Amiga Format 1/af001.adf/DoTil/Dotil.Doc

Text File | 1988-11-13 | 11KB | 217 lines

DoTil Revision 2.0   March 28, 1987

Directory  utilities  seem  to  be  a popular item.  Many of us spend a large
proportion of our console time rooting through our disks trying  to  maintain
some  semblance  or  order.  This means a lot of typing of obscure file names
and directory paths which end up being wrong  more  often  than  not.   DoTil
hopes,  or  at least pretends, to make those file maintenance chores a little
easier.

DoTil will list, in alphabetical order, all files on any two directories.  It
will  show  the file size, creation date or time, and the amount of free disk
space.  It will copy, rename and delete files, create or  delete  directories
and  move  one  or more files from one directory to another.  It will even do
some of the things it can't do itself using the COMMAND feature.

Most of the program is intuitively obvious like a good Amiga  program  should
be.  There are some points which require the inevitable clarifications.

GETTING STARTED...

Start  the program from WorkBench or CLI.  The RAM: disk is displayed in both
'windows'.   The  left  window  is  the  source,  the  right  window  is  the
destination.  The copy gadget >>>-COPY->> is a not so subtle reminder of this
relationship.

Unlike Revision 1.0 of DoTil, Revision 2.0 will not change  the  location  of
the  source and destination 'windows'.  Immediately below each window are the
drive gadgets.  Select one to display the root directory of  a  disk.   Files
are  displayed in 'white' letters, directories in 'orange'.  These colors may
vary depending on your Preferences.

The total size of all files in the source directory is  displayed  above  the
source window.  The destination window shows the space available.  This value
is ALWAYS zero for the RAM: disk.  Select a directory in the source window by
clicking on it.  The directory will be loaded and displayed.  Notice that the
Total is updated to reflect the contents of the source directory.

Also notice the path name displayed  in  the  Source  string  gadget  located
immediately  below  the drive gadgets.  The GP (GetParent) gadget may be used
to return to the parent directory.  Now select a single file  in  the  source
directory.   The  file  is highlighted, the name appears in the Source string
gadget, and the size of the file is now the Total.  Total will show the total
size of all selected files in the source directory.  The Source string gadget
will show the path AND name if only one file is selected, otherwise it  shows
the path only.

Select  some  more files and note the Total size.  This value may be compared
to the Space Available to see if there is enough room on the destination.  It
does  NOT  take  into acount any files on the destination which have the same
name and will be written over.  Select the Copy gadget (or use the Copy  menu
item)  to  copy  the files.  The Message area will display each file as it is
copied, and the total number copied when the command is  complete.   So  much
for getting started.

MENUS

The menus provide most of the additional features of DoTil.

The Windows menu allows the CONTENTS of the source and destination windows to
be swapped.  The contents of both windows may be made identical using the
S -> D and D -> S menu items.

The  Actions  menu  items  do most of the work.  All files may be selected or
cleared (deselected).  COPY, RENAME, MOVE, and  DELETE  are  activated  here.
Note  that  some  actions  require a single path (delete for example) and are
only operative on the source window.  See the discusion of DELETE, MAKE  DIR,
and VIEW below.

The  Options  menu  items allow various program options to be changed.  Files
are normally deselected after a command.  Sometimes it is useful to leave the
files  selected  so  they  may be deleted.  This insures that only the copied
files are deleted.  Select this option using the After Copy menu  item.   The
date  or  time  of  all  files in the source or destination may be displayed,
instead of the file size, using the Info menu  item.   Last  but  not  least,
directories  may be selected rather than loaded using Select Directory.  This
is necessay in order to delete or rename a directory.

COMMAND picks up where DoTil leaves off.   The  VIEW  item  allows  ASCII  or
binary  files  to be displayed.  A single file must be selected in the source
window prior to using the VIEW command.  This is an internal command and does
not  require  any  external  files.   The  S  to  Command  and  D  to Command
concatenates the contents of the Source or Destination string gadget  to  the
Command  string  gadget.  The Execute item will 'Execute' the contents of the
Command string gadget as if it had been typed in from CLI.  This feature  may
be  used to run ShowILBM or do an Info, without exiting to CLI.  This command
has some important restrictions as discussed below.

MOVE and RENAME

These two commands actually do the  same  thing.   The  destinction  is  that
RENAME  changes  the  name of a single file.  MOVE changes the path of one or
move files by using the AmigaDOS Rename()  function.   In  either  case,  the
source  and  destination device must be the same.  To RENAME, select the file
in the source window.  Now select the same file (in the  same  directory)  in
the destination window.  The S -> D menu item may be used to expedite getting
the same path in both windows.  The Source  and  Destination  string  gadgets
should  now  contain  the  file  name,  if not, be sure that only one file is
selected in each window.  Now select the Destination string gadget  and  edit
the  file name.  Press RETURN and select the Rename menu item.  The file need
not be actually selected in the destination window, as long as the paths  are
the same.

