Commands¶

bin2sna.py¶

bin2sna.py converts a binary (raw memory) file into an SZX or Z80 snapshot. For example:

$ bin2sna.py game.bin

will create a file named game.z80. By default, the origin address (the address of the first byte of code or data), the start address (the first byte of code to run) and the stack pointer are set to 65536 minus the length of game.bin. These values can be changed by passing options to bin2sna.py. Run it with no arguments to see the list of available options:

usage: bin2sna.py [options] file.bin [OUTFILE]

Convert a binary (raw memory) file into an SZX or Z80 snapshot. 'file.bin' may
be a regular file, or '-' for standard input. If 'OUTFILE' is not given, it
defaults to the name of the input file with '.bin' replaced by '.z80', or
'program.z80' if reading from standard input.

Options:
  -b BORDER, --border BORDER
                        Set the border colour (default: 7).
  -o ORG, --org ORG     Set the origin address (default: 65536 minus the
                        length of file.bin).
  -p STACK, --stack STACK
                        Set the stack pointer (default: ORG).
  -P a[-b[-c]],[^+]v, --poke a[-b[-c]],[^+]v
                        POKE N,v for N in {a, a+c, a+2c..., b}. Prefix 'v'
                        with '^' to perform an XOR operation, or '+' to
                        perform an ADD operation. This option may be used
                        multiple times.
  -r name=value, --reg name=value
                        Set the value of a register. Do '--reg help' for more
                        information. This option may be used multiple times.
  -s START, --start START
                        Set the address at which to start execution (default:
                        ORG).
  -S name=value, --state name=value
                        Set a hardware state attribute. Do '--state help' for
                        more information. This option may be used multiple
                        times.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

Version	Changes
9.0	Added support for writing SZX snapshots; added the `fe` hardware state attribute
8.10	Added the `issue2` hardware state attribute
8.9	Added the `tstates` hardware state attribute
6.3	Added the `--poke` option
6.2	Added the `--reg` and `--state` options; the `--org`, `--stack` and `--start` options accept a hexadecimal integer prefixed by ‘0x’
5.2	New

bin2tap.py¶

bin2tap.py converts a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot into a TAP file. For example:

$ bin2tap.py game.bin

will create a file called game.tap. By default, the origin address (the address of the first byte of code or data), the start address (the first byte of code to run) and the stack pointer are set to 65536 minus the length of game.bin. These values can be changed by passing options to bin2tap.py. Run it with no arguments to see the list of available options:

usage: bin2tap.py [options] FILE [file.tap]

Convert a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot into a TAP
file. FILE may be a regular file, or '-' to read a binary file from standard
input.

Options:
  -b BEGIN, --begin BEGIN
                        Begin conversion at this address (default: ORG for a
                        binary file, 16384 for a snapshot).
  -c N, --clear N       Use a 'CLEAR N' command in the BASIC loader and leave
                        the stack pointer alone.
  -e END, --end END     End conversion at this address.
  -o ORG, --org ORG     Set the origin address for a binary file (default:
                        65536 minus the length of FILE).
  -p STACK, --stack STACK
                        Set the stack pointer (default: BEGIN).
  -s START, --start START
                        Set the start address to JP to (default: BEGIN).
  -S FILE, --screen FILE
                        Add a loading screen to the TAP file. FILE may be a
                        snapshot or a 6912-byte SCR file.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

Note that the ROM tape loading routine at 1366 (0x0556) and the load routine used by bin2tap.py together require 14 bytes for stack operations, and so STACK must be at least 16384+14=16398 (0x400E). This means that if ORG is less than 16398, you should use the -p option to set the stack pointer to something appropriate. If the main data block (derived from game.bin) overlaps any of the last four bytes of the stack, bin2tap.py will replace those bytes with the values required by the tape loading routine for correct operation upon returning. Stack operations will overwrite the bytes in the address range STACK-14 to STACK-1 inclusive, so those addresses should not be used to store essential code or data.

If the input file contains a program that returns to BASIC, you should use the --clear option to add a CLEAR command to the BASIC loader. This option leaves the stack pointer alone, enabling the program to return to BASIC without crashing. The lowest usable address with the --clear option on a bare 48K Spectrum is 23952 (0x5D90).

Version	Changes
8.3	Added the `--begin` option; the `--end` option applies to raw memory files as well as snapshots
6.2	The `--clear`, `--end`, `--org`, `--stack` and `--start` options accept a hexadecimal integer prefixed by ‘0x’
5.3	Added the `--screen` option
5.2	Added the ability to read a binary file from standard input; added a second positional argument specifying the TAP filename
4.5	Added the `--clear` and `--end` options, and the ability to convert SNA, SZX and Z80 snapshots
3.4	Added the `-V` option and the long options
2.2.5	Added the `-p` option
1.3.1	New

skool2asm.py¶

skool2asm.py converts a skool file into an ASM file that can be fed to an assembler (see Supported assemblers). For example:

$ skool2asm.py game.skool > game.asm

skool2asm.py supports many options; run it with no arguments to see a list:

usage: skool2asm.py [options] FILE

Convert a skool file into an ASM file and write it to standard output. FILE may
be a regular file, or '-' for standard input.

Options:
  -c, --create-labels   Create default labels for unlabelled instructions.
  -D, --decimal         Write the disassembly in decimal.
  -E ADDR, --end ADDR   Stop converting at this address.
  -f N, --fixes N       Apply fixes:
                          N=0: None (default)
                          N=1: @ofix only
                          N=2: @ofix and @bfix
                          N=3: @ofix, @bfix and @rfix (implies -r)
  -F, --force           Force conversion, ignoring @start and @end directives.
  -H, --hex             Write the disassembly in hexadecimal.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -l, --lower           Write the disassembly in lower case.
  -p, --package-dir     Show path to skoolkit package directory and exit.
  -P p=v, --set p=v     Set the value of ASM writer property 'p' to 'v'. This
                        option may be used multiple times.
  -q, --quiet           Be quiet.
  -r, --rsub            Apply safe substitutions (@ssub) and relocatability
                        substitutions (@rsub) (implies '-f 1').
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -s, --ssub            Apply safe substitutions (@ssub).
  -S ADDR, --start ADDR
                        Start converting at this address.
  -u, --upper           Write the disassembly in upper case.
  --var name=value      Define a variable that can be used by @if and the SMPL
                        macros. This option may be used multiple times.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.
  -w, --no-warnings     Suppress warnings.
  -W CLASS, --writer CLASS
                        Specify the ASM writer class to use.

See ASM modes and directives for a description of the @ssub and @rsub substitution modes, and the @ofix, @bfix and @rfix bugfix modes.

See the @set directive for information on the ASM writer properties that can be set by the --set option.

