cleland@sdbio2.ucsd.edu (Thomas Cleland) (01/14/91)
Greetings! I'm in a position that I suspect many others are
in as well. I have programming experience in C as well as
other languages, and plenty of user-level and OS-level Amiga
knowledge, but have only broached the surface of Amiga
programming competence. I know next to nothing about the
contents of Amiga libraries, their recommended uses, how
to program multitasking-friendliness (though I suspect that
this is automatic under Exec), and such Amiga specifics.
For instance, I don't know how to command graphics or open
a custom screen.
My question: Operating on a low budget, what resources are
the absolute essentials for learning the philosophy of
Amiga C programming and the location and use of system
resources? How much such documentation comes with, for
example, SAS C? for what would I really need the ROM Kernel
manuals? Once I know where to start I think I can teach
myself by practicing and hanging around this newsgroup.
Please email me your help! Thanks in advance.
--
// / Thom Cleland / It is easier /
// / tcleland@ucsd.edu / to get forgiveness /
\X/ / ASOCC * Amiga Users' Group at UCSD / than permission... /
\____________________________________\____________________/ken@cbmvax.commodore.com (Ken Farinsky - CATS) (01/15/91)
In article <15573@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> cleland@sdbio2.ucsd.edu (Thomas Cleland) writes: > >[Why] would I really need the ROM Kernel >manuals? Once I know where to start I think I can teach >myself by practicing and hanging around this newsgroup. >-- >Thom Cleland -- tcleland@ucsd.edu One of the most important points in learning to program the Amiga is to NEVER do things because they _seem_ to work. If you find yourself saying "If I put a 17 in this field then, magically, I get the desired result", then you will probably break in a later version of the OS. When you program the machine, read the documentation. Find the reason that things work. Find the supported methods. The ROM Kernel Manuals are one place to find such information. The Libraries & Devices Manual gives examples on how to use much of the system. The Includes & Autodocs Manual gives (in reference format) the "final word" on specific function calls. -- -- Ken Farinsky - CATS - (215) 431-9421 - Commodore Business Machines uucp: ken@cbmvax.commodore.com or ...{uunet,rutgers}!cbmvax!ken bix: kfarinsky
dillon@overload.Berkeley.CA.US (Matthew Dillon) (01/16/91)
In article <17546@cbmvax.commodore.com> ken@cbmvax.commodore.com (Ken Farinsky - CATS) writes: >In article <15573@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> cleland@sdbio2.ucsd.edu (Thomas Cleland) writes: >> >>[Why] would I really need the ROM Kernel >>manuals? Once I know where to start I think I can teach >>myself by practicing and hanging around this newsgroup. >>-- >>Thom Cleland -- tcleland@ucsd.edu > >work. Find the supported methods. The ROM Kernel Manuals are one place >to find such information. The Libraries & Devices Manual gives examples >on how to use much of the system. The Includes & Autodocs Manual gives >(in reference format) the "final word" on specific function calls. >-- >-- >Ken Farinsky - CATS - (215) 431-9421 - Commodore Business Machines >uucp: ken@cbmvax.commodore.com or ...{uunet,rutgers}!cbmvax!ken >bix: kfarinsky When I started programming on the Amiga back in 1985 I did not have the RKMs. comp.sys.amiga (as it was called back then), was not enough. There is no way all the information in the RKMs can or will be reproduced on USENET news. The most important information -- a description of each of the hundreds of library calls -- can be found ONLY in the RKMs and in the autodocs. If you do not have the money to get the RKMs, I strongly suggest you get the native developer's kit from commodore to get the autodocs: CATS 1200 Wilson Drive West Chester, PA 19380 USA (215)431-9100 Include a check for $20 and request that you want the AmigaDOS V1.3 Native Developer Update. At least I think it is still $20. -Matt -- Matthew Dillon dillon@Overload.Berkeley.CA.US 891 Regal Rd. uunet.uu.net!overload!dillon Berkeley, Ca. 94708 USA
clemon@lemsys.UUCP (Craig Lemon) (01/17/91)
In a message posted on 14 Jan 91 19:19:14 GMT,
ken@cbmvax.commodore.com (Ken Farinsky - CATS) wrote:
KF-C>In article <15573@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> cleland@sdbio2.ucsd.edu (Thomas Cleland) writes:
KF-C>>
KF-C>>[Why] would I really need the ROM Kernel
KF-C>>manuals? Once I know where to start I think I can teach
KF-C>>myself by practicing and hanging around this newsgroup.
