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LAUNCHER.DOC
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1991-10-30
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9KB
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245 lines
LAUNCHER.EXE 1.2
Copyright 1991 by Chuck Steenburgh
Do some of your programs require you to load a data file
once you start the program? Are these data files located in
a different directory, or do you have to enter several cryptic
commands to get your program to load a data file? LAUNCHER is
designed to work with any program that can accept the name of
a data file on the command line. LAUNCHER will display a
menu of your data files, and then start your application with
the name of the file you select on the command line to be
loaded immediately.
LAUNCHER uses a rather novel method of automatically de-
termining the name of the application you are going to use
it with. Rather than needing a configuration file or compli-
cated command line switches, LAUNCHER reads the application
name from its own file name. Rename the LAUNCHER.EXE file
after the application you want to run, PLUS ANY ONE ADDITIONAL
CHARACTER. Put this renamed version of launcher in the same
directory as your application, and you're ready to LAUNCH!
Usage: NEWNAME [path:\][filespec] [/f] [/parameters] |
NEWNAME This is the new name which you have
given to LAUNCHER.EXE, based on the
name of your application.
path:\ Optional drive and/or path for data
files.
filespec This filespec designates what files
are to be displayed by LAUNCHER.
You may include a drive and/or dir-
ectory name, and wildcards (? *).
/f Include only file names on command
line. Normally, LAUNCHER will in-
clude any path you have specified
on the command line string built.
Use this switch if your application
does not require the path name.
/parameters Enter any additional command line |
parameters you would like to use |
with your application program. |
Examples:
WPI b:\wp\*.doc This will LAUNCH Word Perfect
(WP.EXE) after displaying all files
in the B:\WP subdirectory with the
extension .DOC. This assumes that
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you have renamed LAUNCHER.EXE as
WPI.EXE and that this file is in the
same directory as Word Perfect.
1234 c:\*.w?? This will LAUNCH Lotus 1-2-3
(123.BAT) after displaying all
worksheet files in the root direc-
tory of drive C. This assumes that
you have renamed LAUNCHER.EXE as
1234.EXE and that this file is in
the same directory as 1-2-3.
WSI c:\ws\*.doc /f LAUNCHES WordStar (WS.EXE) from
data files in directory c:\ws\docs.
DOES NOT include the path when
LAUNCHING WordStar.
WSI *.doc /n LAUNCHES WordStar using a data file
selected from those in the current
directory matching the filespec
*.doc. It includes the "/n" param-
eter (nondocument mode) when starting
WordStar.
Some programs that require very large amounts of memory,
such as Quattro Pro by Borland, will not work properly when
LAUNCHED. If at all possible, when using LAUNCHER, configure
your applications so that they use as little memory as pos-
sible. Most word processing programs do not need special
configuration, as they can run in 512K or less of memory.
The reason for this limtation is that LAUNCHER remains in
memory when your application is LAUNCHED, taking up about
30k of memory.
LAUNCHER is part of STEENBURGH'S STUFF Mildly Useful Util-
ities. STEENBURGH'S STUFF includes the following programs:
BATBOX: Simple menu creation/input system
CLK: Displays time on screen
FREEDISK: Checks for available disk space
INPUT: Simple prompt/input system
KLS: Colorful screen-clearing utility
LAUNCHER: File selection/execution system
MUSIC11: Plays transcribed sheet music on the PC
RAND: Random number generator
SKIP: Prints blank lines from batch files
SOUNDER: Wide range of noise making options
WAITFOR: Timed pauses
WHENISIT: Date/time telling utility
WRITE: Colorful output anywhere on screen
XD: Create/switch directories at the same time
The current version of STEENBURGH'S STUFF is 1.5, and can
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be found on many BBS's as STUF15.ZIP (earlier versions include
STUF14.ZIP, STUF13.ZIP, etc.). It can also be found on Compu-
Serve in the IBMSYS libraries.
DISCLAIMER
The programs described in this documentation are guaran-
teed to absolutely nothing! They have, however, in my exper-
ience performed essentially as described herein. The author
will not be responsible for any loss or damages caused through
the use of these programs.
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
The programs and documentation are Copyright 1991 by Chuck
Steenburgh. You are encouraged to distribute these programs
provided the following conditions are met:
- all files contained in this archive must be distrib-
uted together in UNMODIFIED form
- you charge no more than a reasonable fee for copying or
subscription, and clearly indicate that payment of such
a fee does NOT grant ownership of the programs.
You may evaluate these programs for up to 30 days on a free
trial basis. After 30 days, you should register your use of
these programs. The registration fee is $10, payable to the
author at the address given below. This registration fee in-
cludes registration of ALL the programs described above as
part of STEENBURGH'S STUFF.
Let's be real: I don't plan to make alot of money this way.
Registration does have its advantages:
- I am improving these programs all the time. Registration
will get you IMMEDIATELY a disk with the latest version,
which includes a version of BATBOX with user-selected
menu colors. When Version 2.0 of these utilities is re-
leased, you will also receive that free of charge.
- While I can't promise to include everyone's suggestions
in program updates, you can bet I'll listen to registered
users before any of you scrounges out there.
- You will me feel all warm and fuzzy and appreciated, and
all that good stuff.
- You will also get an evaluation copy of my text-file for-
matting program (used to produce the margins in this doc-
ument).
Send comments/registrations to:
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Chuck Steenburgh
304A North Main Street
Lexington, VA 24450
(703)464-5290
CIS 72330,1776 (I haunt the IBMSYS and IBMPRO forums)
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