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Scout 37.192
Release 2.9
User's Manual
Copyright (C) 1994-97 Andreas Gelhausen, Richard Körber
What is Scout?
==============
Scout
is a tool that allows you to monitor your computer
system. It displays many different things -- like tasks, ports,
assigns, expansion boards, resident commands, interrupts, etc. -- and
you can perform some certain actions on them.
For example you can freeze tasks, close windows and screens, release
semaphores or remove locks, ports and interrupts.
Through
AmiTCP
it's also possible to use
Scout
as an TCP/IP service.
Since version 2.0 of
Scout
you can use nearly all implemented
functions through shell parameters. Therefore it's not necessary to
install
MUI
for using
Scout
, but you will need
MUI
, if you want
to use
Scout
with its graphical user interface.
Copyright
=========
Please read the following parts carefully. You accept the following
terms by starting the software, even for a test drive only.
COPYRIGHT
Scout 37.192 (Release 2.9) - Copyright (C) 1994-97 by Andreas
Gelhausen and Richard Körber, all rights reserved.
You only have the right to use the software, but no rights on the
software itself. Disassembling, resourcing and all other ways of
reverse engineering is forbidden.
FREEWARE
Scout is FreeWare. You are allowed to use the packet without
paying a fee or similar to the authors. Of course we would
appreciate a small donor! ;-)
COPYING
You can copy the packet as long as it remains entire and unchanged.
You are allowed to compress the packet using a customary
compression software (as lha, lzh, lzx, dms). You must not
compress single files of the packet (e.g. PowerPacker or Imploder).
DISTRIBUTION
You must not exceed an usual price on the market for your working
and material. This means a maximum of 5 DM (or the equivalent
amount in other currencies, including all taxes) for disks and 35
DM for CD-ROMs containing a PD software collection.
In any case, you need a written permission from us if you want to
include Scout on a cover disk or in connection with a commercial
product.
We explicitly permit the distribution via AmiNet, Meeting Pearls
and Fred Fish.
LIABILITY
You are using the program as it is, with all flaws, and on your
own risk! We grant no warranty for the software meeting a special
purpose. This software may cause financial damage or harm people.
LIMITATIONS
You are not allowed to use this software and its results
* for fascism or military purposes
* if you do not agree to the copyright note
In this case you must delete the software and all related and
generated files immediately!
CONTENTS OF THE PACKET
The Scout packet is
only
entire with these files:
Scout/arexx/activatetask.scout
Scout/arexx/arexx.readme
Scout/arexx/arexx.readme.info
Scout/arexx/breaktask.scout
Scout/arexx/freezetask.scout
Scout/arexx/poptofront.scout
Scout/arexx/settaskpri.scout
Scout/arexx/startup.scout
Scout/arexx.info
Scout/help/deutsch/scout-39.guide
Scout/help/deutsch/scout-39.guide.info
Scout/help/deutsch/scout.doc
Scout/help/deutsch/scout.doc.info
Scout/help/deutsch/scout.dvi
Scout/help/deutsch/scout.guide
Scout/help/deutsch/scout.guide.info
Scout/help/deutsch.info
Scout/help/english/scout-39.guide
Scout/help/english/scout-39.guide.info
Scout/help/english/scout.doc
Scout/help/english/scout.doc.info
Scout/help/english/scout.dvi
Scout/help/english/scout.guide
Scout/help/english/scout.guide.info
Scout/help/english.info
Scout/help.info
Scout/icons/icons.readme
Scout/icons/icons.readme.info
Scout/icons/Scout.info
Scout/icons/ScoutDock
Scout/icons/ScoutDock.info
Scout/icons.info
Scout/libs/identify.library
Scout/libs/identify.readme
Scout/libs/identify.readme.info
Scout/libs.info
Scout/Product-Info
Scout/Scout
Scout/Scout.info
Scout/scout.history
Scout/Scout.history.info
Scout/Scout.readme
Scout/Scout.readme.info
Scout.info
TRADEMARKS
All copyrights and trademarks are held by their owners.
System Requirements
===================
Scout
only requires Amiga operating system version 2.04 and the
identify.library
V7. See also Identify.
If you want to use
Scout's
graphical user interface, you also have
to install
MUI
version 2.1 or higher. See also MUI.
The TCP/IP features of
Scout
are only available, if you have
installed the version 4.0 of
AmiTCP
. See also AmiTCP.
MUI - MagicUserInterface
========================
(C) Copyright 1992-97 by Stefan Stuntz
MUI is a system to generate and maintain graphical user interfaces.
With the aid of a preferences program, the user of an application has
the ability to customize the outfit according to his personal taste.
MUI is distributed as shareware. To obtain a complete package
containing lots of examples and more information about registration
please look for a file called
muiXXusr.lha
(XX means the latest
version number) on your local bulletin boards or on public domain disks.
If you want to register directly, feel free to send DM 30.- or US$
20.- to
Stefan Stuntz
Eduard-Spranger-Straße 7
80935 München
GERMANY
Identify
========
Copyright (C) 1996-97 Richard Körber
Identify
is a Shared Library that decodes expansion IDs, guru
codes and library functions, and identifies your system.
Identify
is FreeWare. You can find a complete package in the
AmiNet (
util/libs/Identify.lha
) or on the author's home page:
http://www.is-koeln.de/einwohner/shred
. To get in contact, write
to
shred@chessy.aworld.de
.
AmiTCP
======
AmiTCP
is a TCP/IP protocol stack for the Amiga. The demo
version 4.0 (or higher) should be available in greater public domain
collections or on the AmiNet. Ask your preferred Amiga dealer. =:^)
Installing Scout
================
You only have to copy the program
scout
to your favourite
directory, and
identify.library
to
libs:
. Then you can start it.
How to use Scout
****************
This chapter describes the usage of
Scout
through its graphical
user interface. This graphical user interface is based on the
Magic
User Interface (
MUI
) and
MUI
have to be installed in your system,
if you want to use
Scout
trough windows and so on.
