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15 January 1994 Contents AFE Version 2.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
AFE - Archive Front End, a Cheap(!) native OS/2 2.1 VX-REXX program
which provides a visual front end for the handling of ZIP, LZH, ZOO
and ARJ files.
Contents Page
--------------------------------------------------
i. Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ii. Registration Plea . . . . . . . . . . . 1
iii. Included Files in the AFE Package . . . 2
A. Program Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
B. Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
C. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
D. Notes on Running the Program . . . . . . 5
1. Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. Archive Submenu . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. File Selection Window . . . . . . . 6
4. Creating a New Archive . . . . . . 6
5. Updating and Existing Archive . . . 7
6. UnArchive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7. View or Print . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8. V-Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
9. M/V-Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
10. Exiting AFE . . . . . . . . . . . 10
11. Configure . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
12. Internal Archive Detection . . . . 10
13. Archive Errors . . . . . . . . . . 11
14. TryAll Subroutine . . . . . . . . 11
15. Variable Errors . . . . . . . . . 11
16. Miscellaneous Tips . . . . . . . . 12
E. Cautions and Limitations . . . . . . . . 13
F. Contacting the Author . . . . . . . . . . 14
G. Copyright Notices and Disclaimer . . . . 15
H. What's New (AFE History) . . . . . . . . 16
15 January 1994 Page 1 AFE Version 2.2
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i. Background
AFE started out as a personal project to fill my need for a native OS/2
front-end for archive manipulation, and at the same time, give
me some particular goal while learning to use REXX.
After many hours of effort, I came up with AFE 1.1, which utilized
IBM's in-house developed VREXX for the PM graphics. I realized that
other OS/2ers might be interested in this type of front-end, since what
was available at the time in this catagory was very limited, so
I posted my work as Freeware on two local BBSes that I frequented.
Unfortunately, VREXX imposes some severe limitions in many respects, so
I decided to give it a shot using Watcom's VX-REXX. After
building some less complex projects with VX-REXX to understand its
capabilities, it was time to tackle a new and improved version of the
"Archive Front End". This package is the result.
While AFE wouldn't be a totally new concept in the DOS world, the
choice of OS/2 native programs that handle most popular archive
formats, facilitate selective unarchiving, virus scanning, viewing or
printing of internal files, creating new archives, and updating
existing archives is very limited.
Please pass AFE on to other BBSes, including all files in this archive.
ii. Registration
I have many, many hours of work invested in developing and testing AFE.
What you have here is the complete package, whether you register or
not. I detest crippleware and shareware reminder notices, so you won't
find any of that here.
What registration will buy you is this: I'll entertain your suggestions
for enhancements, I'll be inspired to continue to make improvements, I
won't grow more tolerant of shareware reminder notices, I'll be
grateful to you, and most of all, I'll confirm my notion that OS/2ers
are more honorable than DOS/Windows users.
I've set the price at a low $19.50 for the individual user. I'm not
trying to retire on shareware income, but it would be nice to be able
to pay for development environment and the phone bill for posting it
here and there.
AFE is a copyrighted program. It is not public domain or free
software. A limited license is granted for the purpose of determining
suitability of the program. Registration is required for any use
beyond a 15 day evaluation period. Registered user have the right to
use this program for their personal use on one or more computers
provided that only 1 copy is in use at the same time.
After a couple of weeks of using AFE, you ought to know if it's the
archive tool for you. Fill out and print REG-FORM.AFE and make out a
check.
15 January 1994 Page 2 AFE Version 2.2
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iii. Included Files in the AFE Package
AFE.EXE - The executable program
AFE.ICO - The icon used to represent AFE on the desktop
AFE.DOC - This documentation file
AFE-INST.EXE - The AFE installation/configuration program
AFE-CFG.EXE - The AFE re-configuration program to change variable
settings (must be called from AFE)
README.1ST - An extraction of the installation and cautions/limitations
sections from this document
VROBJ.DLL - The VX-REXX library for the PM graphics
REG-FORM.AFE - The registration form/mailer
FILE_ID.DIZ - A BBS description of AFE
OPEN.CMD - A little bonus to make life easier
(see the documentation within the file)
A. Program Features
- create or selectively update archives
- view selected files in an archive
- print selected files in an archive
- virus scan an archive
- mark a list of files in a directory for scanning
- unarchive member files selectively or in entirety
- supports Drag 'n Drop or double-click of archive files to start
- detects archives within an archives and allows you to
selectively unarchive them
15 January 1994 Page 3 AFE Version 2.2
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B. Assumptions
- REXX support is installed. See the OS/2 documentation on how
to use "Selective Install" if you need to add it.
