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LambChop (tm) v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved January 1992 ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ ▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▒░░▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒░▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░▒██ ▒░▒LambWare▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒██ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒██ ████████████████████████████████ (tm) ┌─────────┐ ┌─────┴───┐ │ (R) ──│ │o │────────────────── │ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of │ │ │─┘ Shareware └───│ o │ Professionals ──────│ ║ │──────────────────── └────╨────┘ MEMBER LambWare 6955 29th Terrace North St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 Order Info: (813) 525-3162 Secondary: (813) 345-8100 Compuserve LambWare E-MAIL account #: 70511,3040 LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved Acknowledgements In memory of: Air Force Airman Craig Bentley Uhl, 1971 - 1991. Nancie H. Lane, 1935 - 1989. I dedicate this project to my beautiful wife Melissa and my two children, Christopher Bradley and Ashley Elizabeth. I love you. A special thank you to: My parents and my sister: Roger Sr, Kathie, and Sherrie The Endsleys Steven Kamradt Walter Lane, M.D. Michael Meehan Papa Duke and Grandma William Rollins Beta Testers: Scott Dabney, Rob A. Davison, Steven Kamradt, Ray Howell, Stuart Long, Mike Rebane, Stephan Roth LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved Table Of Contents 1. General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What is LambChop? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 LambChop Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2. Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hardware requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3. LambMenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Quick start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Chop mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 UnChop mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Configuration files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 4. LambChop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Quick start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Chop mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 UnChop mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 LambChop Dos Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 LambChop Directory Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Chop commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 DOS attributes: /A[h][s] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Adjust segment to exact # of bytes: /B<#> . . . . . . . . . 16 Compression: /C[a] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Error checking: /E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Fit segment to disk: /F<#> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hack into equal # segments: /H<#> . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Adjust segment to kilobytes: /K<#> . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Move original file into volume: /M . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Chop only New and modified files since last LambChop: /N . 19 Overwrite without warning: /O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Store path name with file: /P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Include all subdiRectories: /R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Store path name and include all subdiRectories: /S . . . . 21 Disable tone: /T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Wait (pause) delay: /W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Exclude file mask: /X<mask> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Execute DOS command: /Y<"command"> . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Alternate work drive: /Z<drive-letter> . . . . . . . . . . 21 LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved UnChop commands /U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Use and create directory if stored: /D . . . . . . . . . . 22 Goto file, ignoring previous files: /G<file-name> . . . . . 23 Locate files in path name: /L<path-name> . . . . . . . . . 23 Overwrite: /O[n] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Disable tone: /T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 View volume: /V[#][d] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Wait (pause) delay: /W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Exclude file mask: /X<mask> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Alternate work drive: /Z<drive-letter> . . . . . . . . . . 26 5. Configuration File Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 6. ShareWare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 LambWare registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 ASP Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 1 1. General Information What is LambChop? Briefly, LambChop is a file splitter and mender with numerous fancy features. With LambChop, you may copy files from your hard drive to a smaller capacity removable disk drive. LambChop allows you to take a large disk file and spread it across several floppy disks. LambChop also handles multiple DOS files all at the same time. LambChop, unlike DOS copy, will never display a "disk full" message while chopping. LambChop is so flexible, you could effectively back up your entire hard drive! LambChop has the restore (UnChop) utility built right in! There is no reason to manage and piece back the disk segments yourself. LambChop creates its own directory of the files you choose to chop up. It then uses this directory to obtain the files you want to pull out and restore. Unlike DOS backup, you can pull out a specific file or files without sequentially restoring the entire volume of files. The LambChop utility runs from the command line in DOS. If you have files that need to be moved from one system to another, running LambChop from DOS can prove to be time saving. In daily backups, you frequently select the same options from a menu system over and over again. LambChop allows you to save your repetitive options to a fully automated configuration file. LambMenu is a program included with LambChop. It was designed to simplify the somewhat confusing DOS command line options for LambChop. LambMenu combines LambChops command line options in a easy to understand pull down window environment. LambMenu generates the command line options so you don't have to. Once you have generated the command line options, you can save them in a configuration file. The configuration file may be loaded from LambMenu, from the DOS command line, or even from a DOS batch file. In addition, you can run LambChop directly from LambMenu. LambChop has a unique niche that no other package currently offers. A directory of the entire volume is stored with each disk segment. This allows you to insert any disk segment and request any file or files, without having to remember their which disk the file you want starts on. LambChop will request the appropriate disk segment and directly locate your files! LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 2 Terminology This manual is written for someone with a beginning to intermediate DOS experience level. LambWare is assuming you have a basic understanding of DOS directory structures. There are several proprietary terms used throughout this manual. This section is given to aid in the understanding of LambChop terminology. Segment: A segment is an equal partition of a volume. The disk segment number is assigned automatically by LambChop. The maximum number of segments allowed is 999. Segment: ABCDE 001 .LAM ----- --- ---- | | |----- All segments end with LAM extension. | |-------- Segment 001-999 assigned by LambChop. |---------- Your 5 character file name. Volume: A volume is the combination of all disk segments. There is a 5 character maximum to the file name that you can assign to a volume. Do not include a file extension, the '.LAM' extension will be added automatically by LambChop. Auto fit disk segment: By default, LambChop checks the capacity of the destination drive to set a constant segment size for the entire volume. Parameter: A LambChop or LambMenu command option given on the DOS command line. LambChop Options: To use any of the enhanced features of LambChop you must be able to set the LambChop options. There are two ways, from the command line or from LambMenu. If you are using LambMenu, the command line options are done automatically. Otherwise, any option must be activated from the DOS command line. As with the error checking option, the command option associated with it is /E. The /E can be in any order on the command line. Parameters must be separated by a space on the command line. Either a / or a - may be used in front of the option as a delimiter. Parameters are not case sensitive. See chapter 4 for more information on command line options. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 3 Config File: A configuration file is a text file with the command options and file names saved in an ASCII file format. Rules are the same as the command line except parameters are separated by a new line instead of a space. Configuration files are loaded by placing a @ symbol in front of the config file name. All config files must end with a '.cfg' extension. LAMBCHOP.CFG is loaded every time LambChop or LambMenu is loaded. See chapter 5 for more information on configuration files. File Mask: A DOS file mask is a method of substituting wildcards for actual file name alphanumeric characters. A wildcard is a * or a ?. Mask Examples: *.* all files T?M.BAT ? is a wildcard, all matching file names T*.BAT files must begin with a T and have a .BAT extension LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 4 LambChop Features * Faster than DOS XCOPY. Uses all available conventional memory (640k) for maximum efficiency and speed. * UnChop (restore) utility is built right in to LambChop!! * Chop multiple files, directories, and drives simultaneously across multiple disk segments. * Error checking (CRC-32 bit) will notify you if the data stored has changed any way. * Optional data compression. Compression reduces the size of your input data files by an average of 45%. LambChop will identify and compress text files for maximum speed and efficiency during chopping. Text file identification can be turned off to compress all files. LambChop does not compress other major vendor compressed files in order to save time. However, if the file is already compressed, LambChop will include the file in the chopping procedure. * When chopping to the output drive, LambChop detects the capacity of first destination disk and consumes all available space. This proves beneficial for not only files larger than the capacity of the destination drive, but for multiple small files. For example, assume you have several files in a compressed format spread across 10 floppy disks (you used DOS copy). Assume their is an average of 80% actual usage on each of the 10 disks. By utilizing the 20% unused space on each disk, LambChop would have stored the same information on 8 disks, not 10. * Critical error handler for added program reliability. * Includes LambMenu program for all users to enjoy features of LambChop via a friendly pull down windowed environment. LambMenu works with or without a mouse. * Chop more than one file at same time. On average, most 640k systems can chop 4500+ input files simultaneously. The only limit is on how much free conventional (640k) memory you have available at run time. * Directory information such as date, time, and attributes are stored with each file. This information is restored to the original settings when UnChopped. * Path name information is optionally stored with the file. * If paths are stored with the file, you may optionally restore the file to the original path. If the path does not exist, LambChop will create one for you. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 5 * No restrictions on restoring to a different hard drive once LambChopped. * ALL filenames and directory information for the entire LambChop is saved with each disk segment. * From any disk segment, you may view the entire LambChop directory information. Display in Ascending or Descending order on file name, segment + file name, or file time. * Pull out only the files you want directly from their location on the disk segment. Since LambChop has full volume information in each disk segment, there is no need to remember which disk segment the file or files you want start on. Simply give the file names you are looking for and LambChop will prompt you to insert the proper disk segments to restore only those files. * LambChop can be executed from the DOS command line, LambMenu, or from a batch file. Options and files may be stored in a configuration file for repetitive LambChop operations. * Works with DOS 2 through DOS 5. Does not require same version of DOS when restoring like DOS BACKUP does. Basically, if you can run DOS COPY on your system, you can run LambChop! * Option to go to DOS while exchanging diskettes during chopping and UnChopping. Memory is swapped to EMS or disk giving you a full DOS shell to operate with. Execute DOS commands and programs (Ie. format a:) and return right where you left off! LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 6 2. Getting Started Hardware requirements Minimum requirements are a 512k IBM PC or 100% compatible with a hard drive under MS-DOS 2 through 5. LambChop will use as much conventional memory (640k) as you have available for reading and writing large chunks of disk information more efficiently. LambChop will operate with a bare minimum of 128k, but at the expense of speed. If you have expanded memory available, LambChop will copy itself into this area while swapping to DOS, allowing more room for the DOS shell. If there is no expanded memory available, a memory swap to the work disk will be performed. LambChop will chop up output disk segments to any size. The output is not restricted to standard floppy disks only. For example, some users have 20 megabyte (Mb) removable fixed disks for output. LambChop will auto detect the capacity of the destination disk to take advantage of every last byte on the removable disk (20Mb). A mouse is supported by LambMenu but is not required. Installation The LambChop program is distributed in a self extracting compressed disk file. Either create a new directory for LambChop or find an existing directory which is currently in your autoexec.bat DOS path. To install LambChop in the appropriate directory, type: LAMBCHOP [enter] An approved alternate file name for COMPUSERVE is: (6 character file limit) LAMCHP [enter] LC.EXE, LM.EXE,LAMBMENU.HLP, LAMBCHOP.CFG, and any supporting custom config files need to reside in the same directory. You might consider adding these files to a directory within your DOS path. This will enable you to call LambChop from any directory location within DOS. To add a new directory to your DOS path: Edit your \autoexec.bat file and add or edit the following line. PATH=C:\UTILITY This example will allow DOS to see the c:\utility directory from any directory you are within on you system. Save the autoexec.bat file and reboot your system. Make certain all of the LambChop files are located in the 'c:\utility' directory. The 'c:\utility' directory is simply an example and is not a required directory location for LambChop. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 7 Setup LambChop and LambMenu both try to read from the file LAMBCHOP.CFG at start up. LAMBCHOP.CFG is simply a configuration text file. It contains the LambChop/Menu settings as given on the command line. Since this file is loaded every time the program is run, you can fine tune the LambWare factory defaults to your individual preference. For standardization with this manual, we will leave the settings at their factory default status. See chapter 5 for further instructions on configuration files and customizing LambChop and LambMenu. If you have placed LambChop in your DOS path, you can start the examples in any DOS directory. Otherwise, run the examples in the directory that LambChop is stored. For standardization in the manual, it is assumed that LambChop and LambMenu will be within your DOS path. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 8 3. LambMenu LambMenu was designed to be easy to use. While LambMenu is running, you may press [F1 key] at any point to receive context sensitive help on the item you are currently selecting. After going through the Quick start in the next section, try going through the options and pressing [F1] for help. Most all of the menu options are self explanatory. To see a description of each menu option, see chapter 4 on command descriptions. LambMenu will also accept any command line parameters with the same rules applying to LambChop. Quick start As you continue, you'll probably find some procedures you don't fully understand. In the Quick start sections, the objective is to give a workable example on your machine. If you do not understand exactly what each step is for, that's ok! We will explain these procedures fully later in the manual. Chop mode Objective: To create 10 equally sized disk segments on your hard drive of your current directory. To start LambMenu: Type: LM [and press the enter or return key] You should see the opening screen. (Remember to try using the help feature by pressing the [F1] key) Bypass the opening LambMenu screen. You are now at the main menu. Press: [enter] Move to the "Chop" menu. Press: [right arrow] Select the menu option "Volume name". Press: [enter] You are requested to enter the output Volume name LambChop will write to. Type: TEST [enter] You should be returned to the Chop menu. Select the "Include files" option. The include files is where you may enter up to 25 file names or masks that you want to include in the Chopping procedure. Press: [down arrow] [enter] LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 9 Edit the highlighted first entry. Press: [enter] Your cursor should be in the File name field.y Include all files in the current directory. Type: *.* [enter] Notice the file mask was added to the list of include files. Return to the chop menu. Press: [esc] Select the "Options" sub menu. Press: [down arrow] [enter] Select the "Size of Segment" sub menu. You may go there directly by pressing the highlighted letter instead repeatedly pressing the [down arrow]. Press: S You will see a list of available segment sizes. The default is "Auto adjust to disk size" and is selected with a check mark beside it. Auto adjust reads the free space on the destination disk and sets this size for the output segment. Since your destination disk is your hard drive for this example, chances are your hard drive has more room on it than is needed for a disk segment change. To force LambChop to create multiple disk segments, select the last menu option, "Hack into = segments". Press: H We need to let LambChop know that you want to take all of your files in your current directory, combine, and chop them up into 10 equal segments. Type: 10 [enter] Notice the check mark has moved to "Hack into = segments". Return to the Chop menu. Press: [esc] [esc] You are now ready to begin the Chopping procedure. Select the "Begin Chopping!" option to call LambChop and initiate the procedure. Press: C You have now created 10 equally sized Lamb segments on your drive! You should see a prompt for you to press any key to return to LambMenu. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 10 UnChop mode Objective: To open, view, and extract all files to a sub directory named TEMPDIR\ First we begin by opening a LambChop volume. Select the UnChop option menu. Press: [right arrow] Notice that all but the "open Volume" option are deactivated. In order for you to select one of the deactivated UnChop menu options, you must first open a LambChop volume. Select "open Volume". Press: [enter] Display a list of LambChop Segments in your current directory. Press: [F3 key] LambMenu will prompt you with a drive and directory request to start from. Since we want the current path default. Press: [enter] Press your arrow keys to select any one of the LambChop segments named TEST0??.LAM (where ?? equals a number between 01 - 10). Copy any LambChop segment to your file name editing line. Press: [enter] Open the segment. Press: [enter] You should see a box with the LambChop volume information in it. Take a moment to review the self explanatory LambChop volume information. When finished reviewing volume information: Press: [enter] Notice that the other UnChop menu options are now available for selection. Select "view LambDirectory" menu option. View LambDirectory allows you to see the files contained in the entire LambChop volume. Press: [down arrow] [enter] When finished reviewing the DOS files stored in LambChop format: Press: [esc] LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 11 Select "Extract file list". This list is similar to the "Include file list", but specifies which files to pull out of the LambChop volume. Press: [down arrow] [enter] Edit the highlighted first entry in the table. Press: [enter] Your cursor should be in the name field. Move backwards to the directory field. Press: [shift and the tab key] Specify the output directory. The directory will be created automatically for you if it does not already exist. Type: TEMPDIR [enter] Specify that you want all files extracted. Type: *.* [enter] Notice that the mask and directory was added to the list of extract files. Return to the UnChop menu. Press: [esc] There are no UnChop options that need to be set. Select begin UnChopping: Press: [down arrow] [down arrow] Activate the begin UnChopping option: Press: [enter] When LambChop finishes UnChopping all the files, return to LambMenu. Press: [enter] To exit LambMenu and return to DOS, press [ALT and the X key]. This is a hot key to exit LambMenu. Press: Y to return to DOS. You may now examine the directory to see that you in fact have created the examples and the TEMPDIR\*.* directory. Great Job! That's all there is to it! This section will clean up the files you created in this example: Make sure you are in the same directory you ran the example from. Type: DIR TEST*.LAM [enter] Type: DEL TEST*.LAM [enter] Type: DEL TEMPDIR\*.* [enter] Respond Yes to "are you sure" Type: RD TEMPDIR [enter] LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 12 Configuration files Config files are very easy to create with LambMenu. There is a menu called config from the main menu. The two types of config files are custom and default. They both contain the same format, but the default config file (LAMBCHOP.CFG) is loaded every time LambMenu and LambChop is loaded. Custom config files are only loaded when you specifically request them. Config files are always stored and loaded from the same directory as LambChop and LambMenu are stored. See chapter 5 for more on config files. Load custom config file: This option will load a previously defined config file into the current settings of LambMenu. Current settings will be reset. Save custom config file: The current Chop and Unchop menu options and filenames will be saved to a *.cfg text file of your choice. Save default config file: LAMBCHOP.CFG will be used as the default config file. This file is loaded every time the LambChop or LambMenu is run. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 13 4. LambChop Quick start LambChop is the DOS command line engine behind LambMenu. Both the Chop and UnChop utilities are built into LC.EXE. LambChop works with command line parameters and may seem confusing to the beginner. A step by step example is given to do the same exercise that LambMenu used in the LambMenu example. Remember, if you don't understand every step, that's ok.. the objective is to get the feel of the functionality of LambChop from the command line. Chop mode Objective: To create 10 equally sized disk segments on your hard drive in your current directory from the DOS command line. To start LambChop, type: Type: LC TEMP *.* /h10 [enter] This tells LambChop to expect a volume name of TEMP, include all the files in the current directory, and hack them into 10 equal disk segments. UnChop mode Objective: To open, view, and extract all files to a sub directory named TEMPDIR\ First to view the contents of any LambChop disk segment place the /v parameter anywhere on the command line. Type: LC TEMP /v [enter] This command will open the LambChop volume TEMP*.LAM and show the contents within. To activate the UnChop mode, simply place the command option /u anywhere on the parameter list of options. Type: LC /u TEMP TEMPDIR\*.* [enter] This tells LambChop to set itself in the UnChop mode, read from the volume TEMP*.LAM , and write all the files stored in the volume to the TEMPDIR directory. If the TEMPDIR directory is not yet created, LambChop will automatically create the directory while UnChopping. Finished! You are becoming a master! LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 14 This section will clean up the files you created in this example: Make sure you are in the same directory you ran the example from. Type: DEL TEST*.LAM [enter] Type: DEL TEMPDIR\*.* [enter] Yes to 'are you sure' Type: RD TEMPDIR [enter] LambChop DOS Error Messages LambChop and LambMenu produce an error message for DOS on exit if an error occurred during runtime. All errors may be detected from within a DOS batch file. DOS error level: 0 - No error 1 - Bad file name or file specification 2 - Illegal command line parameter(s) 3 - Insufficient memory 4 - Aborted by user request 5 - No files found that match filespec 6 - System error 7 - Disk full or problem writing to file 8 - Program limits (for this version) exceeded 9 - Could not open file 10- Could not read file 11- General error 12- Failed Error Check (CRC-32) LambChop Directory Structure Beginners may ignore this paragraph. The internal directory structure is available from LambWare by request only to registered users. See register.txt for LambWare address information. Please specify that you are interested in the directory structure in the comments section when registering. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 15 Chop commands This sections goes into detail for each command option for Chopping and is primarily focused for the DOS command line users. If you are primarily a LambMenu user, all the command options shown here will work with LambMenu from the command line also. Rules LambChop has a built in quick reference guide. To review the quick reference from the command line: LC [enter] or LC /? [enter] When running LambChop, the general syntax is: LC VOLUME-NAME IN FILES.. OPTIONS.. VOLUME-NAME: The first file name LambChop comes to on the command line. Limit to 5 characters or less with no extension. A volume name must be supplied. IN FILES: The second through 26th (25 total) file names on the command line are interpreted as input include files. If no file name is given, *.* is assumed. File masks (* and ?) are ok. OPTIONS: * Place anywhere on the command line. * Not case sensitive. * Separate with a space. * No combining with other options. * Precede with / or - Please note that the compression system must have the actual compressed sizes before chopping up into segments. In order to do this, LambChop does all compression before actually chopping by creating the compressed files in a temporary directory. It is a good idea to have at least twice as much space for LambChop to work with. This assures ample work space for temporary file storage. When UnChopping, however, files are de-compressed as they are extracted from the LambChop volume. If command is delimitated with a [], the command is optional. If command is delimited with a <>, a minimum of one argument must be supplied. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 16 DOS attributes: /A[h][s] Determine whether or not LambChop will include DOS files with the hidden or system attribute level. By default, hidden and system files are not included in the Chopping process. Hidden and system files usually are not displayed in your DOS directory. If included, LambChop will restore the attributes to the file when UnChopping. LC A:\TEST *.* /Ah Chop all files in the current directory to TEST*.LAM and include DOS hidden files. LC A:\TEST *.* /Ahs Chop all files in the current directory to TEST*.LAM and include the DOS hidden and system files. Adjust segment to exact # of bytes: /B<#> Force LambChop to create each segment with exactly this number of bytes. Each segment in the entire volume will match the exact number of bytes you specify after the /B command. LC A:TEST *.* /B10000 Chop all files in the current directory to TEST*.LAM and force 10,000 byte segments. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 17 Compression: /C[a] Reduce the size of the input files by an average of 45%. There are two modes: text and all files. LambChop must determine the exact number of bytes the total Chopping procedure requires. LambChop must have the compressed file sizes before it starts writing to the destination drive. Because of this requirement, LambChop will create a temporary compressed file on your current drive. You may specify an alternate temporary work drive with the /W command (This will be explained later on in the manual). LambChop will always skip files with file extensions of other popular compression file formats. If the /C command is used by itself, LambChop will only compress text files. LambChop takes a sample of the file for the percentage of alphanumeric characters. If the file contains a majority of text characters, the file will be compressed. Text files offer the greatest reduction in file size. Also, there will be less demand for a large capacity drive for temporary work space. If you have the free disk work space and want to compress all files, use the /Ca option. The 'a' lets LambChop know you want to compress all files. However, LambChop will not compress other popular compression file formats in this mode. Note: if the file was skipped for compression, it will still be included in the Chopping procedure. LC A:\TEST *.* /C Compress only text files within the current directory and store in A:\TEST*.LAM volume. LC A:\TEST *.* /Ca Compress all files within the current directory and store in A:\TEST*.LAM volume. Error checking: /E Error checking (CRC-32 bit) will notify you if the stored data has changed in any way. LC A:\TEST *.* /E Chop all files in current directory to A:\TEST*.LAM using error checking. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 18 Fit segment to disk: /F<#> Force LambChop to create each disk segment to a predefined size, given by selection <#>. The fit segment option offers the lowest common denominator for distributing software to clients and other users. Some users only have 360k floppy disks. By forcing a larger capacity drive (1.2 meg, 1.44 meg) to create 360k disk segments when chopping, you are assured of optimum downward compatibility to the 360k floppy disk users. In addition, several 360k segments will fit on a single 1.2 meg or 1.44 meg floppy. Where <#> is defined as: <1> default, autofit the segment size. Determine the free space on the destination drive and set each segment in the volume to the same size. <2> 1.2 meg floppy. Segment size will be set to fill up a 1.2 meg floppy disk even if the destination disk is not a 1.2 meg floppy. <3> 360k floppy. Segment size will be set to fill up a 360k floppy disk even if the destination disk is not a 360k floppy. <4> 1.44 meg floppy. Segment size will be set to fill up a 1.44 meg floppy disk even if the destination disk is not a 1.44 meg floppy. <7> 720k floppy. Segment size will be set to fill up a 720k floppy disk even if the destination disk is not a 720k floppy. LC A:\TEST *.* /F3 (Assume drive A: is a 1.44 meg drive.) Chop all files in the current directory to A:\TEST*.LAM, creating multiple 360k segments. Hack into equal # segments: /H<#> Hack the entire volume into equivalent partition segments. The range of hacked segments must be between 1 and 999. LC TEST *.* /H10 Chop all files in current directory to TEST*.LAM, hacking volume into 10 equal segments. Adjust segment to kilobytes: /K<#> Similar to /B bytes, but the number you supply here will be multiplied by one kilobytes (1024 bytes). Force LambChop to create each segment with exactly this number of kilo bytes. Each segment in the entire volume will match the exact number of kilo bytes you specify after the /K command. LC A:TEST *.* /K100 LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 19 Chop all files in the current directory to TEST*.LAM and force 102,400 byte segments. Move original file into volume: /M After the source file is successfully copied into the LambChop volume, it is removed from the source drive. LC A:TEST *.* /M Chop all files in the current directory to A:TEST*.LAM, deleting source IMMEDIATELY after copying to the volume. Chop only New and modified files since last LambChop: /N When LambChop chops up the input files, the DOS ARCHIVE bit is turned off. When DOS creates and modifies any file, it switches the ARCHIVE bit back on. LambChop can identify which new files need to be Chopped by examining the ARCHIVE bit set by DOS. LC A:TEST *.* /N Chop all files in the current directory to A:TEST, all new and modified files will be included. Overwrite without warning: /O Normally, LambChop will prompt you if you want to Overwrite the existing volume. If you wish to bypass this warning, use /O. Note that LambChop will not update or refresh an existing volume distributed across single or multiple diskettes. LC A:\TEST *.* /O Chop all files in the current directory to A:TEST*.LAM without warning of an existing volume of the same name. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 20 Store path name with file: /P LambChop has the option of storing file path names. By default, LambChop does not store path names with the file. LambChop never stores the source drive letter with the file. It is very important to note that LambChop only stores the files RELATIVE PATH given with the input file on the command line. The path given on the command line is considered the root, even if the file actually resides in a subdirectory. Relative Path example: Assume your current directory is C:\SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2 LC A:\TEST *.* /P Would NOT store any path name with the file since the relative path is the current path. However, LC A:\TEST C:\SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\*.* /P would make the root of the C:\ drive the relative path, even though your current directory is in the C:\SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\ directory. The path name stored would be: SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\ Notice that there is no drive letter or preceding \ root slash. See the /D option in UnChop commands for an explanation of how the files are restored to disk. Include all subdiRectories: /R Include all files from the relative path downward. Include all subdiRectories will start at the current relative path and include all files in the subdirectories as well. If there are multiple input files or masks, only the files matching the requested file name or mask will be included. LC A:\TEMP *.BAT *.EXE /R Any file with a .bat or .exe file extension in your current directory or within any subdirectories will be included. LC A:\TEMP C:\*.COM D:\*.COM /R Include any file with a .com extension on the entire c: and d: drives. Note: If the store path name (/P) option is not used, there will be no way to restore these files to their original location. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 21 Store path name and include all subdiRectories: /S Both the /P and /R options are frequently used together. For this reason, the /S store path name and include all subdiRectories option may be used. Effectively, /S is the same as /P /R from the command line. Disable tone: /T By default, LambChop will sound an audible alarm when requesting user input. When the /T option is used, audible tones are disabled. LC A:\TEST *.* /T No tones sounded at user prompts. Wait (pause) delay: /W Wait will pause the execution of LambChop at key points to give the user time to review the LambChop information. Before the first segment, and after determining number of disks required are some examples of wait. If viewing a LambChop volume, wait will pause between each full page of text. Exclude file mask: /X<mask> Any files you do not want to include in the chopping procedure. You may include wildcards (* or ?), and there is a maximum of 10 masks per chop. LC A:\TEMP *.* /x*.BAT /xTHISFILE.COM Chop all files in the current directory EXCEPT all files with the .bat extension and the THISFILE.COM program. Execute DOS command: /Y<"command"> This option will execute the command you give between the " " on each disk. LambChop will swap memory to EMS/disk before your command executes, freeing up memory. Any program or internal DOS command is ok. LC A:\TEMP *.* /y"format A:" format each disk in the A: drive before chopping all files in the current directory. Alternate work drive: /Z<drive-letter> Compression temporary files and disk swap files need the fastest and largest disk resources. Usually, this option would be inserted in your LAMBCHOP.CFG file with the appropriate drive. LC A:\TEMP *.* /zD All temporary and swap files will be created on the D: drive instead of your current drive. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 22 UnChop commands /U Rules When running LambChop, the general syntax is: LC /U VOLUME-NAME EXTRACT FILES.. OPTIONS.. /U: Place LambChop in the UnChop mode. All commands will be interpreted as UnChop. The command option /U should be the first parameter on the command line. VOLUME-NAME: The first file name LambChop comes to on the command line. Limit the volume name to five characters or less with no extension. A volume name must be supplied. EXTRACT FILES: The 2nd through 26th (25 total) file names on the command line are interpreted as "extract files". Extract files or extract file masks will be restored from the volume to the drive and path you specify with the extract file. If no file name is given, *.* is assumed. File masks (* and ?) are ok. OPTIONS: * Place anywhere on the command line. * Not case sensitive. * Separate with a space. * No combining with other options. * Precede with / or - If compression is used during chopping, each file that is compressed is de- compressed as it is extracted from the LambChop volume. If the command is delimited with a [], the command is optional. If the command is delimited with a <>, a minimum of one argument must be supplied. Use and create directory if stored: /D If the files were stored with the /P (store path name) or /S (include all subdiRectories and store path name) option during chopping, you must include the /D option to restore the file to its original location. Otherwise, files will be restored to the relative path during UnChop. LambChop never stores the source drive letter with the file. All files will be restored to the current drive, unless another drive is specified during UnChop. Relative path is the path name given with the extract files on the command line during UnChop. The path given on the command line is considered the root, even if the file actually resides in a subdirectory. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 23 Relative Path example: Assume your current directory is C:\CURDIR\ and the files were stored with the /P (store path names) option during chop. The path name stored with the files was SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\ . Each file stored can only be restored once in the same UnChopping procedure. Once the file has been restored to its primary location, all other extract file parameters are ignored. For example, LC /U A:\TEST *.* \TEMPDIR\*.* would restore nothing to \TEMPDIR\ because all the files were restored to the current directory in the first extract parameter. LC /U A:\TEST *.* Without the /D option, the stored path name would be ignored and all files would be restored to the current C:\CURDIR\ directory. LC /U A:\TEST *.* /D With the /D option, the stored path name is used. Since the relative path is the current directory, C:\CURDIR\ , the files are restored to C:\CURRDIR\SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\ . Notice how the stored path SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\ is added to the relative path. LC /U A:\TEST C:\*.* /D With the /D option, the stored path name is used. The relative path is now the C:\ root. The files are restored to c:\SUBDIR1\SUBDIR2\ . Goto file, ignoring previous files: /G<file-name> Supported only by LambChop engine. Use in case UnChop was interrupted before completion. /G allows you to goto the file you left off on, ignoring previous files in the volume and continuing to the end. If you are viewing the volume directory with /V while using /G, use the /V4 option to view in unsorted order so you may see the exact set of files to be extracted. LC /U A:\TEST C:\*.* /Gautoexec.bat Ignore all files until autoexec.bat is reached, then extract all files on and after autoexec.bat. Locate files in path name: /L<path-name> Extract all files matching this stored path name. If the path name given matches any portion of the one stored, the file is queued for extraction. File names and masks may be included on the command line to filter the extract list even further. LC /U A:\TEST /lSUB *.BAT Find any stored directory with *SUB* and extract only files with the extension .BAT . LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 24 Overwrite: /O[n] Normally, LambChop will prompt you if you want to overwrite the existing file if found while UnChopping. If you wish to bypass this warning, use /O. /O may be followed by the 'n', new-files-only parameter. New-files- only will compare the file time stored in the volume with the file you are overwriting. If no matching file is found, the file is restored. Otherwise, the date on the file stored in the volume must be newer than the DOS file date being overwritten. If it is newer, the file will be restored. LC /U A:\TEST *.* /O No overwrite warning while UnChopping LC /U A:\TEST *.* /On Only overwrite the new files. Disable tone: /T By default, LambChop will sound an audible alarm when requesting user input. When the /T option is used, audible tones are disabled. LC /U A:\TEST *.* /T No tones sounded at user prompts. View volume: /V[#][d] Display a Directory of the entire LambChop volume. If you want a descending order, include a 'd' after the view sorting condition. Where [#] is sorting condition (default is 1): [1] File name only [2] Segment number and file name [3] File time [4] No sorting, same order as the files will be UnChopped in. LC /3d c:\TEST *.* /D Show stored directories, view on file time in descending order (from newest dated files to oldest). LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 25 View example: LC /v C:\TEST *.* produces the following output: LambChop (tm) v0.90 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved Compiled: Dec 15 1991 Registration #: 00000 Unregistered Evaluation Copy! View mode, files will not be restored to the destination disk! Volume [C:\TEST???.LAM] Created..[12/15/91 11:36:20 (v0.90)] Total input files....[00017] Segment.................[001 of 001] Segment-size..[ 180,141] CRC 32-bit Error Check....[Enabled!] *** PATH(S) STORED WITH FILENAME *** Use command /D to restore paths. The drive letter with filename is not stored, may be changed at command line. Start File Compress File File Attr File Seg Size Size % Date Time HSR Name --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 001 9119 3845 58 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:BRIEF.TEM 001 5024 1894 63 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:CMACROS.TEM 001 17710 7926 56 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:DBGBOARD.TD 001 7522 2900 62 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:DEFAULTS.TEM 001 3264 1641 50 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:DOSEDIT.TEM 001 9577 3995 59 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:EPSILON.TEM 001 26718 11660 57 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:H2ASH.TSM 001 8781 4063 54 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:HDWDEBUG.TD 001 43386 21988 50 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:HELPME!.DOC 001 11618 5916 50 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:HELPME!.PRF 001 25315 12444 51 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:HELPME!.TD 001 10516 4753 55 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:HELPME!.TSM 001 4954 2554 49 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:TCREF.TSM 001 181453 59679 68 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:UTIL.DOC 001 12821 5792 55 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:UTILS.PRF 001 27891 13218 53 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:UTILS.TD 001 42382 15238 65 11/11/91 03:00 ... C:WINMEM.DOC --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 001 448051 179506 62% w/cluster-waste 00017 file(s) queued -------- 466,944 = DOS space used out of LambChop including cluster waste! /* end of output */ LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 26 LambChop reflects the actual UnChopping procedure. This allows you to view the destination of each