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- *----------*
- * Glossary * Sun Oct 6 16:56:29 1991
- *----------*
-
-
- abbreviations
- PowerVisor allows you to abbreviate several things. You can abbreviate
- command names and names for list elements
- Tutor files : Expresions GettingStarted
-
- active logical window
- The active logical window is the logical window where you can scroll with
- the keyboard. You can see if a logical window is active by looking at
- the titlebar. A full (blue in AmigaDOS 2.0) titlebar indicates that the
- logical window is active. Note that the active logical window is NOT
- the same as the current logical window.
- Starting at V1.10, the active logical window is also used for pending
- input (see the 'Screen' tutorial file for more info)
- Commands : scroll active
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'current logical window', 'logical window'
-
- address operator
- The address operator ('&') can be used to ask the address of an element
- in the current list. You can only use this operator for the 'exec', 'graf'
- and 'intb' lists. An address operator always precedes a list operator
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'contents operator', 'list operator'
-
- aliases
- An alias in its simpliest form is another name for a command. PowerVisor
- aliases are a bit more powerful than normal aliases. You can actually
- construct whole new commands with them
- Commands : alias unalias
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'alias string', 'recursive aliases'
-
- alias string
- The alias string is the string that is used instead of the commandline
- when an alias command is entered. It is in fact the definition of the
- alias
- Commands : alias unalias
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'aliases'
-
- ARexx port
- The ARexx port is used by ARexx to send commands to. The name of
- the PowerVisor ARexx port is REXX_POWERVISOR
- Commands : rx
- Tutor files : Scripts
- Related terminology : 'ARexx scripts'
-
- ARexx scripts
- An ARexx script is a ASCII script file containing ARexx commands.
- ARexx is a versatile script language for the Amiga. With ARexx you
- can interface PowerVisor to any other program supporting ARexx or
- you can write powerful scripts making life easier for you and other
- users of PowerVisor. ARexx scripts must begin with a comment
- (/* */)
- Commands : rx
- Tutor files : Scripts
- Related terminology : 'PowerVisor scripts', 'scripts', 'ML-scripts'
- 'ARexx port'
-
- auto output snap
- This feature is an optional setting for logical windows. When 'auto
- output snap' is on, the logical window will automatically scroll to
- the place where output appears. 'auto output snap' is on by default
- for the 'Main' logical window. You can change this behaviour with
- the 'setflags' or 'prefs' commands
- Commands : setflags prefs
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical windows', 'MORE checking',
- 'home position'
-
- autodefault
- Autodefault is a method provided to make life easier for the user.
- Normally when PowerVisor parses some sequence of characters, several
- steps occur. In one of these steps PowerVisor tests if the sequence
- of characters could be an abbreviation for a name of a 'list element'
- in the current list.
- But some commands are only useful for specific list elements. For
- example : the 'freeze' command to freeze a task is only useful for
- tasks. Therefor 'freeze' uses 'autodefault' to the 'task' list. This
- means that the parsing of the sequence of characters is not done for
- the current list but for the task list. In practice this means that
- you can simply use the name of the task even if the 'task' list is
- not the current list. Many commands use this feature (see the
- 'CommandReference' if you want to know if a certain command uses
- 'autodefault'). Some functions also use 'autodefault'
- Related terminology : 'list element', 'current list'
-
- autoscalable
- When a logical window is autoscalable for one or both directions
- (vertical or horizontal) the visible size will always be equal to
- the real size (in that direction) (see 'logical window' for more info).
- This means that when you change the visible size (by opening or closing
- another logical window or by dragging the size bar) the logical window
- will be cleared and the real size will be recomputed. The 'Main' logical
- window is NOT autoscalable by default
- Commands : fit colrow
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical window', 'box'
-
- box
- A box is used by the physical window to manage the space for logical
- windows. A box has a parent (unless it is the root box for the
- physical window) and two children (unless it is a leaf of the box
- tree). A box with no children (a leaf box) corresponds with a
- logical window.
