BCI NET/BCI NET Dec 94.iso/archives/textfiles/amigabooksfaq.txt

Text File | 1994-11-23 | 45KB | 1,125 lines

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               FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: AMIGA RELATED BOOKS

                          compiled by Marc Atkin
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This FAQ is compiled as a service to the Amiga community. It is an attempt to
give the Amiga programmer and user an overview of useful books for his/her
favorite computer. It is not complete. If you feel that a book should be added
to the list, want to comment on one of the books in the list, want to point
out mistakes or add missing information, please send e-mail to:

   [e-mail]

I would like to include people's comments about specific books in this FAQ.
That is why some book descriptions are followed by quotes that I picked up
from the Usenet Amiga news groups. If you want to have your comment removed
or want to say something about a particular book, please contact me.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes since last posting:

- new books: "Connect Your Amiga!"; more graphics books
- some corrections

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CONTENTS

1.  Understanding the Amiga
1.1 Programmer's 'Must Haves'
1.2 Programmer's Reference
1.3 General Reference
1.4 AmigaDOS
1.5 Hardware
1.6 Important Older Material

2.  Assembly Programming
2.1 Learning Assembly (680x0)
2.2 Reference

3.  C Programming
3.1 Learning C
3.2 Reference
3.3 Amiga Specific

4.  C++ Programming
4.1 Learning C++
4.2 Reference

5.  ARexx Programming
5.1 Learning ARexx
5.2 Reference

6.  Applications Programming
6.1 Compilers
6.2 Computer Graphics

7.  Using Applications
7.1 The Video Toaster
7.2 Telecommunications

Appendix A: How to Order CATS Materials

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1.  Understanding the Amiga
    =======================

1.1 Programmer's 'Must Haves':
    --------------------------

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Libraries
   (3rd edition; dark gray cover)
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 0-201-56774-1
   $38.95

   Basic introduction to using the Amiga library functions for intuition,
   graphics, and exec. Many C examples. Suitable for the beginner, although
   some background in computer programming (especially C) would be helpful.
   Covers Kickstart/Workbench through version 2.0. All examples are available
   in executable and source code form from Fish disk #741 and #742.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Devices
   (3rd edition; dark gray cover)
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 201-56775-X
   $28.95

   Basic introduction to programming Amiga devices and resources (basic
   I/O interface to the actual hardware). Many C examples which are
   available in executable and source code form from Fish disk #741.
   Covers Kickstart/Workbench through vesion 2.0.
   This book also contains the official IFF documentation, which covers
   the IFF format philosophy itself and many of its incarnations. The
   included IFF handling code has been superseded several times by
   publications on Fish disks. As of this writing, the newest version is
   39.11 from Fish disk #985.

o  Commodore-Amiga, Inc.:
   The AmigaDOS Manual (3rd edition)
   Bantam, 1991. ISBN 0-553-35403-5
   $24.95 (USA), $31.95 (Canada), UKP 21.99

   Covers all AmigaDOS through 2.04. It contains a user manual style
   introduction to the AmigaShell and its commands (which actually is
   identical to some user manualy shipped by C=), a printout of the
   Autodocs, and covers the on-disk structure of OFS and FFS, the format
   of linkable and loadable binaries, packets, and some internal DOS
   structures.

   [e-mail] (Arno Eigenwillig), 27 Jul 1994:
   "I would not recommend it, though. It has a high redundancy w.r.t.
   other publications from C=, and its exclusive parts are often
   incomplete or incorrect."


o  Commodore Business Machines:
   V3.1 Amiga Developer Update Disk Set
   Commodore, 1994.
   Available through CATS, part number: AMDEV3.1
   $30.00

   This new 5-disk must-have set includes:

    Docs - V40.15 Autodocs, and articles/notes about V38/V39/V40
    Includes & Libs - V40.15C and assembler include files and linker libs
    Examples1 - General library examples including Locale, plus PCMCIA
    Examples2 - IFF modules and examples, Datatypes, AmigaGuide
    SWToolkit3 - The latest Amiga debugging tools

   Also included is a new SetPatch for V37 which adds better ExAll emulation,
   and the current (as of 15-Dec-93) V40 SetPatch for V38 and higher systems.
   Note that the 40.15 exec.doc autodoc has been updated to have the correct
   prototype for CheckIO.  The 3.1 Amiga Developer Update materials can be
   used when developing for any Amiga OS version since they include the earlier
   structures and function autodocs.  A new Readme called Using_Amiga_Includes
   provides some tips on developing for earlier releases.

o  Ralph Babel:
   The Amiga Guru Book
   1993, Ralph Babel (published by Ralph Babel, no ISBN)
   DM 79.00

   [e-mail] (Heiko Rath), 3 Dec 1993:
   The Amiga Guru Book is a book about the Amiga and its operating
   system.  It offers fundamental knowledge of the Amiga system and covers such
   areas as: guidelines for proper multitasking programming, ANSI C, Aztec C
   and SAS/C, debugging techniques, AmigaDOS, the file systems, the format of
   load and object modules, process creation, CLI and user shells, handlers and
   packets (more than complete list of packets), and many other areas.  There
   are many useful bits and pieces about the OS that you'd have a hard time
   finding anywhere else.

   Further reviews are available in docs/misc/gurubook-info.lha on Aminet.

