
Contents:

        1. Macros
        2. Default IDC files
        3. How IDA searches for files
        4. Memory
	5. Professional version


0. Basics
---------

   IDA is an interactive disassembler for Intel 80x86, Intel 
8080/8085, Intel 8051, Motorola 6502, Z80 and i860 processors.  It 
can  handle  various  input  file  formats including com, exe, bin,
MS  Windows  executable,  OS/2  executable  and Intel Hex format
files. For 8080..Z80..HD64180 processors it can produce output text
for various assemblers. IDA has a user-friendly  menu-driven
interface, built-in C-like language, ability to patch  the  input 
file, and virtually no limitations on the size and complexity of
input file.

1. Macros
---------

  You can use keystroke macros in IDA.
          To start recording a macro, press Alt--
          Press a key to define (for example, Ctrl-D)
          Enter macro body (any keys)
          To end recording - Alt-=.
          To play macro - the defined key (in our example - Ctrl-D)

2. Default IDC files
--------------------

     When IDA starts, it searches for ida.idc file. If  IDA  founds  it,
IDA executes this file. If not, IDA proceeds silently.  It  is  expected
that you will place your setup commands into this file. I hope  that  in
the future ida.cfg file will disappear. If you try to  disassemble  some
MS DOS driver (file extension .sys or .drv), IDA  executes  'driver.idc'
file.

3. How IDA searches for files
-----------------------------

     First, IDA looks into the  directory,  where  IDA.EXE  was  started
from. After it looks into PATHed directories.

4. Memory
---------

   IDA requires about 500k memory to start up. It can use  extended  and
expanded memory for its code overlays. The  disassembled  data  is  kept
partially in the conventional memory, partially on the disk. Normally if
IDA starts up, it won't ask for more  conventional  memory  (unless  you
open more windows).

   IDA regularly checks the current disk drive for the  free  space.  If
free disk space becomes low, it will ask  you  to  exit  and  give  more
place. IDA  will  repeat  it  until  you  exit.  This  is  made  because
unsiffucient disk space is very dangerous.

   Of course, you need a good disk cache to improve performance of  IDA.
In this case data will be cached too.

5. Professional version
-----------------------

The freeware version is an older version of Professional Interactive
Disassembler IDA PRO. IDA PRO is the most sophisticated and powerful
disassembler available now. Its features include:

	- syntax color highlighting
	- symbolic constants
	- stack variables
	- standard library function recognition
	- C++ name demangling

Of course this is not an exhaustive list and never will be - IDA PRO is
in a constant evolution.

IDA PRO can disassemble for many processors: Intel 8051, Motorola 680x0,
Motorola 8bit, TMS DSP, etc. A use can write a DLL module for a new
processor. The SDK to write processor modules is freely available.

To learn more about IDA PRO visit http://www.idapro.com
