Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/017/utilprts.arc/UTILSEM.BAT

DOS Batch File | 1984-10-18 | 8KB | 322 lines

bat * utility seminar driver
bat %1 = 0
bat %m = 13
bat -nextpage
bat %1 = %1 + 1
bat call -header
bat call -page%1
bat type | inkey %2
bat if %2 = D exit
bat if %1 <> %m skip 1
fskel
bat if %2 <> E goto -nextpage
c:
ft

bat -header cls
bat begtype
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗\0F
end
bat    type %s%s Utilities Seminar %s%s%s DOS BATCH FACILITY %s%s%s%s Page %1
bat    begtype
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

end
bat    return

bat -page1
bat begtype
                   \0fDOS COMMANDS\07

A DOS command is...

      How you tell the computer what you want to do.

The operating system prompts you for commands with

      A>

You respond by typing

      DIR             to get a list of the files on drive A

      123             to execute the spread sheet 123

      format b:/s/v   to format a disk on drive B, put the
                         DOS operating system on it, and
                         put an internal label on the disk
end
bat return

bat -page2 begtype
                   \0fDOS COMMANDS\07

A DOS command is...

      any executable program that can be invoked, including

            o    internal DOS commands
            o    programs ending with .EXE
            o    programs ending with .COM

      plus

            o    A collection of executable programs.

A BATCH of executable programs is

            o    A list of things for DOS to do

            o    A file identified by the extension .BAT
end
bat return

bat -page3
bat begtype
                     \0fBATCH FILES\07

Think of a BATCH FILE as

      Having stored your keystrokes.

You can re-invoke those keystrokes anytime by

      Using the file name.

For example, if the file  CHECK.BAT contains in it

      astclock
      chkdsk a:
      dir *.com

By typing in just "CHECK" all three programs will be executed,
one after the other.
end
bat return

bat -page4
bat begtype
                    \0FHOW TO CREATE A BATCH FILE\07

Short "quick" and "dirty" files can be created by

      Copying the console to a file name.

For example, the DOS command

      copy con: test.bat<rtn>
      astclock<rtn>
      chkdsk a:<rtn>
      dir *.com<rtn>
      <ctrl-Z><rtn>

will create the desired file.

To create longer files, however, use any TEXT EDITOR, such as

    EDLIN, PERSONAL EDITOR, PEDIT, or WORDSTAR in non-document mode.
end
bat return

bat -page5 begtype
                   \0fUSES OF THE BATCH FACILITY\07

The batch facility can be used to

    o  SIMPLIFY DOS commands

    o  Increase PRODUCTIVITY by

        o  Reducing keystrokes

        o  Reducing human errors

        o  Making the computer run unattended

    o  Program how the computer INTERACTS with humans.  You can

        o  Make the computer easier to use

        o  Reduce the amount of knowledge the user needs.
end
bat return

bat -page6 begtype
                    \0fEXAMPLE:  KEEP IT SIMPLE!\07

INSTALLING AN ELECTRONIC DRIVE

                superdrv c:/u=128/m=130

MEANS
      o  Run program SUPERDRV.COM
    o  Set up electronic drive as C
    o  Set aside 128K RAM for user programs
    o  Set aside 130K RAM for electronic disk.

PROBLEMS

    o  Insists on rigid syntax
    o  Parameters easy to forget
    o  Frequent references to manual

SOLUTION          Store above DOS command in file SDRV.BAT.
end
bat return

bat -page7 begtype
                   \0fDO IT ALL AT ONCE\07

GETTING STARTED WHEN YOU BOOT UP

    o  Set time and date
    o  Cause screen to clear after 5 minutes inactivity
    o  Install electronic drive
    o  Copy editor into electronic drive

Want all this to happen AUTOMATICALLY when I boot up.

SOLUTION      Special BATCH file called AUTOEXEC.BAT.

