Loadstar 128 #26/q26.d81/t.dt128 docs 3

Text File | 1991-01-01 | 16.2 KB | 477 lines

Buffer Utility
--------------

Edit Buffer:

  With this option you enter the buffer editor.  See the section below for
commands.

Save Buffer:

  Allows you to save the buffer to disk.  You must enter a file name, file
type, and conversion (see "conversions")

Append to Disk:

  Allows you to append the buffer to a pre-existing disk file.

Load Buffer:

  Load a file from disk.  The capture buffer is cleared first.

Append to Buffer:

  Appends a disk file to the end of the buffer.

Print Buffer:

  Enters a submenu where printing parameters are set.

  Print to:

      Sets the print destination device.  Can be Screen, Disk, Modem, or
Printer.

  Output Codes:

   Can be True Ascii or PetAscii.  If True Ascii, the buffer is printed
with NO conversion.  If PetAscii, the buffer is converted from True Ascii
to PetAscii.

  Printer Device Number:

   Can be 4 or 5

  Printer Secondary Address:

   Can be 0-255

  Print Module:

   This is a module that allows you to set many more printing variables and
formatting options.

  Print:

   Starts printing.  For screen and modem printing, the character delay
value in the Buffer Menu is used.  The print speed can be varied during
printing by pressing the arrow up key to speed up, and the arrow down key
to slow down.  You can pause screen and modem printing by pressing the
SHIFT key.  Printer and disk printing is ALWAYS full speed.  Emulations ARE
active for screen printing!  When printing the bytes free will count down
the number of bytes still to be printed.

Delay Factors - 128 0

  The first digit is the delay factor per character.  Zero is full speed,
255 is the slowest.  For modem prints, this value becomes very important.
If this number is too low you may get garbled characters.  The second digit
is how long to pause after each RETURN is printed, in seconds.

Buffer Open:

  No  - Not capturing characters
  Yes - Capturing text only
  All - Capturing all codes

Buffer Wrap:

  Tells whether the buffer word wrap is on or off.

Clear Buffer:

  Clears the buffer.

Fast Disk Access:

  This is a system module for 1541 users.  It features high speed load,
append, and save routines.  See "fastbuf" for further information.

Conversions:

Loading:

 True Ascii   - loads the file, no conversion
 PetAscii     - load and convert file from PetAscii to True Ascii
 Screen Codes - load and convert file from screen codes to True Ascii
 Basic        - allows you to load C64/C128 Basic programs as text files

    When loading a Basic program, the terminal type determines whether it
is loaded as a True Ascii text file, or a PetAscii text file.  If the
terminal type is C/G it is loaded as a PetAscii text file.  Otherwise it is
loaded as a True Ascii text file.  There are a few unique features for True
Ascii images.  Any character code that cannot be converted to Ascii will
appear in braces <>.  PRINT"CLR" loads as PRINT<147>.  PI will also appear
within braces.

    Load a BASIC program that has some print statements in it with cursor
controls to see how this works.

Saving:

True Ascii   - save to capture buffer with no conversion
PetAscii     - save buffer, convert from True Ascii to Ascii
Screen Codes - save buffer, convert from True Ascii to screen codes
Basic        - save a text file as a Basic program

    In order for this to work each line must start with a number with a
space following it.  Each line can be up to 160 characters long and must
end with a carriage RETURN.  If the text file is in True Ascii, the
terminal type must be set to anything but C/G.  If the text file is in the
buffer as PetAscii codes, then the terminal type must be C/G.  To save the
file in C64 BASIC format, set the screen width to 40 columns.  To save the
file in C128 BASIC format, set the screen width to 80 columns.

    Terminal type and screen width are found in "Terminal Options."

    A short example...

      Set the terminal type to Ascii.  Clear the buffer and enter the
editor.  Type the following line:

   10 print"[147]this is a test"

exit the editor with ESCape.  (braces are Alt-[ and Alt-]).  Save the
buffer to disk with any file name, select "p" for program file, and "b" for
BASIC.  Exit DT128 and load the program with ,8.  Then list it.

Notes:

For PetAscii and screen code conversions, any character that can't be
converted is LOST!

When saving text to a BASIC file, the save is extremely slow.  This is
because each line must be tokenized before it can be saved.

If you attempt to load a text file with BASIC conversion, the system will
appear to lock up.  The reason for this is BASIC program lines end with a
code of zero, a character that will virtually never be found in a text
file.  The system is looking for the character zero [chr$(0)], but can't
find it.  Characters are loading even though the byte count displays will
not update.  Eventually the end of the file will be reached and you will
regain control.

RETURN will select the first file type and the first conversion at the
file
type and conversion prompts.


Buffer Editor
-------------

The capture buffer is designed to be an Ascii editor.  You can capture C/G
(PetAscii) or even enter PetAscii codes directly from the keyboard, but the
characters will not look right.  Any code 0-255 can be used, which is
useful for creating emulated files, or examining received escape
sequences.

F1 - is the "gold" key.  Several keys have more than 1 function.  The
secondary functions require that you press F1 first, then the key.  The
gold key is active when the "G" indicator is lit.

F2 - deletes 1 word forward or backward depending on the left/right arrow
indicator

F3 - selects either insert or overstrike text mode (see the "I"
indicator).

F4 - delete 1 sentence forward or backward depending on the left/right
arrow indicator

F5 - allows repetition of a key or command.  Press F5 and you will be
prompted to enter a repeat factor from 1-999.  Then press the key or
command to repeat.

  Try this:

  In the editor press F5.  You will see the cursor by the "REPETITIONS" at
the lower right of the screen.  Enter the number 79 on the keyboard and
press RETURN.  Now press the dash "-".  You should see 79 dashes.  The key
or command you press is repeated the number of times you specified.  The
ESCape key aborts this function.

  You can use repetitions in macros.  Press KEYPAD 5 to enter a macro.
Then press F5 and enter a digit from 1-999.  Then enter the key or command
to repeat.  F5xxxC where xxx is the number of times to repeat
character/command c.

  To repeat a letter "c" 100 times in a macro enter:

  (F5)100c

  to repeat "c" 7 times enter:

  (F5)7c

  The repeat factor can be entered as a 1 to 3 digit number UNLESS the
character to be repeated is a digit.  To repeat a "7" 9 times you must must
enter the repeat value as a 3 digit number as follows:

  (F5)0097
      xxx

  You must force the repeat value to 3 digits when repeating a digit.  The
following is incorrect:

  (F5)97

  The reason is because the macro interpreter will evaluate the 97 as a
repeat value of 97 rather than repeat the "7" 9 times.  By forcing leading
zeroes when necessary to a repeat value you force the interpreter to
evaluate (F5)0097 as repeat "7" 9 times because the interpreter will use at
most 3 digits for a repeat value, "009" in this example.

   (F5) means press the F5 KEY in the above examples.

F6 - delete 1 paragraph forward or backward depending on the left/right
arrow indicator

F7 - changes the Ascii keyboard to a PetAscii keyboard.  PetAscii mode
remains in affect until you press the ESCape key.  In PetAscii mode your
typed characters will not look correct.  This is because PetAscii
characters are being represented by an Ascii character set.

F8 - redraws the screen.

Arrow Up - Move backward "up" 1 sentence

   If the "A" indicator is turned on (Alt-A), this command moves up 1
screen row with no scrolling

Arrow Down  - Move forward "down" 1 sentence

   If the "A" indicator is turned on (Alt-A), this command moves down 1
screen row with no scrolling

Arrow Left  - Move left "backward" 1 word

Arrow Right - Move right "forward" 1 word

Cursor Up    - Move up 1 paragraph

Cursor Down  - Move down 1 paragraph

Cursor right - Move right 1 character

Cursor left  - Move left 1 character

INST - Inserts a space

F1 INST - Inserts 256 spaces

CTRL ESCape to enter an escape (Ascii 27)

ESCape exits the editor.


Keypad command summary
----------------------

0   sets the left/right margins.  Press the keypad zero, then use the
left/right arrows to slide the "L" along the column grid.  When done, press
RETURN.  Do the same for the right margin.  Press RETURN when done.  ESCape
aborts.

F1 CTRL 1  This command is used to "filter" out a character.  The most
common use would be to remove linefeeds from the buffer.  You must first
select the code to be filtered.  This is done by typing the character, or
by entering the code with the "ENTER" key (see below).  The last typed
character is the filter code.  Then press F1, then CTRL 1.

F1 2   If the "Blind Dial" module is in memory this command will activate
it (see "Blind Dial")

F1 CTRL 2  converts the codes from the cursor to the end of the buffer from
PetAscii to Ascii.

F1 3   If the graphics module is in memory this command accesses a
character palette for Vt-100 and Ansi emulations only.  See "GFX" for more
information.

F1 CTRL 3  converts the codes from the cursor to the end of the buffer from
Ascii to PetAscii.

4    shows the current search, replace, and macro strings.  Press any key
to show each, ESCape exits.

F1 4   if the spell checker module is in memory it is activated.

5    defines an editor macro.  All characters, and most keypad commands can
be used in a macro.  If a command appears in a macro that is not a valid
macro command it is ignored.  Type 5 and you will see the macro input line.
Type the following

     keys...

     F5 7 1 * <RETURN> * F5 6 9 <space> * <RETURN> F5 7 1 * <RETURN>

(spaces inserted for clarity only, the 7 1 and 6 9 must be typed on the
keyboard wherever values are required, like in this case for a repetition
count.  You can enter keypad numbers in macros, but they perform commands
rather than supply a numeric value.  The F5 means function key 5.)

     Then press ENTER.  To execute the macro press F1 then keypad 5.  If
you typed the macro correctly you should see a 71 by 3 box of asterisks.

     Take this one step farther.  Press F5 and enter the number 10 for the
repetition count, then press RETURN.  Now press F1 and then the keypad 5.
The macro will repeat 10 times.  While macros are running you will be able
to see what part of the macro is active but watching screen row 23.  To
abort a macro, hold down RUN/STOP until it is recognized.

