Current Shareware 1994 January/SHAR194.ISO/dos_util/pcmproga.zip/MANUALS1.TXT

Text File | 1992-07-01 | 111KB | 3,310 lines

DOC 1.1 documentation file
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note - this is a plain ASCII text file but contains multiple
documents. You may find it most convenient to view or print this file
using the DOC.EXE program supplied.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Title1:PC Magazine Utilities
Title2:Volume 1
Copyright:(C)1992 Ziff-Davis Publishing

@@Introduction
Introduction
PC Magazine Utilities Disk Volume 1
-------------------------------------------------------

Volume 1 of the PC Magazine Utilities contains 35
utilities ready-to-run plus comprehensive on-disk
documentation and an install program.

Installing the programs
-----------------------
If your PC has a hard disk, you can use the install
program (started by typing GO) to copy the programs
onto it. You can then change to the new directory
containing the programs and try them out. After
installing the software, you can come back to this
documentation by changing to the relevant drive
and directory and entering the command DOC.

If you have a floppy-only PC or you don't want to
put all of the programs straight onto your hard disk,
you can run them directly from this floppy. In this
case, we suggest that you make a working copy of
your original disk with the DOS DISKCOPY command and
keep your original somewhere safe as a back-up.

For more information about setting up and starting
the programs, see the "Tech Notes" document.

Program summary
---------------
The utilities on this disk cover a wide variety of
tasks... you may not need them all but you're sure
to find some useful ones. This summary lists the
programs in general categories so that you can quickly
see what facilities are available and which programs
are of most interest to you. Remember even if you
don't need a particular program now, you may find
it's just what need in future so it's worth getting
familiar with the programs.

--- General utilities ---
COMPUTE             Command-line calculator
CONCEAL             Blank screen & hide files
HUGECALC (HC)       254-digit calculator
LOCK & UNLOCK       Encrypt sensitive files
LOG                 Track computer usage
PCSORT              Fast, versatile SORT utility
SNAPSHOT            Capture and recall screens
TED                 Compact full-screen text editor

--- Disk & File utilities ---
ATTR               Set file attributes
BAC                Handy back-up program
DDIR               2 column DIR listing
DSCAN              Check for bad sectors
FFF                Fast file finder
FREE               Report disk free space
FSIZE              Report actual disk space used
LOCATE             Search for word or phrase
PRUNE              Rearrange and tidy directories
RED                Quickly move a file
RENDIR             Rename a directory
WIPE               Permanently delete a file
XDEL               Delete selected files

--- DOS command and batch file utilities ---
ALIAS              Command line editing and recall
BAT2EXEC           Compile batch files to .COM programs
CDX                Enhanced change directory command
NO                 Run command on all files except...
PUSHDIR & POPDIR   Save and restore current directory
SWEEP              Run command in all sub-directories
WAITASEC           Scroll back DOS screen

--- Keyboard utilities ---
KEY-FAKE           Simulate user keystrokes
ONEKEY             Simple keyboard macros
TYPEFAST & TPFST-AT Keyboard repeat speed-up

--- Printer utilities ---
LPTPORT             Swap LPT1 and LPT2 over
PCBOOK              Print booklets on LaserJet printers
PP                  Print text files neatly
PRSWAP              ASCII-only printer filter
@@Tech notes
Tech Notes
PC Magazine Utilities Disk Volume 1
-------------------------------------------------------

This document provides general advice for using and
setting up the PC Magazine utilities on this disk.
It is divided into these sections...

  1. Disk contents

  2. Installing the programs

         Installing the programs from DOS

         Saving hard disk space

         Working on a floppy-only PC

         Putting the programs in your DOS command PATH

         Loading programs from AUTOEXEC.BAT

         Using TSR (memory-resident) programs

  3. Viewing and printing the documentation

  4. Customizing the utilities

         Tables of scan codes  (SS)
                   shift masks (MM)
                   color values
                   sound values

1. Disk contents
================
This disk contains the following files. These are
stored in the root directory as normal and are
ready to use. Files marked * are part of the
installation and documentation programs rather
than the utilities themselves.

 ALIAS    COM  ALIAS program
 ATTR     COM  ATTR program
 BAC      COM  BAC program
 BAT2EXEC COM  BAT2EXEC program
 CDX      COM  CDX program
 COMPUTE  COM  COMPUTE program
 CONCEAL  COM  CONCEAL program
 DDIR     COM  DDIR program
*DOC      EXE  Documentation viewer
 DSCAN    EXE  DSCAN program
 FFF      EXE  FFF program
 FREE     COM  FREE program
 FSIZE    COM  FSIZE program
*GO       EXE  Install program
 HC       EXE  HC program
 KEY-FAKE COM  KEY-FAKE program
 LOCATE   COM  LOCATE program
 LOCK     COM  LOCK program
 LOG      COM  LOG program
 LPTPORT  COM  LPTPORT program
*MANUALS1 TXT  Documentation file
 NO       COM  No program
 ONEKEY   BAS  ONEKEY program
 PCBOOK   EXE  PCBOOK program
*PCLOGO   EXE  PC Magazine logo display
 PCSORT   COM  PCSORT program
 POPDIR   COM  POPDIR program
 PP       COM  PP program
 PRSWAP   COM  PRSWAP program
 PRUNE    COM  PRUNE program
 PUSHDIR  COM  PUSHDIR program
 RED      COM  RED program
 RENDIR   COM  RENDIR program
 SNAPSHOT BAS  SNAPSHOT program
 SWEEP    COM  SWEEP program
 TED      COM  TED program
 TPFST-AT COM  TPFST-AT program
 TYPEFAST COM  TYPEFAST program
 UNLOCK   COM  UNLOCK program
 WAITASEC COM  WAITASEC program
 WIPE     COM  WIPE program
 XDEL     COM  XDEL program

2. Installing the programs
==========================
To install these programs to a hard disk, use the
install program provided (started by typing GO).
Around 350K of free space is required for all of
the programs and documentation... this will be
checked for you automatically.

The install program initially offers to install the
programs to a new directory on drive C called PCVOL1.
(C:\PCVOL1).

If you wish to use a different directory or a
different hard disk, simply type in a new name. For
example, enter D:\PCMAG to put the programs into a
PCMAG directory on your D drive.

You can name an existing directory if you prefer in
which case the install program will add the new
programs to any files already there.

Once you've entered the directory name, disk space is
checked and then the files are copied across.

After installation is complete, you can return to the
opening menu (for example, to view the documentation)
or go straight to the new directory.

Installing the programs from DOS
--------------------------------
You can install all of the programs or just selected
ones using the DOS COPY command in the normal way.
For example, to add the file PP.COM to your
normal C:\UTILS directory, enter a command such as

   COPY A:\PP.COM C:\UTILS

If you do this, you might also want to copy the
files DOC.EXE and MANUALS1.TXT to a suitable
directory so that you have the documentation to hand.

Saving hard disk space
----------------------
If you are short of hard disk space, you can remove
those utilities you are not using from your hard
disk with the DOS DEL command in the normal way.
You may also want to delete the documentation files
(DOC.EXE and MANUALS1.TXT) as you can always print
out those parts you need or use the original floppy
when you need to refer to it.

Working on a floppy-only PC
---------------------------
If you do not have a hard disk, we suggest that you
make a working copy of this disk using the DOS
DISKCOPY command. You can work directly from this
copy or use the COPY command to copy those programs
you require onto your startup disk or other working
disks as necessary. For example:

  COPY B:PP.COM A:

  ...copies PP.COM from this disk to a disk in drive A

  A:TED

  ...runs the TED program from this disk in drive A

  B:
  LPTPORT

  ... starts the LPTPORT program from this disk in drive
  B by first changing to drive B.

Putting the programs in your DOS command PATH
---------------------------------------------
You can start the utility programs by either:

   Changing to the drive and directory they are
   in and then entering the relevant command.
   For example:

   C:
   CD \PCVOL1
   TED

or

   Giving the relevant drive and directory
   before the command name (DOS 3.xx and
   later only). For example:

   C:\PCVOL1\TED

However, it's easier if you make the programs
available from any disk and directory by
ensuring that they are in your DOS command
search path, set with the PATH command.

You can do this by either:

   Adding the directory the utilities are
   in to your normal PATH command in AUTOEXEC.BAT.
   For example, if the PATH command in your
   AUTOEXEC.BAT file reads

   C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\WINDOWS

   you might change it to read

   C:\DOS;C:\UTILS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\PCVOL1

   You should be careful when making changes to
   AUTOEXEC.BAT not to disturb other commands
   already in it. See your DOS manual for full
   instructions.

or

   Copying those programs you use often to a
   directory already in your PATH command. Many
   PCs already have a directory called C:\BIN or
   C:\UTILS for small utility programs like these.
   For example, if you have a C:\BIN directory on
   drive C and use the DSCAN program often,
   copy it across with a command like this:

   COPY C:\PCVOL1\DSCAN.EXE C:\BIN

Loading programs from AUTOEXEC.BAT
----------------------------------
Many of these utilities are designed to be loaded or
run whenever your PC is working by placing the
relevant command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT startup file.
Before doing this, we recommend that you test the
utilities out by loading them from the command line
as normal to ensure that they operate correctly
with your other software.

Please bear in mind:

* The program file must be available for
  AUTOEXEC.BAT to load it. If it is not
  in a directory already named in a PATH
  command earlier in AUTOEXEC.BAT, you
  must give the drive and directory where
  it is stored (e.g. C:\PCVOL1\PRSWAP)
  or copy the file to the root directory
  of the hard disk.

* The order in which resident programs are
  loaded can be significant. If there appears
  to be a conflict, try re-ordering the lines
  in AUTOEXEC.BAT.

* If your AUTOEXEC.BAT file starts a particular
  program or menu system running, the command
  to do so will normally be the last in the
  file... add any commands to load TSR programs
  before it.

* Always keep a startup floppy to hand and
  a back-up copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file
  so that if problems arise you can restore
  things to normal.

Using TSR (memory-resident) programs
------------------------------------
Many of these utilities are 'TSRs' or memory-resident
programs. These load into memory when first started
and remain there, either operating invisibly or
waiting to be called up.

TSR programs are very popular and those on this disk
are carefully written and fully tested. However, the
design of DOS means that there is always a chance of
conflict between different TSR programs or between a
TSR and your main software.

To avoid problems, please note:

1. You should carefully test any new TSR program
   on your system before using it while doing
   your normal work.

2. Each TSR uses up memory. If you load too many
   at once, your normal software may not be
   able to run or may perform poorly.

3. If you discover a conflict, loading the TSRs
   in a different order may resolve it.

4. You can change the 'hotkey' used to call up
   many of the TSRs on this disk to avoid a conflict
   with your other programs. See the manual
   for the program in question and the notes and
   tables below.

3. Viewing and printing the documentation
-----------------------------------------
The documentation for these programs is supplied in a
plain ASCII text file called MANUALS1.TXT. You can
view or print this file using normal DOS facilities
(such as TYPE, MORE and PRINT) or third-party
products such as most word processor or text editor
programs.

However, since MANUALS1.TXT contains multiple documents
you will probably find it most convenient to view or
print it using the DOC.EXE program supplied.

To start DOC after installation, change to the
drive and directory where you installed the disk to
(e.g. enter C: then CD \PCVOL1) and then enter DOC.

For full information on using DOC, see the document
entitled DOC.

