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1994-03-19
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27KB
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601 lines
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4Cat |
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Version 1.31 |
Released March 19, 1994 |
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by Earl R. Davidson |
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Program and Documentation Copyright (c) 1991, 1993, 1994 |
by Earl R. Davidson |
249 West Doublegate Drive |
Albany, GA 31707 |
All rights reserved |
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Portions Copyright (c) 1989 - 91 Microsoft Corporation |
Portions Copyright (c) 1988 - 91 Ethan Winer, Donald R. Malin |
and Crescent Software |
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4DOS is a trademark of J. P. Software |
PC-DOS is a trademark of IBM Corporation |
MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation |
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Notice
This program is not in the public domain. You are hereby
granted a limited right to copy the program and pass it on to
friends and upload it to any bulletin board system, provided
no fee is charged other than a nominal disk fee. You may use
the program for up to ninty (90) days without registering it.
If you use it for more than this, please register. Site
licenses are available for corporate use. Contact the author
for more information.
Acknowledgments
This program was written using the Microsoft Basic 7.1
Professional Development System and the Crescent Software
QuickPak Professional Advanced Programming Library (Version
4.01). 4DOS (Version 5.0) by J. P. Software, was also being
used, and, in fact, provided the inspiration for this
program. I thank all three companies for making these
outstanding products available.
Disclaimer
4Cat is distributed without warranty, expressed or implied,
including without limitation the warranties of merchanta-
bility and of fitness for a particular purpose. You, the
user, assume full responsibility for the selection and use of
4Cat to achieve your desired results.
Introduction
4Cat is a file cataloging program for disks. It allows you
to quickly build or add to a database of your disk files and
to search this database quickly to locate a particular file.
4Cat also tracks the free disk space on each disk cataloged.
This allows you to find a disk with just enough space to
store a particular file. Disks are identified and cataloged
based on their volume label. Users of 4DOS will have their
file descriptions added automatically. These descriptions,
which may be up to 200 characters in length, are included
in the searches.
That's all I wanted a catalog program to do, so 4Cat does not
print disk labels, require the entry of complicated
categories, or make you confirm numerous choices for each
disk. There are no complicated setup steps and no menus to
wade through.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 1
4Cat includes directory names in the database as if they were
a file name. The 4DOS description, if any, is shortened to a
maximum length of 194 characters and "<DIR> " inserted at the
beginning of the description. If you save files in direc-
tories on your disks this will allow you to search the data-
base for a directory name. Note that the files stored in the
directories are NOT included in the 4Cat database. Only the
files and directories in the root of the disk are included.
Installation
COPY the 4CAT.EXE file to a directory that is in your normal
PATH command. If you have a utility directory that your
store various programs in, that would be ideal. That's it!
The first time you run 4Cat, it will create a database file
named 4CAT-DB2.MDB in the same directory in which 4CAT.EXE is
located.
Converting from a Previous Version
If you have used a version of 4Cat prior to version 1.30+ you
will need to convert your database file (4CAT-DB.MDB) to the
new format (4CAT-DB2.MDB). Follow these steps:
o Copy the 4CATCNVT.EXE file to the directory that
contains your old 4CAT-DB.MDB file.
o Type 4CATCNVT and press the <ENTER> key.
o A count of the files is displayed as the conversion
progresses.
o Delete 4CATCNVT.EXE
o Delete 4CAT-DB.MDB (but not 4CAT-DB2.MDF). You might
want to keep a backup of it.
This conversion is necessary in order to accomodate the new
200 character long file descriptions supported by 4DOS 5+.
I've also released a description editor that supports the
long descriptions. Its called File Description Editor (FDE)
and should be available where you found 4CAT130 under the
filename FDE100 plus the extention for the format your BBS
operator uses for archiving files.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 2
Adding Files to the Database
4Cat is invoked from the DOS command line. There are no
menus. There are basically two modes of operation - (1)
adding files to the database and (2) searching the database
for a particular file. Let's look at adding records of files
first. The format for calling 4CAT is:
4CAT [/d:] [/n]
where /d: is an optional valid drive designation and /n is an
optional parameter explained below. Here are a few command
line examples:
4CAT Adds the files on the disk in drive
A: (the default) to the database.
4CAT /b: Adds the files on the disk in drive
B: to the database.
4CAT /n Adds the files on the disk in drive
A: and does not stop when the display
of those files fills the screen.
4CAT /mul For repetitive processing of multiple
disks. You are prompted to insert
the next disk and press a key.
