Frostbyte's 1980s DOS Shareware Collection

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+---------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | Soft-Touch | | | | Installation/Operations Guide | | manual revision 2.03 | | | | | | | | Soft-Touch Version P2.03 - 03/12/86 | | | | (C) Copyright 1986 - Martin D. Flynn | | All Rights Reserved | | | | | | | | | | I encourage you to freely use, copy, and share this | | product with friends and associates. If you decide to | | use this product, support the shared software marketing | | concept by becoming a registered user. | | | | | | | | | | | | Martin D. Flynn | | FlynnSoft | | P.O. Box 5034 | | Redwood City, Calif. 94063 | | (415) 487-6482 | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ - I reserve the right to make improvements in the product described in this manual at any time and without notice. - The software described herein is a copyrighted LICENSE PROGRAM and the property of Martin D. Flynn. - This program is distributed as a shared software product. You may freely copy and share this product with your friends and associates. If you decide to use this product, I ask you to become a registered user. - Under no circumstances may this product be sold without the express written permission of Martin D. Flynn. - Please read the Terms and Conditions contained in the Appendix for further details. - Use of this product indicates your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 1.a) Shareware concept 1.b) Description and Capabilities 1.c) PC system requirements 1.d) Special notation and Conventions 1.e) A word about "RAM-cram" Chapter 2: Using Soft-Touch 2.a) Installing Soft-Touch 2.b) Soft-Touch parameters 2.c) Escape mode functions 2.d) Defining keystrokes from the keyboard 2.e) Saving defined keystrokes to a text file 2.f) Restoring keystrokes to the keyboard buffer 2.g) Using variable fields 2.h) Date and time functions 2.i) Nesting keystroke definitions Chapter 3: Advanced Topics 3.a) Enhancing DOS batch file processing 3.b) Creating demonstration or instructional self running programs 3.c) Program interface Appendices: A) Special keystroke names B) Keyboard scan codes C) Error messages D) Program License Agreement E) Limited Warranty +---------------------------------------------------------+ | | | CHAPTER 1 | | Introduction | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ ====================================================================== 1.a) Shareware concept This version of Soft-Touch is distributed in the public domain with the idea that you may freely use, copy, and share this product with your friends and associates. You may review this product at your leasure to determine if you would like to continue using it. If you find it useful, and you decide to use it, I encourage you to become a registered user of this product. You may receive a single registered copy of Soft-Touch for $23, or $20 each for two or more copies. Registration provides the following benefits: 1. Receive an upgraded version of Soft-Touch with the following enhancements: - Increased keyboard buffer size to 25000 keystrokes. - Ability to save and restore to/from any file name. - Escape mode functions <PLAY>, <RCRD>, and <WAIT> have been implemented. - Assembler program interface examples. 2. Limited telephone support. 3. A $5.00 commission for each new registered user who provides your registration number as a reference. You may recieve a registered copy of Soft-Touch by completing the accomanying registration form and mailing it to the specified address. Please make payment via C.O.D., check, or money order. Call for information regarding OEM and large quantity discount prices. The full assembler source for the enhanced version of Soft-Touch is also available and may be purchased for $139. Whatever you decide about getting a registered version of Soft-Touch I would appreciate hearing what you think about Soft-Touch and any suggestions you may have. Anyone who writes to me will be included on my mailing list to be notified of any future enhancements or new products. Registration form: Name.....:______________________________________________________ Company..:______________________________________________________ Address..:______________________________________________________ City.....:_______________________ State:_____ ZIP:_____________ Telephone:(_____) _____-_______ Soft-Touch Version:_____._____ Registration ID#:_______________ Comments: Payment: Send 1 Copy of enhanced Soft-Touch at $23.00 _____.___ (or) Send ____ Copies of enhanced Soft-Touch at $20.00/ea _____.___ C.O.D. 1.75 _____.___ Shipping 1.50 Calif Sales Tax _____.___ TOTAL _____.___ [ ] C.O.D. [ ] Check enclosed Mail to .............. : Martin D. Flynn FlynnSoft P.O. Box 5034 Redwood City, Calif. 94063 (415) 487-6482 ====================================================================== 1.b) Description and Capabilities: Soft-Touch is a powerful tool which allows you to customize your keyboard to simplify the use of your various software applications. With Soft-Touch you can pre-define any lengthy series of keystrokes, such as frequently used parameters, names, or phrases, and play them back with just one or two keystrokes. These defined keystrokes can be played back at any time within your application to perform your customized function. You will be able to call up your spread sheet or word processor and enter your often used parameters with only a single keystroke. Which enables you to spend less time with the details and get right to the work, thus speeding up throughput and therefore productivity. Soft-Touch can be used to record all keystrokes entered during an application so that they may be replayed at a convienient time for demonstration or instructional purposes. Soft-Touch can even allow unattended operation for long running applications that require keyboard input, thus creating an invaluable extension to batch file processing. Soft-Touch contains many powerful features which allow you to take full advantage of the programmability of your keyboard. Some of the Soft-Touch features are as follows: * ability to define over 90 single or double key operations. * playback functions which are able to return the current date and time during a keystroke playback. * variable length data entry fields which can be entered during a keystroke playback and later be recalled in a different portion of the playback. Thus allowing keystroke variables. * keystroke definitions may be referenced within other definitions up to 5 levels deep for the regular version and 25 levels deep for the enhanced version. * playback execution may be suspended and resumed at any time. * keystrokes may be viewed and executed from a work buffer before actually defining them to a single or double keystroke. * an invaluable extension to batch file processing which allows the keyboard buffer work area to be loaded with a series of keystrokes with a Soft-Touch command issued within the batch file. These keystrokes are then available to any application run after the buffer is loaded. * a screen saver option which can automatically switch off the video portion of the display to avoid burning if there is no keyboard activity for a pre-defined amount of time. ====================================================================== 1.c) PC system requirements: In order to take full advantage of the features of Soft-Touch, you will need the following minimum hardware configuration: - An IBM PC, XT, or AT, or a 100% IBM compatable with at least 128k or more. - At least one diskette drive. - PC DOS 2.0 or