Configuration¶

skool2asm.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

Address - the format of the default link text for the #R macro when the target address has no label (default: ‘’); this format string recognises the replacement field address; if the format string is blank, the address is formatted exactly as it appears in the skool file (without any $ prefix)
Base - convert addresses and instruction operands to hexadecimal (16) or decimal (10), or leave them as they are (0, the default)
Case - write the disassembly in lower case (1) or upper case (2), or leave it as it is (0, the default)
CreateLabels - create default labels for unlabelled instructions (1), or don’t (0, the default)
EntryLabel - the format of the default label for the first instruction in a routine or data block (default: L{address})
EntryPointLabel - the format of the default label for an instruction other than the first in a routine or data block (default: {main}_{index})
Quiet - be quiet (1) or verbose (0, the default)
Set-property - set an ASM writer property value, e.g. Set-bullet=+ (see the @set directive for a list of available properties)
Templates - file from which to read custom ASM templates
Warnings - show warnings (1, the default), or suppress them (0)

EntryLabel and EntryPointLabel are standard Python format strings. EntryLabel recognises the following replacement fields:

address - the address of the routine or data block as it appears in the skool file
location - the address of the routine or data block as an integer

EntryPointLabel recognises the following replacement fields:

address - the address of the instruction as it appears in the skool file
index - 0 for the first unlabelled instruction in the routine or data block, 1 for the second, etc.
location - the address of the instruction as an integer
main - the label of the first instruction in the routine or data block

Configuration parameters must appear in a [skool2asm] section. For example, to make skool2asm.py write the disassembly in hexadecimal with a line width of 120 characters by default (without having to use the -H and -P options on the command line), add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[skool2asm]
Base=16
Set-line-width=120

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
8.5	Added the `Address`, `EntryLabel` and `EntryPointLabel` configuration parameters
7.2	Added the `Templates` configuration parameter and support for ASM templates
7.0	Non-entry blocks are reproduced verbatim; added the `--force` option
6.4	Added the `--var` option
6.2	Added the `--show-config` option; the `--end` and `--start` options accept a hexadecimal integer prefixed by ‘0x’
6.1	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini` option
5.0	Added the `--set` option
4.5	Added the `--start` and `--end` options
4.1	Added the `--writer` option
3.4	Added the `-V` and `-p` options and the long options
2.2.2	Added the ability to read a skool file from standard input
2.1.1	Added the `-u`, `-D` and `-H` options
1.1	Added the `-c` option

skool2bin.py¶

skool2bin.py converts a skool file into a binary (raw memory) file. For example:

$ skool2bin.py game.skool

To list the options supported by skool2bin.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: skool2bin.py [options] file.skool [file.bin]

Convert a skool file into a binary (raw memory) file. 'file.skool' may be a
regular file, or '-' for standard input. If 'file.bin' is not given, it
defaults to the name of the input file with '.skool' replaced by '.bin'.
'file.bin' may be a regular file, or '-' for standard output.

Options:
  -b, --bfix            Apply @ofix and @bfix directives.
  -d, --data            Process @defb, @defs and @defw directives.
  -E ADDR, --end ADDR   Stop converting at this address.
  -i, --isub            Apply @isub directives.
  -o, --ofix            Apply @ofix directives.
  -r, --rsub            Apply @isub, @ssub and @rsub directives (implies
                        --ofix).
  -R, --rfix            Apply @ofix, @bfix and @rfix directives (implies
                        --rsub).
  -s, --ssub            Apply @isub and @ssub directives.
  -S ADDR, --start ADDR
                        Start converting at this address.
  -v, --verbose         Show info on each converted instruction.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.
  -w, --no-warnings     Suppress warnings.

The --verbose option shows information on each converted instruction, such as whether it was inserted before or after another instruction (by a @*sub or @*fix directive), and its original address (if it was relocated by the insertion, removal or replacement of other instructions). For example:

9C40 > XOR A
9C41 | LD HL,40006   : 40000 9C40 LD HL,40003
9C44 + JR 40006      :            JR 40003
9C46   RET           : 40003 9C43 RET

This output shows that:

The instruction at 40000 (XOR A) was inserted before (>) another instruction
The instruction at 40001 (LD HL,40006) overwrote (|) the instruction(s) originally at 40000, and had its operand changed from 40003 (because the instruction originally at that address was relocated to 40006)
The instruction at 40004 (JR 40006) was inserted after (+) another instruction, and also had its operand changed from 40003
The instruction at 40006 (RET) was originally at 40003 (before other instructions were inserted, removed or replaced)

Version	Changes
8.1	Added the `--data`, `--rsub`, `--rfix`, `--verbose` and `--no-warnings` options
7.0	@if directives are processed
6.2	The `--end` and `--start` options accept a hexadecimal integer prefixed by ‘0x’
6.1	Added the ability to assemble instructions whose operands contain arithmetic expressions
5.2	Added the ability to write the binary file to standard output
5.1	Added the `--bfix`, `--ofix` and `--ssub` options
5.0	New

skool2ctl.py¶

skool2ctl.py converts a skool file into a control file. For example:

$ skool2ctl.py game.skool > game.ctl

In addition to block types and addresses, game.ctl will contain block titles, block descriptions, registers, mid-block comments, block start and end comments, sub-block types and addresses, instruction-level comments, non-entry blocks, and some ASM directives.

To list the options supported by skool2ctl.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: skool2ctl.py [options] FILE

Convert a skool file into a control file and write it to standard output. FILE
may be a regular file, or '-' for standard input.

Options:
  -b, --preserve-base   Preserve the base of decimal and hexadecimal values in
                        instruction operands and DEFB/DEFM/DEFS/DEFW statements.
  -E ADDR, --end ADDR   Stop converting at this address.
  -h, --hex             Write addresses in upper case hexadecimal format.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -k, --keep-lines      Preserve line breaks in comments.
  -l, --hex-lower       Write addresses in lower case hexadecimal format.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -S ADDR, --start ADDR
                        Start converting at this address.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.
  -w X, --write X       Write only these elements, where X is one or more of:
                          a = ASM directives
                          b = block types and addresses
                          t = block titles
                          d = block descriptions
                          r = registers
                          m = mid-block comments and block start/end comments
                          s = sub-block types and addresses
                          c = instruction-level comments
                          n = non-entry blocks

Configuration¶

skool2ctl.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

Hex - write addresses in decimal (0, the default), lower case hexadecimal (1), or upper case hexadecimal (2)
KeepLines - preserve line breaks in comments (1), or don’t (0, the default)
PreserveBase - preserve the base of decimal and hexadecimal values in instruction operands and DEFB/DEFM/DEFS/DEFW statements (1), or don’t (0, the default)

Configuration parameters must appear in a [skool2ctl] section. For example, to make skool2ctl.py write upper case hexadecimal addresses by default (without having to use the -h option on the command line), add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[skool2ctl]
Hex=2

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
7.2	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini`, `--show-config` and `--keep-lines` options
7.0	Added support for the ‘n’ identifier in the `--write` option
6.2	The `--end` and `--start` options accept a hexadecimal integer prefixed by ‘0x’
6.0	Added support for the ‘a’ identifier in the `--write` option
5.1	A terminal `i` directive is appended if the skool file ends before 65536
4.5	Added the `--start` and `--end` options
4.4	Added the `--hex-lower` option
3.7	Added the `--preserve-base` option
3.4	Added the `-V` option and the long options
2.4	Added the ability to preserve some ASM directives
2.2.2	Added the ability to read a skool file from standard input
2.0.6	Added the `-h` option
1.1	New

skool2html.py¶

skool2html.py converts a skool file (and its associated ref files, if any exist) into a browsable disassembly in HTML format.

For example:

$ skool2html.py game.skool

will convert the file game.skool into a bunch of HTML files. If any files named game*.ref (e.g. game.ref, game-bugs.ref, game-pokes.ref and so on) also exist in the same directory as game.skool, they will be used to provide further information to the conversion process, along with any extra files named in the RefFiles parameter in the [Config] section, and any other ref files named on the command line.

skool2html.py supports several options; run it with no arguments to see a list:

usage: skool2html.py [options] SKOOLFILE [REFFILE...]

Convert a skool file and ref files to HTML. SKOOLFILE may be a regular file, or
'-' for standard input.

