nick@drune.UUCP (SilvaNT) (01/21/87)
The following is an article posted on a local bulletin board that provides some
insight to the coming apple GS manuals.
Nick S.
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The Apple IIgs Suite
Intended for serious programmers, the suite will consist of seven volumes:
o Technical Introduction to the Apple IIgs
o Apple IIgs Hardware Reference
o Apple IIgs Firmware Reference
o Programmer's Introduction to the Apple IIgs
o Apple IIgs Toolbox Reference: Volumes I and II
o Apple IIgs ProDOS 16 Reference
Technical Introduction to the Apple IIgs will be the first offering in this
addition to the Apple Technical Library from Apple Computer and Addison
Wesley. It will be published in December, 1986.
A detailed description of each volume in the suite follows.
PROGRAMMER'S INTRODUCTION TO THE APPLE IIGS
This book will help a programmer begin to write software that takes
advantage of the of the new features of the Apple IIgs. In particular, it
introduces the concept of event-driven applications (sometimes called
"mouse-driven" programs), in which the user, rather than the program,
dictates what happens next.
In fact, central to the book is the exploration of a sample event-driven
application. The underlying philosophy and concepts, as well as the major
steps in programming such an application, are presented.
While individual reference books in the IIgs Suite provide the specific
details, this book provides a survey of how the IIgs hardware, operating
system, firmware, and development environment interrelate-all from the
programmer's point of view.
APPLE IIGS TOOLBOX REFERENCE: VOLUMES I AND II
This two-volume set defines the Apple IIgs tools - routines that allow many
common functions (such as menus, windows, and dialog boxes) to be performed
easily without the programmer having to reinvent the routine. The books
define each set of tools, and present the concepts and terminology necesary
to use each tool. They provide specifications for all tool calls, in all
available languages. They also provide information about the mechanism used
to construct the tools, and about how you can write your own set of
tools.
APPLE IIGS PRODOS 16 REFERENCE
Includes System Loader and Finder
This book provides information for the programmer about the System Loader
and Finder, as well as ProDOS 16.
ProDOS 16 is a significantly enhanced version of ProDOS that is designed to
take advantage of the Apple IIgs 16-bit architecture. The System Loader
works in concert with ProDOS 16 and is responsible for loading all code and
data into memory.
Apple IIgs ProDOS Reference discusses file handling, memory management, and
writinng device drivers. Included is a disk that contains ProDOS 16, system
files, and the ProDOS 16 Exerciser program. The Exerciser allows you to
practice ProDOS calls without writing a system program.
TECHNICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE APPLE IIGS
This is the introductory book of the Apple IIgs Suite. It describes the
features of the Apple IIgs that a programmer must consider when designing or
revising a program.
Not a how-to book, it is rather an overview of the general design, system
architecture, programming environments, Toolbox, graphics modes, and sound
capabilities of the IIgs. Further, it provides a comparison between the IIgs
and earlier members of the Apple II family of computers. It also includes a
"roadmap" to the other manuals in the IIgs Suite.
APPLE IIGS HARWARE REFERENCE
Required reading for hardware developers, this book will also be of
interest to anyone who wants to know in detail how the Apple IIgs works. It
includes mechanical and electrical specifications of all I/O and expansion
connectors, including signal levels and timings. It also describes the
internal operation of the IIgs: the Video Graphics Controller (VGC), the Mega
II IC, the Fast Processor Interface (FPI), and the Ensoniq sound IC.
APPLE IIGS FIRMWARE REFERENCE
This member of the Apple IIgs Suite describes the programs and instructions
(exclusive of the Toolbox routines) that are stored in the IIgs ROM.
Included are discussions of the system monitor, interrupts, serial ports,
video, mouse, disk support, Desktop Bus, and SmartPort (formerly called the
protocal converter). These firmware programs provide the means to manupulate
the system to accommodate the programmer's particular tasks.
Toolbox routines are defined in the Apple IIgs Toobox Reference manuals,
described elsewhere.
Individual volumes in the Apple IIgs Suite will be available from
Addison-Wesly and distributors carrying The Apple Technical Library.
Ordering information and tentative publication dates are listed
below:
Technical Introduction to the Apple IIgs - Decemeber 1986, 120 pgs., perfect
bound, ISBN 17742, $9.95
Programmer's Introduction to the Apple IIgs - Spring 1987, 150 pgs., spiral
bound, ISBN 17745, $19.95
Apple IIgs Hardware Reference - Spring 1987, 250 pgs., spiral bound, ISBN
17743, $26.95
Apple IIgs Firmware Reference - Spring 1987, 250 pgs., spiral bound, ISBN
17744, $24.95
Apple IIgs Toolbox Reference, Vol. I - Summer 1987, 400 pgs., spiral bound,
ISBN 17746, $29.95
Apple IIgs Toolbox Reference, Vol. II - Summer 1987, 400 pgs., spiral bound,
ISBN 17747, $29.95
Apple IIgs ProDOS 16 Reference (disk included) - Summer 1987, 200 pgs., spiral
bound, ISBN 17749, $39.95
Retail Discount Schedule
1-4 copies 20%
5-25 40%
25-49 42%
50-99 43%
100-249 44%
250-499 45%
500 plus 46%
For further information on titles in the Apple IIgs Suite, contact the Retail
Sales Group at Addison-Wesley, Route 128, Reading, MA 01867, 617-944-3700,
x2643.
Addison-Wesley
General Publishing Group, Reading, MA 01867
terface (FPI), and the Ensoniq sound IC.
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"no standard disclaimer applies since no one cares what I say anyway"
TMPLee@DOCKMASTER.ARPA (01/22/87)
Many Many thanks for that information -- now I know what to beat my dealer over the head to get. (or to look for at Software Etc.)
TMPLee@DOCKMASTER.ARPA (01/23/87)
P.S.: has the December item (Technical Intro. to the IIGS) started showing up anywhere?