Copyright: Copyright 1994 TARDIS DP Consultants


Introduction

VB SNR helps you make global changes to files which make up a Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows project.  This can save you A LOT of time when you need to change variable, control, or control options, or need to change any hard coded drive/path specifications.  This can be a life saver if you have moved a project and the data controls no longer work in the development environment.  VB SNR can also perform in search only mode, showing you exactly where your search text is located, be it in a form, module, or MAK file.  Of course, all these files must be stored in ASCII form.

VB SNR can perform the same search/replace over multiple projects as it will optionally automatically search sub-directories for project files.  If you have multiple projects which share common BAS or FRM files they too will be processed.  While VB SNR is performing its "magic", 2 log files are optionally maintained.  On for each project and one which includes all changes made to all projects (for quick review of your search/replace results).

Searches can be either case sensitive or insensitive and optionally can include the MAK file itself.

Selecting Projects to Process

Entering Search/Replace Criteria

Creating Logs

Perform Search/Replace

Viewing Logs

Registration

License Agreement

Warranty

Contacting TARDIS DP Consultants

Update History


Search
Selecting Projects to Process

There are two ways to tell VB SNR which projects you want to process, you can search for *.MAK files or add/delete project files manually.

Searching for Project Files

Searching for files is a more automated process.  Change to the first page (Parameters).  You only need to tell VB SNR which drive you want to search, and the starting base directory you want to start the search at.  You may also tell VB SNR to search all sub-directories below the base directory by checking the Include Subdirectories check box.

Once you have selected the starting drive and directory you can click on the Find Projects to Process button.  VB SNR will automatically switch to the Projects page and search the directories specified and add all *.MAK files it finds to the Projects list.

If, part way through the process you want to abort the search, you can press the Abort button.

Adding/Deleting Project Files

After you have searched for Projects to process, you may want to modify the list on page 2 to add additional projects or delete projects.  You may use this same add/delete process in place of searching for files of you need to be very specific about which projects you want to process.

Note: Project files need not be on the same hard drive.

To add a new project to the list to be processed, press the Add Project to List button.  A file dialog window displays prompting you for the project file to add.  This file need not have a *.MAK extension, but it must be in the proper format of a Visual Basic for Windows MAK file.  Once you have selected the file and clicked OK it is added to the list.  If you select a project which is already in the list you will receive an error message.

To delete an existing project in the list, click on it and press the Remove Project from List button.  The project is removed.  Shortcut: You can remove a project from the list by double clicking on the project file name.

Entering Search/Replace Criteria


Register
Registration

You have a 15 day evaluation period in which to try out the package.  If you use it longer than 15 days you must license/register it.  The reminder screens will not appear once you have registered the software.

How to Register

You can register by mail or electronically via CompuServe's Software Registration Service.  It is strongly recommended that users outside the US register electronically as it can be much less expensive.

Registering by Mail

Registering Electronically

Activating the Application

Contacting TARDIS DP Consultants

License Agreement

Introduction


TARDIS
Contacting TARDIS DP Consultants

Questions or comments about our software or services?  Need to Register?  Contact:

CompuServe ID:	73337,2472

Mail:

TARDIS DP Consultants

Department 45

6 Sedley Ct.

Greensboro, NC 27455

                      USA


License
License Agreement

VB SNR is not and never has been public domain software, nor is it free software.  You are, however, granted 15 day evaluation period to try out the system.

The software product and user's manual are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by TARDIS DP Consultants and Charles L. Cranford IV.

Evaluation users are granted a limited license to use VB SNR for no more than 15 days for the purpose of determining whether VB SNR is suitable for their needs. The use of VB SNR for more than 15 days  requires licensing and the payment of a license fee. The use of the product for more than 15 days by any person, business, corporation, government agency, or any other entity without licensing it from TARDIS DP Consultants is strictly prohibited.

A license permits a user to use VB SNR on any single computer, or, in a LAN environment, on one workstation.  The software may not be installed on more than one workstation or single user computer without additional licenses.

No one may modify or patch the VB SNR files in any way, including but not limited to decompiling, disassembling, or otherwise reverse engineering the program.

A limited license is granted to copy and distribute VB SNR for the trial use of others, subject to the above limitations, and to those below:

(1) VB SNR must be copied in unmodified form, complete with the file containing this license information and all documentation.

(2) VB SNR may not be distributed in licensed form to any person.  It MUST be distributed as an unlicensed copy.

(3) No fee, charge, or other compensation may be requested or accepted for distributing VB SNR, except as follows:

(a) operators of electronic bulletin board systems may make VB SNR available for downloading. A time-dependent charge for the use of the bulletin board is permitted so long as there is no specific charge for the download of any VB SNR files.

(b) vendors of Shareware may distribute VB SNR, subject to the above conditions, and may charge a disk duplication and handling fee, not to exceed ten dollars.


Warranty

TARDIS DP Consultants guarantees your satisfaction with this product for a period of thirty days from the date of original license. If you are dissatisfied with VB SNR within that time period, return the package in saleable condition to TARDIS DP Consultants for a full refund.

