Collection of Tools & Utilities/Collection of Tools and Utilities.iso/batchut/batchart.zip/BATCH.DOC

Text File | 1988-04-29 | 126KB | 3,169 lines

            George Campbell
            1472 Sixth St.
            Los Osos, CA  93402






                         The Power of PC/MS-DOS Batch Files
                                         by
                                  George Campbell

                              Part 1: Getting Started


            One of the keys to getting the most from your IBM-compatible
            computer is learning to make the most of the operating
            system.  PC/MS-DOS, while not as simple to learn as the
            operating systems for some other computers, has the
            potential to let you customize your computing and increase
            your productivity.

            When Microsoft designed the original PC/MS-DOS, the personal
            computer was still something of an unknown quantity.  Few
            people anticipated the millions of personal computers that
            would be sold.  Fortunately for users, PC/MS-DOS included a
            powerful capability: batch processing.

            This series of articles will explore the depths of PC/MS-DOS
            batch processing, teaching you how to automate many of the
            functions of your PC.  You'll also learn how to use batch
            files to make your PC do things you never thought possible.

            BATCH FILE BASICS

            There are three types of programs that PC/MS-DOS can run
            directly.  You are already familiar with two of them.  Files
            with the extensions .COM and .EXE run when you enter the
            filename at your system prompt.  Batch files, with the
            extension, .BAT, are the third type.

            A batch file is nothing more than a series of DOS commands,
            separated by carriage returns.  When you enter the name of
            the batch file, DOS carries out the commands, one at a time.

            Once a batch file is running, you can stop it by holding
            down the <Ctrl> key while you press the <Break> key.  If you
            do this, a message will appear on the screen: Terminate
            batch job (Y/N)?  If you press a Y, the batch file will
            abort.  Pressing N continues the batch file's operation.











                                             Page 2


            You can use any DOS command in a batch file, from simple
            ones like COPY to commands seldom used, like ASSIGN.  When
            you call a batch file by entering its file name, PC/MS-DOS
            opens the file, and carries out the first command.  Once the
            operation of that command is completed, the system prompt
            (A>, C>, etc.) reappears, and the next command in the batch
            file executes automatically.

            There is no limit to the length of a batch file.  The
            computer will continue to carry out the commands until it
            reaches the end of the file.

            CREATING BATCH FILES

            There are five basic requirements for the structure of any
            batch file:

            1.  It must be a pure ASCII file, meaning that no characters
            other than the commands you give, plus carriage returns, can
            be used in the file.

            2. The filename can be any legal filename, but cannot have
            the same name as a .COM or .EXE file in the same directory,
            or the same name as any DOS internal command, such as COPY
            or DIR.

            3.  It must have the extension .BAT.

            4.  The file must have an end-of-file marker following the
            last command in the file.

            5. Each command must be on a separate line in the batch
            file, separated from adjacent commands by a carriage return.

            Creating an actual batch file is simple.  There are two
            basic methods I recommend.  Each has its advantages and
            disadvantages.

            The first method uses the DOS COPY command.  Use this method
            for creating short, simple batch files.  First, give the
            command: COPY CON [DRIVE][PATH][FILENAME].  Here's a sample
            command:

            COPY CON C:\BATCH\STARTUP.BAT <Enter>

            This command will create the file, STARTUP.BAT, in the
            \BATCH directory in drive C:.  When you press <Enter> the
            cursor will move to the next line on the screen and you can
            begin writing your batch file.

            Type in the first command in your series of commands.  You
            can correct your spelling by backspacing and retyping, as
            long as the cursor is on the current line.  When the line is
            correct, press <Enter> to move the cursor to the next line.









                                             Page 3



            Now type in additional commands, as needed for your batch
            file, following each line by pressing <Enter>.  This adds a
            carriage return character to the end of the line, telling
            PC/MS-DOS to carry out the command on that line.

            Once you have typed in all the commands to be used in that
            particular batch file, press <Enter> once more at the end of
            the last line.  Now press <F6> or hold down the <Ctrl> key
            while you press the <Z> key.  Either operation will place an
            end-of-file character in your file.  Press <Enter> again and
            the computer will write the file to the disk.

            Test this procedure by creating a batch file which displays
            a directory.  Follow the steps below to create this file in
            the current drive and directory.  At the system prompt,
            type:

            COPY CON D.BAT <Enter>
            DIR <Enter>
            <F6> or <Ctrl>+<Z> <Enter>

            Your drive light will come on, and the file will be written
            to disk.  Now, check your work and test the file. Press the
            <D> key, then press <Enter>.  You should see a directory on
            your monitor.  Notice that you have simplified the command
            which displays a directory.  Now you only have to type a
            single letter, instead of three.

            While the COPY CON method works fine, it's not as convenient
            for longer batch files which might contain many commands.
            If you make a mistake with the COPY CON method, there is no
            way to fix it.  You have to retype the entire batch file.
            For this reason, use this method only for short, simple
            files.

            When you need to create a longer batch file, use a text
            editor.  Just about any text editor or word processing
            program will work.  The only requirement is that the editor
            must be able to save pure ASCII files.

            If you use PC-WRITE, your batch files will automatically be
            saved in ASCII.  WordStar users must open batch files in the
            Non-Document mode.  Microsoft Word users can create batch
            files, then save them in ASCII format by choosing the "No"
            option in the "Transfer Save" menu.  Check the user's manual
            for your word processor for its procedures.

            If you're not sure about the method your editor uses, try
            creating a batch file.  Save it, then exit the program and
            use the TYPE command to display the file on your monitor.
            If you see your file, without any extra characters on the
            screen, you know that it is pure ASCII, and can be used as a
            batch file.









                                             Page 4



            Whichever method you use, remember to use the .BAT extension
            and don't give your file a name which would conflict with
            another executable file in its directory.  If your batch
            file has a name which is the same as a .COM or .EXE file, or
            a DOS internal command, it simply won't execute.

            A SPECIAL BATCH FILE: AUTOEXEC.BAT

            When you boot up your computer, several things happen.
            First, the ROM BIOS in your PC checks the system's memory,
            then looks for a disk in drive A: or for a hard disk drive.
            It then loads the system files from the disk into memory.
            These files include COMMAND.COM plus two hidden files.  One
            these files are loaded, it looks for a file called
            CONFIG.SYS and carries out any functions contained in that
            file.

            Finally, it looks for a batch file named AUTOEXEC.BAT. If
            the file exists, PC/MS-DOS carries out the commands in that
            file.  If there is no AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you see the
            standard request for the current date and time on your
            screen.

            An AUTOEXEC.BAT file can contain any commands you want to
            use every time you boot your PC.  Suppose, for example that
            you always wanted to start the program, Microsoft Word, when
            you turned on your PC.  Just create a batch file, named
            AUTOEXEC.BAT on your boot disk, or in the root directory of
            your hard disk, using one of the techniques above.  This
            file has only one line:

            WORD

            Naturally, you could substitute the command you use to start
            any program you choose.  When PC/MS-DOS finds an
            AUTOEXEC.BAT file, it bypasses the date and time sequence
            and immediately carries out the command in the file.

            Now, suppose you need to change directories on your hard
            disk before starting the program.  Using Word as an example
            again, here's a sample file:

            CD WP
            WORD

            This time, the AUTOEXEC.BAT file tells the PC to change to
            the \WP directory, then start Microsoft Word.  It's easy to
            see how you could adapt this to your own needs.

            Now, let's add something else.  Many users install memory-
            resident programs before loading an application.  SideKick
            is a popular memory resident program.  Here's a sample file:










                                             Page 5


            CD UTILITY
            SK
            CD \WP
            WORD

            Line-by-line, here's what this AUTOEXEC.BAT file does:

            1. Changes to the \UTILITY directory on your hard disk.
            2. Loads SideKick.
            3. Changes to the \WP directory.
            4. Loads Microsoft Word.

            Once again, you can substitute any directory name or command
            for the ones used in this sample file.  Try creating your
            own AUTOEXEC.BAT file, using commands you select.

            OTHER SIMPLE BATCH FILES

            Batch files can be extremely useful in saving keystrokes.  I
            often create them just to avoid typing long filenames or
            commands.  Let's look at some ways to help yourself out with
            batch files.

            When you looked at the section on AUTOEXEC.BAT files, you
            learned how to start a program automatically when you booted
            your system.  You can use other batch files to start
            programs with just a keystroke or two.  Let's keep using
            Microsoft Word as an example.

            As before, I'll assume that we're working with a hard disk.
            Floppy disk users can just leave out the directory change
            commands in their batch files.  Here's a simple batch file,
            named W.BAT that starts the program with a single keystroke.

            CD WP
            WORD

            Now, when you use this file by typing a <W> and pressing
            <Enter>, Microsoft Word will run.  When you exit from the
            program, however, you'll still be in the \WP directory on
            your hard disk.  Add a third line to return you to the root
            directory when you exit Word.  W.BAT will look like this:

            CD WP
            WORD
            CD\

            When you leave Word, PC/MS-DOS knows that the batch file
            still has another command, so it returns to it and carries
            out the next command in the file.

            Suppose that you normally move to another program after
            exiting Word.  You can have your batch file do this










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            automatically.  Let's try starting Lotus 123 after exiting
            Word.  Here's a batch file to do just that:

            CD WP
            WORD
            CD \LOTUS
            123
            CD\

            You can easily see how many keystrokes are saved by using a
            batch file instead of typing in all the commands.  And
            that's just the beginning.

            Batch files are actually simple computer programs.  By
            writing these files, you are learning simple computer
            programming.

            In this first part of the series, you've learned how to
            create simple batch files which save keystrokes.  But batch
            files can do much more.  Using the full power of PC/MS-DOS
            batch files, you can actually create real programs.

            In future parts of this series, you will learn how to create
            menus to help you or others run a PC.  You will also learn
            how you can dial your phone using batch files, create
            software installation programs, control your printer, and
            perform many other operations with a single keystroke.

            More than that, batch files can create systems to protect
            your PC and its files from prying eyes and fingers.  You can
            even create a database system with batch files which will
            let you have almost instant access to any information.

