Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr10/e4v160.zip/E4README.TXT

Text File | 1993-06-04 | 18KB | 458 lines

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E4(tm) Editor (C) Copyright N.Faulks 1992. All Rights Reserved.
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Note that this file is an E4 outline document (as well as a
printable text file), to view it in outline form, from within
E4, press ALT-H, then Y for "Yes". Now you can press ALT-H over
headings or text you would like to open or close.

INTRODUCTION ***************************************************

 E4 is a powerful multi-file text editor with outlining,
 macros, SVGA support, and in-editor compilation and
 error tracking.

 E4 isn't a bloated every-feature-under-the-sun product,
 it is a small, fast editor that manages to provide most
 of the features most people use.

 E4 is great for people who only want to edit
 AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS as well as Programmers and
 System/Network Adminstrators. The simple but powerful
 macro facility turns E4 into a complete Program
 Development Environment.

 E4 really is better than other editors, because it is
 easy to use and powerful. Yes, you have to take the
 trouble to learn it, but once you have got over the
 short initial learning curve it WILL make you more
 productive. Easy to use doesn't have to mean pull down
 menus and WIMPs. E4 works well with a mouse, but the
 common commands are only a single mnemonic keystroke (E4
 doesn't use the function keys: how can they be easy to
 remember?). It doesn't matter if you have "every
 feature" if they are all equally difficult to use. E4
 makes everyone into an expert: the "Hintline" shows you
 most of the commands or options available, at every
 point in the editor. Full context-sensitive help makes
 E4 easy to learn.

 Feature lists are not the whole story: that's why E4 is
 made available on a try-before-you buy basis. Don't just
 reject it because it isn't exactly the same as what
 you're using: try it!

 E4 already has a large user community including
 professional programmers, businesspeople, educators, and
 students. If you've got a suggestion, complaint or
 problem call the author (Neil Faulks) on 071 873 2007
 ([phone]) during office hours, or mail him on
 the Internet ([e-mail]) or through CompuServe
 (>INTERNET:[e-mail]). We want you to be happy
 with E4, before and after you buy it.

NOTICE *********************************************************

 This is a Try-before-you-buy Evaluation copy of the E4
 Editor, it is fully functional. You may use E4 freely
 for up to 30 days, but if you want to use it after this
 period you must pay for it. See later in this file.

 Occasionally the editor will ask you to press a key when
 you first run it, this feature is absent from the
 version you will receive upon payment.

 Buying your own copy also brings the benefits of
 comprehensive printed documentation, extra utility
 programs and macros.

 Programmers: note that only the registered version
 supports compiler error message tracking, as it requires
 extra support programs.

PACKING LIST & RELEASE NOTES ***********************************

 This software should be distributed as the single .ZIP
 or .EXE archive. The archive file contains the files
 listed below. PLEASE KEEP THE ORIGINAL ARCHIVE FILE TO
 GIVE TO OTHERS.

 E4.EXE         The Editor itself (All you really need!)
 E4.HLP         The help file for the editor
 E4KEYS         A sample keyboard mapping file
 E4README.TXT   This document, Please read it all
 E4FEATS.TXT    A long list of features
 E4ORDER.TXT    Printable order form. Site, Network or
                Educational versions are available
 E4VENDOR.TXT   Notes for shareware vendors and BBSs.
                Includes feature lists and descriptions
 FILE_ID.DIZ    A BBS description file
 TEMPLATE.C     A sample template file for C programmers
 E4OPTS.C       A sample options file (for C programs)

 The sample E4KEYS file includes some key definitions of
 use only to programmers, to handle in-editor
 compilation. These are distributed as macros in the
 registered version, but are included here in the keys
 file, to save space. The sample definitions allow you to
 compile from within the editor (a single file or a
 complete project), and to execute your program with or
 without a debugger. The registered version provides full
 error tracking, allowing you to step through error
 messages one by one, taking you to the correct file and
 line.

 Programmers should examine the E4KEYS file to learn
 about creating macros to compile and debug programmers.

CHANGES ********************************************************

 Only major changes are listed, numerous minor changes
 are made with every release. Registered version has more
 detailed information.

 Version 1.6

        Outlining. XMS swapping (leaving <2K resident).
        Colour Brackets. LOOP, ENDLOOP and STOP in
        macros. Support for Read-only buffers
        (independent of Read-only files).

 Version 1.51

        New Ditto function using ALT-Space Bar. New
        CATCH macro keyword (useful in template macros).
        Enhanced handling of Read-Only files, can now
        edit System and Hidden files also. Enhanced
        handling of environment variables in DOS
        commands. Better handling of ^Break when macro
        playing is paused. Modified screen blanker to
        allow portables to power down.

