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DOS Batch File | 1983-07-01 | 37.6 KB | 991 lines

bat * Loading on-line HELP and DOCUMENTATION ..... bat * Written by F.Canova 10/5/83 bat * (c) Copyright 1983 by Seaware Corp. all rights reserved. bat goto -line0 bat -header |* Routine prints general purpose header for help text bat stack.purge |* remove any pre-typed keystrokes. bat cls begtype ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗\0F end bat type %s%s%s %h ............. Page %n bat begtype ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Press: PGDN for next page, PGUP for prev page, HOME for main menu. end bat return bat -scroll |* Routine accepts key for scrolling help text bat inkey %k bat if %k = KEY003 goto -opt0 |* Break key bat if %k = KEY01B %L = 0 | return |* ESC key bat if %k = KEY147 %L = 0 | return |* Home key bat if %k = KEY149 %L = %L - 1 | cls | return |* PgUp key bat if %k = KEY151 %L = %L + 1 | cls | return |* PgDn key bat goto -scroll |* ignore any other key. bat * ROUTINE TO HAVE USER GIVE A COMMAND A TRY !! bat * %A = string which must match bat -tryit bat begtype Enter your guess! ; end bat -tryit.loop bat if .%a <> . skip 8 |* end of string ? bat begtype EXCELLENT !! - that's exactly it! end bat read Press the ─┘ key to continue to next section..... bat return bat %b = %a $ 1 1 |* get 1st letter bat %a = %a $ 2 |* remove it from string bat -tryit.try bat inkey %i |* get a key. bat if %i = KEY020 type %b; | goto -tryit.loop bat if %i = %b type %i; | goto -tryit.loop bat beep goto -tryit.try bat -line0 bat -line44 bat cls begtype \0F╔════════════════ BATDOC ═══════════════════╗ ║ Menu driven HELP and DOCUMENTATION. ║ ╙───────────────────────────────────────────╜ GENERAL:\07 1. Introduction and how to use this Help. 2. The user supported concept. 3. BAT-BBS information. On-line users forum. \0FEXTENDED BATCH LANGUAGE version 2.0\07 4. What BAT is.... an introduction. 5. Printing to display. 6. Reading data from users. 7. Making decisions and controlling program flow. 8. Using the keyboard stack. 9. Sensing program's results. 10. Assignment statements. 11. Debugging aids. 12. Additional information. 0. Exit. END bat -entry0 bat read Enter the number of your selection. > %A bat if / = /%a %a = 1 bat if %a < 13 if %a > 1/ cls goto -opt%a bat if %a < : if %a > / cls goto -opt%a bat beep begtype I DON'T KNOW THAT OPTION! Just enter a number 0 to 12 and press the ─┘ key. end bat goto -entry0 bat -opt0 cls begtype Ready to leave on-line help! Press a key: <\0FS\07>ystem <\0FD\07>emo <\0FH\07>elp end bat -exiting inkey %a bat if %a = S exit bat if %a = H goto -line0 bat if %a = D stack BATDEMO | exit bat beep goto -exiting bat -line1 bat -opt1 %h = INTRODUCTION | %L = 1 | %N = 1.0 bat call -header bat begtype This program will provide you with help information on the use of the EXTENDED BATCH LANGUAGE version 2.0. It is designed to allow for easy access and retrieval of information that would be harder to find by more conventional means. The information is broken up into multiple sections. Each section may have several pages. To access each page in order, just keep pressing the PGDN key. At the top of your screen is the name of the section which you are in and the page number. \0FNote:\07 If you wish to directly enter another section now, press the \0fHOME\07 key to return to the main menu, enter the proper \0fsection number\07 and press the \0f─┘\07 key. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line2 %n = 1.1 | call -header | begtype While in any of these sections, there are just three keys needed: PGDN - This key will advance to the next page of any section. If there are no more pages in the section, then it will advance to the next section. PGUP - This key will back up to a previous page within a section. If there are no more previous pages within a section, it will backup to the previous section. HOME or ESC - Either of these keys will return directly to the main menu. From the menu, any section can be looked at directly by entering the section number and pressing ─┘. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line3 %n = 1.2 | call -header | begtype There are several sections where you will be given questions and answers. If you would like to peek and see answer without specifically answering it, you can press the space bar to reveal the answer letter by letter. One interesting facet you should know while using this on-line help and documentation is that you are using the EXTENDED BATCH LANGUAGE program to display and control these menus. Never before has a batch language been so powerful on the IBM personal computer as to be able to provide a facility like this. In the following pages of description, we hope that you will see, as we did, that this program has extraordinary capability which does much more than just expand the capability of DOS. In fact, it gives new power to your system by providing capabilities never before possible. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -opt2 bat -line4 %H = USER%sSUPPORTED | %L = 4 | %n = 2.0 | call -header | begtype ╓─ ─╖ ║ PRIVATE USERS, If you are using this program and find it of value, ║ ║ your contribution ($30 suggested) will be appreciated. ║ ║ ║ ║ You are encouraged to copy and share this program with other users, ║ ║ on the conditions that the program is not distributed in modified ║ ║ form, that no fee or consideration is charged, and that this notice is ║ ║ not bypassed or removed. ║ ║ ║ ║ In appreciation of your $30 contribution, you will be provided with a ║ ║ detailed users guide and diskette giving you complete descriptions, ║ ║ examples, and tips on this program's use. All contributors are given ║ ║ access to the BAT-BBS, a hot-line for assistance, tips, and updates. ║ ║ ║ ║ The $30 license fee (per system) is required for COMMERCIAL USERS if ║ ║ used in a place of business or incorporated into another product. ║ ║ ║ ╙─ (c) Copyright 1982, 1983 by Seaware Corp. All rights reserved. ─╜ end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line5 %n = 2.1 | call -header | begtype For your $30 contribution, you will be provided with a detailed users guide. This hardcopy manual has over 70 pages of descriptions, examples, useful utilities, and tips on this program's use. It is prepunched for an IBM binder for ready reference. You will also receive a diskette containing the latest program version and useful utilities. All contributors are also invited to use the BAT-BBS, an on-line forum for user's ideas, tips, programs, and assistance. (See next section for more information). Only with your support can we help you even more. This concept was founded by Andrew Fugleman at Headlands Press, Inc. with a series of software called "Freeware"(tm). I would like to thank Andrew for his inspiration and help. Because I feel that good software should have someone standing behind it, we at Seaware want to put your contribution directly into support for you as our thanks of your support of us. If you find this program of value, you are encouraged to send in your contribution. Your support will not go unnoticed. Seaware Corp. ≡≡≡≡ Post Office Box 1656 ≡≡≡≡ Delray Beach, FL 33444 end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -opt3 bat -line6 %H = BAT%s-%sBBS | %L = 6 | %n = 3.0 | call -header | begtype One of the special services we provide to EXTENDED BATCH LANGUAGE users is through a communication medium called "BAT-BBS". This is a direct link from you to other users, as well as Seaware. The following list shows the many things that BAT-BBS can provide . . . end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line7 %n = 3.1 | call -header | begtype FOR USERS WITH A MODEM: * BAT-BBS is a hotline for your questions! * Directly access our computer at Seaware via phone. * It will be ready to give helpful ideas. * Programs and Utilities are available to download. * Users are welcome to upload their programs/ideas. * Tips and techniques are on-line. * Converse with other users and program author via electronic mail. * Receive program updates as soon as they are available. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line8 %n = 3.2 | call -header | begtype IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MODEM: * You can still phone the BAT-BBS if you wish to have your questions answered via voice. A recorder will take your message. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line9 %n = 3.3 | call -header | begtype You can access the bulletin board service by using any 300 baud or 1200 baud modem with your computer. You should call the computer using 7 data bits, even parity, and 1 stop bit. You will also need a communication program such as PC-TALK III, CROSSTALK, or Asynchronous Communication Package version 2.0. Contact your local computer store if you need more information or help with communication equipment or software. Service is from 00:01 hours to 18:00 hours daily, Eastern Standard Time. A phone number and your personal password will be supplied when we receive your contribution. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line10 %n = 3.4 | call -header | begtype To access BAT-BBS by modem: 1. Call the BAT-BBS phone number and wait about two rings then hang up. 2. Call the BAT-BBS again, it will immediately answer the phone and wait for the carrier from your modem. To access BAT-BBS by voice: 1. Call the BAT-BBS phone number and wait about four rings. A recorder will take your question on the forth ring. 2. You can take your time. The recorder will continue as long as you are talking. Be sure to leave your NAME and ADDRESS for a response. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -opt4 bat -line11 %H = INTRODUCTION | %L = 11| %n = 4.0 | call -header | begtype BAT is short for Extended Batch Language. BAT is a powerful productivity tool for the IBM Personal Computer. It represents a significant advance in providing a comprehensive yet easy to learn and use facility for controlling tasks you give your computer. It can even give you on-line documentation SUCH AS THIS! BAT is a command programming language. It is a high level language that can be used as a direct replacement or in conjunction with DOS batch files. It can operate with IBM DOS versions 1.0, 1.1, or 2.x. Compared with standard DOS batch files, BAT has superior control structures, string handling, and user interfaces. It also has tracing facilities, and is easy to learn and use. Many aspects of the language are like BASIC. Users of VM/370 will also find it similar to EXECs. It seems that both "end users" and programmers find BAT a simple and effective language. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line12 %n = 4.1 | call -header | begtype With Extended Batch Language, you can have: - Better control of messages to the screen - Accept responses from the user and create responses to programs - String handling operations (substring, length, etc.) - Arithmetic expressions and assignments - Comparisons and program return codes - Search for files or tell if they exist - Complete freedom to mix DOS and BAT commands within the same control file Let's look at how it measures up to today's DOS...... end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line13 %n = 4.2 | call -header | begtype Function DOS 1.1 DOS 2.0 Extended Batch Lang. ---------- ------- ------- -------------------- BEEP X CALL/RTN X CLS X X BEGSTACK X BEGTYPE X EXIT X X GOTO X X IF Limited X INKEY X READ X READSCRN X SKIP X STATEOF Limited X STACK X TYPE Limited X X Assignments X TRACE X DOS Vars X X X Global Vars X Return Codes X X end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line14 %n = 4.3 | call -header | begtype As you can see from the previous chart, Extended Batch Language has more power and enhanced capabilities than either DOS 1.1 or DOS 2.0. This program uses these capabilities to solve common problems for...... The system programmer - who needs to do long sequences of tasks between linker, compilers, debuggers, and editors. He can now create an intelligent link between these programs. For instance, he may wish to do a link depending on if the previous compile was successful. He can also respond automatically from a keyboard "stack" into various utilities. The secretary - who has several types of tasks to perform (word processing, accounting packages, etc) and requires a simple way of changing from one type of task to another, perhaps with optional help text. The student - who wishes to go from one game to another without having to learn the system commands required to make each available. Testers - who wish to automate long, boring tests and procedures on the personal computer. An excellent tool for a manufacturing line. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line15 %n = 4.4 | call -header | begtype The effect of using BAT is to put "covers" on the programs and system that it controls. A friendly, easy to use interface is easily created. Described in these pages is a solution to batch files through the use of BAT. Once you have looked over the descriptions of each command, browse through the BATDEMO.BAT file and look at the commands in operation. By trying out some sample programs, you should be able to gain a full understand of how to write some powerful batch files by using Extended Batch Language. Copyright (c) 1982, 1983 by Seaware Corp. Program by All Rights reserved by Seaware Corp. Frank Canova end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -opt5 bat -line16 %H = HOW%sTO%sPRINT | %L = 16| %n = 5.0| call -header| begtype The simplest thing to for Extended Batch Language to do is to print text on the display. This is done by either of two commands, TYPE and BEGTYPE. The TYPE command can be used for something as simple as saying hello! For example: BAT TYPE HELLO THERE This is all that is needed. This command can be typed directly from DOS (this is called immediate mode) or be entered into a file such as "TRIAL.BAT" (this is called direct execution mode). To execute it as a BAT program with the file, just type the file's name "TRIAL" from DOS and you will see the results of the program "HELLO THERE" coming from BAT. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line17 %n = 5.1 | call -header | begtype You can also put DOS variables into this command to display their contents. For example, if the "TRIAL.BAT" file contained the line: BAT TYPE HELLO THERE %1 %2 Then when we start the BAT program from DOS, we might enter: TRIAL COMPUTER USER DOS will automatically store the words after the program name into its variables. Therefore, in the TYPE command, we will see contents of these variables on the screen. The resulting message would be: HELLO THERE COMPUTER USER end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line18 %n = 5.2 | call -header | begtype There is a second method of putting text onto the display. This is with the BEGTYPE command. Although it will not display the contents of variables, it is very useful for displaying large blocks of text, such as menus. For example, if the "TRIAL.BAT" file contains: BAT BEGTYPE This is a large block of text. It is useful for menus. Note that Upper/Lower case characters are displayed intact here. The block is always ended with "END" in the first column after the text finishes. END When executed, the "TRIAL.BAT" program will display: This is a large block of text. It is useful for menus. Note that Upper/Lower case characters are displayed intact here. The block is always ended with "END" in the first column after the text finishes. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line19 %n = 5.3 | call -header | begtype There is an additional advantage to using BEGTYPE command. This command can also highlight text to the user. This is done by using the form: [\\hex] within the text block. For example if the text block contained \\0F within the text, the result would be \0F High Intensity Text ! \07. By choosing different values, the screen attributes can be controlled to create inverted video, blinking, underlined, and very colorful text. An additional command CLS can be used to clear the display before printing data. For instance, the combination "BAT CLS BEGTYPE" is quite useful for printing menus and text such as this screen. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line20 bat begtype \0fNOW IT'S YOUR TURN !!!\07 If the \0f%4\07 variable contains the word \0fDAY\07, what is the command to display the words "\0fFUN DAY\07" on the display? end bat %A = BAT%sTYPE%sFUN%s%%4 bat call -tryit bat -opt6 bat -line20 %H = READING | %L = 20| %n = 6.0 | call -header | begtype In order to get input from the user, there are two available commands, READ and INKEY. When the command word READ is seen in the batch file, an input line is accepted from the user. All function keys are assigned to the normal DOS edit functions. When ENTER is pressed, the input line is assigned to DOS variables. Each word will be assigned in order to the variables indicated after the READ command. When there are no more variables after the READ command to assign, the remainder of the response is thrown away. If there are more variables to be assigned after the READ command than there are words from the user, these variables will be cleared out to a empty state. For example: BAT READ Please enter your name ==> %1 %2 This would prompt the user and wait for him to enter two words. These words will be saved in the %1 and %2 variables. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line21 %n = 6.1 | call -header | begtype Note that there does not have to be any variables indicated after the command READ. In this case, BAT would wait for the enter key, throw away any response, then continue to process the next batch file command. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line22 %n = 6.2 | call -header | begtype In the event that you wish to get a single keystroke from the user, the INKEY command should be used. This command will wait for the user to enter a single key on the keyboard and return its value in the optional variable. This key can be not only letters, but all function keys, control keys, etc. For example: BAT INKEY Press any key to continue... %0 When the user presses a single key, that key is saved into the variable %0. If the key that is pressed is in the range of "!" to "z" (decimal 33 to 122) then the key saved to the optional variable. If you wish this key to be echoed to the display, you must specifically use the TYPE command. