[A83] Re: RFC TIDEV 0001.1 (was: Re: Re: Free App signing key)

[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

[A83] Re: RFC TIDEV 0001.1 (was: Re: Re: Free App signing key)


Addiditional comments are inside :-)
 
> ...Comments are inside.
> 
> > Okay, how about this:
> > Request For Comment (RFC TIDEV 0001.1 :-) :
> > Guidelines for the decision between a Program an an application.
> > NOTE: These guidelines are guidelines, not rules.
> >
> >
> > When to convert to an app?
> >
> > You should convert to // make an app if your program meets ANY of the
> below
> > mentioned criteria:

> > -- The program is over 8 kb
> ...I don't think this is a good enough qualification.  There are lots of
> games and programs out there that are over 8K, but converting them to app
> format is not necessary.  Now if the amount of code you have in the program
> is over 8.8K, then yes, it makes sense to convert it to application so it
> will properly run.

Correct, but if you are a sloppy coder (like me :-), you might end up with data in the middle, and program code at the end :-)
But indeed, the citerium shoud be:
-- The program's code is over 8 kb.

Addition:

-- Converting your program to an app would enhance calculator performance.


> 
> > -- The program is not over 8 kb, but if it would be converted to an app,
> >    there would be room to enhance performance and user interface.
> ....This is a good qualifier for any program you want to convert, whether
> greater or less than 8K.

Sure.

> 
> > -- The program is essential to run other programs or read other files, so
> >    when accidentally deleted in a reset it would be a great loss.
> >    (remember, if a program runs, it is unarchived, so a memreset when
> >    running or still unarchived, will remove the program)
> ....Also remember that if you turn MirageOS write-back to archive off, you
> wont lose any crashed programs and wont get garbage collections.
> Alternativly, you can keep Archive Recover on your calc to recover the
> programs.  But yes, for something like the shell to begin with, it might be
> useful to have it as an application.

> 
> > -- The program is meant for educational purposes, such as, but not limited
> to:
> >    Explaining a typical hypothetical situation in detail.
> >    Enhancing mathematic functions of the calculator
> >    Otherwise significally enhancing calculator performance / functioning
> ...Perhaps, but I don't think you really need to make a big difference for
> programs meant for educational purposes.  The program should still be
> large/complex enough to take advantage of the app space, and fit all the
> other qualifications.

Ofcourse, but consider this:
-If you have 4 very useful programs, each taking about 7 kb, you'll fill up 
your ram quickly, also, if archived, it needs to be unarchived in order to be 
run, (except with mirageos in some special mode, as you stated). This causes
extra overhead on the flash memory, + annoying garbage collection.
-If your program has great usefulness, you want people to find and use it, 
 right. Well, if very useful programs would be apps, it would be easier to locate them.

(Just a few thoughts, please comment 'em)


> > When to make / leave your program a program?
> >
> > You should leave your program a program if it meets ANY of the below
> > mentioned criteria:
> > -- The program makes intensive use of shell specific features

> > -- Your program makes intensive use of write-back
> ...Well that's what appvars are for, but yes, it can be a pain to convert
> code if you use lots of write-back, especially if you use self-modifying
> code.

 
> > -- Your program is not original in the forementioned meaning.
   Oops, forgot to modify this line after removing the "original" part

  Meaning is: 
  Your program is not just another clone of a program that already exists,
  but adds some remarkable features.


> > -- Your program contains offensive, XXX-rated material, or infringes on
> >    existing copyrights. i.e: It wouldn't be signed by TI, if you had the
> >    Professional SDK. (Sorry Hays :-)
> ...Well if your program contains offensive or XXX-rated material you
> probably shouldn't release it to begin with, but that's just my opinion :)

Mine too, actually, but just in case someone came with the idea to make 
drugwars, or some already released program an app.

> 
> > -- Your program is in BASIC :-)
> ....I have to agree with this one, but actually, most of TI's DataMate and
> CBL/CBR applications are in BASIC :)

Huh, please explain in some other mail to the list. 

> 
> > -- Your program doesn't meet any of the criteria for making it an app.
> >
> >

> > Furthermore, when making an app, you should try to do the following.
> > -- Make full use of the n * 16kb you fill up.
> ....Definitely.  This is key.  This, in my opinion, should be the #1
> qualification.  If you can't fill up all the space for an application, don't
> convert it!  An exception to this rule may come by every so often, but for
> the most part, anything that's not going to fill up the space can just be a
> program.

Mostly, yes.
 
> > -- Make your gui as nice as possible.
> ...Sure, though this depends in the specific application.  For example, I
> really don't want to spend any time making a nice graphical interface for
> Calcsys; it's just not neccesary.
Okay, rewrite:

--Make your gui as nice as possible or otherwise useful. 

> 
> > -- If you can, fill up the space you have left with useful data, eg:
> >    An extra game.
> >    An easter egg.
> >    Mind-expanding informational texts.
> ....It's fine to add some fun stuff to fill up a bit of extra space, but it
> doesn't make sense to convert a 9K program to application, and then put 7K
> of filler material in there :)

This was mostly intended to people who deperately want to make their program 
an app. (Like me)

Okay, rewrite:
-- If you can, fill up the space you have left with relevant material, eg:
   Inline help (extensive)
   An easter egg.
   Other relvant material.

Addition:
--Enhance your program as much as reasonably possible/nessecary.

Okay, this is it for now, an more comments of any kind would geatly be 
appreciated.



> 
> 
> Just my thoughts,
> -Dan Englender
> 
> 
> > End "RFC"
> >
> > So, please give comments on this,
> > I'd like to know if you like it, what you do not like, and what you think
> should be added/removed.
> >
> > --Peter Martijn
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > >Yeah,
> > > >but I was thinking about usefulnes too, I can imgine that some 4-8 kb
> > > program
> > > >could be better off as an app sometimes too.
> > > >
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> I would say that you should convert your program to an app when the
> > > program
> > > >> gets very large.  Probably around 16k.  Or, if it's a HUGE program
> (which
> > > I
> > > >> highly doubt, since going over 24k isn't allowed with ASM), convert
> it to
> > > an
> > > >> app.
> > > >
> > > >Actually, sice we're talking 83Plus here, the limit is 8kb (for code).
> > >
> > > What about:
> > > Lemmingz: 12kb
> > > Elements v2.0: 13 kb
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >> _________________________________________________________________
> > > >> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 
>
References: