MAGIC TSR TOOLKIT ($199.95)

Magic TSR Toolkit is an assembly language source code template for creating swapping TSR (terminate and stay resident) programs in C or assembly language. To create most TSR programs programmers must rely on a number of undocumented features in MS-DOS. The Magic TSR Toolkit allows programmers to concentrate their efforts on writing the application rather than on how to write a robust and highly compatible TSR.

Creating a TSR (or memory resident program) is difficult because, as you probably know, DOS is a single-tasking operating system and is not re-entrant. Because of this, special care must be taken when attempting to write a hot key activated TSR. The lack of re-entrancy prevents a TSR from popping up at any time and using the DOS interrupt services. Without the DOS services it is difficult to write very many useful programs. So, it is necessary to know when it is safe to use the DOS services. Additionally, there are minor differences in the different versions of DOS that must be taken into account. The Magic TSR Toolkit relieves the programmer from taking care of all these details.

Features

Programs can swap to EMS, XMS or hard disk, requiring only 4 - 5K of RAM and may safely read and write multiple disk files as well as perform most other normal application functions.

All standard TSR features supported (all optional): þ signature prevents multiple installs þ uninstall from command line, batch file or program option þ multiple re-definable hot keys þ non-residency mode þ enable/disable individual hot keys þ de-activate via command line or program option þ re-activate from command line or batch file þ remote hot-key activation þ stuff keystrokes into the keyboard buffer þ mouse support þ can automatically detect and use EMS, XMS or disk for swapping þ background processing þ popup window library þ built-in debugging code þ example hot keys: Alt-A, Ctrl-F1, Ctrl-Alt-F1, Alt-LShift, Ctrl-RShift

TSR Documentation

For serious developers, an important feature of a toolkit is the manual. The manual contains a TSR tutorial that guides you through our code for installing a TSR, detecting hot keys and popping up when it is safe. Example's of TSR's are presented that gradually add features so that you can understand how TSR's work.

For reference, the manual contains a complete description of the interrupt vector table (hardware, BIOS and DOS interrupts). Every useful keyboard scan code is listed in a table noting the differences in keyboard models. We even include a description of the BIOS data area (system RAM at 40:00) and each undocumented DOS function used in the toolkit.

Of course, that's just the icing. Each feature of the toolkit is fully documented along with the on-disk examples. For those of you who like to dive right in, there is a one page Quick Start Chapter with everything you need to know to get started. Every feature is fully indexed so that you never really need to read the manual, you can just use it as a reference guide.

The Magic

You wouldn't have read this far unless you're serious about developing TSR programs. You understand the reluctance of your customers to buy yet another memory-hogging TSR. The Magic TSR Toolkit will shrink a regular TSR down to about 4 or 5K. Programs that used to consume 10K or a 100K now take only 4K. The magic part is that you do not need to write a lot of extra code to handle this. The toolkit includes it all. This is done by safely saving the state of DOS (and the BIOS) and swapping memory to a hard disk, EMS (expanded memory) or XMS (extended memory), executing your code, then swapping your code out and restoring the state of DOS.

Because of the 640K limitation of MS-DOS, even a great TSR program must compete in the market place with other unrelated TSR programs due to the valuable memory that they consume. Each TSR program, no matter how infrequently it is used, always consumes a valuable portion of this memory. To make your program more marketable it must consume as little of the lower 640K of memory as possible. Now, with the Magic TSR Toolkit it is easy.

Source Code

Full assembly language source code is provided. The source code is compatible with Microsoft MASM 5.1 or above, Borland TASM and SLR Systems OPTASM. TSR templates are provided for assembly language and C programs.

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