If you don't like
MUI
, you should see Scout without MUI.
If you start the program you will see the main window which includes
many gadgets. Each of these gadgets represents a certain kind of
system structure.
You can choose between:
Allocations, Assigns, Commodities, Devices, Expansions, Fonts,
InputHandlers, Interrupts, Libraries, Locks, LowMemory, Memory, Mounted
Devices, Ports, Resident Commands, Residents, Resources, ScreenMode,
Semaphores, System, Tasks, Timer, Vectors and Windows.
Click one of these gadgets and another window will be opened with a
list of the structure type that is indicated on the pressed gadget.
Example:
Press the task gadget and you will get a window with
the list of tasks and processes.
You can also select these functions by pressing the underlined key
you see on each gadget or by using the right mousebutton menu.
If you wish to handle/remove a given structure, you should know what
you do.
Warning:
Wrong handling of the showed structures can crash
your system. At the worst you will lose your data.
Please note:
You should not be surprised, if you don't find a
certain detail information in this manual, because it's to much work to
explain each element of all the structures you could see in this
program.
Many books are written about these things and if you want to have
more information about them, you should have a look in the specialized
literature.
Allocations
===========
This window informs about who allocated what hardware resource.
CIA
---
The Amiga owns two CIA to control its hardware, the keyboard and the
printer interfaces. Additionally, it contains a couple of timer. This
window shows which parts of the CIA are not yet allocated, or which
program allocated the resource.
Timer A
Timer B
This are two 16bit timer. They can also be coupled to a 32bit
timer.
Alarm
This resource informs if a third timer reached an alarm value.
Serial
This is a simple serial interface. Usually, the CIA-A one's is used
for communicating with the keyboard. The CIA-B serial interface
will not be allocated in most cases.
Flag
This is a special control line. It is connected from the CIA-A to
the Index line of the floppy disk drives.
Note: newer DraCos do not contain the CIA chips. Thus, these
hardware resources will be emulated or are even not offered.
Ports
-----
This are the resources for the internal parallel and serial
interfaces.
Serial Port
This are the plain data transfer registers (transmitting and
receiving).
Serial Control
This are the serial control lines, as Carrier Detect.
Parallel Port
This are the data lines of the parallel port.
Parallel Control
This are the control lines of the parallel port, as Busy or Paper
Out.
Actions
-------
Update
The window is updates each time you press this button.
Print
The window's contents are printed or saved to a file of your
choice.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Assigns
=======
This type of structure assigns a logical name to a directory.
If you assign the directory
dh0:data/documents
the logical name
texts:
, you will also be able to choose a file
filename
in that
directory with the path `texts:
filename
'.
Column items
------------
Address
Address of the assign structure.
Name
Logical name of a directory
Path
Here you will find the path of the directory.
Actions
-------
Update
Selecting this gadget updates the list of assigns.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Assigns
to printer
or a selected file.
Remove
The selected assign will be removed with this function.
Exit
The
Assigns
window will be closed.
Commodities
===========
Commodities are small utilities. Most of them react on the input
stream, or manipulate it.
You can find some commodity examples in the
Tools
drawer of your
Workbench.
Column items
------------
Address
Points to the
CxObj
structure of the commodity, containing all
data about it.
ln_Type
Structure type. Usually, it will be
Broker
.
ln_Pri
Priority of the commodity broker.
Flags
Flags describing the broker.
Port
All messages of the broker are sent to this MessagePort.
Name
Name of the commodity.
Actions
-------
Appear
Disappear
Let the selected commodity's GUI pop up or disappear. Some
commodities do not have a GUI.
Enable
Disable
The commodity will be enabled or disabled.
Kill
Let the selected commodity remove itself in a clean way.
ListChg
Unique
The commodity is notified that the list has been changed or that
another commodity with the same name was about to be added. This
is only useful for programmers to test out their commmodities.
Update
The list will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list to printer or a selected
file.
Priority
This function allows you to change the priority of a commodity.
Remove
Removes the selected commodity from the system. Please try a
frienly remove before, using
Kill
. Maybe the commodity removes
itself voluntarily. =;^)
More
Opens a window with further information.
Exit
Closes the window.
Devices
=======
A device is -- like a library (see Libraries) -- a collection of
functions/procedures, which have to do certain jobs.
E.g. the
trackdisk.device
includes functions for the floppy disk
handling.
Column items
------------
Address
Address of the device structure
ln_Name
Name of a device
ln_Pri
Priority of a device
OpenC
This element shows how often the device was opened.
RPC
RPC
means
RAM Pointer Count
and shows how many jump
addresses of the device point into RAM. In this way many programs
-- like the
setpatch
command from Commodore -- patch the system.
Many viruses patch the system in this way too, but don't panic now.
If you check your system in regular intervals with a current virus
killer, it should be out of danger.
If the whole program code of the device is located in RAM, you will
find a dash (minus sign) here, because in this case it's
unimportant how many jump addresses point into RAM.
ln_Type
Type of this structure (usually
device
)
Actions
-------
Update
If you select this gadget, the list of devices will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Devices
to printer
or a selected file.
Remove
The selected device will be removed with this function provided
that no program uses this device anymore and the
OpenC
is zero.
Priority
Herewith the priority of the device can be changed. A little
window will be opened, that asks you for a new priority. Through
the new priority it can happen that the device gets a new place in
the device list.
More
Another window will be opened and you will see more informations
about the selected device.
You will have the same effect, if you doubleclick an element of the
device list.
Functions
All device function offsets and addresses are shown up in a
subwindow. If an appropriate
.fd
file exists and an
FD:
assign points to its directory, then you will also see the
function names.
Exit
The
Devices
window will be closed.
Expansions
==========
This window shows a list about all your expansion boards (graphic
boards, memory expansions and so on) too.
Column items
------------
BoardAddr
Usually you will find the ROM of the card here. If this address
points into RAM, the card is a memory expansion.
