UD140469@NDSUVM1.BITNET (10/18/87)
and have run across some interesting new goodies. It seems that the new items
are usually towards the end of a chapter, but sometimes they are mixed in with
the old stuff (and they've changed the placement/layout quite a bit), so you're
going to have to read the whole book (or scan it carefully) to get all the new
stuff out of it... Some of the new functions/procedures/features include:
*some of the VT-52 functions have been given names (like GotoXY, etc.)
*two formatted string conversion procedures (now we can finally Draw_String
integers without having to use our own conversion code!)
*machine access subprograms, including commands to put you in supervisor
mode, peeks & pokes, memory move procedures, address functions, etc.
*C-to-Pascal-and-back string conversions (really nice for working w/ OS
calls)
*procedures to save and restore screens into buffers, and to/from disk
(using the D.E.G.A.S format)--these should be really helpful
*a more detailed description of using 'generic calls' (including port
configuration, i/o, etc.)
*instructions on how to use PPascal with a CLI (things to pass the various
programs, etc)
*talk on modular compilation and desk accesories
*an index!
*notes and cautions index
*an ad for Tackle Box through OSS ($69.95+$5.00 shipping).
This is just stuff I've found paging through the manual--when I actually READ
the thing (probably XMas break!), I will probably find more. I still haven't
tested it for speed (and my system will make-or-break it: I have nearly the
minimum system (thank goodness one of my drives is DS)).
Scott Udell
UD140469@NDSUVM1.BITNET
P.S. For the gentleman out there (I've even forgotten your name!), as soon
as I dig your message out of a 300k download file, I'll try to answer
your technical questions!
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