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DF.EXE version 1.51 from JB Utilities released as shareware Copyright 1991, Jules Brenner BRUN45.EXE copyright Microsoft, Inc Registration fee is a mere $15. If you find yourself using DF regularly, registering is the right thing to do. If you can't afford the fifteen, at least let me know you're out there. No software police will visit. Mail fee to: Jules Brenner JB Utilities P.O. Box 46116 Los Angeles, CA 90046-0116 As an alternate to remitting a fee, you may purchase our book, THE BRENNER RESTAURANT INDEX, A Computerized Guide to Selected Restaurants in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Its cover price is $12.95, plus $.91 sales tax if you live in California, plus $1.05 shipping. The book may be ordered directly from us and all you have to do is enclose a check or MasterCard/Visa authorization. With your order, just mention that you wish to have your copy of DF.EXE registered. As a registered user, you will receive an update as well as additional JB Utilities. By ordering the book, you get two for one: the book AND the registration. And, now, the commercial: Among restaurant books, this one is quite unique. It's organized in such a way that it will help you pick your restaurant according to what considerations are important on any given occasion. In L.A., with its massive size, it's common to find yourself in a part of town you don't know too well. Just check the restaurants in the Location section for those in that specific area, and you get an immediate summary of the selected restaurants there (and, on your way there). Another section sorts the restaurants by cost in case you're on a budget or want to just consider a certain price range. If you're in the mood for a particular kind of food, check the Cuisine section. Finally, there's the alphabetical listing. All restaurant listings include vital details, including special dishes, hours, parking, credit cards, and more. THE BRENNER RESTAURANT INDEX is available in some Los Angeles bookstores, so if you live here, you can also ask for it in your local bookstore. If you obtain it that way, just send us a note that you request registration for DF.EXE and include a photocopy of your receipt. Note to those using credit cards: Please include the following with your order: your name (printed) as it appears on the card (include middle initial), the card number, the expiration date and your signature. (See the registration form included in the DF library (zip) file). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DF.EXE is self-documenting. Just type DF / on the command line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table of Contents (More detailed documentation of DF's command possibilities) PREAMBLE ......... ALL ABOVE A ................ DF WITH NO PARAMETERS B ................ FULL LISTING OF SPECIFIED SUBDIRECTORIES C ................ LOOKING FOR A FILENAME D ................ LOOKING FOR AN EXTENSION E ................ LOOKING FOR FILES WITH NO EXTENSION AND/OR SUBDIRECTORIES F ................ LOOKING FOR A STRING WITHIN A FILENAME G ................ LOOKING FOR MORE THAN ONE PARAMETER H ................ LOOKING FOR FILES ON ANOTHER DRIVE I ................ LOOKING FOR FILES ON A SPECIFIC SUBDIRECTORY J ................ COMBINED COMMANDS K ................ LOOKING FOR FILES WITHIN A SIZE RANGE L ................ LOOKING FOR FILES BY DATE M ................ DISK SPACE & USAGE N ................ DOS's WIDE (/w) LISTING O ................ DOS's SORTED LISTINGS P ................ Additional notes Q ................ Printing this file R ................ Updates S ................ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS T ................ BUG REPORTS U ................ DISTRIBUTION V ................ REGISTRATION INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A. DF WITH NO PARAMETERS Typing DF (cr) is similar to typing DIR without parameters. The result is a listing of the entire directory. Of course, DF does it differently. It lists in two columns and thereby shows twice as many files per screen. Further, it automatically pauses when the screen is full and there are more files. This is similar to 'DIR /P' except that you don't have to type all that out. Any keystroke except 'x' will continue the listing for the next screenful, and so on until the entire directory has been listed. A long directory listing may be aborted by pressing the 'x' key. B. FULL LISTING OF SPECIFIED SUBDIRECTORIES DF can also list the entire directory contents for 2 to 4 directories in one command. To do this, the directories must be specified and surrounded by backslashes. Each DF parameter must be separated by a space: DF \DOS\ \ASM\ lists the contents of the DOS and the ASM directories. You can also ask for a listing of nested subdirectories up to the 3rd nesting level. Just be sure to end the terminal sub-directory name with the backslash, as above, else DF will see the last directory name as a filename. When listing more than one directory in one command, or when combining commands, this syntax is required for the default directory, as well. The following is also possible: DF \DOS\.EXE .COM for the .EXE and .COM files on the DOS directory. A variant of this (though less desirable) is: DF \DOS\.EXE \DOS\.COM It's also possible to do: DF \DOS\.EXE \WP\.TXT \UTIL\.COM \SW\.DOC Remembering that up to 4 parameters are allowed. C. LOOKING FOR A FILENAME All files on a directory may be listed by specifying the beginning of the filename(s) in question. For example, DF A lists all files beginning with 'A' on the default directory. The main advantage in this over the DIR command is that the shifted character '*' is unnecessary, making something that is so often used a bit less cumbersome and more efficient. D. LOOKING FOR AN EXTENSION Similarly, the command DF .EXE lists all .EXE files. The dot tells DF to look only for extension strings. 