ⁿAbout DiskTree■■ DiskTree V1.1 (Oct 1991 Release)■ ■ (C)opyright 1991 Richard Smith■ (C)opyright 1991 Vanishing-Point Software■ ■ Help Vn 1.1■■ This program is dedicated to■ ■ Cliff Burton■■Introduction■■Making order out of the chaos of the thousands of files■contained on even the smallest of Hard-disk drives is both■important and incredibly tedious. Without control and order,■files get lost, space gets wasted and productivity drops as■users spend more and more time just keeping track of what■files are where. Of course, in a perfect world, users would■save their data according to a sensible and logical standard■of what files should go where. Unfortunately, no one does■this with any real conviction and when things get confused,■there is no quick way of sorting the mess out.■■DiskTree is an attempt at creating an affordable, powerful■and above all, easy-to-use disk management tool.■ ■■ⁿKeys■■Function area Function Key press■------------- -------- ---------■■General Help F1 (function■ Mouse off F10 keys)■■Directory functions: ²Tag² T■(main menu) ²Untag² U■ ²taG mask² G■ ²Find² F■ ²Copy² C■ ²Delete² D■ ²Move² M■ ²New dir² N■ ²Options² O■ ²Stat² S■ ²Log drive² L■ ²^Log options² ^L (ctrl L)■ ²Zip² Z■ ²RETURN for files² RETURN/ENTER■ ²Quit DiskTree² Q■■Directory functions: ²Checks/flags² C■(Options sub menu) ²External links² E■ ²Sort criteria² S■ ²Variable shortcuts² V ■ ²Keep (save options)² S■ ²RETURN & ESCAPE² RETRUN&ESCAPE■■Directory functions:■(Log options) ²Clear drive² C■ ²Re-read drive² R■■File functions: ²tag² T■ ²^tag all² ^T■ ²untag² U■ ²^untag all² ^U■ ²copy² C■ ²delete² D■ ²move² M■ ²attrib² A■ ²invert² I■ ²view² V■ ²edit² E■ ²exec² X■ ²rename² R■ ²taG mask² G■ ²show MATCH/ALL² S■ ²dos cmd² O■ ²display² P■ ²ESCAPE² ESCAPE■■Viewer: Ascii A■ Binary B■ Hex H■ Stripped S■ Page up U■ Page down D■ ESCAPE to exit ESCAPE■ ■■■ⁿIndex■■ ■Introduction: ²About DiskTree²■ ²MS-DOS directory structure²■■Basic facilities: ²Directory functions²■ ²File functions²■ ²Differences between functions²■ ■Concepts: ²Tagging²■ ²Tag masking²■■DiskTree in use: ²The user interface²■ ■Directory tree ²Directory functions overview²■functions ²Directory function descriptions²■■File fucntions ²File functions overview²■ ²File function descriptions²■■Misc info ²DiskTree and Networks²■ ²Improving system performance²■ ²Registration²■■Quick reference ²Keys²■■ ■ⁿMS-DOS directory structure■■(Beginners Intro)■■The MS-DOS directory structure is made up of basically two■types of item; files - containing program and user data and■directories which hold the individual files. The average■disk, be it a floppy disk drive or hard disk can contain many■such ²Files², ■ ²Directories².■ ■■■ⁿDirectories■■Directories can be one of two types; the root directory or a■sub-directory. On any single drive there will only ever be■one root directory but there may be many sub-directories.■This situation is more easy to visualise if one considers the■directory structure as a sort of up-side-down tree with the■root directory at the top and sub-directories growing down■from it. The following diagram shows what might be a typical■structure for a fairly empty hard-disk, in this case drive■'C'.■■ (The root - '\')■ _________________/________________■ / / \ \■ DOS SYS WORK MODULA2■ / \ /\■ / \ / \■ DOCS TEMP MOD DEF■■In this example the root (shown as a '\') contains the■subdirectories DOS, SYS, WORK and MODULA2. In addition the■sub-directory WORK contains two further sub-directories -■DOCS and TEMP. The sub-directory MODULA2 also contains sub-■directories; in this case, MOD and DEF.■■Directories are specified by their paths. A path defines the■route through to the directory tree structure for individual■directories.■■The format for a DOS path is thus:■■DRIVE-DESIGNATOR, ROOT, 1ST SUB-DIR, '\', 2ND SUB-DIR ..■■In our example the path for the TEMP directory within WINDOWS■is:■ ___sub-dir separator■ /■ C:\WORK\TEMP --- sub-dir name■ / / \ \■ drive root \ \■designator Sub-dir \__ sub-dir separator■■For normal DOS paths, the drive designator and root are not■compulsory and it is normal to only give enough information■to get specify the required directory.■■Example:■■Suppose, using the above examples, that we are at the root■'\'. To move (Using the DOS command line, NOT DiskTree) to■the TEMP directory of the WORK directory:■■ CD WORK\TEMP <---' (Return or Enter)■■Since we are at the root, the tree follows straight down to■the TEMP directory through the WINDOWS directory. If,■however, we were already within the directory DOCS, we would■have to specify the root '\' to get back to the correct■starting point position:■■ CD \WORK\TEMP <---' (Return or Enter)■■The other way to change to C:\WORK\TEMP from C:\WORK\DOCS■would be to use the backward tree pointers that point back■through the directory structure to the root.■■When a directory is created, DOS automatically creates two■other sub-directory entries - '.' and '..'. The '.' (single■full stop) means 'the current directory' and the '..' (double■full stop) means 'the directory above the current one'.■■Using the above example, we could get to C:\WORK\TEMP from■C:\WORK\DOCS thus:■■ CD ..\..\WORK\TEMP <---'■■See ²Files²,■ ²Files and directories².■ ■■■ⁿFiles■■DOS stores program data and user data such as spreadsheets,■word processed letters etc.. in 'files'. A file is simply a■collection of individually characters (e.g 'A','B') and is■measured in 'bytes'. Since files are normally at least■several thousand bytes long, the Kilobyte is usually used to■refer to their size. A kilobyte is actually, 1024 bytes but■a thousand will do. You will probably come across the term■'megabyte' at some point, and a megabyte is 1024 kilo bytes.■■A file is named with up to eight letters plus an extension of■a further three letters. Between the name and extension is a■'.'. The extension usually defines what type of data the■file contains. There are essentially two types of data that■files can contain:■■Runnable or executable program files:■■ Runnable (executable) files have either the extension■ 'BAT' (batch), 'EXE' or 'COM'. Batch files are■ slightly different from EXE or COM files but in average■ use, the appear the same. See a proper DOS guide for■ fuller information.