OS/2 Shareware BBS: 9 Archive/09-Archive.zip/otargzip.zip/TarGzipPm/TARGZIPPM.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1999-01-24 | 113KB | 549 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. About TarGzipPM ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

TarGzipPm Version 2.1 (ORexx Pre Release Version Beta 1)
24th January 1999

Welcome to TarGzipPm Version 2.1  This is the Second to Object Rexx, of
TarGzipPm, and like 1.6 with an OS/2 inf file (your reading it!)  While this is
still a beta release, it is now a lot more stable than prior releases.  This
release also add a log of new features, it is a substantial upgrade over 2.0
and with the use of Object Rexx, I have been able to reduce the amount of new
codes needed!  While I have spent longer testing and debuging this version,
than ever before....if I have missed any bugs, please let me know!

This Program is a beta program.  It is Emailware, and hence free, all you have
to do is to email me and say that you are using it. The coding however is still
copywrited and remains the property of Virtual Publications.

This version is an interim step to The "Object Rexx" version, and contains
several new features.  I have released it because I have had several requests
for these new features.  While most of the code is still written in Classic
Rexx, some code in this version a substantial part has been Converted to Object
Rexx.  Though the main port will occur after my next project is completed.  I
have decided to try and develop a Class and method generator/browser for
DrDialog (though it should also work with other Rexx Gui environment. and will
also include core class/methods for common tasks, such as for generating
Directory listings....open files and much more, creating Arrays.... lists..
bags,  variables etc

see my site for more info.........coming soon!

CAUTION:

Please note that no resoncibility can be taken for adverse affect which this
software might cause to your system

 Though having said that, All files are copied before targzipPm works on them.
So in reality little damage can be done to your Archive Files

These set of Document will guide you through the use of TarGzipPm including:


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. System Requirements ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

System Requirements

     OS/2 version Warp +

     Object Rexx installed under OS/2

     Tar.exe and Gzip.exe and unzip.exe must be on your path

     Hpfs partitions for program and temp Directories

     16 Megs +


 The installation program will only run under OS/2Warp +, as I believe will
 TarGzipPm.exe.  The reason being that some of the Rexx coding requires some of
 the newer features added with Warp?  If you have Warp Version 3, you will need
 to install Object Rexx. The installation program will check for this, and
 will, change the default to Object Rexx, with your permission.

 Rexx is generally installed with Warp, unless you deselected it during
 installation.  If you did, you can install it post installation via your
 selective install icon, in the OS/2 System, System setup, install/remove
 folder (under Warp Four.)  If you have not made Object Rexx the Default Rexx
 interpreter, this is the time to do it.  Simply go into your OS/2 Directory
 and run the file SWITCHRX.CMD, reboot, and then run... if you did not allow
 the install program to do it

 TarGzipPm will only run on HPFS Drives, Both Program and Temporary Directory.
 The ini file and temporary Directories do not conform to FAT, as often, the
 content of *.tar.gz files.

 The Archivers Tar and Gzip must be on the path, (excluding the TarGzipPm
 Directory - Current Path) this is a must, or else the program will not run. I
 tend to place all my Archivers in one Directory, which I then add to my Path
 Statement.  See Known problems.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. What it Does ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is TarGzipPm

 TarGzipPm is a Front end to 'Tar.exe and Gzip.exe.' (with limited support for
zip files)  So What does it do? TarGzipPm helps you create and un-archive* Tar
gzip files, with the Following extension.

It will Create *.tar.gz files

It will unarchive files in a number of different formats, including those
compressed with Gzip, and also Tar with the following extensions

   1. example.Tar.gz

   2. example_tar.gz

   3. example.tgz

   4. example.tar

   5. example.gz

   6. example.Z

   7. example_tar.Z

   8. example.tar

   9. example.zip

 It also allows the viewing of files Prior to being unarchived either with an
 editor or through OS/2's WPS Association. This means that if, for example you
 have a *.cmd file and want to look at its contents, you can do so, without
 executing it!  Since TarGzipPm Works on file formats, TarGzipPm will not work
 on File formats radically different, than those listed above, at present, it
 will not work on *.gz files.  See Know problems and Future Plans

