As I get more into C for real time Linux I am running
into the driver problem. Every new hardware device
needs a driver that can be called from C. Basically
a jump to a subroutine. This is one more layer of code
you don't really need in real time programing. It takes
time to do this.

PC computers really have not changed since the first
IBM PC in about 1980. It is a collection of post boxes
with addresses some of which data can go in and out of.
These boxes have addresses and they are called ports.

The PC I/O addresses have largely not changed since 1980.
The addresses can be loaded into a device called an
address counter. A 16 bit counter can address 64K boxes.
A 32 bit counter can address 42,294,967,000 boxes.

That is 42 gig. IBM IMHO, in their infinite stupidity,
back in 1980, chose the Intel processors with 16 bit address
counters creating havoc in the personal computer market ever
since. The Motorola 68000 at the time had a full 32 bit
address counter. I digress.

The point is; C was sacrificed on the alter of portability
so it would work on any computer. No direct I/O. Are there any
computers out there other than Intel computer or their copy?
The answer is no. Then why a high level language that
cannot address the I/O and other hardware directly?

QB and PB and other DOS basics can address the standardized
PC hardware directly. All you need to know is the address
of the I/O ports.

I am not just talking off the top of my head.
See http://www.rotaryeng.net/T1.pdf
This was one of the very first embedded applications
for a micro computer let alone a real time OS.

------------------------------------------------
Searching the Internet I found Blassic.

Blassic is a classic Basic interpreter for Linux.
It has PEEK & POKE both 16 bit and 32 bit. No more drivers
needed. The program is the driver :)

The reason you don't find PEEKs and POKEs in most Windows
and Linux programming language is because they are nanny
programming languages. They don't want you to hurt yourself :)
You can do real damage to the OS by POKE something
somewhere that crashes the OS.

This could be a real time programmers dream come through.
I have it installed on Ubuntu 9.04 and it is almost working.

Now all we need is a half way decent compiler.

I may even resurrect my GPS driven  free moving map program.

The Home Built Glass Cockpit by Paul Lamar
Kitplanes
June 1988 page 69
The future can be here now: electronic
instrument displays in your homebuilt.

Glass Cockpit: Part II by Paul Lamar
Kitplanes
January 1989 page 66
Automatic position reporting could be helpful
when pilot's hands and mind are full.

Paul Lamar