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JOBS ================================== Job Organization and Backup System HARD DISK MANAGEMENT ================================== for the IBM PC, XT, AT, and compatibles Version 3.20s Shareware Version SDN Distribution Copy Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 RCT Design RCT Design PO Box 1726 Novato, CA 94948 (415) 892-2713 Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 by RCT Design . All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means, except as permitted in the following agreement. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The JOBS software and manual are furnished "AS IS" and without warranty as to performance. Because of the many uses to which this software may be put and the variety of hardware used in conjunction with it, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. RCT Design reserves the right to make improvements in the product described in this manual at any time without notice. That said, we hope that JOBS is well suited to your needs. If not, let us know about it. If it is, let us know about that too. Program developed and documented by ROBERT C. TELLEFSON and JOHN E. GALLIVAN (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 JOBS-SW 3.20 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.......................................1 Copyright......................................1 License........................................1 The Shareware Concept..........................1 Registration...................................2 GETTING STARTED....................................3 Recommended Strategy...........................3 Requirements...................................3 Installation...................................3 The Easy Way - JOBS Installs Itself........4 Easy Installation Complete.................4 Doing It Your Way..........................4 USING JOBS.........................................5 Where To Begin.................................5 Getting Familiar with the Basics...............5 <Esc> = QUIT, BACK UP, CANCEL..............5 <F1> = HELP................................6 <Ctrl><Home> = RESET.......................6 Menus..........................................6 Prompts........................................7 Macros.........................................8 The TREE Screens...............................8 Flip - A Brief Tour............................8 COMMAND SUMMARY...................................12 Key Usage at the TREE Screens.................12 Key Usage at the DIRECTORY Screens............12 The Menu Structure............................13 TREE SCREEN MENUS.........................13 SYSTEM SCREEN MENUS.......................13 INSTALL SCREEN MENUS......................13 MACRO SCREEN MENUS........................14 TIMECLOCK SCREEN MENUS....................15 DIRECTORY SCREEN MENUS....................15 PRINT SCREEN MENUS........................17 CHANGING INSTALLATION SETTINGS....................18 Jobs Install..................................18 DRIVE.....................................18 LOAD......................................18 MACRO.....................................18 OPTIONS...................................19 RESTORE...................................20 SAVE......................................20 VIDEO.....................................21 (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - i JOBS-SW 3.20 Table of Contents MACROS - CUSTOM COMMANDS..........................22 What are Macros?..............................22 What can they do for me?......................22 Macro Files...................................22 The MACRO Screen..............................23 Creating a macro?.............................23 Creating Macros with Learn................24 Correcting Mistakes While Learning........24 Macro Text Files..............................25 Characters Used in Macro Text Files.......25 Text File Commands........................26 Macro Command Reference.......................26 Macro Escape Commands.....................27 The Bracketed Commands....................32 READY TO RUN MACROS...............................39 JMAC-SW.JM....................................39 GO-MENU_..................................39 DOS-CMDS..................................39 DO........................................40 LEARN.....................................40 ARC-SEL...................................40 CHG-MAC...................................40 EDMAC.....................................41 FRESHEN...................................41 GOTOTREE..................................41 DATE-HI...................................41 GO-SMENU..................................42 MAKEPATH..................................42 CONTINUE..................................42 README....................................42 SW-DOC....................................42 TREEPRNT..................................42 TREEINIT..................................42 WRITER....................................43 DISP2DAY..................................43 PICK-LST..................................43 APPENDIX A - JOBS FILES...........................44 APPENDIX B - KEY WORDS............................46 APPENDIX C - FINE TUNING..........................48 CONFIG.SYS....................................48 DOS Path......................................49 NON-REMOVABLE VS. REMOVABLE...................49 APPENDIX D - MANUAL INSTALLATION..................51 APPENDIX E - AT THE DOS COMMAND LINE..............53 APPENDIX F - ERROR MESSAGES.......................54 REGISTRATION FORM................................END (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - ii JOBS-SW 3.20s INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTRODUCTION ======================================================================== COPYRIGHT