1, 2 or 3 letters may be used after the dot: DF .E will also list all .EXE files, but will also list .EXX, .EST and any files with extensions that begin with the 'E' which may be on the specified directory. If you want to list only those files ending in a one or two character extension, such as .B or .BI, for example, then type a space after the characters. The space at the end limits the search. E. LOOKING FOR FILES WITH NO EXTENSION AND/OR SUBDIRECTORIES To specify a listing of files with no extension, type DF . The lone dot will tell DF what you're after. This is not exactly the equivalent of DIR *. since subdirectories are not included in the listing. Should you want subdirectories as well, type DF ] or DF [ Either bracket will tell DF to do the equivalent of a DIR *. /P. This command applies to the default directory only. However: DF \] or DF \[ will list the subdirectories and files with no extensions on the root directory, and DF a:\] or DF a:\[ will list the subdirectories and files with no extensions on the root directory of drive a: (or any other drive speci- fied. Any of the ']' forms list files in the DIR format and will pause at every screen-full, requiring any key to continue. This usage cannot be combined with other DF commands. F. LOOKING FOR A STRING WITHIN A FILENAME When you know that the file you're after has a certain string sequence in the filename, but may not be the beginning of the filename, the single quote character (') tells DF to look for the specified string anywhere within all filenames. DF 'CLON or A:'CLON will list all files containing the string CLON on the default or specified drive. The resulting listout may include PBCLONE.EXE, CYCLONIC.TXT, CLONE44.ZIP, for example. This capability is not only not possible with DIR but may not be possible with any other directory utility. We think it's an exclusive! G. LOOKING FOR MORE THAN ONE PARAMETER DF allows a search for up to 4 different file specifications at one time. Thus, DF .COM BR 'CLON . will list all .COM files, all files beginning with 'BR', all files which include the string 'CLON' within the filename AND all files with no extension. Mix and match. H. LOOKING FOR FILES ON ANOTHER DRIVE Again, DF makes it as simple as possible. Just start your file specification with the drive specification. This consists of a drive letter and the colon. It's the colon that tells DF it's to look at that other drive: DF A:.COM will list all the .COM files on the root directory of A drive. Note there should be no space after the colon and no path. Note also: this is the only exception to our rule to avoid shifted characters in DF. Our excuse for it in this instance is that the use of the colon for a drive specification is too universal to ignore. Also, it adds emphasis to the intention, avoiding ambiguity and/or error. (Convincing?) I. LOOKING FOR FILES ON A SPECIFIC (NESTED) SUBDIRECTORY The backslash (\) is the key to telling DF that it's to look for files on a specific subdirectory. We've discussed above how to specify all files for 2 or more specific directories. The principle is the same for specified filenames. DF \DOS\.COM lists all .COM files on the DOS subdirectory as specified from any other directory. DF \DOS\ASM\.ASM lists all .ASM files on the ASM subdirectory of the DOS sub- directory. The limit for nested subdirectories is 3. When that limit is reached DF will so note and will abort. DF B:\DOS\.EXE lists all .EXE files on the DOS subdirectory of B drive. J. COMBINED COMMANDS All parameters above, with the exception of the ']' spec may be combined on one DF command line. Multiple commands are limited to 4 on any one execution. The commands below are also limited to one parameter per each execution of DF. K. LOOKING FOR FILES WITHIN A SIZE RANGE DF allows you to list files which fall within a specified range of size. This may be helpful when you can't remember filenames but know the approximate size of the file (in kilobytes) you're searching for. Hence, DF /S 45 900 will list all files on a directory that are greater than 45 kb and up to 900 kb in size. Actually, strictly speaking, you don't get exact kilobytes. The number you enter is multiplied by 1000 rather than by 1024. This is because most of us think in those terms. If this disturbs your sense of perfection, however, we will welcome your disagreement so that we can judge whether to change it. "/S" or "/s" is the switch