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1993-03-10
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PFM INFORMATION MANUAL version 3.14
Copyright Paul R. Culley 1983 to 1993
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 1
1 WHAT IS PFM? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 REQUIREMENTS FOR USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 FIRST TIME INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 UPDATE INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5 AFTER THE INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.1 Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.2 Editor name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.3 Cursor configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.4 Color choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5.5 Your commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5.6 [ESC], [Enter] begin normal operation . . . . . . . . . 8
6 OPERATION OF PFM (MAIN MENU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7 MAIN MENU SINGLE FILE COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7.1 Copy [FILES] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7.2 Copy [DIRECTORIES] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
7.3 Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7.4 Attribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7.5 More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7.6 Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7.7 Delete [FILES] (use "D" key or "Delete" key) . . . . . . 13
7.8 Delete [DIRECTORIES] (use "D" key or "Delete" key) . . . 13
7.9 cOmmand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7.10 Go or [Enter] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.11 Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.12 Rename [FILES] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.13 Rename [DIRECTORIES] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.14 Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.15 Your command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.16 siZe [DIRECTORIES] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.17 Quit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.18 Other command keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8 MAIN MENU SPECIAL KEYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
8.1 Function and cursor keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
8.2 ALT key Name search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 2
9 MULTIFILE OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
9.1 Include/Exclude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
9.1.1 Before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.1.2 After . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.1.3 Ignore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.1.4 aTtribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.1.5 Oldmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.1.6 Wildcard filename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.2 Multifile commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.1 Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.2 Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.3 Attribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.4 Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.5 cOmmand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.6 Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.7 Rename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.2.8 Your command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10 MORE MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10.1 Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10.2 Config PFM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10.3 Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10.4 Make new Directory (MKDIR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10.5 siZe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11 SORTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11.2 Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11.3 Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11.4 Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11.5 Don't sort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
12 PFM CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.1 Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.2 Editor name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.3 Cursor configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.4 Color choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.5 Your commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
12.6 [ESC], [Enter] begin normal operation . . . . . . . . . 25
13 SHOW FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1 Show file commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.1 Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.2 Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.3 Line size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.4 Quit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.5 +n lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.6 -n lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1.7 Variable lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
13.1.8 Word Wrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
13.1.9 Fixed lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
13.1.10 Showmode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
13.2 Show file special keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 3
14 YOUR COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
15 LINE EDITING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
15.1 Special line editing keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
15.2 Line editing Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
16 ERRORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
17 REVISION HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
18 IDEAS FOR FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
19 NOTICE TO USERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
20 INFORMATION ON SITE & DISTRIBUTION LICENSES . . . . . . . . . 38
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 4
1 WHAT IS PFM?
PFM is a personal file management system to help you to deal with
DOS. It is used to make common file maintenance chores easier and
faster. PFM is a "Front End" for the DOS command processor. It is a
visual directory maintenance tool with pointer and single character
menu driven interface. It is many good things which users have
requested. To find out more, read the rest of this manual, or, (If
you are like me) just start running it and see what it does.
2 REQUIREMENTS FOR USE
* MSDOS or PCDOS versions 2.0 or greater.
* IBM pc's or compatible machines.
* The IBM monochrome adapter, CGA, EGA, VGA or other color adapter
in the 80 column text mode, or an adapter that is compatible with
one of the above. (Note that PFM.COM produces flicker with the
IBM CGA adapter, Compaq and other compatible's color adapters
work properly. If you have an IBM CGA adapter use the file
IBMPFM.COM instead of PFM.COM.)
* PFM requires a minimum of a two disk system (or a system connect-
ed to a network) and is most useful with large (hard) disks.
* 128k to 640k of memory (more is better!)
3 FIRST TIME INSTALLATION
To install PFM on your disk, just copy it from the distribution
floppy to your disk. If you already have a copy of PFM that you have
been using, put the new copy somewhere else (temporarily). If (and
only if) you have an IBM color graphics adapter (CGA) then copy the
special IBM version of PFM to your disk using the standard DOS com-
mand;
EXAMPLE: copy a:ibmpfm.com c:pfm.com
Otherwise, copy the standard version of PFM to your disk using the
standard DOS command;
EXAMPLE: copy a:pfm.com c:
Then begin executing PFM as a command.
EXAMPLE: c:pfm
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 5
When PFM starts up for the first time, it will display a sign-on
message and instruct you to enter the location where PFM has been
placed. If you do not want to run PFM at this time, just hit [ESC] on
the keyboard to exit. If you do, you should enter the entire path-
name, including the drive letter, the path and the filename of PFM
itself. For example; if you placed PFM in the root directory on drive
C: your response would be;
Enter the complete new pathname of PFM: c:\pfm.com
Note that the cursor, [Ins], and [Del] keys work for changing the
response. PFM must remain in the drive where it is installed in order
for correct operation of the "Help" and "Configuration" facilities.
If you move PFM or attempt to restart it from another drive, it will
ask the installation questions again.
4 UPDATE INSTALLATION
If you already have a copy of PFM that you have been using, then
you may want to do the update installation. This allows you to keep
your old 'Y' commands and editor filename configuration information.
To install the update PFM on your disk, just copy it from the
distribution floppy to a temporary place on your disk (somewhere
different from where the old PFM resides). If (and only if) you have
an IBM color graphics adapter (CGA) then copy the special IBM version
of PFM to your disk using the standard DOS command;
EXAMPLE: (old PFM version is at C:\PFM.COM)
copy a:ibmpfm.com c:\temp\pfm.com
Otherwise, copy the standard version of PFM to your disk using the
standard DOS command;
EXAMPLE: copy a:pfm.com c:\temp
Then begin executing PFM as a command.
EXAMPLE: c:\temp\pfm
When PFM starts up for the first time, it will display a sign-on
message and instruct you to enter the location where PFM has been
placed. If you do not want to run PFM at this time, just hit [ESC] on
the keyboard to exit. If you do, you should enter the entire path-
name, including the drive letter, the path and the filename of the OLD
version of PFM. For example; if you placed the update PFM in the temp
directory on drive C: and your old version was at the root, your
response would be;
Enter the complete new pathname of PFM: c:\pfm.com
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 6
The update PFM will first examine your old PFM, pick up your config-
ured 'Y' commands and your editor pathname, configure itself with them
and then install itself at the old PFM's location. The PFM.COM file
must remain in the drive where it is installed in order for correct
operation of commands and the "Help" and "Configuration" facilities.
If you move PFM or remove it from it's installed location, then it
will be unable to restart itself after running a command. If you move
the PFM.COM file and then quit and restart it, it will ask the instal-
lation questions again.
5 AFTER THE INSTALLATION
PFM will then put up it's title message and a prompt line asking
for you to hit one of the characters [H] for help, [E] for editor
name, [C] for color, [U] for cUrsor, [Y] for Your commands, or [ESC]
to exit from this menu.
5.1 Help
If you enter "H" a help screen will appear which will remind you
how to answer the other questions and configuration information. (To
exit HELP, hit the [F10], [Enter], or [ESC] keys).
5.2 Editor name
If you enter "E", PFM asks the name of the text editor that you
generally use.
The requirements for the editor are that it be started as a
".COM" or ".EXE" file, it must accept the file to be edited as a
command line input, and it must be able to locate it's own overlays
and help files (if any) when they are not on the current disk or in
the current directory. The DOS editor EDLIN.COM can be used but there
are many better ones available (such as PMATE, Microsoft WORD, or
WordPerfect).
Enter the name and location of your editor as the example shows.
Remember to type the entire pathname including drive.
Example: Editor pathname: C:\DOS\EDLIN.COM
This entry specifies the editor used by PFM when you want to edit a
file.
5.3 Cursor configuration
If you enter a "U" for cursor, then PFM asks is whether you want
to keep the original cursor provided by DOS when you return to DOS
later on. Since I happen to like a large blinking cursor (the better
to find it on the screen) PFM will make the cursor that way unless you
specifically answer "Y" to this question.
