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ARCHIVE FRONT END Version 2.3 31 March 1994
Copyright 1993, 1994 by H. M. Weiner
31 March 1994 Contents AFE Version 2.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents Page
--------------------------------------------------
i. Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ii. Registration Plea . . . . . . . . . . . 1
iii. Included Files in the AFE Package . . . 2
A. Program Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
B. Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
C. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
D. Notes on Running the Program . . . . . . 5
1. Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. File Selection Window . . . . . . . 5
3. Creating a New Archive . . . . . . 6
4. Updating an Existing Archive . . . 7
5. Extract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6. V-Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7. M/V-Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8. View, Print or Delete . . . . . . . 10
9. Exiting AFE . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
10. Configure . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
11. Internal Archive Detection . . . . 11
12. Archive Errors . . . . . . . . . . 12
13. TryAll Subroutine . . . . . . . . 12
14. Variable Errors . . . . . . . . . 12
15. Miscellaneous Tips . . . . . . . . 13
E. Cautions and Limitations . . . . . . . . 14
F. Contacting the Author . . . . . . . . . . 15
G. Copyright Notices and Disclaimer . . . . 15
H. What's New (AFE History) . . . . . . . . 16
31 March 1994 Page 1 AFE Version 2.3
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i. Background
AFE started out as a personal project to fill my need for a native OS/2
front-end for archive manipulation, and at the same time, give me some
particular goal while learning to use REXX.
After many hours of effort, I came up with AFE 1.1, which utilized
IBM's in-house developed VREXX for the PM graphics. I realized that
other OS/2ers might be interested in this type of front-end, since what
was available at the time in this catagory was very limited, so
I posted my work as Freeware on two local BBSes that I frequented.
Unfortunately, VREXX imposes some severe limitions in many respects,
so I decided to give it a shot using Watcom's VX-REXX. After
building some less complex projects with VX-REXX to understand its
capabilities, it was time to tackle a new and improved version of the
"Archive Front End". This package is the result.
Please pass AFE on to other BBSes, including all files in this archive.
ii. Registration
I have many, many hours of work invested in developing and testing AFE.
What you have here is the complete package, whether you register or
not. But you will be reminded whenever you boot up AFE that this is
shareware. The registered version will not have this shareware
delay/notice.
The registration is $22.50 for the individual user. I'm not trying to
retire on shareware income, but it would be nice to be able to pay for my
development environment and the phone bill for posting it here and there.
When your registration form and check are received, you will be mailed
a diskette with the latest version of AFE. You will also be established
as a registered user on the support BBS, which will allow you to download
future registered versions (at no charge).
AFE is a copyrighted program. It is not public domain or free
software. A limited license is granted for the purpose of determining
suitability of the program. Registration is required for any use
beyond a 15 day evaluation period. Registered users have the right to
use this program for their personal use on one or more computers
provided that only 1 copy is in use at the same time.
After a couple of weeks of using AFE, you ought to know if it's the
archive tool for you. Fill out and print REG-FORM.AFE and make out a
check.
31 March 1994 Page 2 AFE Version 2.3
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iii. Included Files in the AFE Package
AFE.EXE - The executable program
AFE.ICO - The icon used to represent AFE on the desktop
AFE.DOC - This documentation file
AFE-INST.EXE - The AFE installation/configuration program
AFE-CFG.EXE - The AFE re-configuration program to change variable
settings (must be called from AFE)
README.1ST - An extraction of the installation and
cautions/limitations sections from this document
VROBJ.DLL - The VX-REXX library for the PM graphics
REG-FORM.AFE - The registration form/mailer
FILE_ID.DIZ - A BBS description of AFE
OPEN.CMD - A little bonus to make life easier
(documentation within the file)
VRLOAD.EXE - another bonus to help speed your use of AFE or any other
VX-REXX program
VRLOAD.DOC - explains the purpose, use and installation of VRLOAD.EXE
A. Program Features
- create or selectively update archives
- view or print selected files in an archive
- selectively delete files from an archive
- virus scan an archive
- mark a list of archives in a directory for virus scanning
- unarchive member files selectively or in entirety
- supports Drag 'n Drop or double-click of archive files to start
- detects archives within archives infinite levels deep and
allows you to selectively unarchive them
- capability to open a folder view of the archive contents to execute
a contained program
31 March 1994 Page 3 AFE Version 2.3
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B. Assumptions
- REXX support is installed. See the OS/2 documentation on how
to use "Selective Install" if you need to add it.
- ZIP.EXE for OS/2 is installed. This is a Public Domain program,
currently version 2.0.1, and is available on most BBSes that support
OS/2.
- UNZIP.EXE for OS/2 is installed. This is a Public Domain program,
currently version 5.1, and is available on most BBSes that support
OS/2.
