Experimental BBS Explossion 3/Experimental BBS Explossion III.iso/vbasic/dfvb18.zip/PBC-SUBS.DOC

Text File | 1993-07-19 | 38KB | 1,155 lines

 The following routines are available for your use. DoorFrame itself does not
use most of the routines so you may retain or delete them from DFRAMEX.LIB as
you see fit (the ones DoorFrame uses are noted - DON'T DELETE THEM!). The
library is modularized so if you don't CALL a routine in your code, it will
not be included in the final .EXE file. Since these routines come from the
PBClone library by Tom Hanlin, I have taken the liberty of including his
descriptions of the routines.

Name  : BigPrint             (Called by DoorFrame - DON'T DELETE!)
Class : Display
Level : BIOS

As the name suggests, this routine displays text in large
characters.  How large?  Eight times as high and as wide as
normal!  Each "big character" will be composed of many
normal-sized characters.  You may choose the normal character
used to create the big characters (the default is a CHR$(219)
solid block character, if you pass a null string here).

You should avoid using CHR$(128) to CHR$(255) when in either of
the CGA graphics modes, as many CGAs are unable to display
these characters when in graphics mode.

   BigPrint St$, FormCh$, Row%, Column%, Attr%

St$       string to display in big characters
FormCh$   character used to compose the big characters
Row%      starting row
Column%   starting column
Attr%     color/attribute of big characters (see CalcAttr)
          NOTE: This is a local only procedure. It will NOT be sent to the
                remote computer!


Name  : CalcAttr                (Called by DoorFrame - DON'T DELETE!)
Class : Display
Level : Any

An attribute is a combination of the foreground and background colors in a
format which is used by all types of displays when in text mode.

Foreground colors are usually specified as 0-15, with backgrounds as 0-7.

   CalcAttr Foreground%, Background%, Attr%

Foreground%  foreground color
Background%  background color
-------
Attr%        color "attribute"


Name  : CalcDate             (Calculate Date)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This routine calculates what the date will be a given number of
days from now, either in the past or the future.  Actually, you
may use any starting date, not just the current date.  An error
code is returned if the starting date or resulting date are not
valid.  Dates may not preceed January 1, 1900.

CalcDate accepts the date in any standard form ("01/30/91" or
"01-30-1991", for example) and returns its results in the same
format.

   CalcDate StartDate$, Days&, Direction%, NewDate$, ErrCode%

StartDate$   starting date
Days&        number of days from the current date (0 or more)
Direction%   return future result (0) or past (nonzero)
-------
NewDate$     resulting date
ErrCode%     whether the dates are valid (0 yes)


Name  : CDROM
Class : Disk / Equipment
Level : DOS

This routine tells you whether the Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions are installed.
If so, it tells you what the letter of the first CD-ROM logical drive is and
how many logical drives exist.

Note: The CD-ROM installation check conflicts with the GRAPHICS.COM
installation check for DOS 4.0, due to some screw-up at IBM or Microsoft.
This may cause unexpected results.  I'm not yet sure whether DOS 5.0 is
similarly afflicted.

   FirstDrive$ = "x"
   CDROM FirstDrive$, Drives%

-------
FirstDrive$   letter of the first logical drive (init to at least one space!)
Drives%       number of logical drives available (0 if no CD-ROM is there)


Name  : CheckDate            (Check Date validity)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This routine checks a date to see if it is valid.

   CheckDate MonthNr%, DayNr%, YearNr%, ErrCode%

MonthNr%     month number (1-12)
DayNr%       day number (1-31)
YearNr%      year number (1900 on; years <100 assumed 1900s)
-------
ErrCode%     whether the date is valid (0 yes)


Name  : CheckShare           (Check for SHARE)
Class : Disk
Level : DOS

The CheckShare routine determines whether SHARE.EXE is active.
This is particularly helpful before using the BASIC OPEN
statement, which will fail if you request file sharing when
it's not available.  The PBClone file routines handle such
situations automatically, so CheckShare is not needed for them.

   CheckShare ShareActive%

-------
ShareActive%   whether SHARE is active (0 if no)


Name  : CheckShare2%         (Check for SHARE)
Class : Disk
Level : DOS

The CheckShare2% function determines whether SHARE.EXE is active.  This is
particularly helpful before using the BASIC OPEN statement, which will fail
if you request file sharing when it's not available.  The PBClone file
routines handle such situations automatically, so CheckShare2% is not needed
for them.

