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10.doors_external
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1993-12-28
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Chapter 10: Doors and External Programs
10.1 Introduction
Doors are separate programs that can communicate with the BBS. They
come in many forms such as games and utilities, and can be found on many
BBSs. It is not guaranteed that all doors will work on 4D-BBS. They may
have been written for another BBS and may not be fully compatible.
10.1.1 Types
On 4D-BBS you can run 3 types of Door programs:
1: ARexx
2: Paragon
3: CLI (StdIO/FIFO)
10.1.2 ARexx Doors
In the Configuration Editor you can set up the port name you wish to
use for your ARexx port. The default is "4D-BBS". If you run a multi-line
BBS, 4D-BBS will automatically add a number to the end of your port name.
(For specific ARexx commands see Appendix A3.)
For Example:
line 0: Port Name "4D-BBS"
line 1: " " "4D-BBS1"
Usually all that is required for an ARexx door to run on 4D-BBS is to
change the address to the ARexx port name. Or you can pass it the ARexx
port name as an argument by using 4D-BBS's embedded instructional code for
the ARexx port name, ^]WT%. This will require a good understanding of
ARexx if the script is not set up to handle this. You can find an example
of this in 4DWhosOn.Rexx. (Refer to Menu Options for more information.)
Below is a simple menu example on how to start an ARexx door:
H:c A Path/filename.rexx
H ; keypress
c ; door
A ; type of door (A,P,O,F)
10.1.3 Paragon Door Types
Usually installing a Paragon door is very simple. You must have a
directory devoted to doors and assign DOORS: to it. Many doors require
that sub-directories be set up for them (you will have to read the
individual product documentation about this).
4D-BBS has two ways to run a Paragon door. The best way is to use the
door option of "P". 4D-BBS will check to make sure the door opens a reply
port to prevent the BBS from hanging in the door mode. If the reply port
can not be found, 4D-BBS will return.
A simple menu example:
h:c P Doors:filename
The other way to run a Paragon type door is to use the door option of
"O". Some Paragon doors will not work using the "P" option because they
don't open a properly named reply port. 4D-BBS will not check for a reply
port and will start waiting for commands with the door option of "O".
A simple menu example:
h:c O Doors:filename
10.1.4 CLI (FIFO)
To use this option you must have Matt Dillion's FIFO. It is in the
Public Domain. You need FIFO.library in your LIBS: directory and to also
run the FIFO-Handler. Read the documentation that comes with FIFO for more
details. FIFO is available at 4D-BBS support BBS.
Any program that does not detach itself from the standard input and
output or open a window, should be able to be run with this option.
usually if it will run on a CLI (with output to the CLI) it will work here.
Example: 4D-BBS editors could be run as a FIFO door. If a user hangs up
during a FIFO door, 4D-BBS will send a Ctrl-C to try to abort the program.
It is suggested that you only run programs that will abort on a Ctrl-C.
A sample menu entry example:
h:c F path/filename
Or with embedded instructional code (EIC):
h:c F doors:h&s/HSclient -t^[P7% "^[P3%"
The "^[P7%" being time left on BBS and "^[P3%" is the users name. Use
quotes around any EIC that may have a space.
There is also a built in SHELL you can start with this option. This
works VERY well for remote access. But WARNING: Keep it out of the reach
of users. It is just like using the CLI, except you can not click
requestors.
To run the SHELL use "4D-SHELL" (it is case sensitive).
Example: s:c F 4D-SHELL