4. Customizing the utilities
----------------------------
Most of these utilities are compact assembly language
.COM programs to make them small, fast and efficient.
This means that many of the programs do not include
built-in configuration options.

However, if you're experienced with DEBUG, you can
'patch' the programs to customize their operation.
The manual for each program will describe the ways
in which it can be customized but typically you
can do so to:

*  Customize the screen colors the program uses
   (if the display is hard to read on your screen).

*  Change the 'hotkey' used by one of the TSR
   programs to avoid a conflict with your other
   software.

*  Change defaults such as sorting order, size of
   records and so on.

To customize a utility, follow this general procedure
in conjunction with the manual for the program. (You
SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT this if you are not confident about
using DEBUG as a mistake may stop the program from
working or even crash your PC.)

1. Always MAKE A COPY of the .COM file for the program
   in question as a back-up. For example, enter

   COPY POP-CAL.COM ORIGCAL.COM

2. Start DEBUG with the name of the program to modify.
   You must have the DOS DEBUG program available for
   this to work. For example, enter

   DEBUG POP-CAL.COM

   DEBUG loads the file and presents a - prompt.

3. Use the DEBUG E command to modify the areas of
   the program as described in its documentation.

   For example, the hotkey for POP-CAL can be
   changed by entering a new keyboard scan code at
   location 174. If we wanted to use Alt-P rather
   than Alt-C we can see from the scan code (SS) table
   below that we need to change this to code 19.

   This can then be entered in DEBUG with:

   E174 19

4. After making all the necessary changes, save the
   file back onto disk with the W command. Enter

   W

5. Now leave DEBUG. Enter

   Q

6. Now load and test out the new program. If it no
   longer works, delete it, restore your back-up
   copy (e.g. COPY ORIGCAL.COM POP-CAL.COM)
   and then try again.

The tables below list the values necessary for
customizing colors and hotkeys.

             Keyboard scan codes
             for alternative hotkeys
             (Values for SS)
             -----------------------

         Scan                    Scan
Key      Code (hex)    Key       Code (hex)
-------- ----------    --------- ----------
Esc       01           Z          2C
1 !       02           X          2D
@ 2       03           C          2E
# 3       04           V          2F
$ 4       05           B          30
% 5       06           N          31
^ 6       07           M          32
& 7       08           < ,        33
* 8       09           > .        34
( 9       0A           ? /        35
) 0       0B           R Shift    36
_ -       0C           PrtSc *    37
+ =       0D           Alt        38
Bkspace   0E           Spacebar   39
Tab       0F           CapsLk     3A
Q         10           F1         3B
W         11           F2         3C
E         12           F3         3D
R         13           F4         3E
T         14           F5         3F
Y         15           F6         40
U         16           F7         41
I         17           F8         42
O         18           F9         43
P         19           F10        44
{ [       1A           NumLock    45
} ]       1B           ScrlLk     46
Enter     1C           7 Home     47
Ctrl      1D           8 UpArr    48
A         1E           9 PgUp     49
S         1F           -          4A
D         20           4 LArrow   4B
F         21           5          4C
G         22           6 RArrow   4D
H         23           +          4E
J         24           1 End      4F
K         25           2 DnArr    50
L         26           3 PgDn     51
: ;       27           0 Ins      52
" '       28           . Del      53
`         29           SysReq     54
L Shift   2A           F11        57
| \       2B           F12        58

             Shift Mask codes
             for alternative hotkeys
             (Values for MM)
             -----------------------

    Value  Alt  Ctrl  L-Shift  R-Shift
    -----  ---  ----  -------  -------
      0
      1                           X
      2                  X
      3                  X        X
      4           X
      5           X               X
      6           X      X
      7           X      X        X
      8     X
      9     X                     X
      A     X            X
      B     X            X        X
      C     X     X
      D     X     X               X
      E     X     X      X
      F     X     X      X        X

X signifies that this key must pressed. For example,
to use Left Shift and Right Shift for the hotkey,
the value to use for MM would be 3.

             Color values
             ------------
             Black     0
             Blue      1
             Green     2
             Cyan      3
             Red       4
             Magenta   5
             Brown     6
             Lt Gray   7
             Dark Gray 8
             Lt Blue   9
             Lt Green  A
             Lt Cyan   B
             Orange    C
             Violet    D
             Yellow    E
             White     F

A full color value is two hex digits, the first
for the background color and the second for the
foreground. For example, bright white on a dark
blue background is 1F. Do not choose light colors
(values larger than 7) for the background as it
will produce a blinking display in most of the
programs.
@@PC MagNet
About PC MagNet
PC Magazine's On-Line Reader Service
-------------------------------------------------------

PC Magazine operates PC MagNet, a 24-hour-a-day
interactive on-line service where you can download the
latest versions and source code to these, and other,
PC Magazine utilities.

PC MagNet is just a part of ZiffNet, hosted on
CompuServe, offering a vast range of resources,
including weekly news from PC Week, product reviews
index, Buyers' Market and the chance to share opinions
and get help from, or give help to, other readers.

How to access PC MagNet
-----------------------
1. Set your communications software and modem to 300,
   1200, 2400 or 9600 bits-per-second (BPS or baud),
   7 data bits, even parity, 1 stop bit and full duplex.

2. To find the number nearest you, call 800-346-3247.
   When the modem connects, press Enter. At the Host
   Name prompt, enter PHONES. Follow the menus, note
   the number closest to you then hang up and dial
   the number you've just found.

   (In Canada, dial 800-635 6225 voice only for your
    closest number.)

3. To obtain the latest PC Magazine utility without
   ZiffNet connect charges, at the HOST NAME prompt,
   enter CIS. At the USER ID prompt, enter 60116,1.
   At the PASSWORD prompt, enter PCMAGUTIL.

4. To join ZiffNet, at the HOST NAME prompt, enter
   CIS. At the USER ID prompt, enter 177000,5000.
   At the PASSWORD prompt, enter PC*MAGNET. Finally,
   at the ENTER AGREEMENT NUMBER prompt, enter
   Z11D9200. Now follow the instructions displayed
   for opening your own account.

5. Existing CompuServe members may join by typing
   GO PCMAG at any CIS prompt.

6. ZiffNet membership costs $2.50 per month. PC MagNet
   per hour costs $6.30 for 300bps, $12.80 for 1200
   or 2400bps or $22.80 for 9600bps based on 1-minute
   increments.
@@ALIAS
ALIAS                   Douglas Boling and Jeff Prosise
DOS command editing, recall and aliasing
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A TSR utility that enables DOS command-line editing
and recall of previously issued commands and that
permits assignment of long commands and environment
strings to short synonyms ("aliases") or function
keys.

Format
------

    ALIAS [?][/U][/D][/E][/L][/F [d:][path]filename]
          [/Bnn][/M nn][/S nn][alias [command]]

Remarks
-------
When loaded without any of its optional switches,
ALIAS reserves a buffer size of 512 bytes for
user-entered alias strings and a command stack that
permits recalling the last 16 commands issued. These
defaults (/B 512 and /S 16) can only be changed at
load time. At this time, too, the /F switch can be
used with a filename  (plus drive and path) containing
regularly used aliases (see Note).

Previously issued commands can be recalled to the
command line with the Up and Down Arrow keys. When
many commands are stacked, typing a few initial
letters before hitting the recall key will speed
retrieval by skipping commands that do not match the
typed pattern. Use the optional /M nn switch, where
nn is a number, to set a minimum length of command
strings to be stacked. The default, /M 1, remembers
all commands.

Whether recalled or newly typed, command-line entries
can be edited when ALIAS is loaded. The Left and
Right Arrow keys move the cursor by character;
Ctrl-Left and Ctrl-Right move by word; and Home and
End go to the line ends. The Del and Backspace keys
delete characters; Ctrl-Backspace deletes the word at
the cursor; and Ctrl-End deletes to the end of the
line. Pressing Esc clears the command line and
returns to the bottom of the command stack. The Ins
key toggles between overstrike (the default) and
insert mode for character entry on the command line.

The command ALIAS alias [command] is used to define an
alias or command synonym. The alias variable may be
any one-word alphanumeric string; the command
variable  may contain multiple words and must end with
a carriage return. Defining an alias but omitting the
command variable removes a previous alias assignment.
Function keys and their Alt-, Shift-, and Ctrl-
combinations may be used in place of alias by being
designated thus: [Fn], [AFn], [SFn], [CFn], with 1 to
10 as the values of n. An asterisk after the close
bracket (for example, [F1]*) causes immediate
command-string execution when the function key is
pressed; otherwise, Enter must also be pressed. The
command variable may include replaceable command-line
parameters, (for example, %1), as in batch files.
Environment strings, such as the PATH string, may be
used in the command variable by being placed between
a pair of % signs.

A list of active aliases can be obtained at any time
by entering ALIAS with its /L switch. Alias
processing can be temporarily disabled with the /D
switch and reenabled with the /E switch. ALIAS ?
brings up a help screen. The /U switch uninstalls
ALIAS from memory, when possible.

Note
----
A plain ASCII file containing regular user-defined
aliases may be installed with the /F switch when ALIAS
is loaded, as, for example, ALIAS /F C:\BIN\MYALIAS.TXT
This file may be up to 32K and may also contain ALIAS
optional switches. Note that // and /* may be used to
add comments on the remainder of a line and that blank
lines are not processed.
@@ATTR
ATTR                                    Charles Petzold
Display or set file attributes
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
ATTR permits display and modification of the archive,
system, hidden, and read-only file attributes.

Format
------

    ATTR filespec

or

    ATTR [+A|-A] [+S|-S] [+H|-H] [+R|-R] filespec

or

    ATTR

Remarks
-------
Entering ATTR without any parameters, as in the last
format shown above, produces a help display that
shows which file attributes can be changed.

ATTR permits the use of the global ? and * characters.
Entering ATTR filename displays a specific file's
attributes. For example,

    ATTR IBMBIO.COM

returns the display

    IBMBIO.COM    Arc     Sys Hid R-O

showing that the Archive, System, Hidden, and Read-
Only bits of the attribute byte are set for this file.

When wildcards are used to list the attributes of all
the files in a directory, subdirectory names are shown
as Dir (between the Arc and Sys in the example above).
Unlike the DOS DIR command, ATTR lists hidden files,
whether sought by specified filename or through a *.*
listing.  However, ATTR does not show Volume names or
the dot and double-dot entries in subdirectories.

The syntax for changing file attributes is indicated
in the second format above. After typing ATTR (and a
space) you simply precede the file specification with
a plus or minus sign, followed by the letter A
(Archive), S (System), H (Hidden), or R (Read-Only). A
plus sign turns on the specified attribute; a minus
sign turns it off. More than one attribute can be
changed at once and the attribute-designating letters
may be entered in any order in upper- or lower case.
No space may be used between the plus or minus and
the letter that follows it, however.

Example
-------
To convert the file 85TAX.WKS to hidden and read-only,
you would enter

    ATTR +H +R 85TAX.WKS

Since DOS itself normally sets the Archive bit,
entering

    ATTR 85TAX.WKS

would produce the display

    85TAX.WKS     Arc         Hid R-O

Since the Hidden attribute has been set, however, the
DIR command will produce the message, "File not
found."  And since the Read-Only flag has also been
set, a DEL command will produce the message, "Access
denied."

Notes
-----
1.   Requires DOS 2.0 or later.
@@BAC
BAC                                      John Dickinson
Backs-up files to multiple floppies
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Backs up all (or selected) files in a directory to hard
or floppy disks, permitting disk changes when target
disks become full.

