home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Wildcat Gold - The Optical BBS
/
Wildcat Gold - The Optical BBS (The Golden ROM Series)(Volume 4 Number 1)(The Digital Publishing Company)(1992).ISO
/
sdn
/
taskmst.sdn
/
TM480.EXE
/
TMISSUE.EXE
/
INTRO.MAC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-09-10
|
39KB
|
1,520 lines
@video
@macro key,'@keys bright,yellow,blue'
@macro win_text
@win line1,column40,depth22,width38
@out cyan
@endm
@macro win_text_r
@win line1,column40,depth22,width38
@out red
@endm
@macro magenta,'@col char,white,magenta'
@macro yr,'@col char,yellow,red'
@macro yb,'@col char,yellow,blue'
@macro bc
@dim
@col char,black,cyan
@endm
@macro bg
@dim
@col char,black,green
@endm
@macro cr,'@col char,cyan,red'
@map #,9c
@nf map
@col page,white,blue
@gon
@double_line
@border cyan
0
7--------8------8------8--2----8--------8--------8-------9
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7-8-2-8-9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7-8-8-5-8-9 0 0 7--5--9 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
7-----------3 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
7--8--5--8--9 7--8--8--5--8--8--8--8--9 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1---------9 7--5--8--9 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
7--2-8--9 7---5---9 Menus nesting 7--8-2-8--9 0 0
0 Quiet Please! 0 0
7--5--8--8--9 7----------------------3 0
0 0
7---8-2-8--------9 7--8--8-2-8--8--9
0 0
7--5--9 7--8--5--8--8--9
0
7--8--5--8--9
@col char,white,red
@win line18,column2,depth5,width21,pattern 176
A representation of
the menu structure
in INTRO...
@end
@nf help
@col char,cyan,blue
@win line13,column2,depth10,width36
A highlight memory facility is used
to help navigation through the task:
When a menu is entered for the first
time: the 1st topic is highlighted.
When a menu is re-entered: The topic
highlighted when was last hit
for that menu is highlighted.
Press F1 on main-menu for more help.
@end
@nf 1
@col page,cyan,blue
@bbmenu cyan,blue
$key$
@border cyan
An introduction to Taskmaster
@win line1,column2,depth10,width38,pattern 177
@out cyan
Main menu
{What is Shareware? }
{What is Taskmaster? }
{Who needs Taskmaster? }
{Why choose Taskmaster? }
{Where do I start? }
{Which machines run Taskmaster? }
{Programming }
{Purchasing Taskmaster }
$win_text$
Introduction
Welcome to FmP Taskmaster; the menu
system that is not just a menu
system.
Whilst a menu is displayed you can
highlight a topic in several ways:
1. Press <space>
2. Press or or or .
3. Press the 1st letter of a topic
4. Press a highlighted character
When the topic you are interested in
is highlighted press (not
required if you press a highlighted
character).
Press <esc> to move back up the menu
structure; you are now at the top so
pressing <esc> will exit Taskmaster.
@use 'Select topic, then press or press <esc> to quit this task'
@end
@nf 11
@bbmenu cyan,blue
$key$
@win line2,column3,depth6,width36,pattern 176
@out cyan
What is Shareware?
{Try before you buy }
{Registration }
{Trial period }
{Copying the Shareware disc }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 111
$magenta$
$win_text$
Try before you buy
The shareware concept allows you to
try Taskmaster for a month before
you are obligated to register (i.e.
purchase) the right to use it
indefinitely.
If you don't think you need
Taskmaster you can simply erase the
software and you have no further
obligations. If you feel that
Taskmaster cannot meet your need
because of a perceived inadequacy in
the product please inform us of your
requirements. Perhaps you have
missed a vital piece in the jigsaw
and Taskmaster is suitable after
all. We rely on feedback to improve
the product and its presentation.
@end
@nf 112
$magenta$
$win_text$
Registration
I am sure you can appreciate that
Taskmaster has taken literally years
of development. This development is
on-going. When you register you
will be sent the latest version of
Taskmaster. There are many other
benefits.
To register simply send a payment of
forty five pounds sterling to FmP,
Market Square Chambers, Congleton,
CW12 1ET England. You may also pay
by VISA or Mastercard by phone.