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical window', 'physical window',
- 'masterbox'
-
- breakpoint node
- A breakpoint node is the internal data structure used by PowerVisor
- to hold information about a breakpoint. Each breakpoint has its
- own breakpoint node. You can use 'info' for a debug node to see
- a list of all breakpoint nodes
- Commands : info debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'breakpoints', 'debug nodes'
-
- breakpoints
- A breakpoint is a location in memory where a debug node should stop
- (sometimes depending on some condition). They are implemented using
- 'ILLEGAL' instructions (so don't use them in shared memory)
- Commands : break trace debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'debug nodes', 'normal breakpoints', 'timeout
- breakpoints', 'conditional breakpoints',
- 'temporary breakpoints', 'profile breakpoints',
- 'resident breakpoints', 'private breakpoints'
-
- code
- See 'key code'
-
- commandline
- The commandline of PowerVisor is a stringgadget. This means that you
- can use all stringgadget editing facilities supported by the
- operating system. You can also use some extra facilities provided
- by PowerVisor like the 'history buffer'.
- By default the commandline is 400 bytes long but you may decrease
- or increase this value with the 'prefs' command
- Commands : prefs
- Tutor files : GettingStarted
- Related terminology : 'history buffer'
-
- conditional breakpoints
- Conditional breakpoints only break when a certain condition (expression)
- is true
- Commands : break trace debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'breakpoints', 'debug node'
-
- conditional expressions
- Using the 'if' function you can make conditional expressions like in
- C
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'expression'
-
- constants
- A constant is just like a PowerVisor variable. The only difference
- is that you can't change the value (obvious :-)
- 'version' is the only constant in the current version of PowerVisor
- Commands : vars
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'variables', 'functions', 'special variables'
-
- contents operator
- The contents operator ('*') can be used to read from memory locations.
- You can use it in expressions or before the assignment operator
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'address operator'
-
- crash node
- A crash node (in the 'crsh' list) corresponds with a crashed task.
- When a task crashes and PowerVisor traps the crash, PowerVisor will
- create a crash node and halt the task. This crash node contains
- some extra information about the crash
-
- current debug node
- The current debug node is the debug node that you are currently
- debugging. All trace and breakpoint commands use the current debug
- node. You can have more than one debug node in memory at the same
- time
- Commands : with duse
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'debug node'
-
- current list
- When PowerVisor parses some sequence of characters, several
- steps occur. In one of these steps PowerVisor tests if the sequence
- of characters could be an abbreviation for a name of a 'list element'
- in a certain list. This list is the current list. In the bottom
- left corner of the PowerVisor window you can see the name of the
- current list. If you want to change the current list to some other
- list, just type the name of the other list ('task', 'lock', 'wins', ...).
- Note that some commands do not use the current list for parsing
- sequences of characters (see 'autodefault')
- Commands : task lock wins ...
- Tutor files : Lists
- Related terminology : 'list', 'list element', 'autodefault',
- 'current list indicator'
-
- current list indicator
- The current list indicator is located in the left-bottom corner of
- the 'Main' physical window (the PowerVisor window). It displays
- the name of the current list ('Task', ...).
- Right from the current list indicator is the prompt
- Related terminology : 'current list', 'prompt'
-
- current logical window
- The current logical window is the logical window that receives all
- output from most commands. This is 'Main' by default. Note that the
- current logical window is NOT the same as the active logical window
- Commands : current on
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'active logical window', 'logical window'
-
- current tag list
- The current tag list is the tag list that is used by all the
- tag commands. There are sixteen possible tag lists (0..15)
- Commands : tg usetag
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'tag list', 'tag'
-
- debug nodes
- See 'debug tasks'
-
- debug tasks
- (or debug nodes) A debug task is a task you are debugging. When it
- is called a debug task, we are talking about the real task. When
- it is called a debug node (which is logically the same) we are also
- talking about the task in most cases, but sometimes the term debug
- node is used for the internal structure needed by PowerVisor to
- debug the task (this last meaning is actually more exact than the
- first one). All debug nodes are in the 'dbug' list
- Commands : dbug debug
- Tutor files : Debug
-
- double quotes
- See 'quotes'
-
- dummy debug task
- With a dummy debug task you can make symbols without having to create
- a real debug task. This makes it more easy to disassemble programs.
- You can't trace or set breakpoints with a dummy debug task, but you
- can create and show symbols
- Commands : debug symbol
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'debug nodes'
-
- expression
- A sequence of characters corresponding with some algebraic or other
- operations on integers
- Tutor files : Expressions
-
- fancy mode
- Fancy mode is another name for two-bitplane mode. PowerVisor is
- in fancy mode when the PowerVisor screen uses two bitplanes (default).