BoardSize
If the entry belongs to a memory expansion, the size of the memory
is displayed here. Otherwise it's the ROM size of the card.
Manufacturer
ManufacturerID, assigned by Commodore
Product
Productnumber, assigned by the manufacturer of the board
Serial#
Serialnumber of the card (usually unused)
Actions
-------
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Expansions
to
printer or a selected file.
More
Now a window will be opened, that includes more informations about
the selected expansion board.
Doubleclick an element of the
Expansions
list and you will have
the same effect.
Exit
The
Expansions
window will be closed.
Unknown expansion boards
------------------------
If you select an expansion board by selecting its list item, you will
get the name of the manufacturer and the card in the textfield you find
below the list, provided that the installed version of
identify.library
knows about these data.
If no information is available in this textfield or the given
information is wrong, you should send me the following data, please.
1. ManufacturerID (Manufacturer)
2. ProductID (Product)
3. Name of the company
4. Name of your expansion card
If you send me these data, the next version of
Identify
will
include your expansion boards. Please be as precise you can.
Note:
In some rare cases it is possible that the manufacturer
name is correctly displayed in the text field, but the expansion name
is wrong. Please check the
More
window's data first. They could be
right. This difference has some technical reasons.
Fonts
=====
This function will show you all fonts existing in your system.
Column items
------------
YSize
Vertical size of the font
Count
Here you can see how many programs use the font.
Type
ROMFONT
means the font is located in ROM and
DISKFONT
means the font was loaded from disk/harddisk.
Name
Name of the font
Actions
-------
Update
The list of fonts will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Fonts
to printer or
a selected file.
Close
The font will be closed by using this function.
Remove
It is possible to remove a font from system, provided that no
program uses it and it's no
ROMFONT
.
Exit
The
Fonts
window disappears.
InputHandlers
=============
Input handlers take care of all user input arriving in system
(pressed keys, mouseclicks, inserted disks, etc.). They stand one
behind the other like on a production line and analyze the user input.
The input handler with the highest priority gets the `events' first and
if it doesn't know how to react on these `events', the second input
handler gets them, and so on.
Usually the system input handler has a priority of 50. Every input
handler, that wants to get the user input before the system, must have
a higher priority.
Column items
------------
ln_Name
Name of the input handler
ln_Pri
Its priority
is_Data
This address points to some data needed by the input handler.
is_Code
The program code starts here. If the code is located in RAM, the
address is of different color. Otherwise you can find the code in
ROM. Some viruses install an input handler in system. In this
case the
is_Code
address points into RAM, but many other
programs uses input handlers, too. Don't panic!
Actions
-------
Update
The list of input handlers will be updated when you select this
gadget.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
InputHandlers
to
printer or a selected file.
Remove
Removes an input handler from system.
Priority
Changes the priority of an input handler.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Interrupts
==========
Interrupts are important events the computer system has to react on.
It exists a list of interrupt routines for each interrupt type. If a
certain interrupt occurs, all these interrupt routines will be called.
During their execution the running program will be interrupted.
Column items
------------
ln_Name
Name of the interrupt
ln_Pri
Its priority
is_Data
At this address you find the data of the interrupt.
is_Code
Address of the interrupt code. If this address points into RAM,
it's of a different color.
NUM
This number represents the type of event the interrupt routine is
called on. The
IntName
you find in the interrupt detail window
gives you a little bit more information about it.
Example:
Number 5 means that the interrupt is called at every
vertical blank interval.
Actions
-------
Update
The list of interrupts will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Interrupts
to
printer or a selected file.
Remove
If the interrupt is a server you can remove it from system. An
interrupt handler can't be removed by
Scout
.
If you call
avail flush
and the audio.device isn't used, the
interrupt handlers of the audio.device will be removed.
More
Now a window will be opened that includes more details of the
interrupt.
Exit
Selecting this gadget will close the
Interrupts
window.
Libraries
=========
A library is a collection of functions/procedures, which have to do
certain jobs. E.g. the `graphics.library' includes routines for
graphical display.
Column items
------------
Address
Adress of the library structure
ln_Name
Name of a library
ln_Pri
Priority of a library
OpenC
Here you see, how often the library was opened.
RPC
RPC
means
RAM Pointer Count
and shows how many jump
addresses of the library point into RAM. In this way many programs
-- like the
setpatch
command from Commodore -- patch the system.
Many viruses patch the system in this way too, but don't panic now.
If you check your system in regular intervals with a current virus
killer, it should be out of danger.
If the whole program code of the library is located in RAM, you
will find a dash (minus sign) here, because in this case it's
unimportant how many jump addresses point into RAM.
ln_Type
Type of this structure (usually
library
)
Actions
-------
Priority
Herewith the priority of the library can be changed. A little
window will be opened, that asks you for a new priority. Through
the new priority it can happen that the library gets a new place
in the list of libraries.
Close
A library must be closed by all programs, if you want to remove it
from system. In this case the
OpenC
is zero.
If you select this function, you will be asked, how often you want
to close it. You can choose between
Once
and
All
.
Select
All
and the library will so often be closed till the
OpenC
is zero.
Remove
The selected library will be removed with this function provided
that no program uses this library anymore and the
OpenC
is zero.
Some libraries can't be removed from system without a reset. So
you shouldn't wonder about it, if this happens.
Functions
All library function offsets and addresses are shown up in a
subwindow. If an appropriate
.fd
file exists and an
FD:
assign points to its directory, then you will also see the
function names.
Update
The list of libraries will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Libraries
to
printer or a selected file.
More
A window will be opened that includes more details of the library.
Exit
Selecting this gadget will close the
library
window.
Locks
=====
A lock structure shows you, that a program reads from or perhaps
write into a file or a directory. With this type of structure the
system prevents, that a file will be deleted while another program gets
some data from it.
Column items
------------
Access
Here you can see the type of access. This could be
READ
,
WRITE
or
OWN
.
