home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
ARM Club 3
/
TheARMClub_PDCD3.iso
/
hensa
/
misc
/
configp_2
/
!Config+
/
!Help
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1996-10-17
|
7KB
|
178 lines
ConfigPlus
==========
Introduction
------------
One of the main advantages of using an Acorn computer as opposed to, say a
Mac or a PC is the way in which almost the entire system can be patched an
modified. If you've followed any of my programs you can probably see how
useful this can be; filters, Wimp bypass routines vectors, service calls,
upcalls and tasks which can communicate to help one another.
However, sometimes (only sometimes) you can see something which is
destinctly unecconomical. The prime example of this is the text editor. So
many applications require a text editor, from OLR's to code editors to
compilers to display programs. Hence, the External Edit protocol was
developed.
This is not it's story.
But it is similar…
Once, there was a program called Configure. This came on a disc and could
graphically set almost the entire system configuration. However as time
passed and the facilities grew, Configure did not grow with them; it did
eventually move into the ROM but decided that it much prefered the confines
of the harddisc before eventually deciding that perhaps it had been mistaken
and the ROM had been nice after all.
Whilst being a pretty story it doesn't explain much. Except…
Somewhere along the way, Configure found a friend in Sam Kington. Sam had
created another program called Config+ which could help Configure keep up
with the times. Config+ gave much more functionality to what was becoming an
out-dated application.
Because of the features of RO3 Sam was able to patch Configure
transparently so that all the original functionality remained, but new
options were available.
In the midst of this, another application called Config+ was being
developed from scratch. The idea behind this third application was that if
the code for configuring one part of the machine was identical to that for
another part, then why split it up ? In fact, why seperate applications from
Configure settings ? Why not instead build an engine which could drive all
applications configure operations ?
And after speaking to Niall Douglas, Justin decided that perhaps a textual
configuration description file would make life so much easier.
Thus, the modular configuration application Config+ was born.
Usage
-----
Hmm. I'm not really sure if I should explain this.
It's easy.
Run it.
Click the icons.
OK on the main window means close window
Save means Save all CMOS settings. Reload them by double clicking a saved
file, or dragging it to the ConfigPlus icon. Note: This loads all
configuration settings, unlike Configue.
OK on module windows means confirm settings.
If you don't understand something, use !Help. If you still don't
understand it then the author probably doesn't either, so I should leave the
option.
How it works
------------
Right, now for a description of the routines which modules should use to
interface with the Config+ hub refer to either the Impression document
Help.Instruct, or for preference (ie it's more up to date) the StrongHelp
manual Help.ConfigPlus
The whole application is based around the use of Basic Libraries for the
individual configuration programs (called modules). These libraries are
loaded and controlled by the main !RunImage file which is termed the hub
(because everthing revolves around it). The hub deals with creating windows
and icons and dealing with mouse clicks, help requests and menus before
passing them on to the appropriate module. Therefore, the modules only have
to worry about the setting of their options and updating the windows.
All the window movement, including pane movement and resizing is dealt with
by the hub and the modules never need to worry about any part of the actual
wimp operations unless they wish to load or save data via the wimp interface
(saving currently under development).
Note also that if the tool sprites change so do the panes. At least, if the
Wimp broadcasts the correct message they ought to.
Note: I would have liked to use Overlays, but it seems that I cannot add
modules at any old time to the array as the space needs to be reserved prior
to any switching. Otherwise, this would be a perfect use for them.
Help and message files
----------------------
This application is fully !Help compliant and it is recommended that when
getting to grips with it the help should be used if only to give it some
purpose! It also supports the use of MessageTrans and therefore translation
to another language or changing the messages for the fun of it is much easier
than it might have been.
<BasicLibrary$File>
-------------------
This application requires Justin Fletcher's JFShared library to function.
This can be obtained from Arcade and possibly other bulletin boards. A
version is currently being carried by Hensa, but for the latest version you
would be best off looking at Justin's web page (see below), or contacting him
by one of the other means below.
Compatibility
-------------
This application has been tested on the author's A5000, but due to the lack
of friends with Acorns has not been tested on other systems. Therefore, it
ought to work on any RO3.1 machine, and with a RO2 machine if it is
recognised in JFShared and uses no specific RO3 features.
Disclaimer
----------
The author accepts no responsibility for any problems which this application
may cause or loss of data resulting in its use. This application is Public
Domain Freeware. This means that it may be distributed, so long as no charge
other than copying costs are charged for it. The copyright remains with
myself (Justin Fletcher).
Contact
-------
Any comments, queries, donations or bug reports can be sent to :
Fido : Justin Fletcher at 2:255/116.3
E-Mail : Gerph@essex.ac.uk
URL : http://prompt.essex.ac.uk/users/gerph/
IRC : On #Acorn as Gerph
Finger : finger jrflet@postman.essex.ac.uk
Tel : (01842) 813979 (Home)
Snail Mail :
Justin Fletcher
“Galadriel”
17b Cromwell Road,
Weeting,
Brandon,
Suffolk.
IP27 0QT
History
-------
Version 1.00 : 08 Jan 1995
First version written
Version 1.01 : 06 May 1995
Added facilities to alter external status files
Version 1.02 : 07 May 1995
Added status file facilities
Updated manual to current specification
Version 1.03 : 29 Jun 1995
Added panes to configuration windows
Version 1.04 : 12 Aug 1995
More modifications for opening pane windows.
Version 1.05 : 14 Aug 1995
Modules information window, and module improvements involved
Version 1.06 : 17 Aug 1995
ConfigPlus command added to access program externally
Version 1.07 : 10 Sep 1995
Proportional bars added
Scroll bars added
Null, B and C sprites
Tool changes
Version 1.08 : 27 Sep 1995
Load icon, documentation in StrongHelp manual.
Save button now does something other than look good!
Adjust size icon added to panes
Version 1.09 : 11 May 1996
Hourglass whilst loading modules
Version 1.10 : 03 Sep 1996
A few more modules added, taking the total up to 11 now.
Version 1.11 : 17 Oct 1996
ConfigPlus_SettingsSaved message added, for notifying
applications that their configuration has changed.