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April fools! No, wait... That was yesterday.
Any way, I really am working on "TychonAlfa", an interpreted
language that looks something like assembly.
[edit] Now it looks like C, not asm. Because of this, it'll also change name from TychonAlfa to TychonÇ.
[/edit]

<you have joined the TychonAlfa FAQ room>
<dude>Q: What is it for???
A: There will be various versions. The DBP plugin version can be used
for a range of things, from AI scripts to programs that simulate those that write themselves.
Example:
c1$="string namen"
c2$="instr #-1, namen"
c3$="return namen";
ans=tychon(c1$+c2$+c3$)
Ok, that wasn't a very usefull example, but I'm sure people will be able to find some use in TychonScript...

<dude>Q: Why Assembly style?
A: 'Cause I said so. Actually, it's because since assembly has a simple syntax, it's easier and faster to interpret. [edit]As said before, it's been changed to something like C. Though, it'll simpler, easier to use.

<dude>Q: What will it cost?
A: The DBP plugin version WILL be free. The other versions, will probably cost around $10 or something...

<dude>Q: I don't have that money! Can you send me a copy for free???
<"dude" gets kicked out of the chat room.>

<dudette>Q: What other versions are there?
A: ATM, there is only TychonAlfa, which is 80% complete. It has only core commands. The DBP-plugin will have these commands plus those required for interaction with your programs. The other versions, create stand-alone executables. I'm planning on making:
TychonSDL (2d/3d graphics, sound, for win/linux),
TychonDOS (2d/3d graphics (no hardware acceleration), sound (SB16))
TychonScript (DBP plugin)

<dudette>Q: What can it allready do?
A: 1)You can declare variables of type Int, Float, String.
1.1) Variable names have NO size limit.
1.2) Strings have NO length limit.
2)Assign values to variables (mov, smov)
3)* Print stuff on the screen (out #-1, "Hello World")
4)* Read data from the keyboard (inch (one char), instr(one string))
4.1) Also supports reading values for Int and Float.
4.2) When reading Int/Float it detects negative values, and ignores letters.
5)** The "IF" equivalent is ready. (=IF 6, 4, 4 n...commands...eif 6)
5.1) Much like the DarkBasic For..Next, the IF commands require an ID (in the above example, 6). This is to conserve memory, and speed stuff up.
6) Labels (:Start n out #-1, "Hello World" n start)
6.1) SIP command (Set Instruction Pointer). A (semi) unique command that allows you to set the next instruction based on a value. This can be an INT or a number. SIP #0 will goto start of program. DBP/C++ don't have equivalents.
7) There's lots more stuff, but I'm out of time for typing.

* these commands won't be available for DBP.
** these commands are being re-written.

<dudette>Q: Can we see a demo?
A: Not yet. I want to add some stuff before that. You can see the demo of a looping "Hello World" example that prints the same thing again and again. Infinitely. Just ask for a download link.

<dudette>Q: Then why did you start this thread..er FAQ room!?!
A: I just wanted to know how many people would find this usefull, and maybe get some usefull comments or suggestions.

Sounds good but Assembly syntax? Eww...

Asm? I like Asm. Asm is cool.
The only difference is probably that you need a series of commands instead of a one-line formula.
I'm working on a FOR loop, and also a DO loop.

Will it stop a DBPro program running until the scripted program has finished ?

Sadly, yes. For now, at least. I want to get it work well first, then I'll try to do that. That's one of the reasons why I'm trying to make it run as fast as possible. Also, I haven't found any information yet on how to make a plugin not stop a DBP app.

Ah - you haven't sought the wisdom of IanM then...

Ok, I've asked IanM about it, but the amount of trouble I'd have to go through doesn't make it worthwhile.
Instead, the program being interpreted (parasite) doesn't actually end.
The parasite just stops executing, and the DBP app (host) continues. When the host creates a new parasite, it's actually adding to the previous one, so you don't lose time declaring variables, alocating memory, etc. I'll probably add a RESET command later so that variables will all be deleted.

I found a memory bug in my code, so I'm now going to have to rewrite a ton of this stuff. Of the 700 lines of code, I have rewritten and optimized 168 lines. It's faster now, and I plan to get away from that Assembly style idea. I'll do something like C instead.
I'll call it: "TychonÇ". Note, that is NOT a C. It's a Ç!
Pronounced Taykôn C cedilia