 Once set up, You can open as many tar files as you like, as each session work
 in its own temporary Directory and variable pools.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. Whats New in Version 2.1 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What's New in Version 2.0

Lots of new tricks in this edition, though sorry, but you will have to have
Object Rexx as your Default Rexx interpreter.  Now most of the string and I/O
manipulation and function, eg substr, stream and lineout function, now use the
Object Rexx build in methed (myfile~stream()), as well as '.list' and '.bag'
classes. A Tradition Rexx version of TarGzipPm.exe 2.0 will be released
shortly...!  New In This Version

When I first started on this project I decided not to support zip files,
partially because I thought that OS/2 was well supported in terms of PM
unzip/zip programs (RPF's Zip Control(TM) and Warp Zip are both excellent
programs.  However, having discovered that some tar files are then put in a zip
file and not gzip, I had a change of mind.  TarGzipPm thus, now supports zip
files, and if the file contains only one file in its listing, and that is a tar
file, it will Automatically list the content of that file, and make it the
"open file".  Other wise you get a normal listing (to view or unzip)

Enhanced, and removed some bugs in the Ability to Selective Archives Files,
both different directories, as well as from different Drives.  God knows why
you would want to do that, but you can anyway,  this work via a filter system
Note this feature must be turned off to be able to view files.

More error checking of file name, when creating new archive.. TarGzipPm will
add a '.tar' if not including, and also delete tailing '.'s.  So if you try to
create a file myFile. it becomes myFile.Tar

Ability to selectively Unarchive Files, by Filename, or by file extension

More Error checking.........

Now supports zip files (Unarchiving only)

Changes To Dialogs.... Color coding for Priority of Actions

New System for Deleting Temporary Directories

New Entry in the ini file of where you keep you *.tar.gz files

Extended and improved the way TarGzipPm determines file format, reducing the
code by three pages I might add.  This does mean that the original files are
passed to gzip (first to test (if it is not a uncompressed tar file) to ensure
it a valid format, and then to do a linsting, to get the name of the file
inside the archive.... this works for zip files as well.) Therefore, TarGzipPm
should now be able to recognize files with (LEGAL) extended names eg
MyFile.version.01.tar.gz Support Now for the following formats have been added:
*.zip file All other variation on the Tar and gzip Type

Added more error checking when viewing files, if the file you are viewing has
no conventional extension, eg *.txt, you will now be warned that it might be a
Directory.  Also now before the files are passed to be viewed, the file if
checked using the stream function, to ensure it actually exists.  ie that it
has been unpacked, or that it is not a Directory.  New support for Extended
Attributes (See Known Problems)

TarGzipPm now decompresses all compressed tar files, before listing their
contents, using gzip.exe.  This has had a considerable increase in both viewing
files and finally unarchiving them.

Deletion of Files on Exit has been changed, before when you ,say viewed one
file, then another, when you opened the second file the first file was deleted.
This is no longer these.  TarGzipPm 1.6, and prior used a pipe, so the
directory structure of file would not be created.  This helped me (or rather
the program) keep a Track on what files are in the temporary Directory.
TarGzipPm now uses SysDestroyObject to delete the temporary Directory,
Therefore, TarGzipPm no longer needs to delete all files in the Temp Directory
prior to deleting the Directory itself.  TarGzipPm no longer uses a 'pipe' when
unarchiving  a file for viewing, and hence respect the path, creating the
Directory structure, which speeds up vieing file a little

Now all ini file references must be valid else the settings page will open on
initialisation

New entry in the settings/ini file, is where your Archive files are stored and
created.  If the directory in the ini file does not point to a valid directory,
TarGzipPm will open file dialog will point to the program directory

I have also added a "Delete Temp" option in the file menu, to delete your
master temporary directory, This will only work if no files are open

Removed the Delete Temporary option from Settings and ini file, if you do not
want to delete you temporary directory on exit use the "fast exit" option,
under file.

