Lion Share/lionsharecd.iso/utils_mz/xpath39.zip/README.XP

Text File | 1991-10-17 | 17KB | 465 lines

        Apologies for the shareware pause that comes up every time you
        execute XPATH.  The screen displayed is there because XPATH.EXE gets
        distributed to other bulliten boards without the accompaning
        README.XP file that has the order form in it.  Thus, the shareware
        screen provides a method for people to order the product.  The screen
        does not appear in the registered version of the program.


                             XPATH Version 3.7
                             -----------------

         Have you ever tried to set your path longer than  127 characters?
         Without XPATH, or a similar product, it just can't be done.  The
         reason is that you cannot type more than 128 characters at the
         prompt.  Even if you create a BAT file where you can type more than
         128 characters on a line, you cannot set your path past 127
         characters because the command interpreter will not read past the
         128th column of you BAT file.

         This problem is solved when you use XPATH.  With XPATH, you create
         a file that contains 1 line for each directory you want in your
         path.  You then simply execute XPATH, specifying the file that
         contains the directories you want in your path.

         For example, say you want your path to look like this:

         c:\;c:\dos;c:\util;c:\util\rexx20\pgms;c:\windows;c:\windows\excel

         You create an ASCII (text) file that looks like this:

         c:\
         c:\dos
         c:\util
         c:\util\rexx20
         c:\util\rexx20\pgms
         c:\windows
         c:\windows\excel

         Save the file giving any name you wish.  Let's say you name it
         PATH.TXT.  You would then create your path by executing the XPATH
         command as follows:

         XPATH PATH.TXT

         The above format assumes that PATH.TXT is in your current directory
         and XPATH.EXE is in your current path or current directory.

         If the file containing the directories you want in your path is not
         in your current directory when you execute XPATH, you can specify
         where the file is in the following way:

         XPATH C:\DATA\PATH.TXT

         That is how you would do it if your path file is called PATH.TXT
         and is in a sub-directory on C called DATA.

      -->Note: some versions of the shareware xpath is named XPATHSW.  In this
               case the command is XPATHSW rather than XPATH; or if you wish, you
               may rename XPATHSW.EXE to XPATH.EXE.

                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 1                                               copyright 1991


  Extra Features
  --------------

        But wait, there's more.  We have just added 3 new features!

        You can now add and deleted from your path on the fly.  Suppose you
        want to add the directory C:\WING to your path right away.  Simply
        type:

                XPATH -A C:\WING

        That's all you have to do.  Xpath will add the new directory to the
        end of your current path.  It does not modify your path data file
        though, so the next time you reboot, the added path will not be there.

        Suppose you want to delete the directory C:\WINDOWS out of your path.
        Simply type:

                XPATH -D C:\WINDOWS

        That's all you have to do.  The rest of your path remains intact, but
        C:\WINDOWS is removed.

        The 3rd new feature added to xpath is the directory list feature.
        Simply type XPATH with no parameters, and all the directories in your
        path are listed on separate lines.  You can use this feature to
        create a file that can later be used as input to xpath in your
        autoexec.bat file.  For example:

        Type:
                XPATH -L >PATH.TXT

        You will get a file that has a list of directories in your path.
        This file will also contain the xpath logo (and shareware information
        if you have not yet registered), so you will have to edit the file to
        delete that stuff.  Remember to also delete the byte total at the end
        of the file.  Then save the file and use it as input to XPATH in your
        autoexec.bat file as described on the previous page.

        IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have not registered your copy yet, a pause
        comes up and you are required to press enter after the pause.
        When you use the above method to create an input file for Xpath, you
        will not see the "press enter to continue" message", but you still
        have to press enter.  If you have an unregistered version, wait 3
        seconds after typing XPATH >PATH.TXT and then press enter.

        Starting with version 3.5, the total bytes in your path are reported
        when you type XPATH with no parameters.  I have found that some app-
        lications lock up when your path starts to get long.  The application
        that I had a problem with was BRIEF (a text editor).  When my path
        reached about 265 bytes, BRIEF would lock up when I tried to invoke it.

