ProLink Linkage Editor ProLink and its documentation written by Ronald G. Fowler, NightOwl Software. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ProLink is one of the most powerful small-application linkage editors we think you'll find anywhere. And it's free (yep, free -- subject to some restrictions outlined below). If you like ProLink, don't send money ... but do look at the accompanying file, "MEXPLUS.NEW", which describes what we believe to be the most powerful, yet inexpensive, communications pro- gram available for CP/M. If MexPlus looks like something you can use, give us a call. But whether or not you buy MexPlus, we hope you enjoy using ProLink! The ProLink distribution set also includes LINKMAP, a handy REL-file display utility. May we suggest: a good companion to ProLink is the ZASM assembler, now available on many remote CP/M systems. ZASM is a free macro assembler, and produces Microsoft (and ProLink) compatible relocatable output modules. ProLink and ZASM are a perfect match for Z-80 assembly language development! And now, some general information about ProLink: =============== ProLink ==================== ProLink is an advanced linkage editor for assembly language programs. Developed by NightOwl Software for internal use (we use it to build our MexPlus (tm) communications package), we've spruced it up, written a User's Guide, and are now ready to offer it to the user community. ProLink is a fast, in-memory linkage editor; it runs only on a Z-80, and its use is limited to assembly language programs (compiler con- structs not supported). Highlights include: * Command driven operation; commands can be read from a disk file ("script"), to simplify complex linkages * Allows REL modules and HEX modules to be intermixed * Built-in expression evaluator allows full access to symbols DURING the linkage editing process. * DUMP command lets you view the memory image, anytime during the linkage process. * PATCH command allows the loaded program to be modified before being written to disk, with full access to the symbolic expression evaluator. Patch bytes, words and ASCII strings. * YOU control the location counter ... move load address forward or backword freely. Use this feature with the patch command to create patch "holes", custom modules, "back-loads", etc. * Define, re-define, and purge symbols * Load and save symbol files * Special features (when used with the public-domain DASM disassembler) simplify the disassembly of REL files * RESOLVE command to force resolution of undefined symbols (permits a fully modular design when constructing programs that will be designed for more than one application) * 32-page User's Guide included ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING REDISTRIBUTION: Note: ProLink is Copyright (c) 1985, 1986 by NightOwl Software, Inc., Route1 Box 7, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. ProLink is NOT public domain; it is licensed for non-commercial use without charge. ProLink may be distributed on modem-accessible Bulletin Board systems, providing the entire distribution kit (outlined below) is maintained in a single LBR-format file. Non-profit user groups may distribute ProLink on disk- ette, providing the entire distribution kit is provided on the diskette, either in "LBR" form, or as discrete files. ProLink may not be distributed with a commercial hardware, software or "shareware" product without the express written consent of NightOwl Software, Inc (developers of fully-public domain software may include ProLink with their package, provided ProLink and its accompanying files are provided intact). The ProLink distribution kit includes: -READ.ME -- This file PROLINK.COM -- Linkage Editor PROLINK.WS -- ProLink User's Guide LINKMAP.COM -- REL file display utility LINKMAP.DOC -- Documenation for LINKMAP MEXPLUS.NEW -- unabashed ad for our comms program! (note that some files are compressed, requiring the public domain USQ "unsqueezer" utility).