ST LISTINGS ON MONTHLY DISK
...and how to get them
by Charles Jackson, Antic Program Editor
For those ST owners who do not yet own a C compiler, but are eager to try out Antic's C language listings, we are now including the executable object code on the Antic Monthly Disk. All disk files with extenders of .PRG, .TOS, .TPP and .ACC are compiled ST programs, ready to be transferred to an ST disk and executed. Given enough disk space, we will also include the source code. Source code files will have a .C extender.
PORTING FILES
Before using an ST program, you must transfer it to an ST disk. This process of transferring files between computers is called "porting."
To port a file from the Antic Monthly disk to an ST disk, you'll need:
- A telecommunications program for the ST which supports XMODEM file transfers. Chat (version 1.1) will work).
- A similar program for your 8-bit Atari which supports XMODEM file transfers. Chameleon or BackTalk will work. Unfortunately, HomeTerm won't do the job because it translates all carriage returns into ATASCII value 155. Also, don't expect to succeed at ST porting with any version of AMODEM.
- An Atari 850 Interface Module with a modem cable – RS-232 to D-9.
- An RS-232 to RS-232 cable.
- A Null Modem connector.
- You may also need a Gender Changer.
See Figure 1 for proper configuration of the cables.
IMPORTANT: Both modem programs must be configured similarly. If your 8-bit software is set for 1200 baud, your ST software also must be configured for 1200 baud.
You may use any baud rate which is supported by both programs.
Additionally, BOTH programs must be set for 8-bit (binary) file transfers.
Once both computers are linked together and both modem programs are running, you may begin the file transfer. You can also reverse this procedure to transfer files from ST disks to your 8-bit machine.
WALK-THROUGH DEMO
Let's walk through a sample file transfer. We'll use BackTalk on an 8-bit machine, and Chat on the ST.
Configure BackTalk for 1200 baud, with Full Duplex and ASCII translation. Press [SELECT], choose the XSEND option, select XMODEM protocol and enter the name of the file you wish to port.
From the ST desktop, double click on CHAT. PRG. Make sure Chat is running at 1200 baud. Use the [F7] function key to change baud rates, if necessary. Now press [F6] and click on the RECEIVE button. When the file selector box appears, press [ESCAPE] and type the name of the file to receive. Press [RETURN] or click on OK.
To begin the transfer; press the [F3] key on the ST and press [START] on the 8-bit Atari.
When you're done, remember to press the ST's [FlO] key to close any open files. You'll also want to move your ported program out of the SUPPORT folder and onto another disk where you can make backup copies.
Occasionally some versions of XMODEM will append extra "garbage" characters to your files. Text files, such as C listings, are particularly susceptible to this problem. If your implementation of XMODEM appends garbage characters to your source code, you must remove those characters with a text editor before compiling the program.
MANUFACTURERS CHAT (See review in this issue) BACKTALK Antic Catalog $19.95, AP154 CHAMELEON Antic Catalog $19.95, AP113