     -> Type XPATH -? for help and expamples.


                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 2                                               copyright 1991


         Possible problems
         -----------------

         One of the main reasons you would want to use xpath is because you
         want a path longer than 127 characters.  So, after using XPATH, if
         you type the PATH command to display your path, you may see that your
         path is longer than 127 characters.  My path is 197 characters. When
         I run the setup program for the text-editor I use (BRIEF), it tries
         to insert d:\brief into my path.  At the time it does this, it is a
         little confused because it sees my path is longer than 127
         characters.  It issues a warning message that says my path is too
         long, but no problems occur.

         Anytime you run an install program that puts a path command in your
         autoexec.bat file, you will have to take that path command out and
         put that path in your path file that you use when you execute XPATH.

         Some programs that read your path could have a problem with a path
         longer than 127 characters.  Some programs may stop searching the
         path after the 127th character, or even blow up when they find that
         your path is larger than 127 characters.  I've only encountered this
         problem with BRIEF and a path greater than 165.

      -->When your path gets unusually large, the whole thing may not display
         when you type the dos PATH or SET command.  The reason for this is that
         DOS doesn't expect your path to ever be longer than 127 bytes, so it gets
         confused when it's longer, and it prints just part of the path.  Sometimes
         it will print the whole thing even when it's greater than 127 bytes, but to
         be sure you're seeing your whole path, type XPATH with no parameters when you
         want to see your path.

         DOS 5.0

         After you have set your path with XPATH, using the DOS path command to
         look at your path will not work.  You will see only part of your path.
         The same is true when you look at your path by typing SET.  To see your
         path, type XPATH with no parameters.  Your path will list out -- each
         directory displaying on a new line.

          -> Remember, the longer your path gets, the greater the possibility
             some applications will have of locking up.

             ONCE YOU HAVE CREATED A PATH > 127 CHARACTERS, DO NOT USE DOS'S
             SET OR PATH COMMAND TO CHANGE IT.  ONLY USE XPATH.  IF YOU WISH
             TO QUIT USING XPATH, TAKE XPATH OUT OF YOUR AUTOEXEC.BAT AND REBOOT.


         Do not put equal signs (=) in your path input file.  This will cause
         extrainious = signs in your path which will confuse XPATH.



                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 3                                               copyright 1991




         ENVIRONMENT SIZE PROBLEMS
         -------------------------

         NEW PATH TOO LARGE TO FIT IN CURRENT ENVIRONMENT. PATH UNCHANGED.

         If you run out of environment space when using
         XPATH, this means you need to allocate more
         environment space.  If you have this problem when opening a
         DOS window under windows, skip to the next section.  If you
         have this problem when running XPATH from your AUTOEXEC.BAT
         file, then you need to increase your environment size by
         adding the following line to your config.sys file:


         shell = c:\command.com c:\ /p /e:640


         The /e:640 in the above line tells DOS to allocate 640
         bytes to your environmet.  You may need to use a larger
         number if you have a lot of SETS in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file,
         or if you have a lot of directories in your XPATH directory
         file.  The above command assumes you are booting from a
         hard drive who's name is 'C'.


         *********
         WARNING:
         *********

         The shell command also tells DOS where your command.com
         file is located.  If you specify a location where
         command.com does NOT exsist, your PC will not boot up off
         the hard drive.  If this happens, you will have to boot
         from diskette and correct the problem in your config.sys
         file.

         If you know you have a lot of envronment space, but you still get
         the "path won't fit" message, then it may be becuase you are in
         a DOS shell.  Type EXIT to make sure you are not in a DOS shell.
         If you are, then typing EXIT will cause you to go back to the
         application you "shelled" out of.

         DOS Compatability
         -----------------

         XPATH was written under DOS 3.30 and is compatable with
         DOS 3.1 and higher -- including 5.0.