4CAT /mul2 Similar to /mul except this attempts
to detect when you've changed the
disk. If this "rattles" your drive
to much use the /mul option above.
When 4Cat is invoked to add files it first reads the current
volume label for the disk and allows you to edit or change
it. You should consider a numbering system for your disks.
Mine is simple - I started with 1 (one) and went up. If you
change the volume label it will be written back to the disk.
This is the ONLY time 4Cat writes to a disk, other than to
the 4CAT-DB2.MDB file.
Unregistered versions then display a few lines reminding you
to register.
The filenames and directory names are then read, added to the
database and displayed on your monitor. The last entry
displayed is the free space on the disk.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 3
After the records are added, you are returned to the DOS
prompt. Continue cataloging files in this manner. Note that
only one set of records will be maintained for each volume
label. If you try to add a second disk with a volume label
that is already cataloged, the existing records will be
removed from the database before the new ones are added.
To remove records for an entire disk from the database,
insert a disk with no files on it, execute 4Cat, and enter
the volume label for the disk you want to delete. The
records will be removed and a "No files found" message
displayed.
That's all there is to cataloging your files. One simple
command at the DOS prompt and it's done.
Searching the Database
To search for a file just invoke 4CAT with a search "string"
at the DOS prompt, where "string" is a word, filename, or
portion thereof that you wish to find. 4Cat will search the
filenames, and 4DOS descriptions, in your database. If your
"string" is detected, the file information, and 4DOS
description, will be displayed. The "string" will be
highlighted on the display. If more matches are found than
will fit on one screen, 4Cat pauses and waits for you to
press a key. This method of searching and displaying the
results is similar to the locate or search function found on
many BBS programs.
The DOS wildcards (* and ?) are not needed or supported.
4Cat will find your "string" anywhere in the filename or 4DOS
description.
The format for calling 4Cat in search mode is:
4CAT [/n] string
Here are some examples of searching a 4Cat database:
4CAT basic Will find all records with the word
"basic" in the filename, directory
name, or description.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 4
4CAT basic /n Same as above, but the display of
matching records does not stop when
the screen is full.
4CAT . 4Cat will display ALL filename and
directory records in the database
because they all have a period (.)
between the filename and the
extension.
Command Line Options
Option: /v:string
Meaning: Search the volume name for "string"
Comments: This allows you to search the disk volume label
names for your "string."
Example: 4CAT /v:127 Search for all records whose
volume label contains the string
"127".
Option: /?
Meaning: Display the help screen.
Comments: The "/" is optional. Either "/?" or "?" on the
command line will display the help screen. This
means that you cannot search your data base for a
question mark only.
Option: /n
Meaning: Non-stop display.
Comments: Adding the /n option to the command will cause
4Cat to not stop when the screen if filled.
Instead of pausing with the "press any key"
prompt, the screen is cleared and more files
listed, until the last screen. This is most
useful when redirecting output to a file as
explained below.
Option: /f
Meaning: Display the free disk space available on each
disk.
Comments: The display sorted in order of disk space. This
option allows you to find a disk with just enough
space to store a file. Utilizing this can help
you get maximum efficiency from your disks. You
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 5
may enter a number representing a minimum amount
of disk space that you need and 4Cat will begin
its display with the first disk that has that
much space available. This keeps you from
having to page through numerous screens of disks
with too little space available.
Examples: 4CAT /f Displays all disks and
space available.
4CAT /free Same as above. Retained
for compatiblity with
version 1.00.
4CAT /f9000 Displays all disks with
at least 9000 bytes of
free space.
4CAT /f9k "K" or "k" multiplies
number entered by 1,000.
4CAT /f1m "M" or "m" multiplies
number entered by
1,000,000 bytes.
Option: >
Meaning: DOS redirection of output.
Comments: This is not really an option of 4Cat. It is the
use of DOS's redirection capability. 4Cat does
not provide for the direct printing of your
database; however, you may use the DOS
redirection command to direct the listing to a
disk file. The output file will be a clean,
ASCII file, with no headers, footers, or page
breaks. You may then load this file into your
favorite editor or word processor and print it.
The following commands will output all or a
portion of your database to a file named
TEXT.TXT:
Examples: 4CAT . > TEST.TXT List all records to the
file.
4CAT /n . > TEST.TXT List all records in "non-
stop" mode to the file.
4CAT string > TEXT.TXT List only those records
that match "string" to
the file.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 6
Database Utilities
Two database maintenance utilities are included:
Repair: Helps recover databases that have become
corrupted due to power outages, etc.