- ZIP.EXE for OS/2 is installed. This is a Public Domain program,
currently version 2.0.1, and is available on most BBSes that
support OS/2.
- UNZIP.EXE for OS/2 is installed. This is a Public Domain program,
currently version 5.0p1, and is available on most BBSes that
support OS/2.
- LH16.EXE or LH32.EXE for OS/2 is installed. This is a Public
Domain program, currently version 2.22, and is available on most
BBSes that support OS/2.
- ZOO.EXE for OS/2, version 2.1 is installed. This is a Public
Domain program and is available on most BBSes that support
OS/2. Note that you should be using either the 16 bit version
an .EXE dated 7/14/91 or the 32 bit version dated 10/6/93.
The 32 bit version dated 9/20/92 WILL NOT WORK properly at all
when called from AFE.
- ARJ.EXE 2.41a (DOS) is installed. This is a Shareware program by
Robert K. Jung. Note that when a OS/2 native mode ARJ creation/
extraction program becomes available, AFE's support will be
recoded for that program.
- OS2SCAN.EXE is installed. This is a Shareware program from McAfee
Associates, currently version 109, and is available on most BBSes
that support OS/2, or contact McAfee directly.
- An OS/2 native file viewer is installed. By default, E.EXE is
used. While E is not the worlds greatest editor, it works just
great as a viewer with AFE, and it's free! Whatever you decide, a
PM program will work best with AFE.
- VIEW.EXE is installed. This is OS/2's viewer for INF files.
Note: any of the external executables may be omitted if you do not
intend to use the associated capability. That capability will be
disabled in AFE. For example, if you omit support for ZOO type
archives, then the ZOO button will be disabled on the main menu. In
addition, if you were to drag 'n drop a .ZOO file on the program
object, AFE would greet you with an error message.
Caution #1: If you attempt to open a file which doesn't have an
extension of ZIP, ZOO, LZH or ARJ, AFE would normally attempt to to
open that file with all four methods. If one of the archive types is
not supported, then AFE can only attempt to open it with the others.
Caution #2: If you elect to not support a file viewer, you also are are
disabling the capability to view the report output by the virus scanner
from within AFE if a virus is detected. You will still be notified
that a virus was detected, and a file named VSCANRPT.### will be left
in the directory you designate in the .CFG file as "ARCDIR".
15 January 1994 Page 4 AFE Version 2.2
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C. Installation
Upgraders from AFE 2.0 or 2.01 should proceed as with a new
installation since AFE.CFG's layout has changed and VROBJ.DLL must
be upgraded to the 11/19/93 version. It should not be necessary to
pre-erase the old files.
1. UnZIP AFE22.ZIP. If you're reading this, you've probably
already done that.
2. Type AFE-INST from the directory where all the unzipped files are
located. This program will guide you through setting the
variables for your system, where to install AFE, where to install
the .DLL file and create a desktop object for AFE that has the
proper settings and associations.
* Note: OS/2 puts a "." as the first path in your LIBPATH statement in *
* your CONFIG.SYS file by default. This tells OS/2 to search the current *
* path for the appropriate .DLL when you try to execute a program. The *
* AFE-INST program requires this to work unless you are running it *
* directly from a directory in your LIBPATH. *
The entry fields in the installation program support all the
normal editing functions supported in the WPS such as destructive
backspace, overwriting highlighted text, etc. When you are
satisfied with your entry, press the "Okay" button (or Enter),
and you will be stepped to the next variable defining dialog.
If the meanings of the directory variables are not clear to you
with the explanations in the install program, read the next
section on running AFE to understand how the the directories are
used.
3. If everything goes properly, AFE should start when you exit the
installation program.
4. (Optional) Set the font in "E" to SYSTEM VIO. This makes
viewing plain text files easier because of its even spacing.
