DP Tool Club 24/CD_ASCQ_24_0995.iso/dos/tools/wwp303/wwp303.exe/rar/ENHANCED/WWPACK.DOC

Text File | 1995-06-01 | 18KB | 479 lines

        WWPACK 3.03   a powerful executable file compressor for DOS

        Copyright (c) 1993-95 by Rafal Wierzbicki and Piotr Warezak

        1 June 1995      Lodz, Poland           All Rights Reserved


      We are happy to provide our e-mail addresses.  Please feel free
         to inform us of any problems at the following addresses.

                           Authors:  [e-mail]

              American distributor:  [e-mail]

                German distributor:  [e-mail]


       The latest shareware version of WWPACK can always be found on:

           o  ftp.elf.stuba.sk    /pub/pc/pack
              SimTel mirrors      /SimTel/msdos/execomp

           o  The ClipBoard BBS
              [phone]
              8N1  2400-28800bps
              24 hours, San Francisco

           o  WWPACK is FREQable (file requestable) from
              The ClipBoard BBS,
              FidoNet 1:125/454
              The magic name is WWPACK.

           o  VGA-Copy Headquarters BBS
              [phone]
              8N1  USRobotics V34
              24 hours, Germany

           o  WWPACK is file requestable from
              VGA-Copy Headquarters,
              FidoNet 2:2426/2240
              The magic name is WWPACK.

           o  ftp-mailserver:  [e-mail]


*** This version of WWPACK must be registered,and requires the WWPACK.REG
*** key file created specifically for you.
*** The  WWPACK.REG file  can not be  distributed, sent, rented, changed,
*** hacked, or reversed engineered in any way. Any attempts to do so will
*** automatically terminate the license!


WHAT IS A WWPACK?

  WWPACK is a powerful EXE file compressor. This program compresses most
  DOS executable files. Compressed programs use less disk space because
  they are much smaller. All files run EXACTLY as before.


REQUIREMENTS to run WWPACK.

  WWPACK works on any machine with 450Kb free DOS memory.
  Remember that the faster machine you use the less time you need
  to compress an EXE file.

Requirements to run EXE files compressed with WWPACK.

  Every file compressed with WWPACK can run on any IBM compatible
  system: XT,AT,80286,80386,80486 and Pentium; on Intel and non-Intel.
  WWPACKed files can run on IBM compatible palmtop computers
  (eg. the Hewlett Packard HP95LX).

  DOS 2.0 or higher is required.


WWPACK'S COMMANDS  -  to get a very short help type:  WWPACK /?

  How do I compress an EXE file?

    Enter:  WWPACK FILENAME.EXE
    When complete, the file will be smaller and work as before.
    The process can be interrupted by using the CTRL+Break keys.

  Can I pack a relocation table?

    Sure.  Enter:  WWPACK PR FILENAME.EXE

  How do I create an unextractable file?

    To create an unextractable file please use this command:
       WWPACK PU FILENAME.EXE
    But be careful because you won't be able to extract this file!

    This command should be used only on files that you want to distribute.

  How do I protect a file with a password?

    Enter:  WWPACK PP FILENAME.EXE
    WWPACK will ask you for a password which you must enter twice.
    The password must be from four to nine characters long and is
    NOT case sensitive.

    Be careful!  If you forget your run-password your file will be
    useless!

  How do I unpack an EXE file?

    Enter:  WWPACK U FILENAME.
    But remember that the file must be already compressed with WWPACK!
    (Note that the 'U' command can't decompress files created with the 'PU'
    command).

  TESTING EXE FILES.

    Command 'T' lets you to see if the file is already compressed
    by any executable file compressor. WWPACK recognizes files compressed by
    LZEXE, PKLITE and many many other compressors.
    Usage:  WWPACK T FILENAME.EXE

  OPTIMIZING HEADERS.

    If you want to optimize a header of any EXE file you can write:
       WWPACK O FILENAME.EXE
    Sometimes the header can be a bit shorter but sometimes nothing
    may change.

  ADITTIONAL COMMANDS: 'PD' and 'UD'.

    WWPACK has two commands that you can use on any file you want:
    'PD' and 'UD'  (pack data and unpack data).

