OS/2 Shareware BBS: 5 Edit/05-Edit.zip/hexedit2.zip/HEXEDIT2.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1996-01-06 | 25KB | 647 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. About HexEdit/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

                                    HexEdit/2

is a shareware OS/2 Presentation Manager binary file editor from B::Ware.  It
allows you to edit an existing file or create a new one.  You can view and edit
the file in hexadecimal, decimal, or octal representation, as an array of 1, 2,
or 4-byte entities.  In addition, file offsets can also be presented as
hexadecimal, decimal, or octal numbers.

HexEdit/2 is copyright (c) 1994 - 1996 by Bennett C. Baker and B::Ware.  All
rights are reserved.

o Using HexEdit/2 - an overview
o About B::Ware
o HexEdit/2 Support
o HexEdit/2 License Agreement
o Registering HexEdit/2


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. About B::Ware ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

B::Ware is a consulting firm with over 16 years experience in:

    o MS-DOS and OS/2 applications and system development
    o Novell NetWare NLM and driver development
    o Real-time embedded systems hardware and software development
    o General telecomm and ISDN protocols and implementations

 Call, write, or e-mail us at:

        B::Ware
        75 Greenlodge Street
        Dedham, MA  02026
        USA
        Voice/FAX: [phone]
        Compuserve: 70274,3147
        Internet: [e-mail]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. HexEdit/2 Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

HexEdit/2 is supported on CompuServe in the OS2SHARE forum (section 1 of
OS2BVEN).  Send messages to Bennett C. Baker, user ID 70274,3147.

Internet users can address e-mail messages to [e-mail] or to
[e-mail].


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. HexEdit/2 License Agreement ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Evaluation Period  You may use this shareware copy of this program for an
evaluation period of up to 30 days, in order to determine whether the program
meets your needs before purchasing it.  Once the evaluation period ends, you
agree to either register this Program, or to stop using it.

Making and Distributing Shareware Copies  You may make copies of this program
and distribute them freely, as long as you include all of the files that you
originally received with your shareware copy.  When you give a shareware copy
of this program to another person, you agree to inform them that their copy is
to be used for a time limited evaluation period, and that they must register
their copy if they continue to use the program after the end of the evaluation
period.  You may not sell or distribute this program for a fee in excess of
media costs and/or shipping charges actually incurred in selling or
distributing this program.

Limitations on Liability  IF USED IMPROPERLY, THIS PROGRAM IS CAPABLE OF
DESTROYING ALL DATA ON YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM.  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED
"AS-IS", WITH NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS OF PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL B::WARE OR BENNETT C. BAKER BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF USE OF THIS
PROGRAM.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.4. Registering HexEdit/2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

HexEdit/2 is shareware.  If you find it useful, you should register it. When
you decide to register, please send U.S. $20.00 (U.S. funds, please!) to:

        B::Ware
        75 Greenlodge Street
        Dedham, MA  02026
        USA

 There is a registration form in the REGISTER.TXT file for you to fill out when
 you register HexEdit/2.  Please print this form, fill it out, and send it in
 with your registration.  When we receive your registration, we will send you a
 unique registration key to personalize your copy of HexEdit/2.

 When you receive your registration key, select the Options/Register menu
 option to enter the registration data into the product.  Once the registration
 data has been properly entered, this menu option will no longer display.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.5. HexEdit/2 Usage Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

HexEdit/2 allows you to manipulate files at the binary representation level.

The File Menu allows you to read and write existing files or create new ones.

The Edit Menu allows you to insert a block of nulls or delete a block of
characters from the existing file.

The Search Menu allows you to perform Search or Search and Replace functions
within the currently edited file using binary or ASCII search criteria.

The Options Menu controls HexEdit/2 configuration.

Finally, the Display Dialog allows you to select the format of displayed binary
data.

HexEdit/2 allows you to use a combination of Keyboard and Mouse controls to
facilitate data manipulation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. File Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File menu contains the following choices:

 Open         Opens and reads in a new file

 Save         Saves the current buffer into the current file name (runs Save As
              if no current file name).

 Save As      Saves the current buffer under as user-selected file name.

 Clear        Clear the current buffer and erase the current file name.

 Allocate     Allocate a block of memory for editing.

 Resize       Resize either the current file or an allocated block of memory.

