Directory checker User Manual

Introduction

Terms & Abbreviations

Options of   Directory checker

Function of   Directory checker

Main Window

Display Window

Zoom window

Menus of  Directory checker

About Shareware

Product Registration and Support

Other Products


Introduction
1.1	Introduction

1.1.1	Overview

The Directory checker is an easy to use utility software. The Directory checker enables to store the state of files, directories, for future comparison, or comparing two versions of software, existing on different machines.

It can be very useful:

•	For system management to discover changes made on the machine, compared to the installed state

•	Monitor user activity on selected disks, or directories, to discover quickly what was written, modified or removed from the computer

•	To compare installed software on 2 different computers, to find out differences, (why the program is running on  one and not on the other)

•	Store catalog of files delivered on CD, and compare them with the installed software, for verification purposes

•	And much more.

To enable high speed comparisons, and data access, the Directory checker is using ADS which is an extremely fast Application Data Server, also available from ITD. ADS enables more than 10.000 access to the ADS tables within a second. This high-speed search and data access allows comparing the Master table with the Slave table containing thousands of records, within seconds and milliseconds.


Abbreviations
1.2	Terms & Abbreviations

Master	: The disk or directories to which the comparison will be done.

Slave	: The disk or directories with which the comparison will be done.

-T---- 	: Time difference between Master and Slave files

--S--- 	: Size difference between Master and Slave files

---R-- 	: Removed file does not exist within the Slave files

---N-- 	: New file exist within Slave files, and not on the Master

-----C 	: CRC difference of file CRCs  (Cyclic Redundancy Check)


Options
1.3	Options of  Directory checker

1.3.1	Use full path

The Use full path option stores the full directory from the root, for comparison.

This option used during the scanning directory procedures.

1.3.2	Use relative path

The Use relative path option stores the directories and subdirectories from the selected path for comparison. This option has to be selected when you want to compare the same files, stored into 2 different directories.

This option is used during the scanning directory  procedures.

1.3.3	Check full path

This option is to be used during the comparison process.

Files and directories are stored separately in the internal database of the Directory checker, so the comparison can be done on the file name level Only, or on the joined path and file name level.

When this option is selected the comparison between Master and the Slave is done comparing path and file name.

1.3.4	Enable CRC checking

This option is to be used during the scanning directory procedures.

This option calculates CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check), and has to be used when files on network has to be compared, with different time zone.

1.3.5	Fill list on load

This option is to be used when  loading Slave or Master files, and enable or disable filling of list boxes with filenames.  This option was implemented because of filling of list box data takes a lot of time when more than 50000 files are present in the checker tables.

1.3.6	Application Data Server Options

1.3.6.1	Initial table size

When tables are created to store the scanned data, their size is determined in records. It is not important to have the exact number of files to scan because the tables are growing automatically, but every growth is time consuming. Having correctly adjusted the initial number of files, no growth is needed, so the Directory checker is working much faster. This parameter is 5000 as default.

1.3.6.2	Table growth

As the ADS tables, which are used in the Directory checker, are growing automatically, this parameter allows to adjust the size of growth, which used for automatic growing.


Function
1.4	Function of  Directory checker

1.4.1	Main Window

1.4.1.1	Add

Concerns Master or Slave operation. Adds one directory for scanning operation. The chosen directory will be scanned during the Master or Slave list create operation.

1.4.1.2	Delete

Concerns Master or Slave operation.  Deletes the selected directories from the listbox for scanning.

1.4.1.3	Reset

Concerns Master or Slave operation. Resets the concerned listbox.

1.4.1.4	Master list create

Scans the directories added to the Master listbox, and create a master list for comparison.

1.4.1.5	Slave list create

Scans the directories added to the Slave listbox, and create a slave list for comparison.

1.4.1.6	Compare

Compares the Master list with the slave list. During the comparison the files Time, Size, CRC are compared, and a list of differences is created.

1.4.1.7	Display different

This option displays a list of differences found between the Master and the Slave.  There are checkbox options to display the selected difference. (Time, Size, CRC, etc.)

1.4.1.8	Exit

Exit from the program.

1.4.1.9	Abort scanning

Aborts the scanning process.


Display
1.4.2	Display Window

The differences found are displayed in the display window. This list shows the names of files, where any difference is found. To get more information on the file, double click with the mouse or zoom button has to be used.

1.4.2.1	Zoom

This button zooms into more detailed information on the difference between the files in the Master and slave list.

1.4.2.2	Refresh

Refresh the display, when options are changed.

1.4.2.3	Exit

Exit from this window.

1.4.2.4	Save

Saves the list of differences to an ASCII file. This file can be then edited, printed out with any word processor.


Zoom
1.4.3	Zoom window

This window displays detailed information on the difference of files.  Information as filename, path, creation date, time, CRC is displayed.

1.4.3.1	Previous

Navigation button to the previous difference in the list.