- LH16.EXE or LH32.EXE for OS/2 is installed. This is a Public Domain
program, currently version 2.22, and is available on most BBSes that
support OS/2.
- ZOO.EXE for OS/2, version 2.1 is installed. This is a Public Domain
program and is available on most BBSes that support
OS/2. Note that you should be using either the 16 bit version
an .EXE dated 7/14/91 or the 32 bit version dated 10/6/93.
The 32 bit version dated 9/20/92 WILL NOT WORK properly at all
when called from AFE.
- ARJ.EXE 2.41a (DOS) is installed. This is a Shareware program by
Robert K. Jung. Note that when a OS/2 native mode ARJ creation/
extraction program becomes available, AFE's support will be
recoded for that program.
- OS2SCAN.EXE is installed. This is a Shareware program from McAfee
Associates, currently at version 113, and is available on most BBSes
that support OS/2, or contact McAfee directly.
- An OS/2 native file viewer is installed. By default, E.EXE is used.
While E is not the worlds greatest editor, it works just great as a
viewer with AFE, and it's free! Whatever you decide, a PM program
will work best with AFE.
- VIEW.EXE is installed. This is OS/2's viewer for INF files.
Note: any of the external executables may be omitted if you do not intend
to use the associated capability. That capability will be disabled in
AFE. For example, if you omit support for ZOO type archives, then the
ZOO button will be disabled on the Create Archive submenu. In addition,
if you were to drag 'n drop a .ZOO file on the program object, AFE would
greet you with an error message.
Caution: If you attempt to open a file which doesn't have an extension
of ZIP, ZOO, LZH or ARJ, AFE would normally attempt to open that file
with all four methods. If one of the archive types is not supported,
then AFE can only attempt to open it with the others. Also, if you elect
to not support a file viewer, you also are are
31 March 1994 Page 4 AFE Version 2.3
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disabling the capability to view the report output by the virus scanner
from within AFE if a virus is detected. You will still be notified
that a virus was detected, and a file named VSCANRPT.### will be left
in the directory you designate in the .CFG file as "ARC DIRECTORY".
C. Installation
Upgraders from AFE 2.0 or 2.01 should proceed as with a new
installation since AFE.CFG's layout has changed and VROBJ.DLL must
be upgraded to the 1/26/94 version. It should not be necessary to pre-
erase the old files. If you are upgrading from AFE 2.2 you may simply
overwrite your existing AFE.EXE and VROBJ.DLL with those included in this
package.
1. UnZIP AFE23.ZIP. If you're reading this, you've probably
already done that.
2. Type AFE-INST from the directory where all the unzipped files are
located. This program will guide you through setting the variables
for your system, where to install AFE, where to install the .DLL
file and create a desktop object for AFE that has the proper
settings and associations.
* Note: OS/2 puts a "." as the first path in your LIBPATH statement *
* in your CONFIG.SYS file by default. This tells OS/2 to search the *
* current path for the appropriate .DLL when you try to execute a *
* program. The AFE-INST program requires this to work unless you *
* are running it directly from a directory in your LIBPATH. *
The entry fields in the installation program support all the normal
editing functions supported in the WPS such as destructive
backspace, overwriting highlighted text, etc. When you are
satisfied with your entry, press the "Okay" button (or Enter),
and you will be stepped to the next variable defining dialog.
If the meanings of the directory variables are not clear to you
with the explanations in the install program, read the next section
on running AFE to understand how the the directories are used. Note
that you will get better performance from AFE if you do not make
the root directory of any drive your "ARC DIRECTORY" or "PICK
DIRECTORY".
3. If everything goes properly, AFE should start when you exit the
installation program.
4. (Optional) Set the font in "E" to SYSTEM VIO. This makes
viewing plain text files easier because of its even spacing.
I have the program object along the bottom of my Desktop since I use it
everyday. I use a Shareware File/directory manager that supports drag
'n drop from its file list which makes it super easy to start AFE by
highlighting the file name and dragging it to my program icon. Plus, if
31 March 1994 Page 5 AFE Version 2.3
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I want to run AFE from the main menu, I don't have to dig into a folder
to start it.
D. Notes on Running the Program
AFE progresses in logical steps (I hope), and has no online help, as I
think this would add unnecessary bulk to the program. Once you start
using the program, its operation should become apparent. If not, below
are some details about using the program.
1. Main Menu
When you start the program by double-clicking its desktop object,
the main menu is displayed. There are eight major choices on the main
menu represented by the following pushbuttons.
New: Create a a new archive
Update: Add files to an existing archive
Extract: Unarchive all or selected files
V-Scan: open and virus scan an archive.
M/V-Scan: open and virus scan a list of archives in a given
directory.