   You can purchase the book through:

     Hirsch & Wolf OHG
     Mittelstrasse 33
     D-56564 Neuwied
     Germany
     Voice: [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]

     [Hirsch & Wolf will also accept international orders. Yes,
     they _do_ speak English. :-)]

     Periscope Discs, Tapes, Books
     Attn: Cody Lee
     1717 West Kirby Avenue
     Champaign, IL 61821
     USA
     Voice: [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
     E-Mail: [e-mail]

     Someware        ,
     27 rue Gabriel Peri
     59186 Anor
     France
     Voice: [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]

     [For more information about Periscope (ordering information
     etc.), telnet to "prairienet.org" [192.17.3.3], log in as
     "visitor", and then - at the prompt - type "go periscope".]

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga User Interface Style Guide
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 0-201-57757-7
   $21.95

   Describes the philosophy behinds the Amiga graphical user interface.
   Presents guidelines for interface design ("look and feel") that all Amiga
   applications (and games!?) should adhere to. Covers Kickstart/Workbench
   version 2.x. Well suited for the beginner, with emphasis on general
   interface principles, and less on the actual programming.

1.2 Programmer's Reference:
    -----------------------

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Includes and Autodocs
   (3rd edition; dark gray cover)
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 0-201-56773-3
   $38.95

   Covers Kickstart/Workbench through version 2.0. The book is basically a
   print-out of all the include (header) files and autodocs (on line
   descriptions) of all the Amiga library functions except DOS. The reason
   this book isn't listed with the "must have's" is that all this information
   can be obtained in machine readable form by contacting Commodore directly.
   Additionally, the include files come with most commercial compilers. They
   are also included on the FreshFish CD-ROM.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga Hardware Reference Manual
   (3rd edition; dark gray cover)
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 0-201-56776-8

   If you want to access the hardware directly, this is the book to get.
   Descriptions of all the Amiga hardware registers. Be warned however that
   Commodore now officially dissuades "banging the hardware". This is to
   ensure compatability of today's programs with future releases of the
   operating system and Amiga hardware. This book covers the Enhanced Chip
   Set (ECS). There will be no manual for AGA (Advanced Graphic Architecture).

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   1989 Amiga Developers Conference Notes
   Commodore, 1989.
   Available through CATS, part numbers:  NOTES89 & NOTES89D
   $75.00

   510-page manual and 2 disks created for 1989 Amiga Developers
   Conference.  Subjects include: Intro to Programming the Amiga, Features
   Outline for V1.3 ECS Features and the Graphics Library, Janus Dual-Port
   Memory, Hi-Res Color Graphics Card, Interfacing to ARexx, Advanced Amiga
   Architechtures, The IFF parse.library, and more.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   1988 Amiga Developers Conference Notes
   Commodore, 1988.
   Available through CATS, part numbers:  NOTES88 & NOTES88D
   $75.00

   400+ page manual and 4 disks created for 1988 Amiga Developers
   Conference.  Topics covered include:  Unique Amiga Techniques, Tips and
   Tricks for Programming in C, IFF, Autoboot and Kickstart V1.3, V1.3 Printer
   Device and Printer Drivers, Amiga Audio and Sound, Overscan, Hi-Resolution
   Fonts, Programming for 16-Bit Amiga, A500 Expansion Cards, and much more.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   AmigaMail (The Amiga Technical Newsletter)
   Commodore, 1987-1993.
   Available through CATS, part numbers and prices below

   AmigaMail Volume I, P/N: AMVOL1  $75.00
     Back issues from January/February 1987 to July/August '90.
     (Binder and index tabs are sold separately.)
   AmigaMail Volume II, P/N: AMAILBI01  $75.00
     Back issues from September/October '90 to May/June '93.
     (Binder and index tabs are sold separately.)
   AmigaMail Binder, P/N: AMAIL1B01 (Vol. 1), AMAIL2B02 (Vol. II) $10.00 ea.
   AmigaMail Index Tabs, P/N:  AMAILIND  $5.00 ea.

o  Randy Thompson and Rhett Anderson:
   Mapping the Amiga
   1993, Compute Books,  ISBN 0-87455-267-2
   $27.95

   [e-mail] (Jonathan Gapen):
   "Alphabetical listing of all OS functions with descriptions, host
   library, offsets, syntax, prototype in C and ML, arguments, results
   and the OS version in which it first appeared.  Alphabetical listing
   of all OS structures with size, include file and listing of the
   structure with C and ML types.  Also includes a section listing all
   hardware registers with detailed descriptions.  Covers OS versions
   through V39 and hardware through ECS."


1.3 General Reference
    -----------------

o  Denny Atkin:
   Denny Atkin's Best Amiga Tips and Secrets
   Compute Books, 1993. ISBN 0-87455-275-3
   US$19.95

   "Dale L. Larson" <[e-mail]>:
   "From the back of the book: `Whether you're a beginner or expert you'll
   find hundreds of handy tips for harnessing the power of your Amiga in
   this extensive guide.' I agree and wholeheartedly recommend this book.
   (Actually, I probably only found a dozen tips that were new to me, but I
   am a former Commodore Software Engineer.)  It includes info on machines
   from the A1000 to the A1200 and A4000 and software for all of the above.

o  David Tiberio:
   Amiga/Toaster Reference Manual
   Area52, 1994. (no ISBN)
   $34.95

   [e-mail] (David Tiberio), 25 Mar 1994:
   "[The book] contains over 1000 pages and 80 pictures, all about the Amiga
   and computers. It covers AmigaDOS, Workbench, Lightwave, AdPro, hardware
   compatibility, some ARexx, and over 500 FAQ style questions. Also
   included are hundreds of charts and tables, and Index of things such
   as Light Refraction (3d users), GURU errors, screenmodes, color RGB
   values for over 300 colors, Hayes commands, and more. The dictionary
   included with it contains over 800 words, although the next revision will
   have over 3000 words in the dictionary. [...] also included is a 40
   page list of people, movies, etc that use Amigas for various purposes
   (distributed with permission from the author).

