https://github.com/pzaino/risc-os-corelib

A POSIX-Like C library for RISC OS and DDE (a very old project of mine that I am uploading to GitHub for who may need it). CoreLib is foundamentaly the implementation of the RISC_OSLib in a POSIX-Like format. Nothing special.
https://github.com/pzaino/risc-os-corelib

ansi-c c c-library c99 c99-api posix-library programming risc-os riscos

Last synced: 7 months ago
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A POSIX-Like C library for RISC OS and DDE (a very old project of mine that I am uploading to GitHub for who may need it). CoreLib is foundamentaly the implementation of the RISC_OSLib in a POSIX-Like format. Nothing special.

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/pzaino/risc-os-corelib
• Owner: pzaino
• License: mpl-2.0
• Created: 2025-05-15T03:17:39.000Z (8 months ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2025-06-06T03:50:11.000Z (7 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-06-06T04:31:08.430Z (7 months ago)
• Topics: ansi-c, c, c-library, c99, c99-api, posix-library, programming, risc-os, riscos
• Language: C
• Homepage: https://riscoscommunity.org/projects/corelib/
• Size: 239 KB
• Stars: 1
• Watchers: 1
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

          
# CoreLib

**WORK IN PROGRESS**  

This library is currently being updated from its original Acorn Archimedes/RPC-era implementation to support RISC OS 5 and the modern DDE toolset. Please be patient while this work is in progress. If you'd like to contribute, feel free to get in touch.

This is a legacy library I originally wrote between 1996 and 1998 for use on Acorn machines running RISC OS. I'm now modernising it to support RISC OS 5, Shared Makefiles, and the newer `_swix()` syntax.

CoreLib is designed to make the RISC OS API feel more like a POSIX-compatible C library. The goal is to improve developer experience by offering:

- A more intuitive interface for developers familiar with Unix-style programming.

- Easier porting of Unix software to RISC OS.

- Built-in validation of argument types and values to reduce crashes due to incorrect SWI usage.

- A few additional helper functions not present in the native RISC OS API.

CoreLib is not intended to replace the RISC OS API. It's a wrapper — a safety layer that enhances usability while still allowing you to call native SWIs directly when needed.

It's not a "life-changing" library — but it does make writing C programs for RISC OS faster, safer, and more enjoyable.

One practical benefit is that you can often consult standard Linux `man` pages for documentation. CoreLib adopts POSIX-style function names (prefixed with `os_`) and behavior, but with added argument validation for RISC OS safety. The library is not yet complete, but already wraps most commonly used functionality.

**Important note:** This library is **not related to GCC's UnixLib**. I originally created it for use with Acorn/Castle/ROOL's DDE (and CLib). At the time, OSLib and RISC_OSLib were still prone to errors, and on RISC OS a simple mistake in a SWI call can crash or destabilize the system.  

UnixLib and GCC cover a wider range of POSIX functions than CoreLib — but the purpose here is different. CoreLib uses a POSIX-like API to make things more intuitive, while ensuring safety and compatibility.

## License

This library is released under the MPL 2.0 license. See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for full terms.

## Building

To build the library, make sure your RISC OS development environment is correctly set up.  

From the RISC OS Desktop:

1. Open the directory containing this library.

2. Double-click the file named `MkDDE`.

To clean the build and remove generated files, double-click on `MkDDEClean`.