Night Owl 6/Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso/019a/me40a.zip/ME.HLP

Text File | 1989-05-23 | 18KB | 426 lines

* MULTI-EDIT REFERENCE GUIDE - TABLE OF CONTENTS
              ┌──────────────────────┐
              │  @QUICKREF[!A. ]Quick Reference  │
┌─────────────────────────┴───────────┬──────────┴───────────────────────────┐
│ @HYPE[!B. ]Help on Help                     │ @PR[!K. ]Printing                          │
│ @MENUS[!C. ]Using Menus and Prompts          │ @IN[!L. ]Installation and Setup            │
│ @QUICKREF%CURSOR MOVEMENT[!D. ]Cursor Movement                  │ @DIRSHELL[!M. ]DOS Directory Shell               │
│ @FL[!E. ]Loading and Saving Files         │ @FE[!N. ]Filename extension setup          │
│ @WN[!F. ]Windows                          │ @CP[!O. ]Compiling Programs from Multi-Edit│
│ @QUICKREF%DELETING TEXT[!G. ]Deleting Text                    │ @KM[!P. ]Keystroke Macros                  │
│ @QUICKREF%BLOCK OPERATIONS[!H. ]Block Operations                 │ @LAYOUT[!Q. ]Text Layout and Word Processing   │
│ @SR[!I. ]Search and Replace               │                                      │
│      (and Regular Expressions)      │                                      │
│ @QUICKREF%UNDO AND REDO[!J. ]Undo and Redo                    │                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┤
│ @LANGUAGE[!1. ]Language Specific Support        │ @PROFESSIONAL[!4. ]Communications Module             │
│ @CN[!2. ]Condensed Mode Display           │ @PROFESSIONAL[!5. ]Spell Checker                     │
│ @CA[!3. ]Calculator and ASCII Table       │                                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────┘

PLEASE NOTE:  The demo help is MUCH less extensive than the online
documentation provided with the full package.
QUICKREF QUICK REFERENCE
See also @*[MULTI-EDIT REFERENCE GUIDE]

                FUNCTION_KEYS

<F1>      Help            <ShftF1>  Next window
<F2>      Menu            <ShftF2>  Stamp date/time
<F3>      Save file        <ShftF3>  Load file
<F4>      Indent        <ShftF4>  Undent
<F5>      Mark position        <ShftF5>  Go to mark
<F6>      Search        <ShftF6>  Search with Replace
<F7>      Mark line block    <ShftF7>  Mark column block
<F8>      Run Macro        <ShftF8>  Delete line
<F9>      Copy Block        <ShftF9>  Inter-Window Copy Block
<F10>      Move Block        <ShftF10> Inter-Window Move Block

<CtrlF1>  Last window        <AltF1>   Window list
<CtrlF2>  Find compiler error    <AltF2>   Calculator
<CtrlF3>  Save block        <AltF3>   Run DOS
<CtrlF4>  DOS Directory Shell    <AltF4>   Condensed
<CtrlF5>  Zoom window        <AltF5>   ASCII Table
<CtrlF6>  Repeat search        <AltF6>   Match brace or statement
<CtrlF7>  UNDO            <AltF7>   Stream of text mark
<CtrlF8>  Compile        <AltF8>   Go to line
<CtrlF9>  Block off        <AltF9>   Expand template
<CtrlF10> Delete block        <AltF10>  Record keystrokes

                CURSOR MOVEMENT

<LEFT>    Cursor Left        <CtrlLEFT> Word Back
<RIGHT>   Cursor Right        <CtrlRIGHT>Word Forward
<UP>      Cursor Up
<DOWN>    Cursor Down
<PgUp>    Screen Up        <CtrlPgUp> Last Page Break
<PgDn>    Screen Down        <CtrlPgDn> Next Page Break

<HOME>            To Left Margin
<HOME><HOME>        Top of window
<HOME><HOME><HOME>    Top of file
<CtrlHOME>        To Start of File

<END>            To End of Line
<END><END>        Bottom of window
<END><END><END>        End of file
<CtrlEND>        To End of File

<CtrlU>      Scroll window up    <CtrlT>       Top of window
<CtrlD>      Scroll window down    <CtrlB>       Bottom of window
<CtrlE>      Top of block        <Tab>       Tab right
<CtrlC>      End of block        <ShftTab>  Tab left

                DELETING TEXT

<DEL>        Delete character under cursor
<BS>        Delete character before cursor
<ShftDEL>    Delete Word under cursor
<CtrlBS>    Delete Word before cursor
<AltD>        Delete from cursor to end of line
<ShftF8>    Delete line

