workshop notes
--------------

DAY 1

* getting started : down to the metal : what it is about
  - pic chip: has machine code

  - why forth? 
    	- interactive
	- easier than machine code
	- still fairly close to the metal (similar to C)
	- divide and conquer : use small TESTABLE functions
	- closer to functional programming

  - why not standard forth?
    	- forth is a paradigmn (A forth) 
	- stacks & words is all there is
	- stay close to the real thing (real programmer :)

  - why PURRR ?
        - target contains only machine code
	- the host contains all symbolic representations
	- the host can perform optimizations (chip to small for smart compiler)
	

* loading files + uploading to the microcontroller
  - 'ping' to check if the chip is there
  - 'load' converts forth to assembler (see 'pa')
  - 'commit' converts assembler to code on chip
  - 'mark' marks the chip, so a later 'empty' can restore the state
  - compile mode: ctrl-D


DAY 2

* stack operations
  - dup swap drop + - and xor
  - @ !
  - hexadecimal numbers
  - 8 bit numbers

* defining new words
  - use ':' and ';' to create new FLASH executable code
  - use 'variable' to create a RAM variable
  - use 'constant' to create a constant value

* for .. next
* delay loops
* blink-a-led : LATA

* begin .. until
* conditions
* 'ping' interruption


* video signals : a bit of theory
* how to do it on the pic : using a timer at line frequency
* for .. next
* begin .. until
* hooks: change behaviour after 'burning'

* logo.f
* ball.f

* lfsr.f -> random numbers