- Otherwise PowerVisor is in 'nofancy' mode
- Commands : mode
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'nofancy mode'
-
- FD-files
- A fd-file (function definition file) contains definitions for the
- functions defined in a shared library (you can find these files
- on the Extras 1.3 disk). PowerVisor uses these files for several
- purposes (to make the disassembly more readable when you are
- debugging for example, the 'addfunc' command also uses FD-files).
- All loaded FD-files are in the 'fdfi' list
- Commands : loadfd unloafd fdfi
- Related terminology : 'function definitions'
-
- feedback mode
- When feedback mode is on (default) PowerVisor will first print each
- command on the PowerVisor window before executing it. That way you
- have an easy way to know which command caused which output
- Commands : mode
- Tutor files : GettingStarted
-
- fullscreen debugger
- Normally debugging in PowerVisor is commandline based. Using the
- 'fdebug' alias (or the 'db' script) you can install a fullscreen
- debugger. This fullscreen debugger uses the 'Debug' logical window
- for output
- Commands : debug fdebug(alias) dwin
- Tutor files : Debug
-
- function definitions
- A function definition is a definition for a library function
- (the name, registers, ...). Function definitions are part of
- an FD-file
- Commands : loadfd libinfo libfunc
- Related terminology : 'FD-files'
-
- function monitor
- The function monitor is the device in PowerVisor that monitors
- library functions (monitor functions)
- Commands : addfunc
- Related terminology : 'monitor functions'
-
- functions
- A function is a routine you may include in expressions. It has
- some arguments (or none) and most often a result. Note that PowerVisor
- always expects brackets after the function name even if there are no
- arguments (like in C). Functions live in the same list as variables.
- This is why you can't have a variable with the same name as a function
- Commands : vars
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'variables', 'constants', 'special variables'
-
- group operator
- The group operator ('{' ... '}') can be used to group several commands
- together. You can do this because you want to execute several commands
- at once or because you are interested in the return code of the last
- executed command in the list. Group operators can be used as stand
- alone command or in expressions. The commands in the group are seperated
- by ';'.
- The group operator is also useful if you want to create recursive
- aliases
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'recursive aliases'
-
- history buffer
- To make editing easier PowerVisor supports a history buffer. Using
- the arrow up/down keys you can move in this history buffer and make
- changes to previous commands.
- You can change the maximum number of lines in the history buffer with
- the 'prefs' command
- Commands : prefs
- Tutor files : GettingStarted
- Related terminology : 'commandline'
-
- hold mode
- When PowerVisor is in hold mode, the screens and windows of PowerVisor
- are all closed. This is useful to preserve memory. You can reopen
- PowerVisor with the hot key
- Commands : hold
- Related terminology : 'hot key'
-
- home position
- The home position for a logical window depends on whether the logical
- window is a top-visible window or a real-top window
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'top-visible windows', 'real-top windows'
-
- hot key
- The PowerVisor hot key is the key combination used to bring the
- PowerVisor screen to the front. Normally the hot key is
- <right-shift>+<right-alt>+'?' but you can redefine it to any other
- key you want with the 'prefs' command
- Commands : prefs
- Tutor files : GettingStarted
- Related terminology : 'hold mode', 'interrupt key', 'pause key'
-
- interrupt key
- The interrupt key (<esc> by default) can be used to interrupt a
- PowerVisor command. You can use any key you want for the interrupt
- key with the 'prefs' command
- Commands : prefs
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'hot key', 'pause key'
-
- IntuiTick
- An IntuiTick is one tenth of a second. It is used by the 'refresh'
- command to measure the refresh rate
- Commands : refresh
-
- key attacements
- See 'macro'
-
- key code
- A key code is some quantity used by the Amiga operating system to
- distinguish between different keys on the keyboard. PowerVisor uses
- key codes in several cases (in conjunction with qualifiers) in order
- to install some commands on keys or other things
- Commands : attach prefs
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'code', 'qualifier'
-
- led monitor
- This is a (older) name for the function monitor
- Related terminology : 'function monitor'
-
- list
- A list contains some list elements (structures or nodes). You can look at
- a list with the 'list' command. You can ask more information about a list
- element in a list with the 'info' command.
