READ V1.2 Copy(c)right 1985,1993, Gary M. Raymond, New Orleans, La. READer, a Document or Ascii Text Viewer HOME of SlicWare Gary Raymond Post Office Box 8184 New Orleans, La. 70182 (504) 288-6550 Compuserve 70613,3165 ==================================================================== Why another READ, you ask? READ does a few things few other text readers now do (but all will probably soon follow suit). First, READ automatically searches all paths in the dos comspec environment to locate and load the desired text file you wish to look at. As long as both READ and the document file are located in a directory which has been assigned to a dos PATH statement (normally done via the autoexec.bat file), READ will function correctly. Let me repeat that. It does not matter what directory or drive you are located in at the time you call READ to view a text file AS LONG AS a dos path is assigned to READ's default directory *AND* the text file you wish to read. This eliminates having to type extra path statements appended to the file name. So, in place of typing: READ C:\WP\DOC\LETTERS\MOM.TXT (a la LIST) you need only type: READ MOM.TXT and you are in business! Examples: Suppose you have a sub sub directory called LETTERS residing off a parent directory structure of WP\DOC\, wherein you keep all your ascii text documents. Lets say this directory structure is located on your c: drive. The utility READ.EXE is stored in a directory off the root of c: called \utility. First, to set a dos path to both locations (and any other you may elect) add the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: SET PATH=C:\UTILITY;C:\WP\DOC\LETTERS (plus whatever else?) Now, type AUTOEXEC or reboot to set the new dos path. Now, you have the ability to call READ from any drive on your system but more importantly, the ability to read any text in \\\\LETTERS by only typing its filename after READ. i.e. READ MOM.TXT. Next, READ has two additional nifty feature that can save a lot of time if you find yourself having to read a particular document with regularity. Auto Read and Mouse Support. Auto Read example: Suppose every day you download a text file via Xmodem from your company BBS which consist of a special report you are required to read. Tell Xmodem to download it as XYZ.TXT and then simply type READ! Or, use whatever method you prefer to rename your text file to "XYZ.TXT". This can be done automatically with a simple batch file or various similar ways at the dos prompt. The bottom line is this: READ, typed all by itself at the dos prompt, first goes looking all over your dos path for a file called XYZ.TXT. If it locates a file called XYZ.TXT, it load and displays. If there is no XYZ.TXT, READ informs you of its normal syntax for regular operation. Mouse support: READ is capable of working with a two (or preferably a three) button MicroSoft or LogiTech mouse. Left button: Scroll down one line Right button: Scroll down one page Center button: Scroll up one page Left/Right together: Exit Program Left/Center together: Go to top Right/Center together: Go to bottom How to rename files via bat or dos prompt: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RN.BAT at the dos prompt ------ (or) ----------------- RENAME %1 XYZ.TXT RENAME mytext.doc XYZ.TXT ----------------- type: RN mytext.doc [and mytext.doc is renamed XYZ.TXT] RC.BAT at the dos prompt ------ (or) ----------------- COPY %1 XYZ.TXT COPY mytext.doc XYZ.TXT --------------- type: RC mytext.doc [and mytext.doc will remain but a copy of it will be created with the name XYZ.TXT] (In any of the examples above, upper or lower case is permitted!) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- READ has a very basic menu appearing on line 25 of your monitor. You have all the essentials to easily scroll through a text file with the following menu keys: READ will start by displaying the first 24 lines of the file and then wait for your next instruction. If you desire a hard copy and have a line printer connected to LPT1:, (parallel port 1, 378) you can press the Alt and P keys. This will cause the entire file to be sent to your printer. Should the printer be off line or disconnected, the program will terminate with the appropriate "printer off line" message. If the default colors are not pleasing you can use the left and right Arrow keys to toggle through the background and foreground colors until you find something acceptable. The left arrow controls the background colors and the right arrow controls the foreground colors. To keep READ as small as possible and because there are already many other larger, more sophisticated read type utilities out there, READ can only accept text files that are under 65,536 bytes. READ was written in Pascal 7.0 Source code is available. PUR ===================================================================== Registration is only $5.00. You will receive the latest version which will include any new features plus a disk FULL of other useful files. YES Gary, I like to use READ! Here is my fin! Send READV1+ now! Name_____________________________________________________________ Mailing Address__________________________________________________ City & State ___________________________________________________ ZIP _______________ Phone _____________________ Disk Media ______ Send $5.00 check, cash or money order to: ==================================================================== Gary Raymond P.O.Box 8184 New Orleans, La. 70182 504-288-6550 Compuserve 70613,3165 ==================================================================== EOF()