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- 1 -
25-Apr-88 sendfile_doc, sendfile.lis
Document updated 25-Feb-89, 2-Aug-89
Professor Timo Salmi
University of Vaasa
P.O. Box 700
FIN-65101 Vaasa
Finland
SINCLAIR QL <--> PC FILE TRANSFER
=================================
Even if this SENDFILE documentation describes file transfers
between the ill-fated Sinclair QL and a PC, much of the
information should be of general interest when considering file
transfers between any home computer and a PC.
For Sinclair QL users this file also contains a list
covering a number of my other QL programs starting from page 5.
If you want to obtain programs from the list, please direct
these requests to the Quanta librarians, not me.
Two programs belong to this set, SENDFILE_EXE and
TAKEFILE_EXE, together with this document in SENDFILE_DOC.
The author shall not be liable to the user for any direct,
indirect or consequential loss arising from the use or
inability to use of any program or file howsoever caused. The
(nominal) fee for the QL programs does not include user
support.
Comments of and contacts with fellow Sinclair QL and PC
users are welcome and encouraged. If you have the access, you
can try to contact me at Internet email address: ts@uwasa.fi
My WWW URL is http://www.uwasa.fi/~ts/
Short Descriptions
SENDFILE_EXE
Sends ascii files from QL ser2_ port to PC. Works with Procomm,
MsKermit, and Telix well up to 9600 bauds. Has proven very
reliable when you get the PC settings right. Use ascii download
in the PC end of things. Includes optional conversion of
Scandinavian characters å ä ö Å Ä Ö into å ä ö Å Ä Ö.
TAKEFILE_EXE
Takes ascii files sent to ser2_ port from a PC. Works with
Procomm, MsKermit, and Telix, if their settings are right. Baud
rate 300 recommended. Not entirely reliable because of the
technical inadequacy of QL ports. PC optional translation of PC
åäöÅÄÖ into corresponding QL characters.
- 2 -
How it Started
The following letter, which I sent to Quanta in February
1988, gives the background of SENDFILE_EXE and TAKEFILE_EXE. (I
never heard about the letter or my cartridge after I sent it to
the former Quanta officials.)
"Finally having had time for it, I have tried my hand at
transferring data between Sinclair QL and a Zenith laptop PC.
Contrary to my fears it turned out easier than expected.
The physical connection was made between ser2 serial port of
the QL and COM1 serial port of Zenith. (Don't ask me about the
pins.) To receive normal ascii files (not much sense in
transferring executable QL files to a PC) I used Procomm ascii
downloading. Having set Zenith up I then tried sending data
from the QL with QCODE (v4.1) terminal emulation program, but
the transfer was painstakingly slow, and lost the linefeeds and
Scandinavian characters on the way. I then tried the copy
commands suggested in Quanta, but got stuck in the PC end of
things.
This was no good. Next I wrote a simple Turbo Charged
SuperBASIC program, which writes the source file to ser2 port
adding the linefeeds and converting the Scandinavian
characters. This transfer works quite well at 9600 bauds.
Success. Perhaps not the most elegant solution, but it works.
Transfer in the other direction has not been quite as
successful (nor as necessary), but manageable, nevertheless. At
1200 bauds I first set up a logfile in the QL end of things
using QCODE, and the applied Procomm and ascii upload in
Zenith. This works reasonably. The scandinavian characters must
be converted, though, prior sending.
I also attempted writing a program for the QL to do the
receiving (reading from ser2), but contrary to sending this
method turned out to be error-prone. The programs halts sooner
or later to an XMIT error in reading the QL port. Not much harm
done though, since in PC to QL transfer QCODE is fast enough,
even if not so in the opposite direction."
... EOL (end of letter) to Quanta ...
After that letter I have (hopefully) solved the file
transfer problem in BOTH directions, and the results are
sendfile_exe and takefile_exe.
- 3 -
SENDFILE_EXE
Transfer from QL to PC seems to be quite easy and free from
trouble after you get your system once (con)figured out.
To begin with, connect your QL ser2_ port with a proper
cable to the RS232 port of your PC. Personally, I have a
Miracle Systems Modaptor in between my QL and PC, but this may
not be necessary. As to acquiring or making the proper cable,
you'll have to consult your dealer, or at least your manuals.
The most common pin connections are given at the end of this
chapter.
Call Procomm communications program (or similar) in your PC.
Next set Procomm baud rate at the rate you intend to use.
