# Alta Lista

> HTML directory index creator for Atari ST

**Wikidata**: [Q122733490](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122733490)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alta-lista

## Summary
Alta Lista is a software utility designed for the Atari ST platform that functions as an HTML directory index creator. Developed by Matthias Jaap, this tool is used for website development to generate directory listings, operating as a non-tangible executable component that extends the functionality of the computer hardware.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** The software was created by Matthias Jaap.
- **Platform:** Alta Lista is designed to run on the Atari ST computer system.
- **Function:** It serves as an HTML directory index creator.
- **Use Case:** Its primary application is in the field of website development.
- **Classification:** Alta Lista is an instance of software, categorized as a creative work, written work, and tool.
- **Aliases:** The entity is also known by the name AltaLista.
- **Website:** The official resource page is located at http://jaapan.de/en/myprg.php?page=altalista, with an archived version available via the Wayback Machine.
- **Composition:** As software, it consists of computer programs and data, distinct from physical hardware.

## FAQs
### Q: Who is the developer of Alta Lista?
A: Alta Lista was developed by Matthias Jaap, who maintains the official website for the utility.
### Q: What operating system or platform does Alta Lista require?
A: This software is specifically designed to run on the Atari ST platform.
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Alta Lista?
A: The tool is used to create HTML directory indexes, aiding users in website development tasks.
### Q: Is Alta Lista considered hardware or software?
A: Alta Lista is software, meaning it is the non-tangible executable component of the computer, rather than a physical device.
### Q: Where can the official resources for Alta Lista be found?
A: Resources are available at jaapan.de, and an archived version of the page is preserved on the Wayback Machine.

## Why It Matters
Alta Lista represents a specific implementation of software that transforms the Atari ST hardware into a specialized tool for web management. By providing the executable logic necessary to generate HTML directory indexes, it enables users to organize and present file structures for the web, a critical task in the early stages of website development. Its significance lies in its ability to bridge the gap between a general-purpose computing device and the specific requirements of internet publishing. As a piece of software, it exemplifies the concept of non-tangible creative works that serve as functional means to solve problems, demonstrating how source code and architecture can be leveraged to extend the utility of legacy hardware.

## Notable For
- **Platform Specificity:** Distinctly engineered for the Atari ST, catering to the niche community of users maintaining this hardware.
- **Utility Function:** Uniquely focused on the creation of HTML directory indexes rather than general file management.
- **Web Development Role:** Serves as a specialized instrument for website development, enabling the generation of web-ready directory listings.
- **Individual Development:** Created by a single developer, Matthias Jaap, reflecting the independent software culture common in the Atari ecosystem.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Alta Lista is formally defined as a specific instance of software. In this context, software is the non-tangible executable component of a computer system, functioning as a creative and written work that serves as a tool for performing arithmetic or logical operations. Alta Lista fits this taxonomic classification as a subclass of creative work, written work, means, and product. It is distinguished from computer hardware—the physical object—by its lack of physical form, existing instead as executable logic composed of computer programs and data.

### Technical Characteristics
As a software entity, Alta Lista possesses specific technical attributes, including source code, software architecture, and software features. It is characterized by its quality and testability, standards which govern its development and evaluation. The entity is the functional opposite of the Atari ST hardware on which it runs, transforming the general-purpose device into a specialized tool. While software as a broad category includes diverse examples like Java, Google Docs Editors, and Chainlink, Alta Lista is a specialized application focused on a singular utility within the software engineering discipline.

### Platform and Developer
The application is specifically designed for the Atari ST platform. It was developed by Matthias Jaap, who established an official presence for the tool on the web. The software is accessible via a specific webpage (jaapan.de), and its preservation is ensured through qualifiers linking to the Wayback Machine archive. The platform compatibility restricts its operation to Atari ST systems, defining its user base and technical environment.

### Functionality and Application
Alta Lista is utilized in the domain of website development. Its core function is generating HTML directory indexes, a process that allows for the automated creation of navigable lists of files. This capability makes it a practical tool for users who need to publish directory structures to the web. By providing this specific feature, Alta Lista serves as a means to an end, utilizing the computer's logical operations to format and present data efficiently. This aligns with the broader definition of software as a means or tool used to achieve specific operational goals.