   "Originally called the Amiga Online Reference Manual, this 1000 page
   document mainly covers the Amiga, although about two hundred pages and 50
   or so pictures are related to the Video Toaster. [...] revisions are
   available on a quarterly basis. A demo of the latest release is also
   available on Aminet (biz/demo/AORM_2.2.lha).

   "The manual is available at many local dealers, or it may be ordered
   direct from Area52, 6 Lodge Lane, East Setauket NY 11733. The retail price
   is $34.95 + $2 for shipping and handling. User group members (Toaster or
   Amiga) may purchase it for $20. Earlier revisions are available at
   discounted prices (revision 2.1 is $19.95 and revision 2.0 is $9.95).
   We also offer a technical support line, [...] Our staff will answer Amiga
   related questions for our registered customers, direct from the authors
   of the Amiga/Toaster Reference Manual."

1.4 AmigaDOS:
    ---------

o  Commodore-Amiga, Inc.:
   The AmigaDOS Manual (3rd edition)
   Bantam, 1991. ISBN 0-553-35403-5
   $24.95 (USA), $31.95 (Canada), UKP 21.99

   see section 1.1: "Programmer's 'Must haves'"

o  Sheldon Leemon:
   AmigaDOS Reference Guide (4th edition)
   Compute, 1992. ISBN 0-87455-268-0
   $22.95 (USA), UKP 20.95

   [e-mail] (Paul Toyne), 9 Feb 1994:
   "...it is excellent, it covers all forms of pattern matching, the basics
   of DOS and then lists each command with complete description. It covers
   1.x ,2.x and 3.x."

o  <author?>:
   Mastering Amiga DOS, Volumes 1, 2, and 3
   Bruce Smith Books, <year?>. ISBN  1-873308-18-3
   UKP 21.95

   [e-mail] (Eric Balkan), 11 Feb 1994:
   "I just bought vol 1 and I wouldn't recommend it -- it's too basic and
   incorrect in spots.  And when he gets to an interesting part, he says
   it's in vol 2."

1.5 Hardware:
    ---------

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   A500/A2000 Technical Reference Guide
   Commodore, <year?>.
   Available through CATS, part number: TECHREF01
   $40.00

   A 275-page reference manual that describes the technical features of
   the A500 and A2000, as  well as those features that differ from the A1000.
   Table of contents includes:  System Block Diagrams,  Amiga Expansion,
   Designing Hardware for the Amiga Expansion Architecture, Driver
   Documentation, Software for Amiga Expansion, PC Bridgeboard and schematics.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga 1000 Schematics and Expansion Specifications
   Commodore, 1986.
   Available through CATS, part number: A1000SM
   $20.00

   Spiral-bound manual containing full Amiga 1000 schematics, timing diagrams,
   PAL equations, and documentation for the auto-configuration process.

o  <author?>:
   A1200 Insiders Guide
   Bruce Smith Books, <year?>. <ISBN?>
   UKP 14.95

1.6 Important Older Material:
    -------------------------

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Libraries and Devices
   (1st edition; white cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1986, ISBN 0-201-11078-4

   Covers the Amiga System Software up to Version 1.2. Gives a good
   introduction to programming Amiga graphics and I/O. Many examples, mostly
   in C (Source Code can be found on Fisk Disk ???). Since the operating
   system has evolved quite a bit since 1986, this and the following books'
   value is now mostly nostalgia...

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga Intuition Reference Manual
   (1st edition; white cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1986, ISBN 0-201-11076-8

   Covers Intuition programming through Workbench 1.2. A wonderfully
   gentle introduction to programming user interfaces on the Amiga.
   Contains a lot of information on the philosophy of the Amiga interface.
   Basic knowledge of C required. Now superseded by the newer "RKM: Libraries"
   and "User Interface Style Guide".

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Exec
   (1st edition; white cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1986, ISBN 0-201-11099-7

   Covers Exec programming through Kickstart/Workbench 1.2. The nitty gritty
   of the Amiga kernel: Basic data structures, tasks, memory allocation and the
   like. Now superseded by the newer "RKM: Libraries".

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga Hardware Reference Manual
   (1st edition; white cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1986, ISBN 0-201-11077-6

   The hardware bangers manual for the original chipset (OCS). Explains what
   all the hardware registers mean and how to get them to work for you. Some
   assembly examples. Since Commodore now officially dissuades from directly
   accessing the hardware, and has no plans for publishing an AGA hardware
   manual, this book is actually still fairly useful for those who have to
   know how their computer works on the hardware level.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Includes and Autodocs
   (2nd edition; blue cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1989, ISBN 0-201-18177-0

   Covers version Kickstart/Workbench Version 1.3. A print-out of all the
   include files and autodocs (on-line documentation) for all the Amiga
   library functions (except DOS). Contains summaries and call parameters
   for all the functions. This information had previously been distributed
   amongst the Libraries, Exec, and Intuition Rom Kernel Reference Manual in
   the 1.2 release.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga ROM Kernel Reference Manual: Libraries and Devices
   (2nd edition; blue cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1989, ISBN 0-201-18187-8

   All the introductory text and examples from the Kickstart Version 1.2
   ROM Kernel Reference Manuals, revised and updated for Version 1.3.
   All examples are available in executable and source code form from
   Fish disk #344.