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line23 %n = 6.3 | call -header | begtype If the key is not in the above range, then the key will be converted to the form "KEYxxx" where xxx is the hex value of the key. Extended key codes will be in the range KEY100 to KEY1FF and nonextended key codes will be in the range KEY000 to KEY0FF. Refer to Appendix G of the Basic manual for a complete description of the various assignments of key codes. The character does not have to be assigned to a variable. If the variable name is not present following the command INKEY, the system will wait for any key to be pressed from the user, and then continue processing. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line24 bat begtype \0fNOW IT'S YOUR TURN !!!\07 We wish to create a menu with several options. At a "\0f=>\07" prompt, the user must enter a \0fsingle letter\07 to select his option. What is the command needed to request a single keystroke into the \0f%4\07 variable for option selection using the prompt above? end bat %A = BAT%sINKEY%s=>%s%%4 bat call -tryit bat -opt7 bat -line24 %H = PROGRAM%sCONTROL | %L = 24| %n = 7.0| call -header| begtype There are several ways of controlling the order of execution of a program written with Extended Batch Language. GOTO, CALL, RETURN, and IF are all commands that do this. The simplest is the GOTO command: BAT GOTO -LABEL If this line is put into a ".BAT" file, then it will stop execution at this line and resume at the line within the file which contains: BAT -LABEL This is a unconditional branch. If the label is not present within the file, and error will result. Note the minus (-) sign before the label name. \0FLabels must be preceded with a minus sign.\07 This is done so that BAT can tell the difference between a label and a command within the language. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line25 %n = 7.1 | call -header | begtype A CALL command is similar to a GOTO command. The primary difference is that the line where the CALL command was is saved away. Then a branch to a label is done, just like the GOTO command. Note that up to three lines can be saved away at a time with this command. When a RETURN command is found, the last line that was saved is now restored. Execution resumes at the line following the original CALL command. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line26 %n = 7.2 | call -header | begtype For example, if a program contains: BAT TYPE One BAT \0FCALL -LABEL\07 BAT \0FCALL -LABEL\07 BAT TYPE Four BAT EXIT BAT -LABEL BAT TYPE Two BAT TYPE Three BAT \0FRETURN\07 You will see on the display: ONE TWO THREE TWO THREE FOUR end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line27 %n = 7.3 | call -header | begtype The final way to control the flow of an Extended Batch Language program is to use an IF command. The general form of this command is: BAT IF _word_ _condition_ _word_ _operation_______ Each word can be a fixed string of letters, or a variable, or a combination of each. The conditions can be: < less than = equal to > greater than <> not equal to The operation can be any of the Extended Batch Language commands. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line28 %n = 7.4 | call -header | begtype For example, all of the following IF statements will compare correctly and execute their corresponding TYPE command. The first two statements will initialize variables used in the IF commands. BAT %1 = ABC BAT %2 = BAT IF ABC = %1 TYPE The variable contains ABC. BAT IF %1 = abc TYPE This also matches. BAT IF 0 <> 00 TYPE These are different lengths. BAT IF 0 < 00 TYPE 0 has a smaller length. BAT IF 456 > 123 TYPE Numerically, 456 is bigger. BAT IF 456 < %1 TYPE ASCII value of 456 is smaller. BAT IF AABCD = A%1D TYPE Token substitutions are made. BAT IF %2 <> %1 TYPE Variables are different lengths. BAT IF .%2 = . TYPE This matches if var is empty. BAT IF BOX = BOX IF DOG <> CAT TYPE Did multi-if compare. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line29 bat begtype \0fNOW IT'S YOUR TURN !!!