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1996-03-06
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7KB
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181 lines
-----------
QUICK START
-----------
Installation:
Put all files in some directory.
Running the program:
Do step 1 and 2 a few times . . .
1- Put a floppy in drive A: and type 4dcat.
2- Type a(dd) in answer to the question.
3- Look at the file 'database.txt'
4- If you like it: go on!
If you don't like it: delete all files. . . OOPS
Take a look at FGREP and RPSORT they're NOT mine and you might find them
still useful.
------------
What it does
------------
4dcat.btm is a floppy cataloguer which combines simplicity (ease of use) with
flexibility (maintaining a freeform batabase with your editor).
It makes a directory listing of every floppy feeded to it.
All the directory listings are saved in a file (the database) and every
directory listing is given a label. (In fact every line in the directory gets
this label). This label consist of a sequence number and a letter.
The letter is an a or b, depending on the drive used.
So floppies in drive a: will be labeled 1a, 2a, 3a .. 999a.
So floppies in drive b: will be labeled 1b, 2b, 3b .. 999b.
This label must be written on the floppy disk. (Disklabel)(*)
Apart from the database (and a backup file) one other file is created:
the disklabel file. This file consist of just two items:
The last label ADDED to the database from drive A:
The last label ADDED to the database from drive B:
(For systems with only one drive (A:) only one label is used.)
Most from its simplicity comes from its very limited options(**) :
1- You can add a volume to the database.
2- You can refresh (update) a volume.
And updating is done mostly automatically.
By starting the program without parameters:
it starts to read floppy a:.
it checks the serial number with the database.
if found it updates the database.
if not found it adds the volume and gives you the label(*) and it inceases
the database number file (database.dnr)
- So nothing is written to floppy.
- The database is a textfile in the same format as given by the 'DIR' command.
You can extract data from the database with every available text utility:
FIND, FFIND, SORT, TYPE, LIST and of course SED, GREP and the added FGREP.
- The format of the database is that of the command DIR.
- The disk label is in the first 4 columns of the database.
- The volumenumber is used to prevent double entries.
- 4dbcat.btm can be customized to fit personal needs.
- This batch is FREEWARE!
- The batch needs one external program FGREP. :(
The first time you use it it will complain about files wich do not exist.
Like this:
------------------------------------------------------------- start of example
d:\4dc\4dcat.btm [17] File not found "d:\4dc\database.txt"
This disk volume is not found in the database.
Refresh or Add? r/a: a
d:\4dc\4dcat.btm [121] File not found "@line[%dnrs,0]"
d:\4dc\4dcat.btm [122] File not found "@line[%dnrs,0]"
1b added to the database.
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Label this disk as 1b │
└───────────────────────┘
---------------------------------------------------------------------
After the first disk it goes like this: (interactive mode)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This disk volume is not found in the database.
Refresh or Add? r/a: a
2b added to the database.
┌───────────────────────┐
│ Label this disk as 2b │
└───────────────────────┘
--------------------------------------------------------------- End of example
------------------------------------
Command line parameters are: a b r ?
------------------------------------
To ADD a disk in station A: to the database type: 4dcat [a] a
To ADD a disk in station B: to the database type: 4dcat b a
To REFRESH a disk in station A: to the database type: 4dcat [a] r
To REFRESH a disk in station B: to the database type: 4dcat b r
To get HELP type: 4dcat ?
(a: is the default station so you can leave it out.)
The program always checks the volume serial number of the disk with that of the
database. If it is found the disk can not be added but the database will be
updated. (refreshed). This works fine as long as the disk is not reformatted.
If the disk is reformatted or if it has no serial number (It was formatted long
ago with an old DOS version) this check fails. You have to tell the program what
to do: add or refresh. Either by commandline option or you will be prompted.
Deleting a volume in the database is not implemented.
You can do it easily with an editor. But why should you?
If you want to reuse a floppy which got broke you can use the 'refresh' option:
you label it as the old floppy and the program thinks it has been reformatted.
------
FILES:
------
needed:
4cat.btm The main program cataloguer.
fgrep.zip A text utility.
goodies:
4dcat.doc This file.
rpsort.zip The rpsort program + docs.
fredisk.btm Shows empty disks.
frespace.btm Shows the free space of all disks.
sortem.btm A batch to sort the files in the database (uses rpsort + fgrep).
sortdb.btm A batch to sort the database (uses rpsort).
4menu.btm A menu like interface for the type-weary.
4menu.txt The programs you can select with 4menu.btm.
created:
database.txt The database.
databack.txt A backup of the database.
database.dnr A file that keeps track of the last added floppy.
datasort.txt The result of sortdb.btm.
Background bla bla
The idea of this batch program came from a program by David Connelly.
(4cat.exe). That program does almost just what I want. I like its simplicity
but not its rigidity. (And I don't want to pay $10 (+ about $10 bank charge)
for it.)
I want to handle subdirectories too and I want the format exactly like that of
the DIR command, including all possible switches.
And being such a simple task -just making a bunch of directory listings- I
thought it should be possible with 4dos' batch language. Well, I almost
succeeded. (I needed one external: FGREP.EXE by Chris Dunford).
If someone succeeds in kicking those lines out (without sacrifying too much
speed) please let me know. Also other improvements are welcome of course.
E-mail: tenkink@nfra.nl
Snail Mail: Hans Tenkink
Broeklaan 22
7991 BX Dwingeloo, The Netherlands
The batch files are freeware, do with them what you want. The added FGREP and
RPSORT are just passed on.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(*)
For the labels I prefer typing correction tape (two lines wide). It sticks
better then (for example Avery) labels. But of course you can write it somewere
on the disk label itself.
(**)
For a full blown floppy cataloguer I can recommend WinCat/PRO
A great program with every thinkable option and a label printer/editor added.
It is a shareware Windows program by Mart Heubel who donates the registration
fee (f25) to the Dutch Foster Parents Plan.
Available at Simtel and Garbo.
CompuServe Mail: 72066,2116
Snail Mail: Mart Heubel
De Heugden 161
6411 DR Heerlen, The Netherlands