Simtel MSDOS 1992 June/SIMTEL_0692.cdr/msdos/sysutl/parapass.arc/PARAPASS.DOC

Text File | 1988-06-01 | 6.2 KB | 199 lines

                           Parapass Version 0.0 BETA Test

                                Rusty Baldwin
                                4783 W. 133rd St. #12
                                Hawthorne, CA  90250


            INTRODUCTION
            ------------

            Parapass stands for Parameter Pass. This program provides
            the ability to interactively pass parameters (filenames,
            switches, etc.) to programs which normally requires that the
            parameters be on the command line. This can be useful with
            operating environments such as DESQview or other multi-
            tasking programs which will only pass fixed parameters to
            programs. The most common example of a program with which
            this would helpful is the Microsoft editor EDLIN which
            (unfortunately) requires the name of the file to be edited
            to be supplied on invocation line.
                 Parapass can also be used within batch files to prompt
            the user for input before running a program. Examples of
            this follow.


            RUNNING PARAPASS
            ----------------

            To run Parapass just type PARAPASS <program name> </q> . The
            parameters within the < > are optional and if specified do
            not require the < >'s to be typed in. The program name MUST
            be a fully qualified program name with the path to the
            program specified. Example :

            PARAPASS A:\MYDIR\MYPROGRAM.COM

            Notice that the .COM extension is included. The optional
            switch /Q runs PARAPASS in the quiet mode. In this mode
            PARAPASS will not prompt the user for parameters but rather
            wait silently for the user to type them in. This can be
            useful in batch files when you want to supply your own input
            prompt. Example batch file :

            ECHO OFF
            ECHO PLEASE INPUT THE FILE TO EDIT.
            REM THE NEXT ECHO STATEMENT WILL ECHO A BLANK LINE. NOTICE
            REM THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN THE 'O' AND THE '.'
            ECHO.
            PARAPASS A:\MYDIR\MYEDITOR.EXE /Q
            EXIT

                 If a program name for PARAPASS is not specified on the
            command line when PARAPASS is run, PARAPASS will prompt for
            the program to run whether the /Q switch was used or not.















            OTHER USES                              Parapass - Page 2
            ----------

            Although it is possible to run batch files (.BAT) with
            parapass, it appears to me to be of limited usefulness.
            However, in the interest of being complete I am including
            the instructions on how to do so.
                 To run a batch file, invoke PARAPASS as follows
            (substitute the appropriate path for COMMAND.COM on your
            system in place of the path I have shown) :

            PARAPASS C:\COMMAND.COM

            When you are prompted for parameters input :

            /C \MYDIR\MYBATCH.BAT <PARAMETERS>

            Notice that the '/C' MUST be included BEFORE your batch
            filename. The optional <PARAMETERS> are any parameters that
            the batch file may require or be expecting.

            OTHER
            -----

            I use this program daily and have attempted to make it as
            bug free as possible. Any comments or suggestions would be
            appreciated and can be directed to the address on page one.
            I will attempt to act promptly on any bugs reported. The
            source code has been included with this package and is
            written in A86 assembly language. If you decide to modify
            the source to suit your particular needs please do NOT
            upload it to any bulletin boards. If you modify the source
            code to fix a bug PLEASE tell me about it. I do encourage
            you to distribute any unmodified version of this package
            however.  Please include all files provided in the package.
            These include:

            PARAPASS.DOC - This file.
            PARAPASS.COM - The executable file.
            PARAPASS.ASM - The source code.

            A86 ASSEMBLER
            -------------

            The assembler used in this program is Eric Isaacson's A86
            assembler. Along with the companion debugger D86 they make
            up some of the best assembly language program development
            tools available anywhere. These programs can be obtained
            from:

            Eric Isaacson
            416 E. University Street
            Bloomington, IN     47401














            DISCLAIMER                         Parapass - Page 3
            ----------

            This program is hereby released into the public domain. The
            author (Rusty Baldwin) assumes no liability for any loss, or
            damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly
            by this program, any part thereof, or its usage. No
            guarantee is made of the accuracy of any information in the
            manual, and revisions in the product may be made without
            notice. I specifically disclaim any implied warranties of
            merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. This
            product is supplied on an "as is" basis.

            The names of all companies mentioned in this manual are
            trademarks or registered trademarks , and the names of all
            products mentioned are trademarks of their producers.