that puts DF into size search mode. It is ordinarily followed by two numbers, the second greater than the first. The first number may be zero. This parameter has two shortcuts: DF /S 45 will list all files of 45k or larger, and DF /S 45- will list all files below 45k. Note there is no space between the number and the minus sign. A space there will produce the same effect as the first shortcut. This usage cannot be combined with other DF commands. L. LOOKING FOR FILES BY DATE DF will list only those files that are dated within a specified number of days counting back from the current date. DF - will list only those files that bear the current date. DF -11 will list those files that bear a date within the most recent 11 days (including today). Note that the current date is the one your computer knows about. If the date is set incorrectly, or set to a date other than the current date by intention, it is that date that DF will consider current. M. DISK SPACE & USAGE As a convenience, DF will give you a report on disk space and usage. This includes amount of space available. The syntax is: DF = For this report, which is independent of the directory listing. For the report on a non-default drive, use: DF A:= Note that any drive spec up to (and including) E: may be used and that there should be no space after the colon. This option may be combined with other parameters. The only caveat is that it should be the last parameter. If it isn't, it's likely to be disregarded. Example: DF .BAS = will list all files with the extension '.BAS' and report disk space and usage under the listing. Note: if more than 16 files are listed under this usage, there will be a pause before the return to DOS in order that the first files will not scroll out of sight. N. DOS's WIDE (/w) LISTING A DIR /W lists files without size (in k) nor time and date stamp. The advantage is to see more filenames on screen. DF's 2 column listing may obviate this command for most purposes, but it would not be complete without the capability. Hence, DF /W is the equivalent of DIR /W. DF BR/W lists all files beginning with 'BR' listed in DOS's wide format. Note that there must be no space between the file specification and the /. This usage cannot be combined with other DF commands. O. SORTED LISTINGS You can have a sorted directory listing on any of four para- meters. Typing DF ; or DF /N produces a listing sorted by FILENAME; DF /E sorts by EXTENSION; DF /Y sorts by YEAR (don't confuse this with 'date'); and... DF /Z sorts by SIZE. (Since /S is taken). These commands are limited to the default directory. A file is created on that directory. If there is not enough disk space for that file, an 'out of space' error will occur. The created file is deleted as part of the process. A delay for the sorting procedure is noticeable on large directories. It may be worth noting that we provided two choices for the name sort because (1) some users may like to have just a one- key parameter for this oft-used option and (2) to remain consistent with the other 'switch' commands. This usage cannot be combined with other DF commands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ P. Additional notes: DF is not case sensitive. The non-standalone version of DF must have BRUN45.EXE in the default directory or in the path. This version is best if you are running more than one program requiring BRUN45.EXE. To make DF as useful as possible, it, too, should be on a directory that is in your path. If you run it from another drive, best results are achieved with the standalone version, which doesn't require the presence of BRUN45.EXE but which is larger in terms of disk space. DF does not contain much in the way of error-checking, beyond what DOS might or might not offer. Where this may be a problem is if you do a DF on a drive which doesn't exist, where the door is open, something like that. Rare, and we leave it to the user to avoid such mistakes. An opened drive door could hang up your computer (a warm or cold boot will cure the temporary situation). More often than not, however, you'll be able to insert the disk and close the door and then enter an 'R' for Retry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. Printing this file The first thing you may notice if you send this file to your printer, is that there are no embedded form feeds. My thinking on this is that your printer is likely to furnish its own form feed when a certain number of lines are reached. Mine does this, but perhaps that's because it's a laser printer. I don't know for sure, but maybe dot matrix and impact printers don't do that. If that's so, then you might want to do your own formatting. It merely requires you to place a Control-L character every 60 lines or so. For those whose printers work like mine, not having form feeds built in allows you to print out with your own utility or application in your own preferred way. I never have liked those pesky embedded commands, making an assumption that didn't fit my life's plan or defaults. My print utility allows me to specify font and font size. I like it that way. I hope the majority of you, too, like it that way. For those who don't, sorry. Write me