C64-dev/newLang

Nova128

Nova128 is the working name for an object-oriented programming language for the Commodore 128. Its compiler will be written in 8502/6502 assembly, run on the C128 in native mode, and generate native C128 PRG files.

This directory contains the project specification, agent-ready backlog, and the implementation as it is built. The user approved continuation on 2026-11-07; stories may be claimed in dependency order under AGENTS.md.

Version 1 Product Boundary

• On-machine C128-native compiler written in ca65 assembly
• Statically typed, class-based language
• Classes, private/public fields and methods, constructors, and destructors
• Explicit new and delete
• Multiple interfaces per class
• Interface-typed variables and parameters
• Dynamic dispatch through interface method tables
• Procedural control flow and native 8502 code generation
• PETSCII SEQ source compatibility with the existing C64 Vim clone
• 40- or 80-column compiler output through KERNAL-compatible routines

Version 1 does not include class inheritance, garbage collection, exceptions, generics, closures, overloading, floating point, a Z80 target, or a C64 target.

Document Map

File	Purpose
AGENTS.md	Mandatory operating rules for agents
docs/decisions.md	Accepted, provisional, deferred, and open decisions
docs/language-spec.md	Normative source-language specification
docs/architecture.md	Compiler, runtime, ABI, memory, and file architecture
planning/epics-and-stories.md	Work breakdown with dependencies and acceptance criteria
planning/agent-workflow.md	Claiming, handoff, verification, and completion process

Intended Workflow

x64sc + Vim clone
        |
        | PETSCII SEQ source: PROGRAM.N8
        v
copied development D81
        |
        | close x64sc before continuing
        v
x128 + Nova128 compiler
        |
        +--> PROGRAM.PRG
        +--> PROGRAM.ERR
        +--> PROGRAM.MAP

The original vim/work.d81 is an input template, never a writable project disk. A preparation script will copy it into newLang/build/ and inject the compiler, runtime, examples, and fixtures.

Approved Version 1 Defaults

The user approved continuation with these documented defaults:

• Working language name: Nova128
• Source suffix: .n8
• Compiler runs entirely on the C128
• Host tools only assemble/package/test the compiler itself
• Vim remains C64-mode for version 1
• Interfaces are required in version 1
• Class inheritance is deferred
• Memory management is explicit and deterministic

See docs/decisions.md for decision status and unresolved questions.