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SystemMaster SystemMaster is (c) Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 By John Schachat About this Document: This document will lead you through the various SM capabilities. It is not intended, however, to be a TBBS, TDBS, DOS or Dbase primer. Most of the functions in SM do not require you to be a Dbase expert. However, some do require TDBS/Dbase knowledge. You may find that at times you will need to refer to your TBBS/TDBS manuals or to a Dbase Manual. About SystemMaster: SystemMaster is an EXTREMELY flexible tool for any TBBS system. Through it's powerful Command Processors, Online Help and TDBS/DOS management functions, it covers all aspects of system use. With SystemMaster, there is no longer any need for a Sysop menu. A Summary of SystemMaster Capabilities: SystemMaster provides you with a large number of diverse capabilities. One of the most important of these is it's ability to to store and execute ANY TBBS command either individually or in a Program Group. Individual Command Database: From the Main menu, you can list/add/edit or delete individual commands. Any command may be used, even a call to the QSO or TIMS OMs. Enter it exactly as you would in SDL. Once the command is stored in the database, it may then be selected for execution by entering it's number. Individual commands are always sorted in descending order by the last time they were used unless the <S>ort option is used. Program Groups: This is an extension of the individual command database. Program Groups allow you to create a group of commands which are chained together so that they execute sequentially. The execution start point may be anywhere in the chain depending on the command number you enter. If you want to skip over a command in the chain, delete it. It will appear in red and will be skipped over when the chain executes. To add it back later, simply undelete it. There is also a <T>imer function, which is a toggle. When it is used, it will begin a clock when the command begins execution and stop it when the command completes. This is useful for timing auto-executing TDBS modules, .BAT files or QALs. The COMMAND PROCESSOR Side of the Main menu also contains a number of entries which allow you to maintain and modify the help database or to print it out. The other parts of the main menu contain a wide variety of TDBS, DOS and Utility functions. TDBS - This invokes a menu of TDBS commands which provide complete control over a DBF file or index. Using these commands you may display the structure of a Database, Create or Modify a Database Structure, Append records into a database, import or export data using a comma delimited text file, Pack or ZAP a database, add/edit/delete records in a database, Create\Re-index NDX files, Search any Database, etc. There is also a 'Database Manager' which allows you to store your most frequently used databases for fast retrieval. To use these functions, either select a database manually or add an entry to the Database Manager. Most functions then become available to you. Utility functions - SystemMaster provides 'canned access' to most SYSOM functions. File Editor allows you to create or edit any Text file, including FARS and PDIRS. DOS FILE Utilities allow you to manipulate files, print them, read text files, search for files, etc. Note: Some functions require that you have installed specific Option Modules, such as SYSOM, TIGER, TIMS, QSO, etc. If you try to invoke one of these commands, and the option module has not been installed, an error message will be retruned telling you that you tried an 'Invalid DOTBBS Type'. Installation: Put the contents of this package in its own subdirectory. Keep the Subdirectory as close to the top of your directory structure as possible for maximum flexibility, such as C:\SM Run the INSTALL.BAT utility. It will create the GROUPS\ subdirectory and will copy the file TEMPLATE.DBF into it. SDL and BounceBack Flags: One of the most powerful things about SystemMaster is that it 'Bounces Back' to itself after executing ANYTHING. This feature is enabled through the use of a flag and SDL entries. To use this feature you must do the following: 1. Select an UNUSED flag. For this example we will use A4(5). 2. Put the following in your SDL: Note: You will be adding 3 entries to the menu where SystemMaster is located and also creating a Dummy menu. These additional entries are necessary to enable SystemMaster's BounceBack after commands are executed. A. These 3 entries all go on the menu which calls SystemMaster and MUST be in this order. They consist of the actual menu entry which calls SystemMaster and 2 autoexecutes which enable the BounceBack feature. ; SYSTEMMASTER MENU ENTRY Entry: <S> SystemMaster priv=255 Key=S Type=200 opt data=C:\SM\SYSMSTR /Q ; AUTOEXECUTE TO RETURN TO SYSTEMMASTER Entry: Priv=255 A1=-------- A2=-------- A3=-------- A4=----X--- Key=^@ Type=200 opt data=C:\SM\SYSMSTR /Q ; SYSTEMMASTER AUTOEXECUTE TO BOUNCE Entry: priv=255 a1=-------- a2=-------- a3=-------- A4=----X--- KEY=^@ TYPE=5 OPT DATA=SYSM B. Now create a dummy menu in you SDL file. It will only have 1 entry and will be totally invisible (This is a necessary step! Don't leave it out). It should look like this: Menu: SYSM Entry: Autoexecute to return to the SystemMaster Menu Key=^@ Type=12 OPT DATA=1 Endmenu: Note: Make ABSOLUTELY SURE that unauthorized users are not allowed access to SystemMaster, as it provides Complete Access to your entire system. That's it. There is one more installation step, however, which is done when you run SystemMaster. 