above. ====================================================================== 1.d) Special notation and Conventions: A special notation will be used in this manual to identify functions and keystrokes for which there is no single character representation. Such functions and keystrokes have been given a short name which is descriptive of its use and will be included within the brackets '<' and '>'. An example of such a keystroke would be the HOME key. To distinguish the HOME key from the characters H-O-M-E, it will be included in brackets to denote a single keystroke, in this case <HOME>. The control shift, caps shift, and alternate shift modes will be denoted by the characters '^', '$', and '@', respectively, preceding the descriptive key name. Therefore control-HOME would be denoted as <^HOME>. Comments within a string of keystrokes will start with a left-bracket-asterisk '<*', and end at the first right bracket '>'. The following lists a few example comments. <* this is a comment > <* ---- this is also a comment ---- *> <*> A list of the special functions and keystrokes which are described in this manner, and other advanced shift modes which are also available, may be found in Appendix A. ====================================================================== 1.e) A word about "RAM-cram": With the advent of numerous memory resident programs, there has arisen a growing problem of conflicts among various memory resident software packages. This syndrome is sometimes known as "RAM-cram". One possible problem is the requirement by more than one memory resident program for the same "hot key" sequence (escape mode sequence). Another is a possible conflict in the use the same software or hardware interrupts. Soft-Touch tries to help solve these problems with two setable options. First, the "hot key" sequence used to access the special Soft-Touch functions may be changed if it is found that the "hot key" sequence currently set conflicts with another memory resident program. Second, Soft-Touch can be temporarily deactivated to allow running programs which may not be compatable with Soft-Touch. These added features allow Soft-Touch a much greater flexibility when installing it with other memory resident programs. +---------------------------------------------------------+ | | | CHAPTER 2 | | Using Soft-Touch | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ ====================================================================== 2.a) Installing Soft-Touch: You may find a file on your Soft-Touch diskette called 'README'. This file will contain the latest information about the Soft-Touch programs and samples that may be included on the diskette. Since Soft-Touch is stored in your PC's memory, it is necessary to load it into memory each time you boot or reload PC DOS. Therefore, it is most likely that you will want to copy the Soft-Touch program to any system diskette that you use to boot PC DOS. To copy the Soft-Touch programs and sample files to your boot diskette, place the Soft-Touch diskette into drive A: and your DOS boot diskette into drive B: then enter the following DOS command: COPY A:*.* b:[path] This command will copy all necessary programs and files to your DOS diskette. If you wish to install the Soft-Touch software onto your hard disk, then specify your hard disk drive and path name for the destination. You may also wish to have Soft-Touch installed automatically on your system when the power is turned on, or when it is re-booted. To do so, use your word processor, or use the DOS supplied EDLIN command, to include Soft-Touch in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The following is an example that may be inserted into your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to load Soft-Touch when your system is booted. SOFTCH /I=3000 /B=15 This example will cause Soft-Touch to be installed in your PC memory with reserved space for 3000 keystrokes. Also, the screen saver option is installed with a time delay of 15 minutes of keyboard inactivity before the video portion of the display is blanked. The parameters used by Soft-Touch will be described in the next section. ====================================================================== 2.b) Soft-Touch parameters: The command 'SOFTCH' may be used to install the memory resident portion of the Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer, or it may be used to interface with the previously loaded buffer to define keystrokes or change various parameters. To install the resident portion of the Soft-Touch extended keyboard buffer driver, enter the command 'SOFTCH' with the '/i' install option followed by any other desired parameters. The format of the command and the allowable parameters are as follows: (note: Items listed within the brackets '[' and ']' are optional.) Format : [d:][path]SOFTCH [-] [/I=[<size>]] [/B=[<delay>]] [/R=[filename | "string"]] [/S=[filename]] [/E=[<hexnum>] [/H] Parms : Specify the parameters: - [d:][path] before the command to specify the drive and path that contains the command file. - [-] to supress the printing of the Soft-Touch header message (enhanced version only). - [/I=[<size>]] to install the memory resident keyboard buffer and specify the desired keystroke buffer size. If specified, the '/I' option must appear before all other options. If the <size> parameter is not specified, the size will be set to the default. For the regular version of Soft-Touch the maximum buffer size that can be set is 3000 keystrokes. - [/B=[<delay>]] to install the screen saver option and specify the number of minutes for the screen blank delay. If the <delay> parameter is not specified, the time delay will be set to the default. - [/R=filename] to specify the text file containing defined keystrokes to load into the buffer. For the regular version of Soft-Touch the filename used will be 'MCRO.KEY' regardless of the filename that may actually appear with this option. - [/R="string"] to specify the keystrokes on the command line that you wish to load into the buffer. - [/S=[filename]] to specify the file to which the defined keystrokes will be written. The file created by this option may later be reloaded with the '/R' option. If the filename parameter is not specified, the defined keys will be listed to the screen. For the regular version of Soft-Touch the filename used will be 'MCRO.KEY' regardless of the filename that may actually appear with this option. - [/E=<hexnum>] to change the recognized escape mode key sequence. The first byte of the hex number represents the keyboard scan code recognized. The second byte represents the shift status recognized. The default setting is 0102 (escape key, left-shift). Additional information for this option may be found in the next section. - [/H] to display the function key help screen. Note: An error message will display if an error is encountered in the parameter list, or if the buffer has already been loaded. See Appendix C for a list of the possible error messages. Example: SOFTCH /I=3000 /B=15 /R=mcro.key This example will set up the extended keyboard buffer with space reserved for 3000 keystrokes. The screen saver option is installed with a screen blank time-out of 15 minute. Also, the keyboard buffer will be initialized with the keystroke definitions found in the file 'MCRO.KEY'. Example: SOFTCH /R="this is a keystroke string<cr>" This example will restore the keystrokes define on the command line to the work buffer. Example: SOFTCH /R="<kstr><f1>format a:/s<cr><kend>" This example will cause the F1 function key to be defined with DOS command to format a diskette. Example: SOFTCH /S=mcro.key This example will cause