View: start the process to view an internal text or INF file in
an archive.
Print: start the process to Print an internal text file in an
archive.
Delete: start the process to delete an internal file in an archive.
In addition, there are two selections on the menu bar. Choose
"Configure" to change the variable settings that were initially set
during installation. This will start the AFE-CFG program which should
have been installed in the same directory as AFE. The interface for
making the changes is similar to that of the installation program.
When you are all done, or if you abort the process, you will be
returned to AFE. More about the Config program, later.
"About" will display a window with product information and how to
contact the author.
2. File Selection Window
This same file selection window is used for many different file
selection operations. THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE BEING
31 March 1994 Page 6 AFE Version 2.3
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SHOWN IS THE CAPTION DISPLAYED ON THE TITLEBAR AND THE PUSHBAR
BENEATH THE DIRECTORY WINDOW. More about this at the appropriate
times.
File selection is done by clicking the left mouse button on the file
of choice to highlight it. If this is a single file choice, then
double clicking has the same effect as pressing the "OK" button. When
a single file choice is appropriate, clicking on another filename will
unselect a previously selected file. When a multifile choice is
apropriate, unselecting a file previously selected is accomplished by
clicking the highlighted filename.
To change directories, double-click (or highlight and enter) on the
directory name desired in the directories list. To go a level higher
in the directory tree double-click the ".." on top of the list.
Changing to a different drive is accomplished by single-clicking the
down arrow alongside the displayed drive letter. This reveals a
list of available drives on the system (or LAN). Single click the
drive letter of choice.
Note: the first time a particular drive is scanned, its directory list
is saved in a queue for the purpose of speedier list displays. These
directory lists are maintained until the system is rebooted. The
"Directory Reset on this Disk" pushbar is provided so that you can
update the directory list for the particular drive being displayed
should you add or delete a directory during the current OS/2 session.
While an archive is opened to the temporary directory, the pushbar's
label reads "Open Folder". At this point, pushing the bar will result
in a folder being opened containing all the file objects from the
archive. From this folder, an executable program may be run by
double-clicking on it's object. A text file may be dragged and
dropped on a viewer object. If an archive file is contained within
the archive, its object may be dragged and dropped on the AFE
program object to start another session of AFE on this file.
If you change directory while in the course of choosing an archive
to open for processing, that directory then becomes the default ARC
DIRECTORY for that AFE session, unless you change directory again
while in this mode. It reverts back to the pre-configured ARC
DIRECTORY when you create a new archive or start a new AFE session.
If you change directory while in the course of choosing files to
include in a new or updated archive, that directory then becomes the
default PICK DIRECTORY for that AFE session, unless you change
directory again while in this mode. It reverts back to the pre-
configured PICK DIRECTORY when you start a new AFE session.
3. Creating a New Archive
Pressing "New" from the main menu brings you to the Create Archive
submenu. After choosing the type of archive you want to create, the
filename window will become enabled for you to type in the name of
31 March 1994 Page 7 AFE Version 2.3
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your new creation. Note that the archive type may be changed until
you press "OK". Also note that if you want the new archive to be
created in some other path besides the ARC DIRECTORY, you may type a
full path spec before the archive name. Either way, DO NOT include
the archive extension when you type the name.
After pressing "OK" you will be shown the file selection window.
The default directory displayed is that which you set as your
"PICK DIRECTORY" during installation/configuration.
The titlebar caption reads "HIGHLIGHT FILE(S) TO ADD THEN OK, CANCEL
TO ABORT".
If files are present in this directory, one of the pushbuttons below
filelist is labeled "All". If the archive to be created will be
made up of all the files in just this directory, simply press "All"
to start the archive process.
If you wish to select individual files, highlight them (the "All"
button will change to "OK"), then press "OK". This action creates a
special subdirectory where the chosen files are stored. As each
file is copied, the highlight will be removed. The "Cancel" button
then changes to "Go". If no other files are to be added, press "Go"
(or ESC) to create the archive. If you wish to add other files
(perhaps from a different drive or directory), before pressing "Go",
highlight and "OK" those other files and press "Go" when all
selections are completed.
The new archive is created in the directory you've designated as the
"ARC DIRECTORY" during installation/configuration.
After the archive is created you are returned to the main menu.
4. Updating an Existing Archive
The process is similar to creating a new archive as outlined above.
From the main menu, select "Update". You will then be presented
with a file selection window. The default directory that is
displayed is the "ARC DIRECTORY".
The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO UPDATE THEN
OK". You choose the archive to be updated by highlighting the
filename and pressing "OK" or by double-clicking the filename. You
can change drive/directory if the archive to be updated is
elsewhere.
After the selection is made the display will be updated to show
your "PICK DIRECTORY". From here, the process is identical to that
outlined above for creating a new archive.