5. Now run SystemMaster and select option <Z> BounceBack Flags. Enter the same flag that you selected previously, A4(5) in the example, and mark it with an 'X'. Like '----X---'. All other Flag entries should just be dashes. Installation is now complete. Reference Section: For clarity we will describe the TBBS Command Processor functions first (left hand side of the menu) then proceed to the right hand side. The Command Processors consist of 3 main functions: The Program Group Database The Individual Command Database The Help Database Program Groups: A Program Group is a logical organization of TBBS commands which may be executed sequentially. For example, let's say you have 3 TDBS programs which are inter-related and you want them to execute one right after the other. Or you might have several TBBS commands which would execute in order. An example of this would be: Execute a type 31 and change your profile to No Ansi/No graphics Execute a type 1 and view a file Execute a type 31 and change your profile to ANSI on and Graphics on Execute a type 1 and view the same file This would allow you to view the file as either type of user without having to run around through your menus. And since the commands all execute sequentially, there is no interruption in the command chain. When a program group has completed, you will be returned to the command listing within that program group. You may also time the execution speed of TDBS programs, QALS or anything else by hitting the <T>imer key This will provide you with a time for each command in the program group you are executing. To use a Program Group, type from the main menu. You will see a listing of available groups. To see a listing of the contents of a group and proceed type the number to it's left. To Add a group, type <A> Adding/Editing a Group: After typing <A> or <E> you will see a data entry screen with 3 fields. Group Name: The name of the Program Group that will appear on the listing DBF Name: Each Program Group requires a special database which SM will create. This is stored in the GROUPS directory and must be unique. Any Valid DOS name will suffice, without an extension. Comments: Any comments you wish to add. These will also appear on the listing. Accessing a Group: From the Main Program Group Listing, type the number of the group you wish to access. If there are any commands for that group you will see them listed when the group is displayed, otherwise you may <E>dit\Add a command. If you are adding a command, leave the command # at 0, otherwise enter the command # you wish to edit. Adding/Editing a Command: Enter the TBBS Type for the command from 1-255. Enter the appropriate Opt Data for that command. Enter any Comments you'd like to appear on the listing. These comments may also be used as a sort key. You will notice that when you edit a command, automatic Help will be displayed depending on the TBBS TYPE of that command. The Timer function is a toggle that turns on the program timer when a program group begins execution. The times you will see returned are approximate and subject to system loading, processor and disk speed. It is best to use this function with commands that do not require any user input, as the timer will also record the 'wait' time. The Sort function allows you to sort the Program Group Command Database either by the execution number or by the contents of the Comments field. Executing a Program Group: Command execution may begin anywhere in the group. If you have 10 entries and you type "5", execution will begin at command 5 and proceed through Command 10. If there are any deleted entries in the program group, they will be skipped over as the group executes. The Program Group will always execute in sequential numerical order regardless of the setting of the Sort toggle. Individual Commands: From the Main Menu, you may List the Individual Command Database, Go to and run a specific Command, Add a Command, Delete a Command or Edit a command. By typing <L> you will see a listing of available commands you have entered. They are continuously sorted by when they were last used, with the last used commands at the top of the listing. From this listing you may execute a Command by typing in it's number, Edit a command, Add a new Command, or Delete a command. <CR> will scroll the screen if you have more than a single screen of commands. The last command that was run will always be at the top of the listing and will also be displayed on the main menu. There is also an option to change the way the database is sorted. By hitting <S>, a toggle, the database will either be sorted alphabetically by the Comments field or in descending order by Date/Time. The Comments Sort allows you to group commands by the comments you add. When a command is initially added, a comment "~ No Comments" will be placed in the comments field. This may be changed, but if it is not, will place the command near the end of an alphabetic comment sort. Index and Pack the Database: This command will reindex and Pack the SystemMaster Databases. Context Sensitive Help: This command will display HELP for the command that was last executed and is currently being displayed on the main menu. Help System: The Help System provides Help for the various TBBS Command Types. By hitting <H> from the main menu you will be brought to a screen which will allow you to List, Search, Add to or Modify the Help Database. Although SM comes with a complete TBBS Command Database, you may modify it or add any new commands as they become available. It may also be used to store non-TBBS information, QEMM settings for instance. If you do this, just remember to make sure that the Type is greater then 255. Reference Card Builder/Printer: This allows you to build 'reference cards' based on the Help Database. You have a variety of choices as to the type of reference card that will be built as well as whether the output destination will be a text file or a printer. If you choose a printer, make sure it is hooked up and turned on. Repeat Last Command: Many times in a testing cycle you will need to repetitively execute the last command. By hitting the <CR> from the main menu, the last command used, based on the date and time it was executed, will be run. TDBS/DOS/Utility Functions: This section will first discuss the DOS and Utility Functions and end with the TDBS commands. <S> SYSOM - Executing this command will bring you directly into SYSOM, if that Option Module has been installed on your system. <V> View/Download/Search DOS Dirs - Prompts you for a file path and then allows you to Search for a file, Examine an Archive or Download from that directory. <M> Misc. System Info - Provides you with information about your system including the available disk space on the disk where SM is located and the total number of users currently executing any TDBS program on your system. Utility Functions - Provide you with easy access to most SYSOM commands and allows you to run your own batch file. Only for Systems with SYSOM installed. Also provides access to the TIMS control panel (for systems with TIMS) and to QSO (for systems with QSO installed). <F> File Editor - This editor allows you to either place notes in a database, that is associated with the current TBBS Command, or to edit any text file on your system. When you invoke this command you will be in a full screen editor. If you want to read in a file from your system, type ^KR and enter in the complete path\name of the file to be edited. To type ^KR, depress the <CTRL> key and the <K> key at the same time. Then release both and depress the <R> key. After entering the file information press ENTER and you will be able to edit the file. When you are done, press ^KW, using the same key sequence as ^KR. Again, you will be prompted for the file path\name where the file is to be saved to. If you wish to save notes to the database, just begin typing or read in a text file, and when you're done, type ^W. Batch Dos Upload - Simply specify the directory where the upload is to be placed and then use your terminal emulator to begin a batch upload using a batch protocol. <Y> DOS File Utilities - Use carefully! <C> Copy a File - Allows you to copy any DOS file by entering a complete From\To specification. <D> Delete a File - Allows you delete any DOS file by entering a complete file path\name. <R> Rename a file - Allows you to rename any DOS file by entering the current DOS path\name and the new DOS path\name. <T> Text File reader - This is a custom reader with Back and Forth scrolling and download capability. It allows you to read any text file on your system. This reader also contains a 'Bookmark' feature that allows you to <M>ark any page and then <G>o to it later with a single keystroke. Print a Text File - Allows you to print any text file to your choice of printers, LPT1 - LPT4. <F> File Search and Information - Allows you to use wildcards to search through your system for DOS files. The listing will display the DOS attributes for a file, the current size and the last time/date that the file was modified. Attributes are A=Archive, R=Read Only, S=System, H=Hidden, D=Directory, V=Volume Label and may appear in various combinations. The search engine supports both the "*" and "?" wildcards. <Z> Bounceback Flags - Discussed in the Installation Section. <Q> Quit - Returns you to the calling TBBS menu. <X> Exit - Logs you off immediately. <T> TDBS Database Functions Warning! There are a number of extremely powerful commands in this section which, if misused, can cause serious damage to the database or Index you are working on. Also, some commands will grab a database for EXCLUSIVE USE. This will prevent other users on the system from accessing it while you have it in use. Most commands work on the database that is currently selected. Databases are selected either through the Database Manager <S> or by manually entering the path\name of the database you wish to work with <1>. <S> The Database Manager Selector - SystemMaster allows you to keep a 'Database of Databases'. This lets you store the names and locations of databases that you use frequently. To access this function, press <S> from the TDBS menu. You will see a listing of stored databases. At this point you may Select, Add, Edit, or Delete