Software Du Jour/SoftwareDuJour.iso/BUTTON/XD.ARC/XD.HLP

Text File | 1987-03-01 | 21.6 KB | 539 lines

>>>
ATTR
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  Changes the file attribute of one or more files to the
a new value.

Remarks:  Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
and will cause all of the files matching each filename to be
listed.  If no drive or path is given, then an error message will
be issued and the program will be terminated.  If a directory
name is input then all files in the directory will be offered for
selection.

The Extended DOS program will ask for desired changes to the
file attributes of the selected files.  Changes are allowed to
several, but not all, of the attribute fields.  In particular,
attribute characteristics CAN be modified for normal DOS files
as follows:

  MODIFIABLE ATTRIBUTES         FIXED ATTRIBUTES
  ---------------------------   ------------------------------
  A - Archive bit               V - Volume Name
  S - System file designation   D - Directory file designation
  H - Hidden file designation
  R - Read only designation

Thus it is NOT possible to make a standard file into a Directory
or vice-versa, nor is it possible to give a Directory an A,S,H or
R designation with Extended DOS.

In order to change one or more of the file attribute bits it is
necessary to turn the bit `on' or `off' while leaving the
remaining attribute bits alone.  An attribute bit can be turned
`on' by preceding the bit letter with a `+', an a bit can be
turned off by preceding the bit letter with a `-'.   For example,
the command:

   +SR   will turn `on' the System and ReadOnly bits and,
   -ASH  would turn `off' the Archive, System, and Hidden bits.

If the same attribute is included with both a `+' and `-'
operator, or if the attribute letter is not included in either
the `+' or `-' group, then no change will be made to that
attribute bit.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the input name list will be presented separately
for verification.  The listing will indicate the file's old
attribute and the attribute that the file will have if the file
is selected.
>>>
COPY
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose: Duplicates files.  In addition, the copy command can
assigned copied files a new name or can place the copied files in
another directory or on another disk drive.

Remarks: Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
list.  If more than one source file is specified, the target name
must contain at least one wildcard character.  If no target path
is given, the current drive and path are assumed.  Similarly, if
only one source filename is listed the target path is assumed to
be the current path and the target name is assumed to be the same
as the source filename.

Warning: none of the standard DOS COPY command parameters (/A /B
or /V) apply to the extended DOS COPY function (See your DOS
manual for explanation of these parameters).

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
TIME
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  Changes the modification date and time of one or more
files to the current date and time.

Remarks:  Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
and will cause all of the files matching each filename to be
listed.  If no drive or path is given, then an error message will
be issued and the program will be terminated.  If a directory
name is input then all files in the directory will be offered for
selection.

The Extended DOS program will not modify date/times of files with
hidden, System, Read-only, or Directory attributes.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
DEL
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  Deletes (erases) one or more files.

Remarks: Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
and will cause all of the files matching each filename to be
listed.  If no drive or path is given, then the current drive and
the current path are assumed.

The Extended DOS program will not delete files with Hidden,
System, Read-only, or Directory attributes.  Note: directories
can be erased with the extended DOS function KILL.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
KILL
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  Removes (erases) one or more directories.

Remarks: Global filename characters are not allowed in the
pathname.  If no drive or path is given, then an error will be
posted and no action will be taken.

If a directory on the argument list is the current directory it
will be removed and the current directory will be changed to the
parent of the removed directory.

If a directory on the argument list has no files it will simply
be removed exactly as if the standard DOS command RMDIR had been
issued.

If a directory on the argument list contains files, a count of
files by attribute type will be made and you will have the
opportunity to list their names, to delete them all or to
terminate removal of that directory.  If a directory has files
that have Read-only, Hidden, or System attributes it will not be
removed.

If a directory on the argument list has sub-directories, they
will all be removed along with the listed directory, provided
that they do not contain Read-only, Hidden or System files.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
LIST
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose: Writes one or more files to the screen or to a printer.
This routine adds a header which shows the filename, creation
date and the current page number.

Remarks: Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
and will cause all matching files to be listed.  If no drive or
path is given, then the current drive and the current path are
assumed.

After verification of files to be listed, an opportunity will be
given to set a number of relevant parameters, including:

DEVICE: Output to screen or to a printer.
TOP:    Number  of  blank  lines at the top of each page.
PAGE:   Page length - number of rows per page.
LEFT:   Number of spaces before first character on each line.
LINE:   Number of characters printed after left margin.
TAB:    Number of spaces for TAB expansion.
SKIP:   Number of characters to skip at the start of each line.
CLIP:   Number of characters to print from each input line.
PAUSE:  Pause/do not pause at the page or screen breaks.
HEAD:   Show/noshow header information at the top of each page.
SET:    Decimal codes to be sent before start of listing.

Several parameters may be changed with a single entry.  e.g.

        dev=0 top=10 set=27,71 clip=60

Use of the equal signs and commas is optional, a "space" may be
used instead.
>>>
MOVE
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  Relocates files from one place to another.

Remarks: This function is exactly the same as the 'COPY' function
except that the original file is destroyed after it has been
replicated elsewhere.

Global filename characters are allowed in the filename list.  If
more than one source file is specified, the target name must
contain at least one wildcard character.  If no target path is
given the current drive and path are assumed.  Similarly, if only
one source filename is listed, the target path is assumed to be
the current path and the target name are assumed to be the same
as the source filename.

Warning: none of the standard DOS COPY command parameters (/A /B
or /V) apply to the extended DOS MOVE function.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
UP
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  To UPdate (refresh) the files in a drive or directory.

Remarks:  Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
list.  If a directory name is specified, all files in that
directory will be evaluated for possible updating.

The update function will take each qualifying filename in turn
and search the current working directory and the current environ-
ment path directories until a matching filename is found.  If the
matching filename has a more current modification time, the
program will copy it to the listed file.

This program is particularly useful for updating backup
diskettes.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
REN
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose:  Renames files or directories.

Remarks: Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
list.  A destination target name is required.  The target name
cannot exist as a file or directory.  The target path must exist,
and the target drive must be the same as the source drive.  If a
drive change is required, use the 'MOVE' function.

RENaming Directories:
Only one directory can be RENamed at a time.  No wildcard
characters are allowed in either the source directory name or the
target directory name.  If the path doesn't change, it is not
necessary to repeat the source path.

RENaming Files:
If multiple files or sets of files are to be RENamed, the target
name must contain at least one wildcard character in order to
prevent assignment of more than one file to the target name.  If
no drive or path is given, then the current drive and the current
path are assumed.  Files can be relocated to another directory
with the REName function, although the 'MOVE' function is
preferred for this task.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
SEARCH
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose: Search through files for a given string of characters

Remarks: During the program operation a prompt will be issued for
input of a string of characters.  A string of up to 238 char-
acters can be entered.  Entry is terminated when the Enter key is
pressed.  Printable and non-printing characters may be entered.
Characters may be entered using unshifted, shifted and control
keys.  They may also be entered by pressing the Alt key and
entering a 3 digit decimal code from the keypad.  Note: The NULL
character (decimal 000) and the Enter character (decimal 013)
cannot be entered without terminating the string.

Global filename characters are allowed in the filename
and will cause all of the files matching each filename to be
listed.  If no drive or path is given, then the current drive and
the current path are assumed.

As with all of the extended DOS commands, each filename that
qualifies under the filename list will be presented separately
for verification.
>>>
WILDCARD USAGE:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The extended DOS program uses the wildcard characters '?' and '*'
in a similar but different manner as standard DOS.

Similarities:

'?'  represents  any  single character.  For example the
designation '?abc.def' will accept files with any first character
as long as the remainder of characters is 'abc.def'.