Pack: Packs the database file by removing records
marked for deletion and shrink the file (in
32K increments. Also rebuilds the indexes.
A complete description of the utilities is included in the
4CATUTIL.DOC file.
4DOS Descriptions
4Cat utilizes the descriptions available with 4DOS. If the
DESCRIPT.ION file exists on the disk being cataloged, the
descriptions will be added to the database. While 4Cat does
not allow you to edit these descriptions, a companion program
named File Description Editor (FDE) is now available. FDE
suports the 200 character file descriptions available with
4DOS 5+ and allows editing a description in a full featured
wordwraped window. You may link FDE and 4CAT with a batch
file or a 4DOS alias. For example, add both of the following
lines to your alias file:
fde4 = `fde a: ^ 4cat`
fde4b = `fde b: ^ 4cat b:`
This will allow you to edit the descriptions using FDE then
automatically catalog the disk.
Non 4DOS users should be able to use FDE and 4Cat without
using 4DOS. Try a batch file similar to this to create/edit
a DESCRIPT.ION file and then have 4Cat use it:
FDE A:
4CAT
See the Registration Form at the end of this file for a
combination offer on registering 4Cat and FDE.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 7
Release History
Version 1.31 - Released March 19, 1994.
o Corrected error which caused a delay when re-
cataloging disks.
Version 1.30 - Released March 5, 1994.
o Added support for 200 character descriptions.
o Added /mul and /mul2 switches to allow repetitive
cataloging of multiple disks.
o Added record count display at end of search.
o Database repair and packing utilities are now
included with the shareware version. (Mailing
disks for free as in Version 1.20 was not a great
idea.)
o A reminder to register is displayed after the
volume label is entered.
o If an attempt to catalog a disk is made without a
disk in place a prompt to insert a disk or press
"H" for help is displayed, instead of just
dumping the user into the help screen every time.
Version 1.20 - Released May 30, 1993.
o Inclusion of database repair and packing
utilities with registered version.
o Minor cosmetic changes.
Version 1.10 - Released December 14, 1991.
o Additional options added to /f switch allowing
the search for free disk space to begin at a
minimum amount as specified on the command line.
o The "-" and "_" caracters are no longer valid
command line separators. This allows them to be
used in search strings.
o Fixed problem of not locating description for
files with no filename extention and a filename
of less than eight (8) characters.
o Fixed a couple of minor screen display errors.
Version 1.00 - Released December 2, 1991.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 8
Registration
To register this program for permanent use, complete the form
on the next page and mail, together with your check for
$10.00, to the address on the form. Registering now will
entitle you to use the current version of 4Cat and all minor
update and bug-fix releases through the next major release
number.
For example: If you are registering version 1.31:
^ ^^
The major version number is 1 -----------| ||
The minor version number is 1 -------------||
The bug-fix version number is 0 ------------|
you may use the program at least through version 2.99 without
re-registering or paying any additional fee.
Opon receipt of your registration form and fee I will MAIL
you a key to remove the reminder from the program.
Support
I will provide limited free (but not toll free) telephone
support to those people who have registered their copy of
4Cat. I may generally be reached between the evening hours
of 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm Eastern time, or Saturday from 10:00
am to 10:00 pm. As you might guess from these hours, I do
not write programs or provide free support for a living. You
may reach me at (912) 432-2479. Please observe the above
hours and do not call collect. Please have your version
number available when you call.
I may also be reached on CompuServe: 72203,1235.
4Cat - Version 1.31 Page 9
4Cat and/or FDE Registration Form
Your Name: _______________________________ Date: __________
Company: _______________________________
Address: _______________________________
_______________________________
City, St: _______________________________ Zip: ___________
Phone: (______) ______________________
Copies @ Rate Amount
4Cat registration: ______ $10.00 ______
FDE registration: ______ 10.00 ______
Both 4Cat and FDE registrations:______ 15.00 ______
Disk with latest versions of the
programs you've registered: ______ 10.00 ______
Total Enclosed with this form:
======
If you've ordered the disk please indicate the disk sizes
you can use.
5.25 DD _____ or 5.25 HD _____
3.25 DD _____ or 3.25 HD _____
4Cat version number: _________ FDE version number: _________
Where did you obtain your copy of the programs?
_____________________________________________________________
Suggestions:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Mail to: Earl R. Davidson
249 W. Doublegate Drive
Albany, GA 31707
Please include your check or money order for US funds.
Thanks for using 4Cat and/or FDE, and thanks for registering.