Sectorforth: A 16-bit Forth squeezed into a 512-byte boot sector
Sectorforth is a 16-bit x86 Forth that fits in a 512-byte boot sector (2020)
Sectorforth is a minimal 16-bit x86 Forth implementation that fits entirely within a 512-byte boot sector. Inspired by a 1996 Usenet thread, it includes only eight primitives, five variables, and two I/O operations. Despite its tiny size, it features a colon compiler, allowing new words to be defined in Forth itself. The project compiles with NASM and runs in QEMU, offering a debug mode for GDB. Its code structure draws from jonesforth and is documented for those familiar with Forth internals.
sectorforth contains only the eight primitives outlined in the Usenet post above, five variables for manipulating internal state, and two I/O primitives.