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MERGEPRO.DOC
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1994-09-23
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8KB
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Introducing MergeFile Professional and MergeFile for Sysops!
This document applies to both MERGEPRO and MERGESYS. The only
difference between these two programs is the default switch
settings. MERGEPRO is set for one line records with the entire
input line as the merge key and MERGESYS is set for multi-line
records of the PCBoard DIR format with the first field (file name)
as the merge key (both are in ascending order). With the proper
option settings, each can handle the other's default type files.
To use MERGESYS on MERGEPRO type files, add to commands: /s1 /fl
To use MERGEPRO on MERGESYS type files, add to commands: /s /f1
CAUTION: MERGEPRO performs a self-test for viruses and/or tampering
on startup to insure that you have an unaltered program. You cannot
use an executable file compressor such as PKLITE on MERGEPRO or it
will fail its self-check and overwrite itself.
MERGEPRO was derived from the MERGEFILE merge program after a sysop
wondered if it could be made to do this, and that, and ... There is
no other merge program like it! Even calling it a merge program now
is not accurate, although it will merge almost ANY kind and size of
sorted ASCII text file that doesn't have imbedded word processor
formatting control codes (these might produce a problem, and the
file probably wouldn't sort as intended anyway). MERGEPRO is more
like a list management tool, even capable of comparing two files and
removing cross file duplicates (records from one file whose keys
match those in another) without merging them.
The user can select the order (ascending/descending), keep or remove
duplicates, write a "trash" file of stripped duplicates and records
with errors, delimiters, case sensitivity, fixed or variable length
records, and even skip over a heading at the beginning of the files
to merge. MERGEPRO can also read or write its own configuration
file so complex commands don't have to be repeatedly entered. If
desired, MERGEPRO will write a log file of all its activities. In
the verbose mode this includes a brief description and location of
all duplicates and errors encountered in the input files.
The merge key can be the entire input line or any of the first nine
fields, with multiple fields in sequence of priority, e.g., merge
first on field three, then field seven, followed by five. Date and
time fields can also be selected as keys and even the order of any
field can be varied, e.g., one is ascending and another descending.
The fields are "free form" in that they are not specified by column
numbers, since a new field begins each time a delimiter is located
(default is one or more spaces, although the number of delimiters
between fields can also be fixed). In other words, even the merge
fields can be variable length. Right justification which is needed
by some data to merge correctly, e.g., numerical, is also available.
A single file can be "merged" on itself, e.g., to remove duplicates
from a sorted list. MERGEPRO can detect up to eight types of errors
in the input files: blank or empty line, missing key or field, out
of sequence record, date or time field did not convert, and line is
too long (it can be up to 254 characters). Blank and empty lines or
all records with errors can optionally be stripped from the files
being processed. MERGEPRO will prompt before the overwrite of an
existing file, giving you the option to rename the output file (the
prompt can be disabled for batch processing).
Because MERGEPRO can do so much, it can be confusing to learn. Thus
there is an extensive help system with over 7,000 words, an on-line
manual! Enter MERGE without any parameters for help. Individual or
all topics can be printed to a file or printer. Six screens of
examples and hints are also available. Commands can even be entered
from the help system while the references are visible. MERGEPRO
will run with DOS 2.1 and above on an IBM compatible PC, and should
perform in a DOS window with other operating environments as well.
The minimum free disk space required is the size of the two input
files combined. More should be allotted when writing a log file,
although different drives can be specified for all output files.
MERGEPRO/MERGESYS is not "officially" released and this is a beta
model, although it has already been exhaustively tested. Please do
not try to register this program yet. It is being distributed for
evaluation purposes only, and your comments are welcome on every
aspect, including the unregistered version's "nag" screens (are they
too annoying?) and the registration price (it's just a suggestion
for now). The keypress that's required to start this unregistered
version can be bypassed by entering a "/9000" anywhere on the
command line, allowing MERGEPRO to be used in a batch file. You can
print and mail the registration form with your comments and if you
indicate on it that you would be interested in registering when
MERGEPRO is released (before the end of 1994), you will be contacted
by mail. Thank you for your interest. Now for the legal stuff!
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
This software and documentation are provided "as is" without
warranty of any kind, either implied or expressed, including
but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to
the results and performance of this product is assumed by the
user. In no event will the author of this program, or anyone
else who has been involved in its creation, production, or
delivery, be liable to you or any other party for any direct,
indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising from
the use of or inability to use this product. Because of the
various hardware and software environments into which this
software may be placed, it should always be thoroughly tested
with noncritical data before relying on it. Your use of this
product indicates that you have read and agreed to these terms.
You may contact me at any of the addresses given below.
Write to: Hal Parks E-Mail: 8:970/201 RBBSNet
HAL SoftWare 1:11/157 FIDONet
404B W. Oak InterNet
Carbondale, IL 62901 charlies@twister.c-lib.siu.edu
OR leave a message for me with InfoQuest BBS at 618-529-0000
OR through InfoQuest's sysop (safest bet for E-Mail and messages)
InterNet: charlies@twister.c-lib.siu.edu
RBBSNet: 8:970/201 FIDONet: 1:11/157
USERNAME: Charles Strusz
FIDO NODELIST CORRECTION: Phone should be 618.529.0000
PCBoard is a registered trademark of Clark Development Company, Inc.
PKLITE is a registered trademark of PKWARE, Inc.