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Text File | 1991-04-28 | 17.9 KB | 526 lines

************************************************************************* * Note: This file is essentially the text file that went into * * making the on-line pop-up file system that can be accessed at * * any time by pressing <F1> while using FILEQ. There is nothing * * here that does not also appear on the screen by pressing <F1>. * * FILEQ does NOT depend on this file to operate. It is provided * * here as a separate file for informational purposes only. * ************************************************************************* FILEQ: What it is FILEQ is a program which will take a list of files and "queue" them to the printer - printing each selected text file to the printer with or without line numbers and in compressed print if desired. HELP System The HELP system is invoked by pressing <F1>. You can select from an INDEX of help topics by pressing <F1> a SECOND time, and you can page backward through a list of previously selected topics by pressing <Alt-F1>. You can use the cursor (arrow) keys to move to any highlighted help topic showing in the Help window and then press <Enter> to see more help on the highlighted topic. Press the <Esc> key to remove the Help window. Directory List The list of files you see on the screen is a COPY of the directory of files in the current directory/subdirectory. There is nothing you can do in FILEQ that will disturb or corrupt the actual directory in any way. All you really do with this list of files is choose those files that are to be sent to the printer for printing. Marked File The marked file is the one in the directory list that is highlighted. Use the currsor (arrow) keys to move the highlight bar up or down. PgUp and PgDn keys can also be used to mark a file. Changing Directories Move the highlight bar up to the list of directories/subdirectories at the top of the directory list on the screen and press <Enter> A new list of files and directories will appear on the screen. The list of subdirectories always appears at the TOP of the list of files. On a color screen the subdirectories appear in a different color than the list of files. Directories have the notation "<dir>" after the directory name. The notation " .. <dir> " will take you to the root directory of the current drive if you choose it. The current directory and mask are shown at the top of the directory list on the screen. Hidden Files The directory list you see on the screen may not contain all the files in the current subdirectory. Some unprintable files do not show in the list. See also Removing files. Removing Files Once a file has been chosen for printing, it is removed from the list of files on the screen (but not from the actual directory). This is to prevent the user from accidently choosing a file more than once. !TOPIC 7 Unprintable Files Some computer files are not for humans to read. Files whose names end with .EXE or .COM are examples of computer files that are not printable to the printer. FILEQ removes these files from the list of files on the screen so you won't accidently try to print one of them (but it never removes these files from the actual directory). Other kinds of files are made to be read only by specific application programs. These are not text files that can easily be printed. Files whose names end with .WKS, .WK1, .RXD, .R2D, .RXR, .R2R, .DBF, .LIB, .IDX, .TPU and others are also removed from the visible list on the screen. WARNING! There may be other "unprintable" files in your directory that FILEQ has no way of knowing that they are not for humans to read. Some of these other unprintables may appear in the list of files on the screen. It is your responsibility to know which files are likely to be printable and avoid choosing any unprintable files. Choosing an unprintable file in FILEQ may cause the program to cease operating or may cause your printer to behave oddly. Often text files end with the file name extension of .DOC. If such a file was produced by Microsoft Word (a word processing program ) FILEQ will not be able to print it because the file contains more than just text. Choosing Files Files are chosen by marking the file to be printed and then pressing <Enter> . Function Keys Several function keys are activated by FILEQ. The function keys are the keys on your keyboard labeled F1, F2,...etc. These keys are found either along the top row of your keyboard or they are clustered at the far lefthand side of your keyboard. NB: Function keys are NON-FUNCTIONAL when then the optional menu is activated. <F1> Key This function key activates the hypertext HELP system. <F5> Key Pressing the <F5> function key toggles sound on or off. The status box on the screen tells you weather sound is currently ON or OFF. The only sound made by FILEQ is a "whistle" when windows explode onto the screen or implode off the screen. <F7> Key The <F7> function key toggles file names only on or off in the directory list on the screen. Using <F7> the directory list will show only the file names or it will show file names with dates and file sizes, much the way the real directory looks. <F10> Key The <F10> function key is used to tell FILEQ that you are finished choosing files to be printed and are ready to start printing. If no files have been chosen, FILEQ will terminate at this point. FILEQ will push the <F10> key for you if you have chosen the maximum number