[Coco] Important tips for Portal-9 users

[Roger Taylor]

Until I get the Portal-9 help file improved, here are some pointers for 
newbies:

The logic in the Assembly Options group is:

Assembler (CCASM or CASM): must be chosen BEFORE a new assembly component 
is loaded or created.  However, since the default is CCASM, you really 
don't need to mess with this option unless you want to use CASM instead.

Type: (multirecord, single-record, no records, ROMs, etc.): *MUST* be 
chosen in order for source file to be *ASSEMBLED* into a binary.  If this 
is blank, it tells the IDE you want to copy the source file as-is over to 
the destination.  Choose multirecord if you want the file to LOADM into a 
CoCo, and the file has RMB data areas.  Choose single-record if you do not 
have any RMB data areas.. this produces a smaller LOADMable file.  Choosing 
*anything* other than "multirecord" or "single-record" causes any RMB (void 
areas) to be turned into FCB/constants.  In other words, CCASM is smart 
enough to know it cannot create a record-based file that can run as a ROM 
Pak or raw binary unless voids are converted to nonvoids.

Outputfilename: defines what the resulting file will be called, no matter 
how it's processed or where it ends up

If no Type is chosen, the output filename (if any) causes Portal-9 to COPY 
the source code file AS-IS onto the floppy disk or PC folder but giving it 
the new name.

If a Type is chosen, the assembler knows what the resulting binary format 
is, and the output filename is not really required, since the sourcename is 
used to assume the .bin equivelant.


Build To Floppy:

Virtual Disk Name: You must first add a virtual disk to your 
project.  Click Project->Add Target Floppy Disk, then choose a name (no 
.dsk suffix needed).  The DSK is not created until the build process 
starts.  You're simple defining all of the target floppy disks your project 
will build onto.  You can choose any number of disks, and the first 4 will 
be automatically mounted in M.E.S.S.  The first DSK you create is goes to 
Drive 0, and so on...

Type: "coco_jvc_rsdos" works well with the M.E.S.S. emulator, and is the 
default DSK format.

Format: "ss35" stands for single-sided 35-track disk, and works well with 
M.E.S.S.

File Type On Disk: if nothing is chosen, "binary" is used.  This is the 
type of file you want your source file to end up being after it is 1) 
copied directly to the DSK, or 2) assembled or compiled onto the 
DSK.  However it ends up on the disk if you choose, this is the type you 
want BASIC to see it as.


-- 
Roger Taylor