■ ■Anything else:■■ Word processing, spread sheet, help, source code files■ etc.. the list goes on and on.. Typical extension you■ may come across are 'DAT', 'TXT', 'WKS', 'DOC', 'PRG',■ 'DBF' etc.. The extensions usually show which■ applications the files relate too. i.e DOC for word■ processing.■ ■Files are contained within directories and there is normally■no limit to the number of files you can have, except in the■disk space you have available. The only exception is the■root directory which has a limit to the number of files (or■sub-directories) than can be contained within it.■■Typical root-directory limits are:■■360K 5 1/4" disk 112 files, sub-dirs■1.2M 5 1/4" disk 224 " "■Hard disks 512 (may vary)■■Since it is very good practice to keep files and groups of■files in sub-directories with their associated applications,■the limit is not likely to become a problem.■■See ²Directories²,■ ²Files and directories²,■ ■■■ⁿFiles and directories■■So far, we have talked about directories and files■separately. In general use, however, they are closely■related in that you need to the know the directory structure■to find and access the files you need.■■Example:■■The full path of a WP file, 'LETTER.DOC' in the directory■'C:\WORK\DOCS' is actually:■■ C:\WORK\DOCS\LETTER.DOC !!!■■In practice, you would not normally need to use the full path■since you are likely to be in the DOCS sub-dir anyway.■■The problem occurs, however, if you want to move or copy■files around your disk for back-up purposes. As can be seen,■there is a fair amount of typing in the above line which■represents part of a very simple directory structure.■Imagine the situation however, in a real-world situation with■dozens, maybe hundreds of directories and thousands of files.■Moving that many files around by hand gives you brain-■failure!■■ ■■■ⁿDirectory functions■■(Introduction)■■Directory functions are performed on a pictorial■representation of a drives directory structure which can be■traversed using either the keyboard or mouse.■■* DiskTree's most powerful abilities are in its directory■ copying facilities. Entire directory trees can be■ copied with ease and minimal typing effort. Copied trees■ can also retain their directory structure.■ ■* The file/directory deletion facilities are similarly■ powerful, allowing deletion across an entire drive. For■ example, all .BAK files within a drive or directory tree■ can be deleted with just a couple of key presses.■■See ²Directory functions overview²,■ ²Directory function descriptions²,■ ²File functions²,■ ²File functions overview²,■ ²File function descriptions².■ ■■■ⁿFile functions■■(Introduction)■■DiskTree's file functions operate on individual files or■groups of files in a directory selected with the directory■functions. Operations are performed in a scrollable window■showing filenames, size, date and time as well as file■attributes.■■* Facilities are provided to edit, view, execute, delete,■ move, copy, rename and set file attributes. In addition,■ file viewing and editing can be performed by external■ programmes, 'hooked' into DiskTree. In this way you do■ not loose your favourite editors etc..■ ■* Files may be partially viewed automatically, when■ scrolling through the file list. A facility useful for■ checking the contents of a file without having to■ expressly open it.■■See ²File functions overview²,■ ²File function descriptions²,■ ²Directory functions²,■ ²Directory functions overview²,■ ²Directory function descriptions². ■■ ■■■ⁿDifferences between functions■■Both directory and file operations include copying and■deletion facilities, but they operate in slightly different■ways. Directory functions operate on ALL tagged files and■directories on the drive currently being used. File■functions are only performed on tagged files within the■current directory.■■■ ■■■ⁿFile / directory tagging■■The single most important concept used in DiskTree is idea of■the tag. A tag shows that the file or directory has been■selected for further manipulation. Most directory and file■operations only work on tagged files. A tag is represented■by the characters '>>' next to the directory or file name.■■See ²File tagging²,■ ²Directory tagging².■■■ ■■■ⁿDirectory tagging■■Directory tagging and un-tagging is performed on directories■AND their contents. If a directory is tagged, the files■within it are also tagged (according to the current TAG MASK.■See ²taG mask²). In addition, if the option 'Recurse■subdirectories' is on (as it is by default), all directories■within the directory will also be tagged.■■Example:■■ Take the following directory structure:■■ (before tag) (after tagging directory WORK)■■ ---WORK ->>WORK■ ---ABC ->>ABC■ ---BACKUP ->>BACKUP■ ---ABC ->>ABC■ ---TESTING ->>TESTING■■As can be seen, the entire tree below and including work has■been tagged. A copy or delete could then be performed on the■entire tree. If many such trees had been tagged, the■directory functions copy or delete would affect them all.■■The untagging or removal of the tags are performed in exactly■the same way as tagging.■■NOTE: Since it is possible to tag an entire drive easily and■then delete it, care should be taken to ensure that only■desired directories and files are tagged. To help with this,■a count of the number of tagged files and directories and the■size of the tagged files is displayed on the screen.■■See also ²Directory functions overview².■■■ ■■■ⁿFile tagging■■File tagging effects only files in the current directory that■file operations are being carried out on. All files can be■tagged or untagged and files may also be tagged individually.■■In addition, the tag invert facility can be used to invert■the file tags. Tagged files are untagged, untagged files are■tagged.■■Example:■ ■ If you had 100 files in a directory and you wished■ keep 10 of them and delete the rest. Instead of■ tagging all the files you want to delete, you can■ tag the files you wish to keep and issue a tag■ invert.■ ■The file operations copy, move, attrib and delete only■perform on tagged files.