OS/2 Shareware BBS: 6 File/06-File.zip/flist58.zip/FLIST58.DOC

Text File | 1990-05-20 | 54KB | 1,432 lines

                      FLIST version 5.8

          A Directory and File List utility for OS/2

   Copyright (C) TJD Software 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990.
                     All rights reserved.
1 SHAREWARE
-----------

 FLIST is NOT public domain or free software. It is copyrighted
material and may not be sold or distributed except as detailed
below. FLIST is a PACKAGE of utilities and not a single program.

 FLIST is distributed under the SHAREWARE concept. Users are
permitted to use FLIST for a limited trial period of two weeks.
Use of FLIST after this period requires registration.

 In order to register FLIST you are expected to contribute #20.00
(UK), $35.00 (US) or $40.00 (CAD).

 Please make cheques payable to TJD Software and send your
payment to the following address:

    TJD Software,
    PO Box 61,
    Keighley,
    West Yorkshire,
    BD20 5DY
    United Kingdom.

 FLIST may only be used on one computer at a time.  FLIST may be
copied only for the purpose of allowing other users to try FLIST.
No fee may be charged for the software. The package may be
distributed ONLY in the form supplied by TJD software or in the
form of an archive containing ALL of the files from the original
distribution file.

 TJD Software does not guarantee that FLIST will work without
problems. TJD Software will not be liable for ANY damage that
may arise from the use of FLIST. You are using FLIST completely
at your OWN risk. We, however, are using FLIST on our machines
all the time and find it to be reliable. Please report any
problems to us and we will try to solve them (See 12. SUPPORT).

 There are currently two new versions of FLIST under development.
These are COMPLETELY new versions of the program for both the
OS/2 and MS/PC-DOS operating systems and contain SIGNIFICANT
enhancements in the areas of performance, functionality and
useability. These NEW versions will also be SHAREWARE.

 Operators of Bulletin Board Systems (SYSOPs) may post copies of
FLIST on their Bulletin-Board systems for downloading by their
users. They may NOT charge a fee for FLIST.

 Volume discounts and site licenses are available, please write
to us to receive more information on this subject.

2 INTRODUCTION
--------------

 A few years ago we started to work with Personal Computers. At
that time there was only DOS with its command line environment.
 Used to working on IBM mainframes, we had been using a product
called 'Filelist' under IBM's VM/CMS operating system. This
product made it possible to manipulate files from a list without
having to enter long commands. We started thinking about
something like that under DOS. At that time we found that there
were very few programs available with the required functionality,
they were all slow and lacked the features that we required. Very
soon, we started developing such a tool for ourselves and this
evolved into the current FLIST.

 Our goal was, and still is, to make FLIST as fast and as
powerful as the operating system and the hardware will allow us
to. FLIST is not a utility for beginners, it is more aimed at
programmers and 'power-users'. Because of this, FLIST is not the
easiest of products to come to grips with. We suggest, however
that perseverance with the product will pay dividends and we hope
that you will soon find yourself using it more and more. It is
VERY IMPORTANT that you read this documentation in order to make
the most of FLIST's capabilities.

 This OS/2 version of FLIST is almost exactly the same as the
DOS version. We have already started developing completely new
versions of FLIST for both DOS and OS/2. These versions will use
pull-down menus and be even more powerful.

 FLIST is a utility that is designed to ease the use of your PC
by allowing execution of commands from a file selection list.
You will no longer need to enter long commands at the command
line as most FLIST commands are activated with a single key. You
can copy, move, rename, delete, edit and much more just by
pressing one key.

 FLIST makes considerable use of the "ENVIRONMENT" when executing
certain functions. The ENVIRONMENT is a part of memory that can
be accessed by all programs, it can be used to keep information
available all the time. Each piece of information can be accessed
by name. The environment can be changed and browsed from the
command line. To see the contents of the environment, use the
OS/2 "SET" command with no operands. For more information about
setting environment variables, please consult your OS/2
documentation under the SET command and chapter 6 that deals with
FLIST setup. Note that versions of FLIST from 5.5 onwards have
an in-built environment editor.

 Some functions cause FLIST to search the environment in order
to find which program is to be executed. This approach allows
you to use your preferred editor from FLIST and it also allows
you to define your preferred browser and print utility. The
execute command will search the environment too, and will react
in an 'intelligent' manner to the extension of the current file.


 3 THE PACKAGE
 -------------

 With the FLIST package you should have received the following
files:

    FLIST.EXE FileList, the program.
    FLIST58.DOC Filelist, documentation (this file).
    BVIDEO.DLL TJD Software's Video DLL. This file is
          included for compatibilty with previous versions of
          the package and is NOT required by the current
          versions. In some cases the file will NOT be included
          in the package. This is not an error, it simply means
          that the file is NOT required.

 The following files are also included:

    FB.EXE The File Browse program (with HPFS support).
    FB.DOC FB documentation file.

    PA.EXE The Programmer's assistant.
    PA.DOC PA documentation file.

    GENV.EXE An environment display/save utility.
    GENV.DOC The documentation for GENV.EXE

    ZSHELL   A powerful ZIP file handler.
    ZSHELL.DOC The documentation for ZSHELL.

    MLINE.EXE A utility to allow conditional processing in
          CMD files based on user reponses to prompts.

    FSTART.CMD An example CMD file to start FLIST with.

    FLCOPY.CMD An example of how to implement user
          functions in FLIST (copy file within directory) and of
          how to use the MLINE program.

    FSAVENV.CMD Another example of how to implement user
          functions in FLIST (save environment) and of how to use
          the GENV and MLINE programs.

 4 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
 ----------------------

 This version of FLIST will run on IBM PC/AT, IBM PS/2 or
compatible computers running OS/2 version 1.0 or higher. It will
NOT run in the DOS compatibility box. FLIST for OS/2 has been
tested on IBM PS/2s, IBM PC/ATs and AT 'clones' running IBM OS/2
versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2. A DOS version of FLIST is available
which will also work in the DOS compatibility box of OS/2.