Options:
  -1, --asm-one-page    Write all routines and data blocks to a single page.
  -a, --asm-labels      Use ASM labels.
  -c S/L, --config S/L  Add the line 'L' to the ref file section 'S'. This
                        option may be used multiple times.
  -C, --create-labels   Create default labels for unlabelled instructions.
  -d DIR, --output-dir DIR
                        Write files in this directory (default is '.').
  -D, --decimal         Write the disassembly in decimal.
  -H, --hex             Write the disassembly in hexadecimal.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -j NAME, --join-css NAME
                        Concatenate CSS files into a single file with this name.
  -l, --lower           Write the disassembly in lower case.
  -o, --rebuild-images  Overwrite existing image files.
  -O, --rebuild-audio   Overwrite existing audio files.
  -p, --package-dir     Show path to skoolkit package directory and exit.
  -P PAGES, --pages PAGES
                        Write only these pages (when using '--write P').
                        PAGES is a comma-separated list of page IDs.
  -q, --quiet           Be quiet.
  -r PREFIX, --ref-sections PREFIX
                        Show default ref file sections whose names start with
                        PREFIX and exit.
  -R, --ref-file        Show the entire default ref file and exit.
  -s, --search-dirs     Show the locations skool2html.py searches for resources.
  -S DIR, --search DIR  Add this directory to the resource search path. This
                        option may be used multiple times.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -t, --time            Show timings.
  -T THEME, --theme THEME
                        Use this CSS theme. This option may be used multiple
                        times.
  -u, --upper           Write the disassembly in upper case.
  --var name=value      Define a variable that can be used by @if and the SMPL
                        macros. This option may be used multiple times.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.
  -w X, --write X       Write only these files, where X is one or more of:
                          d = Disassembly files   o = Other code
                          i = Disassembly index   P = Other pages
                          m = Memory maps
  -W CLASS, --writer CLASS
                        Specify the HTML writer class to use; shorthand for
                        '--config Config/HtmlWriterClass=CLASS'.

skool2html.py searches the following directories for CSS files, JavaScript files, font files, and files listed in the [Resources] section of the ref file:

The directory that contains the skool file named on the command line
The current working directory
./resources
~/.skoolkit
$PACKAGE_DIR/resources
Any other directories specified by the -S/--search option

where $PACKAGE_DIR is the directory in which the skoolkit package is installed (as shown by skool2html.py -p). When you need a reminder of these locations, run skool2html.py -s.

The -T option sets the CSS theme. For example, if game.ref specifies the CSS files to use thus:

[Game]
StyleSheet=skoolkit.css;game.css

then:

$ skool2html.py -T dark -T wide game.skool

will use the following CSS files, if they exist, in the order listed:

skoolkit.css
skoolkit-dark.css
skoolkit-wide.css
game.css
game-dark.css
game-wide.css
dark.css
wide.css

Configuration¶

skool2html.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

AsmLabels - use ASM labels (1), or don’t (0, the default)
AsmOnePage - write all routines and data blocks to a single page (1), or to multiple pages (0, the default)
Base - convert addresses and instruction operands to hexadecimal (16) or decimal (10), or leave them as they are (0, the default)
Case - write the disassembly in lower case (1) or upper case (2), or leave it as it is (0, the default)
CreateLabels - create default labels for unlabelled instructions (1), or don’t (0, the default)
EntryLabel - the format of the default label for the first instruction in a routine or data block (default: L{address})
EntryPointLabel - the format of the default label for an instruction other than the first in a routine or data block (default: {main}_{index})
JoinCss - if specified, concatenate CSS files into a single file with this name
OutputDir - write files in this directory (default: .)
Quiet - be quiet (1) or verbose (0, the default)
RebuildAudio - overwrite existing audio files (1), or leave them alone (0, the default)
RebuildImages - overwrite existing image files (1), or leave them alone (0, the default)
Search - directory to add to the resource search path; to specify two or more directories, separate them with commas
Theme - CSS theme to use; to specify two or more themes, separate them with commas
Time - show timings (1), or don’t (0, the default)

EntryLabel and EntryPointLabel are standard Python format strings. EntryLabel recognises the following replacement fields:

address - the address of the routine or data block as it appears in the skool file
location - the address of the routine or data block as an integer

EntryPointLabel recognises the following replacement fields:

address - the address of the instruction as it appears in the skool file
index - 0 for the first unlabelled instruction in the routine or data block, 1 for the second, etc.
location - the address of the instruction as an integer
main - the label of the first instruction in the routine or data block

Configuration parameters must appear in a [skool2html] section. For example, to make skool2html.py use ASM labels and write the disassembly in hexadecimal by default (without having to use the -H and -a options on the command line), add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[skool2html]
AsmLabels=1
Base=16

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
8.7	Added the `--rebuild-audio` option and the `RebuildAudio` configuration parameter
8.5	Added the `EntryLabel` and `EntryPointLabel` configuration parameters
7.0	Writes a single disassembly from the skool file given by the first positional argument
6.4	Added the `--var` option
6.2	Added the `--show-config` option
6.1	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini` option
5.4	Added the `--asm-one-page` option
5.0	The `--theme` option also looks for a CSS file whose base name matches the theme name
4.1	Added the `--search` and `--writer` options
4.0	Added the `--ref-sections` and `--ref-file` options
3.6	Added the `--join-css` and `--search-dirs` options
3.5	Added support for multiple CSS themes
3.4	Added the `-a` and `-C` options and the long options
3.3.2	Added $PACKAGE_DIR/resources to the search path; added the `-p` and `-T` options
3.2	Added ~/.skoolkit to the search path
3.1	Added the `-c` option
3.0.2	No longer shows timings by default; added the `-t` option
2.3.1	Added support for reading multiple ref files per disassembly
2.2.2	Added the ability to read a skool file from standard input
2.2	No longer writes the Skool Daze and Back to Skool disassemblies by default; added the `-d` option
2.1.1	Added the `-l`, `-u`, `-D` and `-H` options
2.1	Added the `-o` and `-P` options
1.4	Added the `-V` option

sna2ctl.py¶

sna2ctl.py generates a control file for a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot. For example:

$ sna2ctl.py game.z80 > game.ctl

Now game.ctl can be used by sna2skool.py to convert game.z80 into a skool file split into blocks of code and data.

sna2ctl.py supports several options; run it with no arguments to see a list:

usage: sna2ctl.py [options] FILE

Generate a control file for a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80
snapshot. FILE may be a regular file, or '-' for standard input.

Options:
  -e ADDR, --end ADDR   Stop at this address (default=65536).
  -h, --hex             Write upper case hexadecimal addresses.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -l, --hex-lower       Write lower case hexadecimal addresses.
  -m FILE, --map FILE   Use FILE as a code execution map.
  -o ADDR, --org ADDR   Specify the origin address of a binary file (default:
                        65536 - length).
  -p PAGE, --page PAGE  Specify the page (0-7) of a 128K snapshot to map to
                        49152-65535.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -s ADDR, --start ADDR
                        Start at this address.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

If the input filename does not end with ‘.sna’, ‘.szx’ or ‘.z80’, it is assumed to be a binary file.

The -m option may be used to specify a code execution map to use when generating a control file. The supported file formats are:

Profiles created by the Fuse emulator
Code execution logs created by the SpecEmu, Spud and Zero emulators
Map files created by the SpecEmu and Z80 emulators

If the file specified by the -m option is 8192 bytes long, it is assumed to be a Z80 map file; if it is 65536 bytes long, it is assumed to be a SpecEmu map file; otherwise it is assumed to be in one of the other supported formats.