■■If any files within a directory are tagged, the directory■itself will also be tagged, indicating that it contains one■or more tagged files.■■See also ²Tag masking²,■ ²taG mask².■■ ■■ⁿTag masking■■The file mask is used to control what files are selected for■tagging. It consists of a standard DOS filename and may■contain wildcards. By default it is '*.*', which means that■all files would be tagged. In many situations, however, it■is desirable to specify particular files for tagging.■■Examples:■■ To tag only filenames with the extension 'BAK', the■ tag mask would be set to '*.BAK'.■ ■ If for some reason, only files starting with 'TEST'■ might be required and in this case, the file mask■ would be set to 'TEST*.*'.■ ■Specifying partial file masks is very useful for removing or■copying files of a particular type. As shown in the example■above, setting the file mask to '*.BAK' would allow the■tagging of all .BAK files within a directory, tree or even■the entire drive. Issuing a delete command would then delete■all tagged files on the currently logged drive (in the case■of directory functions) or all tagged files within the■current directory (in the case of file functions).■■Dates can also be specified allowing files before, after or■between given dates to taggable.■■The file mask can be combined with the before and after dates■to allow the masking of specific files which have date stamps■between specified ranges.■■Example:■■ To allow all *.BAK files created after 16/3/1991 and■ before 1/4/1991 to be taggable:■ ■ Files mask: *.BAK■ Before date: 1/4/1991■ After date: 16/3/1991■ ■See also the ²taG mask².■ ■■■ⁿThe user interface■■DiskTree's user interface is designed to work with either the■mouse of the keyboard. The keyboard is recommended for those■of you who are fairly proficient typists whilst other may■find the mouse easier. In all cases, the keyboard and mouse■can perform the same operations.■■Most of DiskTree's functions are listed in reverse video■boxes towards the bottom of the screen. The text in each box■will have one letter in upper case, and this is the key you■press to activate the option from the keyboard. i.e. 'T' for■'Tag'. Moving the mouse cursor over one of these boxes and■pressing either mouse button will also activate the option.■■In other operations such as 'Options' or 'taG mask' the same■rules apply, but there can be other editable items as well.■■Editable objects are usually listed down the screen together■with a '<' next to the currently selected object. The up and■down cursor keys move you from object to object.■■Multi-select objects are a list (horizontally) of the■available options in the current object, such as 'On Off' or■'A C E F'. One of the items in the list will be highlighted■and the highlight can be moved with the left and right cursor■keys.■■Editable text is entered on the keyboard and can be entered■upto the size of the box the text is contained in. Pressing■the TAB key will clear all text from box. The backspace key■deletes text a character at a time.■■General traversal of the directory tree and the files list■are performed using the cursor keys or the mouse. Page up■and page down move pages up or down.■■The slide bars to the left of the directory tree and the■files list are used (with the mouse only) to move up or down■either line by line or page by page. Clicking the mouse■cursor over the directional arrows at the top or bottom of■the slider will move up and down by one line. Clicking the■mouse cursor above or below the solid bar which represents■the position within the tree or list, will move up or down as■many lines as the solid part of the bar represents.■Typically a page or so.■ ■■■ⁿDirectory functions overview■■The directory functions display forms the central core of■DiskTree, other options such as the file functions, appear as■windows on top of this screen:■■The top-left part of the screen consists of a scrolling■window showing the directory structure of the currently■logged drive. A highlight box and the scroll bar indicate■the position within the directory tree. Information on the■current directory (ie. size of files within it) and the■current tree (all the files and directories including and■below the current dir) is displayed to the right of the tree■window. The disk label, number of files and directories,■plus the remaining space on the drive is also displayed■together with the number of tagged files, directories and the■size of the tagged files.■■If the option 'Show files' is ON, the first 15 (depending on■the number of lines on the screen) filenames are also listed■in a window to the top right of the screen.■■The directory list is always displayed in alphabetical order.■■See ²Directory function descriptions²■ ■■■ⁿDirectory function descriptions■■Directory functions (and file functions) are invoked either■by:■■* moving the mouse cursor into the appropriate box and■ clicking either mouse button,■ ■* pressing the capital letter in the option you wish to■ select. eg. 'T' or 't' for 'Tag', 'O' or 'o' for■ 'Options'. Case is not important.■ ■Available directory functions are:■■ ²Tag² ■ ²Untag² ■ ²taG mask²■ ²Find²■ ²Copy²■ ²Delete² ■ ²Move² ■ ²New dir² ■ ²Options² ■ ²Stat²■ ²Log drive² ■ ²^Log options² ■ ²Zip² ■ ²RETURN for files² ■ ²Quit DiskTree²■■■ ■■■ⁿTag■■Directory trees and the files within them can be selected■(tagged) with this function. Directories are only marked■with a tag if one or more files within them match the tag■mask. Empty directories, however, are always marked as■tagged, regardless of the tag mask. This can lead to some■confusion as an empty directory can be marked as tagged when,■because it is empty, it has no files matching the tag mask.■It is, therefore, best to avoid wasting diskspace with empty■directories unless you really need them.■■As mentioned previously, if the option 'Recurse■subdirectories' is ON, all sub-directories will also be■tagged.■ ■■■ⁿUntag■■The untag operation performs the reverse of the tag function.■Unlike the tag option, the tag mask is not used and all■tagged files, regardless of the tag mask are set to clear.