file before LambChop actually begins UnChopping. Use the /W wait option to pause between each full page of text while displaying a view command. The first column tells you which segment the file begins on. LambChop will prompt you for this segment automatically when unchopping. The cluster waste displayed at the bottom of the view is the amount of unused space on your hard drive that each DOS file takes up. The larger the number of files you have, the more cluster waste your DOS system will require. When the files are stored in a LambChop volume, there is a significant reduction in cluster waste. Wait (pause) delay: /W Wait will pause the execution of LambChop at key points to give the user time to review the LambChop information. If viewing a LambChop volume, "wait" will pause between each full page of text. Exclude file mask: /X<mask> Any files you do not want to extract in the UnChop procedure. You may include wildcards (* or ?). There is a maximum of 10 masks per UnChop. LC /U A:\TEMP *.* /x*.BAT /xTHISFILE.COM UnChop all files EXCEPT files with the .bat extension and the THISFILE.COM program. Alternate work drive: /Z<drive-letter> Compression temporary files and disk swap files need the fastest and largest disk resources. Usually, this option would be inserted in your LAMBCHOP.CFG file with the appropriate drive. LC /U A:\TEMP *.* /zD All temporary and swap files will be created on the D: drive instead of your current drive. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 27 5. Configuration File Format What is a config file? A Configuration file is a text file with the command line options and file names saved in an ASCII file format. Two types of config files: There are two types of config files, the first is the default, and the second is the custom. The default (LAMBCHOP.CFG) must be located in the same directory as LambChop and LambMenu. Options and files set here will be loaded every time LambChop or LambMenu is run. The second type is the custom config file. A custom config file is only loaded when specified on the command line with a @ preceding the *.CFG file name (Ie. @FILE). If default LAMBCHOP.CFG was deleted: Simply run LM.EXE and select the 'Config - save as default' option from the main menu. Config file format: The rules for the config files are the same as the command line except parameters are separated by a new line instead of a space. There may be only one custom config file per Chopping or UnChopping process. You can not call a config file from a config file. When examining a config file that LambMenu has generated from the save config file option, you may notice a //END command within. This is an internal command generated by LambMenu. Beginners may wish to skip this paragraph and jump to the 'Remarks (comments) section' below. Configuration files are loaded by placing a @ symbol in front of the config file name. All config files must end with a '.cfg' extension, but you do not have to include the extension when loading from the command line or LambMenu. //END The //END command lets LambMenu know that the end of the current operating mode (Chop or UnChop) has been reached. By doing so, File name and command options for the current operating mode (Chop or UnChop) will remain intact, allowing the following files and command options within the config file to be read into the toggled operating mode. If LambChop reaches an //END command in a config file, it is interpreted as the end of file. The remainder of the config file will be ignored. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 28 Remarks (comments) inside config files: You can remark a line by placing a semicolon in the first column. ; This line would be ignored in a config file. Command options and file name priority: It is important to understand that there are three methods of entering a command into LambChop and LambMenu. The three methods are: loading from the command line, loading from the default config file (LAMBCHOP.CFG), and loading from a custom config file (@*.CFG). Remember that LambChop and LambMenu accepts the first file name as the volume name, and all other file names after the first as the input/output file names. Think of the commands and filenames being loaded as one long list of parameters, starting first with the command line, then the default config file, and finally the custom config file. LambChop loads commands in the following order of priority: 1 All files and options on the command line are loaded first. 2 LAMBCHOP.CFG files and options are loaded next. 3 @*.CFG files and options loaded last. Example.. Write to the A:1201 volume. Load the config file 'daily.cfg'. LC a:1201 @daily Assume that the default LAMBCHOP.CFG contains: --start file---------------------- ; Turn tone off /T --end file------------------------ Assume the daily.cfg contains: --start file---------------------- ; copy all files *.BAT ; turn on error checking /E --end file------------------------ The result will be read in and interpreted as: LC a:1201 /T *.BAT /E Notice how the commands and files are spread across the three methods of entry. The order in which each file and command option is loaded is very important. LambChop v1.02 Copyright 1992, LambWare All Rights Reserved 29 6. ShareWare LambWare registration Run LM.EXE and select the 'Register' option from the main menu. Press the [F10 key] while your printer is on-line (PRN:). A registration form will be sent to your printer. Alternatively, the file REGISTER.TXT contains a registration form which can be viewed or printed as well. To view from DOS to screen: 'type register.txt' To print from DOS: 'type register.txt > prn:' Technical support LambWare will provide technical support to registered users only. Support will be available for three months after the date of registration. LambWare will answer questions and fix serious bugs during the minimum three month period. For problems involving a specific hardware or software environment or feature, LambWare may choose not to modify the program. In that case, if a problem is reported within three months after purchase, then LambWare shall offer to refund the user's purchase price. Technical support via US mail: LambWare 6955 29th Terrace North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 When contacting LambWare, please include the following information: * Registered serial number. * Technical support error number, line number, and description (if any). * Phone number where we may contact you. ASP Ombudsman This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.