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1990-11-07
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22KB
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443 lines
╥─────╥ ╥ ╥─────╥
║ ║ ║ ║
╟────╢ ╟───╢ ║
║ ║ ║ ║
╨ ╨ ╨ ╨─────╨
Fantastic Attribute Changer
───────────────────────────────
Written by
Mike Viens
(C)opyright 1990
Version 2.3s
Electronic Illusions BBS
1200 - 2400 Bauds Supporting MNP Level 5 and v.42
┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐ ┌──┐
┌──┘ │ │ │ ──── ├──┤ │ ┌──┘ ──── ├──┐ ──┤ ┌──┘ ├──┤
└──┘ └──┘ ┴ └──┘ ┴ └──┘ └──┘ └──┘ └──┘ └──┘
╒══════════════╕
│ Disclaimer │
╘══════════════╛
MichaelSoft makes no warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to this software and
accompanying documentation.
IN NO EVENT SHALL MichaelSoft BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES
FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS PROGRAM, EVEN IF MichaelSoft HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
╒══════════════╕
│ Trademarks │
╘══════════════╛
Fantastic Attribute Changer is a trademark of MichaelSoft.
╒═════════════╕
│ Shareware │
╘═════════════╛
FAC is being distributed under a unique marketing method known as
Shareware. The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) offers the
following definition of Shareware:
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and
continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual
programs differ on details -- some REQUEST registration
while others REQUIRE it, some specify a maximum trial
period. With registration, you get anything from the simple
right to continue using the software to an updated program
with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with
a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware
authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial
authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In
both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main
difference is in the method of distribution. The author
specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the
software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group.
For example, some authors require written permission before
a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
So, Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of
software. You should find software that suits your needs
and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The
Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because
you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is
low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate
money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you
don't pay for it.
╒════════════════╕
│ Registration │
╘════════════════╛
Registration licenses you to use FAC. Any unregistered use other than
trial use to determine if FAC meets your needs is a violation of our
license agreement and is forbidden.
Single user registration is available for $10.00 per copy. Registered
users will be sent the most current version of the program. Registration
also entitles you to free phone support, except toll-call charges. If you
are a Shareware author and have a program I may be interested in, maybe we
can swap registrations. Let me know what you have.
The FAC license authorizes use of one copy of FAC on one machine at a
time. If you have multiple computers, either stand-a-lone, networked, or
multi-user, you need to register one copy of FAC for each workstation on
which it will be used.
For registration and licensing of more than ten copies, please contact
MichaelSoft directly at (207) 872-2425 for details on our quantity
discounts and site licensing arrangements.
FAC is NOT, never has been, and never will be free. If you use it for
more than two weeks from the date you obtain it, YOU MUST REGISTER.
Shareware should and can work only with your help. With all the hours
that I have put in getting FAC to work correctly, and based on what I
charge per hour as a computer consultant, this program probably would cost
you about $1500. I am only asking for Ten ($10). You also will be
mailed notice of improvements to FAC.
╒════════════════╕
│ Distribution │
╘════════════════╛
FAC may be freely distributed as long as no charge is required to obtain
it and as long as all files in this ZIPped file are all in original form.
Any modification to FAC or its accompanying files is strictly prohibited.
If you find FAC or any of its files not in tact, report it to me as soon
as possible. Tell me where you got it, when you got it and what is wrong
with it. I can't and won't be responsible for the integrity of FAC
when you receive it. When FAC leaves MichaelSoft, it runs correctly with
no damaging or destructive results.
If any Shareware distributor wants to distribute FAC, or any product that
is copyrighted by MichaelSoft, your company MUST contact me directly and
tell me you wish to do so and obtain specific written permission.
╒═══════════════════╕
│ For the curious │
╘═══════════════════╛
FAC was written with Borland's Turbo Pascal 5.5. I only used the units
CRT and DOS. Any serious questions about my programming techniques, I
will be glad to answer, however, I will not give out source code! You may
contact me via my BBS or by writing to me at the address below. FAC is
comparable to a program that comes with Norton's Utilities called FA,
which stands for File Attribute. FAC has more features, and runs faster.
On my hard drive, I have 56 different sub-directories and 1175 files.
I had each program go through every sub-directory and list the attribute
for every file. FAC also will change the attribute bits on a sub-
directory, and printed them as well, where FA cannot perform this. FAC
finished in 12 seconds where FA took 19 seconds. FAC can also print the
Size, Date and Time of files and does this upon default. The above test
was without this option. With this option, FAC took 14 seconds. Clearly,
FAC is superior to FA. Sorry Peter!
╒════════════════╕
│ Requirements │
╘════════════════╛
To use FAC, you need at least DOS 3.0 and AT LEAST 60K of memory free.
FAC may be accessed via DOS's PATH command. A color monitor is highly
recommended but not necessary to run FAC. A monochrome version is
available if you register.