The MOVE command is easier.  Select a destination directory ON THE SAME DISK.
Select as many source files as you wish and then select the Move  menu  item.
The files will disappear from the source and appear in the destination.  This
is so handy for organizing disks that I  rarely  bother  to  create  seperate
directories  until  the  disk  becomes  cluttered.   Then  I  make   whatever
directories I need and move everything around as appropriate.

TIPS, TRICKS and CAVEATS

Coping to a New Name:

Select a source and destination directory and then select a  SINGLE  file  in
the  source.   Select the Destination string gadget and type in the new name.
Select the Copy gadget and it's done.  This is  really  useful  for  changing
Icons.   Want  to  use  a  fancy  new Drawer gadget?  Select it in the source
window, and then select the .info file for a  directory  in  the  destination
window.   No  editing is necessary since the new file name will already be in
the destination string gadget.  Do the copy and select  the  .info  file  for
another  directory.  If the Leave Files Selected option is on you can do this
again and again until all the directories have new drawer gadgets.

DELETE, MAKE DIR, VIEW

These functions do not require a 'destination'.  A single path is all that is
needed, obviously.  Only the 'Source' path is valid for these commands.  This
is the main reason for the WINDOWS menu list.  Want to delete a file  on  the
'Destination' to make room for the file you are about to copy?  You must make
that 'window' the 'Source' first using the Swap menu item.  Delete the  file,
and SWAP again.  You are ready to copy.

Manual Input:

The  Source  and Destination string gadgets may be used to manually enter the
path and file name.  Do this ONLY if you are using RENAME,  coping  a  SINGLE
file,  or  using  VIEW.  Program variables are used to maintain the 'current'
device and path when performing other tasks and anything you have typed  into
the  string  gadgets will be ignored.  This is not much of a limitation since
the whole point of DoTil is to avoid typing things.  If it  seems  confusing,
just remember:

   If you can select it with the mouse, do so.
   Otherwise, type it in.  It WILL work.

Standard Output:

DoTil  may  be run either from WorkBench, or from the CLI.  If the program is
executed from CLI, it will use the CLI window  for  standard  output.   DoTil
itself  does  not use the standard output except for a few hopefully never to
be seen error messages.  Any program executed using the COMMAND feature  will
use the CLI window just as if it had been run directly from CLI.  If DoTil is
run from WorkBench however, a little window is opened for use as the standard
output.   This  window will be located behind DoTil, and must be made visible
using the depth gadgets if you want to see what you are doing.

Commands:

The COMMAND feature will let you run ED or EMACS.  You can do an INFO or  use
SHOWILBM.   The  program  need not reside in the 'c' directory as long as you
specify the path.  The path for ANY data files MUST be provided because there
is  no 'current' directory.  Most important, there is NO standard input.  You
can provide redirection just as you would with CLI, but  unless  the  program
performs its own input (ED,EMACS), you won't be able to enter anything.  This
has some drastic implications.  You can use the FORMAT command, but  you  had
better be sure you specify the proper drive because the program will go right
by the ENTER RETURN prompt and start formatting immediately!  Experiment with
caution.   Perhaps  someone  who  understands  the  Execute()  function   can
enlighten me as to how to  pass  the  standard  input  along  to  the  called
program.   To  clear  the Command string gadget, select it with the mouse and
press Right Amiga X.

NOTE:  SHOWILBM and ARC will work from DoTil, but ONLY if it is run from CLI.
I  cannot explain this.  Perhaps the folks at LATTICE know something I don't.
I wouldn't be surprised.

Limitations:

You can not select files in more than one directory.

A directory may only hold 150 files.

The Source,  Destination  and  Command  string  gadgets  are  limited  to  53
characters.

The DF2: and DH0: devices have not been tested.

VIEW  will  not process TABS correctly, and will not advance to the next page
with any accuracy.  It is better than nothing.

Contributions:

Please send your check or money order to:

               Dan Franki
               12306 Tomanet Trail
               Austin, Texas  78758

When I have the source in a condition I consider distributable, I  will  make
it available to all.  DoTil owes a lot to other peoples programs from which I
have borrowed shamelessly.  Send me a disk (and a little money) if  you  just
can't wait.

Last but not least, this important announcement:

DoTil may be freely copied and used by anyone provided that:

   The party providing the copy recieves no fee or other
   compensation excluding club membership dues or media charges.

   This documentation file is included in its original form.

The  author makes no claims as to the suitablity or accuracy of this program.
Any damage resulting from the use of DoTil is the sole responsibility of  the
user.