I have the program object along the bottom of my Desktop since I use it
everyday. I use a Shareware File/directory manager that supports drag
'n drop from its file list which makes it super easy to start AFE by
highlighting the file name and dragging it to my program icon. Plus,
if I want to run AFE from the main menu, I don't have to dig into a
folder to start it.
15 January 1994 Page 5 AFE Version 2.2
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D. Notes on Running the Program
AFE progresses in logical steps (I hope), and has no online help, as I
think this would add unnecessary bulk to the program. Once you start
using the program, its operation should become apparent. If not, below
are some details about using the program.
1. Main Menu
When you start the program by double-clicking its desktop object,
the main menu is displayed. There are six major choices on the main
menu represented by the following pushbuttons.
Archive: start the process of building a new archive or updating
an existing one.
UnArchive: start the process of extracting all or chosen member
files from an archive.
View: start the process to view an internal text or INF file in
an archive.
Print: start the process to Print an internal text file in an
archive.
V-Scan: start the process to open and virus scan an archive.
M/V-Scan: start the process to open and virus scan a list of
archives in a given directory.
In addition, there are two selections on the menu bar. Choose
"Configure" to change the variable settings that were initially set
during installation. This will start the AFE-CFG program which
should have been installed in the same directory as AFE. The
interface for making the changes is similar to that of the
installation program. When you are all done, or if you abort the
process, you will be returned to AFE. More about the Config
program, later.
"About" will display a window with product information and how to
contact the author.
2. Archive Submenu
This is the menu you will see if you've started the program by
dragging and dropping an archive file on the AFE object (or double-
clicked an archive file), or if you're returning after viewing,
printing or virus scanning an archive.
The choices are similar to the main menu, but at this stage you
already have the subject archive file opened and the archive's name
is displayed on the titlebar.
From this point you can go immediately to choosing an internal file
to view, print or extract, run a virus scan, choose files to add to
(update) this archive, or go back to the main menu to initiate work
on another archive.
15 January 1994 Page 6 AFE Version 2.2
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3. File Selection Window
This same file selection window is used for many different file
selection operations. THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE BEING
SHOWN IS THE CAPTION DISPLAYED ON THE TITLEBAR. More about this at
the appropriate times.
File selection is done by clicking the left mouse button on the file
of choice to highlight it. If this is a single file choice, then
double clicking has the same effect as pressing the "OK" button.
When a single file choice is appropriate, clicking on another
filename will unselect a previously selected file. When a multifile
choice is apropriate, unselecting a file previously selected is
accomplished by clicking the highlighted filename.
To change directories, doubleclick on the directory name desired in
the directories list.
Changing to a different drive is accomplished by single-clicking the
down arrow alongside the displayed drive letter. This reveals a
list of available drives on the system (or LAN). Single click the
drive letter of choice.
Note: the first time a particular drive is scanned, its directory
list is saved in a queue for the purpose of speedier list displays.
These directory lists are maintained until the system is rebooted.
The "Directory Reset on this Disk" pushbar is provided so that you
can update the directory list for the particular drive being
displayed should you add or delete a directory during the current
OS/2 session.
4. Creating a New Archive
Pressing "Archive" from the main menu brings you to the
Create/Update submenu. Pressing the "New" button enables the
archive type buttons. After choosing the type of archive you want
to create, the filename window will become enabled for you to type
in the name of your new creation. Note that the archive type may be
changed until you press "OK". Also, if you decide that what you
really want to do is update an existing archive file, you need just
press "Existing" to cancel out the prior "New" selections.
After pressing "OK" you will be shown the file selection window.
The default directory displayed is that which you selected as your
"PICK DIRECTORY" during installation/configuration.
The titlebar caption reads "HIGHLIGHT FILE(S) TO ADD THEN OK, CANCEL
TO ABORT".
If files are present in this directory, one of the pushbuttons below
filelist is labeled "All". If the archive to be created will be
made up of all the files in this directory, simply press "All" to
start the archive process.
If you wish to select individual files, highlight them (the "All"
button will change to "OK"), then press "OK". This action creates a
special subdirectory where the chosen files are stored. As each
file is copied, the highlight will be removed. The "Cancel" button
15 January 1994 Page 7 AFE Version 2.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
now changes to "Go". If no other files are to be added, press "Go"
(or ESC) to create the archive. If you wish to add other files
(perhaps from a different drive or directory), before pressing "Go",
highlight and "OK" those other files and press "Go" when all
selections are completed.