Configuration¶

sna2ctl.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

Dictionary - the name of a file containing a list of allowed words, one per line; if specified, a string of characters will be marked as text only if it contains at least one of the words in this file
Hex - write addresses in decimal (0, the default), lower case hexadecimal (1), or upper case hexadecimal (2)
TextChars - characters eligible for being marked as text (default: letters, digits, space, and the following non-alphanumeric characters: !"$%&\'()*+,-./:;<=>?[])
TextMinLengthCode - the minimum length of a string of characters eligible for being marked as text in a block identified as code (default: 12)
TextMinLengthData - the minimum length of a string of characters eligible for being marked as text in a block identified as data (default: 3)

Configuration parameters must appear in a [sna2ctl] section. For example, to make sna2ctl.py write upper case hexadecimal addresses by default (without having to use the -h option on the command line), add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[sna2ctl]
Hex=2

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
7.2	Added the `Dictionary` configuration parameter
7.1	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini` and `--show-config` options
7.0	New

sna2img.py¶

sna2img.py converts the screenshot or other graphic data in a binary (raw memory) file, SCR file, skool file, or SNA/SZX/Z80 snapshot into a PNG file. For example:

$ sna2img.py game.scr

will create a file named game.png.

To list the options supported by sna2img.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: sna2img.py [options] INPUT [OUTPUT]

Convert a Spectrum screenshot or other graphic data into a PNG file. INPUT may
be a binary (raw memory) file, a SCR file, a skool file, or a SNA, SZX or Z80
snapshot.

Options:
  -b, --bfix            Parse a skool file in @bfix mode.
  -B, --binary          Read the input as a binary (raw memory) file.
  -e MACRO, --expand MACRO
                        Expand a #FONT, #SCR, #UDG or #UDGARRAY macro. The '#'
                        prefix may be omitted.
  -f N, --flip N        Flip the image horizontally (N=1), vertically (N=2),
                        or both (N=3).
  -i, --invert          Invert video for cells that are flashing.
  -m src,size,dest, --move src,size,dest
                        Move a block of bytes of the given size from src to
                        dest. This option may be used multiple times.
  -n, --no-animation    Do not animate flashing cells.
  -o X,Y, --origin X,Y  Top-left crop at (X,Y).
  -O ORG, --org ORG     Set the origin address of a binary file (default:
                        65536 minus the length of the file).
  -p a[-b[-c]],[^+]v, --poke a[-b[-c]],[^+]v
                        POKE N,v for N in {a, a+c, a+2c..., b}. Prefix 'v'
                        with '^' to perform an XOR operation, or '+' to
                        perform an ADD operation. This option may be used
                        multiple times.
  -r N, --rotate N      Rotate the image 90*N degrees clockwise.
  -s SCALE, --scale SCALE
                        Set the scale of the image (default=1).
  -S WxH, --size WxH    Crop to this width and height (in tiles).
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

Version	Changes
6.2	Added the `--binary` and `--org` options and the ability to read binary (raw memory) files; the `--move` and `--poke` options accept hexadecimal integers prefixed by ‘0x’
6.1	Added the ability to read skool files; added the `--bfix` and `--move` options
6.0	Added the `--expand` option
5.4	New

sna2skool.py¶

sna2skool.py converts a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot into a skool file. For example:

$ sna2skool.py game.z80 > game.skool

Now game.skool can be converted into a browsable HTML disassembly using skool2html.py, or into an assembler-ready ASM file using skool2asm.py.

sna2skool.py supports several options; run it with no arguments to see a list:

usage: sna2skool.py [options] FILE

Convert a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot into a skool
file. FILE may be a regular file, or '-' for standard input.

Options:
  -c PATH, --ctl PATH   Specify a control file to use, or a directory from
                        which to read control files. PATH may be '-' for
                        standard input, or '0' to use no control file. This
                        option may be used multiple times.
  -d SIZE, --defb SIZE  Disassemble as DEFB statements of this size.
  -e ADDR, --end ADDR   Stop disassembling at this address (default=65536).
  -H, --hex             Write hexadecimal addresses and operands in the
                        disassembly.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -l, --lower           Write the disassembly in lower case.
  -o ADDR, --org ADDR   Specify the origin address of a binary (.bin) file
                        (default: 65536 - length).
  -p PAGE, --page PAGE  Specify the page (0-7) of a 128K snapshot to map to
                        49152-65535.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -s ADDR, --start ADDR
                        Start disassembling at this address.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.
  -w W, --line-width W  Set the maximum line width of the skool file (default:
                        79).

If the input filename does not end with ‘.sna’, ‘.szx’ or ‘.z80’, it is assumed to be a binary file.

By default, any files whose names start with the input filename (minus the ‘.bin’, ‘.sna’, ‘.szx’ or ‘.z80’ suffix, if any) and end with ‘.ctl’ will be used as control files.

Configuration¶

sna2skool.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

Base - write addresses and instruction operands in hexadecimal (16) or decimal (10, the default)
Case - write the disassembly in lower case (1) or upper case (2, the default)
CommentWidthMin - minimum width of the instruction comment field in the skool file (default: 10)
DefbSize - maximum number of bytes in a DEFB statement (default: 8)
DefmSize - maximum number of characters in a DEFM statement (default: 65)
DefwSize - maximum number of words in a DEFW statement (default: 1)
EntryPointRef - template used to format the comment for an entry point with exactly one referrer (default: This entry point is used by the routine at {ref}.)
EntryPointRefs - template used to format the comment for an entry point with two or more referrers (default: This entry point is used by the routines at {refs} and {ref}.)
InstructionWidth - minimum width of the instruction field in the skool file (default: 13)
LineWidth - maximum line width of the skool file (default: 79)
ListRefs - when to add a comment that lists routine or entry point referrers: never (0), if no other comment is defined at the entry point (1, the default), or always (2)
Ref - template used to format the comment for a routine with exactly one referrer (default: Used by the routine at {ref}.)
RefFormat - template used to format referrers in the {ref} and {refs} fields of the Ref and Refs templates (default: #R{address}); the replacement field address is the address of the referrer formatted as a decimal or hexadecimal number in accordance with the Base and Case configuration parameters
Refs - template used to format the comment for a routine with two or more referrers (default: Used by the routines at {refs} and {ref}.)
Semicolons - block types (b, c, g, i, s, t, u, w) in which comment semicolons are written for instructions that have no comment (default: c)
Text - show ASCII text in the comment fields (1), or don’t (0, the default)
Timings - show instruction timings in the comment fields (1), or don’t (0, the default)
Title-b - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘b’ block (default: Data block at {address})
Title-c - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘c’ block (default: Routine at {address})
Title-g - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘g’ block (default: Game status buffer entry at {address})
Title-i - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘i’ block (default: Ignored)
Title-s - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘s’ block (default: Unused)
Title-t - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘t’ block (default: Message at {address})
Title-u - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘u’ block (default: Unused)
Title-w - template used to format the title for an untitled ‘w’ block (default: Data block at {address})
Wrap - disassemble an instruction that wraps around the 64K boundary (1), or don’t (0, the default)

Configuration parameters must appear in a [sna2skool] section. For example, to make sna2skool.py generate hexadecimal skool files with a line width of 120 characters by default (without having to use the -H and -w options on the command line), add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[sna2skool]
Base=16
LineWidth=120

