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1990-07-22
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29KB
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910 lines
| SLEARN (SALT learn utility) v1.10 |
| |
| A SALT script creator for Telix |
| |
| Copyright (c) 1990 by Paul Roub |
| All Rights Reserved |
| |
| Documentation printed July 22, 1990 |
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Contacting the author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Why use SLEARN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What's the problem? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What's the solution? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Setup and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Using SLEARN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Command-Line Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Configuration Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Comm port address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Comm port mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Comm port vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
IMPORTANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Rows on screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Use status line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Status line row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Status line background color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Status line foreground color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Anonymous (don't use showname() in scripts) . . . . . . . . . 11
Sound bells when SLEARN.EXE is run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Use _entry_pass in scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Default Background Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Default Foreground Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Enable CTS/RTS flow control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Enable DSR/DTR flow control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Enable XON/XOFF flow control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SLEARN v1.10 Introduction
Introduction
Contacting the author
---------------------
Hopefully, this documentation will tell you all you need to know about
using SLEARN. But if necessary, please direct further questions to me
through the following means:
Electronic mail:
BIX: proub
Compuserve: 71131,157
Fido Netmail: 1:135/47
Messages to Paul Roub in the FidoNet TELIX echo
Local BBS messages to Paul Roub on MOBS (305-895-1666)
US Mail to:
Paul Roub
P.O. Box 141583
Coral Gables, FL 33114-1583
When reporting a bug, please be specific as to the nature of the prob-
lem -- what led up to it, what error message (if any) ensued, can you
repeat it, etc.
The author makes no claims as to the suitability of this product for
any application. In the event of malfunction, the author's liability
shall be limited to a replacement or refund.
SLEARN v1.10 was compiled using Microsoft Quick C v2.0 for testing, and
Microsoft C v5.10 for release. The editor used was Brief, without
which I'd just as soon live in a cave and code on stone tablets.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Thanks to everyone who beta-tested this release for
your feedback, time and assistance. Thanks to Andrew Adler, Lloyd
Burt, Craig Merwitzer and Bruce Wilson for testing and assistance above
and beyond the call of duty. Thanks also to Nick Anis and John Dvorak.
Special thanks to Lloyd Burt for more than I have space to list. Par-
ticularly special thanks to Maria for making the last 2 1/2 years so
amazing.
SLEARN Documentation page 1
SLEARN v1.10 Introduction
Notes:
------
You may distribute SLEARN freely (in fact, I would appreciate your
doing so), provided that you distribute only the full, unmodified ar-
chive (SLRN_110.ZIP), with its full name intact, containing the follow-
ing files:
SLEARN.DOC
SLRNHIST.DOC
SLEARN.REG
SLEARN.EXE
SLEARN.SLT
SLEARN.SLC
SLCONFIG.SLC
READTHIS.NOW (Can be deleted after August 31, 1990)
If you downloaded SLEARN from Compuserve, please rename SL110.ZIP to
SLRN_110.ZIP before distribution. Feel free to distribute SLEARN in
other archive formats (such as ARC, LHARC, PAK, etc.) -- but again, you
must retain the full name, as in SLRN_110.LZH or SLRN_110.ARC.
If you're not sure whether you have the latest version of SLEARN, the
following systems (among others) are always kept up to date:
MOBS (1:135/47) 305-895-1666
Floridays Deluxe (1:135/82) 305-235-2227
The C Workshop (1:135/1) 305-226-3310
Telix Support BBS 416-439-8293
BIX telecomm listings area
Compuserve IBMCOM Forum
If, after trying out SLEARN, you wish to continue using it, you must
fill out and send in the registration form at the end of this document.
You'll be supporting shareware, making possible future improved ver-
sions of this and other programs; you will also receive the latest
version of SLEARN on disk. Note that SLEARN may NOT be used in a bus-
iness or commercial environment without registration. For further
details, see the Registration section at the end of this document.
Is there something you don't like about SLEARN? Something you think is
missing? A screw-up in the documentation, etc... let me know! We aim
to please!
SLEARN Documentation page 2
SLEARN v1.10 Why use SLEARN?
Why use SLEARN?
What's the problem?
-------------------
I've said it before -- Telix is the best communications program you'll
find. Not even Telix is perfect, however. Two common complaints go
hand in hand: that Telix's script language (SALT) can be difficult for
non-programmers to learn, and that Telix lacks a "learn" mode which can
automatically create SALT scripts for you.
For example, suppose you wanted to log on to a QuickBBS system. You
would connect to the BBS, wait until you saw the prompt
Enter Your Name:
then type your name, followed by a carriage return. The system would
then prompt you for your
Password:
which you would also type, followed by another carriage return.
