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L---+---T1----+-T--2----T----3--T-+----4T---+---T5----+-T--6----+----J----+----
.H:
.H: FLOW Chart Utility Page $$$
.X:5
This document describes the use of the FLOW utility as implemented
on the PC. The reason for the development of this utility was the
unavailability of any package which could create flow charts for
programming in the standard formats. I have attempted to provide a
utility which will create flowcharts for programmers from a file
composed of commands describing the logic to be diagrammed. There are
only a few commands in the repertoire at this time and the intent is
to provide a easy to use program without a lot of learning required
before it can be used.
To use this program, the following format is to be used to get
started.
FLOW <options> command-file <-o(output file)>
where:
The options field is optional. It provides the following
capabilities:
l option - this option directs the program to create a listing
of the commands on the output device.
n option - this option directs the program to suppress the
initial form feed character when writing the flow diagram to
the output device.
o option - this option, when it immediately follows the "-"
option indicator, directs the program to begin looking in the
next character of the command line for the name of the output
file. This is an optional field. If it is not present, the
program assigns the output device to the console screen.
p option - this option specifys that the default output device
is to be PRN rather than CON. It has no meaning if the o
option is specified.
The command file is a text file of commands for this utility.
This file can be created by any text editor available within
your system.
Command format:
This program expects the commands to be in a specific format.
The general form of the commands is as follows with each command
contained within one string of 77 characters or less.
Command id. The first character of the string determines the
type of command being processed. There are only two formats
available at this time, Label or logic command. The program
differentiates between the two based on the first character. If
the character is a "$", the remainder of the line is a logic
command. All other input is considered to be a label command.
Label fields. Label commands start in column 1 and may be up
to 8 characters in length. They are intended to provide a means
for linking various sections of logic together.
Logic commands. There are only 7 types of commands recognized.
These type are as follows:
H - This command indicates that this is the start of a section
of logic.
E - This command indicates the end of a section of logic.
W - This command provides for the description of work being
done at this point in the logic flow.
P - This command provides for the calling of a common routine
or function to accomplish the logic function required at this
point within the logic flow.
T - This command provides for testing the results of an
operation or other condition in order to control the logic
flow.
A - This command provides a means for specifying the resulting
action to be taken for the condition tested. This command
must immediately follow a T command or it is ignored. This
command requires a strict format in order for it to work. This
program expects only two possible answers to any test. Those
answers are yes and no. In order to specify the course of
action to be taken, the user must enter these in the format of
"yes: " or "no: ". These answers are then followed by the
label of the command to which logic is to branch. Either or
both may be used without regard to case.
The following pages of this document provide and example of how
the commands are used and the results of those commands.
.hq:
$h entry
label
$t test line 1
$a yes: label1
labela
$p test line 2 is longer and uses two lines
$j label2
label1
$w test line three is still longer yet than the other lines were
$w test line 4
$p call test procedure
$t check it out
$a yes: label1 no: labela
label2
$w test another line
$p again we check it
$w another line
$w another line
$w another line
$w another line
$w another line
$w another line
$w another line
$w this is the end
$e