all defined keystrokes in the enhanced keyboard buffer to be written to the text file named 'MCRO.KEY'. ====================================================================== 2.c) Escape-Mode functions: Once the resident portion of Soft-Touch has been loaded, there are several functions that may be performed to affect the execution of the Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer. These special functions may be executed after pressing a special escape mode "hot key" sequence. To enter the escape mode for execution of the special functions, hold down the LEFT SHIFT then press the <ESC> key. The speaker will respond with two short high pitched beeps and the cursor size will change to a large block to acknowledge that the keyboard is now in escape mode. When the keyboard is in escape mode, any playback operation is suspended and the function keys are reassigned with special functions to be performed as they are pressed. These functions are described below. When a valid function key is pressed, the speaker will respond with one short high beep and the cursor size will return to normal, indicating that the function has been accepted. The suspended keyboard operation will then resume where it left off. The exception is when function key <F3> is pressed; the playback will then be cancelled. If an invalid key is pressed while in escape mode, the speaker will respond with one low beep and the cursor size will remain a large block, indicating that the function was invalid. The keyboard will remain in escape mode until a valid function key is pressed. The following is a list of the special functions used to aid in customizing your keyboard. These functions may be performed in escape-mode, or you may define their function to another key of your choice. Function names marked with a '**' may only be used in keystroke text definitions with the enhanced version of Soft-Touch. These functions may still be selected manually with the escape mode "hot key" sequence. esc-mod ftn key name description -------+--------+------------------------------------------------- <F1> <ON> Turn the defined keystroke recognition on. Defined keystroke definition is turned on when Soft-Touch is initially loaded. <F2> <OFF> Turn the defined keystroke recognition off. This can be used to disable the defined key recognition so that all keystrokes (such as functions keys) will perform their original function as defined by the application you are currently running. <F3> <STOP> Terminate playback and recording modes. <F4> <FLSH> Clear all characters from the work buffer. This function will be used when you wish to clear the work buffer to start recording new characters. <F5> ** <RCRD> Turn on the recording mode. This will cause the recording mode to be set so that any keystrokes entered from the keyboard will be recorded to the work buffer. <F6> ** <PLAY> Playback work buffer. This will cause the keystrokes entered into the work buffer to be played back. <F7> <KBKS> Backspace the work buffer. This will cause the last keystroke entered into the work buffer to be removed. <F8> <KCLR> This function will clear all defined keys from the keyboard buffer and will also flush all characters from the work buffer. <F9> <KSTR> Start keystroke definition. Use this function to start a keystroke definition. When this function is selected, the work buffer is cleared, and the next key pressed will be the key to which the recorded keystrokes will be assigned. If an invalid key is selected to define, then the speaker will respond with one low beep to indicate that the key to define was rejected and the function will be cancelled. You may then select the function again and try a valid key. A list of definable keys may be found in a later section. <F10> <KEND> End keystroke definition. If the <KSTR> function has been selected prior to this function, then the keystrokes entered between the start and end functions will be assigned to the keystroke selected after the <KSTR> function. If the <KSTR> function was not selected, then the keystrokes found in the work buffer will be assigned to the next valid key pressed. If an invalid key is selected to define, then the speaker will respond with one low beep and the function will be cancelled. Note: The above function names (ie. <FLSH>) are executed immediately when they are recognized in an input string as it is loaded (with the '/R' option) and will not be part of the functions assigned to a particular keystroke. If you wish to include the above functions as part of the assigned keystrokes, then select the desired function with the alternate shift pressed (ie. <@PLAY>). This will cause the function to be executed only at playback time and not at load time. <$F1> <VFLD> Variable length data entry field. When a playback encounters this function, the playback pauses waiting for keyboard input. The keyboard input is terminated by a carriage return. The terminating carriage return is "invisible" and will not be sent to your application program. The playback will then continue where it left off. The keystrokes entered during the variable field data entry may be recalled later in a playback with the <VAR> function. <$F#> <VFL#> The function keys <$F1>, <$F3>, and <$F5> correspond with the variable data entry fields <VFL1>, <VFL2>, and <VFL3>, respectively. <VFL1> is the same as <VFLD>. See the <VFLD> function for the definition of use. <$F2> <VAR> This function plays back the keystrokes entered during the previous <VFLD> data entry. <$F#> <VAR#> The function keys <$F2>, <$F4>, and <$F6>, correspond with the variable playback fields <VAR1>, <VAR2>, and <VAR3>, respectively. <VAR1> is the same as <VAR>. See the <VAR> function for the defintion of use. <$F7> ** <WAIT> This function will cause the playback operation to be suspended until any key is pressed on the keyboard. This function is very usefull for suspending the playback operations during a self-running demonstration to allow for viewing the current screen until a key is pressed. <$F8> <PAUS> This function causes the playback to pause for approximately 2 seconds before continuing with the playback string. This may be used for replaying demonstration application to allow for screen viewing at strategic points. <$F10> <BOOT> This function will cause the system to reboot as if the ctl-alt-del key sequence had been pressed. This will allow for creating an additional definition of the system reset to another key, or to be included in application programs that may require that the system be rebooted. <^F1> <TIME> Set the internal data areas to the current system date and time. No playback string is returned with this function. <^F2> <YEAR> This function returns the long year (ie. 1986) last set by the <TIME> function. <^F3> <YR> This function returns the short year (ie. 86) last set by the <TIME> function. <^F4> <MO> This function returns the month of the year last set by the <TIME> function. <^F5> <DA> This function returns the day of the month last set by the <TIME> function. <^F6> <HR> This function returns the time hour, bases on a 24 hour clock, last set by the <TIME> function. <^F7> <MN> This function returns the time minutes last set by the <TIME> function. <^F8> <SC> This function returns the time seconds last set by the <TIME> function. <^F9> <LOOP> This function causes the key in which it is defined to be re-executed creating a continuous loop of keystrokes. The escape mode function key <F3> must be used in this case to terminate the playback. <^F10> <BEEP> This function causes the speaker to issue a short beep. This can be used to identify certain sections of a playback with