╒════════════════╕
│ Introduction │
╘════════════════╛
I wrote FAC because I needed it. FAC allows you to change the attributes
of a group of files. If told to, FAC also will search through sub-
directories. This utility is very fast and very powerful. Of all the
attribute changer programs I have seen, not one offered all the features
I wanted, so FAC was born. For those of you who may not know what
attributes are, there are four: Archive, Read-Only, System and Hidden. If
a file has the Archive bit set, this means the file has been changed since
the last time it was backed up. If a file has the Read-Only bit set, this
means the file can be read, but not written to, meaning it CANNOT be
changed. If a file has the System bit set, it means this file is a DOS
System file and should be left alone. If a file has the Hidden bit set,
then you cannot see the file or directory by using the DIR command. You
can still run the file, assuming it is executable, or go into the
directory, it is just hidden. You now know what attributes are, but what
do they do? Have you ever seen a file on your disk, and wanted to delete
it, but DOS gave you the message "ACCESS DENIED"? On that file, an
attribute was set that marked the file as a Read-Only file, meaning you
can read from it, but can't write to it. Since deleting the file would in
fact write to it, actually over it, DOS will not let you. Use FAC, and
unset the Read-Only attribute. You also may have some Hidden files that
you never knew you had. FAC will find them for you.
╒═══════════════════╕
│ Getting started │
╘═══════════════════╛
FAC can search through your directories for files as well. It has a limit
of 200 directories it can handle. I feel that this is more than adequate
for anyone. If it isn't, you will need to register and tell me how many
directories you have. I will give FAC room for more than the number of
directories you have to allow you to add more. Type FAC ? to receive
the help screen.
FAC can be fine-tuned to perform special functions via a command line.
The command line should be in the format of FAC Filespec ATTR Options.
The order of the parameters is not important since FAC knows what to look
for. Filespec is any legal filename or wildcard: *.* or *.zip or
a*.zi? are all considered legal. If no Filespec is given, than *.* is
assumed. There are 44 characters you cannot use in a filename and FAC
checks for them and will abort if one is found. ATTR are the attributes
you want to set or unset. Values are +ARSH or -ARSH. The only
distinguishing markers are the + and - signs, so they MUST be included.
The available Options parameters are:
/A --> Files with at least the Archive bit set
/C --> Clear all bits (same as -ARSH)
/D --> Change bits on sub-directories
/F --> Files only - Size, Date and Time are not displayed
/H --> Files with at least the Hidden bit set
/P --> Pause every page
/R --> Files with at least the Read-Only bit set
/S --> Process files in sub-directories
/T --> Display totals of files found and changed
/U --> Unusual files - those with any bit set
/Y --> Files with at least the System bit set
/A will search for files with at least the Archive bit set, although there
may be other bits set as well.
/C clears all the bits from a file. You can use the parameter of -ARSH to
accomplish this, I just added this to make it easier.
/D will allow the changing of bits on a sub-directory. The only bit that
will affect it is the Hidden bit. You can hide or unhide a sub-directory.
FAC will allow you to change the other three bits as well if you want.
/F will stop the Size, Date and Time of the file(s) from being displayed.
They are displayed by default.
/H will search for files with at least the Hidden bit set, although there
may be other bits set as well.
/K will kill (delete) all files that are found. Use this command with or
without the /V command. If a sub-directory is found, it will be skipped,
not deleted. FAC was not meant to be a directory killer. I am in the
process of writing one though. Look for FDKxx.ZIP.
/P will pause the output every page, which I set for 24 lines. After 24
lines have gone by, a "pause prompt" will appear on line 25. The prompt
allows you to hit N for non stop listing, Q or ESC to quit and return to
DOS and the sub-directory in which you started from or hitting any other
key will continue for another 24 lines or until the end, whichever comes
first.
/R will search for files with at least the Read-Only bit set, although
there may be other bits set as well.
/S allows searching from the CURRENT sub-directory and all sub-directories
below it for files.
/T will display totals after all files have been found. It will display
the total number of files found and files changed.
/U will find any unusual files. These are files with any bit set. This
is similar to the /A command.
/V will verify that you want to delete each file. This is used with /K
only and has no other meaning if /K is not used. The file will be shown
as normal and you will be shown a prompt "Delete? (Y/N/C/Q)" minus
the quotes. Hit 'Y' to delete the file and FAC will show you that it has
been deleted. Hit 'N' and the file is not deleted. Hit 'C' for continous
deleting from this point on without verification. Hit 'Q' or ESC and the
file will not be deleted and you will immediately be returned to DOS and
the sub-directory in which you started from.
/Y will search for files with at least the System bit set, although there
may be other bits set as well.
At anytime while FAC is running, you can hit ESC and it will immediately
return to DOS and the sub-directory at which you started from. Another
key you can hit while FAC is running is P, which immediately puts FAC into
Pause mode, the same as if you used /P option.
