User blog:RottenBlock/System Programming Resources

This post is meant as a hub for various resources for programming in Alicesoft's System architecture. Consider reading the wiki article on the subject first for a basic-level understanding of the technology. Right now I'm just uploading mirrors of key, free support programs and manuals.

System 1, System 2, and System 3.0
Because System 3.0 has little in common with System 3.5 (and a lot in common with Sys 1 and 2), it should always be referred to as "3.0" rather than "3."

At present, I (RottenBlock) am trying to create tools that will make it possible to decompile and localize System 1, System 2, and System 3.0 code. At present, I have a rough draft of System 1 decompilation/compilation operational via my tool, Sys0Decompiler.

ALD archives can be extracted using ALDExplorer, but be warned that certain game's images will crash the program if the program tries to display a preview.
 * ALDExplorer2 (MediaFire, Mega): Extracts resources from .ALD files, including images, audio, and compiled source (although that last one isn't necessary except for debugging). Compatible with virtually all Alicesoft games even to the present day. By SomeLoliCatgirl. Open source, C#. tools/arc_conv.exe and Source Code/ALDExplorer2/tools/arc_conv.exe are often incorrectly flagged as a virus, be careful they aren't deleted by accident. arc_conv can be used standalone but isn't really necessary with the modern generation of tools, though it still serves as an important backbone for the tools that use it.
 * 32-Bit System Executables (Homepage (JP)): System 1-3.0 executibles were never created for 32-bit Windows, but these homebrew ports by Takeda "TOTO" Toshiya fill that gap. Mercifully open source, GNU License, C/C++. I tend to address this program as "TTSys" but this is hardly universal.
 * Updated 32-Bit Executables: For use with Sys0Decompiler for creating localized games, follow my blog for more details. Open-Source, GNU License, C#. Currently addressed as "SysEng."
 * Sys0Decompiler: In-progress, follow my blog for more details. Open-source, GNU License, C#.
 * Virtual Floppy Image Convert (Official Download): Set format to "FILE EXTRACT" and this can be used as a way to extract files from floppy disk images, specializing in those from Japanese computers. A must for getting the data of games never ported to DOS or Windows.
 * Manual (PasteBin): A rough draft of a manual I put together, covering each version of the langauge (Sys1-3.0). Assumes familiarity with System 3.5 and its manual (below). Recommended.

System 3.5
System 3.5 is widely supported thanks to Alicesoft's open release of the SDK. System 3.9 is backwards-compatible with older versions and should be used exclusivey.
 * System 3.9 SDK and Manual (JP) (MediaFire, Mega): The original System 3.9 SDK (not honestly all that useful compared to modern tools) and HTML manual (invaluable). I've been lazily working at translating the manual (translation included) but haven't made major headway, just a few lines here and there. In the interim, I recommend opening the manual in Google Chrome to use in-line translation.
 * System 3.5 SDK (MediaFire, Mega): For archival purposes.
 * ALDExplorer2: See above.
 * Sys3Decompiler (MediaFire, Mega): This tool by SomeLoliCatgirl is indespensible for working with System 3.5. Use it to decompile or compile source code. Don't be confused by the name, this only works on System 3.5, not System 3.0. Open Source, C#.
 * Alicesoft Translation Tool (MediaFire, Mega): Python2 tool that extracts message and menu text in a special format that can then be fed back into the code. Uncredited? Can overlook items not delivered in the traditional fashion, and often leaves translator unable to clean the text in various ways. Litters the code with ZH commands. Not frankly recommended compared to directly editing the code, but easy to use. Do not attempt to use with Python 3.

System 4
Once again, System 4 is widely supported thanks to the open release of the SDK. The most commonly used version is System 4.2, which is silently referred to as "System 4" almost without exception.
 * System 4.2 SDK and Manual (JP) (MediaFire, Mega): The official System 4.2 SDK, IDE and Manual. While the IDE would be nice given that it has special debugging features, you can largely ignore it and work with AINDecompiler (below). The manual is nested kind of deep, so search for a folder named "Sys42" to find it (not Sys42IDE). Once again, you'll want to use Google Chrome to in-line translate the manual. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any public manual for Alicesoft's keystone Asra or Asra3 frameworks, you'll have to work that part out yourself.
 * ALDExplorer2: See above.
 * AINDecompiler (MediaFire, Mega): The System 4 equivalent of Sys0Decompiler/Sys3Decompiler. By SomeLoliCatgirl, Open-Source, C#. Last updated to support Evenicle in 2015, so later games are not guarenteed compatible. Essential.