   ShareActive% = CheckShare2%

-------
ShareActive%   whether SHARE is active (0 if no)

Name  : Cipher               (Cipher)
Class : String
Level : Any

This is a very simple text encryption routine.  It isn't
particularly hard to crack, but will provide a basic level of
security for undemanding applications.  The same routine can be
used either to encrypt or decrypt text.  The original text may
contain any character; likewise, the resulting text.  This is
not well suited for use with sequential files-- if such is
required, see CipherP.

I'd suggest using a long password composed of an unlikely
string of characters, e.g. "#*@@!A^%x{.'".

   Cipher St$, Password$

St$        string to encrypt or decrypt
Password$  password
-------
St$        encrypted or decrypted string


Name  : CipherP              (Cipher Printable)
Class : String
Level : Any

This is a very simple text encryption routine.  It isn't
particularly hard to crack, but will provide a basic level of
security for undemanding applications.  The same routine can be
used either to encrypt or decrypt text.  The original text may
contain any character below CHR$(128), as may the password.
The resulting text will be printable, if bizarre (all
characters will be above CHR$(127)), and may be used with
sequential files.

This routine is potentially less secure than the Cipher routine
(see).

I'd suggest using a long password composed of an unlikely
string of characters, e.g. "#*@@!A^%x{.'".

   CipherP St$, Password$

St$        string to encrypt or decrypt
Password$  password
-------
St$        encrypted or decrypted string

Name  : DateA2R              (Date Actual to Relative)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This routine converts an actual date to a relative date,
expressed as a number of days.  This allows you to compare
dates, find out what the date will be in a given number of days
(or what it was a given number of days ago), see how many days
passed between two dates, and so forth.

I've frequently seen routines of this nature called "Julian
date" routines. I'm not sure where that nomenclature
originated, as it has nothing to do with the Julian calendar.
Most of these routines rely on approximations through floating
point math, and may or may not handle leap years and centuries
appropriately.  The DateA2R routine takes no such shortcuts and
may be relied upon to return accurate results.

   DateA2R MonthNr%, DayNr%, YearNr%, RelDate&

MonthNr%     month number (1-12)
DayNr%       day number (1-31)
YearNr%      year number (1900 on; years <100 assumed in 1900s)
-------
RelDate&     relative date


Name  : DateN2S              (Date Numbers to String)
Class : Time
Level : Any / DOS

Many of the PBClone routines return the date as a set of
numbers.  This routine provides an easy way to convert those
numbers into string form.  The date format used (year length
and delimiter) will be based on the string which you pass to
the routine.  For instance, "xx-xx-xxxx" will return a date
like "11-26-1990", whereas "xx.xx.xxxx" would return
"11.26.1990", and "xx/xx/xx" would return "11/26/90".

If you pass zeroes for the MonthNr%, Day%, and Year% values,
the current date will be returned in the format that you
specified.

The ProBas and PBClone versions of this routine do not work the
same way in regards to the year.  ProBas assumed that any
two-digit year was in the 1900s.  In contrast, PBClone assumes
that years 80-99 should be converted to 1980-1999 and that 0-79
should be converted to 2000-2079.

   DateSt$ = "xx-xx-xxxx"
   DateN2S MonthNr%, Day%, Year%, DateSt$

MonthNr%  month
Day%      day
Year%     year
-------
DateSt$   date string.  Init to 8 or 10 chars (see above).


Name  : DateR2A              (Date Relative to Actual)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This is the opposite of the DateA2R routine-- it takes a
"relative" date and converts it back to the usual form.

   DateR2A MonthNr%, DayNr%, YearNr%, RelDate&

RelDate&     relative date
-------
MonthNr%     month number (1-12)
DayNr%       day number (1-31)
YearNr%      year number (1900 on)


Name  : DateS2N              (Date String to Numbers)
Class : Time
Level : Any

Many of the PBClone routines need to be passed the date as a
set of numbers. This routine provides an easy way to convert a
date from string form into numbers.  You may use either
"xx/xx/xx" or "xx-xx-xxxx" form to specify the date (the string
length is important, but the delimiter and contents of the
string are ignored).