            Batch files can use a number of special commands to teach
            your PC to do things you never thought possible.  Best of
            all, they are easy to use.

                              Part 2: Batch File Menus


            Whether you use a hard disk or floppies on your PC, learning
            to create a menu system can save valuable minutes and make
            your PC easier to use.  In addition, if you help other
            people with their computers, installing a menu system can
            help you avoid constant phone calls for help.

            Batch files are an ideal method for creating menus.  Batch
            file menu systems are easy to write, easy to change, and
            extremely powerful.  You can incorporate as many features
            into your menu as you like, allowing you or anyone else to
            access programs with a single keystroke.

            USING THE ECHO COMMAND










                                             Page 7


            To create a menu system, you need to be able to write
            information on the screen with your batch file.  PC/MS DOS
            gives you a command which makes this easy: ECHO.  Here's how
            it works:

            You can use the ECHO command in two ways.  Each uses a
            different format.  The first format allows you to tell your
            PC whether or not you want to see the commands in your batch
            file listed on the screen.  Usually you don't, and the
            command used to disable screen writing is: ECHO OFF

            When you include this command in a batch file, commands in
            that file will not appear as they are executed.  This makes
            for a cleaner screen appearance.  To turn the ECHO function
            back on, just include the command: ECHO ON.

            The second format for the ECHO command allows you to place
            messages on the screen.  You'll use this function to write
            your menu on the monitor.  The syntax is: ECHO  [message]

            For example, to write the line "Master Menu" on the screen,
            include the command: ECHO Master Menu as a line in your
            batch file.  You can control the position of the message by
            including spaces.  If you want to center a line on the
            screen, simply subtract the number of characters in your
            message from 80, then divide the result in half.  Place that
            number of spaces in front of your message.

            To make a menu or other text screen attractive, you need to
            be able to add blank lines.  The ECHO command can do this as
            well, but there's a trick to it.

            Until DOS Version 3.3 appeared, creating blank lines wasn't
            simple.  Instead of simply following the ECHO command with a
            space, which creates a blank line in DOS 3.3, earlier
            versions of DOS require a special method.  This method will
            work with any version of DOS from 2.0 to 3.3.

            To create a blank line, place the ECHO command on a line in
            your batch file.  Next press the space bar once, then hold
            down the <Alt> key while you type 255 on the number pad.
            The numbers at the top of the keyboard won't work.  Doing
            this inserts the ASCII character number 255, which is a
            blank character.  This fools DOS into thinking that there is
            a message, and creates a blank line on the screen.

            This method works with the COPY CON method for creating
            batch files, and with most word processors.  If your text
            editor doesn't support this function, either use another
            editor or simulate a blank line by inserting a period
            following the ECHO command.

            One final note on the ECHO command:  You cannot use the DOS
            redirection characters (< and >) in an ECHO statement. If









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            you do, the error message, "Bad command or filename," will
            appear.

            CREATING THE MENU SYSTEM


            Now that you know how to use the ECHO command to create
            messages on the screen, you're ready to create a menu.  For
            the purposes of this article, let's assume that you want
            your menu to call Microsoft Word, Lotus 123, QMODEM, and the
            game ROGUE.  You can also include a menu choice to return to
            DOS in the menu.  Naturally, you will use the programs on
            your disk as replacements for those in this sample program.

            Using the COPY CON command as described in the first part of
            this series, or your favorite text editor, create the file
            MENU.BAT in the root directory of your hard disk or on a
            floppy disk. Don't include the comments in parentheses, and
            substitute names of programs.

            ECHO OFF   (Turns off the echoing of batch file commands)
            CLS        (Clears the screen)
            ECHO [Alt-255] (Create a blank line as described above. Use
            as many of these blank lines as you like.)
            ECHO[35 spaces]Master Menu
            ECHO [Alt-255]
            ECHO[32 spaces]Do you want to:
            ECHO [Alt-255]
            ECHO[15 spaces]1. Use your word processor?
            ECHO[15 spaces]2. Use Lotus 123?
            ECHO[15 spaces]3. Use your communications program?
            ECHO[15 spaces]4. Play Rogue?
            ECHO[15 spaces]5. Return to the DOS prompt?
            ECHO [Alt-255]
            ECHO At the DOS prompt, type the number of your selection
            ECHO and press [Enter].

            Be sure to place a carriage return at the end of the last
            line of the file, then save it in ASCII format, or press
            <F6> if you are use the COPY CON command.  To call your menu
            screen when you boot your computer, include the command,
            MENU, as the last line of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

            Once again, you can customize this menu screen any way you
            like.  Include as many menu choices as you need, and insert
            blank lines and spaces to make the screen as attractive as
            possible.

            When MENU.BAT is executed, it will write the menu on the
            monitor, then the system prompt will reappear.

            EXECUTING YOUR MENU CHOICES











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            Once you've written the MENU.BAT file, you need to write
            individual batch files for each menu choice.  These files
            will call a program when you or the user enters a menu
            selection.

            Name the files to match your menu selections.  In the sample
            menu presented here, the files would be named 1.BAT, 2.BAT,
            and so on.  Each of these files will contain the commands
            needed to call the program.  Here's 1.BAT:

            ECHO OFF  (This line turns off the ECHO function)
            CLS       (Clear the screen)
            CD WP     (Change directories...not needed for floppies)
            WORD      (Call Microsoft Word)
            CD\       (Change to the root directory after quitting Word)
            MENU      (Return to the menu)

            Naturally, you'll include the commands needed to perform the
            functions in your menu, rather than the ones used here.
            Floppy disk users can ignore the CD commands in their batch
            files.

            Create a separate file for each menu choice.  The last menu
            choice, which you should include in any menu system, takes
            the user to the DOS prompt, allowing him or her to use the
            computer for purposes not included in the menu.  Here's a
            sample, 5.BAT, for this menu:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            CD\

            This file will return the user to a clean screen and the
            system prompt.

            REFINING YOUR MENU SYSTEM

            Generating screens with the ECHO command is only one of the
            ways you can write information on the monitor.  If you
            create a complex screen, you'll notice that when the batch
            file executes, the screen appears rather slowly.  This is
            one of the drawbacks to the ECHO command.

            There's an alternative to the ECHO command for screen
            generation.  Since you can use any DOS command in your batch
            files, you can use the TYPE command to place text on the
            screen.

            To do this, create your screen with your text editor or word
            processor.  Save the screen as an ASCII file, then call it
            with the TYPE command in your MENU.BAT file.  The menu will
            appear much faster, particularly if it is a complex one.
            You can even include boxes and other special characters if
            your text editor supports extended ASCII characters.









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            Keep your text screens shorter than 23 lines to prevent
            unwanted scrolling when the TYPE command lists the file on
            the monitor.

            Here is a MENU.BAT file which performs the same function as
            the previous one, but this time it calls a screen created
            with a word processor.  The screen file is named MENU.DOC.

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            TYPE MENU.DOC

            This file is obviously much shorter, and the menu screen
            will appear very quickly on the monitor.  The individual
            files which call the programs will be exactly the same.

            In many cases, you may want to eliminate the DOS prompt
            entirely from your menu.  That's easy, using the PROMPT
            command.  PC/MS-DOS allows you to customize a prompt to suit
            your needs.  As an example, you could replace the last two
            lines in the original MENU.BAT file shown above with the
            following line:

            PROMPT Type your selection and press [Enter]:

            This line would replace the normal A> or C> prompt with the
            text following the PROMPT command.  The normal cursor
            appears at the end of the new prompt.

            You can even eliminate the prompt completely.  Do this by
            using the same <Alt>-255 keystroke combination used with the
            ECHO command.  Just type PROMPT, then hold down the <Alt>
            key while you type 255 on the number pad.

            If you turn off or change the prompt, however, be sure to
            restore it to its original form in the menu selection file
            which returns the user to DOS.  To do this, simply add a
            line to the batch file.  This line should contain the
            command, PROMPT, and nothing else, and will restore the
            normal system prompt.

            MULTI-USER MENUS

            The menu-creation process can be further refined for
            computers used by more than one person.  In many cases, you
            want to restrict certain users to a specific group of
            programs.  This technique can even be used to create a
            simple password system.  It's not extremely secure, but will
            limit unsophisticated users to a limited group of programs.
            Here's how to create this type of system.

            First, create a batch file called PASSWORD.BAT.  Here's a
            sample:









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            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            PROMPT Please enter your password:

            Call this file from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, after loading any
            memory-resident programs, and performing any other start-up
            functions.  The screen will clear, and the prompt will ask
            for the user's password.  If security isn't important, you
            could ask for the user's name instead.

            Now, create a menu for each user, giving it a filename which
            matches the password or name the user will enter.  Using the
            techniques described above, you can limit access to a
            specific list of programs for each user.  In this case,
            however, don't include a menu choice which exits to DOS.
            Instead, make the last menu choice call the PASSWORD.BAT
            file.  If you need to change a user's password, simply
            change the name of the batch file which calls that user's
            menu.

            If the user needs to use certain DOS commands, such as COPY,
            DELETE, or BACKUP, you can allow the use of a limited set of
            DOS commands by including them in a directory, then changing
            to that directory with a batch file called from the user's
            menu.

            Once again, this system is not perfectly secure.  Any user
            sophisticated enough to use the <Ctrl>+<Break> combination
            can exit to DOS.  When he or she does that, however, the
            prompt will still ask for a password.

            If you use DOS 3.0 or a later version, you can add to the
            system's security.  Use any utility program, such as Norton
            Utilities or PC-Tools to change your password batch files to
            hidden files.  Anyone doing a directory will not see the
            files on the screen, but DOS knows they are there and will
            execute them normally.  Earlier versions of DOS cannot
            execute hidden files.

            As the installer or main user of a multi-user PC, you can
            bypass the password system by having a batch file with your
            password simply reset the prompt and exit to DOS.  This will
            allow you or another user full access to the system.

            The next part of this series will introduce a number of
            other DOS commands which are especially useful in batch
            operations.  Using these commands, you will gain even more
            control over your PC and its peripherals, increasing the
            power of your batch files.