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   Amiga Hardware Reference Manual
   (2nd edition; blue cover)
   Addison-Wesley 1989, ISBN 0-201-18157-6

   As far as I know, this manual is basically identical to the 1.2 release
   described above (although it claims to be updated to release 1.3).

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   AmigaDOS V2.0 Native Developer Update
   Commodore, <year?>.
   Available through CATS, part number:  NATDEV20
   $20.00

   The 2.0 Native Developer Update is a must-have for any Amiga
   programmer.  This four-disk set contains the final 2.0 function Autodocs,
   final 2.0 C and assembler Amiga include files, linker libs (Amiga.lib,
   debug.lib, ddebug.lib) FD files, offsets, a great deal of 2.0 example code,
   and the "Software Toolkit II" disk full of the latest Amiga debugging tools.
   (This disk set has been replaced by the new V3.1 Amiga Developer Update
   but is still very useful for its 2.0 example code).


2.  Assembly Programming
    ====================

2.1 Learning Assembly (680x0)
    -------------------------

o  Gerry Kane, Doug Hawkins, and Lance Leventhal:
   68000 Assembly Language Programming
   <publisher?>, <year?>. <ISBN?>

o  Paul Overaa:
   Mastering Amiga Assembler
   Bruce Smith Books, <year?>. <ISBN?>

o  <author?>
   68000, 68010, 68020 Primer
   The Waite Group, <year?>. ISBN 067-224050-4

   [e-mail] (Bruce Parke), 27 Oct 1993:
   "The best book that I have found on the 68000 [...]. I have found it to be
   easy to understand, and has helped to make me understand the 68000's
   instructions without a lot of effort.  Everyone I have loaned the book
   to says the same thing. It explains everything about the instructions."


2.2 Reference
    ---------

o  Motorola:
   MC68030 Users Manual (2nd edition)
   <publisher?>, <year?> ISBN 0-13-566969-3

   [e-mail] (Reid Bishop), 31 Mar 93:
   "I think the best references are Motorola's own users manuals.  I have
   the 68030 manual, and it is excellent. I don't yet have the 68040 manual.
   Often you can get these manuals direct from Motorola."

o  Motorola:
   Programmers Reference Manual
   <publisher?>, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Doug Keller), 31 Mar 1993:
   "If you want to know about the hardware get the 030 or 040 Users Manual
   from Motorola.  If you want to know about assembly language programming
   get the Programmers Reference Manual.  The Programmers Reference Manual
   covers all the processors in the 68000 series."


3.  C Programming
    =============

3.1 Learning C:
    -----------

o  L.S. Foster:
   C by Discovery [Cal State Long Beach]
   Scott/Jones Inc., <year?>. ISBN 0-9624230-2-5

   [e-mail] (Peter Dilley), 28 Jul 93:
   "Do buy. [...] learn from a Phd, not a freakin graduate of Computer
   Learning Center, or someone who read books like "Teach yourself... C".
   It's about 3 1/2" and thick and emphasizes ANSI C."

o  Brian W. Kernighan, Dennis M. Ritchie:
   The C Programming Language (2nd edition)
   Prentice-Hall, 1988. ISBN 0-13-110362-8
   about $35

   The classical introductory C book, written by the people who invented the
   language!

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "If you don't know C, buy this book NOW.  Great C reference,
   eminently readable.  Wonderful wondeful book.  If you do know C already,
   then you probably already OWN this book.  If you are learning C and trying
   to do it with some lame SAMS/Que/MIS Press/M&T/Wiley/McGraw-Hill cheezy
   trade paperback with a title like "Using Borland C++" or "C++ in 21 days"
   or "Learning C" or "Using C" or "Learning C by Example" then you are doing
   yourself a disservice.  Get this book instead."

o  Herbert Schildt:
   C - The Complete Reference (2nd edition)
   Osborne McGraw-Hill, <year?>. ISBN 0-07-881538-X
   $28.95

   [e-mail] (Matt Hey), 22 May 93:
   "The best book I have found for [learning C] is not Amiga
   specific, but it does cover the entire ANSI standard (as well as Unix &
   some PC stuff)."

o  Charles Siegel:
   Teach Yourself... C
   MIS Press, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Peter Dilley), 28 Jul 93:
   "Do not buy. [The book] is not good. Only as a blurb term introduction.
   The source code contained is extremely poor. Almost child-like. Besides
   most of them won't compile without massive errors on the Amiga with its
   ANSI C compilers."

o  <author?>
   JAMSA'S 1001 C/C++ Tips
   <publisher?>, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Wendell P. Beckwith), 24 Feb 1994:
   "... the book is written for dos machines and comes with a source disk.
   Approximately 85% of the source code can be used by your Amiga without any
   modification. [...] Keep in mind that this book is not Amiga specific, but
   having the ability to load and compile complete examples in seconds is a
   real boon to the novice and mega-user, both young and old."