The ProBas and PBClone versions of this routine do not work the
same way in regards to the year.  ProBas assumed that any
two-digit year was in the 1900s.  In contrast, PBClone assumes
that years 80-99 should be converted to 1980-1999 and that 0-79
should be converted to 2000-2079.

   DateS2N MonthNr%, Day%, Year%, DateSt$

DateSt$   date string.  Init to 8 or 10 characters (see above).
-------
MonthNr%  month
Day%      day
Year%     year


Name  : DelFile
Class : Disk
Level : DOS

This works like the DOS DEL (or ERASE) command, although it does not allow
wildcards.  The specified file is deleted.  Full path specifications are
supported, including drive and subdirectory specs.

   DelFile FileName$, ErrCode%

FileName$   name of the file to delete
-------
ErrCode%    0 if no error, else DOS Error


Name  : DriveSpace&
Class : Disk
Level : DOS

This routine tells you how many bytes are free on a specified disk drive.

   BytesFree& = DriveSpace&(Drive$)

Drive$      letter of the drive to examine
-------
BytesFree&  free bytes on the specified drive, or -1 if bad drive or disk error


Name  : DrvType              (Drive Type)
Class : Disk
Level : DOS 3.1+

The DrvType routine tells you whether a specified drive is
fixed or removeable, and whether it is local or remote (network
drive).

   DrvType Drive$, Removeable%, Remote%, ErrCode%

Drive$       letter of the drive to examine
-------
Removeable%  whether the disk can be removed (0 if no)
Remote%      whether this is a remote drive (0 if no)
ErrCode%     error code: 0 if none, else bad DOS version

Name  : Elapsed              (Elapsed time)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This routine tells you the amount of time elapsed between a
given starting time and ending time.  The difference between
the times must be less than 24 hours for the results to be
meaningful.

   Elapsed TimeStart$, TimeStop$, TimeDiff$

TimeStart$   starting time
TimeStop$    ending time
-------
TimeDiff$    elapsed time

Name  : EMSBuffer
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

EMSBuffer tells you how many bytes are needed to save the state of the EMS
array routines.  Used in conjunction with EMSSave and EMSRest, it allows you
to preserve EMS arrays across a CHAIN to another part of your program.

   EMSBuffer Bytes%
   EMSState$ = SPACE$(Bytes%)
   EMSSave EMSState$

-------
Bytes%       bytes needed to save EMS array state

Name  : EMSClose
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

The EMSClose routine is used when you are finished with an EMS array.  It
frees the array handle and EMS memory for other uses.  If you don't close all
EMS arrays before your program ends, the memory will be lost until the system
is rebooted, so it is important to remember EMSClose.

   EMSClose ArrayHandle%

ArrayHandle%    handle of an EMS array


Name  : EMSGet
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine gets an element from an EMS array created by EMSOpen.  Element
numbers start at 0.  Be sure to use the right numeric type for the array--
for instance, if you opened the array for SINGLE precision, use "Value!".

   EMSGet ArrayHandle%, ElementNr&, Value

ArrayHandle%    handle of an EMS array
ElementNr&      element number to get
-------
Value           value to get element into (must be correct type for array)


Name  : EMSOpen
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine allows you to open a block of EMS (expanded) memory which can
then be accessed like a numeric array.  The array size is limited only by
available EMS memory (use GetLIMM to find out how much is available).  You
may specify any numeric type:

    1   INTEGER
    2   LONG or SINGLE
    3   DOUBLE

When the array is opened, you are returned an "array handle" which is used to
access that array.  Access to the array is done via EMSGet and EMSPut.  When
you are finished with the array, you must close it with EMSClose.

As many as 25 EMS arrays can be in use at one time, subject to limitations
which may be imposed by your EMS driver (each array requires one EMS handle).

   EMSOpen Elements&, ElementType%, ArrayHandle%, ErrCode%

Elements&       number of elements in array (like DIM size)
ElementType%    numeric type of array (see above)
-------
ArrayHandle%    handle of an EMS array
ErrCode%        whether an error occurred (0 no)


Name  : EMSPut
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine puts an element into an EMS array created by EMSOpen.  Element
numbers start at 0.  Be sure to use the right numeric type for the array--
for instance, if you opened the array for SINGLE precision, use "Value!".