TARDIS DP Consultants warrants that all disks provided are free from defects in material and workmanship, assuming normal use, for a period of thirty days from the date of purchase.

TARDIS DP Consultants warrants that VB SNR will perform in substantial compliance with the documentation supplied with the software product. If a significant defect in the product is found, the Purchaser may return the product for a refund. In no event will such a refund exceed the license price of the product.

The product and all updates are provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied, except as stated above including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the selection, quality, results, and performance of the product is with the Licensee. Should the product prove defective, then the Licensee (and not TARDIS DP Consultants or its dealers) assumes all liability and expense incurred as a result thereof. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain implied warranties so in such jurisdictions, the above exclusion of implied warranties may not apply to you. The limited warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

TARDIS DP Consultants shall have no liability or responsibility to you or to any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the product or your use, misuse or inability to use the product, including but not limited to, any interruption of service, loss of business, anticipatory or actual profits or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse or inability to use the product.

TARDIS DP Consultants does not warrant that the functions contained in the product or updates will meet your requirements.

Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents.


Update History

Version 1.0 Released 2/25/94


CompuServe
Registering via CompuServe

If you are a member of CompuServe, you can register this TARDIS DP Consultants application electronically.  This is much faster than the mail and is the prefered method for registering users outside the US.  When you use the CompuServe Software Registration system your CompuServe account will be charged for the registration fee (see opening message box) plus a 15% processing charge (to cover the cost of CompuServe charging your account and mailing payment to us).  You must be a member of CompuServe to use this registration option.

The CompuServe registration process consist of 2 steps, charging your account and sending us your product serial number.  Both steps must be performed before we can process your activation key.

Sending us your Serial Number (Step 1):

Install the software per the instructions.

Start the software.  You are prompted for some information (company name, your name, day phone number, and CIS ID.  This information must be accurate as it will be sent to us as part of your registration.

When the opening information window appears, press the "CIS Registration".  This copies important information about your application (serial number, etc.) to the Windows clipboard.  Note: the previous contents of the Windows clipboard will be lost.  The registration information now in the clipboard has some formatting characters to automate our registration process.  Please do not edit these characters.

Log into Compuserve.

Go to the Email menu (type GO EMAIL at the ! prompt) or use your CIM to send an eMail message.

Address the eMail message to 73337,2472.

Enter the Subject "CIS Registration for <product name>".

Use the Ctrl-V key combination to paste the contents of the Windows Clipboard into the CIS email.

Send the eMail message.

Note: If you a problem using the paste feature to send the pre-formatted registration information, or you are using a non-Windows program to access CompuServe, just send us your name, company name, phone number, and product serial number in a CompuServe eMail message..

Registration Fee Payment (Step 2):

Go to the SWREG menu (type GO SWREG at the ! prompt) or use your CIM to go there

Select menu option "Register Software".

Select menu Option "Search By Registration ID"

Enter registration ID 2158 when prompted.

A description of the application displays.  Notice that the registration fee is 15% higher than that displayed in the product.  This slight increase in registration fee covers the cost of CompuServe charging your account and mailing payment to us.

You are prompted "Would you Like to Register?" - Respond Y.

Your CompuServe account is charged the registration fee indicated (in US dollars).

With both the online registration and your serial number, we can process your registration.  We will send you a CompuServe eMail message with your activation key.  Remember, to register via CompuServe you must perform BOTH steps above.

IMPORTANT: Do not delete the .REG file or re-install the software after you send us your serial number.  Doing so assigns a new serial number to the product and the activation key sent to you will not work.

Activating the Application


Registering by Mail

Install the software per the instructions.

Start the software.  You are prompted for some information (company name, your name, day phone number, and CIS ID (optional).  This information must be accurate as it will be sent to us as part of your registration.

When the opening information window appears, press the "Print Registration Form" button.  The registration form will print to the default printer in the printer's default font.

Fill in the remaining blanks on the form.  Be sure your CompuServe (CIS) ID is specified (if you are a member of CompuServe).  The activation key will be sent to you via CompuServe eMail.  If you are not a member of CompuServe your activation key will be mailed to you.

Mail your payment for the license fee listed on the form to the address below.  Remember to make payment payable to Charles Cranford.  Payment must be in US funds ( a check drawn on a US bank, Money Order or Bank check in US funds, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Do not delete the .REG file or reinstall the software after you print the registration form.  Doing so assigns a new serial number to the product and the activation key sent to you will not work.

WARNING: TARDIS DP Consultants has discovered that some companies outside the United States are accepting registrations for our products.  Since they can not provide you with a activation key the program will not be fully activated.  Only TARDIS DP Consultants can accept and process your registration key.

TARDIS Mailing Address

Activating the Application


Activating
Activating the Software

After you receive your activation key:

After you receive your activation key you need to enter it into the application to register the application.  This will eliminate the registration reminder windows and remove any other limits that existed in the unregistered version.

Start the software.

When the opening information window appears, press the "Register" button.  The registration information you entered before displays.  You are prompted for your Activation Key which has been supplied to you by TARDIS DP Consultants.

