Difference between revisions of "Unofficial Doom Specs"
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| − | '''The Unofficial Doom Specs''' is the title of a text document by [[Matt Fell]] which gives details for many of the [[:category:technical aspects|technical aspects]] of Doom. Most usefully, the specs give detailed information about the structure of [[WAD]] files and the various different types of resources they contain. | + | '''The Unofficial Doom Specs''' is the title of a text document by [[Matt Fell]] which gives details for many of the [[:category:technical aspects|technical aspects]] of Doom. Most usefully, the specs give detailed information about the structure of [[WAD]] files and the various different types of resources they contain. It is a common misconception that the information in the specs was obtained from [[id Software]] whereas, in fact, the greatest portion of the information was obtained gradually by community programmers and hackers through {{wp|reverse engineering}}.{{cite web|author=[[Matt Fell|Fell, Matt]]|title=idNews: from Jay|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/alt.games.doom/QMSHhuiDiQM/tXIm2onFOJ8J|publication=alt.games.doom|publishdate=18 March 1994|accessdate=19 November 2015}} |
The specs cover: | The specs cover: | ||
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Documentation on several pieces of data are conspicuously absent from the file: | Documentation on several pieces of data are conspicuously absent from the file: | ||
| − | * Detail on the .MUS format used for Doom's music, other than the header | + | * Detail on the .[[MUS]] format used for Doom's music, other than the header |
| − | * The format of PC speaker sound effects | + | * The format of [[PC speaker sound effects]] |
The specs also give other technical information. Included is data about changes to the Doom [[IWAD]] file made between versions. The file format of demo files is described. Information about strings inside the Doom executable file is also included; this perhaps served as a base for the development of [[DeHackEd]]. | The specs also give other technical information. Included is data about changes to the Doom [[IWAD]] file made between versions. The file format of demo files is described. Information about strings inside the Doom executable file is also included; this perhaps served as a base for the development of [[DeHackEd]]. | ||
| − | The file has not been officially updated since 1994. It is likely for this reason that several pieces of information are absent, and some of the information is speculative or even incorrect in light of the source code release. | + | The file has not been officially updated since 1994. It is likely for this reason that several pieces of information are absent, and some of the information is speculative or even incorrect in light of the [[source code]] release. |
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20100921092921/http://the-stable.lancs.ac.uk/~esasb1/doom/uds/ HTML version of the specs] (archived) | * [http://web.archive.org/web/20100921092921/http://the-stable.lancs.ac.uk/~esasb1/doom/uds/ HTML version of the specs] (archived) | ||
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://www.gamers.org/dhs/helpdocs/dmsp1666.html Original text version] at [[gamers.org]] |
| − | [[Category: Technical aspects]] | + | |
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Documents]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Technical aspects]] | ||
[[Category:Historical]] | [[Category:Historical]] | ||
Revision as of 19:00, 9 June 2018
The Unofficial Doom Specs is the title of a text document by Matt Fell which gives details for many of the technical aspects of Doom. Most usefully, the specs give detailed information about the structure of WAD files and the various different types of resources they contain. It is a common misconception that the information in the specs was obtained from id Software whereas, in fact, the greatest portion of the information was obtained gradually by community programmers and hackers through reverse engineering.[1]
The specs cover:
- The format of graphics
- Texturing lumps (TEXTURE1, TEXTURE2 and PNAMES)
- ENDOOM
- PLAYPAL
- COLORMAP
- The basic level format: Linedefs, Sidedefs, Sectors, Blockmap, Vertices and Things.
- The format of lumps generated by the BSP builder: NODES, SEGS, SSECTORS; how the BSP tree is used in rendering is not explained.
Documentation on several pieces of data are conspicuously absent from the file:
- Detail on the .MUS format used for Doom's music, other than the header
- The format of PC speaker sound effects
The specs also give other technical information. Included is data about changes to the Doom IWAD file made between versions. The file format of demo files is described. Information about strings inside the Doom executable file is also included; this perhaps served as a base for the development of DeHackEd.
The file has not been officially updated since 1994. It is likely for this reason that several pieces of information are absent, and some of the information is speculative or even incorrect in light of the source code release.
External links
- HTML version of the specs (archived)
- Original text version at gamers.org
References
- ↑ Fell, Matt (18 March 1994). "idNews: from Jay." alt.games.doom. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
