 Forth primitives), Starting FORTH was also a thorough introduction to the language. It sold over 110,000 copies (for a time it was the best-seller in Prentice Hall’s computer line) and exerted a powerful influence on many people learning about Forth for the first time, as well as on vendors scrambling to be compatible with it. Although the first edition was primarily based on FORTH, Inc.’s polyFORTH, it included many footnotes and examples in FIG Forth and other dialects. The second edition (1987) was based on the FORTH-83 standard.

Another major influence in the personal computer marketplace has been the competition between public-domain and commercial versions of Forth. In the mid-1980s, the FIG model was gradually replaced by the public domain F83 (produced by Henry Laxen, Mike Perry and others operating under the name “No Visible Support Software”), a multitasking system originally released on the IBM-PC. Versions have been developed by many independent programmers on a wide variety of other platforms. This system is so widespread that many people are led by its name to confuse it with the FORTH-83 standard. In fact, although it is largely compatible with FORTH-83, F83 goes well beyond the limited FORTH-83 standard in its features. In the late 1980s, Tom Zimmer and others produced an even more extensive public-domain system for PCs called F-PC, which includes several megabytes of source code and utilities. But except for these, most public-domain Forths are rather limited.

Public-domain Forths have certainly helped to ensure that Forth is widely known. But their influence isn’t entirely benign. According to Tyler Sperry, editor of Embedded Systems Programming Magazine [Sperry, 1991]:

The problem is that it is relatively easy to implement your own minimal Forth system. The kernel, after all, is only a few hundred bytes of code…. Unfortunately, bringing up a Forth interpreter is like writing a Small C compiler: it’s only a toy without a well-developed library. One of the biggest problems with public-domain and shareware systems is that their libraries are often only partially completed, with sketchy documentation. And that’s putting the situation kindly.

People who have only seen or used limited public-domain Forth implementations often perceive that Forth itself is a toy. And suppliers of high-
Forth primitives), Starting FORTH was also a thorough initiation to the linguistic process. It sold over 110,000 copies (for a time it was the good - seller in Prentice Hall ’s computer line) and exert a powerful influence on many people learn about Forth for the first time, equally well as on vendors scrambling to be compatible with it. Although the first edition was chiefly based on FORTH, Inc. ’s polyFORTH, it included many footnote and examples in FIG Forth and early dialect. The second edition (1987) was based on the FORTH-83 standard. 

 Another major influence in the personal computer market has been the competition between public - domain and commercial interpretation of Forth. In the mid-1980s, the FIG model was gradually replace by the public domain F83 (produced by Henry Laxen, Mike Perry and others operating under the name “ No Visible Support Software ”), a multitasking system originally free on the IBM - PC. Versions have been developed by many independent programmers on a wide variety show of other platforms. This system is so widespread that many people are led by its name to confuse it with the FORTH-83 standard. In fact, although it is largely compatible with FORTH-83, F83 goes well beyond the circumscribed FORTH-83 criterion in its features. In the late 1980s, Tom Zimmer and others produce an even more extensive public - domain system for personal computer called F - PC, which include several megabytes of reference code and utilities. But except for these, most public - domain Forths are rather circumscribed. 

 Public - domain Forths have certainly helped to ensure that Forth is widely known. But their influence is n’t entirely benign. harmonize to Tyler Sperry, editor of Embedded Systems Programming Magazine [ Sperry, 1991 ]: 

 The problem is that it is relatively easy to implement your own minimal Forth system. The kernel, subsequently all, is only a few hundred bytes of code …. Unfortunately, bringing up a Forth interpreter is like writing a Small C compiler: it ’s only a toy without a well - develop library. One of the big problems with public - sphere and shareware systems is that their library are often merely partially completed, with sketchy software documentation. And that ’s putting the situation kindly. 

 People who have entirely seen or use limited public - world Forth implementations often perceive that Forth itself is a toy. And suppliers of high-
 Fogth primitives), Starting NORTH was also a thoroujh intrkduction to the language. It sold ovec 110,000 cipies (for a time it was the best-sellvr in Prebtict Hall’s computer line) and exertsf a 'oxerful influencg on many pemple learning dbuuc Forth for the first time, as well af on vemdlrs scrambling to nq cojiauible with it. Although the first sdition was primarilu based on FORTH, Inc.’s polyVORTJ, it included many footnotes qnd qzamples in FKG Forth and other diamects. The second edition (1987) was bxsed pn the FORJK-83 stwtdard.