                UNDO AND REDO

<CtrlENTER>    Undo
<CtrlDEL>    Redo

                BLOCK OPERATIONS

<F7>        Marking a block of lines
<ShftF7>    Marking a rectangular or "columnar" block
<AltF7>        Marking a stream block
Note: Hitting any of the above during marking will terminate the block.
<F9>        Copy            <F10>        Move
<CtrlF10>    Delete            <CtrlF9>    Marking off
<ShftF9>    Interwindow copy    <ShftF10>    Interwindow move
<AltI>        Indent block        <AltU>        Undent block
<Grey+>        Copy to buffer        <Grey->        Cut to buffer
<CtrlGrey+>    Append to buffer    <GreyENTER>    Copy from buffer
<CtrlGrey->    Cut and Append to buffer


                MISC

<AltA>        ASCII Table
<AltC>        Format codes menu
<AltE>        Find next compiler error
<AltF>        Multi-File Search
<AltG>        List files from last Multi-File Search
<AltH>        Help
<AltI>        Indent block
<AltJ>        right Justify paragraph
<AltK>        Display keycode
<AltL>        Line draw
<AltM>        Match language construct
<AltR>        Reformat Paragraph
<AltS>        Spell check menu
<AltT>        expand Template
<AltU>        Undent block
<AltX>        Quit (exit) Multi-Edit
HYPE INTRO TO ACI HYPERTEXT
Welcome to the ^BAmerican Cybernetics' Hypertext System^b (ACI Hypertext).

    @HYPEQUICKREF[!A. Quick reference to ACI Hypertext]
    @HYPESEARCH[!B. Searching for text]
HYPEQUICKREF ACI HYPERTEXT QUICK REFERENCE
<ENTER>        Select current link
<BackSpace>    Move to previously selected chapter.
<ESC>        Exit help system

<UP>, <DOWN>
<LEFT>, <RIGHT> Moves the cursor between the highlighted links.

<PgUp>        Move one screen up.        <Gray+>  Scroll up.
<PgDn>        Move one screen down.        <Gray->  Scroll down.

<CtrlUP>, <CtrlDOWN>      Scroll chapter up and down.
<CtrlLEFT>, <CtrlRIGHT> Scroll chapter left and right.

<F1>        Bring up table of contents for the current hypertext file.
<F5>        Returns to the position the help was at the last time
        you exited help.
<F6>        Search current chapter for a string.
<CtrlF6>    Repeat previous search
<AltF6>        Search entire file
HYPESEARCH Searching for Text
You may search for text in the current chapter or file, and you may repeat the
last search operation.

To search for text in the current chapter, hit the key assigned to
Chapter Search (see @HYPEQUICKREF%SEARCH[Quick Reference] for key assignments).
Type in the desired search string at the prompt and then hit <ENTER>.  The
first occurance of the search string will be highlighted.

To search for text in the entire file, hit the key assigned to File Search
(see @HYPEQUICKREF%Search entire file[Quick Reference]), and repeat the steps for Chapter
Search.

To repeat your last search operation, select Next Search
MENUS USING MENUS
There are three types of menus in Multi-Edit:

    A.  ^BThe fixed menu^b:  This menu has a set number of selections
        and may be horizontal, or vertical.  The main-menu, and
        its sub-menus are "fixed menus".

    B.  ^BThe variable length menu^b:  This menu may contain an unlimited
        number of items, and will scroll to accommodate them.  The
        user is usually allowed to insert, delete and modify items in
        a variable length menu.  A variable length menu is always
        vertical.  The list of filename extensions, and the keymap
        menu are both "variable length menus".

    C.  ^BThe data-entry box^b:  This is more than a menu; the data-entry
        box may contain editable text and numeric fields, multiple-choice
        selections, and "action" fields.  The box where Search strings
        and switches are entered is a good example of a "data-entry box".

Most operations may be accessed via the menu system.  The main menu is
assigned by default to the <F2> key.
FL FILE OPERATIONS
The following file operations are available from the File Menu.

^BEdit new file^b creates a new window, and prompts for a filename.

^BLoad file into current window^b overwrites any file in the current window.

^BSave file in current window^b saves the current window to disk.

^BRe-name current file^b renames the filename of the current window, not on disk.

^BLoad block from disk^b loads a file at the cursor position, adding to whatever
is already loaded.  The filename is not changed.

^BDirectory shell^b acesses the DOS directory shell.

