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Overview

Paths configuration defines where DevCPC looks for source files, resources, and how to process them. All paths are optional - only configure what your project uses.

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Assembly Paths

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ASM_PATH

Path to the main 8BP assembly file.
devcpc.conf
ASM_PATH="asm/make_all_mygame.asm"
  • Type: File path (not directory)
  • Required for: 8BP projects
  • Points to: The main make_all_*.asm file that includes all other ASM files
  • Process: DevCPC modifies ASSEMBLING_OPTION based on BUILD_LEVEL and compiles with ABASM
ASM_PATH must point to a file, not a directory. It should be the main assembly file that includes all others.
Example structure: 
asm/
├── make_all_mygame.asm    ← ASM_PATH points here
├── images_mygame.asm
├── music_mygame.asm
└── sprites.asm

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BASIC Paths

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BASIC_PATH

Directory containing BASIC files.
devcpc.conf
BASIC_PATH="bas"
  • Type: Directory path
  • Process: All .bas files in this directory are automatically added to the DSK
  • Recursive: No - only scans the specified directory (not subdirectories)
Example structure: 
bas/
├── loader.bas
├── menu.bas
└── game.bas
All three .bas files will be added to the DSK during devcpc build.

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Raw Data Paths

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RAW_PATH

Directory containing raw binary files (without AMSDOS header).
devcpc.conf
RAW_PATH="raw"
  • Type: Directory path
  • Process: Files are added to the DSK without AMSDOS headers
  • Use case: Custom data files, level data, music, etc.
RAW files are added to the DSK “as-is” without any processing or headers.

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C Language Paths

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C_PATH

Directory containing C source files.
devcpc.conf
C_PATH="C"
  • Type: Directory path
  • Required for: Projects with C code
  • Process: Compiled with SDCC during build
  • Requires: SDCC must be installed on your system

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C_SOURCE

Main C source file to compile.
devcpc.conf
C_SOURCE="main.c"
  • Type: Filename (relative to C_PATH)
  • Required for: C compilation
  • Example: If file is C/main.c, set C_SOURCE="main.c"

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C_CODE_LOC

Memory address where C code will be loaded.
devcpc.conf
C_CODE_LOC=20000
  • Type: Decimal address
  • Required for: C compilation
  • Range: Must be less than 23999 to avoid destroying 8BP library
  • Default recommendation: 20000 (decimal) = 0x4E20 (hex)
C code location must be < 23999 to avoid overwriting the 8BP library. Adjust your BASIC MEMORY statement accordingly.
Example BASIC loader for C code: 
10 MEMORY 19999        ' Reserve memory below C code
20 LOAD"8BP0.BIN"     ' Load 8BP library
30 CALL &6B78          ' Initialize 8BP
40 LOAD"MAIN.BIN",20000  ' Load C code at C_CODE_LOC
50 CALL &56B0          ' Execute C main() - check .map file

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Graphics Paths

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SPRITES_PATH

Directory containing PNG sprite files for conversion.
devcpc.conf
SPRITES_PATH="assets/sprites"
  • Type: Directory path
  • Process: All PNG files are converted to ASM format
  • Recursive: Yes - searches all subdirectories
  • Requires: Pillow Python library (pip3 install Pillow)
  • Output: Controlled by SPRITES_OUT_FILE
Example structure: 
assets/sprites/
├── player.png
├── enemies/
│   ├── enemy1.png
│   └── enemy2.png
└── tiles/
    ├── tile1.png
    └── tile2.png
All PNG files are found recursively and converted.

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SPRITES_OUT_FILE

Output file for converted sprites.
devcpc.conf
SPRITES_OUT_FILE="ASM/sprites.asm"
  • Type: File path (can include directory)
  • Default: "sprites.asm" (in project root)
  • Output: ASM file with all sprite data and palettes
  • Usage: Include this file in your main ASM with include "sprites.asm"

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SPRITES_TOLERANCE

RGB color matching tolerance for sprite conversion.
devcpc.conf
SPRITES_TOLERANCE=8
  • Type: Integer
  • Values:
    • 0 - Exact match only (colors must exactly match CPC palette)
    • 8 - Recommended (allows small RGB variations)
    • -1 - Automatic (always finds closest color)
  • Default: 8

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SPRITES_TRANSPARENT_INK

INK number for transparent pixels (alpha=0 in PNG).
devcpc.conf
SPRITES_TRANSPARENT_INK=""
  • Type: Integer (0-26) or empty string
  • Default: Empty (no transparency)
  • Example: SPRITES_TRANSPARENT_INK=0 treats transparent pixels as INK 0 (black)

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LOADER_SCREEN

Directory containing PNG loading screen files.
devcpc.conf
LOADER_SCREEN="assets/screen"
  • Type: Directory path
  • Process: PNG files converted to SCN format (16KB screen dump)
  • Recursive: Yes - searches all subdirectories
  • Address: SCN files load at &C000 (video memory)
  • Output: .scn and .scn.info files in ${OBJ_DIR}/
PNG Requirements:
  • Mode 0: 160×200 pixels, max 16 colors
  • Mode 1: 320×200 pixels, max 4 colors
  • Mode 2: 640×200 pixels, max 2 colors
Example structure: 
assets/screen/
├── title.png       → obj/title.scn
├── loading.png     → obj/loading.scn
└── credits.png     → obj/credits.scn

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Path Resolution

All paths are resolved relative to the project root (where devcpc.conf is located). Absolute paths: 
ASM_PATH="/home/user/projects/game/asm/make_all_game.asm"
Relative paths (recommended): 
ASM_PATH="asm/make_all_game.asm"
BASIC_PATH="bas"
SPRITES_PATH="assets/sprites"

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Path Validation

Use devcpc validate to check if all configured paths exist: 
devcpc validate
Output example: 
→ Validating paths...
✓ ASM_PATH: asm/make_all_mygame.asm
✓   make_all_mygame.asm found
✓ BASIC_PATH: bas (2 file(s) .bas)
✓ SPRITES_PATH: assets/sprites (5 PNG files)
✓ LOADER_SCREEN: assets/screen (3 PNG files)

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Example Configurations

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Complete Game Project

devcpc.conf
# Assembly
ASM_PATH="asm/make_all_adventure.asm"

# BASIC loaders
BASIC_PATH="bas"

# Graphics
SPRITES_PATH="assets/sprites"
SPRITES_OUT_FILE="ASM/sprites.asm"
SPRITES_TOLERANCE=8

LOADER_SCREEN="assets/screen"
MODE=0

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C + 8BP Project

devcpc.conf
# Assembly (8BP library)
ASM_PATH="asm/make_all_game.asm"

# C code
C_PATH="C"
C_SOURCE="main.c"
C_CODE_LOC=20000

# BASIC loader
BASIC_PATH="bas"

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Assembly-Only Project

devcpc.conf
# Pure assembly (no 8BP)
SOURCE="main"
TARGET="demo"
LOADADDR=0x4000

# Screens only
LOADER_SCREEN="assets/screen"
MODE=1

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Tips

Only configure paths you need. Comment out unused paths to keep configuration clean.
Use consistent naming. For 8BP projects, name your main ASM file make_all_projectname.asm.
Organize by type. Keep source files in asm/, bas/, C/ and resources in assets/.

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See Also

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