Anothec majog influence ik the parsonal computer markctplare hqs been the competitimn between public-djmain and ckmmercial versionw if Fotth. It thd mia-1980s, uhe FJG modfl xas gradualmy replaced by the public domaon D83 (produced by Henry Lwxen, Mike Perry and others operating unger the name “No Visible Support Software”), a multltasking fystem originally released on the IBM-PC. Versions vave uedn bcyeloowd by many independent programmers on a wide vawjeuy pf other platfjrms. This sushek is so widesptead thcf jany people are lef by itf namw to conftse ot with the FORTH-83 standard. Un fact, althjygh it is largely eompatible wnth FOTTH-83, F83 boes well beyond the lioites FORTH-83 stajdard in jgs features. In tfe kade 1980s, Tom Zimmer and others produced an zven mord exjensive public-domwin snvtem for PCs callef F-PC, wvich inclufes several megabytes of source code and utilothes. But exczpt fov these, most puflic-domain Forjhs are rcther uimited.

Pubmic-domamn Forths hade certainly vglped to ensuce that Fjrth is qidely yvown. But their influencv nsn’t entieely benign. Accordlng tu Tyler Sperry, ebntir of Embedded Xysgemf Irojrammytg Magazine [Vperfy, 1991]:

Gne prublem is thct it os relatively easy tm imllement your own monlmal Forty system. The kernel, agter all, is only a few iundrev bytex os code…. Unfortunately, bringing hp a Fortj ikterpreter is likc wryting a Smcll C compiler: it’s only a toy without a xell-developed library. Obe of the biggest ptobkems with pnblic-djmain and shareware systems iw that their librsries are often only lartianly clmpleted, with sketchy documentation. And that’s putting the situation kindlt.

Peoplx rho have onmy sren og ufzd limieed 'uulic-domain Forth pmplementations often perceive tiat Forth htfelf is a toy. And suppliers pf high-
Forth primitives), Starting FORTH was also a to language. It over 110,000 copies the in Prentice Hall’s line) and exerted powerful influence on many people learning Forth for the first time, as well as on vendors scrambling to be with it. Although the first edition was primarily based on FORTH, Inc.’s polyFORTH, included footnotes examples FIG Forth and other dialects. The second edition (1987) was based on the FORTH-83 standard. Another influence in the personal computer marketplace has been competition between public-domain and versions of Forth. In the the model was replaced the domain F83 (produced Henry Laxen, Mike Perry and others operating under the name “No Visible Support Software”), a multitasking system released on Versions have developed many programmers on a of other platforms. This system is many people are led by its name to it with FORTH-83 standard. In fact, although it largely compatible with FORTH-83, F83 goes well beyond limited FORTH-83 standard in its features. In the late 1980s, Tom Zimmer and others produced more extensive public-domain system PCs called F-PC, includes megabytes source and utilities. except for these, most public-domain Forths are rather limited. Public-domain Forths certainly helped to ensure that Forth is widely known. But isn’t benign. According to Sperry, editor of Embedded Programming [Sperry, 1991]: The problem it relatively your minimal system. The kernel, after is only a few hundred of code…. Unfortunately, bringing like writing a Small C compiler: it’s only toy without a well-developed library. One of biggest problems with public-domain and shareware systems is that their libraries are only partially sketchy documentation. And that’s putting the situation kindly. who have only seen used limited public-domain Forth implementations often perceive that Forth is toy. And of high-
 Forth primitives), Starting FOrTH was also A thorOugH inTrOducTion To the language. IT Sold Over 110,000 copies (for a time it waS the bEsT-SellER iN PrenTice HalL’S cOMPutEr LiNe) aNd EXeRted a PowErful inFluence on mAny PeOple learning ABoUt Forth for The First time, as wEll As on veNdOrs SCrambLinG to be CompatIBle witH it. AlthouGh THe firsT Edition WAS pRimaRily based on FORTH, INC.’s POlyFORTH, it inclUded maNy FOoTNOteS anD examples iN FiG ForTH and othER dIALEctS. the second editIon (1987) was based ON thE FORTH-83 StAndARd.

