BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/doors_1/gapqbdr.zip/WHATSNEW.TXT

Text File | 1990-12-02 | 8KB | 188 lines

12/02/90

   Modified the COM routines so that all local data is contained
   in the Code Segment of the GAPCOM module instead of the
   default Data Segment.

   This will eliminate the problem some programmers were having
   with their doors in that the door could only be run once (under
   DesqView). On any subsequent runs, all incomming data from the
   remote caller was being vectored to some unknown interrupt handler,
   instead of GAPQBDR's own handler.

   Hopefully, this will also eliminate the lock up problems some
   were having when their door exits back to the BBS system.

12/01/90

   Modified the timecredit variable so that it is no longer
   initialized with the timecredits as written to DOOR.SYS.

   When writing DOOR.SYS, GAP writes the actual time
   remaining and this time includes any timecredits the caller
   may have.  However, when figuring time left, GAPQBDR takes
   into consideration the time credits, so if a caller had
   10 minutes left and -10 time credits (in GAP), the door
   program would log the caller off for lack of time.

   You may still use the timecredit variable as before, however
   if you intend to update DOOR.SYS with any timecredits given
   or taken away from the caller, you must add your timecredits
   to a new variable called

                       realcredit

   before updating DOOR.SYS.

   Realcredit contains the actual BBS timecredits. It is not used
   in figuring time left for a caller while in the door, since
   the BBS program is supposed to write the actual time left to
   DOOR.SYS.


07/08/90

   GAPQBDR has been updated so that it now reads the new fields
   in DOOR.SYS. In addition, in a PCB system, the 3 files,
   PCBOARD.DAT, PCBOARD.SYS, and USERS are no longer read.
   Instead, GAPQBDR will read the DOOR.SYS file that PCB now
   writes to obtain the information required to operate.

   The following variables have been declared and are available
   for use. These variables are read from some of the new fields
   in DOOR.SYS:

     COMMON SHARED dflt.color AS INTEGER    ' BBS default color
     COMMON SHARED maxfiles   AS INTEGER    ' Max files available
     COMMON SHARED curfiles   AS INTEGER    ' Current files downloaded

     COMMON SHARED doors.open AS LONG       ' Total doors opened
     COMMON SHARED mesleft    AS LONG       ' Total messages left
     COMMON SHARED downbytes  AS LONG;      ' total download bytes

     COMMON SHARED handle     AS STRING      ' caller's Handle
     COMMON SHARED event.time AS STRING      ' event run time
     COMMON SHARED last.new   AS STRING      ' last new files scan


   GAPQBDR is now compatible with BASIC 7. This required but a very
   minor change to one of the functions. However, it was a frustating
   time, to say the least.  In our 'C' programming, we use the
   Alternate Math Library as this results in a 10k decrease in CODE
   size. So, we set out to install BASIC 7 using the Alternate Math
   Library. To utilize this library, you compile your modules using
   the /FPa switch. Everything compiles just fine, but when trying
   to create the GAPQBDR Quick Library, the Linker complains of
   "unresolved external references". After many frustrating hours, we
   decided to install BASIC 7 with the Emulator Library (the
   default).  This Math Library works just fine and so we will just
   leave it at that and not attempt to waste any more time trying
   to determine why the Alternate Math Library does not work.

   There are two ZIP files contained within GAPQBDR that contain the
   actual LIB and QLB files. One is for BASIC 7 (or QBX) and the
   other is for QB 4.5.

   NOTE (09/02/90):
     The Quick Library for BASIC 7 has been removed from GAPQBDR.
     It seems that the only way to create a 'workable' QLB for
     QBX is to use /Fs (far strings). This will create a GAPQBDR.QLB
     that QBX can load, but your programs will not work correctly.
     GAPQBDR was not written to take advantage of any so called
     "features" of BASIC 7 (Far Strings being one of them), so if
     you use BASIC 7, you will need to do your compiling using BC.



12/16/89

   Updated the GAPDOS record structure to be compatible with the
   current version of GAP.

   Fixed a problem with dropped carriers and PCB.


10/01/89

   Changes to your source file:

   If you called previously undocumented GAPQBDR routines,
   you will need to include GAPQBSRC.BI right after GAPQBDR.BI.
   Previously undocumented functions are now fully referenced
   in the printed manual. GAPQBSRC.BI contains the function
   declarations for these routines as well as declarations
   for the private variables. If you receive a "Sub Program
   Not Defined" or an unresolved external reference, you
   probably need to include GAPQBSRC.BI.

   The error handler is now part of your source modules. It
   is in GAPQBERR.BI and MUST be included AFTER any declarations
   but BEFORE any basic statments.

   ' $INCLUDE: 'gapqberr.bi'

   In other words, it is in included after any variable
   declarations and before any executible statments. Note
   that A$ = "This is a sting" is a statment and not a variable
   declaration.

   Because the error handler is now a part of your program, you must
   use the /x switch when compiling your source module.

   Please refer to the EXAMPLE.BAS program for more information
   as to how the error handler is included in your programs.


   A number of new routines were added to this release. These new
   functions (as well as descriptions of previously undocumented
   routines) are fully referenced in the printed manual.

   This release of GAPQBDR requires that the GAP system be at
   version 4.3 or higher. New fields were added to DOOR.SYS and
   only GAP versions at or above 4.3 are able to write them.
   Your previously compiled doors will continue to operate
   normally. This change affects only newly compiled programs.

   If you licensed the source code, there is additional information
   contained within SRCREAD.ME.  In addition, you will find that
   the source modules were broken up into smaller pieces and that
   most of the private routines are now provided.


08/28/89

   GAPQBDR now utilizes all new communications routines. It is no
   longer dependant upon QB to handle communications I/O. What
   this means to you, the programmer, is that you no longer need
   worry about your end users having a DTR patched version of
   BRUN45.EXE. In addition, those "device time out" and "bad file
   number" errors QB gives us when it has problems with the COM
   port are eliminated.

   The communications routines are written in assembler for speed
   and compactness. They are capable of handling any com port you
   have set up, however we have limited them to COM 1 - COM 4. They
   support speeds to 38.4k, and will automatically use the 16550
   FIFO buffer if that chip is installed.

   Because of these modifications, you will need to make changes to
   your source code if you accessed the com port directly or
   through file #9.  The communications routines are documented in
   the printed manual only.

   It is of vital importance that you exit your door via the
   leave function. Failure to do so will leave communications
   interrupts active which will cause your computer to lock up at
   some point.

   The GAPQBDR environment variable is no longer used to specify
   that the BBS is a PCB system.  Instead, line 3 of the door
   configuration file is used for this purpose.  On line 3 of that
   file, enter (or have your end users enter) a 1 if the BBS
   is PCB, or 0 for a GAP system. The default is still GAP mode so
   if anything other than a 1 is found on line 3 of the configuration
   file, GAPQBDR will assume the BBS is GAP. Any options you may
   need for a particular door will begin on line 4.