Black Box 4/BlackBox.cdr/fileutil/exd120.arj/EXDEL.DOC

Text File | 1991-07-20 | 16.5 KB | 617 lines

exDEL 1.20
Operating Instructions

Chieh Cheng, Cynosure International
17914 Florwood Ave., Torrance, CA. 90504-3847
FAX [phone]

CompuServe [73500,244]

Copyright c 1991 by Chieh Cheng of Cynosure International.
All Rights Reserved.

Many products and names found through out this manual are
trademarks of various companies.

Disclaimer

The material in this manual is for information purposes
only. The contents and the product(s) it describes are
subject to change without notice. We make no warranties, of
any kind, with respect to this software and manual. In no
event shall we be liable for any damages, direct or
incidental arising out of or related to the use of this
software and manual.

If there is any problem, please feel free to write to us at:

        Chieh Cheng
        Cynosure International
        17914 Florwood Ave.
        Torrance, CA. 90504-3847
        FAX [phone]

        CompuServe [73500,244]

Licence

exDEL 1.20 is being released as Freeware. This only applies
to this  version, since future versions may or may not be
released as Freeware.

Freeware means that users may use this software, free of
charge, for as long as they wish. But any files included may
NOT be modified in any way, or for any reason without
permission from us.

This program is copyrighted software. However, the diskette
with all files may be freely copied and shared with others.
These files may be distributed via modem from bulletin board
systems, provided that all files are transmitted (archived)
together. No files on this disk may be distributed unless
all files are included. No modifications are allowed without
the author's written approval, agreement, and/or permission.

BBS operators may list exDEL on their BBS for downloading by
users of the BBS with the above conditions met.

Distributors

You may list this software in your catalog, and distribute
it any way you wish, under one condition - I must receive a
notice saying so and the catalog which lists this software.
To receive the latest version, please send $5 to cover the
material and shipping charge.

Registration

Freeware does not require to be registered. But you should
do so to show your support. You may register in the
following ways:

1) Send us a letter telling us that you are using the
program and/or by filling out the enclosed (read the READ.ME
file) questionnaire and send it back to me (we prefer both);
2) Send us $5 for donation or as much (or as less) as you
want;
3) Send us $10, and we will send you either the most recent
version, or next released version (your choice), along with
your registration number labeled on the disk and embedded
into this manual and program. ($5 will be donation, and the
other $5 for materials.) Please tell me what disk type you
need - 5.25" floppy or 3.5" Micro;
4) Send us as much as you want (over $10) and we'll send you
everything you'll get in choice 3! We might even send you
new versions when they are released!
5) Purchase an Instruction Manual for $15 (or more) and we
will send you everything in option 3. It will be formatted
with a desktop publishing software to look as professional
as possible. Also we will capture some screens and place
them in it for figures.

Upgrading

If you have registered by sending us at least $5, you may
receive upgrades for $5 or $10 for manual (or download them
and get it for free!) by sending us a letter telling us what
version you are currently using (so we won't send you the
latest one if you already have it.), disk type, and address
if you moved. You will get everything listed in choice 3
above. The $5 will be used for materials and shipping costs.

If you send us a letter or the questionnaire, you may
receive an upgrade by sending us $7. It's not as good as
registering because you'll have to send us $7 every time, so
either register or, like I said before, download the program
somewhere.

Warranty

The diskette, if we sent you one, will be warranted against
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 60 days
from the date of shipment by us. Any returned diskettes
found bad will be replaced at no charge.

Contents
Disclaimer      2
Licence      2
Distributors      3
Registration      3
Upgrading      3
Warranty      4
Chapter 1 - Introduction      6
Features      6
System Requirements      6
Compatibility      6
Typefaces used in this manual      7
How to contact us      7
Chapter 2 - Getting Started      9
Making a back up copy      9
Backing up on a single drive system      9
Backing up on a two drive system      9
Installing the program on hard disk      9
Chapter 3 - Using exDEL      10
Syntax      10
Command-line Options      10
Rules      11
Examples      12
Chapter 4 - Error Handling      13
Syntax error messages      13
Warning error messages      13
Chapter 5 - Comments      14
Index      15

Chapter 1 - Introduction



exDEL is a utility to replace the DOS internal command, DEL.
It is programmed because DEL is simply not powerful enough.
Or as flexible as exDEL is. DEL is bothersome to use in some
situations while it is a breeze with exDEL.

Features
» Shows how much files have been deleted.
» Display which files have been deleted.
» Accepts more than one file masks.
» Compatible with the DOS DEL command.
» Ask for confirmations.
» Able to delete directories.
» Able to delete Read-only files.

System Requirements

exDEL requires an IBM or compatible computer running DOS 3.0
or higher. However, I have never tried to use it with any
DOS versions under 3.3, but they should work (including
2.0). Try it and tell me.

Since this is only a command-line utility, it will work with
any screen type, although a display with 80 columns is
recommended. This version do not use color but future
version may, if you have a color monitor.

A disk drive is essential.