3.2 Reference:
    ----------

o  Harbison & Steele:
   C (a Reference Manual) (3rd edition)
   Prentice Hall, <year>. <ISBN?>

3.3 Amiga Specific:
    ---------------

o  Anders Bjerin:
   The Amiga C Manual

   This is an online document on using C on the Amiga. It is available from
   Aminet (pub/aminet/dev/c/ACM.lha) and on Fish Disks (691-695).

   From the "readme file":
   The complete boiled-down C manual for the Amiga which describes how to
   open and work with Screens, Windows, Graphics, Gadgets, Requesters,
   Alerts, Menus, IDCMP, Sprites, VSprites, AmigaDOS, Low Level Graphics
   Routines, Hints and Tips, etc.  The manual also explains how to use
   your C Compiler and gives you important information about how the Amiga
   works and how your programs should be designed. The manual consists of
   15 chapters together with more than 100 fully executable examples with
   source code.

   [e-mail] (Wendell P. Beckwith), 24 Feb 1994:
   "This is a wealth of information, however, take note. [...] some of the
   examples use things which are no longer thought of as good programming,
   such as unprototyped functions.  This is not really a strike against the
   ACM, since when those portions of the manual were written, using such
   oddities was the in-thing."

o  Dirk Schaun:
   Amiga C for Beginners
   Abacus, 1989-90. ISBN 1-55755-045-X

   [e-mail] (Peter Dilley), 28 Jul 1993:
   "Do not buy. [The book] is just plain crap. Poor Code + Poor textual
   information. It flies over 1/2 the needed information to do any good C and
   even worse than that. It is ANCIENT, UNUPDATED. Disgusting! We are
   programming in the 3.x 2.x rom era not 1.2/1.3..."

o  <author?>
   Amiga C for Advanced Programmers
   Abacus, <year?>. ISBN 1-55755-046-8

   [e-mail] (Dave Miller), 20 Apr 1993:
   "[...] it isn't worth the paper it's written on. (well it ain't quite that
   bad but...)"

   [e-mail] (Peter Dilley), 28 Jul 1993:
   "Do not buy. [The book] is just plain crap. Poor Code + Poor textual
   information. It flies over 1/2 the needed information to do any good C and
   even worse than that. It is ANCIENT, UNUPDATED. Disgusting! We are
   programming in the 3.x 2.x rom era not 1.2/1.3..."


4.  C++ Programming
    ===============

4.1 Learning C++:
    -------------

o  Anderson & Heinze:
   C++ Programming and Fundamantal Concepts
   Prentice Hall, 1992. ISBN 0-13-118266-8

o  James O. Coplien:
   Advanced C++; Programming Styles and Idioms
   Addison-Wesley, 1993. ISBN 0-201-54855-0

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "Great book on using C++ to solve real-world problems. Invaluable
   if you are trying to write a graphics package in C++ and need to balance
   ease of use, readability, "correctness", and efficiency."

   [e-mail] (Paul Gittings), 28 Mar 1994:
   "[...] not a beginner's book [...] This is a very well written book with
   lots of examples. It covers more advanced concepts than just 'getting the
   syntax right'. By discusing the various programming idioms available under
   C++ and their pros and cons, Coplien shows the reader how to design and
   build well written programs and avoid many of the problems that can result
   from poor design. To get a feel for the areas covered  by this book here is
   a list of major chapter headings: 'Data Abstraction and Abstract Data
   Types', 'Concrete Data Types', 'Inheritance', 'Object-Oriented
   Programming', 'Object-Oriented Design', 'Reuse and Objects',
   'Programming with Exemplers in C++', 'Emulating Symbolic Language Styles
   in C++', 'Dynamic Multiple Inheritance', 'Systemic Issues'. Appendices:
   'C in a C++ Environment', 'Shapes Program: C++ Code', 'Reference Return
   Values from Operators', 'Why Bitwise copy Doesn't Work', 'Symbolic Shapes',
   'Block-Structured Programming in C++'."

o  Bruce Eckel:
   C++ Inside and Out
   <publisher?>, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (By-Tor Blackwing), 23 Feb 1994:
   "It's a good one; it tries to teach C++ like a new language, not just an
   extention of C."

o  Stanley B. Lippman:
   C++ Primer (2nd edition)
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 0-201-54848-8
   $35-40

   Intended as a first book on C++ programming. Some basic familiarity with
   programming (in any language) is assumed, however. The book is a tutorial
   through all the features of the C++ language. Many examples.

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "Everything that goes for [Kernighan and Ritchie's] 'The C Programming
   Language' above applies here also. I like this book a bit more than
   Stroustrup's 'The C++ Programming Language', but to each his own."