    Command 'PD' can pack file as a data.
    Example:  WWPACK PD PROGRAM.DAT

    Command 'UD' can unpack any file packed with 'PD'.
    Example:  WWPACK UD PROGRAM.DAT

    Remember that packed data file can't normally used so before
    you work with it you must first unpack it ('PD' and 'UD' options
    work similar to PKZIP 'a' and 'e' commands).


CAN I USE WILDCARDS?

  Sure!  Why not?
  WWPACK lets you to use '*' and '?' in every command.

  Examples:
    to compress all EXE files in the current directory just type:
       WWPACK P *.EXE

    to optimize headers of all EXE files type:
       WWPACK O *.EXE

    to pack all files (as data) enter this command:
       WWPACK PD *.*

CAN I USE PATHS?

  Of course you can!

  Example:
    command  WWPACK P C:\UTILITY\TEST.EXE  compresses file TEST.EXE stored
    is C:\UTILITY directory.


CONFIGURATION MENU.

  We wanted to make WWPACK easy to use. You don't have to remember
  any options because you can set everything in a special configuration
  menu.

  To configure the program enter:  WWPACK C.
  Now use '1..5' keys to set some useful options.
  1  -  do you want WWPACK to make backup files?
        Select 'ON' and you will always get OLD and OLP files.
        (There are two exceptions: WWPACK always makes backups
         when 'PP' command is used or when the file packed with the 'PP'
         command is being unpacked).
  2  -  choose 'ON' if you want to get more information about
        every file that is being compressed.
  3  -  please select 'ON' if you want to compress files with overlays
        or 'OFF' if you don't want to compress such a files.
        If you choose 'ASK' WWPACK will always ask you if the
        file should be compressed or not.
  4  -  select 'ON' if you want WWPACK to compress already compressed
        files.
  5  -  sometimes WWPACK is slow so choosing 'ON' is a good idea.
  6  -  use this option to select an "unextractable compression method":
        SOFT - to create files unextractable with WWPACK
        HARD - to create files unextractable not only by WWPACK but with
               many other intelligent unpackers (we tried CUP 1.2, UUP 1.4,
               TRON 1.21+ Shareware and some other decompression programs -
               all failed to extract the code)!

  When you set all options, press 'S' key to save them or 'ESC' to exit
  without saving.
  You may use the 'T' key to set the default configuration.


BACKUP FILES.

  Not every EXE file can be compressed with WWPACK. That's why this program
  creates backups. In case of problems you can restore the original file.

  Remember:
    Original FILENAME.EXE file is always renamed to FILENAME.OLD file
    while compressing or optimizing, and to FILENAME.OLP when decompressing.

  HINT:
    If you forgot to make a backup while compressing an EXE file, try
    undeleting or unerasing it !


FILES THAT CAN'T BE PACKED.

  Some files can't be compressed with WWPACK.

  o  programs that check the CRC of a file
  o  files that store configuration data internally
  o  drivers that can be loaded in a config.sys file
  o  some files with overlays
  o  Windows and OS/2 files
  o  some COM files (COM file may not work after conversion to EXE format)

  Some files are automatically recognized by WWPACK.
  But sometimes it's impossible to predict if the file can be compressed.

  You just have to check every compressed EXE file !


CRC MODULE: "Be sure that the file isn't damaged"

  WWPACK uses special module that adds CRC code to EVERY compressed EXE file.
  This unique technology lets you to check if any WWPACKed file has been
  damaged or infected by a virus.

  To check files you may use WWVIR or CRC program.

  HINTS FOR PROGRAMMERS:
  o You may freely add CRC program to your commercial and noncommercial
    products. It's public domain!  (However, you must have the enhanced
    version of WWPACK to distribute WWPACKed programs)
  o CRC module checks almost EVERY byte of compressed EXE file:
    from the beginning ('MZ' signature) to the very end.
    Warning: CRC module doesn't check overlays !
  o There are six bytes in the compressed EXE file that you can freely change.
    The area in $1A to $1F bytes isn't protected with the CRC module,
    so you can store configuration or any data here.