 5 FEATURES
 ----------

 An overview of the most important FLIST features:

 - FLIST uses LOTUS-style menus to select options.

 - You can use different functions (Eg. COPY and DELETE) in one
go.

 - FLIST will show ALL files including Hidden and System files.

 - It is possible to change the attributes of files.

 - You can sort a directory by filename, extension, size,
date/time and attribute. You can also unsort a directory to
return to the physical order on disk.

 - With the quick-locate facility you can locate a file by typing
its first character(s) instead of searching through the list
yourself.

 - Long file lists can be reduced in size by using file
selection. You can use wildcard characters to make the list show
only that you are interested in. (e.g. *.CMD will show only
command files).

 - You can rename files and directories with FLIST.

 - FLIST can move files for you, this is very fast on the same
disk as only directory entries are copied.

 - Use YOUR preferred editor (ME, Brief, Epsilon, E, etc..) to
edit your files. FLIST will invoke the editor you have specified.

 - You can define any file type as executable: you might define
the .WKS extension to load LOTUS 123 and then read the file you
were pointing at! You can execute almost anything (.EXE, .CMD,
.PRG, C, TXT etc..).

 - Printing a file from FLIST is easy, you can define your own
print program in the same way as you can define your editor.

 - Editing new files and creating directories is also possible
from FLIST.

 - You can edit the local environment without having to leave
FLIST.

 - You can assign your own definitions to up to 10 user keys.
This allows you to implement features that FLIST doesn't directly
support.

 6 New features in version 5.5.

 Version 5.5 of the FLIST package contains several enhancements
as well as fixing some known problems. It is now possible to edit
the ENVIRONMENT without first leaving FLIST. Use ctrl-V to pop
the environment editor up. The editor allows you to view and to
change environment variables. New variables may be added by
pressing the '+' key when in selection mode.
 Video performance has been enhanced in version 5.5.
 The PA program has an enhanced disk-information screen.
 The FB program is now OS/2 only. It will NOT run in the 'DOS
BOX'. This means that it is SMALLER and FASTER.

 7 New features in version 5.6.

 Version 5.6 of FLIST.EXE now supports international date formats
depending on the COUNTRY setting.
 Version 1.3 of PA.EXE now supports OCTAL calculations and
conversions.

 8 New features in version 5.7.

 Version 5.7 of FLIST.EXE now allows the default sort order to
be set by the use of a command line switch (/Sn).
 Basic MOUSE support has been added to FLIST. This applies only
to FLIST INTERNAL routines (such as the environment editor) and
NOT to external programs such as the File Browser.
 A simple ZIP file viewer (ZIPVIEW.EXE) has been added to the
package.
 The file browser (FB.EXE) will accept the new-style long names
as used by the OS/2 1.2 High Performance File System (HPFS).
 Default settings for executable programs such as the editor now
use COMSPEC (normally CMD.EXE) for execution. This allows the
execution of PM programs from FLIST and 'future proofs' things
somewhat.
 FLIST can now BROWSE named files that are not in the current
list due to addition of the Ctrl-B (Browsenamed) facility.
 The number of user-definable keys has been increased to 10 so
that you can add features to FLIST which are not currently
supported such as 'copy within directory'.
 You can now go directly to a different drive and/or subdirectory
using the 'Godir' function (Ctrl-G).


 8a New features in version 5.7a.

 Bug fixes. Previous versions of FLIST would allow actions on an
empty file list.
 FLIST now comes complete with a powerful ZIP archive handler meaning
that you now have even less reason to run the DOS box! The ZSHELL
program replaces the ZIPVIEW program that came with earlier versions
of the FLIST package.

 8b New features in version 5.8.
 FLIST can now map disk drive ranges that are discontiguous. This
matches the drive ranges found on some networks.

 FLIST will now display up to sixty lines depending on your initial
MODE setting. FLIST will allow you to switch screen sizes from the
menu bar that is displayed when the <ALT> key is pressed. When you
execute an external process (Edit, browse, user command, OS/2 shell)
FLIST will save the current mode and restore it when the external
process finishes.

 It is now possible to turn MOUSE support ON or OFF depending on your
preference. See the documentation for the /MOUSE and /NOMOUSE
switches and for the $FMOUSE environment variable.

 A default sort order may now be set using the $FSORT environment
variable.

 FB (the file browser) will also now display up to sixty lines.


 9 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
 ------------------------

 Installing FLIST on your machine is easy:

 - We suggest that you create a directory called \TJDSOFT on a
hard disk and include it on both your PATH and LIBPATH chains.

 - Copy the FLIST package to your hard disk and make sure that
the PATH contains the directory where FLIST.EXE and the other
programs in the package are stored.

 - Copy BVIDEO.DLL onto your hard disk and make sure that the
LIBPATH in the CONFIG.SYS or CONFIG.OS2 file contains the
directory where BVIDEO.DLL is stored. Earlier versions of FLIST
will NOT run if the system cannot find BVIDEO.DLL somewhere on
the LIBPATH. This step is optional for the current version of the
package. Note that BVIDEO.DLL may not have been included with the
current package. If this is the case it simply means that it is
NOT required.

 10 SETUP
 --------

 10.1 First time setup

 It is possible to use FLIST without going through the setup
procedure. If this is the first time that you have used FLIST and
you just want to see it run, skip setup and run it. Please keep
in mind that you should go through setup at a later time as the
real power of FLIST comes only with the setup features. You WILL
need to set environment variables to define your editor etc.

