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╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ WHAT - The Directory Documentation Utility ║ ║ Version 2.15 Copyright (C) by Bill Newell, 1987 ║ ║ ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ NOTICE to users of WHAT Version 2.00 !!!! ----------------------------------------- If you are a user of WHAT Version 2.00, please review the section "Change History" at the end of this document. In order to use a version of WHAT greater than 2.00, you will have to rename any existing Directory Documentation Files on your system before starting to use this new version. The Directory Documentation File name that is now used by WHAT is the name of the directory being processed, appended with a .DIR extension. For example, if you are processing a directory called LETTERS, the Directory Documentation File will be named LETTERS.DIR. You can rename your Directory Documentation Files by using the DOS Rename command: Example: RENAME WHAT.DIR LETTERS.DIR How to use WHAT without reading the documentation: -------------------------------------------------- If you're like most of us, you down-loaded this program because you wanted to use it's advertised feature; that is, to be able to add a description to each entry in one of your sub-directories. What you DON'T want to do, is to have to wade through a pile of documentation before you figure out out HOW to use this program. OK, here's the CONDENSED version of the WHAT Documentation File: --------- 1. Copy the WHAT.COM program to the directory you want to document, or to any directory that you can access via the DOS PATH command. 2. Change to the directory you want to document. (eg. CD\LETTERS) 3. Execute WHAT. (You will be prompted for a description for each entry in your directory). 4. Execute WHAT /A (You will see all files in your directory with the associated description you entered). 5. Execute WHAT /? (This will show you the other processing options of the WHAT program). 6. Read the WHAT.DOC file sometime when you have nothing better to do, which is an expanded description of the above five steps. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DON'T YOU WISH ALL OTHER PROGRAMS CAME WITH A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE DOCUMENTATION ???? (Maybe we can set a trend here ??....) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why use WHAT ? -------------- In the dark about some of the files contained in your directory ? Ever wonder what that obscure program you added in 1984 called FROG.COM does, and where it came from in the first place ? Are you afraid to execute that program CRASH.EXE, because you've forgotten what it does...., but you don't want to delete it because it really may be useful ? Ever wish DOS filenames were longer ? Or wish DOS gave you a facility for keeping track of the contents in your sub-directories ? If you've answered YES to any of these questions, then WHAT is for you !! NOW THESE PROBLEMS ARE GONE !! WHAT is a neat, fast program which allows you to give descriptions to programs out there in your directories. You can view and update them anytime you want. You can also use WHAT to search your directory for the occurrence of any literal. For example, executing WHAT PRINTER will display all directory entries that contain the literal PRINTER in the description you gave to your files, using WHAT. The best news is that you can use this program and not pay for it unless you like it ! I wrote this program to solve my own problems with keeping track of the contents of my sub-directories, and I want to share it with you. If you like it and use it, then please send 15 bucks to keep me encouraged to write more programs, and to reinforce my faith in the "Shareware" concept of distributing software. I hope you enjoy this program and find it useful. Sincerely, Bill Newell 249 Foxden Circle Naples, FL 33942 What is WHAT ? -------------- WHAT is a utility program designed to help you keep track of the contents of your disk directories. It will work with DOS 2.0 or later. The WHAT program maintains a documentation file for each of your diskettes, or disk directories; and you can attach a description (up to 61 characters) to each entry in your directory. Once you have set up your initial Directory Documentation File using WHAT, then you can use WHAT's search facility to display your description records; either all of them, or a sub-set based upon a search argument that you specify. Since the Directory Documentation File is an ASCII file, you can also use your favorite text editor to access/maintain this file. The WHAT help screen: --------------------- There are no complicated commands to remember; anytime you forget what options are available to you, just enter WHAT /? and the following help screen will appear: >>>> WHAT - The Directory Documentation Utility <<<< Ways to use WHAT: ----------------- WHAT - Prompts you for any missing descriptions. WHAT /U - Prompts you to Update the descriptions of ALL your files. WHAT /U FileName - Prompts you for descriptions of your files, starting at FileName. WHAT /A - Displays all records in your Directory Documentation File. WHAT XXXXX - Displays all records containing XXXXX, where XXXXX is a sequence of characters (any length), appearing in either the filename or description. WHAT /D XXXXX - Same as above, but displays only records where XXXXX