North American users may prefer to
register with MVP Software Inc, 1035
Dallas SE, Grand Rapids MI 49507.
Buying Professional Taskmaster is an
alternative to registration.
@end
@nf 113
$magenta$
$win_text$
Trial period
You are free to Try Taskmaster for
30 days before choosing to:
1. Delete and make no further use
of any part of Taskmaster
2. Register with FmP or MVP by
making the appropriate payment
3. Buy a pre-registered copy
4. Buy the Professional version of
Taskmaster
Remember that it is a criminal
offence to continue using Taskmaster
without registering it.
@end
@nf 114
$magenta$
$win_text$
Copying the Shareware disc
Please feel free to copy Taskmaster
to your friends and colleagues. A
mechanism is provided to make this
easy in OVERVIEW task.
You may of course use diskcopy to
make copies of your original disk.
Please do not use any other method.
We wish to maintain the integrity of
copies of Taskmaster. The above
mentioned methods of duplication are
the best ways to ensure this.
@end
@nf 12
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth8,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
What is Taskmaster
{Menu system }
{Replacement for Batch }
{Front-end }
{Security system }
{Your personal software slave }
{Your machine's master }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 121
$bc$
$win_text_r$
Menu system
Taskmaster is an extremely powerful
menu system. Like any useful menu
system it needs to be set up before
becoming useful. Taskmaster is,
we believe, unique in that it can be
set up either by non-programmers
or by programmers. If you are a
non-programmer you can use CONFIG or
take the opportunity to begin
programming in Taskmaster (an ideal
place to start).
Programming is easier than you think
and will be more rewarding and
produce results over which you have
total control. This flexibility sets
it apart from all other menu systems
we know of.
@bright
@end
@nf 122
$bc$
$win_text_r$
Replacement for Batch
Just as the MS-DOS batch processor
interprets BATCH commands found in a
file with an extension of BAT,
Taskmaster interprets PROTEAN
commands which it reads from a file
with a filetype of TSK.
The difference is that the commands
of the batch language are few and
very limited but those of Taskmaster
are many and powerful.
@bright
@end
@nf 123
$bc$
$win_text_r$
Front-end
Most use of a computer involves
interaction with people, displaying
information for them to read and
obtaining replies to questions.
This is the type of use for which
Taskmaster was designed.
Taskmaster excels at launching
other applications. When it does so
it can be made to shrink to less
than 2k and still wake up when the
application exits.
Another major area is that of file
handling. I.e. the storage and
retrieval of information in files.
Taskmaster can do this also but it
should be remembered that this is
really the preserve of PROTEAN.
@bright
@end
@nf 124
$bc$
$win_text_r$
Security system
Taskmaster has many features which
help you maintain the security of
your computers. In Taskmaster, all
security features are optional; you
apply those which suit the
installation. Briefly these include:
Access via Passwords and usernames.
Preventing access to the system
prompt.
Preventing other applications
allowing access to the system
prompt.
Controlling access to files and
directories.
@bright
@end
@nf 125
$bc$
$win_text_r$
Your personal software slave
You can train Taskmaster to do your
bidding. Once taught, Taskmaster
never tires of the tasks assigned.
Just consider the implications of an
INTELLIGENT, fully customisable menu
system.
Ask it to launch applications, check
that they ran successfully, or take
remedial action if they didn't.
Ask it to backup important files or
process output from one application
to hand to a subsequent one.
@bright
@end
@nf 126
$bc$
$win_text_r$
Your machine's master
Taskmaster won't make mistakes. It
can detect errors caused by
applications and utilities not
performing as expected and take
corrective actions.
Taskmaster effectively sits between
the unfriendly operating system and
the screen and keyboard. Taskmaster
is therefore called a user-
interface.
It will make your machine offer you
a friendly face whilst dealing with
the operating system for you.
Taskmaster can perform its tasks
either on demand or at specific
times and dates.
@bright
@end
@nf 13
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth7,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Who needs Taskmaster?
{Computer users }
{Computer Traders }
{Language students }
{Non-Programmers }
{Programmers }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 131
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line3,column4,depth5,width35,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Computer users
{Novice end users }
{System administrators }
{Busy Computer professionals }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 1311
$cr$
$win_text$
Novice end users
Novices are people with limited
computer experience. They are often
intimidated by computers. They
need:
1. A friendly interface.
2. Help when they get stuck.
3. Relief from having to learn
about the operating system (it
can be hard enough to learn the
applications).