The new archive is created in the directory you've designated as the
"ARC DIRECTORY" during installation/configuration.
After the archive is created you are returned to the main menu.
5. Updating an Existing Archive
The process is similar to creating a new archive as outlined above.
From the main menu, select "Archive". From the Create/Update
submenu, choose "Existing". You will then be presented with a file
selection window. The default directory that is displayed is the
directory you've called your "ARC DIRECTORY" during
installation/configuration.
The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO UPDATE THEN
OK". You choose the archive to be updated by highlighting the
filename and pressing "OK" or by double-clicking the filename. You
can change drive/directory if the archive to be updated is
elsewhere.
After the selection is made the display will be updated to display
your "PICK DIRECTORY". From here, the process is identical to that
outlined above for creating a new archive.
From the Archive Submenu, choosing "Update" choosing "Extract" will
take you directly to the "PICK DIRECTORY" file selection window to
choose files to add.
6. UnArchive
To extract files from an archive, "UnArchive" should be chosen from
the main menu. This selection takes you to the file selection
window which lists the files found in the directory that you've
defined as the "ARC DIRECTORY". The caption on the titlebar reads
"HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO OPEN THEN OK".
Select an archive from here, or you can change drive/directory and
select a file from somewhere else on the system. Once the archive
is selected it will be opened and you will be taken to a file
selection window that displays a list of files within your archive.
The "current directory" window displays the name of the archive
file. The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT FILES(S) TO
EXTRACT THEN OK".
At this point, the "All" button is enabled to allow you to easilly
extract all the files in the archive. Simply press "All" (or Enter)
to start the extraction process. If you choose to select specific
files, just highlight those. When you do this, the "All" button
becomes the "OK" button.
When all files are selected, push "OK" (or Enter). If a single file
is what is desired, you can simply double-click that filename.
15 January 1994 Page 8 AFE Version 2.2
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However you have chosen to start the extraction, the selected files
are saved to your designated "UNARC DIRECTORY". You are then
returned to the main menu.
From the archive submenu, choosing "Extract" will take you directly
to the file selection window to choose the files to save from the
archive.
7. View or Print
The file selection process for viewing or printing an archive's
internal file is the same, so both subjects will be discussed
together.
When either are chosen from the main menu, you are taken to a file
selection window which displays a list of files in your designated
"ARC DIRECTORY". The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT
ARCHIVE TO VIEW (or "PRINT") THEN OK". You may select the desired
archive from here, or change drive or directory to choose an archive
from somewhere else.
Open the archive file that contains the file that you wish to view
or print by either double-clicking the filename or selecting it and
pressing "OK" (or Enter).
This takes you to another file selection window which lists the
files within the archive. The caption on the titlebar reads
"HIGHLIGHT FILE TO VIEW (or "PRINT") THEN OK". The name of the
archive file is shown in the current directory window. Select the
desired file.
In either "View" or "Print" mode, you are then returned to the
archive submenu. If in "View" mode, the selected file is then
loaded into the program you've designated as "VIEWER EXECUTABLE".
If this file is a tagged .INF type file and you've opted to enable
an "INF EXECUTABE" in installation/configuration, then the file will
be loaded into that, instead.
From this point you can perform other operations in AFE from the
archive submenu, or view and dismiss the file in the viewer.
If in "Print" mode, the selected file is sent to the OS/2 print
spooler, and you may continue other operations in AFE.
From the Archive submenu, select "View" or "Print". This will take
you to the previously described file selection that will display the
internal file list for the currently opened archive.
Operations from here are the same as described in the previous
section.
8. V-Scan
Choose V-Scan when you want to virus scan a single archive file,
then do other operations on the chosen archive.
15 January 1994 Page 9 AFE Version 2.2
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The choice takes you to the now familiar file selection window which
displays all the files in the "ARC DIRECTORY". You may choose a
file from here or change drive/directory to scan a different
archive. The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO
SCAN THEN OK". Select an archive by double-clicking the filename or
highlighting it and pressing "OK" (or Enter).
