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LAUNCHER.DOC
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1992-01-03
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LAUNCHER.EXE 2.2
Copyright 1991,1992 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] [/Cnnn] [/H] [parms]
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.
/Cnnn Specify color. Normally, LAUNCHER
uses a bright white on black display
scheme. Specify a color to use with
the numeric value nnn, where nnn is
between 0 and 127. See Appendix 3
color calculation.
/H Displays help screen.
parms Enter any additional command line
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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
you have renamed LAUNCHER.EXE as
WPI.EXE and that this file is in the
same directory as Word Perfect.
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.
WP1 *.txt /C30 LAUNCHES WordPerfect using a data
selected from those meeting file spec
*.txt. Displays menu in yellow on
a blue background.
After running LAUNCHER, you will see a display of files
meeting the filespec you have supplied appear on the screen.
Files will be listed alphabetically from left to right and top
to bottom. The first file will be highlighted in reverse video.
Use the four cursor movement keys (arrow keys), position the
highlight bar over the name of the file you would like loaded
into your application, then press enter. LAUNCHER will then
build a command line which includes the file just selected. If
you press the ESC key instead of enter, your application will
be started WITHOUT a data file. If no files were found that
matched the filespec, LAUNCHER will terminate without loading
the application and set the DOS errorlevel to 1.
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. If enough interest is expressed, a version
of LAUNCHER that will unload itself prior to executing your
application will be developed.
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Version 2.1 allegedly corrected a problem with LAUNCHing |
batch files (.BAT). Unfortunately, all v2.1 did was intro- |
duce a GLARING fatal bug for which I apologize. v2.2 basic- |
ally takes us back to where we were before v2.1, in that |
batch files still cannot be LAUNCHed properly. I am working |
on this for version 2.5 which I plan to release in March of |
1992. Thanks for your patience! |
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 1991,1992 by
Chuck Steenburgh. You are encouraged to distribute these pro-
grams provided the following conditions are met:
- all files contained in the archive or distribution disk
must be distributed 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.
This program is part of set of utilities known as STEEN-
BURGH'S STUFF (Mildly Useful Utilities). The full set of
utilities includes the following programs:
BATBOX: Simple menu creation/input system
CLK: Displays time on screen
DOSVER: Checks for DOS version currently running
FREEDISK: Checks for available disk space
HOWMUCH: Displays space occupied by a group of files
INPUT: Simple prompt/input system
KLS: Colorful screen-clearing utility
LAUNCHER: File selection/execution system
MUSIC: 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
Payment of the $10 registration fee automatically registers
you for the full set.
You may evaluate these programs for up to 30 days on a free
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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.
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:
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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