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EAZVIEW3.EXE V3.55
------------------
Search and View files via EaziLink V3/EaziHost V1 Type 2 Door
-------------------------------------------------------------
4th April 1990
Disclaimer
----------
This program is being put into the Public Domain and may be freely
distributed on the understanding that no responsibility can be
accepted for any problems arising from its use. To the best of our
knowledge, it is 'Bug free' and serves its intended purpose.
No charge, other than a nominal charge for duplication and postage may
be made for it and it should only be supplied as a single ARC, ZIP or
PAK file called EAZVIEW3.ARC, EAZVIEW3.ZIP or EAZVIEW3.PAK, containing
the EAZVIEW3.EXE, EAZVIEW3.CNF, EAZVIEW3.TXT, EAZVIEW3.HLP and
EAZVIEW3.DOC files.
The included files
------------------
EAZVIEW3.EXE - The main program file.
EAZVIEW3.DOC - The file you are now reading!
EAZVIEW3.CBF - A sample configuration file.
EAZVIEW3.TXT - A sample text intro file.
EAZVIEW3.HLP - A sample Help file.
Note for users of earlier versions
----------------------------------
A new configuration option 'hostmain' has been added and is required
when used with EaziHost, but is only necessary if the Host main
directory is not \EAZILINK\HOSTMAIN, when used with EaziLink.
Overview
--------
EazView3 was created at the suggestion of the SysOp of The Engineer's
Workbench BB, who wanted the facility to let callers search for
programs in a number of files which he possessed. The files contain
lists of programs on other Bulletin Boards. It may, however, be used
to view and search any ASCII text files.
EazView3 functions as an EaziLink/EaziHost Type 2 Doors program, but
it may also be used from the MS-DOS command prompt. IF ANSI.SYS is
loaded, or EaziLink/EaziHost is set up for ANSI Display, any EaziLink
'pseudo ANSI' colour codes will be acted on in the same way as they
are in EaziLink/EaziHost.
Both the heading and the Menu of 'files to search' may be configured
in much the same way as EaziLink's menus and this is done by means of
entries in the EAZVIEW3.CNF file. See Configuration below.
Installing EazView3
-------------------
EAZVIEW3.EXE and EAZVIEW3.CNF may be placed in any directory specified
by the path command, or they may be placed in any other directory AS
LONG AS the EaziLink/EaziHost DOORS.HST file specifies the full
pathname.
Installation is a two part process. The DOORS.HST file requires a new
entry adding to implement EazView3 and the EAZVIEW3.CNF file must be
configured to include the files you wish to search and the file
descriptions required (Optionally most other features, such as menus
and prompts may be configured).
The DOORS.HST file should be edited to include a line with the
following entries:-
<validation>;Y;2;<descrip>;<progpathname> A%ansi E%expert H%hotkey
<validation> is the Minimum Validation level required for access to
EazView3.
'Y' and '2' specify that 'recovery' is required and that it is 'doors
type2 2' program respectively.
<descrip> is the description to be displayed in the Doors Menu.
<progpathname> is the full pathname for EAZVIEW3.EXE and EAZVIEW3.CNF,
if they are not in a directory specified in the PATH command in
CONFIG.SYS. If the directory is in the PATH, then only the program
name is necessary.
'A%ansi' is optional. '%ansi' is an EaziLink variable and must be
preceded with the letter 'A', not separated by any spaces. This
determines which terminal emulation mode to use in EazView3.
'E%expert' is optional. '%expert' is an EaziLink variable and must be
preceded with the letter 'E', not separated by any spaces. This
determines whether 'Expert' menu mode is in use or not.
'H%hotkey' is optional. '%hotkey' is an EaziLink variable and must be
preceded with the letter 'H', not separated by any spaces. This
determines whether 'Quick key' menu selection is in use or not.
By default, EazView3 selects TTY emulation, Menu selection requiring
Return and displays full menus. Usually all parameters would be
included, so that the mode of operation matched that currently in use
by the person using the BB.
An example entry would be:-
5;Y;2;Search Files;C:\eazilink\hostmain\eazview3.exe A%ansi E%expert
'Search Files' will be displayed in the Doors Menu and will only be
available to callers with a Validation level of 5 or higher. As
'Q%quick' has been omitted, EazView3 will always require Return
pressing to confirm selections.
Setting up EAZVIEW3.CNF
-----------------------
EazView3 is easily configured by editing the EAZVIEW3.CNF file. This
file serves several purposes. Firstly, it is used to specify the names
of the files you wish to make available for searching and their
descriptions to be used in the menu. Secondly, it may be used to
configure messages, prompts and menus to suit your preferences. If you
omit the customisation options, defaults are used and these are of a
similar appearance to EaziLink's defaults.