Format
------

    BAC [d:][path]filename[.ext] [d:][path]

Remarks
-------
Unlike the DOS COPY command, BAC permits you to
change (formatted) target disks when backing up files
to disk. Furthermore, it only backs up files whose date
stamp is later than those of identically named files on
the target disk. Unlike BACKUP, BAC does not change the
setting of the archive bit. Also, files copied with
BAC are fully usable at all times; they do not need
first to go through a RESTORE process.

BAC supports the use of global (* and ?) characters
in filenames and extensions. It does not, however,
permit you to REName files during copying.

Examples
--------
You are working at a PC/AT with a hard disk drive (C:)
on which you keep your copy of BAC, and you want to
back up all the .DOC files stored on a 1.2-Mb floppy
disk (drive A:) onto regular 360K disks (drive B:).
Since these .DOC files will require approximately 600K,
you must have two formatted blank floppy disks ready to
use in drive B:. From the C> prompt you enter

    BAC A:*.DOC B:

When the first target disk in drive B: is full, you
will be prompted to change disks.

Notes
-----
1. BAC compares the date stamps of identically
   named files and will not overwrite a newer version
   with an older one. This may cause files to be skipped
   if you omit to keep your date/time current.

2. Requires DOS 2.0 or later.
@@BAT2EXEC
BAT2EXEC                                 Douglas Boling
Compile batch files to COM files
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Compile your batch files for added speed. Large batch
files often run annoyingly slowly. Compiling them with
BAT2EXEC will increase both your productivity and
satisfaction.

Daily PC operations are almost unimaginable without the
use of batch files. Everyone has his favourite
collection of them and some users have constructed
complex batch files of thousands of bytes that push the
batch language itself to its limits. Programs that
expand the available batch file functions, such as
Michael Mefford's BATCHMAN, encourage users to make
even larger batch files.

Unfortunately, however, batch files are also
notoriously slow. It can be almost painful to watch
them scroll down the screen a line at a time. A
standard way to improve the speed of interpreted
programs, such as batch files, is to compile them.
That's where BAT2EXEC comes in.

Using BAT2EXEC
--------------
The full syntax for BAT2EXEC could hardly be simpler.
Just enter:

    BAT2EXEC FILE.BAT

where FILE.BAT is the name of your batch file. BAT2EXEC
will then produce an executable .COM file with the name
FILE.COM. If BAT2EXEC can't find the batch file, an
error message will be printed. If BAT2EXEC can't
understand a line in the batch file, it will print an
error message indicating the line in the file in which
it discovered the error.

BAT2EXEC should not be used on every batch file.
AUTOEXEC.BAT, for example, must remain a genuine batch
file in order for COMMAND.COM to find it. Similarly,
batch files that run terminate and stay resident
utilities (TSRs) should not be compiled. The reason for
this limitation lies in the DOS memory management
structure: if a TSR is executed from a program compiled
by BAT2EXEC, the memory used by BAT2EXEC itself will
not be made available to the system after it
terminates.

Programs created by BAT2EXEC behave slightly
differently from the batch files from which they were
compiled. The .COM file does not echo each line to the
screen as does the batch file, for example. Running
other batch files does not cause the .COM program to
end. Also, pressing Ctrl-Break does not present the
message, "Terminate Batch file (y/n)." If Ctrl-Break is
pressed and BREAK has been set on, the program simply
terminates.

The size of the resulting .COM file is somewhat larger
than the batch file. Compiling a batch file containing
a single REM statement results in a .COM file size of
68 bytes, illustrating the overhead of the setup and
terminate routines. Program size increases quickly as
routines are added then slows as the loaded routines
are reused instead of new ones being added.

Certainly, BAT2EXEC is not suitable for use on every
batch file. Two and three line batch files are best
left in their easy-to-alter and simple-to-understand
ASCII format. However, for those batch files that have
grown into long complex programs, BAT2EXEC is the
answer.
@@CDX
CDX                     Michael Holmes and Bob Flanders
Shortcut directory changer
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Provides an alternative to the DOS CD command that
eliminates the need to enter long path and directory
names and that finds and changes to directories
containing specified filenames.

Format
------

    CDX [/?] [/B] [/+] [/F filename] [d:]p1 p2 ...pn

Remarks
-------
Entered without any of the optional / switches, CDX
searches one or more hard drives d: for a specified
directory p1. If found, the full path is displayed with
a ? prompt and is selected by typing Y; typing N
continues the search for another qualifying directory.
If the d: parameter is omitted, only the current drive
is checked; *: searches all hard drives, starting with
the first hard drive in the system. Multiple drives
listed as d:, including floppies (if requested) are
searched in named order, e.g. DCAB:. If d: is preceded
by a minus sign (-) the drive(s) listed are excluded
rather than included.

The p1 target directory name can be truncated to as
little as their initial letter. To prevent having to
bypass an inconvenient number of qualifying directories
at the ? prompt, multiple values of p, each separated
by a space, can be used to construct an abbreviated
path, which need not include all steps. If the initial
p1 begins with a backslash (\) the search will be made
from the root rather than the current directory.

Using the /F switch limits qualifying directories to
those containing a user-specified filename. The
filename supports the * and ? DOS wildcards, and if all
the subdirectories of d: are to be searched, p1 may be
omitted or replaced by an asterisk (*). Supplying the
/B switch automatically selects the first qualifying
directory, eliminating the user prompt. The /+ switch
causes floppy disk drives A: and B: to be included in
the search. Executing CDX with no operands brings up a
syntax help screen.

In keeping with DOS conventions, entering CDX with
a single dot, double dot, backslash or a single
parameter that is the full name of a directory goes to
the requested directory. An extension of this
convention allows a disk name to be specified. For
example, if you are currently on C: and you enter CDX
D:\ABC you will be taken to the D: drive ABC directory.
CDX can be forced to search by placing a * at the end
of the parameter.
@@COMPUTE
COMPUTE                              Michael J. Mefford
Command line calculator
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A five-function calculator (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, and modulo functions) that
works directly from the DOS command line prompt.

Format
------

    COMPUTE arithmetic expression

Remarks
-------
COMPUTE accepts decimal numbers only, and the operators
in its arithmetic expression are +, -, *, /, and %.
Note that the % symbol does not stand for percent, but
rather designates the modulo operator, which returns
the remainder of an integer division. (Example: COMPUTE
8 % 5 returns the value 3, since 5 goes into 8 once
with a remainder of 3.) When working on real numbers
with a fractional part the modulo operator in COMPUTE
rounds off the operands before the division.

The standard order of precedence for arithmetic
operations is followed by default. Multiple levels of
parentheses and/or square brackets are supported,
however, so that the order in which calculations are
made can be modified. Thus, while COMPUTE 4 + 5 * 2
returns the value 14, the command COMPUTE (4 + 5) * 2
returns 18.

COMPUTE stores its last calculated result within its
own .COM file. This number, designated x, can be
recovered and used in the next calculation, whose
result becomes the new x. The value of the
currently-stored x can be seen by entering the command
COMPUTE x, and x can be used as an operand, as in
COMPUTE x + 5.

The program can handle decimal numbers up to 20 digits
on either side of the decimal point. Rounding errors
are precluded by using a binary coded decimal (BCD)
format. Under DOS 3.x and later, COMPUTE can be renamed
to a shorter name to save keystrokes. Under DOS 2.x,
however, the program cannot be renamed and must be
stored either in the current directory or in one
designated in a PATH= statement.
@@CONCEAL
CONCEAL                              Michael J. Mefford
Hide files and blank the screen for security
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Provides file security through password protection of
selected files and a screen-blanking system activated
either by a hotkey or by a period of keyboard
inactivity. Most options explained below have ON and
OFF states (default on) that may be entered with the
parameters.

Format
------

    CONCEAL [/P password] [filespec] [options]

Remarks
-------
CONCEAL is normally loaded as a TSR requiring
approximately 1K of RAM, via the AUTOEXEC.BAT line

    CONCEAL /S

Files are then protected with the command

    CONCEAL filespec /S

This applies the DOS System attribute to the filespec,
making it invisible to DOS. CONCEAL then monitors and
fails any attempts to remove the System attribute, and
any DOS calls to open, delete, rename, or change the
file attribute of protected files unless the proper
password is supplied. Legitimate access is provided by
the command

    CONCEAL /P password filespec /S OFF

This turns off the filespec System attribute, which
must later be reapplied. (The /F option allows
password-access without removing the System attribute,
but may not work with all applications.) The default
password SHAZAM can be changed with the /N parameter
option. Other file attributes (Archive, System, Hidden,
Read-only) can be changed with the /A option:

    CONCEAL /A filespec [+|-A] [+|-S] [+|-H] [+|-R]

Hardware screen blanking is provided by entering

    CONCEAL /B nn

where nn is a number of minutes (0 - 60). The default
is 3 minutes, and a value of 0 for nn turns blanking
off. The /G option may be entered instead of /B to
provide a bouncing ball instead of a blank screen
display. Instant blanking is achieved with a hotkey
(default Alt-Z), which may be changed to any Alt- or
Ctrl- alphanumeric key with the /H option. From
graphics mode, the /G option defaults to /B. To blank
over graphics applications such as Windows, use the /O
parameter. Adding the /T switch will require password
entry rather than a simple keystroke to terminate
screen blanking. The /U switch uninstalls CONCEAL.
@@DDIR
DDIR                                    Charles Petzold
Double directory listing
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Displays all (or selected) directory entries in double
columns, sorted in alphabetical order.

Format
------

    DDIR [d:][path][filename[.ext]]

Remarks
-------
If no parameters are specified, DDIR will list all
files in the current directory. Use of the global
characters ? and * in the filename and extension
parameters is supported.

If more than one screenful (50 entries) is required,
the display pauses at the bottom, showing the message,
"Press any key to continue."

Notes
-----
1.  Because DDIR loads a secondary command
    processor, it will not operate under the Run
    option of WordStar and possibly with some other
    programs that normally allow calling up external
    programs. For the same reason, it cannot be
    automatically reinvoked using the F3 key when at
    the DOS command level.

2.  Requires DOS 2.0 or later.
@@DOC
DOC
Documentation viewer and printer            version 1.1
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
DOC is a simple on-disk documentation viewer to present
the manuals for the programs on this disk. It displays
a list of available documents down the left side of the
screen and shows the text of the currently selected
document on the right. DOC has a simple printing ability
which will produce a neat printout of a document so
that you can have a manual to hand while working
with a program.

Running DOC
-----------
To start DOC, enter the command DOC. If you're looking
for a particular manual, you may also give it at the
command line. For example:

    DOC CDX

starts DOC and asks it to look for the manual for the
CDX program.

To select documents, use the up and down arrow keys to
move through the list on the left. Typing the initial
letters of a document name will jump directly to the
next matching document. Once you've found the document
you want, press TAB or the right arrow key to move
to the text of the document on the right. The cursor
keys (Home, End, Up, Down, PgUp, PgDn) will now move
through the text. Press the left arrow or TAB key
again to go back to select other documents.

The DOC menu
------------
To call up DOC's menu, press the ESC key. DOC
presents various options which you can select with
the cursor and Return keys or by pressing one of
the highlighted letters. The options will vary
depending on your PC's configuration and the
document files available.

Pressing ESC a second time cancels the menu.

Quitting DOC
------------
Choose the Quit option from the menu to leave
the DOC program and return to DOS.

