Formula One Compiler Release Notes

Release 42C, January 2, 2012

System Requirements

OS
The compiler requires the one of the following platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. The compiler can run with certain limitation under Linux using Wine.

Display
It is recommended to run the IDE on systems supporting more than 256 colors, using resolution 1024x768 or better.

The release 42C is ANSI only version. The release contains several fixes and improvements, some of the more important listed below. One change worth mentioning: The release 42C is distributed with a single GMP library libgmp-10.dll. The library will will select optimal code path for the current CPU automatically, so there is no need to perform a CPU detection and installing one of many CPU specific libraries during the Formula One installation. This makes also redistributable installable executables simpler and smaller.

IDE
Simplified new project creation: Create new project template files.
Support for color syntax highlighting for NSIS installer files.
Improved support for multiple monitor systems.
Support for query disassembly.
Support for non-default location of installed NSIS tools.
Set an envirnonmental variable "F1IDE" so GUI based standalone executables can exit
properly when running from within IDE.
Modified support for creating standalone installable files: Install libgmp-10.dll only. No need to install various CPU dependend GMP libraries.

Compiler
Improved performance: Faster compilation.
Improved performance: Implemented more optimizations.
Improved performance: Memory allocation/de-allocation.
Bugfix: Specify warning/error location based on the current editor TAB settings.

Editor
Support for line numbers.
Support for .NSI file extension.
Bugfix: Various subtle "undo" related bugs fixed.

Runtime Library
New Rtl APIs: "RtlIsRtlUnicode","RtlGetRtlBuildNumber"
Bugfix: Detect log writing errors.
Bugfix: Correctly scroll highlighted area.
Bugfix: Detect NAN when using floating point math.
Various significant performance improvements.

Getting Started

This is the recommended way to get started. After the FormulaOne IDE has been installed, follow these steps (We assume the sample code has been installed):

Using menus select "File->RecentProjects->Samples". (Samples will contain an absolute path based on your installation).
Right-click on the the file Test Samples.f1
Select Rebuild; this will rebuild all neccessary modules.
Click on samplesQuery.f1q: this will open the query file in the editor.
Make sure the line TestSamples() is the only line that is not commented out.
Compile and Run samplesQuery.f1q (for example, use the menu item Projects).
Wait. Based on your hardware configuration, the program can run for several minutes. The program issues various progress messages. If a single test fails, the whole program will be terminated. Once the program successfully finishes, it should issue the message Success. In the unlikely event the program fails, please file a bug report.

Note the Test Samples does not test all of the samples

Known Issues

The standalone installable executables created by F1 compiler will by default install the programs in the Program Files folder. You need administrator privileges in order to do that. That is normal and expected.
When changing the IDE controls using "Customize"->"Appearance"->"Standard Controls", some visual artifacts may appear. This depends on the OS. The artifacts will go away once the Formula One IDE is restarted.
After restoring the IDE the rebar toolbars may be in slightly different positions as when saved.
Uninstalling of FormulaOne will remove all files created during FormulaOne installation. Files created by users will be not removed.

Reporting Bugs

In the "About" box there is a bug report button. This is the preferred method of bug reporting, as it reports all installed Formula One components, OS and CPU type. To report bugs manually, use the e-mail address bugs@f1compiler.com .
If you have any other problems, feedback or a nifty program you would like to submit to our sample code web page, submit them at support@f1compiler.com.

Latest Release

For the latest release of the Formula One compiler and other news, frequently check the home page at http://www.f1compiler.com/downloads/downloads.html