4. Safeguards to prevent accidental
damage to important files.
5. The means to record their
actions to help support staff.
In a word: Taskmaster.
@end
@nf 1312
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line4,column5,depth7,width34,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
System administrators
{To make systems more secure }
{To provide on-line help }
{To minimise training }
{Encourage computer-phobics }
{Avoid silly and costly errors }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 13121
$cr$
$win_text$
To make systems more secure
Hacking and viruses are a real
threat to companies whose PC are
open to casual users.
No system can be totally secure.
Very high security is costly and or
makes great demands on system
resources slowing response times.
The security features offered by
Taskmaster are enough for all but a
few percent of installations. If
you use virus scanning software this
can in all probability be automated
by Taskmaster. For instance
Taskmaster could be made to run the
virus check when the machine is
idle (recording details of run
time), perhaps when the operator has
gone to lunch.
@end
@nf 13122
$cr$
$win_text$
To provide on-line help
This task is an example of a help
system. It was written in a couple
of days. This task is very flexible
as one can take a form and make it
into a menu with several new forms
leading from it WITHOUT ALTERING A
LINE OF CODE.
All the words are present in forms
and menus all of which are contained
in the forms file. This can simply
be edited and once SCR has been run
again the new forms and menus are
present and operational.
This is form 13122. Selection 2 from
menu 1312, which was selection 2
from menu 131, which was selection 1
from menu 13, which was selection 3
from menu 1. Too simple for words.
@end
@nf 13123
$cr$
$win_text$
To minimise training
When a new user is given a PC, the
whole machine is a mystery. You may
not remember this situation. It is
being repeated daily the world over.
The natural reaction is to send them
away for training. Most of this
training is geared towards learning
things they shouldn't have to know.
Taskmaster can be used to shield the
novice user from the pain they
would otherwise suffer learning the
complexities of DOS and enable them
to concentrate on learning the
application(s).
@end
@nf 13124
$cr$
$win_text$
Encourage computer-phobics
Many people never 'take' to
computers. They feel that the
machine is so un-forgiving that it
is not worth the effort of learning
how to 'drive' it.
Many executives have far too many
pressures on their valuable time to
spend it wrestling with DOS.
Taskmaster can make it all so much
easier to get on with the job in
hand. It takes un-believers and
makes them enthusiasts.
@end
@nf 13125
$cr$
$win_text$
Avoid silly and costly mistakes
How many horror stories must we hear
about people playing with FORMAT or
FDISK and destroying weeks, months
or even years worth of effort?
Taskmaster can effectively prevent
users making this kind of mistake.
@end
@nf 1313
$cr$
$win_text$
Busy Computer professionals
How much time is spent repeating
complex and tedious sequences of
commands? The more complex a
sequence of commands the more prone
it is to error and the less likely
it is to lend itself to a BATCH file
solution.
Taskmaster isn't just for novices or
System administrators; it is also
the flexible tool that professionals
require.
@end
@nf 132
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line3,column4,depth5,width35,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Computer Traders
{To attract 1st time buyers }
{Wanting a custom solution }
{Systems-Integrators }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 1321
$cr$
$win_text$
Wishing to attract first time buyers
Customers who would otherwise be
intimidated and say 'Maybe next
year!' can be persuaded to buy
today. They will be more than
willing to come back to the trader
with that little bit extra and pay
for it!
@end
@nf 1322
$cr$
$win_text$
Wanting a custom solution
In the fiercely competetive hardware
marketplace it is becoming more and
more difficult to sell on price.
What traders need is a way to make a
particular machine attractive to a
particular customer. With the aid
of Taskmaster he can do this with
the minimum of effort and the
maximum personalisation.
@end
@nf 1323
$cr$
$win_text$
Integration of existing systems
Whatever the customer's needs in
terms of applications, they can be
integrated by Taskmaster into a
coherent whole.
Even if they come from a variety of
sources they can be made to look as
if they do not (at least until they
are launched).
@end
@nf 133
$cr$
$win_text$
Language students
Thinking of learning to program? Now
you have the perfect first language:
Taskmaster.
