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1994-05-18
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A DESCRIPTION OF BKUP.BTM
(May 16, 1994)
BKUP.BTM transports files between computers. It can also be used
for quick 'maintenance of disk' (like deleting unnecessary files).
Since version 10, BKUP no longer supports 4DOS prior to 5.x. Use
BKUP version 8 instead.
BKUP.BTM is written in 4DOS batch language. 4DOS is a registered
trademark and copyrighted property of JP Software, Inc. For other
copyrighted programs see below, "Copyrighted programs".
CREATING A COMPRESSED FILE FOR NEW (UPDATED) FILES
==================================================
BKUP.BTM creates a list of files saved on specified disk (default is
default [boot] drive) either [a] today, or [b] since a specified number of
days back, or [c] since a specified date.
The list of files can be edited in various ways, leaving on it only those
files you wish to transport to your other computer(s).
When the list editing is done, BKUP.BTM runs a compressor to create an
archive on specified drive (default is B:), with the specified date as a
name (for example, 3-26-93.ZIP). If such an archive already exists, it is
updated with new versions, or new files, if detected in the list. BKUP
can run 3 compressors: PKZIP, ZIP, and UC2. However, there are a few
limitations on using ZIP and UC2 for some options (see below, "Usage
Notes and Limitations").
The files are archived with pathnames. This means that they will be
extracted on the target computer to the same subdirectories where they
were created on the source computer. By default, files are extracted to
the default (boot) drive, unless otherwise specified. If a subdirectory does not
exist on the target computer, it is created by the extraction program
during extracting.
The archive is marked with the description "Updated from: name", where
"name" stands for an actual "name" given to your computer (see below,
"'Names' for computers and diskettes".
EXTRACTING THE UPDATED FILES FROM THE ARCHIVE TO THE OTHER
COMPUTER(S)
==========================================================
To extract the archived file(s), use the -x (or /x, or x) switch.
BKUP.BTM can run 3 extractors: PKUNZIP, UNZIP, and UC2. However,
there are a few limitations on using ZIP and UC2 for some options (see
below, "Usage Notes and Limitations").
If there is more than one archive on your diskette, BKUP lets you select
the one(s) you wish to extract. Extracted files (archives) are marked with
the description "Extracted to: name; name; ...", where "name" stands for
the actual "name" of your computer (see below, "'Names' for computers and
diskettes"). If you try to extract the archive again to the same computer,
you will be told that it was already extracted, and will be asked to
decide to either "force extract" it, delete the archive file from disk, or
quit. If you do not respond, BKUP will leave the archive intact and go on
after 3 seconds to treat the next one. If in doubt, don't hesitate to use
the "force extract" option, because all extractors will not overwrite
files on your disk unless the matching files stored in the archive are
newer.
If the archive was extracted, but then was updated again with new versions
or files (this is normal if both updating and extraction are done the same
day, or for the same date), it will be marked with the description "Updated
from: name", to allow subsequent extractions as well as indicate the source
of the new files (i.e., the computer on which they have been created).
The extraction utility pops up a menu of archive files, even if only
one such archive exists. If more than one archive exists, you can mark
those you wish to extract (by pressing the spacebar at the relevant
filename).
EDITING THE LIST OF FILENAMES
(before compression)
=============================
When the list of all the relevant files is created, BKUP.BTM lets you
select one of the following options:
(*) View (and handle) filenames on screen, one by one
(*) Use an editor to edit results (results file)
(*) View results before making any decision
(*) Go immediately to archiving (no selection)
(*) Quit (results file will remain intact)
If you choose viewing (and handling) files on screen, the following
options are then available while working:
(*) Accept or omit a file (from the list)
(*) View a file before making a decision about it
(*) Delete a file from disk (after or before viewing)
(*) Stop selecting and begin archiving immediately
(*) View the list of selections at each step
(*) Quit (results file will remain intact)
CONFIGURING BKUP
================
BKUP can be configured by BKUP.INI. This file can easily be edited
with any editor. However, the primary parameters and options defined in
BKUP.INI can be overridden from the command line. Alternatively, aliases
can be used to avoid editing BKUP.INI. If BKUP.INI is missing or the user
prefers not to have it, and the user does not provide any commands on the
command line, BKUP will use its internal defaults.
The PRIMARY defaults (for both compressing and extracting) are:
(replaceable from the command line)
(1) Disk from which files will be compressed - default (boot) drive
(2) Drive where archive will be created - B:
(3) Disk to which files will be extracted - default (boot) drive
(4) Drive where archive will be looked for - B:
(5) Compression and extraction programs: - PKZIP and PKUNZIP
(6) Date for files to be updated: - today
(7) Exclude files: - *.zip *.bak *.tmp *.log *.uc2
The SECONDARY defaults (for both compressing and extracting) are:
(NOT replaceable from the command line, but BKUP will request you
to make decisions for options (8)-(11) if BKUP.INI is missing, or
if they are not defined in BKUP.INI. Option 12 can be defined only
in BKUP.INI or in the BKUP.BTM file itself.)
(8) Checking the name of updates diskette - yes
(9) Name of updates diskette - "transmit"
(10) Name of search and extract drives - computer's label
(11) Text editor to be used - t.com
(12) Colors of final message - bright white & black on white;
Therefore, if you just type "BKUP", this is equal to typing:
(compressing:) BKUP c: b: 0 /pkzip /x *.zip *.bak *.tmp *.log *.uc2
(+ secondary defaults)
or
(extracting:) BKUP -x c: b: 0 /pkzip /x *.zip *.bak *.tmp *.log *.uc2
(+ secondary defaults)
"NAMES" FOR COMPUTERS AND DISKETTES
===================================
BKUP is set to use the labels of your "search disk" and "extract disk"
(both of which would normally be your default [boot] drive) as "names" for
your computer. This makes it possible to know which of your computers
has/have been updated, and to which computers the archive has been
extracted (if there are more than one archive, BKUP will add all of
their names when the archive was extracted).
You can change this default by entering a different name for your
computer at the 'compuname=' line in BKUP.INI.
If your default (boot) drive has been given no label, BKUP will prompt you
to give your computer a temporary name for the current session. You
can make this "name" permanent by labeling your hard disk or typing
a name at the 'compuname=' line in BKUP.INI.
BKUP can also be set to check the "name" (i.e., label) of the diskette
inserted into the "archive drive". If you prefer to always use the same
diskette for transporting files between your various computers, this
is the best solution for keeping all of the update archives on one
device. By default, the name of the update diskette is "TRANSMIT". You
can change the name at the 'updatedr=' line in BKUP.INI. Also, you may
cancel this option altogether by typing 'no' at the 'updatename=' line.
If this line is not defined, or BKUP.INI is missing, BKUP will prompt
you at the relevant moment to enter a name for the updates diskette.
If the diskette inserted into the drive is not the dedicated one,
BKUP will ask yo