:04 AM)twoweims Wrote:  

(06-03-2020 07:39 PM)hth Wrote:  A couple of issues were found just after the release of OS4 so there is now a version 1B.

https://github.com/hth313/OS4/releases

I am assuming this update did not make it into Monte’s latest 41CL release.

Wrong. I found one of the bugs during my pre-release testing and held up the release for Hakan.

[twoweims]

(06-04-2020 12:10 AM)Monte Dalrymple Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 12:04 AM)twoweims Wrote:  I am assuming this update did not make it into Monte’s latest 41CL release.

Wrong. I found one of the bugs during my pre-release testing and held up the release for Hakan.

Great! I can't wait to start exploring...

[Artur - Brasil]

This is a fabulous work! Congratulations!
Now, those ones that are afortunate to have one NovRam or other special RAM/ROM modules will have two great calculators in one! What a precious work!!!

I, in my 54 years old, can't understand very well the 41 internals and assembly language.
Maybe an online master class from you, experts, could make us - people like me in a need of some assistance - star in this new world!!!

A summer (or winther) online course?

Again,
Congrats and thanks a lot!
Artur - Brazil