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Amigaguide Document
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1996-04-07
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@database XPKDT
@$VER: XPKDT.guide 39.1 (21.11.95)
@(C) Michal Letowski
@author Michal Letowski
@index Index
@node Main "XPKDT 1.0
@prev Main
@next Main
@{b}@{u}XPKDT 1.0
@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} package is Copyright
1995 @{"Michal Letowski" link Author}.
All rights reserved.
The author's native language is Polish, so please forgive bad spelling,
grammar mistakes etc. Or better - correct them.
@{"Copyright notice" link Copyright} - legal informations.
@{" Introduction " link Introduction} - what it is useful for.
@{" Requirements " link Requirements} - what you need to run.
@{" Installation " link Installation} - how to install.
@{" Notes " link Notes} - some notes and comments.
@{" History " link History} - what has changed since last release.
@{" To do " link ToDo} - this is @{u}BETA@{uu} version!
@{" xpk_dtc " link AutoDocs/xpk_dtc.doc/main} - programmer's documentation.
@endnode
@node Copyright "XPKDT Copyright"
@prev Copyright
@{b}@{u}Copyright@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} package is Copyright
1995 @{"Michal Letowski" link Author}.
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} is freely distributable under the following conditions:
no more than a reasonable fee is charged for copying/downloading;
this distribution is not a part of other non-free distribution;
the distribution is complete - it contains all the files (full list
at the end of this chapter);
no file in the distribution is changed.
Distribution without meeting conditions specified above requires
written permission from me.
The @{"DataType" link DataTypes} from the package works, but no guarantee is given nor
implied. In no case will I be liable for any results of using supplied
@{"DataType" link DataTypes}.
The source code is provided only for informational purposes and is
also under copyright. It is based on source for @{i}cli.datatype @{ui}by Stefan
Ruppert, who had the great idea of "unwrapping" formats.
This documentation is based on @{i}CatEdit.guide@{ui}, which is Copyright
1993 Rafael D'Halleweyn.
@{"XPK" link XPK} Data Compression Package was created by Urban Dominik Mueller.
@{"PowerPacker" link PowerPacker} is Copyright
1990 Nico Fran
List of all files in the distribution:
@{i}Install XPKDT.info
Install XPKDT
XPKDT.guide.info
XPKDT.guide
AutoDocs
xpk_dtc.doc
Devs.info
Devs (dir)
DataTypes.info
DataTypes (dir)
Power Packer.info
Power Packer
XPK.info
XPK
Libs (dir)
DataTypes (dir)
xpk.datatype
Src (dir)
classbase.c
dispatch.c@{ui}
@endnode
@node Introduction "Introduction to XPKDT"
@{b}@{u}Introduction@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} is a @{"DataTypes" link DataTypes} sub-class for loading @{"XPK" link XPK} compressed files.
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} handles decompression and passes decompressed files back to
@{"DataTypes" link DataTypes}. In the end the user is able to utilize/view compressed files
using any @{"DataTypes" link DataTypes} compliant application.
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} will also decompress @{"Power Packer" link PowerPacker} compressed files thanks to a
kludge in @{"XPK" link XPK} system.
@endnode
@node Requirements "Requirements for XPKDT"
@{b}@{u}Requirements@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} requires AmigaDOS 3.0 or higher (@{i}datatypes.library @{ui}V39+). @{"XPK" link XPK}
subsystem (@{i}xpkmaster.library@{ui}) must also be installed with all necessary
compression sub-libraries.
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} requires some temporary disk space to store decompressed data.
By convention it will use @{i}T: @{ui}logical device for all temporary files.
@endnode
@node Installation "Installation of XPKDT"
@{b}@{u}Installation@{uu}@{ub}
Use supplied @{i}Installer @{ui}script to copy necessary files. You can choose
to have @{b}XPKDT@{ub} permanently enabled or manually selectable. In the former
case recognition files will be copied into @{i}DEVS:DataTypes@{ui} directory, while
in the latter - into @{i}SYS:Storage/DataTypes@{ui} directory.
Manually selectable installation requires @{b}XPKDT@{ub} to be activated before
use by double-clicking on @{i}SYS:Storage/DataTypes/Power Packer @{ui}or
@{i}SYS:Storage/DataTypes/XPK @{ui}icons or typing
@{b}1.SYS:>@{ub} AddDataTypes SYS:Storage/DataTypes/#?
from Shell.
@endnode
@node Notes "XPKDT Notes"
@{b}@{u}Notes@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} is only a temporary solution! Decompression and decryption
should be handled on higher level, perhaps by @{i}datatypes.library@{ui} itself.
If (despite it's shortcomings) you still like @{b}XPKDT@{ub} be sure to send
"Thank You" message to Stefan Ruppert (@{i}http://www.uni.mainz/~ruppert@{ui},
@{i}mailto://ruppert@goofy.zdv.uni-mainz.de@{ui},
@{i}mailto://i511@informatik.fh-wiesbaden.de@{ui}) who had the original idea. I'm
merely trying to implement it...
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} creates temporary directories and files on @{i}T: @{ui}logical device.
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} will properly handle multi-compressed files (eg. @{"XPK" link XPK} files
compressed again with @{"Power Packer" link PowerPacker}).
@{"DataTypes" link DataTypes} system often uses file name to determine type of a file.
Therefore it is recommended that you don't append any suffixes to names of
your compressed files.
@endnode
@node History "XPKDT History"
@{b}@{u}History@{uu}@{ub}
Version 1.0
(21.11.95) - initial BETA release.
