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1988-06-02
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P D E L E T E
by
Norm Patriquin
Version 2.6
June 1988
Questions and support -- Patriquin's BBS 714-369-9766 (data)
Copyright 1986 by Norm Patriquin
Table of Contents
What is PDELETE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Command Mode Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Problems and Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Version History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Page 1
What is PDELETE
---------------
PDELETE is an advanced Delete command to be used in DOS operating
systems. It may be used in place of the DOS Erase and Delete
command or instead of it. Like other Patriquin utilities, PDELETE
gives you more control of command processing and provides a much
safer way to process files. PDELETE also provides several
features not found with the standard DOS command.
Unlike other delete utilities, PDELETE does support DOS paths and
wildcards. It keeps you aware of what files are being processed
and provides an emergency stop feature just in case you have
started something you feel is wrong.
PDELETE's file selection parameters provide you with numerous
options for specifying the files to be deleted. You may select by
directory, file, date, attribute, size, and even starting and
ending filename.
Page 2
Features:
---------
** Advanced file selection
** Emergency STOP by pressing any key
** Delete entire directories and remove them from disk
** Optionally wipe file data from disk during delete to
prevent it from being recovered by unauthorized
person.
** Optional verify feature lets you approve each file
before it is deleted
** Optionally deletes HIDDEN / SYSTEM / READONLY files
** Delete files until specified freespace is available
Page 3
Command Parameters
------------------
PDELETE allows several command parameter switches to be specified
to customize the process. All these parameters are optional.
The command format and switch parameters are described below. A
quick review of command parameters is always available by
entering the PDEL command with no parameters.
COMMAND FORMAT:
PDEL filespec [ (/ switches) ]
filespec Enter a DOS file specification. Pathnames and
standard DOS wildcard characters are allowed.
/A Archive - Selects only files that have been marked
updated by DOS. This flag is updated by DOS whenever
a files is processed with an intent to change or
create new data.
Page 4
/D:[(]xxx Date. Select files based on the relationship between
[)] their last update date and the date specified. This
[=] parameter includes a date or number of days value.
It may also contain a modifier that reverses or
modifies the use of the date specified.
When xxx contains a date the date is compared to the
last update date of the file. The last update date
of the file is the date contained in its directory
entry. The file is selected if the condition specified
by the condition modifier is met. The condition
modifier meanings are:
'(' = Select files whose date is older than the
date specified.
')' = Select files whose date is newer than the
date specified.
'=' = Select files whose date is equal to the date
specified.
If the condition modifier is not specified, ')' is
assumed.
Date values may be specified in any of the following
formats:
MM/DD/YY MM-DD-YY DDMMMYY
12/31/80 12-31-80 31DEC80
If xxx contains a numeric value, that positive number
is used to calculate a date value a number of days
prior to the current date. Then that date is used
as in the calculation above.
Example:
/D:(1JAN86 - Process files updated before 1JAN86
/D:)1JAN86 - Process files updated after 1JAN86
/D:=1JAN86 - Process files updated 1JAN86
/D:(5 - Process files modified prior to 5 days ago
/D:)5 - Process files modified within the last 5 days
/D:=5 - Process files modified 5 days ago
Page 5
/DI Delete the disk DIrectory specified in the command.
This will remove the directory, all files within
it and all the directories and files subordinate
to it.
Only use this as a stand alone parameter. Use a
command like the following one to remove a directory
from your disk:
PDEL \OLDDIR /DI
-- or --
PDEL \OLDDIR\*.* /DI
/F:file First. Indicates that processing is not to start until
the specified full filename is encountered in the
scan of the directory.
/FS:nnnn Freespace. PDELETE will delete files as long as
there is less than nnnn thousand (nnnn * 000)
of free space available on the disk. This is very
helpful for cleaning up disks but retaining as many
files as possible.
/L:file Last. Indicates that processing is to stop after
the specified full filename is encountered in the
scan of the directory. The file specified will be
processed if it matches selection criteria.
/M Stop screen from scrolling from scrolling past the end
without user intervention (MORE).
/N Do not display output in color
/O Indicates that all filenames except those matching
the filename specified on the input command are to
be selected for processing.
/P Pause before each file is updated to allow user
to approve or reject the action for each file.
Page 6
/RE If the file to be deleted has a DOS attribute of
Hidden, System, or Readonly, REset it so proper
delete may occur.
/RO Include files marked with DOS readonly attribute.
/S Search all directories for files to be deleted
/SF Include files marked with DOS System attribute.