Example: Keep original cursor? (Y/N): N
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 7
5.4 Color choice
If you enter a "C" for color choice, then PFM will put up several
lines of text in the current color scheme. You are then asked if you
like the scheme. If you do, answer "Y" to the question. PFM then
uses the scheme from then on until you change it with another configu-
ration. If you don't like the colors, answer "N". There are several
choices of color schemes available, if you don't like any of them,
pick the one you hate the least and write me a letter describing what
you would like. If you send lots of money and I am in a good mood,
maybe I'll add your scheme to an upcoming version of PFM.
5.5 Your commands
The remaining configuration item is "Y" for Your commands. This
refers to the setup of your own special commands. This is described
in detail in a later section (YOUR COMMANDS). If you decide to try it
now, then you can get out by just hitting the "ESC" key.
Example: ESC or Your command Char? [ESC]
5.6 [ESC], [Enter] begin normal operation
If all of the other configuration items are to your liking, then
hit [ESC] or [Enter] from the menu line. PFM then asks is if the
above configuration answers are correct. The answers to all these
questions and other settings will be saved with PFM if you answer "Y".
If you don't answer "Y", then the answers will only last until you
quit. (You can come back and change your mind later before you quit).
PFM will now begin normal operation by displaying the sign-on adver-
tisement. Hit [F10], [Enter], or [ESC] to begin operation and PFM
will display the main directory and menu screen.
6 OPERATION OF PFM (MAIN MENU)
After PFM is installed, it can be restarted by typing "PFM" on
the DOS command line. Note that if you start PFM with a drive/path on
the command line that PFM will begin by displaying the indicated path.
If you want a small reminder about some system function or perhaps a
personalization for your computer listed on the main screen of PFM,
then start PFM with the text of your reminder following a "/".
Example: PFM c:\dos
Example: PFM /Goodstuff Inc.
The main menu displayed by PFM consists of several sections.
The main section of the screen in the middle to the left is a
listing of the directory at the current drive/path. This listing
contains the file names, sizes of the files, date and time of last
write, and the attributes of the files. This listing is sorted in
some order (the initial order is alphabetic with extensions given
priority over names). You can move the cursor to point to any entry
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 8
on this screen with the cursor keys. If you get too close to the
beginning or the end, the display will scroll to show you more files
in the directory (as long as there are some more).
On the top line of the screen is a list of commands which are
available at the moment. These commands are activated by hitting the
highlighted letter from each command (usually the first letter) on the
keyboard. If that command works in the current situation, then it
will do it's thing. If not, or if the command key is not legal, and
the key you hit is not one of your personal commands, then nothing
will happen, good or bad (No, bells, buzzes or error messages here!).
Many of the commands act on the file that the cursor is next to
(pointing to) allowing you to do these commands on these files with
only a few keystrokes.
On the second line of the screen is the pathname of the current
drive and directory.
On the last line of the screen is a set of commands which are
activated by hitting the function keys (more on this later).
On the right side of the screen is some other miscellaneous
information about the directory and disk drive and the date and time.
7 MAIN MENU SINGLE FILE COMMANDS
Following are the commands which are activated from the main
menu. In general they will involve the file name that the cursor is
pointing to when the command is hit. At this point I should note that
if you start something that you do not want to finish, just hit the
[ESC] key. This will get you back to the main menu.
Many of the commands require some kind of typed in response. To
make this easier, PFM supplies an initial input or saves your last
input to the response to save typing. To edit these responses see the
section on LINE EDITING.
7.1 Copy [FILES]
Copy the pointed file to somewhere. If the cursor is pointing to
a file, the following applies. PFM will prompt you for a "destina-
tion". This prompt may be answered with a complete pathname (drive,
path, file, ext) or just some of these. If an element is missing, then
PFM will assume the current pathname component for the missing ele-
ment. You can also use wildcards ("?" or "*") as DOS does in the file
or extension portion of the pathname. PFM behaves much like DOS in
all these examples. Other keys available are [F1] (name; same as "*"
at beginning of filename), [F2] (name.ext; same as "*.*"), [F3]
(current directory), [F4] (current drive), [F5] (swap drive), and [F7]
(extension; same as "*" after the "."). The PFM [F5] key allows you
to use the full pathname of the most recently referred to "SWAP"
directory (see [F7] key). This option is used by hitting the [F5] key
in place of a drive and path. PFM will then automatically replace the
funny character (up/down arrow) with the drive and pathname of the
swap directory.
If the destination of the copy is an explicit directory (the
destination string ends in "\") then the file will be placed there if
the directory exists. If the destination is not explicit, then PFM
checks to see if it is a directory. If it is, the file is copied with
the same name as the source to the destination directory. If the
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 9
destination is not a directory, the file will be copied to the desti-
nation with a new file name (the last part of the destination).
In the following examples we will copy the file "test.123" from
the current drive/directory "c:\exam\" to several different places;
a: (to a:\xxx\test.123 if last dir accessed on a: was
"xxx")
a:\ (to a:\test.123)
\ouch (to c:\ouch if c: does not contain a dir called
ouch)
\ouch (to c:\ouch\test.123 if c: does contain a dir
called ouch)
\ouch\ (to c:\ouch\test.123)
a:\*. (to a:\test)
a:\*.xyz (to a:\test.xyz)
a:\* (to a:\test.123)
?z*.?4? (to c:\exam\tzst.143)
*.* (to itself {an error})
[F1] (to c:\exam\test.)
a:[F2] (to a:\xxx\test.123 if last dir accessed on a: was
"xxx")
a:[F3] (to a:\exam\test.123 if directory "exam" exists on
drive a:)
[F4]\ (to c:\test.123)
[F5] (to a:\test.123 if the last accessed swap directo-
ry was a:\)
[F7] (to c:\exam\123.)
When the destination has been fully specified, a return will cause the
file to be copied. The destination file name will be displayed on the
second line of the screen and a "C" will appear where the cursor was
in the main part of the screen. If an error occurs it will be dis-
played at the top of the screen. Note: Since copying a file to itself
would erase most of the file, PFM considers this an error and does
it's best to prevent this occurrence. PFM saves the last several copy
destinations for you. To use them, hit the up-arrow and/or down-arrow
keys to find the one you want.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 10
7.2 Copy [DIRECTORIES]
Copy the pointed directory to somewhere. If the cursor is
pointing to a Directory when you hit "C" for copy, then the following
applies. PFM will prompt you for a "destination". This prompt may be
answered with a complete directory pathname (drive and path) or just
the drive or path. If an element is missing, then PFM will assume the
current pathname component for the missing element.
The entire directory will be copied from the current location to
the destination. If there are files, they will be copied. If there
are subdirectories, then they and all of their files will be copied.
Copying the special directory "." results in copying all of the files
at the current directory level as well as any subdirectories. This is
especially useful for the root directory of a drive. PFM tries to
prevent you from copying into a subdirectory of the current directory
(this would result in what is called infinite recursion or more likely
a "disk full" error as the same files were copied deeper and deeper
into the subdirectory tree).
If the destination of the copy is an explicit directory (the
destination string ends in "\") then the copied directory will be
placed there if the destination directory exists. If the destination
is not explicit, then PFM checks to see if it is a directory. If it
is, the source directory is copied with it's original name to the
destination directory. If the destination is not a directory, the
source directory will be copied to the destination with a new name
(the last part of the destination).
PFM's directory copy behaves much like the DOS XCOPY command.
Some special keys available are [F1] (dir name), [F2] (name.ext), [F3]
(current directory), [F4] (current drive), [F5] (swap drive), and [F7]
(extension). The PFM [F5] key allows you to use the full pathname of
the most recently referred to "SWAP" directory (see main menu [F7]
key). This option is used by hitting the [F5] key in place of a drive
and path. PFM will then automatically replace the funny character
(up/down arrow) with the drive and pathname of the swap directory. In
the following examples we will copy the directory "test.123" from the
current drive/directory "c:\exam\" to several different places;
a: (to a:\xxx\test.123 if last dir accessed on a: was
"xxx")
a:\ (to a:\test.123)
\ouch (to c:\ouch if c: does not contain a dir called
ouch)
\ouch (to c:\ouch\test.123 if c: does contain a dir
called ouch)
\ouch\ (to c:\ouch\test.123)
[F1] (to c:\exam\test.)
a:[F2] (to a:\xxx\test.123 if last dir accessed on a: was
"xxx")
a:[F3] (to a:\exam\test.123 if directory "exam" exists on
drive a:)
[F4]\ (to c:\test.123)
[F5] (to a:\test.123 if the last accessed swap directo-
ry was a:\)
[F7] (to c:\exam\123.)
