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1991-07-22
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PPDecrunch Version 1.0 (July 22, 1991)
Pipeable PowerPacker Decruncher
Copyright (C) 1991 by Darren Ewaniuk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description:
PPDecrunch allows you to decrunch PowerPacked data files to STDOUT. What
does that mean, you say? Why not use the plain old Decrunch program provided
with PowerPacker? Well, by sending output to STDOUT, PPDecrunch can allow
you to view PowerPacked files with SOME programs that otherwise cannot
decrunch PowerPacked files by themselves. These programs MUST be able to
accept input from STDIN. For example, LESS and MORE are capable of doing
this. This comes in especially handy for remote shells and BBS'es, as most
text readers except MORE open their own window, therefore they cannot display
on the remote screen. For examples of what you can do with PPDecrunch, see
the Examples section.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirements:
You should have PowerPacker.Library V33+ installed in your LIBS: directory.
If you want to use pipes, you must be using a shell that handles pipes, and
have the appropriate pipe device mounted. WShell and ArpShell both have this
capability when used with the PIP: device. (I highly recommend WShell
by Bill Hawes of Wishful Thinking Software, very good stuff!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents:
PPDecrunch The executable for PPDecrunch
PPDecrunch.c C Source code for PPDecrunch
PPDecrunch.Doc You're reading it!
PPDecrunch.Doc.info The icon for the documentation file
powerpacker.library The PowerPacker library
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation:
Copy powerpacker.library to LIBS: if it isn't already there.
Copy PPDecrunch to your command path. C: is a likely candidate for this.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usage:
PPDecrunch <filename>
<filename> is the file you wish to decrunch to STDOUT.
PPDecrunch tries to open <filename> and then <filename>.pp if it
couldn't find <filename>
The file can be crunched with PowerPacker, or it can be a plain file.
PPDecrunch (actually PowerPacker.library) doesn't care, and if the file
is a plain file, it doesn't decrunch it, just outputs it.
Use a Control-C break to stop PPDecrunch during output.
Simple huh?
For script users, PPDecrunch will return one of these error codes:
0: No problem.
1: No file specified in command line.
10: (ERROR) PPDecrunch could not decrunch the file for some reason.
11: (ERROR) PPDecrunch could not open powerpacker.library or could not
open the standard error channel.
Any error message will be sent to the standard error channel, so that it
will go to the window, NOT the redirected or piped file or device.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples:
PPDecrunch PPDecrunch.doc
Decrunches the file PPDecrunch.Doc and displays it on the shell
window (note that no paging or other filtering is used)
PPDecrunch >File CrunchedFile
Decrunches the file "CrunchedFile" and saves it as "File".
Probably slower than Decrunch, because it works through STDOUT,
but hey it works.
PPDecrunch >PRT: SomeProgram.Manual
Decrunches the file "SomeProgram.Manual" and prints it to PRT:
The above can be done with any plain old shell or CLI. Look under
"redirection" in your shell manual for more use of redirection.
The following must be done with a pipe device and a pipeable shell.
PPDecrunch CrunchedText | More
Decrunches the file "CrunchedText" and pages it through MORE
This one could be very handy for remote shells or BBS'es.
There are many ways to use pipes. Check your shell's manual for more
ideas on how to use this.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limitations:
None that I know of yet.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bugs:
No known bugs at this time. Please notify me of any bugs, crashes,
enforcer hits, or bad programming practises you notice in this program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revision history:
30-Jun-91 - Creation date
22-Jul-91 - Version 1.0 First public release
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer:
This program works to my knowledge. However, bugs may indeed be lurking
in this code, so if you choose to use this program, be forewarned.
I am not responsible for any loss or inconvenience caused by this program,
and it has no warranty or guarantee.
If you discover any bugs or missing features, I would like to know about
them so that I can fix them when I have the time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution:
This program is 'User Group Ware'.
If you like it, join your local Amiga users group, and send me a letter
telling me about your user group. You will then be a 'registered' user
of the program. You will also benefit from being a member of a users
group, so its a win-win situation.
If you feel like it, you can send money or some freely
distributable software that you like, but this is purely optional.
For companies wishing to use this program for their own internal use, a
donation to the local user group greater than or equivalent to membership
fees for one year will suffice to become a 'registered' user.
The local user group here is AmiCUE (Amiga Commodore Users of Edmonton).
Meetings are on the third Thursday of every month.
Call 469-6694 for more information.
If you want updates, or request a new feature, send me a disk and enough
postage to get it back to you from here and I'll send you the latest
version, and anything else new I might come up with (if anything).
This program is freely distributable, with the following conditions:
1) This program shall not be used commercially without my prior permission.
Companies using this for their own internal use are free to use it as
stated above. All in all, this means that, without prior permission:
a) This program cannot be used in a commercial package.
b) This program cannot be used on disk magazines and on disks which sell
for more than what Fred Fish charges for his disk collection at the
time. Currently, this is $6.00US. Convert this to local currency, and
if the selling price without tax is more than this, you can't sell it!
Permission is explicitly granted to Fred Fish and all registered
Amiga user groups to distribute this program.
2) This program shall be distributed with all files intact. This means that:
a) All files must be distributed, including the executable, source code,
and documentation.
b) This program must not be disk warped. Disk warps are a pain for hard
drive users, are prone to virus infections, and some are not reliable.
LZH, ZIP, ZOO, ARC, PAK, and similiar file-oriented archives are fine.
c) None of the files should be distributed in powerpacked or likewise
crunched form. You may do so for your own use, but keep the original
uncrunched form for distribution, so that others may use it without
requiring special programs or suffering from that 'uncrunch' flash.
d) If you modify this program and wish to distribute it, you are free to
do so as long as you include your modified source code and executable
AS WELL AS the original source code, executable, and other files in
this distribution. Also, the conditions of the distribution must not
be changed (you still can't sell it or use it commercially).
In short, I don't want others taking credit for or making money from this
software, and don't want it to be distributed with missing or hacked up
files. Remember that I can waive any of the rules if you talk to me first!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to reach me:
MAIL: Darren Ewaniuk
Box 1262
Vegreville AB CANADA
T0B 4L0
This is my permanent address and will not change, unlike my
present address, as I am currently a student.
PHONE: (403)452-2658 (until end of December 1991)
(403)768-2431 (after December 1991 or if above fails)
USENET: ewaniu@ee.ualberta.ca -or- ewaniu@bode.ee.ualberta.ca
(until end of December 1991)
darrene@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca
(after December 1991 or if above fails)
BBS: I can be reached through Devil BBS in Edmonton AB CANADA.
I'm NOT the sysop here, but I do frequent this system.
My user name is (naturally) Darren Ewaniuk.
Its a very nice BBS with over 300 megs of Amiga files. If
its near you or if you don't mind long distance, try it out!
Devil BBS
Sysop Basil Barnes
(403)484-9200
Running on an Amiga 2500/30, with USRobotics Dual Standard
HST/V.32/V.42 capable modem and multi-serial card.
All Amiga files, over 300MB storage, running Skyline software.
Freely distributable software only - no pirated stuff here!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
_________ _________
This is | | This is | | DON'T DO IT!
your | O O | your | x x |
computer | + | computer | ___ | Just say NO!
| \___/ | on pirated | / U\ | ___ to piracy
|_________| software |_________| \
_________ _ _________ _ \[Computer sick
|[][][][][| |_| |#&%@!%$&!| |x| with a virus]
|][][][][]| | | /|^!*%@&*@#| | |\
|_________| |_| [Nasty words] |_________| |_| [Dead mouse]