LANGUAGE WINDOW USERS GUIDE
Edition: Intel 80286 Instruction Set
A User-Supported Programming Tool
Produced By BLR Software Engineering
Revision 1.00 12/22/87
(C) Copyright 1987, BLR Software Engineering, All Rights Reserved
A NOTE ABOUT USER-SUPPORTED SOFTWARE
This edition of Language Window is distributed as user-supported
software. This means that it is the user of the program, you, who
is solely responsible for the developer, us, being able to
continue to develop useful software. It means that you can "test
drive" this program and decide whether it is of value to you. As
with all user-supported software, it is imperative that you help
us to help you. If you have received this program from another
user or from a bulletin board and find it useful, please send a
$16 contribution to:
BLR Software Engineering
P.O. Box 52023
Palo Alto, CA 94303
You are granted a limited license to use, copy and distribute the
program and documentation as long as you do not:
1. Charge for any copy of the program or documentation.
2. Distribute the program in a modified form.
Your cooperation is not only greatly appreciated but it ensures
that more quality programs will be available to you at very low
cost in the future.
Thank you,
Baron L. Roberts
BLR Software Engineering
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LANGUAGE WINDOW USERS GUIDE
Edition: Intel 80286 Instruction Set
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Note About User-Supported Software i
1. Introduction 1
2. Getting Started 1
2.1 Loading Language Window
(non-IBM CGA systems) 1
2.2 Loading Language Window
(IBM CGA systems) 2
2.3 Language Window with
Other Memory Resident Utilities 2
3. Equipment Requirements 2
4. Using Language Window 2
4.1 Opening the Language Window 2
4.2 The Language Window Layout 3
4.3 Instruction Selection Using the Cursor 3
4.4 Browsing Through Instructions 4
4.5 Instruction Searching 4
4.6 Closeing the Language Window 4
5. Places to Use Language Window 5
Notices and Acknowledgements 6
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LANGUAGE WINDOW USERS GUIDE
Edition: Intel 80286 Instruction Set
1. Introduction
Language Window is a pop-up quick reference guide for computer
programming languages. This edition of Language Window covers
the Intel 80286 instruction set. Because Language Window is
memory resident, language reference information such as coding
syntax and execution speed is available instantly from within
any application. With Language Window there is no longer any
need to search for the manual or printed quick reference
guide. Instead, the information is available simply by
pressing two keys. To provide quick access to the reference
information there are three easy lookup methods and once the
information is found, it remains in the window allowing
flipping back and forth between the application and the
reference. With Language Window printed quick reference
guides can remain lost.
2. Getting Started
On the Language Window distribution disk you will find the
program
LW286.COM
This is the Language Window program edition for the Intel
80286 Instruction Set. When this program is first first run,
the Language Window is installed as part of the DOS operating
system. The program will remain resident in memory until the
computer is reset or until the power is turned off.
LW286.COM is not copy-protected and may be run from the
distribution disk or copied to a hard disk for execution.
The program can also be loaded by a batch file. If loaded
under DOS 2.00 or higher, LW286 will return an error return
code of five if already installed.
There are two ways to run the Language Window program
depending upon your computer's video display board.
2.1 Loading Language Window (non-IBM CGA systems)
Users with computers that do not contain the IBM CGA
(Color Graphics Adapter) board may run the Language
Window program by simply entering
LW286
at the DOS prompt. Be sure that you use any drive or
pathname required to find the LW286.COM program.
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Examples of computers that fall into this category are:
IBM PC/XT/AT - Monochrome Adapter or EGA Adapter
IBM PC 3270
Compaq - all models
Texas Instruments Business Pro (PCAT Mode)
IBM Compatible with Hercules Monochrome Graphics Board
2.2 Loading Language Window (IBM CGA systems)
A computer that contains an IBM CGA board should have the
Language Window program run by entering
LW286/F
at the DOS prompt. Be sure that you use any drive or
pathname required to find the LW286.COM program. If you
are not sure whether your computer has an IBM CGA board,
first try running Language Window without the /F. If,
when you use the BROWSE feature (see section 4.4), you
observe flicker of the video display or snowy
interference on the screen, then you do have an IBM CGA
and must run LW286 with the /F switch.
2.3 Language Window with Other Memory Resident Utilities
While it is not possible to test Language Window's
compatibility with every memory resident program, care
has been taken to ensure a maximum likelihood of
co-resident compatibility. For example, Language Window
is compatible with Borland International's SIDEKICK
program. However, the Language Window program must be
loaded before the SIDEKICK program.
3. Equipment Requirements
Language Window can be run on any IBM PC/XT/AT or strict
compatible. When resident the program takes up approximately
27K bytes of memory. The program can be loaded in systems
using DOS 1.00 or higher.