■ ■■■ⁿtaG mask■■The tag mask selects which files can be tagged. There are■three parts to the tag mask:■■The file mask■ ■ The file mask is a DOS format filename and can include■ wildcards. Only file names which match the file mask■ will be taggable.■ ■ Examples:■ ■ *.* will allow all files to be tagged■ ■ *.EXE will allow all '.EXE' files to be ■ tagged■ ■ TEST*.* will allow all files starting with ■ 'TEST' to be tagged■ ■ ????D*.* will allow all files with the fifth ■ letter 'D' to be tagged.■ ■Before date■ ■ In many circumstances, it is desirable to allow only■ files created before a given date to be tagged. If a■ date is placed in this option, only files which are■ created on or before this date will be taggable.■ ■After date■ ■ Just as the before date allows only files created before■ a date to be tagged, this option allows only files■ created after a given date to be tagged.■ ■Dates are in the format DD/MM/YYYY.■■All the tag options apply at the same time, if a file mask,■before date and after date are all set, only files which■match all three will be taggable.■■If the ²show MATCH/ALL² function has been activated, changing■the tag mask will also effect which files are listed in the ■window.■ ■■■ⁿFind■■The find option searches for a directory or a file. A■specific filename is expected and wild cards are not allowed.■Once a file or directory name hes been entered, the position■cursor moves to the top of the drive DiskTree and moves down■rapidly until either the object is found or the end of the■drive tree is reached. If found, the position cursor will be■left on the matching directory. If not found, an message box■appears saying so.■ ■■■ⁿCopy■■The copy operation is used to copy all tagged directories on■the currently logged drive.■■The copy procedure is as follows:■■The destination path is entered:■ ■ An dialog box will appear prompting for the destination■ path for the directories you wish to copy. Only valid■ DOS format paths can be entered and if the path you■ supply is not present, it will be created. Pressing■ ESCAPE will terminate the copy operation.■ ■ If the destination you have entered is an existing FILE,■ the copy operation will terminate.■ ■Retain original directory structure?■ ■ DiskTree can retain the original directory structure if■ so desired, or all the directories contents can be■ copied to the destination path. If the original■ structure is to be retained, all necessary directories■ will be created for automatically.■ ■Files are copied■ ■ The tagged files will then be copied. A dialog box■ shows the progress of the operation and ESCAPE can be■ pressed to terminate the copy operation. If a problem■ occurs with the copy, such as the destination disk being■ full, write protected or otherwise, an error message■ will appear and the copy operation will terminate.■ ■Results■ ■ When finished or terminated, a message will appear■ informing of the result of the copy operation. The■ message will either be 'Tree(s) copied ok' indicating a■ fully successful operation or, 'Tree(s) only partially■ copied' indicating that for reasons mentioned above, the■ operation could not be fully completed.■ ■■■ⁿDelete■■The delete operation affects all tagged files on the■currently logged drive.■■For safety, DiskTree will ask you if you really wish to■continue with the delete operation. If answered in the■affirmative, a final check will query you again before a■dialog box appears detailing the progress of the delete■operation. ESCAPE can be used to terminate the delete■operation.■■A directory marked as tagged will NOT be deleted if it■contains any files which either cannot be deleted or were not■tagged. Thus, even though the directory is tagged, it will■not necessarily be deleted.■■NOTE: DiskTree will not automatically delete read-only and■hidden files if the 'last chance' options are ON. If the■last-chance checks are on, you will be prompted before■deletion.■ ■■■ⁿMove■■The move option is a combination of copy and delete. Tagged■files are first copied and if the operation is successful,■the tagged files are then deleted. ■■NOTE: As the the files are first copied before being deleted,■it is possible to have two copies of the file trees on the■drive at the same time. Since this will happen if source and■destination drives are the same, make sure that you have■enough disk space free to hold the files during the move■process.■ ■■■ⁿNew dir■■This option is used to create new directories. An entire■path can be created with this option, not just an individual■directory.■■Example:■ ■ Creating a new directory of■ ■ C:\TMP\MODULA2\BACKUP■ ■ would create all the directories in the path if■ they did not already exist. ie. 'TMP' would be■ created on drive 'C', 'MOUDLA2' would 'be created■ within 'TMP' and 'BACKUP' would be created within■ 'MODULA2'■■A newly created path does not have to be on the currently■logged drive.■ ■■■ⁿOptions■■DiskTree has a number of configurable parameters which affect■its operation. These options and parameters are split into a■number of catagories:■■ ²Checks/flags²■ ²External links²■ ²Sort criteria²■ ²Variable shortcuts²■ ²Keep (save options)²■ ²RETURN & ESCAPE²■ ■■■ⁿChecks/flags■■File deletion check■ ■ If this option is ON, a check is carried out before a■ file is deleted. (Default ON).■ ■Recurse directory trees■ ■ When ON, the entire tree will be affected by the tag■ operation. Otherwise only individual directories are■ affected. (Default ON).■ ■System/hidden last chance check■ ■ If a file is hidden or system, a check is carried out■ before the file is deleted. (Default ON).■ ■Read only last chance check■ ■ As above except for read only files.■ ■Tree deletion check■ ■ When this option is ON, two final checks are made before■ a tree delete operation is carried out. It is advisable■ to leave this on at all times. (Default OFF).■ ■View files within directory■ ■ When this option is ON, a list of the first few files■ within the current directory is displayed in a window to■ the top right of the screen. (Default ON).■ ■Auto view files■ ■ This option is only applicable to the file functions.