Color Display Off
-----------------
Choose Color display off from the menu to ask
DOC to work in black-and-white. You may wish to
do this if you're using a laptop with an LCD screen
that doesn't show colors well or with some greyscale
or CGA composite video monitors.

If you need to do this, you might also enter the
DOS command MODE BW80 before running DOC. This makes
DOC and many other programs start up in black-and-
white. Adding /M to the DOC command at the DOS prompt
also forces monochrome operation.

This menu option does not appear on PCs that do not
have a color capability.

Extended screen on
------------------
Choosing this menu option switches the display to
43 or 50 lines so that you can see more text without
scrolling. You can go back to the normal display by
choosing Extended screen off subsequently.

If you have a Super VGA display card and a program
to set extended text modes, such as 60 lines deep,
you might like to try setting an appropriate mode
before starting DOC. DOC will usually operate with
the non-standard format.

This menu option is only available on EGA or VGA
equipped PCs.

Fast screen on
--------------
This menu option only appears on PCs fitted with
CGA standard or equivalent displays. Normally the
DOC program deliberately slows down on this type
of display to prevent the screen flicker or 'snow'
that genuine IBM CGA displays (and some compatible
makes) can suffer from. If your system does not
suffer from snow, choose 'Fast screen on' for a
faster screen display. There's no harm in trying
this option either way on your PC... snow does
no harm and you might prefer to have a fast display
that flickers to a slow one that doesn't.

Print Document
--------------
Choose this menu option to print the currently selected
document. A menu appears from where you can make four
print settings, choose Go to start printing or Cancel
to return to viewing documents. You may need to alter
the settings to suit your system before choosing Go
as follows:

1. Output port

   This is the printer interface that DOC should print
   the document to. By pressing O you can step through
   the ports fitted to your computer. The default LPT1,
   the first parallel printer port, is correct for
   most PCs. DOC can work with a serial printer (COM1
   or COM2) if you have one but you must make sure that
   the port is correctly set up (e.g. with a command
   such as MODE COM1:9600,n,8,1,p) BEFORE running DOC.
   X-On/X-Off handshaking is automatically provided
   for serial printers.

   You can set the output port to "FILE". In this case,
   DOC will ask for the name of a disk file when you
   start printing and will then print to disk rather
   than to a printer. If the file you name already
   exists, DOC will append pages to it.

   Note that DOC will not print on PostScript printers.
   If you have one of these, you might like to use the
   print to FILE option and then use a PostScript
   conversion program or word processor to print the
   resulting file.

2. Lines per page

   This is the number of printable lines on each page
   on your printer. DOC will print with this set
   incorrectly but will not be able to put page breaks
   and headers in the right place. The default is 66
   lines for standard fan-fold paper. Other common
   values are 60, 62, 64 and 70.

   If you have difficulty with this setting, a
   workaround is to set the form-length correctly on
   your printer, enter a small number of lines per
   page (e.g. 60) and then select the "Use form-feeds"
   option.

3. Use form-feeds

   Set this option to Yes if you're using a LaserJet-
   style printer or any printer with the form-length
   set correctly. DOC will work with this option set
   to No by counting output lines but this is slower.

4. Pause between pages

   Set this option to Yes if you're feeding single-
   sheets to the printer... DOC will pause for you
   to get the next sheet ready between each page.

Working with document files
---------------------------
Document files should be kept in the same directory as
the  DOC.EXE program. Under DOS 3.0 or later, DOC will
find the files when it starts no matter which drive or
directory is current (with older versions of DOS, you
should change to the relevant drive and directory before
starting DOC).

Multiple document files
-----------------------
You can, if you like, place more than one document file
in the DOC.EXE directory. DOC will display a menu of
available files when first started and offer a 'Select
document file' option on its menu to let you switch
between documents.

You can start DOC with a particular document file from
the command line by entering its name. For example:

    DOC MANUALS2

You can also search for a particular program.
If you enter a command such as:

    DOC SNIPPER

DOC will search each document file in turn looking for
a SNIPPER document. If you know which document file
the document you want is in, you can reduce the search
time by telling DOC on the command line. For example:

    DOC MANUALS3 SNIPPER
@@DSCAN
DSCAN             Based on a program by Charles Petzold
Scans for bad sectors on a disk             Version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Locates and identifies disk errors on hard and floppy
disks.

Format
------

    DSCAN [d:]

Remarks
-------
Bad sectors on a disk can cause loss of data but, as
standard, DOS provides no tools to check for them.
The DOS FORMAT command detects bad sectors initially
-- and flags them in the disk's FAT (file allocation
table) so that they won't be used -- but bad sectors
can develop long after formatting. The RECOVER
command will lock out bad sectors but is only used
after damage has been found. The CHKDSK program only
checks a disk's directory structure and FAT for
consistency... it does not read through file data.

DSCAN simply reads every sector on a disk in turn
checking for errors. Regular use can provide
advance warning that a floppy has developed a faulty
area or that a hard disk is beginning to go bad.
DSCAN does not attempt any repairs (it only ever reads
a disk and does not write to it) but it's enough to
warn you of potential problems or to check that a
floppy you have prepared for someone is readable.

DSCAN messages
--------------
DSCAN reads blocks of sectors on the disk. If a
read fault occurs, it goes back and reads each
sector in the block individually to determine
the nature of the fault. Its messages include...

Problems with scanning
----------------------

Unknown Media:
Disk format unrecognized:
Unknown Unit: DSCAN cannot identify the type of
     drive it has been asked to scan and can't
     work with it. These messages may be produced
     if the disk's boot sector is damaged but, if
     the disk appears to operate correctly, it is
     more likely that DSCAN is not compatible with
     the type or format of the disk in question.

Can't Read FAT: DSCAN can't read the disk's
     FAT in order to check where faults are.
     This message may occur if there are
     bad sectors in the FAT area. DSCAN will
     continue to operate if it can but will not
     be able say if bad sectors are already flagged,
     are free or lie within files.

Type of fault
-------------

CRC Error: Data checksum as recalculated
     during read does not agree with checksum
     stored on disk when written.

Sector Not Found: Sector boundary created
     during formatting is no longer readable.

Read Fault:
General Failure:  The sectors so designated
     are bad, but the errors reported don't
     fall into any of the above categories.

Location of fault
-----------------

File Alloc. Table: The bad sector is in the FAT
     which will prevent access to some files or
     directories. This is a serious problem,
     particularly if a large number of sectors
     are affected and should be investigated
     further.

Boot Sector:  The first sector of the disk is
     bad. Typically, if this is the case, neither
     DSCAN nor normal programs will be able to
     recognize the disk at all since it stores
     information about the format of the disk.
     A damaged boot sector on a hard disk can
     sometimes be repaired by running the SYS
     command from an original DOS master floppy,
     at least for long enough to copy valuable
     files off the disk. The drive may have to
     backed-up and reformatted or even repaired
     or replaced if the problem persists.

Root Directory:  Errors here could keep you
     from later being able to load a file or
     save updates to it. CHKDSK will
     probably indicate unallocated cluster
     chains or cross-linked files, and you
     may have to use CHKDSK/F to save what
     you can.

Unallocated:  A bad sector has been found in
     a currently unused area of the disk.
     An "Abort, Retry, Ignore?" will be
     produced if in future DOS tries to save
     a file to this area. DSCAN does not
     lock out the bad sector.

Used by file: A bad sector has been found
     which is in one of your files. While
     DSCAN checks that the fault lies
     within a file, it does not determine
     the name of the file. You may be able
     to identify the file by using the
     COPY command to read through your files.
     For example,

     COPY *.* NUL

     When COPY encounters the file with the
     bad sector it will report "Abort, Retry,
     Ignore."  Note the bad file and press
     "I" to continue. NUL is the name of DOS's
     NUL device so that the copied data is
     simply thrown away.

Notes
-----

1.   Requires DOS 2.0 or higher.

2.   DSCAN may not operate with all types of drives...
     network drives and those that require special device
     drivers to operate are typical examples.

3.   DSCAN is based on the original DISKSCAN program
     by Charles Petzold
@@FFF
FFF                                     John Deurbrouck
File finder                                 version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A file and directory-finding utility that can search
all directories on any or all drives for one or more
target filespecs. Extended wildcards, size and
attribute-byte information, and multiple report formats
are supported.

Format
------

    FFF [/a] [drive(s):] [/d|do] [/h|ho|hro] [/s]
        [/l|t|w] name(s)

Remarks
-------
The name(s) parameter may consist of multiple entries
(separated by spaces) on the same command line. Thus,
FFF *.exe *.com *.bat will find all executable files on
the current (default) drive.

In FFF the * stands for 0 to n characters, the ? for
one and only one character; the period is treated
specially as an ordinary character. Thus *.* and * both
mean "all files," and *.?* restricts a listing to files
that have at least a 1-character extension.
Combinations such as *C*T*.* are permitted,
facilitating finding files with a basename that has (in
this case) a C and a T in that order.

All other parameters are optional and are not sensitive
as to case or entry order. The /a switch causes FFF to
search all system drives in alphabetic order. One or
more drives may be specified, singly, in ranges, or
intermixed, by entering a drive(s): parameter. This
parameter must end with a colon, and included range(s)
of drives (e.g. c-e:) must begin with the lowest letter
drive in the group.

By default, searches begin from the root directory of
the drive(s) specified; the /s switch restricts the
search to the current subdirectory and its children.
The /d switch returns directories as well as files that
match name(s); /do lists matching directories only. The
/h switch adds hidden and system files; /ho restricts
the listing to hidden and system files; and /hro
reports hidden, system, and read-only files in addition
to normal files.

The default FFF report lists files and directories
found under their parent directories and supplies file
size, date and time, and attribute byte (archive,
hidden, system, read-only) information on each. File
size and allocation size totals are also supplied and a
storage efficiency percentage is calculated. The /w
(wide) switch reports entries individually, five
across. The /l (limited) switch lists number of entries
and total and allocated filespace. The /t (terse)
switch reports fully-qualified names only.
@@FREE
FREE                  Based on a program by Art Merrill
List disk free space                        version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
FREE reports the amount of free space, the amount of
space used and the total space on one or more disk
drives. This information is also reported by the DIR
and CHKDSK commands but where a large number of files
are present, FREE is much faster.

Format
------

    FREE [d:] [d:]...

or

    FREE dd...

Remarks
-------
FREE is in many respects a companion program to FSIZE,
the latter tells you how much storage space you must
have to make your copies, the former tells you how
much you do have.

Unlike most DOS commands, you do not have to include
the : after drive letters or even separate them with
spaces. FREE C: D: is equivalent to FREE C D or even
FREE CD. If you give more than one drive letter, FREE
prints totals for the drives listed; if your hard disk
is divided into C D and E partitions, FREE CDE will
list the space on each partition and then the drive as
a whole.

Notes
-----
1. Requires DOS 2.0 or later.

2. This version of FREE updates the original
   PC Magazine FREE.COM written by Art Merrill
@@FSIZE
FSIZE                 Based on a program by Art Merrill
List file sizes and space occupied          version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Calculates the storage requirements of a file or group
of files based on the number of DOS clusters necessary
to make floppy disk and hard disk copies.

Format
------

    FSIZE filespec

or

    FSIZE filespec d:


Remarks
-------
DOS stores files in fixed-length 'allocation units' or
'clusters'. For floppy disks, the cluster size is
usually 1024 bytes (two 512-byte sectors). A standard
XT 10Mb hard disk has a cluster size of 4096 bytes
(eight 512-byte sectors). AT hard disks typically have
a cluster size of 2K (four 512-byte sectors). The
cluster size is determined when the disk is formatted;
larger clusters may be used on some drives, particularly
large capacity units.