After you have completed a virus scan, view, print or delete action,
the file selection window is still displayed with the selected archive
still open. At this point you may push the "Update" button at the top
31 March 1994 Page 8 AFE Version 2.3
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of window to update the current archive. This will take you to the
point of selecting files to include in the update as stated above.
5. Extract
To extract files from an archive, "Extract" should be chosen from
the main menu. This selection takes you to the file selection
window which lists the files found in the "ARC DIRECTORY". The
caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO OPEN THEN OK".
Select an archive from here, or you can change drive/directory and
select a file from somewhere else on the system. Once the archive
is selected it will be opened and you will be taken to a file
selection window that displays a list of files within your archive.
The "current directory" window displays the name of the archive
file. The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT FILES(S) TO
EXTRACT THEN OK".
At this point, the "All" button is enabled to allow you to easilly
extract all the files in the archive. Simply press "All" (or Enter)
to start the extraction process. If you choose to select specific
files, just highlight those. When you do this, the "All" button
becomes the "OK" button.
When all files are selected, push "OK" (or Enter). If a single file
is what is desired, you can simply double-click that filename.
However you have chosen to start the extraction, the selected files
are saved to your designated "UNARC DIRECTORY". You are then
returned to the main menu.
"Extract" may also be chosen from the File Selection window after the
completion of View, Print, Scan or Delete operation.
6. V-Scan
Choose V-Scan when you want to virus scan a single archive file,
then do other operations on the chosen archive.
The choice takes you to the now familiar file selection window which
displays all the files in the "ARC DIRECTORY". You may choose a
file from here or change drive/directory to scan a different
archive. The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO SCAN
THEN OK". Select an archive by double-clicking the filename or
highlighting it and pressing "OK" (or Enter).
The archive is opened, then scanned. Progress is displayed on the
pushbar under the directory list box. If OS2SCAN finds no problems
with the files in the archive, then you are notified with "No
Viruses Found" on the pushbar. You may dismiss this dialog by
pressing "OK" (or Enter), then you may choose another action to
perform on this archive from the buttons across the top of the window.
31 March 1994 Page 9 AFE Version 2.3
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By pressing "Cancel" instead, you are returned to the main menu.
If a problem is detected, then you are notified with an alarm sound
and a generated report is displayed by the file viewer that you've
designated in the "VIEWER EXECUTABLE" variable. This report gives you
the details of what OS2SCAN found.
If you have not defined a "VIEWER EXECUTABLE" then you are notified by
the alarm, plus a notification on the pushbar.
In either case, when a problem is detected, a report file named
VSCANRPT.### (where ### is a random number) will be left behind in the
"ARC DIRECTORY"
When you choose "V-Scan" from the choices on the file selection
window, virus scanning is immediately started on the currently
opened archive. Operations from that point on are the same as
outlined in the previous section.
7. M/V-Scan
Choose this option if there are several archives in a given
subdirectory which you wish to scan, or even if there is only one
archive to be scanned, but you wish to return directly to the main
menu after completing the scan (if you will have no other operations
to perform on the given archive).
When you make this choice, a file selection dialog will be
displayed, listing the files in your "ARC DIRECTORY". The caption
on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE(S) TO SCAN THEN OK".
Again, you may change drive/directory if desired.
Select the archive(s) by highlighting each then pressing "OK" (or
Enter).
Each archive is opened and scanned one at a time. If no problem is
detected, you are notfied in the same way as for a single scan. After
pressing "OK", the next previously selected archive is opened and
scanned.
If a problem is detected by OS2SCAN, you are notified of the problem
the same way as with a single scan. When you dismiss the virus report
from the viewer, or when you dismiss the dialog (in the absence of a
designated viewer), the next previously selected archive is scanned.
Note that whether a virus is detected or not, the temporary directory
where the archive file is opened is removed as soon as you dismiss the
report or dialog, and a new temporary directory is established for the
next archive. If more than one archive is found to have a problem,
each will have its own unique VSCANRPT.###.
After the completion of all scans you are returned to the main menu.
31 March 1994 Page 10 AFE Version 2.3
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8. View, Print or Delete
The file selection process for viewing, printing or deleting an
archive's internal file is the same, so all threes will be discussed
together.
When one is chosen from the main menu, you are taken to a file
selection window which displays a list of files in your "ARC
DIRECTORY". The caption on the titlebar reads "HIGHLIGHT ARCHIVE TO
VIEW (or "PRINT" or "DELETE") THEN OK". You may select the desired
archive from here, or change drive or directory to choose an archive
from somewhere else.
Select the archive file that contains the file that you wish to
view, print or delete by either double-clicking the filename or
selecting it and pressing "OK" (or Enter).