a database definition. Adding/Editing a Definition - You will be prompted for the path where the .DBF and it's Index files are stored. Enter the complete DOS path without a trailing '\'. Next, enter the .DBF name without the .DBF extension. Add any comments that you want to appear in the listing. You will now be prompted for the names of any index files you wish to have attached to this database when it is selected. If you are using index files, answer 'Y' to the prompt and enter the FULL name of the index files. This is necessary because index files may have extensions other than .NDX. The first entry will be the controlling index. You may not skip over any of the index fields, i.e. 1,2,3 is legal while 1,2,4 is not. To select a database from the listing, type <S> and the number of the database you wish to select. Once selected, you will be returned to the Main TDBS menu. After a database is Selected you may: <L> Locate Information - This command allows you search for information in any field in the database. Fields that may be searched on are Character, Numeric and Date. The Character and Date Searches will look for any record which CONTAINS the Search Argument. The Numeric search looks for an EXACT match. Logical and Memo fields may not be searched. In addition, you may display a second field along with the field you are searching for in any records that are found. The second field may be any type, including logical or memo. In addition to the 2 fields being displayed, the record number will also be returned, allowing you to then edit the appropriate database records using the Database Editor. <E> Edit\Add\Delete - This Database Editor provides complete database manipulation for the selected database on a record by record basis. <Z> Zap - Will permanently Delete all records in the selected Database and any attached indices. Be careful! <C> Create/Recreate an Index - Allows you to build an NDX file based on a field name you specify in the database that is currently selected. You may also add a sort method. For example, if you want to create an index in descending order, you could specify the field name as Descend(Field_Name). Or if you wanted the index as all upper case you would specify Upper(Field_Name). You may also concatenate fields by specifying Field1 + Field2. Pack - Will remove any deleted records from the selected Database and any attached indices. <V> View the Structure - Displays the field layout of the selected database. <M> Modify the selected database structure - Allows you to add, delete or change field definitions. If no database is selected, a new structure will be built, otherwise the selected database structure will be modified. A SEF file will be built as a result of this operation and will be called TEMP.DBF (SEF= Structure Extended File). Build a New Database - Creates a new DBF from a SEF. If the SEF is empty or one of the fields in the SEF has been improperly specified, an error will result. <A> Append Records - Allows you to add records to a new or existing DBF. Only fields with the same name in both databases will be added. Fields which are longer in the source database than the target database will be truncated. Import Comma-delimited text - Allows you to specify a file which contains comma-delimited text. This file will be imported into the selected database. <O> Output Comma-delimited text - Will export the contents of the selected database into a comma-delimited format text file. <D> Data - Displays the attributes of the current database. <T> TDBS Error Messages - A Database of all TDBS error messages which may be listed or searched based on anything that is Contained in the error message. Modifying an existing Database: 1. Select the Database. 2. Use <M> Modify and modify/Add field definitions. 3. Use Build to Create a new database from the SEF file that was just created when you modified the database. This will create a new database with the new information you just added. 4. Use the <A> Append to add the information from the old database into the new database. You will now have a new database, with the new field information you added, that has all the information that was contained in the old database. Making a Quick Database Lookup Application: 1. Make sure that no existing database is selected. 2. Use <M> Modify to build the Database structure. 3. Use Build to Build the actual Database. 4. Use the Database Editor to add information to the Database. 5. Use the <L> ocate function to search on any information that was added ---> End of File <--- ========================================================================= If you are using the demonstration version of this program and would like to have the full version please contact GW Associates for more information. GW Associates P.O. Box 6606, One Regency Drive, Holliston, MA 01746 BBS (508) 429-8385 (Hayes 19.2) BBS (508) 429-3118 (USR) Voice (508) 429-6227 FAX (508) 429-3859 Telnet gwabbs.com FTP gwabbs.com WWW http://www.gwabbs.com Registered GWA customers can order online by dialing 1-800-492-8327 GWA-TDBS Call our BBS for access to over 200 of the top enhancement products for TBBS/TDBS systems. We originated the market for commercial third party software and will always have the best available software to offer to our customers.