The Sinclair QL Forum

Thanks Marcel.

Right then, after a bit of experimentation, I've come to the conclusion that it's pretty impossible to use IOP.SWDF for anything useful This, coincidentally is what Gerge Gwilt wrote about it on my QDOSMSQ web site!

If I open a console and OUTLN it then call SWDF with A1 pointing a zero long word, followed by 8 words and a long to define the main subwindow sizes and attributes, then as long as the main window sizes match the OUTLN size, then the sprite will be used, but none of the attributes will be used, no paper or border, only the sprite. Like this:
If I change the code to have an actual list of subwindow definitions, with relative pointers, nothing works correctly. The main window shows the default arrosw sprite, and there's o sign of any of the subwindows. Noting uses any of the attributes Ive set.

If I replace the relative pointers with absolute pointers, I get the correct main window pointer sprite back again, but nothing changes regarding attributes for the main or the sub window. Plus, the subwindow doesn't use the defined pointer sprite either.
I might have to admit defeat here which is a bit of a shame as I was hoping to be able to divide a main window into multiple subwindows, and use the returned pointer record, offset $04, from IOP.RPTR to determine the subwindow and act accordingly. I don't need the full WMAN stuff for this game, just the PE, but it's not looking hopeful.

All of this experimenting is on QPC 5.01, with high colour mode (32) selected, if this makes any difference?


Cheers,
Norm.

Hmm, I always thought that "SWDEF" from QPTR uses IOP.SWDF. Or am I wrong?

NormanDunbar wrote:If I change the code to have an actual list of subwindow definitions, with relative pointers, nothing works correctly. The main window shows the default arrosw sprite, and there's o sign of any of the subwindows. Noting uses any of the attributes Ive set.

Sure, I said it's the working definition and thus absolute pointers.

If I replace the relative pointers with absolute pointers, I get the correct main window pointer sprite back again, but nothing changes regarding attributes for the main or the sub window. Plus, the subwindow doesn't use the defined pointer sprite either.

Again, the manual pretty clearly states "A sub-window record specifies the area and, if desired, a pointer to a sprite to be used as pointer when the pointer is in that sub-window.". Only size, position and mouse cursor are used. The rest is just there because it's part of the WMAN data structure anyway.
The position is relative to the main window, did you take that into account? Your example code is unfortunately useless as clearly swdfList only consists of two NULL-pointers instead of an absolute pointer and the x/y stuff is not given.

I might have to admit defeat here which is a bit of a shame as I was hoping to be able to divide a main window into multiple subwindows, and use the returned pointer record, offset $04, from IOP.RPTR to determine the subwindow and act accordingly. I don't need the full WMAN stuff for this game, just the PE, but it's not looking hopeful.

Do it correctly and I'm sure it will work. Works for WMAN, too

Marcel

Hmm. Looks like my post has gotten mangled somehow.

mk79 wrote:Your example code is unfortunately useless as clearly swdfList only consists of two NULL-pointers instead of an absolute pointer and the x/y stuff is not given.

I was two nulls, but filled in with the absolute addresses in the code, which appears somewhat bolloxed now for some reason.

Sorry about that. I'll post a properversion later on. Going out to visit mother in law in a care home.

Cheers,
Norm.

EDITED

Sorry about the delay.

Here's the code I was playing with which uses absolute addresses for the pointers to the sub window definitions, etc.


Interestingly, when tracing with QMON2, no errors are detected anywhere (makes a change for my code!) but when IOP.RPTR returns, no matter where in the window I press a key or click a button, I always get the pointer record telling me I was in the main window (-1 at offset 4 in the pointer record) and the chosen SLEEP pointers never appear no matter where I move the pointer.

Cheers,
Norm.

What are these null pointers about? If you remove them your code will magically work. At least I see the mouse cursor changing shape on the top and bottom of the window.

As expected the pointer record returned is also correct (clicked on the lower area and it returns 1 in __D4)

mk79 wrote:What are these null pointers about? If you remove them your code will magically work. At least I see the mouse cursor changing shape on the top and bottom of the window.

I knew it was all my fault!

Those nulls are a result of copying and pasting the main subwindow definition but including the pointer to the other sub windows immediately above it. I truly am a dork!

When you mentioned NULLs before, I thought you were on about the actual subwindow list table, which I set up with dummy null pointers to be filled in later. My mistake.

Thank you very much for spotting my non-deliberate error and sorting me out. Much appreciated, thanks.


Cheers,
Norm.

NormanDunbar wrote:When you mentioned NULLs before, I thought you were on about the actual subwindow list table, which I set up with dummy null pointers to be filled in later. My mistake.

I was. As far as I can see you never posted any code for the sub-definitions, so I couldn't spot that problem

Thank you very much for spotting my non-deliberate error and sorting me out. Much appreciated, thanks.

You're welcome as always. Cheers