This takes you to another file selection window which lists the
files within the archive. The caption on the titlebar reads
"HIGHLIGHT FILE TO VIEW (or whatever) THEN OK". The name of the
archive file is shown in the current directory window. Select the
desired file.
After any of these operations are completed you then may perform
another operation on this archive by selecting the next action from
the buttons across the top if the file selection window. Had you
chosen the "View" mode, the selected file is loaded into the program
you've designated as "VIEWER EXECUTABLE". If this file is a tagged
.INF type file and you've opted to enable an "INF EXECUTABE" in
installation/configuration, then the file will be loaded into that.
From this point you can perform other operations in AFE from the
file selection window, or view and dismiss the file in the viewer.
If in "Print" mode, the selected file is sent to the OS/2 print
spooler, and you may continue other operations in AFE.
9. Exiting AFE
There are a few different ways to exit AFE. From the main menu you
may simply press "EXIT" (or ESC). You may also double-click the AFE
icon on the titlebar.
AFE may be exited from the the OS/2 window list as with any other
program. Note that if you currently have an archive file opened when
you do this, the "cleanup" routine will not be performed and AFE's
temporary work directory will not be cleaned out and removed.
31 March 1994 Page 11 AFE Version 2.3
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10. Configure
If you wish to change any of the variables that AFE uses, you should
select "Configure" from the menu bar on the main menu (mouse click
or Alt-C). This starts AFE-CFG.EXE. Note that AFE-CFG will only
run if started from AFE.
The interface is similar to that of the installation program for the
variable selections, except that the default settings shown in the
entry fields are the current settings found in AFE.CFG. For the
settings that you don't want to change, simply press "Okay" (or
Enter).
Note that if you "Abort" at any time during the configuration process,
NO CHANGES THAT YOU MAY HAVE MADE WILL BE SAVED!!!
When configure is completed AFE restarts with the new settings
(provided you haven't modified the desktop object that AFE-INST
created in such a way that changed its WPS handle).
While AFE.CFG is an ASCII file and may be modified with an editor,
this is NOT RECOMMENDED for two main reasons. One, only the variables
themselves are in the file with no definitions. It is critical to
AFE's successful performance that these variables are in the correct
order and the correct format, and that no extraneous information is
within the file.
Secondly, the first time AFE is run, the AFE.CFG file settings are
stored in a queue so that subsequent startups of AFE do not require
reading AFE.CFG from disk. When you run "Configure", this queue is
flushed and the new settings are read from disk when AFE is restarted.
If you modify AFE.CFG another way, the settings do not take effect
until the system is rebooted.
11. Internal Archive Detection
In the process of opening an archive (for unarchiving, viewing,
printing or virus scanning), AFE checks for other archives within it
(by examining the file extensions, looking for ZIP, LZH, ZOO or ARJ).
If one or more is detected, the file selection dialog is displayed
listing only the archive files within the archive. The caption on the
titlebar reads something like "ZIPFILES IN ARCHIVE, HIGHLIGHT FILE(S)
TO EXTRACT THEN OK", the first word depending on the type of archive
file found.
You may, at this time, select any, all or none of these files to
unarchive along with the other files in the original archive.
After the selection is made, you will proceed as normal.
31 March 1994 Page 12 AFE Version 2.3
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12. Archive Errors
AFE examines the exit codes of the various archive programs it
calls. If an exit code is returned other than success, AFE reports
that the archive it tried to manipulate is errored or not an archive
file (of the ZIP, LZH, ZOO or ARJ type). The return code from the
archive program is displayed so that you may check the documentation
from that program for an explanation. The exception to this is when
the file in question does not have one of the regular archive file
extensions and all the archivers are tried.
Note that if you have defined the appropriate archiver executable with
the wrong program, it is possible that you will get this error dialog.
13. TryAll Subroutine
If the archive you have chosen to open or update does not have an
extension of ZIP, LZH, ZOO or ARJ, AFE will still attempt to work with
it.
The TryAll subrountine is called automatically and runs the "test"
mode of all (and only) the archivers you have defined in
configuration. If it detects success from one of the archivers it
then calls the appropriate subroutine to open or update the archive.
If it doesn't detect success from any of the defined archive
programs defined, it reports an error as outlined in the previous
section.
14. Variable Errors
In many cases, where possible AFE disables the appropriate
capability if you do not define the corresponding executable. For
example, if you do not define a program for the "ZIPPER EXECUTABLE"
the "ZIP" pushbutton on the create archive submenu is disabled.
If AFE detects that a program it wants to call doesn't exist, then
you are notified with an error message, which names the appropriate
variable in question. A similar approach is taken with the paths
you've defined for your default directories.
