home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Almathera Ten Pack 2: CDPD 1
/
Almathera Ten on Ten - Disc 2: CDPD 1.iso
/
pd
/
076-100
/
100
/
conman
/
sideshow.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1995-03-13
|
2KB
|
44 lines
=========================== SideShow ==========================
SideShow is a simple utility for use with the ConMan console handler. It
allows one or more "scratchpad" windows to be used to prepare commands for
a host window; the commands are then slipped into the main command stream
using a special "backdoor" mechanism implemented in the console handler.
Operation.
Any number of "SideShow" windows may be opened by entering "run sideshow"
from a command window. Commands may then be entered and edited in the
new window using the usual ConMan editing facilites. Once the desired
command or data sequence has been prepared, hit F8 to submit it to the
host's stream. The host window need not be active to receive the command
stream; it may be sitting in the background somewhere. The close gadget
or F3 may be used to exit at any time.
A window definition may be supplied as a command-line argument. For example,
"run sideshow con:////BigGuy/c" specifies a full-screen window with a close
gadget.
Note: SideShow requires version V0.98B or later of ConMan; if used with
a prior version or with a normal DOS console, an error message will be
displayed whenever an attempt is made to transmit a sequence of commands.
Principles of Operation.
SideShow uses a special packet type called "ACTION_FORCE" (code 2001) which
has been implemented in the ConMan console handler. This packet takes
the same parameters as a "write" packet, but causes the data to be entered
into the input stream, just as though it had been typed at the keyboard.
The stream is edited in exactly the same fashion as actual keyboard input
input, so control sequences may be included for special effects.
This program serves as an example of function-key interrupt processing
using the ConHandler library functions. In this case the keys of interest
are F3, F8, and HELP; the "close gadget" event is also checked, but is
passed back to the console handler rather than being trapped. The assembly
source code for "SideShow" is available.
'C' programmers should note that the event handler function may be written
entirely in 'C', as the arguments are available on the stack as well as in
registers. I've put together preliminary documentation and the binding
functions; call or write for details.