■ When ON, the first few bytes of the current file will be■ displayed in a window at the bottom of the screen.■ (Default ON).■ ■Use inbuilt file viewer■ ■ DiskTree has a simple file viewing facility built into■ it but should another file viewing program be■ preferable, this option should be set to OFF. The■ viewer path should point to the viewer that is to be■ used instead.■ ■Untag drive after tree copy■ ■ When this option is ON, all files/directories are■ untagged after a tree copy operation. This minimises■ the risk of accidental file deletion. (Default ON).■ ■■■ⁿExternal links■■ The external links options provide links to other■ applications that you may wish to run from inside■ DiskTree.■■ There are basically three different types of■ information that can be entered in the external■ links dialog.■■ ²Editor and viewer path²■ ²Zip command²■ ²Links to external applications² ■ ■ ■ⁿEditor and viewer path■ ■ If you wish to use a text editor or an external file■ viewer/browser you must define their locations in■ the appropriate text boxes.■ ■ NOTE: If you wish to use an external file viewer,■ you must set the ²Checks/flags² 'Use internal viewer'■ to OFF.■ ■ ■ⁿZip command■ ■ This defines the command and parameters that the■ PKZIP file compression utility uses to perform its■ file compression operations. By default, the zip■ command set up within DiskTree should work without■ modification, but should future versions of PKZIP■ use different parameters, you can enter any required■ parameters.■■ ■ⁿLinks to external applications■■ To define a link to an external application/program,■ move the cursors to the appropriate extension text■ box line and enter the extension that the■ application you wish to link uses.■■ Example:■■ DOC { we are linking in Microsoft Word }■ or■ ZIP { we are linking in PKZIP }■■ Next, move the cursor right to the application■ location box and enter the full path of the■ application together with any parameters.■■ Example:■■ C:\WORD\WORD.EXE {Word's pathname}■ or■ C:\DOS\PKZIP.EXE -V {PKZIP's pathname■ plus the VIEW parameter}■■ Links are executed on the file functions screen by■ moving the highlight cursor to the required file and■ pressing RETURN/ENTER. DiskTree will then check its■ link table and if a matching extension is found,■ will attempt to load the required application and■ selected file.■■ Using the above examples, DiskTree would load■ Microsoft Word if a filename with the extension■ 'DOC' was selected. If a file with the extension■ 'ZIP' were selected, DiskTree would attempt to load■ PKZIP with the VIEW parameter, therefore listing the■ contents of the ZIP file.■■ NOTE: Bear in mind that DiskTree will remain in■ memory during application execution and that memory■ will be limited by how much DiskTree is taking to■ hold its drive tree's.■ ■■■ⁿSort criteria■ ■Files are displayed in the order dictated by this option.■(Default Alphabetic).■ ■* NoSort - Files are displayed in no particular■ order.■ ■* Extension - Files are sorted by extension and then■ by the first part of the name if the extensions are■ the same.■ ■* Alphabetic - Files are sorted by the complete■ filename.■ ■* Newer - Files are sorted by the date stamp of the■ file. Newer files are listed first.■ ■* Older - As above, but older files are listed first.■ ■ The sort criteria also affect the speed in which the■ drive details are read into memory; NoSort is the■ fastest method, Newer or Older are next fastest,■ Alphabetic is next and Extension is the slowest. The■ actual speed depends on the number of files in a■ directory. The less, the faster. In general use,■ however, there is no great difference between any of the■ options.■ ■ If this option changes, the drive will not automatically■ be re-read with the new sort criteria, but all new■ operations will be performed according to the new■ values. Use the Log Options 'Re-log drive' to re-read■ the drive details in the correct order.■■ If the file sort criteria changes, you will be given the■ option to re-read the currently selected drive with the■ new sort criteria. It is wise to note that DiskTree can■ take some time to read in large drives.■ ■■ⁿVariable shortcuts■ ■ Variables can reduce typing by being defined to hold■ frequently used text. Commands, paths, names etc■ can be defined and associated with a letter that is■ used to substitute for the text in dos commands etc.■ For DiskTree to recognise that a letter has been■ defined as a variable you must indicate that it has■ by placing a '%' in front of the letter.■ ■ In addition to user defined variables, DiskTree has■ a couple of build in variables. '%F' can be used as■ a substitute for the currently selected filename and■ '%D' can be used as the currently selected■ directory.■ ■ Example of variables in use:■ ■ Suppose that you are in the directory■ 'C:\DOS\BACKUP' and are in the file functions window■ and have highlighted the file 'COMMAND.COM'.■ ■ By typing '%D%F' you save the need to type in the■ full path C:\DOS\BACKUP\COMMAND.COM.■ ■ Suppose that you have a directory■ 'D:\BACKUP\DRIVEC\' that you regularly use to copy■ files to. Instead of typing it every time you■ needed to use it, you could define it as, say, '%B'■ so that you can just type '%B' instead of the full■ text.■ ■ⁿKeep (save options)■ ■ Use this option to save DiskTree's current options,■ links, variables etc.. DiskTree always saves its■ 'configuration' file as DISKTREE.CFG.■ ■ DiskTree will automatically read this file in upon■ execution and set all the options accordingly.■ ■ ■■■ⁿRETURN & ESCAPE■ ■ Return to continue with new options, escape to exit,■ ignoring changes.■ ■■■ⁿStat■■This option returns the disk statistics of the currently■logged drive. Information is returned on:■■ Bytes per sector - the number of bytes in each disk■ sector. Usually 512.■ ■ Sectors per cluster - the number of sectors in each disk■ cluster. Usually 1,2 or 4.■ ■ Free clusters - the number of free clusters on the■ currently logged drive.■ ■ Drive capacity (clusters) - the number of clusters on■ the currently logged drive.■ ■ Drive capacity (KBytes) - the size of the current drive■ in KBytes (1024 bytes).