Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/090/coord3.arc/CO-ORD3.DOC

Text File | 1986-05-11 | 11.5 KB | 224 lines

        Skunkworks Learning Center
        Spread the Knowledge...

        THE COORDINATOR   Version 1.03

    First, there was THE COORDINATOR Version 1.0; plot out screens using
    ascii characters, color cursor and return coordinates of a cursor's
    position.  Then, there was THE COORDINATOR Version 2.1 which supported
    basically, the same functions as version 1 with a few additional
    functions like the ability to save and reload color ascii screens.  Well,
    here it is...version 1.03.  Why have we regressed in version numbers?  To
    tell you the truth, the feedback indicated that the releases 1 and 2 were
    considered to be "premature" releases, at best.  Well, we're not going to
    deny our hastiness.  I personally apologize to those of you who spent 10+
    minutes designing a screen only to have it "wiped out" by a simple error
    which should have been "handled" rather than aborting the whole program.
    For those of you, I am confident that you will find version 1.03 to your
    liking.  I have included error handling routines for all correctable
    errors.  Now that doesn't mean that you can't "lose" a screen, it just
    means that if you do lose a screen, it's for good reason.

    This is not a highly-portable program.  It was written on and specifically
    for the IBM PCjr.  It may run on other PC compatible machines that support
    color graphics.  For you jr users, you must have 128k of memory and DOS
    2.1.

    Please, for the good of this program, if you find severe errors or have
    helpful comments/suggestions, leave a public message on the TC/PC users
    group BBS at [phone].

    The file called RELOAD.BAS is in BASIC source code and may be merged into
    a program you design to be used to call up custom-made screens created
    with THE COORDINATOR.  Please see the MERGE command in your BASIC
    reference manual for details on how to use MERGE.

    This program is Public Domain.  Copying/Distributing is encouraged,
    however, if you find the program to be useful, please send $20 to
    your favorite charity.




              THE COORDINATOR - Version 1.03 - Basic Instructions

     THE COORDINATOR uses the cursor control keys to move the cursor and
     the function keys to perform various functions.  These functions are
     described as follows:

             Fn1:    CLS     Clears the screen (except current position)
           * Fn2:    CRD     Returns current cursor coordinates as
                             * r,c where * is an indicator for tracking
                             ease and r is the cursor's current row and
                             c is the cursor's current column number.
             Fn3:    TRL     Toggles the "Trail" on/off.  This is used to
                             "draw" on the screen.
             Fn4:    CRS     Changes the current cursor.  There are 20+
                             choices.
             Fn5:    N/A     This key was reserved for an upcoming
                             function.
          ** Fn6:    INP     Puts text/numerics on the screen.
             Fn7:    SVE     Saves current screen to disk.
             Fn8:    RLD     Reloads a previously-saved screen.
             Fn9:    CLR     Changes the current cursor color.
             Fn10:   END     Exits THE COORDINATOR. Current screen is cleared

     *NOTE:  If you return the coordinates of a cursor that is on line
     number 1, line number 22, or is too close to the right edge of the
     screen, the coordinates are displayed in another position.
     Regardless of where the coordinates are displayed, keep in mind that
     they are the correct coordinates of the current cursor.

     **NOTE:  When Fn6 is pressed, a prompt "->" will be displayed at the
     current cursor position.  The actual prompt takes up two cursor
     positions, but once the input is terminated with an enter, the string
     will begin where the prompt was displayed.  Play with this a couple
     of times and you will get the idea of how it works.



     SAVING/RELOADING SCREENS

     When you press Fn7 (SVE) a prompt will be displayed on the top left
     portion of the screen for FILENAME.  Enter in a legal filename but
     remember: DON'T USE BACKSPACE.  Especially if there are any
     charaters on the first line of the screen.  Using a backspace will
     discolor the entire line as well as shift the line one space left for
     every backspace pressed.  This rule is void if there is nothing on line
     one.

     THE COORDINATOR reads every space on the screen, whether you use
     every space or not so it takes a little longer to save a screen than
     to display which does not use every space on the screen.

     When you press Fn8 (RLD) and answer the FILENAME? prompt with a valid
     filename, the previously saved screen is displayed and a tone sounded
     upon completion.  Press an arrow key (up or down is best) and you will
     see the cursor appear in column number 79.  Normally, you cannot place
     the cursor in column 79.  If the TRAIL toggle was on, it is now off.
     DON'T TURN IT ON until you are out of column 79.  Once you are out of
     column 79, you cannot get back into it without using the RELOAD function.
     The cursor is placed in column 79 so that you will know where the cursor
     is after a RELOAD.  This is preferred over the previous releases where
     the cursor appeare in the middle of the screen where it could possibly
     "delete" ascii characters that may reside at that position.

