Load Library V2.60 Professional © Copyright 1992 GuruFree Productions Written using Asm-One V1.02 And Assembled with O.M.A V2.6 By Nils Görs Contents ======== 1. Preface 2. Disclaimer 3. Introduction 4. Requirements 5. Usage 6. Program Menu (Project) 7. Program History 7.1 Know Bugs 7.2 Future Improvements 8. __Important Stuff__ 1. Preface ========== LoadLibrary, © Copyright 1992 GuruFree Productions.All rights reserved.This Program is FREEWARE so no financial donations are required ( but welcome ). This program may be freely distributed as long as all crap code, documentation and executable(s) remain unchanged and are included with the distribution. Also no profit is to be made by selling this program. You may not charge more than Fred Fish does for a single library disk. This program may be distributed on disk magazines, cover disks etc. When you do decide to distribute this program on a disk magazine or cover disk please send me a copy of the distribution. When you use this program on a regular base I would appreciate a postcard of your home town. If you use this tool for commercial or shareware programs I would appreciate a little note about this in the program it's documentation. It is allowed for non-commercial BBSs to distribute an archive with only the following files in it to save your users some money when they want to download this program. LoadLibrary - Main Program. LoadLibrary.info - Main Program icon. LoadLibrary.DOC - Main Program Manual ( This File ) LoadLibrary.DOC.info - Main Program Manual icon ( not really necessary ) LoadLibrary.DOK - Main Program Manual ( in german ) If you have suggestions or remarks about this program, or if you find any bugs, please let me know. Also Postcards (!), Flames, Criticism, new Ideas, Contributions, Gifts, Money, Money, Money, Money are very welcome. Contacting the author: Mail: Nils Görs Kaiserstr.97a W-5600 Wuppertal 11 Germany/Europe/Earth Phone: +49-(0)202/784258 (Beware NOT 24h Online) Z-Net: N.GOERS@AWORLD.ZER DEBIS-Memo: XV22E16 or XV22K22 2. Disclaimer ============= This software and documentation is provided "as is". No warranties are made with respect to the accuracy, reliability, performance or operation of this software and information. All use is at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any loss of data, damages to software or hardware that may result directly or indirectly from the use of the described program. I won't take any responsibilitys for blowing up your cat, grandma or your hardware while using this program. 3. Introduction =============== LoadLibrary is a small program that can load and install external libraries you haven't in the LIBS: directory of your SYS: Disk. For example, you try to start a program from the Fred Fish library in DF1: onto your Workbench, only for snooping around.And like the bloody hell wishes this program NEEDS a library you haven't in your LIBS: Directory. In the past, you had to copy these new library into the LIBS: Directory of your bootdisk first. Now,with LoadLibrary you have the possibility to load and install the programs own library once, only for having a look at. The most programs don't REMOVE the libraries they used. They are only closing them. This is OK, because of the (D)OS System.It will remove unused libraries by it's own,if you are running out of memory. But, every library which was installed with this program can also be REMOVED. This way, you haven't to wait for the 'flushlib', anymore LoadLibrary is a 100% assembly program, for maximum efficiency. It only takes 5040 bytes of public memory once installed and it runs in it's own created task [LoadLibrary].You also don't need the 'Run' command anymore. LoadLibrary will detach itself from the Shell so you can close the shell window. Starting LoadLibrary twice will bring up a Guru-message. In older versions i used the AddLibrary()(Offset -396) function from the ExecBase, for installing the libraries you want. But this way was really anoying. Nowaday I'm simply use the OpenLibrary() (Offset -552) function. This way it's much shorter and easier to use. Also if you want to close libraries. For correct REMOVING the libraries, I used the RemLibrary() (Offset -402) function from EXEC. It's very simple to handle. LoadLibrary works very clever (as I do). You can only remove libraries, if you have installed one, first. No error messages will appear on screen, if something went wrong. I hate lots of ASCII bullshit in tools,who tells you whats wrong and whats right. 