 10.2 Setup FLIST

 10.2.1 How FLIST uses the environment for setup.

 FLIST will read the environment to see if you have defined any
variables for FLIST. You may enter each of them on the command
line like this:

 SET $FDOC=C:\TJDSOFT\FB.EXE $FN

 In this example the variable name is "$FDOC" and it is assigned
to the string "C:\TJDSOFT\FB.EXE $FN". This setting is remembered
as long as your OS/2 session exists.
 Instead of typing in each SET command for FLIST, it is much more
convenient to put all the SET commands into a command (.CMD)
file. The most logical place would be in the OS2INIT.CMD file as
this file will normally be executed when an OS/2 session is
started. Users of OS/2 version 1.1 and above may also set
environment strings in the CONFIG.SYS file.


 Some variables take parameters, like "$FN" in the example above.

 The parameters that FLIST will recognize are:

 $FN Is replaced by FLIST with the NAME of the current file.

 $FE Is replaced by FLIST with the EXTENSION of the current file.


 $FP Is replaced by FLIST with the FULL PATH of the current file,
including a trailing backslash (e.g. 'C:\BATFILES\').

 $P Causes FLIST to PROMPT for parameters before passing control
to the program to be executed.

 Note that the 'current' file is the file that the cursor-bar
is positioned over on the main FLIST display.

 10.2.2 FLIST environment variables

 Note that in the notes below reference to (COMSPEC) indicates
that FLIST will search the environment for the string 'COMSPEC='
and append the appropriate parameters to it. COMSPEC should
ALWAYS be set. If COMSPEC does not exist, FLIST will terminate
with an error message. If FLIST has to search for a file for
EDIT, BROWSE or PRINT and finds a .CMD file, COMSPEC is also
used. All environment variables that are recognised by FLIST are
listed here:

 Variable $FBRW$

 Description: Specifies the name of the program to be used when
BROWSE or BROWSENAMED is selected.

 Default: (COMSPEC) /c FB (The TJD Software File Browse program)

 Parameters: No

 Example: SET $FBRW$=C:\TJDSOFT\FB.EXE

 (Setup the program File Browse as the browser for FLIST)


 Variable: $FEDT$

 Use: Specifies the name of the program to be used when EDIT or
EDITNAMED is selected.

 Default: (COMSPEC) /c E (The OS/2 system editor - in OS/2
version 1.1 and above)

 Parameters: No

 Example: SET $FEDT$=C:\BRIEF\B.EXE

 Setup the Brief editor as the Editor for FLIST.




 Variable: $FPRN$

 Use: Specifies the name of the program to be used when PRINT
is selected.

 Default: (COMSPEC) /c PRINT (An OS/2 command)

 Parameters: No

 Example: SET $FPRN$=C:\TJDSOFT\FP.EXE

 Setup the program File Print as the print program for FLIST.

 Variable: $FREFRESH

 Use: Tells FLIST to check the amount of space required for Copy
and Move at several points during normal operation. Set this
variable to ANY value to cause frequent Copy/Move statistics
refresh. If you do NOT set this variable, FLIST will only
calculate the number of bytes required on the target drive when
a NEW target is set. Refreshing the number of bytes required
causes FLIST to access the TARGET disk(ette). This may slow FLIST
considerably if the target disk is a floppy-diskette.

 Variable: $FUSR$

 Use: Specifies the name of the program to be used when USERCMD
is selected.

 Default: PA (The TJD Software Programmer's Assistant program)

 Parameters: Yes

 Example: SET $FUSR$=PA.EXE

 Setup the program PA.EXE as the User program for FLIST.


 Variables: $FUSRn$ (where 'n' is the character '1' through '9')

 Use: Specifies the program to be run when the '1' through '9'
keys are used.

 Default: None (an error message will be displayed).

 Parameters: Yes.

 Example: SET $FUSR1$=%COMSPEC% /c FLCOPY $FN.$FE $P

 Set up to run a secondary command processor which will in turn
run the FLCOPY program or CMD file passing the filename and
extension of the current file after prompting for parameters. In
this example FLIST will take the required action when the '1' key
is pressed.
 FLCOPY.CMD is supplied as an example of how to implement 'copy
within same directory' under FLIST (a facility that is not
directly supported).

 Variable: $FCMPROMPT

 Use: Specifies wether to prompt EVERY time FLIST needs to
overwrite an existing file or just the FIRST time.

 Default FIRST

 Parameters: No

 Example: SET $FCMPROMPT=EVERY

 Setup FLIST to prompt each time a copy or move operation would
overwrite an existing file.





 Variable: $FDPROMPT

 Use: Specifies whether to prompt for EVERY delete request or
just the FIRST time.

 Default: FIRST

 Parameters: No

 Example: SET $FDPROMPT=EVERY

 Setup FLIST to prompt each time a file is deleted.



 Variable: ROOT

 Use: Functionally equivalent to the /R startup option. Starts
FLIST in the root directory (\) of the CURRENT drive.

 Default: Off

 Parameters: No

 Example: SET ROOT=YES

 Flist will start in the root directory, any value for ROOT is
valid.

 SET ROOT=

 Flist will start in the current directory, this command is only
necessary if ROOT has previously been set to a non-null value.
If the ROOT variable doesn't exist FLIST will start in the
current directory.


 Variable: $FMOUSE

 Use: $FMOUSE=Y turns MOUSE support ON. $FMOUSE=N turns MOUSE support
OFF.

 Default: 'Y' (MOUSE support enabled).

 Parameters: No.

 Example: SET $FMOUSE=N

 Turn MOUSE support OFF to prevent FLIST from 'capturing' the mouse
when running in a windowed session. You may override the action of
this variable with the /MOUSE and /NOMOUSE startup switches.


 Variable: $FSORT

 Use: $FSORT=[N, E, S, D, U, A] sets the default sort order for FLIST
when it starts. Where:
    N = Name,
    E = Extension.
    S = Size.
    D = Date.
    U = Unsorted (physical order).
    A = Attribute.

 Paramters: No

 Example: SET $FSORT=D

 The above example sets the default sort order to DATE. This setting
may be overridden by the /SN, /SE, /SS, /SD, /SU or /SA startup
switch.