The archive is opened, then scanned. If OS2SCAN finds no problems
with the files in the archive, then you are notified with a small
dialog that tells you so. You may dismiss this dialog by pressing
"OK" (or Enter or ESC), and you're returned to the archive submenu,
from which you may perform other operations on this curently opened
archive.
If a problem is detected, then you are notified with an alarm sound
and a generated report is displayed by the file viewer that you've
designated in the "VIEWER EXECUTABLE" variable. This report gives
you the details of what OS2SCAN found.
If you have not defined a "VIEWER EXECUTABLE" then you are notified
by the alarm, plus a small dialog is displayed which simply tells
you that a virus was detected.
In either case, when a problem is detected, a report file named
VSCANRPT.### (where ### is a random number) will be left behind in
the "ARC DIRECTORY"
When you choose this option from the archive submenu, virus scanning
is immediately started on the currently opened archive. Operations
from that point on are the same as outlined in the previous section.
9. M/V-Scan
Choose this option if there are several archives in a given
subdirectory which you wish to scan, or even if there is only one
archive to be scanned, but you wish to return directly to the main
menu after completing the scan (if you will have no other operations
to perform on the given archive).
When you make this choice, a file selection dialog will be
displayed, listing the files in your "ARC DIRECTORY". The caption
on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE(S) TO SCAN THEN OK".
Again, you may change drive/directory if desired.
Select the archive(s) by highlighting each then pressing "OK" (or
Enter).
Each archive is opened and scanned one at a time. If no problem is
detected, a small dialog is displayed which notifies you of the
success. After dismissing this dialog, the next previously selected
archive is opened and scanned.
If a problem is detected by OS2SCAN, you are notified of the problem
the same way as with a single scan. When you dismiss the virus
report from the viewer, or when you dismiss the dialog (in the
absence of a designated viewer), the next previously selected
archive is scanned. Note that whether a virus is detected or not,
the temporary directory where the archive file is opened is removed
as soon as you dismiss the report or dialog, and a new
15 January 1994 Page 10 AFE Version 2.2
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temporary directory is established for the next archive. If more
than one archive is found to have a problem, each will have its own
unique VSCANRPT.###.
After the completion of all scans you are returned to the main menu.
10. Exiting AFE
There are a few different ways to exit AFE. From the main menu you
may simply press "EXIT" (or ESC). You may also double-click the AFE
icon on the titlebar on either the main or archive submenu.
AFE may also be exited from the the OS/2 window list as with any
other program. Note that if you currently have an archive file
opened when you do this, the "cleanup" routine will not be performed
and AFE's temporary work directory will not be cleaned out and
removed.
11. Configure
If you wish to change any of the variables that AFE uses, you should
select "Configure" from the menu bar on the main menu (mouse click
or Alt-C). This starts AFE-CFG.EXE. Note that AFE-CFG will only
run if started from AFE.
The interface is similar to that of the installation program for the
variable selections, except that the default settings shown in the
entry fields are the current settings found in AFE.CFG. For the
settings that you don't want to change, simply press "Okay" (or
Enter).
Note that if you "Abort" at any time during the configuration
process, NO CHANGES THAT YOU MAY HAVE MADE WILL BE SAVED!!!
When configure is completed AFE restarts with the new settings
(provided you haven't modified the desktop object that AFE-INST
created in such a way that changed its WPS handle).
While AFE.CFG is an ASCII file and may be modified with an editor,
this is NOT RECOMMENDED for two main reasons. One, only the
variables themselves are in the file with no definitions. It is
critical to AFE's successful performance that these variables are in
the correct order and the correct format, and that no extraneous
information is within the file.
Secondly, the first time AFE is run, the AFE.CFG file settings are
stored in a queue so that subsequent startups of AFE do not require
reading AFE.CFG from disk. When you run "Configure", this queue is
flushed and the new settings are read from disk when AFE is
restarted. If you modify AFE.CFG another way, the settings do not
take effect until the system is rebooted.
12. Internal Archive Detection
In the process of opening an archive (for unarchiving, viewing,
printing or virus scanning), AFE checks for other archives within it
(by examining the file extensions,looking for ZIP, LZH, ZOO or ARJ).