   EMSPut ArrayHandle%, ElementNr&, Value

ArrayHandle%    handle of an EMS array
ElementNr&      element number to set
Value           value to set element to (must be correct type for array)


Name  : EMSRest
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine allows you to restore the state of the EMS array handler.  Used
in conjunction with EMSBuffer and EMSSave, it allows you to preserve EMS
arrays across a CHAIN to another part of your program.

   EMSRest EMSState$

EMSState$    saved EMS array state


Name  : EMSSave
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine allows you to save the state of the EMS array handler.  Used in
conjunction with EMSBuffer and EMSRest, it allows you to preserve EMS arrays
across a CHAIN to another part of your program.

   EMSBuffer Bytes%
   EMSState$ = SPACE$(Bytes%)
   EMSSave EMSState$

-------
EMSState$    saved EMS array state


Name  : EnhKbd
Class : Input
Level : BIOS

By default, the PBClone routines assume an old-style keyboard is in use, for
greatest compatibility.  EnhKbd allows you to turn on enhanced keyboard
handling for the current generation of (usually) 101-key keyboards.  This
allows access to the F11 and F12 function keys as well as codes for key
combinations that used to be ignored, among other things.

The KbdType or KbdType2% routine can be used to determine if an enhanced
keyboard is available (recommended).

Note that EnhKbd works by intercepting the BIOS keyboard handler.  All calls
to the BIOS keyboard interrupt are converted from the old keyboard functions
to the new ones.  YOU MUST DISABLE EnhKbd BEFORE YOUR PROGRAM ENDS, so it can
restore the old setup.  Otherwise, the computer will most probably crash.

   EnhKbd Enable%

Enable%     turn on enhanced keyboard support (0 disable, else enable)


Name  : EuropeDate           (European Date format)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This routine takes a date in one of the American formats
("MM/DD/YY" or "MM-DD-YYYY") and converts it to the European
convention ("DD.MM.YY" or "DD.MM.YYYY").  The date is formatted
according to a format string which provides the desired
delimiter and year length, e.g. "##-##-##" specifies a
delimiter of "-" and a year length of two digits.

An error code is returned if the date is not valid.

   EuropeDate DateSt$, Format$, Result$, ErrCode%

DateSt$     date to format (month, day, year order)
Format$     format for the date
-------
Result$     resulting date (day, month, year order)
ErrCode     whether the date is valid (0 ok)


Name  : FormatDate           (Format Date)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This is a highly flexible date formatting routine.  It accepts
a date in one of the usual American formats ("03-22-1990",
"03/22/90", or even "3/22/90") and converts it according to a
format string.  This format string allows you to normalize the
date, select a new delimiter, choose between two-digit and
four-digit years, and even change the order from month/day/year
to anything else.  An error code will be returned if the date
is not valid.

The format string can be as simple as "##/##/##", which
specifies that the usual month/day/year order be used, with a
delimiter of "/" and a two-digit year.  If you want to change
the date order, you would need a format like "DD.MM.YYYY"
instead.  For sorting or storage, you might want to convert the
date to a plain number, using a format string like "YYYYMMDD".
The result could then be converted to a LONG with the BASIC VAL
function.

   FormatDate DateSt$, Format$, Result$, ErrCode%

DateSt$     date to format (month, day, year order)
Format$     format for the date
-------
Result$     resulting date
ErrCode     whether the date is valid (0 ok)


Name  : Get4DOSv             (Get 4DOS Version)
Class : Equipment
Level : DOS
The Get4DOSv routine returns the version of 4DOS being used.  It returns the
results as two integers containing the major and minor version numbers. For
instance, 4DOS 4.0 would return a major number of 4, minor 0.  If 4DOS is not
installed, both version numbers will be zero.
If you're not familiar with 4DOS, it's a terrific improved replacement for
COMMAND.COM.  For more information, write JP Software Inc., P.O. Box 1470,
Arlington MA 02174, or call your local BBS.

   Get4DOSv MajorV%, MinorV%

-------
MajorV%   major part of the 4DOS version
MinorV%   minor part of the 4DOS version

Name  : GetDOSV                 (Called by DoorFrame - DON'T DELETE!)
Class : Equipment
Level : DOS
The GetDOSV routine tells you what version of DOS you're using.  It returns
the results as two integers containing the major and minor version numbers.
For instance, MS-DOS 2.11 would return a major number of 2, minor 11.

