<document title="Decode">
<define name="version" value="1.10">
<define name="date" value="6 December 2002" length=30 align="right">





<literal mode="Text">
=============================================================================
Decode - Guess the hidden sequences                              Version $$version$$

(c) Stephen Fryatt, 1993-2020                  $$date$$
=============================================================================

</literal>





<chapter title="Licence" file="Licence">

<cite>Decode</cite> is licensed under the EUPL, Version&nbsp;1.2 only (the &ldquo;Licence&rdquo;); you may not use this work except in compliance with the Licence.

You may obtain a copy of the Licence at <link ref="#url http://joinup.ec.europa.eu/software/page/eupl">http://joinup.ec.europa.eu/software/page/eupl</link>

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the Licence is distributed on an &ldquo;<strong>as is</strong>&rdquo; basis, <strong>without warranties or conditions of any kind</strong>, either express or implied.

See the Licence for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the Licence.

The source for <cite>Decode</cite> can be found alongside this binary download, at <link ref="#url http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software">http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software</link>

The necessary libraries and build tools can be found at <link ref="#url http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software/build">http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software/build</link>

</chapter>




<chapter title="Installing Decode" file="Install">

<cite>Decode</cite> requires RISC&nbsp;OS&nbsp;3.1 or later, and can be run off a hard disc or floppy disc. To install <cite>Decode</cite> on a hard disc, copy the <file>!Decode</file> application to a suitable place on your disc.

</chapter>





<chapter title="Using Decode" file="Use">

The aim of <cite>Decode</cite> is to guess a sequence of four colours selected randomly by the computer. Load it on to the iconbar in the usual way and click <mouse>select</mouse> on its icon to open the game window.

Sequences always contain four different coloured pegs from the row of ten at the top of the window: no colour will be used more than once. Up to twelve guesses can be made and after each, the computer will score the guess to show how close it is to the correct answer. Using this information, it should be possible to identify the chosen sequence.

Starting with row 1, whose number will be highlighted in red, drag pegs from the row at the top of the window to the four larger holes on the left. Pegs already in the row can be dragged to move them around: the rows below can be used as &lsquo;scratch space&rsquo; if required. To lose a peg completely, drop it away from a hole.

Once the row is complete and able to be scored, a <icon>?</icon> button appears to its right: click on this, and the computer will mark the guess. Marks are given using the smaller holes on the right: a black peg indicates a correct colour that is in the correct position in the row, while a white peg indicates a correct colour that is in the wrong position. The order of the black and white pegs has no significance.

Unless you strike lucky with four black pegs on the first attempt, the game moves on to row 2 and the process repeats until the correct sequence is found (or all twelve rows are used). After the first row, pegs can also be dragged in from previous guesses in the rows above.

Once you have guessed the code or run out of attempts (or just got bored of the current sequence), click <mouse>menu</mouse> over the main window and select <menu>New Game</menu>.

The <menu>Solid Drags</menu> option in the iconbar menu alternates between dragging sprites and dotted boxes; there is rarely any need to turn this option off.

</chapter>





<chapter title="Version History" file="History">

Here is a list of the versions of Decode, along with all the changes made.


<subhead title="0.10 (19 June 2002)">

First stable release.


<subhead title="1.00 (24 September 2014)">

Second stable release.

<list>
<li>Build system revised and license updated to EUPL.
<li><menu>Help</menu> menu entry added to iconbar menu.
<li><icon>Website</icon> button added to <window>program information</window> window.
<li>Menus remain open when selections are made with <mouse>adjust</mouse>.
<li>Add support for Interactive Help.
<li>Restructured user interface, removing <icon>Score</icon> and <icon>New</icon> buttons and implementing main window menu.
</list>


<subhead title="1.01 (5 March 2017)">

Update to second stable release.

<list>
<li>Fix <file>!Help</file> so that <menu>Help</menu> menu items work correctly.
<li>Tidy up Wimp message handling code.
</list>


<subhead title="1.02 (23 September 2020)">

Update to second stable release.

<list>
<li>Licence updated to EUPL&nbsp;v1.2.
<li>Use ResConf-style system variables to identify resources.
<li>Renamed application following official allocation request.
</list>
</chapter>





<literal mode="Text">

Updates and Contacting Me
-------------------------

  If you have any comments about Decode, or would like to report any bugs
  that you find, you can email me at the address below.

  Updates to Decode and more programs for RISC OS computers can be found
  on my website at http://www.stevefryatt.org.uk/software/

  Stephen Fryatt
  email: info@stevefryatt.org.uk
</literal>