Enter the key supplied to you into the box, double check it, and click on OK.  If the key is correct the system will be registered.

Exit the program now and simply restart the program to continue using it.  The registration reminder screens will never appear again.

The registration information is stored in a file with the .REG extension.  Do not delete this file (as you must again register the software).  Future updates will not affect this file so you may install them without worrying about your registration. We suggest you make a backup of this file so that in the event of computer problems you do not have to re-register the software.


Entering Search/Replace Criteria

You have the option of performing only a search of the listed projects or searching AND replacing information in the listed projects.  IMPORTANT: If you are doing a replace operation it is strongly recommended you backup all files which may be effected by the replace.  Without a backup you can not easly reverse the replace process.

In the Search/Replace section on page 1 check the Search Only box if you want to make NO changes to your project files.  If you want to perform replaces you should uncheck this box.  Notice that when the box is unchecked the Replace entry field appears.  Enter the text string in the Search (and optionally Replace) entry fields.  You should decide if the search should be case sensitive and whether the MAK file itself should be included in the search.  If you are making drive/directory replacements you should include the MAK file.

Once you have specified the required information both the Find Projects to Process and the Start Search Process (page 2) buttons will be available.

Creating Logs

Notes

The replacement text is always replaced AS IS.  No case conversion is performed on it.

The search/replace text may not support wild card characters.  Any ASCII character can be used in both strings (although, as a line delimited, CRAFT will result in no search hits.)

The system will not get into an infinite loop if the replacement string contains the Search string.  Please be aware that if you perform the search a second time the replacement will occur again.

The system will try not to search the same file more than once if it is part of more than one project which you are processing.  VB SNR maintains a list of files it has searched.  If the file specifications in the project MAK files reference the same file is two different ways (one has the complete path, the other has a relative path) the file will be searched again.

The system has no limit on the size of the project files being searched.

Make a backup before running replace operations!


Creating Logs

As VB SNR processes your projects it can optionally maintain two log files.  These ASCII files will contain all the information you may need to review the search/replace operation.  Specifically, they include:

Search String

Replace String

Case Sensitive Setting

Make Project Include Setting

List of projects to process

Each project processed (with start/end times)

Each routine, form, or control which has a search hit or replace

The file line number of the hit

The routine, form, or control line number of the hit

The before and after image of the hit/replace

The total number of hits

The total number of Problems/Errors

The Global Log File

The Global log file contains all the information about the search of all projects listed in the Project List.  It is always stored in the same directory as the VB SNR executable and is named GLOBAL.SNR.  This file gives you an across the board multi-project view of the VB SNR operation.

The Project Log

The Project Log file contains all the information about the search only the current project.  It is always stored in the same directory as the project MAK file and is name the same as the MAK file except that the extension is SNR.  For example, if you searched three projects, T1.MAK, T2.MAK, and T3.MAK, three project log files would be created, named T1.SNR, T2.SNR, and T3.SNR - each stored in the MAK file's directory.

Before starting the search/replace process you can tell VB SNR to clear the log files by checking the Clear Before SNR check box.  If this box is not checked the search results of the current search will be appended to the end of any previous search results.

If the log files do not exist (and you have logging enabled) they are always created.

Starting the Search


Performing Search/Replace

Once you have specified the project(s) you want to process and the search (and optionally, replace) criteria for the process, you can click on the Start Search Process button (page 2).  VB SNR will automatically switch to page 3 which shows you the status of the current operation.  Information on Page 3 includes the Project being processed, the file being searched, and the number of Search Hits/Replacements for the current process, and the number of problems encountered.  All this information is updated as needed to keep you informed as to the status of the operation.

Problems can occur during the operation.  Like the other information about the operation, problems are added to the log file for future review.  The most likely cause of a problem is that VB SNR can not rename a file.  VB SNR is smart enough to know that if you search and replace the MAK file, and a file name changes, the old file needs to be renamed to the new file in order for the MAK file to remain loadable.  VB SNR will attempt to make this rename for you.  If you have changed the original project drive/directory (which is why you are searching), the system will not be able to perform the rename as the project no longer exist in the original drive/directory.

Once the search/replace is completed, the Abort button will disappear and the computer will beep.  You should now review any log files to verify that the search/replace performed as you expected.  If you performed a replace which made changes you were not expecting you must manually undo each change of restore from a backup.  It is strongly suggested that you perform a search only process FIRST, check the log files, and then perform the replace operation.

Once the search is completed (or aborted) you can perform another search with the same project list without again searching the hard drive for projects to process.  If you do not check the log files after each process, however, you should make sure the Clear Before SNR check box is not checked.  This will add the next and subsequent searches to any existing log.


Viewing Logs

The log files are simple ASCII files which can be viewed in Windows NotePad or other ASCII compatible work processor.  Depending on the number of projects/search hits/replacements processed, these files may grow larger than that viewable by Windows NotePad.  In such cases you will need to use a third party product to view the large files.

Once you have viewed the log files you can manually delete them.  They will not be deleted by VB SNR (although they will be cleared if the Clear Before SNR check box is checked and you perform another search.)