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1988-03-17
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3/17/88
Screen Designer
Version 2.04
Copyright (C) 1987, 1988
by
Michael W. Cocke
A Tool for Designing Screen Displays
This program is being distributed under the `shareware' concept.
You are freely encouraged to copy and distribute this program, provided
that no changes are made to either the program or the documentation.
This means that you can download this program from a bulletin board,
get it through a mail order house, or copy it from a friend. If you
don't find it worthwhile, you won't have risked anything. But, if you
do find it useful, all I ask is that you send me a check for just $10.00.
This buys you to a new copy of the program, WITH ALL updates.
It will also buy you some peace of mind. I'm one person,
not a giant software company, and the check you send may make the
difference between feeding my cat this week and not feeding my cat
this week.
Please send a check for $10.00 to:
Michael Cocke
11 Cedar Road
Montville NJ 07045
Thank You,
M.W.C.
Technical support, upgrades and requests available upon payment of
$ 10.00 (U.S.) registration fee.
What is SCREEN DESIGNER:
SCREEN DESIGNER is a program created to aid you in designing and
producing screens for batch files, programs, and, if you have
the right printer, title pages for word processor documents and
spreadsheets.
The graphics that SCREEN DESIGNER creates can be used on color or
monochrome video systems, and on IBM (tm) compatible graphics
printers.
To give you an idea of some of the uses of SCREEN DESIGNER, all of the
help screens and title pages in the program were created using the
program.
How to run SCREEN DESIGNER:
SCREEN DESIGNER was designed to work on a monochrome, CGA, EGA or PGA
equipped IBM (tm) compatible computer, with at least 256K Ram and one
floppy disk drive.
NOTE: I have not tested Screen Designer on a PGA system, but it
should work.
To run the program, all you need to do is type 'SD' at the DOS
prompt, and press <ENTER>.
How to use SCREEN DESIGNER:
The Main Editor Screen
This is the screen where you do the actual drawing, typing, etc. of
your screen image. In addition to all of the function keys (explained
below), the backspace, insert, delete and cursor keys all work
normally. The other keys that work here are:
<Alt>+<Insert> Insert a new line at the current line.
<Alt>+<Delete> Delete the current line.
<Alt>+<C> Center screen contents horizontally.
<Ctrl>+<C> Center current line contents horizontally.
<Alt>+<V> Center screen contents vertically.
<Alt>+<R> Pops up a ruler line on whatever line
the cursor is currently on. This WILL
NOT Destroy the screen contents. To get
rid of the ruler and restore your screen,
just do a 'Screen Redraw'.
<CTRL>+<A> Erase to the left of the curser.
<CTRL>+<S> Erase to the right of the curser.
<CTRL>+<W> Erase to the top of the curser.
<CTRL>+<Z> Erase to the bottom of the curser.
In addition to the keys listed above, the following keys are used with
the 'box' capability.
<HOME> Mark the upper left corner of a single line
box.
<Ctrl>+<HOME> Mark the upper left corner of a double line
box.
<Alt>+<HOME> Mark the upper left corner of a special box.
<Page Down> Mark the lower right corner of all boxes.
Screen Wrap
The screen wraps in all directions. This means that if you move the
cursor off the right side of the screen, it will re-appear on the
left side, one line down. If you move the cursor off the top of the
screen, it will re-appear on the bottom of the screen in the same
column. The screen also wraps diagonally, so that if you run the
cursor off the lower right corner of the screen, it will re-appear in
the upper left corner.
It is NOT possible to edit more than one screen at a time. A virtual
screen will probably be implemented in version 3.0 (free to everyone
who registers as a version 2.0 user).
The Box Capability
There is a sophisticated auto-box routine built into SCREEN DESIGNER,
which will allow you to draw boxes of many different sizes and
styles. All you need to do is mark the upper left corner of where you
want to draw a box, using one of the <HOME> key combinations listed
above. Then move the cursor to where you wish the lower right corner
of the box, and press <Page Down>. Presto, a box of the desired type
and size!
There are three separate box patterns available at any time in SCREEN
DESIGNER. They are the SINGLE BOX, the DOUBLE BOX and the SPECIAL BOX.
The single box is a single line box (-). The double box is a double
line box (=). The special box is one of a number of possible
patterns. There are eight pre-defined special boxes (that was the
number of keys I had left over), and a user-defined option to allow
you to set any type of box pattern you might wish.
The Function Keys
SCREEN DESIGNER makes use of the programmable function keys, F1-F10,
in all of the sub-menu screens, as well as in the main edit screen
and the line draw screen.