Compatibility

We have been using and testing exDEL for a while now and
have not found any compatibility problems. If you do find
some please contact us. Thanks.

exDEL has been tested with the followings:

» 8088 compatible (XT).
» 80286 compatible (AT).
» 80386 compatible.
» Microsoft DOS 3.3.
» Digital Research DOS 5.0.
» Microsoft DOS 5.0.
» Microsoft Windows 3.0.
» Novell ELS Netware 286 Level I Kit.
» 1 megabyte RAM drive.
» 1.2 megabyte disk drive.
» 1.44 megabyte disk drive.
» 40 and 80 megabyte hard disk.
» VGA card and monitor.
» Monochrome card and monitor.
» ETen Chinese Information System.

Typefaces used in this manual

This typeface represents text as it appears on screen or in
a program. It is also used for anything you must type
literally.

We use all capital letters for the names of files.

Square brackets in text or DOS command line enclose optional
items that depend on your system. Text of this sort should
not be typed verbatim.

Boldface - This typeface is used in text for command-line
options.

How to contact us

The best way to contact us is to FAX us your letter. Our FAX
machine is always on for 24 hours at [phone].

If you prefer, you may send us a letter to our address at:

        Chieh Cheng
        Cynosure International
        17914 Florwood Ave.
        Torrance, CA. 90504-3847
        United States

We do not suggest you E-mailing us at our CompuServe account
since the cost is so high we can not afford to check in too
often. But our account number is 73500,244.

I would be helpful if you would include the following(s):

1. Product name and serial number.
2. Product version number. The version number is displayed
when you type EXDEL all by itself.
3. Computer brand, model, and the brands and model numbers
of any additional hardware.
4. Operating system and version number. If you are using
DOS, you may type VER at the DOS prompt.
5. Contents of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
6. Contents of your CONFIG.SYS file.

Chapter 2 - Getting Started



Before you begin using exDEL, you should make a back up copy
of the program. Also, you may install the program on your
hard disk if you have one. This chapter describes how to do
these things.

Making a back up copy

Whenever you receive an original program disk, you should
always make a back up copy of it. It will protect your
investment and you will still have your original if
something happens to your back up copy.

To make a back up copy you will need DISKCOPY, a program on
your DOS disks, and a blank disk.

Backing up on a single drive system

Back up with the following procedures:
1. Insert DOS disk (containing DISKCOPY) in drive A:.
2. Move to drive A: if you are not already there.
3. Type DISKCOPY A: A:
4. Follow the instructions.

Backing up on a two drive system

Backing up on a two drive system is the same as one drive.
Except you must change step 3 to Type DISKCOPY A: B:.

Installing the program on hard disk

To install the program, simply go to you hard disk and make
a directory for exDEL (MD exDEL). Then copy everything in
the exDEL archive or disk into that directory. For best
performance, include the exDEL directory in your path.

A better way is to setup a directory (if you don't already
have one), where you place all your commonly used utilities,
and copy exDEL into it. The directory should be included in
the path.

Chapter 3 - Using exDEL



Unlike other applications, exDEL is not written to be ran
without any command-line options. If you were to do so, the
following screen will be displayed:

Syntax

The syntax for exDEL is:

[d:][path]exDEL.EXE [options] [d:][path]filename.ext

exDEL will accept more than one filename.ext (mask).

The first [d:] is the drive where DOS could find exDEL. The
second [d:] is the name of the disk drive that holds the
file(s) to be deleted. For example: C:.

The first [path] is the directory where DOS could find
exDEL. The second [path] is the directory where the file(s)
you want to delete are. For example: \exDEL\.

[options] is where you specify the command-line options
discussed later.

filename.ext is where you specify which files you want to
delete. Wildcards (* and ?) are allowed. Examples: *.*,
?f?.*, exDEL.EXE, *.COM, etc.

Command-line Options

Command-line options are switches used on the command-line
to tell exDEL what you want it to do.

You may specify all the options, but some have higher
priority then others. For example, -n have higher priority
than -d, therefore if you specify both -d and -n, nothing
will be displayed.

Options accepted by exDEL are: -d, -c, -f, -n, -r.

-d, D    Display whether files are deleted or if an error
had occurred. It lists all files found using the file
specification.

-c, C    Asks for confirmation. Like the way MS-DOS 5.0
does it. Since it have the highest priority, it will
automatically set -d to on.

-f, F    Deletes directories. Allow you to remove a
directory without deleting all the files in it manually.

-n, N    No display, none at all, just like the DEL
command.

-r, R    Delete Read-only files.

The dash (-) in front of the options could be replaced with
a slash (/). For example, -d could be replaced with /d.

Rules

1. If you do not give a disk drive name, the current drive
will be used.

2. If you do not give a path name, the current directory
will be used.

3. If you give drive name and path name, but no file name,
exDEL will quit and display "0 file deleted". Unlike the DOS
version, exDEL will not assume you mean *.*.

4. Unlike DOS, if you use *.* as file specification, exDEL
will not ask "Are you sure (Y/N)?". It will proceed and
delete all the files.

