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- Copy of query letter:
-
- CUSTOM BUSINESS PROGRAMS
- Don F. Ridgway, Owner & Chief Programmer/Analyst
- 119 Plantation Court, Suite D
- Temple Terrace, FL 33617-3731
- Phone: (813) 985-3342
-
- July 15, 1985
-
- Subject: Proposal of article on the complete implementation of the
- MS-DOS/PC-DOS "ANSI.SYS" device driver (cursor, screen and
- extended keyboard controls) in the C programming language.
-
- Dear Editor, Ladies & Gentlemen:
-
- Do you realize that most, if not all, of the big-name C compiler
- packages do not provide even the most rudimentary screen, graphics
- or cursor control capability? You can't even clear the screen!
-
- I have implemented the DOS "ANSI.SYS" device driver in the
- (Microsoft/-Lattice) C programming language in a new and unique
- manner that is a real boon for the C programmer. Now C is as snazzy
- to program in as BASIC or Pascal--and all it costs the programmer is
- the price of your magazine!
-
- My "ANSISYS.c" header file (260+ lines of source code and comments
- included) provides the C programmer with quick and easy "smart" cursor
- control and eye-catching "turtlegraphics"-type screen and graphics commands
- which really turn his C programs into professional-quality productions.
-
- In addition, I include a demonstration program--"ANSIDEMO.EXE"--to
- run as a superb demonstration of these powerful and versatile C macros and
- functions in action. The source code and comments ("ANSIDEMO.c", 470+
- lines) are included and stand as an excellent introduction and reference
- source to the philosophy and structure of the C programming language.
-
- The examples show how the C programmer can easily create, combine
- and build-up his own professional custom library of macros and functions--up
- to and including a WINDOW() command--to do what HE wants them to do, instead
- of taking a chance on one of those expensive utility function libraries.
-
- The C programming language becomes much easier to learn and more fun
- to use when the cursor, screen and keyboard commands are in the familiar
- BASIC or dBASE~ syntax, as I designed them to be. In addition, these new
- commands have the effect of tightening up and streamlining and modularizing
- the code; you will not fail to notice that "ANSIDEMO.c" has a highly
- structured and very dBASE-ish look. (Just brilliant: maybe it's me.)
-
- Included with this cover letter for your perusal are printouts of
- the "ANSISYS.c" and "ANSIDEMO.c" files, which are on the enclosed diskette.
- The article I am proposing is for you to reprint these two files--which
- already contain adequate comments within--along with a short introduction
- or lead-in (possibly excerpted from these pages or, as requested, from me).
-
- The diskette is a PC-DOS 2.1 boot disk with "ANSI.SYS" and "CONFIG.SYS"
- already on it--just boot up with it and run "ANSIDEMO.EXE". (I can
- supply other interested parties with this diskette for just $15.00.)
-
- If you are interested in publishing this valuable and informative
- program/article, please contact me ASAP. (I don't know exactly what you
- pay, but I do want top-dollar for it. I hope you'll agree it's worth it.)
-
- Thank you, Don F. Ridgway
-
- /*
- If you need a slug line "bio" on me for the article, why don't you
- simply say I am a C programmer/analyst living in Tampa, Florida.
-
- However, for your own information, among my current various business
- interests I am the owner and CEO of A-1 IBM~ Programming & Training
- Service, and I am the chief programmer/analyst of CUSTOM BUSINESS PROGRAMS.
- I am the president of the Florida Professional Programmers' Guild and
- coordinator of Tampa dBASE II~ & dBASE III~ Users' Group (see DATA BASED
- ADVISOR "User Groups" listing each issue).
-
- I am also a writer and an ex-photojournalist. For the past twenty
- years my articles and/or photos have appeared in the nation's best
- newspapers along with such magazines as The WRITER and Psychology Today.
-
- My last (published) newspaper column was in The Washington Inquirer,
- March 1, 1985, "The Oath They Never Took," p. 6. My last (published)
- article for a computer magazine was in the DATA BASED ADVISOR, June
- 1985, "Managing dBASE~ Data Files," pp. 31, 76.
- */