For example, if you have not defined a "ZIPPER EXECUTABLE" and then
try to update and existing ZIP file, you will be notified via the
above mentioned error message.
31 March 1994 Page 13 AFE Version 2.3
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15. Miscellaneous Tips
If you want to work with an existing archive, then start AFE by
dragging and dropping the archive file on the AFE desktop object. You
may also double-click the archive file (assuming that you haven't
removed the file associations in the AFE desktop object).
Hitting ESC from any menu is equivalent to pushing the EXIT, CANCEL,
or equivalent, button.
Hitting ENTER from any menu will "push" the button that the
"focus" is on. The "focus" can be moved from button to button
or window to window with the tab key.
When selecting files to include in an archive, make sure that you
highlight AND "OK" every file you want! As mentioned above,
"Go" from this dialog will not add any more files to the list even
if files are highlighted. Actually, there is a reminder of this on
the titlebar of the file selection dialog. If you have not yet
chosen any files, you'll be returned to the main menu.
After completion of many operations, you are returned to file
selection window with the archive still open, ready for further
activity. The two exceptions to this are completion of an
extraction operation, or completion of a create/update operation.
This design just made logical sense to me.
You may change the relative location of all dialogs of AFE by dragging
the main menu to a different location. For example, if you want all
dialogs to appear in the upper right corner of the screen, drag the
main menu there. All subsequent dialogs will appear in the upper
right. Note that the location is maintained only for that particular
session of AFE. The default is to center all dialogs.
If you have started AFE with multiple archive file "drops", the file
selection window for each will be stacked upon each other. "Peel" the
layers to address each archive. The name of the archive will be
different in each "Current Directory" window.
Note that while AFE supports multiple sessions, it is not
recommended that the program be started as outlined above, since the
various sessions will be competing with each other for the disk
drive and the net result will be that it takes longer to open all
the files "at the same time" than it would to drop individual archives
one at a time after the previous archive is already opened.
Once AFE is running, you may still open additional sessions by
dragging another archive to the AFE desktop object. If you started
AFE via an archive file drop, you can also start another AFE session
by double-clicking the desktop object.
AFE should handle long filenames, filenames and archive file names
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with spaces without fail. This is assuming that you are running
OS/2's HPFS.
E. Cautions and Limitations
The graphics for AFE were developed on an 800x600 desktop, and are
visually pleasing on 640x480, as well. I've noticed that in 1024x768
mode that the buttons on the various menus are slightly offset.
Registered users will be sent both the 800x600/640x480 and the 1024x768
versions.
When (DOS) ARJ is executed, it forces full screen mode. While I believe
there may be a workaround for this, it would cause extra work for the
user to configure AFE. Since the OS/2 version of ARJ is in the works,
and the DOS version doesn't support HPFS style file names, I plan to to
wait for the OS/2 version. Again, if registered users request a nearer
term fix for this, I will work on it.
When extracting files, if a file in your designated "UNARC DIRECTORY"
exists with the same name as a file being extracted, it will be
overwritten.
If an archive file is detected within your archive (identified by
extension), you will be notified. If you are going to virus scan, choose
the option to process this file so all of the internal files are scanned.
If you use a program like PSPM/2 or another "brute-force" type program to
close AFE, cleanup will not be performed. In addition, you run the risk
of "hanging-up" resources and not being able to use AFE again without a
system reboot.
If you use the OS/2 window list to close AFE, the cleanup rountine will
not be run. If you have an archive open at the time, AFE's temporary
directory will be left behind perhaps containing files from the
archive.
AFE doesn't allow existing archives to create directories during
extraction, nor does it save path information in newly created
archives.
You will have problems with filenames with multiple periods in them
with ARJ.
AFE was developed and tested under OS/2 2.1 GA and 2.11. For all I
know it may work with 2.0 or any of the 2.1 betas, but it has not been
tested with them. Why would anyone want to run anything before 2.1 GA?
4OS2 Users: If the VX-REXX "Console" window appears momentarily when
AFE calls one of the archivers or OS2SCAN, make sure you put @echo off at
the top of your 4START.CMD (or .BTM). If the console still opens
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and displays an output message from a program you call in 4START.CMD, try
a redirect to null ( >null) on the line that runs that program. If the
console displays a message like "INVALID VIO CALL", I believe this is
related to a combination of 4OS2 and certain drivers. While any of these
displays are annoying, they should NOT effect the functioning of AFE, or
the program that is being run.
Another way around this is change back the the COMSPEC statement in
CONFIG.SYS to use OS/2's CMD.EXE while leaving the SHELL statement
pointing to 4OS2.EXE. While this will retain the command line benefits
of 4OS2, CMD.EXE will be used by AFE.