KF-C>>--
KF-C>>Thom Cleland -- tcleland@ucsd.edu
KF-C>
KF-C>One of the most important points in learning to program the Amiga is to
KF-C>NEVER do things because they _seem_ to work. If you find yourself saying
KF-C>"If I put a 17 in this field then, magically, I get the desired result",
KF-C>then you will probably break in a later version of the OS. When you
KF-C>program the machine, read the documentation. Find the reason that things
KF-C>work. Find the supported methods. The ROM Kernel Manuals are one place
KF-C>to find such information. The Libraries & Devices Manual gives examples
KF-C>on how to use much of the system. The Includes & Autodocs Manual gives
KF-C>(in reference format) the "final word" on specific function calls.
KF-C>--
KF-C>--
KF-C>Ken Farinsky - CATS - (215) 431-9421 - Commodore Business Machines
KF-C>uucp: ken@cbmvax.commodore.com or ...{uunet,rutgers}!cbmvax!ken
KF-C>bix: kfarinsky
Where can these RKM's be found? Does CATS (what EXACTLY is CATS
anyways?) have these available? I can't say I've seen any at dealers.
What other programmer/developer information is available through
Commodore-Amiga?
--
Craig Lemon - Kitchener, Ontario. Amiga B2000/10--2400 bps--AmigaUUCP 1.03D
clemon@lemsys.UUCP or lemsys!clemon@xenitec.on.ca |
lsuc!xenitec!lemsys!clemon@cs.toronto.edu | Choose your path.
....!{uunet}!watmath!xenitec!lemsys!clemon |ken@cbmvax.commodore.com (Ken Farinsky - CATS) (01/24/91)
In article <5369.664168713@lemsys.UUCP> clemon@lemsys.UUCP (Craig Lemon) writes: > Where can these RKM's be found? Does CATS (what EXACTLY is CATS >anyways?) have these available? I can't say I've seen any at dealers. >What other programmer/developer information is available through >Commodore-Amiga? >-- > Craig Lemon - clemon@lemsys.UUCP Commodore Applications and Technical Support (CATS) provides technical support to Amiga developers. This is provided through a number of channels, including network suppport, phone support for commercial developers, and technical documentation. Some of the documentation is available directly through CATS (see info below). Other manuals are available through your local book store. You should be able to order the following from any bookstore (if they do not stock them): Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Libraries and Devices Addison Wesley, Dec 1989, ISBN 0-201-18187-8 Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Includes and Autodocs Addison Wesley, Jan 1989, ISBN 0-201-18177-0 Amiga Hardware Reference Manual Addison Wesley, Sept 1989, ISBN 0-201-18157-6 Send mail to: CATS-Admin 1200 Wilson Drive West Chester, PA 19380 And ask for information on the developer support program. I believe that you can also call (215) 431-9180 and they will send you the info. There are two developer levels, both require that you be working on a product that you believe will make it to market. Developer status includes a subscription to AmigaMail (our technical newsletter), access to beta software, access to developers conferences, and access to closed conferences on BIX. Commercial status also includes phone support. Certified Developer, $75/year, no phone support, no other requirements. $25 signup cost. Commercial Developer, $450/year, phone support, requires that you have an existing product on the market. $50 signup cost. CATS also offers materials such as DevCon notes, 1.3 Developer Update, and AmigaMail. Prices and ordering information are available at the above address. Most of the CATS developer support materials are available to non-developers, so you can get the technical information even if you do not want to become a developer. -- -- Ken Farinsky - CATS - (215) 431-9421 - Commodore Business Machines uucp: ken@cbmvax.commodore.com or ...{uunet,rutgers}!cbmvax!ken bix: kfarinsky