Objector User Manual ==================== by M.Meany Disclaimer ---------- Though every effort has been made to ensure this program performs in a satisfactory manner, no responsability will be accepted by the author for loss or damage of any property. By using this program you are agreeing to these terms. What Is Objector? ----------------- Objector is a utility that will transform a raw data file into a linkable object file. Who Needs Objector? ------------------- Objector was written specifically for users of ACC ( see foot-note ). The assembler will not allow raw data to be read in at assembly time, which is a real pain if you are writing a program that requires a music module and raw graphics data ( as is common in most 'DEMO' type code ). However, Objector will be of use to anyone using an assembler or compiler ( such as ACC or NorthC ) which rely on the linker Blink to link all the individual parts of a program together. How Do I Use Objector? ---------------------- Using Objector is fairly straight forward. You specify the name of the raw data file, the name you want the object file to take and the label your program expects to find the data at. You may also specify wether the data is to load into chip ram or fast ram. Read on! Objector can be run from the Workbench ( by 'double-clicking' it's icon ) or the CLI ( no parameters required ). Once launched a large window will open. This window contains a number of gadgets as explained below: SET FILENAME Clicking on this gadget will cause a filerequester to appear. Use this requester to select the raw data file that you wish to convert. Once you have selected a file, its full pathname will be displayed in the SOURCE gadget. SOURCE This string gadget allows you to enter a filname directly instead of using the filerequester, or you can use it to alter the filename selected using the requester. This gadget must always contain the name of the file you want to convery. DEST Enter the filename you want the object file created to have in this gadget. No filerequester is supplied for this purpose, you must type the filename yourself. On pressing the return key the Data Label string gadget will activate. Memory Type Two mutualy exclusive gadgets ( activating one deactivates the other ) are supplied, CHIP and FAST. The CHIP gadget is active when the program starts. Should you wish the data to load into CHIP ram, click on the CHIP gadget. If the data is to load into FAST ram, click on the FAST gadget. Data Label You should enter the name of the label you program expects to find the data at into this string gadget. CONVERT Once you are happy with the above settings, click on this gadget to start the conversion. While the program is working, the mouse pointer changes to a large Z. Once the object file has been created, the normal Intuition pointer is displayed. The program will not attempt to convert a file if any of the following have not been set: SOURCE DEST Data Label QUIT Click on this gadget to kill the program. The program may also be killed by clicking on the windows close gadget. Example ------- Suppose you have a SoundTracker module and you wish to link it to the replay source. The replayer expects to find the module data at the label 'mt_data' and the data MUST be in CHIP ram. Your module is called mod.music and is in the modules directory on the disc in drive 1, you want to create an object file on the Ram disc called Mod.o 1/ Click the SET FILENAME gadget. 2/ Click the DRIVES gadget visible in the requester. 3/ Click on DF1: in the file list. 4/ Locate and click on the Modules directory in the file list. 5/ Locate and 'double-click' on the file 'mod.music'. The requester will close and the full pathname of the file, 'df1:Modules/mod.music' should be displayed in the SOURCE gadget. 6/ Click in the DEST gadget ( activate it ) and enter 'ram:mod.o'. When you press the return key, the Data Label gadget should activate. 7/ Enter 'mt_data' in this gadget. 8/ Check the Memory Type gadgets. If the CHIP gadget is not selected, click on it. 9/ The program is now set up to convert the file as you require, so click on the CONVERT gadget. 10/ Wait for the Z pointer to disappear. You can now QUIT the program. All that remains now is to link the object file to the replayer using Blink. Copying Objector To Another Disc -------------------------------- Objector uses the ARP Library, for this reason a copy of arp.library MUST be in the 'libs' directory of any boot disc you intend to call it from. Note about ACC ============== ACC is a front end editor for the A68K assembler. Assembly source can be typed in, assembled, linked and run from within the editor. To make life easier for the programmer, it is also possible to specify a list of files that Blink should link with the source once it is assembled. A manual and basic tutorials are supplied on the same disc. ACC is called "THE ACC SPECIAL" and is ONLY available from Amiganuts United at the following address: Amiganuts United, 169 Dale Valley Road, Hollybrook, Southampton. SO1 6QX England. Send a cheque for £5.00 for your copy NOW! If ordering from outside the UK,send £7.00 (it MUST be in pounds sterling!) Credits ======= Objector Programmed by Mark Meany, June 1991. ARP Library Project by Scott Ballantyne and Charlie Heath My Address ========== If you want to report a bug, or suggest a way of improving this program then feel free to write to me at the following address. Please send sae if you want a reply. Mark Meany, 1 Cromwell Road, Southampton, Hant's. SO1 2JH Mark, June 4th 1991.