                                             Page 12



                      Part 3: Expanding Batch File Operations

            If you're like most PC/MS-DOS users, you use a few basic DOS
            commands regularly.  Other commands you may not use,
            however, have the power to make your PC even more useful and
            efficient.

            Including these commands in your batch files can add new
            flexibility and let you control your PC better, making it an
            even more powerful tool.  Here are some little-known DOS
            commands especially suited for batch files.

            The ASSIGN Command

            This very powerful DOS command tells your PC to send all
            calls for one disk drive to another.  Programs often look
            for data on a specific drive.  This is especially true with
            public domain and shareware programs.

            These programs assume that the disk containing data files is
            in drive A: or B:.  Hard disk users often have difficulties
            running these programs.  When the program wants to open a
            file on drive A: and that file is on drive C:, the program
            can't find the file and often just exits to DOS.

            Using ASSIGN, you can tell your PC to look on drive C: for
            files, no matter what the program tells it to do.  Here's
            the format for that command:

            ASSIGN [D1 = D2]

            To send all calls for drive A: to drive C:, the command
            would be:

            ASSIGN A = C

            There are a few restrictions to the use of ASSIGN.  You
            can't use it while using the PRINT command.  In addition,
            FORMAT will not run when ASSIGN is in use.  Notice, too,
            that colons aren't used after the drive names when you use
            the ASSIGN command.

            After using this command, you must turn off the drive
            assignment before going on to other computer operations.
            Simply issue the command, ASSIGN, without any drive
            parameters. You can do this automatically in a batch file.

            For an example, let's assume you want to run the game
            program, CASTLE, which looks for a data file in drive A:.
            You have CASTLE and its data file on Drive C:, which would
            abort the program when it couldn't find the data file.
            Here's a batch file to solve the problem:










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            ASSIGN A = C
            CASTLE
            ASSIGN

            This file, which you might call PLAY.BAT, solves the
            problem, and returns you to the normal configuration when
            you exit from the game.

            You can also use the ASSIGN command to lock out your hard
            disk if you are testing a questionable program.  Just give
            the command, ASSIGN C = A, and the PC won't try to write any
            data to your hard disk.  Just remember to get rid of the
            assignment before resuming normal operations.

            The ECHO Command

            In part 1 of this series, you learned to use this command to
            display screen messages.  ECHO can perform other functions,
            however, which are useful in batch files.

            For example, you might want to make the computer beep at
            some point during the execution of a batch file.  To do
            this, include the following command as a line in your file:

            ECHO ^G

            Type ECHO, press the space bar once, then hold down the
            <Ctrl> key while you press the <G> key.  This adds a
            character, ASCII number 7, to your command.  Whenever this
            command executes, you hear the familiar beep.

            You can also use the ECHO command with the DOS redirection
            characters < and > to send text to your printer or to your
            serial ports.

            Here's a good example:  You may need to print labels with
            your return address on them.  It's easy, using a batch file
            containing the following lines:

            ECHO Your Name >PRN
            ECHO 123 Your Street >PRN
            ECHO Anytown, Anystate  12345 >PRN

            Add blank lines before and after the text.  Adjust the
            number of blank lines to suit your printer and the labels
            you use.  You'll have to experiment to get it just right.

            Call this batch file RETURN.BAT, or any other name you like.
            Whenever you execute the file, it will print your return
            address, saving you from starting your word processor to
            create an address label.  You can also create similar files
            for other addresses.

            The MODE Command









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            The MODE command allows you to control your monitor, your
            serial ports, and your printer.  The command is very seldom
            used, due to its hard-to-remember syntax.  This makes it a
            natural for batch files.

            To use the MODE command in batch files, the DOS utility
            MODE.COM or MODE.EXE must be in your current PATH, or on the
            floppy disk containing your batch file.  If DOS can't find
            the program, an error message will appear on your monitor.

            If your PC has a CGA or EGA display adapter, you can use the
            MODE command to change from one display mode to another.  If
            you want to change from the normal mode to a forty-character
            color screen, include the following line in a batch file:

            MODE CO40

            Check your DOS manual for other screen modes.  You can
            include this command in a long batch file, or use it alone
            in a file called 40.BAT.

            The syntax for the MODE command format used to set up your
            serial port is very complex.  Using a batch file, you can
            avoid having to memorize this syntax.  To set your COM1:
            port to 1200 baud, with even parity, seven data bits, and
            one stop bit, just use the following line in any batch file:

            MODE COM1: 1200,E,7,1

            Later, you will learn how to incorporate this command line
            in a batch file telephone dialing system.

            Many users have a printer connected to a serial port.  In
            this case, DOS needs to know where the printer is, since it
            assumes that the printer is connected to LPT1:. Include the
            following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and your PC will
            automatically send all printer output to COM1:.

            MODE LPT1: = COM1:


            If your printer, on the other hand, is connected to LPT2:,
            the second parallel port, use the following line:

            MODE LPT1: = LPT2:

            Finally, you can use the MODE command to set your printer's
            mode of operations, controlling the number of characters per
            line, the number of lines per inch, and whether or not you
            want the computer to keep trying if the printer sends an
            error message to the computer.  Here's the syntax:

            MODE LPT#: [characters\line], [lines/inch], [P]









                                             Page 15



            Following this syntax, to set your printer for 80 characters
            per line, 8 lines per inch, and to retry on errors, use the
            following command in a batch file:

            MODE LPT1: 80,8,P

            The PAUSE Command

            Many time, during the execution of a batch file, it is
            useful to have the batch file stop operations while you do
            something, like load paper into the printer.  The PAUSE
            command halts the operation of a batch file temporarily.

            Like many other batch file commands, PAUSE allows you to
            include a message.  As an example, you can create a batch
            file which tells the user to put a blank, formatted disk in
            drive B: before a COPY operation.  Here is the command to
            use:

            PAUSE Place a blank, formatted disk in drive B:

            When DOS encounters this line in a batch file, it displays
            the following information on the screen:

            Place a blank, formatted disk in drive B:
            Strike a key when ready...

            The batch file stops until the user presses any key.  When a
            key is pressed, the batch file moves to the next line and
            executes the command there.  The command might be to COPY a
            file or files to the disk the user inserted in drive B:, as
            requested by the PAUSE message.

            The PROMPT Command

            In the previous part of this series, you learned to use the
            PROMPT command to replace the standard DOS system prompt
            with a message.  This command can also be use to create
            other customized prompts.  Including one of these PROMPT
            commands can add productivity to your work.

            This format of the PROMPT command uses the <$> character in
            combination with a letter to change your normal prompt.
            Here's an example:

            PROMPT $n$g

            This sets the prompt to the normal A> or C>, depending on
            the default drive you've set.  If you'd rather see a prompt
            which displays the current directory, include this variation
            in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

            PROMPT $p$g









                                             Page 16



            There are a number of other characters, which set the
            prompt.  You can use them in any combination you choose,
            preceding each letter with a dollar sign.

            Character                  Display

            $t              The current time
            $d              The current date
            $p              The current directory
            $v              The DOS version number
            $n              The current drive
            $g              The ">" character
            $l              The "<" character
            $b              The "|" character
            $_ (underscore) A carriage return

            Using a combination of these character commands, along with
            text, you can create customized prompts.  Just for an
            example, let's look at a complex PROMPT command:

            PROMPT Hello, Mary$_It's $t$_You're in the $p
            directory$_Please enter a DOS command $g

            PROMPT commands must be entered on a single line, so don't
            include any carriage returns.  When this PROMPT is included
            in a batch file it will produce a prompt which looks like
            this on the monitor:

            Hello, Mary
            It's 9:25:32.21 (current time)
            You're in the \UTILITY directory (actual directory)
            Please enter a DOS command >

            Experiment with this command to create custom prompts for
            yourself, or to provide information to other PC users.
            Including a special PROMPT command in your batch files can
            increase your productivity and prevent confusion.

            The REM Command

            Working with batch files is actually a form of programming.
            As your batch files grow in length, they can become
            confusing.  Inserting comments can help you understand how
            the file works.  This is especially important when you need
            to change a complex batch file later.

            The REM command allows you to insert comments in your files.
            Any text in a batch file which follows a REM command can
            contain your comments.  These comments will not be seen on
            the monitor, but will appear when you TYPE the file or print
            it out.  I recommend using REM comments frequently in long
            and complex batch files you create.










                                             Page 17


            Here's an example:

            REM This batch file copies three files to Drive B:
            PAUSE Insert a blank, formatted disk in Drive B:
            COPY LETTER.DOC B:
            COPY RESUME.DOC B:
            COPY NOVEL.DOC B:
            REM The next line displays LETTER.DOC on the monitor.
            TYPE LETTER.DOC

            Using the DOS Redirection Characters

            Earlier in this series, the two DOS redirection characters,
            < and > were mentioned.  These characters are a powerful way
            to tell your PC to send the output of files to a different
            place than they would normally go.  Using redirection in
            your batch files can be a powerful tool.

            For example, you might want to print a text file from within
            a batch file.  Using the TYPE command and a redirection
            character, it's easy.  Here's a command which you can use to
            send any text file to a printer:

            TYPE [filename.ext] >PRN

            The ">" character redirects the output of the TYPE command
            from the monitor to the printer.  You will use this
            frequently.

            Similarly, to send a directory to the printer, include the
            following command in any batch file:

            DIR >PRN

            It's easy to see how useful this can be.  When you redirect
            the output from a command to another device, such as the
            printer, it doesn't appear in its usual place.  You can use
            the redirection character to send output to the following
            devices:

            PRN (a printer attached to LPT1:)
            LPT#: (A parallel port)
            COM#: (A serial port)
            CON   (The monitor)
            NUL   (Nowhere at all)

            The last device, NUL, is your computer's version of Never-
            Never-Land. Anything sent to the NUL device simply goes
            nowhere at all.  Oddly enough, this is very useful in batch
            files.

            Many DOS commands you will use in batch files produce
            messages on the screen.  The COPY command is a good example.
            Whenever you COPY a file or files, the familiar message, "#









                                             Page 18


            file(s) copied," appears on the screen when the operation is
            finished.