ERRORS AND OTHER MESSAGES.

  WWPACK is quite an intelligent program and sometimes it may show some kind
  of an error message. But don't worry. Just read the comment and you will
  find an explanation for the problem (WWPACK has almost 30 error
  messages!).

  From time to time you may see some question also (it depends on a
  configuration that you have chosen).

  Here is a list of important questions and messages that you may meet when
  working with WWPACK:

   CRC status: OK
     File CRC is OK. It means that the file isn't damaged nor infected
     by a virus. This massage appears while unpacking the file packed
     with WWPACK version 3.03 or later.

   Delete FILENAME file to make a new backup file [Y/n]?
     WWPACK must know if the old backup file can be deleted.
     Press 'Y' key to continue processing or 'N' to quit (and save an old
     backup).

   Enter password:
     This message appears when the 'PP' or 'U' command is used.
     Please enter the password required to run the packed file
     ('PP' command) or enter the password required to unpack the
     compressed file ('U' command).

   File not processed.
     You didn't let WWPACK process the file (for example you didn't let
     WWPACK delete an old backup file).

   Relocation table is already packed.
     You can't use 'PR' command because the relocation table is already
     packed. Please try the 'P' command to get a higher compression ratio.

   The file FILENAME has set attribute READ ONLY. Change file attribute [Y/n]?
     The file has set the READ ONLY attribute. To process it the attribute
     must be deleted. Press 'Y' key to continue packing or 'N' to stop WWPACK.

   The file contains Debug_Info. Do you want to remove it [Y/n]?
     The file contains some data that aren't required by a program.
     These data can be removed - the file will be much shorter.
     Press 'Y' if you want WWPACK to remove Debug_Info or 'N' to process
     the file without removing it.

   The file size stored in the header is bigger then the real file size.
   The processed file may not work properly. Continue [Y/n]?
     The file is probably damaged but you may want WWPACK to pack it.
     This message is rarely seen.

   Warning: bad CRC. File probably damaged.
     The file that is being unpacked is damaged. It may not work
     after unpacking!

   Warning: the file contains an overlay XXX bytes. Continue [Y/n/r]?
     The file that you want to process contains an overlay.
     Press 'Y' to pack or optimize the file or 'N' if you don't want
     to process it. Press 'R' to process the file and remove an overlay.

   Warning: the file is already packed with ....
   Do you want to pack it [Y/n]?
     The file is already packed but WWPACK may try to pack it.
     Press 'Y' if you want WWPACK to process the file or 'N' to quit.

   Warning: there are some identical relocation entries.
     This message shows that the file may not work after compression
     because the relocation table contains incorrect data.

   Warning: this is COM file. Convert it to EXE format [Y/n]?
     The file you want to process is not an EXE. Press 'Y' if you
     want to convert it to EXE format or 'N' to quit.


HOW DOES WWPACK WORK?

  First it compresses EXE file; then it adds a small extract code.
  When you load the packed file into memory, the computer first runs this
  extract code and then the unpacked program.

  It's simple, isn't it?


HOW DOES WWPACK COMPARE TO THE OTHER COMPRESSORS?

  Read this short table and compare:
  (Note: All sizes are in bytes)

                     qp.exe       ncmain.exe    ndd.exe       total size
      Unpacked       86,842       212,393       383,874       683,109

      TINYPROG       53,520       117,632       225,440       396,592
      LZEXE          52,983       116,980       224,646       394,609
      PKLITE         52,289       115,354       222,995       390,638
      DIET           52,694       116,044       220,799       389,527
      AVPACK         51,943       113,252       217,622       382,817
      AINEXE         51,534       111,350       210,955       373,839
      COMPACK        51,052       111,276       211,148       373,476
      WWPACK         49,817       106,237       200,336       356,390

      To make this comparison we used these popular shareware programs:
      AINEXE 2.1 by Transas Marine Ltd.
      AVPACK 1.20 by Andrei Volkov
      COMPACK 4.4 by W.J. Collis
      DIET 1.45 by Teddy Matsumoto
      LZEXE 0.91 by Fabrice Bellard
      PKLITE 1.50 by PKWARE
      TINYPROG 3.9 by Tranzoa, Co.
      and of course our WWPACK 3.03.