4. Using Language Window
4.1 Opening the Language Window
Once it has been made resident, the Language Window is
always just two keystrokes away. Simply press the
SHIFT and CTRL
keys simultaneously and the Language Window will pop-up.
Language Window has been designed for use in text oriented
applications such as word processors. Consequently, the
Language Window cannot be opened while in a graphics mode.
Attempts to open the window in a graphics mode will only
produce a beep.
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4.2 The Language Window Layout
The Language Window is divided into three distinct
sections. In the upper left corner is the Processor
Window. This window shows the microprocessor of the
computer currently running Language Window. Language
Window will identify the Intel 8086/88, 80186/188 and
80286 microprocessors.
Below the Processor Window is the Instruction Window. This
window displays the entire mnemonic instruction set of the
Intel 80286 microprocessor. Certain instructions are available
only on the 80286 microprocessor. These instructions are
identified using a ΓΈ symbol. The instructions are arranged in
alphabetical order with the exception of the two INFO pages at
the top of the list. The "1 INFO", "2 INFO" and "3 INFO"
items provide general information on the microprocessor
covered by this edition of Language Window. Information such
as the use of the segment override prefix and the time
required for effective address calculation is displayed by
these first two items. The Instruction Window also contains
the hilighting bar which is used to indicate the current
instruction to be referenced.
The largest section of Language Window is the Information
Window. Here the reference information about a given
instruction is displayed. The format of this window
closely resembles the layout of the Intel Programmer
Reference manuals. Hilighted at the top of the window is
the mnemonic instruction along with a short explanatory
phrase. Below this is the instruction calling syntax and
the status flags effected by the instruction.
Identification of the flags is provided on the "2 INFO"
page. A flag in parenthesis indicates that the setting of
that flag is undefined following execution of the
instruction. Below the syntax and flag lines is an
explanation of the functions performed by the instruction.
The lower portion of the Information Window lists all
allowable operand codings for the instruction. Along with
each operand coding is listed the execution time in clock
periods, number of internal transfers and instruction
size.
4.3 Instruction Selection Using the Cursor
There are three ways to look up an instruction reference
information. The first method is to use the
CURSOR UP/DOWN
keys to move the hilighting bar in the Instruction Window
over the desired instruction. After pressing RETURN the
instruction's reference information will be displayed in
the Information Window. In addition to the cursor up/down
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keys, the HOME and END keys may be used to position the
hilighting bar at the top or bottom of the instruction list
respectively.
4.4 Browsing Through Instructions
A second method for looking up instruction reference
information is to use the
PgUp/PgDn
keys. These keys allow browsing through the instruction
information pages. For example, pressing PgDn will move
the hilighting bar down one instruction and show the
information about that instruction. These keys simulate
thumbing through a reference manual.
4.5 Instruction Searching
Many times you will already know the instruction you wish
to look up. At the bottom of the Language Window are the
words "ALPHA KEY lookup". If
ANY ALPHA-NUMERIC KEY
is pressed, this portion of the Language Window is
replaced with the word "FIND:" followed by the letters or
numbers that you type. By simply typing the instruction
you wish to find and pressing RETURN the Language Window
will automatically search the instruction list for the
desired instruction and, if found, display the reference
information. If the information is not found, a message
to that effect is printed next to "FIND:" and after a few
seconds the hilighting bar is returned to its location
before the search. If you have activated "FIND:" in
error, pressing ESC will return you to normal program
operation. This method of instruction lookup is also
useful for moving to a particular alphabetic location in
the Instruction Window. For example, to move the
hilighting bar to the "M"s in the Instruction Window
simply type an "M" and press RETURN.
4.6 Closing the Language Window
To return to your application press
ESC
Your application screen will be returned to you with the
cursor size and location exactly as it was before
Language Window was opened. If you now re-open Language
Window, the reference information last displayed will
still be there. This way you do not need to memorize or
re-find the instruction information.
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5. Places to Use Language Window
Language Window was designed to provide quick access to
computer language reference information from within any
application. You will find that Language Window is most
useful while you are working in language interpreters,
writing programs in word processors, working within a
debugger or writing detailed coding specifications.
The best of luck to you in your use of Language Window and
in your programming endeavors.
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NOTICE
The Language Window program is a quick reference guide intended
to supplement and not replace existing manufacturer's reference
literature. The program is offered as is and no warranties,
either express or implied, are made as to the complete accuracy
of the data contained within the program or within this manual.
The information in this program and in this users guide is
subject to change without notice.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
IBM, PC/XT, PC/AT, and PC 3270 are registered trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation. Compaq is a
registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. Business
Pro is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments. Hercules is
a trademark owned by Hercules. Intel is a registered trademark
of Intel Corporation.
The mnemonics for the Intel 80286 microprocessor are copyright
Intel corporation and are reproduced by permission.
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