LIBMAN - Library manager for Sprinter computer
==============================================
Version 1.1 (July 23, 2002)

LIBMAN.A helps you to use dynamically-loaded libraries (DLLs) in
L0 format in user applications for the Sprinter computer. After
compilation the LIBMAN code uses about 1K of memory and gives the
ability to load, call and close L0 libraries. The one requirement
is that the LIBMAN code must be located in segment 1 or 2 (between
#4000 and #BFFF).

L0 library format:
#00:(2) "L0"
#02:(2) size of file
#04:(2) offset to table (size of code)
#06:(2) size of table
#08:(2) checksum
#0A:(1) day
#0B:(1) month
#0C:(2) year
#0E:(2) library version
#10:(16) name of library
#20: jp init
#23: jp fini
#26: jp ...
...
relocation table
...

From offset #10 the library code is compressed (using a simple algorithm
for encoding runs of zeros). Use MK_DLL.CPP program to make DLLs
for the Sprinter (MK_DLL.EXE is compiled for Windows-95/98 console).
An example of a simple library is LIB.A. An example of program that uses
the library is TEST.A.

Up to 64 libraries can be loaded simultaneously. A library is loaded
by the call L_LOAD. Before loading you need set HL to the address of a
filename string and the desired segment binding to A (see below):

ld hl,filename
ld a,wind ; 1,2,3
call l_load
jp c,error
ld (handle),hl
...
handle dw 0

Here, filename - filename string address (null terminated); wind -
desired segment binding (for 1: #4000-#7FFF, for 2: #8000-#BFFF,
for other: #C000-#FFFF); handle - word variable for saving handle;
when error occurs flag c will be set. During loading the
library code is relocated in memory for compact usage of space. If
loading was successful, library function 0 will start (init function).
Library size can not be more 16K.

You can receive information about loaded library (32 bytes
header) using the L_INFO call. You should set HL to the library
handle and DE to the address of a 32 byte buffer:

ld hl,(handle)
ld de,buffer32
call l_info
jp c,error

If the carry flag is zero (no errors) then the buffer will contain
the library header (see above). The header has information about
specification version (L0), size of file, size of code, data of
creation, version of library, name of library.

To call library functions you can use the L_CALL call.
It switches the library into the segment specified earlier, runs the
function code and rebinds the original segment contents.
Before calling you should set HL to the library handle and
B to the number of the library function (register C is reserved for
future use):

ld hl,(handle)
ld b,function
call l_call
jp c,error

If any error occure then the carry flag will be set. You can send and
receive data from library using registers A,DE,IX,IY and auxiliary
registers.

To close the library you can use the L_FREE call. You should set HL
to the library handle:

ld hl,(handle)
call l_free
jp c,error

If an error has occurred, the carry flag will be set. Before clearing
memory, function 1 (fini) of the library will be called.

For library handle (or identifier) we use a 2-byte word. This is for
future use when we will use one library in different processes.

Files TEST.EXE and TEST.DLL are binary files for Sprinter and
have sources TEST.A and LIB.A. LIBMAN.A is included inside TEST.A.
ZM.BAT compiles tests on PC using ZMAC.

Copyright (c) 2002, Alexander Shabarshin (shaos@mail.ru)

http://shaos.ru/nedopc/sprinter/

Thanx:
AcidRain/PowerAmiga^mOOds
Garry Lancaster
PetersPlus Ltd.
Stels/Myth corp.


Alexander Shabarshin (shaos@mail.ru)