Black Box 4/BlackBox.cdr/progbas/apbsu106.arj/FILE-MAN.DOC

Text File | 1992-05-30 | 8.0 KB | 160 lines

                                 Matt Roberts
                               5 Cedar St., # 8
                           Montpelier, Vt 05602-3006
                                 [phone]


                                    5-15-92

                          NOTES ON FILE-MAN.EXE 1.06

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

This file manager is primarily, at this time, a mental exercise.  Writing file
managers teaches me a lot about the programming language I'm using.
Ultimately, I'd like to write a high-quality file manager that could be used
in place of DOS.  For now, it'll have to serve first and foremost as a pretty
decent example of programming with ApBASIC 1.7.  However, I think there's some
solid value in this program.  There are a couple things you don't normally
find from the DOS prompt, and maybe one or two which do the job slightly
better.  If you find the files on this disk useful, a donation of $5.00 would
be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.


                         SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND NOTES

Unfortunately, I don't know how much RAM you'll need to run FILE-MAN.  I'll
let you know the minute I find out.  I don't think you need much memory at
this point in the game, however.  To use 40-column mode, you'll probably need
CGA, though you shouldn't hold me to that.  There may also be some instances
where reversed lettering (black on white) has been programmed; you'll need CGA
to see that.  If you don't, I think the computer will just ignore the request
for reversed letters, but I can't be sure.  Believe it or not, I've never used
a computer that didn't have some sort of graphics adapter, and I know little
about hardware theory; I can't figure out what will happen with any video
configuration I haven't used.

This program was written and compiled on an Amstrad PC1512 SD.  The Amstrad
has an 8086 processor, running at 8MHz (non-switchable).  RAM was originally
512K, which I later upgraded to 640.  There's also a 2Mb EMS card installed.
The monitor is a black and white composite CGA.  Originally, there was a
single 5.25" 360K drive; a second drive was added by the orginal owner.  When
I got it, I added a 49Mb hard disk card.  There's also a 1Mb EMS drive (like a
RAM drive, only with Expanded Memory).  IBM-compatibility is strong, with the
only major problems being with the mouse driver (v. 5.00).  That can
occasionally cause problems, but it usually doesn't.  The power source is in
the monitor, which locks the owner into Amstrad monitors exclusively.
Otherwise, things seem pretty standard.  The Amstrad PC1512 has been
discontinued.

The operating system used to compile, run, and test FILE-MAN was MS-DOS 5.00.
I have no reason to believe that it won't run on almost any level of DOS you
might have but, again, I don't know for certain.  Probably the infamous MS- or
PC-DOS 2.1 or higher will be sufficient.

I know I've used a lot of words to express my ignorance, and I apologize.  I'm
constantly reading and studying to increase my knowledge of the computer
field, and I'll put more definite info in here as soon as I have it.


                               USING THE PROGRAM

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Typing FILE-MAN at the DOS prompt will give you an opening screen and then a
menu.  You'll type the number corresponding to your choice, and then press
Enter.  That's all there is to getting started.


                       WORKING WITH YOUR CONFIG.SYS FILE

Your CONFIG.SYS file contains information your computer uses when it's first
turned on.  This information tells it how many files it can have open, as well
as other instructions which will be used during the course of operating the
system.  If you don't know anything about the CONFIG.SYS file, you probably
should have a look at your DOS manual before messing around with this section.

First, you'll be asked which drive you've got your CONFIG.SYS file on.  You'll
need to have the disk with CONFIG.SYS in the drive you specify.  FILE-MAN
looks for CONFIG.SYS in the root directory of whatever drive you specify.
You'll need to type the drive letter and the colon, but FILE-MAN will supply
the backslash for you.  In fact, if you type it, you'll get an error.

Once you've provided the drive information, FILE-MAN will offer the following
options: Just look at your CONFIG.SYS, add lines, create a new file, or return
to the Main Options Menu.  You'll type the number corresponding to your
choice, and then the Enter (Return) key.

Just looking at or adding lines to the end of your file are probably self-
explanatory, as is returning to the menu, so we'll concentrate on creating a
new file.  The first thing that'll happen is that a backup, CONFIG.BAS, will
be made in the same directory and on the same drive as your CONFIG.SYS.  This
allows you to rescue your original CONFIG.SYS if things get too far out of
hand for your liking.  In order to restore your original from the DOS prompt,
you'll have to delete the new CONFIG.SYS, and then rename CONFIG.BAS to
CONFIG.SYS.  Check your DOS manual for details on how to do this.  You can
also restore your original from within the program, but not after you've left
the section for creating the new file.

Next, you'll be asked how many files you want.  This is the number of files
DOS is allowed to have open at any time.  Some advanced programs need a fairly
large number of files open.  However, you shouldn't specify more than you
need, since it takes RAM to keep track of the number you specify, whether
they're open or not.

Once that's done, you'll be asked how many buffers you want.  Darned if I know
what a buffer is, but apparently having some is handy.

Now, you'll be asked if you want to include any devices (also known as device
drivers).  If you're not sure what a device driver is, you should consult your
DOS manual before including any.

Finally, you'll be asked if you want BREAK on or off.  This has to do with how
often DOS checks to see if Ctrl-C or Ctrl-Break has been pressed.  Having this
feature on may make it easier to break out of some programs if things aren't
going well, but may also use more RAM and/or slow some operations.

Now, you've got a new CONFIG.SYS file.  Your next task is to review the file
and approve or otherwise.  If it's not OK and you want to go back and start
over again, press C and Enter.  If you want your old familiar CONFIG.SYS back,
press R and Enter.  If it's OK, type OK and press Enter.  In each case, upper
or lower case is fine, although it has to be one or the other (at this time,
typing Ok or oK would get you nowhere, but ok or OK is O.K.).  Okay?


3
                           WORKING WITH AUTOEXEC.BAT

For all intents and purposes, this is identical to the CONFIG.SYS option.  You
get a chance to view, change, or add lines to the end of, your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file.


                                 DELETE FILES

Upon choosing this option, you're treated to some noise about how dangerous it
is to delete files and how difficult they are to get back once you've deleted
them.  You are then given the opportunity to back out.  If you don't, you'll
be asked to type in the name of the file you wanted eradicated, which should
include the drive and path.  The dirty deed is did, you are informed of same,
and invited to make the same mistake again.  If you so choose, you may
destroy yet more priceless data.  Otherwise, you're returned to the menu.


                                MAKE DIRECTORY

This one is quite simple, and harmless as far as I know.  You type in the name
of the directory you want created, and you're done.


                             DISPLAY FILE CONTENTS

Here, you get to display the text file of your choice.  Pressing Ctrl-NumLock
pauses the display.


                                   COPY FILE

Again, this only works for text files; you can't copy .EXE and .COM files, or
other files with non-ASCII characters in it.  It takes longer than with DOS,
but it isn't too bad.