/SZ: [(] [)] nnn Select a file based on its size. The
left paren indicates that files less than the
indicated size are to be selected. The right
paren indicates to select files greater than the
size. If right or left paren are not specified,
a left paren is assumed. Following are examples.
/SZ:100 -- Select files less than 100 characters
/SZ:(100 -- Select files less than 100 characters
/SZ:)100 -- Select files greater than 100 characters
/T Test the command. Use this switch when you
would like to test the command entered without
actually updating any files.
/TF Like test but after test operation is complete you will
be asked if delete is actually to be done. (Test First)
/W For data security, erase all disk areas that
contain the file when it is deleted. This
will prevent unauthorized users from
recovering the file or examining its data
by using special disk utilities.
Page 7
Examples:
Delete all *.BAK files on current default drive
PDEL *.BAK /S
Delete all *.BAK files over 30 days old
PDEL *.BAK /S/D:(30
Remove directory \ACCTING1 from drive a:
PDEL A:\ACCTING1 /DI
Page 8
Registering PDELETE
-------------------
PDELETE is distributed under the Shareware concept. This makes it
available for anyone to try without obligation. If you decide it
is useful and want to keep it, I ask that you register your use
of it. This will allow for continued support and maintenance of
the program and will help to encourage that more quality software
be made available through this channel. We require all
corporate and government users of this utility register their
copies.
To simply register the program, $15 is requested. If you would
like the newest program disk and a copy of the manual send
$30. If you would like to register all the Patriquin utilities,
and receive programs on disk and manuals, send $45.
Send registration requests to:
Norm Patriquin
P.O. Box 8263
San Bernardino, CA 92412
The registration charge is a one time fee that entitles you to
all future versions of the product. These may either be obtained
from normal Shareware sources or directly from me. Any
organization ordering more than 100 copies is also entitled to
telephone support and will be given the technical support number.
Following is a form that may be used to register PDELETE.
Page 9
PDELETE Registration
Version 2.6
Please Register PDELETE to the following person. We will use ____
copies of the program and have enclosed $____ for each copy to
be used.
**************************************************************
_____ Registration only.............................. $15.00
_____ Registration, program disk and manual.......... $30.00
_____ Registration of all Patriquin Utilities with
program disks and manuals................... $45.00
_____ Update of newest Patriquin Utility disk with
manual (registered users only).............. $15.00
**************************************************************
Name: __________________________________________________
Company: _______________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: ___________
Zip: ______________________
I obtained my copy of PDELETE from: ____________________________
If BBS indicate name and number please._________________________
________________________________________________________________
Please register the software under the following name:
____________________________________________________
Send to:
Norm Patriquin
P.O. Box 8263
San Bernardino, CA 92412
Page 10
P D E L E T E 2.6
Problems and Maintenance
------------------------
For online support -- Call Patriquin's BBS 714-369-9766
I welcome all comments or enhancement suggestions. Please
document each item clearly and provide printed examples if
possible. Please be sure to include this form with all requests,
it will help to make sure we can provide you with the best
possible service.
Name: __________________________________________________________
Company: _______________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
City: __________________________________ State: _______________
Zip: ______________________________
Telephone: _______ / ________________________ (Home / Work)
Date: _________________________
Description of problem or enhancement:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Suggested solution:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Page 11
P D E L E T E
Program Maintenance:
--------------------
Version 1.0 October 10, 1986
Version 1.2 January 6, 1987
-- Corrected bug that sometimes incorrectly
processed filenames without extension names.
-- Added /FS parm to delete until spec freespace
is available.
Version 2.1 June 7, 1987
-- Added color support
-- Added freespace display and improved messages
Version 2.2 December 1, 1987
-- Correct a pattern matching problem that caused
some files to be skipped when they should have
been processed.
Version 2.3 May 3, 1988
-- Add /TF (test first) parameter to allow real
delete after test specified
Version 2.4 May 12, 1988
-- /TF was forgetting what drive to process on.
deleted incorrect files.
Version 2.5 May 29, 1988
-- If a pathname without wildcard characters * ?
was specified with the /S parameter, not all
directories would be searched.
-- Added display of directories being scanned
-- Corrected colors after processing was
interrupted and restarted.
-- /F: and /L: parameters now accept wildcard
characters in the filenames
Version 2.6 June 2, 1988
-- /TF parameter was being ignored with /DI parm
-- When /TF parm specified, do not ask if ok to
continue after an error has been found.