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
8.7	Added the `--defb` option and the `Timings` configuration parameter
8.5	Added the `Wrap` configuration parameter and the ability to disassemble an instruction that wraps around the 64K boundary; added the `RefFormat` configuration parameter
8.4	Changed the default value of the `DefmSize` configuration parameter from 66 to 65
8.3	Added support for reading control files from a directory (`--ctl DIR`)
8.1	Added support for ignoring default control files (`--ctl 0`)
8.0	Added the `DefwSize` configuration parameter
7.1	Added support for reading multiple default control files, and for using the `--ctl` option multiple times; added the `CommentWidthMin`, `InstructionWidth` and `Semicolons` configuration parameters
7.0	The short option for `--lower` is `-l`; the long option for `-H` is `--hex`
6.2	Added the `--show-config` option; the `--end`, `--org` and `--start` options accept a hexadecimal integer prefixed by ‘0x’
6.1	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini` option
4.4	Added the `--end` option
4.3	Added the `--line-width` option
3.4	Added the `-V` option and the long options, and the ability to add a comment listing referrers at every routine entry point
3.3	Added the ability to read 128K SNA snapshots
3.2	Added the `-p` option, and the ability to read SZX snapshots and 128K Z80 snapshots
2.1.2	Added the ability to write the disassembly in lower case
2.1	Added the `-H` option
2.0.1	Added the `-o` option, and the ability to read binary files, to set the maximum number of characters in a DEFM statement, and to suppress comments that list routine entry point referrers
2.0	Added the ability to set the maximum number of bytes in a DEFB statement
1.0.5	Added the ability to show ASCII text in comment fields
1.0.4	Added the `-s` option

snapinfo.py¶

snapinfo.py shows information on the registers or RAM in a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot. For example:

$ snapinfo.py game.z80

To list the options supported by snapinfo.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: snapinfo.py [options] file

Analyse a binary (raw memory) file or a SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot.

Options:
  -b, --basic           List the BASIC program.
  -c PATH, --ctl PATH   When generating a call graph, specify a control file
                        to use, or a directory from which to read control
                        files. PATH may be '-' for standard input. This option
                        may be used multiple times.
  -f A[,B...[-M[-N]]], --find A[,B...[-M[-N]]]
                        Search for the byte sequence A,B... with distance
                        ranging from M to N (default=1) between bytes.
  -g, --call-graph      Generate a call graph in DOT format.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -o ADDR, --org ADDR   Specify the origin address of a binary (raw memory)
                        file (default: 65536 - length).
  -p A[-B[-C]], --peek A[-B[-C]]
                        Show the contents of addresses A TO B STEP C. This
                        option may be used multiple times.
  -P PAGE, --page PAGE  Specify the page (0-7) of a 128K snapshot to map to
                        49152-65535.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -t TEXT, --find-text TEXT
                        Search for a text string.
  -T X,Y[-M[-N]], --find-tile X,Y[-M[-N]]
                        Search for the graphic data of the tile at (X,Y) with
                        distance ranging from M to N (default=1) between
                        bytes.
  -v, --variables       List variables.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.
  -w A[-B[-C]], --word A[-B[-C]]
                        Show the words at addresses A TO B STEP C. This option
                        may be used multiple times.

With no options, snapinfo.py displays register values, the interrupt mode, the border colour, and various other attributes. By using one of the options shown above, it can list the BASIC program and variables (if present), show the contents of a range of addresses, search the RAM for a sequence of byte values or a text string, or generate a call graph.

Call graphs¶

snapinfo.py can generate a call graph in DOT format from a snapshot and a corresponding control file. For example, if game.ctl is present alongside game.z80, then:

$ snapinfo.py -g game.z80 > game.dot

will produce a call graph in game.dot, with a node for each routine declared in game.ctl, and an edge between two nodes whenever the routine represented by the first node calls, jumps to, or continues into the routine represented by the second node.

To create a PNG image file named game.png from game.dot, the dot utility (included in Graphviz) may be used:

$ dot -Tpng game.dot > game.png

A call graph may contain one or more ‘orphans’, an orphan being a node that is not at the head of any arrow, and thus represents a routine that is (as far as snapinfo.py can tell) not used by any other routines. To declare the callers of such a routine (in case it is not a true orphan), the @refs directive may be used.

To help identify orphan nodes and missing edges, each of the first three lines of the DOT file produced by snapinfo.py contains a list of IDs of the following types of node:

unconnected nodes
orphan nodes connected to other nodes
non-orphan nodes whose first instruction is not used

The appearance of nodes and edges in a call graph image can be configured via the EdgeAttributes, GraphAttributes, NodeAttributes and NodeLabel configuration parameters (see below).

Configuration¶

snapinfo.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

EdgeAttributes - the default attributes for edges in a call graph (default: none)
GraphAttributes - the default attributes for a call graph (default: none)
NodeAttributes - the default attributes for nodes in a call graph (default: shape=record)
NodeId - the format of the node IDs in a call graph (default: {address})
NodeLabel - the format of the node labels in a call graph (default: "{address} {address:04X}\n{label}")
Peek - the format of each line of the output produced by the --peek option (default: {address:>5} {address:04X}: {value:>3} {value:02X} {value:08b} {char})
Word - the format of each line of the output produced by the --word option (default: {address:>5} {address:04X}: {value:>5} {value:04X})

NodeId and NodeLabel are standard Python format strings that recognise the replacement fields address and label (the address and label of the first instruction in the routine represented by the node).

Configuration parameters must appear in a [snapinfo] section. For example, to make snapinfo.py use open arrowheads and a cyan background colour in call graphs by default, add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[snapinfo]
EdgeAttributes=arrowhead=open
GraphAttributes=bgcolor=cyan

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
9.0	Shows the current AY register in 128K SZX and Z80 snapshots
8.10	Shows the value of the T-states counter and the issue 2 emulation flag in SZX and Z80 snapshots
8.4	Added the `Peek` and `Word` configuration parameters
8.3	Added support for reading control files from a directory (`--ctl DIR`)
8.2	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the ability to read binary files; added the `--call-graph`, `--ctl`, `--ini`, `--org`, `--page` and `--show-config` options
6.2	The `--find`, `--find-tile`, `--peek` and `--word` options accept hexadecimal integers prefixed by ‘0x’
6.0	Added support to the `--find` option for distance ranges; added the `--find-tile` and `--word` options; the `--peek` option shows UDGs and BASIC tokens
5.4	Added the `--variables` option; UDGs in a BASIC program are shown as special symbols (e.g. `{UDG-A}`)
5.3	New

snapmod.py¶

snapmod.py modifies the registers and RAM in a 48K Z80 snapshot. For example:

$ snapmod.py --poke 32768,0 game.z80 poked.z80

To list the options supported by snapmod.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: snapmod.py [options] in.z80 [out.z80]

Modify a 48K Z80 snapshot.

