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x16-PRos v0.9

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@PRoX2011 PRoX2011 released this 10 May 07:35
· 7 commits to main since this release
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x16-PRos v0.9

A big release focused on program formats, large-file I/O, fresh system tooling, and a much more capable SETUP

The most important changes:

For users:

  • MZ EXE program support. You can run some MS-DOS games or programs in .EXE format.
  • SETUP can now install x16-PRos to any disk. Pick your target drive (floppy / HDD / SSD) and SETUP formats it and lays down the system files for you
  • Installs are no longer capped at 1.44 MB. HDD/SSD partitions can be much larger, leaving real room for files and programs
  • Improved HDD / multi-disk handling
  • Seven new terminal themes, selectable via the THEME program
  • New SETTINGS.BIN program - place to configure username, timezone and more
  • New CALENDAR.BIN program
  • CPU utility is now a stand-alone as CPU.BIN instead of being baked into the kernel
  • PAINT.BIN update: save your drawing to a file, plus new line-drawing mode (toggle between free and line with TAB)
  • Mouse text selection in the terminal (bare-bones, but it's there)
  • Default prompt config fix

For developers:

  • PLE (PRos Large Executable) - new native format. Hybrid of .BIN and MZ EXE: multi-segment, files up to ~448 KB, built-in description / author metadata, and a built-in 64×64 splash logo shown before the program runs.
  • New build tool scripts/img2pleimg.py converts any image (PNG/JPG/etc.) to a 4096-byte PLE logo, snapped to the EGA 16-color palette
  • New syscall INT 0x22 AH=0x13 - write huge file from arbitrary segment:offset, supports files larger than 64 KB
  • New syscalls INT 0x21 AH=0x0C (clear screen + reapply current theme) and AH=0x06 (clear screen, default VGA)
  • Improved mouse driver

Other improvements:

  • .BIN program and CFG buffers moved out of the kernel segment (now at 0x1000 instead of 0x2000), leaving more room for the kernel itself
  • Various bugfixes