- For example the 'task' list contains all processes and tasks. The list is
- called 'task' and each list element in the list is either a process
- or a task.
- Commands : list info
- Tutor files : Lists LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'list element', 'current list'
-
- list element
- See 'list'
-
- list operator
- The list operator (':') is a binary operator with both arguments for
- the operator optional. You can use it to search some item in a list
- Tutor files : Expressions Lists
- Related terminology : 'list', 'list elemtent', 'address operator'
-
- log file
- A log file is a file used to store all output appearing in a logical
- window. You can only have one log file at a time and only for one
- logical window
- Commands : log to
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical windows', 'output log'
-
- logical window
- A logical window is the primary output device used by PowerVisor. It
- corresponds with a visible rectangle on a physical window (or
- Intuition window). You can have more than one logical window on
- each physical window. A logical window has an internal size and
- a visible size. The internal size is the number of columns and
- rows that PowerVisor really remembers for that logical window.
- The visible size is the part of the logical window that you can see.
- Using commands or keys you can scroll the visible logical window
- region in the real logical window region.
- The most important logical window is the 'Main' logical window. This
- logical window is always open and receives all output (by default)
- for most commands. All logical windows can be found in the 'lwin'
- list
- Commands : openlw closelw rwin dwin awin owin xwin
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'physical window', 'LW',
- 'standard logical window'
-
- LW
- An abbreviation for 'logical window'
- Related terminology : 'logical window'
-
- machinelanguage scripts
- See 'ML-scripts'
-
- macro
- A macro is another (and better) name for a key attachement. I hope to
- remove the term 'key attachement' from all documentation and use
- 'macro' instead. A macro is a command that is attached to a key.
- When you press that key the command is executed.
- Commands : attach remattach
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'key attachement'
-
- masterbox
- The masterbox is the box that is always present in a physical window.
- It is the root of the box tree. The masterbox is the only box that
- can have no children while containing no logical window
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'box', 'logical windows', 'physical windows'
-
- ML-scripts
- ML-scripts (or machinelanguage scripts) are scripts written in an
- external language (like C or machinelanguage). They are useful
- for more specialized tasks. Some examples can be found in the
- 's/pv' subdirectory
- Commands : script pvcall
- Tutor files : Scripts TheWizardCorner
- Related terminology : 'ARexx scripts', 'PowerVisor scripts', 'scripts'
-
- MMU tree
- The MMU tree (or Memory Management Unit tree) is used by the 68851,
- 68030 or 68040 for memory management. On the Amiga the MMU is only
- marginally used. In future PowerVisor may be able to protect memory
- using the MMU. At this moment you can list the MMU tables and the
- MMU registers
- Commands : mmutree mmuregs specregs
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
-
- monitor functions
- Monitor functions are library functions you are monitoring with the
- 'addfunc' command. Using this command provides a powerful way to
- debug some programs
- Commands : addfunc
-
- MORE checking
- MORE checking is an optional setting for logical windows. When
- MORE checking is on, PowerVisor will wait for a key press after
- a full page of output has appeared (a full page is measured by
- the real size of the logical window and not by the visible size).
- MORE checking is on by default for the 'Main' logical window
- Commands : mode
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'auto output snap', 'logical windows',
- 'home position'
-
- names
- Names are actually strings but without the single quotes. There is
- no other significant difference. Note however, that names are NOT
- always interpreted in the same way as a normal string (with single
- quotes). For example, you cannot use single quotes when you want
- the name to use as a variable
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'strings', 'single quotes'
-
- nofancy mode
- See 'fancy mode'
-
- normal breakpoints
- See 'breakpoints'
-
- output log
- See 'log file'
-
- pause key
- The pause key ('<right-alt>+<help> by default) can be used to pause
- the output of a command
- Commands : prefs
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'hot key', 'interrupt key'
-
- pen
- A pen is a graphical object. A pen in PowerVisor has a name and a
- value. For all graphic operations PowerVisor uses a pen. This means
- that you can customize all colors you see on the PowerVisor screen
- (and not only with RGB values)
- Commands : prefs
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor Screen
-
- physical window
- A physical window directly corresponds with a normal Intuition
- window. A physical window can contain one or more logical windows.