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 11
When the destination has been fully specified, a return will cause the
directory to be copied. The destination directory and file name will
be displayed on the second line of the screen and a "C" will appear
where the cursor was in the main part of the screen. If an error
occurs it will be displayed at the top of the screen. PFM saves the
last several copy destinations for you. To use them, hit the up-arrow
and/or down-arrow keys to find the one you want.
Note: DOS and PFM only allow a directory tree to go to a
certain depth, the depth that can be displayed in 63 charac-
ters. In addition PFM limits the number of directories in a
tree to 12 deep. Attempts to create (via directory copy)
trees deeper than this will result in PFM producing an error
[8] "Insufficient memory". The tree will be copied up to
the point of failure.
For example; if the directory "c:\wxyz" contains the subdirectories
"abcdef\ghijkl\mnopqr\stuvwx\yzabcd\efghij"
so that the total path of the last subdirectory was
"c:\wxyz\abcdef\ghijkl\mnopqr\stuvwx\yzabcd\efghij"
for a total depth of 7 directories and 49 characters, then copying
"c:\wxyz" to the directory "d:\123456\789012\345678" will result in
problems because the total depth of the combined result would be 70
characters long. The 15 level depth could only occur if the average
directory name at each level was 3 characters or less.
7.3 Edit
Edit the pointed file with your editor. PFM starts up your
editor on this file name. When you are done editing quit the edit and
PFM will restart right where it left off (Neat Huh?) Note that Write-
protected or Hidden/System files may not be editable by your editor.
7.4 Attribute
Change the file attributes of the file. The attributes of a file
are displayed in the main part of the screen as follows: "B" not
backed up, "D" directory, "W" write protected, "S" system type, "H"
hidden. The Backup, Write protect, Hidden and System attributes may
be changed. PFM prompts you with a line as follows:
B= W= H= S=
To add an attribute, change the "=" to a "+". To remove an attribute
change the "=" to a "-", or use the "=" to leave it as it is.
7.5 More
Allows operations not related to the displayed directory. Use to
config PFM, edit a new file, make a new directory, or show a pathname.
See the MORE MENU section for details.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 12
7.6 Time
Change the file's date and time. The date and time of a file are
displayed in the main part of the screen. PFM prompts you with a line
as follows:
Date/Time: 07-30-90, 12:00:00
You cannot change the date or time of a write protected file. If a
file is write protected (a "W" in the attributes column) then an error
will occur. In this case use the Attribute command to first un-
protect the file.
7.7 Delete [FILES] (use "D" key or "Delete" key)
Delete a pointed file. You must answer the "Are you sure"
prompt with a "Y" to actually delete the file. If a file is write
protected (a "W" in the attributes column) then an error will occur.
In this case use the Attribute command to first un-protect the file.
7.8 Delete [DIRECTORIES] (use "D" key or "Delete" key)
Delete a pointed directory. You must answer the "Are you sure"
prompt with a "Y" to actually delete the directory. If the directory
contains files, an additional question is asked "Totally erase a Non-
empty directory [Affirmative/Negative]?" You must respond with an "A"
if you really want to delete it. If the directory contains any
subdirectories, they will also be deleted. Deleting the special
directory "." results in deleting all of the files at the current
directory level as well as any subdirectories. Deleting the special
directory ".." does nothing (for protection against unwanted deletes).
Warning: Deleting the "." directory in the root of a drive
(i.e. C:\) will remove ALL of the files on the drive. It is
not possible to recover from this operation (Short of time
consuming and careful use of a program like Norton Utili-
ties). Even with such utility, it may not be possible!
Note: even if files in the directory or subdirectory are
WRITE-PROTECTED, they will still be DELETED!
Note: DOS and PFM only allow a directory tree to go to a
certain depth, the depth that can be displayed in 63 charac-
ters. In addition PFM limits the number of directories in a
tree to 12 deep. Attempts to delete (via directory delete)
trees deeper than this will result in PFM producing an error
[8] "Insufficient memory". The files in the tree will be
deleted up to the point of failure, continuing to delete the
unfinished directories past this point will eventually allow
a complete delete.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 13
7.9 cOmmand
Allows the execution of DOS commands. PFM prompts for the text
of the DOS command. A blank entry will activate DOS until the DOS
"EXIT" command is entered so that you can temporarily use DOS as you
used to. If you try to run a "TSR" (Terminate and Stay Resident)
program from PFM, then PFM will have to remove it before continuing.
It will give you the following message before removing the command
however;
"* Error 24: TSR in memory, Hit the 'ESC' key to have PFM remove it *"
After hitting the ESC key PFM returns to normal operation.
When entering the command string, you can specify portions of the
current (pointed to) pathname by entering on of the keys [F1] to [F4].
Use the [F1] key for the first part of a filename, and the [F2] key
for the entire file name and the [F7] key for the extension. If you
want to include the current path or drive in the command string, use
the [F3] and/or [F4] keys. The [F5] key is used to refer to the
"SWAP" directory path (the last directory you looked at with the [F7]
key). If you do not want to see a "Hit any key to continue" message
after the command, use the [F6] key.
When you do this, strange characters will be entered on the
command line which will later be replaced by their corresponding
pathname parts. When you complete the command, PFM will execute it
just as DOS would. When the command is finished running, a message
"Hit any key to continue" will appear. When you strike a key, the
system will return to PFM. In the following examples the current
drive/directory is "c:\exam", the file name is "test.asm", and the
swap directory is "a:\xxx\";
type [F4][F3][F2]
results in "type C:\EXAM\TEST.ASM"
[F1]
results in executing the command "TEST"
xtalk
results in executing the command "xtalk"
masm [F1],[F1],[F1];
results in "masm TEST,TEST,TEST;"
comp [F5][F2] [F2]
results in "comp A:\XXX\TEST.ASM TEST.ASM"
The command line also has the ability to remember the last several
commands that you have used. To look at and use them, use the cursor
down arrow and/or up arrow to find the one you want.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 14
7.10 Go or [Enter]
Allows the execution of DOS commands. PFM uses the name portion
of the pointed file as the command. If you try to run a "TSR" (Termi-
nate and Stay Resident) program from PFM, then PFM will have to remove
it before continuing. It will give you the following message before
removing the command however;
"* Error 24: TSR in memory, Hit the 'ESC' key to have PFM remove it *"
After hitting the ESC key PFM returns to normal operation.
7.11 Print
Print the pointed file on system printer. The "lines per page"
prompt allows you to specify a page length for files which do not have
form feeds imbedded. If your file is already paged, specify "0". If
the file has some form feeds, then setting the lines per page will
insure that no page is longer than the specified amount. If you want
more than one copy of the item being printed, set the number of copies
parameter to the appropriate number. If you want a left margin added
to the printout, enter the size you want in response to the "Left
Margin size:" question. PFM will show a "PRINTING" status in the
upper left corner of the screen until printing is complete unless you
hit another key on the keyboard. If you do, printing halts and you
are given a chance to abort or continue the printout. (Hitting the
space key is the best way to stop printing a file). PFM expands TAB
characters to every eighth column, recognizes Carriage return (CR),
Line Feed (LF), and Form Feed (FF) characters. All other characters
are sent to the printer unchanged. Note that PFM PRINT command should
not be used to print files containing graphics or formatting commands
from more sophisticated programs (Word processors, Spreadsheets,
Windows etc.) these should only be sent to the printer directly by the
package or via the DOS "copy /b file lpt1" type of command.
7.12 Rename [FILES]
Change the name of the file or move file to a different directory
on the same drive. The pathname and filename syntax is the same as
that for the copy command.
If the destination of the rename is an explicit directory (the
destination string ends in "\") then the source file will be moved
there if the destination directory exists. If the destination is not
explicit, then PFM checks to see if it is a directory. If it is, the
source file is moved with it's original name to the destination
directory. If the destination is not a directory, the source file
will be moved to the destination with a new name (the last part of the
destination).
