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WELCOME to DMalloc (tm) version 1.0! DMalloc consists of at least: README | ** Thank you for reading this file ** PACKING.LST | A list of all files in the package DMALLOC.LIB | The actual DMalloc software DMLNONE.LIB | These files will be installed to the DMALLOC.OBJ | directory as specified in the DMALLOC7.OBJ | installation program DMALLOC.H | DMALLOC.BC | DMSERIAL.EXE | unregistered shareware version only | to serialize the library after registration DMCONFIG.EXE | registered version only | to configure the library to your needs DOC\WARRANTY.DOC | Important warranty information DOC\REGISTER.DOC | Instructions how to register DOC\REGISTER.FRM | Form letter to register DMalloc DOC\VENDOR.DOC | Important informations for shareware vendors DOC\SYSOP.DOC | Important information for BBS sysops DOC\DESCRIBE.DOC | A complete description of DMalloc DOC\HISTORY.DOC | DMalloc update history DOC\LASTINFO.DOC | Last minute information DOC\DMALLOC.DOC | This documentation in ASCII format DOC\SH-WARE.DOC | Information on shareware, and computer viruses DOC\ASP.DOC | Information about the ASP, its policy, | and the ASP Ombudsman DOC\OMBUDSMN.DOC | The ASP Ombudsman statement DOC\PRESINFO.DOC | Press information DOC\VIRUS.DOC | registered version only | "Computer Virus Myths" | by Rob Rosenberger, Ross M. Greenberg SAMPLE\DEMO.BAT | Batch and text file to start the demo SAMPLE\DEMO.TXT | SAMPLE\DMLDEMO.EXE | Disk version only (no BBS) | Ready to run demo program SAMPLE\MODULE1.C | The demo program source files SAMPLE\MODULE2.C | SAMPLE\MODULE3.C | SAMPLE\DMLDEMO.TXT | SAMPLE\DEMO.H | SAMPLE\MAKEFILE | Make file for MSC 5.1 and 6+ SAMPLE\DMLDEMO.MAK | MSC 7 PWB project file SAMPLE\DMLDEMO.STS | MSC 7 PWB session settings SAMPLE\README | Instructions how to build the demo program The current file (README) contains the following information sections: Introduction Summary of Features Documentation A Quick Start Registration Support and Thanks All of the following text is excerpted from the main documentation. All listed cross-references refer to sections in the main documentation file, DMALLOC.DOC. Introduction What is DMalloc? DMalloc is a full-featured, convenient, windowed pop-up dynamic memory debugger for C language applications. It monitors heap integrity and the dynamic memory re- quirements of an application. From a technical point of view DMalloc is a library that is linked with the pro- gram's object files. Requirements DMalloc is currently available for Microsoft(r) C com- pilers (v.5.1, 6+, and 7). Different compiler versions may be supported with future upgrades. DMalloc can only be used with the "large" memory model (far code, far data). (1) DOS version should be 3.30 or above (2). DMalloc will add about 41kB to code and data size, and - depending on the setup - 2 to 141 kB of dynamic (far) memory. Why DMalloc Instead of a BRAND X Heap Checker DMalloc checks the integrity of dynamic memory. Unlike other packages, it monitors the allocated memory units themselves, instead of tracking out-of-bounds segment accesses. Thus it is an ideal companion to 386-based bound checking utilities such as Bounds-Checker(tm). For more information on segments and allocation units refer to section 4, page 17. You don't need to recompile a single source module. DMalloc tracks all calls to memory allocation/deallo- cation, even in third-party code and libraries. Null pointer assignments are detected much earlier than by the runtime library (which detects them at the end of the program). And, as a special feature for the lar- ge memory model, even assignments to far null pointers (the interrupt table) are detected and repaired (if possible) to keep the interrupt table intact. DMalloc can cooperate with other debuggers. Special support has been built in for CodeView(r) and Soft-- ICE(tm) debuggers. DMalloc can be used as a background watchdog as well as to interactively review the requirements and fragmenta- tion status of the dynamic heap. ____________________ 1 Future versions may support different memory models. 