Files to be loaded may also be specified on the command line when invoking
Multi-Edit.  More than one file may be specified, with a space between each
filename.  In this case windows will be created for each additional file.
WN WINDOWS
Main Menu-->Window

Multi-Edit uses "windows" to view files.  Multiple Windows may be opened and
used to edit different files or "linked" together to edit different sections
of the same file.  Each window may take up the entire usable screen, or just
a portion of it.
SR SEARCH AND REPLACE

Searches the current file for the search string or string expression, and,
if replacing, replaces the found text with the specified replace string or
string expression.

Normally (unless the P or N search and replace options are used), Multi-Edit
will search for the specified string or string expression, highlight the found
text (if the search was successful),  and then prompt you to hit <ENTER>
to replace the found text, or <SPACE> NOT to replace the text.

              ^BSEARCH AND REPLACE OPTIONS^b

The following search and replace options (or switches) are available.  Any
number of them may be entered into the Switches prompt.

G    Global search and replace (search entire file).

I    Ignore case of alpha characters.

P    Prompted search and replace.  After each find, you will be prompted to
    replace the found text.  Hitting <ENTER> will replace the found text
    with the replace string, and then search for the next occurrence of the
    search string.  Hitting <SPACE> will leave the found text alone, and
    search for the next occurrence of the search string.  <ESC> will abort
    the search and replace operation.

N    No prompts.  No prompts will occur at all, the search and replace
    operation will continue until no more occurrences of the search
    string are found.

B    Backwards search and replace.

X    eXpressions OFF (turn regular expressions off).  This option is used
    to make it easier to enter characters literally, without the risk of
    any of them being used as wild cards.

R    Restrict search and replace to currently marked block.  Only text that
    is in the currently marked block will be searched.  Search and replace
    will abort if no block is marked.  If the G (global) switch is set,
    then the search will be performed through the entire block.

            ^BREGULAR EXPRESSIONS^b

Regular expressions are basically sophisticated wild cards.  They provide
the ability to deal with unprintable characters like "beginning of line"
or "end of line", specific sets or "classes" of characters, strings of
unknown length, and multiple groups of characters in a single search
pattern or replace pattern.

             ^BSEARCH STRING EXPRESSIONS^b

^B*^b    match 0..n occurrences of the previous character or expression.
^B+^b    match 1..n occurrences of the previous character or expression.
^B?^b    match any character.
^B[]^b    match class of characters.  Example:   [a-zA-Z0-9_]
^B[~]^b    match any character except the enclosed class.
^B%^b    match beginning of line.
^B$^b    match end of line.
^B@@^b    match (or replace) next character literally.
^B{}^b    encloses a group of 1 or more expressions.  Max # of groups = 10
^B|^b    match previous OR next expression.
         Example:  {BEGIN}|{END} would match either "BEGIN" or "END";
         NOTE:  A character is counted as an expression.  Therefore,
         BEGIN|END would match either "BEGINND" or "BEGIEND".


            ^BREPLACE STRING EXPRESSIONS^b

^B$^b    Inserts a carriage return.
^B%^b    Deletes a character.  May be used to delete an end of line.
^B&^b    Insert the original found text.
^B^^^b    Place cursor at this position in the replaced text.
^B#n^b    Insert text matched by group number 'n',  n = 0 through 9.
         Example:  Search = {POS(}{?*,}{?*,}  Replace = #0#2#1
         would swap the parameters for the function POS(str1,str2);

            ^BMULTIPLE FILE SEARCH^b
Multi-Edit's Multiple File Search is an extremely powerful utility that
allows you to scan your entire drive (or any section of it) for all files
that contain a specified search string.  Regular expressions are, of
course, fully supported.
PR PRINTING AND PRINTER CONTROL
Main Menu-->Print

The print menu allows you to print a block or file directly from a window,
issue printer-specific codes directly to the printer, set a left margin to
be added to each line as it is printed, issue a form feed character to the
printer, and select and modify a printer driver.
DIRSHELL DOS DIRECTORY SHELL
MENU-->File-->Dos directory shell

The Multi-Edit DOS Directory Shell is a full fledged integrated file/disk
manager.  It allows you to display up to four directories at a time, in
either full directory display mode or condensed display mode.  You can mark
files for copying, deleting, printing or loading into Multi-Edit.  A simple
point and shoot strategy lets you navigate through your directory trees.
Any DOS command or program may be run with the touch of a key.  You can even
examine the contents an archived file.

There is actually two different Directory Shell modes:

    MODE 1:  The full blown    mode, which is what you get when you invoke
    it from the Other menu or the default key assignment.