The cluster size dictates how much disk space a file
takes up. For example, with a 2K cluster size, a
one byte file will still take up 2K (2048 bytes);
the same space as a 900 byte file or a 2048 byte file.
DOS always stores files in a multiple of the cluster
size, if necessary padding out the last sectors of the
file with random data.

Entered with a file specification, FSIZE lists the
total size of the files given and the space they
actually occupy on the disk. It also notes how much
space is 'lost' to padding data and what the cluster
size is on the drive holding the files.

Underneath, FSIZE lists how much space would be
required for the files on different types of disk.
For example, if the files are currently on a hard
disk, you can see how much free space is needed to
copy them onto a floppy disk. Similarly, if the
files are on a floppy, you can see how much space
they will take up if you copy them to a hard disk.

If you give a drive letter after the filespec,
FSIZE determines the cluster size on that drive
and reports how much space would be taken up by
the files if they were copied to it, rather than
producing a table of various values.

Examples
--------

    FSIZE *.*

Lists how much space all the files in the current
directory take up and produces a table showing how
much space they would take up on disks with different
cluster sizes.

    FSIZE A:*.PCX

Lists how much space the PCX files on drive A take up.

    FSIZE C:\JAN

Lists how much space files in the \JAN directory on
drive C take up.

    FSIZE ACCOUNTS.WK1 B:

Lists how much space the file ACCOUNTS.WK1 takes up
and how much free space would be needed to copy it
onto a floppy in drive B. Note that drive B (or
whatever) must be ready for this to work as FSIZE
needs to read the disk in the drive to determine
its cluster size.

Notes
-----

1. Requires DOS 2.0 or later.

2. From DOS 4 on, you can determine the cluster
   size on a particular drive with CHKDSK. You
   can do this with FSIZE and any version of DOS
   by running it with the name of any file on the
   disk.

3. If you are using FSIZE to determine the space
   needed to copy files, bear in mind that disk
   space is required to hold the directory entries
   for each file. If you are copying to the root
   directory of a disk, there is a fixed maximum
   number of files it can hold (typically 112
   on a floppy). If you are copying files into
   sub-directories, DOS may fit the new directory
   entries into the existing sub-directory or it
   may need to extend the sub-directory by a
   cluster or two to cope.

4. FSIZE combines and updates the PC Magazine
   SIZE and ATSIZE utilities written by Art Merrill
@@HC
HUGECALC                                 Neil Rubenking
Long precision calculator
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A command-line calculator utility that can perform
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division,
exponentiation, and factorial functions on numbers
with up to 254 significant digits.

Format
------

     HC n operator [n]

Remarks
-------
The n operand variables may consist of any string of
digits up to the 127-character maximum of the DOS
command line. The operands must not include commas or
other formatting punctuation, and must be separated
from the command and the operator by at least one
space. Two operands are required for all operations
except factorial. The operators recognized are +, -,
*, /, ^, and !.

When output to the screen (the default) or redirected
to a printer or other DOS device, HUGECALC prints the
name of the function and inserts commas at every three
digits in the numeric result. If the output is
redirected to a file or piped to a program input,
however, only the numeric result is sent. Note that
when it accepts input from a file or via a pipe,
HUGECALC uses that input as its first operand.

Example
-------
If a program that prints 10,000 permutations a second
is asked to print all possible combinations of 13
characters, how long will it take?   The command

    HC 13 ! | HC / 10000 | HC / 3600 | HC / 24

pipes the factorial of 13 (the possible combinations)
to a second instance of HC, which divides it by 10,000
(the permutations per second). The result is piped to
a third instance of HC, which divides it by 3600 (the
seconds in an hour), and finally to a fourth instance
of HC, which divides it by 24 (the hours in a day).
The answer printed on the screen is:

          QUOTIENT: 7
          REMAINDER: 4,

          that is, 7 days, 4 hours.

Note that all such chained calculations must be
strictly sequential and that parenthetical expressions
are not supported.
@@KEY-FAKE
KEY-FAKE                                Charles Petzold
Simulates keystrokes within a batch file
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Supplies the series of keystrokes needed to initialize
an application program on boot-up.

Format
------

    KEY-FAKE ["xyz"] [nn] [0] [@F] ProgramName

Characters typed within a pair of single or double
quotes ("xyz") are normal ASCII-character keystrokes.
Numbers (nn) not in quote marks are ASCII decimal
codes, e.g., 13 (Enter), 26 (Ctrl-Z), or 27 (Esc).
Numbers preceded by @ are the extended ASCII decimal
codes (128 through 255) generated by the Alt keys,
cursor keys, Ins and Del keys, and the Function keys
(e.g. @61 is the F3 keystroke). The 0 is used with
programs that check the keyboard buffer (it tells such
programs the buffer is clear, so the programs will
treat the succeeding keystroke separately).

Remarks
-------
KEY-FAKE is of greatest use in batch files used to call
up application programs. For example, to enter Lotus's
1-2-3 and set it for File Retrieve, the following .BAT
file would be appropriate:

    CD \LOTUS
    KEY-FAKE 0 13 0 13 0 13 0 13 0 13 "/FR"
    LOTUS

This takes you past the necessary initial carriage
returns and /FR command without having to type them in
each time.

Similarly, if each time you enter BASICA you want to
have a blue border, blue background, and yellow
letters, you would create a batch file, B.BAT,
containing the lines

    KEY-FAKE "COLOR 14,1,1" 13 "CLS" 13
    BASICA

Notes
-----
1. The keystroke sequence stored by KEYFAKE is limited
   to 124 characters and must be on one continuous
   command line. Keystrokes not supported by the PC
   BIOS  (e.g. Alt-Home) cannot be stored.

2. Programs such as XyWrite II that get keyboard
   information directly from the hardware keyboard
   interrupt will bypass KEY-FAKE. KEY-FAKE will also
   not work well when you are on-line using a
   communications program.

3. KEY-FAKE is memory resident, but can be executed
   multiple times in the same session without
   reloading. However, if nested batch files cause
   it to be re-invoked before its initially stored
   keystroke sequence has been exhausted, the
   remaining initial keystrokes will be lost.
@@LOCATE
LOCATE                                   Steven Holzner
Searches for files containing word or phrase
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Searches all files in the current and the root
directories of a drive for all occurrences of any
specified sequence (e.g., a word or phrase) of up
to 20 ASCII characters. Additional search paths
and/or drives may be specified by using Option 1.

Format
------

    LOCATE searchstring

Remarks
-------
In addition to returning the path(s) and filename(s)
of the file(s) in which the requested string is found,
LOCATE puts searchstring into a context of up to 20
immediately surrounding characters.

LOCATE is case sensitive;  the string to be
found must be typed exactly. The program does,
however, strip "high-order" (non-ASCII) bits from
searchstring, so it can be used, for example with
WordStar document files.

Option 1
--------
Normally, if LOCATE does not find the requested
string either in the current directory or in the
disk's root directory, it simply exits. It does
not automatically search every subdirectory on
every drive.

You can extend the search range, however, by
preparing a simple ASCII file that specifies
additional paths and/or drives. The name of this
file must be PATH.DAT, and it must be located in
the root directory (usually C:\ for hard disks, A:\
for floppies). An example of such a PATH.DAT file
would be

    \WORK
    \LEVEL1
    \A:

Each line in the PATH.DAT file must end with a
carriage return and specifies an additional path
(or drive) for LOCATE to check before it exits. The
PATH.DAT file can be up to 300 bytes in length, and
incorrectly specified entries are ignored.

The use of Option 1 will, of course, slow down the
overall speed of the search.

Note
----
1.   Requires the use of DOS 2.0 or later.
@@LOCK & UNLOCK
LOCK (and UNLOCK)                        Steven Holzner
File encryption and decryption
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
LOCK encrypts a file, rendering it unreadable to anyone
who does not know the user-chosen passphrase.
Subsequently, using the same passphrase, UNLOCK will
decrypt the file.

Format
------

    LOCK plainFile codeFile      (to lock a file)

then

    UNLOCK codeFile plainFile    (to unlock a file)

Remarks
-------
The user-selected passphrase can be up to 64
characters in length; the programs prompt you
to supply it. Files to be LOCKed and
UNLOCKed must be less than 62K in length. If
you do not supply new filenames for the
locked and unlocked files, the programs use
the default filename FILE.LOC.

Example
-------
You have a file of student course evaluations
named CONFY on drive C: that you wish to mail
to a colleague in encrypted form. You put a
formatted floppy disk in drive A:, and at the
C> prompt you enter

    LOCK CONFY A:CRIMSON

When the program asks for a passphrase, you
enter VERITAS.

The CRIMSON file on the disk will be
unreadable. When your colleague--who must,
of course, be told the passphrase you have
used--puts the disk in his machine, he types

    UNLOCK A:CRIMSON GUIDE

When prompted, he supplies the passphrase
VERITAS, and his file GUIDE will be identical
to your original file CONFY.

Notes
-----
1. LOCK and UNLOCK do not delete any files,
   original or encoded.

2. Requires DOS version 2.0 or later.
@@LOG
LOG                                        Jeff Prosise
Keeps a log of computer activity
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A memory-resident utility that automatically maintains
a record of computer activity suitable for tax records,
client billing, and usage analysis.

Format
------

    LOG [filespec] [/U]

Remarks
-------
Entered without the optional filespec parameter, LOG
opens a file named USAGE.LOG in the root directory of
the current drive. The user may over-ride any or all of
the drive, path, and filename defaults by supplying his
desired parameters as the filespec option when LOG is
initially run. Although it can be executed from the DOS
prompt, LOG is normally loaded by being included as a
line in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Provided it is either the
only or the last memory-resident program loaded, LOG
can be uninstalled by executing the command with the /U
parameter.

After listing the date, LOG files provide a single-line
column display of start, end, and elapsed times for
each program run. The program name and any parameters
entered with it are also logged, as is the "level" of
DOS activity. The original DOS level is 0; a program
running under DOS is level 1; invoking a secondary copy
of COMMAND.COM by shelling out from the program to DOS,
represents level 2, etc. LOG can track up to 10 levels
of DOS activity. Time spent at the DOS prompt is
identified as <idle>. LOG does not record the use of
internal DOS commands (DIR, CD, REN, for example), nor
command calls that fail ("Bad command or filename").
LOG produces pure ASCII files that can be TYPE'd to the
screen or to a printer and that can be used with a
browse utility or text editor.
@@LPTPORT
LPTPORT                                  John Dickinson
Swaps LPT1 and LPT2 over
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Permits alternate use of two parallel printers (e.g.
letter- and draft-quality units) with software that is
normally limited to using LPT1:.

Format
------

    LPTPORT

Remarks
-------
DOS and many programs print, by default, to the first
parallel printer on the PC, known as 'LPT1'. The DOS
MODE command will let you redirect LPT1 to a serial
printer but it will not switch to another parallel
printer.

To use a second parallel printer in this case, LPTPORT
provides a software toggle that interchanges the
internal DOS I/O addresses of LPT1 and LPT2. After
entering the LPTPORT command, a second printer,
connected to LPT2 will receive program output
nominally directed to LPT1. Entering the LPTPORT
command a second time restores the original port
assignments.