The OS/2 compatibility box returns version numbers beginning at 10.00.  For
instance, OS/2 v1.1 returns 10.10 and OS/2 v2.0 returns 20.00.

   GetDOSV MajorV%, MinorV%

-------
MajorV%   major part of the DOS version
MinorV%   minor part of the DOS version

Name  : Getdrv               (Get default Drive)
Class : Disk
Level : DOS

This routine tells you the letter of the current default drive.
   Drive$ = "x"
   GetDrv Drive$

-------
Drive$    default drive letter.  Init to at least one character.

Name  : GetDView
Class : Miscellaneous
Level : DOS

The GetDView routine tells you what version of DESQview is loaded.  It
returns the results as two integers containing the major and minor version
numbers.  For instance, DESQview 2.0 would return a major number of 2 and a
minor number of 0.  If DESQview is not loaded, zeroes are returned.
See also GetTView, GetTVScreen, UpdTVScreen.

   GetDView MajorV%, MinorV%

-------
MajorV%   major part of the DESQview version (0 if DESQview is not loaded)
MinorV%   minor part of the DESQview version


Name  : GetexecPath          (Get Execution Path of program)
Class : Disk
Level : DOS 3.0+

This routine returns the full path of your program, i.e., the
drive, subdirectory, and name of the program.  It does not rely
on the current drive and subdirectory settings or look at the
PATH setting-- DOS tells it directly.  This makes it an
excellent way to find the program's "home" directory, where
(hopefully) any data files associated with the program will
also be stored.

   SelfName$ = SPACE$(80)
   GetExecPath SelfName$, SelfLen%
   SelfName$ = LEFT$(SelfName$, SelfLen%)

-------
SelfName$   full path for current program.  Init to 80+ chars.
SelfLen%    length of the full path spec.


Name  : GetKbd
Class : Input
Level : Clone

The GetKbd routine allows you to get the state of the four keyboard toggles:
Insert, Caps lock, Num lock, and Scroll Lock.

   GetKbd Insert%, Caps%, Num%, Scrl%

-------
Insert%    whether "insert" mode is on (0 if no)
Caps%      whether "caps lock" is on (0 if no)
Num%       whether "num lock" is on (0 if no)
Scrl%      whether "scroll lock" is on (0 if no)


Name  : GetKbd1
Class : Input
Level : Clone

The GetKbd1 routine allows you to get the state of the four keyboard shift
keys: Left shift, Right shift, Control and Alt.

   GetKbd1 LShift%, RShift%, Control%, Alt%

-------
LShift%    whether the left shift key is depressed (0 if no)
RShift%    whether the right shift key is depressed (0 if no)
Control%   whether a control key is depressed (0 if no)
Alt%       whether an alt key is depressed (0 if no)


Name  : GetKbd2
Class : Input
Level : AT BIOS

The GetKbd2 routine allows you to get the state of the six keyboard shift
keys on an "enhanced" keyboard: Left shift, Right shift, Left Control, Right
Control, Left Alt and Right Alt.

Normally, the BIOS only lets you see one key at a time, which can be a
barrier when you need more input.  This is a particular problem with action
games and other real-time applications which have complex input requirements.
Due to the special way the BIOS treats shift keys, GetKbd2 can tell if the
the various shift keys are pressed simultaneously, allowing more flexibility.

   GetKbd2 LShift%, RShift%, LCtrl%, RCtrl%, LAlt%, RAlt%

-------
LShift%    whether the left shift key is depressed (0 if no)
RShift%    whether the right shift key is depressed (0 if no)
LCtrl%     whether the left control key is depressed (0 if no)
RCtrl%     whether the right control key is depressed (0 if no)
LAlt%      whether the left alt key is depressed (0 if no)
RAlt%      whether the right alt key is depressed (0 if no)

Name  : GetLIMHandles
Class : Memory
Level : DOS

Early Lotus/Intel/Microsoft expanded memory revisions provided a limited
number of "handles" which could be used to access expanded memory-- often as
few as 15 or so.  If your program uses expanded memory and the EMS driver is
one of the older versions, you may want to make sure that enough handles are
available.  This routine tells you how many handles are in use.

