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| | | | | | | 4Cat | | | Version 1.30 | Released March 9, 1994 | | | by Earl R. Davidson | | | | | | | | Program and Documentation Copyright (c) 1991, 1993, 1994 | by Earl R. Davidson | 249 West Doublegate Drive | Albany, GA 31707 | All rights reserved | | | | | | | | Portions Copyright (c) 1989 - 91 Microsoft Corporation | Portions Copyright (c) 1988 - 91 Ethan Winer, Donald R. Malin | and Crescent Software | | | | | | | | 4DOS is a trademark of J. P. Software | PC-DOS is a trademark of IBM Corporation | MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation | | | | | | | Notice This program is not in the public domain. You are hereby granted a limited right to copy the program and pass it on to friends and upload it to any bulletin board system, provided no fee is charged other than a nominal disk fee. You may use the program for up to ninty (90) days without registering it. If you use it for more than this, please register. Site licenses are available for corporate use. Contact the author for more information. Acknowledgments This program was written using the Microsoft Basic 7.1 Professional Development System and the Crescent Software QuickPak Professional Advanced Programming Library (Version 4.01). 4DOS (Version 5.0) by J. P. Software, was also being used, and, in fact, provided the inspiration for this program. I thank all three companies for making these outstanding products available. Disclaimer 4Cat is distributed without warranty, expressed or implied, including without limitation the warranties of merchanta- bility and of fitness for a particular purpose. You, the user, assume full responsibility for the selection and use of 4Cat to achieve your desired results. Introduction 4Cat is a file cataloging program for disks. It allows you to quickly build or add to a database of your disk files and to search this database quickly to locate a particular file. 4Cat also tracks the free disk space on each disk cataloged. This allows you to find a disk with just enough space to store a particular file. Disks are identified and cataloged based on their volume label. Users of 4DOS will have their file descriptions added automatically. These descriptions, which may be up to 200 characters in length, are included in the searches. That's all I wanted a catalog program to do, so 4Cat does not print disk labels, require the entry of complicated categories, or make you confirm numerous choices for each disk. There are no complicated setup steps and no menus to wade through. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 1 4Cat includes directory names in the database as if they were a file name. The 4DOS description, if any, is shortened to a maximum length of 194 characters and "<DIR> " inserted at the beginning of the description. If you save files in direc- tories on your disks this will allow you to search the data- base for a directory name. Note that the files stored in the directories are NOT included in the 4Cat database. Only the files and directories in the root of the disk are included. Installation COPY the 4CAT.EXE file to a directory that is in your normal PATH command. If you have a utility directory that your store various programs in, that would be ideal. That's it! The first time you run 4Cat, it will create a database file named 4CAT-DB2.MDB in the same directory in which 4CAT.EXE is located. Converting from a Previous Version If you have used a version of 4Cat prior to version 1.30+ you will need to convert your database file (4CAT-DB.MDB) to the new format (4CAT-DB2.MDB). Follow these steps: o Copy the 4CATCNVT.EXE file to the directory that contains your old 4CAT-DB.MDB file. o Type 4CATCNVT and press the <ENTER> key. o A count of the files is displayed as the conversion progresses. o Delete 4CATCNVT.EXE o Delete 4CAT-DB.MDB (but not 4CAT-DB2.MDF). You might want to keep a backup of it. This conversion is necessary in order to accomodate the new 200 character long file descriptions supported by 4DOS 5+. I've also released a description editor that supports the long descriptions. Its called File Description Editor (FDE) and should be available where you found 4CAT130 under the filename FDE100 plus the extention for the format your BBS operator uses for archiving files. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 2 Adding Files to the Database 4Cat is invoked from the DOS command line. There are no menus. There are basically two modes of operation - (1) adding files to the database and (2) searching the database for a particular file. Let's look at adding records of files first. The format for calling 4CAT is: 4CAT [/d:] [/n] where /d: is an optional valid drive designation and /n is an optional parameter explained below. Here are a few command line examples: 4CAT Adds the files on the disk in drive A: (the default) to the database. 4CAT /b: Adds the files on the disk in drive B: to the database. 4CAT /n Adds the files on the disk in drive A: and does not stop when the display of those files fills the screen. 