No. 41 May/June 1988 $3.95 THE MICRO TECHNICAL JOURNAL 3-D Graphics / AI Theory Three-Dimensional Graphics, Part 1 page 8 Earl Hinrichs uses high performance graphics IC to create and display depth. Neural Networks page 16 Modeling human reasoning is the first step in creating a useful robot. The Logic Of Programming Languages page 22 Proving that a language is logically valid beats testing it for 10 years. Applying Information Theory page 42 Calculating the maximum theoretical data compression and then applying it. Plus: Updating The C Reviews page 48 RS-232 Interfacing page 30 Button's Great Share", page 58 MarketiJ , H' ..of AndMuc Mu II 11 •• 1 .. 1.1 11111.111 III II I " VERY HIGH RESOLUTION The PC Tech COLOR and MONOCHROME video processor boards employ the TMS 34010 high performance graphics co·processor to insure the best possible video performance at reasonable prices. Color 34010 Video Processor: • Featured on the cover of Micro Cornucopia. • From 800 x 512 through 1024 x 800 resolution (depending on monitor and configuration). • 8 Bits per pixel for 256 simultaneous colors • Hardware support for CGA/MDA emulation. • PC, XT, and AT compatible The PC Tech Color 34010 video processor is a superior 34010 native code and DGIS development tool. We support up to 4 megabytes of program (non-display) 34010 RAM as well as up to 76aK bytes of display RAM. Compare our architecture and prices to any other intelligent graphics board. Then choose the PC Tech Color 34010 Video Processor for your development engine and your production requirements as well. Color 34010 Video Processor ..................... $1, 195.00 Price includes 512K display RAM, 1024K program RAM, and utility software. Monitor not included. Also available: DGIS, 34010 C compiler, assembler, 34010 fractal software, additional display and program memory, and various monitor options. PC Tech Monochrome 34010 Video Processor and Monitor • 736 x 1024 resolution (other options available) • 2 bits per pixel for 4 hardware gray shades • Hardware support for CGA/M DA/Hercules emulation • PC, XT, and AT compatible • Full page 66 line text editing with many popular editors • Excellent windows 2.0 application development system The graphics and bit manipulation capabilities of the TMS 34010 make the PC Tech Monochrome 34010 Video Processor 66 line full page text and graphics display faster than many 25 line systems. The video processor is available separately or with the high resolution white phosphor monitor shown above. Monochrome 34010 Video Sub-System .......... $1,295.00 Price includes Monochrome Video Processor and monitor pictured above. Also available: DGIS, TI 34010 C compiler, TI assembler. Monochrome 34010 Video Processor also available separately. SOG SPECIAL! PC Tech will offer a 10% SOG DISCOUNT on all , Designed, Sold and Serviced By: 34010 based video products ordered within 1 week of SOGI Special pricing effective July 7-21, 1988 904 N. 6th St. Lake City, M N 55041 (612) 345·4555 (612) 345·5514 (FAX) PC, XT, AT, DGIS, Hercules, and Windows 2.0 are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Reader Service Number 3 DataDesk's New Turbo-lOl Enhanced Keyboard Bundle! 12 function keys Enlarged Dedicated Pause, with functional L-shaped Enter Key Scroll Lock, Print Fll & F12 Screen keys Switch-selectable for swallping Ctrl L and Caps Lock positions ' /.1 /- Extra-wide ,/.. , Shift keys ,i!/",,; . / ~\ ~?,..OO "" ftt~~· C\~\,\\~ Positive-tactile, firm-feel keys Dedicated screen ~1.r\\\'\:~' ~'{',~."""~",,--~,,,,---- control and cursor keypad with O:f"''J'J ~.-- movement keys enlarged Enter key S __ ~~-"'" You don't have to think twice. Get both - the best-selling Turbo! 01 T" Enhanced I(eyboard and ThinkTank;" the award-winning outline processor. For an unthinkable $149.95! Now Both You and Your PC can be State-of-the-Art The Turbo-lOl Enhanced Keyboard gives " Great typing touch ... there's only you all of the features of IBM's newest key­ You Don't Have one DataDesk Turbo-WI-the first board standard (see above photo). It's ideal To Be A Brain Surgeon keyboard to challenge IBM products for word processing with its traditional seriously. "Selectric" typewriter layout featuring To Understand This Special Offer. Jim Seymour enlarged Shift, Enter and Control keys. ThinkTank is already a best seller at $i95. PC Magazine, January 1988 " Spreadsheet entry couldn't be easier be­ So it's easy to figure out that getting both cause we give you both a separate Cursor the critically-acclaimed Turbo-lOi keyboard and the ThinkTank software for the price of and Numeric keypad eliminating the need " The Turbo-WI can satisfy all ... it's to constantly toggle Nums Lock. And the the keyboard alone-$149.95-is a deal that turbocharges your PC without flattening your a rock-solid product that does double­ Turbo-101 's exclusive tactile-feedback keys duty and then some. let you type faster with fewer mistakes than wallet. And that's not all, our USA-made Turbo-Wi keyboard is so well built it carries Robert Luhn ever before. PC World, October 1987 " ThinkTank is the world's most powerful out­ a full 2-year warranty-which is probably a ! liner and idea processor. It will introduce you lot longer than your PC's warranty! But just II step-by-step to a fascinating new way of in case you are not completely satisfied, organizing and managing your ideas, your you can always change your mind, ~-­ time, your business, and even your thinking. with our no-questions-asked ~ ... ..