Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/013/g_whiz.arc/G-WHIZ.DOC

Text File | 1985-02-05 | 8.3 KB | 200 lines

G-WHIZ   Copyright (c) 1985, Gordon Waite


G-WHIZ is a multi-function program which expands on the capabilities
of its forerunners, GCOPY and GDEL.  G-WHIZ allows you to perform
four functions: file copying, deletion, movement, and printing.
Like GCOPY and GDEL, you are shown a list of files on the selected
drive, or directory.  You mark those files that are to be
"processed" and G-WHIZ proceeds to perform the selected task on all
of those files.


G-WHIZ can be invoked with command line parameters.  Its usage
follows:

   g-whiz [/action] [source path specifier] [target path specifier]

Valid action options are /c to copy files, /m to move files, /p to
print files, and /d to delete files.  The source and target
specifiers may include full path names.  The source specifier may
contain wildcards which define the files that will be displayed.

In all cases, the parameters are optional.  If G-WHIZ is executed
with an incomplete parameter list, the program will prompt for all
of the information that is needed.  If the action option is left
out, you will immediately be given a menu, allowing for selection of
one of the four actions.  The action option may appear anywhere in
the argument list, but the source path specifier must preceed the
target path specifier.




Examples of G-WHIZ usage:

1.  g-whiz ?

    This will cause G-WHIZ to display a screen which shows a summary
    of correct usage for the program.

2.  g-whiz

    This will cause G-WHIZ to first display a menu of the four
    actions.  After choosing an action, the program will prompt for
    a source path/file specifier and, if needed, a target directory.
    After this information is given, the program will display the
    list of specified files, allowing you to mark those of interest.
    Then the program will perform the desired action on the files.

3.  g-whiz a:*.* b: /c

    This will immediately display all of the files in the default
    directory of the A: drive.  After you mark the files, they will
    be copied to the default directory on the B: drive.

4.  g-whiz /p c:*.txt

    G-WHIZ will display all of the files on the C: drive which end
    with a .TXT extension.  After you mark the files, each will be
    printed on the currently selected system printer.

5.  g-whiz c:\develop\*.bas c:\archive /m

    G-WHIZ will display all of the .BAS files from the directory
    C:\DEVELOP. After you mark the files, they will first be copied
    to the directory C:\ARCHIVE, then deleted from the C:\DEVELOP
    directory.

6.  g-whiz /d

    Since you failed to specify a source directory and file
    specifier, G-WHIZ will first ask for that information.  Then the
    program will display the names of those files, allowing you to
    mark those files which are to be deleted.  You will be given an
    opportunity to exit without actually deleting the files.  If you
    really want to delete the files, G-WHIZ will go ahead with the
    deletion process at your command.




The File Marking Process:

After G-WHIZ presents the file list, you may do any of several
things.  Pressing the F1 key will bring up a HELP SCREEN, which
describes these possible actions.  Pressing the F3 key will cause
the program to sort the file names and re-display.  The F4 key
causes a file name sort on just the extension.

You can move the hi-lite bar around in the file list by using the
cursor keys, and the HOME and END key.  When the hi-lite bar is over
a file that you want to process, the file can be marked by pressing
any alphabetic or numeric key.  When the file is marked, a little
double arrow will be displayed next to the file name.  If a file is
to be un-marked, just position the hi-lite bar over the file name,
and press the space bar.  The mark will disappear.

For certain actions, such as copying the files to another disk, it
is handy to see how much space your marked files take up.  To see
this, just press the F2 key at any time.  If you decide you want to
terminate the program at any time, just press the ESC key.

During file copying, the files will be copied in the order that they
appear on the screen.  If the F3 key is used to sort the file names
prior to copying, the files can be transferred to the new disk in
alphabetical order.




Other Notes:


The first screen that comes up is the "SHAREWARE" notice.   This
pause gives you the chance to change the disks which you have loaded
in the drives.  This enables you to run G-WHIZ without having to
have copies of it on all of your diskettes!

At any time, during any action, the program may be stopped by
pressing the ESC key.  This is especially handy when printing or
moving a large number of files!

During the copy process, the file dates are not changed in the new
copies. That is, the newly created files will show the same date as
the original files.

The file printing function is very simple.  Each file is printed
with two blank lines at the top of the page.  Next is a line that
has the full path name of the file on the left side, and the current
system date on the right side.  Then come two more blank lines, then
the body of the text file.  At the bottom of each page, the program
will leave three blank lines.  Each page of the file will have this
format.  The program will do a form-feed between files.  If you
terminate action during the middle of the printing, the program will
move the paper to the top of the next page.

You should remember to set up your printer mode (compressed,
boldface, etc.) prior to running the G-WHIZ program.  If you try to
print a binary file, or a file will lines which extend past the edge
of the page, the results of the printing may well be strange!

The program has numerous HELP SCREENS to remind you of what
you can do at any point.  These are available by pressing the F1
key.  If more than one HELP SCREEN is available, hold the ALT key
and press the F1 key to see the other screen.  To return from a help
screen, just press any key. There are five screens found at various
points in the program.

If G-WHIZ encounters an error during execution, the program will
stop running, and display an error message.  Typical errors are
specifying a path or directory that doesn't exist, or giving a file
specifier that doesn't match any files.  The program also terminates
gracefully if you try to copy files to a full disk.


Please Help Support This Program!

I am trying to distribute this program as a "SHAREWARE" venture.  If
you use the program, and find it valuable, I would really appreciate
it if you would take the time to register your copy, and send in the
$10 fee. If you don't think the software is worth $10, send in
whatever you feel the program is worth to you.  Your comments would
also be appreciated.

When you register, send in the serial number which is displayed in
the upper right-hand corner of the first screen, along with your
name and address, and your $10.  If you do this, I'll send you back
a copy of our Signature Software Catalog, and I'll keep you posted
about updates and new programs.

If you live in the state of Iowa, please add the state sales tax
of 4%.  Send all correspondence to:

        Gordon Waite
        P.O. Box 1862
        Iowa City, IA  52244

Your support through registration fees allows me to keep on
developing more programs like this one.  There are about 30 programs
available through my Signature Software Catalog right now!  You can
also help by giving your friends copies of G-WHIZ, and encouraging
them to register as well.

In any case, please don't use this program for commercial gain.
That means: don't SELL anyone a copy of this program!  This program
is NOT in the public domain.  G-WHIZ is protected by copyright, and
I reserve all rights to this program.

If you find any bugs in this program, or if you have ideas for
programs that you would like to see developed, please send them in.
If you are the first to report a bug, I'll send you a free copy of
the new, corrected version.

Thanks (in advance) for your support!



Gordon Waite