Some of the function keys 'toggle' an effect. One example is F8, which
toggles between Graphics & Text keyboard modes. In the case of such
a toggle key, the function key label (on line 25 of the screen) will
change to show what pressing the key will do. For example: in the
case of F8, SCREEN DESIGNER starts in the default 'text' mode, with
the label for F8 indicating that pressing F8 will switch to 'graphics'
mode. After F8 has been pressed, the label will change to indicate
that pressing F8 will switch back to 'text' mode. The labels always
indicate what pressing the key WILL do; they do NOT show the current
function of the key.
F1 - HELP
---------
The F1 key ALWAYS displays a help screen. There are help screens for
each of the sub menus, the main edit screen, and the line draw screen.
Function Keys from the Main Edit Screen
---------------------------------------
F1 Main Screen Help
F2 File Utilities Menu
F3 Character Utility Menu
F4 Programmers Utility
F5 Horizontal and Vertical Screen Centering
F6 Line Drawing Mode
F7 Screen Re-draw
F8 Graphics / Text Mode Toggle
F9 Re-start the Program
F10 Exit the Program
F2 - File Utilities Menu
------------------------
The function keys that are used in this menu are:
F1 File Menu Help
F2 File Load
F3 File Save
F4 Directory List
F10 Return to the Main Edit Screen
F1 - File Menu Help
This key is used to provide a quick reference to the file menu.
F2 - File Load
This key is used to load an already existing file for further editing.
After pressing F2, you will be asked to enter the filename you want to
edit. If you enter a filename longer than 12 characters, you will
be asked to try again. If you press <ENTER> without entering any
filename, you will be returned to the Main Editor Screen.
The files are saved as normal ASCII text files, so you should be able
to edit them with any word processor that supports a plain ASCII mode
(such as Wordstar (in NON-document mode) or the editors in Turbo
Pascal (tm) or Quickbasic (tm)).
F3 - File Save
This key is used to save a file that you have created.
After you have pressed F2, you will be asked to enter the filename you
want to save. If you enter a filename longer than 12 characters, you
will be asked to try again. If you press <ENTER> without entering any
filename, you will be returned to the Main Editor Screen.
The files are saved as normal ASCII text files, so you should be able
to edit them with any word processor that supports a plain ASCII mode
(such as Wordstar (in NON-document mode) or the editors in Turbo
Pascal (tm) or Quickbasic (tm)).
F4 - Directory List
This key is used to list the files in the current directory. The
display stops every 24 lines and displays 'Press <ENTER> to continue'
F10 - Return to Main Editor Screen
This key is used to return to the Main Edit Screen.
F3 - Character Utilities
------------------------
The function keys that are used in this menu are:
F1 Character Utilities Help
F2 Define the Special Box
F3 Keyboard 'Graphics Mode' Map
F10 Return to the Main Editor Screen
F1 - Character Utilities Help
This key is used to provide a quick reference to the Character Utilities
Menu.
F2 - Define the SPECIAL BOX
This key is used to choose the border style for the SPECIAL BOX from one
of a number of possible patterns. There are eight special boxes already
defined in the menu, and a user-defined option to allow you to create
any box pattern you want.
The menu for selecting among the pre-defined boxes is self-explanatory.
The screen will display the different box patterns along with a number
for each one. Simply press the corresponding number and the correct
pattern will be generated.
If the user-defined box option is chosen (number 8), a new screen will
appear. The left side of the screen shows a listing of keys with the
corresponding character generated by each key. The right side of the
screen prompts the user for the characters that will make up the various
corners and sides of the user-defined box. Pressing <ENTER> after each
selection will move to the next prompt.
F3 - Keyboard 'Graphics Mode' Map
This key is used to display a map of the graphics characters that are
available when the 'graphics mode toggle' (F8 on main edit screen) is set.
See the technical appendix for a detailed explanation.
F10 - Return to Main Editor Screen
This key returns you to the Main Edit Screen.
F4 - Programmers Utility
------------------------
This is the function of the program that caused me to write SCREEN
DESIGNER. I tend to write truly horrible screen interfaces. This is
because, like many programmers, I'm more concerned with the program than
with its appearance. SCREEN DESIGNER is designed to remedy those
appalling interfaces.
I have tried to make this function non-language specific, as I work in
several different programming languages. As written, this function is
adequate for BASIC, C and PASCAL coding conventions. I haven't tested
any other languages with it. Suggestions and comments are welcome.
You are asked a number of questions in this section, a detailed
discussion follows.
Number Lines (Y/N):
Do you wish to have each line of the screen image numbered? For
instance, GWBASIC requires line numbers, QUICKBASIC considers them
optional, and C doesn't want to consider the prospect of numbered
lines.
