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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
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PBASMLIB.DOC
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1994-02-12
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╚═╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝ ╚══════╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝ ╚══════╝ ╚═╝ ╚═════╝ (tm)
Version 1.0
An all assembly-language library for
PowerBASIC 3.0
(C) Copyright 1994 by Tim Gerchmez
All Rights Reserved.
PBASMLIB Trial License
----------------------
PBASMLIB is copyrighted, commercial software being distributed under the
shareware (try before you buy) marketing concept. It is not free software,
nor is it in the public domain.
You are licensed to try PBASMLIB routines in your programs for a period
of 60 days (two months). You may not distribute programs that include
PBASMLIB routines, either for pay or for free, without first registering
PBASMLIB. If at the end of 60 days you decide not to register PBASMLIB,
you should delete all copies of the program, including all executable files
that contain PBASMLIB routines, and discontinue use.
Registered users of PBASMLIB will receive the following benefits:
* The latest version of PBASMLIB on floppy disk (specify format, or
3 1/2", 1.44MB HD will be sent). This includes all files that came
with the shareware version, as well as the individual .OBJ (object)
files that make up the library, and the source code (see below).
Programs are sent only on the highest-quality brand-name diskettes
assembled in the U.S.A. - cheapie bulk diskettes are never used!
* Complete assembly language source code to PBASMLIB routines for ease of
making modifications to the software. This is a major benefit, and one
that is not offered with many all assembly-language toolboxes.
* License to use PBASMLIB routines in programs intended for distribution
and/or sale, without payment of further fees or royalties. This is
guaranteed in writing along with your registered copy.
* The next major update FREE of charge (will be sent automatically).
Subsequent major updates will cost $10.00 per update (subject to change).
Minor updates and bug fixes are always free with a postpaid disk mailer
and floppy disk.
* More demonstration programs, with tips and techniques on using PBASMLIB
routines.
* Technical support by mail and via the PowerBASIC BBS and any other online
services frequented by the author (see BIBLIO.TXT for an online reference)
* Additional shareware and freeware utilities for PowerBASIC written by
the author of PBASMLIB included on the disk sent.
You may also receive other benefits in addition to those stated above (which
are guaranteed upon registration). Note that this is not a warranty of any
kind related to the software itself, but a guarantee of benefits upon payment
of the registration fee.
Commercial users of PBASMLIB must register and pay for their copies of
the program within 10 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.
If additional time is needed to evaluate PBASMLIB for your needs, please
contact the author. Site license arrangements may be made by contacting
the author at the address given below. Site-licensing contracts are
negotiated on an individual basis.
To register PBASMLIB, please send a check or money order for $39.95, plus
$5.00 shipping and handling ($44.95 total), to:
Tim Gerchmez
12648 S.E. 81st Pl.
Renton, WA 98056-9121
The price given is for a single-user registration, applicable to one user
using PBASMLIB on one machine at any given time. Use the form included in
this package (REGISTER.FRM) to register. If you don't, please don't forget
to specify your FULL NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, and DISK FORMAT desired
when ordering.
Foreign registrants must pay with a check or cashier's check DRAWN ON A
U.S. BANK, or with U.S. dollars in cash. Foreign users are guaranteed the
same registration benefits as domestic users, including full technical
support by mail.
Questions or comments may also be directed to the author at the above
address. Comments and/or questions from unregistered users are welcomed.
DISTRIBUTORS are hereby licensed to distribute PBASMLIB freely, provided
that all files included in the shareware package are kept together and
unaltered (additional files may be added if necessary). It's recommended
that you contact the author at the address given above, so that program
updates and bug fixes can be sent to you. For additional details, see
the file VENDOR.DOC included with this package.
BBS SYSOPS may distribute PBASMLIB freely, provided that all files included
in the archive package are kept together and unaltered (additional files
may be added if necessary). It's recommended that you contact the author at
the address given above, so that program updates and bug fixes can be sent or
uploaded to you. The PBASMLIB package may be un-archived and re-archived
using different archiving techniques (suggested filenames are PBASMLIB.ZIP
or PBASMLIB.ARJ), and posted freely on any kind of BBS system.
Disclaimer of Liability
-----------------------
"This software is provided as-is. There are no warranties made,
either expressed or implied."