As soon as you want to get more
adventurous you can move up to
PROTEAN building on the skills you
have learned and creating
applications with exactly the same
user interface.
Multi-user or client server needs?
PROTEAN can even cope with these.
@end
@nf 134
$cr$
$win_text$
Non-Programmers
Even if today you don't want to be
able to 'program' Taskmaster you
can use the pre-configured tasks
CONFIG and STANDARD which will offer
the same facilities as 'the best of
the rest' of menu products.
One day you may need to have that
flexibility. It would be a pity if
you were stuck with an inflexible
competitive product then.
@end
@nf 135
$cr$
$win_text$
Programmers
Programmers may wish to use
Taskmaster for a whole variety of
reasons:
They may like to use Taskmaster to
front-end their works.
They may want to build a program
development harness with Taskmaster
to help edit, compile and test in
their chosen language.
Perhaps they just like the
flexibility Taskmaster offers or
they might have ambitions to move up
to PROTEAN.
@end
@nf 14
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth11,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Why choose Taskmaster
{Mature and well proven }
{Taskmaster is portable }
{You can't grow out of it }
{You design 'look-and-feel' }
{Restricted access }
{Low machine overhead }
{Built in POPUP commands }
{Integrates existing systems }
{Avaliable for Networks }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 141
$bg$
$win_text$
@translate
Mature and well proven
Taskmaster has a long pedigree. It
has been a commercial product
retailing for #325 before being
enhanced and offered as shareware
for #45.
Taskmaster is just part of the
PROTEAN language which is used
extensively by public utilities in
'mission critical' applications.
@bright
@end
@nf 142
$bg$
$win_text$
Taskmaster is portable
Taskmaster will run on virtually any
MS-DOS machine. It is also
available for CDOS, Unix and XENIX.
(All trademarks acknowledged).
@bright
@end
@nf 143
$bg$
$win_text$
You can't grow out of it
Taskmaster is a sub-set of PROTEAN.
What this means is that Taskmaster
commands are actually PROTEAN
commands. There are many more
commands in PROTEAN than there are
in Taskmaster. This is because
Taskmaster is intended for Job
Control and menuing whereas PROTEAN
is a fully-fledged High Level 4GL
language.
Once you have mastered Taskmaster
and need to develop more complex
applications, you will find it very
easy to move up to PROTEAN because
much of it will already be familiar.
@bright
@end
@nf 144
$bg$
$win_text$
You design its 'look-and-feel'
Unlike other MENU products which
impose a specific user-interface on
you, Taskmaster allows you to create
one that actually suits you.
Other menu products may super-
ficially appear more attractive;
you must remember however that you
are probably stuck with their
appearance, e.g. the headings, the
number of options, fixed copyright
messages and the general layout etc.
With Taskmaster you are in control
and you decide what is displayed.
@bright
@end
@nf 145
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line3,column4,depth6,width35,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Restricted access
{To the prompt }
{Via passwords }
{Via User groups }
{Via Hidden attribute}
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 1451
$bg$
$win_text$
Can prevent access to the prompt
Perhaps some of your machines are
susceptible to intrusion by unwanted
users. Maybe you fear that an
inquisitive or malicious person will
erase or corrupt your system.
Perhaps it holds private or
sensitive information,e.g. personnel
records or company finances.
Taskmaster has several very
effective ways of preventing such
unauthorised access including
preventing access to the system
prompt. This severely restricts
an intruder's ability to access or
destroy your valuable data.
@bright
@end
@nf 1452
$bg$
$win_text$
Can demand password entry
Passwords are a well established
method of allowing access to only
authorised users. Taskmaster
passwords are maintained by EUC, the
End User Computing option, which is
supplied when you register
Taskmaster. The catalogue is held
in an encrypted format so is
resistant to hacking.
@bright
@end
@nf 1453
$bg$
$win_text$
User group flexibility
When an end user is introduced to
the catalogue via EUC he is assigned
a User Group number.
When the user logs in to Taskmaster
by supplying the correct username
and password the user group number
is passed back to the task.
The task can make intelligent use of
this number to grant access to
applications as appropriate to that
user's status in the organisation.
One could for instance allow users
in group 50 only, access to the
accounts system.
