An Introduction To Flash Application Development

Greg Dietsche

Welcome

To an introduction to FLASH app development

A brief overview:OriginConcept appsDesign considerationsDebugging / Testing

Introduction

I live on a FarmI attend Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WIMajor: Computer Science10+ Years of Programming Experience5 Years in the TI-Calculator Community

In The Beginning

Calculator programmingTI-81 BASIC programmingTI-85 ZShell (1996)TI-83 built-in ASM support

Shortly Thereafter

TI-92 Fargo

TI-89, TI-92 Plus, V200The CPU is similar to older Apple

computersKernel or no kernel?FLASH memory

What Is A Flash App?

Flash ApplicationsWork well with Useful & Functional

IdeasInteract with the userMay Add BASIC CommandsLook and Feel Like OS AppsCan customize the OS using the built-

in API

Flash Application AdvantagesRun from the FLASH memoryCopy protectionEvent driven interaction with the

user

What Do You Need To Create An App?TI-FLASH studioAMS API documentationA problem (don't create one!)Knowledge of C68k ASM experience is helpful

Problem

What is the problem?What does the user need?What does the user ‘think’ they

need?What can be done with the

resources at hand?

Problems Cont...

Technology as a silver bullet?Counting stacks of shimsStudying for tests

Concept

Once a problem has been identifiedSpecify exactly what the app will doPrototypes

Design Considerations

KISSThe user is #1User interfaceComplexity of codeImplementation goalsAvoid adding too many features

App Development

A brief tour of TI-FLASH studioA sample application

Command Post

Written to solve a specific problemDesigned with flexibility in mindHelps programmers create better

software

Features

Anti-crash protectionLeak watchLow RAM simulationApp infoMisc. Other

Leak Watch

Memory allocation is dynamicDetecting leaks (how)Example

Low RAM Simulation

What it doesHow is this useful?Example

Application Information

Application Control BlockFLASH App HeaderFlag TranslationsExample

Misc. Other

OS InformationHeap DumpBASIC Extensions

Anti-crash Protection

Complete IntegrationAdvantages over RAM based crash

protectionBASIC ExampleASM Example

A Sneak Peek

DisassemblerCrash Protection Integration

Questions?

Ask now... or laterContact Me via EMail:

greg@gregd.org

Thank You