The full screen mode command serves to switch the full screen mode on or off. Using this mode, the program is not displayed in a window, but over the entire screen. At the same time the display is switched over to the video mode, which suits the main sheet size best. The main advantage of the full screen mode is a higher graphic service speed, thank, among others, to switching the display to a mode possessing a lower resolution (instead of extending the window over the entire screen).

 

As a command parameter a logic flag is entered deciding whether the full screen mode should be on or off. Without stating the parameter the command will cause a switching over to the opposite state. The same effect is accomplished by pressing the key combination Alt+Enter. By means of these keys a program created in the Peter system can any time be switched between the full screen and window mode.

 

A condition for running the full screen mode is the installation of the DirectX driver. In Windows 98 this driver makes the system's standard constituent, its installation thus not being necessary. If the DirectX driver is not installed, the program will work in a normal way in the window mode. In Windows NT the full screen mode is not supported.

 

The display resolution in the full screen mode depends above all on the main sheet size. Pursuant to the main sheet size a video mode having the same or the next higher resolution should be selected among the computer video modes available. The maximum attainable display resolution depends on the video card present in the computer as well as on the monitor connected to it.

 

20 x 12 squares, i.e. 640 x 400 pixels (often, but not always supported video mode)

20 x 15 squares, i.e. 640 x 480 pixels (basic video mode in all video cards)

25 x 18 squares, i.e. 800 x 600 pixels (supported by all video cards including notebooks)

32 x 24 squares, i.e. 1024 x 768 pixels (maximum video mode for 14" monitors)

36 x 27 squares, i.e. 1152 x 864 pixels (less usual video mode)

40 x 32 squares, i.e. 1280 x 1024 pixels (maximum video mode for 15" monitors)

50 x 32 squares, i.e. 1600 x 1024 pixels (not very usual video mode)

50 x 37 squares, i.e. 1600 x 1200 pixels (maximum video mode for 17" monitors)

 

The sheet display is adapted to the preset video mode, thus the program will work properly even for not convenient video modes, though showing a slightly deteriorated display quality. Whether a required video mode is supported can be found after switching on the full screen mode by means of the window width function for the window identification number = -1.

 

In the full screen mode neither the upper window bar, nor the status line are displayed. Therefore, when developing a program, it is necessary to remember the program end servicing (by the Esc key or by clicking on the button). If necessary, the program can be finished by pressing Alt+F4, or by switching over to the window mode by pressing Alt+Enter.