\07 We wish to make a series of tests on a menu option that a user entered. It is saved in the variable \0f%4\07. What command is needed to test for the letter "\0fA\07"? end bat %A = BAT%sIF%s%%4%s=%sA bat call -tryit bat -opt8 bat -line29 %H = KEYBOARD%sSTACK| %L = 29| %n = 8.0| call -header| begtype There is a method within the BAT language for answering questions from programs without operator intervention. This is done by a "keyboard stack". By entering data into the stack, you will essentially be entering data through your keyboard when any program requests it. In this way, a batch file can now answer questions programs may have by 'typing' them for the user. The keyboard stack operates in a "first-in first-out" basis. That is, the first line of text put into the stack will be the first seen by the program when it reads the keyboard. The second line entered will be the second seen by the program, and so on. As long as there is text remaining on the stack, ALL requests for data from the keyboard will actually come from the stack. Once the stack has been emptied by the program, data will then come from the keyboard as usual. There are two commands which store data into the stack, STACK and BEGSTACK. Here's some more about them..... end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line30 %n = 8.1 | call -header | begtype The STACK command is very much like the previously mentioned TYPE command. Instead of displaying to the screen, it will "push" data into the keyboard stack area. When any program is ready to accept information from the keyboard, the parameters after the STACK command will be used as input. For example: BAT * This program will issue remarks to DOS. BAT %1 = HELLO BAT STACK REM THIS IS A REMARK FOR DOS BAT STACK REM VARIABLE %%1 = %1 When executed, the following will appear on the screen: A>REM THIS IS A REMARK FOR DOS A>REM VARIABLE %1 = HELLO end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line31 %n = 8.2 | call -header | begtype The second command used to stack data is BEGSTACK. This command is equivalent to BEGTYPE previously described. It is useful for dumping large amounts of data to the stack area. Although no parameter substitution is performed, there are several advantages to its use. First, if a line ends with the ";" (semicolon) character, a carriage return will NOT be stacked. Second, if "\\HEX" is used where HEX is a number from 01 to FE, then this exact keyboard value will be stacked. This is useful for stacking special control characters and symbols. Third, if "\\00\\HEX" is used, an extended key code will be stacked. This is useful for stacking function keys and the like. Refer to the Basic manual in Appendix G under "Extended Codes". Fourth, if \\FF\\HEX is used, the stack will delay the keyboard characters from appearing to the program for HEX number of CPU "ticks". There are about 12 hex (18 decimal) ticks per second in the CPU. In all cases, the word HEX above represents a two digit hexadecimal number. Finally, \\\\ can be used to stack a single backslash. Some examples... end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line32 %n = 8.3 | call -header | begtype Some examples of BEGSTACK command:: BAT BEGSTACK \\09 Will stack the tab key. This text will be stacked ; on one line! \\00\\3B Will stack an F1 key. \\\\ is seen as one backslash. \\FF\\24 will pause two seconds. end Hint: Some programs remove keystrokes before accepting a critical key. In some cases this can be avoided by using \\FF\\01 in the BEGSTACK command. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line33 %n = 8.4 | call -header | begtype There are also three control commands which are associated with the stack: STACK.OFF - Redirects data to come directly from the physical keyboard. Does not remove any data in the stack. STACK.ON - Directs data to come from the stack. This is the default. STACK.PURGE - Removes any data from the stack and keyboard buffers which are pending. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line34 bat begtype \0fNOW IT'S YOUR TURN !!!\07 From our menu, we wish to start up a communications program and automatically dial a phone number with a smartmodem. The communications program we have will take what is typed on the keyboard and send it to the modem. The command needed for the modem to dial our phone is "\0fATD12\07". What Extended Batch Language command will force the communication program to dial this modem command? end bat %A = BAT%sSTACK%sATD12 bat call -tryit bat -opt9 bat -line34 %H = GETTING%sRESULTS!| %L = 34| %n = 9.0| call -header| begtype The results of programs often need to be known so that some action can take place after the program ends. When the command word READSCRN is seen in the batch file, a line of text is read from the display screen into variables. Having the ability to read text from the display can be useful for determining the result of another program, or making a query for some system status which would not normally be available within a batch file. For example, by reading a directory from the screen, a series of files can be submitted to the macro assembler. Once the assembly is completed, the status can be read from the screen to determine if there were errors which would stop the link step. Virtually any message which a program can generate can be used as feedback to a batch file by using READSCRN. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line35 %n = 9.1 | call -header | begtype Its operation is very much like the READ command except for the fact that the information which is being read is coming from the display screen and not the keyboard. Like the READ command, the text from the screen is tokenized (separated at word boundaries and assigned to variables). The return code %R will be reflect the line number on the display that was read. This number will be in the range of 1 to 25 for the top to bottom lines respectively. Once a line is read, this command will be set to read the previous line. Repeated READSCRN commands will read UP the display! For example: BAT CLS BAT TYPE HELLO THERE BAT READSCRN %A %B %C After execution: %A contains HELLO %B contains THERE %C contains nothing, it is empty. %R (return code) contains 1, the line number that was read. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line36 bat begtype \0fNOW IT'S YOUR TURN !!!\07 From our menu, we have started the IBM Macro Assembler program. We know that when this program ends, it will display a number representing the number of errors that were found. We want to make sure that this number is zero before continuing to the LINK program. If we save this number in the variable \0f%A\07, what is the command to read the assembler result from the display? end bat %A = BAT%sREADSCRN%s%%A bat call -tryit bat -opt10 bat -line36 %H = ASSIGNMENTS| %L = 36| %n = 10.0| call -header| begtype If the first character in the command is a '%' (Percent sign), then it is considered to be an assignment statement. The first variable cannot be any predefined variable (such as %R or %%), but may be any of the other variables %0 to %9 and %A to %O. If a DOS command is later executed and uses one of the variables %0 to %9, it will be properly replaced with the contents of that variable. The first assignment token, the operator, and the final tokens are optional. The assignment statement must appear in one of the following forms: \0f[var] = \07- create empty variable \0f[var] = [string] \07- simple assignment \0f[var] = [number] + [number] \07- addition \0f[var] = [number] - [number] \07- subtraction \0f[var] = [number] * [number] \07- multiplication \0f[var] = [number] / [number] \07- division \0f[var] = [string] # \07- string length \0f[var] = [string] $ [index] [length] \07- create substring (like MID$ in BASIC) end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line37 %n = 10.1 | call -header | begtype \0f[var]\07 - A DOS variable or global user variable %0 to %9 and %A to %O. It may not be a predefined variable. \0f[string]\07 - Any valid token. Letters, numbers, any variable, or any combination there of. 123, ABC, and 987%J4SF are all valid strings. \0f[number]\07 - Any token with a numeric result in the range of 0 to 65535. For example (if %A contains 34) the three numbers 98, %A, and 12%A5 (equivalent to 12345) would all be valid numbers. Note that numbers are always positive and should never contain a sign ( + or - ) character. \0f[index]\07 - Same restrictions as [number] above except that an [index] in the range 17 to 65535 is meaningless and is equivalent to the number 16. \0f[length]\07 - Same restrictions as [number] above except that a [length] in the range 16 to 65535 is meaningless and is equivalent to the number 15. Note that [length] is optional and has a default value of 15. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line38 bat begtype \0fNOW IT'S YOUR TURN !!!\07 We wish to count the number of times that a user has used a certain .BAT program. We will keep this count in the global user variable \0f%A\07 which will stay active even BETWEEN batch file execution. What is the command needed to increase the value in this variable by one? end bat %A = BAT%s%%A%s=%s%%A%s+%s1 bat call -tryit bat -opt11 bat -line38 %H = DEBUGGING%sAIDS| %L = 38| %n = 11.0| call -header| begtype As an aid in debugging, the TRACE.ON command enables a trace flag which causes each line in the BAT program to be printed as it is executed. Three '+' (plus) symbols will precede the BAT statement which is printed out as an aid. The trace can be turned off at any time by the TRACE.OFF command. A trace can be active during DOS commands within the BAT program. In addition, trace can be enabled/disabled at any time, even in immediate mode. Once enabled, it will remain in effect until the TRACE.OFF command is executed. Errors, execution of other BAT language files, and even executing DOS commands will not change the trace mode. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -opt12 bat -line39 %H = ADDITIONAL%sINFO| %L = 39| %n = 12.0| call -header| begtype The size of the keyboard stack defaults to 512 bytes. This value can be changed by making the first statement which is executed by the Extended Batch Language program be of the form: BAT * size. Size is the decimal number of bytes to reserve for the stack. This must be executed, for instance, when a system reset is performed because once this area is installed, the size is never altered until another system reset. There are additional variables %A thru %O (oh) which are called "global user variables". These variables are used exactly like the variables supplied by DOS (%0 to %9) with two exceptions. First, the contents of these variables are maintained between execution of batch files for as long as the system is powered on. This "global" feature is useful for keeping indicators BETWEEN "sessions" of the user. Second, because DOS does not know about these variables, they \0fcannot\07 be used as variables within any DOS command. So while "COPY %1 %2" is valid, "COPY %A %B" is not. If you wish to use them within DOS commands, they must first be copied via a statement like "BAT %1 = %A". end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line40 %n = 12.1 | call -header | begtype PREDEFINED VARIABLES... A return code is available at memory address [0000:04FE]. If set by a program, BAT can read this byte value with the variable %R. The string stored into this variable is in hex with leading zeros truncated. The current default drive is stored into the %V variable. It is a single character. The status of the stack is stored into the %Q variable. It is a "K" if the READ command will be reading from the keyboard, and a "S" if it will be reading from the stack area. There are two character literals. %S represents a space literal and %% represents a percent sign. Either of these special variables can be stored into other variables, or used for testing special cases. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line41 %n = 12.2 | call -header | begtype The STATEOF command will search all disk drives for the existance of a file. The name after the word STATEOF can be a specific name, general name with wildcard characters (e.g. *.EXE), or it can be a name with a specific drive specification (e.g. A:PE.EXE). In the last case, only drive A: will be searched instead of all available drives. Note also that a variable can be used instead of a file name. In this version of BAT, only files in the current directory (no paths) can be found. The return code variable %R is used to indicate the result of the search for STATEOF. The results are: 0 - File found on default drive. 1 - File not found. 9 - Invalid file name specified. A to D - Same as return code 0 but instead of being found on the default drive, it was found on drive A, B, C, or D. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line42 %n = 12.3 | call -header | begtype If a you wish to put more than one command on a line, the vertical bar "|" is useful. When used with an IF command and the test for the IF conditions fail, the entire rest of the line will be ignored. Multiple commands within a BAT statement is very useful when combined with the IF command. For example: BAT IF %A = abc TYPE this | CALL -that | GOTO -other If a comment is needed within a BAT program, the "*" (star) character is useful. When used after the word BAT, all characters which follow will be ignored. For example: BAT * This is a comment to the programmer. end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L bat -line43 %n = 12.4 | call -header | begtype That's about all the help there is! If you still need more information, you might wish to contribute in order to receive a complete users guide and password to the BAT-BBS hot-line. The manual gives complete descriptions on all available commands with examples of each. It is prepunched for an IBM binder for ready reference. With the BAT-BBS, you can receive tips from other users and program updates just as soon as they are available. We feel that user supported software should be a two way street. With your help, it will work. If you find this program valuable, a contribution ($30 suggested) will be appreciated. To see further benefits of contributing and for more information, see section 2 of this document. Seaware Corp. Post Office Box 1656 Delray Beach, FL 33444 end bat call -scroll | goto -line%L