Notes
-----
1. Certain internal print-spooling programs, such as
   those supplied with add-on memory board cards,
   read the port address assignments at boot-up time
   and do not thereafter look at the low-memory area
   of DOS to find them. With such programs you will
   have to run LPTPORT before the print spoolers are
   loaded in order to change the effective port
   assignments.
@@NO
NO                                      Charles Petzold
Exclude files from wildcard operations
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Excludes specified files in a subdirectory from the
action of a command.

Format
------

    NO filespec command [parameter]

Remarks
-------
NO is designed for situations in which you want to
apply a command such as DELete or COPY to all the
files in a directory except one or two (or a class of)
files. For example,

               NO *.BAS COPY *.* A:

copies all the files in your current subdirectory to
drive A: except for those that have a .BAS extension.

To exclude more than one file (or category) you must
use a separate NO command for each on the command
line. Thus,

               NO *.ASM NO *.COM DEL *.*

deletes all files in the current directory except
those with .ASM or .COM extensions.

Notes
-----
1.   NO.COM should not be used in conjunction
     with the PC-DOS BACKUP and RESTORE
     commands. This is because NO operates
     by temporarily setting the "hidden" file
     attribute bit on the files to be
     excluded from the main command, then
     unhiding the files after the main
     command has been executed. Since the
     DOS BACKUP/RESTORE operation acts on
     hidden and unhidden files alike, NO.COM
     cannot be used to exclude files from
     BACKUP/RESTORE. RESTORE, indeed, will
     restore the supposedly excluded files as
     hidden, overwriting the originals.

2.   While NO.COM provides full path support
     (and so requires the use of DOS 2.0 or
     later), it is a good policy when using
     NO to use CHDIR to make the directory
     that contains the files on which you
     wish to operate the current directory.

     For example, suppose you are in your
     root directory, one of whose subdirec-
     tories is \BASIC. If you were to enter
     the command

     NO *.BAS DEL \BASIC\*.*

     you would not delete all the files in
     the \BASIC subdirectory except those
     with a .BAS extension, as you might have
     intended to do. To do this from the
     root directory you would have had to
     enter

     NO \BASIC\*.BAS DEL \BASIC\*.*

     This complete filespec would tell NO
     that it had to protect files in the
     \BASIC, not in the current (i.e. root)
     directory.

     If you follow our recommendation and
     enter

          CD \BASIC
          NO *.BAS DEL *.*

     thus making \BASIC your current
     directory before you start deleting, you
     will then clean out all but the .BAS
     files, just as you intended.

3.   Should a parity check error, power
     outage, or system crash occur during the
     brief period between the times NO hides
     and subsequently unhides the protected
     files, those files will subsequently
     seem to have disappeared. They are not
     lost; only hidden from a DIR listing.
     Use the DOS ATTRIB command or a similar
     program to remove their hidden status.
@@ONEKEY
ONEKEY                                   Steven Holzner
Simple keystroke macro creator program
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Reassigns a designated series of keystrokes to a
user-selected keystroke.

Format
------

    BASICA ONEKEY       (to make ONEKEY.COM)

then

    ONEKEY              (to load macro)

Remarks
-------
ONEKEY is a memory-resident keyboard macro program.
While written in assembly language, it is presented
here with a BASIC interface that need be run only
once, but which facilitates entering the trigger keys
you want to use and the sequences of keystrokes they
will replace. ONEKEY will accept up to 30 different
trigger keys, each of which will replace up to 50
keystrokes.

When you load and run ONEKEY.BAS in BASIC, you will
prompted to "Type the key to be replaced."  This will
be a key you use as a trigger:  Ctrl-N, Alt-Z, F1, or
the like. When you enter this key, you will be
prompted, "The command that replaces this key is."
Here you enter the string of keystrokes the selected
trigger key will execute. Remember to include all
necessary carriage returns, spaces, and control
characters, just as you would enter them at the
keyboard. When you type Ctrl-End (not a carriage
return) to terminate this sequence, you'll be prompted
for the next trigger key, and so on.

When you have typed in as many macros as you want,
type Ctrl-End when asked for a trigger key. The
BASIC program will then create a ONEKEY.COM file,
ready to be run.

Once created, ONEKEY is a regular DOS command; you
enter it at the DOS prompt (or as a line in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file), not from BASIC.

Notes
-----
1.   Memory-resident utilities such as ONEKEY
     are often incompatible with programs
     (XyWrite is one) that themselves take
     over the keyboard interrupts. You must
     simply experiment to see if ONEKEY can
     be used with your software.

2.   ONEKEY.BAS is intended for use with IBM
     BASICA, Microsoft GWBASIC or a compatible
     version of BASIC.

3.   Requires DOS 2.0 or later.
@@PCBOOK
PCBOOK                                        Jay Munro
Prints booklets on a LaserJet type printer
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Prints README and similar ASCII files in booklet format
on an HP LaserJet II, IIp, or III printer. Uses
two-sided printing in landscape mode, with Line Printer
font so that four standard pages of 80 characters/line,
66 lines/page are printed on each sheet without
formatting changes.

Format
------

    PCBOOK [path] filename [/F] [/P] [/D][/C] [/2]
           [/A] [/W] [/S] [/H]

Remarks
-------
The filename can designate any ASCII text file in which
each line is terminated with a Carriage Return/Line
Feed combination. Page Feed characters can be added to
force breaks in addition to those implicit in the
60-line (68-line if a header is used) page length.

Any or all of the /F, /P, and /D command-line switches
can be used to create a one-line header that prints the
filename, page number, and date, respectively, on all
but blank pages. The /W switch causes lines exceeding
80 characters to wrap; by default such lines are
truncated. Adding the /2 switch causes PCBOOK to print
to LPT2 rather than the default LPT1. (Use the DOS MODE
command to implement serial connection, if desired.)
The /A switch can be used to direct output to a file.

PCBOOK sequences the page printing so that all side-one
pages are printed in one pass. The sheets are then put
back in the LaserJet paper tray and all side-two pages
are printed. The finished booklet can then be created
with a single fold. When using the normal (top)
LaserJet output bin the pass-one sheets should be
reinserted in the paper tray without any relative
change in orientation. If rear output from the printer
is used, the sheets must be turned over as a group
before reinsertion. To determine how many sheets will
be required without automatically starting the print
operation, use the /C switch.

The /H switch provides on-screen help for the program,
and the /S switch sounds a beep as each printing pass
is successfully completed.
@@PCSORT
PCSORT                               Michael J. Mefford
Fast general purpose sorting utility
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A fast and capable text sorting utility without the
limitations of the DOS SORT command.

Format
------

    PCSORT [filename] [options]

PCSORT command line summary:

    /Sn                 n=size of record in lines (1-9)
                        Default=1

    /Pn                 n=sort priority (1-9) Default=1

    /R                  Sort current priority in
                        reverse order
                        Default = ascending

    /N                  Numeric sort current priority
                        Default = Alphanumeric

    /L[n]               Line sort:
                        n=record sort line (1-9)
                        default=1
                        default sort is a line sort

    /[B][+] nn [xx [y]] Block or column sort:
                        nn=start column
                        xx=width
                        y=sort line (1-9)
                        defaults:
                        nn=1;
                        xx=start column to end of line;
                        y=1

    /W [+|-] n          Word sort:
                        n=word count
                        default = +1
                        - n = count from end of record

    /C                  Case sensitive sort
                        Default = Case insensitive

Shown above are the many switches you can use, either
at the command line or within batch files, to configure
PCSORT for your own needs. The options listed need be
used only if you're using PCSORT as a filter -- in
combination with the DOS redirection characters |, <,
and >. A common example is piping DOS directory's
output to a filter and redirecting the filter's output
to a file.

PCSORT menu command summary:

    PgUp/PgDn   Next page
    Arrow keys  Cursor
    Home(1)     Beginning of column
    Home(2)     Top of page
    Home(3)     Top of text
    End(1)      End of column
    End(2)      End of page
    End(3)      End of text
    Ctrl-Home   Beginning of text
    Ctrl-End    End of text
    Enter       Beginning of next line
    F1          Displays all sort fields at a glance
    Alt-F1      Resets all the sort variables to defaults
    F2          Save file
    F3          New file
    F4          Sort text
    F5          Increase lines per record (1-9)
    Shift F5    Decrease lines per record
    /F6         Select next key priority (1-9)
    Shift F6    Select previous key priority}
    F7          Sort order (de/ascending)
    F8          Alphanumeric or Numeric sort
    F9          Select next Field type:
                Line, block, word or none
    Shift F9    Select previous Field type
    F10         Mark the record line for line sort
                or mark block sort field or select
                sort word count
    Shift F10   Reverse selection of word count
    Esc         Exit PCSORT

This listing of PCSORT's navigation keys demonstrates
the program's versatility in sorting in up to 9
priority orders. Each priority can be set independently
of the others. Key commands, in general, operate as you
might expect. Note, however, the varied uses of the
Home and End keys for travelling throughout the file;
each key's role, here, depends on the number of times
you press it.

Customizing PCSORT
------------------
Some systems, especially laptops, do not display color
contrasts very well. If you find PCSORT hard to read,
you can force PCSORT to use black-and-white attributes
by entering the command MODE BW80 before running it.
The best way to do that is from a batch file, as shown:

    MODE BW80
    PCSORT %1 %2

If you have a color system and PCSORT is using black
and white attributes, chances are some other
application has changed the video mode. To encourage
PCSORT to use color, issue the DOS command

    MODE CO80

before running PCSORT.

The following instructions will enable you to customize
the colors used by PCSORT. Start by making a back-up
copy of PCSORT.COM and then enter

    DEBUG PCSORT.COM

You are now ready to modify PCSORT.COM. If at any time
you make a mistake, you can abort the editing process
by entering Q. The last two commands that you enter
after entering any modifications are

    W
    Q

for Write to disk and Quit DEBUG.

Color scheme: Enter the following Debug instructions,
replacing the xx with a hexadecimal color value. The
default color values for the menu color, the text,
and the block marker, and their respective descriptions
are shown as comments to the right of the semicolons.
Do not type in the comments.

    E 106 xx  ; 71  Blue on light gray
    E 107 xx  ; 17  Light gray on blue
    E 108 xx  ; 31  Blue on cyan

Alternate colors may be selected from the following
list. The background color number is entered for the
first x and the foreground color for the second x. Do
not use a light color for the background, or the
display will blink.

  Dark colors   Light colors
  -----------   -------------
  Black    0     Dark Gray 8
  Blue     1     Lt Blue   9
  Green    2     Lt Green  A
  Cyan     3     Lt Cyan   B
  Red      4     Orange    C
  Magenta  5     Violet    D
  Brown    6     Yellow    E
  Lt Gray  7     White     F

For example, to change the Block marker color from
blue on cyan (31) to blue on light gray (17), you would
enter

    E 108 17

PCSORT turns on the border, and some monitors can not
handle that. To disable the border, enter

    E 10C 1

Replace the 1 with a 0 to re-enable the border. Finish
the DEBUG session with

    W
    Q
@@PP
PP                 Based on a program by John Dickinson
Prints text files                           Version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Prints standard ASCII files of program listings, batch
files or other text files in a standard formatted style
with page breaks.

Format
------

    PP file(s) [/Ln][/Wn][/On][/Tn][/F][/H][/A][/D:dev]

Remarks
-------
PP neatly prints files with page breaks and,
optionally, a header including the filename, the date
and time it was created or last changed and the page
number. Various options can be used to set the page
size and other parameters to suit the file or your
printer and paper.  By default, PP prints 80 column
wide lines and 66 lines to the page to LPT1, assuming
a dot-matrix printer and standard fan-fold paper.