If you answer this question 'yes' you will be asked for a starting
number, and an increment between line numbers.
The message "DO NOT ENTER QUOTES FOR THE FOLLOWING 2 QUESTIONS" will
be displayed. If you are working in BASIC or a similar language which
requires PRINT statements to be quoted, DO NOT type quotes (") here! I
have no idea what will happen if anyone enters quotes here, but I can
guarantee that the program WILL malfunction.
The message 'Begin lines with:' will be displayed, this is the
programming language statement you wish to have each line begin with.
for example, if programming in BASIC, the answer would be 'PRINT'
The message 'End lines with:' will be displayed, this is the
programming language statement you wish to have each line end with.
for example, in C you could use this capability in PRINTF statements.
Next you will be asked if you need to have screen lines quoted, this
is a yes/no question. (BASIC programmers, the answer is YES)
The last question you will be asked is for the name of the file you
wish to save the formatted screen image in. If you supply the name of
a file that already exists, it will be OVERWRITTEN.
If you enter a filename longer than 12 characters, you will be asked
to try again. If you press <ENTER> without entering any filename, you
will be returned to the Main Editor Screen. The files are saved as
normal ASCII text files, so you should be able to edit them with any
word processor.
F5 - Center Screen Contents Horizontally & Vertically
-----------------------------------------------------
This key is used to center the contents of the screen with one button.
The program will center the screen contents both horizontally and
vertically.
The vertical centering is simple: the program finds the first and last
non-blank lines and splits the difference.
The horizontal center is a little more subtle, since boxes are multi-line
constructs. Rather than try to explain what happens if there are two
boxes of different heights on the same set of lines, I will suggest you
try it. The insert and delete keys can be used to modify the results, if
desired. You might want to do some experimenting here.
F6 - Line Draw Mode
-------------------
The function keys used from this menu are:
F1 Line Draw Help
F3 Single / Double Line Toggle
F6 Pen Up / Down Toggle
F7 Re-draw the Screen
F10 Return to the Main Editor Screen
All of the cursor arrow keys work normally (SEE NOTE BELOW), as do the
backspace, insert and delete keys. The other keys that work here are:
<Alt>+<R> Pops up a ruler line on whatever line
the cursor is currently on. This WILL
NOT Destroy the screen contents. To get
rid of the ruler and restore your screen,
just do a 'Screen Redraw'.
<CTRL>+<A> Erase to the left of the cursor.
<CTRL>+<S> Erase to the right of the cursor.
<CTRL>+<W> Erase to the top of the cursor.
<CTRL>+<Z> Erase to the bottom of the cursor.
NOTE: The cursor keys work as marked when the pen is UP. When the pen
is down, a line of the selected type is drawn by the cursor.
Some of the function keys 'toggle' an effect. One example is F8, which
toggles between Graphics & Text keyboard modes. In the case of such a
'toggle' key, the function key label (on line 25 of the screen) will
change to show what pressing the key will do. For example, in the
case of F8, SCREEN DESIGNER starts in the default 'text' mode, the
label for F8 indicates that pressing it will switch to 'graphics'
mode. After F8 has been pressed, the label will change to indicate
that pressing it will switch back to 'text' mode. The labels always
indicate what pressing the key WILL do, NOT the current function of
the key.
F1 - Line Draw Help
This key is used to provide a quick reference to the Line Draw Screen.
F3 - Single / Double Line Toggle
This key toggles between single line (-) and double line (=) mode.
Note that the function key line changes to indicate what pressing the
toggle key WILL do, not the current status of the toggle key.
F5 - Pen Up / Down Toggle
This key toggles between pen up (cursor movement) and pen down (line
drawing) modes.
The lines are actually drawn by moving the cursor (with the arrow keys)
while the pen is DOWN. Appropriate corners will be supplied automatically.
(Well, within limits - the program is not omniscient.)
F7 - Re-draw the Screen
This key is used to re-draw the screen after a RAM-resident program
has messed it up. It is also useful for getting rid of the ruler line.
F10 - Return to main Editor Screen
This key returns you to the Main Edit Screen.
F7 - Re-draw the Screen
-----------------------
This key is used to re-draw the screen after a RAM-resident program
has messed it up. It is also useful for getting rid of the ruler line.
F8 - Graphics / Text Mode Toggle
--------------------------------
This key toggles between 'TEXT' and 'GRAPHICS' keyboard mode. Note that
the function key line changes to indicate what pressing the toggle key
WILL do, not the current status of the toggle key.
F9 - Clear Screen and Re-Start the Program
------------------------------------------
This key clears the screen and re-starts the program from the
'Donation Request' screen. If you have sent in your $ 10.00 donation,
this key simply clears the screen. If you have not sent in your
donation, WHY NOT?