4. Requirements =============== LoadLibrary was basicly programmed with the ASM-One V1.02 (thanks Rune!) and since version 2.52 with the most powerful Assembler available on the Amiga.. The O.M.A. V2.6. Testing and programming machine was my good OLD Amiga 1000 Kickstart V37.175 Workbench V38.12 with 4.5 MB Memory + 105 MB Harddisk.It should however run happely on a 512KB machine without a HD and special chips But it MUST have Kickstart V37++ and Workbench V37++. LoadLibrary must also have the reqtoools.library V38++ which should be in the LIBS: directory of your boot-disk. But this only, if you want to install LoadLibrary resident in memory. Via the Shell you don't need the reqtools.library at all. I don't feel really sorry anymore that this tool ONLY works under OS/2.0. because, OS/2.0 is the future. If you are working with Würgbench V1.3, or maybe V1.2, you have to use the OLDER LoadLibrary versions instead. Version 1.2 (With req.library) Or Version 1.3 (With reqtools.library) both should working on EVERY Kickstart (v1.1(?)-v2.0) without any problems. 5. Usage ======== You can start LoadLibrary from either the Workbench or the Shell (CLI). Workbench usage: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LoadLibrary recognizes no tooltypes, simply the aren't one included. You can start LoadLibrary with a normal doubleclick on it's Icon.Running LoadLibrary out of your 'WBStartup' is recommended. Shell/User-Startup usage: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LoadLibrary [pathname]/[libraryname] Where [libraryname] is an optional name of a LEGAL library file you want to install. It's also possible to write the [libraryname] without the '.library' suffix. LoadLibrary will have a look at the '.library' suffix by it's own. This means, that you don't have to write it anymore. For example: LoadLibrary libs:reqtools.library -> OLD! LoadLibrary libs:reqtools -> NEW! (Aaaahhh) Directory-Opus: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You have to place Load-Library in the 'C' directory of your Boot-Disk. Swap to the Configuration-Program and press the 'Gadget' Gadget. Now, you'll see a bank of several gadgets. Choice one of the free ones. Gadget name LoadLib Funtion C:LoadLibrary {f} Now, you have also to activate 'No filename quote' to get really sure of correct carrige-return handling. You can also activate 'Do All Files'. In that way you can load a couple of libraries dropche for dropche... If you have choosen a library and you'll use the former designed command, it will load and install the library. DiskMaster V2.0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You have also to place the program in the 'C'-Directory of your Boot-Disk You have to ADD this line into your preference file, to install it as a LEGAL command in the command-window. AddCmd LoadLibrary, 20, Extern LoadLibrary %s ^^ This Is The Colour Offset If you have choosen a library and you'll use the former designed command, it will simply load and install the library. »Authors Note: The CLI-Operations Are Also Working Under Kick V1.2/V1.3« 6. Program Menu: ================ LoadLibrary has a pulldown menu added with shortcuts for a most USERfriendly Toolhandling. --Project-- ---Short Cut--- »» Load... right Amiga Key + L »» LibVersion... right Amiga Key + V »» About... right Amiga Key + A »» Remove only... right Amiga Key + O »» Quit... right Amiga Key + Q »» Remove and Quit... right Amiga Key + R »» The Project Menu Load...........=> This opens the 'REQTOOLS' filerequester in which you can select the library you want to load. Any other kind of files will simply be refused. You can also load a couple of libraries with MultiSelection. You only have to press the Key during File-Selection. LibVersion.....=> Opens the 'REQTOOLS' filerequester in which you can select the library you want to have a look at. About..........=> This opens a little window with some informations about the CopyRight, Author, Version you are using, and how many libraries you have installed since then. Just click on the gadget or press return to get rid of it. Remove only....=> Will remove ALL libraries loaded with LoadLibrary. (not the Shell loaded ones!!!). Quit...........=> This will quit the program without removing the loaded libraries after asking for confirmation. Remove and Quit=> First, it will remove ALL libraries loaded with LoadLibrary. Then it will simply quit the tool after asking for confirmation. ___ |·| CloseGadget => FAST QUIT.. The closegadget simply quits LoadLibrary. ¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ 7. PROGRAM HISTORY: _______________________________________________________________________________ o LoadLibrary V0.9: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ OLD, very OLD Mattes test version!! runs only from CLI. o LoadLibrary V1.2: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ This was the first try. Worked correct with the req.library. o LoadLibrary V1.3: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Some routines improved and I added the far better reqtools.library and kicked the req.library (bad times Magic File Requester). o LoadLibrary V2.00: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Code rewritten. Consists of four hunks now instead of one in the older Versions. LoadLibrary runs in it's own Task ( TaskName: LoadLibrary ). New Startup-Code for SHELL/Würgbench use, Task installation and testing if LoadLibrary is already installed in memory. Now, LoadLibary uses the reqtools.library v37 or higher