Palm OS API Version Checker

Version 1.1
© 2002 CFB Software
Last Updated 21 Oct 2002

Contents

1. Overview
2. Minimum System Requirements
3. Installation
4. Operation
5. Documentation
6. List of Files
7. Technical Support
8. Licence Agreement
9. Disclaimer
10. More Software
     

1. Overview

Palm OS API Version Checker (CheckPRC) is a useful tool for Palm developers to identify compatibility problems and maximise the number of users who can access their applications. It can be used to determine the earliest version of Palm OS that a Palm application may run on, and to identify all the Palm OS functions that the application uses.

CheckPRC runs on 32-bit Microsoft Windows systems and analyses Palm OS executable .prc files. Each API function used by the application is listed and identified by the Palm OS version number in which it first appeared. The functions are listed in reverse version number order so it is easy to see the lowest version of Palm OS which is required to support the application.

If the functions which depend on the higher versions of Palm OS are limited in number, the developer of the application may be able to redesign the software to eliminate them. This is likely to make the application accessible to a larger number of users.

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2. Minimum System Requirements

Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP.

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3. Installation

CheckPRC is distributed as a self-installing file cpsetup.exe

Install CheckPRC as follows:

1. Press the Windows Start button and select Run from the Start Menu.
    
2. Type the full name of the file (for example, C:\temp\cpsetup.exe)
    
3. Press the Enter key, and follow the prompts.
    
4. When the installation program completes you can run CheckPRC by selecting it from the Windows Start menu.

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4. Operation

Run CheckPRC by selecting it from the Windows Start menu.

Open the Palm .prc file that you want to analyse:

1. Select Open from the File menu, or

2. Click on the Open File pushbutton, or

3. Drag and drop the file from Windows Explorer to the CheckPRC window, or

4. Pass the file name as a parameter when you start CheckPRC

If you have recently opened a .prc file you can quickly reopen it from the File -> Reopen menu. The four most recently opened files are listed.

Once the .prc file has been analysed, the functions are listed in reverse order so it is easy to see the minimum version of  Palm OS required to run the program. Click on the heading of the Function Name column to display the functions in alphabetic order. Click on the heading of the Palm OS column to redisplay the information in reverse version number order.

If there are only a few functions listed which depend on the higher versions of Palm OS, the developer of the application may be able to redesign the software to eliminate them. This could make the application accessible to a larger number of users. For example, the function WinDrawChar requires Palm OS V3.1. If this is the only 3.1 dependent feature used in an application, WinDrawChars could be used instead and the application would then also run on Palm OS V3.0.

NOTE: CheckPRC indicates that the Palm application will not run on an earlier version of Palm OS than the highest version number displayed. However, that does not necessarily guarantee that the application will run on later Palm OS versions. The application may also use other OS-version dependent features that do not involve API calls.

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5. Documentation

All of the documentation for CheckPRC is contained in this file.

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6. List of Files

The CheckPRC package installation program is a single file called cpsetup.exe 

After running cpsetup the following files are created in the directory that you specified:

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7. Technical Support

The Software is provided AS IS. While reports of any problems or constructive suggestions for improvements are welcomed, no technical support is available in association with its use. 

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8. Licence Agreement

You should carefully read the following terms and conditions before using this software. Your use of this software indicates your acceptance of this licence agreement and disclaimer.

This version of the software is distributed, and may be used, free of charge. It may be given away to anyone, included on CD-ROM libraries, uploaded to WWW pages, ftp sites and bulletin boards, etc. as long as it is distributed in its complete original unmodified form, including the ReadMe file.

No direct fee may be charged for its distribution. A nominal delivery charge may be applied to cover the raw material cost of media and shipping costs, if applicable.

The software may NOT be distributed in any way as part of a commercial software package or any other software for which a charge is made unless express written authorisation has been received from the author.

There are no restrictions to the number of computers on which this version of the software may be installed.

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9. Disclaimer

CheckPRC is used entirely at the risk of the user. Although great care has been taken to eliminate defects during the development of CheckPRC, it is not claimed to be fault-free. No claims are made regarding its correctness, reliability or fitness for any particular purpose. The Author shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages, loss of data or personal injury in connection with furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

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CFB MasterWord
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