Specifications

4-1
C
HAPTER
4
U
SE OF
S
PY
.
APP
Introduction
This chapter describes the Spy application for the Series 3. This application contains many features that
may help to "debug" problems with applications on the Series 3.
The version of Spy described in this chapter is suitable for use on both the Series 3 and the Workabout,
and can also be used on the Series 3a. A built version of spy.app that is specifically designed for use on
the Series 3a will be found, following installation of the core SDK software, in the \sibosdk\s3atool
directory.
Building spy.app
The Spy application is released in source form, as one of the Hwif demonstration programs.
To build it, proceed in the same way as to build any of the other Hwif demonstration programs:
• move into the \sibosdk\hwdemo directory
• type
make spy
• the resulting image file spy.img can be renamed to spy.app and copied into a \app directory on
the Series 3 or the Workabout
• the application can be installed in the System Screen and, on the Series 3, even assigned an
application button - eg
CONTROL
+
WORLD
.
The main display
The main display is a scrolling list of processes currently running on the Series 3. The Change processes
menu option allows customisation of which processes are shown. "System" processes are simply ones
whose names start with "Sys$", and include:
• sys$shll - which the user sees as the System Screen
• sys$wsrv - the Window Server, which coordinates access to the screen and keyboard
• sys$fsrv - the File Server, which coordinates access to the filing systems
• sys$mang - the Manager, which keeps track of all resources used by processes (so that, for
example, they can be properly tidied whenever processes exit)
• sys$ncp - the "brains" behind Remote Link (when it is running).
The Null process, sys$null, which performs the vital task of switching the Series 3 off following sufficient
inactivity, is omitted from the list displayed, for various technical reasons.
First letter matching works in the main window, so that eg pressing 'C' enough times will position the
highlight to the Calc process.
Arrows are drawn in the top right and bottom right corner, Agenda-wise, whenever there are more
processes beyond the visible boundaries of the list.