Note that this routine expects an EMS driver to be installed.  If you can't
be sure of that, use GetLIMM first to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

   GetLIMHandles Handles%

-------
Handles%  number of EMS handles in use

Name  : GetLIMM
Class : Memory / Equipment
Level : DOS

This routine tells you how much expanded memory is installed.  If there is
none, or if the EMS driver hasn't been installed, it returns zeroes.  You
should use this routine before any other of the PBClone routines that access
expanded memory, since the other routines expect EMS to be available.

The results are returned in terms of EMS pages.  Each page is 16 kilobytes.

   GetLIMM TotalPages%, FreePages%

-------
TotalPages%  number of EMS pages installed
FreePages%   number of EMS pages available for use


Name  : GetLIMV
Class : Memory / Equipment
Level : DOS

The GetLIMV routine tells you the version of EMS driver that is being used.
The version number is separated into major and minor parts.  For example, an
EMS 3.1 driver would return a major number of 3 and minor number of 1.

Note that this routine expects an EMS driver to be installed.  If you can't
be sure of that, use GetLIMM first to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

   GetLIMV MajorVer%, MinorVer%

-------
MajorVer%  major part of the EMS version number
MinorVer%  minor part of the EMS version number

Name  : GetTView             (Get TopView)
Class : Miscellaneous
Level : BIOS

This routine tells you whether TopView or a compatible multitasker (such as
TaskView or DESQview) is loaded.
See also GetDView, GetTVScreen, UpdTVScreen.

   GetTView Installed%

-------
Installed%   whether a TopView-type multitasker is loaded (0 no)

Name  : GetTVScreen          (Get TopView Screen address)
Class : Display / Miscellaneous
Level : BIOS

GetTVScreen returns the address of the screen buffer used by a TopView-type
multitasker.  This allows you to use direct screen access while remaining
within the windows allocated to your program by the multitasker.

You must tell the multitasker the address of the screen you would be writing
to if the multitasker was not installed.  Specify a segment of &HB000 if
using an MDA or Hercules, or a segment of &HB800 for CGA, EGA, MCGA or VGA.
The offset should always be 0.  This is for use in text modes.

The routine will return with the new segment and offset for you to use.
These values can be used with any PBClone screen routine that accepts a
segment and offset-- DQPrint and DXQPrint, for example.

Note that not all TopView-compatible multitaskers will automatically update
the screen from the buffer.  The UpdTVScreen routine allows you to force a
screen update.
See also GetDView, GetTView, UpdTVScreen.

   GetTVScreen DSeg%, DOfs%

DSeg%       segment of desired screen
DOfs%       offset of desired screen
-------
DSeg%       segment of screen buffer
DOfs%       offset of screen buffer


Name  : KbdType
Class : Input / Equipment
Level : Clone

This routine tells you if an enhanced (101-key) keyboard is available.

KbdType differs from the ProBas routine of the same name in that it has
additional error checking.  If it is not entirely sure that an enhanced
keyboard is available, it plays safe and assumes there isn't one.  This
avoids possible disaster on older PCs.

   KbdType Enhanced%

-------
Enhanced%    whether keyboard is of the enhanced type (0 no)


Name  : LClose
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine closes a block of expanded memory that was opened for access by
LOpen.  It is important to close the block when you are finished with it, to
return it to the free memory pool.

Routines in this suite include: LOpen, LGet, LPut, LClose.

   LClose EMSHandle%

EMSHandle%    handle of the expanded memory block


Name  : LGet
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine gets a block of data from expanded memory that was opened for
access by LOpen.  The amount of data is specified in words; one word is the
same as two bytes.  An integer takes up a word, long integers and single
precision numbers require two words, and double precision numbers take four.

Routines in this suite include: LOpen, LGet, LPut, LClose.

   LGet EMSHandle%, DSeg%, DOfs%, Words%

EMSHandle%    handle of the expanded memory block
DSeg%         segment of place to store data
DOfs%         offset of place to store data
Words%        words to get from expanded memory


Name  : LOpen
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine opens a block of expanded memory for access.  The size of the
block is specified in words; one word is the same as two bytes.  An integer
takes up a word, long integers and single precision numbers require two
words, and double precision numbers take four.  This allows you to store up
to 64K in each EMS block that you open.

Note that LOpen expects an EMS driver to be available.  If you are not
certain on this point, use GetLIMM beforehand to make sure.

Routines in this suite include: LOpen, LGet, LPut, LClose.