 Variable: $Fxxx

 Use: Specifies the action that the eXecute key will perform
when selected against a file with the extension xxx. You may set
strings of the form $Fxxx where xxx is the 3-character extension
of a file. When the eXecute key is pressed, FLIST will search
the environment in order to determine what action to take.
Defaults have been provided for the strings $FEXE and $FCMD
although you may override them if you wish.

 Defaults: $FEXE=(COMSPEC) /c $FN.$FE $P
           $FCMD=(COMSPEC) /C $FN.$FE $P

 Parameters: Yes.

 Example: SET $FPRG=C:\DBASE\DBASE.EXE $FN

 Setup the .PRG extension in FLIST. When eXecute is pressed on
a file with a .PRG extension it will start dBase and run that
program.

 10.2.3 Example setup

 The OS2INIT.CMD on our own machine contains the following
commands to set the ENVIRONMENT variables for FLIST.

 SET $FCMPROMPT=FIRST
 SET $FDPROMPT=FIRST
 SET ROOT=
 SET $FEDT$=C:\BRIEF\B.EXE
 SET $FBRW$=C:\TJDB\FB.EXE /L
 SET $FPRN$=C:\TJD\FP.EXE
 SET $FUSR$=C:\TJD\PA.EXE
 SET $FEXE=%COMSPEC% $FN.$FE $P
 SET $FZIP=%COMSPEC% /c C:\OS2\PRG2\PKZIP2.EXE $P $FN $P
 SET $FC=%COMSPEC% C:\BINB\CL.EXE /c $FN.$FE /Lp
 SET $FMAK=%COMSPEC% C:\BINB\MAKE.EXE $FN.$FE
 SET $FLIB=%COMSPEC% /c C:\BINB\LIB.EXE $FN$P
 SET $FCMD=CMD.EXE /c $FN $P
 SET $FZIP=%COMSPEC% /c ZSHELL $FN

 As you can see in the example we normally specify a full path
for each program. You don't need to do this as all directories
listed in your PATH will be searched, but searching the PATH will
certainly be slower than our method.
 We have also shown most of the default settings. You don't need
to set the defaults but we have defined them for clarity.

 Note: NO blanks before or immediately after the "=".

 11 Starting FLIST
 -----------------

 To start FLIST, just enter

 FLIST

 at the command line prompt and press RETURN. FLIST will start
in the current directory.

 Or enter

 FLIST /R

 to start FLIST in your Root directory.

 To specify a default SORT order you may use the '/Sx' switch
where x equals:

 N Sort by NAME.
 E Sort by EXTENSION.
 S Sort by SIZE.
 D Sort by time within DATE.
 A Sort by ATTRIBUTE.
 U Sort by physical order (UNSORT) - This is the
 default.

 You may allow or suppress the use of the mouse with the /MOUSE or
/NOMOUSE switch. This switch can be used to override the $FMOUSE
environment variable. The mouse is ENABLED by default.

 If the environment variables for EDIT, BROWSE or PRINT are not
specified, FLIST will construct its own defaults and search for
the required files first in the current directory and then in all
directories on the PATH. If any of the files cannot be found
FLIST will terminate with an error message. If this is the case,
you should either set the environment variables prior to
executing  FLIST, or create .CMD files for the missing commands
called E.CMD, FB.CMD and/or PRINT.CMD and place them on the PATH.
If you are using .CMD files for EDIT, BROWSE and/or PRINT you
MUST ensure that the COMSPEC variable exists in the environment.
This variable is normally created by the system automatically
and should NOT normally be tampered with or removed.

 12 USER INTERFACE
 -----------------
 12.1 The screen

 The largest part of the screen is reserved for the file list.
A reversed-video bar is used as a cursor to point to the current
file or directory name. You can move forwards and backwards
within the list entering FLIST commands as you go. Some commands
will not execute immediately, but will mark a file entry for a
later operation. The dot '.' before the filename is where this
function mark will appear. For each entry in the list the name,
extension, date, size and file attribute is displayed.

 File attributes are abbreviated to one character as follows:

 D Directory, means that the current entry is a directory.

 A Archive, means that the file has been changed or created since
your last backup.

 R Read-only, the file cannot be changed or deleted.

 H Hidden, the file will not appear in DIR listing.

 S System, the file belongs to the operating system.

 Some users might think that V for Volume label is missing, but
its not. We have omitted this attribute due to the fact that most
programs will not process a VOLUME label correctly. The VOLUME
label of the current disk is displayed on the second line of the
FLIST display.

 The top and bottom lines show the commands that are available.

 These lines will change as CTRL or ALT is pressed, to show some
other commands. Press the highlit character or the function key
of the function you want. Note that the menu bar will NOT change
if you are running FLIST in a Presentation Manager window due to
the fact that PM traps the 'raw' alt and ctrl keys. The alt and
ctrl functions are still available however.

 The second line at the top of the screen will show the volume
label and the current directory of the current disk.

 The small box at the top right is used to display the total
number of bytes marked for the Copy (C), Delete (D) and Move (M)
commands. The totals take into consideration the geometry of disk
that is the target for the operation. Don't be surprised to see
the numbers change because of different disk types. Some disks
need more physical space to store the same file than others do.
The number of bytes to be deleted is always calculated from the
current drive.

 The line that normally displays a copyright message is also
used to display other messages, menus or a user input area.
 Below the message line you will find the current Copy and Move
target. It will show the current target path for copy and move
operations.

 The next line shows the size of the largest free block of memory
and the amount of free disk space on the current disk.

 The penultimate line shows the number of files in the current
selection, remember that this may be less than the actual number
of files in the directory when you are using a selection (eg.
*.EXE). Also the number of sub-directories under this directory
is shown and the total size of all files together.


 12.2 Keys for normal use

 When FLIST is running the following keys can be used:

 Up or Left moves the cursor bar up one line, if the cursor bar
is on the first line then the file list will be scrolled up one
line.

