Assembler - multicolor; Working with extended memory; convenient window interface.

(C) Repnikov Yuri (KVANT SOFT),           
───────────────────────────────           
Volzhsky, 1996                  
                                
 MULtICOLOR.           
                                
   I'm actually into multicolor effects
I understand little, and as such I have never de-
Lol, but noticed something.  This concerns
standardization of multicolors.             
                                          
   Lately they have begun to appear
more and more, and almost everything is calculated
we are under PENTAGON-2, since it is undoubtedly their
so far the majority.  But there is also
many other SPECTRUM compatible machines.
For example PROFI, SCROPION... Where INT is distinguished
depends only on the number of lines on the screen.
                                          
   For example: PROFI - 312 lines, PENTAGON 2
- 320 lines. As we see, the only difference is
is that on PENTAGON from the beginning of the screen
to the graphics window is 320-240=80
BORDER lines, this means that from the beginning
interrupts are neededskip 80*224=17920
cycles, whereas on PROFI - only
312-240=72 lines, which is
72*224=16128 ticks. Based on this
you can make an auto-configured MULTICO-
LOR.                                      
                                          
   But all this is only if
the INT signal is triggered in the same
place on all computers, but is different
just the beginning of the screen redrawing. That is,
the reverse path of the beam begins at the same time for everyone
nom and in the same place.                       
                                          
   Quantification program
lines on the screen are in ZX-REVIEW 96/4+5. But
just in case, I typed it and wrote it down
application, in MASM assembler format.    
That's probably all I wanted to say
on this topic.                              
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
(C) Repnikov Yuri (KVANT SOFT),           
───────────────────────────────           
Volzhsky, 1996.                 
                                
 Working with extended memory.       
                                          
  Lately there are more and more
and more programs that use additional memory
(PENTAGON 512,SCORPION 256, PROFI 512/1024
etc.).  Moreover, the advantage, for some reason,
given to PENTAGON's method: ALASM,
STS...                                    
  Gentlemen!  If you couldn't in due time
standardize additional memory in hardware, then
let's now overcome this prog-
rammno.  Just look at this as an example
CONVER COMMANDER v4.23 (4.50), or my
program SCU, where the type of extended memory
determined automatically.  This method
very good because after doing it once,
the user will not need anything else
correct.                               
                                          
                                          
 I have prepared a source code for this method
ba. It is divided into two parts: installation and
just switching pages. That is, the first
p/n determines the type of your computer, and
the second one already switches directly
pages, knowing how to do it ongiven
type of computer.                          
  However, this method is not without its drawbacks.
cov.  First: the program takes a lot
memory; second: when new extensions appear
Rhenius, the user will no longer be able to do anything
do.  Therefore you can do some
installer that will substitute
program only the driver that it
needed.                                    
  The source of this program is recorded in the application
journal entry, in assembler format
M.A.S.M.                                     
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
(C) Repnikov Yuri (KVANT SOFT),           
───────────────────────────────           
Volzhsky, 1996.                 
                                
 "CONVENIENT INTERFACE".      
                                
  1997 is just around the corner, and it’s time to arrive.
lick the service of our programs to the world
level.  The first step should undoubtedly be
become a mouse, preferably KEMPSTONMOUSE. A
under the mouse, accordingly, you need a “mouse”
interface - that is, "arrow".  Example:
ZX-FORMAT, SPECTROPHOBY from number 6 and yes-
onwards, FREE FORMAT v8.0 onwards, etc. and
etc.                                      
                                          
  So, what is needed for this interface.
First: the program must start with
start of the interruption, and take no more
15-16 thousand cycles to get to the top
The arrow did not disappear from the screen. Secondly: not
arrow acceleration is bypassed, otherwise mouse
you will have to drive not on the rug, but on the carpet
(the one on the floor, not on the table). Well
thirdly: when hitting menu items, called
The values of the items must be inverted, or
just change color. But not always everywhere
because sometimes the inversion is not very good
convenient (for example, in UFO-2 at the CREW point).
                                          
  And so, based on all these considerations and
a program was created to be presented
here.                                    
  Although, to be honest, the initial va-
A version of this program was taken from ZX-FO-
RUM'1.  That version took up too much
time, which is why I had to sit down
for MASM, and completely rework it. Te-
now, not much remains of the old program
more than 10%, or even less. So, from what?
is our program.1.Initialization. At first, in the intermediate
buffer, creating images of an arrow and a mask.
Then they are transferred to the main work
whose buffer - so as not to clog up memory and not
break the program into pieces. And remember-
There is a buffer under the arrow.                
 2. Actually the procedure itself, which,
Is it necessary, you can hang it on interrupts, but
then there will be a small problem with sampling
catfish 'fire'.                               
                                          
 In general, I wrote two versions of this pro-
procedures. With and without menu item inversion (1)
(2).  Because sometimes you can do without
highlighting menu items, which significantly
reduces CPU time occupied
this procedure. Due to the simplification of me-
There is also a method for determining location
arrows. If the first program defines
The discussion is carried out according to familiar places - Y, from X1 to
X2, then to the second in pixel coordinates
- Y1,X1 to Y2-X2, where Y1 and X1 are left
the top coordinate, and Y2 and X2 are the right
lower                                   
  And in conclusion I would like to say that I
checked this procedure for time in a way
described in the previous issue of our magazine
nala.  It ends on PROFI for me
somewhere 8-12 lines before the main screen.
Well, you can’t see it at all in TURBO.            
 The source of this program is typed in MASM.
ANDto all entries in the subroutines are written
explanations, so immediately turn on Russian
mode.