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1992-01-24
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* Spider * 1.15 *
* Copyright (c) W. Feller 1991,92 - Planet Earth *
Spider is a program which may be used to rotate a series of files
to specific targets. It can be used to shuffle Prelog, Hello and
Goodbye screens as well as Menus and Bulletins. Spider can be
used for any type of BBS, or any situation where you would like
to replace one or more files in rotation.
Features:
Random rotation; Spider never copies the same file twice in a row.
This option's bitchen when used to generate a "we pick" type of
door. It's cool for door and bulletin menus too.
File Headers & Footers; No more typing @JUNK@ at the top of every
screen you plan to revolve. Spider can include file headers and
footers to make it easy on your maintenance.
Log options; Keep a record of the time, date and copy operations.
Setup option; This will display the settings defined by the .DEF
and .DAT files for detailed examination while setting up.
*
Files included in this package:
------------------------------
Spider.EXE ∙∙∙∙∙ The actual Spider program
Spider.DOC ∙∙∙∙∙ This .DOC file, instructions for Spider
*
Spider Basics
-------------
Spider rotates the files designated in a .DEF (definition)
file, according to the values in a .DAT (data) file. Spider
must have the Spider.EXE, a CONFIG.DEF, and a CONFIG.DAT
in order to run.
Config.DEF <--- definition file (file names, paths)
Config.DAT <--- data file (count numbers)
The following files may be made up for Spider's use, but are
not necessary for Spider's operation.
Config.HDR <--- header file
Config.FTR <--- footer file
Config.LOG <--- log of operations (Spider generated)
*
The Spider Command Line
-----------------------
Spider [/Switch] FileName
A typical Spider command line would look as follows.
C:\>Spider Filename
or
C:\>Spider /S Config
The command simply includes Spider with the name of a con-
figuration file following. The configuration filename on
the command line MUST NOT INCLUDE an extention.
The switches provide logging and setup previewing options.
The /L switch will log all operations to a Config.LOG file.
The /S switch provides setup information.
Spider uses two files in operation, the .DEF file and the .DAT
file. The definition file (.DEF) is a list of the paths to
both the source and target files, and a list of the source files.
--------------------------
The .DEF type files contain 3 primary pieces of information
used by Spider to shuffle the appropriate files. The file name
portion can be any legal DOS file name. The extention must be
.DEF for Spider to work.
.DEF File Structure
-------------------
The .DEF file is an ASCII file which maybe made using an ASCII
editor such as Qedit or Ted. The structure of this file is as
follows;
Target ]--------------- Definition 1
Source Directory ]
Source File ]
Source File ]
. ]
. ]
. ]
Target ]------ Definition 2
Source Directory ]
Source File ]
. ]
. ]
Target ]---------------- Definition 3
. ]
& so on to a maximum of 1000 lines ...
Any combination of definitions may be made up as long as the
total length of the .DEF file does not exceed 1000 lines.
Each definition is made up of 3 types of information;
1) There can be up to 50 definitions per .DEF file.
Each group of definitions are listed
1) Target file (ex: > Drive:\Path\Filename.EXT)
Notice the greater than, ">" symbol is the first char-
acter in the line. Each target file defined must have
this, ">" sign preceeding it.
2) Source path (ex: Drive:\Path\)
Must include the full path to the source files. Be
sure to ADD the forward slash "\" at the end! If
there is no path to the source files, be sure to leave
the line following the target file blank.
3) Source files (ex: Hello1.001)
(ex: Hello1.002)
(ex: Hello1.003)
(ex: Hello1.004)
The source files are listed one after another,
immediatley after the target and the source path.
There can be as few as 2 files per definition, or
as many as 500 files. They may not have a path
included in the filename. Also, they do not have
to have similar names as shown.
Here is an example of a .DEF file. It contains two definitions.
The first rotates a list of 5 source files into a target, and
the second rotates a list of 3 source files.
Sample.DEF file Remarks (do not include in file)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
> c:\wc30\bull\bulletin.bbs Target file #1 (preceeded by ">")
\disp2\ Source file path
Bullet.01 Source file 1
Bullet.02 " " 2
Bullet.03 " " 3
Bullet.04 " " 4
Bullet.05 " " 5
> c:\wc30\disp\prelog.bbs Target file #2
\disp2\color\* Source file path
Prelog.001 Source file 1
Prelog.002 " " 2
Prelog.003 " " 3
------------------------EOF----------------------------------------
(Remember that you can make each .DEF file 1000 lines max.)