'*' fills the remainder of the filename or extension with '?'
characters.  For example,  the designation 'abc*.*' is
equivalent to the form 'abc?????.???'.

Differences:

The '*' designation can be imbedded within  filenames.  If  so,
the characters before the '*' will lead the filename, and the
characters after  the  '*'  designation will be set at the end of
the filename.  For example,   the  designation   'ab*cd.efg'   is
equivalent   to 'ab????cd.efg' and will match any of the
following filenames:

       abxcd.efg       where 'x' is any character
       abxxcd.efg
       abxxxcd.efg
       abxxxxcd.efg
>>>
DESTINATION NAMES:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some commands - like COPY, MOVE, REN - require a target spec-
ification.  It is always assumed that the last filename on the
argument list is the destination target.

Wildcard specifications in the destination name act as a template
for modifying the names of the files being acted upon.  For
example, the command:

       XD COPY *.BAT *.TAB

will duplicate all of the '.BAT' files and will give the copies
the extension  '.TAB'.  In  this  example,  if  there are 3 files
in the current directory named:

       ABC.BAT
       DEF.BAT
       GHI.BAT

they will be duplicated by the files:

       ABC.TAB
       DEF.TAB
       GHI.TAB

respectively.  The use of wildcards in the destination names is
very intuitive.  A  little  experimentation  will show that the
system is natural and easy to use.

A  mixture  of wildcard  character  and  ordinary text characters
in destination names will produce either of two effects depending
upon whether the '/P' parameter is specified.

Without '/P':

       Without specification of the /P (PREFIX) parameter,
       expansion of wildcards in the target name is exactly  as
       described  in the  WILDCARD section above.  For example,
       The REN (rename) command:

            XD REN JKLMNO.EXT WXYZ.BAT ABC*.*

       will rename files JKLMN.EXT and WXYZ.BAT respectively to:

            ABCMNO.EXT and ABCZ.BAT

       In other  words,  the  characters  in  the  destination
       name replace the corresponding characters in the input
       filename.

With '/P':

       When the prefix parameter is specified, leading characters
       in the destination name will be inserted before characters
       from the  input  filename.  In  the  above  example,  if
       the input command line is:

            XD REN JKLMNO.EXT WXYZ.BAT ABC*.* /P

       the input files will be renamed to:

            ABCJKLMN.EXT and ABCWXYZ.BAT
>>>
VERIFICATION:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Every  command  requires  a  verification of the selected
filenames.  That is, each qualified filename will be presented
with a request "(y/n/x)?" which allows you to accept or reject
that filename to be acted upon ("y" or "n"), or to accept that
and all subsequent file names ("x").

To accept a filename as it is presented simply type 'y' to  the
prompt for  that  filename.  For  convenience  in navigating
through a long list of filenames,  several cursor keys can be
used.  The  'Up'  and 'Down'   arrow   keys   move  to  the
previous  and  next  filename respectively.  Similarly,  the
'Home' and 'End'  keys  move  to  the start and end of the
filename list.  Finally,  the 'PgUp' and 'PgDn' keys move up or
down about half a screen full.

Selection of all the files in a long list  can  be  accomplished
by typing 'x' or by holding  down the 'y' key.  In either case,
it will stop automatically at the bottom of the list.

An added benefit of the verification  procedure  is  that  it
allows experimentation  with  the extended DOS commands without
worry about accidentally damaging files  -  simply  enter  'n'
to  all  of  the verification requests and no action will be
taken on any files.
>>>
PARAMETERS:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
At the present time there are 6 parameters  allowed  on  a
command line.

   /A - will list filename attributes during the verification
        procedure e.g.

        A..... Means that the file Archive bit is turned on,
        .D.... Means that this filename is a sub Directory,
        ..V... Means that this is the Volume name,
        ...S.. Means that this is a System file,
        ....H. Means that this is a Hidden file,
        .....R Means that this file is 'Read-only',

        (note: in actual practice the Volume designation will
               never be shown because of DOS limitations),

   /C - used with the SEARCH function only, this parameter will
        cause the program to search for the text in exactly the
        case in which it is entered.  Without this parameter,
        extended DOS will search for upper case, lower case and
        mixed case versions of the requested text.