 Down or Right moves the cursor bar down one line, if the cursor
bar is on the last line then the file list will be scrolled down
one line.

 PgUp Move file list up one screen (minus 1 line).

 PgDn Move file list down one screen (minus 1 line).

 Home Go to the top of the file list.

 End Go to the end of the file list.

 Space Clear the function that was placed against the current
entry and move the cursor to the next entry.

 Return Re-read the directory from disk, this is necessary when
a new disk is inserted, when files have been created or deleted
or when you want to see the new size, date and time of files that
were changed. Also execute any functions that are presently in
the list.

 Esc Select the parent directory of the current directory. If the
current directory is the root then a prompt will appear to
confirm whether FLIST should be ended.


 12.3 Keys for use in menus

 Sometimes FLIST makes use of Lotus-style menus. Lotus-style
menus are a list of choices displayed on one line, one choice is
displayed in reversed video. You may move the reversed bar to
another choice and activate your choice with one of the following
keys:

 Up or Left - Move reversed bar to previous choice, wrap-around
if the reversed bar was on the first item.

 Down or Right - Move reversed bar to next choice, wrap-around
if the reversed bar was on the last item.

 Home - Put reversed bar on the first item.

 End - Put reversed bar on the last item.

 Return - Activate the choice under the reversed bar.

 First character - IMMEDIATELY activate the first choice that
starts with the character that you entered.

 Esc - Cancel the menu and return to normal operation.


 12.4 Keys for use in input fields

 For some input FLIST, makes use of editing fields displayed in
reversed video. If you have used an editing field before, the old
value will be remembered so that it can be editied on subsequent
selection. You may use the following keys to edit the contents
of prompt fields:

 Ins Toggle between INSERT and OVERSTRIKE mode. When in INSERT
mode, the cursor will show as a block. When in OVERSTRIKE mode
the cursor will show as the normal flashing underline.

 Del Delete the character at the current cursor position.

 Backspace Delete the character to the left of the cursor.

 Left Move the cursor to the left.

 Right Move the cursor to the right.

 Home Return to the start of the prompt line.

 End Position on the first trailing blank.

 Return Accept current input. Note that the entire contents of
the input field will be accepted regardless of the cursor
position.

 Esc Leave input mode and cancel the function.

 Ctrl-End Delete from the current cursor position to the end of
the input area.

 Ctrl-Backspace Clear the input area and home the cursor.

 Ctrl-left Move the cursor 1 word to the left.

 Ctrl-right Move the cursor 1 word to the right or to the end of
the input area.


 Note that the editing keys work for all input prompts EXCEPT
when using the LOCATE or RENAME functions.

 12.5 Using the MOUSE.
 FLIST now supports the use of a two-button mouse for internal
functions. Although the mouse is not REQUIRED for any given
function it may be of use during scrolling, menu selection,
editing the environment etc. Use of the MOUSE for scrolling is
obvious. In addition to this, the MOUSE BUTTONS are defined as
follows:

 Button 1 down (Main selection list only). This is equivalent
to SELECT. Pressing the left button will either select a
subdirectory or invoke the file browser.

 Button 2 down. This has the same effect as the ENTER key in all
operations that support the mouse.

 Both buttons down. This is equivalent to the ESCAPE key in all
operations that support the mouse.


 13 Command reference
 --------------------

 13.1 Quick reference

 A list of all the FLIST commands and a brief description of each
follows:

 Normal commands:

 - Copy     Mark file for copy.
 - Delete     Mark file for deletion.
 - Edit     Invoke editor to edit file.
 - Move     Mark file for move.
 - Rename     Mark file for rename.
 - Show     Invoke browser to browse file or to select a directory.
 - Target     Make directory the current copy/move target.
 - eXecute     eXecute file.
 - Print     Invoke the print program to print the file.
 - Usercmd     Invoke a defined program to do something special.
 - RETURN     Execute deferred commands and re-read the current
        directory from disk.


 Alt-key commands:

 - Rdonly     Toggle the Read-Only attribute of the file.
 - Archive     Toggle the Archive attribute of the file.
 - Hide     Toggle the Hidden attribute of the file.
 - System     Toggle the System attribute of the file.
 - 25-line    Set the screen size to 25 line mode (if current mode differs).
 - 30-line    Set the screen size to 30 line mode (if current mode differs).
 - 43-line    Set the screen size to 43 line mode (if current mode differs).
 - 50-line    Set the screen size to 50 line mode (if current mode differs).
 - 60-line    Set the screen size to 60 line mode (if current mode differs).


 Ctrl-key commands:

 - eXit        End FLIST and return to directory where FLIST was
        started.
 - Locate    Enter quick-locate mode to find files quickly.
 - Root        Go to the root directory.
 - Target    Specify a new copy/move target.
 - Editnamed    Invoke your editor after prompting for the
        filename(s).
 - Mkdir    Make a new directory.
 - enVironment    Edit the environment.
 - Browsenamed    Invoke your browser after prompting for the
filename(s)

 Function key commands:

 - F1    Select Select files using wildcards.
 - F2    Sort Sort the file list using a user-specified key.
 - F3    Drive Change to another disk drive.
 - F4    Clear Clear functions or the Copy/Move target.
 - F6    OS/2. Suspend FLIST and invoke the OS/2 command shell. FLIST
    will resume at the point that it was suspended when the 'EXIT'
    command is  entered.
 - F9    Mark CURRENT Mark the current directory as the copy/move
    target.

 13.2 Command reference

 Some commands are not executed immediately, these commands are
DEFERRED commands. Files can be marked with a deferred command
or unmarked with the <SPACE> bar. FLIST will only execute
deferred commands when RETURN is pressed. The deferred commands
are: (C)opy, (M)ove, (D)elete and (R)ename.
 The top menu line will change as the shift state (Alt or Ctrl)
changes to show the commands that can be invoked currently
(unless FLIST is running in a PM window).