- The visible size for logical windows is managed by the physical
- windows using the 'Box' concept. The most important physical
- window is the 'Main' physical window. This physical window contains
- the 'Main' logical window. All physical windows can be found in
- the 'pwin' list
- Commands : openpw closepw
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical window', 'box', 'PW'
-
- PortPrint
- PowerVisor supports a PortPrint feature. This means that you can
- print debug information (using the powervisor.library) on the
- PowerVisor screen. This is useful for tasks for example because
- they normally can't easily print output. The name PortPrint is
- derived from the way this feature works. A message is send to
- the PowerVisor message port containing the output string (or
- some other data because PowerVisor supports more types of output).
- Note that the output of the portprint commands appears on the
- 'PPrint' logical window if this window is open
- Commands : owin
-
- PowerVisor device
- See 'PVDevice'
-
- PowerVisor screen
- This is the screen where all PowerVisor windows (physical windows)
- live. It is possible that this screen does not exist. This happens
- when you have opened PowerVisor on the WorkBench screen or on any
- other screen in the system
- Commands : screen
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'physical windows', 'PowerVisor window'
-
- PowerVisor scripts
- PowerVisor scripts are simple script containing only sequential
- PowerVisor commands. They are useful for installing things. Some
- examples scripts can be found in the 's/pv' subdirectory. The
- PowerVisor startup script (s/PowerVisor-startup) is also a
- PowerVisor script. For more complex scripts you should use
- ARexx
- Commands : script
- Tutor files : Scripts
- Related terminology : 'ARexx scripts', 'scripts', 'ML-scripts'
-
- PowerVisor startup file
- See 'startup file'
-
- PowerVisor window
- The PowerVisor window is another name for the 'Main' physical window.
- This physical window contains at least the 'Main' logical window for
- standard output
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'PowerVisor screen', 'physical windows',
- 'logical windows'
-
- prefix operators
- Prefix operators are operators you can put in front off the commandline
- before you execute it (press enter). These prefix operators have
- some effect on the output of the command or on other things
- Tutor files : Screen TechnicalInfo
-
- private breakpoints
- Private breakpoints are used by PowerVisor to skip an instruction or
- for other purposes
- Commands : break debug trace
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'debug nodes', 'breakpoints'
-
- profiler breakpoint
- A profiler breakpoint never breaks, but only increments a counter
- everytime the breakpoint is passed. This is useful to gather usage
- statistics
- Commands : break trace debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'breakpoints', 'debug nodes'
-
- prompt
- The prompt is the '>' symbol right from the current list indicator.
- It indicates the stringgadget or commandline where you can type
- PowerVisor commands
- Related terminology : 'current list indicator'
-
- PVDevice
- (or PowerVisor device) A PVDevice is a data structure used by some
- commands. With a PVDevice you can open any device in the system and
- send commands to it. This is useful to test selfmade devices or
- to learn about other devices
- Commands : opendev devcmd
-
- PVSD file
- A pvsd file (PowerVisor Structure Definition file) contains some
- structures. 'pvsd' files are made by the 'MStruct' utility
- Commands : addstruct interprete
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'structure definition'
-
- PW
- An abbreviation for 'physical window'
- Related terminology : 'physical window'
-
- qualifier
- A qualifier is used together with a key code to distinguish between
- different key presses. A qualifier says something about some special
- keys pressed at the same time with the key (shift, alt, ...)
- Commands : attach prefs
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'key code'
-
- quote operator
- The quote operator (or backslash '\') can be used to put integers,
- characters or other strings in one way or another in a string or
- string pointer. The quote operator is actually quiet powerful
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'strings', 'string pointers', 'quotes'
-
- quotes
- Quotes are used to define a string or string pointer. A single quote
- is used for real strings and a double quote is used for string pointers.
- For commands expecting a string there is no difference between using
- the single quote or the double quote. But if a command expects an integer
- as an argument there is a difference. A double quoted string (or string
- pointer) is in fact a pointer to that string while a single quoted string
- will be parsed according to several steps (variable, list element, symbol,
- function, ...)