@bright
@end
@nf 1454
$bg$
$win_text$
Hiding of files and direcories
The DOS HIDDEN attribute for files
and directories can be directly
manipulated by Taskmaster. This has
many possible uses including hiding
diretories before shutting down the
system.
No standard DOS utility allows the
manipulation of this attribute.
Taskmaster can also directly mani-
pulate all other DOS attributes.
@bright
@end
@nf 146
$bg$
$win_text$
Low machine overhead
Taskmaster for MS-DOS is implemented
in 8086 Assembler. This makes it
fast, compact and efficient.
If Taskmaster's RAM residency is too
large to allow the loading of a
particularly large application you
may load the application with the
LARGE command instead of the RUN
command. In this case, Taskmaster
shrinks to less that 2k before the
large application loads.
@bright
@end
@nf 147
$bg$
$win_text$
Sophisticated screen handling
POPUPS allow an area of screen that
already contains data to be
overwritten temporarily with some
new information and subsequently
restored. Taskmaster has a
comprehensive set of commands to
make this possible. You may even
save the entire screen and
subsequently restore it, say after
running an application.
@bright
@end
@nf 148
$bg$
$win_text$
Can integrate existing systems
Taskmaster can find out whether an
application has completed
successfully by actually reading the
text of the screen. For example
when WordStar saves and exits it
outputs the word 'Saving' on line 4
of the screen. Taskmaster can read
this to determine if the file needs
to be backed up for example.
@bright
@end
@nf 149
$bg$
$win_text$
Available in Networking version
Taskmaster is available in a version
for Novell networks. This is known
as Professional Taskmaster. Instead
of registering the Shareware version
you may purchase the Professional
version.
Professional Taskmaster users have
the benefit of some extra commands
as well as the features enabled by
it being Netware aware. The EUC
supplied with the Netware version
is also multi-user.
@bright
@end
@nf 15
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth5,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Where do I start?
{How to invoke Taskmaster }
{The examples supplied }
{The on-line manuals }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 151
@col char,blue,cyan
@dim
$win_text$
How to invoke Taskmaster
The Shareware version of Taskmaster
always loads with 2 initial screens.
These you may find annoying. They
are a gentle reminder that you have
yet to register. The registered
and Professional versions have a /q
flag which suppresses the first of
these LOGON screens. The second
screen - the Registration screen is
not displayed by registered
or professional versions.
The Taskmaster interpreter is called
TM.EXE and may be invoked without
parameters. This action will cause
it to display further details about
how to load it!
@bright
@end
@nf 152
@col char,blue,cyan
@dim
$win_text$
The examples supplied
There are a number of applications
supplied with the shareware version
of Taskmaster. It is envisaged that
users will initially gain access to
them via the OVERVIEW task though
this is not mandatory.
Please note that OVERVIEW loads
certain of the demonstration tasks
with a flag set to make the task
behave in a low-security mode.
Failure to set this flag may mean
that the only way to exit from
Taskmaster is to reboot the machine.
That is the cost of security.
@bright
@end
@nf 153
@col char,blue,cyan
@dim
$win_text$
The on-line manuals
Two tasks are supplied describing in
some detail the commands and system
variables and basic concepts of
Taskmaster and the directives
available in SCR. No on-line
documentation can replace the
printed manual. You may purchase a
printed manual at registration time.
The on-line manuals may be printed
to disc in a format suitable for
printers supporting the IBM Graphic
character set. See PRINTMAN and
PRINTSCR tasks.
@bright
@end
@nf 16
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth6,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Which machines support Taskmaster
{Virtually any IBM PC Compatible }
{Certain Multi-user CDOS machine }
{Certain Unix machines }
{Clones running Xenix }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 161
@col char,white,green
$win_text$
Virtually any IBM PC Compatible
Taskmaster has been written to run
on generic MS-DOS. If you find any
problems running Taskmaster on any
machine/video/dos combination please
report it to FmP. We can only
fix problems we know about!
@end
@nf 162
@col char,white,green
$win_text$
Certain Multi-user CDOS machine
Taskmaster was originally written
for CCP/M (remember that?). It was
later supported on CDOS on these and
other machines. The CDOS version of
Taskmaster is separately sourced
from the MS-DOS version (it is a CMD
file not an EXE file). The CDOS
version is not available as
Shareware.