strategically placed beeps. Note: The above functions may be selected from the keyboard during escape mode but they will not be executed until they are encountered during a playback. They will, however, be recorded to the work buffer if record mode is active. The following functions can not be executed through the function key pad in escape mode. They can only be executed by including them in a text file or on a command line with the '/R' option. ---- <DACT> This function will temporarily deactivate the Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer. The escape mode keys and any defined special keys will not be recognized while the keyboard enhancer is deactivated. ---- <ACTV> This function will re-activate the Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer so that the escape mode keys and the defined special keys will be recognized when pressed. --------- The left-shift-escape "hot key" sequence can be changed with the '/E' option on the command line. To set the new "hot key" sequence specify the scan code and shift status in hex. The first byte of the hex code (first two numbers) represents the keyboard scan code of the key to be recognized in the "hot key" sequence. See Appendix B for a list of the keyboard keys and their corresponding scan codes. The second byte (last two numbers) represents the shift status to be recognized in the "hot key" sequence. The following table shows the shift status available. It is recommended that only one of the following shift status codes be used at any one time, rather than combining two or more of them. 01h = right shift 02h = left shift 04h = control shift 08h = alternate shift The default escape key sequence is 0102 hex (01=esc, 02=left shift). The following command will show how to change the escape mode key sequence to right-shift-escape. SOFTCH /E=0101 ====================================================================== 2.d) Defining keystrokes from the keyboard: There are over 90 different keystroke sequences on the keyboard to which you may assign keystroke strings. A list of keys which can be used for assigning keystroke may be found in Appendix A. The definable keystrokes are marked with an asterisk (*). A series of keystrokes may be recorded and assigned to a single or double keystrokes using the escape mode functions. There are two methods with which to accomplish this: Method #1: Step 1) Press the escape mode "hot key" sequence; the speaker will respond with two high pitched beeps. Then select the <KSTR> function <F9> (start keystroke definition); the speaker will respond with one high pitched beep. Step 2) Select the key to which you wish to assign your keystrokes. If you press an invalid keystroke, the speaker will respond with one low pitched beep and the <KSTR> function will be cancelled. You will then need to restart at step 1. Step 3) At this point all keys entered on the keyboard will be recorded to the work buffer. Step 4) When you have finished entering your desired keystrokes, press the escape mode "hot key" sequence; the speaker will respond with two high pitched beeps. Then select the <KEND> function <F10> (end keystroke definition); the speaker will respond with one high pitched beep. The keystrokes recorded in step 3 have now been assigned to the key selected in step 2. Method #2: Step 1) Press the escape mode "hot key" sequence; the speaker will respond with two high pitched beeps. Then select the <RCRD> function <F5> (record mode); the speaker will respond with one high pitched beep. Step 2) At this point all keys entered on the keyboard will be recorded to the work buffer. Step 3) When you have finished entering your desired keystrokes, press the escape mode "hot key" sequence; the speaker will respond with two high pitched beeps. Then press the <KSTR> function <F10> (end keystroke definition); the speaker will respond with one high pitched beep. Step 4) Select the key to which you wish to assign your keystrokes. If you press an invalid keystroke, the speaker will respond with one low pitched beep and the <KEND> function will be cancelled. You will then need to restart at step 3. The keystrokes recorded in step 2 have now been assigned to the key selected in step 4. With the second method steps 3 and 4 may be delayed. If you wish to view the keystrokes entered in the work buffer before actually assigning them to a key you may do so. You can turn off the keystroke record mode by selecting the escape mode <STOP> function <F3>, then view the contents of the work buffer with the '/S' option on the command line. The record mode may then be turned back on with the escape mode <RCRD> function <F5> (as in step 1), or you may continue with step 3. Example: To assign the keystroke string "hello" to the alternate-H (<@H>) key you could perform the following using method #1 as described above: 1) Press the escape mode "hot key" sequence followed by the <KSTR> start key definition function <F9>. 2) Press and hold the alternate shift key then press the 'H' key. 3) Enter the keystroke string "hello". 4) Terminate the keystroke definition by pressing the escape mode "hot key" sequence followed by the <KEND> end key definition function <F10>. The sentence "hello" may now be played back by pressing the alternate-H keystroke. Once a keystroke has been defined, it may be played back at any time by pressing the defined key. You may cancel a keystroke definition by redefining the key with another keystroke string or with no keystroke string (start the keystroke definition, then end it without entering any other keystrokes). Assigning a null definition to a previously defined key will reset the keys function to that defined by the application program. The buffer space used by key definitions which have been cancelled will remain unused until the buffer is cleared with the <KCLR> command, or until the system is rebooted. You may use the SOFTCH command to reorganize unused space created from cancelling key assignments. To reorganize the buffer, enter the following command: SOFTCH /S=temp.$$$ /R="<KCLR>" /R=temp.$$$ The parameters '/S=temp.$$$' will cause the entire buffer to be saved to the temporary file 'temp.$$$'. The parameter '/R="<KCLR>"' will cause the entire buffer to be cleared and reset. Finally, the parameter '/R=temp.$$$' will restore the previously saved keyboard buffer. This reorganization will cause all previously unused space from key assignment cancellation to be reused. Note that for the regular version of Soft-Touch the file name used on the save and restore options is 'MCRO.KEY' regardless of the file name that may actually appear with the option. ====================================================================== 2.e) Saving defined keystrokes to a text file: Keystrokes which have been assigned to various keys may be written to a text file or displayed on the screen for viewing with the '/S' parameter. This example will save all defined keystrokes into the file 'CUSTOM.KEY': SOFTCH /S=CUSTOM.KEY Note that for the regular version of Soft-Touch the file name used on the save option is 'MCRO.KEY', regardless of the file name that may actually appear with the option. The saved file may be edited in any convenient word processor to add or delete defined keystrokes. The text file may later be restored to the buffer with the '/R' (restore) parameter. If no file name is entered after the '/S' option then the defined keystrokes will be listed to the screen. The format of the defined keystrokes when written to a text file, or printed on the screen, is as follows: <* ----- key definition ----- *> <KSTR><defined-key> . . keystroke string . ... <KEND> <* ----- key definition ----- *> . . ... <* ----- work area ---------- *> . . ... For example, a macro that defines the alternate-E to the delete file command and the alternate-F key to the format command followed by a check disk command might be as follows: <* ----- key definition ----- *> <KSTR><@E> del <*> <KEND> <* ----- key definition ----- *> <KSTR><@F> format b:/s<cr> chkdsk b:<cr> <KEND> <* ----- work area ---------- *> The keyword <KSTR> and its defined key will appear on a separate line preceding the string of keystrokes it is to represent. The keyword <KEND> will appear on a line by itself to terminate the definition of the keystroke string. As the keystrokes are written to the text file, a new text line is generated when the keystroke '<cr>' is encountered, or if the keystroke line would be greater than 72 characters. This is why the definition for the alternate-F is as shown in the example rather than in the form below: <KSTR><@F>format b:/s<cr>chkdsk b:<cr><KEND> This format is functionally equivalent to the format generated by the '/S' option, but is less readable. If this format is entered with the '/R' option, it will be converted to the standard format described above when it is read with the '/S' option. All characters found in the text file that are less than a space (decimal 32) are ignored by the '/R' option. This will allow for a few control codes that are required by some word processors without effecting the data sent to the Soft-Touch keyboard buffer. This includes the carriage return and line feed characters. Any characters equal to, or greater than, a space will be included in the buffer. If your defined keystroke string requires a character that is less than a space, then use the special notation which defines the desired character (ie. use <cr> for carriage return). See Appendix A. If there are any significant trailing spaces at the end of a line, as in the example above for the defined key alternate-E, the line will be terminated with the comment '<*>' after the last significant space. This will let you know where the line actually ends and will not effect the processing of the keystrokes. Any characters in the work buffer will appear below the comment line heading '<* - work area - *>'. If there are no keystrokes in the work buffer, then nothing will appear below this line. To distinguish a literal left-bracket (<) from the beginning of a keystroke name or function, a literal left-bracket will appear as two left brackets together. For example, if you have recorded the sequence ".. < .. > .." while defining a key, then this line will appear as ".. << .. > .." in the saved text file. Note that this is true for the left bracket only, not for the right bracket. ====================================================================== 2.f) Restoring keystrokes to the keyboard buffer: Keystrokes which have been written to a text file with the '/S' option, or that have been defined in a text file with a word processor, may be loaded into the keyboard buffer with the '/R' option. This example will restore keystrokes define in the text file 'CUSTOM.KEY' to the keyboard buffer: SOFTCH /R=CUSTOM.KEY Note that with the regular version of Soft-Touch the file name used on the restore option is 'MCRO.KEY', regardless of the file name that may actually appear with the option. Keystrokes may also be loaded into the keyboard buffer by specifying them right on the command parameter line just as they would be in a text file. The format for loading keystrokes from the command line is as follows: SOFTCH /R=".. keystroke string .." On the command line, to specify one literal quote, you must specify two quotes together. This example defines the alt-E key with the keystrokes which will execute the DOS 'echo' command with the quoted message "hello": SOFTCH /R="<kstr><@E>echo ""hello""<cr><kend>" The work buffer may also be loaded with a string of keystrokes. The keystrokes in the work buffer may be played back by pressing the escape mode "hot key" sequence followed by the <PLAY> function <F6>. This example loads the work buffer with a date and time phrase which may be used in some application: SOFTCH /R="date <yr>/<mo>/<da><tab>" ====================================================================== 2.g) Using variable fields: Soft-Touch will allow keyboard entry during a playback which may be re-played at a later time. For example, if we wish to create a macro which exchanges the names of two files, we could define the alternate-X key as follows: <KSTR><@X> rename <VFL1> temp.$$$<cr> rename <VFL2> <VAR1><cr> rename temp.$$$ <VAR2><cr> <KEND> When the <VFL1> is encountered, the playback will pause waiting for keyboard input, allowing you to enter the first file name. When you have finished entering the first file name, you may terminate the keyboard data entry with a carriage return. This carriage return will be interpreted by Soft-Touch only and will not be recognized by the executing program (in this case DOS). The file is then renamed to 'TEMP.$$$' and the next rename command will be initiated. The playback will again pause at the <VFL2> function waiting for keyboard input. When the second file name entered is terminated with a carriage return, the playback will continue to the <VAR1> function. This function will be replaced with the file name entered in <VFL1>, causing the second file name to be renamed to the first. The temporary file will then be renamed to the file name entered as the second file in <VFL2>. ====================================================================== 2.h) Date and Time functions: At some time it may be necessary to include in your keystroke playback the current date and time. This may be most useful for unattended operations that require a date and/or time. Soft-Touch has several functions that support the return of the current date and time: <TIME> : set internal data areas to system date and time. <YEAR>/<YR> : return the long/short year last set by the <TIME> function. <MO> : return the month number of the year last set by the <TIME> function. <DA> : return the day of the month last set by the <TIME> function. <HR> : return the hour based on a 24 hour clock last set by the <TIME> function. <MN> : return the number of minutes past the hour last set by the <TIME> function. <SC> : return the number of seconds past the minute last set by the <TIME> function. The function <TIME> does not return any keystrokes, it only serves to set the date and time in an internal data area with the current system date and time when it was executed. This internal data area is then accessed by the various date and time return functions. This would allow, for instance, saving the time at the beginning of one program to be used as input to another program run at a later time. For example, we could create a formatted date and time that could be played back in your word processor to be included with your text. This kind of definition could look like the following: <KSTR><@T> <TIME>date <MO>/<DA>/<YR>, time <HR>:<MN>:<SC> <KEND> The <TIME> function is used here in the definition to make sure that the returned date and time is always current. If the current date and time is January 17, 1986, 8:32am and 27 seconds, then the returned keystroke string would appear as follows: date 01/17/86, time 08:32:27 ====================================================================== 2.i) Nesting keystroke definitions: Soft-Touch will allow you to specify previously defined keystrokes within other definitions. For example, let's look at the following keystroke definitions: <KSTR><@D> lazy dog <KEND> <KSTR><@F> quick