   LOpen Words%, EMSHandle%, ErrCode%

Words%        size of expanded memory block to allocate
-------
EMSHandle%    handle of the expanded memory block
ErrCode%      error code (0 if no error)

Name  : LPut
Class : Memory
Level : BIOS

This routine puts a block of data into expanded memory that was opened for
access by LOpen.  The amount of data is specified in words; one word is the
same as two bytes.  An integer takes up a word, long integers and single
precision numbers require two words, and double precision numbers take four.

Routines in this suite include: LOpen, LGet, LPut, LClose.

   LPut EMSHandle%, DSeg%, DOfs%, Words%

EMSHandle%    handle of the expanded memory block
DSeg%         segment of place from which to get data
DOfs%         offset of place from which to get data
Words%        words to put into expanded memory

Name  : LRotate
Class : String
Level : Any

Many years ago, I wrote one of the first terminal programs for the PC.  It
died a horrible death when Qmodem came out... sigh.  This routine comes from
that experience.  It rotates the characters in a string left once (e.g.,
"ABCDE" becomes "BCDEA").  I used this in my routine to dial a list of BBSes,
skipping to the next one if the current one was busy.

LRotate can also be handy for things like scrolling a long message across the
screen (you just PRINT LEFT$(Message$, 80); then delay a bit, LRotate and do
it again).

   LRotate St$

St$     string to be rotated left once
-------
St$     string after being rotated left once


Name  : NameCase                (Called by DoorFrame - DON'T DELETE!)
Class : String
Level : Any

This routine provides a specialized uppercase/lowercase converter designed
especially for names.  It converts the first letter in each word in a string
to uppercase, with the rest of the word being converted to lowercase.

See also NameCase2, the FUNCTION version of this routine.

   NameCase St$

St$         string to process
-------
St$         processed string


Name  : NameCase2$           (Name Case)
Class : String
Level : Any

This routine provides a specialized uppercase/lowercase
converter designed especially for names.  It converts the first
letter in each word in a string to uppercase, with the rest of
the word being converted to lowercase.

See also NameCase, the SUB version of this routine.

   Result$ = NameCase2$(St$)

St$         string to process
-------
Result$     processed string


Name  : Processor
Class : Equipment
Level : Any

Processor returns the type of processor (CPU) installed.

Results are returned as follows:

   0    NEC V20
   1    8088 or 8086
   2    80186
   3    80286
   4    80386 or 80486

   Processor ProcType%

-------
ProcType%    type of CPU (see above)


Name  : Retries
Class : Disk
Level : DOS 3.1+
This routine allows you to adjust the handling of file-sharing errors.  When
such an error occurs, DOS normally retries 3 times, with a wait of 1 between
tries.  This allows temporary conditions, such as someone else using the file
you want to access, to clear up.  In many cases, though, you may want to
change this delay.  A shorter delay will improve response time, allowing your
program to handle the error more quickly.  A longer delay may be more suited
for a busy network, allowing the request to proceed after a reasonable
waiting period.

The delay period between each retry is unfortunately machine-dependent, i.e.,
you will need larger delays on faster machines to achieve the same effect.
This can only be considered a flaw in DOS.

Note that shorter waiting periods will improve response time for your
program, but may adversely affect the network.  Normally, you should use the
longest waiting period with which you feel comfortable.

   Retries Times%, WaitTime%

Times%     number of times to retry if a file-sharing violation occurs
WaitTime%  amount of time to delay between retries

Name  : Reverse              (Reverse)
Class : String
Level : Any
This little fellow reverses the order of the characters in a
string.  It is one of the vital components of RInstr, but other
than that I see no real use for it.  On the other hand, George
Boole thought that Boolean logic was of solely theoretical
interest, and yet without it there would be no computers. I
leave it to you to find the earth-shattering possibilities of
Reverse!

   Reverse St$

St$      string to be reversed
-------
St$      reversed string

Name  : RInstr               (Reverse INSTR)
Class : String
Level : Any
Like INSTR, this routine tells you the position of a substring
within a string.  A "reverse" search is used, however-- whereas
INSTR tells you the first match, RInstr tells you the last
match.  Similarly, whereas INSTR will tell you that a null
search string matches the main string at the first position,
RInstr will match on the last position.  Of course, most of the
time you won't be searching for a null string!