OWN
stands for a lock
Scout
created to
get the elements of this list.
Path
Path of the file or directory
Actions
-------
Update
The list of
Locks
will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Locks
to printer or
a selected file.
Remove
A lock will be removed through dos.library's `UnLock()' function.
Pattern
If you give
Scout
a pattern, only the locks with a matching path
will be shown.
Exit
The
Locks
window will be closed.
LowMemory
=========
This list contains all low memory handler known to the system.
These handlers are called in their sequence if a memory allocation
is about to fail due to missing resources. The handlers try to free as
much unused memory space as possible.
`ramlib' is such a low memory handler removing unused libraries and
devices from the system's memory. It is always present.
Note:
Low memory handlers are only available since AmigaOS 3.0.
On older systems this list will always be empty.
Column items
------------
Address
Address of the low memory handler structure.
ln_Name
Name of the handler.
ln_Type
Type of the handler.
ln_Pri
Priority of the handler. All handlers are called in their priority
sequence.
is_Data
A pointer to some handler's private data.
is_Code
A pointer to the low memory handler code.
Actions
-------
Update
The list will be actualized.
Print
This function allows you to send the list to printer or a selected
file.
Remove
The low memory handler will be removed from system.
Priority
Changes the priority of the selected handler.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Memory
======
In this list you will find the segments of your memory. At least you
will find an entry for your chip memory.
Column items
------------
ln_Name
Name of the memory segment (e.g.
chip memory
)
ln_Pri
Priority of memory
mh_Lower
First address of memory
mh_Upper
Last address of memory
Actions
-------
Print
This function allows you to send the list of the memory segments to
printer or a selected file.
Priority
This function allows you to change the priority of a memory
segment. The memory segment with the highest priority will be
preferred from system, provided that no certain type of memory is
demanded.
More
Another window will be opened. This window includes more
information about the memory segment.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Mounted Devices
===============
In this list you will find all your devices like disk drives, printer
devices, etc.
Column items
------------
Name
Name of the device
Unit
Unit number
Heads
Number of heads
Cyl
Number of cylinders
State
The state shows you for example, if a disk is in drive.
DiskType
Type of a disk (e.g. OFS (OldFileSystem), FFS (FastFileSystem),
...)
Handler or Device
The handler or the device you find here has to manage the stream of
data from and to the device.
Actions
-------
Update
The list will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Mounted Devs
to
printer or a selected file.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Ports
=====
Programs are able to communicate together through ports.
Column items
------------
Address
Here you will find the port structure.
ln_Name
Name of port
ln_Pri
Priority of port
mp_SigTask
The task is communicating through the port.
Actions
-------
Update
The ports list will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Ports
to printer or
a selected file.
Remove
The port will be removed.
Priority
Herewith the port priority can be changed.
Exit
The
Ports
window will be closed.
Resident Commands
=================
This list includes all resident commands. That means all commands you
find in ROM and the commands you made `resident' through the
resident
command.
Positions and sizes of their hunks you will find here, too.
Column items
------------
Name
Name of the command
UseCount
Here you can see, how often a command was being executed at the
time the list was build.
Lower
First address of hunk in memory
Upper
Last address of hunk in memory
Size
Size of hunk (upper - lower - 8 bytes overhead)
Actions
-------
Update
The list of
Resident Commands
will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Resident
Commands to printer or a selected file.
Remove
The selected command will be removed with this function provided
that no program uses this command anymore and the
UseCount
is
zero.
Exit
The window disappears.
Residents
=========
Resident modules are reset-protected segments (code and data). In
the list of
Residents
you usually find libraries, devices and
resources. A programmer has the possibility to make his own programs
reset-protected. He has to initialize a resident structure for it and
then he can link the program through the kick-vectors (see Vectors) to
the list of the resident modules. The residents you linked to system
are usually located in RAM and are of a different color.
If you find a resident module that points into RAM and you don't know
which program has created it, you should start your favourite virus
detector and let it check your memory. Many viruses prefer this way to
travel around.
Column items
------------
Address
At this address the resident module is located.
ln_Name
Name of the resident module
rt_Pri
Priority
rt_IdString
Identity string of the resident module.
Actions
-------
Update
The list of
Residents
will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Residents
to
printer or a selected file.
More
Selecting this gadget opens a new window with more information
about the selected resident module.
Exit
The
Residents
window will be closed.
Resources
=========
Usually a resource is -- like a library (see Libraries) -- a
collection of functions/procedures, which have to do certain jobs.
E.g. the `filesystem.resource' includes functions for the filesystem
handling.
Column items
------------
Address
Address of the resource structure
ln_Name
Name of a resource
ln_Pri
Priority of a resource
OpenC
This element shows how often the resource was opened.
RPC
RPC
means
RAM Pointer Count
and shows how many jump
addresses of the resource point into RAM. In this way many
programs -- like the
setpatch
command from Commodore -- patch the
system.
Many viruses patch the system in this way too, but don't panic now.
If you check your system in regular intervals with a current virus
killer, it should be out of danger.
If the whole program code of the resource is located in RAM, you
will find a dash (minus sign) here, because in this case it's
unimportant how many jump addresses point into RAM.
ln_Type
Type of this structure (usually
resource
)
Actions
-------
Update
The list of
Resources
will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Resources
to
printer or a selected file.
Remove
The selected resource will be removed with this function, provided
that no program uses it anymore and the
OpenC
is zero.
Priority
Herewith the priority of the resource can be changed. A small
window will be opened, that asks you for a new priority. Through
the new priority it can happen that the resource gets a new
position in the list of resources.
More
Select this gadget and you get a new window with more information
about the selected resource.
Functions
All resource function offsets and addresses are shown up in a
subwindow. If an appropriate
.fd
file exists and an
FD:
assign points to its directory, then you will also see the
function names. Note that some resources do not have functions.
Exit
The
Resources
window will be closed.
Please note:
If you should find three dashes (minus signs) at
OpenC
and/or
RPC
, the resource has no typical library structure.
