This is the COMMENT.TXT file. You should also have the COMMENT.EXE file, and SSCOMUPD.INI files along with it, all of which are included in COMMENT.ZIP.
This is version 1.1b of the utility.
Version History:
1.0 Original release October 16, 1995
1.0a October 18: Stack and Heap sizes increased to 24k and 14k respectively.
1.1 October 18: Addition of [ExcludeValue] feature.
1.1a October 20: Stack and Heap sizes increased to 26k and 16k respectively, and additional error checking of memory during changing of comment values.
1.1b October 21: added example SSCOMUPD.INI file to ZIP to help understand how to manually set parameters in this file, fixed occasional problem with memory during update of long comments with changed markers, and added INI= parameter to [Settings] section of INI file to allow common INI file for all users on a network.
You should unzip COMMENT.ZIP and then place the COMMENT.EXE file in the SoftSolutions utility directory. You should then add a new application record (Setup | Applications | Add) as a "launch" and with a command line something like the following:
%O@util\comment.exe %N %O %B
The %O at the beginning and as the 2nd parameter tells SoftSolutions where the programs directory is. The '@' character between '%O' and 'util' is simply a separator character.
I suggest you also set up the application record as an EZLaunch item (there are 8 possible EZLaunches that can be setup) by going to Setup | Control | EZLaunch Options, and then add a button to the Button Bar for this launch by going to File | Preferences | SpeedButtons... so that you can run this utility simply by selecting that 1 button.
When you first run the program it will create an SSCOMUPD.INI file for you, but which you can modify to customize the way this utility works for you. You can also run this utility separately from SoftSolutions, simply by creating an icon for it in a program group, and setting up the command line with something like the following:
F:\APPS\SS\UTIL\COMMENT.EXE all f:\APPS\SS\ G:\DATA\:DS1
where G:\DATA\:DS1 is the dataset datapath. This will allow you to update all comments in the specified dataset.
All this is documented in the program, and available for reading when you run the utility. If you specify that you don't want the utility to prompt you when it is run from within SoftSolutions, but then later change your mind in order that you can read the documentation again, modify the Prompt= line in the INI file under the [Settings] section to show Prompt=1 rather than Prompt=0.
This is a shareware version of the program, and will occasionally halt with an information message box, advising you that this time it will not run to completion. Registering this program will eliminate this occasional restriction, and provide you with free technical support via CompuServe and/or internet e-mail, and ensure you are provided with free updates for 1 year from date of registration. You will also be provided with a separate utility which will allow you to fix any comments that might somehow end up being left in a "busy" state - which you would normally not be able to fix or update.
To register this product, GO SWREG and specify REGISTRATION ID 8056. Once registered, I will send you a registered copy of the program, and ensure you are provided with updates and support.
For organizations wishing to get access to the source code which this program is made up of, I will provide a copy in escrow, to be made available if I don't meet my obligations for support and continued updates. Alternately, I will sell the source (written in Borland Delphi) for a higher price, of course, provided the end-user doesn't use it for development of other commercial products.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement or additional features. Enjoy the program.
