SysConfig: The S3 SysConfig class

In AmigaFFH: Commodore Amiga File Format Handler

The S3 SysConfig class

Description

A comprehensive representation of an Amiga system-configuration file.

Details

The system-configuration file is a binary file stored in the ‘devs’ folder of the root of a bootable Amiga DOS device, containing system preferences. It was used in Amiga OS 1.x. Although it could be used in later versions, it was gradually phased out and some settings may not be usable in the later versions. See references below for more details.

Definitions of the system-configuration have file been revised at some points. Revisions are minor and usually targeted at backward compatibility. Here revision V38.2 (released on 16 September 1992) is implemented, which is the latest documented version.

The sytem-configuration file contains settings for the serial and parallel port and the printer. It also contains some settings for the ‘workbench’ which was the Amiga equivalent of what is now mostly known as the computers desktop. Colours for the workbench and the shape of the mouse pointer are also stored in this file. Settings for the mouse and basic screen resolution are also part of the file.

The SysConfig object is a comprehensive representation of the binary system-configuration file. It is a a list where the elements have identical names as listed in the documents provided the references. The names are usually self-explanatory, but the referred documents can also be consulted to obtain more detailed information with respect to each of these elements. The mouse pointer is included as a hardwareSprite() object in the list. The pointer image can be replaced by a different hardwareSprite(), but make sure it has an height of 16 pixels.

It is possible to change the values of the list, but not all values may be valid. Note that they will not be fully checked for validity. Invalid values may result in errors when writing to a binary file using write.SysConfig(), or may simply not work properly on an Amiga or in an emulator.

Use simpleSysConfig() for creating a simple SysConfig object which can be modified. Use read.SysConfig() to read, and write.SysConfig() to write system-configuration files. With rawToSysConfig() and as.raw() SysConfig can be coerced back and forth from and to its raw (binary) form.

Author(s)

Pepijn de Vries

References

https://wiki.amigaos.net/wiki/Preferences#Preferences_in_1.3_and_Older_Versions_of_the_OS http://amigadev.elowar.com/read/ADCD_2.1/Includes_and_Autodocs_2._guide/node00D5.html http://amigadev.elowar.com/read/ADCD_2.1/Includes_and_Autodocs_3._guide/node063B.html

See Also

Other SysConfig.operations: rawToSysConfig(), read.SysConfig(), simpleSysConfig(), write.SysConfig()

AmigaFFH documentation built on June 22, 2024, 11:03 a.m.