 13.2.1 Normal commands

 13.2.1.1 Copy

 The Copy command is used to mark files for subsequent copying
to other drives and/or directories. Files that are to be copied
must be marked with a 'C' and the RETURN key will start the copy
operation. If no target is specified, FLIST prompts for the
destination. Normally a target should be set before RETURN is
pressed.
 If the Copy command is used against a directory, FLIST will
select that directory as the Show command would do and mark all
non-directory entries in that directory with a 'C'.


 13.2.1.2 Delete

 The Delete command is used to mark files for subsequent
deletion. Files that are to be deleted must be marked with a 'D'
and RETURN will activate the deletion. You will be prompted to
confirm deletion according to the setting of the $FDPROMPT
variable.
 If the Delete command is used against a directory, FLIST will
select that directory as the Show command would do and mark all
non-directory entries in that directory with a 'D'. When Esc is
pressed a 'D' will appear against the directory, which makes it
possible to delete the directory. If the directory was empty,
FLIST will report this and will not switch into the directory
although the directory can still be deleted.


 13.2.1.3 Edit

 The Edit command causes FLIST to immediately run your EDITOR
with the filename and file type of the current entry. The editor
name is taken from the $FEDT$ environment variable. If $FEDT$
has not been specified it defaults to 'E', the standard OS/2
editor (OS/2 version 1.1 and above). Press 'E' to edit the file.



 13.2.1.4 Move

 The Move command is used to mark files for subsequent movement
to other drives and/or directories. Files that are to be moved
must be marked with an 'M' and RETURN will activate the move
operation. If no target is specified FLIST prompts for the
destination. Normally a target will be set before RETURN is
pressed. Execution of this command removes the marked file from
the current directory upon successful completion.

 NOTE: Moving a file to another drive entails a copy/delete
sequence and the speed of the movement depends on the size of the
file. Moving a file to another directory on the same drive is
very fast as the file is not copied, but internally renamed. If
the Move command is used against a directory, FLIST will select
that directory as the Show command would do and mark all files
in that directory with an 'M'.


 13.2.1.5 Rename

 The Rename command is used to mark files for subsequent renaming
within the current directory. Mark files that are to be renamed
with an 'R' and press RETURN to activate the rename operation.
You will be prompted for the new filename. If the Rename command
is used against a directory, the directory can be renamed.


 13.2.1.6 Show

 The Show command functions according to whether the current
entry is a file or a sub directory. If the entry is a file, FLIST
will immediately execute your BROWSE utility (as specified with
the $FBRW$ ENVIRONMENT variable) with the filename and extension
of the current entry. All types of file may be browsed but the
browse program that you use may not be able to process hidden
and/or system files. If the current entry is a sub directory, the
Show command causes FLIST to immediately read that directory and
display a new list of entries. When you have finished with the
sub directory, you will be returned to the point at which you
used the Show command. All copy, move, delete and rename commands
that were entered before the Show command will be saved.


13.2.1.7 Target

 The Target command immediately marks the highlit entry as being
the target directory for future Copy and Move requests. The
highlit entry MUST, of course, be a sub directory. If the command
is successful, the Copy/Move target displayed near the bottom of
the FLIST screen will be changed.

 13.2.1.8 eXecute

 The eXecute command takes immediate action depending on the
EXTENSION of the current entry. The extension of the current
entry is appended to the string '$F' and the resulting string is
searched for in the ENVIRONMENT. For example, if the current
entry has the extension 'EXE', FLIST will search the environment
for '$FEXE' and, if it finds it, will interpret the string as
described in the 'Setup' chapter. This facility is extremely
powerful due to the fact that you can tailor it yourself using
the OS/2 'SET' command or the internal environment editor.


 13.2.1.9 Print

 The Print command requests FLIST to immediately run your PRINT
utility with the filename and file type of the current entry. The
Print utility name is taken from the $FPRN$ environment variable.
If $FPRN$ has not been specified FLIST will search the current
directory and the path for PRINT.EXE, PRINT.COM or PRINT.CMD (in
that order). If it finds any of the above files it will set the
$FPRN$ variable to reflect its findings. If FLIST cannot find
such a file it will print an error message and terminate. Note
that the PRINT program may take a long time to execute and that
FLIST will not be available until it finishes. The use of the
OS/2 SPOOL program will normally ensure that you return to FLIST
very quickly.


 13.2.1.10 Usercmd

 This command requests FLIST to immediately run the command
sequence specified by the $FUSR$ variable. The command can be
used regardless of the entry that you are positioned on and
replaces parameter variables in the same way as Execute does.


 13.2.1.11 RETURN

 The RETURN key causes DEFERRED commands (if any) to be obeyed
and, after that, the current directory is re-read and the file
list is updated. After the list has been updated, you will be
positioned at the first entry in it. If the list had been sorted
before the key was pressed, it will be re-sorted.


 13.2.2 Alt key commands

 The Alt-key commands enable the FLIST user to manipulate the
file attributes. These file attributes are very useful, but
changing them can also be dangerous. Be very careful when
changing the attributes of system files or of files that are
used by copy protection schemes, they often use very strange
file attributes.

 Warning: do not change the file attributes of the system files
IBMBIO.COM, IBMDOS.COM, IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, OS2LDR and OS2KRNL.
These files belong to the operating system, if they are changed
in any way your system may refuse to boot.

 13.2.2.1 Alt Rdonly

 Pressing Alt-R will toggle the read-only bit of the current
file. A file that is read only cannot be altered or deleted.
This makes it easy to protect files from accidental erasure or
alteration.


 13.2.2.2 Alt Archive

 Pressing Alt-A will toggle the archive bit of the current file.
This bit is set by the operating system when a file is created
or changed. The BACKUP and XCOPY commands make use of this bit
to see if a file must be copied or not.