    MODE 2: The File Prompt mode, which is the subset Directory Shell
    that is invoked from a File prompt with the <F2> key.  In this mode,
    the Directory Shell appears as a sub-menu of the prompt.  Only
    a single directory window is allowed, and multiple-file loading
    is disabled.
FE FILENAME EXTENSIONS
Main Menu-->Install-->Filename extensions

Upon loading a file, Multi-Edit checks a list of filename extensions for the
extension of the file being loaded.  If found, then Multi-Edit sets up a
format line and settings for indent style, document mode, wordwrap and
language and compiler types.  Extensions may be added, deleted, or the
settings modified, for each extension from the Filename extensions selection
in the Install menu.
CP EXECUTE COMPILER/PROGRAM
Main Menu-->Other-->Execute compiler or program

Executes a compiler or program that has been setup for a specific filename
extension.  If more than one compiler/program is available, then a variable
length menu will be displayed listing all of them.  Hit <ENTER> to execute
your selection, <INS> to create a new compiler/program, <DEL> to delete a
selection, or <ESC> to abort.

Sometimes a compiler or program will require more memory than Multi-Edit can
free up in order to run (particularly C compilers).  The Extension Specific
Large Compile option is used for such situations.  The Large Compile option
requires that Multi-Edit have been invoked with MEC batch file supplied on
the program disk.

Upon completion of the compiler/program, Multi-Edit will process any
errors that were generated (if PROCESS COMPILER ERRORS in the COMPILER AND
PROGRAM SETUP is on).


              ^BFIND NEXT COMPILER ERROR^b

Main Menu-->Other-->find neXt compiler error

Locates the next error generated by the most recent compile.
KM KEYSTROKE MACROS
<AltF10>
Sequences of keystrokes may be recorded and played back from both Text Edit
mode and the DOS SHELL.  To start recording a keystroke simply hit the
<AltF10> key.  You will notice a blinking "R" character on the status line
to remind you that your keystrokes are being recorded.  You may now continue
editing (or working in the DOS SHELL).  When the desired keystroke sequence
is complete, hit <AltF10> again.  Then answer the prompt with the desired
key to assign the keystroke to.
LAYOUT THE LAYOUT MENU
Main Menu-->Layout

The layout menu allows you to set up many parameters for document
processing, plus run the print formatter, and insert print formatter codes.
IN INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Main Menu-->Install

The Installation and Setup menu allows changes to be made on many different
settings such as screen colors, backups, key mappings, etc.  Changes can
optionally be saved, making them the start-up defaults.
LANGUAGE LANGUAGE SPECIFIC SUPPORT
Multi-Edit has built in specific support for the following languages:

    C
    Pascal
    dBase
    BASIC
    Assembler
    Modula-2
    Multi-Edit Macro Language

More are added on a regular basis.  There are basically 3 different areas of
support for most of these languages:

    Template Editing:    For the most common compound constructs
    (loops), a skeleton can be created simply by typing the first
    character of that, such as a "i", then hit the template key(<AltI>),
    then the skeleton will be automatically generated.

    Contstruct/Brace Matching:    Placing the cursor at the beginning
    (or ending) of a loop, and hitting the match key(<AltM>) will cause
    a search for the matching end(or beginning).

    Smart Indenting:    Hitting <Enter> at the beginning of a loop
    will cause the indent level to be set one tab stop to the right.
CN CONDENSED DISPLAY
Main Menu-->Other-->coNdense

Condenses the display of the current file by displaying only lines that are
selected by one of the following methods:

Cutoff Column - Lines whose text starts at or before a user defined column
position.

Search String - Lines containing a user defined search expression(regular
expressions are allowed).
CA CALCULATOR AND ASCII TABLE
Main Menu-->Other-->Calculator

The calculator is standard notation and supports Floating point decimal, hex,
octal, and binary formats.  All standard math functions and a tape are
supported.

Main Menu-->Other-->Ascii-table
Displays a three page ASCII table, which includes character, decimal and hex
columns.  The ASCII table displays the entire IBM extended character set.  Use
the <UP> and <DOWN> keys to move between the pages.  Hit <ESC> to exit.
PROFESSIONAL MULTI-EDIT PROFESSIONAL

Multi-Edit Professional is an extended version of the regular Multi-Edit
package.  It contains the following 4 features:

    An integrated Communications Module.
    An integrated spell checker.
    An integrated Multi-Edit Macro Language source level debugger.
    The complete source code to ALL the user interface macros.