brown fox <KEND> <KSTR><@S> The <@F> jumped over the <@D>. <KEND> The phrase 'lazy dog' has been assigned to the alt-D key, while 'quick brown fox' has been assigned to the alt-F key. Notice that the definition for the alt-S key references the alt-D and alt-F keys. In this example, the keystroke definitions are nested so that when alt-S is pressed, the following sentence will be played back: The quick brown fox jump over the lazy dog. This shows how defined keys can be specified within other definitions. The regular version will allow keystroke playback nesting like this up to 5 levels deep, while the enhanced version allows nesting up to 25 levels deep. Much deeper than you will probably ever need. If the limit is ever reached, the speaker will sound to indicate a nesting overflow and the last keystroke that caused the overflow will be skipped. +---------------------------------------------------------+ | | | CHAPTER 3 | | Advanced Topics | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ ====================================================================== 3.a) Enhancing DOS batch file processing: The Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer provides an invaluable tool for enhancing the operation of the DOS batch file processor. Now, not only can programs be entered into a batch file, but now the keystrokes that are required by the program as well. For instance, if you have a word processor, spread sheet, or database system that requires a set of keyboard entered parameters, then the keyboard buffer can be loaded with the keystroked before the program is run so that they may be ready when asked for by the program. Example: Suppose we have a program called 'TRANS' that has a simple menu structure as follows: L = load transactioin file C = calculate transaction P = print transaction X = exit from program Enter selection: _ We wish to load a transaction file, calculate any needed information, then print the results. When the 'L' option is selected, a file name will be requested so we will need acocunt for this. Given the circumstances of this example, it will be more advantagious to playback the keystrokes from the work buffer rather than defining the key strokes to another key. We could either use a separate file to define the keystrokes, or we can define the keystrokes right within the batch file. If we wish to define the keystrokes in a separate file, the keystroke file and batch file would appear as follows: Keystroke file TRANS.KEY: <flsh> <* make sure work buffer is empty *> L <* select load option *> RCPT.TRN<cr> <* enter file name *> C <* calculate transactions *> P <* print transactioin *> X <* exit program *> <play> <* set playback (enhanced version only) *> Batch file TRANSACT.BAT: . <* other batch commands *> . SOFTCH /R=TRANS.KEY <* load keyboard buffer *> TRANS <* execute application *> . . When the batch file is executed, the keyboard buffer is loaded with the necessary keystrokes. In the regular version of Soft-Touch, the playback mode will have to be turned on manually by pressing the escape mode "hot key" sequence followed by the <PLAY> function <F6>. In the enhanced version the function "<PLAY>" may be included in the keystroke definition text. The playback mode is then set on when the <PLAY> function is encountered. The keystrokes will then be passed to the program as they are requested. If we wished to define the keystrokes in the batch file and not in a separate text file, the batch file would appear as follows: Batch file TRANSACT.BAT: . <* other batch commands *> . SOFTCH /R="<flsh>LRCPT.TRN<cr>CPX<play>" TRANS . . Again, the <PLAY> function is only valid when included with the keystroke definition text with the enhanced version of Soft-Touch. If we wish to use the batch file parameter capabilities we could then design the batch file so that the file name could be entered as a parameter on the TRANSACT batch file. The batch file would then appear as follows: Batch file TRANSACT.BAT: . <* other batch commands *> . SOFTCH /R="<flsh>L%1<cr>CPX<play>" TRANS . . The symbol '%1' will be replaced by DOS with the first parameter entered on the batch file, in this case, the file name. So the transaction file may be loaded, calculated, and printed using the following command: TRANSACT RCPT.TRN ====================================================================== 3.b) Creating demonstration or instructional self running programs: Another invaluable feature of the Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer is the ability to use it for running programs for demonstration or instructional purposes. The keyboard buffer can be loaded with all the necessary keystrokes for carrying out a full demonstration of an application. Just before calling up your application for which you wish to create your demonstration run, initiate a keystroke definition as outlined in the section to define keystrokes from the keyboard (section 2.d). At this time the keyboard buffer should be in record mode and will record any keys pressed at this time. Run your application at this time and issue any functions you wish to appear in your demonstration. When you have finished entering all your desired functions within your application, you may terminate the keystroke definition with the appropriate escape mode function key. The entire application may then be re-run by pressing the defined keystroke. Note: If desired, the sequence of keystrokes may be recorded to and executed from the work buffer without actually having to define them to a single or double keystroke. The work buffer may be played back by selecting the escape mode <PLAY> function <F6>. The keystroke buffer should then be saved to a text file for editing and later restoring. To save the keystroke buffer to a text file, follow the instructions outlined the the section for saving defined keystrokes (section 2.e). Various Soft-Touch functions are available to enhance your demonstration run so that everything doesn't fly by too fast when it is re-run. Three function which which may be especially useful are <WAIT>, <PAUS>, and <BEEP>. These functions can be included during record mode by selecting the appropriate escape mode function, or they may be inserted in the saved keystroke text file with a convenient word processor. Note that the function "<WAIT>" is only available with the enhanced version of Soft-Touch. The <PAUS> function will cause the keystroke playback to pause for about 2 seconds before continuing with the playback. This function can be inserted at stratigic points to allow for viewing the screen for a short time. If a longer delay than 2 seconds is necessary, then several <PAUS> functions may be used end to end. For example, "<PAUS><PAUS>" will cause a pause of about 4 seconds. The <WAIT> function will cause the keystroke playback to be suspended and will wait until any key is pressed on the keyboard before continuing. This function can be inserted at strategic points to allow for viewing the current screen until a key is pressed on the keyboard. This function is only available with the enhanced version of Soft-Touch. The <BEEP> function will cause the speaker to respond with one short beep. This can be used to identify certain points of a playback, such as just before a <WAIT> function. Once the keystrokes which run your application have been saved to a text file and edited, you need only restore the file to the keyboard buffer and set the play mode to execute the entire application. To automatically set the play mode when the buffer is loaded, you must send the <PLAY> function to the keyboard buffer. The <PLAY> function will cause all