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World of Shareware - Software Farm 2
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PRINTING
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FILEQ.ZIP
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1991-04-25
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18KB
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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.
