Image BBS Programmer’s Reference Guide
Contents
Preface 2
Introduction 3
Chapter I: General Information 4
The Function Keys 4
The Drive Designators 4
Time and Date Format 4
Carrier Loss 5
Access Levels 5
Plus Files 5
ML Modules (++ files) 5
Mini Plus Files 6
Chapter II: BASIC Subroutines 7
User Flags 7
Chapter III: Machine Language Subroutines 15
Jump Table Routines (& Commands) – v1.2 15
Using Modules 22
Using ML Modules 22
RS232 Routines 22
The Swapper 23
The Lightbar 23
The Editor 24
Chapter IV: Disk File Formats 25
e.data 25
e.stats (system stats) 26
bd.data 28
5. U/D directory file format (SEQ) 28
e.Sub, e.U/D, e.U/X 29
E-mail format 29
Chapter V: Variable Usage 31
Temporary Storage Variables 31
Reserved String Variables 32
Reserved Integer Variables 34
Reserved Floating Point Variables 35
Arrays 37
Chapter VI: MCI Command Reference 38
Image BBS v1.2Programmer’s Reference Guide27
Chapter I: General Information
4. General Information
4. The Function Keys
4. The Drive Designators
5. Time and Date Format
5. Carrier Loss
6. Access Levels
6. Plus Files (+.*)
6. ML Modules (++ *)
6. Mini Plus Files
Chapter II: BASIC Subroutines
7 . BASIC Subroutines
Chapter III: Machine Language Subroutines
16. Jump Table (& commands)
22. Memory Map
23. Using Modules
23. RS232 Routines
23. Swapper
24. The Light Bar
25. The System Editor
Chapter IV: Disk File Formats
26. Disk File Formats
26. The User File (u.config)
27. The System Data File (e.data)
28. Statistics (e.stats)
29. Boot Files (bd.data)
30. U/D Directories
30. Sub-Board Directories
31. Sub-Board/Library Data
31. E-Mail
Chapter V: Variable Usage
32. Variable Usage
32. Temporary Storage Variables
33. Reserved String Variables
35. Reserved Integer Variables
36. Reserved Floating Point Variables
38. Arrays
Chapter VI: MCI Commands
This is a manual for programming Image BBS v1.2(A) applications on the Commodore 64. It was retyped based on the only surviving printed copy I had. I was missing a few pages; plus, my Okimate 20 chewed up a few lines here and there. I'll do the best I can to extrapolate any missing information and add comments, which will go in [square brackets]. Overall, I'm hoping it should be pretty accurate - all typos should be squashed, and none added.
I admit, I got a little lazy on the last part of the BASIC listing. It appears the original writers did too. Any additional fact-finding would have to be done on the original distribution files, as my BBS as it stands now is heavily modified.
I appreciate Marc Honey’s help in getting this manual proofed and finished.
Ryan “Pinacolada” SherwoodSym_rsherwood@yahoo.com
Marc “Deadman” Honey
This manual assumes the user has a good working knowledge of] the BASIC programming language. If you find that you have trouble with areas on BASIC, it is recommended that you refer to a good programming book, such as the Commodore 64 Programmer's Reference Guide, published by Howard W. Sams & Company.
The main purpose of this manual is to familiarize the reader with areas of Image that may be accessed in order for the reader to write modifications or modules to enhance their systems.
The scope of this book is intended to include: BASIC subroutines, reserved system variables, important areas of memory in use, disk file handling, execution and use of "mini plus-files" and data formats of various disk files.
This manual was made with every intent to provide a readable, accurate, and exciting way to program Image like never before. Enjoy the manual.
New Image Software
Welcome to the world of programming IMAGE BBS! This manual is designed to allow both the novice and advanced programmer the ability to program IMAGE BBS modules. We will cover five major areas of IMAGE BBS: general information, the BASIC program, machine language routines, disk file formats, and variable usage charts. Also included you will find a special question and answer section of the most often asked questions and the answers to those questions. [Note: I never saw that section.]
IMAGE BBS will support virtually all hardware available for the C64, including the Lt. Kernal (c) hard drives and the CMD HD series hard drives. Also, the SwiftLink (c) RS-232 cartridge by Dr. Evil. [Note: SwiftLinks have been replaced by Turbo232 cartridges, sold by Maurice Randall of Click Here Software. His order site is located at http://www.cmdrkey.com.]
This needs to be updated, but to what?
IMAGE BBS is a modular type program consisting of both BASIC and machine language modules. A main BASIC module ("im") and a main machine language module ("ml 1.2") both reside in main memory at all times. Also used are BASIC modules (+.*) and machine language (++*) modules.
The purpose of this manual is to provide you with necessary subroutines and variable considerations to make your own modules or modify the existing system to suit your needs.
I would like to thank all of those who worked hard in taking NEW IMAGE SOFTWARE to where it stands today.
· DON GLADDEN (C Tuna) for the original BASIC program.
· RAY KELM (The Professor) the ML whiz-kid, for the ML.
· FRED DART (The Chief) for hours upon hours of work and always being available for support. [R.I.P.]
· JOHN MOORE (Little John) for continuous sleepless nights spent to better the software and its subsystems. Also for the much awaited 128 version.
· BOB LEARY (Dr. Bob) for countless hours of work wracking my brains trying to get this manual done.
· NISSA for providing undue support to all those sysops in their time of need.
There are several things which are often used and would fit the description of general information. The items covered in this chapter are used in almost every module you can find.
IMAGE BBS uses function keys to represent specific ASCII characters which
· allows typing special characters in quote mode rather than using CHR$() codes, and
· avoids the pitfall of truncating lines, or the necessity of using custom I/O routines to read SEQuential data files.
F1: Comma Å ,
F2: Question mark É ?
F3: Colon Æ :
F4: Equal sign Ê =
F5: Quotation mark Ç "
F6: RETURN Ë ...
Amiga7878