1.4.3.2	Next

Navigation button to the next difference in the list.

1.4.3.3	Exit

Exits from the window.


Menus
1.5	Menus of Directory checker

1.5.1	Options

1.5.1.1	App. Data Server options

Opens dialogbox to set the Application Data Server options for table growth, and initial table sizes.

ADS is a memory based application data server. Each record stored in the Master or  Slave table is 458 bytes long. Your system must have enough virtual memory to keep all files information.

Maximum 65.535 records can be stored for checking.

1.5.1.2	Exit

Exit from the program.

1.5.2	Master

1.5.2.1	Save As

Saves As Master table to disk.

1.5.2.2	Save

Saves Master table to disk.

1.5.2.3	Load

Load previously saved table. Master or Slave tables can be loaded reversly.

1.5.3	Slave

1.5.3.1	Save As

Saves As Slave table to disk.

1.5.3.2	Save

Saves Slave table to disk.

1.5.3.3	Load

Load previously saved table. Master or Slave tables can be loaded reversibly.

1.5.4	Register

Register software with the software key. Enables the demo software to become a full version.

1.5.5	Help

1.5.5.1	About

About box

1.5.5.2	Index

Refers to this user manual.


About Shareware

About Shareware

Directory checker is not public domain or free software, but is being distributed as shareware.

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a shareware program and continue to use it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.


Product Registration and Support

Thanks for choosing to register!

You may register on-line with CompuServe by using

GO SWREG and registering product number # 15183.

Or you can fill out the ORDER.WRI registration form and mail it in.

By registering Directory Checker™ you will receive the following :

The latest retail version.

Extended features available only for the registered users.

Support and technical assistance.

Special upgrade conditions.

ITD is established since 1986 and specializes in providing a wide range of consulting , research and product

development in the field of high quality software products.

ITD supports Directory Checker™ by providing technical assistance and upgrades. If you have any question

please contact us by phone, fax or E_MAIL to :

International Technology Development

36 rue Culée

B-1410 Waterloo , Belgium

Phone /Fax: +32-(0)2-353.17.12

EMail. 100427,400@compuserve.com


Other Products

Short Description of Application Data Server

(ADS product of ITD) used in other large-scale applications.

 ADS is a software library that represents an innovative new concept in application data management.  The ADS API set will enable you to write well structured, easily readable, bulletproof code to control any data requirements of your application.

ADS can be used to satisfy all application data requirements whether they be chained pointers, arrays of structures, strings arrays or any other data type, and it is all achieved in a rigorously tested library.  It is well known, by programmers, that the most frequent cause of bugs and hidden errors is in the area of pointer manipulation.  Using ADS all pointer manipulation is safely handled, including memory allocation, memory re-allocation, memory access and memory freeing, thus removing this major area of concern.  Any application data allocated with ADS can be accessed in several ways, from a fully controlled database style interface to individual access to each of the memory allocations created by ADS.

ADS also offers sophisticated, multiple key, optimized sort and search routines. ADS data can be organized into fields, records, tables and databases and can be accessed via field, record, table or database cursors.  What's more, the ADS cursors can be kept private or shared between multiple applications to provide shared memory space.

The ADS package includes an application named Application Data Viewer that allows you to visualize, debug and modify your application's data while your application is actually running.  This feature of ADS allows you to quickly identify possible application bugs caused by data errors and allows you to easily verify the validity of your data at run time.  No longer are specialist debuggers required to check if a data array is correctly filled, or if a linked-list has NULL pointers in inconvenient places. ADS gives you the power to get it right first time and every time.

ADS will also allow you to import or export your application data to and from ASCII format, with a single, simple API call. ADS Data can be imported and exported on either record, table or entire database level, thus giving you total control over data communication with other packages.

In total ADS consists of over 100 APIs which will meet the data requirements of the most rigorous applications. ADS represents a significant time saving as every application needs to manipulate data in some way and ADS offers an easy and uniform approach to the problem. ADS was designed and developed to once and for all eliminate the repetitive data manipulation code that exists in all modern applications and replace it with a standard data interface.  Using ADS allows programmers to forget about the need to check data manipulation code and concentrate on the development of the application algorithm.

Using ADS32 engine Benefits

Dramatically reduce development time.

By using ADS32 in your development effort you could  considerably reduce development

time for multiple threads implementation.

The advantage  of using ADS32 will not only be limited into this new feature, but will enable

much easier evaluation of software products.

ADS offers you a new innovative concept of an application data management, allowing you and

developers to concentrate only on application logic, and let them forget problems related to

data management of a multiple thread based application, where a highly complex data

management required dealing with critical sections and other data access problems.

ADS32 architecture applications will also have the possibility with a single call to free any

thread related data, which features can be very powerful when designing great server

application.

Save money

ADS32 engine cost far less than would be required to fund an in-house development effort to

provide standard  server application's data management library.

For more information please contact:

100427.400@compuserve.com