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1992-03-01
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*******************************************
FSEARCH 1.0
a PCBoard file list searching utility
(c) 1992 by Timothy C. Barmann
*******************************************
USAGE
-----
C:>FSEARCH file1 [file2 ... file_n] /word1 [/word2 ... /word8] [-A] [-S]
DESCRIPTION
-----------
FSEARCH has a very specific purpose. It searches file lists found on
bulletin boards running PCBoard software, for a particular word or words.
The program works similarly to the (z)ippy search function on PCBoard
BBS's, except that it's used offline. FSEARCH was written to help bulletin
board callers to find files they are interested in downloading before
calling the BBS. FSEARCH will scan through any part of the file list text,
including filenames, sizes, dates and up to 8 lines of the extended
description of each file.
FSEARCH will run on any IBM compatible computer and should be able to read
file lists found on BBS's using PCBoard 14.x software.
Note: It's recommended that you load ANSI.SYS on your computer before
running FSEARCH. See below for more information.
WHAT'S A FILE LIST?
-------------------
A file list is a text file that describes a particular bulletin board's
files available for downloading. PCBoard file lists are formatted in a
unique way and contain a file's name, size, date it was created, and
description. The file list itself often is posted on the bulletin board
and can be downloaded. If you cannot find such a file on the PCBoard
bulletin board you call, ask your sysop how you might be able to get it.
(If you are still unsure what a file list looks like, see SAMPLE.LST
included with this package.) FSEARCH will ignore any lines that don't
conform to the PCBoard file list format.
HOW TO USE FSEARCH
------------------
C:>FSEARCH file1 [file2 ... file_n] /word1 [/word2 ... /word8] [-A] [-S]
Where:
file1.ext is the name of the file you want to search. At least one
filename is required. Wildcards and full pathnames are
valid.
file2.ext The second file you want to search. Enter as many filenames
as you wish.
/word1 The forward slash followed by the word you want to find.
If searching for a phrase, it must be surrounded by quotation
marks. Ex: "/find this phrase". At least one word or phrase
to search for is required. The search is NOT case sensitive.
/word2 Finds word1 and word2 and whatever other words or phrases you
specify, up to 8. It finds only records that contain all
the words or phrases. OR searches are not supported.
-A Turns off the screen codes ANSI.SYS uses to highlight
keywords found. Use this option if you choose not to load
ANSI.SYS or are redirecting the output to a file. This switch
is optional. See below for more information on redirection.
-S Suppresses the "scanning file xxx for ..." remarks as FSEARCH
is working.
Separate parameters with spaces. They can be entered in any order on the
command line with the exception of the DOS commands that allow redirecting
and pausing of the output. Those commands must come at the end of the
command line. Those commands are explained in more detail below.
Use the enclosed sample file list included with this package called
SAMPLE.LST to try the program out.
EXAMPLES:
---------
C:>FSEARCH sample.lst /bart
displays any records that contain "bart" in the file list sample.lst
C:>FSEARCH sample.lst /bart /simpson /gif
displays any records that contain both "bart" and "simpson" and "gif"
C:>FSEARCH *.lst "/source code" /c++
searches through any file in the current directory with the extension
lst for any records that contain both "source code" and "c++".
Note that wildcards are NOT supported within a WORD search. Eg.:
C:>FSEARCH sample.lst /anyfile.*
will look for text that exactly matches "anyfile.*". The asterisk will not
be expanded.
PAUSING THE OUTPUT
------------------
To display the output of FSEARCH one page at a time on your screen, use
the DOS pipe feature and the MORE command. For example:
C:>FSEARCH sample.lst /gif |MORE
Will search through the file list called sample.lst for the word "gif"
and display the files it finds. Adding |MORE at the end of the command
line will cause DOS to display information bound for the screen one page
at a time and wait for you to press any key. This must be the last
parameter on the command line.
Note that when using this DOS feature, FSEARCH will not display anything
on the screen until the entire file or files have been searched. This may
make the program appear to be hung up. But as long as you see your disk
drive light flashing occasionally, be patient. See your DOS manual for
more information about piping and the MORE command.
REDIRECTING THE OUTPUT
----------------------
If you'd like to save the list of files that FSEARCH finds, you can do so
by redirecting the output to a file. This is how:
C:>FSEARCH sample.lst "/sound blaster" -A >blaster.fls
will search the file sample.lst for the phrase "sound blaster". The -A
switch turns off the ANSI.SYS screen codes as they are meaningless unless
the output is destined for the screen. The > is the DOS redirection
symbol. It will create or write over the file you specify right after the
symbol. This must be the last parameter on the command line. See your
DOS manual for more information about redirection.
It is recommended that you always use the -A switch when redirecting
output to a file. It won't harm anything if you don't, but the ANSI codes
will be captured in the file and may make reading the output file
confusing.
ABOUT USING ANSI.SYS
--------------------
Though it's not necessary, loading ANSI.SYS on your system allows FSEARCH
to highlight the keyword or words on the screen that it finds. Loading
ANSI.SYS is accomplished by putting the line DEVICE=ANSI.SYS in your
system's CONFIG.SYS file. After adding that line, you must reboot your
computer for the changes to take effect. See your DOS manual for further
information. If you choose not load ANSI.SYS, use the -A switch when
running FSEARCH to turn off the highlighting feature.
TO REGISTER
-----------
FSEARCH is shareware. You may distribute this archived package freely in
its original, unmodified form. If you like FSEARCH and plan to use it,
please register it! The registration fees will help me recoup the large
investment I've made in software development programs used to write this
and other shareware programs. Send the registration fee of $10 to me at:
Timothy C. Barmann
87 Marbury Ave.
Pawtucket, RI 02860
For now, FSEARCH 1.0 works only with file lists created by PCBoard
bulletin board systems. If enough people register this program, I plan to
rewrite some of the software so it will support the file lists of other
bulletin boards, including Ultra BBS and Wildcat BBS.
HISTORY
-------
V. 1.0 Initial release, March 1, 1992. Thanks to John Barmann and John
Granatino for their helpful suggestions.
OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
--------------------------
Look for PCB2REC.ZIP, another shareware program that will convert a
PCBoard file list into a file containing ASCII delimited records that can
be read by most database programs. This will allow you to use your
favorite database program to do more powerful searches and sorting of
PCBoard file lists. Contact me if you can't find this program and you'd
like to try it.
YOUR COMMENTS
-------------
I'd appreciate any questions, comments, suggestions and bug reports about
FSEARCH 1.0. Direct correspondence to me at the above address or through
Compuserve: 72070,652 or the Internet: tim@bbs.sys.com.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
----------------
Use this program at your own risk. The author of FSEARCH is in no way
associated with PCBoard software or its authors. (He is a fan, though, of
their excellent bulletin board software.)