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1993-12-21
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11KB
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DEBUG Script File Editor - Shareware v1.0, 12/19/93
Copyright 1993 by Richard Lauhead and Ed Johnson
All Rights Reserved
=================================================================
The Purpose
===========
This little utility has one sole purpose in life: to make it
easier to enter DEBUG scripts from printed listings.
Credits
=======
Original program idea, QBasic version (unreleased) and
documentation by Ed Johnson.
Conversion to C++, enhancement ideas, and endless testing by
Richard Lauhead.
Shareware Notice
================
This utility is being distributed as shareware. You are
encouraged to share this utility with others. If you find it
useful after a reasonable evaluation period (not to exceed
entering 3 scripts) you must pay for it. Registration is only
$10. This program is not restricted in any way and will not "nag"
you to register. The only reminder will be displayed as part of
the version number on the screen. We trust that your conscience
will be your guide. Upon receipt of your registration, we will
send you a note of thanks for your contribution. You will also be
notified of any and all future upgrades. See the end of this file
for registration information.
The Inspiration
===============
Not being a touch typist, I always found it difficult to type in
DEBUG scripts from magazine articles because I was always
switching between the alpha keys and the numeric keypad. I work
for a restaurant and part of my job is to handle the programming
of our cash registers. Some of that programming involves entering
hexadecimal numbers. The numeric keys on the registers are
similar to the keypad on a PC but have a double-zero key in the
place of the period. To enter a hexadecimal letter (A-F) on the
registers, you have to hit the double-zero key followed by a
number from 1-6. The double-zero key acts as a shift key and will
treat the next key hit as a hexadecimal letter (00-1=A, 00-2=B,
and so on). Once you get used to it, it's a pretty quick way to
enter the data. I decided to mimic this type of data entry for
creating DEBUG scripts. My first thought was to simply use the
numeric keypad and enter the data into a text editor and then use
the search and replace feature to convert the text into the
proper format. My script looked something like this:
N SCRIPT.COM
.5+100+.5.2+66+00+00+00+00+00+0.4
.5+108+0.1+43+44+44+20+2.4+20+73
...
...
RCX
00.62
W
Q
This looks pretty cryptic, but actually worked quite well. The
only problem was trying to proof it as I went along. I then used
search and replace to convert ".1" to "A", ".2" to "B", etc. The
"+" was used to mark a space character. My converted script
looked like this:
N SCRIPT.COM
E 100 EB 66 00 00 00 00 00 0D
E 108 0A 43 44 44 20 2D 20 73
...
...
RCX
00F2
W
Q
I could enter the bulk of the script without moving my hand from
the numeric keypad. I decided that a QBASIC program could be
written to eliminate even more key presses. The original QBASIC
program worked OK, but I wanted the program to be a bit easier to
distribute and available to everyone who has a use for it. Since
everyone doesn't use MS DOS, I needed to get it converted to a
language that could be compiled. Thanks to the efforts of Richard
Lauhead, the end result is this program.
The Details
===========
The file is distributed as a self-extracting archive. If you are
reading this, you have already unpacked the file. Just type
"DBGEDIT1" (no quotes) to run the program.
Once running, the program will prompt you for the output file
name of the script file you want to create. If a file already
exists with that name you will be asked if you want to load the
file for editing or if you want to overwrite it and create a new
script file. Any valid DOS file name will work, but don't use a
COM extension! Normally a SCR extension is used for DEBUG
scripts.
Based on your input file name, the program will start to generate
the DEBUG script using the name you entered with a COM extension
as the DEBUG file name. It also displays the DEBUG "E" command
and the starting address. You won't have to key those in. As you
enter the hexadecimal numbers, your script will be formatted
automatically by placing a space between each byte entered.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
The following keys are active for keying in the script:
0-9, A-F
========
Used for hexadecimal entry (lower case letters will be converted
to upper case automatically).
. (period)
==========
Will display the word "SHIFT" to the right of the output file
name. When this is displayed, hitting the numbers 1-6 will result
in the letters A-F being entered respectively. If you prefer, you
can use the "normal" A-F keys to enter those letters as well.
(enter) and (down-arrow)
========================
Will move to the next line of the DEBUG script. Note that the
program keeps track of the byte count per line as you enter the
script. If you try to enter more than 8 bytes on a line, you'll
get one of those annoying beeps to let you know (8 bytes per line
is a limit set by DEBUG so we don't allow more than that to be
entered on a line). Hit enter or down-arrow to move to the next
line. If you have previously used up-arrow to edit a line, any
bytes entered in the next line will be displayed so you can edit
those or skip past them.
(up-arrow)
==========
Will move you to the previous line for making corrections. This
is limited in that you have to backspace to the point of
correction and re-type the rest of the line.
(backspace)
===========
A destructive backspace that allows you to fix typos on the
current line.
Q
=
Will exit data entry mode, complete the script, and prompt you to
create the COM file if you wish. You will also be prompted to
save the script file at this point. After getting through the
prompts, the program will exit to DOS.
If you don't want to use this program to compile the scripts, you
can still use DEBUG outside of this program as you would for any
other script file. Just type:
DEBUG <script.scr
where script.scr is the name of your script file (if the script
is not in your path or the current directory, you'll have to
include the entire path in your script filename).
=================================================================
Richard and I are proud of our little program. This turned out to
be a bigger project than either of us bargained for, but we both
love to "tinker" and are very sensitive to the functionality of
anything that someone else might use. If you have any suggestions
for improvements, please pass them along to us.
Send any inquiries to:
Ed Johnson or Richard Lauhead
399 Lexington Pkwy S 3985 Clover Av
St Paul, MN 55105-2926 St Paul, MN 55127-7015
We can both be reached via modem as well:
Internet addresses:
ed.johnson@giz.com
richard.lauhead@giz.com
The Gizmode Databank (8/N/1, up to 14.4K) (612)644-4041:
Ed Johnson
Richard Lauhead
*****************************************************************
Registration Information
DEBUG SCRIPT FILE EDITOR v1.0 REGISTRATION
==========================================
Name ___________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Phone ____________________ Internet mail address ______________
All prices are in US Funds - we can't accept credit cards or
Purchase Orders
___ Registration(s) of DEBUG SCRIPT FILE EDITOR - $10.00ea _____
___ Upgrade(s) - $ 2.00ea _____
(Indicate disk size __3.5" __5.25") Total _____
Where did you find our program? ________________________________
Type of PC Used _________________________ DOS Version _________
General Hardware Setup _________________________________________
Comments and Suggestions _______________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Make Check or Money Order payable to: Ed Johnson
399 Lexington Pkwy S
St Paul, MN 55105-2926
****************************************************************