This happens for example at the `FileSystem.resource'.
ScreenMode
==========
Screen modes define all monitor resolutions that the system is able
to show up.
You surely have already selected a screen mode before. In this list,
you will find all available modes. Most of the programs filter out some
of them when they do not meet their purpose.
Column items
------------
ModeID
An identification number, unique to each mode.
Width
Nominal width of the resolution in pixeln.
Height
Nominal height of the resolution in pixeln.
Depth
Maximum number of planes. The amount of colors which can be
simultaneously displayed depends on this.
ScreenMode
Name of the screen mode. Some modes do not have a real name, so
Scout will generate it. Then it might differ from the name
generated by other programs or screen mode requesters.
Actions
-------
Update
The list will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list to printer or a selected
file.
More
Further information about the screen mode are displayed in a
subwindow. This includes the overscan resolutions and the
frequencies. Due to an inaccuracy of the operating system, the
real frequencies might be a little bit different to those
displayed.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Semaphores
==========
The use of semaphores is a way of single-threading critical
sections. For example only one program is allowed to use the printer
at one time, otherwise the texts would be mixed.
Column items
------------
ln_Name
Name of a semaphore
Nest
This item counts how often the semaphore has been obtained by the
owner task.
Queue
This counter shows you, how many programs want to obtain the
semaphore.
Owner
Here you will find the name of the task that owns the semaphore.
Actions
-------
Update
The list of
Semaphores
will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Semaphores
to
printer or a selected file.
Obtain
This function is used to gain access to a semaphore. The
NestCnt
will be increased at one by this call.
Release
Herewith you can make a signal semaphore available to others.
Exit
The
Semaphores
window will be closed.
System
======
Actions
-------
Print
This function allows you to send the list to printer or a selected
file.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Entry items
-----------
In this window you will find some (partially technical) information
about your computer. Please excuse the ordinary look of the window, but
it is very easy to add more lines this way.
Tasks
=====
In this window you find a list of all tasks and processes being in
system. Each program you start will be executed as a task or process.
Column items
------------
ln_Name
Name of the task/process
ln_Type
Type of the structure (
task
or
process
)
ln_Pri
Priority of the task/process
NUM
If a non detaching program was started from shell, you will find
here the number of the process. Programs you started from
Workbench have a dash here.
State
Here you see the state of the task or process. You will find
Scout's own process on the top of the list with a
run
at this
place, because this process is always running when it gets the
task list.
ready
means the task wants to work, but it's interrupted by
the execution of another task.
A task that is waiting for a certain signal is in the state
wait
. In this case it doesn't need processing time.
SigWait
Signalmask the task is waiting for.
Actions
-------
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Tasks
to printer or
a selected file.
Freeze
With this function you freeze the selected task. It can still be
found in the list of tasks, but it gets no processing time from
system.
Warning:
If you try to freeze tasks essential to the
system like `input.device', you should have saved all
important data, cause a RESET is the only way out!
Activate
A frozen task can be activated here.
CPU
Here you will find a text field and a cycle gadget. This text field
displays -- dependent on the state of the cycle gadget -- the CPU
load in percent.
For the cycle gadget you can choose between three states:
off
In this case the CPU load won't be displayed. If you select
another state,
Scout
will patch some system functions to
calculate the CPU load of all tasks.
full
If you select this state,
Scout
sets the real cpu load to
100%. That means the total of the CPU loads of all tasks and
processes will be 100%. Therefore nothing will be displayed
in the text field.
in %
Scout
starts a task named
« Scout's cheat task »
to
calculate the real CPU load and it will be displayed in the
text field.
Secs
This string gadget allows you to set the intervall time for
updating of the CPU load display.
Update
The list will be updated.
Remove
A task will be removed from the list. You should prefer the freeze
function, if you perhaps need this task again.
See also
Break
!
Signal
If you select a signal mask, it will be send to the task.
Break
A signal mask that includes the signals CTRL-C and CTRL-D will be
send to the task you selected. Many tasks and processes end, if
they receive these signals.
Priority
The priority of a task can be changed with this function.
More
Selecting this gadget will open another window that displays more
informations about the task or the process.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Timer
=====
This window lists all current requests of the timer.device.
Column items
------------
Address
Address of the IO request structure.
ReplyPort
Address of the port the request will be replied to.
Time
Time that this request will stay in this list.
Unit
There are two different measures: VBlank (which has less overhead)
and MicroHz (which is more accurate).
Task
Name of the requesting task.
Actions
-------
Print
This function allows you to send the list to printer or a selected
file.
Update
The list will be updated.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Vectors
=======
Actions
-------
Update
The displayed vectors will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Vectors
to printer
or a selected file.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Reset Vectors
-------------
A program can make itself reset-protected by using the reset vectors.
If the vectors are unused, they have a value of zero. The programs
which use the Kick-Vectors (KickTagPtr, KickMemPtr and KickCheckSum)
can also be found in the list of resident structures. See also
Residents.
Auto Vector Interrupts
----------------------
In a computer system with a MC68000 processor you will find the seven
Auto Vector Interrupts
from address $64 to address $7c. Higher
processors (MC68010, etc.) have the VBR (Vector Base Register) that
allows you to move the interrupt table to FAST-MEM. The system will be
a little bit faster then.
Scout
uses the VBR if it exists.
Interrupt Vectors
-----------------
Here you see 16 interrupt vectors (IntVecs). These vectors are
located in the `ExecBase' (base structure of the exec.library).
Windows
=======
All screens with the windows opened on them are listed here. Screens
are of a different color as windows.
Column items
------------
Pos(x,y)
x and y position of the screen/window
Size(x,y)
x and y size of the screen/window
Title
Title of the screen/window
Actions
-------
Update
The list will be updated.
Print
This function allows you to send the list of
Windows
to printer
or a selected file.
Close
With this function it is possible to close screens and/or windows.
If you close a screen, all windows on it will be closed too.
