************************************************************************** * IPatch v2.10 * * By K-P Koljonen, 28.1.1994 * ************************************************************************** Purpose ------- IPatch will make files (not executables) compressed with XPK, FImp and Powerpacker look like normal uncompressed ones. It decompresses them in realtime and no program will know what happened. So, is it necessary to have this kind program because there already is the XPK system? Not quite. The advantage is that IP can decompress from any device that operates with files, XPK system doesn't (yet). The disadvantage is that it can't compress, so compressed files turn to uncompressed ones while saving. Compressing is not the point anyway, IP is meant to be just a general file decompressor. For example, it's easy to load compressed modules to Protracker from DF0:. IPatch is compatible with: - File implode/explode v2.34 by A.J. Brouwer - Powerpacker 4.0 (powerpacker.library) by Nico François - The XPK system (xpkmaster.library) Requirements ------------ IPatch works on Amigas A500-A4000 with Kickstart 1.2 (V33) or higher and needs, if the respective decompressor is enabled, powerpacker.library and xpkmaster.library. Also if run from WB icon.library (V34+) will be needed in order to use tooltypes. Usage ----- To start IPatch, all you have to do is to load it. To remove IPatch, load it again. IPatch works from both CLI and Workbench. CLI options - - - - - - IPatch [PATH ] [PP|FIMP|XPK|ON] [OFF] [INFO] [?] PATH Specify a path where temporary files will be saved. If not specified, RAM: will be used. ON/OFF Force patches to be installed or removed. XPK/FIMP/PP Disable decompressing of Powerpacked/FImped/XPKed files. ? Display usage. INFO Display some info. Example: XPK: on, FImp: on, PP: off Path: "RAM:IPTemp_" First line: Decompressors' on/off status Second: Path for tempfiles plus filename header. Workbench options - - - - - - - - - Tooltypes available: PATH= FORCE=ON or OFF XPK FIMP PP These five work just as the CLI options above. QUIET Can be used to suppress the 'Patches removed.' message. 'Patches installed.' will not be shown anyway. Temporary files - - - - - - - - When a program tries to open a packed file (PP or FImp), IP first loads the file into memory, decompresses it, saves into the ramdisk, frees the memory, and returns the unpacked file's handle to the program. Now we have an unpacked file in RAM:. This procedure can swallow a wee bit of memory, so if you have problems, select the path to somewhere else than RAM:, so memory usage will reduce somewhat. HD will do just fine. Memory isn't the problem if datafiles are XPKed. There's a routine in the xpk.library which can decompress files directly into another file (IP's tempfile, in this case). Contact address --------------- The author will not take any responsibility of possible data loss caused by bugs which still may exist or misuse of the program. Comments, bug reports, PD and so on could be sent to the following address: K-P Koljonen Torikatu 31 40900 Säynätsalo FINLAND History ------- V1.054 Decompresses FImped and PPed files. First release. Worked, but some things could have been done better. Some bugs, too. V1.089 Improvements: - bugs away - MUCH more reliability - support for icon's tooltypes and lot's of other smaller things. V1.94 - Added ON/OFF and QUIET options and rolled the code a bit. - Made lot's of new bugs and hopefully succeeded in removing them. V1.96 - Changed two moveq #34,d0 instructions to moveq #33,d0 thus accomplishing Kickstart 1.2 support, hee... - If option DP is selected, IP won't even try to open powerpacker.library. This saves a bit memory and disk space. - The patch routine works a bit better now. V2.00 - Completely new command line interface, featuring parser by Commodore. - Simpler program, now only 2 hunks (no more own processes). V2.10 - Fixed a couple of very obvious bugs which caused IP to be unusable. How stupid can one be... - Added support for XPK.