of files allowed by FILEQ. See the function box on the screen for the maximum number of files that FILEQ will handle. The status box on the screen shows you how many files you have chosen so far. Sound Toggle Sound is toggled on and off by pressing the <F5> function key. Finished Choosing Files Press the <F10> function key to tell FILEQ that you are finished choosing files. !TOPIC 16 File Names Only The <F7> function key toggles what the directory list will show. It will show ONLY the file names or it will show file names with dates and file sizes, much the way the real directory looks. Maximum Number of Files The number of files that FILEQ will handle at one time. It is the length of the "queue" of files being sent to the printer. The function box on the screen tells you what the maximum number of files is. The status box on the screen tells you how many files you have chosen so far. Status Box The status box is a small area of the screen that tells you the current status of toggle switches, etc. It tells you the number of files you have chosen so far, sound toggle status, directory list sort variable, and the current file selection mask. Function Box The function box appears at the bottom of the screen and tells you basically everything you can do with FILEQ to change the appearance of the directory list, what the active function keys are, and the maximum number of files handled by FILEQ. The function box also hold instructions for special editing windows. Sorting The directory list can be sorted by file name, file size, or by date file was created. Use Alt-N to sort by name, Alt-S to sort by size or Alt-D to sort by date. Masks The default mask when FILEQ initializes is "*.*". You can edit or change this file selection mask by pressing Alt-M. You can press Alt-R as a quick way to restore the *.* mask. *.* does not necessarily mean ALL the files in the current directory. See Hidden Files and Removing Files. <Alt-N> Key The <Alt-N> key combination sorts the directory list alphabetically by file Name. <Alt-S> Key The <Alt-S> key combination sorts the directory list in ascending order by file Size. <Alt-D> Key The <Alt-D> key combination sorts the directory list in ascending order by file Date. Alt-keys FILEQ uses several Alt-Key combinations. To utilize these functions, hold down the key marked Alt and press the other key at the same time. Current Directory The current directory/subdirectory is shown at the TOP of the directory list on the screen. <Alt-M> Key The <Alt-M> key combination allows you to edit and change the file selection mask used by FILEQ in preparing the directory list you see on the screen. Press <Esc> to cancel editing the mask. <Alt-R> Key The <Alt-R> key combination allows you to quickly change the file selection mask used by FILEQ back to the default *.* . Line Numbers Each file that is printed by FILEQ can have line numbers showing. That means that each line of the printout for the file is numbered sequentially starting at 1 and the line number shows at the beginning of the line like this: 1 : line of text..... etc. 2 : line of text..... etc. 3 : line of text..... etc. Each time a file is chosen a window explodes on the screen asking if you want line numbers with the chosen file. Simply press Y for Yes or N for No. Printers After you have finished choosing the files that are to be printed and have pressed the <F10> key, FILEQ presents you with a menu of printers that are supported by FILEQ. Use the cursor (arrow) keys to move the highlight bar to the type of printer closest to the one you are using and press <Enter>. If you are not sure what type of printer, select "Other" and press <Enter>. Character Compression FILEQ allows you to select one of 4 sizes of character compression which will apply to all the files that you have chosen to print. FILEQ will send the correct printer control codes to the printer you have chosen. All of these printer options may not be available on the printer you have chosen. If you do not wish to print in small (compressed) print, simply choose "No Compression" from the menu. The 4 sizes (pitches) of character compression are: ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── 17 characters per inch or 132 characters per line 15 characters per inch or 120 characters per line 12 characters per inch or 96 characters per line 10 characters per inch or 80 characters per line <Esc> Key The Escape key, when it is activated, allows you to "back up" one step. For example, when a sub-menu is visible on the screen, pressing <Esc> allows you to go back to the main menu line. If the Help screen is visible, the <Esc> key removes the Help window. In certain cases, <Esc> will allow you to exit the program and return to the DOS prompt. <Alt-F1> Key The <Alt-F1> key combination pages backwards through previously selected Help topics when the Help window is active (visible). <Alt-V> Key The <Alt-V> key combination allows you to View the names of files that have been chosen or selected for printing. The list is shown in alphabetical order regardless of what order they are in the printing queue. Pascal Source Files Pascal files get special treatment in FILEQ. Pascal source code files (ending with .PAS) print with a page header identifying it as Pascal source code. If the file name ends with .PAS, you can choose whether you want any Pascal include files isted along with the main .PAS file. The include files MUST be referenced in the main .PAS file as {$I MYFILE.INC}. (Contents of .TPU files are not listed.) You be asked this just after you are asked whether you want line numbers See section called "include files" for important information about this. Once the Pascal listing is printed a sorted list of all your procedures and functions are printed. Rather than cross-referencing all calls to a procedure or function, this listing shows the page in the listing where the procedure was defined or created. Where in the listing does it show: Procedure MyProc; begin ... end; The sorted listing shows name of procedure, which file it is from and the page number in the current listing: MyProc...................