Of course, you don't want to have to go through this every time you log
onto that board -- the process will never change, and will get quite
boring (just the type of thing you expect your computer to spare you
from). If you know SALT, Telix's script language, you could write a
script to log on for you, such as:
main()
{
waitfor("Your Name:", 30); // wait for name prompt
cputs("Paul Roub^M"); // if you're me, this works!
waitfor("Password:", 30); // wait for password prompt
cputs(_entry_pass); // send the password stored in
// this entry in the dialing
// directory
}
You would then compile this script, insert its name in your dialing
directory as the "linked script" for this system, and off you'd go.
From now on, whenever you called this system, Telix would automatically
run this script and log on for you.
While this is nice, there are two drawbacks: it gets tedious when you
want to script more than a few prompts and responses, and some people
find SALT difficult to get the hang of. It would be nice if Telix had
a "learn" mode. A learn mode is a very useful feature, found in some
communications programs, which "watches" you as you perform some task.
It notes what text is sent by the system you're connected to, what your
SLEARN Documentation page 3
SLEARN v1.10 Why use SLEARN?
responses are, and the time elapsed between them. Using this informa-
tion, it writes a script which will wait for the same prompts and send
the same responses. You would invoke this learn mode, log onto the
BBS, and the program would write the script FOR you!
What's the solution?
--------------------
Now, Telix DOES have a learn mode. It's called SLEARN, the SALT learn
utility. SLEARN will write your SALT scripts for you -- it will com-
pile the scripts, include them in your dialing directory and even name
them for you, all automatically!
SLEARN Documentation page 4
SLEARN v1.10 Setup and Installation
Setup and Installation
This manual assumes a basic understanding of .SLT (SALT script) versus
.SLC (compiled SALT) files, as well as an understanding of terms such
as "Logon Script" and "Dialing Directory". If these terms are unfamil-
iar to you, consult your Telix manual. If you have any problems using
SLEARN, and can't solve them with your DOS, SLEARN or Telix manuals,
please feel free to contact me through the means listed at the end of
this document.
There are six essential files involved in using SLEARN. These are:
slearn.slt - SALT script to run SLEARN from Telix
slearn.slc - Compiled version of slearn.slt
slearn.exe - The main SLEARN program
slconfig.slc - SLEARN configuration management script
slearn.cfg - SLEARN configuration file (created by slconfig.slc)
SLEARN.SLT, SLEARN.SLC, SLCONFIG.SLC and SLEARN.CFG should be kept in
the directory you have defined as your Telix script directory. If you
haven't defined a script directory, simply place them in your main
Telix directory. SLEARN.EXE should be in a directory listed in your
DOS PATH environment variable (consult your DOS manual for more infor-
mation about environment variables and the PATH). If you do not have a
PATH statement, SLEARN.EXE should be in the same directory as
SLEARN.SLT and SLEARN.SLC.
NOTE: If you are using Telix SE, you will not find SLEARN
very useful, as Telix SE does not come with the program
CS.EXE, needed to compile the SALT scripts created by SLEARN.
In this case, you will need to register your copy of Telix
(see the Telix coupon in the Dvorak book for details), or
find a BBS which has the Telix archives available (and use
Telix SE to download them) to get the full version of Telix.
By default, SLEARN will modify your Telix dialing directory
(TELIX.FON). If, however, you will be using more than one dialing
directory, you won't want to do this -- SLEARN always modifies
TELIX.FON, whether or not it is the current dialing directory (Telix
provides no way for a script or external program to check the name of
the currently loaded dialing directory). If you want to change this
behavior, change this line (in SLEARN.SLT)
int UseSetScr = 1;
to
int UseSetScr = 0;
SLEARN Documentation page 5
SLEARN v1.10 Setup and Installation
If you make any changes to SLEARN.SLT, you will need to re-compile it
for the changes to be effective. To do this, go to your Telix script
directory and enter the command:
CS slearn
at the DOS prompt. This will create a new version of SLEARN.SLC, the
compiled version of SLEARN.SLT.
I recommend running SLCONFIG.SLC (through Telix's Alt-G command) when
you first install SLEARN, in order to create and initialize SLEARN.CFG.
If you don't do this, SLEARN.SLC will automatically run the configura-
tion script when you first run SLEARN -- a delay you certainly won't
want at that time! See the section entitled "Configuration Options"
for an explanation of the options available through SLCONFIG.
SLEARN Documentation page 6
SLEARN v1.10 Using SLEARN
Using SLEARN
The easiest, most automatic way to use SLEARN is through the SLEARN.SLT
script. Just use TFE or Telix to insert 'slearn' in the Script field
for that system's dialing directory entry. Then, dial that system from
Telix. When Telix connects to the other system, it will automatically
run SLEARN. Alternatively, if you are already connected, SLEARN can be
run via Telix's Alt-G (Run Script) command.