 Exit         Exit from HexEdit/2 without saving anything.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. File Open ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Open to bring up the File Open Dialog to read in an existing file for
editing.  The file can be any length, up to the limit allowed by the operating
system.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1.1. File Open Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Open to open a file, read it into the current buffer space, and then
close the file.  The current buffer will be identical to the file size.

You can select a file with the File Open Dialog in several ways.  If you
already know the file's name and directory, you can enter that information by
typing directly into the Open Filename: field.  If you don't know the filename,
you can browse for it by using the Type of File:, Drive:, Directory:, and File:
fields of the dialog.

When you see the file you want, either double-click on the entry in the File:
field, or highlight that file name (still in the File: field) and click on the
OK button.

You can cancel the file selection process by clicking on the Cancel button (or
by hitting the Esc key).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. File Save ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Save to save the current buffer under the current file name. If there
is no current file name (for instance, if you have done a File Allocate) this
selection will bring up the File Save As menu instead.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. File Save As ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Save As to bring up the File Save Dialog to save the current buffer
under the current file name.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3.1. File Save As Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Save As to save the current buffer into a disk file.

You can select a file with the File Save As Dialog in several ways.  If you
already know the name and directory, of the file you want to save, you can
enter that information directly into the Save as Filename: field.  Otherwise,
you can use the Drive: and Directory: fields of the dialog to maneuver into a
chosen directory, and then either select an existing name from the File: field
(to overwrite that file) or type in a new name in the Save as Filename: field.

When you have selected a file name to save to, click on the OK button.

You can cancel the file selection process by clicking on the Cancel button (or
by hitting the Esc key).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. File Clear ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Clear to clear the current buffer and current file name (if any).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. File Allocate ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Allocate to bring up the File Allocate Dialog, which allows the user
to allocate buffer space for a new file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1. File Allocate Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Allocate to allocate current buffer space for a new file.  The
allocation must be non-zero.

Enter the allocation quantity in the Desired Size  field.  The size is
interpreted according to the setting in the Display Mode field, so make sure
that you are entering a number valid for the display mode (for instance, don't
use the hex digits 'A' through 'F' if you are editing in decimal).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Desired Size ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter the desired allocation (i.e. file) size in this field, in a format
consistent with what is selected in the Display Mode field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Display Mode ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Display Mode selector allows you to select the mode (hex, decimal, or
octal) in which to interpret the value entered in the Desired Size field.  The
value in the Desired Size field must be valid for the selected Display Mode.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6. File Resize ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Resize to bring up the File Resize Dialog, which allows the user to
resize the current buffer space.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6.1. File Resize Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use File Resize to resize the current buffer space.  The new size must be
non-zero.

The Initial Size field displays the current buffer size, in units specified by
the Display Mode field.  This field cannot be edited: it is there for
information only.  Enter the desired new size in the New Size field, but make
sure you enter the new number in a format acceptable to the Display Mode field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Initial Size ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is the current size of the buffer, displayed in the current Display Mode
format.  This field cannot be edited: it is provided for information only.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> New Size ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter the desired new allocation size in this file, in units compatible with
the current Display Mode format.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Display Mode ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Display Mode selector allows you to select the mode (hex, decimal, or
octal) in which to display the Initial Size field and interpret the value
entered in the New Size field.  The value in the New Size field must be valid
for the selected Display Mode.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.7. File Exit ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Clear the current buffer and exit HexEdit/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Edit Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Edit menu contains the following choices:

 Insert              Insert a specified number of bytes into the buffer at the
                     current cursor location.  The buffer is expanded by the
                     number of inserted bytes.

 Delete              Delete a specified number of bytes from the buffer
                     starting at the current cursor location.  The buffer is
                     shrunk by the number of deleted bytes.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Edit Insert ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Edit Insert to bring up the Edit Insert Dialog, which allows the user to
specify the number of bytes to insert into the buffer at the current cursor
location.  The inserted bytes are all set to 0.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.1. Edit Insert Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Edit Insert will insert the specified number of bytes of zero (0x00) into the
buffer at the current cursor point; the newly-inserted bytes can then be
edited.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Edit Delete ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Edit Delete to bring up the Edit Delete Dialog, which allows the user to
specify the number of bytes to delete from the buffer starting at the current
cursor location.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2.1. Edit Delete Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Edit Delete deletes the specified number of bytes from the buffer starting at
the current cursor point.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Search Menu ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Search menu contains the following choices:

 Search Forward      Search for a string forward from the current buffer
                     position.