Options:
  -m src,size,dest, --move src,size,dest
                        Move a block of bytes of the given size from src to
                        dest. This option may be used multiple times.
  -p a[-b[-c]],[^+]v, --poke a[-b[-c]],[^+]v
                        POKE N,v for N in {a, a+c, a+2c..., b}. Prefix 'v'
                        with '^' to perform an XOR operation, or '+' to
                        perform an ADD operation. This option may be used
                        multiple times.
  -r name=value, --reg name=value
                        Set the value of a register. Do '--reg help' for more
                        information. This option may be used multiple times.
  -s name=value, --state name=value
                        Set a hardware state attribute. Do '--state help' for
                        more information. This option may be used multiple
                        times.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

Version	Changes
8.10	Added the `issue2` hardware state attribute
8.9	Added the `tstates` hardware state attribute
6.2	The `--move`, `--poke` and `--reg` options accept hexadecimal integers prefixed by ‘0x’
5.3	New

tap2sna.py¶

tap2sna.py converts a TAP or TZX file (which may be inside a zip archive) into an SZX or Z80 snapshot. For example:

$ tap2sna.py game.tap game.z80

To list the options supported by tap2sna.py, run it with no arguments:

usage:
  tap2sna.py [options] INPUT [OUTFILE]
  tap2sna.py @FILE [args]

Convert a TAP or TZX file (which may be inside a zip archive) into an SZX or
Z80 snapshot. INPUT may be the full URL to a remote zip archive or TAP/TZX
file, or the path to a local file. Arguments may be read from FILE instead of
(or as well as) being given on the command line.

Options:
  -c name=value, --sim-load-config name=value
                        Set the value of a simulated LOAD configuration
                        parameter. Do '-c help' for more information. This
                        option may be used multiple times.
  -d DIR, --output-dir DIR
                        Write the snapshot file in this directory.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -p STACK, --stack STACK
                        Set the stack pointer.
  --ram OPERATION       Perform a load operation or otherwise modify the
                        memory snapshot being built. Do '--ram help' for more
                        information. This option may be used multiple times.
  --reg name=value      Set the value of a register. Do '--reg help' for more
                        information. This option may be used multiple times.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -s START, --start START
                        Set the start address to JP to.
  --state name=value    Set a hardware state attribute. Do '--state help' for
                        more information. This option may be used multiple
                        times.
  --tape-analysis       Show an analysis of the tape's tones, pulse sequences
                        and data blocks.
  --tape-name NAME      Specify the name of a TAP/TZX file in a zip archive.
  --tape-start BLOCK    Start the tape at this block number.
  --tape-stop BLOCK     Stop the tape at this block number.
  --tape-sum MD5SUM     Specify the MD5 checksum of the TAP/TZX file.
  -u AGENT, --user-agent AGENT
                        Set the User-Agent header.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

Note that tap2sna.py cannot read data from TZX block types 0x15 (direct recording), 0x18 (CSW recording) or 0x19 (generalized data block).

By default, tap2sna.py attempts to load a tape exactly as a 48K Spectrum would (see Simulated LOAD). If that doesn’t work, the --ram option can be used to load bytes from specific tape blocks at the appropriate addresses. For example:

$ tap2sna.py --ram load=3,30000 game.tzx game.z80

loads the third block on the tape at address 30000, and ignores all other blocks. (To see information on the blocks in a TAP or TZX file, use the tapinfo.py command.)

The --ram option can also be used to move blocks of bytes from one location to another, POKE values into individual addresses or address ranges, modify memory with XOR and ADD operations, initialise the system variables, or call a Python function to modify the memory snapshot in an arbitrary way before it is saved. For more information on these operations, run:

$ tap2sna.py --ram help

For complex snapshots that require many options to build, it may be more convenient to store the arguments to tap2sna.py in a file. For example, if the file game.t2s has the following contents:

;
; tap2sna.py file for GAME
;
http://example.com/pub/games/GAME.zip
-c fast-load=0       # Disable fast loading
-c accelerator=none  # Disable tape-sampling loop acceleration
--state issue2=1     # Enable issue 2 keyboard emulation
--start 34816        # Start at 34816

then:

$ tap2sna.py @game.t2s

will create game.z80 as if the arguments specified in game.t2s had been given on the command line. When tap2sna.py reads arguments from a file whose name ends with ‘.t2s’, the output snapshot filename defaults to the name of that arguments file with ‘.t2s’ replaced by either ‘.z80’ or ‘.szx’ (depending on the value of the DefaultSnapshotFormat configuration parameter).

Simulated LOAD¶

By default, tap2sna.py simulates a freshly booted 48K ZX Spectrum running LOAD “” (or LOAD “”CODE, if the first block on the tape is a ‘Bytes’ header). Whenever the Spectrum ROM’s load routine at $0556 is called, a shortcut is taken by “fast loading” the next block on the tape. All other code (including any custom loader) is fully simulated. Simulation continues until the program counter hits the start address given by the --start option, or 15 minutes of simulated Z80 CPU time has elapsed, or the end of the tape is reached and one of the following conditions is satisfied:

a custom loader was detected
the program counter hits an address outside the ROM
more than one second of simulated Z80 CPU time has elapsed since the end of the tape was reached

A simulated LOAD can also be aborted by pressing Ctrl-C. When a simulated LOAD has completed or been aborted, the values of the registers (including the program counter) in the simulator are used to populate the snapshot.

A simulated LOAD can be configured via parameters that are set by the --sim-load-config (or -c) option. The recognised configuration parameters are:

accelerate-dec-a - enable acceleration of ‘DEC A: JR NZ,$-1’ delay loops (1, the default), or ‘DEC A: JP NZ,$-1’ delay loops (2), or neither (0)
accelerator - a comma-separated list of tape-sampling loop accelerators to use (see Accelerators)
fast-load - enable fast loading (1, the default), or disable it (0); fast loading significantly reduces the load time for many tapes, but can also cause some loaders to fail
finish-tape - run the tape to the end before stopping the simulation at the address specified by the --start option (1), or stop the simulation as soon as that address is reached, regardless of whether the tape has finished (0, the default)
first-edge - the time (in T-states) from the start of the tape at which to place the leading edge of the first pulse (default: 0)
in-flags - various flags specifying how to handle ‘IN’ instructions (see below)
load - a space-separated list of keys to press to build an alternative command line to load the tape (see LOAD command)
machine - the type of machine to simulate: a 48K Spectrum (48, the default), or a 128K Spectrum (128)
pause - pause the tape between blocks and resume playback when port 254 is read (1, the default), or run the tape continuously (0); pausing can help with tapes that require (but do not actually contain) long pauses between blocks, but can cause some loaders to fail
polarity - the EAR bit reading produced by the first pulse on the tape: 0 (the default) or 1; subsequent pulses give readings that alternate between 0 and 1
timeout - the number of seconds of Z80 CPU time after which to abort the simulated LOAD if it’s still in progress (default: 900)
trace - the file to which to log all instructions executed during the simulated LOAD (default: none)

The in-flags parameter is the sum of the following values, chosen according to the desired behaviour:

1 - interpret ‘IN A,($FE)’ instructions in the address range $4000-$7FFF as reading the tape (by default they are ignored)
2 - ignore ‘IN’ instructions in the address range $4000-$FFFF (i.e. in RAM) that read port $FE
4 - yield a simulated port reading when executing an ‘IN r,(C)’ instruction (by default such an instruction always yields the value $FF)

By default, the EAR bit reading produced by a pulse is 0 if the 0-based index of the pulse is even (i.e. first, third, fifth pulses etc.), or 1 otherwise. This can be reversed by setting polarity=1. Run tap2sna.py with the --tape-analysis option to see the timings and EAR bit readings of the pulses on a tape.