@end
@nf 163
@col char,white,green
$win_text$
Certain Unix machines
There is also a Taskmaster for Unix
System V that is currently available
for certain ICL machines. We will
be pleased to make it more widely
available if a commercial need is
presented.
@end
@nf 164
@col char,white,green
$win_text$
Clones running Xenix
The Unix system V version of
Taskmaster is also available on
Xenix 386.
@end
@nf 17
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth6,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Programming
{The Basic task }
{Security features }
{Menus }
{Data capture }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 171
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line3,column4,depth5,width35,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
The Basic task
{Task layout }
{Developing Templates }
{Core commands }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 1711
$yr$
$win_text$
Task layout
All tasks must follow the same basic
layout:
Data declarations
END command
Executable code
ENDTASK command
@VIDEO
Screen data
@EOF
Taskmaster ceases to read the source
if and when it encounters an ENDTASK
command. SCR starts to process the
file into templates after it
encounters the @video directive.
@end
@nf 1712
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line4,column5,depth7,width34,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Developing templates
{Format of forms file }
{Format of a form }
{Default actions }
{Separate development }
{Processing forms }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 17121
$yr$
$win_text$
Format of forms file
The @video directive signals to SCR
that it should start forms
processing. This allows forms
information to be located in the TSK
file along with Task information.
SCR simply ignores all lines before
the @vid directive.
Then come the forms themselves.
There can be any number subject to
the size of the index (practical
limit is about 150 per forms file).
If your editor doesn't add ^Z at end
of file (most do) end with @eof.
Summary of forms file structure:
@VID
{{one or more forms}}
@EOF
@end
@nf 17122
$yr$
$win_text$
Format of each form
Each form has a name. The name is
declared using an @nf directive. To
name a form FRED you would use @nf
FRED. Each form ends with @END.
Everything in between @nf and @END
is treated as text (unless it is a
directive, which all start with @ in
column 0 - or it is a special
character).
A CLEAR SCREEN will normally occur
before the form is displayed.
Summary of form structure:
@nf formname
{{1-24 lines text}}
{{plus any number of directives}}
@END
@end
@nf 17123
$yr$
$win_text$
Default actions
Each new form that is displayed will
be in the default colours and at the
default intensity. These may be
changed by @DEFAULTS directive.
By default, forms always clear the
screen before they are displayed,
which is of course not always
desirable and can therefore be
prevented. Also by default,
Taskmaster clears the screen after
displaying a template. This also can
be prevented.
@end
@nf 17124
$yr$
$win_text$
Separate development
The development of templates can be
treated as a quite separate activity
from the development of the rest of
the task.
The template source need not even
reside in the same file as the task
source. It may if desired reside in
a file with a filetype of MAC.
@end
@nf 17125
$yr$
$win_text$
Processing forms
Before a template can be displayed
it needs to be processed. This
makes it efficient and fast to
display. Templates are edited as
SOURCE CODE which contains a number
of commands which are known as
directives. The Template source
code is processed by SCR.EXE; the
Screen Template Processor. SCR
creates an output file with an
extension of .OVR. Each OVR file
can have up to 150 odd templates and
may be used by any number of tasks.
@end
@nf 1713
$yr$
$win_text$
Core commands
Having processed the forms and
created your OVR file, the next job
is to get Taskmaster to display them
for you. Each form has a name. To
display a text-only template, we use
the PUT command. Before doing this
we must make sure that the forms
file has been opened and is ready
for use by means of the FORMS
command. This is normally one of
the first commands in a task.
@end
@nf 172
$yr$
$win_text$
Security features
To prevent users breaking out of
Taskmaster using control_c or
control_break:
DISABLE CTRL_C
Certain applications, once loaded,
allow other applications to be
called. To prevent this:
DISABLE SHELLING
To prevent a task exiting to DOS
don't let it execute a STOP command.
