jaguar programming

http://web.archive.org/web/20070523044714/http://www.atari-jag...

Jaguar Programming FAQ

1. What do I need to program the Jaguar ? 2. What programming language can I use for Jaguar programming ? 3. How can I publish a homebrewed game ? 4. What is the best way to start Jaguar programming ? 5. I use BJL, but some .jag files don't work, are they broken ? 6. I think the Atari examples are not enough... where can I get other Jaguar example source codes ? 7. Is it possible to put the rom files of the cartridge games onto a Jaguar CD and execute them ? I mean doing a multi game CD with the cartridge games on it ? 8. If I have a 2MB cartridge game, why can't I copy it into the 2MB RAM of the Jaguar ? 9. Is it true that you can compress graphics, sounds and data at a rate of 14:1 in realtime ? 10. Is Jaguar Programming really as difficult as some people say ?? 11. Is it possible to make Backups of Jaguar CDs ? 12. Which Graphic Formats doesn the Jaguar support and how can I create them ? 13. Is it possible to run programs that work "only" on BJL on a Flash Cartridge ? 14. After a Program has been compiled, can you "decompile" it again ? 15. Is it possible to use the DSP fr math operations and improve the overall performance of a program ? 16. What are EQUals ? 17. Everytime I try to upload something to my BJL Jaguar, I get back to the uplaod screen. What can I do ?

Q: What do I need to program the Jaguar ? A: You need A Development System (BJL, Alpine Board, Flash Cartridge, JagOS, JUGS, Jaguar Server etc.) The right docs (Jaguar Development Manual, Jaguar Underground Docs, and a MC 68000 Documentation) The right Software A Computer (PC 486 and faster or Atari Computer ST and faster) You should also have lots of patience and you shouldn't give up. not program Jaguar to get money, but because you are interested in it. start with small things and don't get confused by complicated GPU or DSP code. Experience in MC 68000 assembler are highly recommended.

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jaguar programming

http://web.archive.org/web/20070523044714/http://www.atari-jag...

Q: What programming language can I use for Jaguar programming ? A: You should always use assembler for Jaguar programming.

Q: How can I publish a homebrewed game ? A: There are several ways to publish software... for example: -Create a website and offer the game as free download (most people do this, but only people with dev kit will be able to play it) -encrypt the game*, burn it on EPROMs and put it into a cartridge. -burn the game on CD (CD bypass software required) *The standard Jaguar checks if you run a normal game or if it is a "Hack". All normal games have a special Checksum (called "encryption") in order to run on a standard Jaguar. If you make your own game it does not have this Checksum (this state is called "unencrypted") and it won't run on a standard Jaguar. As the encryption programs are lost, it was not possible to make new Jaguar games for some time. Meanwhile there is a "encryption bypass" which bypasses this Checksum/contains a universal Checksum. With this "encryption bypass" it's possible to make new Cartridge and even CD games.

Q: What is the best way to start Jaguar programming ? A: The best way is to take a simple Source Code (like Object Example V2 ) and change some things on it. You can make effekts like: Scaling (Zooming), Moving, Scrolling etc. with only little modifications to the original code.

Q: I use BJL, but some .jag files don't work, are they broken ? A: It can be broken, but it could also be possible that it is a JagPeg picture file, it uses the same ending as the executable files.

Q: I think the Atari examples are not enough... where can I get other Jaguar example source codes ? A: I'll try to make some Source Codes for beginners and publish them here .

Q: Is it possible to put the rom files of the cartridge games onto a Jaguar CD and execute them ? I mean doing a multi game CD with the cartridge games on it ? A: No. This is not possible because: -Almost all Jaguar games are still copyrighted. -The cartridge games are programmed to run from cartridge space (memory from $802000 and higher). -The cartridge games are too big to be copied into the RAM.

Q: If I have a 2MB cartridge game, why can't I copy it into the 2MB RAM of the Jaguar ? A: Well, you could copy it into the RAM, but there is no space left to execute it.

Q: Is it true that you can compress graphics, sounds and data at a rate of 14:1 in realtime ? A: The compression that you mean is called BPEG. It's a software routine that uses the GPU / DSP and blocks them for some time so they can't be used for other things while decompressing. BPEG can ONLY be used for graphics, because it's a VERY looseful compression. If you use it for sounds and data you loose important data. So the answer is: Yes, you can compress graphics at 14:1 (but you can't see anything on a 14:1 compressed picture). And no, you can NOT compress sounds and data in realtime at 14:1. Here is an example for BPEG compression: 1 % Quality 99% Compression (not even 14:1 Compression)

100 % Quality 0% Compression

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jaguar programming

http://web.archive.org/web/20070523044714/http://www.atari-jag...

Q: Is Jaguar Programming really as difficult as some people say ?? A: No. In fact it's quite easy. (at least if you comapre it to PC or something like that). You can already do quite a lot with really simple MC 68000 assembler. The GPU/DSP assembler is a bit more complicated, but you can still learn it quite fast if you have assembler programming experience. But MC 68000 should be known before you start Jaguar programming.

Q: Is it possible to make Backups of Jaguar CDs ? A: Yes, but you need an exact copy of the original CD. If it doesn't work your CD burner or burning program is not good enough. The Jaguar can run Backups without Problems, as long as the original CD was encrypted (like official games). If the CDs are not encrypted you need CD bypass software to run the CD.

Q: Which Graphic Formats doesn the Jaguar support and how can I create them ? A: The Jaguar has librarys that allow you to use, RGB, CRY, JagPeg and Bpeg graphics on the Jaguar. With the jaguar graphic tools you can convert BMP or TGA files to the Jaguar formats.

Q: Is it possible to run programs that work "only" on BJL on a Flash Cartridge ? A: Yes, but you have to write a little Jag program that copys the BJL Program to the right address and runs it.

Q: After a Program has been compiled, can you "decompile" it again ? A: Yes. There are Disassemblers, which disassembles the programs again. The results often are not very good and much more difficult to understand, because the disassebler just interprets the data of the program and makes code out of it. There are no lables, no EQUals and no comments in the code and graphics and sounds are also interpreted as code. So the results are often not very good.

Q: Is it possible to use the DSP fr math operations and improve the overall performance of a program ? A: Yes. The DSP is not limited to sound creation. It is very similar to the GPU as they both use almost the same commands (except some special commands) and it has even two times more RAM than the GPU. In many programs the DSP is used for calculations.

Q: What are EQUals ? A: EQUals are for example words that can have a fixed value like this : TEST EQU 5 You give the fixed value 5 to TEST. The value can not be changed by the Jaguar program, because the EQUals are already replaced by its values when you compile the program.

Q:Everytime I try to upload something to my BJL Jaguar, I get back to the uplaod screen. What can I do ? A: In general you can say that a wrong wireing, bad shielding of the cable, bad contact or bad cable quality can all be reasons why the uplaod fails. You should also keep everything magnetic away from the cable because it can be a bad influence and a reason why the upload fails.

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