So, create AUTOEXEC.BAT with

    astclock
       colblank
     superdrv c:/u=128/m=130
        copy a:pedit.exe c:pe.exe
end
bat return

bat -page8 begtype
             \0fREPETITION: PROGRAM-TEST-MODIFY CYCLE\07
               ----------               ----------
               |        | ------------> |        |
               |  EDIT  |               |  TEST  |
               |        | <------------ |        |
               ----------               ----------

In developing this seminar presentation, I

    o  Created a file called UTILSEM.BAT
    o  Tested the program UTILSEM
    o  Revised UTILSEM.BAT, based on test results
    o  Re-tested program.

To make cycle natural, created two utility files.

FT.BAT     pe b:utilsem.bat     UTILSEM.BAT  (went thru seminar)
        b:                                c:
        utilsem                           ft
end
bat return

bat -page9 begtype
                  \0fSPECIAL BATCH COMMANDS\07

Two types of lines in a batch file:

    o  Executable programs

    o  Special batch commands.


            SPECIAL NEEDS                    SOLUTION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  o  Put up messages to operator         |  REM, ECHO
                                         |
  o  Wait for operator to do something   |  PAUSE
                                         |
  o  Vary what is executed               |  (variables), IF, GOTO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: ECHO, IF, GOTO are available only in DOS 2.0/2.1, not 1.1.
end
bat return

bat -page10 begtype
                \0fBATCH FILES WITH PARAMETERS\07

Suppose you wanted to install the electronic drive, but be able to

    o  Vary the amount of memory on the drive.

SOLUTION     Invoke with ARGUMENTS or PARAMETERS.  For example

                   superdrv c:/u=128/m=%1

INVOKE SDRV.BAT by    sdrv 80      WILL GET     superdrv c:/u=128/m=80

Another example is invoking a spelling checker, telling it which file:

                   PRFPASS1 B:%1
                   PRFPASS2 B:%1c
end
bat return

bat -page11 begtype
                   \0fINSTALLATION PROGRAMS\07

NEED:  To automate installation of a program.  Steps are

    o  Put DOS in left drive and program in right
    o  Transfert DOS system files and BASIC onto program disk
    o  Put appropriate drivers onto program disk for monitor used.

SOLUTION: an INSTALL.BAT with printed instructions telling the person to
boot using DOS 2.0, to put the program disk in drive B, to type B: followed
by return , and to type INSTALL with return.

The basic structure of the batch program is

    o  Tell the user exactly what to do
        o  Give the user time to do it
    o  When the user is ready, check to see whether done properly
    o  If okay, install; if not, let know and cancel
end
bat return

bat -page12 begtype
                \0fSAMPLE INSTALLATION PROGRAM\07

ECHO OFF
ECHO Run this installation program once.
ECHO Please put your DOS 2.0 disk in the left drive A.
PAUSE
IF NOT EXIST A:SYS.COM GOTO QUIT
ECHO Now put your system disk in the right drive B.
PAUSE
IF NOT EXIST B:BARBAIL.EXE GOTO QUIT
A:SYS B:
Copy A:BASICA.COM B:
ECHO To complete installation,
ECHO     enter COLOR if you have a COLOR MONITOR
ECHO     enter MONO  if you have a MONOCHROME MONITOR.
GOTO GOODEX
:QUIT
ECHO Improper disk in drive.
:GOODEX
end
bat return

bat -page13 begtype
                   \0FLIMITATIONS\07

The BATCH facility built into DOS is limited in what it
can do.  The most serious limitations are that it

    o  Cannot read input from the user
    o  Cannot assign values to variables.
        o  Cannot control or drive .EXE or .COM programs.

These limitations are removed in a freeware product called The Extended
Batch Language.  This entire demonstation was written in EBL in one evening.

EBL can be gotten free on bulletin boards, or for a contribution of $5 to
its author for software only, or $30 for printed documentation, support, and
updates.  The address is
                          Seaware Corporation
                          P.O. Box 1656
                          Delray Beach, Florida 33444
end
bat return