Console version of Effectus

Installation

Program and its dependencies are archived in ZIP format. Before using the program, you must download the version of your choice, which is in ZIP format. When you download this file, unzip it and create a directory to place the main files and all subdirectories as is. Executable file is called effectus.exe, which is accompanied with config.ini setup file, which has predeclared default settings for the program. Configuration file is not necessarily needed for proper functioning of the program, but in that case, proper parameter values must be set unless default settings satisfy you. Typically, to start using Effectus, just type effectus and the fully qualified pathname of the source file to be compiled.

Program usage

Common syntax:

- i386-win32 platform

effectus filename [parameters]

- i386-Linux platform
./effectus filename [parameters]

Program parameters:

-md: MADS cross-assembler directory
-sa: program starting address
-ms: source output directory
-mb: binary output directory
-se: source output extension
-be: binary output extension
-rl: Effectus/MADS runtime library directory
-lo: log filename (with fully qualified pathname)

If config.ini file is in the same directory, where Effectus is run, then its settings are read and used in the program. These are:

ORG=3200 - Start address of the program
MADS_DIR=c:\atari\mads\ - The path of MADS cross-compiler
MADS_SRC_EXT=asm - Output assembly source extension
MADS_BIN_EXT=xex - Output executable code extension
MADS_RTL_DIR=c:\atari\effectus\lib\ - The runtime libraries used in compiling Effectus programs
MADS_OUTPUT_DIR=c:\atari\effectus\output.txt - assembly log file with fully qualified pathname

If MADS cross-assembler pathname is included in your system path configuration file (autoexec.bat or registry key), then MADS_DIR option is deprecated unless the MADS program is placed in root directory, where Effectus is run.

As mentioned in Installaction section, config.ini file is not mandatory for proper functioning of the program. In this case, some caution must be taken. By default, all forementioned program parameters have their default values in place (similar to pre-declared values in config.ini file, with exception of path declaraions for which description follows). In this case, the runtime library directory is declared below root where Effectus is run (/lib) and log filename is set in root directory as well.

Otherwise, if you decide to set your own values, parameters must be used manually.

Caution!
If config.ini is not used, MADS cross-compiler will be searched first in root directory, where Effectus is run. In this case, MADS cross-compiler set on system path will not be used.

To start using Effectus, typically, just type effectus and the fully qualified pathname of the source file to be compiled. Your program is compiled in directory you are currently on, but that can be changed with -ms: and -mb: parameters. The fully qualified pathname with space characters must be put in double quotation marks.

Every parameter must end with colon, for example: -sa:

Summary of Effectus settings in config.ini file

ORG	Starting address of generated program (in hexadecimal notation, for example 3200 - resulting to $3200)
MADS_DIR	Directory of MADS executable
MADS_SRC_EXT	MADS source code output extension
MADS_BIN_EXT	MADS binary output extension
MADS_RTL_DIR	Effectus/MADS runtime library directory

Console version of Effectus (i386-Linux platform)

Compiled programs mostly do work, but they tend to force you to press Enter key after Effectus program is compiled. I don't know why!