*
The Data File (.DAT)
--------------------
The .DAT files contain the numbers used to keep track and rotate
the source files listed in the .DEF file. Each .DEF file MUST
have a corresponding .DAT file.
The .DAT files are easy to make. There are two rows of information
required for each definition described in the .DEF file. The first
row gives us the total files available for rotating, while the second
row tells us the source file number to copy to the target. The
example .DAT file following corresponds to the example .DEF file.
Sample.DAT file Remarks (do not include in file)
---------------------------------------------------------------
5 - Total number of source files in definition
1 - Copy source #1 to target
3 - Total number of source files in definition
1 - Copy source #1 to target
It is easiest to set the source number to 1 when first setting up Spider.
There's not too much to a data file, just the number of source files,
and the #1 for each definition. Spider uses this file to keep track
of which file to copy.
*
Random Rotation
-------------------------------------------
Spider now can randomly choose a file to rotate! No file will be
copied from twice in a row. Just put an "*" after the copy source
(usually 1) to let Spider know to choose one of the source files
on it's own.
Sample.DAT file (Showing use of * to generate a random rotation)
----------------------------------------------------------------
5 - Total number of source files in definition
1 - Copy source #1 to target (Normal rotation)
3 - Total number of source files in definition
1* - Copy source #1 to target (Random rotation)
-2.0-
Sample.DAT file (Showing use of + for multiple source files)
------------------------------------------------------------
5+
3
1*
4
1
1
3
1*
*
Switch Options
--------------
/L Log - Will log all copy operations to a file named
FileName.LOG.
/S Setup - This sends an echo to the screen, but does not
perform any copy functions. This will help make
setup easier.
*
Headers & Footers
-----------------
One header and one footer file can be included in each definition
file. Spider will attach the file FILENAME.HDR and/or FILENAME.FTR
to the top and bottom of your target file.
This feature is used by placing a "+","-" or "*" as the last
character in the source path line in the .DEF file.
+, will include the config FileName.HDR to the front of the target
file.
-, will include the config FileName.FTR to the end of the target
file.
*, will include both as described.
.DEF header/footer examples
> C:\target
\Path\* <------ tells Spider to include both the Config.HDR &
Config.FTR file
\Path\+ <------ include Config.HDR only
\Path\- <------ include Config.FTR only
ex;
> c:\target
\path\* <-- Merge both header and footer into target file.
src.001
src.002 ...
There may be only 1 header and footer file per .DEF file.
|-- Source Path ------|-- Target File --|
+--------+ +--------+
| Header |---------------> | Header |
+--------+ .--------> | Source |
+--------+ | .-----> | Footer |
| Source |------' | +--------+
| .001 | |
+--------+ |
+--------+ |
| Source | |
| .002 | |
+--------+ ... |
+--------+ |
| Footer |---------'
+--------+
*
Notes on batch files and events
-------------------------------
Spider works very well from the postcall.bat in WildCat!. Several
configurations can be included. Include Spider in a door batch
file, have a different menu or set of menus when the caller comes
back. Spider works great on copy door??.bat files to a door??.bat
that runs a random pick door.
Ex. PostCall.BAT
CD\Spider
Spider Bullets
Spider Prelog
Spider Goodbye
or (using switches)
CD\Spider
Spider /L Bullets
Spider /S/L Goodbye
Spider also works well from DOS hooks, or as an event from within WC!.
*
Summary
-------
Spider is used to rotate files from various sources to designated
targets. Spider requires Spider.EXE and similar named .DEF and.DAT
files in order to operate. The total length of the .DEF file
may not be more than 1000 lines long. The ability to use different
configurations provides unlimited rotation possibilities.
*
Disk-Claimer
------------
Spider is as bug-free as I could possibly make it. Be aware that it
does write over the target files specified in the .DEF files. Pay
attention to the filenames you input. The errors you make are your
own, and you are responsible for them. Not me.
*
Registration
------------
Please register Spider by sending a check or money order for $5.95 to,
Walter Feller
6003 Saturn
Mira Loma, Ca. 91752
Please note that it is for the Spider program, your version number, and
include a mailing address.
*
The latest copy of Spider, and author support may be found on,..
Another BBS (619) 244-3675, Hesperia Ca. - 24/12/3 - N81 - 24 hrs.