You may print several files in one go by giving
multiple filenames or using wildcards.

Ctrl-Break will stop the program if necessary during
printing.

Options
-------

/Ln  Sets the number of lines per page. 64, 66 and 70
     are common values. If the number of lines is not
     set correctly, PP will not start a new page at
     the correct place.

/Wn  Sets the width of pages, normally 80

/On  Adds an offset of n spaces to every line to ensure
     the printhead is past the sprockets on a tractor
     fed printer or to leave space for binding

/Tn  Sets tab stops every n positions, normally 8. Use
     this if the file has been formatted with a
     different value such as 4

/F   Uses form-feed characters to end pages. PP
     normally sends the relevant number of blank lines
     so that it will work even if the form length is
     not set correctly on the printer. Use /F if it is
     set or if you are using a LaserJet or similar
     printer. PP takes note of any form-feed
     characters already in the file regardless of this
     setting... provided you set a page length the
     same or larger than that used to format the file,
     you can print a pre-formatted file.

/H   Disables the header. Use this if the file being
     printed already has its own page headers.

/A   Outputs only ASCII characters, converting PC
     extended characters to near ASCII equivalents.
     Use this if your printer cannot handle the
     full PC character set.

/D:dev Prints to the named device, usually LPT1,
     LPT2, COM1 and so on. You can give a filename
     here to print to disk or even use CON to print
     to the screen display. If you print to an
     existing file, PP appends the new output to it
     rather than replacing the old file.

Notes
-----
1. If you're printing to a serial port, make the
   correct settings first with the DOS MODE command.
   Like DOS, PP does not provide X-on/X-off handshaking
   so your printer and cable must be setup for a
   hardware handshake or you may experience problems
   at higher baud rates.

2. PP always expands tabs to spaces on output so tab
   settings on the printer are ignored.

3. PP is based on John Dickinson's original PR program.
@@PRSWAP
PRSWAP                                   John Dickinson
ASCII-only filter for printer output
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Replaces IBM text-graphics characters in printer output
with plain ASCII characters when using a printer that
cannot print the full IBM PC character set.

Format
------

    PRSWAP

Remarks
-------
The IBM text-graphics characters (non-standard ASCII
176-223 and 254) programmers often use to make their
screen displays look more attractive cannot be handled
by many printers. PRSWAP.COM is a memory-resident
program that translates these characters into
presentable-looking ASCII substitutes.

PRSWAP should be loaded only once until you power down
or hit Ctrl-Alt-Del. If you intend to use it
regularly, the best place to put it is in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
@@PRUNE
PRUNE                                Michael J. Mefford
Reorganizes directories on a hard disk
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
To organize a hard disk by renaming, removing, copying,
and moving entire directories, together with their
files and subdirectories. Directories may be put into
other locations on their current or on another drive's
directory tree. PRUNE also reports directory or branch
size and permits directly calling up PC Magazine's DR
and DIRMATCH utilities to inspect files or update
directories with current file versions.

Format
------

    PRUNE [d:] [d:]

Remarks
-------
Entered at the DOS prompt without either of its two
optional (d:) drive arguments, PRUNE displays a graphic
directory tree of the current drive in both of its
side-by-side windows. The d: arguments permit initial
display of any one or two directory trees on the
system. The active window, which has the highlight bar,
can be toggled with the Tab key or with the Left- or
Right-Arrow keys. The directory tree can be traversed
with the Up-/Down-Arrow, PgUp/PgDn, and Home/End keys.
Esc exits the utility.

The operations PRUNE can perform on the highlighted
directory are executed with the Function Keys. Note
that except for the Rename Directory command (F3),
"directory" here includes all directory and
subdirectory files. Prompts and confirmatory warnings
are provided as needed.

F1 copies the highlighted directory to another location
on the current tree or to one highlighted in the
alternate window. F2 removes a directory, and should be
used with special care. F4 moves (copies, then removes
the original) a directory. F5 gives the size of a
directory branch, including subdirectories, in terms of
the bytes allocated to the clusters required. Although
PRUNE will not copy or move directories where
insufficient space exists, this information may be
useful in deciding which directories to work on. F6
displays the same information for the directory files
without including any subdirectories. F7 permits
loading and displaying the tree of a new drive. F8
calls up the DR utility to permit reading the files in
a directory, and F9 calls up DIRMATCH to permit
updating a target directory with file versions from a
more recent directory. Note that for F8 and F9 to work,
these utilities must be on the DOS path. If using a
floppy drive, COMMAND.COM must also be on it.

Customizing PRUNE
-----------------
Some systems, especially laptops, do not display color
contrasts very well. If you find PRUNE hard to read,
you can force it to use black and white attributes
by entering the command MODE BW80 before running the
program. The best way to do this is from a batch file
containing the lines

    MODE BW80
    PRUNE %1 %2

If you have a color system and PRUNE is using black
and white attributes, chances are some other
application has changed the video mode. To encourage
PRUNE to use color, issue the following DOS command:
MODE CO80 before running the program.

Modifying PRUNE
---------------
The following instructions will enable you to
customize the colors used by PRUNE and to
change the program run by pressing F7 DR. Start by
making a back-up copy of PRUNE.COM and then enter

    DEBUG PRUNE.COM

You are now ready to modify the utility. If at any time
you make a mistake, simply abort the editing process by
entering Q. The last two commands that you enter after
entering any modifications are

    W
    Q

for Write to disk and to Quit DEBUG.

Color scheme: Enter the following DEBUG instructions,
replacing the xx with a hexadecimal color value. The
default color values and their descriptions are shown
as comments to the right of the semicolons. Do not type
in the comments.

    E 17B xx  ; 71  Blue on light gray Menu color
    E 17C xx  ; 17  Light gray on blue Inactive tree
    E 17D xx  ; 31  Blue on cyan       Menu bar
    E 17E xx  ; 1F  White on blue      Active tree
    E 17F xx  ; 17  Light gray on blue DR color

Alternate colors may be selected from the following
list. The background color number is entered for the
first x and the foreground color for the second x. Do
not use a light color for the background or the
display will blink.

  Dark colors   Light colors
  -----------   -------------
  Black    0    Dark Gray 8
  Blue     1    Lt Blue   9
  Green    2    Lt Green  A
  Cyan     3    Lt Cyan   B
  Red      4    Orange    C
  Magenta  5    Violet    D
  Brown    6    Yellow    E
  Lt Gray  7    White     F

For example, to change the bar color from blue on cyan
(31) to blue on light gray (17) you would enter

    E 57A 17

PRUNE turns on the border, and some monitors can't
handle that. To disable the border, enter

    E 185 1    g

Replace the 1 with a 0 to re-enable the border.

Reprogramming F7: Pressing F7 in PRUNE will run the
DR.COM utility if it is found on your DOS PATH. To
substitute a different utility for DR, enter

    E 192 "12345678"

where 12345678 is the eight-character name of the
utility you want to use instead. Make sure to include
the quotes shown above, but do NOT add either the
period or the extension (.COM or .EXE) of the
alternative utility. Append spaces if the utility name
is less than eight characters. For example, if you have
a program named DirMagic you could enter

    E 192 "DIRMAGIC"

The DR next to the F7 in the menu will not change, but
DirMagic will be executed all the same. Remember that
the new utility has to be in the DOS PATH. To change
the F7 utility back to DR, enter

    E 192 "DR "

Finish the DEBUG session with

    W
    Q
@@PUSHDIR & POPDIR
PUSHDIR & POPDIR                            John Friend
Save and restore current directory
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
This pair of programs provides a way to return
automatically to your current directory after running
programs that require directory changing.

Format
------

    PUSHDIR
    ... command(s) that run program
        or change directory ...
    POPDIR

Remarks
-------
While PUSHDIR and POPDIR can be entered directly from
the DOS prompt, their primary application is in batch
files. For example, suppose you create a file named
12.BAT that consists of the following four lines:

    PUSHDIR
    CD\LOTUS
    123
    POPDIR

Suppose also that 12.BAT, PUSHDIR.COM, and POPDIR.COM
are either in your root directory or in a subdirectory
on the PATH specified in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
Assume, finally, that you are currently in your word
processing subdirectory (\WP), but need some
information from a 1-2-3 spreadsheet. If you now enter

    12<CR>

from the DOS prompt, PUSHDIR stores the \WP (your
current directory) on its stack and DOS changes to the
\LOTUS subdirectory and runs 1-2-3. When you exit from
1-2-3, you would normally be left in the \LOTUS
subdirectory. A DOS CD command in 12.BAT after the 123
line could return you to a specified directory every
time you terminated 1-2-3, of course. But POPDIR
returns you to whatever subdirectory you were in when
you invoked 1-2-3 -- in this case, to your \WP
subdirectory.

PUSHDIR can accommodate up to six levels of directories
on its stack, permitting considerable programming
flexibility in constructing batch files.

Notes
-----
1. PUSHDIR and POPDIR require DOS 2.0 or later.
@@RED
RED                                      John Dickinson
Quickly moves files from one directory to another
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Transfers one (or more) file(s) from one subdirectory
to another without requiring the use of COPY and ERASE.

Format
------

    RED [d:][path]filename[.ext] [d:][path]

Remarks
-------
Like the DOS COPY command, RED.COM supports the use of
the global characters ? and * in specifying the desired
source files.

Unlike COPY, however, RED.COM does not permit renaming
a file during the transfer process. (This is why it is
unnecessary to supply a target filename.) Furthermore,
RED requires that the source and target drives be the
same. You cannot, therefore, remove a set of files from
drive C: by trying to REDirect them to drive A:.

Example
--------
Before submitting your income tax you calculated it
under several different methods, contained in files
named ROUGH1.DAT through ROUGH6.WKS. These are all in
the subdirectory \TAX on drive C:, and you want to move
them all to a sub-subdirectory (which you have created)
called \1992TAX\DRAFTS.

From the C> prompt enter

    RED \TAX\ROUGH?.* \1992TAX\DRAFTS

and all six files will be moved out of \TAX and into
\1992\DRAFTS.

Notes
-----
1. Requires DOS 2.0 or later.
@@RENDIR
RENDIR                                   John Dickinson
Renames a directory
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Permits renaming subdirectories directly, without
creating a new directory, moving the contents of the
old one into it, and then removing the old directory.

Format
------

    RENDIR [d:][path]oldname[.ext] newname[.ext]

Remarks
-------
DOS has always provided a REName command for filenames,
but not for directories. A bug in DOS 3.0 permits you
to use the immediate mode of BASIC to

    NAME olddir AS newdir

but this bug has been removed from subsequent DOS
versions. RENDIR.COM permits renaming directories in
DOS 3.0 and later.

While RENDIR allows you to change the name of a
directory on another drive than your current one, it
does not permit you to transfer a directory to another
drive by RENDIRing it. Thus, for example, if you are on
drive C: and have a directory on drive D: named \TAXES,
from the C> prompt you can

    RENDIR D:\TAXES \TAXES92

You cannot, however

    RENDIR D:\TAXES C:\TAXES92

Furthermore, you should not use RENDIR to try to change
the name of the subdirectory you are currently in.

Notes
-----
1. Unlike RENAME, RENDIR does not support use of the ?
   and * wildcard characters.