      NOTE:  When entering a response to the prompt; FILENAME?, use a filename
             that is no longer than 8 characters in length.  The extension
             .CRD will be added to all saved screens.  DO NOT specify your own
             extension.


     ERRORS      We all hate 'em

     There are only a few probable errors usually encountered in this
     program.  The most common being:  Trying to load a non-existant file.
     When this error is encountered, "CAN'T FIND FILE" is displayed.

     Other errors, such as Disk Full, Redo From Start, Write Protected,
     etc are common user errors that used to be devistating to a screen you've
     been working on.  Well, those errors are now handled quite well by THE
     COORDINATOR.  The error messages displayed by THE COORDINATOR are:

          DISK FULL!        The disk is full, the file is closed and
                            deleted by THE COORDINATOR. The screen will not
                            be cleared. Insert another disk and save the
                            image again.

          CAN'T FIND FILE   The RELOAD function was called and a non-
                            existant filename was specified.  Repeat the
                            RELOAD function and specify a valid filename.

          DISK I/O ERROR!   The RELOAD or SAVE functions were called and
                            one of the following conditions exists:
                            Disk Not Ready, Device I/O Error, Disk Not Ready,
                            or Disk Write Protect.  The screen will not be
                            cleared.  Check your disk drive and repeat the
                            function called.

          BAD FILE NAME!    The RELOAD or SAVE functions were called and one
                            of the following conditions exists:
                            Bad File Number or Bad File Name.  The screen will
                            not be cleared.  Repeat the called function and
                            specify a valid file name.

          TOO MANY FILES!   The RELOAD or SAVE functions were called and one
                            of the following conditions exists:
                            Too Many Files.  This is an erroneous message
                            which is returned when, in response to FILENAME?,
                            a carriage return is entered instead of a valid
                            filename.  This is a good way to abort the RELOAD
                            or SAVE functions from the FILENAME? prompt.

     UNRECOVERABLE ERROR... An error condition which prevents program
                            execution exists.  The screen is cleared and the
                            program is aborted.  The error code is returned on
                            the display.  Make a note of the code and leave a
                            public message on the TC/PC users group BBS
                            describing the conditions which proceeded the
                            Unrecoverable Error.

     Well, as always, we realize that there is always potential for errors
     which may interrupt normal operation.  These errors can be corrected
     only if you the user notifies us.  We realize the aggravation caused by
     the loss of data.  We'll help to prevent it if you let us.


     NOTES AND HELPFUL HINTS

     You will find, upon starting THE COORDINATOR, a prompt asking for 40 or
     80 character width.  Unless you intend to use only 40 character mode,
     ALWAYS enter 80.  If you're using a PC Compatible with color graphics,
     you will always, of course enter 80.

     Here's something helpful:  Creat a couple of "toggle" screens.  Do this
     by following these instructions:

     Start up THE COORDINATOR by typing "GO" at the DOS prompt.  Enter 40 in
     response to the 40/80 character prompt.  Creat a simple screen.  It
     doesn't even have to contain anything.  Then, do a Fn7 (SVE) and call
     this file 40CHAR.  Then, exit THE COORDINATOR and restart.  This time,
     enter 80 to the 40/80 character prompt.  Do the same here only call the
     file 80CHAR.

     Now, regarless of the character width mode you're in, you can toggle back
     and forth between them by using Fn8 (RLD) and responding to FILENAME?
     with 40CHAR or 80CHAR.  If you've actually saved something to either of
     these two files, you can use Fn1 (CLS) to clear the screen and begin
     drawing from scratch.  But remember, you've used RELOAD so the cursor
     will appear in the 79th or 39th column (depending on width mode) when you
     press an arrow key.  Just don't turn the TRAIL on until you've left that
     column or you won't be able to get back there to erase it.


     ABOUT US:

     Skunkworks and Skunkworks Learning Center are trademarks of people
     who want to learn and do so by brute studying.  We believe that
     knowledge gained should be knowledge spread.  The more "aware" a
     person would be with that knowledge.  A knowledge that will lead to
     more technically oriented people and in turn to higher technology.
     So...SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE! (SK).

     Please help the Skunkworks Learning Center in progressing by leaving
     public messages addressed to Skunkworks on any Twin Cities area Fido
     BBS or specifically, the TC/PC Users Group BBS. We are always seeking
     technically oriented computer users who have the desire to learn.


     John M. Parlin
     Author of THE COORDINATOR
     and Founder of SKunkworks Learning Center


     SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE!
and in turn to higher technology.
     So...SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE! (SK).

     Please help the Skunkworks Learning Center in progressing by leaving
     public messages addressed to Skunkworks on any Twin Cities area Fido
     BBS or specifically, the TC/PC Users Group BBS. We are always seeking
     technically oriented computer users who have the desi