Since you sometime get a listing of directories such as G:\example\example
without the tailing '/', this normally occurs when you have the EA option on, I
have added a warning before you view the file, if it is a directory... the
whole directory would be unpacked and you will get a "No file to open" error
(This Warning can be disabled in the settings page)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4. installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Installation

 The install program will only run under Object Rexx. If you have not done so,
simply unpack the TarGzipPmXX.zip into the drive which contains your prior
version of TarGzipPM, or any drive, if this is your first time install.  Please
note that the zip file contains a directory structure, if you use PK unzip use
the option to respect the path!   Once unzipped, Simply run the install.exe
program, which will then place a new TarGzippm folder on your desktop and icons
etc.  Note the installation program does not copy files over, at present.
However, it will look for your TarGzipPm.ini file and will update it if needed
(versions prior to 1.7)

If you have a prior version to 1.5 the install program will try to get the
current information from your old ini files and then will delete it, before
rebuilding a new file.  The reason being is that I have removed some settings
from the ini file, and changed the key used in the ini files to resolve some
conflicts that seemed to have occurred in previous versions, and added a
version number to the ini file

One installation is complete, open TarGzipPm, and the setting page will open,
if the ini file was changed by the install program, simply press update, to
confirm the settings, This is true of this version as well

If you do not use the installation program, simply delete the old TarGzipPm ini
file and then the setting page will open when you start TarGzipPm.  This is
also true if you ever have any major problems with the ini file, through I have
had no reports about this


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5. First time use ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

First Time Use

 On the first time you open TarGzipPM, or if you delete your TarGzipPm ini
file, you will find that the ini file settings Automaticly open.  To fill in
the fields you simply press the Bowse buttons and find the particular Directory
or application file

Then when finished, press update, note that the update button is disabled until
you select a "first Drive' letter.  After you have done this you can now use
the program, note, you do not need to close TarGzipPm after changing the
settings, as the values of the new setting will become current, 'on the fly'

Not that I have included a "First Usable Drive" the idea behind this is that if
you have a Fat Partition on C:, for example where you do not need TarGzipPm to
use, it speeds up, (only a little) the custem Directory Listings  It should
also help save you from accedentally trying to create a file that does not
conform to FAT specification, on that drive.  If however, you later convert
that Partition to HPFS, or simply change your mind, you can get TarGzipPm to be
able to see it again by opening the "Default Setting" in the settings menu...
which the reverts to C:, as being the first Viewable Drive\Partition

The option for delete TempDir on exit is set to "yes" as default and should
save on disk space, see known problems


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.6. Why I made this Program ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Why I Made This Prog

Having come to terms with zip files and purchasing RPF's Great PM zip/unzip
prog, I found my self with a *.tar.gz file (though these files some times have
the Suffix *.Z-see limitations) . After some searching I found that there was
GNU programs available to unarchive this type of file... However, unlike a
normal zip file *.tar.gz work in two stages.

The Tar program basically collects files and joins them into one file.. gzip is
a method of compressing, though it can only compress one file, hence the need
for tar as well?

One of the reasons why I decided to make a front end to to these archives, was
due to the nature of the syntax..... (it's not like unzip.exe where you can
simply go unzip File.zip, or even drag a zip file onto unzip.exe) you have to
specify a number of  parameters eg +File Myriad.Tar, for example, or it will
complain thus:

"tar: can't open tape.out: No such file or directory"

 need I say more!  I started out by producing a simple  command Rexx file which
got the file to unarchive and the directory and passed it to tar and gzip.  I
then thought it might be a good idea to give it a PM interface. Since I am new
to programming I have found this a useful "learning exercise.....")  One of the
problems I have found is that unlike zip you not only have a two stage
procedure to go though, but also file names that change during the process.
When Taring a directory its not that hard.. it is simply a matter of adding the
extension to the variable being used, eg Tar +file Filename +Directory
SourceSelected

TarGzfile =Filename||'.tar'.

and the same to add the gz extension.  So this is what this program does

Tars and Gzips directories(sub-directories), you can specify the directory/sub
dir to tar, you can specify what dir to unarchive into.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. How to Use it ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

How to Use it?

TarGzipPm has been designed for ease of use.  Both in terms of Creating new
Tar.gz file, and unpacking file.