2. Requires DOS 3.0 or higher.
@@SNAPSHOT
SNAPSHOT                                 Steven Holzner
Capture and later pop-up screens
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Saves your current screen and up to three additional
prefabricated screens for immediate display without
leaving an application program.

Format
------

    BASICA SNAPSHOT      (creates SNAPSHOT.COM)

    SNAPSHOT             (loads resident program)

    <Ctrl-N>             (stores current screen)
    <Ctrl-F>             (displays stored screen)
    <Ctrl-A>             (displays screen A.DAT)
    <Ctrl-B>             (displays screen B.DAT)
    <Ctrl-C>             (displays screen C.DAT)

Remarks
-------
SNAPSHOT is a memory-resident utility that is
incompatible with programs (such as XyWrite) that take
control of the keyboard interrupts. While written in
assembly language, it is presented here with a BASIC
interface that need be run only once but which
facilitates entering the trigger keys you will use to
store the current screen, recall it, and to recall up
to three screens you can prepare with an ASCII word
processor and store under the filenames A.DAT, B.DAT,
and C.DAT.

When you load and run SNAPSHOT.BAS under BASIC you
will be prompted for the required key selections.
Thereafter the program will create SNAPSHOT.COM,
which is a regular DOS command.

WordStar users
--------------
If your regular word processor is WordStar, before
running SNAPSHOT.BAS you should edit it as follows:

1. In line 30, change the checksum shown from 51461 to
   51462.

2. In line 430, change the third number (just to the
   left of the -2) from 0 to 1.

The purpose of these changes is to provide a
"stripper" function so that WordStar files will be
readable from other applications.

Notes
-----
1. SNAPSHOT.BAS must be run with GWBASIC or IBM BASICA
   or a compatible version of BASIC to create
   SNAPSHOT.COM
@@SWEEP
SWEEP                                   Charles Petzold
Repeat command in each subdirectory
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Causes a command to be successively executed in every
subdirectory on a hard disk.

Format
------

    SWEEP command

Remarks
-------
SWEEP starts from the current directory. In order to
use SWEEP to extend the range of a command to all the
subdirectories on a disk, use CD (if necessary) to make
the root directory your current directory. From the
root directory, the command

    SWEEP DIR

will display the listings, by subdirectory, of every
non-hidden file on the disk. To erase all the .BAK
files on a disk you need only get into the root
directory and issue the command

    SWEEP DEL *.BAK

SWEEP itself will not accept parameters other than its
command. Thus, if you are on drive C: and wish a
directory of all files on drive D: to be sent to your
printer, you must first make drive D: the current drive
before you issue the command

    SWEEP DIR > LPT1

(In this case you would either need a copy of SWEEP.COM
on drive D: or else drive D: would have to be listed on
your PATH.)

SWEEP can execute .BAT file commands (and even non-DOS
commands, such as LOCATE.COM). A useful file called
CLEAN.BAT might consist of the three lines

    DEL *.BAK
    DEL *.TMP
    DEL *.OBJ

From the root directory, if you then enter

    SWEEP CLEAN

all .BAK, .TMP, and .OBJ files will be erased from the
disk.

Notes
-----
1. Requires DOS 2.0 or later.
@@TED
TED                                         Tom Kihlken
Text editor                                 Version 1.1
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
A small, full-screen editor for line-oriented files of
up to 64K in length that supports scrolling, cut, copy,
paste, and printing operations, and permits entry of
all characters in the IBM character set.

Format
------

    TED [filespec]

Remarks
-------
TED will open and read a file whose name (and path, if
required) are supplied initially. If no filespec is
provided it will open a new file and prompt for a
filename when the Save and Exit command (F7) is
given. The original of a modified file is saved with
a .BAK extension. The Abort command (F1), when
verified, abandons any modifications and leaves the
original file intact.

Lines may be of any length, and each must be
terminated by pressing Enter. Lines longer than the
screen width display a diamond in the rightmost
column. Off-screen characters (up to 248 columns) may
be viewed by using the Ctrl-<arrow> keys. Lines may
be broken by pressing Enter at any point, and may be
conflated by pressing Delete at the line end.

A block of text is defined by toggling on the Mark
command (F4) and moving the cursor with the arrow
keys. The Marked area is shown in inverse video.
Pressing F3 prints the blocked text; F5 (Cut) removes
it to a buffer from which it can be Pasted (F6) at any
point where the cursor is located. The paste buffer
remains intact until another section is marked and
cut.

Pressing F8 deletes to the end of a line; F9 deletes
the entire line. F10 restores the most recent deletion
of F8 or F9. The Undo command (F2) restores letters
deleted by the Delete (but not by the Backspace) key
if the cursor has not been moved.

The Home and End keys move the cursor to the beginning
and end of the current screen line; the Tab key moves
to the next column evenly divisible by eight. Text is
entered in Insert mode by default; pressing the Insert
key toggles to overstrike mode. TED configures itself
to the display in use and supports EGA and VGA text
modes other than the standard 80 columns by 25 rows.
PgUp and PgDn scroll the file by the number of rows
displayed, minus 5. Ctrl-PgUp and Ctrl-PgDn move to
the top and bottom of the file.

Any character in the IBM set can be entered by
pressing the Alt key, typing its ASCII value on the
numeric keypad, then releasing the Alt key.
@@TYPEFAST & TPFST-AT
TYPEFAST & TPFST-AT                  Michael J. Mefford
Keyboard speed-up
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
To change the default keyboard typematic rate and
initial delay. TYPEFAST.COM is a memory-resident (TSR)
utility that works with all XT and later PCs and
clones; TPFST-AT.COM is non-resident, but works only
with late-model ATs (BIOS date 11/15/85 or later) and
with XT 286, PS/2, and 386-based AT compatibles.

Format
------

    TYPEFAST [m][,n] | [/U] | [N]
or
    TPFST-AT [m][,n] | [N]

Remarks
-------
Entered without any optional parameters, both TYPEFAST
and TPFST-AT default to a repetition rate of
approximately 17 characters per second (11 cps is the
normal keyboard typematic rate) with a standard initial
delay of 1/2 second. The optional m parameter sets the
repeat rate and n sets the delay.

For TYPEFAST, the m values may range from 0 through 31
(the default is 2) and n values may range from 0
through 3 (default 3). For TPFST-AT m values also range
from 0 through 31, but in this case the default value
of 27 corresponds to the 17 cps repeat rate. TPFST-AT n
values range from 0 through 3 (default 1). The same
numeric values for the optional m and n parameters do
not produce the same results in the two programs, though
in both cases the larger the number the greater will be
the repetition rate and the initial delay. When
executed, both programs show the appropriate syntax
parameters on the screen. A single parameter may be
entered (preceded by a delimiting comma if the first
parameter is omitted) if the default value is
satisfactory for the missing value.

When installed, normally by being made part of an
AUTOEXEC.BAT file, TYPEFAST occupies approximately 300
bytes of RAM. The program can subsequently be run again
with new parameters without further memory penalty.
Subject to the usual TSR limitations, TYPEFAST can be
uninstalled by running it with the /U switch. The N
option restores the normal typematic rates.

Since TPFST-AT is not memory resident it cannot be
uninstalled. To revert to the normal typematic speeds
simply use the N switch. TPFST-AT provides slightly
smoother response and permits the keyboard to use
slower or faster than normal rates. TYPEFAST, on the
other hand, provides better insurance against
overshooting the desired stopping point.
@@WAITASEC
WAITASEC                                Charles Petzold
Permits backward scrolling of DOS screen
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Uses the single-keystroke ScrollLock key to halt a
fast-scrolling display; then allows you to scroll
backwards, recalling previous screens.

Format
------

    WAITASEC       (loads memory-resident program)

then

    <ScrollLock>   (activates WAITASEC)

Remarks
-------
WAITASEC is a memory-resident program that is normally
loaded through your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Thereafter,
alternately pressing and releasing the ScrollLock key
will halt and restart a scrolling display, e.g. a
lengthy DIR listing.

While holding down the ScrollLock key to freeze the
display, if you also press one of the cursor movement
keys (Home, Up Arrow, PgUp, End, Down Arrow, or PgDn),
the display will not resume scrolling when you release
the ScrollLock key. Thereafter, the Up and Down arrow
keys move the display by one line, the PgUp and PgDown
move it by 25 lines, and the Home and End keys take
you to the beginning and end of the stored screen
memory. Pressing any non cursor key at this point
deactivates the stored mode, and the original
scrolling resumes.

Notes
-----
1.   WAITASEC will not work with an 80-column
     color display if an unmodified PC-DOS
     ANSI.SYS has been loaded. (The ANSI.SYS
     that comes with various versions of MS-DOS
     does not cause problems with WAITASEC.)
     To run with IBM's ANSI.SYS, make a copy
     (MODANSI.SYS) of the original ANSI.SYS
     and use DEBUG to patch the copy as
     follows:

     DEBUG MODANSI.SYS
     E 29D 90 90
     E 2A1 90 90
     W
     Q

     Put the modified MODANSI.SYS in your
     CONFIG.SYS file in place of ANSI.SYS.

2.   Because of the way they handle TTY
     output, certain EGA cards will not
     permit WAITASEC to scroll backwards.
     This problem can often be cured by
     adding MODANSI.SYS, as above.

3.   WAITASEC does not save your current
     display screen.

4.   While WAITASEC has been found compatible
     with XyWrite III (XYKBD.COM loaded) on a
     PC/AT, as with other memory-resident
     programs, unforeseen hardware and
     software incompatibilities may be
     encountered.
@@WIPE
WIPE               Based on a program by Steven Holzner
Secure file delete utility                  Version 1.0
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Provides security by deleting files permanently so that
their contents cannot be recovered.

Format
------

    WIPE filespec [filespec]...  [/N]

Remarks
-------
The DOS DEL command does not physically erase data
when it deletes a file... it simply removes the file's
details from the directory and marks the disk space
where the file's data is stored as free for future use.

This is an advantage in that, in the case of accidents,
it is often possible to recover a deleted file. It's a
weakness, however, in that the DEL command alone is not
enough to stop a determined person from recovering
sensitive information that you thought you'd deleted.

WIPE provides extra security when you need it... it
first overwrites the data in the file and only then
deletes it. In fact, it overwrites the existing data
three times with different values and obscures the
file's original directory details to the point where
most automated undelete programs will not even attempt
to recover the file's data.

WIPE asks for confirmation before wiping each file
specified (you can use wildcards or give several
filenames separated by spaces). Press Y to go ahead
or N to leave the files as is. If you want to wipe
a group of files and are sure you know what you are
doing, add /N to the WIPE command. The program will
then ask for confirmation only once before wiping
each selected file in turn.

Notes
-----
1. Requires DOS 2.0 or later

2. WIPE replaces the original DELZ program by
   Steven Holzner
@@XDEL
XDEL                                     Ronald Czapala
Selective file delete
-------------------------------------------------------

Purpose
-------
Presents each selected filename in turn for single-
keystroke file deletion or retention.

Format
------

    XDEL [d:][file.ext]

Remarks
-------
If no parameters are specified with XDEL, the default
filename *.* is used.  Both the global characters ?
and * may be used in selecting the files to be
presented.

The program produces an on-screen menu of keystroke
choices, as follows:

    <F1>   - deletes current file displayed
    <PgDn> - skips current file displayed
    <Home> - restarts file display
    <Esc>  - returns to DOS

Notes
-----
1.   Although XDEL.COM requires DOS 2.0 or later,
     you must use CHDIR (CD) if necessary to make
     a subdirectory your current directory.