FS Interrogate - History

• The MRU-menu (Most Recent Used) was added some time ago, however it has until now been non-functioning.
• Export feature was added. You can now export the data to various formats. In stead of using pre-build formats the user can make his/her own format (standard formats for HTML, Delphi-, C- and Visual Basic source are build into the application).

Public released Saturday the 13th of January 2001

• Settings/options are now save to/restored from the registry.
• The function for writing values to FS (using the Field Description form) had a problem writing values "bigger than" 16-bit. This bug is now fixed.
• Hot-keys added to most buttons and group-boxes.
• Trying to load new file-formats into a an old version of FS-Interrogate will (in the future) show an appropriate error message.

Public released Wednesday the 12th of December 2000
*bundled with the first FSUICP SDK*

• The enhanced algorithm of calculating the factored variable was stripping the decimal part of values read from MSFS (at least for those - like myself - who are using a "," as a decimal point).
• The Float64 type "went into overdrive" and showed really small values using expontial-expression, which made the screen more cluttered that it should. Now values below ABS(0.00001) are shown as 0.
• In the previous versions you could (by using Exclude areas) erase a lot of data by saving any changes while using the Interrogate function.
• Several variables at the same location (read: Address) was not allowed, however this blocking have been removed.
• Entering the "Variables (Field Description)" has been "speeded up". This was not a problem with the FS2K.FSI file bundled with the previous versions, but the problem appeared as the file grew.
• The "Data forms" (for entering Variables and Exclude areas) now shows the number of records present.
• Changing then name of the variables in either the "Interrogate function" or the "3 step scan" will now launch the "Field Description" form. If the changes are intentionally you simply accept them by clicking the OK button otherwise click the Cancel button.
• Choosing which "categories" to show in the Interrogate Options" form is now functional.

Public released Saturday the 22nd of July 2000

• The "math" for calculating the factored variable was changed so that the user can now enter an "expression" (previous method "didn't cut it"). For instance calculating the MagVar (thanks for telling me Peter) could be calculated as "Multiply by factor" and then set the factor to "182.0444". However now you can simply enter the expression as "(360*#)/65536" (the "number sign" is being replaced by the value read from MSFSxx). This new feature meant that the file format had to change, but FS-Interrogate files has a build in (file) version number so that it remains backward compatible (new versions will be able to read old files, however when saved they will be saved in the new format, hence wont no longer be compatible with older versions of FS-Interrogate). 
• Previous version (not public released) introduced a new variable type (Float64), but this "wasn't enough". There was a need for additional signed/unsigned values. Therefore from this version the following types will be present (the names I have choosen to use for these variables are based in Delphi5): ShortInt is 1 byte signed, SmallInt is 2 byte signed, LongInt is 4 byte signed, Byte is 1 byte unsigned, Word is 2 byte unsigned, LongWord is 4 byte signed and Float64 is a 8 byte floating point value (this last one is called Double in Delphi however I chose to keep the name introduced in previous version).
• The Interrogate function will try to declutter the screen. Variables that are identified to be of a particular type will only show their value in their respectful cells. Undefined variable types (Unknown) will show their value in all cells (8-,16-, 32 bits and Float64) to help the user to determine the type.
• The HEX/DEC toggle was enhanced. Choosing "DEC" will show all values as Decimal. Choosing "HEX" will show all values as Hex. Choosing HEX/DEC will either show that value as Decimal or as Hex based in the description of the variable (a variable can now be identified as either DEC or HEX) If the "base-system" (either DEC or HEX) is defined as "Unknown" DEC/HEX will default to Decimal. 
• The toggle between "Signed/Unsigned" will function in the same way as the HEX/DEC works (as described above). This means that if the user choose "Signed" all variables will be shown as signed, and choosing "Unsigned" will show all variables as "unsigned". Choosing "Signed/Unsigned" will show the variables based on their specified type. "Signed/Unsigned".

Not public released...

• New variable type added Float64 (8 Byte floating point).
• While "interrogating" variables values can be shown as either DECimal (as in previous versions) or as HEX. The new variable type (Float64) is always shown as a floating point (decimal) value, no matter if HEX-mode is chosen.
• Better support for those who run their windows with "Large Fonts" however it will remain "aimed" for those who run with "Normal Fonts" and if you are having trouble reading the screens (seeing all controls) you might have to set your OS for "normal fonts".

Not public released...

• Choosing the category "Plane" was changed into "Failure". As a result of this the "FS2K.FSI" file (enclosed with version 1.00) contains a lot of "errors".
• Time-bomb removed: I forgot to remove a "time-bomb" from version 1.00, that was implemented in the "test version" (previously of build 0007).
• Enclosed sample file (FS2K.FSI) updated.
• Added support for the Extended (16 Kb) buffer that was introduced in FSUIPC 1.94 (and WideFS 3.96). Also in this context the users are able to choose the block size (used while reading data from FSxx).

Not public released...