■ ■ KBytes used (in files) - the number of bytes actually■ contained in disk files. This is not a true■ representation of the amount of bytes actually used but■ the size of the data contained in disk files. It does■ not include the space used by directory information and■ slack space in the unused part of a cluster.■ ■ KBytes used (real) - the real disk space used. The■ minimum file size is 1 cluster (normally 2048 bytes)■ even if the file length is just 1 byte. This means that■ disk space is often used up at a quicker rate than is■ obvious from looking at the actual file length. The■ difference between this value and the kbytes used in■ files is called slack space.■ ■ KBytes free - number of Kbytes free.■ ■ Percentage free - the percentage of the current drive■ that free.■ ■ ■ⁿZip■■The Zip function works on tagged files just as copy or■delete does. Simply tag the directories or files you■want to zip up and select this function. There are two■modes op operation to the zip function:■■Zip all tagged files on current drive.■■ If you use this option, DiskTree will cause PKZIP to■ create a zip file containing FULL paths of any■ zipped directories or files even if the tagged files■ are at the bottom of a directory tree. What this in■ fact means is that you would only be able to really■ use this option for back-up purposes. If you unzip■ a zip file created in this way, the FULL path of the■ files will be recreated.■ ■Zip in the currently selected directory and below.■■ Use this option if you want to create zip files of■ directories or files without storing the full path■ through to the files. DiskTree will cause PKZIP to■ store only the necessary directory names from the■ current directory downwards through the tree. This■ means that you can unzip a file created in this way■ and get an exact copy of the original directory■ structure with out the names of the directories■ above the start point in the tree.■ ■This may all sound a little complicated, so probably the■best way to really work out what the differences between■these two modes of operation is to try them out.■■When unzipping any zip files that have subdirectories in■them, use the PKUNZIP parameter '-D' to cause PKUNZIP to■create any required directories. For a fuller description■of how the PKUNZIP & PKZIP work, consult relevant■documentation.■■NOTE: Try to avoid zipping up too many incompletely■tagged directories as PKZIP uses up more memory if it■can't just uses '*.*' to deal with a directories■contents.■ ■■■ⁿLog drive■■Logging a drive is equivalent to changing to a new drive.■When the log drive option is invoked, a list of available■drives is displayed together with a tick over drives which■are actually in memory. Use the left and right cursor keys■to highlight the drive you wish to log. If the new drive has■not been previously logged, it will be read in to memory.■■NOTE: Logging a drive that is already in memory will not re-■read it. If this is required, use the log option 'Re Read'■drive.■ ■■■ⁿ^Log options■■Log options contains functions to re-read a drive into memory■and remove drives from memory.■■²Clear drive²■²Re-read drive²■ ■■■ⁿClear drive■ ■ If you wish to free up memory, or have no need for a■ particular drive any more, you can remove it from■ memory. However, at least ONE drive must be in memory■ at any time. So this operation will fail of the■ currently logged drive is the only one. Use this option■ if you have problems with 'Cannot run program' when■ attempting to run a program.■ ■ If a drive has been successfully removed from memory,■ the new logged drive will the first one in the list of■ drives in memory.■ ■■■ⁿRe-read drive■ ■ This option is useful, for example, when you have run a■ program from the file functions window which has■ effected the directory structure of the drive. Also, if■ the file sort criteria have changed, you may wish to re-■ read the drive with file listed in the correct order.■ ■ If you are using DiskTree with a removable drive■ (floppy, usually), a re-read operation must be performed■ after each disk change to get the new disks directory■ structure into memory.■ ■■■ⁿRETURN for files■■Pressing RETURN opens up the file function window.■■See ²File functions overview².■ ■■■ⁿQuit DiskTree■■Use this option to quit from DiskTree.■ ■■■ⁿFile functions overview■■File operations are performed with file functions. The file■functions window appears over the directory functions screen.■ ■Operation of file functions is very much the same as■directory ones. The cursor keys or mouse move the highlight■up and down the screen, scrolling the list of files if■necessary. The scroll bar indicates position within the list■of files. The scrollable part of the window lists the files■within the current directory. Each directory entry is■displayed as:■■ TAG FILENAME SIZE DATE TIME ATTRIBS■■eg: >> CONFIG.SYS 258 02/03/1991 22:37:20■■The TAG is displayed when a file is marked as tagged.■FILENAME is obvious. SIZE is the file size in bytes. DATE■is the date-stamp of the file in the British format,■DAY/MONTH/YEAR. TIME is the time-stamp of the file in the■format, HOURS:MINS:SECONDS. ATTRIBS the files attributes,■R for Read-Only, H for Hidden, S for System.■■Details of tagged files are displayed at the bottom of the■file functions window. The first two 'Tagged, KBytes' are■details of all tagged files on the current drive. The second■set are for the current directory. The main difference■between these values is that the first set apply to directory■tree functions and the second apply to file functions only.■■The number of files listed on the screen is dependent upon■the number of lines down the screen and whether the option■'auto view files' is ON.■■NOTE: If any files are tagged by file operations, when■control is returned back to the directory functions, the■directory itself will also be tagged. Similarly, if there■are no tagged files, the directory tag will be removed.■■See ²File function descriptions²■ ■■■ⁿFile function descriptions■■File functions are invoked in the same way as directory■functions (See ²Directory functions²).