 13.2.2.3 Alt Hide

 Pressing Alt-H will toggle the hidden bit of the current file.
When this bit is set the file will not be visible for most
command line operations. The DIR command will not show hidden
files. However a hidden program can still be executed! FLIST will
ALWAYS show hidden files in the file list.


 13.2.2.4 Alt System

 Pressing Alt-S will toggle the system bit of the current file.
The system bit is like the hidden bit; the file is not visible
for commands, but it is still possible to execute a file that has
the system bit set. FLIST will always show system files in the
file list.

 13.2.2.5 Alt (number)
 Pressing Alt-n (where n is 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) changes the number of
lines displayed. If you are in 25-line mode and press Alt-3 you will
be switched to 30-line mode. Nothing will happen if you attempt to
'switch' to the CURRENT mode or if your adapter doesn't support the
mode that you are attempting to switch to. The following table
summarises the keys and the modes available.

    Key        Switches to
    ---        -----------
     2        25 line mode.
     3        30 line mode.
     4        43 line mode.
     5        50 line mode.
     6        60 line mode.


 13.2.3 Ctrl key commands

 13.2.3.1 Ctrl eXit

 Pressing Ctrl-X will end FLIST and return you to the directory
where FLIST was started.


 13.2.3.2 Ctrl Locate

 Pressing Ctrl-L will cause FLIST to enter 'quick-locate' mode.
In quick-locate mode a file can be found very quickly by typing
the first character(s) of the filename.
 In quick-locate mode an input field will appear and each time
a character-key is pressed FLIST will locate the first file that
starts with the character(s) that are in the input field. If
there is no file with these characters FLIST will beep. The
BACKSPACE key may be used to correct the character(s) in the
input field.
 By pressing ESC quick-locate mode is ended, the current file
will remain the current file.

 It is advisable to sort the file list by filename, otherwise
the quick-locate mode will still work but may not find the file
that you wanted.


 13.2.3.3 Ctrl Root

 When Ctrl-R is pressed FLIST will immediately go to the root
directory of the current drive losing all stored commands in the
process.


 13.2.3.4 Ctrl Target

 When Ctrl-T is pressed an input field will appear. In this input
field a target directory may be entered for copy/move operations.
 Pressing ESC will cancel this command and leave the copy/move
target untouched.

 Example: to set the target for copying files to the root
directory of drive A:, this should be entered:

 A:\


 13.2.3.5 Ctrl Editnamed and Ctrl Browsenamed

 Pressing Ctrl-E works in the same way as EDIT except that you
are prompted for the name of the file(s) to be edited. FLIST
will not check the response to the prompt as rigourously as it
does with other commands, allowing you to specify a complete
path and, if you so desire, a different drive. It is important
to realise that your editor must be able to process the command
line that you enter as FLIST will NOT attempt to switch
directories or drives before calling it. Pressing Ctrl-B works
in the same way except that the BROWSER is invoked instead of the
editor.


 13.2.3.6 Ctrl Mkdir

 The Ctrl-M command allows you to make directories from within
FLIST. You are prompted for the name of the directory that is
to be created. If a name without a leading backslash is entered,
FLIST will create this directory under the current directory.
Note that FLIST will attempt to make ALL of the elements of the
path that are required. This means that you do not have to
invoke Ctrl-M multiple times when creating a multi-element path.

 Ctrl Godir
 The Ctrl-G command allows you to go directly to another drive
and/or directory. You are prompted for the path that you wish to
go to and, if valid, it replaces the current path.


 13.2.3.7 Ctrl enVironment
 The Ctrl-V command allows to to view, change, add or create
environment variables. You should note that the effects of
editing the environment will be lost as soon as you quit FLIST.
 To add a new variable, press the '+' key when in selection mode.
 To edit an existing variable use the editing keys to position
on the variable to be changed and press ENTER. This will place
you in EDIT mode. When you have finished editing the variable
press ENTER to save it and return to selection mode. If you wish
to return to selection mode WITHOUT saving a changed variable,
just press the ESC key. To return to FLIST press ESC when you are
in selection mode. Any variable that you may change has immediate
effect on FLIST. If you 'shell' to OS/2 (with F6) the new/changed
variables will be in place.

 13.2.4 Function key commands

 13.2.4.1 F1 Select

 When F1 is pressed an input field will appear where a file
selection may be specified using wildcard characters. When for
example '*.CMD' is entered, the file list will only show batch
files (files with an extension CMD). The new file selection will
be displayed near the top of the screen where the current drive
and directory is displayed.
 Pressing RETURN will activate the file selection that was
specified, pressing ESC will cancel the change of file selection.
 To make this facility easier to use FLIST will translate some
specifications:

 '.XXX' is translated into '*.XXX',

 ' ' (nothing) is translated into '*.*',

 'XXX ' is translated into 'XXX.*',

 The select command takes exactly the same file specification
as the DIR command (except for the drive and directory, of
course).

 13.2.4.2 F2 Sort

 This function enables you to sort the file list. When F2 is
pressed a menu appears allowing a choice to be made between
sorting on name, extension, size, attribute, date/time or you can
choose the UNSORT option to revert to the physical order.
Pressing ESC will cancel this menu and resume normal operation.

 13.2.4.3 F3 Drive

 Pressing F3 will call up a menu with a drive list, which only
shows existing drives. When a drive is selected, FLIST will check
to see if a disk is present and switch to the drive. FLIST will
display the current directory of the new current drive, current
directories are remembered for each drive as you would expect
on the command line. Pressing ESC will cancel this menu and
resume normal operation.


 13.2.4.4 F4 Clear

 When F4 is pressed a menu will appear with two choices. The
first choice 'Functions' will remove all deferred commands
(C,M,D,R) from the current file list. The second choice 'C/M
target' will clear the current copy/move target and set it to
UNSPECIFIED. Pressing ESC will cancel this menu and resume normal
operation.


