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.