15 January 1994 Page 11 AFE Version 2.2
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If one or more is detected, the file selection dialog is displayed
listing only the archive files within the archive. The caption on
the titlebar reads something like "ZIPFILES IN ARCHIVE, HIGHLIGHT
FILE(S) TO EXTRACT THEN OK", the first word depending on the type of
archive file found.
You may, at this time, select any, all or none of these files to
unarchive along with the other files in the original archive.
After the selection is made, you will proceed as normal.
13. Archive Errors
AFE examines the exit codes of the various archive programs it
calls. If an exit code is returned other than success, AFE reports
that the archive it tried to manipulate is errored or not an archive
file (of the ZIP, LZH, ZOO or ARJ type).
Note that if you have defined the appropriate archiver executable
with the wrong program, it is possible that you will get this
dialog.
14. TryAll Subroutine
If the archive you have chosen to open or update does not have an
extension of ZIP, LZH, ZOO or ARJ, AFE will still attempt to work
with it.
The TryAll subrountine is called automatically and runs the "test"
mode of all (and only) the archivers you have defined in
configuration. If it detects success from one of the archivers it
then calls the appropriate subroutine to open or update the archive.
If it doesn't detect success from any of the defined archive
programs defined, it reports an error as outlined in the previous
section.
15. Variable Errors
In many cases, where possible AFE disables the appropriate
capability if you do not define the corresponding executable. For
example, if you do not define a program for the "ZIPPER EXECUTABLE"
the "ZIP" pushbutton on the archive create/update submenu is
disabled.
If AFE detects that a program it wants to call doesn't exist, then
you are notified with an error message, which names the appropriate
variable in question. A similar approach is taken with the paths
you've defined for your default directories.
For example, if you have not defined a "ZIPPER EXECUTABLE" and then
try to update and existing ZIP file, you will be notified via the
above mentioned error message.
15 January 1994 Page 12 AFE Version 2.2
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16. Miscellaneous Tips
If you want to work with an existing archive, then start AFE by
dragging and dropping the archive file on the AFE desktop object.
You may also double-click the archive file (assuming that you
haven't removed the file associations in the AFE desktop object).
Hitting ESC from any menu is equivalent to pushing the EXIT, CANCEL,
or equivalent, button.
Hitting ENTER from any menu will "push" the button that the
"focus" is on. The "focus" can be moved from button to button
with the tab key or cursor keys.
When selecting files to include in an archive, make sure that you
highlight AND "OK" every file you want! As mentioned above,
"Go" from this dialog will not add any more files to the list even
if files are highlighted. Actually, there is a reminder of this on
the titlebar of the file selection dialog. If you have not yet
chosen any files, you'll be returned to the main menu.
After completion of most operations, you are returned to the
secondary menu with the archive still open, ready for further
activity. The two exceptions to this are completion of an
extraction operation, or completion of a create/update operation.
This design just made logical sense to me.
You may change the relative location of all dialogs of AFE by
dragging the main menu to a different location. For example, if you
want all dialogs to appear in the upper right corner of the screen,
drag the main menu there. All subsequent dialogs will appear in the
upper right corner. Note that the location is maintained only for
that particular session of AFE. The default is to center all
dialogs.
If you have started AFE with multiple archive file "drops", the
submenu for each will be stacked upon each other. "Peel" the layers
to address each archive. Remember, the name of the archive will be
different on each titlebar.
Note that while AFE supports multiple sessions, it is not
recommended that the program be started as outlined above, since the
various sessions will be competing with each other for the disk
drive and the net result will be that it takes longer to open all
the files "at the same time" than it would to drop individual
archives one at a time after the previous archive is already opened.
Once AFE is running, you may still open additional sessions by
dragging another archive to the AFE desktop object. If you started
AFE via an archive file drop, you can also start another AFE session
by double-clicking the desktop object.
AFE should handle long filenames, filenames and archive file names
with spaces without fail. This is assuming that you are running
OS/2's HPFS.
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E. Cautions and Limitations
The graphics for AFE were developed on an 800x600 desktop, and are
visually pleasing on 640x480, as well. I've noticed that in 1024x768
mode that the buttons on the various menus are slightly offset. If you
are a 1024x768 user, choose to register, and wish to have a version
that is more visually pleasing, make note of this on the registration
form and I will send you a 1024x768 version.