Once SLEARN is running, simply go through the actions you wish to auto-
mate, just as if you were using Telix. That is, when (for example) the
system asks for your name or password, just enter them as usual. "Wri-
ting" the SALT script is as easy as that! As a bonus, if you run
SLEARN as the connect script for a dialing directory entry, and you
have a password defined for that entry, you can just hit the F1 or F3
key to send your password for you (the SLEARN.SLC script will automat-
ically tell SLEARN what your password is -- unless you tell it not to,
as explained in the Configuration Options section).
NOTE: Keep in mind that SLEARN is not Telix. You can re-
ceive and send text while using SLEARN, but you can not ac-
cess the Telix dialing directory, file transfers, or any
other Telix features; this means that none of these functions
may be "learned". As an alternative, try "learning" a pro-
cess up to the last step before a file transfer, for example.
Afterwards, you can either add the transfer command to the
script yourself, or perform the transfer manually when the
script is run. Either way, SLEARN gives you a head start on
automating the process.
When you are done with the steps you wish to automate, hit Alt-X to
tell SLEARN to write the SALT script for what you have just done, and
return to Telix.
At this point, SLEARN will ask you whether you want to save the script
you have just created. If you answer "no", the script will be deleted.
Otherwise, SLEARN will ask you what name to use for the new script --
hit ENTER alone to choose the default name, which SLEARN "guesses"
based on the name of the system you're connected to. SLEARN will then
run CS.EXE to compile the script (it is important that CS.EXE be pres-
ent either in your Telix script directory, or in a directory listed in
your DOS PATH -- otherwise, SLEARN will not be able to locate and run
the program). And if you have not set "UseSetScr = 0" (as explained in
the Setup and Configuration section), SLEARN will ask if you want to
install the name of the new script as the logon script for this entry.
If you answer "yes", SLEARN will do so -- replacing the 'slearn' you
had entered with the name of the new script.
SLEARN Documentation page 7
SLEARN v1.10 Using SLEARN
WARNING: it is important that you have a dummy FON file named
ZZZ.FON in your Telix directory. If you do not have such a file,
the SLEARN script will create one for you by copying TELIX.FON to
ZZZ.FON. This file is loaded into Telix when TELIX.FON is being
modified, to avoid modifying a file which Telix is currently
using.
SLEARN Documentation page 8
SLEARN v1.10 Command-Line Usage
Command-Line Usage
There may be times when you wish to use the SLEARN program itself,
outside of Telix or without the use of the SLEARN.SLT script. The
SLEARN program takes the following parameters (all parameters in brack-
ets are optional):
slearn [-n <s>] [-b<n>] [-s<s>] [-w <s>] filename
The parameters have the following effects:
-n <s> Sets entry name to <s>. This option is used by SLEARN.SLT so
that SLEARN can correctly note what board it is learning a
script for. This name is included near the top of the
learned script file. If the string is blank, no "Automatic
logon script for..." line is included in the learned script.
If present, this name will also be displayed on SLEARN's
status line while learning the script.
-b<n> Sets bps rate to <n>. This tells SLEARN what speed your
modem will use. The default is 2400 bps.
-s<s> Sets parity, data, stop to <s>. This option sets the parity,
data bits, and stop bits parameters SLEARN will use when
communicating. This should be a three-character string, the
first character being "N", "E", or "O" to represent No par-
ity, Even parity, or Odd parity; the next character will be
7 or 8, depending on the number of data bits; and the final
character should be 1 or 2 to set the number of stop bits to
use. Common settings are "E71" and "N81" -- the default is
"N81".
-w <s> Sets the password for this script. This is useful for two
reasons. First of all, when running SLEARN you can send your
password (followed by a carriage return) simply by pressing
F1 or F3. Second, whenever you send your password (by typing
it or by F1 or F3), SLEARN recognizes it, and instead of
including the literal password in the script, it uses Telix's
_entry_pass variable, which is always set to the name of the
system you are connected to (as stored in the dialing direc-
tory). This has two benefits: (1) you can let other people
have copies of the script without giving away your password;
and (2) if you use more than one system with the same logon
sequence, but a different password, you can use the same
script for all of them -- the script will always send the
appropriate password for each system.
SLEARN Documentation page 9
SLEARN v1.10 Command-Line Usage
filename Name of the SALT file to create. This is the only parameter
REQUIRED by SLEARN. This is the filename of the script
SLEARN will be learning. If you specify a name without an
extension, the extension .SLT will be used automatically.
SLEARN Documentation page 10
SLEARN v1.10 Configuration Options
Configuration Options
Comm port address
Comm port mask
Comm port vector
These tell SLEARN the exact nature of your serial port setup.