 Version 1.5

        Support for external commands and tools. All new
        Picture mode/Line Draw mode. Automatic Project
        File creation. New commands: Buffer Reload,
        Tools Editclip, Goto Edit (New edit tracking
        system). Multiple tags. New Wordprocessing and
        WordWrap modes. Support for bright screen
        background colours. More support for Novell
        Netware. Template Macros. Enhanced Find Eol to
        allow searching for Lone CR or LF at ends of
        lines. Extended help system.

 Version 1.0

        First non-commercial release.

OVERVIEW *******************************************************

 E4 will run on any PC compatible with 128K of RAM, under
 MSDOS 3.0 or above, and any standard display adaptor. A
 hard disk is not required: the minimum installation is
 less than 40K.

 SVGA support allows for special text modes such as
 100x40, 132x60, on those cards that offer it.

 Full use is made of enhanced keyboards including F11 &
 F12 and other special key combinations. Full mouse
 support (for a Microsoft compatible mouse) allows on
 screen selection of text and menu operation. Note that
 mouse support in SVGA screen modes often does not work
 due to mouse driver limitations.

 The editor occupies less that 40K of disk space making
 it suitable for installation on a RAM Disk, the optional
 help file can be relocated elsewhere; using the E4HELP
 environment variable.

 E4 has a short start up time and loads and saves files
 very quickly.

 Most of the keys on the keyboard may be redefined to
 suit you. Any standard key combination may be assigned
 to any editor function, simply by editing a text file
 listing the assignments to be made (E4KEYS). A command
 line switch can be used to override customisation so
 that someone can use the editor on another person's
 machine, for example when giving help in a school or
 college.

 The normal Cut and Paste system, which allows arbitrary
 streams of characters to be moved about the editor, is
 augmented by a simple system for moving and copying
 whole lines, as this is such a common operation.

 A design limitation is that the maximum file size that
 may be edited is 64K, and is one reason the editor is so
 small. This limit is offset somewhat by the ease with
 which multiple files may be edited. In particular you
 are able to perform a truly global search and replace
 operation that affects several files. When programming
 it is not a good idea to construct a program by using
 one monolithic file, better to split it up into several
 modules.

 E4 comes with complete context-sensitive on-line help.
 But you can use page-up and page-down to move through
 the help screens if you want to make sure you see it
 all. Press F1 twice to find out how to use help.

INSTALLATION & RUNNING *****************************************

 DOS 3.0 or above is needed to run E4.

 Copy the files listed in the packing list above to a
 directory on your hard disk and put that directory on
 your PATH. For example if you create a directory for the
 editor called C:\E4 then you should add the following
 line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

        PATH C:\E4;%PATH%

 If you have DOSKEY, CED, ANARKEY or a similar command
 line editor, you can have an alias that expands to the
 full pathname of the editor, instead of adding the
 editor directory to the PATH. E4 does not need to be in
 the path to find its support files.

 Run the editor with the list of filenames you wish to
 edit. Wildcards may be included:

        E4 \AUTOEXEC.BAT \CONFIG.SYS \WINDOWS\*.INI

 NOTE: A few systems may not correctly identify the type
 of keyboard they have: if the editor hangs then reboot,
 and run it again with the /P switch, which forces it to
 use only the standard (PC) keyboard driver, rather than
 the enhanced (AT) driver. Note that the editor has been
 tested and does work correctly on true IBM PCs, IBM
 PC/ATs and IBM PS/2s, as well as many machines from a
 variety of manufacturers including Compaq, Dell, Grid,
 NEC and Tandon.

 The /B command line switch will run the editor in black
 and white. /? will list other switches.

 F1 displays context sensitive help.

 Press ALT-Q to leave the editor.

 You can put standard switch settings into the E4
 environment variable:

        SET E4=/B

 The example above will cause the editor to always run in
 Black and White.

 Configuration files and macro directories are created by
 default in the current directory. To make the editor
 place them in the directory containing E4.EXE use the
 following command:

        SET E4PATH=*

 These SET statements are best placed in your
 AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

DEMO ***********************************************************

 For a short demonstration of Resume Mode go to the root
 directory of your boot disk and (assuming E4 is in your
 PATH) type

        E4 /R AUTOEXEC.BAT CONFIG.SYS

 Then press ALT-Q to quit the editor.

 Now whenever you want to edit your configuration simply
 go to the root directory and type

        E4

 The cursor will be where it was and the same files will
 be loaded. Any new files you load will also be available
 to future sessions.

EXAMPLE APPLICATION NOTE ***************************************

 If you use Borland's Paradox (3.5 or 4.0) you can
 install E4 as the default editor. Use the following
 command line:

        E4 /XSC * /**

 This sets the default extension for loading and saving
 to .SC (for script). Paradox replaces the * by the
 filename and the ** by a line number within the file (E4
 interprets a number after a slash as a line number to go
 to on start up).

SUPPORT ********************************************************

 Technical support is available directly from the author
 by Post or E-Mail to any of the addresses given at the
 foot of this document. E-mail is preferred.

