home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- ==== Documentation for LST-TOOL.COM ====
-
- VERSION 1.1
-
- Copyright (C) 1985 by UCS, inc.
- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
-
- A Utility Program for Use With .LST Files
- as produced by MCAT/XCAT or LCAT/XLCAT
-
- - NOTICE -
-
- LST-TOOL is released with LIMITED USE END-USER RIGHTS. You
- are encouraged to use this software in any NON-COMMERCIAL, NON-
- GOVERNMENTAL environment. You may distribute this software
- freely, so long as no monetary transaction takes place, and this
- documentation file accompanies it. This software is protected
- under United States Copyright Law and International Treaty. Any
- violation of the UCS, inc. copyright will be prosecuted.
-
-
- - Introduction -
-
- LST-TOOL is a utility program designed to extend the
- usefulness of the MCAT/XCAT or LCAT/XLCAT Disk Cataloging System.
- LST-TOOL can read the .LST files produced by XCAT/XLCAT and
- report useful information on them back to you.
-
- LST-TOOL is distributed with a terminal installation routine
- that will adapt it to most Z-80 based computers. The install
- procedure is menu-driven, and, once LST-TOOL is installed for
- your terminal, the installation files may be deleted from your
- working disk. Only LST-TOOL.COM is necessary.
-
- - Background -
-
- LST-TOOL was originally written to meet my immediate needs.
- I had many different sets of MAST.CAT, MAST.LST, MASTL.CAT and
- MASTL.LST files, for different sets of disks. I needed a way to
- compare the files, and list the names that showed on the Input
- file that DID NOT show on the Master file. I then decided it
- would be useful to be able to scan the .LST files and determine
- which filenames were listed on more than one disk. Finally, I
- determined that it would be desirable to be able to REName files
- if necessary (More than one .LST file...).
-
- In addition to these functions, LST-TOOL needed to be able
- to read the disk directory (to remind you what files you are
- working on...) and a way to rapidly read the disk files created
- by LST-TOOL (or other ASCII files for that matter...).
-
- - Features -
-
- LST-TOOL will compare two .LST files (NOT THE SAME NAME!!!)
- and prepare a file called LIST.DIF showing those entries that are
- on the Input List that were not on the Master List. Both, the
- Master List and the Input List MUST be in sorted order. XCAT.COM
- and XLCAT.COM will take care of that, but results cannot be
- guaranteed for other applications.
-
- LST-TOOL will read a .LST file and prepare a file showing
- all Filenames that appear on multiple disks. These may be
- (usually...) deleted to increase available storage space. The
- list will be saved as DUPES.LST and may be viewed from within
- LST-TOOL.
-
- Because LST-TOOL allows you to use multiple ????????.LST
- files, LST-TOOL also allows you to rename them, if necessary.
-
- Finally, LST-TOOL has options for displaying the directory
- of the working disk and viewing an ASCII file on the screen (20
- lines at a time).
-
- - Update Information -
-
- LST-TOOL version 1.1 utilizes a technique to automatically
- determine available memory at run-time. It adjusts the stack and
- heap pointers to fit within any size TPA. The technique was
- developed by James R. Shiflett of Stafford, Texas, and is fully
- described in the August-September, 1985, (number 25) issue of
- Micro Cornucopia magazine
-
- - Future? -
-
- Heck if I know... Like I mentioned above, LST-TOOL grew up
- out of my own personal requirements. This is not the best way to
- develop useful software (but it is typical of PD software...).
- The author lives in a little sterile environment and cannot be
- expected to anticipate all potential uses, or desirable features.
- This is where YOU come in. How do you use the .CAT & .LST files?
- What additional features do you think might be desirable? Why?
- Let me know what you think at my RCP/M, The Lost Dutchman's Gold
- Mine (602)848-6708, 24 Hours. I support 300, 1200 & 2400 Baud.
-
- James A. Gronek
- 08/26/1985