New tool (ROM) called CATRUN to fasten the CAT+RUN workflow

[norecess464]

Hello @Audronic

The tool is called with the RSX called |CATRUN , yes.

But, when the ROM gets initialized at startup, it installs a system-wide shortcut:

• Amstrad CPC 464 users: press Shift+TAB to auto-type |CATRUN from the BASIC prompt
• Amstrad CPC 6128 users: press Control+TAB to auto-type |CATRUN from the BASIC prompt

Please take note that once the tool is launched, the H key allows to print the embedded Help.

Have a good day!

[Audronic]

@norecess464 

Thanks for the info

What slot is preferred for the Rom to reside 1 - 6 -- 8 -14 ?

Thanks

Keep Safe

Ray

[norecess464]

@Audronic 

Oh sorry yes, I realize I did not answer your original question.

Any location for the ROM is OK.

The ROM doesn't depend on anything special at initialization time.

[norecess464]

Just for fun, sharing here a photo of CATRUN showing the content of a folder (managed internally through UniDOS).

Here the current folder is "Games" on my UMS: storage (cf. pointing to the Albireo USB Key storage).

Some games get listed there... if I select one of those folders, CATRUN will enter it and display its catalogue. The "startup file" will be automatically selected (because CATRUN searches for the most common launcher files) and I will be able to run the program from there.

Still from there, please take note that with this V1.2 I can now use CLR key to get back to the root folder of the UMS: storage, DEL key to go to parent folder, or press N key to create a new folder.

Today I also used CATRUN to rename the name of few folders, and I was also able to delete (erase) some existing folders too.

To be honest with you, I find it really handy to access those features "while displaying a simple CAT".

[VincentGR]

Cannot test it for now and never used it, will for sure when I bring my CPC on the table.
Does it work with |LS on M4 with long filename support?

Thank you.

[norecess464]

Does it work with |LS on M4 with long filename support?

Thanks for asking this question, because it's not a trivial one for sure. The short answer is "no", but wait! there is a long answer too...

Before adding the feature "browse mass storage content" to CATRUN, I took some time to "analyze the mass storage market" on the Amstrad CPC.

There are many options available today -- most of those are truly awesome, huge sincere congrats to @ikonsgr, @Duke , @TotO , @PulkoMandy ...
Unfortunately, all those boards come with a different way to access those storages. Usually, a custom ROM overriding AmsDOS (or something close to it)

As a developer, I can't own ALL the boards around, that would be just insane (would you buy all the existing video-cards for your PC ?!).

So I had to make a choice and I decided to consider UniDOS from @OffseT as being the "DirectX" of the mass storages, since its goal is to abstract all the existing boards into a single, unified API.
"One API to rule them all"

I hope you understand my point!

Best regards,
Arnaud

ps. UniDOS provides support for M4 "nodes" (I don't know the status for USIfAC 2).
ps2. CATRUN will NOT crash when browsing content from the M4, USIfAC 2... you will just not be able to navigate through the Folder hierarchy with it. (thanks @poulette73 for the testing!).
ps3. yes I totally agree, @OffseT should pay me for all those kind comments about his work

[Audronic]

Any location for the ROM is OK.

The ROM doesn't depend on anything special at initialization time.

@norecess464 

Ok Thanks
I will give it a try

Keep Safe

Ray

[VincentGR]

No worries, I was just curious :-)
I totally understand.

[norecess464]

New version ! Nothing major, only a small iteration here.

Changelog V1.3 (20th of Dec 2023)
- fixed a rare bug with visual selection when doing an action on files + vertical scrolling
- direct calls to |ERA and |COPY RSXs for multi-selection (in other words: this removes the limit of 9 files max. to be auto-typed in BASIC prompt)

Click here to download new version 1.3

Thanks!

[IndyUK]

Hi @norecess464

I just came across it today, installed it and immediately the benefit is apparent. This is a very useful ROM - Many thanks for your great work.

Thanks

[destroyer]

I have read that it is valid for the Duke M4... would I run SNA files on that board?

[norecess464]

Thanks for your interest!

Sorry, CatRun doesn't provide direct support for the M4. I claimed this at a time when I did not have a M4 myself, my comment was based on what other users told me back then.
But now I have an M4 and I have been able to test it against CatRun

So it's a "small" yes; you can run programs from the M4 with CatRun, but you can't navigate through folder hierarchy nor access M4 specific features (SNA DSK opening etc).

This is expected / by design. CatRun does not directly support Usifac, M4, etc.. but it does support UniDOS. UniDOS abstracts the M4 with its dedicated node, so if you have UniDOS installed and that you are using the dedicated M4 Unidos node, it will work fine (with folder hierarchy navigation etc).