Re: Forms in INFORM


13 Nov 1995 14:29:11 GMT

John Menichelli <menichel@pixi.com> wrote:
> Can someone give me general guidelines for implementing a
> "Bureaucracy"-style form using Inform?

* Get the "Specification of the Z-machine" (Specification.tex) and read
it, because you'll need to do some assembly programming.

* Use window 1 so that you can position the cursor and be certain of
having fixed-pitch text.

* Check the screen width and height (0->32 and 0->33 in some order) and
do something sensible if the screen is too small.

* Use `@set_cursor x y;' to position the cursor.

* Use `style reverse;' to select inverse-video text.

* You can use the `@print_table' opcode to print an array of characters.

* You'll have to handle the input yourself. Use the `@read_char' opcode
to read a single (ASCII) character from the keyboard, then print it in
the appropriate place in the form using the `@print_char' opcode.

-- 
Gareth Rees