Accelerators¶

The accelerator simulated LOAD configuration parameter must be either a comma-separated list of specific accelerator names or one of the following special values:

auto - select accelerators automatically (this is the default)
list - list the accelerators used during a simulated LOAD, along with the hit/miss counts generated by the tape-sampling loop detector
none - disable acceleration; the loading time for a game with a custom loader that uses an unrecognised tape-sampling loop may be reduced by specifying this value

The output produced by accelerator=list looks something like this:

Accelerators: microsphere: 6695; rom: 794013; misses: 19/9; dec-a: 800708/0/224

This means that:

the microsphere and rom tape-sampling loops were detected, and were entered 6695 times and 794013 times respectively
19 instances of ‘INC B’ outside a recognised tape-sampling loop were executed, and the corresponding figure for ‘DEC B’ is 9
800708 ‘DEC A: JR NZ,$-1’ delay loops were entered, no ‘DEC A: JP NZ,$-1’ delay loops were entered, and 224 instances of ‘DEC A’ outside such delay loops were executed

Specifying by name the types of tape-sampling loop used by a game’s custom loader may reduce the loading time. The names of the available tape-sampling loop accelerators are:

alkatraz (Alkatraz)
alkatraz-05 (Italy 1990, Italy 1990 - Winners Edition)
alkatraz-09 (Italy 1990, Italy 1990 - Winners Edition)
alkatraz-0a (various games published by U.S. Gold)
alkatraz-0b (Fast ‘n’ Furious)
alkatraz2 (Alkatraz 2)
alternative (Fireman Sam, Huxley Pig)
alternative2 (Kentucky Racing)
antirom (Boxe)
bleepload (Firebird BleepLoad)
boguslaw-juza (Euro Biznes)
bulldog (Rigel’s Revenge)
crl (Ball Breaker, Ballbreaker II)
crl2 (Terrahawks)
crl3 (Oink)
crl4 (Federation)
cybexlab (17.11.1989, Belegost, Starfox)
d-and-h (Multi-Player Soccer Manager)
delphine (Zakliaty zámok programátorov)
design-design (various games published by Design Design Software)
digital-integration (Digital Integration)
dinaload (Dinaload)
ernieware (The Evolution, Golem)
gargoyle2 (various games created or published by Gargoyle Games)
gremlin (various games published by Gremlin Graphics)
gremlin2 (Super Cars)
housenka (Housenka)
microprose (F-15 Strike Eagle)
microsphere (Back to Skool, Contact Sam Cruise, Skool Daze, Sky Ranger)
micro-style (Xenophobe)
mirrorsoft (Action Reflex)
palas (Bad Night)
paul-owens (Paul Owens Protection System)
raxoft (Piskworks, Podraz 4)
realtime (Starstrike II)
rom (any loader whose sampling loop is the same as the ROM’s)
search-loader (Search Loader)
silverbird (Olli & Lissa II: Halloween)
software-projects (BC’s Quest for Tires, Lode Runner)
sparklers (Bargain Basement, Flunky)
speedlock (Speedlock - all versions)
suzy-soft (Big Trouble, Joe Banker, The Drinker)
suzy-soft2 (Western Girl)
tiny (Il Cobra di Cristallo, Negy a Nyero, Phantomasa, and others)
us-gold (Gauntlet II)
weird-science (Flash Beer Trilogy, Ghost Castles, TV-Game)

LOAD command¶

The load simulated LOAD configuration parameter may be used to specify an alternative command line to load the tape in cases where neither ‘LOAD “”’ nor ‘LOAD “”CODE’ works. Its value is a space-separated list of ‘words’ (a ‘word’ being a sequence of any characters other than space), each of which is broken down into a sequence of one or more keypresses. If a word contains the ‘+’ symbol, the tokens it separates are converted into keypresses made simultaneously. If a word matches a BASIC token, the corresponding sequence of keypresses to produce that token are substituted. Otherwise, each character in the word is converted individually into the appropriate keypresses.

The following special tokens are also recognised:

CS - CAPS SHIFT
SS - SYMBOL SHIFT
SPACE - SPACE
ENTER - ENTER
DOWN - Cursor down (‘CS+6’)
GOTO - GO TO (‘g’)
GOSUB - GO SUB (‘h’)
DEFFN - DEF FN (‘CS+SS SS+1’)
OPEN# - OPEN # (‘CS+SS SS+4’)
CLOSE# - CLOSE # (‘CS+SS SS+5’)
PC=address - Stop the keyboard input simulation at this address

The PC=address token, if present, must appear last. The default address is either 0x0605 (when a 48K Spectrum is being simulated) or 0x13BE (on a 128K Spectrum). The simulated LOAD begins at this address.

ENTER is automatically appended to the command line if not already present.

For example, the load parameter may be set to:

CLEAR 34999: LOAD "" CODE : RANDOMIZE USR 35000

Note that the spaces around CLEAR, LOAD, CODE, RANDOMIZE and USR are required in order for them to be recognised as BASIC tokens.

Configuration¶

tap2sna.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

DefaultSnapshotFormat - the format of the snapshot written when no output snapshot argument is specified; valid values are z80 (the default) and szx
TraceLine - the format of each line in the trace log file for a simulated LOAD (default: ${pc:04X} {i})
TraceOperand - the prefix, byte format, and word format for the numeric operands of instructions in the trace log file for a simulated LOAD, separated by commas (default: $,02X,04X); the byte and word formats are standard Python format specifiers for numeric values, and default to empty strings if not supplied

TraceLine is a standard Python format string that recognises the following replacement fields:

i - the current instruction
pc - the address of the current instruction (program counter)
r[X] - the ‘X’ register (see below)
t - the current timestamp

The register name X in r[X] must be one of the following:

a b c d e f h l bc de hl
^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^h ^l ^bc ^de ^hl
ix ixh ixl iy iyh iyl
i r sp

The names that begin with ^ denote the shadow registers.

The current timestamp (t) is the number of T-states that have elapsed since the start of the simulation, according to the simulator’s internal clock. In order to maintain synchronisation with the tape being loaded, the simulator’s clock is adjusted to match the timestamp of the first pulse in each block (as shown by the --tape-analysis option) when that block is reached. (The simulator’s clock may at times become desynchronised with the tape because, by default, the tape is paused between blocks, and resumed when port 254 is read.)

Configuration parameters must appear in a [tap2sna] section. For example, to make tap2sna.py write instruction addresses and operands in a trace log file in decimal format by default, add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[tap2sna]
TraceLine={pc:05} {i}
TraceOperand=