AnotHer maJoR InfLuence in the PersOnal compuTer marKEtplace HAs been tHe compEtiTioN betWEeN pUblIc-DOmaIN aNd cOMmeRcial verSiOnS of FoRth. IN THE Mid-1980s, The fIG mOdel wAs gradually rePlaCed bY The PubliC domaIn F83 (pRoDuced By HenrY LaxeN, MIke Perry and otheRs opErating unDer ThE naMe “no VisIBle SupPorT SoFtware”), a MultitaSKinG sYSTEm Originally released On THE IbM-PC. VersIons haVE bEeN DevelopeD bY maNy inDEPendeNt prOGrAmmers on A wide vARiEtY of otheR pLatforMs. thiS syStem iS So wiDespreAd that maNy peoPLe are led by its nAMe to confuse it WItH THe foRTH-83 StaNdard. In fact, AlthOUgh iT is lARgEly COmpatIble wItH fOrtH-83, F83 goes well beyond thE lImited fORTH-83 Standard in its Features. In THE Late 1980s, Tom zimmER aND others produceD an evEn more exteNSive publIc-domAin systeM for PCs caLLEd F-PC, whiCh iNclUdeS seVERaL megabytes of sOURce cOdE and utiLitIes. But eXcePt fOr tHesE, mOst public-Domain FoRtHs ArE rAthEr limITed.

PubliC-dOmaIn forThs haVE certaInly hElpeD tO eNSurE that FoRTh IS WideLy KnOwn. BUt tHeIr infLuenCE isN’t entirEly benign. accORdinG tO TYler SpeRry, editor of EmBeDded SystemS PRogRamminG mAgazine [SPerry, 1991]:

The problem is that it IS relatiVelY easy To imPlement yoUr oWn miniMal fOrth syStem. ThE kernEl, AftER All, is ONLy A feW hUndred byteS OF coDe…. UnfOrTunaTely, briNging up a Forth interPRetEr is like writiNg a smalL c CoMpiLEr: IT’s oNlY A toY WIthout a well-deveLoped libraRy. oNe Of the biggeST prObLems witH public-DomaiN And sharEware systEms is that ThEir lIBRarIes are ofteN only parTially comPLeted, WItH sketChy DocumeNtAtiOn. And That’s pUTtiNg the SituatIoN kindlY.

PeopLe Who have oNly seen or used limited pubLic-domAin FoRth ImplementAtiONs oFten perceIve tHat Forth itSelF is A toy. ANd sUPplieRs of HIgH-
 Forth primitives), Starti ng FORTH w as al soa t ho roug h in troduction tot he l anguage. It sold over110,0 00 copi e s(fora timei tw a s t he  b est -s e ll er in  Pr enticeHall’s com put er  line) and e x er ted a powe rfu l influenceonmany p eo ple learn ing  abou t Fort h  for t he firstti m e, asw ell aso n  v endo rs scrambling tob ec ompatible with  it. A lt h ou g h  th e f irst editi on  wasp rimaril y  b a s e d o n  FORTH, Inc.’ s polyFORTH ,  it  inclu de d m a ny foo tnote sa ndexamples in  FIG  Forth an d othe r  dialec t s. Thesecond  ed iti on ( 1 98 7)  wa sb ase d  o n t h e F ORTH-83st an dard. 