(MYFILE.INC).............. 64 REMEMBER!! You don't have to choose the INCLUDE files from the directory list as long as the main .PAS file has the include files listed properly. Include files MUST be in the same directory/subdirectory as the main .PAS file in order to be listed along with the main .PAS file. Page Headers The program uses the file name EXTENSION to determine what kind of file it is printing. The HEADER at the top of each printed page will be as shown next: File Name Extension Page Header -------------------- ----------- .PAS PASCAL Source Code .C C Source Code .FOR FORTRAN Source Code .COB COBOL Source Code .CBL COBOL Source Code .PRG DBASE Source Code .PRO PROLOG Source Code .ASM ASSEMBLER Source Code .BAS BASIC Source Code .SC PARADOX Source Code (any other extension) File/Documentation Listing (no extension) File/Documentation Listing You can get plenty of mileage out of FILEQ even if you are not a programmer. "Include" source files (PASCAL) In Turbo Pascal source code you cannot have an "include" file listed if both 1 and 2 are true: 1. it has a filename beginning with the letter F; 2. you write the include compiler directive with the F right next to the $I, such as {$IFOOFILE.INC}, etc. The problem is that FILEQ has no way of knowing whether you mean a file or a compiler directive if it reads {$IFDEF}, {$IFNDEF} or {$IFOPT} in your source code. Since these 3 are valid compiler directives, there is room for conflict with file names here. There is NO PROBLEM having "include" filenames starting with the letter F, if you simply put a space after the I in the compiler directive in your source code. This will get a file named FOOFILE.IN2 listed with the source code: {$I FOOFILE.IN2} ^..............a space goes here (assuming, of course, that a file named FOOFILE.IN2 exists ) Basic Source Files WARNING: When using this program to list BASIC source code be sure that the file is an ASCII text file. This program will get horrible indigestion if you attempt to list a BASIC binary (or interpreted) file with it. If you have a BASIC file in GW-BASIC, for example, SAVE the file in GW-BASIC as SAVE "filename.bas", A. Putting the ,A after the file name will save it as an ASCII text file which you will still be able to read into GW-BASIC, but FILEQ will be able to read it and recognize the .BAS extension so your page headers will be correct. File Name EXTENSION The file name extension is the part of the name of a file that come AFTER the dot. .EXE, .DOC, .TXT, .PAS are common file name extensions. Note that many file names do NOT have an extension. <Alt-T> Key The <Alt-T> key combination allows you to edit the number of spaces that embedded tabs are converted to upon printout. Embedded Form Feeds Often text files designed to be printed with the DOS PRINT command come with their own form feeds imbedded in the text at the end of each "page." FILEQ will skip over these imbedded form feeds and use its own page making codes, along with page headers and appropriate margins. Files prepared for use with PRINT often do not have a left margin or page headers. Hot Keys There are two ways to get things done in FILEQ. One is with the various "hot keys" shown in the function box at the bottom of the screen. The other way is to use the optional menu. The menu way is usually slower, but it is every bit as functional as using the hot keys. Hot keys are non-functioning when then menu is activated. Menu (optional) An optional menu of FILEQ functions is available by striking the "slash" key (/). It is not necessary to use the menu, but it is there if you need it. Use the arrow keys to highlight your menu choice then press Enter. Brief menu help appears along the top row of the screen. <Alt-X> Key Alt-X allows you to eXit from the program and return to the DOS prompt without printing any files. TAB Expansion FILEQ converts embedded TAB marks in your text files to spaces prior to printing the file. The default is 5 spaces per TAB in a line of text. You can alter this value by pressing Alt-T. You can reset the tab expansion value to a maximum of 12. If you do not want tabs to be expanded change the tab value to 0 (zero). When editing the tab expansion value, press CTRL-Enter when finished. (Hold down the key marked CTRL and press Enter at the same time.) Press <Esc> to abort any changes to the tab value. If you enter a value greater than 12, the editing window will not disappear, nor will the value be accepted. Mouse support FILEQ does NOT support mouse operations. As with any program, options have to be played against one another. FILEQ is not the kind of program that needs a lot of mouse support. With sufficient demand, future versions of FILEQ may include mouse support, but it will likely be at the expense of the menu.