When (DOS) ARJ is executed, it forces full screen mode. While I believe
there may be a workaround for this, it would cause extra work for the
user to configure AFE. Since the OS/2 version of ARJ is in the works,
and the DOS version doesn't support HPFS style file names, I plan to
I plan to wait for the OS/2 version. Again, if registered users
request a nearer term fix for this, I will work on it.
When extracting files, if a file in your designated "UNARC DIRECTORY"
exists with the same name as a file being extracted, it will be
overwritten.
If an archive file is detected within your archive (identified by
extension), you will be notified. If you are going to virus scan,
choose the option to process this file so all of the internal files
are scanned.
Archive within archive detection is carried out just one level deep.
To go any deeper, the code would have to be so convoluted that I didn't
think it was worth the effort. If you are deeply concerned with the
possibility of something another level deep, you can look at the list
of files from the view or print selection.
If you use a program like PSPM/2 or another "brute-force" type program
to close AFE, cleanup will not be performed. In addition, you run the
risk of "hanging-up" resources and not being able to use AFE again
without a system reboot.
If you use the OS/2 window list to close AFE, the cleanup rountine will
not be run. If you have an archive open at the time, AFE's temporary
directory will be left behind perhaps containing files from the
archive.
AFE doesn't allow existing archives to create directories during
extraction, nor does it save path information in newly created
archives.
AFE will open self extractors created by ZIP2EXE (DOS) from PKWARE and
LH2 (with MSE.CMD), but will not handle those made by LHA (DOS). It
will update ZIP2EXE created files, but has problems updating MSE
created LZH files.
AFE may exhibit problems with filenames with multiple periods in them
under certain circumstances due to a shortcoming of VX-Rexx.
AFE was developed and tested under OS/2 2.1 GA. For all I know it may
work with 2.0 or any of the 2.1 betas, but it has not been tested with
them. Why would anyone want to run anything before 2.1 GA?
15 January 1994 Page 14 AFE Version 2.2
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4OS2 Users: If the VX-REXX "Console" window appears momentarily when
AFE calls one of the archivers or OS2SCAN, make sure you put @echo off
at the top of your 4START.CMD (or .BTM). If the console still opens
and displays an output message from a program you call in 4START.CMD,
try a redirect to null ( >null) on the line that runs that program. If
the console displays a message like "INVALID VIO CALL", I believe this
is related to a combination of 4OS2 and certain drivers. While any of
these displays are annoying, they should NOT effect the functioning of
AFE, or the program that is being run.
F. Contacting the Author
Please contact me with bug reports or other comments via email. I have
spent many hours building and reworking this program, and would
appreciate any feedback, positive/negative. There are several ways
to email me. If you have internet access, send mail to:
hmweine@pb1.pacbell.com
If you have access to ILINK, send a message (in the OS/2 conference) to
"Howie Weiner".
I log onto a few BBSes on an everyday basis. You can leave mail to
"Howie Weiner" on ATT-PAC Auntie BBS in Dublin, Ca., (510)829-6062,
H-D-M Auntie BBS in Concord, Ca., (510)682-1371, or Sempervirens PC
Board BBS in Pittsburg, Ca., (510)432-7579.
Note: ATT-PAC allows leaving messages on first logon. Also, any new
releases of AFE will be posted there first!
Both ATT-PAC and Sempervirens allow download of the AFE package on
first logon. Thanks to SYSOPs Randy Young and Nancy Miller.
15 January 1994 Page 15 AFE Version 2.2
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G. Copyright Notices and Disclaimer
AFE or Archive Front End is Copyright 1993, 1994 by H.M. Weiner
OS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machine
(IBM) Corp.
ZIP is copyright by Mark Adler, Richard B. Wales, Jean-loup Gailly, Kai
Uwe Rommel
UNZIP is copyright by Info-ZIP, portions by S. H. Smith
LHA is copyright by Haruyasu Yoshizaki
ZIP2EXE is copyright by PKWARE
LH2 is copyright by Peter Fitzsimmons
ZOO is copyright by Rahul Dhesi
ARJ is copyright by Robert Jung
OS2SCAN is copyright by McAfee Associates
VX-REXX is copyright by WATCOM
AFE IS PROVIDED AS IS AND COMES WITH NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
15 January 1994 Page 16 AFE Version 2.2
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H. What's New (AFE History)
1.1 - 9/6/93 - First release of AFE, Freeware. Written in REXX and
VREXX.
