7 - CONVERTING COLOR 64 AND V128 GAMES AND ADD-ONS

Centipede includes a program called Cocoon. This program preforms much of the
labor of converting an online game from Color 64 or Version 128, into a
Centipede game. It may also be used to help convert some Color 64/V128 mods to
Centipede add-ons. Finally, Cocoon may also be used to dot a new program module
written for Centipede. If you are a software developer, please refer to your
Centipede Programmer's Manual for information about dotting.


7.1 - What can I convert?

Cocoon does not magically turn any program into something that can run on
Centipede. It is little more than an over glorified Find and Replace routine;
finding known bits of Color 64 or V128 coding, and replacing them with
Centipede coding. Quite often, a small amount of programming work will be
necessary to get the program running efficiently under Centipede. Cocoon is
best at converting games which are  in the form of a merge. These games would
require being merged into a skeleton overlay on Color 64, but make for easy
converting into Centipede modules. Games that contain code prior to line 9000
will need to be renumbered, and multi-overlaid games present their own unique
conversion challenges.

Color 64/V128 systems also have hundreds of mods available. These mods were
usually merged into on one or more of the main system overlays. Such modding is
discouraged in Centipede, with modules and scripting being the preferred
alternative. Converting a Color 64/V128 mod into a Centipede module can be a
considerable effort, but Cocoon can be used  to make the straightforward
conversion needed as a first step.


7.2 - The Cocoon Conversion Program

Simply run the Cocoon program like any BASIC program for the C128. You will
first be prompted for a disk location of the file to convert, followed by the
file name to convert. Multiple files may be selected for conversion at the same
time by entering a directory search string as the file name. (E.g., "$:_bbs*"
to select from all files starting with "_bbs.") If you selected a single file
to convert, then you will be asked for a file name of the converted file.
Otherwise, the original file will be replaced. Finally, you must enter the
source type. Cocoon can convert programs from Color 64, Version 128, or
UnDotted Centipede.

During the conversion process, the file name and line number currently being
worked on will be displayed on the screen. If the source file is a Color 64
program, there is a small chance that a warning message may pop up identifying
that a variable named DS$ has been found on a certain line. This variable is
reserved by the Commodore 128. You will need to change the variable to a new
name. Pressing the ESC key during the conversion process will abort.

NOTE: "Cocoon" name is derived from the idea that a file goes in, metamorphs,
and out comes a new file. In this case, rather than converting a worm into a
butterfly, a Color64/V128 game is converted into a Centipede game.