            There are many times when you don't want that message to
            show, especially when your batch file copies multiple files.
            Having the message appear slows down the operation, and
            clutters the screen you have so carefully created.  Here's
            an example of the use of the NUL device:

            COPY LETTER.DOC B: >NUL

            Including the redirection character and the NUL device tells
            DOS to send the message, "1 file(s) copied," to the NUL
            device instead of to the monitor.  It's very simple.

            Other uses for this function include getting rid of messages
            provided by many memory-resident programs.  If you don't
            want to see the message, simply redirect it to the NUL
            device in the line used to call the program.

            You can even use this technique to introduce delays into
            your batch files.  Simply COPY a file to the NUL device. The
            longer the file, the longer the delay.  Here's an example:

            COPY LETTER.DOC NUL >NUL

            When DOS encounters this command, it reads the file, then
            copies it right into oblivion.  The original file remains on
            the disk, but the time it takes to read the file will simply
            cause a delay in the execution of the batch file.  The
            second NUL combined with the redirection character keeps the
            COPY command message off the screen.

            Command Line Parameters

            Since a batch file can contain commands which execute other
            batch files, it is useful to be able to include variables in
            your batch files.  DOS allows you to do this with a
            parameter you include when you execute the original file.

            By typing the name of the batch file, a space, then the
            parameter, you can tell DOS that you have included a
            variable in your command.  You have used this feature before
            with commands like: FORMAT B: or CHKDSK A:. The drive
            designator in each of those commands is a replaceable
            parameter which you can change each time you give the
            command.

            These parameters, when used with batch files can represent
            anything you wish, a drive name, a file, or the command
            which starts another batch file.

            The replaceable parameter is represented in the batch file
            itself with a per cent sign (%), followed by a number









                                             Page 19


            between 1 and 9.  Whenever your file encounters this sign it
            substitutes your command line parameter for the sign.

            For example, to create a batch file which copies all files
            from either drive A: or drive B: to your hard disk, which is
            drive C:, using a simple command, use C.BAT below:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            COPY %1:*.* C:

            To use this batch file, give the following command:

            C A
            or
            C B

            With three keystrokes, you can save typing in the entire
            command sequence.  Notice that the parameter is expressed in
            the batch file with a number (%1).  You can use up to nine
            command line parameters (%1 to %9), separated by spaces in
            your batch files.  This opens up many possibilities.

            You can expand the C.BAT file above to accept a path
            parameter as well.  This lets you specify a directory on
            your hard disk, allowing you to copy the files to a specific
            directory.  Here's the new C.BAT:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            COPY %1:*.* C:\%2

            Now, give this command:

            C A TEMP

            This time, your batch file copies all files from drive A:,
            the first parameter, to the \TEMP directory on drive C:.
            Each time you execute the batch file, you can use different
            parameters to control the process.  Here's the command this
            batch file has replaced:

            COPY A:*.* C:\TEMP

            It's easy to see how many ways you can use command line
            parameters to control functions in batch files.

            A Batch File Telephone Dialing System

            Now that you've learned some of the DOS commands which are
            especially useful in batch files, it's time to use some of
            these commands for a practical application.  Since most of
            us call a small list of people regularly while we're using










                                             Page 20


            the computer, creating a batch file dialing system makes
            sense.

            This system requires a Hayes-compatible modem, and can dial
            an unlimited number of people, depending only on how many
            files you want to create.

            First, create a directory called \PHONE in the root
            directory of your hard disk.  Include this new directory in
            your PATH so you can access it from any other directory.  If
            you use a floppy-based PC, format a floppy disk to hold your
            dialing system.

            Now, using either the COPY CON command or your favorite text
            editor, create the following batch file, naming it CALL.BAT:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            CD\PHONE  REM Leave this line out for floppy systems.
            ECHO Calling %1......
            MODE COM1:1200,E,7,1 >NUL
            %1
            CD\       REM Leave this line out for floppy systems

            If you have a 300 or 2400 baud modem, simply substitute that
            number in the fourth line of the file.  Notice that line
            four uses the >NUL redirection routine to eliminate the
            screen message produced by the MODE command.

            Now, create a separate batch file for each person you want
            to include in your dialing system.  Name the files so they
            will be easy to remember, and give each file the .BAT
            extension.  For example, you might create BILL.BAT, MOM.BAT,
            DOCTOR.BAT, or any other filename you might use.  Just
            remember that the filename must be no more than eight
            characters long.

            Here's a sample file, named BILL.BAT

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            ECHO ATDT5551234 >COM1:

            Naturally, you would substitute the correct phone number for
            the person you're calling.  If you are in a non-tone dialing
            area, substitute ATDP for ATDT to use pulse dialing.
            Finally, if your modem is connected to another COM port, use
            that port designator in place of COM1:.  Create as many
            files as you like, storing them all in the \PHONE directory
            or on your floppy disk.

            If your modem uses a different dialing command than the
            Hayes-compatible ATD? command, make another substitution in
            the ECHO line.









                                             Page 21



            Here's how the system works: To call Bill, or another person
            in your system, give the command, CALL BILL, and press
            <Enter>.  The first batch file, CALL.BAT, clears the screen,
            tells you who you are calling, then sets the communications
            parameters with the MODE command. Next, it executes the
            batch file with the name you used as a replaceable
            parameter, Bill in this case.

            BILL.BAT executes, using the ECHO command to send the
            dialing command and the telephone number to your modem.  At
            this point, you can listen to the progress of the call on
            your modem's speaker, or just pick up the phone and wait for
            an answer.

            You can use your dialing system anytime you see the system
            prompt.  Many programs allow you to exit temporarily to DOS,
            so you can also make phone calls while using any of these
            programs.

            You can use DOS batch files as a simple programming language
            to create programs like the dialing utility above.  The
            advantage to batch programming is its simplicity.  Creating
            a telephone dialing system in most other programming
            languages would take hours.  Using batch files, the program
            is finished in minutes.

            A Batch File Database

            Following a similar format to the telephone dialing system,
            you can create a simple database system to store names and
            addresses, using simple batch files. First, create a new
            directory called \FILE on your hard disk or format a floppy
            disk to be used for this system.  One again, if you install
            this system on your hard disk, be sure to include it in your
            PATH for easy access.

            Write the following batch file, LOOKUP.BAT, to serve as the
            main program:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            CD\FILE  REM You can leave this line out for floppy systems.
            ECHO Searching.......
            TYPE %1.ADD  REM This command line parameters displays the file
            CD\      REM Again, leave this line out for floppy systems.

            When creating this file, leave off the REM commands and the
            text following them.

            Now, for each person you want to include in your database,
            create a plain ASCII file which looks like this:

            ANYNAME DOE









                                             Page 22


            1235 SOME STREET
            ANYTOWN, STATE   ZIP
            [phone]
            <Enter>  REM These lines add blank lines.  Use as many
            <Enter>  REM as you need.

            Give the file a distinctive name you'll remember.  Use the
            extension, ADD.  Store the file in the same directory or on
            the same disk as LOOKUP.BAT.  Now, to view the information
            on your monitor, just enter the command:

            LOOKUP NAME

            Your LOOKUP.BAT file will find the filename you specify on
            the command line and display the information.  Of course,
            you might not remember just which file you want to check.
            It's easy to write another batch file which will show you a
            list of files.  You might call this one FINDFILE.BAT:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            CD\FILE  REM Not used in floppy systems.
            DIR *.ADD/W
            CD\      REM Not used in floppy systems.

            By entering the FINDFILE command you will see a display of
            your filenames for this system.  Notice the fourth line of
            the batch file.  It reads DIR *.ADD/W.  The *.ADD section
            tells DOS to show only those files which have the extension
            you use for your data files.  This helps keep extraneous
            information off the screen.

            Now, suppose you want to print one of your files.  Here's
            another batch file to do that.  Let's call this one
            PRINTIT.BAT.

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            CD\FILE  REM Not used in floppy systems.
            COPY %1.ADD PRN
            CD\      REM Not used in floppy systems.

            All you have to do is enter a command like this one:

            PRINTIT NAME

            The file you name on the command line will go directly to
            your printer.  If you have included the right number of
            blank lines in your original files, you can use this
            PRINTIT.BAT to print address labels.  You'll have to
            experiment to get your files just right for your particular
            printer and labels.











                                             Page 23


            Finally, you can write one more batch file which will print
            your entire list of files, creating mailing labels if you
            have formatted the files properly.  Call this one
            PRINTALL.BAT.

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            CD\FILE  REM Not used in floppy systems.
            COPY *.ADD PRN >NUL
            CD\      REM Not used in floppy systems.

            Enter the command, PRINTALL, and every one of your files
            will be printed automatically.

            This address system is only one way you can use your batch
            file database.  Another possibility is a recipe database.
            By storing files containing your recipes, you can use the
            same batch files to call up your favorites, print them out,
            or even print the entire recipe database.

            Just remember that any files you store in your batch file
            database must be pure ASCII files, created with either the
            COPY CON command or your favorite word processor or text
            editor.  If you use a word processor, be sure to save the
            files in ASCII format.

            The possibilities for different kinds of data storage are
            endless. You also have the advantage of not being restricted
            to defined fields and field sizes, as you do with a regular
            database.

            In the next part of this series, you will learn several
            advanced batch file techniques, including ways you can use
            batch files in your programming.  That part will also cover
            the creation of a batch file system to control your printer.
            It will allow you to change your printer's output with a
            single command.




                       Part 4: Advanced Batch File Techniques


            The first two parts of this series on batch files introduced
            a number of techniques to help you automate many of the
            operations you perform frequently on your PC.  This time,
            we're going to take a look at more advanced batch file
            functions, adding even more power to your batch processing.

            Like all programming languages, batch files can perform
            loops and conditional branching.  Loops allow your batch
            program to perform the same function several times, using
            information you supply to control the process.  Conditional









                                             Page 24


            branching lets your batch files test to see if a condition
            is true and, if it is, forces the batch file to execute a
            subroutine.  Let's look at conditional branching first.

            BATCH FILE IF....GOTO BRANCHING

            If you are familiar with any programming languages, such as
            BASIC, the IF....GOTO sequence is familiar to you.  The IF
            part of the sequence lets you test something, while the GOTO
            command tells your program to skip to a subroutine and carry
            out the commands it finds there.  This capability is central
            to all programming, including batch programming.

