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PREFACE.DOC
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1995-08-01
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SHAREWARE
If you read this book,
you have to pay for it.
* THE RUN BATCH RUN BOOK *
Version 1.3 - August 1995
This book is written by
Finn Roaas
Ole Reistads vei 39
N-1068 Oslo
Norway (Europe)
Internet mail: finnr@oslonett.no
Preface
Nothing is more satisfying for a new user than when you have
created your first batch program. From the moment you save the
file and anxiously executing your first command, there is one
question in your mind: Does it work? Does it really function?
What will happen now?
You press ENTER and the execution of your first batch program
is displayed on the screen. A moment of triumph. Yes, you have
succeeded in making a program. You are a programmer!
The new user's feeling of controlling MS DOS, is good
vibrations that will stimulate to study the operating system
still more. This seemingly simplicity is what's so brilliant
with batch file programming; even with little knowledge of
MS DOS' comprehensive possibilities, the operating system
offers small hindrance to do complicated tasks.
This book is written for all those that would offer some time
and efforts to dig into the possibilities within batch
programming. The last years Windows revolution has made
people ignore the existence of batch files. Many Windows users
seem to have forgotten or may never have known the flexibility
of batch files. Many newcomers use Windows as if MS DOS should
not exist, and look upon batch programs as a prehistoric stadium.
Something primitive which belonged to the good ol' days when
steamcomputers occupied most of the office. Experienced users
know of course better. They stick to their homebred batches,
make further developments even they also are passionate
users of Windows and run most of the Windows based programs that
are produced to day.
Batch files function very often as the "missing link" between
different kind of tasks. Think of all the programs that are
supposed to work smoothly together on an electronic bulletin boards.
Behind what is displayed on the screen many small and big
batch files tick-tock and link the lot together.
Most of us that need to move between different types of programs
discover very often that a lot of operations are faster outside
Windows in the MS DOS environment. To search through hundreds of
files determined on certain strings is often done in no time in
MS DOS, and combined with a smart batch program you are in
charge of an excellent tool for performing such jobs. If you by
now have got the impression that I find batch files interesting,
you have guessed right. For my own part I find it challenging
working with batches, these small and simple home made programs
that lighten the workday. You don't have to teach yourself a
difficult programming language. All you need is a few MS DOS
commands and very often they do wonders. What first looked like
a tedious job, turned to be completely automated.
The purpose of this book is not primarily being a textbook,
though it may be used as one. Because as you probably will notice,
I have tried to write the book with the pedagogic aspects in mind.
I presume that you already have a certain understanding of MS DOS
and that you have a vague idea of what batch programming can do for
you and your computer. Those who are unfamiliar with batch files I
will suggest that you start to read appendix 2 which will give
you a brief, but important introduction. There are already
dozens of good books about batch programming, and more
appearing every year. In appendix 3 I will list all I come
across that will be useful to you after you've begun to
experiment with your own batches.
This book will immediately give you both the basic and advanced
knowledge of batch programming.
The Run Batch Run Book will provide you different samples to
teach you to make use of all the possibilities. The experienced
batch programmer will recognize many of them. They are of the
type that float around on BBS' and on internet. All programs
in this book has been adapted by me to suit the intentions of
the book. In certain cases I will draw attention to
batch programmers who has developed unique programs. In certain
cases I will also pay credit to people that has put a lot of
efforts into batch programs their share gladly with others.
Often it's very easy to create a batch. MS DOS commands are
comprehensive and provide many different solutions that new
users are not aware of.
This book will tell you what you need to know to developed your
own advanced programs. For that reason I will also deal with
samples that make use of the MS DOS Debug program that will
improve your batches. You will also find sections that
describes professional batchenhancers like GET and Norton
utilities.
The book has been divided into chapters which deals with a
certain topics. Often the chapter starts with some easy
programs and ends with more complex and advanced.
By studying the procedure and the solutions that have been
chosen the reader will reach a better understanding and get a
pedagogic benefit.
The samples will lead the user to get new ideas of how to make
improvements on your own computer. I wish you good luck and
hope you enjoy this book and that it will inspire you to spend
some useful and interesting hours in front of your computer.
I recommend you to read the book while you're working with your
computer. This will be the best way to test the realistic
examples.
If you have points of view on changes and improvements, or may
be you have created a batch file you are proud of and want to
share with others, please send it to my mailbox on internet:
finnr@oslonett.no. I will answer all letters and mention you by
name in this book if you wish.
About THE RUN BATCH RUN BOOK
Years of collecting and developing batch programs have been
used to prepare this book. The author has a tremendous
collection of FILES and utilities that he intend to
present to the readers. A lot of work and money have been
spent to produce the book.
"THE RUN BATCH RUN BOOK" IS NOT FREE
------------------------------------------------------------------
(This book is not public domain. It is copyrighted material, and may be
distributed only pursuant to this license.)
You are allowed to read and evaluate this book to see if it
is for you. After 30 days you have to register your copy.
If you decide that you will keep and read this book,
you must pay for it. The contribution will support further
research and maintenance of the text. Unregistered
use other than to determine if this is a book you would
like to study, is prohibited.
US $ 12.00
About the batch programs in the book
------------------------------------
All programs described in this book has been tested and
executed by the author. Many of the programs have been
run during several years on different computers. I have
used them as an average user and my aim has been that all
programs in this book can be executed.
If you don't want to do the tedious work of writing the data
into an editor, which may be very time consuming, boring and
not at least a source of errors, you can have the ready-to run
disk containing all the batch programs mentioned in the book and
many, many more.
The Ready-to run disk is available from the author when
you register your book.
To order, use the special reply page in the back
of the book.
In "THE RUN BATCH RUN BOOK" it may occur errors and parts that should
have been different. I welcome all comments you may have on
improvements or things you think I have missed. Only your
support and genuine interests in batch programming may
contribute to make this book better.
Finn Rooas
950801