This file is an overview of the IFF parser library, and should give
you a rough idea of what you're getting into.

What is it NOT:

	The iffparse.library is not an ILBM reader.  It has no embedded
routines for compressing, decompressing or otherwise manipulating data
within ILBM chunks.  The iffparse.library is not specific to any particular
IFF file format.

What it is:

	The iffparse.library is exactly what its name implies:  A parser.
The library parses IFF files, checks the syntax of IFF files, observes and
maintains IFF's lexical scoping rules, and hands you 'chunks' in accordance
with those rules.  Thus, the job of parsing files can now be relegated
invisibly to the iffparse.library, permitting you to concentrate on more
important things, like getting the data you're interested in.

	The iffparse.library will also permit you to write IFF files,
automatically enforcing syntactical rules, and making all the chunk sizes
come out right, including padding.

	With the iffparse.library, it is now possible to dive into IFF
LISTs and CATs easily and painlessly.  A very simple and understandable
program that displays vanilla ILBM FORMs can also transparently dive into a
complex LIST and display the first embedded ILBM FORM it finds.

	Iffparse.library is not restricted to DOS files.  Through the use
of call-back vectors, the library can deal with any byte-oriented stream
you may care to invent.  You define the read, write, and seek routines in
your own code; the library will call them.

	For convenience, the iffparse.library has internal support for
AmigaDOS files (no buffering), and the clipboard.device.  The "yucky" Exec-
style I/O to the clipboard.device is made completely invisible by the
library.  Just call ReadChunkBytes() or WriteChunkBytes(); the library
takes care of the rest.

	The iffparse.library is small, weighing in at under 10K, making it
reasonably easy to squeeze onto your WorkBench or development disk.

	The library is a completely original work by Stuart Ferguson and
Leo Schwab.  Not one single line of the Electronic Arts code was used to
create this library.  (Doesn't that make you want to sing and shout?)

	We feel the iffparse.library is the first set of IFF routines that
is easy to use, and makes the job of dealing with IFF files as painless as
it always should have been.  We hope you'll think so, too.

	Enjoy.

Stuart H. Ferguson			Leo L. Schwab
123 James Ave.				23 Summerhill Court
Redwood City, CA   94062		Terra Linda, CA   94903-3873
well!shf@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU		well!ewhac@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU

P.S:	Read the 'Distribution' file for important notes on what you're
	allowed to do with this stuff.