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AppBasic
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!RunImage

Any existing (Toolbox) application can easily be converted to an AppBasic shell application - all that is required is to give it a resources directory named !RunImage which contains a !Run (obey) file with the command

Run AppBasic:Manager

Such an application will immediately run - as evidenced by an entry in the Task Manager's display (from where, if need be, the application can be quit). All shell applications run the AppBasic manager. This is a 'universal' program which:

  • Initialises the application
  • Appends every BASIC file stored in the !RunImage directory as a library.
  • Loads AppBasic's procedure library of Toolbox methods
  • Defines variables corresponding to the default Toolbox event id's
  • Reports syntax errors via error-throwback
  • Responds to every Wimp and Toolbox event by calling suitable event-handling procedures. (If !RunImage contains a definition of an event-handler then that is used instead of the inbuilt version which does nothing).
  • Runs the obey file 'Modules' (if present)
The Filer display for a !RunImage directory is opened by double-clicking the application with the Adjust (right-hand) mouse button while holding down the Ctrl key.