@end
@nf 173
$yr$
$win_text$
Menus
Example SCR code follows:
@nf main_menu
@bbmenu cyan,blue
{{First topic}}
{{Second topic}}
{{Third topic}}
The task part:
MENU 1,'MAIN_MENU'
Option 1,1
option 1 code
return
Option 1,2
Option 1,3
option 2 and 3 code
return
endm 1
@end
@nf 174
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth8,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Data capture
{Simple screens }
{High level commands }
{Easy screen design }
{Editing capability }
{Interacting with users }
{Obtaining the validated data }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 1741
$yr$
$win_text$
Simple screens
Here is a screen of text, which was
entered using a wordprocessor. In
Taskmaster, screens are known as
templates. Some are simple like
this one and only contain text.
Others contain fields for data
entry and are known as forms.
Menus are another special kind of
template.
@end
@nf 1742
$yr$
$win_text$
High level commands
No matter how complex a template is
it is displayed using a single PUT
command. It may clear the screen
before and/or after display. If it
contains fields for data capture
these can be pre-filled with
information that can be edited prior
to being validated. For example to
edit and validate 5 fields using 3
commands:
FIELDFILL TITLE FORE SUR CNO SPD
PUT EDIT_DETAILS
GET TITLE FORE SUR CNO SPD
@end
@nf 1743
$yr$
$win_text$
Easy screen design
The placement of the fields on the
screen, the wording of the prompts
and the nature of the validation to
be performed are all defined in the
form called EDIT_DETAILS.
@nf edit_details
@str min1
@str
@str min1
@str
@dec minint,maxint,minplace,maxplace
Title [[Mr ]]
Forename [[fred ]]
Surname [[bloggs ]]
Customer ref [[23443]]
Order value [[23.22 ]]
@end
@end
@nf 1744
$yr$
$win_text$
Editing capability
The fieldfill command has the effect
of pre-filling the data entry fields
in the next form to be displayed
with the PUT command.
@end
@nf 1745
$yr$
$win_text$
Interacting with users
The PUT command displays a template
on the screen. If the template has
data capture fields, then it also
allows editing of the contents of
these fields using INS and DEL keys.
When the user presses the key
the current contents of the fields
will be validated in accordance with
the field types. Any errors will be
flagged by making the opening feet
flash. Only when the fields pass
all the validation checks will the
PUT command complete.
@end
@nf 1746
$yr$
$win_text$
Obtaining the validated data
After a PUT command that references
a template containing fields, the
data from the fields is moved into
datatypes named in a subsequent GET
command (or commands). Note that
the GET command need not immediately
follow the PUT command.
@end
@nf 18
@bbmenu cyan,blue
@win line2,column3,depth8,width36,pattern 176
$key$
@out cyan
Purchasing Taskmaster
{The software only }
{The printed manual }
{Support }
{How do I register }
{User group }
{Extra utilities }
@use 'Select topic then press or press <esc> to quit this menu'
@end
@nf 181
$yb$
$win_text$
@translate
Shareware Taskmaster - software only
If you find the on-line manuals
sufficiently comprehensive for your
needs you can register for #45.
The task PRINTMAN.TSK will allow you
to print selected sections from
the on-line Taskmaster manual.
The task PRINTSCR.TSK will allow you
to print selected sections from
SCRMAN; the on-line SCR manual.
@end
@nf 182
$yb$
$win_text$
@translate
The printed manual
This costs an additional #20 It is
an A5 ring bound volume running to
300 odd pages and includes at least
twice the detail of the on-line
versions.
@end
@nf 183
$yb$
$win_text$
Support
Once registered, you are entitled to
free support for 3 months. Further
support (including automatic
provision of any updates), can be
purchased at extra cost.
Purchasers Professional Taskmaster
will be entitled to hotline support.
@end
@nf 184
$yb$
$win_text$
How do I register
To register, simply follow the
details displayed when you load
Taskmaster.
@end
@nf 185
$yb$
$win_text$
User group
FmP would be pleased to pool user
generated information and ideas. We
would, therefore, welcome the
formation of an independent user
group with whom we would be willing
to liase on technical matters.
@end
@nf 186
$yb$
$win_text$
Extra utilities
Registration has other benefits
besides furthering the shareware
concept and easing your conscience.
We will supply EUC which will
allow you to implement username,
password and user-group security
measures in your tasks. EUC also
allows you to find out who is making
use of the system, when they last
logged in, which application they
attempted to load and the operating
system response.
We will also supply a copy of
TIDY.EXE which automatically edits
your source code to correctly indent
and otherwise improve it.
@end
@eof