Why? In the actual computer science world there are many text file formats, and we need often convert one format to another. Usually it means simply replace some strings by the others. Of course some text editors provide this possibility with “find and replace” command. But with this command it is almost impossible for a complicated multi-replace conversion.
What is it? PowerReplace is a powerful text conversion utility using the Drag/Drop technology. It can replace character (including NULL, CR, LF, TAB) and string by any other string. By use of the asterisk-sign(*) representing any indeterminate string, it can replace also a string only whose two extremities are known. It supports all character set, hexadecimal string and Unix regular expression(pattern) for Find/Replace.
PowerReplace can create small independent daughter-application called “SelfReplace”, who makes your favorite conversion more easily and efficiently.
Features:
- High conversion speed and easy to use.
- Easy to create new filter file.
- Can copy resource and keep the same type-creator. This seems to me very important. For example I often use this option for convert TeX 8 bits file with pictures to TeX 7 bits file. In these files, pictures are stocked in the resource 'PICT'.
- Easy to change filter file that will be remember in the preference file.
- Can override old text file, or save new file with extension name.
QuickStart:
Example 1: You want to swap the two strings "read" and "write" in your text file “InputText”.
(1) Open PowerReplace application by double click on its icon.
(2) Type the following lines in the window "Untitled":
"read" "save_read"
"write" "read"
"save_read" "write"
(3) Click on the “Convert File” button to convert your text file.
That’s all. Normally a new file named “InputText.out” has been created in the same folder as the file “InputText”.
Example 2: You want to do this conversion frequently.
(4) Save your filter file by select the menu “File/Save”. Give this filter file the name “SampleFilter” and put it into the folder “Filter”.
(5) Quit and reopen PowerReplace application for some update information. After confirming that there is an item “SimpleFilter” in the menu “Filter”, select it. Then quit.
(6) Under Finder, select your text files, drag and drop them onto the PowerReplace icon.
That’s all. Normally the new files named “xxxxx.out” have been created in the same folder as the files “xxxxx”.
Example 3: You want to do the same conversion that you did the last time.
(7) Under Finder, select your text files, drag and drop them onto the PowerReplace icon.
Next step:
- See “FilterFile Doc” to learn how to write more filter files.
- If you want to change some options, please click the button “Information” in the main window.
- If you need help, please try Balloon Help system first.
- See “SelfReplace Doc” to learn how to create SelfReplace application.
- your questions will be answered quickly by email.
- New version of PowerReplace will be updated freely as soon as possible by email.
- your requirements will be added, within my capacity.
Please use “Registration Form” file to register.
NB. With this distribution, the application PowerReplace has only the 68K code. If you need a PPC or Fat version, please download it from my home page. Anyway, the SelfReplace applications are always Fat.
You can get more information about my programs for Apple Macintosh computer, and the last version of PowerReplace at:
http://130.79.4.26/~guoniu/mac/
Report any bug or suggestion to me at guoniu@math.u-strasbg.fr. Thanks!