            Before looking at the IF command, it's important to
            understand how the GOTO command works.  Unlike many
            languages, DOS batch programs use labels with the GOTO
            command. A label marks the beginning of the subroutine,
            letting DOS know where to begin processing after it
            encounters a GOTO line.

            Batch file labels always begin with a colon (:).  The label
            follows the colon, without any spaces or other characters.
            Here are some examples of correct label format:

                      :START
                      :ABORT
                      :QUIT


            A label should be placed on a line by itself, immediately
            preceding the first command in the subroutine.  This sample
            batch file, called SAMPLE.BAT, will demonstrate the use of
            the GOTO command:

                      ECHO OFF
                      CLS
                      ECHO This batch file demonstrates branching.
                      GOTO ROUTINE1
                      ECHO The batch file will skip this line.
                      ECHO It will skip this line as well.
                      :ROUTINE1
                      CLS
                      ECHO You are now in the first sub-routine.
                      ECHO When you press a key, you will go to the next
                      routine.
                      PAUSE
                      GOTO ROUTINE2
                      ECHO Again, the batch file will skip this line.
                      ECHO And this one, too.
                      :ROUTINE2
                      CLS
                      ECHO Now you are in the second sub-routine.
                      ECHO Notice that the file skipped several lines.










                                             Page 25


                      ECHO Pressing a key will take you to the third
                      routine.
                      PAUSE
                      GOTO ROUTINE3
                      ECHO Another line skipped.
                      ECHO Still another skipped line.
                      :ROUTINE3
                      CLS
                      ECHO Now you have reached the third subroutine.
                      ECHO This is the last subroutine.
                      ECHO When you press a key, you will exit to DOS.
                      PAUSE
                      CLS

            Create this simple batch file, using the COPY CON command or
            your favorite text editor.  Remember to save the file in
            ASCII format.  Once you have created the file, run it.  You
            will notice that the lines between the GOTO commands and the
            labels do not execute.  Once DOS encounters the GOTO, it
            immediately jumps to the label, skipping all intermediate
            lines.

            When creating a label, use from one to eight characters.
            Avoid punctuation, and always use labels which are
            meaningful, to help you understand your batch file later.
            Unlike other languages, DOS allows you to use reserved
            words, like COPY and DELETE as labels in your batch files.
            For clarity's sake, however, it's best to avoid labels which
            are also the names of DOS commands.

            CONDITIONAL BRANCHING WITH THE IF COMMAND

            By itself, the GOTO command has limited usefulness. There is
            usually no reason to use GOTO unless you are testing to see
            if a condition is true or not.  That's where the IF command
            comes in.

            Most programming languages use a command similar to the DOS
            IF command to test for a wide variety of conditions.  In
            batch files, you are limited to testing just a few things:

            1. Whether one string of characters equals another.
            2. Whether or not a file exists.
            3. The ERRORLEVEL of a program.

            In this article, we'll look at the first two conditions.
            The third is of limited usefulness to most DOS users.

            The first condition which can be tested with the IF command,
            whether one string is equal to another, is the most common.
            If you remember the discussion on command-line parameters,
            you know that a batch file can use up to 10 parameters when
            you give the command to execute the batch file.  An example
            of this might be the command, FORMAT A:.  The A: part of









                                             Page 26


            this command is a replaceable parameter, used by DOS to
            identify the drive to be formatted.

            By using the IF command in your batch files, you can check
            to see whether a command-line parameter equals a string you
            have specified in the batch file.  Here's an example, which
            we'll call TEST1.BAT:


                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 IF %1. == . GOTO WRONG
                 IF %1 == HELLO GOTO CORRECT
                 GOTO END
                 :CORRECT
                 CLS
                 ECHO You typed HELLO.
                 ECHO The batch file branched to the CORRECT routine.
                 PAUSE
                 GOTO END
                 :WRONG
                 CLS
                 ECHO You didn't include a parameter in your command.
                 ECHO To get to the subroutine, type the command:
                 ECHO TEST1 HELLO, then press [Enter].
                 PAUSE
                 GOTO END
                 :END
                 ECHO You typed something other than HELLO as a
                 parameter.
                 ECHO DOS recognizes the difference between upper and
                 lower case.
                 ECHO Try again.
                 PAUSE
                 CLS

            Let's take a look at some of the lines in this file.  The
            first two lines are familiar, turning off ECHO and clearing
            the screen.  The next line is new and uses the IF command.

            When you use the IF command to check command-line parameters
            and no parameter is given when the batch file is called, DOS
            normally returns the error message: SYNTAX ERROR.  The line
            in TEST1.BAT which reads: IF %1. == . GOTO WRONG GOTO END
            tests to see if no parameter was given.  The period (.) is
            used to supply a single character following the %1
            parameter.  Without it, the error message INVALID NUMBER OF
            PARAMETERS would appear.  This line branches to the :WRONG
            subroutine if no parameter was used on the command line.

            The next line checks to see if the command-line parameter
            was HELLO.  If it was, the batch file branches to the
            routine named :CORRECT.










                                             Page 27


            Following the second IF line is a line which reads, GOTO
            END.  This line comes into play if neither of the conditions
            in the previous lines is true.  If, for example, the
            command-line parameter was GOODBYE, the batch file would
            branch to the :END routine, skipping the rest of the file.

            It's important to include a line which branches around other
            lines if a condition isn't true.  Otherwise, the batch file
            would simply go right into the :CORRECT subroutine.

            The IF command recognizes upper and lower case letters as
            different.  So, typing hello in lower case letters would not
            satisfy the condition in the second IF line.

            Finally, notice that each subroutine in this batch file
            includes a GOTO END line.  Again, this forces the program to
            branch around succeeding subroutines, avoiding errors.

            Create this batch file, then run it.  The first time, do not
            include the parameter HELLO on the command line.  Next, add
            hello to the command, using lower-case letters.  Finally,
            include the correct form of the parameter, HELLO.  You will
            see the messages in the appropriate subroutine.  Be sure to
            use two equal signs (==) in your IF lines.  This is
            critical.

            Creating a Practical Application Using Branching

            While the sample batch file above demonstrates the use of
            the IF and GOTO commands, it doesn't serve any useful
            function.  Let's create a batch file which solves a serious
            problem.

            It's all too easy to accidentally format a hard disk,
            particularly with versions of DOS earlier than 3.0. By
            simply typing the command FORMAT and pressing a key, all
            your hard disk files can be destroyed.  DOS 3.0 and later
            add a warning message, but an unwary user or a malicious
            intruder can still easily format any hard disk.

            You can protect yourself against this disaster with the
            following batch file.  It's called FORMAT.BAT.  Since PC/MS-
            DOS will execute a .COM file before a .BAT file, you need to
            rename the DOS formatting utility.

            Change to your DOS directory, and give the following
            command:

            REN FORMAT.COM FRMT.COM

            This is the first step in your protection scheme.  Renaming
            the FORMAT.COM allows your FORMAT.BAT file to take over when
            the command, FORMAT, is given.










                                             Page 28


            Now, create the following batch file, storing it in a
            directory on your hard disk which is included in your path
            statement.  Do not include the REM statement explaining how
            to enter the Ctrl+G command.  Name the file FORMAT.BAT.


                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 IF %1. == . GOTO NOPARM
                 IF %1 == A: GOTO CORRECT
                 IF %1 == a: GOTO CORRECT
                 IF %1 == B: GOTO CORRECT
                 IF %1 == b: GOTO CORRECT
                 IF %1 == C: GOTO ABORT
                 IF %1 == c: GOTO ABORT
                 IF %1 == D: GOTO ABORT
                 IF %1 == d: GOTO ABORT
                 GOTO WRONG
                 :NOPARM
                 ECHO ^G   REM ***Hold down Ctrl and press the G key***
                 ECHO You must enter a drive designator to format a
                 disk.
                 ECHO Enter the command this way...FORMAT A:... using
                 the
                 ECHO drive designator for the correct drive.
                 PAUSE
                 GOTO END
                 :CORRECT
                 ECHO Preparing to format a floppy disk.
                 PAUSE
                 FRMT %1
                 GOTO END
                 :ABORT
                 ECHO ^G
                 ECHO ^G
                 ECHO You have specified a hard disk for formatting!
                 ECHO You cannot format your hard disk from this batch
                 file!
                 ECHO Use an alternate method!
                 PAUSE
                 GOTO END
                 :WRONG
                 ECHO ^G
                 ECHO You have entered an invalid drive designator...
                 ECHO Try again.  Don't forget the colon. (:)
                 GOTO END
                 :END
                 CLS

            Let's take a look at the IF statements in this file.  First,
            using the technique discussed earlier, the file checks to
            see if a parameter has been included in the command line.
            If not, it branches to a subroutine called :NOPARM, which
            tells the user to include a drive designator.









                                             Page 29



            Next, the batch file checks to see if the parameter entered
            on the command line is a floppy drive.  It tests for upper
            and lower case entries for drives A: and B:.  If any floppy
            disk drive designator is given, the file branches to the
            :CORRECT subroutine.  There, the FRMT command is given,
            executing the renamed formatting utility.  The original
            command line parameter %1 passes to the FRMT.COM program.

            The next four lines check to see if the user entered the
            name of a hard disk, either drive C: or drive D:.  Again,
            both upper and lower case are tested.  If these drives are
            on the command line, the batch file branches to the :ABORT
            subroutine.  That routine sounds an alarm and refuses to
            format the hard disk.

            Finally, if the user has specified an invalid drive, or left
            off the colon (:) following the drive letter, the GOTO WRONG
            line sends the program to another routine, which explains
            the error.

            Notice that each routine ends with a GOTO END line.  This is
            very important, and keeps the batch file from accidentally
            drifting into another routine.

            You can customize this hard disk protection system to fit
            your particular configuration.  Just alter it to reflect the
            drives on your own PC.

            You should be able to think of a number of other ways to use
            this feature of the IF command.  Branching is an excellent
            way to add power to your batch files.