   [e-mail] (Paul Gittings), 28 Mar 1994:
   "IMHO this is the best C++ tutorial book around, nothing else comes
   even close."

o  Stephen Prata:
   C++ Primer Plus
   The Waite Group, 1991. ISBN 1-878739-02-6

o  Herbert Schildt:
   Teach Yourself C++
   Addison-Wesley, <year?>. ISBN 0-07-881760-9

   [e-mail] (Franz Hemmer), 23 Sep 93:
   "If you're a C programmer already, I recommend "Teach Yourself C++" [...].
   It requires some familiarity with C, and takes advantage of that very fact.
   I found it very easy to go through the book. However, if you want
   information about templates too, you need to find another book, as this
   isn't covered in this particular book."

o  Al Stevens:
   Teach Yourself C++... (3rd Edition)
   MIS:Press, 1993. ISBN 1-55828-250-5

o  Bjarne Stroustrup:
   The C++ Programming Language (2nd edition)
   Addison-Wesley, 1991. ISBN 0-201-53992-6

o  Tom Swan:
   Mastering Borland C++
   SAMS (?), <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Jose Elias), 24 Sep 1993:
   "I TRULY REALLY recommend from the botton of my heart "Mastering
   Borland c++" [...]. It's just AWESOME, even when it's meant to be
   used on IBMs. It has COMPLETE working examples for EVERY function provided
   by c/c++ at the end of the book, and he explains everything VERY well.
   The book is over 1,300 pages, and about 1/3 of them are USEFULL examples
   at the end of the book. Also, there's a course on learning c on the first
   few chapters, and then c++ is introduced. This is a real-world-use book.
   I HIGHLY recommend it.
   BTW, I spend one WHOLE day looking thru every single c++ book here at the
   bookstore before deciding on buying it.
   Also, don't be scared by the ibm-nature of the book, almost everything in
   the book is standard c++, he only touches ibm-specific stuff when talking
   about video memory, ram, and the bios, other than that it's standard c++."

o  Mark Terribile:
   Practical C++
   McGraw-Hill, 1994. ISBN 0-07-063738-5

4.2 Reference:
    ----------

o  Margaret A. Ellis, Bjarne Stroustrup:
   The Annotated C++ Reference Manual (2nd edition)
   Addison-Wesley, 1992. ISBN 0-201-51459-1

   [e-mail] (Paul Gittings), 28 Mar 1994:
   "A must have for anybody who is involved in any major C++ work. In the
   annotations provide some useful insights into the language and its design."


5.  ARexx Programming
    =================

5.1 Learning ARexx:
    ---------------

o  Commodore Business Machines:
   The Programmers Guide to ARexx
   Commodore, 1991.
   Available through CATS, part number: AREXX01, disk: AREXX01D
   $20.00

   Manual (228 pages) and disk designed to allow you easy access to the
   power of ARexx.  Includes information on how to make effective use of
   ARexx, how to conform to development standards and how to interface
   applicatations to the ARexx environment.

   [e-mail] (Reinhard Luebke), 7 Oct 1993:
   "This book covers all topics regarding 'how to program for ARexx in C',
   e.g. creating libraries and function hosts. Worth to say, that all
   examples in the book can be found on a disk that comes bundled with
   the book."

o  Merrill Callaway:
   The ARexx Cookbook
   Whitestone, 1992, ISBN 0-9632733-0-8

   A very good introduction to ARexx. The book uses examples to introduce
   the features of this programing language. The examples are often very useful
   themselves. This book is not a reference manual, but a tutorial. I would
   say it is very well suited for beginners but also for more advanced
   programmers.

o  Zamara, Chris, and Nick Sullivan:
   Using ARexx on the Amiga
   Abacus, 1991.  ISBN 1-55755-114-6.

   [e-mail] (Dan Barrett), 24 Mar 1994:
   "This is a good book with a particularly good function reference section.
   It also gives examples of ARexx programming with some commercial products.
   The only bad part of the book is its terrible index."

   [e-mail] (Paul Gittings), 28 Mar 1994:
   "This is the only Abacus book that I have found to be of any use, I
   almost didn't buy it because it was an Abacus book but I'm very glad I
   did. This book is very well suited to a beginner ARexx programmer (more so
   than Callaway's book) and also very useful as a reference for more advanced
   users. The example code is very trivial and therefore easy to understand,
   for more complex and useful code examples get Callaway's book."

5.2 Reference:
    ----------


6.  Applications Programming
    ========================

6.1 Compilers
    ---------

o  Alfred V. Aho, Ravi Sethi, and Jeffrey D. Ullman:
   Compilers, Principles, Tools, and Techniques
   Addison Wesley, 1986. ISBN 0-201-10194-7 (paperback)
   GBP 13.75

   [e-mail] (Paul Jewell), 9 Mar 1994:
   "Plenty of information about different methods of compiler
   construction, and how to put compilers together. Designed as a first
   course in compiler writing."

o  Allen I. Holub:
   Compiler Design in C
   Prentice Hall International, 1990. ISBN 0-13-155151-5 (paperback)
   GDP 21.95

   [e-mail] (Paul Jewell), 9 Mar 1994:
   "Excellent (IMHO) book containing detailed source code of a C compiler,
   with hints and tips on how to optimise the compiler both in terms of
   operation, and efficiency of code generated. [...] well worth the
   investment."

o  Niklaus Wirth, Joerg Gutknecht:
   Project Oberon.
   The Design of an Operating System and Compiler.
   Addison-Wesley, 1992. ISBN 0-201-54428-8 (hardback)

   [e-mail] (Frank Copeland), 12 Mar 1994:
   "I paid AUS$44.95, a good price for this class of book here.  It
   describes in detail the design and implementation of an entire
   operating system and includes the complete source code of a compiler
   for the Oberon language (a descendant of Pascal and Modula-2).  The
   code generated is for a family of processors reasonably similar to the
   Amiga's MC68K processors.  Even if you are not interested in the
   language, it provides an example of a working compiler, which the Aho,
   etc. book at least does not."