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 15
7.13 Rename [DIRECTORIES]
Change the name of the directory or move it to a different
directory on the same drive. The pathname and filename syntax is the
same as that for the copy command.
Renaming a directory to "." has no effect. Renaming a directory
to ".." moves it one level closer to the root directory. Trying to
rename "." or ".." has no effect.
Attempting to rename (move) a directory from one drive to another
is illegal; you can only rename on the same drive. If you want to do
this, use the Copy command followed by the Delete command on the
source. (Please be sure that everything worked before doing your
delete!).
If the destination of the copy is an explicit directory (the
destination string ends in "\") then the source directory will be
moved there if the destination directory exists. If the destination
is not explicit, then PFM checks to see if it is a directory. If it
is, the source directory is moved with it's original name to the
destination directory. If the destination is not a directory, the
source directory will be moved to the destination with a new name (the
last part of the destination).
Note: DOS and PFM only allow a directory tree to go to a
certain depth, the depth that can be displayed in 63 charac-
ters. In addition PFM limits the number of directories in a
tree to 12 deep. Attempts to rename trees deeper than this
will result in PFM producing an error [8] "Insufficient
memory". The files in the tree will be renamed up to the
point of failure, continuing to rename the unfinished direc-
tories past this point will eventually allow a complete
rename.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 16
7.14 Show
Displays the contents of the current file or directory on the
screen. If you are showing a directory, then you are also changing to
that directory as the current directory. See the section on SHOW for
more details on showing a file.
7.15 Your command
Like "O" command above, except uses your pre-configured commands.
See the More Config command section for details on how to configure
your own commands.
7.16 siZe [DIRECTORIES]
This command calculates the size of a directory and all of it's
subdirectories. The size is rounded to the allocated unit size of the
disk, a strict addition of file sizes, would in general result in a
smaller number.
7.17 Quit
Exit PFM and return to DOS. You will be prompted with "Are you
Sure".
7.18 Other command keys
PFM allows you to define other unused standard keys and most of
the control (CTRL) keys as user definable commands. These keys are
defined from the "More Config Your command" menu with the other user
commands. When one of these keys is depressed, it will immediately
activate the associated command just as though you had pressed the 'Y'
command first. For example, if the Your command list had 'W' defined
as "WORD" (starting your word processor), then you could start the
word processor either by pressing 'Y' and 'W', or you could start it
by pressing 'W' alone. This works with the unused alphabetic charac-
ters, numbers, punctuation marks, and control characters (except for
CTRL B, J, M). See the More Config command section for details on how
to configure your own commands.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 17
8 MAIN MENU SPECIAL KEYS
8.1 Function and cursor keys
F1 - down. This key moves the cursor (pointer) downward through the
directory listing by 20 lines.
F2 - up. This key moves the cursor (pointer) upward through the
directory listing by 20 lines.
F3 - down. This key moves the pointer downward through the directory
listing by 10 lines.
F4 - up. This key moves the pointer upward through the directory
listing by 10 lines.
F5 - reread dir. This key causes the current directory to be reread
to update the screen. This is done automatically after each PFM
command unless files are marked (see MULTIFILE operations). This
can be used when a disk has been changed or you are finished with
any marks on the screen. If files are marked, you will be
prompted "Are You Sure".
F6 - sort. This key allows you to re-sort the directory listing. See
the section on SORTING for more details.
F7 - swap display. PFM has the ability to keep all the information
about the directory that you are currently viewing (the primary
display) while showing an entirely different drive or directory
(the secondary display). I call the process of saving the
current display and switching to the new "swapping displays".
When you hit [F7] the first time, PFM prompts you for a new
drive/path to display. When this is done, the third line of the
screen changes to reverse video to indicate that you are using
the secondary display. You can do anything while the secondary
display is shown that you can do normally. To return to the
primary display, hit [F7] again. When switching back, the origi-
nal contents are displayed unchanged. The last several directo-
ries that you referred to can be accessed by the cursor up and
down arrows.
F8 - in/exclude. This key toggles the include flag on an individual
file. See the MULTIFILE section for more information.
F9 - backup directory tree. This shows the "parent" directory of the
current directory (the one closer to the "root"). If you at the
"root" (x:\), this just rereads the current directory.
F10 - multi. This key is used to switch between single-file and
multi-file mode. See the MULTIFILE section for more information.
ESC - Escape from the current operation or backup the directory tree
if the menu is displayed.
Home - The Home key goes to the beginning of the directory listing.
End - The End key moves the pointer to the end of the directory
listing.
Up arrow - Use the cursor up arrow key to move the pointer up by one
line.
Down arrow - Use the cursor down arrow key to move the pointer down by
one line.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 18
Right arrow - Use the cursor right arrow key to Show a file or direc-
tory.
Left arrow - Use the cursor left arrow key to back up the directory
tree (towards the root [c:\]).
Pg Up - This key moves the cursor (pointer) upward through the direc-
tory listing by 20 lines.
Pg Dn - This key moves the cursor (pointer) downward through the
directory listing by 20 lines.
Tab - Use the Tab key to Show a file and continue a search that was
previously tried on another file (see Showfile F6, F7 keys).
8.2 ALT key Name search
PFM allows you to search for a file or directory name within the
currently displayed directory. This is done by pressing the ALT key
and simultaneously pressing the first few letters of the name you are
looking for. The first time this is done, PFM re-sorts the directory
according to the filename order. If there is a match, the search name
is put in the header bar to allow you to add additional characters to
search for. If there is no match, then PFM will move the cursor to a
point alphabetically after the search name and will return the header
bar to it's normal appearance. Note that if there are both subdirec-
tories and files within the directory, then the search will find the
first match after the current cursor location.
9 MULTIFILE OPERATIONS
PFM has the ability to do operations on more than one file at one
time. This I call "multifile" operation. Multifile operation is
useful for many operations. An example of this would be to copy a
group of files to another place. In DOS, you would use the DOS "copy"
command once with a wildcard filename or several times with different
file names. If the files you want to copy are not easily related by a
wildcard, then typing the individual names soon gets tiresome.
In PFM, to copy these files, you can simply mark the files you
want in one of several ways and then switch to multifile mode and hit
"C" for the copy command.
One way of marking files is with the [F8] key. You just move the
cursor (pointer) to the file you want and hit [F8]. This will put an
asterisk "*" next to the file. If the file is already marked, then
[F8] will remove the mark. This can be used if you have only a few
files or they are very different in name.
9.1 Include/Exclude
Another way to mark files is with the "Include command". This
command marks groups of files according your specification. There is
a corresponding command to un-mark files called the "eXclude command".
The excluding of files is especially useful if you want to copy
everything except ".BAK" files, for example. When you hit "I" or "X"
for the include or exclude commands you will be prompted for your
choice of the method to mark (un-mark) the files.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 19
Following is a list of the choices to be had with the include or
exclude commands;
9.1.1 Before
This choice allows you to select files before a specified
date/time. If you select this choice, you will be prompted for the
date and time. After entering the time, you will be prompted for a
wildcard ("?" or "*") filename to match against (see below).
9.1.2 After
This choice allows you to select files after a specified
date/time in the same manner as "Before".
9.1.3 Ignore
This choice allows you to select files regardless of the
date/time or attribute. You will be prompted for a wildcard ("?" or
"*") filename to match against (see below).
9.1.4 aTtribute
This choice allows you to select files depending on attributes.
You will be prompted with:
B= W= H= S=
A "=" indicates that the particular attribute does not matter.
A "+" requires that a file have an attribute to be selected.
A "-" requires that a file NOT have an attribute to be selected.
After entering the attribute selection, you will be prompted for a
wildcard ("?" or "*") filename to match against (see below).
9.1.5 Oldmarks
This choice re-selects any files which were selected before the
last multifile operation. (The files marked with a ".") Use this to
do multifile operations on a group of files more than once. For
example if you want to copy a group of files to another place and then
delete them from the original place, use "I", "O" for include oldmarks
to remark the files for the delete operation.