■■Available file functions:■■ ²tag² ■ ²^tag all² ■ ²untag² ■ ²^untag all² ■ ²copy² ■ ²delete²■ ²move² ■ ²attrib² ■ ²invert² ■ ²view² ■ ²edit² ■ ²exec²■ ²rename² ■ ²taG mask² ■ ²show MATCH/ALL²■ ²dos cmd² ■ ²display² ■ ²ESCAPE²■ ■■■ⁿtag■■This operation tags individual files only. Files are only■tagged (marked with '>>') if they match the tag mask. After■the file has been tagged (or not), the highlight moves on to■the next file in the list.■■As with directory functions, most file functions work on■tagged files. However, eXec, Edit, Rename and View do not.■These operations work on the currently highlighted file.■ ■■■ⁿ^tag all■■The operation, tag, mentioned above tags individual files.■The tag all operation tags all files matching the tag mask■within the current directory.■ ■■■ⁿuntag■■Untag, unsurprising perhaps, untags the currently highlighted■file. Like tag, it moves down to the next file in the list.■ ■■■ⁿ^untag all■■Does the exact opposite of ²^tag all².■ ■■■ⁿcopy■■The file function copy is different from the directory■function copy in that only tagged files in the CURRENT■directory function are affected. Tagged files in other■directories are not included in the scope of the copy. Apart■from this, they are identical. See the directory function ■²Copy² for details of the procedure.■ ■■■ⁿdelete■■As with the copy function, the file function delete affects■only tagged files within the current directory. The file■function delete does not have the safeguards on accidental■use as the potential for damage is not so great. Apart from■these differences, functionality is identical. See directory■functions ²Delete² for details of the procedure.■ ■■ⁿmove■■Move is a combination of copy and delete. The files are■first copied, and if totally successful, the originals are■deleted. Hence moved. If during the copy stages, any errors■occur, the move operation will be terminated immediately.■ ■■■ⁿattrib■■Under DOS, each file has a set of attributes - read-only,■hidden and system. Read-only files cannot be deleted and■hidden files do not show up using normal DOS commands (Dir■etc..). The system attribute is a throw back from the■operating system CPM, and has the same effect as the hidden■attribute. Normally most files will not have any of these■attributes set. However, in some circumstances (Networks■etc..) attributes need to be set to protect the files and■prevent such things as sharing violations. Eg. On a Network,■executable files are normally set to Read Only.■■On selecting this option, a dialog box will appear detailing■the available attributes. By default, the attributes are set■to OFF, using the cursor keys (or mouse), you can set them to■ON. The attrib option only affects tagged files.■ ■■■ⁿinvert■■The invert option inverts the tag marks in the current■directory. Tagged files become untagged and untagged files■become tagged.■■See also ²File / directory tagging².■ ■■■ⁿview■■(or press RETURN)■■The view option is used to view the contents of the currently■highlighted file. If the option 'Use inbuilt file viewer' is■OFF, DiskTree will load the file viewer you have specified in■the 'viewer path'. Otherwise, DiskTree will use its built-in■file viewing facility.■■There are three modes to the file viewer: ASCII mode where■NULLs and carriage returns are classed as line terminators,■and BINARY mode where they are not. Binary mode is intended■for binary files such as .COM's or .EXE's. The file viewer■will attempt to set the viewer mode according to how the data■contained in the file. The third mode is Hexadecimal where■the file is viewed with the text to the right hand side of ■the screen and the hexadicimal code for each character ■to the left of the screen.■■View in use■ ■ The file viewer displays files in pages. Use the 'U' or■ 'D' keys to page up and down through the file or select■ the boxes on the screen with the mouse cursor. A count■ of the byte position of the start of the page is■ displayed at the bottom right of the view window.■ ■ The viewing mode can be changed by pressing either 'A'■ for asci or 'B' for binary. Alternatively, the mouse■ can be used.■ ■ Hex mode is entered by pressing the 'H' key.■ ■ When viewing binary / hex files, there are usually a lot■ of non text characters which make reading text difficult■ DiskTree can strip these characters and replace them■ with dots '.'. The strip facility is toggled on and■ off with the 'S' key.■ ■ Pressing the ESCAPE key will exit the file viewer.■■Loading an external viewer is just like running any other■program and as such, enough memory should be set aside. If■DiskTree cannot load the external viewer, it will use the■inbuilt one.■ ■■■ⁿedit■■DiskTree does not include an editor as part of its■facilities. If you need to use an editor, you must set the■option 'editor path' to the location of the one you wish to■use.■ ■■■ⁿexec■■(or press RETURN)■■DiskTree can execute either COM, EXE or BAT files. Batch■(.BAT) files are executed by invoking the command line■interpreter - COMMAND.COM. DiskTree will check the■environment variable COMSPEC for the location of COMMAND.COM.■Therefore, your systems AUTOEXEC.BAT file should contain the■following line:■■ SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM (or other path)■■DiskTree allows you to set parameters for the program you■wish to run and these should be entered in the field provided■on the screen.■■By default, DiskTree will move DOS's 'current dir' to the■current DiskTree directory. This will normally be desirable■as it is likely that the program you are trying to execute■may need access other files within the directory. This■facility may be turned OFF if desired. The option of re-■reading the directory after execution is also provided and■should be left ON so that an up-to-date directory list is■maintained in memory.■■If the message 'Cannot run program' appears, it is likely■that there is not enough memory to run the program. Once the■program you are executing has finished, control is passed■back to DiskTree.■ ■■■ⁿrename■■The currently highlighted file can be renamed with this■function. The file will be renamed to the entered name■unless the entered name exists or the drive is write■protected etc..