Welcome to Warp Speed                                     October 20, 1991

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Introduction

What is Warp Speed?  Warp Speed is simply a demo program written to 
present a view as it might appear if one were moving through space at
velocities faster than light (discounting relativity and its implications.)

What is Warp Speed not?  It is not a screen saver.  If I knew how to 
write a screen saver it might be, but alas I don't (not yet anyway.)
   
What is the purpose of Warp Speed?  Warp Speed was written as a learning
experience in C.  Eventually I would like to use it as a basis for a 3D
interactive game.  I am including the source in the hopes that it will help
some other struggling beginning C programmers out there.


Program Operation

All that is needed to run the program is to click on the program icon.
The interface is fully intuitionized.  To display the 'About' window
select 'About..' from the menu.

One less obvious program feature is the ability to control the vehicle
velocity with the up and down arrow keys.  You can actually come to a 
complete stop by holding down the down arrow key.

To quit, select 'Quit' from the menu.

The program is fully multitasking but it is processor intensive and
will significantly slow down other processes that are running at the same
time.

I have tested the program under WB1.3 and WB2.0 and I haven't encountered
any problems.


Program Design

The program maintains an array (st[][]) that contains the stars position
information.  This array is updated sequentially in the main program loop
and the stars are moved by putting a black pixel over the star's old 
position and then redrawing the star in the new position.  

The number of stars is controlled by varying the MSTARS definition on line
44 of the program file.  This value is currently set at 20 and gives good
results on 7 MHz stock Amiga.  If you are using an accelerated machine you
may wish to recompile this program with more stars.

The program also has the capability to display background stars.  By 
varying the BSTARS definition some fixed stars can be added to the view.


Future Additions

Eventually I intend to add joystick directional control as well as full
reverse capability.  I am also aware of several inefficencies in the 
programming as I am new to the C language and am trying hard to forget
my old BASIC spaghetti code habits.

If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to contact me.


Doug Petercsak
Apartment E-4
30856 Agoura Road
Agoura Hills, CA
91301