Usually the setting 9600,N,8,1 will work, but you may have to
experiment depending on your PC. It is advisable to set the
Procomm software flow control (XON/XOFF) on, and hardware flow
control off.
Next, invoke ASCII download in Procomm.
On your QL apply EXEC_W SENDFILE_EXE. The program will then
ask you for the file to be sent, the baud rate (make sure that
the same baud rates are used), and whether you want the
Scandinavian characters translated.
The transfer should now get under way. If everything goes
right, the characters sent are echoed both on the QL and PC
screens. When the entire contents of the file have emerged,
press ESC on Procomm to close the file on the PC.
Scandinavian characters pose a problem for us poor Finns,
since they are in the 8-bit half on the QL and PC ascii codes,
and what is more, not even the same for QDOS and MS-DOS.
Therefore å ä ö Å Ä and Ö are translated into å ä ö Å Ä Ö when
the translation option is chosen. If you have to use the
Scandinavian conversion, use Procomm translation table (ALT W)
to convert the latter back into PC Scandinavian characters. The
relevant translations are 91:142, 92:153, 93:143, 123:132,
124:148, 125:134.
Two connection diagrams, courtesy of Mr. Antti Ala-Keturi of
the Vaasa University Computer Centre, are given below:
QL ser2_ 6 pins PC COM1 25 pins
1 ----------------------- 7
2 ----------------------- 3
3 ----------------------- 2
QL ser2_ 6 pins PC AT COM1 9 pins
1 ----------------------- 5
2 ----------------------- 2
3 ----------------------- 3
- 4 -
TAKEFILE_EXE
Transferring data to QL seems to be more difficult. The
maximum baud rate which works is 300 bauds, and you have to
pace sending the characters. Proceed as follows.
Set Procomm baud rate at 300,N,8,1 and set "character
pacing" delay to 100 ms in "ascii transfer options".
Call EXEX_W TAKEFILE_EXE and give the file name, baud rate,
and whether you want the Scandinavian characters translated. If
the program aborts at this stage (it sometimes will) in an XMIT
error, just call it again.
On your PC invoke Procomm upload option, and use the ascii
upload. If takefile_exe aborts again, terminate the Procomm
upload by pressing ESC on the PC. Call takefile_exe again and
let it clear the rubbish from the port, and then use it once
again. Usually, at least at this stage the system will work (if
not earlier), and you can invoke Procomm upload again.
The file is echoed to the QL screen. On the QL you can
terminate the transfer at any time by pressing TAB. When the
transfer is complete, press CTRL Z on the PC to terminate the
transferred file. Sounds complicated, but it does work.
Notice, that if you terminate the transfer with with the
TAB, there will be some rubbish in the buffer at the start of
the next transfer, so it is advisable to perform a dummy call
of TAKEFILE_EXE before the next actual transfer. This is easy,
since there is an "again" option in the program.
In the PC --> QL transfer the Scandinavian translation
should work without the need of considering further settings.
(If you want to delve into the translation problems, filedump
programs, such as QL FILEDUMP_EXE and PC FILEDUMP.EXE, by the
author, may become handy.)
- 5 -
Other Library Programs by the Author
23/04/1988 21:17:00
CASER_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_59 DISK_16
Caser converts names of files into upper or lower case. Caser
requires a toolkit with a RENAME command, such as Tony Tebby's.
Files are selected directly from a directory menu. Caser can
also be used for selective deleting of files. Can use ramdisk.
CONDENSE_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_35 DISK_12
A utility to condense SuperBASIC programs. It removes REMarks
and deletes REMark-lines as well as lines with a colon (:)
only. Furthermore it removes indentations. The resultant
program will be more concise, which is particularly useful for
SUPERCHARGE!
COPIER_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_36 DISK_12
Organized, interactive copying from one device to another.
Contains several options including ALL FILES, NEW FILES,
UPDATE, AUTOMATIC and SELECTIVE. Files can be copied or moved.
CRYPTER_EXE UTILITY QUANTA DISK_16
For protecting sensitive files by rewriting them in secret
code. User chooses a password. Same password both crypts and
decrypts the files. Instructions within the program.
DIFFE_EXE UTILITY QUANTA_LIBRARY
Compares the contents of two files and finds the differences.
Includes fast mode and more tolerant slow mode. Needs Digital
Precision's Turbo runtime toolkit RUNTIME_EXTS or the actual
toolkit.
