Hi,
I've always developed for OS39 functionality as that is the lowest common denominator for Amigaoids so one version should run anywhere. I recently got my AmigaOne with OS4.1 FE up and running again so am excited to write versions specifically for it. The Hollywood guide mentions OS4 functionality within it but it is scattered throughout. Does someone have advice for specific OS4 functionality I should target? Thanks.
NathanH
Amiga OS4 Specific Programming
Re: Amiga OS4 Specific Programming
I haven't done OS4 only productions myself, but I think that most, if not all, are in the "Amiga support library" section in the docs. Amidock, Application and Ringhio messages...
And then if you're doing MUI programming, MUI 4+ features are available in OS4, while on OS3 you have to keep in mind the possibility of MUI 3.8. MUI 4+ adds options for embedded graphics in buttons etc., hiding listview columns, and maybe something more.
In both cases you don't have to write a separate version for OS4, but you can just detect OS version and MUI version in Hollywood (there are internal functions for those), and then make the program a bit dynamic in these areas. In that way you can still compile for different platforms from the same source code always.
And then if you're doing MUI programming, MUI 4+ features are available in OS4, while on OS3 you have to keep in mind the possibility of MUI 3.8. MUI 4+ adds options for embedded graphics in buttons etc., hiding listview columns, and maybe something more.
In both cases you don't have to write a separate version for OS4, but you can just detect OS version and MUI version in Hollywood (there are internal functions for those), and then make the program a bit dynamic in these areas. In that way you can still compile for different platforms from the same source code always.
Last edited by jPV on Tue Jan 20, 2026 7:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Amiga OS4 Specific Programming
Hollywood itself trys to be as transparent as possible, taking the hard work of compatibility
thats why its name is hollywood-mal (mal = multimedia application LAYER)
this layer stand between you and os peculiarities.
so very little stuff will be os4 only (just like very few windwos only etc)
Amiga support library says some -> https://www.hollywood-mal.com/docs/html ... tml#active
ringIo messages (push style) and amidock , register ap to system, are the few that makes sense
the fact that amigaos4 and morphos basically targets G3/G4 machines gives cpu power which is the greatest benefit imho
(ok pistorm/vampire/etc has close the gap significant but still)
thats why its name is hollywood-mal (mal = multimedia application LAYER)
this layer stand between you and os peculiarities.
so very little stuff will be os4 only (just like very few windwos only etc)
Amiga support library says some -> https://www.hollywood-mal.com/docs/html ... tml#active
ringIo messages (push style) and amidock , register ap to system, are the few that makes sense
the fact that amigaos4 and morphos basically targets G3/G4 machines gives cpu power which is the greatest benefit imho
(ok pistorm/vampire/etc has close the gap significant but still)
Christos