To Front
The selected screen/window will be popped to front.
More
If you select this gadget another window will be opened that
displays more informations about the window or the screen.
Exit
The window will be closed.
Scout and AmiTCP
================
This section will show you what you have to do for using
Scout
as
a TCP/IP service through
AmiTCP
. Nearly all functions of
Scout
can
also be used via
AmiTCP
.
Now some knowledge will be assumed. If you don't know, what kind of
program
AmiTCP
represents, you should read
AmiTCP's
user's manual
before. (See also AmiTCP.)
If you have installed
AmiTCP
, you can use
Scout
as client and
server. Except the installed programs of
AmiTCP
you don't need
another program for using
Scout
on networks.
If you want to make your computer available for other systems on the
network, you have to do following two steps:
1. Add the line
scout 6543/tcp
to file
AmiTCP:db/services
.
2. Now please add the line
scout stream tcp nowait root
dh0:scout to file
AmiTCP:db/inetd.conf
. Make sure that the path
at the end of this line is the right path for
scout
.
That's it! If you start
AmiTCP
now, your computer is available for
other systems through using the options
HOST
,
USER
and
PASSWORD
.
Example:
If I want perform some actions on some system
structures of my own system for example, I have to start
Scout
through something like:
1> scout HOST crash.north.de USER atte PASSWORD secret
If you leave out option
PASSWORD
, you will be asked for the
correct password through the
password:
prompt. In this case nobody
can see your password, because it won't be displayed in shell.
If you don't use option
USER
,
AmiTCP
takes the username that is
actually available in system.
The usage of
AmiTCP
doesn't provide the installation of
MUI
. All
of
Scout's
shell commands (see also Commands) can be used via network
through
AmiTCP
.
Example:
If I want to get the task list of my system, I have to
use something like:
1> scout HOST crash.north.de USER atte PASSWORD secret Tasks
You and all other users must always identify themselves through
their usernames (option
USER
) and their passwords (option
PASSWORD
). It's also possible to allow or deny certain systems
the usage of some services through the file
AmiTCP:db/inet.access
.
See also the user's manual of
AmiTCP
.
If you want to get more informations about the implemented options
and commands, you should also see Options and Commands.
Scout without MUI
=================
Nearly all through the graphical user interface available functions
of
Scout
are also available via shell. Therefore you don't really
need
MUI
for using
Scout
. But if you want to use
Scout's
graphical user interface, you must have
MUI
in your system.
Options
*******
There are some options for
Scout
which you can use, when you start
the program. The following options are available from shell and as
tool types from Workbench.
ICONIFIED
Usage:
ICONIFIED
If this option is activ,
Scout
starts iconified.
PORTNAME
Usage:
PORTNAME
=
portname
The name of Scout's ARexx port can be changed into
portname
.
Without this option the ARexx port is called `SCOUT.X'. The
X
stands for a decimal number that will be incremented, if a so
called port already exists.
TOOLPRI
Usage:
TOOLPRI
=
value
This option allows you to change the priority of Scout's process
into
value
.
STARTUP
Usage:
STARTUP
=
command
The variable
command
should be an ARexx script or a single ARexx
command. Both (script or command) will be executed, when
Scout
will be started. In this way you can open more than
only the main window by starting. Try for example the command
OpenWindow Tasks
and you will get two windows by starting
(the main window and the task list window).
(See also Commands.)
INTERVALTIME
Usage:
INTERVALTIME
=
seconds
This options allows you to save your preferred update time for the
list of tasks. (See also Tasks.)
CPUDISPLAY
Format:
CPUDISPLAY
=
value
Through the variable
value
you can select the state of the
CPU
cycle gadget you find in the
Tasks
window. (See also
Tasks.)
*
1
means
CPU: full
*
2
means
CPU: in %
HOST
Format:
HOST
=
hostname
This options allows you to specify the system (
hostname
) you
want to manipulate via network through
AmiTCP
.
USER
Format:
USER
=
username
You have to use this option to identify yourself by using
Scout
as a TCP/IP service.
PASSWORD
Format:
PASSWORD
=
password
Without a password
Scout
can't connect to another system via
network. This option allows you to set the correct password.
COMMAND
Format:
COMMAND
=
commandline
Nearly all of
Scout's
implemented functions are available from
shell through this option. You don't need the
COMMAND
key to use
this option. (See also Commands.)
SINGLEWINDOWS
Format:
SINGLEWINDOWS
Some users don't like to handle the many windows of Scout. This
option solves the problem of too many windows. If this option is
selected, only one list window and only one detail window is
opened at a time.
SORT#?TYPE
Format:
SORT#?TYPE
=
number
Many of
Scout's
lists have a cycle gadget below themselves. With
these gadgets you can select, how a certain list will be sorted.
SORT#?TYPE
stands for each of the following options:
SORTLIBRARIESTYPE
,
SORTDEVICESTYPE
,
SORTRESOURCESTYPE
,
SORTTASKSTYPE
,
SORTPORTSTYPE
,
SORTCOMMANDSTYPE
,
SORTASSIGNSTYPE
,
SORTLOCKSTYPE
,
SORTCOMMODITIESTYPE
and
SORTSCREENMODETYPE
.
SORT#?TYPE
should follow a decimal number, which selects the
kind of sorting.
Here are some examples for the list of tasks:
SORTTASKSTYPE=1
the tasks will be sorted by their names.
SORTTASKSTYPE=2
the tasks will be sorted by their priorities.
Scout's commands via ARexx and shell
************************************
Scout
supports two kinds of commands:
1. commands only available from shell
2. commands available from ARexx and shell
ARexx port
----------
It's a feature of
MUI
to give each application its own ARexx port.
Therefore
Scout
also has an ARexx port that usually has the name
SCOUT.X
. The
X
stands for a decimal number that will be
incremented, if a so called port already exists.
You will find the name of
Scout's
ARexx port in the window you
get, if you select the
Project/About
menu.