            TESTING FOR THE EXISTENCE OF A FILE

            The IF command can also check whether or not a particular
            file exists.  This can be very useful.  For example, if you
            wanted to copy files from a floppy disk onto your hard disk,
            but only if that file already exists on the hard disk, this
            use of the IF command can save you time.  You might do this
            to update files on the hard disk.

            Here is a batch file which does just that.  Call it
            COPYIF.BAT.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 IF EXIST C:\%1\%2 GOTO EXECUTE
                 GOTO WRONG
                 :EXECUTE
                 ECHO Copying A:%2 to C:\%1 directory...
                 COPY A:%2 C:\%1
                 PAUSE
                 GOTO END









                                             Page 30


                 :WRONG
                 ECHO That file does not exist in the C:\%1 directory.
                 PAUSE
                 GOTO END
                 :END
                 CLS

            After creating COPYIF.BAT, try it out.  Put a floppy disk in
            drive A: which contains files which are also in a directory
            on your hard disk.

            Use the DIR command to get a list of files.  Now type the
            following command:

            COPYIF [DIRECTORY NAME] [FILENAME]

            Substitute appropriate information in the command to fit
            your particular directory and files. When the batch file
            runs, it will check the directory (%1) for the file (%2),
            then copy the file from drive A: if it finds the file also
            in the directory on drive C:

            Try this again, but name a directory which doesn't contain
            the file you name on the command line.  You can see how the
            IF command works here.

            This is a useful batch file, but it might even be more
            useful if it only copied the file from drive A: into the
            directory if that file did NOT already exist in the
            directory you name.

            DOS can do this as well.  To change COPYIF.BAT to perform
            this function, just change the third line to read:

                 IF NOT EXIST C:\%1\%2 GOTO EXECUTE

            Make this change in your COPYIF.BAT file, and save it with
            the new name COPYNOT.BAT.  Try this new batch file the same
            way you did before. Now it only copies the file from drive
            A: if it doesn't exist on drive C: in the specified
            directory.  A batch file like COPYNOT.BAT is one way to
            prevent overwriting an existing file.


            BATCH FILE LOOPS WITH FOR...IN...DO

            No programming language is complete without a way of
            creating loops.  A loop is a way of repeating a routine as
            long as a certain condition exists.  DOS allows a limited
            use of loops in batch files, using the FOR...IN...DO command
            series.

            These loops are limited to dealing with filenames as the
            limiting structures. Here is the syntax:









                                             Page 31



            FOR %%variable IN (set) DO command

            That's slightly confusing.  The %%variable is a dummy
            variable, composed of a single character.  An example is
            %%A.  All this really does is give DOS a handle to work
            with.

            The (set) described in the syntax is a list of files.  Most
            often, this set uses DOS wildcards (? & *) to represent
            groups of files.  For example, typical sets might include
            (*.*), (C:\*.*) or (C:\WP\DOC\*.BAK). You can include
            multiple entries inside the parentheses.  To act on all
            .DOC,.BAK, and .TXT files, the set would be
            (*.DOC,*.BAK,*.TXT). You can use either commas or spaces to
            separate the individual files or wildcard entries.  Just
            remember that the set you specify is the group of files you
            want to act upon.

            Finally, the command part of this structure can be any DOS
            command.  To make this complex command series clearer, let's
            create a sample batch file.  What this file will do is
            delete all the files with the extension .BAK in the \WP\DOC
            subdirectory on drive C:  This is something most users do
            from time to time.  Naturally, you can substitute any other
            directory when you create the file.  Call the file
            KILLBAK.BAT.


                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ECHO This file will delete all .BAK files from
                 C:\WP\DOC.
                 ECHO If you do not want to do this, press
                 [Ctrl]+[Break].
                 PAUSE
                 FOR %%A IN (C:\WP\DOC\*.BAK) DO DEL %%A
                 ECHO All files with the extension .BAK have been
                 deleted.
                 PAUSE
                 CLS

            You can use any DOS command in place of DEL.  If, for
            example, you wanted to copy all files with the extension
            .COM from drive A: to drive B:, the command would look like
            this:

            FOR %%A IN (*.COM) DO COPY A:%%A B:

            Similarly, to print out all your .BAT files in the \BATCH
            directory on your hard disk, the command would look like
            this:

            FOR %%A IN (*.BAT) DO COPY C:\BATCH\%%A PRN









                                             Page 32



            It's easy to see how useful this looping command structure
            can be in your batch files.  You can repeatedly perform a
            DOS command, controlling the files it operates on by
            changing the variables in the FOR...IN...DO command
            structure.  Experiment with these commands in your batch
            files.

            CONTROLLING YOUR PRINTER WITH BATCH FILES

            In the last part of this series of articles, I promised that
            I would include a method of controlling your printer using
            batch files.  While the current crop of dot-matrix printers
            have some wonderful capabilities, making use of them can be
            a chore.

            You can either write a short program in BASIC to send
            commands to the printer, or use a special printer utility
            program.  Both of these systems work, but take time you
            could spend more productively.

            The problem lies in DOS.  In its wisdom, Microsoft wrote
            PC/MS-DOS in a way that prevents you from sending the Escape
            character (ASCII 27) to your printer.  You can send almost
            any other character to the printer in a batch file with the
            ECHO command and the redirection character (>).  Any other
            character, that is, except the Escape character.

            Most printer commands are preceded with the Escape
            character, so it's normally impossible to control your
            printer from the system prompt.

            For this printer control system to work, then, you need a
            program which can do what DOS can't do.  Fortunately for all
            of us, Calvin R. Shields has placed such a program in the
            public domain.  A short program, written in assembly
            language, it also illustrates another use of batch files.

            Create the following batch file, using your favorite method.
            Be very careful to type the program exactly as it appears
            here, including the blank lines.  Call it MAKE-ESC.BAT.

                      GOTO START
                      A  100
                      XOR     DX,DX
                      MOV     AX,001B
                      INT     17
                      MOV     BX,0080
                      MOV     CL,[BX]
                      XOR     CH,CH
                      JCXZ    011F
                      INC     BX
                      DEC     CX
                      JCXZ    011F









                                             Page 33


                      INC     BX
                      MOV     AL,[BX]
                      XOR     DX,DX
                      XOR     AH,AH
                      INT     17
                      LOOP    0114
                      INT     20

                      R  CX
                      21
                      n  esc.com
                      w
                      q

                      :START
                      DEBUG < MAKE-ESC.BAT


            Notice the first line of the file, which sends the program
            to the :START subroutine.  There, this batch file calls the
            DOS DEBUG program, using the redirection character to make
            DEBUG assemble the program, ESC.COM, from the assembly
            language routines included in the batch file.  This is a
            very creative use of batch files.

            Before running this batch file, make sure that DEBUG.COM or
            DEBUG.EXE (depending on your version of DOS) is in your
            current path.  If you are using floppy disks, copy the DEBUG
            program onto the disk containing MAKE-ESC.BAT.

            Run the batch file.  You will see a brief error message,
            caused when DEBUG finds the first line of the program.
            Ignore this message.  Once the file runs, you will have a
            33-byte program called ESC.COM on your disk.  This program
            does what DOS can't do:  it sends the Escape character to
            your printer, which must be connected to the parallel port,
            LPT1:.

            To make ESC.COM work, all you have to do is give the
            command, ESC, followed by a space and the command you want
            to send to the printer.  For example, the command which
            resets an Epson-compatible printer looks like this:

                      ESC @  <Enter>

            The simplicity of these commands makes controlling your
            printer easy.  But who can remember all the commands?
            That's where batch files come into the picture.

            To create a system for setting your printer's
            characteristics, all you have to do is write a short batch
            file which gives the commands needed to set the printer.
            Name each batch file with an easy-to-remember name.










                                             Page 34


            The batch files which follow will work with any Epson or
            Epson-compatible printer.  If you use another type of
            printer, substitute the command for your printer in the
            batch file.

            Let's start with the reset command, which will put the
            printer in the start-up mode.  Call this file RESET.BAT.

                      ECHO OFF
                      CLS
                      ESC @

            Here's another file. This one sets the printer to its Near
            Letter Quality mode.  Call it NLQ.BAT.

                      ECHO OFF
                      CLS
                      ESC X1

            I've included the ECHO OFF and CLS lines to keep your screen
            clear when you issue the commands.

            Here's another sample.  Call this one BOLD.BAT.

                      ECHO OFF
                      CLS
                      ESC E

            By consulting your printer's manual, you can find all the
            commands which make your printer jump through its hoops.
            Write a separate batch file for each command, and you will
            soon have a printer control system which can handle every
            function.  You can also combine functions by entering the
            commands, one-at-a-time.

            If your printer is an Epson compatible, the batch files in
            LISTING 1 will handle almost every possible function.
            Again, if you use another kind of printer, consult your
            manual for the appropriate commands.

            Place the batch files and the ESC.COM program in a directory
            which is in your current path.  Then, whenever you need to
            send a command to your printer, just give the name of the
            appropriate batch file as a DOS command.

            The next part of this series will show you how to make batch
            files even more flexible, using additional commands and
            external programs.  There are a number of commercial, public
            domain, and shareware programs which can add power to your
            batch programming.

                                 ##End main copy##











                                             Page 35




                                     LISTING 1

            These batch files are designed to be used with the ESC.COM
            program in the main article.  If your printer is Epson-
            compatible, the system will work as written.  If you have
            another brand of printer, substitute the appropriate
            commands.  Create these files using the COPY CON command or
            use your favorite text editor in its ASCII Mode.


            RESET.BAT -- Sets the printer to its default mode.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC @


            PICA.BAT -- Sets pica (10 characters/in.)

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC P


            ELITE.BAT -- Sets elite (12 characters/in.)

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC M


            CONDENSE.BAT -- Sets condensed type.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC ^O  REM **<CTRL>+<O>**


            TINY.BAT -- Sets microtype (20+ characters/in.)