@endnode
@node ToDo "To do in XPKDT"
@next ToDo
@{b}@{u}To do@{uu}@{ub}
This is BETA release! This program does not work in all cases and may
crash your system! But the bugs come from some interference with other
@{"DataTypes" link DataTypes}, not bad programming on my part. I can't test @{b}XPKDT@{ub} further,
because I run only AmigaDOS 3.0. Comments from users with AmigaDOS 3.1 are
welcomed!
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} can't process packed AmigaGuide
files - the link buttons
become unselectable (in @{i}amigaguide.datatype @{ui}V39). You can, however, view
compressed files linked to AmigaGuide
buttons.
There are some open issues not addressed in this release of @{b}XPKDT@{ub}. In
particular, I would like to hear from you opinions on how to handle:
progress indication. I think it should be handled on higher level,
preferably by @{i}datatypes.library@{ui} (@{i}DTA_ProgressHook@{ui}?).
passwords. At present, @{b}XPKDT@{ub} does not support passwords and therefore
will not work with encrypted files.
error reporting. Current version converts @{"XPK" link XPK} error codes to standard
AmigaDOS error codes and therefore does not take advantage of @{"XPK" link XPK}
descriptive error messages. Alas, I can see no way to change this...
@endnode
@node DataTypes "DataTypes Information"
@prev DataTypes
@next DataTypes
@{b}@{u}DataTypes@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}DataTypes @{ub}is an AmigaDOS subsystem (introduced in AmigaDOS 3.0) for
dealing with different types of files found on different machines (PC's,
Macs and Amigas). @{b}DataTypes @{ub}can be used for recognizing types of files
and interpreting informations in this files. An example of the latter is
@{i}MultiView@{ui}, which can show many types of data.
@{b}DataTypes @{ub}divide all files into the following main categories:
@{i}syst @{ui}(System) - system files;
@{i}text @{ui}(Text) - textual files;
@{i}docu @{ui}(Document) - documents (spreadsheet data, text with
pictures etc.);
@{i}soun @{ui}(Sound) - sound samples;
@{i}inst @{ui}(Instrument) - musical instruments;
@{i}musi @{ui}(Music) - songs;
@{i}pict @{ui}(Picture) - graphics;
@{i}anim @{ui}(Animation) - animations;
@{i}movi @{ui}(Movie) - animation with sound.
Each category is further divided into sub-classes. Each sub-class
interprets one type of file, converting it into some universal format.
@{i}xpk.datatype @{ui}is a subclass of System group.
@endnode
@node XPK "XPK System"
@prev XPK
@next XPK
@{b}@{u}XPK System@{uu}@{ub}
In @{b}XPK@{ub} author's words:
For a long time, there have been various compression programs for
different purposes on the Amiga. But every application supported only one
compressor, and most compressors were only supported by one application.
@{b}XPK@{ub} wants to put an end to this: Every application with @{b}XPK@{ub} interface can
use every packer with @{b}XPK@{ub} interface. An @{b}XPK@{ub} packer is a library with a
four letter library name.
@endnode
@node PowerPacker "Power Packer"
@prev PowerPacker
@next PowerPacker
@{b}@{u}Power Packer@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}Power Packer@{ub} is a very popular compression program, useful for
packing both data and executable files. It comes with a support library,
which allows programmers to utilize compression in their programs.
@endnode
@node Author "About the Author"
@prev Author
@next Author
@{b}@{u}About the Author@{uu}@{ub}
@{b}XPKDT@{ub} package was written by @{b}Michal Letowski@{ub}, who holds Master degree
in Computer Science and is currently looking for a good job.
If you have something to say me (questions, remarks, suggestions,
wishes, bug reports) please contact me (I like receiving mail!):
by E-Mail (preferred way):
@{b}pro37@ci3ux.ci.pwr.wroc.pl@{ub} (valid until 1.3.96)
by normal mail:
@{b}Michal Letowski
Przyjazni 51/17
53-030 Wroclaw
POLAND@{ub}
You can get my other free software:
@{" MCommands " link MCommands.guide/main} - 8 useful AmigaDOS CLI commands
(@{i}Aminet://util/cli/MComms-1.4.lha@{ui});
@{" MCEd " link MCEd.guide/main} - 8 great ARexx scripts for @{i}CygnusEd @{ui}users
(@{i}Aminet://text/edit/MCEd-1.2.lha@{ui});
@{"ClipHandler" link ClipHandler.guide/main} - easily exchange data between AmigaDOS and applications
(@{i}Aminet://util/misc/ClipHan-1.2.lha@{ui});
@{" FontDT " link FontDT.guide/main} - DataType for Amiga fonts.
(@{i}Aminet://util/dtype/FontDT-1.1.lha@{ui});
@{" MREKO " link MREKO.guide/main} - DataType for viewing @{i}REKO @{ui}cardsets
(@{i}Aminet://util/dtype/MREKO-1.0.lha@{ui}).
@endnode
@node Index "XPKDT Index"
@prev Index
@next Index
@{b}@{u}Index@{uu}@{ub}
@{" Author " link Author}
@{"Copyright notice" link Copyright}
@{" DataTypes " link DataTypes}
@{" History " link History}
@{" Installation " link Installation}
@{" Introduction " link Introduction}
@{" Notes " link Notes}
@{" PowerPacker " link PowerPacker}
@{" Requirements " link Requirements}
@{" To do " link ToDo}
@{" XPK " link XPK}
@{" xpk_dtc " link AutoDocs/xpk_dtc.doc/main}
@endnode