2 DMalloc was tested with DOS versions 3.30, 4.01, and 5.00. However, nothing special is needed from DOS, so other versions should do as well. DMalloc supports an alternate monitor to allow debug- ging of graphical applications. DMalloc can remember corrupted allocation units from one session to the next, allowing you to monitor su- spect units from the moment of their allocation. DMalloc provides a rich API to allow fine-tuning of debugging setups from within the source code. DMalloc is shareware, allowing you to fully evaluate it for 30 days. If you don't like it, you don't pay for it. However, DMalloc is a very professional debug uti- lity, and not playware. Summary of Features o Tracking of allocation and deallocation of dynamic memory o Integrity check on every allocated unit o Integrity check on the data segment null region (null pointer assignment error) o Integrity check and repair on the far-null region (the interrupt table) o Automatic pop-up when a heap problem is encountered o Interactive pop-up by pressing o Automatic pop-up when allocating memory that has been corrupted in the last debug session, or that has been selected to be saved o Pop-up when freeing/reallocating/expanding selected units (Watchpoint feature) o Graceful program termination when the heap is destroyed and the program would be likely to hang o Sorted display of data segments and all allocated units o Assignment of allocation units to source file and line (when recompiling) o Optional selective display selection by specifying source file and line number o Viewing and editing of allocation unit contents o Possibility to set debugger breakpoints o Extensive setup options to tailor DMalloc's behaviour to the current debug context, and chan- ging setup options at runtime o Alternate monitor support to allow debugging of graphical applications o User-defined screen colors on both monitors o Automatic save of setup options, and corrupted and selected allocation units on an per-application basis o Rich API for program/debugger interaction Documentation Registration Form REGISTER.FRM is the registration form you may use to register DMalloc, or to request additional manuals. You may print it by typing: COPY REGISTER.FRM PRN [Enter] To register, or to order a printed manual just fill it in, and mail it (together with a check or money order) to the address shown on the form. For additional infor- mation on registering and the many benefits you'll re- ceive, please refer to section 1.7, page 3. The Manual DMALLOC.DOC is the installation, demo program and refe- rence documentation (this text). It contains no special formatting commands, can be viewed with any DOS text file viewer or editor, and it should be printable on most any printer. To print, type at the DOS command line: COPY DMALLOC.DOC PRN [Enter] You should have at least 56 pages (4) of paper ready when printing the manual. The documentation file inclu- des "box drawings", these use certain characters which may not be available on some printers. Generally such printers replace these special characters with italici- sed letters. If you are able to, choose the "IBM mode" on such a printer. However, don't let the thickness of the documentation scare you. DMalloc is extremely easy to use. This manu- al will do its best to teach you how to use DMalloc to debug your program. ____________________ 4 The size of the ASCII file differs from the printed documentation due to different fonts and formatting A Quick Start To quickly get an existing program running with DMal- loc, relink the application together with the DMALLOC.OBJ (5) object file. The DMALLOC.LIB library must be either in the current directory or in one of the directories specified in the LIB environment varia- ble. After linking, start the program as usual. DMalloc will pop up before the main() function is called to allow you to modify the setup options. Note: if an application is not compiled using the large memory model (compiler directive -AL), the linker will issue an error message and the program will not work. You must compile the application using the large memory model (6). Registration DMalloc is copyrighted Shareware, it is NOT PUBLIC DO- MAIN, it is NOT FREE. If you find DMalloc of value and continue to use it after a thirty day evaluation period PLEASE register your copy of DMalloc. When you register you receive: o a serial number and license for one copy of DMal- loc o a diskette with a registered copy of DMalloc o six months free support o any technical updates of DMalloc v 1.0 available at that time o a printed and bound manual o a configuration utility to modify the DMalloc library to your setup requirements (see appendix B, page 45) o free interim updates when available o version 2.0 at a greatly reduced fee o reduced registration fee (by 10.00 US$) of the Z/Install Installation program (Z/Install has been used for DMalloc installation) o a greater voice in suggesting future enhancements the satisfaction of supporting the shareware con- cept If you have not previously registered, and after an evaluation of DMalloc you wish to register, or if you would just like a registered copy to be shipped out to you, the cost is: 41.00 US$ s/h 6.00 US$ ============= 47.00 US$ ____________________ 5 See section 6.1.1, page 33, for using different compi- ler versions. For now, use DMALLOC.OBJ for MSC 5.1 and MSC 6+, and DMALLOC7.OBJ for MSC 7. 