TarGzipPm uses both standard dialog boxes, such as for opening and saving
files, selecting your Editor etc, but also includes custom dialog boxes for
selecting directories to archive/unarchive, selecting your temporary directory
etc.....

Most operations are duplicated, eg. the Open Button and Open pull down menu
under "File.".  TarGzipPm now allows you to unarchive selected files.  There
appears to be a bug in DrDialog when having mutiple section enabled.  To get
over this, TarGzipPm now has two check boxes "Select files" and "Select
Filters".  You can only tick one of these at a time (The other one is
automatically disabled on selection) and the view function is also disabled,
you can no longer double click on an item in the list box to view the item

Now when you select an item in the list box, the item will be deleted and
placed in a .bag class, to be used later when unarchiving the file to its final
directory.  Though if you change your mind simply un-check the check box and
the original list will be reconstructed.

If on exit the program was unable to delete, a temporary file or directory, you
will get an error message, telling you so.... Simply dismiss the window and
press exit again to close the program

The new color coding works like this....  Red Text on Yellow... generally meany
An action will be performed and cannot be halted until completed eg opening a
file  Green on Yellow.... Opens another Dialog, which you can cancel  Black on
Yellow... close a window  Yellow on Red  exit


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Unarchiving Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Unarchiving Files

You can open more than one TarGzipPm session at a time, and as it uses it's own
temporary directories, and all variable are local to each session.  There are
basically two ways to Launch TarGzipPM.

   1. From File open (open Button)

   2. From an associated Data Object (File)

  Though be careful not to open the Tar files in the temp directory, or you
 will get an error message about file not found, as it will be deleted prior to
 opening the next file, or at least it should be!

 OK Opening Files.. Press the Open Button and select the file to unachive (or
 use the open in the file menu). Which basically bring a standard OS/2 File
 Dialog box up.  After selecting the file and pressing OK, Tar Gzip checks that
 no other file has been opened in that session, and if there was it has cleans
 up the old directory, before Creating a new temporary directory.

 When I speak of TarGzipPm opening Files, in reality this means copying the
 file and passing it to Gzip and Tar. Why, because unlike Zip.exe Gzip actually
 changes the file itself... test.tar.gz becomes test.tar. It also makes the
 program safer, it cannot really corrupt  a file since it only works on
 copies....

  The file is then copied to the new temp directory and passed to gzip to
 unarchive... (note that the procedure differs slitly according to file type
 eg... a *.tar or *.Z file is simply copied and passed to Tar.exe, to list or
 uncompress and list )

 Throughout this you will get progress indication on the top of the main
 window... Copying file, uncompressing file, initiating list, and building list
 etc....

 You can now view the contents of the list or unarchive the file into a new or
 existing directory.  To view a file in the list simply double click on it, or
 use the editor button... this is useful for viewing *.cmd files which you do
 not want to execute....In this version it is now possible to unarchive, only
 the files (or files by filter) you want to Unarchive, simply select the select
 file or select filter check box control.  and select the files you want to
 unarchive.... Note you can either unarchive by files or filter, but not
 both.... when you select a file in the list box it will be deleted and added
 to the list.... If you make a mistake simply un-check  check box, and the
 original list will be re-constructed......when you have finished simply press
 the unarchive button...

 Note you cannot view files when the select  check box is checked.... To
 unarchive the file simply press on the unarchive button which open a new
 dialog

 Press Browse to select the drive or directory, note you do not have to select
 a directory (you can simply select a drive and press OK, for example to
 unarchive a file with a directory structure in place), then press OK.  You
 also have the choice of making your own new directories to unarchive into

 As you can see from the example you will be told if you are trying to make a
 directory that exists (or file exists with the same name)  You will also be
 warned if the directory name contains illegal characters such as spaces or '/'
 etc.  If you want to make a recursive directories  eg.. user\new, make user
 and press ok, then press newdir again and create new....

 Once you have selected the correct location to unarchive into, press OK to
 start to unarchive the 'open file'. Though is you want to unarchive by  the
 selected file/filters you will need also to select the select on the spin
 button...  Throughout this process, you will get Messages regarding what is
 going on, and any error messages, via the TarGzipPm Title bar, such as copy
 file, uncompressing etc. After which you should get a completed message
 unarchived file to...

