This program has been placed in the public domain. Thus, it is legal to copy and distribute this program, but it cannot and will not be sold for any amount.
We encourage distribution of this software because we feel that it will be of great help to the nation's sysops and their callers.
I. Reason for this program's existence
The purpose of this program is to create and dissolve library files. Library files are a useful way of storing multi-file programs on a BBS. Instead of
storing the program in multiple disk files with different filenames, the program is stored in one single file that holds the concatenated versions of all the
program's associated files. Thus if the library file is placed on a BBS a caller would be sure he would be getting all of the necessary files for his program
in one download!
Recently a caller uploaded a 25 file public-domain text adventure to The Daily Exchange. The combined file sizes totaled over 195 blocks. To download the
program required downloading the adventure 1 file at a time and the caller would also have to type the filename in for each file (Wastes On-line time!). If
the
text adventure was placed in a library file the user could download the entire program (all 25 files) as a single file of 193 blocks!!!!!
The Library Utility is not a "file squeezer" program even though it does make a group of files slightly smaller when they are placed in the library format.
Instead it puts all of the files sequentially into one file. After the files are in the library format the user has the option of extracting all of the files
or a single file.
II. Creating a Library file
These are the steps to follow to create a library file. First of all make sure all of the programs you want in the library are on the same disk. This disk
should have a greater number of blocks free then the sum of the block counts of all the files going into the library. The maximum limit for size of a library
is 320 blocks for one drive and 660 blocks for two drive systems. If you cannot fit all of the files in one library then you will be forced to create two.
Keep
in mind that other users may not have the same equipment as you and may not be able to easily dissolve your 660 block monster library.
Now load in The Library Utility, Type 'run' and enter you disk configuration. Now put the source file disk into 1st drive and the library file disk into the
2nd drive. (On single drive systems the library will be created on the same disk that has the source files.)
Now the prompt "Create or Dissolve Library File (c/d)" will stare you in the face. Since we are creating a library press "C". Now the drive will spin and
the
first filename off the disk will appear with the prompt "(y/n)?". Press "y" to include this file in the library and "n" to skip it. This procedure will
continue until the entire directory has been read and all prompts answered. If you are still in the middle of the directory but have passed all of the files
that you wish to include, in the library, you may skip the rest of the directory by pressing the space bar at any of the prompts.
The program now asks for the name of the library file to be created. Filenames are limited to 12 characters. Use a name that will identify the program. If
the library contains the files to the program "Junkterm" then call the library "Junkterm". A filename extension will be added to the end of the name, so in
our
example the library filename would be "Junkterm.lbr" where ".lbr" stands for 'LiBRary file".
The program will now print a list of all the files that will fit in the library. Normally all the requested files will appear but in a two cases they may
not. The filename will not appear if it is not a PRG, SEQ, or USR file. A filename may also not appear if it causes the library to cross the size limitations.
(320 blocks single 660 blocks dual.) In this case just create TWO library files with half of the program files in each library. Name them something like
"filename1.lbr" and "filename2.lbr" where filename is the 12 char. or less name of your library.
Now the program will go through the files on disk and count the number of bytes in each and reports these figures back. This is necessary for the creation
of
the library file's directory. Finally the library file is written to the disk as a sequential file with your 12 char. or less filename + ".lbr" on the end and
the program will return to BASIC.
The creation process will be stop if a disk error is detected while working.
III. Dissolving Library Files.
To dissolve a library file first place the library on a disk with plenty of free space (format one for the occassion to insure enough disk space. Now load
and run the utility and enter the proper drive configuration. Put the disk with the library file on it in the first drive and the to recieve the extracted
files in the 2nd drive. On single drive systems the files will be created on the same disk as the library file. Press "D" for "Dissolve library file". You
will
be prompted to input the name of the library file (minus the .lbr extension). Up to 12 characters may be entered. The program will search the disk and begin
reading the library file. A menu will be displayed which shows all of the files contained in the library and their respective sizes in bytes. You will be
asked
if you wish to extrace a (s)ingle file or (a)ll the files. Press "s" for single and "a" for all. If you press "s" you will be asked for a file number. Enter
the number to the LEFT of the desired file in the menu display.
The Utility will now scan the disk and either create a single file or all the files from the library (as you selected) on your the correct disk. Then the
program will return to BASIC.
If any disk errors are detected during extraction the process will be aborted and the program will return to BASIC.
IV. This program was written by David Bolt and Greg Pfountz for use on The Daily Exchange and other BBSs. To contact either of the authors with any
