Commands are the means that the user controls the operation of BEAV. A command can be given by using one of two methods. The first is to use the key binding.
A command can have one or more associated key bindings. It can also have no key binding. There are a set of default key bindings that BEAV comes configured with. The current set of key bindings can be seen by using the `help' command. The `help' command is `Esc ?' or Function Key 1 `F1' on the IBM PC. The help buffer can be scrolled by using the up and down arrow keys. A printed copy may be obtained by going to the bottom of the help buffer using the `move-to-end' command (`Esc >' or the `End' key). Then issue the `print-mark-to-cursor' command (`Esc P' or `Ctl-Print') and enter `PRN' or a file name when prompted with ``Print to:''. This will output the entire help buffer to a printer connected to the parallel interface or the specified file.
The second method of issuing a command is to use the `extended-command' command (Esc X). You are prompted for a command name that you want to execute. This method is useful for executing commands that have no key binding. Commands that can take a long time to complete can be stopped by pressing Ctl- G.