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'strong quote', 'strings', 'string pointers'
-
- real-top windows
- A real-top window is a logical window with the home position set
- to location (0,0). This means that when the logical window is cleared
- the current cursor position is automatically set to that position and
- the logical window is scrolled to the top-left visible corner in
- the real region of the logical window. The 'Refresh' and 'Debug'
- logical windows are real-top windows by default. See
- 'top-visible windows' for the other way to set the home position
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'top-visible windows', 'logical window',
- 'home position'
-
- recursive aliases
- Using the group operator you can make recursive aliases. This is
- because alias expansion is done again in a new group
- Tutor files : InstallingPowerVisor
- Related terminology : 'aliases', 'group operator'
-
- resident breakpoints
- A resident breakpoint is a breakpoint that you can put in your program
- even before PowerVisor is running. You put it in your program before
- compiling or assembling it. Resident breakpoints (like all breakpoints)
- are simply 'ILLEGAL' instructions
- Commands : debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'debug nodes', 'breakpoints'
-
- resident commands
- See 'resident ML-scripts'
-
- resident ML-scripts
- (or resident commands) For faster execution you can make ML-scripts
- resident. Note that they must be reentrant
- Commands : resident unresident
- Tutor files : Scripts
- Related terminology : 'resident commands', 'ML-scripts'
-
- scripts
- See 'ARexx scripts', 'PowerVisor scripts' or 'ML-scripts'
-
- single quotes
- See 'quotes'
-
- singlestep mode
- When you are tracing a program (a debug node), PowerVisor can use
- two modes : 'singlestep mode' or 'execute mode'. In singlestep mode
- each instruction is executed step by step. After each instruction
- an exception handler is called and some action is taken (you can
- control this action with the 'trace' command). In execute mode
- the program is running at full speed. The program only stops when
- a breakpoint or other exception occurs
- Commands : trace break debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'debug nodes'
-
- size bar
- The size bar is the (mostly horizontal) bar between two logical windows.
- You can use this bar to resize the logical windows
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical windows'
-
- snapping
- Snapping is the process of moving the mouse to a position in a logical
- window and clicking on the word under the mouse pointer. The word
- will be copied to the stringgadget
- Tutor files : GettingStarted
-
- special variables
- Special variables are a bit special :-) Special variables behave
- like normal variables in that you can assign values to them. But
- when you assign something to a special variable, a certain routine
- is called. The 'mode' variable is an example of a special variable.
- When you change something in the mode variable PowerVisor will
- automatically adapt all internal settings to the new settings provided
- in the assignment
- Commands : vars mode
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'variables', 'constants', 'functions'
-
- stack checking
- PowerVisor has two stack checkers (not counting the internal stack
- checker for PowerVisor). These stack checkers check if a certain
- task (with the 'stack' command) or all tasks (with the 'account' command)
- have enough room left on the stack. The minimum amount of room allowed on
- the stack is called the 'stack fail level'
- Commands : stack account
- Related terminology : 'stack fail level'
-
- stack fail level
- The stack fail level is the minimum size of the stack that PowerVisor
- allows before it will halt a task. It is used both by the 'account'
- and the 'stack' commands
- Commands : stack account prefs
- Related terminology : 'stack checking'
-
- standard logical window
- A standard logical window is a logical window with a predefined
- meaning for PowerVisor. In the current version there are seven
- standard logical windows : Main, Extra, Debug, Refresh, Rexx, PPrint
- and Source
- Commands : rwin awin dwin xwin owin swin
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'logical window'
-
- startup file
- (or 'PowerVisor startup file') The startup file or s/PowerVisor-startup
- file is equivalent to the startup-sequence file. It is a PowerVisor
- script containing initialization commands. It is executed when PowerVisor
- starts
- Related terminology : 'scripts', 'PowerVisor scripts'
-
- string expansion
- String expansion is sometimes used to refer to the process of parsing
- a string (a sequence of characters) while assigning special meanings
- to some characters (like the quote operator and strong quote operator)
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'strings', 'quote operator', 'strong quote'
-
- string pointers
- A string pointer (defined with double quotes) is a pointer to
- a sequence of characters. It is actually an integer is and is
- used as such by all commands expecting integers as an argument.