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC M
                 ESC ^O  REM **<CTRL>+<O>**
                 ESC S1
                 ESC 1


            ITALIC.BAT -- Sets italic mode

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS









                                             Page 36


                 ESC 4


            UNITALIC.BAT -- Cancels italic mode

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC 5



            WIDE.BAT -- Sets double-width type

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC W1


            UNWIDE.BAT -- Cancels double-width

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC W0


            NLQ.BAT -- Sets Near Letter Quality mode.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC x1


            UNLQ.BAT -- Cancels Near Letter Quality

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC x0


            6LPI.BAT -- Sets 6 line/in. spacing.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC 2


            8LPI.BAT -- Sets 8 line/in. spacing.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC 0


            10LPI.BAT -- Sets 10 line/in. spacing.









                                             Page 37



                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC 1


            BOLD.BAT -- Sets Boldface.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC E


            NOBOLD.BAT -- Cancels Boldface.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC F


            UNDRLINE.BAT -- Underlines all text.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC -1


            NO-UNDER.BAT -- Cancels underlining.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC -0


            2STRIKE.BAT -- Starts double-strike mode.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC G


            1STRIKE.BAT -- Starts single-strike mode.

                 ECHO OFF
                 CLS
                 ESC H

                                 ##End Listing 1##















            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 38






                         The Power of PC\MS-DOS Batch Files

                                         by
                                  George Campbell


                             Part 4: Adding More Power



            In the first three parts of this series on batch files, you
            learned many of the techniques possible with PC/MSDOS batch
            processing. By now, you're probably using batch files to
            perform many functions you used to do, one command at a
            time, from the system prompt.

            In this article, which will be the last part of this series,
            you'll learn ways you can expand your batch processing even
            further.  Although PC/MSDOS batch files have the power to
            make your PC do things you didn't expect, there are
            limitations to batch operations.  Here are some ways to get
            around those limitations:

            GETTING KEYSTROKES FROM EXTERNAL FILES

            One of the major limitations of a PC/MSDOS batch file is the
            inability to insert keystrokes into the batch file from the
            keyboard.  You can't stop a batch file, ask for user input,
            then continue with the execution of the batch file.  There
            are many times when you might want to do just that.

            PC/MSDOS has several commands which insist on user input.
            FORMAT, DISKCOPY, and DEL *.* are three of those commands.
            If your goal is complete automation of a command with batch
            files, these three operations will stall your batch file
            until you type a letter.

            Fortunately, there's a way to bypass this limitation.  All
            you need to do is create an external ASCII file which
            contains the keystroke.  Here's a good example:

            In my own work, I often place files in a directory on my
            hard disk, called C:\TEMP.  Once I'm finished working with
            those files, I want to delete them from the disk.  To do
            this means using the DEL *.* command.  PC/MSDOS, however,
            insists that I confirm the command by typing a Y.  If I give
            the command from a batch file, I still have to type the
            letter.











            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 39


            To get around this problem, you can create a file which
            contains just the letter, Y and a carriage return.  I call
            the file YES.ASC.  Create this file by entering the
            keystrokes shown below:

            COPY CON YES.ASC
            Y <Enter>
            F6 <Enter>

            With that file stored on the disk, you can tell a batch file
            to take its input from the file and send it to any program
            called by the batch file.  Using the example above, here's a
            batch file, named KILLTEMP.BAT, which deletes all files from
            the directory C:\TEMP:

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            DEL C:\TEMP\*.* <YES.ASC

            Create this file, using either the COPY CON command, or your
            text editor.  Substitute a directory name which applies to
            your computer for the one shown here.

            This batch file works by using redirection.  The "less than"
            symbol (<) tells PC/MSDOS to take directions from the file,
            YES.ASC rather than from the keyboard.  When the command DEL
            *.* gives the message "Are you sure (Y/N)," it sees the
            character "Y" included in the YES.ASC file, and thinks
            you've typed the letter on the keyboard.

            You can use this technique with any DOS command which asks
            for a confirmation from the user.  Be very careful, however,
            not to use the method if there is any danger of deleting
            important files.

            External text files can be used to create all sorts of
            useful DOS utilities.  Take the FORMAT command, for example.
            This program in DOS requires user keystrokes which slow down
            the process of formatting new floppy disks.

            If you hate the job of formatting a pile of floppies, you
            can create a disk formatting utility which will format
            floppy disks continuously, prompting you to insert a new
            floppy disk and press a key.

            To make this batch file work, you need to create a very
            short text file which contains the keystrokes needed for the
            PC-MSDOS FORMAT.COM program.  Call this file RESPONSE.ASC,
            and create it with the following commands:

            COPY CON RESPONSE.ASC <Enter>
            <Enter>
            N <Enter>
            F6 <Enter>









            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 40



            Once you've created that file, you can set up a .BAT file to
            format diskettes continuously.  Since this file is rather
            long and complex, I suggest using your text editor or word
            processor to create the file.  Remember to save the file as
            a pure ASCII file.  Call this file CFORMAT.BAT.

            ECHO OFF
            IF .%1 ==. GOTO NOPARM
            IF %1 == c: GOTO NOHARD
            IF %1 == C: GOTO NOHARD
            CLS
            GOTO START
            :START
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO COMPUTER SHOPPER'S CONTINUOUS FORMAT UTILITY
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+7*
            Echo Insert a new disk in drive %1 or press Ctrl+Break
            PAUSE
            CLS
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Now formatting....do not disturb disk in drive %1!
            FORMAT <RESPONSE.ASC %1 >NUL
            GOTO RETURN
            :NOPARM
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO YOU MUST ENTER A DRIVE NAME.   EXAMPLE:(CFORMAT A:)
            PAUSE
            GOTO QUIT
            :HARD
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO YOU CANNOT FORMAT A HARD DISK WITH THIS UTILITY.
            ECHO NOW RETURNING TO DOS....
            PAUSE
            GOTO QUIT
            :RETURN
            GOTO START
            :QUIT
            CLS

            * Hold down the <Alt> key while you type the number on the
            numeric keypad.


            This batch file uses many of the techniques presented in
            earlier parts of this series, including replaceable
            parameters, subroutines, and conditional branching.  It also
            uses the RESPONSE.ASC file to feed responses to the









            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 41


            FORMAT.COM program.  The line which reads, FORMAT
            <RESPONSE.ASC %1 >NUL, is the key to this utility.  It calls
            the DOS FORMAT routine, then directs the program to take its
            responses from the text file you created.  Finally, the >NUL
            at the end of the line keeps the normal screen messages from
            FORMAT.COM off the screen.

            To use this program, copy CFORMAT.BAT and RESPONSE.ASC to
            the disk or directory which contains FORMAT.COM.  When you
            give the command, CFORMAT, add the drive name for your
            floppy disks.  If you don't include a drive name in your
            command, the program will abort and remind you.  If you
            specify drive C:, the batch file branches to the :NOHARD
            subroutine and aborts with a warning.

            The utility formats the disk, then returns to the beginning,
            beeps to remind you to change disks, and formats the next
            disk when you press a key.

            If you have a hard disk drive and two floppy drives, another
            version of this file can format disks in both drives,
            speeding up the process even further.  Create this file in
            the same way, but name it CFORMAT2.BAT.

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            goto START
            :START
            CLS
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO COMPUTER SHOPPER'S CONTINUOUS FORMAT UTILITY
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+7*
            ECHO Be sure to turn your TURBO mode off.
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO ECHO Insert new disks in drives A: and B:
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO To exit, press Ctrl+Break.
            PAUSE
            CLS
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Alt+255*
            ECHO Now formatting....do not disturb disk in drive A:
            FORMAT <RESPONSE.ASC A: >NUL
            ECHO Now formatting....do not disturb disk in drive B:
            FORMAT <RESPONSE.ASC B: >NUL
            GOTO RETURN
            :RETURN
            GOTO START
            :QUIT
            CLS










            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 42


            * Hold down the <Alt> key while you type the number on the
            numeric keypad.

            This file works in the same way, but automatically formats
            blank disks in both drive A: and drive B:. Each time the
            routine runs, it beeps to remind you to change disks.  I
            timed this routine, and it saves about 30% of the normal
            disk formatting time.

            You can use the same redirection technique to automate other
            utility programs which require keyboard input.  Try writing
            your own batch file to make the DISKCOPY command run
            continuously.  You'll need to write a text file, containing
            the keystrokes needed for that command, plus a batch file
            similar to the ones used for the FORMAT command.

            CREATING BATCH FILE PRESENTATIONS AND DEMOS

            Since batch files can automate many functions on your PC,
            creating demos and presentations is a natural use for these
            PC-MSDOS programs.

            A presentation or demo is typically a series of screens,
            displayed in order.  Using batch files to make the process
            automatic can let you concentrate on your presentation, and
            not on operating the PC.

            The first step in creating a demo is to create the screens
            you want to display.  Use your word processor or text editor
            to create as many screens as you like.  If you use Word
            Perfect or another program which can do line drawing and
            boxes, you can enhance these screens.  Many word processors
            can also use the <ALT>+numeric keypad technique to display
            extended ASCII characters, adding even more visual
            possibilities.

            Keep each screen down to 24 lines of text or less, so the
            whole screen can be displayed without scrolling.  Save your
            screens in ASCII format, naming them SCREEN1.TXT,
            SCREEN2.TXT, etc.  Number the files in the order you want to
            follow with your demo or presentation.

            Now, create the batch file you'll use to display your
            screens.  Call it DEMO.BAT, or any other name you like.
            Again, use your text editor or word processor to create the
            file.  Leave out the  REM commands and messages when you
            create the file.

            ECHO OFF
            CLS
            PROMPT Alt+255 REM Eliminates the DOS prompt.
            TYPE SCREEN1.TXT
            PAUSE>NUL  REM Shuts off the "Press a key" message.
            CLS









            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 43


            TYPE SCREEN2.TXT
            PAUSE>NUL
            CLS
            TYPE SCREEN3.TXT
            .
            .
            .
            .
            TYPE SCREEN(n)
            CLS
            PROMPT REM Restores the dos prompt.

            Expand this batch file to include all of your presentation
            screens.  When you run DEMO.BAT, it will clear the screen,
            turn off the DOS prompt and load the first screen.  To
            change screens, just press any key on the keyboard.  The
            screen will clear and the next screen will appear.