F. Contacting the Author
Please contact me with bug reports or other comments via email. I have
spent many hours building and reworking this program, and would
appreciate any feedback, positive/negative. There are several ways
to email me. If you have internet access, send mail to:
hmweine@pb1.pacbell.com
If you have access to ILINK, send a message (in the OS/2 conference)
to "Howie Weiner".
I log onto a few BBSes on an everyday basis. You can leave mail to
"Howie Weiner" on ATT-PAC Auntie BBS in Dublin, Ca., (510)829-6062,
H-D-M Auntie BBS in Concord, Ca., (510)682-1371, or Sempervirens PC Board
BBS in Pittsburg, Ca., (510)432-7579.
Note: ATT-PAC allows leaving messages on first logon. Also, any new
releases of AFE will be posted there first!
Both ATT-PAC and Sempervirens allow download of the AFE package on
first logon. Thanks to SYSOPs Randy Young and Nancy Miller.
G. Copyright Notices and Disclaimer
AFE or Archive Front End is Copyright 1993, 1994 by H.M. Weiner
OS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machine
(IBM) Corp.
ZIP is copyright by Mark Adler, Richard B. Wales, Jean-loup Gailly,
Kai Uwe Rommel
UNZIP is copyright by Info-ZIP, portions by S. H. Smith
LHA is copyright by Haruyasu Yoshizaki
LH2 is copyright by Peter Fitzsimmons
31 March 1994 Page 16 AFE Version 2.3
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ZOO is copyright by Rahul Dhesi
ARJ is copyright by Robert Jung
OS2SCAN is copyright by McAfee Associates
VX-REXX is copyright by WATCOM
AFE IS PROVIDED AS IS AND COMES WITH NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
H. What's New (AFE History)
1.1 - 9/6/93 - First release of AFE, Freeware. Written in REXX and
VREXX.
2.0 - 10/15/93 - First Shareware release written in VX-REXX to get around
the limitations of VREXX.
2.01 - 10/31/93 - If you tried to overwrite an archive that you started
AFE with by drag and drop, AFE would terminate soon after the program
deleted the original. Still not quite sure why it did this
as this would not occur if you started AFE from the command line with the
file name as an argument, but probably something in the WPS. Got around
this by changing the "Overwrite" button to "Update". The
orginal archive is no longer deleted, but updated with the new files.
When creating or updating an archive and the "PICKDIR" is empty, the
PICKDIR\* button is now disabled.
When updating an existing archive and at the PICKDIR\* vs Select submenu,
somtimes a fully qualified filename would run off the title-bar. Added
code to just display the filename, itself.
When 4OS2 was used and the mode command was utilized in the
4START.CMD to set lines to something other than 25, the VX-REXX Console
opened with an error message when an external executable was called.
There was no problem with program function, just
cosmetically annoying. Now fixed.
I decided to spell "Copyright" correctly! (how embarrassing)
2.2 - 1/15/94 - The file selection dialog is all new to accomodate
multifile selection, where appropriate.
Mutliple archive V-Scan added by user request.
AFE's temporary workdirectory is now named "\~AFETEMP.###" (###=random
number)
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When a virus is detected on a single scan, the main menu does not
appear until after the virus report is dismissed. After the report
is dismissed on multiscans, the next selected archive (if any) is
scanned.
Fixed a small problem that looks like it goes back to 2.01. When archives
are found within archives, a list is displayed by archive
type. You were supposed to be able to select several or all (if there
was more than one) to unarchive. What I found was that it only
unarchived the first selected. FIXED IT!
Added support to view an internal .INF file with VIEW.EXE.
Added support for (DOS version) ARJ.EXE per several user requests.
Changed the layout of AFE.CFG to simplify it and provide a AFE-CFG
program to modify it that is called from AFE.
Wrote a PM installation program.
After the first time AFE.CFG is read from disk, it is stored in a QUEUE
so that it doesn't have to be read from disk the next time. This QUEUE
stays active until the host system is rebooted or the user runs AFE-CFG
from AFE.
QUEUE the directory list for each disk the first time a particular disk
is scanned for the file dialog. This QUEUE stays active until the host
system is rebooted or the user presses the "Directory Reset" for the
particular disk being viewed.
During the "cleanup" routine user is notified of progress via a banner
that says "PERFORMING HOUSEKEEPING ...".
Corrected some display bugs with certain combinations of 4OS2 and video
drivers and UNZIP run under AFE.
When more archive files are found within an archive, and the user is
presented with a list of those archive(s), the cancel button is now
changed to "None".
Eliminated the printer window after the user chooses a file to print.
This was present only to remind the user to make sure the printer was
on and online before sending the file to the printer. Since OS/2 manages
the printer, this was probably unnecessary, so I eliminated it to reduce
program size.
Combined the New vs. Existing window and the New Archive Name window.