9.1.6 Wildcard filename
When you are prompted for the wildcard filename, you should
follow the standard MSDOS wildcard name conventions. If you want all
files with the previously specified attribute, for example, use "*.*"
for the wildcard. PFM saves the last several wildcard filenames that
you have used. To reuse them, hit the up or down arrow keys to find
the one you want, and hit return.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 20
9.2 Multifile commands
The following commands operate on files which have been marked
with the "include" flag (an "*" in the 1st column next to the file
entry). All of the files are done in the same operation. If you wish
to abort the operation, hit any key on the keyboard.
9.2.1 Copy
Copy a group of marked files to a new destination. The destina-
tion filename MUST be an incompletely specified or wildcard type name
for reasonable operation. If not, then you would end up copying
several files to the same place, writing over each other.
9.2.2 Delete
Delete a group of marked files. You must answer "Y" to the "Are
You Sure" prompt.
9.2.3 Attribute
Change the file attributes of the marked files. The Backup,
Write-protect, Hidden and System attributes may be changed. To add an
attribute, use a "+", to remove an attribute use "-", use an "=" to
leave it alone.
9.2.4 Time
Change the file's date and time. The date and time of a file are
displayed in the main part of the screen. PFM prompts you with a line
as follows:
Date/Time: 07-30-90, 12:00:00
You cannot change the date or time of a write protected file. If a
file is write protected (a "W" in the attributes column) then an error
will occur. In this case use the Attribute command to first un-
protect the file.
9.2.5 cOmmand
Allows execution of DOS commands on the marked files. Use the
F1 and F2 keys to indicate insertion of the filename into your com-
mand. Do not change the current directory or default disk within your
command without restoring it or PFM will get very confused.
9.2.6 Print
Print the marked files. The "lines per page" prompt allows you
to specify a page size for files which do not have form feeds imbed-
ded. If your file is already paged, specify "0".
9.2.7 Rename
Change the name on the marked files to that specified. The new
filename MUST be a wildcard type name or a new directory on the same
disk.
9.2.8 Your command
Like "cOmmand" above, except uses your pre-configured commands.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 21
10 MORE MENU
These commands are accessed by hitting "M" on the main menu.
They are generally not related to the directory being shown.
10.1 Show
This command allows selection of a new directory path and/or
drive to display. You will be prompted for the new path which does
not require a trailing "\". The last several directories that you
have used are available with the cursor up and down keys.
10.2 Config PFM
This command allows you to setup PFM with your own system config-
uration. The editor PFM uses can be changed and you can also config-
ure some of your own commands through here. See the section on YOUR
COMMANDS for more information on their configuration. PFM also saves
many of the "text" entries which you type while using PFM (such as old
commands, copy destinations, show file search strings, etc.) You may
want to check and clean up some of these before answering 'Y' to the
"OK" question at the end of the config process. The final configura-
tion is saved on disk (in the PFM.COM file itself) only when you
answer 'Y' to the "OK" question.
10.3 Edit
This command allows you to edit a file that you specify. Enter
the file name in response to the `Pathname:' prompt. This is useful
for creating new text files with your editor. If you specify a file
on another drive or path, PFM changes to that directory before start-
ing the editor. This means the editor does not require an understand-
ing of pathnames.
10.4 Make new Directory (MKDIR)
This command allows the creation of a new subdirectory. The
path should not be terminated by a "\". The new directory will be
displayed.
Note: DOS and PFM only allow a directory tree to go to a
certain depth, the depth that can be displayed in 63 charac-
ters. In addition PFM limits the number of directories in a
tree to 12 deep. Attempts to create (via MKDIR) trees
deeper than this may result in PFM producing an error [8]
"Insufficent memory".
10.5 siZe
This command calculates the size of all directories and all of
their subdirectories starting from the current level. The size is
rounded to the allocated unit size of the disk, a strict addition of
file sizes, would in general result in a smaller number.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 22
11 SORTING
The sort command [F6] is used to sort the directory listing in
some useful order. Unless the directory is left unsorted, any subdi-
rectories present in a directory are placed at the top of the display
and any files that are marked to be included in a multi-file operation
are placed next. Beyond that, the following orders are provided:
11.1 Name
The directory listing is sorted in alpha-numeric order with the
filename given first priority. That is, all files with the same first
name will be together.
11.2 Extension
The directory list is sorted in alpha-numeric order with the file
extension given first priority. That is, all of the files with the
same extension will be together.
11.3 Size
The directory list is sorted in reverse order of file size. The
largest files will appear closest to the top of the listing.
11.4 Time
The directory list is sorted in reverse order of the file date
and time. The newest files will appear closest to the top of the
listing. Files with the same time will appear in alpha-numeric order
with the filename given first priority.
11.5 Don't sort
Files are left in their unsorted order (the order that they are
on the disk.) Since PFM default is to sort files, you must use [F5]
to reread the directory in order to see the files in the original
order after you first select this sort method.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 23
12 PFM CONFIGURATION
To change some of the configurable items for PFM, use the "More
Config" ("MC" characters) from the main PFM screen. PFM will then put
up it's title message and a prompt line asking for you to hit one of
the characters [H] for help, [E] for editor name, [C] for color, [U]
for cUrsor, [Y] for Your commands, or [ESC] to exit from this menu.
12.1 Help
If you enter "H" a help screen will appear which will remind you
how to answer the other questions and configuration information. (To
exit HELP, hit the [F10], [Enter], or [ESC] keys).
12.2 Editor name
If you enter "E", PFM asks the name of the text editor that you
generally use.
The requirements for the editor are that it be started as a
".COM" or ".EXE" file, it must accept the file to be edited as a
command line input, and it must be able to locate it's own overlays
and help files (if any) when they are not on the current disk or in
the current directory. The DOS editor EDLIN.COM can be used but there
are many better ones available (such as PMATE, Microsoft WORD, or
WordPerfect).
Enter the name and location of your editor as the example shows.
Remember to type the entire pathname including drive.
Example: Editor pathname: C:\DOS\EDLIN.COM
This entry specifies the editor used by PFM when you want to edit a
file.
12.3 Cursor configuration
If you enter a "U" for cursor, then PFM asks is whether you want
to keep the original cursor provided by DOS when you return to DOS
later on. Since I happen to like a large blinking cursor (the better
to find it on the screen) PFM will make the cursor that way unless you
specifically answer "Y" to this question.
Example: Keep original cursor? (Y/N): N
12.4 Color choice
If you enter a "C" for color choice, then PFM will put up several
lines of text in the current color scheme. You are then asked if you
like the scheme. If you do, answer "Y" to the question. PFM then
uses the scheme from then on until you change it with another configu-
ration. If you don't like the colors, answer "N". There are several
choices of color schemes available, if you don't like any of them,
pick the one you hate the least and write me a letter describing what
you would like. If you send lots of money and I am in a good mood,
maybe I'll add your scheme to an upcoming version of PFM.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 24
12.5 Your commands
The remaining configuration item is "Y" for Your commands. This
refers to the setup of your own special commands. This is described
in detail in a later section (YOUR COMMANDS). If you decide to try it
now, then you can get out by just hitting the "ESC" key.
Example: ESC or Your command Char? [ESC]
12.6 [ESC], [Enter] begin normal operation
If all of the other configuration items are to your liking, then
hit [ESC] or [Enter] from the menu line. PFM then asks is if the
above configuration answers are correct. The answers to all these
questions and other settings will be saved with PFM if you answer "Y".
If you don't answer "Y", then the answers will only last until you
quit. (You can come back and change your mind later before you quit).
PFM will begin normal operation by displaying the sign-on advertise-
ment. Hit [F10], [Enter], or [ESC] to begin operation and PFM will
display the main directory and menu screen.
Note: PFM saves several items other than those listed above
when it is configured. These include the cOmmand line
stack; the Copy and Rename stack; the More Show directory
and [F7] Swap directory stack; the show file Show mode, Line
size, [F6] search stack, and + or - line count; the Print
options; Include or eXclude options and filename stack; most
recently used Attribute input, and Time/date input. When
you configure PFM, you might make sure that these are set to
desirable settings because each time you restart PFM it will
come up with the same settings. If you have been working
with PFM for a while and many of these settings have been
changed, it might be easier to quit and restart PFM before
doing the configure than to reset them.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 25
13 SHOW FILE
The show file portion of PFM is one of it's best features (I
think) in that you can show most any file, regardless of content.