THE AUTHOR OF THIS SOFTWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATED TO THIS
SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
NEITHER THE AUTHOR OF THIS SOFTWARE (TIM GERCHMEZ) NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO
HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION OR DELIVERY OF
THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF THEY
HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT
SHALL THE AUTHOR OF THIS SOFTWARE'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED
THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM
OF CLAIM. THE PERSON(S) USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY
AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PBASMLIB Overview
-----------------
PBASMLIB is a toolkit (or library) of routines for PowerBASIC 3.0
(PowerBASIC, Inc). It's written in 100% 80x86 assembly language,
which offers you blazing speed, small program size, and a great
deal of flexibility.
The primary goal of PBASMLIB is not to save you time (although it will
most likely do so), but to offer you raw speed, power and control at a
level unequalled by any other shareware library for BASIC. With PBASMLIB
and PowerBASIC, you'll have access to low-level machine functions that
will provide you with unparallelled power in writing professional-quality
BASIC programs that really stand out in a crowd. Because the code size
is so small too (the MOUSE module, with 55 routines, takes about 3K of
memory!), you'll use these routines often. It's my hope that with PBASMLIB
at your disposal, you'll never have to spend $200 on a full-featured
commercial library for PowerBASIC.
The following modules are included in PBASMLIB:
Screen
------
The screen module provides 36 functions related to manipulating
the text screen and memory block store routines. You can scroll the screen
in different directions, store/recall text screens, fade the screen in and
out (MCGA/VGA only), and perform other related and useful functions. Future
plans include the addition of graphics-related routines.
Mouse
-----
The mouse module provides you with access to the full power of the
mouse driver. 55 functions are provided to allow you access to just about
all the mouse driver's capabilities, including the ability to write your
own interrupt-driven mouse handler routines.
BIOS
----
The BIOS module is an interface to the ROM BIOS routines built into
your computer. Most of the built in BIOS functions are supported, including
palette and graphics commands. 80 functions are included in the BIOS module.
DOS
---
The PBASMLIB DOS module lets you delve deeply into the mysteries
of MS-DOS. 86 super powerful low-level functions let you interface your
PB BASIC programs directly to the operating system, giving you access to
programming flexibility that is second to none.
Install
-------
Add some extra intelligence to your PB programs with this library
of installation checks for many popular TSR's, Operating System extensions
and BIOS extensions. 90 different install checks are currently supported.
As new installation checks are added by different manufacturers, this
PBASMLIB module will likely grow in size and functionality.
Array
-----
Extend PB's already-powerful collection of array-related routines
with these commands. Perform all sorts of interesting logical and numerical
feats with integer and word arrays. Major expansion is planned for this
unit in future versions of PBASMLIB.
Sound
-----
PBASMLIB's sound module allows you to (at last!) play 9-voice
FM-synthesized music directly from BASIC on your Adlib or Soundblaster
card, without having to worry about loading a driver. You can also play
back uncompressed raw digitized samples - once again, without a driver.
It even provides you with an interface to the Soundblaster Speech driver,
so you can write programs that talk and play music! The sound module, like
the rest of PBASMLIB, is in a state of constant evolution, and I welcome
your suggestions on any routines you might like to see added in a future
revision.
XMS
---
Tired of the 640K limit? You can access as much Extended Memory
(XMS) as your machine has installed with the PBASMLIB XMS commands. Store
a string of any allowable length to XMS (and recall it later), using a
command with only 3 parameters to remember. For more control, use the
other XMS commands to store and recall ANY section of memory to/from XMS.
EMS
---
PBASMLIB offers support for EMS (Expanded Memory) as well as XMS
(Extended Memory). Some modern DOS drivers offer both EMS and XMS to the
programmer. PBASMLIB gives you a choice of using either or both if they
exist on the machine your program is running on. EMS is even easier to use
than XMS, and the EMS unit also includes routines to save and recall strings
from memory without having to remember a lot of complex commands.
Miscellaneous
-------------
This unit contains various and sundry routines that didn't fit into
any other category or module. Most of the miscellaneous routines allow you
to do things that aren't possible using PowerBASIC alone, adding a lot of
power and flexibility to your programs. Several timing routines are included
to improve and expand your ability to time program events, among others.