An example CNF file is included, but it is recommended that initially
you just create a simple one containing only the files and
descriptions. The default settings for other items will then be used.
The example CNF file contains some odd colour schemes, to demonstrate
what can be done!
Note:
EaziLink pseudo codes may be included in any <text>, <string>, or
<Description> entries. These are handled in the same way that
EaziLink/EaziHost handles them.
EazView3 also reads the COLOUR.HST and VERTICAL.MNU files if they
exist and uses the colours and layouts specified by these files for
the various menus and prompts, UNLESS they are overridden by colour
codes specified in the EAZVIEW3.CNF file.
As a result, unless you want to either use different phrases, or to
force different colours from the main EaziLink/EaziHost program, you
are advised to leave the HEAD, MENU, XMENU, SEARCH, NUMBER, MORE,
RETURN and VERT entries out of the CNF file, so that the defaults are
used in matching colours to the main BB.
1. Entries for files to be available for searching.
Required. At least one entry of this type is required, even if all
other configuration options are omitted.
Upto 16 menu descriptions, together with the names of the files
may be specified, one to a line, in the form:-
<Menu Description> ; <pathname>
where '<Menu Description>' is the text to be displayed and
<pathname> is the full path and name of the file to be searched.
NOTE: The semi-colon between the two parts of the entry is
obligatory.
2. HOSTMAIN: <path>
Required when used with EaziHost, but it is only required when
used with EaziLink Host mode if the EaziLink Host main directory
is not \EAZILINK\HOSTMAIN.
<path> is the full path from the root directory to the
EaziLink/EaziHost Host main directory.
3. INTRO: <pathname>
Optional. An introductory text file may be displayed, to explain
the purpose and use of the program. It is immediately followed by
the menu. If the file is not found, or this entry is omitted, the
menu is displayed immediately.
<pathname> is the path and name of the file to be displayed. The
file may contain EaziLink pseudo codes.
4. HELP: <pathname>
Optional. A help file may be displayed, if found, otherwise a 'No
help available' message is displayed.
<pathname> is the path and name of the help file to be displayed.
The file may contain EaziLink pseudo codes.
5. HEAD: <text>
The menu heading may be configured. If not specified, a default
heading is used.
Example:-
HEAD: This is the heading.
EaziLink Pseudo codes my be incorporated.
All the line, except for 'HEAD:' is displayed.
6. MENU: <string> and XMENU: <string>
Optional. The selection menus may be configured. If not specified,
default menus are used. If 'Expert' mode is selected in
EaziLink/EaziHost when EazView3 is called, the 'expert' menu is
displayed. The standard and Expert menus may be specified with
lines as follows:-
MENU: (S)can, (L)ist, (Q)uit:
for standard the menu and
XMENU: (S,L,Q):
to configure the Expert menu as well.
EaziLink Pseudo codes my be incorporated.
'MENU:' and 'XMENU:' are not displayed.
NOTE: the characters 'S', 'L', '?' and 'Q' must be those used for
selection.
7. NUMBER: <text>
Optional. The first prompt for the number of the file to be
searched may be configured.
Example:
NUMBER: Enter number of file to search
EaziLink pseudo codes may be incorporated.
The word 'NUMBER:' is not displayed:
8. SEARCH: <text>
Optional. Specifies the wording of the prompt for text to be
searched for.
EaziLink pseudo codes may be incorporated.
Example:
SEARCH: Enter text to find:
The word 'SEARCH:' is not displayed.
9. MORE: <text>
Optional. The 'More Y/N' prompt may be changed.
Eazilink pseudo codes may be incorporated.
Example:
MORE: Continue Y/N
The word 'MORE:' is not displayed.
10. RETURN: <text>
Optional. The 'Press Return ' prompt may be changed.
Eazilink pseudo codes may be incorporated.
Example:
RETURN: Press Return to continue.
The word 'RETURN:' is not displayed.
11. VERT: <string>
Optional. This option is now largely redundant as EazView3 now
reads the VERTICAL.MNU file in the Host Main Directory.
The numbering format in the menu list may also be configured. If
not specified, a default numbering system is used. The format may
be specified by a line as follows:-
VERT: [*]
The asterisk '*' marks the position where the option number is
required. All the line, except for 'VERT' is displayed and the
asterisk '*' is converted to the appropriate number, or numbers,
when the options are displayed.
In the above example, the numbers will be displayed inside a
matching pair of square brackets.
EaziLink Pseudo codes my be incorporated.
Using EAZVIEW3
--------------
Once EazView3 is installed, operation from within EaziLink/EaziHost is
automatic when selected from the Doors Menu. If being used from the
DOS prompt, the syntax is:-
EAZVIEW3 (AY|N|E) (EY|N) (HY|N)
All parameters are optional, but, if used, should consist of 'A', 'E',
or 'H' followed by either 'Y' or 'N'. The '|' symbol above indicates
'one or the other' and should not be entered. See Note below about the
'E' option in the first parameter.