Many files, particularly binary or executable ones, will appear as so
much garbage with this utility, but even then, you can still see some
interesting things. Note: This version of PFM has some new limits on
the size of the files that can be shown. This is due to changes made
to allow for word wrap. The main limit is in the number of lines that
can be viewed - the size of memory available to PFM minus about 80000.
(Your line count may vary!) In the various modes this corresponds to
different file sizes.
13.1 Show file commands
Following are a list of the commands available from the Show file
menu;
13.1.1 Top
This command shows the file starting at the beginning.
13.1.2 Bottom
This command shows the end of the file.
13.1.3 Line size
This command tells PFM how many characters per line you like for
the Fixed and Wrap modes. Values less than 80 leave some space on the
edge of the screen, values greater than 80 require the use of the left
and right arrow keys to see the entire length of the lines. The
default line size is 80 when PFM is shipped, but this may be changed
and the change saved by doing a Config PFM after the change. The
maximum line size is 254.
13.1.4 Quit
This command ends Show File and returns to the PFM main menu.
13.1.5 +n lines
This command allows you to move forward through the file by the
number of lines that you specify. Simply press the + key and enter
the number that you want followed by a return.
13.1.6 -n lines
This command allows you to move backward through the file by the
number of lines that you specify. Simply press the - key and enter
the number that you want followed by a return.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 26
13.1.7 Variable lines
This command displays the file in text mode, that is, CR, LF, and
TAB are interpreted in the usual manner. If you select this mode, PFM
will show all subsequent files in this mode until another mode is
selected. Variable lines is the default mode. The maximum length of
any line is 254 characters. If any line is longer it wraps to the
next line. If some of those characters are Tabs, then the line may be
longer than 254 on the display. (In earlier versions of PFM, the line
length was not limited or limited to 2048 characters).
13.1.8 Word Wrap
This command displays the file in text mode, that is, CR, LF, and
TAB are interpreted in the usual manner. However, if the line being
displayed is longer than "Line size", the last word or words are
wrapped to the next line. If there are no convenient breaks for the
word wrap in the last 1/4 of the line, then the line is just cut at
the end and wrapped to the next line. If you select this mode, PFM
will show all subsequent files in this mode until another mode is
selected. If you want to wrap at other than the default 80 charac-
ters, change the Line size.
13.1.9 Fixed lines
This command displays the file "Line size" chars per line ignor-
ing the meaning of the characters. Use this mode to display binary
data files or files without any carriage returns. If you select this
mode, PFM will show all subsequent files in this mode until another
mode is selected. This may be particularly useful for showing some
database files with fixed record length.
13.1.10 Showmode
This command allows you to change the way files are displayed.
Once you select a mode, PFM will show all subsequent files in the
mode. The available modes are:
* 7 bit ASCII codes. This is the default mode.
* 8 bit IBM-PC codes.
* 7 bit ASCII with highlight on eighth bit set and tab and space
filling. Carriage Returns and Line feeds and Nulls are displayed
so that they can be easily distinguished in the text modes; in
the Fixed and heX modes, only Nulls are special.
13.2 Show file special keys
ESC - This command ends Show File and returns to the PFM main menu.
Home - This command shows the file starting at the beginning.
End - This command shows the end of the file.
Down arrow - Moves the cursor down one line.
Up arrow - Moves the cursor up one line.
Right arrow - Move the screen window sideways to the right by eight
columns to see long lines.
Left arrow - Move the screen window sideways to the left by 8 columns.
Pg Dn - Move the pointer forward through the file by 20 lines.
Pg Up - Move the pointer backward through the file by 20 lines.
F1 - Move the pointer forward through the file by 20 lines.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 27
F2 - Move the pointer backward through the file by 20 lines.
F3 - Move the screen window sideways to the left by 8 columns.
F4 - Move the screen window sideways to the right by eight columns to
see long lines.
F5 - Move the screen window sideways all the way to the left.
'/' -
F6 - Search for a string in the file. You will be prompted for the
search string. The cursor will stop on the line containing the
beginning of the string or the end of the file if not found.
In Fixed or heX modes, matching is exact. You must enter
your search string with the correct case and any other characters
exactly as in the file. The search string can include all
characters from 0 to 255 decimal or 0 to FF hex.
In Variable or Wrapped modes, matching is case insensitive,
the high bit of all characters is ignored, and a single space
matches one or more tabs, spaces, or other control characters.
Do not enter control characters, or those with the high bit set,
or more than one sequential space in your search string. This
would prevent PFM from finding anything.
If you want to enter special characters in hex, hit F1 while
editing the search string and enter the numbers that correspond
to the characters to be searched. Separate additional hex inputs
by a single space. To return to ASCII entry, enter F1 or any non
hex input. Any other characters after that will be matched di-
rectly. If you want to enter special characters in decimal, hit
F4 instead of F1.
For example, in Fixed or heX mode, to search for the string
"CR,LF,'hello',BS,Null" enter "F10d 0aF1helloF48 0". This would
be displayed as " 0d 0a hello 8 0".
In Variable or Wrapped modes, the string "HELLO WORLD" would
match "hello ",TAB," world", "Hello",CR,LF,TAB,"World", or
0C8h,"ELLO ",0D7h,"ORLD" (the first character of each word has
high bit set).
Tab -
F7 - Repeat the last Search, "+", or "-" command again. When used for
Searches, this can even be used to find a string in more than one
file. By using "Tab" in the main screen, a file will be shown
and the last search repeated in a single operation. See
"Shift Tab" below for an easy two key file search operation.
Shift Tab - This key exits Show file and advances the cursor to the
next file on the main screen. When used with Tab this will
enable easier multiple file searches for a string.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 28
14 YOUR COMMANDS
PFM allows the user to configure a set of commonly used one line
commands as part of itself so that lazy typists (like me) can use a
one or two character sequence instead of a longer command line entry.
To use one of these sequences, hit "Y" from the main menu. The
available commands will be displayed along the right side of the
screen preceded by their command characters. To select one, just hit
the appropriate command character.
If the defined command uses a character that is otherwise unused
by PFM for a command, then you can also run the command by just
hitting that character. It is also possible to use control (CTRL)
characters in the command list. These are set up and used just like
any other character except that they display with inverse video in the
command list.
To set up or change your own "Y" commands, use the "M", "C", "Y"
(More Configure Your) commands from the main menu to get to the
configuration screen. When the following line prompts, enter a
command character which will go with the "Y";
ESC or Your command Char?
If you do not want to enter or change your own commands, hit [ESC].
Otherwise you will then be prompted for the text of your command.
Enter as you would on the usual command line, including the [F1] to
[F7] keys. Delete everything on the line if you want to remove an old
command. When you are finished entering the command hit return. If
you have more commands to enter, repeat the process. When you are
done, hit [ESC] twice and you will be prompted with an "OK (Y/N)?".
Your configured commands and other changeable settings will be saved
with PFM if you answer "Y" to the OK? at the end of the configuration.
If you don't answer "Y", then the new settings will only last until
you quit.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 29
15 LINE EDITING
Whenever PFM prompts you for a response which requires more than
a single character, it allows you to use the keys on the cursor pad
and some others to help you change the line you are entering. The
entry fields are generally long enough for their normal use, but if
you try to go beyond the end, the cursor will refuse to do it. Input
data can be entered in upper or lower case, for cOmmands the case will
be preserved, for all others the entry will be converted to upper
case.
15.1 Special line editing keys
Following are the keys and what they do:
Right arrow - move the cursor to the right nondestructively until the
end of the current entry is reached.
ctrl Right arrow - move the cursor to the next "word" to the right or
the end of the line if this is the last word.
Left arrow - move the cursor to the left nondestructively until the
beginning of the entry is reached.
ctrl Left arrow - move the cursor to the beginning of the previous
word or the beginning of the entry if appropriate.
Backspace - delete the character to the left of the cursor.
Del - delete the character under the cursor.
Ins - go into insert mode until a special character is entered.
Characters are inserted before the current cursor location.
Tab right - move the cursor to the end of the entry.
Tab left - move the cursor to the beginning of the entry.
Home - move the cursor to the beginning of the entry.