 If any errors occur a mesage box will appear, and tell you what the error was,
 for example, if the file was corrupt.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. Creating New Files ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Archiving Files

Simply press new, which will open the Archive dialog

Press Browse to select a directory to Archive, and the same for the name of the
file you want to create, note, if you do not select a name the file created
will be default.tar.gz in the TarGzipPm program Directory.  If you try to
create a file which already exists, you will be warned that the old file will
be deleted, and the Archive to File Field, text, become white on a black
background.  Again Like unarchiving you have the option of Archiving full
directories, or files/filters of particular directories/drives......

After selecting the file press OK... the file will be created, after which, it
will automatically tested, as if you had opened it.... and its contents
listed...


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. About Filters ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This editions now allows you to create file and unarchive files using a new
filter system

   1. By Filter eg *.html

   2. By File Name

 when creating new files you canselect files or extension. note you can not
 select an individual file and a filter of the same type in the same directory
 eg  G:\home\myfile.html g:\home\*.html  and also if the file has no extension
 the file will be included

 When unarchiving files it simple a matter of selecting the files from the list
 box.  To activate this feature you need to select one of the check boxes,
 select filters or select files, unlike the filter system when creating new
 files, the path for the filters is not included..... if you make a mistake you
 can reconstruct the original list by deselecting the check box, and the
 original list will be reconstructed

 The file is then placed in a .bag class and then passed to the unarchive list
 box, when called.  At this time the item being selected will be deleted from
 the list box will be deleted


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Know Problems ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Problems with Check Path

While TarGzipPm checks the path for both 'Tar.exe' and 'Gzip.exe' upon opening,
Since the path includes the present directory, TarGzipPm, this has proven a
problem.  Therefor TarGzippM will check for tar.exe and 'Gzip.exe' in the
program directory and will dispay an archive warning dialog, which then closes
the application.  This is because the mechanism for detecting the archivers on
the path also includes the 'present path', since TarGzipPM often changes path
before calling to Tar.exe or 'Gzip.exe', allowing the Archivers to be present
in the program directory might lead to error.

Problems with Delete Temp Directory

 TarGzipPM gives you an option to delete Temporary files and directories on
exit, however, I have received some report that this does not always work.  I
have attempted to fix this problem with this release, however, if you find
TarGzipPm is leaving temporary files or directories, before emailing me, try
the following.  Open the master Temporary directory, and refresh the window,
from the view menu in OS/2 Warp Four, alternatively go to an OS/2 Window and
get a listing of the master temp directory... It is sometime a matter of WPS
having not refreshed the Temporary Directory after it was deleted!  Also note
that if TarGzipPm cannot delete a temporary file, it will give you a warning
message, if this happens when you are exiting TarGzipPM, simply close the
message box, and press exit again to close the application

Also note, if you are in the Temporary Directory in an OS/2 Session, The
Deleting of the Temporary directory will fail, and the work place shell will
issue a number of wornings.....

Tar and Gzip Formats

While TarGzipPm is now able to unarchive *.gz files eg. Myprogram.exe.gz.  I
have not been able to get a listing out of it..... and hence a number of
controls in the Unarchive Dialog will be hidden....Still working on this
problem (Fixed now)

Extended Attributes

When archiving file with the extended attributes option checked, you will find
two entries in that file with the same name, I take it that one is the file and
the other the extended attribute file.  When unarchiving such files using one
of the filter option, the file will only be added to the list of files to
unarchive one.... you will get a message concerning this at on the top of the
Main window


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Furture Plans ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Future Plans
 At present, I am working on the following improvement

   1. The next release will include multi-language support

   2. Checking Disk Space before attempting to copy or unarchive files

   3. enable the new directory to be editable....

   4. Add Virus Checking of Files

   5. Maybe convert a version to Object Rexx (This is the First Stage)  started!

 If you have any ideas, please email me


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

How to Contact me

You Can Contact me at the following address:

[e-mail]

My Site Address is:

http://users.powernet.co.uk/vpub

Any feedback will be most appreciated