IMPORTANT: You will probably never need to change these numbers.
SLCONFIG. when initially run, will calculate the correct val-
ues based on information in TELIX.CNF.
Rows on screen
The number of lines on your screen, INCLUDING the status line (if
any).
Use status line
Set this to 'y' (yes) if you use a on-screen status line in Telix.
Status line row
The row at which your Telix status line is displayed. This has no
effect if "Use status line" is set to 'n' (no).
Status line background color
Status line foreground color
The colors used for your status line (if any).
Anonymous (don't use showname() in scripts)
SLEARN normally includes (in the learned script) a call to a func-
tion called showname(), which displays the name of the system to
which you are connected (actually, only the first 14 characters of
the name are displayed). This name overwrites Telix's "Alt-z for
help" message -- I consider the extra information to be worth the
sacrifice, but if it bothers you, set this option to 'y' (yes).
Sound bells when SLEARN.EXE is run
Sounds control-G's (bells) when SLEARN is run. This is normally
used when SLEARN is run from a dialing directory entry, so that
you'll know a connection has been made. The reason I haven't just
included an alarm() command in the SLEARN.SLT script is that
during the time that the alarm is sounding, some characters may be
received by Telix from the remote. SLEARN will not see any of
these characters, which may make creating a logon script for that
board impossible. Basically, the object is to get SLEARN itself
running as soon as possible after a connection has been made, so
that ALL prompts you may need can be processed by SLEARN. This
option probably won't be too useful from the DOS command line.
SLEARN Documentation page 11
SLEARN v1.10 Configuration Options
Use _entry_pass in scripts
Normally, the SLEARN script checks for your current password. If
it is present, you can send your password by simply pressing the
F1 or F3 keys. Also, SLEARN will replace any transmission of your
password with a reference to _entry_pass, so the script can be
used with multiple systems, always sending the correct password.
Set this option to 'n' (no) to disable special password process-
ing.
Default Background Color
Default Foreground Color
The colors SLEARN should initially use for its terminal screen.
Enable CTS/RTS flow control
Enable DSR/DTR flow control
Enable XON/XOFF flow control
These options enable various types of hardware and software "hand-
shaking" -- used to control the flow of data between your com-
puter, your modem and the modem you're connected to. These op-
tions are read from your Telix configuration file when SLCONFIG is
run for the first time, so there should be no need to change them.
SLEARN Documentation page 12
SLEARN v1.10 Registering SLEARN
Registration
NOTE: SLEARN may NOT be used in a business or commercial
environment without registration.
SLEARN is distributed as shareware. The advantage of this is that you
get to try out the full, working program and see whether or not it
suits your needs. If you find SLEARN useful, you must register the
program. Just to prod your good will along, registration has a few
perks: you will receive the latest version of SLEARN on disk, along
with inexpensive on-disk updates to future versions. Comments, sugges-
tions, and requests from registered users will of course have higher
priority. Without registrations, there will soon cease to BE future
versions of SLEARN, simply because I've got to make a living, and I
have no choice but to devote the bulk of my time to projects that will
help me pay my bills.
To register SLEARN, just fill out the registration form below; be sure
to include your check or money order (in US Dollars), and mail it to
the address below. Basic registration is ten dollars, including ship-
ping, handling, and the cost of a floppy disk (5 1/4", MS-DOS DS/DD,
with the latest version of SLEARN). Registered users of previous
SLEARN versions can upgrade to the latest version for five dollars. Of
course, once you've registered one version of SLEARN, you've registered
all future versions as well -- so you can simply download the latest
version from a BBS. I provide the upgrade service for those who can't
find the latest version elsewhere.
For a special price of only $15, you can register both SLEARN and TFE
(TelixFonEd), receiving both on disk, along with a collection of Telix
scripts, tips and utilities.
Thank you for registering SLEARN.
The registration form follows.
SLEARN Documentation page 13
SLEARN v1.10 Registering SLEARN
Please send this form, along with your check or money order for the
appropriate amount of US dollars, to:
Paul Roub
P.O. Box 141583
Coral Gables, FL 33114-1583
I would like to register SLEARN in the following manner (check one):
__ Regular registration (with the latest version on disk) $10.00
__ Previously registered user, upgrading to the latest version $ 5.00
__ Register SLEARN and TFE, plus bonus scripts and utilities $15.00
Name: ___________________________________________________
Company: ___________________________________________________
Street Address: ___________________________________________________
City, ST: ___________________________________________________
Zip: _____________
Home phone number (optional): (_____)-______________
Work phone number (optional): (_____)-______________
BIX, CIS or Netmail addresses (optional): _____________________________
Where did you find SLEARN? ___________________________________________
Comments and/or Suggestions: _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
SLEARN Documentation page 14