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=======================================================================
=========================== MemClear V 1.8 ==========================
=======================================================================
MemClear © Copyright 1991-1994 by Ralf Thanner
Ralf Thanner
Ellerstr. 83
40227 Düsseldorf
GERMANY
=======================================================================
===================== Disclaimer & Distribution =====================
=======================================================================
Disclaimer
----------
The executable and non-executable parts of this software package may
NOT be altered by any means (this includes editing, crunching, and
reverse-engineering), except archiving. The author is in NO way liable
for any changes made to any part of the package, or consequences
thereof as he is in NO way liable for damages or loss of data directly
or indirectly caused by this software.
Distribution
------------
Neither fees may be charged nor profits may be made by distributing
this piece of software. Only a nominal fee for cost of magnetic media
may be acceptable. Outside a single machine environment, you are NOT
allowed to reproduce only some parts of the package, but you have to
copy it completely. See this list of contents for verification:
MemClear (dir)
MemClear.doc
MemClear.doc.info
MemClear.guide
MemClear.guide.info
MemClear
MemClear.info
If any parts were already missing when you received this package, look
out for another source to get your software in future.
=======================================================================
========================= System Requirements =========================
=======================================================================
MemClear works with all Kickstarts, all processors and all memory types
but requires the Arp.library under Kick1.x.
=======================================================================
================================= Author ==============================
=======================================================================
MemClear V1.8 was written by Ralf Thanner using the Devpac assembler,
the original MemClear idea was suggested from MemClear by John Hodgson
which had some substancial disadvantages.
The main disadvantage was that it did not clear anything. If you don't
believe me test it, use a monitor to load a file directly into memory,
e.g. at location $50000. Now start Memclear by John Hodgson. After
Memclear has finished use a monitor to control your previously choosed
location. Nothing has changed, no zeros... funny, isn't it?
=======================================================================
================================ Purpose ==============================
=======================================================================
MemClear clears, fills the unused memory chunks. After clearing
memory, it prints the amount of cleared bytes in CHIP- and FAST MEMORY
and the total amount of free bytes. Keep in mind that MemClear now
clears and fills with blazing speed.
Due to the fact that MemClear will show you the amount of free memory,
how much is in-use and the largest available memory blocks you can also
use it instead of the Avail command. It can also flush all currently
unused devices, libraries and fonts from memory. Memclear is pure,
too, and for those reasons a good replacement for Avail.
One of the most powerfull routines included in MemClear is the
automatic Memory Checker. Before MemClear performs an action of any
kind, the memory structures and memory chunks will be checked for
correct values. So if you read the warning, it's a good idea to save
all your current work and re-boot your machine.
Although MemClear is a perfect replacement for Avail and has also a
powerfull checker against memory failures, its main intention is to
support programmers at their work, especially Assembler freaks.
Clearing memory without destroying the nodes makes debugging and
programming (e.g. resident stuff) much easier in many cases.
=======================================================================
================================ Usage ================================
=======================================================================
MemClear cannot be started from Workbench, it is a Shell tool!
The following commands are supported:
"AVAIL" - Displays the free memory without clearing. Avail
does NOT count the real free bytes. It is just an
avail clone.
NOTE: if you have 'DynamiCache' in the background
the amount of free bytes shown may differ
from the amount of memory you have inbuilt.
"FLUSH" - Flushing all currently unused devices, libraries
and fonts from memory.
After flushing memory MemClear will print how much
more memory is free now.
"NoClear" - This option is useful if you just want your memory
flushed without clearing.Especially if you're using
DynamiCache, this opt will be very useful in case
you just want to flush unused devices, fonts etc.
"NoWarn" - This option switches off the obligatory mem checker
and should only be used if you are either running
OS3.x (performs also a memory sanity check) or if
you really know what you are doing.
"QUIET" - All actions will be performed silent.
Following options are allowed:
"F" - Fills only free fast-memory.
"C" - Fills only free chip-memory.
If you don't want the memory cleared, but rather be filled use a 'FILL
VALUE' which is defined this way:
"-$FE" - Fills memory with $fe instead of zeros. All
hexadecimals are allowed. One single hex
value, e.g. '-$b' will be expanded to '$bb'.
"-A" - Fills memory with choosen character. This
option IS case sensitive.
If MemClear is invoked without any option it will simply fill the free
memory with zeros and print the (real) free amount of memory. Real
free memory means that this is not necessarily the amount of free
memory the system has stored in its memheader structure, but rather the
amount of bytes encountered in the memory chunks.
=======================================================================
============================= Examples ==============================
=======================================================================
MemClear F
clears the fast-mem area with zeros and won't touch a single byte in
chip memory.
MemClear FLUSH C -$ff
first flushs unused stuff from memory and then fills all free chip-mem
with the hex-value '$ff' leaving the fast-mem area untouched.
MemClear AVAIL
displays complete memory statistics, comparable to Commodore's Avail
command without filling, clearing or flushing.
MemClear FLUSH NOCLEAR
flushs unused system resources, such as fonts, libraries, and devices
from memory without filling or clearing. You may configure a "MemFlush"
button or menu inside DirectoryOpus using this template. That's very
useful if you're running out of memory.
=======================================================================
============================ Error Codes ============================
=======================================================================
MemClear will return an error code if something went wrong. This is
very useful for 'FAILAT' and 'IF' commands in batch skripts.
RETURN WARN (05) for zero bytes gained with FLUSH.
RETURN ERROR (10) for all inte