6 Future versions may support different memory models. To have an additional manual to be shipped, the cost is 11.00 US$ s/h 6.00 US$ ============= 17.00 US$ To register, or to order additional printed manuals, fill out the registration form (REGISTER.FRM, see sec- tion 2.4.1, page 8), add a check, made payable to Er- nest Vogelsinger, or money order (if not registering with credit card), and send them in using one of three options: 1) By regular mail to: Ernest Vogelsinger Hietzinger Hauptstrasse 40 c A-1130 Vienna, Austria 2) By telephone or fax: if this is by VISA or MASTER- CARD credit card, call Tel: (+43) 1 876 46 090 ORDERS ONLY! SUPPORT IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THAT NUMBER. Fax: (+43) 1 876 46 094 3) By electronic mail: if this is by VISA or MASTER- CARD credit card, you can forward the information directly to me by: Compuserve Mail at 100015,551 Internet 100015.551@compuserve.com MHS MAIL@CSERVE {100015,551} Check appendix D, page 47, for detailed information on how to send email to Compuserve, and on how to obtain a Compuserve account. If registering with credit card your account will be charged in Austrian funds (Austrian Schillings = ATS). You will receive a confirmation by electronic mail or fax (if available) when your order is processed. Currency exchange will vary, but at the time of this version's release 47.00 US$ was approximately: 47.00 US$ (41+6s/h) ATS 479.40 The registration fee licenses one copy of DMalloc for use on any one computer at any one time. You must tre- at this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to anot- her, as long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Consider it like a book, a book cannot be read by two different people at the same time. For commercial users of DMalloc, site-license or mul- tiple license discount arrangements may be made by con- tacting the author at the above address. If there is an unavoidable delay in registering, note that DMalloc will continue to work unchanged after the evaluation period. Under no circumstances will DMalloc do any mischief to those who dishonestly continue to use DMalloc without registering. Registering Your Evaluation Copy DMalloc will be registered personally to you, i.e. your serial number and your name will be shown at the top of the screen (the Information Window, see section 5.3, page 22). When you send in your registration, you will be provided a registration number. You can use this registration number together with the serialization utility to immediately register your DMalloc library and get rid of the shareware reminder screens (DMSerial program, see appendix A, page 44, for more informa- tion). Support & Thanks Questions, comments, suggestions, and even thanks are all welcome. I am supporting this software via regular mail or fax, or alternatively (this is preferred) on CompuServe, either via electronic mail, or on the MSLANG forum, Microsoft C (3) section. Via CompuServe: Address messages to my UserID 100015,551 through CompuServe MAIL (GO MAIL at any CompuServe "!" prompt), or leave a message for me in the CIS:MSLANG forum, Microsoft C (3) section (GO MSLANG at any CompuServe "!" prompt). Via our Canadian support BBS: SpeedSoft BBS, Home of Z/Install, The Fine Instal- lation Utility Modem settings: 8 Data, 1 Stop, No Parity Modem speed: up to 14.400 baud, v.32.bis, v.42.bis Call: (604) 477-5337 Via regular mail: Forward all support questions to Ernest Vogelsinger Hietzinger Hauptstrasse 40 c A-1130 Vienna, Austria Via fax: To send your questions, suggestions, etc, call (+43) 1 876 46 094 For registered users, support is free for 6 (six) months from date of registration. Email and CompuServe forum support continues to be free, whereas support via fax or regular mail will be charged US$ 10.-- per case. If the support in question is of interest to all regi- stered users, it will be held free, too. Improved or new versions will be announced on CompuSer- ve on the MSLANG forum, Microsoft C (3) section. Regi- stered users will be automatically notified either via electronic mail, fax, or regular mail. My sincere thanks go out to all of those who have hel- ped me to improve DMalloc by offering up their wish lists, suggestions and criticisms. Also a very special thanks to all the brave and tireless BETA/GAMMA testers. Enjoy! Ernest Vogelsinger