appears in the description. What /? - Displays this screen. Creating/Updating your Directory Documentation File: -------------------------------------------------- Set your current DOS directory to the sub-directory you want to work with and then execute WHAT. If a Directory Documentation File does not exist, then it will be created, and you are prompted to supply a description for each entry in your directory. If a Directory Documentation File does exist, then it is updated to reflect any deletions or additions made to your directory since the last time you executed WHAT. You are prompted for a description for any added items, as well as for existing entries that do not yet have a description. CAUTION !!!! -- If you have entered descriptions for files in your directory that are now no longer there, (you have deleted the files, or moved them to another sub-directory), the descriptions records for these files will be AUTOMATICALLY DELETED. WHAT will NOT notify you when it deletes decription records for files that are no longer present in the directory you are processing. Additional processing options are available, such as WHAT /U and WHAT /U FileName. Please refer to the Help screen for a description of these options. When WHAT prompts you for a description, a screen similar to the following will appear: WHAT - The Directory Documentation Utility Version 2.15 Copyright (C) by Bill Newell, 1987 Reading directory: C:\LETTERS Sorting directory entries Processing ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ │ Please enter a description for: WHAT.DOC ║ │ ║ │ - ║ ╘══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Last Description: The Directory Documentation Utility Saved Description: F1: Save Desc F2: Use Saved Desc F3: Use Last Desc ─ Esc to quit ─ Editing keys available when entering a description: --------------------------------------------------- The following keys can be used when entering/updating a description: The cursor left, cursor right, backspace, insert and delete keys perform as you would expect them to. The Home key takes you to the beginning of the description. The End key takes you to the end of the description. The Ctrl-End keys clears the field from the current cursor position to the end of the field. When you are finished entering the description, pressing the Enter key updates the Directory Documentation File. Pressing the Esc key processes the remaining file without prompting you for any more descriptions. This option is useful when you want to enter descriptions for just a few files in your directory at a time. There are two additional options on this screen that you may find useful: WHAT displays the "Last Description" it has read. If you want to use this as the description for the current entry, then just press F3 (make any additional changes you want), and then press the Enter key. You can also press F1 to save a "current" description (before you press Enter), and recall this description anytime by pressing the F2 key. You should run WHAT to update your Directory Documentation Files on a regular basis. This will ensure that your file reflects any additions and/or deletions you have made recently, and also allows you to readily enter descriptions for any new items while you can still remember what they are. Using the WHAT search facility: ------------------------------- Once you have created a Directory Documentation File, then you can use WHAT's search facility to display your description records. To see all the records in your Directory Documentation File, enter WHAT /A Additional search options are available, such as WHAT XXXXX and WHAT /D XXXXX. Please refer to the Help screen for a description of these options. When WHAT has found all the records you requested, you see a screen similar to this: WHAT - The Directory Documentation Utility Version 2.15 Copyright (C) by Bill Newell, 1987 Searching for: "WHAT" File Name D e s c r i p t i o n ------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ WHAT.COM The Directory Documentation Utility WHAT.DIR Documentation file for WHAT Home End PgUp PgDn ─ Esc to Quit ─ Sort Print 2 records Top of File The following keys can then be used to change the display: The cursor up and cursor down keys scroll the display one line at a time. (The cursor left and cursor right can also be used, if you prefer.) The Home key displays the first screen of your file. The End key displays the last screen of your file. The PgUp/PgDn keys display any preceding/succeeding screens. Press the Esc key to end the program. Pressing S (Sort) asks you whether you want to sort by (N) Name or (D) Description. Then Press N or D to sort the records you have selected. For users that prefer (F) FileName to (N) Name, pressing the F key also works. If you are a power-user, and know what it is you want to sort on: N,D,(or F); you don't even have to enter the S (for Sort) first. Just pressing N,D,(or F) will do just fine. If you want a printout of the records you selected, press P (Print). The remainder of the status line displays the number of records that have been found, as well as an indication on whether you are at the Top of the File, Bottom of the File, or somewhere in-between. Some Limitations: ----------------- As with all good things; there are some limitations to the capacities that WHAT can handle. Using WHAT to maintain your Directory Documentation Files, you