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
9.0	A simulated LOAD is performed by default; an existing snapshot will be overwritten by default; added the `load`, `machine`, `polarity` and `in-flags` simulated LOAD configuration parameters; the output snapshot argument is optional; added support for writing SZX snapshots; added the `DefaultSnapshotFormat` configuration parameter; added the `fe` hardware state attribute; added support for register pairs (`r[bc]`, `r[de]` etc.) in the `TraceLine` configuration parameter; added the `antirom`, `ernieware` and `housenka` tape-sampling loop accelerators; shows ‘DEC A’ delay loop statistics when `accelerator=list`
8.10	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini`, `--show-config` and `--tape-analysis` options; added the `TraceLine` and `TraceOperand` configuration parameters; added the `accelerate-dec-a` and `finish-tape` simulated LOAD configuration parameters; added the `issue2` hardware state attribute; added the special `auto` and `list` tape-sampling loop accelerator names, and the ability to specify multiple accelerators; added the `alkatraz-05`, `alkatraz-09`, `alkatraz-0a`, `alkatraz-0b`, `alternative`, `alternative2`, `boguslaw-juza`, `bulldog`, `crl`, `crl2`, `crl3`, `crl4`, `cybexlab`, `d-and-h`, `delphine`, `design-design`, `gargoyle2`, `gremlin2`, `microprose`, `micro-style`, `mirrorsoft`, `palas`, `raxoft`, `realtime`, `silverbird`, `software-projects`, `sparklers`, `suzy-soft`, `suzy-soft2`, `tiny`, `us-gold` and `weird-science` tape-sampling loop accelerators
8.9	Added the `--sim-load-config`, `--tape-name`, `--tape-start`, `--tape-stop` and `--tape-sum` options; added support for TZX loops, pauses, and unused bits in data blocks; added support for quoted arguments in an arguments file; added the `tstates` hardware state attribute
8.8	A simulated LOAD performs any `call/move/poke/sysvars` operations specified by `--ram`
8.7	Added support for simulating a 48K Spectrum LOADing a tape; when a headerless block is ignored because no `--ram load` options have been specified, a warning is printed
8.6	Added support to the `--ram` option for the `call` operation
8.4	Added support to the `--ram` option for the `sysvars` operation
6.3	Added the `--user-agent` option
6.2	The `--ram`, `--reg`, `--stack` and `--start` options accept hexadecimal integers prefixed by ‘0x’
5.3	Added the `--stack` and `--start` options
4.5	Added support for TZX block type 0x14 (pure data), for loading the first and last bytes of a tape block, and for modifying memory with XOR and ADD operations
3.5	New

tapinfo.py¶

tapinfo.py shows information on the blocks in a TAP or TZX file. For example:

$ tapinfo.py game.tzx

To list the options supported by tapinfo.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: tapinfo.py FILE

Show the blocks in a TAP or TZX file.

Options:
  -b N[,A], --basic N[,A]
                        List the BASIC program in block N loaded at address A
                        (default 23755).
  -d, --data            Show the entire contents of header and data blocks.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

Version	Changes
9.0	Shows the LINE number (if present) for ‘Program:’ header blocks; renders BASIC tokens in header block names
8.9	Shows full info for TZX block types 0x10 and 0x11
8.3	Added the `--data` option
8.1	Shows contents of TZX block types 0x33 (hardware type) and 0x35 (custom info)
7.1	Shows pulse lengths in TZX block type 0x13 and full info for TZX block type 0x14
6.2	The `--basic` option accepts a hexadecimal address prefixed by ‘0x’
6.0	Added the `--basic` option
5.0	New

trace.py¶

trace.py simulates the execution of machine code in a 48K or 128K memory snapshot. For example:

$ trace.py --start 32768 --stop 49152 game.z80

To list the options supported by trace.py, run it with no arguments:

usage: trace.py [options] FILE [OUTFILE]

Trace Z80 machine code execution. FILE may be a binary (raw memory) file, a
SNA, SZX or Z80 snapshot, or '48' or '128' for no snapshot. If 'OUTFILE' is
given, an SZX or Z80 snapshot is written after execution has completed.

Options:
  --audio               Show audio delays.
  --depth DEPTH         Simplify audio delays to this depth (default: 2).
  -D, --decimal         Show decimal values in verbose mode.
  -I p=v, --ini p=v     Set the value of the configuration parameter 'p' to
                        'v'. This option may be used multiple times.
  -m MAX, --max-operations MAX
                        Maximum number of instructions to execute.
  -M MAX, --max-tstates MAX
                        Maximum number of T-states to run for.
  -n, --no-interrupts   Don't execute interrupt routines.
  -o ADDR, --org ADDR   Specify the origin address of a binary (raw memory)
                        file (default: 65536 - length).
  -p a[-b[-c]],[^+]v, --poke a[-b[-c]],[^+]v
                        POKE N,v for N in {a, a+c, a+2c..., b}. Prefix 'v'
                        with '^' to perform an XOR operation, or '+' to
                        perform an ADD operation. This option may be used
                        multiple times.
  -r name=value, --reg name=value
                        Set the value of a register. Do '--reg help' for more
                        information. This option may be used multiple times.
  --rom FILE            Patch in a ROM at address 0 from this file.
  --show-config         Show configuration parameter values.
  -s ADDR, --start ADDR
                        Start execution at this address.
  -S ADDR, --stop ADDR  Stop execution at this address.
  --stats               Show stats after execution.
  -v, --verbose         Show executed instructions. Repeat this option to show
                        register values too.
  -V, --version         Show SkoolKit version number and exit.

By default, trace.py silently simulates code execution beginning with the instruction at the address specified by the --start option (or the program counter in the snapshot) and ending when the instruction at the address specified by --stop (if any) is reached. Use the --verbose option to show each instruction executed. Repeat the --verbose option (-vv) to show register values too.

When the --audio option is given, trace.py tracks changes in the state of the ZX Spectrum speaker, and then prints a list of the delays (in T-states) between those changes. This list can be supplied to the #AUDIO macro to produce a WAV file for the sound effect that would be produced by the same code running on a real ZX Spectrum.

Configuration¶

trace.py will read configuration from a file named skoolkit.ini in the current working directory or in ~/.skoolkit, if present. The recognised configuration parameters are:

TraceLine - the format of each instruction line when -v is used (default: ${pc:04X} {i})
TraceLine2 - the format of each instruction line when -vv is used (use --show-config to see the default value)
TraceLineDecimal - the format of each instruction line when -Dv is used (default: {pc:05} {i})
TraceLineDecimal2 - the format of each instruction line when -Dvv is used (use --show-config to see the default value)
TraceOperand - the prefix, byte format, and word format for the numeric operands of instructions, separated by commas (default: $,02X,04X); the byte and word formats are standard Python format specifiers for numeric values, and default to empty strings if not supplied
TraceOperandDecimal - as TraceOperand when -D is used (default: ,,)

The TraceLine* parameters are standard Python format strings that recognise the following replacement fields:

i - the current instruction
pc - the address of the current instruction (program counter)
r[X] - the ‘X’ register (see below)
t - the current timestamp (in T-states)

The register name X in r[X] must be one of the following:

a b c d e f h l bc de hl
^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^h ^l ^bc ^de ^hl
ix ixh ixl iy iyh iyl
i r sp

The names that begin with ^ denote the shadow registers.

Wherever \n appears in a TraceLine* parameter value, it is replaced by a newline character.

Configuration parameters must appear in a [trace] section. For example, to make trace.py write a timestamp for each instruction when -v is used, add the following section to skoolkit.ini:

[trace]
TraceLine={t:>10} ${pc:04X} {i}

Configuration parameters may also be set on the command line by using the --ini option. Parameter values set this way will override any found in skoolkit.ini.

Version	Changes
9.0	Configuration is read from skoolkit.ini if present; added the `--ini`, `--no-interrupts` and `--show-config` options; interrupt routines are executed by default; added support for 128K snapshots; added support for writing SZX snapshots; added the `-m` and `-M` short options
8.9	Reads and writes the T-states counter in Z80 snapshots and reads the T-states counter in SZX snapshots
8.8	New

Commands¶

bin2sna.py¶

bin2tap.py¶

skool2asm.py¶

Configuration¶

skool2bin.py¶

skool2ctl.py¶

Configuration¶

skool2html.py¶

Configuration¶

sna2ctl.py¶

Configuration¶

sna2img.py¶

sna2skool.py¶

Configuration¶

snapinfo.py¶

Call graphs¶

Configuration¶

snapmod.py¶

tap2sna.py¶

Simulated LOAD¶

Accelerators¶

LOAD command¶

Configuration¶

tapinfo.py¶

trace.py¶

Configuration¶

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