■■If the ²show MATCH/ALL² function has been activated, changing■the tag mask will also effect which files are listed in the ■window.■ ■■■ⁿshow MATCH/ALL■■It is often desirable to list only files which actually match■the tag mask. Usually, since the tag mask matches all files,■this option will have no effect. If, however, the tag mask■has been set to specific files, only those matching the mask■will be listed in the files window.■■The show MATCH/ALL operation functions in a toggle fashion -■if show MATCH is on, selecting it again will turn it off and■show all files, regardless of whether they match the tag mask■or not.■■DiskTree will automatically turn this option on if the tag■mask is anything other than the default 'all files' on entry■to the file functions window.■ ■■■ⁿdisplay■■Use this option to change from 3 column to single column mode■and vice versa.■ ■■■ⁿdos cmd■■Dos commands such as 'dir' or other programs can be run with■this option. The command or program name must be entered■together with parameters if required. The option of changing■to the current directory is available, as is the option of■re-reading the directory after the command is completed. By■default, DiskTree will do both.■ ■■■ⁿESCAPE■■Use this option to return control back to the main directory■tree functions.■ ■■■ⁿDiskTree and Networks■■DiskTree makes no distinction between local and network■drives and will happily work on either. It is wise, however■to note the following:■■DiskTree reads in the directory structure in one chunk and■represents the structure at a point in time. With other■users on the network, it is quite possible that files and the■directory structure may have changed. Therefore, it is best■to ensure that there are as few users on the system as■possible. Failing this, re-reading the drive is the next■best solution but slower.■■NOTE: These problems will probably only become apparent if■you are using a system as the network manager (or someone■with sufficient access). i.e, you are using DiskTree on■drives containing user areas. If DiskTree is used on read-■only drives etc, changes are only likely if the network■manager has modified the directory structure since you■started DiskTree.■ ■■■ⁿImproving system performance■■No one could say that DOS was particularly good as a modern■operating system (or even as an operating system at all) but■for most of us, were stuck with it. There are, however, a■number of things that can be done to improve it or at least■make it faster.■■See ²Improving disk performance²■ ²Increasing memory²■■■ ■■■ⁿImproving disk performance■■There are several things that effect disk performance apart ■from the drive controller and the drive itself.■ ■a) Buffers■ ■ If you look at your CONFIG.SYS file, you will probably■ see something like:■ ■ BUFFERS=20■ ■ This line tells DOS how many buffers to use when■ accessing disk drives. A reasonable figure for general■ use is 20, any more and you'll waste memory (especially■ with a disk cache in operation), any less an performance■ is likely to drop for some applications.■ ■b) Disk caching■ ■ Increasing DOS's disk buffers is one solution, but a■ better one is disk caching. A disk cache keeps the most■ recently used parts of your hard disk in memory and■ instead of having to read them disk which is slow, the■ cache will read from memory. A disk cache is a more■ efficient solution than that of a ram-disk in that most■ frequently accessed data will automatically be placed in■ the cache for speedy access.■ ■ There are several caching programs available, but the■ one most commonly used is SMARTDRV.SYS■ ■ Smartdrive should be included in the CONFIG.SYS of your■ system.■ ■ Example:■ ■ DEVICE=C:\SMARTDRV.SYS 1024■ ■ This example is for a 386 equipped machine, with a■ megabyte or more of extended memory.■ ■ If your machine has expanded memory, '/A' should be■ added on the end of the line:■ ■ DEVICE=C:\SMARTDRV.SYS 1024 /A■ ■ Obviously, the size of the disk cache you set up will be■ limited by how much memory your machine has and how much■ you need to leave free for other applications. For■ useful purposes, 256 kbytes of disk cache should be■ considered a minimum and there is no real advantage in■ having much more than 1 megabyte.■■ ■■■ⁿIncreasing memory■■ The biggest single problem in MS-DOS machines is the■ dreaded 640K limit. All DOS (not Windows3) applications■ have to squeeze into this space together with the■ operating system, and any other resident applications.■ MS-DOS replacements such as DR DOS 5.0 can increase■ available space by moving portions of the operating■ system and TSR's into memory above the 640K barrier.■ Expanded memory managers such as QEMM.SYS (the 386■ version) can also do this. However, 640K is still the■ limit, even if your machine has 16 megabytes or memory!.■ An example of this is the machine used for DiskTree's■ development. The machine in question is a 25 MHZ 80386■ machine with 4 megabytes of memory, most of which■ remains unused under DOS.■ ■ If the lack of memory becomes a real difficulty, try■ removing some of the .SYS files you may have in you■ CONFIG.SYS. Also check that no TSR programs (such as■ SideKick) are listed in the AUTOEXEC.BAT of you machine■ if you do not really need them. A word of caution,■ however, be careful what .SYS files you remove from■ CONFIG.SYS as some of them may be required for other■ applications.■ ■ Although the 640K limit is a real problem, it is not one■ that the average DiskTree user will find a great■ handicap unless DiskTree is being used on machines with■ very full hard disks or on big networks.■■■ ■■■ⁿRegistration■■DiskTree represents many, many hours of hard work. If you'd■like to use DiskTree for more than a trial period, you MUST■register your copy.■■The registration price is: £29 + £2 P&P + VAT■■DiskTree is available from:■■ PRECISION SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS■ TARNWOOD■ 10 HIGH STREET■ TADLOW■ Nr ROYSTON■ HERTS.■ SG8 OES■■ Telephone: 0767 23302 Fax: 0767 23622■■PSA are the sole distributers of DiskTree in Europe.■ ■See file ORDER.FRM for further details.■■ ■