a letter. I'd love hearing from you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ R. UPDATES: ~~~~~~~~ Version 1.51: Bug fix. Somehow, a bug crept in concerning the multiple directory parameters. BRUN45.EXE now included in library. It makes downloading a bit longer, but it may be more convenient to new users. Version 1.5: Sorted listings. Improvements in the ']' commands. Several small program improvements. Table of contents in this file. Addition of registration form, packing list and feedback form included in library. Drive report (= option) combined with other options. IMPORTANT NOTE: with the addition of new features, a couple of bugs were created in previously existing features. The bane of programmers. I apologize for any inconvenience and hope you won't abandon the use of DF because of the oversight. Most of the bugs were in the use of multiple parameters. Version 1.4: Lists subdirectories and files with no extensions for root directory on default drive or other drives. File listing by n days prior to current date. Small bug concerning files with no extensions under certain conditions. Report on disk space and usage added. Improved syntax screen for high speed display. File listing of one- or two-character extensions corrected. Version 1.3: Improvements and shortcuts in the size parameter. Numbers are now entered in approximate kilobytes. Version 1.2: Bug fix. DF was not finding 1 and 2 letter extensions properly. Bug found by Shel Talmy. Thanks Shel. Version 1.1: Internal string search enabled for non-default drive. Sorted directory enabled. Equivalent of DIR | SORT. This is a stopgap capability. In a future version a sorted directory will be listed in 2 columns with automatic pauses as all other DF listings. This version requires you to have a hand on your pause key to do your own pausing for long directories. Version 1.0: DF is the new name for the program that started out as DS. The new name was adopted because of a possible conflict with Norton's DS and because the original purpose of calling it DS (Dir Star- dot-star) was superseded by many other capabilities than merely avoiding shifted characters. DF, version 1.0 adds the file size switch to the list of updates since DS, version 1.8, which it replaces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ S. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: My thanks to Daniel Maxwell, from Idaho, for his advanced coding guidance. To Jake Angelin for his BBS posting duties. To Shel and Steve for their Beta testing and excellent ideas, all of which were adopted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ T. BUG REPORTS: Users are encouraged to report all bugs to the author. One of the most common ways for bugs to creep into any program is when new features are added and all the previous capabilities which were working flawlessly are not thoroughly tested. Since the author uses this utility, even obscure bugs will eventually come to his notice, but in the spirit of partnership, all users are encouraged to report a bug they encounter. The file, FEEDBACK.DOC, is included with the program to facilitate such reports. (Of course, feel free to send us the form merely to report good things, too). In the event of a bug appearing in a commonly used option, we advise you go back to the previous version you were using until the bug(s) is(are) corrected. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U. DISTRIBUTION DF may be distributed freely so long as no alterations are made to the program nor to the archive nor to this documentation. Shareware distributors may charge up to $5 for the DF utility without specific permission so long as they inform us of their distribution with a copy of the ad or catalog in which it is offered. For any greater charge, distributors must first write us to seek permission and to explain the reason for the higher charge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ V. REGISTRATION INFORMATION Registration fee to the end user is a mere $15. (See above for alternate). A standalone version is available on request when registering. Go ahead. Make my day. Encourage me to write more by registering. If you find yourself using DF regularly, it's the right thing to do. Registered users will receive at least 1 update when available as well as notifications (or copies) of other JB utilities. This program may not be used in a business, corporation, organization, government or agency environment without a negotiated site license. Suggestions, bug reports, etc. appreciated and encouraged -- even by non- registered users. Yes, if you say, for instance, "hey, if you'd only add [this capability or that capability], I'd pay your filthy fee!", we'd probably add it just to part you from your fifteen. In fact, that's very much how DF has developed into the program it is. So, don't be shy. We'll even listen to a hard luck story. Heck, if you're only using 1/3 of DF's capabilities, we'll accept $5. You be the judge and executioner. ("Ouch, that rope is rough!") ~~~~~ Mail fee or excuses to JBUTILS, P.O. Box 46116, Los Angeles, CA 90046-0116. Messages may be addressed to me on Prodigy. ID# FTSN96A. -- J.B., for JBUTILS