are limited to 1,000 directory entries. Nothing bad will happen if you have more than that, but just the first 1,000 entries will be processed. (If you have more than 1,000 entries, you should REALLY consider re-organizing your disk, as your DOS access time will be abominable !!).... WHAT keeps all "selected" records in memory (for fastest access). When you use WHAT's search facility there is a limit of 400 records that can be stored during any one search. Again, nothing nasty will happen if WHAT finds more than 400 matching entries, but only the first 400 will be displayed. In addition, should more than 400 entries match your search criteria, you will see a blinking message on the status line, to make you aware that the maximum number of selected records has been exceeded. Error Messages: --------------- I have gone to great pains to make this program as user-friendly as possible. When an error is detected, you are given a message describing the probable cause of the error and the remedy to correct the error. Warranty & Other Stuff: ----------------------- This program is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. If you find this program useful, and you believe in the "Shareware" concept of distributing software, a small contribution ($15 suggested) would be greatly appreciated. It is only with the support of users that software such as this can be developed, as well as to encourage program authors to write more nifty stuff !! Please send all correspondence and contributions to: Bill Newell 249 Foxden Circle Naples, FL 33942 Change History: --------------- Version 1.00 1986 This was a prototype version of WHAT. This version was never distributed. Version 2.00 3-29-87 WHAT was completely rewritten, and utilizes a number of Assembler routines for quick performance. Distributed as Shareware. Version 2.10 7-20-87 The following changes, suggested by users of Version 2.00 have been made: If a Directory Documentation File does not exist in the directory being processed, a message is displayed informing the user that such a file is going to be created. The user then has the option of continuing, or ending the program. In Version 2.00, all Directory Documentation Files were named WHAT.DIR. The name that is used now is the name of the directory being processed, appended with a .DIR extension. For example, if you are processing a directory called LETTERS, the Directory Documentation File will be named LETTERS.DIR. If your directory name already has an extension, such as LETTERS.LIB, WHAT will still use the main directory name and the Directory Documentation File will still be called LETTERS.DIR. If you are processing the root directory of your disk or diskette, the Directory Documentation File will be called ROOT.DIR. Version 2.11 8-03-87 Fixes a minor bug that would report a sequence error when processing a V2.00 Directory Documentation File the first time with WHAT V2.10 As an aside: Should you ever encounter the message "... description file is not in sequence by file name"; remove all heading/footing lines from your Directory description file and try the WHAT program again. That is, remove the records at the beginning and end of the file, that are not description records for the files in your directory. This error is usually caused by users editing their description files, and changing the heading/footing records so that the WHAT program can no longer recognize them as such. Version 2.12 10-20-87 Fixes bug that caused a BASIC 5 Error when attempting to use the "Ins" (Insert) key, when the cursor was at the last position of the description field. Version 2.13 3-31-88 Fixes bug that caused the cursor to disappear on a color monitor, when WHAT terminated. Added the "How to use WHAT without reading the documentation" section to the documentation file. Version 2.14 7-20-88 Using WHAT to documemt a directory that contained a "-" (dash), such as PC-DNLD, would terminate in an error. This has been corrected in having WHAT substitute a "_" (underscore) for any dash found in the directory name, when formulating the name for the Directory Documentation File. This will NOT change the name of your directory; it only means that if your directory contains a dash, such as PC-DNLD; that the Directory Documentation File will be named PC_DNLD. Unless you want to use your favorite text-processor to update your Directory Documentation File, this change will be invisible to you. WHAT will now supply a default description when it finds a directory entry of WHAT.COM, WHAT.DOC, or Version 2.15 3-20-89 If the "heading lines" (generated by the WHAT program) in the Directory Documentation File were changed by the user so that the program could no longer recognize them as heading lines, some file descriptions could be lost when the program was executed the next time. This would only happen if the user used a text editor to process the Directory Documentation File, and changed the heading lines (the records located at the beginning of the file, in front of the actual file description records). If you added a file to your directory since the last time you executed WHAT, whose name would appear sequentially after the last file in your <directory>.DIR file; that new file would automatically get the description of the previous "last file", if that file contained a description. The program would not prompt you for a description for this new file.