            You can use the same program to create presentations for
            other users, as well.  Just leave the >NUL off the PAUSE
            lines in the batch file.  Now you can mail a disk containing
            your demo to another user.  When that user types the
            command, DEMO, your screens will display, with the line,
            "Strike a key when ready," at the bottom of each screen to
            prompt the user for a keystroke.  Even unskilled PC users
            won't have any trouble displaying your demo with this
            system.

            You'll find other uses for this presentation system.  I use
            it for displaying the documentation for shareware programs,
            and for sending letters and other documents to PC users.

            BATCH FILE EXTENSION SOFTWARE

            There are a number of commercial, public domain, and
            shareware programs designed to enhance your use of batch
            programming.  Using these external programs, you can add
            even more power to your batch files.  You may already have
            one or more such programs in your software library.  Here's
            a brief rundown on some of the best:


            THE NORTON UTILITIES

            This powerful collection of utilities contains several
            programs design to enhance your batch operations.  If you
            have this software, try out the following programs from the
            collection:

            ASK:  This program does what DOS can't do, accepting
            keyboard input from users during the execution of a batch
            file.  Especially useful in batch file menus, like the ones
            described in the first part of this series, ASK allows you










            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 44


            to get a keystroke, then branch accordingly. This eliminates
            the need for additional batch files to call programs.

            BEEP: While you can cause your PC to beep in batch using the
            ECHO Ctrl-G command, Norton's BEEP command allows you to
            specify what kind of tone you get.  You can even create
            files to play simple tunes using this command.

            SA: Short for Screen Attributes, this program allows you to
            alter your computer's screen characteristics.  You can set
            up screen colors and other attributes by including this
            command, plus parameters in your batch files.  This one is
            especially useful for the presentation system discussed
            above.

            For more information on THE NORTON UTILITIES, contact Peter
            Norton Computing, Inc., 2210 Wilshire Blvd., #186, Santa
            Monica, CA 90403.  Phone: [phone], Ext. 40.


            EXTENDED BATCH LANGUAGE

            This is a shareware program, designed specifically to
            increase the power of your batch files.  Using it, you can
            accept user input, perform arithmetic functions, search for
            files, and control the appearance of your computer's screen,
            or use many more of the program's functions. This program is
            a complete programming language in itself.

            If you're serious about batch programming, this program is a
            must for your library.  Like all shareware, you're free to
            try it out without charge.  The author requests a
            registration fee of $49 if you continue to use the program.
            That fee brings you additional functions and a complete
            manual.

            EXTENDED BATCH LANGUAGE is available for downloading on
            GEnie and Compuserve, and can be found in the catalogs of
            most shareware distributors.  It's also available directly
            from Seaware Corp., P.O. Box 1656, Delray Beach, FL 33444,
            Phone: [phone].


            FSTSCRN2

            This public domain program performs a very useful function.
            It converts an ASCII file, no more than 24 lines long, into
            a .COM file.  By giving the name of the file as a command,
            you cause it to display on your monitor.

            What makes this program exciting is the way these converted
            ASCII screens pop onto the monitor almost instantly.  Use
            this program for menu screens, help screens, and screens
            used in the presentation system described above.









            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 45



            Rather than displaying the screen with the TYPE command,
            just give the screen's filename as a command and you have
            instant response.  FSTSCRN2 can add a professional look to
            your batch files.

            Download the program from CompuServe or GEnie.  It's also
            available on many local BBS systems.

            THEDRAW

            Designing attractive screens can be a problem.  Using a word
            processor, especially when you want to include extended
            ASCII characters for simple graphics, can be a complicated
            process.

            THEDRAW is designed to solve just that problem.  Written by
            California programmer, Ian Davis, it is a complete screen
            design utility.  Using this program, you can create complex
            and attractive screens for menus, presentations, or demos --
            and you can do it quickly.

            The program even allows you to add color changes within your
            screen and, using ANSI.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file, you can
            even create animated screens.  THEDRAW screens are displayed
            with the TYPE command.

            Available on CompuServe, GEnie, and from most shareware
            distributors, the program is shareware, with a registration
            fee of $10.  Contact the author directly at TheSoft
            Programming Services, 1929 Whitecliff Court, Walnut Creek,
            CA  94596.


            BOOTS

            This is a collection of three public domain utilities, which
            you can use in batch files to control booting your PC.
            WARMBOOT.COM simulates the <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> keystroke
            combination and causes a warm boot of your PC.

            COLDBOOT.COM, the second program, simulates a cold boot.
            Instead of hitting the reset or power switch, you can reboot
            by giving the command, COLDBOOT.

            BOOTNOT.COM prevents a user from rebooting with the
            <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> key combination.  This is very useful,
            especially if inexperienced users might destroy data on your
            PC by accident.

            The other two programs can be included in batch files
            whenever you need to reboot your system.  One possible use
            would be to remove memory-resident programs.  I use it this










            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 46


            way to remove a memory-resident program or a RAM disk which
            might interfere with another program.

            BOOTS is available on GEnie and CompuServe for downloading.


            FIXBEEP

            Most users are quickly annoyed with the monotonous beep
            produced by their computers.  If you've ever dreamed about
            replacing that beep with another sound, FIXBEEP is the
            answer.

            Written by Mike Blaszczak, FIXBEEP, allows you to change
            that sound to anything you want.  The program is shareware,
            but the registration fee is only $5.

            Use fixbeep in your batch files to change the beep tone.
            You can alter the tone to signal different operations in
            your file, signalling the user to take action.  For example,
            to change the normal beep to a short, high-pitched sound,
            include the following command in any batch file.

            FIXBEEP /F3000 /D50

            This command would produce a tone with a pitch of 3000
            hertz, lasting for half a second.

            FIXBEEP is available on The Source, CompuServe, and GEnie,
            as well as from the author.  Contact Mike "Nifty James"
            Blaszczak, 112 Verlinden Drive, Monroeville, PA  15146.


            TOGGLE

            There are many occasions when you might want to turn the
            CapsLock or NumLock function on or off from a batch file.
            The two programs in TOGGLE, CAPLOCK.COM and NUMLOCK.COM,
            allow you to do just that.

            I use NUMLOCK.COM in the batch files which call my
            spreadsheet and accounting programs.  It saves me from the
            mistakes I usually make by forgetting to press the NumLock
            key.

            TOGGLE is in the public domain, and is available for
            downloading on GEnie and Compuserve.


            E88

            If your word processor can't save files in ASCII format, or
            if you would just like to have a simple, fast text editor










            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 47


            for creating and altering batch files, E88 may be just the
            editor you need.

            It produces pure ASCII files, and has a text search
            function, along with block moves and other editing functions
            you'll find useful for batch programming.

            E88 is easy to learn, fast, and, for programming purposes,
            is often better than a full-fledged word processor.  The
            program is shareware, but the author asks only $10 as a
            registration fee.

            E88 is available for downloading from GEnie and CompuServe,
            or you can contact the author at M.R.E. Software, 150 Jones
            St., West Point, MS  39773


            SPECIAL OFFER

            As a service to the readers of this series on batch files,
            I'll be happy to send readers a disk containing all the
            public domain and shareware programs mentioned above.  To
            cover the costs of copying and mailing, send $7.50 for a
            5.25" floppy disk or $10 for a 3.5" disk to:

            George Campbell
            1472 Sixth St.
            Los Osos, CA  93402

            Be sure to mention the batch file articles, and specify your
            disk size.  All of these programs contain their own
            documentation in an ASCII file which you can copy to your
            printer.  If you use these programs regularly, please honor
            the shareware concept by sending the registration fee to the
            authors who request it.


            TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE BATCH PROGRAMMING

            1. Plan your batch files before you begin to write them.
            Make a list of the functions you want to perform, then begin
            creating the file.  Always give batch files easy-to-remember
            filenames to avoid errors.

            2. Include lines which use the ECHO command to print screen
            messages.  Users, yourself included, will benefit from
            screen messages which explain what's going on during batch
            file execution.

            3. In any batch file which uses replaceable parameters,
            include an IF line to check whether or not a parameter was
            given with the command.  If not, GOTO a subroutine which
            explains the correct syntax for the batch file.  The
            CFORMAT.BAT in this article is a good example.









            Campbell -- Batch Power          Page 48



            4. If you have a hard disk, create a directory called
            C:\BATCH, and store all your batch files in that directory.
            If you include the directory in your PATH command, you'll be
            able to access your batch files while you're in any
            directory on your hard disk.  Here's a sample PATH command:

            PATH = C:\;C:\DOS;C:\BATCH

            Thanks to reader Roger Paulson for reminding me of this
            important tip.

            5. You can give the command to execute another batch file in
            any batch file.  To return to the original batch file, just
            give its filename as the last line of your second file.  You
            can't call the current batch file, however, from within that
            file.

            6. Use the <ALT>+255 technique to create blank lines with
            the ECHO command, and to eliminate the DOS prompt with the
            PROMPT command.  This works with all versions of DOS, from
            2.0 on.  Be sure to leave a space between the command and
            the key combination, and always use the number pad to enter
            the numbers.

            Note:  You can also insert any extended ASCII character,
            such as the ASCII graphics characters, using the same
            technique.  Just substitute the correct ASCII code in place
            of the 255 code for a blank character.  You'll find a chart
            showing these codes in your DOS manual.

            7.  Don't use the DOS redirection characters (< and >) in
            ECHO, PROMPT, or PAUSE lines in your batch files.  DOS sees
            them as part of a command and will respond with the "Bad
            command or filename" error message.  Substitute brackets
            ([]) or curly brackets ({}) instead.

            8.  When testing new batch files, you'll often encounter
            error messages.  These usually mean you've misspelled a
            command or left out a space after ECHO, PROMPT, or PAUSE
            commands.  Check for these errors first.

            9.  Memory-resident programs sometimes conflict with each
            other.  If you encounter unusual problems after adding a
            memory-resident program's command to an AUTOEXEC.BAT file,
            try changing the order of the programs.  You may have to try
            several orders to make your memory-resident programs
            cooperate.

            10.  Finally, experiment with batch files.  Anytime you find
            yourself typing the same series of DOS commands, consider
            creating a batch file to automate your computing.