o  P. D. Terry:
   Programming Language Translation
   <publisher?>, <year?>. <ISBN?>

6.2 Computer Graphics
    -----------------

[for a more complete list, see the comp.graphics FAQ]

o  Leendert Ammeraal:
   Programming Principles in Computer Graphics (2nd edition)
   <publisher?>, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Nathan Dwyer), 10 Oct 1993:
   "A REALLY cool book. [...] It sort of skims over the math -- moves pretty
   quickly through the material, but covers a lot of ground.  Also includes
   a lot of C++ code, but the text isn't occluded by it."

o  J. D. Foley, A. van Dam, S. K. Feiner, and J. F. Hughes:
   Computer Graphics - Principles and Practice
   Addison-Wesley, 1990. ISBN 0-201-12110-7

   [e-mail] (Stig Ove Johnsen), 20 Aug 1993:
   "It is the book we use in the course 'Computer Graphics I&II' here at
   the Norwegian Institute of Technology. It goes into depth in describing
   both 2D raster graphics and 3D modeling (e.g. splines) and raytracing
   (incl. phong, gourad...). The programming eksamples are done mostly
   in Pascal. IMHO, it is a very good book. (And lots of nice ray-traced
   pictures!)"

   [e-mail] (Brian D. King), 10 Oct 1993:
   "The proclaimed bible in computer graphics algorithms and theory [...].
   It covers everything from line-drawing, circles and ellipses, pattern-
   filling, 2d and 3d vectors including transformations, filled polygons,
   shading, etc. etc. etc."

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "This is IT.  THE bible of computer graphics, period.  It covers just about
   every topic you need to know, however because of its scope it is very
   generalized and so information on any one specific topic may be lacking.
   Pascal-like pseudo code is strewn liberally throughout the book, which is a
   big help.  Everything you would expect in three-D graphics is covered,
   including shading, ray tracing, radiosity, texture mapping, etc.  Once
   again, it's very generalized and serves mostly as a good reference to other
   material and an overview of individual areas.  But at over 1000 pages, it's
   a must have if you do graphics.  If you can afford only ONE book on
   graphics, get this one."

o  Andrew Glassner (ed.):
   Graphics Gems
   Academic Press, 1990. ISBN 0-12-286165-5

   James Arvo (ed.):
   Graphics Gems II
   Academic Press, 1991. ISBN 0-12-64480-0

   David Kirk (ed.):
   Graphics Gems III
   Academic Press, 1992. ISBN 0-12-409670-0 (with IBM disk)
                              0-12-409671-9 (with Mac disk)

   [e-mail] (Robert Hooker), 20 Aug 1993:
   "These aren't much good to learn from, but once you know your stuff they
   are an excellent source of ideas."

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "Some people swear by these books. I don't know. They cover a lot of
   little tricks and tips for a lot of little things, but personally I haven't
   found much use for them, but I'm looking only at the interactive 3d side of
   things.  Every now and then a friend tells me 'Wow, this one little
   paragraph in Gems [X] gave me a huge insight into what I needed to do and
   now my [program] is MUCH faster'. So to be fair, a lot of others have
   found these books to be invaluable. They cover a bit too much ground for
   me, so I'm still kind of hesitant on recommending them to others since it's
   not readily apparent if they will be helpful to you. Your mileage may vary."

o  F.S. Hill Jr.:
   Computer Graphics
   Macmillan, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Robert Hooker), 20 Aug 1993:
   "I can recommend "Computer Graphics" [...]. This was a text for my 3rd
   year Graphics course at University. All the ideas and examples are given
   in Pascal (which most everyone can understand) and are easy to convert to
   your prefered language. The book covers everything from simple 3D shapes
   thru Gouraud/Phong shading and onto the basics of RayTracing."

o  Christopher Lampton:
   Flights of Fantasy
   The Waite Group, 1993. ISBN 1-878739-18-2

   [e-mail] (Richard Johnson), 6 Oct 1993:
   "It's very complete and it comes with source code written in C++ for the
   IBM PC. I didn't have much trouble converting it to SAS/C. You do have
   to transfer files from the IBM disk to an amiga disk, though. The book
   comes with the disk. The book is really GREAT because it's very thorough
   and easy to understand. It teaches you from the ground up. One thing
   though, is that the source code had a number of minor bugs which I had
   to fix. Also, I optimized some of the code to make it faster. For one
   thing, I replaced the 4x4 matrices with 3x3 ones. [...]
   It's so easy to understand, that if you can't understand it, you have no
   other recourse than to learn more math."

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "This book is a mixed blessing.  On the one hand it gets you up and running
   with the simple concepts that more advanced text books don't bother
   explaining.  On the other, it could REALLY stand to be improved.  Lots of
   simple algorithms are completely ignored, such as shading.  However, a lot
   of PC specific stuff is thrown in.  If you would like a more comprehensive
   review of the book let me know and I'll mail you one."

o  David F. Rogers and J. Alan Adams:
   Mathematical Elements for Computer Graphics 2nd Ed.
   McGraw-Hill, 1990. ISBN 0-07-053530-2

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "Excellent book on curves, patches, and a lot of math.  Does not cover
   rendering at all -- no shading, etc.  It does a lot of theory on
   projections, however -- don't expect much on object databases or
   efficiency, though.  Not a great reference to a 3d renderer, but for
   modeling in general and math it's wonderful.  HOWEVER, it has an insane
   amount of stuff on curves, splines, Bezier curves, Coons patches, surfaces,
   etc. So if you want to do surfaces and things with soft edges in general,
   get this book.  One of the few McGraw-Hill books I've liked (the other is
   'An Introduction to Algorithms')."

o  Alan Watt:
   3D Computer Graphics 2nd Ed.
   Addison-Wesley, 1993. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "This is also one of those classic texts.  The new second edition covers a
   lot of ground.  Watt's style is highly readable, and the same code is in
   Pascal.  A complete rendering system (or two) is supplied in the
   appendices, along with the data file for the Utah teapot.