13.2.4.5 F6 OS/2

 Pressing F6 will activate a temporary OS/2 command line session,
leaving FLIST suspended but still present in memory. The
temporary command line session can be ended by entering the
command 'EXIT'. This will wake up FLIST and resume normal
operation.

Note: if files were changed, deleted or created it is advised
that you update the information in the file list by pressing
RETURN. Until you do so, the old information is displayed in the
file list and may cause problems.


 13.2.4.6 F9 Mark current directory.

 This command will set the copy/move target to the current drive
and directory as shown near the top of the FLIST screen.



 14 COMMON PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS
 ---------------------------------

 I have SET an environment variable, but FLIST doesn't use it!
 What did I do wrong?

 You probably used the SET command somewhere from the OS/2 shell or a
batch file. This will never work as it will only change the
environment for the executed process (not its parent). You will need
to type in the SET command when FLIST isn't running or use the
internal FLIST environment editor.

 Why are my files sometimes not visible in FLIST?

 If you create a file when FLIST is running it will only appear
in the file list after the directory is re-read. This means that
when you are using the OS/2-shell or when you are using your
editor to create multiple files or any other program that will
create files, you must press RETURN to re-read the directory.
We did think about doing this re-read automatically, but we
choose not to do so in the interests of performance.

 My program doesn't run properly from USERCMD. What can I do to
correct this?

 Invoking some programs directly from USERCMD can cause
unpredictable results. It is suggested that you invoke such
programs via the command processor ('CMD.EXE /C program') or a
command file.


 Can I run FLIST under the Presentation Manager?

 Yes, when started in a windowed session FLIST will run correctly. If
started in a full-screen session it will run in text mode.
Performance in a window is not as good as it is in a full screen
session. Note also that FLIST will NOT display the status of ALT and
CTRL whilst running in a PM window. This is because the PM traps the
keystrokes and will not pass them on to FLIST. The ALT and CTRL
commands DO work as expected when the qualifying letter of the
command is keyed. You should note that FLIST 'captures' the mouse
when running in a window unless the /NOMOUSE switch was specified or
the $FMOUSE=N environment variable has been set. FLIST is NOT
actually designed to run in a window at all (future PM versions will
address THAT problem).


 I don't like FLIST in colour. Can I run it in Black and White?

 Yes, before starting FLIST use the command 'MODE BW80' and FLIST will
start up in black and white. Note that flist always uses the
CURRENT colour setting. If you shell to OS/2 and issue the 'MODE
BW80' command, FLIST will switch to monochrome operation when
EXIT is entered.

 15 SUPPORT
 -----------

 TJD Software does not guarantee that FLIST will work without
problems. TJD Software will not be liable for ANY damage that
may arise from the use of FLIST. You are using FLIST completely
at your OWN risk. We, however, are using FLIST on our machines
all the time and find it to be reliable. Please report any
problems to us and we will try to solve them. Whilst all error
reports will be treated seriously, only REGISTERED users will
be given priority. TJD Software have set up a public BBS to
provide support for TJD products. All are welcome to use the
BBS. The TJD Software bulletin board will contain the latest
versions of TJD products and will be the arena for discussion
and technical support. Registered users of TJD products will be
given access rights to certain areas of the BBS that are closed
to the public. Users who have not registered will, however, find
the board to be fully functional and will not normally be refused
access.

 Anybody who wishes to contact TJD Software can use the following
bulletin board systems in the UK:

    The TJD Software Support BBS (UK) on [phone].
    Contact name Phil Tuck (the SYSOP).
    This board is the source of the latest products from
          TJD Software. For those who are interested in bulletin
          board systems, it is a registered copy of Gilmore
          Systems' MAGNUM BBS FOR OS/2 (currently undergoing
          beta-test) and runs under OS/2 version 1.2 in protected
          mode. MAGNUM is a true multi-user OS/2 application
          offering state-of-the-art facilities and fully
          utilising the applicable OS/2 capabilities. The BBS
          supports speeds of up to 9600 (HST) and is available
          24 hours per day.

    The Compulink Information eXchange (CIX) on [phone].
    Contact name PTUCK.
    CIX is a subscription-only board run as a conferencing
          system. Conferences exist for almost any area of
          interest and new conferences may be started by users
          at any time. CIX is multi-line meaning that access is
          nearly always possible.

 And in Holland:
    The TJD Software Support BBS (NL) on (01720) 38558.
    Contact name Dave Jones (the SYSOP).
    Contact name Phil Tuck (user ID /2).
    This board is the source of the latest products from
          TJD Software. For those who are interested in bulletin
          board systems, it is a registered copy of Gilmore
          Systems' MAGNUM BBS FOR OS/2 (currently undergoing
          beta-test) and runs under OS/2 version 1.2 in protected
          mode. MAGNUM is a true multi-user OS/2 application
          offering state-of-the-art facilities and fully
          utilising the applicable OS/2 capabilities. The BBS
          supports speeds of up to 9600 (HST) and is available
          24 hours per day.

 And in the USA:
    Gilmore Systems of Southern California on [phone].
    Contact name Phil D Tuck (user ID /295).
    This BBS is the home of Magnum BBS for OS/2. It is a
    multi-line system specialising in OS/2. Supporting speeds of
    up to 14400 bps (HST Dual Standard) it is available 24 hours
    per day. Certain facilities are available to subscribers only
    but the subscription is well worth the very small cost!

    Fernwood BBS on [phone].
    Contact name Phil Tuck.
    Emmit Dove (the SYSOP) has kindly allowed us to use his BBS as
    a contact point. Fernwood BBS runs MAXIMUS under OS/2 and carries a
    great deal of excellent OS/2 material. The BBS supports speeds of up
    to 14400 bps (HST Dual Standard) and is available 24 hours per day
    during mail exchange.

 TJD Software can also be contacted by mail addressed to:

    TJD Software,
    PO Box 61,
    Keighley,
    West Yorkshire,
    BD20 5DY.
    United Kingdom.