---- 30-day money-bac~/ And to get you up and running quickly and INTERNATIONAL guarantee. .....---- H' Wh t easily we even include 30 predefined Think­ - eres a 7651 HASKELL AVENUE Tank Productivity Templates. ThinkTank is the Experts Think ... considered by many to be one of the most VAN NUYS, (A 91406 important productivity enhancers on a micro­ (818) 780·1673 BOTH computer. It turns thoughts into reality and " I really prefer the feel of the Data­ TURBO·101 ENHANCED ideas into results! Desk Turbo-WI. The keys have tactile KEYBOARD AND THINKTANK feedback. No mush at all. SOFTWARE FOR ONLY: Instantly Upgrade Your Productivity Jerry Pournelle The Turbo-lOl and ThinkTank are both Byte Magazine, August 1987 " Please add ShiP. - O. ·.. designed to instantly streamline and improve pIng and handling.$1~ CAi;)(~TI LB·'/'- .® .... ·.QP residents must also your computing performance regardless of include $9,75 sales tax which model PC, XT, AT, Tandy or com­ " Don't plop down your simoleons for for each keyboard, LIMITED OFFER patible you use. With our Turbo-l0l­ a Keytronic or others ... for ingenuity of Nome ________ ~ ____________________ ~ ________ __ ThinkTank bundle, you'll feel the design and sheer dollar-value those from difference from the tip of your Company ___---:.. _____________ DataDesk can't be beat. fingers to the center of ... .... .. ·C~\.\. Curt Suplee your brain. dO.~~a Washington Post, May 1987 " ~'i~PS1lio Phone _______________________~ Models also available lor the Tandy 1000, AT&T, PCjr and all Computer Type MacIntosh computers. ' Credit Cord No, ____..;...-_-,::. ~O~)~;~\~ "Limited offer with purchase 01 Turbo-101 enhanced keyboard. Exp; ______---::; All DataDesk International products are registered trademarks or trademarks of DataOesk International, Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, Copyright 1987 DataDesk International. ~ Reader Service Number 8 ~.~"""-" ~-" IT'S WHAT'S UNDER THE HOOD THAT COUNTS! XT KIT WI 2 Floppy Drives. Includes: 0K RAM, Serial, parallel and game ports, clock/calendar, AT-Style keyboard, cabinet, power supply, mono graphics card and amber or green monitor. Keyboard switchable turbo. 80386 KIT- 8 mhz with lock, LED, Reset & Turboswitch ............. 579.00 10mhz with lock, LED, Reset & Turboswitch............. 599.00 XT KIT W 120MB Hard Drive. Includes: 0K RAM, Serial, parallel and game ports, clock/calendar, AT-Style keyboard, cabinet, power supply, mono graphics card and amber or green monitor. Keyboard switchable turbo. Includes: 0K RAM, 1.2 MB FD, 1 360K floppy 8 mhz with lock, LED, Reset drive and 40 MB Seagate St 251 hard drive, . & Turboswitch ............. 879.00* 6/1Omhz, serial, parallel and game ports, clock/ calendar, AT-style keyboard, cabinet, power 10mhz with lock, LED, Reset supply, monographics card, amber or green & Turboswitch ............. 899.00* monitor, keyboard switchable turbo. - Pictured keyboard is 5339 - *(For 30MB Miniscribe add $50.00) 1595.00 KIT OPTIONS *MS DOS 3.21 or 3.3 w/ CASES & GW Basic ....................... 95.00 HARD DRIVES POWER SUPPLY *5339 Keyboard Sub ............... , 24.00 *Color Options: & CONTROLLERS 150 Watt Power Supply (XT) ....... 50.00 (Includes video card & monitor) AT 40 MB Seagate #251-1 .......... .495.00 200 Watt Power Supply (AT) ....... 80.00 CGA Color . .. 200.00 XT Slide Case ........................... 34.00 CGA/EGA Color. .. 410.00 AT Hard Drive & floppy controUer (WD) ............ 140.00 XT Flip Top or XT Slide CGA/EGAlVGA Color .......... 590.00 20 MB Miniscribe HD with Lock & LED................... 38.00 ASSEMBLY AND TESTING XT Systems ....................... , 60.00 with controller ....................... 349.00 AT with Lock & LED................. 65.00 AT /80386 Systems ................. 80.00 30 MB Miniscribe HD MONITORS with controller ....................... 399.00 EGA/CGA (Auto Switch) ........... 452.00 VGA/EGA/CGA Color .............. 600.00 SOFTWARE CGA Color .............................. 295.00 MOTHERBOARDS The Twin Spreadsheet................. 49.00 Amber 12" TTL ........................ 89.00 Leading Edge Word XTITurbo 4.77/10mhz ............... 109.00 Green 12" TTL ......................... , 89.00 Processor .............................. 49.00 AT 6/10 mhz (4 layer) Choice of Ventura Desktop VIDEO CARDS Phoenix or DTK Bios ............... 350.00 Publisher by Xerox .................. 525.00 Color IGraphics/Parallel .............. 52.00 XT/Turbo 4.77/8 mhz Turbo C by Borland.................... 89.00 256K EGA Graphics ................... 125.00 (2 layer) ................................ 99.00 Turbo Pascal V4 .......................