   "If you do 3d graphics, you MUST have this book. [...]
   Chapters include: Three-dimensional Geometry in Computer Graphics,
   Representation of Objects, Viewing systems, Reflection and Illumination
   Models, Rendering Algorithms, Parametric Representation and Practice,
   Shadows and Textures, Ray Tracing, Volume Rendering, Radiosity, Anti
   aliasing, Functionally Based Modeling Methods, Three-dimensional Computer
   Animation, Colour Spaces and Monitor Considerations, Viewing Transformation
   from a Simple Four-Parameter Viewing System, A Wireframe System,
   An Implementation of a Renderer, The Utah Teapot.

   "The book has a fairly decent mix of interactive and photorealistic stuff,
   and it is an excellent supplement to the 3d graphics section of Foley and
   Van Dam.  Between the two you are pretty well set for 3d graphics."

o  Alan Watt and Mark Watt:
   Advanced Animation and Rendering Techniques
   Addison-Wesley, 1993. ISBN 0-201-54412-1

   [e-mail] (Brian Hook), 06 Dec 1993:
   "This book is by far one of the best books in the field of 3d graphics.
   Most of it covers rendering and ray tracing, which means it is not
   very useful for real-time graphics [...] the stuff it covers is
   invaluable and very difficult to find elsewhere.  We are talking
   heavy rendering and ray tracing stuff, volume rendering techniques,
   shading languages, quaternions and Euler angles, radiosity,
   inverse/forward kinematics, etc. Excellent book, but not very
   useful if you are looking to write only a game (although the
   chapters on segmented object animation would be useful for robots/tanks)."

o  <author?>
   Amiga 3D Graphic Programming
   Abacus, <year?>. <ISBN?>

   [e-mail] (Richard Johnson), 6 Oct 1993:
   "DO NOT get [this book]. The guy who wrote it should be whipped because
   this book is impossible to understand and is really just a documentation
   for the crummy little ray tracing program which takes up half of the pages."


7.  Using Applications
    ==================

7.1 The Video Toaster:
    ------------------

o  David Tiberio:
   Amiga/Toaster Reference Manual
   Area52, 1994. (no ISBN)
   $34.95

   see section 1.3: General Reference


7.1 Telecommunications:
    -------------------

o  Dale L. Larson:
   Connect Your Amiga!
   A Guide to the Internet, LANs, BBSs and Online Services
   Intangible Assets Manufacturing, 1994. ISBN 1-885876-02-5

   "Dale L. Larson" <[e-mail]>, 18 Sep 1994:
   "Connect Your Amiga!" is 256 pages packed with information for
   networking and for going online. From background information for the
   novice to networking hints and tips for advanced users, this book has
   something for every Amiga owner.

   "Some of the topics covered include:
   - ABOUT THE INTERNET: What it is, what's so great about it, how it
     works, how to access it, how to join it, how to use it.
   - ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Selecting and using modems and terminal
     emulator software; how to find and choose computer bulletin board
     systems and online services; finding, downloading, decompressing and
     using public domain and shareware software.
   - ABOUT NETWORKING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE: the SANA-II standard, Ethernet,
     ARCNet, serial and parallel ports, selecting, configuring and using
     TCP/IP, SLIP, PPP, Envoy, DECNet, connecting to PCs, Macs and
     Unix, and more.

   "The author is an expert on the Amiga and on computer networking. Mr.
   Larson was a Software Engineer in Commodore's Amiga Networking Group. He
   worked on AS225, is one of the principle authors of both the SANA-II
   Network Device Driver Specification and the original Amiga Envoy
   specification documents, and has published several articles about the
   Amiga and about Amiga networking.

   "COMPANY INFORMATION:
      Intangible Assets Manufacturing
      828 Ormond Avenue
      Drexel Hill, PA  19026-2604 / USA
      voice: [phone]
      fax:   [phone]"


Appendix A: How to Order CATS Materials
=======================================

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

As of April 28th, 1994, CATS USA no longer exists. According to Peter Kittel
(Commodore Germany), it is still possible to order developer material from
Hirsch and Wolf (address below), even if you don't live in Europe.

Below the the relevant part of the original CATS order form:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

European developers and users may also purchase many CATS technical items
through the following German company.  Their list and prices may differ
slightly from the CATS US list, and AmigaMail subscriptions may only be
purchased directly through CATS US.

          Hirsch & Wolf oHG
          Attn: Hans-Helmut Hirsch
          Mittelstr. 33
          D-56564 Neuwied
          Germany

          Fax: ++49-2631-839931
          Tel: ++49-2631-83990
          UUCP:[e-mail]  (Fax preferred)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------