DRAWLINE GRAPHICS QUANTA LIB_59 DISK_16
A SuperBASIC program for drawing lines of two variables on grid
drawn by the program. For a demonstration of the program, and
the graphical presentation of a linear programming problem,
merge DRAWLINE_DEMO and follow the instructions in
DRAWLINE_DOC.
EOLN_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_60 DISK_16
Lets you change the end of marker of a file. Choices are <LF>,
<CR>, and <LF><CR>. Creates a new file leaving the original
unchanged. Useful e.g. for certain printers and PASCAL program
development.
- 6 -
FACTORS_EXE MATH QUANTA LIB_01 DISK_05
Finds the factors of an integer. Calculates the largest common
divisor, and the smallest common dividend of two integers.
FILEADD_EXE UTILITY QUANTA DISK_16
Concatenates two text-files. That is, adds to the end of each
row of the first file the corresponding row of the second file.
Blanks can be inserted in between. The most obvious application
is making two-column texts. Also see FILETRIM and FILECUT.
FILECUT_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_05 DISK_06
Can be used to divide large text (not _doc) files into smaller
modules. Useful e.g. prior transmission in nets. Drops trailing
blanks and special characters, and optionally omits blank
lines.
FILEDUMP_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_35 DISK_12
Dumps the contents of a file on screen in ASCII characters and
ASCII code numbers simultaneously. Prints ASCII 10 (line feed)
in colour to highlight the lines of files. A count is kept at
the same time.
FILETRIM_EXE UTILITY QUANTA AMON DISK_05
For extracting an optional range of columns from a textfile,
optionally adding a left margin. As chosen, trims or pads the
right end of each row of a file.
FIND_EXE UTILITY QUANTA DISK_16
Finds a given string from any type of file. Gives the number of
the block where the string is found. Useful as a preliminary
prior using e.g. Cartridge Doctor patch. Not very fast. For a
fast, but a less tolerant multifile search use SEARCH_EXE.
FLAGS_EXE GAMES/EDUC QUANTA LIB_36 DISK_12
An educational game where you are shown national flags and you
have to identify each in turn from a multiple choice list.
F_FORM FUNCTION QUANTA LIB_35 DISK_12
For formatting output. Resembles the missing print using.
F_USING FUNCTION QUANTA LIB_26 DISK_09
A function providing the missing PRINT USING to SuperBASIC. Use
e.g. statement 110 PRINT F_USING$ ("#####.##", a) to print the
value of the real variable a with two decimal places. See
USING_DOC for more information.
- 7 -
HEXAGAME_EXE GAMES QUANTA LIB_57 DISK_02
An educational version of the old number-guessing game. You
have to find the hidden hexadecimal (16-base) number with as
little guesses and as fast as you can. The game can also be
played in binary, octal, or the easy decimal (10-base).
JSFORMAT UTILITY QUANTA LIB_59 DISK_16
Formatting problem cartridges with automatic RETRY on format
failed. Works on JS and MGY versions of the QL. Uses WHEN
ERRor. Can also be used on AH and JH versions with manual
RETRY.
LINEGAME_EXE GAMES QUANTA LIB_53 DISK_15
You have to fit a line (y=a+kx) to hit a number of circles.
Each circle has a score value inverse to its size. The player
has three lines to fit and the possibility of gaining bonus
lines.
LINPREP_EXE MATH QUANTA LIB_35
The preparation code for solving linear programming and linear
goal programming problems. Documented in detail in
LINSOLVE_DOC. Associated program LINSOLVE_EXE.
LINSOLVE_EXE MATH QUANTA LIB_35 DISK_12
A solution code for linear programming and linear goal
programming problems. Documented in detail in LINSOLVE_DOC.
Associated program LINPREP_EXE.
LINSOLVE_DOC MATH/QUILL QUANTA LIB_35
Quill documentation of the LINSOLVE solutions system for linear
programming and linear goal programming problems. Associated
programs LINPREP_EXE and LINSOLVE_EXE.
MAKEXE_EXE UTILITY QUANTA_LIBRARY
Converts a normal file into an executable file. Can also be
used to alter the dataspace of an executable file. Requires
Digital Precision's RUNTIME_EXTS. See Quanta 5/1987 p. 10 for
the need of conversions because of a bug in Micro Peripherals
disk drive.
MANAGAME_EXE GAMES/EDUC QUANTA LIB_36 DISK_12
A management game for one person. Besides being "one more game"
it serves as a serious introduction into full-fledged
management games used in teaching business students.