6    Sets the current cursor position.  A prompt appears next to the "BYTES
BEG" indicator.  Enter the position you want to jump to.  If the value you
enter is beyond the end of the buffer, the cursor will go to the end of the
buffer.

F1 6    Enters calculator mode.  Enter a math equation in standard C128
format.  Press RETURN to see the result.  This command only works if the
calculator module is in memory.

7     search for a string

F1 7    set search string

8     set replace string

F1 8    do "fast" search with replace.  This means the screen is not
redrawn until the repetitions (if any) have been completed

9    sets both search and replace strings

F1 9    do "slow" search with replace.  The screen is redrawn with each
replacement.

     For string searches, the strings must match EXACTLY.  The search is
case-sensitive for alphabetic characters, UNLESS you type Alt-C (The "C"
indicator will light up).  If the "C" indicator is lit, "a" and "A" are
considered a match.  That is, the search is not case-sensitive for
alphabetic codes.

+     press once to move the cursor to the top of the current screen, press
twice in succession to move to the top of the buffer

F1 +   clears the buffer from the cursor to the beginning of the buffer

-      press once to move the cursor to the last character on the current
screen, press twice in succession to move to the end of the buffer

CTRL -   on input lines, control minus recalls the previous string

F1 -    clears from the cursor to the end of the buffer

F1 CTRL -  clears from the cursor to the end of the current screen

. (PERIOD)   enters "mark text" mode.  Use the arrow keys to highlight the
desired text, then press "." again.  The selected text will flash, and you
are prompted to enter a "mark" command.  Mark commands are:

    Delete - deletes the marked text

    +     copies the marked text into the paste buffer

    -     copies the marked text into the paste buffer,
          then deletes the marked text

    1     force upper case letters

    2     force lower case letters

    3     switch case for letters

F1 .    "Pastes" copies the paste buffer into the capture buffer at the
cursor position

ENTER - Enter a character code 0-255 or $00-$FF if hex mode active (see
indicators)

  For input lines:

    ENTER terminates the input.

    CTRL ENTER allows entering of a code 0-255 on an input line


INDICATORS
----------

At the bottom of the display you will see several indicators:

BYTES BEG 00000   BYTES FREE 64000
BYTES BOT 00000   BYTES USED 00000

   are self explanatory.  Repetitions tells how many "repeats" of a letter
or command are pending (see F5).  "Code" tells you the Ascii code of the
character under the cursor.  At the lower right corner of the screen you
will occasionally see informatory messages.  The 23rd screen line is
reserved for editor inputs, and row 22 shows the column numbers and left
and right margins.  There are 11 indicators in the center of row 24:

B  - a flashing "B" means that the blind dialer is active.

W  - Word wrap (Alt-W toggles it on/off)

D or H - D for decimal code display, H for Hex code display (Alt-H)

A - A means the up and down arrows move up or down 1 line.  (Alt-A),
otherwise the up/down arrows move 1 sentence forward or backward.

C - C means that for text searches, upper and lower case letters are
considered a match.  (Alt-C)

down/up arrow - sets the direction for text searches.  (F1 arrow down to
search towards the end of the buffer.  F1-arrow up to search towards the
beginning of the buffer)

left/right arrow - normally a left arrow.  This means that the delete key
deletes towards the left, and the word/sentence/paragraph delete functions
delete towards the end of the buffer.  A right arrow means that the delete
key deletes characters into the cursor, and the word/sentence/paragraph
delete functions delete towards the beginning of the buffer.  (F1 right or
left arrow)

I - I means insert mode.  If the "I" indicator is off you are in
overstrike
    mode.  (F3)

G - lights when you press F1.  This means that a secondary function is
    ready.

S - lights whenever the screen is drawn

W - means that a command is still working


Notes:

Be very careful if you change the arrow indicators.  If you change either
one for a command, you should change them back to default values (arrow
down/arrow left).  Otherwise the delete functions (including the delete
key) work "backwards."

If you are online and receiving characters while you are in the editor, you
should not use any functions that require excessive screen scrolling.
While the screen is scrolling the RS-232 receive buffer is NOT emptied.
You will likely have an overrun and you will lose some characters.  You
will also notice that editor response time will slow down while you are
receiving characters.  Clearing the RS-232 reception buffer has a higher
priority than editor commands.

While the screen is scrolling you can slow the scroll by holding down the
Control key.  You can see the location of the scroll by pressing the
Commodore key during a long scroll.  You can stop the scroll at any time by
pressing RUN/STOP.  The current top of the screen becomes the current
cursor position.  You can skip ahead and avoid watching a long, boring
scroll by holding down the Commodore key then pressing RUN/STOP.

Experiment in the editor... type control characters to see what they look
like.  For example, control a-z will appear as reverse lower case letters
with a bar over the top.  ESCape (remember to type CTRL-ESCape) appears as
a reversed "ES" (1 character).  Codes 128-255 are the reverse of codes 0-
127.  The exception is for VT-100 and Ansi.  If the terminal type is either
of these, the IBM extended characters appear as codes 128-255.