PL/M is a programming language designed for use in embedded systems. It is a structured, procedural language with a syntax similar to that of the C programming language. PL/M was originally developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the 1970s.
PL/M programs are typically written in a text editor and compiled into machine code for execution on a microprocessor. The PL/M compiler produces code for a specific microprocessor family. PL/M-86 is the version of PL/M for the Intel 8086/8088 microprocessor family.
PL/M is a relatively simple language and is easy to learn for programmers who are already familiar with C or another high-level language. However, PL/M does have some unique features that can be difficult to master.
One such feature is the ability to define procedures and functions within other procedures and functions. This can lead to very complex code that is difficult to debug.
Another unique feature of PL/M is its use of pointers. Pointers are variables that store the address of another variable. They can be used to dynamically allocate memory and to access data structures such as linked lists.
PL/M also has a rich set of operators for manipulating strings, characters, and arrays. These operators can be used to perform tasks such as searching for a substring within a string or sorting an array of numbers.
Overall, PL/M is a powerful language that can be used to create sophisticated programs for embedded systems. However, its complexity can be a barrier for beginners.