keystrokes in the work buffer to be played back. With the regular version of Soft-Touch this playback mode will need to be set manually by pressing the escape mode "hot key" sequence followed by the <PLAY> playback function <F6>. If you have defined all your application keystrokes to be within the work buffer, then nothing more need be done. Otherwise, you must set the work buffer to include the keystroke to which you have defined the application keystrokes. For example, if you have assigned all of your application keystrokes to the key <@D> in the text file 'DEMO.KEY' ('MCRO.KEY' for the regular version), and your application program name is 'APPLIC', then one possible way to execute the application might be as follows: Contents of 'DEMO.KEY': <KSTR><@D> . . (application keystrokes) . . <KEND> Batch file to execute the application: . . SOFTCH /R=demo.key /R="<FLSH><@D><PLAY>" APPLIC . . In the batch file the first '/R' parameter causes the keyboard buffer to be loaded with the application keystrokes found in the file 'DEMO.KEY' ('MCRO.KEY' for the regular version). The second '/R' parameter causes the work buffer to be cleared, after which the key '<@D>' is put into the work buffer. With the enhanced version playback mode is then set on so that the keystrokes will be sent to the application when requested. Since the function "<PLAY>" is not implemented for the regular version of Soft-Touch, the playback mode will have to be set manually by pressing the escape mode "hot key" sequence followed by the <PLAY> playback function <F6>. ====================================================================== 3.c) Program interface: This sections contains the user interface routine parameters for the Soft-Touch keyboard enhancer functions. To use the routines defined in this section, place the desired value into the register AH and the required values in the specified registers then issue a call to software interrupt 016h (INT 016h). Note: The 'keyboard mode' used in 0A3h, 0A5h, and 0A6h, will affect the pointers in the Soft-Touch keyboard buffer used by application programs to get keystrokes from the keyboard. The 'maintenance mode' will not affect these pointers and is therefore suggested for use when you wish only to interrogate the keyboard buffer without actually returning the keystrokes in the buffer to your applications. Program functions available: (ah) = A0h Set carry flag and return status. (ds:si) = pointer to 10 word status array values returned: elem: 0 = -1 (indicate Soft-Touch loaded) 1 = work space size (keystrokes) 2 = keystrokes in buffer 3 = execute mode status (on/off) 4 = capture mode status (on/off) 5 to 9 reserved (ah) = A1h Flush work area buffer. (ah) = A2h Convert scan code to string. (bx) = scan code to convert (cl) = string termination character (ds:si) = pointer to data area for converted string the returned string may be up to 8 byte long including the termination character. (ah) = A3h Set keystroke pointer to defined key and turn on playback mode. (bx) = scan code of defined key. (if bx=FF00h, set to work buffer) (cx) = 0 for keyboard mode, (enhanced version only) 1 for maintenance mode (ah) = A4h Put character string in buffer. (ds:si) = address of string terminated with a null. (ah) = A5h Get scan code from active Soft-Touch keyboard buffer and advance keystroke pointer. (bx) = returned scan character (cx) = 0 for keyboard mode, 1 for maintenance mode (ah) = A6h Get scan code from active Soft-Touch keyboard buffer and do not advance the keystroke pointer. (bx) = returned scan character (cx) = 0 for keyboard mode, 1 for maintenance mode (ah) = AEh Set escape mode "hot key" sequence. (bh) = keyboard scan code for escape mode key (bl) = shift code for escape mode key 01h = right shift 02h = left shift 04h = control shift 08h = alternate shift (ah) = AFh Set new screen blank delay. (bx) = time delay in minutes The returned error codes are as follows: (dx) = 0000h successful operation = 0001h unknown option = 0002h buffer is empty/full = 0003h key is invalid / already defined / not defined = 0004h buffer not set for proper defined key termination = 0005h buffer play/record mode is turned off = 0006h cannot execute field during it's definition = 0007h nesting/recursion overflow +---------------------------------------------------------+ | | | APPENDICES | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ ====================================================================== A) Special keystroke names: There are keystrokes on the keyboard that do not have any single character representation, therefore a special notation is used to identify these keys. The following is a list of keystrokes in their special notation form, and a description of the function that the key performs: An asterisk has been placed by the keystrokes to which you may assign a string of keystrokes. These keystrokes have been defined as keys with 'extended scan codes'. Unshifted keys: * <F1> - <F10> : unshifted functions * <UP> : up arrow * <DOWN> : down arrow * <LEFT> : left arrow * <RGHT> : right arrow * <PGUP> : page up * <PGDN> : page down * <HOME> : home * <END> : end * <INS> : insert * <DEL> : delete <CR> : carriage return <LF> : line feed <TAB> : tab <ESC> : escape <BKSP> : back space Alternate shifted keys: * <@F1> - <@F10> : alternate function * <@0> - <@9> : alternate numbers (top of keyboard) * <@-> : alternate '-' * <@=> : alternate '=' * <@A> - <@Z> : alternate 'A' through 'Z' Caps shifted keys: * <$F1> - <$F10> : shifted functions <$TAB> : shift tab Control shifted keys: * <^F1> - <^F10> : control functions * <^2> : control '2' <^6> : control '6' <^-> : control '-' * <^LEFT> : control left arrow * <^RGHT> : control right arrow * <^PGUP> : control page up * <^PGDN> : control page down * <^HOME> : control home * <^END> : control end * <^PRTS> : control print screen <^CR> : control carriage return (same as <LF>) <^BKSP> : control back space <^[> : control '[' <^\> : control '\' <^]> : control ']' <^A> - <^Z> : control 'A' through 'Z' Special escape mode functions: The functions applicable only to the enhanced version of Soft-Touch are indicated by a '**' beside the function. <ON> : immed: enable defined keys <OFF> : immed: disable defined keys <STOP> : immed: turn off record and play modes <FLSH> : immed: clear work buffer ** <RCRD> : immed: turn on record mode ** <PLAY> : immed: playback work buffer <KBKS> : immed: backspace work buffer <KCLR> : immed: clear all defined keys <KSTR> : immed: start key definition <KEND> : immed: end key definition <@ON> : playback: enable defined keys <@OFF> : playback: disable defined keys <@STOP> : playback: turn off record and play modes <@FLSH> : playback: clear work buffer <@RCRD> : playback: turn on record mode <@PLAY> : playback: playback work buffer <@KBKS> : playback: backspace work buffer <@KCLR> : playback: clear all defined keys <@KSTR> : playback: start key definition <@KEND> : playback: end key definition <BOOT> : re-boot system <TIME> : set current system data and time <YEAR> : return long year <YR> : return short year <MO> : return month number <DA> : return day number <HR> : return hour (24 hour clock) <MN> : return minutes past hour <SC> : return seconds past minute <LOOP> : replay keystrokes <BEEP> : issue a short beep in the speaker ** <WAIT> : wait until a key is pressed <PAUS> : pause for 2 seconds <VFLD> : variable entry field #1 <VFL1> - <VFL3> : variable entry field #1 - #3 <VAR> : variable field return #1 <VAR1> - <VAR3> : variable field return #1 - #3 Other special names: <*...comment...