The JAR file DazzleStar.jar implements a modern version of John Washington's famous DazzleStar interactive disassembler.
java -jar DazzleStar.jar [options]
The configuration of the disassembler is customized by the configuration file, which is searched for in the following way:
If a program file is given on the commandline, it is assumed to be a COM file (or at least ORGed at 0x0100), although the file type (suffix) will be checked for certain recognized strings. The tails "HEX", "PRL", "SPR", and "REL" (upper/lower case) identify their respective file types.
The keyword "ZILOG" or "MAC80" may be given on the commandline, to override the default/initial instruction mnemonics.
The basic principal of disassembly uses "breaks" to establish the starting points for instructions or various types of data, as well as number style and radix (for data breaks). A break takes effect from the point it is set until the next break of the same type. In addition, data breaks will typically force a line break. In other words, setting a break forces a change in the flow of the disassembled code. Breaks are described in the Keyboard Functions section.
Sub-topics:
This program is still evolving, but contains a powerful core set of functionality. The code scanner allows for tracing through the program from known entry point(s) to locate code that might be executed, and thus helps quickly identify code vs. data sections.