   RInstr MainSt$, SeekSt$, Posn%

MainSt$    string to search
SeekSt$    string for which to search
-------
Posn%      position of substring within main string (0 no match)


Name  : Sec2Time$            (Seconds to Time)
Class : Time
Level : Any

This routine converts the number of seconds past midnight into
a time string.

   TimeSt$ = Sec2Time$(Seconds&)

Seconds&   number of seconds past midnight
-------
TimeSt$    time string (TIME$ format)

Name  : SetError
Class : Miscellaneous
Level : DOS
The SetError routine allows you to set the "error level" to be returned by
DOS when your program ends.  This is particularly handy for returning
information to batch files.
Note that SetError is best used just before your program ENDs, to avoid
complications.

   SetError ErrorLevel%

ErrorLevel%   exit code to be returned by your program

Name  : SetKbd
Class : Input
Level : Clone
The SetKbd routine allows you to set the state of any of the four keyboard
toggles: Insert, Caps lock, Num lock, and Scroll Lock.  You can give your
input routines a professional touch by setting this toggles instead of making
the user remember to do so.

It's considered proper to restore the original keyboard toggles before your
program exits, unless of course the purpose of the program is to leave the
toggles in a particular state!  The GetKbd routine can be used in conjunction
with SetKbd to do this.

   SetKbd Insert%, Caps%, Num%, Scrl%

Insert%    whether to turn on "insert" mode (0 if no)
Caps%      whether to turn on "caps lock" (0 if no)
Num%       whether to put the keypad into numeric mode (0 if no)
Scrl%      whether to turn on "scroll lock" (0 if no)

Name  : Time2Sec&            (Time to Seconds)
Class : Time
Level : Any
This routine converts a time string into the number of seconds
past midnight. This is convenient if you want to find the
difference between two times or to calculate what time it will
be after a given interval.

   Seconds& = Time2Sec&(TimeSt$)

TimeSt$    time string (TIME$ format)
-------
Seconds&   number of seconds past midnight


Name  : TInstr               (Typed INSTR)
Class : String
Level : Any
As you might guess from the "Instr" part of the name, this
routine searches a string.  Instead of searching for a specific
character or substring, though, it looks for a specific type of
character-- letters, numbers, control codes, or whatever.  You
can search for the first of a combination of types, too, which
also allows searching for "anything but" a specific type.

The character type code is specified by adding any of the
following:

    1    alphabetic
    2    numeric
    4    symbolic
    8    control
   16    graphics
   32    space
The TInstr routine is handy for parsing and cleaning up user
input, among other uses.

   TInstr St$, ChrType%, Place%

St$          string to search
ChrType%     type of character(s) to search for
-------
Place%       position of first char of desired type, or 0

Name  : UnCalcAttr           (Undo Calculated Attribute)
Class : Display
Level : Any

Many of the display routines in this library require an
"attribute" rather than foreground and background colors.  An
attribute is a combination of the foreground and background
colors in a format which is used by all types of displays when
in text mode.  The UnCalcAttr routine allows you to decode the
original colors given the attribute.

Foreground colors are usually specified as 0-31, with
backgrounds as 0-7.

   UnCalcAttr Foreground%, Background%, Attr%

Attr%         color "attribute"
-------
Foreground%   foreground color
Background%   background color


Name  : UpdTVScreen          (Update TopView Screen)
Class : Display
Level : BIOS
UpdTVScreen tells a TopView-compatible multitasker to update the screen using
a specified screen buffer (use GetTVScreen to get the buffer location).  Some
multitaskers will do this automatically, but some won't.  It's safe to use
this routine either way.

See also GetDView, GetTView, GetTVScreen.

   UpdTVScreen DSeg%, DOfs%

DSeg%       segment of screen buffer
DOfs%       offset of screen buffer

Name  : WinCheck             (Windows Check)
Class : Equipment
Level : BIOS
The WinCheck routine tells you what version of Microsoft Windows is in use,
if any.  It returns the results as two integers containing the major and
minor version numbers.  For instance, Windows 3.0 would return a major number
of 3, minor 0.  Windows/386 v2.x will be identified as 2.0.  If Windows is
not running, 0.0 will be returned.  NOTE that this routine is not able to
detect Windows 1.x versions!

   WinCheck MajorV%, MinorV%

-------
MajorV%   major part of the Windows version
MinorV%   minor part of the Windows version