and requires OS/2.0, o LoadLibrary V2.50: ------------------ Code totally rewritten in 2 days, after a VIRUS has destroyed my HardDisk. LoadLibrary has now a new and far better installation routine and this makes the program shorter than ever !!! o LoadLibrary V2.52 ----------------- Added A $Ver: string (great eh?). And code was still optimized and now assembled with the OMA V2.6 Instead Of ASM-One. (Put the MAXON-ASM in your trashcan, use ASM-One for debugging, kick Devpac. WORKING WITH O.M.A. RULES!!!) o LoadLibrary V2.53 ----------------- Äherm, I forgot to test if the libraries are really still exists before I try to quit'em. If the system flushed the libraries and you quit'em out of LoadLibrary your AMIGA went to India. LoadLibrary needs since this version the reqtools.library v38 or higher. There was also a bug left in my Startup-Code since Version 2.00(shame!). I didn't recognize the bug until I installed RTPatch from Nico. - ShortLibSuffix included (read DOC!) NEW IDEA! (by Jon!) - Closegadget included (FAST QUIT) NEW IDEA! (by Frank!) - Smart_Refresh included. NEW IDEA! - This new docfile ¦-) o LoadLibrary V2.60 ----------------- The improvement still goes on. I added a routine for having a look at the internal version number of the library. NEW IDEA! (by Holli & Jon!) 7.1 Know Bugs: ============== Do not install libraries which are in different directories with multiselect. for example: -DH0: |___Libs:#?.library ; normal. |___OtherLibs:#?.library ; abnormal. If LoadLibrary try to install the libraries in 'Libs' AND 'OtherLibs', it will simply crash. Please, install one path after another. The other thing isn't a real bug, but you should know. You can only write in Lower-Case. OpenLibrary() will only accept correct Filehandling.In CL¡-Mode,LoadL¡brary don't need those l¡braries to work: reqtools.library, gadtools.library, intuition.library 7.2 Future Improvements: ======================== Hmmm, NOTHING. Frank Said: "Don't implement tools LoadLibrary has nothing to do with. A clock (we hate lots of clocks), availmemory (removed!)" Maybe I'll implement an AREXX port. (=> Hi Christoph!) Mattes wishes to have hot key qualifier (Merry X-Mas). 8. __Important Stuff__: ======================= ×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× At this time, I have to say "Thank You" to Frank Meister. He had the main ideas for this 'professional' version of LoadLibrary and i am also very thankful for his '24 hours' REQTOOLS.helpline. Without your help this tools wouldn't be exists and finally subsist. Hope YOU'LL have a GREAT success with your parallel input output system (PIOS), Frank!! - May The Guru Be With You ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× also thank's and greetings must go to: Holger 'Holli' Sellmeier<> For Testing... Marcel Maurmann <> For Supply.... Mattes Wamser <> the Knusperbear Christoph Teuber <> Good Idea, but we will see... John 'Boil' van Dyk <> Do you remember Thomas Czernetzki <> Independent !!! Oliver Becke <> alter Dörfler!! Nils P.Johnson <> Maybe USA Tour this summer.... Nick & Mitra <> See you soon... Matthias Riess <> Jürgen/Nightshift <> I tested LoadLibrary V2.60 with several libraries. Here is a list of libraries I installed with LoadLibrary V2.60. This is quiet enough, isn't it ?? In a special testphase I removed the libraries with the ARTM to have a look at LoadLibrary's new checking system before REMOVING the libraries. Library Status ------- ------ arp.library i,r,t bullet.library i,r,t cando.library i,r,t color.library i,r,t con.library i,r,t conhandler.library i,r,t dctv.library i,r,t digisoftSupport.library i,r,t diskcode.library i,r,t explode.library i,nr,nt (!?) fifo.library i,r,t gwin.library i,r,t hardblocks.library i,r,t iff.library i,r,t iffparse.library i,r,t iffpp.library i,r,t ilbm.library i,r,t lh.library i,r,t medplayer.library i,r,t midi.library i,r,t mtool.library i,r,t nofrag.library i,r,t owndevunit.library i,r,t portbits.library i,r,t powerpacker.library i,r,t rct.library i,r,t req.library i,r,t reqtools.library i,r,t resourcehelp.library i,r,t resourceloader.library i,r,t resourcemenus.library i,r,t resourcesyms.library i,r,t rexxsupport.library i,r,t stopus.library i,r,t streplay.library i,r,t tool.library i,r,t voice.library i,r,t all macro68.libraries i,r,t all xpr#?.libraryies i,r,t all xpk#?.libraries i,r,t i = correct (i)nstalled. r = correct (r)emoved. t = (t)estphase 'library CLOSE and/or REMOVE' with ARTM and how LoadLibrary handles the REMOVED libraries. n = not possible to [i,r or t]. ReqTools.Library is Copyright © By Nico François. User Interface Generated With GadToolsBox V1.3 (The Sequel) (c) Copyright 1991,92 Jaba Development. Written By Jan van den Baard (Thanks!). P.S.: It would be very nice, if you send me a postcard from your hometown or from your holidays with a small comment about LoadLibrary. I make a bet with Holli and Frank that I'll get LOTS of PostCards from you. I TRUST IN YOU ..... (-¦ Yours Sincerely Nils 'Jon' Görs ¦-) -EOF-