   /E - used with the SEARCH function only, this parameter will
        cause the program results to be echoed to the standard
        printer port.  In addition, a page feed will be sent to
        the standard printer port at the conclusion of the
        program.

   /M - will invoke extended DOS menu at termination of program
        (this parameter is automatically set whenever extended
        DOS is run from the menu),

   /P - will enable the PREFIX function during creation of the
        destination filenames.  (See the above section on
        DESTINATION NAMES).

   /S - will sort the filenames before they are acted upon,


These parameters can be placed anywhere on the command line after
the function name and must be separated by spaces from words
around them.  For example, the following command line is valid.

        XD MOVE /A *.BAT *.TXT /PS A:\Z*.*

This will move all of the '.BAT' files and all of the '.TXT'
files in the current directory to drive A:.  Moreover, it will
present the filenames for verification in sorted order (/S), and
with attributes shown (/A).  In addition it will prefix (/P) each
transferred filenames with the letter 'Z' followed by as many of
the original characters as possible.  Note that more than one
parameter may be set after the '/'.
>>>
INTRODUCTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Extended DOS (XD) provides some useful extensions to the standard
DOS commands.  In particular, it adds three useful features and
several new functions that are not in standard DOS.

Extended features:

        1: Menu support.  If you are not sure of an Extended DOS
           command simply type:

           XD

           This will cause a master menu to appear that has
           context sensitive help to guide you in developing the
           correct command line.

        2: Before the XD command is executed, you will be shown a
           list of all the filenames that will be acted upon, and
           you will be able to select from the list, those files
           that you want included in the operation.  For example,
           if you enter the command "XD DEL *.*" all of the files
           in the current directory will be listed on the screen.
           You will be able to pick from the list those files
           that you want to delete.

        3: You may put many file specifications on one command
           line.  For example, you may want to delete some of the
           '.BAT' files and some of the '.BAK' files and some of
           the files which start with the letters 'AH'.  An
           appropriate command line might be:

           XD DEL *.BAT *.BAK AH*.*

           Extended DOS will present all of the files which match
           any of the three specifications.

           In some cases a target (or destination) file
           specification must also be given e.g. with the copy
           command.  This is no problem, just be sure that the
           target specification is the last one on the command
           line.

Extended DOS functions:

Detailed discussion of all of these functions can be located
through the help menu so only a brief summary is presented here.
The current functions are:


        ATTR - The Attribute function allows you to change the
        attributes of files.  For example, files can be made read
        only, hidden, etc..

        COPY - This function copies files from one drive\path to
        another.

        DEL  - The Delete function erases files from the disk.

        KILL - The kill function allows you to specify directory
        names to be removed from the disk.  This function will
        erase all files and remove all subdirectories that are
        included within the specified directory name.  As a
        safety measure, you will be given a chance to verify
        erasure of any files if they are present.

        LIST - The List function types a file to the screen or to
        the printer using a number of useful options.  It
        automatically inserts page headings and form feeds if
        required.

        MOVE - The Move function is equivalent to a combined
        Copy-Delete function.  Files are transferred from one
        drive or directory to another and are removed from their
        original location.

        REN - The Rename function allows filenames to be changed.
        With DOS versions 3.0 and greater directories can also be
        renamed.

        SEARCH - This function allows you to search files for
        text patterns.  The results of the search are shown in
        context and may be echoed to the printer.

        TIME - The Date/Time function allows you to modify the
        time and date of files.

        UP   - The Update function reads the filename list from
        the target drive\path directory.  It then searches the
        current PATH to find more current versions of the target
        files.  It then copies the more recent versions of the
        files to the target drive\path.  This function is
        particularly useful for updating backup diskettes.
>>>