NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #26/NN_1992_26.iso/spool/comp/sys/apple2/23723

Text File | 1992-11-10 | 1.7 KB | 38 lines

Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Path: sparky!uunet!munnari.oz.au!metro!ipso!fawlty!johnmac
From: [e-mail] (John MacLean)
Subject: Launching data files from ProSel.
Organization: Tower Technology, Sydney
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 02:15:10 GMT
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail] (John MacLean)
Lines: 27

I now have an answer to previous questions on this subject (specifically
about ProSel).

If a SYS file starts with $4C XX XX $EE $EE $40 followed by a buffer of
size $40 bytes, certain launchers are capable of launching the SYS file,
and then putting the data file name in the buffer (in P-string format).
This is how BASIC.SYSTEM launches certain applesoft programs on launch
(by default, the buffer in BASIC.SYSTEM contains "STARTUP").
From what I've been told, ProSel 8 works in this way, which means
this mechanism should work just fine on a //e or //c.

I presume that on the GS, the old BASIC.LAUNCHER used to simply load
BASIC.SYSTEM, get the name of the data file from the message center
and place it in the buffer, and finally jump to $2000.
I also presume that since BASIC.LAUNCHER is no longer used, the Finder
must know that when it is launching SYS files, it now looks for the
pattern and buffer at $2003 itself, and puts the data file name in there.

I plan on implementing a SYS file that works in this way, so can anyone
confirm this (possibly pointing me at the correct tech note)?

John MacLean.
--
This net: [e-mail]                   Phone: [phone]
That net: uunet!fawlty.towers.oz.au!johnmac             Fax:   [phone]
Snail:    Tower Technology, 1 Apollo Pl,                Home:  [phone]
          Lane Cove, NSW 2066, Australia.