Re: Programming the GS

[Drew <goggledrew@gmail.com>]

On 7 Sep, 12:22, Polymorph <polymorp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Sep 6, 6:53 pm, Drew <goggled...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi,
>
> > I was hoping to get some advice. I have always just been a user of the
> > GS, but am now thinking that i might want to start doing some
> > programming on it (I have very little experience apart form some basic
> > stuff i did years ago) and wondered what's the best language to start
> > with (Gsoft? Complete Pascal?) was? As well as any must have books or
> > websites (have seen the VirtualGS site) to help get me started?
>
> > Thanks :)
> > Drew
>
> My message was originally posted through the A2Central news server,
> but never made it here, so I've copied my original reply:
>
> Funnily enough, your question almost sounds like a lead-in to my
> presentation at Mt. Keira Fest (Oz KFest).
>
> My presentation is here for all to read:http://www.slideshare.net/Polymorph/apple-iigs-programming-k-fest
>
> My recommendation for newcomers to IIgs programming is Complete Pascal
> due to it having a large number of features and an uncomplicated
> development environment.
>
> If you wish to take my advice and start with Complete Pascal, I
> suggest you:
> 1) grab a copy of CP from my site here:http://apple2.sytes.net/TML_Pascal/index.html
> 2) while you are at my site, grab the TML Pascal Reference manual too
> (TML Pascal became Complete Pascal).
> 3) while still at my site (!), grab some of my previous projects as
> they come with source code to give you some ideas on how things fit
> together
> 4) visit Thye Cheans virtual IIgs which has loads of source code
> demo's for you to paruse. From your original post, you've already seen
> this, so thats a good start.
> 5) If your Pascal is rusty, there are a number of Pascal tutorial
> style sites on the net that you can use to get rid of the rust. One
> such site can be found here:http://www.taoyue.com/tutorials/pascal/contents.html
> 6) Get yourself copies of the 3 Toolbox references, and the GS/OS
> reference (Syndicomm sells these still).
> 7) Check out things like Marinetti (TCP/IP stack) which now supports
> Complete Pascal (I submitted the interface files for it). GTE will
> also be supported once the user toolset work is completed. I have also
> written libraries for joystick use, and code for using MidiSynth
> music. These libraries may give you an idea for a new project...
> 8) Have fun, and don't forget that there are people on these forums
> (me included!) who will gladly offer you assistance if you get stuck
> or have questions.
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> Cheers,
> Mike
>
> --
>
> Mike Stephens
> Central Coast, Australia
>
> Find my Apple II projects online at:http://apple2.sytes.net/

Excellent thanks Mike :). I have downloaded the Complete pascal and
have also ordered Gsoft Basic to have a play with that. I did some
pascal at Uni, but very very very rusty lol. Looks like I will be
playing with Pascal tonight :-). I have also ordered the Toolbox
reference books from Amazon as there seems to be still some original
(used) copies around....and got carried away and order a few other
books that were available for GS as well :-)

Drew