- 8 -
PAIVAYS_EXE CLOCK QUANTA LIB_01 DISK_05
Multitasking clock giving the date in Finnish. Needs Tebby's
toolkit (sets priority to 1). Run with EXEC (not EXEC_W). There
is also a near version PAIVAYS2_EXE.
RCOPY UTILITY QUANTA AMON DISK_05
RCOPY copy command takes three parameters: source%,
destination% and filename$. 1=mdv1_, 2=mdv2, 3=fdk1_, 4=fdk2_,
0=scr_. Source = destination allowed, which is handy for a
single diskdrive. Needs CST ram_bin code. LRUN RCOPY to load
RCOPY.
RENUMBER_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_60 DISK_16
Renumbers SuperBASIC files without the need of loading them
into memory. Convenient for program development.
SEARCH_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_60 DISK_16
Searches for a string through files. Wildcards can be used to
select the files to be searched for the string.
SPELLED_EXE UTILITY QL_WORLD
An editor for entering and removing words from dictionaries for
the spelling checker SPELLER_EXE. Requires a memory expansion
of 512K.
SPELLER_EXE UTILITY QL_WORLD (`3)
Spelling checker for listed Quill and other text-files.
Requires a memory expansion of 512K. Dictionary held in a
separate _dny file. Dictionary can be edited with SPELLED_EXE.
A specialized dictionary SPELLED_DNY accompanies the program.
STATAURU_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. Calculates auto-
correlations up to desired lag. Also calculates runs
statistics.
STATDIAG_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. Draws scatter
diagrams of the observations. User can select the X-axis and
the Y-axis. If user provides the regression estimates, the
program also plots residuals and regressed values on request.
STATMEAS_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. Standard statistical
measures and frequency diagram for any of the variables in the
data. Measures include minimum, maximum, mean, median, standard
deviation, variance and kurtosis. See also STATPREP_DOC.
- 9 -
STATPREP_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP DISK_13
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. An editor of a kind
used for entering the data for the associated statistical
programs. Maximum 10 variables with 200 observations (each).
See STATPREP_DOC for further information on the package.
STATPREP_DOC STAT/QUILL QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Quill documentation of Timo Salmi's statistical package.
Associated programs STATPREP_EXE, STATTRAN_EXE, STATMEAS_EXE,
STATRCOR_EXE, STATAURU_EXE, STATREGR_EXE, STATDIAG_EXE and the
menu driver STATMENU.
STATRCOR_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. Calculates both the
usual (Pearson's) correlation coefficients and the
(non-parametric) Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Also
gives ranks for the observations of any of the variables.
STATREGR_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. Multivariate
regression on the data prepared with STATPREP_EXE (and
STATTRAN_EXE).
STATTRAN_EXE STAT QUANTA LIB_STATPREP
Part of Timo Salmi's statistical package. Used for making
transformations on observations prepared with STATPREP_EXE.
Transformations include taking logarithms, raising to power,
taking roots, scaling, and multiplying between observations.
TRANSLATE_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_05 DISK_06
Translates the non-scandinavian characters åäöÅÄÖ of a text
file into their scandinavian counterparts åäöÅÄÖ.
TURBOCOPY_EXE UTILITY NOT YET IN
Selective fast copying. Can copy within a single device, which
is very useful for single diskdrive systems. Loads programs
into memory, and downloads then onto destination. Selective
delete incorporated. Caution required because of QDOS bugs.
TURBODENSE_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_26 DISK_09
Another utility to condense SuperBASIC programs. Works like
CONDENSE_EXE but is about three times faster. Furthermore does
not delete REMark + and REMark -, which indicate threaded code.
TYPEVADERS_EXE GAMES QUANTA AMON DISK_05
Prevent the invading characters from reaching the right-hand
side of the screen by typing them. Makes you familiar with the
QL keyboard and fast typing.
- 10 -
TYPE_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB DISK_15
Displays file(s) on screen. Wildcards can be used in
file-names.
WITPIN_EXE GAMES QUANTA LIB_36 DISK_12
A game of wit where you have to remove pins from the board by
moving a pin over an adjacent pin.
WORDLIST_EXE UTILITY QUANTA LIB_36 DISK_12
List the words from any text-file. Option for alphabetical
order. Useful for checking the spelling of a Quill file. For
bigger files there is a BIGWORDLIST_EXE program available.