End - move the cursor to the end of the entry.
Ctrl End - delete from the cursor to the end of the line.
Ctrl Enter - delete from the cursor to the end of the line and return.
Enter - take the current entry as it is. (return does not need to be
at the end of the line).
Esc - Ignore the current entry and exit from command.
Up arrow - For those prompts which "remember" your last several
entries, this goes through them in order of age.
Down arrow - Like the Up arrow above, except that your next newest
entry is displayed.
Ctrl Home - For those prompts which "remember" your last several
entries, this will remove all of the remembered entries (usually
used before configuring to "clean house").
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 30
15.2 Line editing Function Keys
The following function key usage is only applicable when entering
or viewing a cOmmand, Copy, or Rename input line.
[F1] - This produces an open face character while editing the input
which will be replaced with the name portion of the pointed file.
[F2] - This produces a closed face character while editing the input
which will be replaced with the name and extension (name.ext)
portion of the pointed file.
[F3] - This produces a heart character while editing the input which
will be replaced with the currently viewed directory. The
directory is listed in the lower left corner of the screen along
with the drive letter.
[F4] - This produces a diamond character while editing the input
which will be replaced with the currently viewed drive. The
drive is listed in the lower left corner of the screen along with
the current directory.
[F5] - This produces a up/down arrow character while editing the
input which will be replaced with the swap drive and directory.
This is listed in the lower right corner of the screen.
[F6] - This key (only useful for commands) prevents PFM from asking
for you to 'Hit any key to continue' when the command is finished
executing. It produces a paragraph character when editing.
[F7] - This produces a club character while editing the input which
will be replaced with the extension portion of the pointed file.
[F10] - Help. This key is actives this help screen.
The keys [F1] to [F7] will put special characters into the entry which
will only be meaningful in cOmmands, Copy, and Rename. At other
times, they may cause strange errors. Other special keys will be
ignored.
16 ERRORS
PFM tries to make error handling as easy as possible. If an
error occurs during normal operation which DOS would let you fix and
retry, PFM also lets you fix and retry or abort. If the error is such
that a retry is not reasonable, an error code is displayed and you are
given a chance to look at the error help list or just to return to the
menu. Following is a list of the error codes that you might get and
what they might mean. If you get a code that is not in the list, then
try looking up the code in your DOS manual (you may have a different
DOS than I do).
1 - DOS invalid function. This shouldn't happen, contact program
support.
2 - File not found. The disk has been changed or perhaps the editor
is not present where it was configured to be.
3 - Path not found. Possibly invalid syntax, remember, no trailing
"\" on "More MKDIR" command.
4 - DOS error, too many files open. See your DOS manual on system
configuration. (CONFIG.SYS)
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 31
5 - Access Denied or protection violation. This usually means you
are trying to write or delete a "write-protected" file. Use the
"Attribute" command to un-protect the file. It can also happen
with "Network" disk drives for which you have no access rights.
6 - DOS error, Invalid file handle. This shouldn't happen, contact
program support.
7 - DOS error, Memory control blocks destroyed. Something has gone
very wrong, you had better reboot.
8 - DOS/PFM error, Insufficient memory for program. When running a
command, the program might work if you "Quit" PFM first to open
up some more memory and then run in the old fashioned DOS way.
If you get this error in Show file, then the file is too large
for PFM to completely display. You may also get this error while
doing operations on very large directories, with very large
numbers of files. You may also get this error while doing
operations on very deep directory trees, if so, retry the opera-
tion on deeper portions of the tree first.
10 - DOS error, Invalid environment. Something has gone very wrong,
you had better reboot.
11 - DOS error, Invalid format. Who Knows???
12 - DOS error, Invalid Access code. Who Knows???
13 - DOS error, Invalid Data. Who Knows???
15 - Invalid Drive number specified. You probably specified a drive
letter higher than you should have.
16 - Cannot delete the current directory. If you really want to,
first delete all the files and other directories in it first.
17 - Cannot rename from one device to another. The only way to do
this is to copy to the other device and then delete the original.
18 - No more files available in the directory. That just about says
it all.
19 - No more room on the disk. That just about says it all.
21 - Incorrect syntax in operator entry. PFM doesn't like the syntax
of the Date/time entry or maybe of an attribute spec.
22 - Cannot copy a file to itself. Since this would generally destroy
the file, PFM will not let you do this.
23 - Cannot show an empty file.
24 - Cannot load a permanent memory resident task from PFM. Some
programs (like PFM) leave parts of themselves in memory all the
time after they are loaded. An example is the DOS PRINT utility.
Since PFM uses memory in a simple minded way, programs such as
these can not be run from PFM. Sometimes programs such as the
PRINT utility can be loaded once before starting PFM (like in an
AUTOEXEC.BAT) and will then run normally when called by PFM
afterwards. PFM will remove the program from memory when you
"Hit any key".
55 - Operator abort of a disk error operation. If you get a disk
error and specify the "abort" or "ignore" choices, then you will
also get this error message. Just hit the [Esc] key and keep
going.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 32
17 REVISION HISTORY
The following items have changed since version 2.22 of PFM:
2.23 - If screen modes are switched by a command, the message "Hit any
key to continue" is not properly displayed. (fixed).
2.24 - Would like to be able to rename directories. (Directory rename
added [but not Move])
2.25 - Would like to be able to refer to the other (swap) directory
from where I am in the copy, rename, and command operations.
(added F5 function to Command, Copy, Rename)
2.26 - Would like a stack of directory names to refer to for F7 and
More Show commands. Would be nice if the standard default was A:
though. (Added)
2.27 - Would like to see PFM work right with 43 line EGA displays.
(fixed [but causes problems with ATT machines, see v2.30 and
v3.10]).
2.26 - Disk size displayed by PFM on my optical drive (144 mbyte) is
messed up. First digit is an unusual character, last digits
appear to be correct. (fixed by increasing to max of 999,999,999)
2.28 - DOS gets confused following a delete operation to a write
protected disk. The displayed directory is incorrect and other
strange behavior occurs. Fixed by using Disk reset to clear DOS
after an unusual error.
2.29 - Don't want to hit CR after all my commands to get back to PFM.
(use F6 on command line)
2.29 - Fix problem where more than one screen full of multifile
commands does not scroll up correctly. (Fixed by correcting
Mixed DOS/PFM screen handlers).
2.30 - It has been reported that some of the newer versions of PFM do
not work properly with ATT machines. The problem seems to stem
from an incompatibility with the IBM standard regarding the
location in memory of the size of the screen. PFM picks up a
value which is apparently not the correct number of screen rows.
To fix this problem a patch is required. Starting with an
original copy of PFM.COM or IBMPFM.COM; !!! DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS
WITHOUT SAVING YOUR ORIGINAL COPY OF PFM. SUGGEST ONLY EXPERI-
ENCED PEOPLE ATTEMPT THIS !!! Search for the following sequence
with a debugger (DOS debug works):
3C 19 77 03 B8 19 00 A3
Starting at the last byte (A3) change three bytes to:
90 90 90
The sequence should now look like this:
3C 19 77 03 B8 19 00 90 90 90
This should force PFM to always set up the screen for 25 line
mode and prevent the problems reported.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 33
2.31 - Showing a binary file which contains many characters before the
first line feed in variable line mode can take forever (especial-
ly with very large files). The fix is to limit line length to
2048 chars in variable mode, the show then displays an error and
switches to fixed mode.
3.00 - Allow F1... to be used in Copy and rename commands.
3.00 - Copying to a file that already exists but has a newer date/time
PFM now asks for permission.
3.00 - Allowed copy, delete, and rename of subdirectories.
3.00 - Get 'Y' commands and editor pathname from old PFM when doing an
update.
3.00 - Added code to remove TSRs from memory following a command.
3.07 - Greatly reduced PFM's memory requirement when running commands
or the editor. This was done at the expense of reloading PFM's
code after the command thus slowing operations slightly.
3.07 - Make Enter key run the pointed file as a command (also Go).
3.07 - Added file date/time modify.
3.07 - Would like a method of configuring color choice, and user
settings from a file so that upgrades can be accomplished more
easily. Color choice configuration should be much easier.
(added several color schemes and method of selecting them).