> : comment line <#001> - <#255> : alternate shift numeric pad codes <&hhhh> : literal scan code (hhhh = hex number) ====================================================================== B) Keyboard scan codes: This is a list of the keyboard scan codes and the codes which are returned by a call to software interrupt 016h. All keystrokes in the list below which have a returned code ending with 00h (ie. 3B00h for <F1>) may be used for assigning keystroke strings. Scan code table: keyboard | codes returned by int 016h scan code | | shift status dec | hex | key | norm | alt | shft | ctrl ----+-----+---------+-------+-------+-------+------- 1 | 01h | esc | 011Bh | ---- | 011Bh | 011Bh 2 | 02h | 1 ! | 0231h | 7800h | 0221h | ---- 3 | 03h | 2 @ | 0332h | 7900h | 0340h | 0300h 4 | 04h | 3 # | 0433h | 7A00h | 0423h | ---- 5 | 05h | 4 $ | 0534h | 7B00h | 0524h | ---- 6 | 06h | 5 % | 0635h | 7C00h | 0625h | ---- 7 | 07h | 6 ^ | 0736h | 7D00h | 075Eh | 071Eh 8 | 08h | 7 & | 0837h | 7E00h | 0826h | ---- 9 | 09h | 8 * | 0938h | 7F00h | 092Ah | ---- 10 | 0Ah | 9 ( | 0A39h | 8000h | 0A28h | ---- 11 | 0Bh | 0 ) | 0B30h | 8100h | 0B29h | ---- 12 | 0Ch | - _ | 0C2Dh | 8200h | 0C5Fh | 0C1Fh 13 | 0Dh | = + | 0D3Dh | 8300h | 0D2Bh | ---- 14 | 0Eh | bksp | 0E08h | ---- | 0E08h | 0E7Fh 15 | 0Fh | tab | 0F09h | ---- | 0F00h | ---- 16 | 10h | Q | 1071h | 1000h | 1051h | 1011h 17 | 11h | W | 1177h | 1100h | 1157h | 1117h 18 | 12h | E | 1265h | 1200h | 1245h | 1205h 19 | 13h | R | 1372h | 1300h | 1352h | 1312h 20 | 14h | T | 1474h | 1400h | 1454h | 1414h 21 | 15h | Y | 1579h | 1500h | 1559h | 1519h 22 | 16h | U | 1675h | 1600h | 1655h | 1615h 23 | 17h | I | 1769h | 1700h | 1749h | 1709h 24 | 18h | O | 186Fh | 1800h | 184Fh | 180Fh 25 | 19h | P | 1970h | 1900h | 1950h | 1910h 26 | 1Ah | [ { | 1A5Bh | ---- | 1A7Bh | 1A1Bh 27 | 1Bh | ] } | 1B5Dh | ---- | 1B7Dh | 1B1Dh 28 | 1Ch | return | 1C0Dh | ---- | 1C0Dh | 1C0Ah 29 | 1Dh | ctrl | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- 30 | 1Eh | A | 1E61h | 1E00h | 1E41h | 1E01h 31 | 1Fh | S | 1F73h | 1F00h | 1F53h | 1F13h 32 | 20h | D | 2064h | 2000h | 2044h | 2004h 33 | 21h | F | 2166h | 2100h | 2146h | 2106h 34 | 22h | G | 2267h | 2200h | 2247h | 2207h 35 | 23h | H | 2368h | 2300h | 2348h | 2308h 36 | 24h | J | 246Ah | 2400h | 244Ah | 240Ah 37 | 25h | K | 256Bh | 2500h | 254Bh | 250Bh 38 | 26h | L | 266Ch | 2600h | 264Ch | 260Ch 39 | 27h | ; : | 273Bh | ---- | 273Ah | ---- 40 | 28h | ' " | 2827h | ---- | 2822h | ---- 41 | 29h | ` ~ | 2960h | ---- | 297Eh | ---- (continued) keyboard | codes returned by int 016h scan code | | shift status dec | hex | key | norm | alt | shft | ctrl ----+-----+---------+-------+-------+-------+------- 42 | 2Ah | L-shft | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- 43 | 2Bh | \ | | 2B5Ch | ---- | 2B7Ch | 2B1Ch 44 | 2Ch | Z | 2C7Ah | 2C00h | 2C5Ah | 2C1Ah 45 | 2Dh | X | 2D78h | 2D00h | 2D58h | 2D18h 46 | 2Eh | C | 2E63h | 2E00h | 2E43h | 2E03h 47 | 2Fh | V | 2F76h | 2F00h | 2F56h | 2F16h 48 | 30h | B | 3062h | 3000h | 3042h | 3002h 49 | 31h | N | 316Eh | 3100h | 314Eh | 310Eh 50 | 32h | M | 326Dh | 3200h | 324Dh | 320Dh 51 | 33h | , < | 332Ch | ---- | 333Ch | ---- 52 | 34h | . > | 342Eh | ---- | 343Eh | ---- 53 | 35h | / ? | 352Fh | ---- | 353Fh | ---- 54 | 36h | R-shft | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- 55 | 37h | * prtsc | 372Ah | ---- | ---- | 7200h 56 | 38h | alt | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- 57 | 39h | space | 3920h | 3920h | 3920h | 3920h 58 | 3Ah | caps-lk | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- 59 | 3Bh | f1 | 3B00h | 6800h | 5400h | 5E00h 60 | 3Ch | f2 | 3C00h | 6900h | 5500h | 5F00h 61 | 3Dh | f3 | 3D00h | 6A00h | 5600h | 6000h 62 | 3Eh | f4 | 3E00h | 6B00h | 5700h | 6100h 63 | 3Fh | f5 | 3F00h | 6C00h | 5800h | 6200h 64 | 40h | f6 | 4000h | 6D00h | 5900h | 6300h 65 | 41h | f7 | 4100h | 6E00h | 5A00h | 6400h 66 | 42h | f8 | 4200h | 6F00h | 5B00h | 6500h 67 | 43h | f9 | 4300h | 7000h | 5C00h | 6600h 68 | 44h | f10 | 4400h | 7100h | 5D00h | 6700h 69 | 45h | num-lk | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- 70 | 46h | break | ---- | ---- | ---- | 0000h 71 | 47h | home 7 | 4700h |*00##h | 4737h | 7700h 72 | 48h | up 8 | 4800h |*00##h | 4838h | ---- 73 | 49h | pgup 9 | 4900h |*00##h | 4939h | 8400h 74 | 4Ah | - | 4A2Dh | ---- | 4A2Dh | ---- 75 | 4Bh | left 4 | 4B00h |*00##h | 4B34h | 7300h 76 | 4Ch | 5 | ---- |*00##h | 4C35h | ---- 77 | 4Dh | rght 6 | 4D00h |*00##h | 4D36h | 7400h 78 | 4Eh | + | 4E2Bh | ---- | 4E2Bh | ---- 79 | 4Fh | end 1 | 4F00h |*00##h | 4F31h | 7500h 80 | 50h | dwn 2 | 5000h |*00##h | 5032h | ---- 81 | 51h | pgdn 3 | 5100h |*00##h | 5133h | 7600h 82 | 52h | ins 0 | 5200h |*00##h | 5230h | ---- 83 | 53h | del . | 5300h | ---- | 532Eh | ---- * special ALT code generation note: 0000 is not returned by the ALT numeric pad sequence. ====================================================================== C) Error messages: This section lists the possible error messages that may be encountered while using the MCROKY command. Error: Keyboard buffer has not been loaded An option has been requested on the SOFTCH command line that requires that the buffer be previously loaded with the install option. This can be corrected by installing the buffer. Error: Invalid quoted string An invalid quoted string has been entered on the SOFTCH command line with the restore option. Correct the improper quoted string, then resubmit the command. Error: File does not exist The file name entered on the restore option does not exist as specified. Check that the drive and path for the file are correctly specified, then resubmit the command. Error: Buffer load error (invalid code / buffer full) The restore option on the SOFTCH command found an error when loading the keyboard buffer with keystrokes. Either an invalid keystroke function name has been specifed, or the keyboard buffer is full and can not accept any more keystrokes. Error: Unknown parameter code An option has been specified on the SOFTCH command line that is not valid. Correct the invalid parameter code, then resubmit the command. Error: Buffer already loaded The buffer install optioni has been specified when the macro key keyboard buffer has already been loaded. The buffer cannot be loaded more than once. Error: Invalid parameter format (terminating) The parameter parser became lost when trying to separate options on the SOFTCH command line due to an invalid parameter format specified. The rest of the parameter line is flushed and the command terminated. Correct the invalid parameter format, then resubmit the command. Error: File open error A DOS level error was encountered when trying to open a file for the save or restore option. Error: File write error (disk full) A DOS level error was encountered when writing keystrokes to a file during the save option. This usually means that the disk has become full and that no more information can be written. Change diskettes or allocate more available space, then resubmit the command. Error: Parameter number overflow / number invalid This means that a number specified on the install or screen blank options is too large or is invalid. Change the specified number, then resubmit the command. Error: Invalid escape mode "hot key" parameter The number specified on the escape mode "hot key" change option is invalid. Correct and resubmit the command. ====================================================================== D) Program License Agreement: YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT. USING THIS PRODUCT INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM, YOU SHOULD PROMPTLY RETURN THE PACKAGE. 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