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OS/2 Shareware BBS: 8 Other
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README.INF
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1994-06-08
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VSE/ESA WORKSTATION INTERFACE NOTES:
SETUP & INSTALLATION:
1). Create these directories/ subdirectories on your OS/2 PC:
C:\VSECOM
C:\VSECOM\LISTS
C:\VSECOM\JOBS
2). Copy the files RUNVSE.CMD and WAITHELP.TXT to directory C:\VSECOM
3). Copy the required runtime modules (the .DLLs) where they will be accessible when the VSECOM
program is running, e.g.
copy VXQE.DLL to C:
copy VROBJ.DLL to C:
4). Drag the VSECOM icon to your desktop.
CHANGES TO VSECOM Version 2.1:
1). Instead of posting the completion of the SEND/RECEIVE commands to a QUE, this version does
a START (command string) in a separate window and waits an interval for a result to be
written to a file. After 10 seconds, if the command was not completed, it displays a screen that
allows you to wait of cancel.
wait cycles another 10 seconds. some long librarian searches or transfers may take this long
and you should be able to tell if there is a communication problem by viewing the activity in
the started command window. if not, select 'WAIT'.
if there appears to be a problem, select 'CANCEL' and then close/cancel the os/2 window
where the SEND/RECEIVE command is executing. It will take a few seconds for the SEND/RECEIVE
code to be interrupted.
2) The GUI has been broken into 3 colored boxes.
In the session box, a LIBS: listbox has been added that will display all the libraries defined on the VSE host workstation def panel. If you
click in the box on one of the displayed libraries, it will become the default library in your
input windows. Also, a spin box to select a particular communications manager session is now
available. Previously, it was assumed session A: was used. This may be useful if you are
connected to more than one VSE host/system.
In the librarian/file transfer window the upload/download buttons have been enhanced
to provide for a panel interface for the librarian file transfers. The most useful options were
built into the interface. Any additional options needed can be entered on the options line
separated by a space between options as so: CLASS=P BUF=8192.( See page 115 of the
VSE/ESA release 1.3.2 Programming & Workstation Guide.) The other selections just invoke
a line that permits entering an explicit command string. Perhaps in a future version the panels
will be added ( the source code is available for enhancement.).
In the job control window, the check button will retrieve status on jobs submitted from
the PC and if any is available, append it to a status file. One retrieved, the status info is
deleted on the host. The edit button will invoke the OS/2 editor.
Perhaps a button should have been added at the bottom to file off an OS/2 command,
to perhaps make it convenient to copy source files down from LAN SERVER harddrives, but
the VSECOM window is small enough not to cover all of the 'Desktop'.
In my humble opinion, the Workstation Interface provided by IBM beginning with
VSE/ESA release 1.3.2 is over-engineered and not at all 'user-friendly'. Given todays
expectations, they would have met the wishes of current & potential customers better if they
had enhanced VSE/ESA with functionality similar to that provided by the MDI server/gateway
products as well as a simple demo of a PC-based app accessing data from a VSAM and/or
SQL/DS (DB/2-VSE) file. Client-Server, in generally understood terms, means the ability to
select from a variety of PC-based development tools and access data residing on other machines
/other platforms. 'Face-lifting' 3270 datastreams is just not going to convince users that VSE
is a good choice in todays market. And yet it could be.
THE INTERFACE:
This interface was developed using WATCOM'S VX-REXX and information in the
VSE/ESA 1.3 PROGRAMMING & WORKSTATION GUIDE. There are some environment re-
quirements that include:
- on the PC :
OS/2 2.1
COM MANAGER with session A: connected to the VSE host and set to PC-MODE
or PF6(Escape- a clear screen)
REXX installed
see the install notes above
The OS/2 system and Enhanced editors
- on the VSE host:
set definitions under the Resource Definitions/User-interface/Customize VSE/
ESA Workstation Platform panel
make sure your terminal session is defined to allow data transfer.
( Host requirements are all covered in the IBM WKST manual mentioned above.
There is no use of the Host Transfer File in this utility, except the file transfer, so it does not have to be defined to
use this interface)
All output from executed commands is stored on PC files and immediately displayed if
VIEW is checked on the input panel. Also checking print will print the output immediately to
LPT1:
This product is placed in the public domain and can be freely distributed and modified
(hopefully enhanced and passed along). For example:
- additional upload/download panels could be added.
- A subset of the interface could be developed for a password protected test/production
migration panel
- 'remote' console capabilities could be added
- a job schedular (although there are already inexpensive OS/2 based product)
A final pitch. If you find yourself using this interface regularly, please consider
sending along $20.00 for my PC-puchase cookie jar. If you do,thanks.
Any questions &/or comments, suggestions to:
Larry Clark
P.O. 211
Averill Park, N.Y. 12018