3.07 - PFM does not properly display disk and file size greater than
999,999,999 bytes. This is fixed by switching to Kb displayed
above this limit.
3.07 - PFM does not properly show dates after year 1999. Fixed; year
2000 now shows 01-01-00.
3.09 - Would like a mode of Showfile like 'F'ixed, but where CRLFs
(and TABs ?) are understood. This would be useful for viewing
crazy word processor output that has mile-long paragraphs which
contain no explicit CRLFs. It would 'F'ix (wrap) the text of the
paragraphs but leave other line formatting alone. This was fixed
by adding Wrap to show file.
3.09 - Would like a mode of Showfile like 'F'ixed, but where the
binary data is displayed in Hex. This was fixed by adding heX to
show file.
3.09 - Searching for text and binary data is made easier and more
robust with the Show file search command F6.
3.09 - Attempts to rename a directory to a different drive are now
considered errors.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 34
3.10 - Corrected bug in Time entry; corrected bug in showfile heX mode
address display;
3.10 - Fixed up screen size (number of rows) operations for certain
partly compatible (ATT) machines. Added screen border.
3.10 - Can move directly to the file or directory by typing the first
few characters of the file name with the ALT key pressed.
3.10 - Allow otherwise unused letters/numbers to be configured by
user.
3.10 - F8 key marks file and then moves to the next file.
3.10 - Rename and Copy directory now lists each file during operation
(makes it easier to see where errors occur).
3.10 - Moving up/down directory tree on a single drive and between
drives has been improved for better handling of the cursor; it
tends to stay where you left it for each drive. It is now
possible to config and have main screen cursor to return to where
it was on config.
3.10 - Increase Show File line limit to depend on available memory,
new limit is PFM's available memory size - ~80000 with variation
for the number of files in the current directory and versions of
PFM.
3.10 - Make new directory leaves cursor at end of current directory.
3.10 - Fixed bug where screen gets messed up following a command.
3.10 - Put error checking on memory usage so that trying to display an
excessive number of files doesn't crash.
3.10 - Increased screen size for 'Y' command display, can now handle 3
columns.
3.11 - Increased memory available for 'Y' commands and reduced the
memory penalty for small numbers of 'Y' commands.
3.11 - "More siZe" updates current directory size on main screen and
no longer sizes the "." directory, increasing speed on slow hard
disks.
3.11 - Fixed failure/crash caused by doing directory operations on
very deep directory trees.
3.12 - Fixed failure/crash caused when working with CGA screens (bug
created in PFM 3.10).
3.12 - Fixed failure/crash caused when using HELP when in installation
or config 'Y'our commands.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 35
3.12 - Fixed main screen polling of keyboard so that screen blanker
programs can sense no activity (bug created in 3.10).
3.14 - Fixed bugs that caused screen corruption in certain rare
situations; fixed Alt key name search where search would not roll
back to top if cursor landed on last item on screen.
3.14 - Added cursor key control of directory/file show (Right arrow)
and directory parent (left arrow). Added Delete key for delete
functions. Added Tab and Shift Tab key to main screen and
Showfile.
18 IDEAS FOR FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS
- If copying to a file which already exists and is marked hidden or
system should not complete the copy or delete the destination file.
- Would like to add a selection mask to the show directory command,
This might also include the attributes.
- Add an "update" function that allows copy of a file to a second
directory only if it does not exist or is not up to date based on the
time-stamp. This would be faster that a complete copy (which does the
same thing).
- Would like the swap screen to operate as a split screen, possibly
full time.
- Would like a short form of directory display with more names on
screen (configurable or on command)
- status display of RAM memory.
- Would like to see the volume label displayed (in with the files ?),
if it's in the directory being viewed (root). It would also be handy
to manipulate the volume label (add, rename, delete) if that's easy to
do.
- If backup past root directory, show drive letters and allow selec-
tion.
- Pop-up PFM additions (can do all but edit, command) when entered
(via ctrl-break?) and can return to previous program.
- Speaking of On-Screen keyboard status, how 'bout NumLock, Scroll
Lock, and Caps Lock below the date ?
- Could you add an option that allows "SHOW" to expand tabs to some-
thing other than eight. All of my "C" programs use a tab setting of
four. This would be a big help to me and some (a few) others.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 36
19 NOTICE TO USERS
This is the latest release of PFM. This and other versions are
distributed via bulletin boards and other "grapevine" methods to
people interested in the software package. As I am not in the busi-
ness to mass produce or market this or any other software and have no
interest in doing so, I am unable to provide this program on any media
directly.
If you need a copy of the program, and are not able to find it
via the "grapevine", then you may send me a self-addressed, stamped
floppy mailer with an IBM compatible 5.25" diskette in it on which I
will put the latest copy of the program and it's documentation. I
will return this to you typically within one work week of receiving it
if postage, floppy, mailer, and address are all present (I once
received a stamped mailer with floppy and with a letter and NO return
address. This is difficult to return.)
Due to this limited support, I do not expect much in the way of
compensation from users. A contribution of up to $45 from individual
users will be greatly appreciated and provides incentive to continue
improving the product.
The following provisions apply:
* Upgrades, automatic, one-time or otherwise are not available except
as indicated above.
* Source code will not be given out.
* I am not interested in doing customized versions of PFM.
* I would like to hear about any BUGs in the software and any sugges-
tions for improvements (most new versions are due to this input) but
will not be responsible for any consequential damages caused by bugs.
* My phone number is not listed for a good reason.
For those users who have already contributed, I am sorry if there
has been any misunderstanding about the level of support offered and I
thank you for your contribution.
Paul R. Culley
13010 Marron Dr.
Cypress, Tx 77429-2007
paulc@bangate.compaq.com
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 37
20 INFORMATION ON SITE & DISTRIBUTION LICENSES
Corporate and Governmental License
Following is an example license for use of the software within your
company or government agency, and is not transferable. This allows
internal use and copying of the software for up XX users as contracted
for. Distributing, repackaging, or reselling of the software to third
parties is not allowed. All licenses are prepaid.
For corporate and Governmental users, a single payment will get
you a "license" indicating that the software is paid for and free of
further obligations. This should provide your auditors and lawyers
with a feeling of safety from litigation. The price is as follows:
users price
1-5 $100
5-20 $20/user
20 up $1000 + $1/user
Shareware clubs
This license is not necessary for clubs or user groups distributing
the software on a SHAREWARE basis, providing that the entire PFM
package with accompanying documentation files is included in the
distribution, and no more than a nominal fee (not to exceed $10) is
charged for such distribution.
Private Use
There is no requirement for a license if used by individuals. As
indicated above, donations are appreciated.
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 38
SAMPLE SITE LICENSE
Paul R. Culley
13010 Marron Dr.
Cypress, TX 77429 USA
Paul R. Culley hereby grants [ORGANIZATION NAME] a license for [NUMBER
OF USERS] users for the use of the PFM program versions up to 3.99.
This is a perpetual license for the use of the software within your
company, and is not transferable. This license allows internal use
and copying of the software by as many users as contracted for.
Distribution, repackaging, or reselling of the software, to third
parties, is not allowed under this agreement.
The LICENSOR warrants that it is sole owner of the software and has
full power and authority to grant this license herein without consent
of any other party.
Paul R. Culley hereby disclaims all warranties relating to this
software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any
implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular
purpose. Paul R. Culley will not be liable for any special, inciden-
tal, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or
any other reason, even if Paul R. Culley has been advised of the
possibility of such damages. In no event shall Paul R. Culley's
liability for any damages ever exceed the price paid for the license
to use the software, regardless of the form of the claim. The person
using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of
the software.
This agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the STATE OF TEXAS. Any action or proceeding brought by
either party against the other arising out of or related to this
agreement shall be brought only in a STATE or FEDERAL COURT of compe-
tent jurisdiction located in Harris county, Texas. The parties hereby
consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts.
COMPANY: ___________________
ADDRESS: ______________________
CITY: _____________________ STATE: __ ZIP CODE: _____
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: _____________________________________
TITLE: _______________________ DATE: _______________
Paul R. Culley : _________________________ DATE: _________________
PFM INFORMATION MANUAL PAGE 39