Using tasknames:
----------------
If a task or a process was started from shell and hasn't detached
itself, you will find the name of the command being executed, where
usually the taskname is displayed. The real name of those tasks
usually is something like
Background CLI
, but such a taskname isn't
useful.
Example:
If you start a non detaching task like
DH0:Debug/Sushi
from shell, you will see
DH0:Debug/Sushi
as taskname.
Some ARexx commands need a taskname as parameter. You have to select
those from CLI started self detaching tasks by using their command
names like
Scout
displays them in the lists of tasks.
Commands only available from shell
==================================
Help
Format:
Help
This command is the most important one and it doesn't need
parameters. If you try
Help
,
Scout
prints a list of all
available commands to shell. =:^)
Now 18 commands follow. These commands allow the user to get all
lists of system structures from shell. Therefore you only need to
install
MUI
for using
Scout's
graphical user interface.
Each of the following commands has a shortened form that stands
behind the command in parentheses.
Allocations
(a),
Assigns
(g),
Commands
(c),
Devices
(d),
Expansions
(x),
Fonts
(f),
InputHandlers
(h),
Interrupts
(i),
LowMemory
(j),
Commodities
(k),
Libraries
(l),
Memory
(m),
Mounts
(n),
Locks
(o),
Ports
(p),
Residents
(r),
Semaphores
(s),
Tasks
(t),
Resources
(u),
Vectors
(v),
Windows
(w),
System
(y) and
ScreenMode
(z).
Example:
To get the list of ports, you only have to use
scout
ports or
scout p
from shell.
Commands available from ARexx and shell
=======================================
FindTask
Usage:
FindTask
task
This command allows you to check, if task
task
exists in system
or not. The result is the address of the task
task
, if it has
been found.
task
can be the name or the address of a task.
FreezeTask
Usage:
FreezeTask
task
The task
taskname
will be frozen. After that it will still be
found in system's task list, but then it doesn't need processing
time. You can choose the name or the address of a task for
task
.
ActivateTask
Usage:
ActivateTask
task
If task
task
was frozen, it will be activated, otherwise an
error occured.
task
is again a task's name or an address.
RemoveTask
Usage:
RemoveTask
task
This command removes the task
task
. It's lost forever.
BreakTask
Usage:
BreakTask
task
Scout
sends the task
task
a certain signal mask that
includes the signals CTRL-C and CTRL-D. Many programs support
these signals and finish themselves, if they receive one of them.
SignalTask
Usage:
SignalTask
task
hexsignal
This command allows you to send a signal
hexsignal
to the task
task
. The signal must specified as a hexadecimal number.
Example:
SendSignal 'scout' 0x001000
sends task
scout
a CTRL-C and after that
Scout
ends.
SetTaskPri
Usage:
SetTaskPri
task
priority
The task
task
gets a new priority (
priority
).
RemovePort
Usage:
RemovePort
port
The port
port
will be removed from
Scout
.
port
can be the
name of a port or its address.
GetLockNumber
Usage:
GetLockNumber
lockpattern
This command returns the number of locks which have paths matching
to the pattern
lockpattern
.
Example:
Use the command
GetLockNumber 'WORK:Utilities/#?'
and you will know, how many locks are currently used for files in
the directory
WORK:Utilities/
.
RemoveLocks
Usage:
RemoveLocks
lockpattern
Use this command and all locks which have paths matching to the
pattern
lockpattern
will be removed. (See also
GetLockNumber
.)
RemoveLock
Format:
RemoveLock
lockaddress
The lock at adress
lockaddress
will be removed.
FindNode
Usage:
FindNode
nodetype
nodename
This command allows you to find a certain node. You only have to
know its name (
nodename
) and its type (
nodetype
).
Nodetype
can have following values:
LIBRARY
,
DEVICE
,
RESOURCE
,
MEMORY
,
SEMAPHORE
,
PORT
or
INPUTHANDLER
.
Example:
If you want to get the address of the
disk.resource
you must use:
FindNode RESOURCE 'disk.resource'
GetPriority
Usage:
GetPriority
nodeaddress
This command allows you to check the priority of a certain node
structure. This includes all following structure types: tasks,
libraries, devices, resources, ports, residents, input handlers,
interrupts, semaphores and the elements of the memory list.
You only have to know the address (
nodeaddress
) of that
structure.
Example:
The following ARexx commands store the priority of
your chip memory in the variable
pri
:
FindName MEMORY 'chip memory'
addr = result
GetPriority addr
pri = result
SetPriority
Usage:
SetPriority
nodetype
nodename
If you want to change the priority of the node
nodename
, you can
use this command. Again
nodetype
can have following values:
LIBRARY
,
DEVICE
,
RESOURCE
,
MEMORY
,
SEMAPHORE
,
PORT
or
INPUTHANDLER
.
CloseLibrary
Format:
CloseLibrary
library
The library
library
will be closed once.
library
can be the
name of the library or its address.
RemoveLibrary
Format:
RemoveLibrary
library
The library
library
will be removed, if no program uses it.
RemoveDevice
Format:
RemoveDevice
device
The selected device
device
will be removed. For
device
use the
name or the address of the device.
RemoveResource
Format:
RemoveResource
resource
The resource
resource
will be removed.
ObtainSemaphore
Format:
ObtainSemaphore
semaphore
This command allows you to obtain the given semaphore.
semaphore
can be the semaphore's name or address.
ReleaseSemaphore
Format:
ReleaseSemaphore
semaphore
The semaphore
semaphore
will be once released.
RemoveSemaphore
Format:
RemoveSemaphore
semaphore
You are able to remove the semaphore
semaphore
by using this
command.
RemoveInputhandler
Format:
RemoveInputhandler
inputhandler
The input handler
inputhandler
selected through name or address
will be removed.
FindResident
Usage:
FindResident
resident
This command returns the address of the resident structure
resident
.
FindInterrupt
Usage:
FindInterrupt
interruptname
The address of the interrupt
interruptname
will be returned.
