Writing Programs For Boreal Beta 4 Contents: *1* Warning *2* File Names *3* Creating ICO files *4* Requirements in RUN files *5* Calling prgmBORLGRFX *6* Calling on the Mouse *7* Converting programs for Boreal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *1* Warning: This document is entirely accurate but not very descriptive. If anyone can write a more comprehensive description please send me a copy. My E-Mail address is below. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *2* File Names: Boreal Beta 4 really doesn't care about file names, but Beta 5 will. In order to prevent a need to convert programs from beta 4 to beta 5 you should use these file names: ?????RUN - The file to execute ?????ICO - The Icon file ?????DAT - The files that are called by the RUN file ?????DT0 \ | | | | - More Data files ?????DT9 / Where ????? is the five alpha-numeric program name. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *3* Creating ICO files: The first line in the ICO file will set the icon description. This can be up to 4 characters. The following lines will draw the icon from point(A,B) to point(A+8,B-8). Example: PROGRAM:?????ICO :"NAME"->Str0 :Line(A,B,A+8,B :Line(A,B,A,B-8 :Line(A+8,B,A+8,B-8 :Line(A,B-8,A+8,B-8 Thisdraws a box with NAME below it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *4* Requirements in RUN files: RUN files have only 1 requirement, they must have RETURN commands instead of STOP. This will return control back to Boreal when the program finishes execution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *5* Calling prgmBORLGRFX: Boreal has a graphics library that any program can call on. This provides a standard set of graphics for all Boreal apps. The following is a list of parameters and their function: 1,X-left,Y-upper | Boreal Symbol 2,X-left,Y-upper,X-right,Y-lower | Window with Title Bar 3,X-right,Y-upper | Minimize Button 4,X-right,Y-upper | Maximize Button 5,X-right,Y-upper | Close Button 6,X-left,Y-upper,Y-lower | Up/Down Scroll Bar 7,X-left,Y-upper,X-right | Left/Right Scroll Bar 8,X-right,Y-upper | Normal Button 9,X-left,Y-upper,X-right,Y-lower | Window without Title Bar (Message Box) 10,X-left,Y-upper,X-right,Y-lower | Text Box 11,X-left,Y-upper,X-right,Y-lower | Button (Functions 3,4,5 & 8 use the X-right & Y-upper of the target Window) These parameters are stored in List BORLG. Example: PROGRAM:TEST :0->Xmin :94->Xmax :-62->Ymin :0->Ymax :ClrDraw :{2,0,0,93,-61}->lBORLG :prgmBORLGRFX :Pause This will draw a window that covers the whole screen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *6* Calling on the Mouse: Boreal's Mouse is designed so any program can call on it. It returns X and Y coordinates stored in variables A and B. It also stores them into List BORLM so it can remember the cursor location. For your program to access the mouse the only line you need is prgmBORLMOUS, however after this line you will need a decision structure to tell the program what to do if the mouse clicked in a certain area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *7* Converting programs for Boreal: To convert a program first ask the author for permission, then ensure that it fulfills all of the other requirements mentioned above. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions, comments, or Boreal programs, please E-Mail me at jarethsoftware@geocities.com or visit http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/3247 (C) 1997 Jareth Software