5. exDEL won't let you remove all the files in a directory
in your current directory when you type exDEL dir.But will
when you use the -f switch. Of course, removing the
directory also.

6. exDEL will not allow you to remove a directory if it
contains another directory. You'll have to use exDEL to
delete the lowest level directories first and then move up
the tree. It's good in a way that you won't accidently
delete a whole root, but frustrating if you know what you
are doing.

Examples

Here are some examples to help you get started with exDEL:

exDEL *.*

exDEL -d b:\*.*

c:\exDEL\exDEL a:\e??EL.* -d

exDEL *.* -n

exDEL /n ?xDE????.DOC

exDEL *.bat *.sys -d *.bak -n

exDEL *.txt /d *.tmp -n

exDEL *.txt /c

d:\exDEL dos -f -c -r

Chapter 4 - Error Handling



Whenever you break a rule in typing in the syntax or when
something happens while exDEL are deleting files, exDEL will
return error messages. This chapters talks about the kind of
messages exDEL returns.

There are two kinds of messages - 1. Syntax error messages;
and 2. Warning error messages. The first kind of messages
happen only when you done something wrong while trying to
use exDEL and the second kind happens as exDEL encounters
different situations.

Syntax error messages

1. No command-line parameters

You did not enter any command-line parameters. Refer to the
Syntax section.

2. No file specification

You did not tell exDEL what file(s) you want to delete.
Refer to the Syntax section.

3. Error in command-line options

You have made a mistake when typing in options. For example:
-d into d or -, -d-n into -dn. Refer to the Command-line
Option section.

Warning error messages

1. Permission denied

Occurs when exDEL tries to delete a file marked with Read-
only file attribute. You must change it with the DOS
utility, ATTRIB.EXE, before exDEL could delete it or use the
-f switch with exDEL.

2. Unable to delete directory

There might be read-only, hidden, etc. files in the
directory you use the -f switch on. Or maybe a few directory
still exists.

Chapter 5 - Comments


Since we only write Shareware and Freewares, we can't
promise you that exDEL is bug-free, because we don't know if
it is. Especially when we couldn't possibly test it in all
aspects. If an expensive commercial software package can't
be bug-free, how can ours be? We don't even have a testing
crew like they do. But I guess you could be our testing crew
(grin). Please inform us if you find any bugs,
inconveniences, or problems in the product. We would also
like to hear your questions, requests, comments,
suggestions, or improvements.

If you tried this program and thought it wasn't good enough,
tell us what's wrong with it and we'll try to improve it. We
will be very grateful if you would send us ideas on what
functions we should put into exDEL in later releases.
Thanks.

Just write to:

Chieh Cheng
Cynosure International
17914 Florwood Ave.
Torrance, CA. 90504-3847
United States
FAX [phone]

CompuServe [73500,244]

Index
Symbols
-c  11
-c, C  11
-d  11
-d, D  11
-f  11, 13
-f, F  11
-n  11
-n, N  11
-r  11
-r, R  11
/d  11
80286  6
80386  6
8088  6
A
address  7
Are you sure (Y/N)?  11
ATTRIB.EXE  13
AUTOEXEC.BAT  8
B
back up  9
BBS  2
downloading  2
bug  14
bulletin board systems. See BBS
C
command-line  10
command-line option  13
command-line options  10
command-line parameters  13
comments  14
commercial software package  14
compatibility  6
CompuServe  7
CONFIG.SYS  8
confirmation  11
D
DEL  6, 11
delete  6, 10, 11, 13
directories  11
files  11, 13
Digital Research DOS. See DOS
directory  6, 9, 11, 13
Disclaimer  2
disk drive  6, 7
DISKCOPY  9
diskette  4
defect  4
replace  4
display  11
Distributors  3
DOS  6, 9, 10, 11, 13
E
error  11
Error Handling  13
error messages  13
syntax  13
Error in command-line options  13
No command-line parameters  13
No file specification  13
warning  13
Permission denied  13
Unable to delete directory  13
ETen  7
Chinese Information System  7
F
FAX  7
Features  6
file name  11
file specification  11
files  10, 11, 13
hidden  13
read-only  6, 11, 13
delete  13
Freeware  2, 3, 14
H
hard disk  7, 9
I
improvements  14
Install  9
Introduction  6
L
Licence  2
M
Manual  3
Microsoft DOS. See DOS
Microsoft Windows. See Windows
monitor  7
Monochrome  7
MS-DOS  11
N
Netware. See Novell
Novell  7
O
options  10, 11, 13
P
path  9, 11
priority  10, 11
Q
questionnaire  3
questions  14
R
RAM  7
READ.ME  3
Registration  3
remove  11
directory  11
files  11
requests  14
rules  11, 13
S
screen  6
serial number  7
setup  9
Shareware  14
suggestions  14
switch  10, 13
syntax  10, 13
System Requirements  6
T
trademarks  2
tree  11
root  11
Typeface  7
U
Upgrading  3
utilities  9
V
VER  7
version  7
VGA  7
W
Warranty  4
Wildcards  10
Windows  6