 Search Backward     Search for a string backward from the current buffer
                     position.

 Search Again        Repeat the previous search (data and direction).

 Replace Forward     Search and Replace for a string forward from the current
                     buffer position.

 Replace Backward    Search and Replace for a string backward from the current
                     buffer position.

 Replace Again       Repeat the previous Replace (data and direction).

 Go To Offset        Go to a specific offset within the current buffer.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Search Selections ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

HexEdit/2 allows you to search the current buffer for any sequence of octal,
decimal, hex, or ASCII characters.  Select Search Forward to search from the
current cursor position to the end of the buffer, Search Backward to search
backward from the current cursor position to the beginning of the buffer, or
Search Again to repeat the last search (same search string and direction).
Selecting either Search Forward or Search Backward brings up the Search Dialog,
which allows you to control the search parameters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1.1. Search Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Search Dialog controls the parameters of the search.  Enter the string to
search for in the Search String field, and select how that string is to be
interpreted in the Search Type selection.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Search String ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Search String is the string to search for.  Enter either an ASCII string or
a sequence of bytes in the format indicated by the Search Type field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Search Type Selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Search Type field determines how the string entered in the Search String or
Replace String field is interpreted.

For a non-ASCII search (octal, decimal, or hex), make sure that the byte
sequence is in a format acceptable to the Search Type field; for instance, do
not enter any hex digits unless the Search Type field is Hex.

For an ASCII search, the string is interpreted as an ordinary ASCII character
string.  The Case Sens. checkbox performs a case-sensitive search ASCII search
when checked; it has no meaning for the Replace String (the Replace String data
is replaced as is - it is always case sensitive).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Replace Selections ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

HexEdit/2 allows you to search the current buffer for any sequence of octal,
decimal, hex, or ASCII characters and replace that sequence with an alternate
sequence.  Select Replace Forward to search and replace from the current cursor
position to the end of the buffer, Replace Backward to search and replace
backward from the current cursor position to the beginning of the buffer, or
Replace Again to repeat the last search and replace (same search string,
replace string and direction).  Selecting either Replace Forward or Replace
Backward brings up the Replace Dialog, which allows you to control the search
and replace parameters.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.1. Replace Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Replace Dialog controls the parameters of the search and replace.  Enter
the string to search for in the Search String field, enter the replacement
string in the Replace String field, and select how those strings are to be
interpreted in the Search Type selection.  Both the Search and Replace strings
are interpreted in the same manner by the Search Type selection.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Replace String ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Replace String is the string to replace the Search String with.  Enter
either an ASCII string or a sequence of bytes in the format indicated by the
Search Type field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Go To Offset ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use Go To Offset to bring up the Go To Offset Dialog, which allows you to enter
the buffer offset at which to position the cursor.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3.1. Go To Offset Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this dialog box to position the cursor to any offset within the current
buffer.  Enter the desired offset in the Desired Offset field, in the format
indicated by the Offset Mode field.

You can select relative offset positioning by prefixing the desired offset with
either a + or - sign, indicating positive or negative relative movement,
respectively.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Options menu contains the following choices:

 Font         Selects a font for use by the client window.

 Read Only    Toggles the buffer Read Only flag.

 Auto Resize  Toggles the Auto Resize flag.

 Register     Run the product Registration dialog.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Options/Font ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Font menu selection brings up a standard Font Dialog Box, allowing the user
to select which fixed-pitch font to use for display purposes.  Note that only
the currently available fixed-pitch fonts appear in the selection list.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.1. Font Selection Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Font Selection dialog allows you to choose the font for information display
within the HexEdit/2 window.  Only fixed fonts can be used.

The selected font will be saved at program exit and used again when the program
is next run.  The initial default font is 10 point System Monospaced.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Options/Read Only ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Read Only flag toggles whether the buffer is editable.  This options
defaults to on (checked), but can be un-checked to allow editing within the
buffer.