                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 4                                               copyright 1991

         INCREASEING ENVIRONMENT SIZE FOR A WINDOWS'S DOS WINDOW:
         --------------------------------------------------------

         To increase your environment size for a DOS window under
         Window's, you set up a PIF as follows:

         - Click on "Close window on exit" (turn it on).
         - Program Filename:     COMMAND.COM
         - Optional Parameters:  /E:640 /C C:\BAT\XPATHWIN.BAT

         The /E:640 allocates 640 bytes to your environment.  You
         can increase or decrease this if you wish.  The /C says the
         the following filename is a BAT file to be executed.  You
         can use any filename you wish.  The bat file you execute
         should execute XPATH as well as any other commands you wish
         to execute.  Also, the last line in the bat file must
         execute command.com again.  This will keep your dos window
         from immediatly returning to windows when the bat file is
         finished executing.  An example of a bat file for a DOS
         window that executes xpath is:

         ECHO OFF
         ECHO Setting path...
         C:
         CD \UTILS
         XPATH C:\DATA\PATH.DAT
         COMMAND.COM /E:640

         Why the /E:640 on the last line even though we already
         specified /E:640 in the PIF? Well, the /E:640 in the PIF
         gives 640 bytes of environment space for the bat file to
         use.  The bat file uses it, but then the last thing the
         bat file does is to load a new command environment.  When
         this occurs, the environment variables from the old command
         environment are copied to the new command environment.
         Thus, the new command evironment needs at least as much
         environment space as was specified in the PIF.

         If you have problems setting your path in a DOS window
         under Windows, you can set it before you enter windows, and
         all DOS windows will recognize it.










                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 5                                               copyright 1991




    Registering XPATH
    -----------------

         You have an evaluation copy of XPATH.  Please register it by sending
         $15.00 to:

                   XWARE Development
                   7351 Woburn Cir. Suite #1
                   Anchorage, Alaska  99502

                   phone: [phone]

         By registering your copy of XPATH, you will be sent the latest
         version which will not have the pause in it.  You will be entitled
         to free technical support, and you will get future versions of XPATH
         at a reduced cost.


         The next version of Xpath will include automatic update of your path
         file when you add or delete from your path on the fly.





                    see last page for registration form.






















                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 6                                               copyright 1991

         Current License Agreement - xpath 3.7
         -------------------------

         You are entitled to use the evaluation copy of XPATH for evaluation
         purposes only.  Use this registration form to purchase a copy of
         XPATH should you decide to continue to use it.  Purchasing a copy of
         XPATH entitles you to use it on one machine.  If XPATH is installed on
         a network, a license must be purchased for each workstation that access
         XPATH.

         Feel free to upload the shareware version of xpath to your favorite
         bulletin boards.

         +-----------------+
         :REGISTRATION FORM:  3.7
         +-----------------+



         Company (if applicable): _______________________________________

         Your name:    __________________________________________________

         Address:      __________________________________________________

                       __________________________________________________

                       __________________________________________________



         No. of copies:  _____       (enclose $15 per copy)


         Amount enclose: __________


         Make checks payable to XWARE Development.

         Send to:  XWARE Development
                   4719 Malibu Road  Suite #1
                   Anchorage, Alaska  99517

                   phone: [phone]


         COMPUSERVE USER-ID: 76424,1335






                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 7                                               copyright 1991

                                 XWARE Disclaimer

       XWARE   specifically   disclaims   all   warranties,   expressed  or
       implied,   including  but  not  limited  to  implied  warranties  of
       merchantability  and  fitness  for a particular purpose with respect
       to  defects  in  the  software  and  documentation,  and the program
       license   granted   herein   in  particular,  and  without  limiting
       operation  of  the  program  license  with respect to any particular
       application,   use, or  purpose.  In  no event shall XWARE be liable
       for  any  loss  of  profit  or  damage, including but not limited to
       special,  incidental, or consequential damages. This statement shall
       be  construed, interpreted, and governed by the laws of the State of
       Alaska.







































                       _____________________________________________________
                       XPATH is a registered trandemark of XWARE Development
         Page 8                                               copyright 1991