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- From: rfentima@ub.d.umn.edu (Robert Fentiman)
- Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.applications,comp.sys.amiga.introduction,comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
- Subject: Re: Programming
- Date: 15 Nov 1992 19:57:16 -0600
- Organization: University of Minnesota, Duluth
- Lines: 115
- Message-ID: <1e6v5sINN3om@ub.d.umn.edu>
- References: <mwm.2ndl@contessa.palo-alto.ca.us> <1e5rq2INNa7e@ub.d.umn.edu> <Bxs1D7.A3o@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu>
- NNTP-Posting-Host: ub.d.umn.edu
- Keywords: AMOS, beginners, programming
-
- In article <Bxs1D7.A3o@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu> sjjohnst@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu (Stephen Johnston) writes:
-
- >So AMOS cacn work on one screen or many. So? Can it open windows? Will you
- >check for us? I have never seen an AMOS program open on a window. Maybe
- >because it takes over system resources, it wouldn't be able to handle IDCMP
- >window events... And then what use is the program for input and output?
-
- Sure it opens windows. You can even select a variety of boarders
- (including the option for no boarder I think).
-
- >Gee, I have a C tutorial manual in fron of me ythat describes how to use
- >more than 8 sprites at once. It also describes how to use 16 colour sprites,
- >and double width sprites. A simple matter of setting a single flag in the
- >sprite structure. So AMOS doesn't have any advantage here.
-
- You haven't seen the 64 sprites available to AMOS have you? They can
- each be 16 to 128 pixels wide by 1 to 255 pixels high by 16 to 256
- pixels deep. The number and size of bobs are only limited bt memory.
- I'm glad AMOS does not have an advantage, so others can use this too.
- FYI, this information was taken directly from the AMOS manual.
-
- >These Euro-Demos usually don't work on multiple machines - those that work
- >on an A500 usually dont work on an A3000, those that work on DOS 2.04 won't
- >work on DOS 3.0 You're limiting yourself to using one machine. Ever want to
- >upgrade? Can you ever upgrade your AMOS program, without re-compiling under
- >a new version of AMOS? A system-friendly routine written in C or PASCAL, etc
- >probably doesn't need to be re-compiled under different versions of DOS. I
- >regularily use HiSpeed Pascal under DOS 1.3 and 2.04. As long as my routine
- >doesn't use DOS 2.04 specific function calls, it doesn't matter where I
- >compile it or run it.
-
- Most AMOS programs are not compiled, so other users can learn by
- example. There are no include files for AMOS. If one wants to use an
- OS specific call (ie open a public screen), we just call the system libraries.
- The AMOS Pro upgrad just made the package better (ie, added support for
- MED and noisetracker modules, a better editor where you can see the
- program running real time RIGHT ON THE EDITOR in a small window, Arexx
- support, and more).
-
- >Note 2: SAS C, Hisoft Corporation, etc, don't release new versions of their
- >compilers for specifically for new operating systems either. I have SAS C
- >v5.0 under DOS 2.04. Do I really need to upgrade to version 6? Not really.
- >I can do everything I want, and use DOS 2.04 to its full advantage now that I
- >have the 2.04 includes. Does AMOS have 'includes' or something similar for
- >new versions of DOS? Or do you have to wait for the upgrade to come out?
-
- Refer to what I have posted above. Amos works the same under 2.04 as
- 1.3, with the addition od being able to call the 2.04 specific routines.
-
- >>>BTW, you might be interested to know that the AMOS programs I have
- >>>handy fall flat on their faces under 3.0. Just the usual AMOS
- >>>"futz-the-copper-list" garbage, then a blank screen.
- >>
- >>Since you OBVIOUSLY don't program in AMOS, you have NO merrit on this.
- >
- >Gee, I never knew that it was a requirement to be a programmer to judge
- >whether a program works or not...
-
- You misquoted me. I was referring to a different part of the post.
-
- >>Besides, a LOT of programs don't work when you upgrade to a new OS
- >>(including some languages).
- >
- >Especially when the program is not system compliant - ie - doesn't use DOS.
- >Have you read threads about Commodore not releasing the Hardware Reference
- >Guide to AGA? Commodore doesn't want programmers playing with the system
- >directly. They want people to use DOS. They strongly hint thtat things will
- >change DRASTICALLY with whatever comes after AGA (and this is already under
- >development). And if programs DON'T use DOS, they won't work. Simple.
-
- Yea, I've heard about it (even though I only have an A2000 and WB 1.3,
- student budget you know. One of the deciding factors in me buying AMOS).
-
- >I disagree. A programmer should learn from the start to program modularly.
- >That means that each module complies with the rules of every other module
- >on your program. One of those 'modules' is the user/dos interface. If you
- >don't comply with these rules, you're not programming well.
-
- Thanks you for agreeing with me. Amos helps to teach modularity as it
- uses sub-programs (procedures). AMOS can (or a procedure) can call the
- operating system whenever. The dos communication is not the problem
- Mike was stating.
-
- >Using Amiga-A to switch screens is NOT system compliant (can you change this
- >in your AMOS program?) Capturing your input stream, so that my screen-blanker
- >blanks my AMOS program after 5 minutes is NOT system compliant.
-
- I don't know if I can change this or not. Funny, though. My screen
- saver works perfectly with AMOS. I've never had a problem with
- multi-tasking. From what I have heard from AMOS Pro users, it can open
- on the workbech screen. Perhaps AMOS is not as bad as you thought.
-
- >/===========================+================================================\
- >\| Stephen J. Johnston | sjjohnst@descartes.uwaterloo.ca /// |/
- >/| Computer Science | 170 University Ave. West, Suite 12-198 /// |\
- >\| University of Waterloo | Why follow, when /\ |\/| | / _ /\ \\\/// |/
- >/| Ontario, Canada | you can lead? /--\| | | \_/ /--\ \XX/ |\
- >\===========================+================================================/
-
- I hope this clears things up a bit.
-
- If you want specific info, like the window, screen, etc. commands, I
- have the manual and can look things up. Just give me a topic.
-
- BTW, I'm sure Mandarin is working on a verion of AMOS that takes
- advantage of the AGA chips (If that is not handled in AMOS Pro).
- Unfortunately, my version was designed for the ECS times (but since most
- users have that right now, it works fine for me).
-
- Thanks
- Robert Fentiman
-
- UseNet: rfentima@ub.d.umn.edu
- At: University of Minnesota, Duluth
-
-