Sample command lines
────────────────────
C>fac Will display the attributes for all files in the
current directory
C>fac /cspt a*.zi? Will search for files in the current sub-directory
and all sub-directories below that start with A and
have ZI in the extension. It will clear all bits on
those files and display a total of files found and
files changed.
C>fac /us Will search for files in the current sub-directory
and all sub-directories below it for files with the
Archive bit set.
C>fac fre*.* -a /kv Will search for files in the current sub-directory
and start with FRE and have any extension. It will
clear the Archive bit and Verify that you want to
Kill the file. This command could actually be doing
2 functions at once. Say you want to delete one
file with the FRE*.* and just remove the Archive bit
of another. By using the Verify command, you can
tell FAC which one to delete.
As you can see, the command line is very flexible and it doesn't matter
where the parameters are on it. Again, if no Filespec is given, *.* is
assumed. DO NOT TRY A COMMAND LINE LIKE THIS:
C>fac b:*.txt -a
If you want to manipulate files on another drive, then go to that drive,
don't try to tell FAC to go there. This is not to say that FAC.EXE can't
be somewhere, let's say in a sub-directory called C:\UTILS. Assuming that
C:\UTILS is in the current PATH, then type:
C>b:
B>fac *.txt -a
╒═════════════════════════════╕
│ Registered Version of FAC │
╘═════════════════════════════╛
The registered version of FAC will be identical in operation to the
shareware version. The only difference is there will be no message
telling you to hit a key after all the files have been processed. There
also will not be a "goodbye" screen telling you to register. The size of
FAC.EXE will be smaller as a result of this. If you would like a
monochrome version of FAC, you must register.
╒═══════════════╕
│ Bug Reports │
╘═══════════════╛
While I think I have gotten all the bugs in FAC, there may still be some.
I would appreciate it if you find one, you will let me know. Include the
version of FAC you have, ALL information about your computer system, what
is wrong or happening that makes you think there is a bug and your name,
address, and phone number. Send it to the address below.
╒═══════════════════╕
│ Custom Software │
╘═══════════════════╛
I will, at my discretion, write custom software for you. Also, at my
discretion, I will allow you to pick the language you want it written in.
Your choices are Turbo Pascal 5.5, QuickBasic 4.5 and QuickC 2.0.
Depending on how big the project is, that will MOSTLY determine if I will
write it for you. The more complicated the program, the harder it is to
write. In all cases, the finished product is a copyright of MichaelSoft.
You may purchase the source code for your use only, but MichaelSoft will
still own the program. You may not, without prior written authorization,
sell the source code or a finished product of MichaelSoft. You may
purchase the rights to any program I write for you and MichaelSoft will
give up all claims to that program. Direct any inquiries to the address
below.
╒════════════╕
│ Versions │
╘════════════╛
Version 1.0s - Initial release on 08/08/90.
Version 1.1s - Fixed bug when using the /T option that gave the wrong
number of files changed. Released on 08/13/90.
Version 1.2s - Fixed bug when changing attributes on a directory, FAC
would display the directory as having the attributes
changed, although would not do it. This only implies
when NOT using the /D switch. Reduced the size of the
EXE file by optimizing the code. Released on 08/18/90.
Version 1.3s - Optimized the code making FAC.EXE smaller and faster.
Released on 08/21/90.
Version 1.4s - Optimized the again making FAC.EXE smaller. Released on
08/27/90.
Version 1.5s - Added /H, /R and /Y options to the command line and
optimized small portion of code. Released on 09/06/90.
Version 1.6s - Added /F option to the command line and added the Size,
Date and Time of the file(s) being displayed. Added
error checking for the Filespec. Released on 09/08/90.
Version 1.7s - Added /K and /V options to the command line. Optimized
a small portion of code. Released on 09/14/90.
Version 1.8s - Optimized lots of little areas of code making FAC.EXE
smaller and faster. Also added the ability for FAC to
use a math co-processor if one is available. Released
on 09/19/90.
Version 1.9s - Fixed a small bug when FAC found a sub-directory while
using the /K option. Released on 10/03/90.
Version 2.0s - FAC will no longer the clear the screen at startup and
optimized the code making FAC.EXE smaller. Released on
10/10/90.
Version 2.1s - Optimized several small portions of code and fixed bug
when ANSI or equivalent was not loaded, and FAC aborted
due to some error such as a bad filename or user
aborted, the DOS prompt would not be reset to the normal
grey color. I still don't know why this was happening,
but it is fixed. Released on 10/30/90.
Version 2.2s - Added routine that turns the cursor off while FAC is
running and is restored after completion. Released on
11/02/90.
Version 2.3s - Optimized some code making FAC.EXE smaller and faster.
Released on 11/08/90.
I may be reached at:
Mike Viens
276 Main Street Apt. 1
Waterville, Maine 04901
(207)872-2425 Voice - from 5:00pm to 10:00pm EST