 Support is available whether or not you are a registered
 user: We want you to be happy with E4 before you buy it.

ORDERING and PAYMENT *******************************************

 This software has been made available so that potential
 users may try it out before committing to buy it. If you
 think that you have already paid for this software then
 you have been mislead by whoever took your money. Many
 organisations charge a copying fee for providing
 evaluation copies of software like this, which is
 legitimate within the limits detailed in the
 E4VENDOR.TXT file. Others, who may also be charging a
 higher fee, do not make it clear that you are paying
 them a service charge for providing you with an
 evaluation copy of the software.

 You must pay for this software if you continue to use
 it. This is copyrighted commercial software. The term
 "Shareware" is often applied to software marketed in
 this way, but it must not be confused with free software
 such as that in the Public Domain (PD).

 To pay for this software please examine the file
 E4ORDER.TXT, which is a registration and order form. You
 can fill this in before or after printing it out.
 Alternatively any form of order may be used provided
 that all the information requested in the text file is
 provided. Always quote the issue number given on that
 form (the same Issue Number appears in the editor banner
 screen).

 In exchange for payment you will receive a version of
 the software without the registration reminders, and
 which is registered to you personally. The price
 includes a comprehensive printed manual and extra
 utility programs and macros.

 Note that this registered version may not be distributed
 in any way and must be treated like any other commercial
 program. Please refer to the licence agreements below.

EXTRAS *********************************************************

 The following programs (at least) are shipped with the
 commercial version of the editor:

 E4SM   a program to set special text modes on VGA/EGA
        cards. It also analyses your VGA card to find
        out what special text modes are available.

 E4TRAP a program to trap error output from a range of
        compilers so that E4 can perform error tracking.
        Currently supported compilers include Borland
        C/C++, Turbo Pascal, Turbo Linker, Turbo
        Assembler, Microsoft C, MASM, Fitted Software
        Modula-2, Zortech C/C++ and others. Other
        compilers will be added in the future.

        Many compilers that are not listed will also
        work, if they generate standard error messages.
        Contact us if your compiler is not listed, we
        will add it if necessary.

 E4PRINT        a program to print E4 wordwrap files (and
        ordinary text files) on normal and PostScript
        printers.

 A library of useful programmer's macros is also
 provided.

LICENCE AGREEMENTS *********************************************

 "The software" refers in this case to the E4 editor and
 any associated documentation and/or additional programs
 or other items.

 "The purchaser" is that person or organisation that pays
 the fee for the software.

Licence for the Unregistered Version (this version) ************

 This software is copyrighted and any duplication other
 than under the terms of this agreement is a breach of
 copyright law. You are given permission to duplicate the
 software to give to others provided that you do not make
 any changes to the software and that you distribute it
 complete (preferably as the single self-extracting
 archive file described above). You must not make a
 charge for providing a copy of the software other than
 within the limits detailed in the E4VENDOR.TXT file.

 You are permitted to use the editor for a period not
 exceeding 30 days beginning from the date of first use.
 After this time you must pay if you wish to continue
 using it, even if you intend to do so only infrequently.
 If you do not purchase your own copy then you should
 keep the software only in its archived (unusable) form
 for the purposes of giving it to others.

 Licences for the Commercial Version (sent to you upon
 ********** registration and payment)

 This software is copyrighted and any duplication other
 than under the terms of this agreement is a breach of
 copyright law.

 Payment of the registration fee gains for the purchaser
 one or more disks and a licence to use the software
 contained on those disks subject to the conditions
 detailed below.

Single user Licence ********************************************

 The software provided upon payment of the registration
 fee may not be duplicated other than for the purposes of
 installing it on one or more computers owned by the
 purchaser of the software, and/or for a single "back-up"
 copy of the supplied original disk or disks. The
 purchaser may install the software on more than one
 computer provided that there is no possibility that more
 than a single copy of the software be in use at any
 instant.

Network Licence ************************************************

 Purchase of a network licence allows you to install the
 software on a single file server only (NOT a node in a
 peer-to-peer network). The software may be used only by
 machines attached to that network that are using that
 server. The software may not be installed on any other
 computer.

 You must take all reasonable precautions to prevent
 unauthorised copying. For example, for a Novell network
 you must set the Execute Only attribute for all
 executables that form part of the software.

AFTERWORD and ADDRESSES ****************************************

 Thank you for taking the time to wade through this file.
 Please try out the program and send me your comments,
 even if you choose not to continue using E4!

 Author:                        UK Distributors:
 Neil Faulks            Business Consultants Ltd.
 28 Clickett Hill       37 York Road
 Basildon               Woking
 Essex                  Surrey
 England                        England
 SS14 1NW               GU22 7XN

 E-mail:                [e-mail]
 CompuServe:    >INTERNET:[e-mail]


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