Getting Started With Gsx - AMSTRAD cpc 6128 User Instruction

Getting started with GSX
GSX is a Graphics System eXtension which allows a CP/M program to output
graphics as well as text. It is used to draw such things as bar and pie charts, and write
headings in alternative typestyles and sizes. On the next page is a reproduction of
actual output illustrating this facility. GSX allows output to the screen, to a printer,
or to a pen plotter.
The GSX itself does not have the ability to draw pictures, any more than CP/M can do
word processing; a dedicated applications program is required. The example was
drawn using the Digital Research program 'DR Graph'. What GSX do£s do, however,
is provide standard facilities for screens, printers, and plotters, so that applications
programs can be moved from one maclline to another with a minimum of
re-installation.
To create a disc suitable for running GSX programs, copy (from Side 3) the files
G S X • S Y S, ASS I G N . S Y S, and the required device drivers, (together with the
application program itself) onto a blank formatted disc, using PIP. The file
ASS I
G
N • S
Y
S contains a 'recipe' of up to three output device drivers, in reverse
order oftheir size:
21a:ddfxLr7
11a:ddhp7470
01a:ddmode2
02 a: ddmode 1
03 a: ddmode0
; Epson 7 bit printer
; pen plotter
; screen in mode 2
; screen in mode 1
; screen in mode 0
The numbers tell GSX what type of device driver each is - (Printer/Plotter/Screen).
Only one device driver at a time is actually loaded into the same area of memory,
which is why GSX needs to know how big the largest is first, in order to allocate
enough space.
A selection of drivers is provided for various 6128 screen modes, and for standard
printers. The file
D
R I V E R S •
G
S
X
contains a summary of the ones provided with the
6128. You should read this file by inserting Side 3 and after the A> prompt, typing:
TYPE DRIVERS.GSX
... .in order to select suitable device drivers.
Most applications programs will include a GSX loader so all that you need do is type
the program name at the A> prompt. If your application
do~s
not have the GSX loader
installed, then copy the file G EN G RAF. CO M (from Side 3) onto your GSX working
disc, and type:
GENGRAF YOURFILE
.... where
YOU
R F I LE.
CO M
is the un-installed application. The file
G
E N
G
RAF.
CO M
can now be ERAsed, as YOU R F I LE. CO M now includes the GSX loader.
Using Discs and Cassettes Chapter 4 Page 9