Version 1.0 of PBASMLIB contains 10 modules total, and more are planned for
future versions of the library. One of the special things about PBASMLIB
is that it's an ONGOING project of the author - in other words, this version
is only the beginning. When you register PBASMLIB, you will be entitled to
the first major upgrade free of charge, and future upgrades after that for
a minimal fee (currently $10.00 including disk and handling charges). The
price of future versions of PBASMLIB will likely rise with added routines
and increased functionality, but if you register now you'll never pay more
than a small upgrade fee for major revisions.
Installing PBASMLIB
-------------------
To install PBASMLIB, first create a new directory under your main
PowerBASIC directory to hold all the files. You can do this with
a command similar to the following:
MD C:\PB3\PBASMLIB
Next, copy all the files in this package to the newly-created directory
with a command similar to the following:
COPY *.* C:\PB3\PBASMLIB
After this, you should copy PBASMLIB.PBL to your PowerBASIC LINK directory,
and PBASMLIB.INC to PowerBASIC's INCLUDE directory. These are the directories
specified in the OPTIONS/DIRECTORIES menu in the PowerBASIC IDE. PowerBASIC
needs to know where to find PBASMLIB.PBL and PBASMLIB.INC when linking
routines into your programs. To copy these files, use a command sequence
similar to the following:
CD C:\PB3\PBASMLIB
COPY PBASMLIB.PBL C:\PB3\PBU (or C:\PB3\LINK)
COPY PBASMLIB.INC C:\PB3\INCLUDE
You can optionally always switch to the PBASMLIB directory before compiling
and linking PBASMLIB programs, but it's far more convenient to tell PowerBASIC
where to find .PBL/.PBU and .INC files. For more information on default
PowerBASIC directories, see the online help or consult the PowerBASIC manuals.
Once you've installed PBASMLIB, the routines should be ready to use. They
will all be immediately accessible to your programs by including the following
commands at the top of programs that use PBASMLIB routines:
$LINK "PBASMLIB.PBL"
$INCLUDE "PBASMLIB.INC"
If you're using a version of PowerBASIC earlier than 3.0C, it may be
necessary to declare only the routines that you actually use in your
programs, otherwise PowerBASIC may pull in the entire PBASMLIB library,
making your programs larger than necessary. If you use an earlier version
of PowerBASIC, eliminate the $INCLUDE "PBASMLIB.INC" in your programs, and
use cut and paste to cut the DECLAREs for routines you need out of the
PBASMLIB.INC file and paste them into your programs.
You are now ready to try the demo programs included with PBASMLIB. As of
this version, most of the demos are for the SOUND (Soundblaster) module.
If you don't have a Soundblaster card, you can't use these demo programs.
When you register PBASMLIB, you'll receive additional demos that detail
the functions of many of the other modules in the program. All of the demos
except one (the speech driver demo) will run in the PowerBASIC IDE - simply
load, compile and run. The program demonstrating the speech driver interface
contains instructions on how to use it. Do not attempt to use this program
in the PowerBASIC IDE, or you'll experience a system crash.
A .DOC file for each module in PBASMLIB is included (XXXXX.DOC) that details
the routines available in each module. It's recommended that you print out
the .DOC files for the modules you will be using so you'll have a ready
reference when you wish to add PBASMLIB commands to your programs. Future
versions will include a help file for the PowerBASIC IDE (.PBH).
Precautions
-----------
Before experimenting with low level PBASMLIB routines, especially those
that perform disk access, BE SURE TO BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE. This
precaution cannot be emphasized enough. You use PBASMLIB entirely at
your own risk, and bear all responsibility for the use and/or misuse
of low-level system routines. It's likely that as you use PBASMLIB
routines, you'll experience the occasional system crash and/or corrupted
files due to incorrect use, bugs in the routines, system configuration,
or any number of possible problems. ALWAYS remember to take appropriate
precautions, especially when experimenting with different parameters for
particular routines. Once a PBASMLIB program is stable and tested, it's
highly unlikely that the user of your programs will experience any
significant problems. If they do, however, the author of PBASMLIB cannot
be legally liable. The use of these routines is always at your own risk.
They are provided as-is, with no warranties either expressed or implied.
Please see DISCLAIM.TXT for further information.