Short:    Safely?! remove sytem patches (sample code)
Author:   llucius@millcomm.com (L.Lucius)
Uploader: llucius@millcomm.com (L.Lucius)
Version:  1.2
Type:     dev/src

                             Safe?! Patch Removal
                               By Leland Lucius
                                     v1.2

IMPORTANT!!!!
=============
The code contained in this archive is only an example.  It is not complete and
has never been executed (it does compile though).  Additional error checking
should be added and customized to fit an individual's needs.

WHAT IS THIS?
=============
If you frequent the c.s.a.p newsgroup, you have probably noticed that the
subject of safely removing AND freeing memory occupied by a system patch comes
up quite a bit.  And that there are some that believe it to be impossible,
while others (like me) keep thinking that there just has to be a way to do it.

Well, I THINK I've found THAT way (actually two).

The first, found in files "remove1.c" and "patch1.asm", is an implementation
that is suitable for frequently called routines since it does not use any
additional CPU to track callers.  It however CAN'T call any other routines
outside of the patch (see code).

The second, found in files "remove2.c" and "patch2.asm", is only slightly
different than the first.  It keeps track of the callers of the routine and
thus uses slightly more CPU, but it CAN call any other routines.

Both implementations SHOULD be callable from interrupts.

Both implementations allow for memory deallocation.

Both implementations are position independent.

NOTICE
======
This code is released to the public domain.  Hell, I'm not even sure if it'll
work!  B-)

DISCUSSION?
===========
If you find that the code isn't safe (or is), let's discuss it on c.s.a.p so
that everyone interested can remark.  Besides another thread about patch removal
is inevitable anyway, right?  B-)

Leland

CHANGES
=======
Corrected the vector checks.
Changed to just free the patch if there are no current users.
Corrected patch exit during removal.


============================= Archive contents =============================

Original  Packed Ratio    Date     Time    Name
-------- ------- ----- --------- --------  -------------
    3272     979 70.0% 31-Oct-95 09:05:08  patch1.asm
    3351     929 72.2% 31-Oct-95 09:04:42  patch2.asm
    4246    1148 72.9% 31-Oct-95 09:11:14  remove1.c
    4449    1189 73.2% 31-Oct-95 09:11:34  remove2.c
    2053    1018 50.4% 31-Oct-95 09:06:20  spr.readme
-------- ------- ----- --------- --------
   17371    5263 69.7% 31-Oct-95 16:08:12   5 files