RemoveInterrupt
Format:
RemoveInterrupt
interruptname
The interrupt you have selected through
interruptname
will be
removed.
FlushDevs
Usage:
FlushDevs
All not used devices will be removed. The used memory will be
freed.
FlushFonts
Usage:
FlushFonts
If a diskfont is in memory, but no program uses it, it will be
removed.
FlushLibs
Usage:
FlushLibs
All not used libraries will be removed. The used memory will be
freed.
FlushAll
Usage:
FlushAll
This function includes
FlushDevs
,
FlushFonts
and
FlushLibs
. All not used devices, libraries and fonts will be
removed and the used memory will be freed.
ClearResetVectors
Usage:
ClearResetVectors
The six reset vectors will be cleared, if you select this function
(see Vectors).
PopToFront
Usage:
PopToFront
title
This command allows you to pop a screen or window to front. You
only have to know its (
title
).
CloseWindow
Usage:
CloseWindow
windowtitle
This command closes the window that is specified through its title
(
windowtitle
).
CloseScreen
Usage:
CloseScreen
screentitle
If you select this command, the screen (
screentitle
) will be
closed with all its windows.
CloseFont
Format:
CloseFont
address
The font at address
address
will be closed once.
RemoveFont
Format:
RemoveFont
address
This command removes the font at address
address
, if it's not
used by any program.
RemoveCommand
Format:
RemoveCommand
address
Scout
makes the resident command at address
address
not
resident.
RemoveAssign
Format:
RemoveAssign
name
With this command you're able to remove the assign
name
.
RemoveAssignList
Format:
RemoveAssignList
name
address
This command removes the directory at address
address
from
assign
name
. You will find the address of that directory in the
list of assigns.
PrintList
Format:
PrintList
listcharacter
filename
This command allows you to print a list (specified by the
listcharacter) into the file
filename
.
Example:
PrintList t 'ram:tasklist'
will print the list of tasks into the file 'ram:tasklist'.
OpenWindow
Usage:
OpenWindow
windowid
All windows you get if you select a gadget of
Scout's
main
window, can be opened with this command. The
windowid
is the
same text you find on the main window gadgets.
Example:
OpenWindow 'Mounted Devs'
will open the window with the list of mounted devices.
CxAppear
CxDisappear
CxEnable
CxDisable
CxKill
CxListChg
CxUnique
Format:
Cx...
name
Sends the command to the commodity named
name
.
RemoveCx
Format:
RemoveCx
commodity
Removes the appropriate commodity from the list. Please consider
this as `emergency break'. Use it only if
CxKill
failed.
SetCxPri
Format:
SetCxPri
commodity
priority
Sets the priority of a commodity.
How to get updates
==================
The newest version of
Scout
should always be available on AmiNet
or Public Domain collections, which are up-to-date.
You can also find the latest version on my home page:
http://www.is-koeln.de/einwohner/shred
Credits
=======
Now we have to thank some people for supporting the development of
Scout
on many different kinds:
* Klaus `gizmo' Weber, he was always available to Atte and his many
questions (not a few) during the programming of
Scout
.
* Christian `cosinus' Stelter, he gave the permission to use his
many manuals.
* Stefan Stuntz for his great
MagicUserInterface
* all (hopefully still) bug reporting and feature requesting people:
Kai `wusel' Siering, Martin Hauner, Peter Meyer, Karl `Charly'
Skibinski, Michael `Mick' Hohmann, Thore Böckelmann, Bernardo
Innocenti, ...
and last but not least
* all the others we've forgotten for reporting bugs, sending
expansion boards data and so on.
How to reach the author
=======================
If you have questions, suggestions, bug reports or anything else, you
can contact me at:
Richard Körber
Hornstraße 20
51465 Bergisch Gladbach
- Germany -
E-Mail: shred@chessy.aworld.de
richard.koerber@koeln.netsurf.de
Send E-Mails whenever possible..
If you want to contact Andreas Gelhausen, you can reach him at:
Andreas Gelhausen
Graf Spee Str. 23b
26123 Oldenburg
- Germany -
E-Mail: atte@crash.north.de
Please do not contact him for bug reports, suggestions and similar.
But if you feel the urge to send a gift, then he is the right address!
That's it! =:^)
Index
*****
Allocations Allocations
AmiTCP AmiTCP
ARexx Commands
ARexx port Commands
Assigns Assigns
Author Info Author Info
Boards Expansions
Command Commands
Command Line Options Options
Commodities Commodities
Contents Copyright
Copying Copyright
Copyright Copyright
Copyright Copyright
Credits Credits
Device names, logical Assigns
Devices Devices
DISKFONT Fonts
Distribution Copyright
Expansions Expansions
Fonts Fonts
FreeWare Copyright
Handler, LowMemory LowMemory
Hardware Expansions
Identify Identify
Input events InputHandlers
InputHandlers InputHandlers
Installation Installation
Interrupts Interrupts
Introduction Introduction
Legalities Copyright
Liability Copyright
Libraries Libraries
Limitation Copyright
Locks Locks
Logical device names Assigns
LowMemory LowMemory
MagicUserInterface MUI
Main Window Using Scout
Manufacturer Expansions
Memory Memory
Mounted Devices Mounted Devs
MUI MUI
No Warranty Copyright
Options Options
Ports Ports
Processes Tasks
RAM Pointer Count Devices
Resident Commands Resident Cmds
Residents Residents
Resource allocation Allocations
Resources Resources
ROMFONT Fonts
RPC Devices
ScreenMode ScreenMode
Screens Windows
Semaphores Semaphores
System System
System Requirements System Requirements
Tasknames Commands
Tasks Tasks
TCP/IP AmiTCP
Timer Timer
Tool Types Options
Trademarks Copyright
Updates Updates
Using Scout Using Scout
VBR Vectors
Vectors Vectors
Vertical blank interrupt Interrupts
What is Scout? Introduction
Windows Windows