2.0 - 10/15/93 - First Shareware release written in VX-REXX to get
around the limitations of VREXX.
2.01 - 10/31/93 - If you tried to overwrite an archive that you started
AFE with by drag and drop, AFE would terminate soon after the program
deleted the original. Still not quite sure why it did this
as this would not occur if you started AFE from the command line with
the file name as an argument, but probably something in the WPS. Got
around this by changing the "Overwrite" button to "Update". The
orginal archive is no longer deleted, but updated with the new files.
When creating or updating an archive and the "PICKDIR" is empty, the
PICKDIR\* button is now disabled.
When updating an existing archive and at the PICKDIR\* vs Select
submenu, somtimes a fully qualified filename would run off the title-
bar. Added code to just display the filename, itself.
When 4OS2 was used and the mode command was utilized in the
4START.CMD to set lines to something other than 25, the VX-REXX Console
opened with an error message when an external executable was called.
There was no problem with program function, just
cosmetically annoying. Now fixed.
I decided to spell "Copyright" correctly! (how embarrassing)
2.2 - 1/15/94 - The file selection dialog is all new to accomodate
multifile selection, where appropriate.
Mutliple archive V-Scan added by user request.
AFE's temporary workdirectory is now named "\~AFETEMP.###" (###=random
number)
When a virus is detected on a single scan, the main menu does not
appear until after the virus report is dismissed. After the report
is dismissed on multiscans, the next selected archive (if any) is
scanned.
Fixed a small problem that looks like it goes back to 2.01. When
archives are found within archives, a list is displayed by archive
type. You were supposed to be able to select several or all (if there
was more than one) to unarchive. What I found was that it only
unarchived the first selected. FIXED IT!
Added support to view an internal .INF file with VIEW.EXE.
Added support for (DOS version) ARJ.EXE per several user requests.
Changed the layout of AFE.CFG to simplify it and provide a AFE-CFG
program to modify it that is called from AFE.
Wrote a PM installation program.
15 January 1994 Page 17 AFE Version 2.2
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After the first time AFE.CFG is read from disk, it is stored in a QUEUE
so that it doesn't have to be read from disk the next time. This QUEUE
stays active until the host system is rebooted or the user runs AFE-CFG
from AFE.
QUEUE the directory list for each disk the first time a particular disk
is scanned for the file dialog. This QUEUE stays active until the host
system is rebooted or the user presses the "Directory Reset" for the
particular disk being viewed.
During the "cleanup" routine user is notified of progress via a banner
that says "PERFORMING HOUSEKEEPING ...".
Corrected some display bugs with certain combinations of 4OS2 and video
drivers and UNZIP run under AFE.
When more archive files are found within an archive, and the user is
presented with a list of those archive(s), the cancel button is now
changed to "None".
Eliminated the printer window after the user chooses a file to print.
This was present only to remind the user to make sure the printer was
on and online before sending the file to the printer. Since OS/2
manages the printer, this was probably unnecessary, so I eliminated it
to reduce program size.
Combined the New vs. Existing window and the New Archive Name window.
Put the choice of archive type on this window.
Now, to create a new archive or update and existing one you press
"Archive" from the main menu. A secondary menu will be displayed, and
if you want to update an existing file simply press "Existing" which
will take you to the file menu. If you press "New" then the archive
type buttons will be enabled. Select a type and then the name entry
field will be enabled. Until you hit OK, you can still change the
archive type.
Reworked the code that is accessed when an archive is opened for any
reason and the archive doesn't have a proper extension. Originally
this routine was built for unarchiving only, and directly tried to
unarchive. Now that I'm also using this code to test for the type of
archive when updating or creating, I've changed this to use the various
archivers' "test" mode. Once an errorlevel 0 is received the program
jumps back to the appropriate routine for unarchiving or archiving
depending on which test was passed.
Added an "About" window to AFE.
Removed closing copyright notice since there is now an "About" panel.
Upgraded VX-REXX to 101b and c level. New VROBJ.DLL (dated 11/19/93)
required.