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UTTER.DOC
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1994-06-20
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Files included with UTTER10.ZIP:
UTTER.EXE - executable
UTTER.DAT - default data file containing quotes
UTTER.PAS - Turbo Pascal 6.0 source code
UTTER.DOC - this file
This file (UTTER.DOC) is not essential for the execution of UTTER.EXE; it is
merely the output (for the most part) from executing UTTER as follows:
UTTER /V? > UTTER.DOC
Installation Instructions
=========================
- UTTER is best used within your AUTOEXEC.BAT file; thus, upon start-up, a
quote will be displayed. My AUTOEXEC.BAT file has the following:
C:\UTILS\UTTER.EXE /WMK
This updates the default data file UTTER.DAT automatically if it requires
updating, displays a quote, then prompts the user to press a key or click
a mouse button to continue.
- UTTER requires an ASCII data file which contains the quotes to display.
By default this is called UTTER.DAT; however, this can be over-ridden by
specifying a different file on the command-line.
- When UTTER is first executed it will create an index file called UTTER.IDX.
Every data file requires an index file located in the same directory as
its data file.
UTTER 1.0, Copyright (c) 1994, Jody R. Cairns
Syntax: UTTER [option(s)] [datafile path]
Options: /N ----------- show Number of quotes in data file
/R ----------- display Random quote
/U ----------- Update index file
/W ----------- disable all Warning prompts
/B ----------- use BIOS routines for video output (slower)
/V ----------- use DOS routines for Video output (slowest)
/S ----------- enable video Snow-checking (for CGA monitors)
/K ----------- prompt user to press Key after quote is displayed
/M ----------- prompt user to click Mouse after quote is displayed
/P[x] -------- Pause for approximately x seconds after quote
(default is 2 seconds. Max. is 60.)
/E[editor] --- invoke Editor (EDIT is default)
/?, /H ------- for more information
- UTTER displays a quote from an ASCII text data file, called UTTER.DAT
by default, which is assumed to be in the same directory as UTTER.EXE.
- All quotes in the data file must end with a tilde (~); and the length
of each quote is unlimited, as is the size of the data file.
- To use a different data file just specify its full path name on the command-
line. If the default data file is in a different directory than the
executable file, then specify the directory name on the command-line,
making sure it ends with a "\" character.
- An index file is associated with each different data file, having the
same name as the data file except with an .IDX extension.
- Each index file must be in the same directory as its corresponding data
file. Index files are created automatically if they do not exist in the
same directory as its data file or if they are corrupt in some way.
- Options can appear in any order and can be combined.
Explanation of options (examples follow)
======================
/N --------- displays the number of quotes in the current data file.
/R --------- display a random quote from the current data file.
/U --------- updates current data file, creating an index file for it.
/W --------- disables any warning prompts when creating index file.
/B --------- by default, UTTER outputs directly to video memory. This
option enables BIOS output routines, which is slower.
/V --------- use DOS routines for output. This is the slowest but it
allows any output to be redirected, if desired.
/S --------- enables snow-checking, which CGA screens may require.
/K --------- after a quote is displayed, the user is prompted with the
following: "Press any key to continue...".
/M --------- after a quote is displayed, the user is prompted with the
following: "Click mouse button to continue...". If the /K
option is enabled in addition to this one, the prompt is:
"Press any key or click mouse button to continue...".
/P[x] ------ after a quote is displayed, UTTER pauses for the specified
number of seconds, or for 2 seconds by default. Seconds must
be >= 0 and <= 60. If x is specified, no other options can
immediatedly follow x. Ex: "/P3V" -> wrong, "/P3 /V" -> right.
/E[editor] - executes, by default, the editor EDIT using either the default
data file UTTER.DAT or the file specified on the command-line.
To use a different editor, specify the editor's name
immediately after the /E option.
Examples
========
1) UTTER quotes.txt /vr /k
- displays a random quote from the file QUOTES.TXT using DOS output
routines and prompts user to press a key afterwards.
2) UTTER /wu /eMyEdit
- executes the editor MYEDIT on the default data file UTTER.DAT, then
updates the index file automatically after MYEDIT execution halts.
3) UTTER /sp5 \utils\ /r
- displays a random quote from the default data file UTTER.DAT located in
the \UTILS\ directory using snow-checking, pausing for five seconds
afterwards.
Copyright Information
=====================
- UTTER may be distributed freely in the public domain, although donations
would be most appreciated.
- I take no responsibility for any liability, loss, or damage caused or
alleged to be caused directly or indirectly from the use of this program.
- UTTER was written in Turbo Pascal 6.0. Source code is available upon request.
Future versions are forthcoming.
- If you discover any bugs, or have any ideas or suggestions, please feel
free to contact me: Jody R. Cairns
P.O. Box 5991
St. John's, NFLD.
Canada A1C 5X4
e-mail: jodyc@cs.mun.ca