F10 - Exit the Program
----------------------
This key is used to exit the program.
Technical Appendix:
-------------------
The graphics characters produced by SCREEN DESIGNER are the extended
ASCII character set incorporated in every video board as part of the
standard (as defined by IBM) character set. On a CGA, EGA, PGA or other
color board, SCREEN DESIGNER does not operate in the GRAPHICS mode, but
rather in TEXT mode. This allows the graphics created by SCREEN DESIGNER
to work properly on any type of computer / video system.
All files produced by SCREEN DESIGNER are standard ASCII text files,
with no tokenization. You can edit any of the image files you create
with an ASCII word processor, such as WORDSTAR in NON-document mode,
or the editors in Turbo Pascal and QuickBasic.
The files created are 24 records long, with 80 characters per record.
If you use column 80 for your screen design, be advised that there
is a bug involving the video systems capability to wrap to the next
line. SCREEN DESIGNER attempts to handle this problem with column 80
for you, but it will probably turn out strangely. I advise that you
design your screens to use columns 1-79, and ignore column 80 entirely.
If you attempt to read in a file that contains either short lines (less
then 80 characters) or short files (less than 24 records) SCREEN
DESIGNER will pad the records to the requisite length & number.
This program is written in Microsoft QuickBasic 4.0, and makes use of
the 'event trapping' features of that language. Attempting to use a
RAM-resident program, such as Sidekick (tm), while running SCREEN
DESIGNER may produce strange results.
I have attempted to make this program as portable as possible. The
screen redraw is a little slow, but keep in mind that SCREEN DESIGNER
should work on 98% & 99% compatibles as well as 100% compatibles, and
under Windows (tm) and DoubleDos (tm). I felt that the compromise
was worth it.
SCREEN DESIGNER has been tested on the following computer systems:
(machine types are listed generically, to avoid having to list three pages
of trademark credits)
AT with CGA
AT with EGA
AT with monochrome
XT with monochrome graphics
XT with CGA
XT with hercules
These systems were run under various versions of MS-DOS (tm), from 2.11
through 3.2.
Miscellaneous Notes and Release History:
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Anthony Scriffignano, whose
program 'CHART' inspired SCREEN DESIGNER.
I'd also like to thank my beta testers: Steve Nelson, Joseph P.
DeSantis, and John Popovitch (who, as of this writing, don't know
they're my beta testers).
And, last but not least, I want to thank my fiancee, Evelyne Stalzer,
for tolerating my living at this computer while I wrote SCREEN
DESIGNER, and for editing the documentation.
This will probably be the last shareware release of SCREEN DESIGNER
because of the number of donations received (1). Although I can trace
over 50 copies of SD being downloaded, only ONE person actually sent me
a check. I think that's pretty sad.
Revision History:
Version .99
The boxer goes berserk, no line draw mode
Version 1.00
Beta testing: added corrections for short files & short records, added
ruler line, added blank left, right, up & down features
Version 1.45
The virtual screen wins the battle, but I win the war....
Where is the cursor going ?, started docs.
Version 1.75
I found the cursor, re-write the logical to physical screen connection.
Version 2.0
First Release to the public (Software Society BBS)
2 Days later.....
Version 2.02
Killed the idea of delay loops in the title display, made it a 'hit a
key'.
Version 2.03
Not released pending $, found minor bug in line draw, on line 24, going
right to left, cursor goes to top of screen.
Version 2.04
Incorporates 2.03 fix and a correction to the virtual-physical cursor
link.
Screen Designer
Version 2.04
Copyright (C) 1987, 1988
Michael W. Cocke
A Tool for Designing Screen Displays
This program is being distributed under the `shareware' concept.
You are freely encouraged to copy and distribute this program, provided
that no changes are made to either the program or the documentation.
This means that you can download this program from a bulletin board,
get it through a mail order house, or copy it from a friend. If you
don't find it worthwhile, you won't have risked anything. But, if you
do find it useful, all I ask is that you send me a check for just $10.00.
This buys you to a new copy of the program, WITH ALL updates.
It will also buy you some peace of mind. I'm one person,
not a giant software company, and the check you send may make the
difference between feeding my cat this week and not feeding my cat
this week.
Please send a check for $10.00 to:
Michael Cocke
11 Cedar Road
Montville NJ 07045
Thank You,
M.W.C.
Technical support, upgrades and requests available upon payment of
$ 10.00 (U.S.) registration fee.
Source code available for $100.00 (U.S.)
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp.
Turbo Pascal is a registered trademark of Borland International.
QuickBasic is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.
Wordstar is a registered trademark of Micropro International Corp.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.