If this option is checked, you will not be able to edit the buffer.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. Options/Auto Resize ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Auto Resize flag toggles whether the client window will automatically
resize when the display options (offset mode, main display mode,
bytes-per-entity) are changed.  This option defaults to off (unchecked), but
can be checked to allow automatic window resizing.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.4. Options/Register ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This option allows you to register HexEdit/2.  It does not appear in a properly
registered version.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Display Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Display menu selection brings up the Display Dialog, which allows the user
to specify the format of on-screen information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Display Dialog ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this dialog to alter the way information is displayed on the screen. Change
the file offset format with File Offsets selection, change the default data
representation with the Data Format selection, and chose the number of bytes
per item with the Bytes Per Item selection.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.1. File Offsets ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this field to select the format of the file offset display; octal, decimal,
or hexadecimal.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.2. Data Format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this field to select the format of the main data display; octal, decimal,
or hexedecimal.  This field interacts with the Bytes Per Item field to control
the actual number of bytes/entities displayed on each line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.3. Bytes Per Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this field to select the number of bytes displayed in each entity in the
main data display.  This field interacts with the Data Format field to control
the actual number of bytes/entities displayed on each line.

Note:  Multi-byte entities are displayed in Little-Endian format (used by VAXen
       and Intel), with the first (least significant) physical byte appearing
       at the end of the entity.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are several entries in the Help menu:

 Help Contents   Displays the Help Table of Contents

 Help Index      Displays the Help Index

 General Help    Displays General Help for HexEdit/2

 Using Help      Displays a guide on how to use the OS/2 help system.

 Keys Help       Displays a list of special keys used by HexEdit/2.

 About           Displays the "About HexEdit/2" dialog box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Help Table of Contents ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Table of Contents to bring up the Table of Contents of HexEdit/2 help
topics.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2. Help Index ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Index to bring up the index of HexEdit/2 help topics.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.3. General Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select General Help to bring up the initial HexEdit/2 help window (or just hit
the F1 key).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.4. Using Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Using Help to display a guide on how to use the OS/2 help system.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.5. Keys Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Keys Help for a list of special keys used by HexEdit/2.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.6. Key Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Hexedit/2 supports cursor movement, data editing, and hot-keys display
formatting.

 o Cursor Movement Keys

 o Data Editing Keys

 o Hot Keys

 o Mouse Support


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.6.1. Cursor Movement Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Up Arrow        Moves the cursor up one line
 Ctrl-Up         Scrolls the screen up one line
 Down Arrow      Moves the cursor down one line
 Ctrl-Down       Scrolls the screen down one line
 Left Arrow      Moves the cursor left one character
 Right Arrow     Moves the cursor right one character
 PgUp            Moves up one screenful
 PgDn            Moves down one screenful
 Home            Moves to the beginning of the buffer
 End             Moves to the end of the buffer
 Tab             Switches between Binary edit and ASCII edit fields
 Spacebar        Moves the cursor right one character (only when in the Binary
                 edit field).

 Note:  You cannot edit the File Offset field (only the Binary and ASCII
        fields).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.6.2. Data Editing Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In the Binary field, you can use the standard 0-9, A-F keys  to edit the data
display in place.  You must use the appropriate keys for the current Data
Format: for instance, you cannot use the A-F keys if the current Display Format
is Octal or Decimal.

In the ASCII field, type any displayable character (one with an ASCII code
greater than 0x1F) to edit the field.

Remember that you cannot edit the file offset field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.6.3. Hot Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

HexEdit/2 supports the following hot keys:

    Display File Offset Format Control

       Ctrl-T       Octal
       Ctrl-C       Decimal
       Ctrl-X       Hexadecimal

    Display Data Format Control

       Ctrl-O       Octal
       Ctrl-D       Decimal
       Ctrl-H       Hexadecimal

    Display Byte Count Control

       Ctrl-1       1 byte per entity
       Ctrl-2       2 bytes per entity
       Ctrl-4       4 bytes per entity

    Search Keys

       F5           Search Forward from current cursor position
       Alt-F5       Search Backward from current cursor position
       Shift-F5     Repeat last search operation

    Replace Keys

       F6           Replace forward from current cursor position
       Alt-F6       Replace backward from current cursor position
       Shift-F6     Repeat last replace operation

    Go To Key

       Ctrl-G       Invoke the Go To Offset Dialog


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.7. About ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Help About to display an "About HexEdit/2" screen.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Mouse Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can move the cursor to any character within the Binary or ASCII fields by
positioning the mouse cursor on that character and clicking button 1 (usually
the left button).