6. StrongBS Basics
As you work with StrongBS, there are few basic terms you need to become
familiar with.
3rd Party Directory
-
A directory that contains the code of all additional "Squash Options"
written either by you or someone else. Any code added will appear under
the 3rd Party menu.
3rd Party Option
-
A Squash Option that is added by the user or a 3rd party. See adding
squash options for more details. 3rd Party Option codes reside in the
"3rd Party Directory".
Assembly
-
Means an assembler BASIC listing within the main or "Library File". An
assembly listing is one that starts with the open square bracket "[" and
ends with a close square bracket "]".
Concatenation
-
A compression method used by StrongBS to join (concatenate) things together
in order to produce a shorter equivalent.
Convert
-
The process used by StrongBS to convert something into another shorter
equivalent. There are many conversion options to select from.
Debug code
-
Part of your BASIC program that contains a code you are using during
the testing and debugging of your program. If you want this code to be
completely removed, then StrongBS will do so if you tell it the whereabouts
of this debug code.
Label
-
Means an assembler label that starts with a dot ".".
Library Directory
-
A directory that contains "Library-Files". StrongBS will only lookup the
first 64 valid "Library-Files" in the directory. Valid files means BASIC
program files. The "Library Directory" is normally located within StrongBS
application. StrongBS comes with a directory called "Library" that contains
example library files. If your preferred library files are located
elsewhere on the disc, then simply change the variable
in the !Run file to point at that directory.
Library-File
-
Is a BASIC File that is located in a Library Directory and is displayed by
StrongBS in the "Library files" sub-menu. Any selected library file will
be automatically appended to the end of the core BASIC program
before at the time StrongBS loads your main BASIC program. The library file
gets compressed along with the main program, so that options set to the main
program also apply to the Library File. The result compressed file contains
both your main program and any library files. StrongBS will only display
the first 64 files found in the Library directory.
You can select more than one Library file from the "Library files" menu.
Log file
-
Is a file that contains all statistical and other details about your
BASIC program, before and after compression. The content of the log
file is user defined.
Modes Directory
-
A directory that holds user defined "Squash Modes". Up to 32 user modes
may be defined.
New Size
-
The result of the compressed "Output File" size. "New Size" is displayed
and updated after each compression option is performed.
Output File
-
Means the result compressed output file including any appended library
files.
Percentage
-
The percentage ratio and size reduction of the "Output File" compared to
the "Source File". Percentage is updated after each compression and
displays the percentage in one hundredth of a unit. Looking at the
percentage you can immediately tell if any savings have been made.
Progress Bar
-
A progress indicator bar that gives the indication of how many options
are still to be applied and how much have been already performed.
REMarks-Directory
-
A directory which contains "REMark-Files". StrongBS will only display the
first 32 valid "REMark-Files" in the directory. The path of the "REMarks
Directory" is pointed to by the variable found in
the !Run file, you may change this to point at any other directory you
prefer.
REMark-File
-
An "REMark-File" is a file that will be automatically inserted at the
start of the compressed output result file. A REMark-File can be added to
the "REMarks-Directory". Only one "REMark-File" can be selected from
the REMark-File menu. You may have up to 32 REMark-Files.
Remove
-
The process used by StrongBS to remove something from your BASIC program
that is not necessary, redundant or not required. There are several
removal options to select from.
Routines
-
Routines are BASIC functions or procedures defined using DEF FN or
DEF PROC.
Size
-
The original size of the main "Source File" program including the size of
all loaded "Append" files.
Source File
-
The "Source File" is your main BASIC program that is loaded for compression
including any appended library files.
Special file
-
A file that contains information that StrongBS uses and applies to the
methods used for compressing the current program. A "Special File" is
a text file that you write to tell StrongBS what to do with the current
BASIC program in question. You can use it to define variables and/or
procedure/function names that should not be renamed.
StrongBS will automatically load the Special file called "SBSMake" if it
finds one in the directory the BASIC program is loaded from. A special
file can contain tokens which tell StrongBS what to do.
Note: the "Special-File" is an option, it is not a must have or use.
Squash Option
-
A "Squash Option" is an option that is selectable from the Squash Options
menu. StrongBS comes with over 60 different options to select from.
Squash Mode
-
A Squash Mode, is a collection of "Squash Options" that is pre-defined.
StrongBS comes with three built-in Squash Modes. You can add your own
Squash Modes.
User Mode
-
Is a user defined "Squash Mode" that can be created by the user and gets
added automatically to the "Squash Mode" menu. "User Modes" are stored
in the "Modes Directory".
Variable
-
A variable means any real, integer, string, real array, integer array
or string array, as defined by BASIC rules.