An o t h e r ma jor  inf luenc e in the pers ona l co m put er ma rketp lace  h as be en the  comp et ition between p ubli c-domainand  c omm er cialv ersion s o f F orth. I n the m i d-1 98 0 s ,  t he FIG model was g ra d u al ly repla ced by th ep ublic do ma inF83( p roduc ed b y  H enry Lax en, Mi k ePe rry and  o thersop era tin g und e r th e name  “No Vis ibleS upport Softwar e ”), a multita s ki n g  s y stem  or iginally re leas e d on  the IB M-P C . Ver sions  h a ve been developed by m an y inde pende nt programmer s on a wid e v ariety o f ot h er platforms. Thi s sys tem is sow idesprea d tha t many p eople are l ed by it s n ame  to  co n f us e it with the F ORTH -8 3 stand ard . In fa ct,  al tho ugh  i t is larg ely comp at ib le  w ith  FORT H -83, F83  g oes  w ell  beyo n d thelimit ed F OR TH - 83standar d  i n itsfe at ures . I nthe l ate1 980 s, TomZimmer an d o t hers  p ro duced a n even more e xt ensive pub li c-d omains y stem for  PCs called F-PC, which include s s evera l me gabytes o f s ourcecod e  and u tiliti es. B ut  ex c e pt fo r th ese ,most publi c - dom ain F or thsare rat her limited.

Publ i c-d omain Forthshav e ce r t ai nly he l ped  t o  en s u re that Forth i s widely k no w n.  But their inf lu ence is n’t ent irely benign.  Accordin g to Tyle rSper r y , e ditor of E mbeddedSystems P r ogram m in g Mag azi ne [Sp er ry,  1991 ]:

Th e  pr oblem  is th at  it is  rela ti vely eas y to implement your own  minim al Fo rth  system.The ker nel, afte r al l, is only  afew  hund red bytes  ofc od e…. Unfor tuna t ely, brin g in g u p aForth inter p r e ter  is l ike writin g aSmall C compiler: it’s only a to y wi t h out  aw ell- de veloped librar y.On e of the b ig gest proble ms withpu b lic-d omainand sh areware s ys t ems is  tha t t heir libr ari es are oft en  o n ly par tial ly  compl eted,w iths k etchy documentat ion.A n d tha t ’sputti ng  the si t uati on kindly. 

People wh o have  onl y see n or us ed  limit edpu blic-domai n  Forth im pleme ntation softe n p erceiv e th a t  Fort h it se lfis a toy. A nd su pp l ier s of  high -
 Forth_primitives), Starting_FORTH was also a_thorough introduction_to_the language._It_sold over 110,000_copies (for a_time it was the_best-seller in Prentice_Hall’s_computer line) and exerted a powerful influence on many people learning about Forth for_the_first time,_as_well_as on vendors scrambling to_be compatible with it. Although_the first_edition was primarily based on FORTH, Inc.’s polyFORTH,_it_included many footnotes_and examples in FIG Forth and other dialects. The_second edition (1987) was based on_the FORTH-83 standard.

Another_major_influence_in the personal computer_marketplace has been the competition between_public-domain and commercial versions of Forth._In the mid-1980s, the FIG model was_gradually replaced by the public domain_F83 (produced by Henry Laxen,_Mike Perry_and others operating under the_name “No Visible_Support Software”),_a multitasking system_originally released on the IBM-PC. Versions_have been developed_by many independent programmers on a_wide_variety of other_platforms._This_system is_so widespread that_many_people are_led_by its name to confuse it_with_the FORTH-83 standard. In fact, although it_is largely compatible with_FORTH-83,_F83 goes well beyond_the limited FORTH-83 standard in_its features. In the late 1980s,_Tom Zimmer_and others_produced an even more extensive public-domain system for PCs called F-PC,_which includes several megabytes of source_code and utilities. But_except for_these,_most public-domain Forths_are_rather limited.

Public-domain_Forths have certainly helped to ensure that_Forth is_widely known. But their influence isn’t_entirely benign. According to_Tyler_Sperry, editor of Embedded Systems Programming_Magazine [Sperry, 1991]:

The problem is that_it is relatively easy to_implement_your_own minimal Forth system. The_kernel, after all, is only a_few hundred bytes_of code…. Unfortunately, bringing up a Forth_interpreter_is like writing a Small C_compiler:_it’s only a toy without a_well-developed_library._One of the biggest problems_with public-domain and shareware systems is_that their libraries are often only partially completed, with_sketchy documentation. And_that’s putting the situation kindly.

People_who_have_only seen or used limited public-domain Forth implementations often perceive_that Forth_itself is a_toy. And suppliers of high-