Put the choice of archive type on this window.
Now, to create a new archive or update and existing one you press
"Archive" from the main menu. A secondary menu will be displayed, and
you want to update an existing file simply press "Existing" which will
take you to the file menu. If you press "New" then the archive type
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buttons will be enabled. Select a type and then the name entry field
will be enabled. Until you hit OK, you can still change the archive
type.
Reworked the code that is accessed when an archive is opened for any
reason and the archive doesn't have a proper extension. Originally
this routine was built for unarchiving only, and directly tried to
unarchive. Now that I'm also using this code to test for the type of
archive when updating or creating, I've changed this to use the various
archivers' "test" mode. Once an errorlevel 0 is received the program
jumps back to the appropriate routine for unarchiving or archiving
depending on which test was passed.
Added an "About" window to AFE.
Removed closing copyright notice since there is now an "About" panel.
Upgraded VX-REXX to 101b and c level. New VROBJ.DLL (dated 11/19/93)
required.
2.3 - 3/26/94 - For this version, I've concentrated a lot on cleaning
up the user interface. You'll find that a lot of the miscellaneous
notifications such as "scanning", "housekeeping", and "opening" have been
integrated into the File Selection Window. This seems to speed up the
overall execution (or at least creates the illusion of speed) since time
is not wasted destroying entire windows and creating new ones.
One of the negative results is that is requires more code to change the
stati of the various objects in the existing window. This probably
accounts for about half the growth of the resulting AFE.EXE with the
new features accounting for the rest.
I've offset some of the growth by eliminating the custom notification
windows I had created for variable errors and archive error messages. In
their place, I've used one of the VX-REXX built in notification windows
to notify the user of these errors.
You'll find that the main menu has changed. Their are separate buttons
for creating a new archive ("New") and updating an existing one
("Update"). The "UnArchive" button has been changed to "Extract").
And a new button has been added ("Delete") for deleting files from an
existing archive.
A tip: Pay attention to the text on the titlebar and the directory
refresh button on the File Selection window. These two things will
keep you informed of status and directions to proceed.
A file delete option can be selected from the main menu, or from the File
Selection window when an open archive is displayed.
Ability to open a folder of the workdirectory while you have an archive
open, so you can execute a program from there, or drag 'n drop a text
file on a LIST object, or even drag 'n drop an internal archive on the
AFE object to initiate another session on that one. Caution: If you open
a file from the displayed folder, then dismiss the File Selection
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window, cleanup of the temporary working directory cannot be completed.
You don't have to close the folder, itself. After, cleanup has
been completed, the folder will eventually go away.
Detection (by file extension) of archives within archives infinite levels
deep. 2.2 only checked one level deep. I've tested this every which
way I can think of and it seems to work well.
Archive submenu eliminated. Now, when you start AFE from a drag and
drop, you go directly to the File display dialog where the buttons from
the Archive Submenu now reside. Also, after completing a View, Print, V-
Scan, or Delete, you come back to the File Selection window, where
you can initiate another action on the same archive.
If an archiver exits with an error, the return code is now displayed on
AFE's error message panel, and the filespec of the archiver that reported
the error. The one exception to this is when the file did not have an
extension and all supported archivers have tried and failed.
AFE now "remembers" the last directory from where you selected an archive
for viewing, deleting, scanning, updating, extracting, or the directory
where the archive was if AFE was started from an association or drag 'n
drop.
Similarly to the above, he now "remembers" the last directory where you
picked files from to build or update an archive. The next time you do
one of these actions within the same AFE session, the File Selection
window will display that directory first for you to select files to
add.
If you are creating a new archive, and you don't want it to end up in the
ARC DIRECTORY, you can type a path in front of the archive name (omit the
extension), and that's where it will end up.
Found a few places where large blocks of code could be reused for
different process by setting flags, elimiating many lines of fat. This
reduced the overall program size by about 7K.
Well folks, I was all ready to release AFE 2.3 and Watcom released
VX-REXX 2.0. So, I upgraded my version. There are several new objects
available in the new version, at least one I'll take advantage of in
AFE 2.4. What this did was to make a large VROBJ.DLL even larger!
They also fixed a bug from previous versions which caused me to have to
modify the code in AFE to avoid the program throwing up when run with the
new DLL.
Also, because I changed the code, it won't work right with the older DLL,
so you'll have to upgrade both.
I found a the way to list only the immediate subdirectories in the
directory list window. To see directories below those displayed, you
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double-click (or highlight selection, then enter) on the directory
name. To come up a level you double-click the "..".
This results in SPEEDIER creation of the directory list, and alleviates
the need to store the list in a QUEUE. For best performance DO NOT
designate a root directory for your "ARC DIRECTORY" or "PICK DIRECTORY".