- This means that arithmetic on string pointers is perfectly valid
- and is equivalent to C pointer arithmetic
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'strings', 'quotes'
-
- strings
- A string (defined with or without single quotes) is a sequence of
- characters. Normally strings are surrounded by single quotes (or
- without quotes) but if a command expects a string as an argument
- double quotes will do as well. Note that this is NOT the case for
- a command expecting an integer as an argument. Strings (with
- single quotes) will be parsed according to some steps (variable,
- function, symbol, list element, ...) while a string pointer
- (with double quotes) simply corresponds to the pointer to the
- string
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'string pointers', 'quotes'
-
- structure definition
- A structure definition corresponds with a structure (like in C or
- assembler) or a record (like in Pascal). With the external utility
- 'MStruct' you can make structure definitions to be used by
- PowerVisor. A structure definition contains a list of names (for
- the structure fields) and their corresponding types (APTR, BPTR,
- BSTR, CSTR, BYTE, WORD, LONG, ...). You can interprete a range
- of memory as a structure or you can use tags to permanently define
- a region of memory as a structure
- Commands : addstruct interprete
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'pvsd file', 'tag'
-
- strong quote
- The strong quote '╖' (or <alt>+8 on the keyboard) is normally not
- used very often. Using the strong quotes you can easily put all
- characters in a string expect one. This is the character directly
- after the string quote. This character is used to end the
- strong quote region
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'strings', 'string pointers', 'quotes'
-
- symbols
- Symbols are names for labels and addresses used in programs. Most
- assemblers and compilers can output symbols in the program hunks.
- PowerVisor supports these symbols when you are debugging programs
- Commands : symbol debug
- Tutor files : Debug
-
- tag
- A tag is a definition for a region of memory. There are 16 tag lists.
- Each tag list can contain an arbitrary number of tags. One tag contains
- a pointer to the start of a memory block, a size in bytes and a type
- (Byte/Ascii, Code, Structure, ...)
- Commands : addtag, remtag, view
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'tag list', 'tag file', 'current tag list'
-
- tag file
- A tag file contains some tags saved with the 'savetags' command.
- Commands : savetags loadtags
- Tutor files : LookingAtThings
- Related terminology : 'tag', 'tag list'
-
- tag list
- See 'tag'
-
- task accounting
- When you enable task accounting (with the 'account' command) PowerVisor
- counts the number of task switches for each task. This gives a rough
- indication of the cpu time a task uses. You can see this accounting
- information in the 'task' list
- Commands : account list
-
- Task Control Block (or TCB)
- The Task Control Block is another name for the task structure.
- Related terminolgy : 'TCB', 'task list'
-
- task list
- The 'task' list contains all processes and tasks currently in the system.
- Commands : task list
- Tutor files : Lists
- Related terminology : 'list'
-
- TCB
- See 'Task Control Block'
-
- templates
- A template is a syntaxical description of a command. If you have the
- online help files installed (PowerVisor-help and PowerVisor-ctrl)
- you can get command templates by using '?' as the first argument (just
- like CLI commands)
-
- temporary breakpoint
- A temporary breakpoint only breaks once. After the breakpoint has done
- its work it will automatically disappear
- Commands : break trace debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'breakpoints', 'debug nodes'
-
- timeout breakpoints
- A timeout breakpoint only breaks after a specified number of times
- Commands : break trace debug
- Tutor files : Debug
- Related terminology : 'breakpoints', 'debug nodes'
-
- top-visible windows
- A top-visible logical window is a logical window with the home position
- set to the top-left position of the bottom-left visible region of the
- real region of the logical window. This means that when such a window
- is cleared, the current cursor position is set to that position and
- the logical window is scrolled to the bottom visible region.
- The 'Main' logical window is top-visible by default. See
- 'real-top windows' for the other way to set the home position
- Tutor files : Screen
- Related terminology : 'real-top windows', 'logical windows',
- 'home position'
-
- variables
- A variable can be used to remember some value. PowerVisor only has
- integer type variables (although a variable may point to a string,
- this is in fact a C string). There is no limitation (except memory)
- on the length of the variable name. A variable name must start with
- a letter or an underscore but may contain digits in the rest of the
- name.
- Note that variables, constants, special variables and functions al
- live in the same internal list
- Commands : vars remvar assign
- Tutor files : Expressions
- Related terminology : 'constants', 'functions', 'special variables'
-
-