Once the program has been called, a list of files to view is
displayed, followed by a selection menu offering by default:-
SEARCH: (S)earch, (L)ist, (!), (?), (Q)uit:
(S)earch - results in a request for the file number to search.
(L)ist - Re-displays the menu list.
(!) - Save list to MAILBAG, for bulk download.
(?) - Display Help file if configured and present.
(Q)uit - Returns to EaziLink.
Once Search has been selected the number of the file to search is
requested, followed by a request for the 'Search String'.
Only those lines of text which contain matching text are displayed. If
no text is specified for the Search String, the search is aborted and
the menu redisplayed. Wildcards '*' and '?' may be used in the text to
be found and indicate '0 or more' and 'any 1' characters respectively.
More than one of each wildcard may be used. Using '*' will display the
complete file.
Except in the case of a string containing only an asterisk '*',
EazView3 automatically puts a '*' at the start and end of the search
string so that it may be found anywhere in the line.
At the end of each screen, a 'More? Y/N' prompt is displayed.
Selecting 'N' will return to the menu, any other key will continue.
Once all matching entries have been located, the menu line will re-
appear for a further selection. Selecting (S)earch will repeat the
process, (L)ist will re-display the file list, or (Q)uit will return
to EaziLink/EaziHost.
Display of text and file lists may be interrupted with Ctrl-C, as with
EaziLink V3/EaziHost.
NOTE: A completely irrelevant option has been included in EAZVIEW3
which might prove useful on occasions. I needed it one day, so that is
why it is included!
The facility allows you to convert EaziLink pseudo ANSI files to true
ANSI files.
Using:-
EAZVIEW3 AE
from the MS-DOS command prompt will cause a request for the name of
the file to convert, followed by a request for an output filename. The
file will then be Exported to the new file as a true ANSI file.
Error Messages
--------------
With the exception of error messages which occur through incorrect
parameters being passed to EazView3 (which will be picked up during
initial installation of the program), all system errors as a result of
incorrect paths, filenames etc are displayed on screen AND written to
the SYSTEM.ERR file in the Host Main Directory.
SYSTEM.ERR is created by EaziHost and provides a convenient way for
the Sysop to check on errors. If no SYSTEM.ERR file is found, a new
file will be created. The entry is in the same format as used by
EaziHost and includes the name of the program from which the error
originated, the current system date and a description of the error.
History
-------
1.00 12/06/89 - Initial Beta Test release
1.01 13/06/89 - Included facility to use more parameters from
EaziLink, such as Quick keys and Expert mode.
1.02 14/06/89 - Included further CNF file parameters to configure all
prompts etc.
1.03 17/06/89 - Included option to display a text file on entry,
describing the use/purpose of the program.
- Included (?) option on menu, to display optional HLP
file.
- Included Ctrl-C checking for abort current part of
display. Works on intro text, list of options and
during display of selected items.
- Minor changes made to ANSI emulation.
- Included a parameter to allow writing of a file
containing EaziLink pseudo-codes to disk as a true
ANSI file. Of no use normally, but might be handy for
a SysOp wanting to change from one file format to the
other!
1.04 06/07/89 - Beta-test. Changed /Q parameter to /H, to match
EaziLink V3
3.05 08/10/89 - First Release version for EaziLink V3.
- Minor bug fix to clearing 'More' prompt.
3.06 11/10/89 - Facility to save to EaziLink Mailbag added.
- Included host path in configuration options, required
for mailbag.
- Minor changes to default menus to bring in line with
EaziLink.
3.07 15/10/89 - Changes made to way 'More' prompt works, to make it
more line noise proof. It now reacts only to Y, N, or
RETURN.
3.08 17/10/89 - Inserted 'Not found' message at a Sysop's request.
3.09 30/11/89 - Speeded up searching in certain circumstances.
3.51 28/12/89 - Minor changes to work with EaiHost as well as
EaziLink.
3.52 29/01/90 - System Errors are now written to SYSTEM.ERR file in
Host Main Directory, in line with EaziHost
- Program now makes use of Eazilink/EaziHost COLOUR.HST
and VERTICAL.MNU files if they exist. This reduces
the need to use configuration options just to change
colours of prompts, messages etc.
3.55 04/04/90 - First full release for use with both EaziLink Host
and EaziHost V1.
- Change made to the way pressing Return for a null
search string is abandoned. It is no handled in the
same way as EaziLink/EaziHost and my other utilities
and the search is aborted. To view all of a file, '*'
is required.
David Foster
H.L.C. Services
High Leys
Crook
Kendal
Cumbria
LA8 8LF
END