Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- notes:wonderswan:wonderwitch_faq [2024/12/03 20:21] – [Some games depend on external IL libraries like sound.il. Where can I download them?] asie
+++ notes:wonderswan:wonderwitch_faq [2024/12/08 11:09] (current) – asie
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ===== Users =====
+==== What is the WonderWitch? ====
+The WonderWitch is a personal software development kit developed by Qute Corporation for the WonderSwan and released in July 2000. It allowed users to create and publish their own independent WonderWitch-compatible games and applications.
+==== What items do I need to use a WonderWitch? ====
+These items are necessary to use the WonderWitch environment:
+  * A WonderSwan console.
+  * A WonderWitch cartridge. All cartridges are identical hardware-wise, no matter if they come from a retail box, a Player box, or loose.
+  * A serial port cable. If you didn't receive one with the cartridge, you can build your own or buy a compatible cable online - see below.
+These items are useful, but not mandatory, to use the WonderWitch environment:
+  * A WonderWitch CD. Some proprietary files are contained on it which cannot be found online; this is of particular value if your goal is to develop, rather than only use, WonderWitch software. While open source toolchains for the WonderWitch exist, they are not as complete as the official kit and don't yet have as good documentation.
+Note that a PDF copy of the WonderWitch manual is provided on the CD, so you don't need to own it physically to have all the included material.
 ==== Where can I acquire a PC serial port adapter for the WonderSwan? ====
@@ Line 20: / Line 38: @@
 ===== Developers =====
+==== What programming languages are supported by WonderWitch? ====
+Officially, assembly and C are supported for direct compliation; however, the community has enabled the use of other programming languages, like (old) C++ for direct compilation (via Turbo C++) or BASIC for interpretation (via WonBe).
 ==== Which compilers can be used with WonderWitch? ====
@@ Line 40: / Line 62: @@
 ==== Can any 8086 compiler be used with WonderWitch? ====
-No. To support the WonderWitch architecture, a compiler must support the **small** memory model with **DS != SS** (data and stack segment differ). This is not a very common combination, as typically DOS applications used the same segment for near data and stack contents. It may also be possible, in some cases, to adapt **compact** memory model compilers.
+No. To support the WonderWitch architecture, a compiler must:
+  - not assume that **DS == SS** (under Freya, the data and stack segments are placed in different locations - data in SRAM, stack in IRAM). This is not a very common combination, as typically DOS applications used the same segment for near data and stack contents;
+  - support arbitrary **CS** (code segment) locations without relying on relocation - this, in practice, usually prohibits use of far code memory models.
+The typical memory model used for WonderWitch software is **small** with the **DS != SS** assumption. It may also be possible, in some cases, to adapt **compact** memory model compilers.