Date   : Mon, 21 May 2001 14:26:53 +0100
From   : "Rich Talbot-Watkins" <rich@...>
Subject: Re: Acorn ROMS - technical descriptions of routines

"Fewell, Steve" <Steve.Fewell@...> wrote:

> I've been looking at the BASIC4 ROM and trying to document the various
> routines that are included in it, including descriptions of what the
> routines do, and how they do it.
>
> I haven't got very far yet, but I was thinking of typing up some of the
> stuff, and was wondering whether anyone would be interested in reading it.
I
> know that many people on this list have probably already dissected the
BASIC
> ROM - and probably know more than I do!
>
> I was thinking of including assembler listings with the descriptions of the
> routines. Can anyone tell me if this is legal now - or is the ROM still
> under copyright. If it's still copyright, I guess I would be okay quoting
> addresses of routines and describing how they work.

Years and years ago, I was going to try and compile a commented disassembly
of the Basic 4 Rom (much like the Sinclair Spectrum and OS1.20 ones that are
floating around if you look for them) - but it's actually a very daunting
job, and 16k is actually much more code than it possibly sounds!  So I didn't
get too far (incidentally, I was once going to attempt the same thing with
the Exile code).  But I'd like to see any results.

Don't know anything about the legality issue, but it seems as if the old
8-bit ROMs have been made publicly available (whether legally or not is
another issue entirely of course!) within the last year or so.  Don't know if
that makes any difference though.

Rich :)