      List of files we used to compress:
      QP.EXE (Quattro pro 4.0),
      NCMAIN.EXE (Norton Commander 4.0),
      NDD.EXE (Norton Utility 8.0).

  Is WWPACK very powerful?  Try it and find out!


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  Q: Can I use WWPACK instead of PKZIP or RAR?
  A: No. With PKZIP or RAR you can pack all kinds of files but you can't
     normally use the packed programs.
     With WWPACK you can compress only EXE files, however, they will still
     run normally!
     So the best way is to use two compression programs: first use WWPACK
     on all EXE files and then RAR or PKZIP.

  Q: Does WWPACK work with Stacker and DoubleSpace?
  A: Sure. We have tested WWPACK with those programs and everything has
     worked correctly. What's more you will have more space on the stacked
     drive when you compress all your EXE files.

  Q: Is it possible to detect a virus in a compressed file?
  A: No. You can't check if there is a virus under the WWPACK's code.
     That's why everytime you compress some files you must be sure that
     they are virus free!

  Q: Can I run DOS compressed files under Windows?
  A: Sure. You can use Windows or DOS.

  Q: Why is the compression ratio of 'PR' so poor?
  A: It isn't poor. This command compresses only relocation tables.
  Q: What's the relocation table?
  A: It's a part of an EXE file. It contains special data that are needed
     to load and then execute program.

  Q: Why can't some overlaid files be compressed?
  A: Because when you compress such a file the overlay offset changes
     and the compressed program may not find an overlay.

  Q: Can I decompress an EXE file compressed with the 'PP' command?
  A: Sure, but you must know the password.
     To decompress the file, enter:  WWPACK U FILENAME.EXE
     Enter a password and wait momentarily. The file will be unpacked!


HINTS

  o  If you want to compress the file that is already packed with EXEPACK
     you should first unpack it.
     Why? Because you will get a higher compression ratio.
  o  Always make backups (especially when you compress files with overlays).
     Why? To make WWPACK much safer.
  o  Allow WWPACK to remove Debug_Info.
     The file without Debug_Info can be up to 10% smaller.


Here are some words about us (authors):

  We are nineteen. We are students of the University of Lodz.
  Piotr studies computers (first year). Rafal is a student of
  International Economical and Political Relations (first year also).

  We will improve our program because we like it and it gives us
  great satisfaction. That's why we are waiting for your suggestions.

We would like to thank these people for their suggestions and beta-testing:
Thank you!

  Peter Hubinsky (from Slovak Antivirus Center)
  George Jereza (author of SuperCModem! for ideas and suggestions)
  Piotr Kuciel (for everything he has done for us)
  Louis Puccio (for teaching us about USA market and pitching ideas)
  Ralph Roth (author of HackStop and many other useful utilities)
  Johnson Wu (for testing WWPACK with many many programs)
  Grzegorz Zgondek (for testing 'PU' HARD compression method)
  Romuald Zylla (for complete testing and constructive criticism)


WWPACK'S CODE INFORMATION:
  written in
    Turbo Pascal, ver. 7.0   (source code: 3043 lines)
    assembler 8088   (1269 lines)
  utility package:
    written in Turbo Pascal 7.0
Software we used to create WWPACK:
  Borland Pascal 7.0, Turbo Assembler 2.01, Turbo Debugger 3.2
    by Borland International
  DocGen, FileTime 0.1, FTC 2.1  by Piotr Warezak
  EatMem 1.1c  by TifaWARE
  HackStop 1.02ß  by Ralph Roth - ROSE
  RAR archiver 1.53  by Eugene Roshal


UPGRADE INFO.

    Thanks for registering.
    Are you interested in a new version of our program?  Great!

  How can I get the newest version?

    Wherever you find a newer downloadable version of WWPACK.

  Is that all?

    Sure!  The WWPACK.REG file will work with new versions of WWPACK.

    See the top of this file to find out where WWPACK can be found!


All programs mentioned in this documentation are trademarks of their
respective owners. They're used for identification purposes only.

End of the WWPACK documentation file.