4CAT /mul For repetitive processing of multiple disks. You are prompted to insert the next disk and press a key. When 4Cat is invoked to add files it first reads the current volume label for the disk and allows you to edit or change it. You should consider a numbering system for your disks. Mine is simple - I started with 1 (one) and went up. If you change the volume label it will be written back to the disk. This is the ONLY time 4Cat writes to a disk, other than to the 4CAT-DB2.MDB file. Unregistered versions then display a few lines reminding you to register. The filenames and directory names are then read, added to the database and displayed on your monitor. The last entry displayed is the free space on the disk. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 3 After the records are added, you are returned to the DOS prompt. Continue cataloging files in this manner. Note that only one set of records will be maintained for each volume label. If you try to add a second disk with a volume label that is already cataloged, the existing records will be removed from the database before the new ones are added. To remove records for an entire disk from the database, insert a disk with no files on it, execute 4Cat, and enter the volume label for the disk you want to delete. The records will be removed and a "No files found" message displayed. That's all there is to cataloging your files. One simple command at the DOS prompt and it's done. Searching the Database To search for a file just invoke 4CAT with a search "string" at the DOS prompt, where "string" is a word, filename, or portion thereof that you wish to find. 4Cat will search the filenames, and 4DOS descriptions, in your database. If your "string" is detected, the file information, and 4DOS description, will be displayed. The "string" will be highlighted on the display. If more matches are found than will fit on one screen, 4Cat pauses and waits for you to press a key. This method of searching and displaying the results is similar to the locate or search function found on many BBS programs. The DOS wildcards (* and ?) are not needed or supported. 4Cat will find your "string" anywhere in the filename or 4DOS description. The format for calling 4Cat in search mode is: 4CAT [/n] string Here are some examples of searching a 4Cat database: 4CAT basic Will find all records with the word "basic" in the filename, directory name, or description. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 4 4CAT basic /n Same as above, but the display of matching records does not stop when the screen is full. 4CAT . 4Cat will display ALL filename and directory records in the database because they all have a period (.) between the filename and the extension. Command Line Options Option: /v:string Meaning: Search the volume name for "string" Comments: This allows you to search the disk volume label names for your "string." Example: 4CAT /v:127 Search for all records whose volume label contains the string "127". Option: /? Meaning: Display the help screen. Comments: The "/" is optional. Either "/?" or "?" on the command line will display the help screen. This means that you cannot search your data base for a question mark only. Option: /n Meaning: Non-stop display. Comments: Adding the /n option to the command will cause 4Cat to not stop when the screen if filled. Instead of pausing with the "press any key" prompt, the screen is cleared and more files listed, until the last screen. This is most useful when redirecting output to a file as explained below. Option: /f Meaning: Display the free disk space available on each disk. Comments: The display sorted in order of disk space. This option allows you to find a disk with just enough space to store a file. Utilizing this can help you get maximum efficiency from your disks. You 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 5 may enter a number representing a minimum amount of disk space that you need and 4Cat will begin its display with the first disk that has that much space available. This keeps you from having to page through numerous screens of disks with too little space available. Examples: 4CAT /f Displays all disks and space available. 4CAT /free Same as above. Retained for compatiblity with version 1.00. 4CAT /f9000 Displays all disks with at least 9000 bytes of free space. 4CAT /f9k "K" or "k" multiplies number entered by 1,000. 4CAT /f1m "M" or "m" multiplies number entered by 1,000,000 bytes. Option: > Meaning: DOS redirection of output. Comments: This is not really an option of 4Cat. It is the use of DOS's redirection capability. 4Cat does not provide for the direct printing of your database; however, you may use the DOS redirection command to direct the listing to a disk file. The output file will be a clean, ASCII file, with no headers, footers, or page breaks. You may then load this file into your favorite editor or word processor and print it. The following commands will output all or a portion of your database to a file named TEXT.TXT: Examples: 4CAT . > TEST.TXT List all records to the file. 4CAT /n . > TEST.TXT List all records in "non- stop" mode to the file. 4CAT string > TEXT.TXT List only those records that match "string" to the file. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 6 Database Utilities Two database maintenance utilities are included: Repair: Helps recover databases that have become corrupted due to power outages, etc. Pack: Packs the database file by removing records marked for deletion and shrink the file (in 32K increments. Also rebuilds the indexes. A complete description of the utilities is included in the 4CATUTIL.DOC file. 4DOS Descriptions 4Cat utilizes the descriptions available with 4DOS. If the DESCRIPT.ION file exists on the disk being cataloged, the descriptions will be added to the database. While 4Cat does not allow you to edit these descriptions, a companion program named File Description Editor (FDE) is now available. FDE suports the 200 character file descriptions available with 4DOS 5+ and allows editing a description in a full featured wordwraped window. You may link FDE and 4CAT with a batch file or a 4DOS alias. For example, add both of the following lines to your alias file: fde4 = `fde a: ^ 4cat` fde4b = `fde b: ^ 4cat b:` This will allow you to edit the descriptions using FDE then automatically catalog the disk. Non 4DOS users should be able to use FDE and 4Cat without using 4DOS. Try a batch file similar to this to create/edit a DESCRIPT.ION file and then have 4Cat use it: FDE A: 4CAT See the Registration Form at the end of this file for a combination offer on registering 4Cat and FDE. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 7 Release History Version 1.30 - Released March 9, 1994. o Added support for 200 character descriptions. o Added /mul switch to allow repetitive cataloging of multiple disks. o Added record count display at end of search. o Database repair and packing utilities are now included with the shareware version. (Mailing disks for free as in Version 1.20 was not a great idea.) o A reminder to register is displayed after the volume label is entered. o If an attempt to catalog a disk is made without a disk in place a prompt to insert a disk or press "H" for help is displayed, instead of just dumping the user into the help screen every time. Version 1.20 - Released May 30, 1993. o Inclusion of database repair and packing utilities with registered version. o Minor cosmetic changes. Version 1.10 - Released December 14, 1991. o Additional options added to /f switch allowing the search for free disk space to begin at a minimum amount as specified on the command line. o The "-" and "_" caracters are no longer valid command line separators. This allows them to be used in search strings. o Fixed problem of not locating description for files with no filename extention and a filename of less than eight (8) characters. o Fixed a couple of minor screen display errors. Version 1.00 - Released December 2, 1991. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 8 Registration To register this program for permanent use, complete the form on the next page and mail, together with your check for $10.00, to the address on the form. Registering now will entitle you to use the current version of 4Cat and all minor update and bug-fix releases through the next major release number. For example: If you are registering version 1.30: ^ ^^ The major version number is 1 -----------| || The minor version number is 1 -------------|| The bug-fix version number is 0 ------------| you may use the program at least through version 2.99 without re-registering or paying any additional fee. Opon receipt of your registration form and fee I will MAIL you a key to remove the reminder from the program. Support I will provide limited free (but not toll free) telephone support to those people who have registered their copy of 4Cat. I may generally be reached between the evening hours of 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm Eastern time, or Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. As you might guess from these hours, I do not write programs or provide free support for a living. You may reach me at (912) 432-2479. Please observe the above hours and do not call collect. Please have your version number available when you call. I may also be reached on CompuServe: 72203,1235. 4Cat - Version 1.30 Page 9 4Cat and/or FDE Registration Form Your Name: _______________________________ Date: __________ Company: _______________________________ Address: _______________________________ _______________________________ City, St: _______________________________ Zip: ___________ Phone: (______) ______________________ Copies @ Rate Amount 4Cat registration: ______ $10.00 ______ FDE registration: ______ 10.00 ______ Both 4Cat and FDE registrations:______ 15.00 ______ Disk with latest versions of the programs you've registered: ______ 10.00 ______ Total Enclosed with this form: ====== If you've ordered the disk please indicate the disk sizes you can use. 5.25 DD _____ or 5.25 HD _____ 3.25 DD _____ or 3.25 HD _____ 4Cat version number: _________ FDE version number: _________ Where did you obtain your copy of the programs? _____________________________________________________________ Suggestions: _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Mail to: Earl R. Davidson 249 W. Doublegate Drive Albany, GA 31707 Please include your check or money order for US funds. Thanks for using 4Cat and/or FDE, and thanks for registering.