The program, JOBS-SW.EXE, all of its associated files, and this document are copyrighted materials. It is your responsibility to honor these copyrights. LICENSE This version of JOBS (version 3.20s) has been placed in circulation under the shareware concept. This means that you may try it out without paying for it. It does not mean that you may continue to use it without paying for it. RCT Design grants you license to: 1. Give this program and its support files (listed in appendix A) to others for evaluation, so long as you provide them with the complete and unaltered file set. Emphasis is on the word 'give'. This product may not be distributed for profit under this license. (Non- profit groups may charge a fee to cover the cost of materials, so long as that fee does not exceed $6.00 per copy.) 2. Use the program a reasonable number of times to determine its usefulness. End of license. No other rights are granted or should be inferred. THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT The shareware concept is a software distribution method that benefits both you and the product's developer. You gain the opportunity to try the software before buying. The developer is provided a cost effective means of marketing and distribution, allowing high quality software to be attractively priced. Sounds good, but to make it work you must purchase the product if it meets a need and you continue using it. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 1 JOBS-SW 3.20s INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ REGISTRATION Under the shareware concept, you are given a complete, working product at no charge. If you find the program useful and continue using this program, we ask that you go ahead and purchase JOBS+. We used to offer a registered version of the shareware program, but we have discontinued this. Why? Over the last year we have had only 3 requests for the registered version. Everyone else has ordered JOBS+. You can purchase JOBS+ for $69 (see the accompanying 'read.me' file for details about JOBS+). The full program and JOBS+ manual are provided on disk (3 disk set) or add $10 for the printed manual. JOBS+ users enjoy free telephone and/or Email support, notice of available updates, and above all, capabilities not found in any other single product. An order form is provided at the end of this document. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 2 JOBS-SW 3.20s GETTING STARTED ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GETTING STARTED ======================================================================== RECOMMENDED STRATEGY 1. Read this section and install JOBS. 2. Read the next section entitled 'Using JOBS'. This section explains the basic workings of JOBS and takes you on a brief tour. 3. Scan the section entitled 'Command Summary'. This will give you an overview of the many things that JOBS can do. 4. Check out appendix C entitled 'Fine tuning'. Make sure you are getting the most out of your system. 5. Experiment with JOBS. Use the HELP key frequently (there is more information in the HELP than in this manual). 6. Learn as you go. Learn what you need, as you need it. Although JOBS has an extensive range of capabilities, it's not necessary to know how to use them all to derive benefit from this program. REQUIREMENTS JOBS requires DOS 2.0 or higher, a minimum of 128K of free memory, and a video system that has either Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA) or Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) capabilities. You should also have a hard disk. JOBS will run from a floppy but it rarely makes sense to do so, except during installation. INSTALLATION The shareware version of JOBS is distributed as archived files. The files included in these archived files are described in Appendix-A. Be sure to make a backup copy of the distribution files. By the way, keystrokes are shown here between brackets, ie., <Enter> is the Enter key, <Tab> is the Tab key, etc. On most machines these names should match the labels on your keyboard. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 3 JOBS-SW 3.20s GETTING STARTED ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE EASY WAY - JOBS INSTALLS ITSELF JOBS is designed to install itself, guaranteeing a proper installation every time. With this shareware version we will have to assume that you have already unpacked the archived files onto your hard disk and the following files (and perhaps a few others) are in the current directory: JOBS-SW.EXE JOBS-SW.OV JMAC-SW.JM JINST-SW.JM SAMPMENU.JM JOBS-SW.HLP JERR-SW.HLP JOBS-SW.DOC JREAD-SW.ME SMENU.JMT At the DOS prompt, type: JOBS-SW /N<Enter> JOBS will automatically execute its easy installation routine and guide you through to a completed installation. Note: The key to JOBS' easy installation is the file JINST-SW.JM and the command line switch "/N". If JOBS is run with the /N command line switch it will look in the current directory for the macro file JINST-SW.JM and, if found, will automatically run the easy installation macros. EASY INSTALLATION COMPLETE Upon completion of the easy install routine, JOBS will be fully operational and you will be looking at JOBS' entry screen (TREE screen) and first menu. From here, skip over the next paragraph to the section entitled USING JOBS. DOING IT YOUR WAY If you are one of those people who is leery of automatic installations, or for whatever reason prefer to install JOBS manually, see appendix D. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 4 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ USING JOBS ======================================================================== This section covers the main features of JOBS. It will not cover all the commands and those that it does mention will not necessarily be covered in detail. But, it will get you started and shorten your learning experience considerably. A more detailed manual is provided upon purchase of JOBS+. It covers all of JOBS' features and commands in detail. For immediate information on each command, use the on-line HELP. It is quite extensive and is context sensitive. WHERE TO BEGIN If you used the easy installation process, you should now be looking at the TREE screen. This is the first screen displayed when you enter JOBS (the shareware version displays its advertising message first, the registered version and JOBS+ do not). If you are not in JOBS, run it now. At the DOS command line enter: JOBS-SW<Enter> This is the basic JOBS command line. For information on JOBS' command line options see appendix E. Read the advertising, of course, then press any key to display the tree screen. If you are running JOBS on the current disk for the first time and there are lots of directories on the disk, JOBS will take a few seconds to gather the information needed to display the directory tree. JOBS will retain this information for future use, allowing this tree to be displayed almost instantly the next time JOBS accesses this disk. GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE BASICS <ESC> = QUIT, BACK UP, CANCEL The <Esc> key is just that. It will get you out of whatever you are doing. At any point in the program that will accept keyboard input, the Escape key will either back up to the previous menu, terminate the current command or suspend the current file operations. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 5 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ <F1> = HELP Function key <F1> is the HELP key. HELP is available anywhere in the program, is context sensitive and is available in three forms. From general information to specific, the commands are: 1. <F1> then <?> for overall program information. 2. <F1> then <Space> for general information relating to the current menu. 3. <F1> then the first character of the menu command that you are interested in. At those program locations where only one choice is possible, the HELP key will automatically display the HELP screen pertaining to the current operation. Some simple HELP screen conventions are: Command names are displayed using high intensity characters with the first character capitalized. Use the <Esc> key to exit HELP and return to the program. Use <PgUp> and <PgDn> to view multiple page HELP screens. <CTRL><HOME> = RESET, START JOBS FROM THE BEGINNING There may be times when you would like to just reset JOBS and start over. At any prompt in the program that will accept keyboard input, pressing <Ctrl> and <Home> at the same time will reset JOBS to the first run state. Using the reset will not adversely affect any file operations, because JOBS will close any open files before it completes the reset. MENUS JOBS menus are displayed on the 2nd line from the bottom of the screen and are displayed in alphabetical order. Commands are selected by typing the first character of the command name and will execute immediately unless the command chosen requires a confirmation. Command sequences can be strung together and generally they can be entered without waiting for the program to catch up. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 6 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROMPTS There are three types of JOBS prompts: Text, Numeric, or Yes/No (Y/N). Press <Esc> AT ANY PROMPT to exit the prompt and abandon the current operation. When prompting for text, JOBS highlights the input area to show the maximum length of the text to be entered. Numeric prompts expect only numbers to be input and display the permissible range of values between parentheses, ie., (1-50) means that any number from 1 to 50 will be accepted, all others will be ignored. Yes or No prompts will accept only <Y> or <N> and identify themselves by displaying (Y/N). All three prompt types display the default response between "<" and ">". Pressing the <Enter> key in response to a prompt, selects the default. Some examples: <Y> Press <Enter> to answer Yes. <FILE> Press <Enter> to select the default text 'FILE'. <20> Press <Enter> to select the default value 20. The default text may be inserted into the highlighted entry area using the <Ins> key. Once inserted it may be edited or used "as is". Default insertion may be used at any time and as many times as desired, limited only by the available entry space. JOBS will ring the bell if there is not enough space remaining to insert the default text. The following prompt line editing operations are supported: Operation Key Alternate key ------------------------------ ------------ ------------- Move left one character (Left arrow) <Ctrl><S> Move right one character (Right arrow) <Ctrl><D> Move to beginning of line <Home> Move to end of line <End> Delete character left of cursor <BackSpace> <Ctrl><H> Delete character at cursor <Del> <Ctrl><G> Delete entire line <Ctrl><Y> Insert captured filename <Ctrl><N> Insert captured file <Ctrl><F> Insert captured path <Ctrl> Insert default <Ins> Execute <Enter> <Ctrl><M> The prompt line editor is always in the insert mode. To replace a character, delete the old character ( with <BackSpace> or <Del> ) and insert the new one. Once the entered text is satisfactory, press <Enter>. All text displayed within the highlighted area will be accepted; the cursor need not be at the end of the entered text. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 7 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MACROS Macros are user created commands that may perform a series of program commands with one key stroke. The MACRO menu is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen by pressing the <Tab> key. It lists only those macros, in the current macro file, that are meant to execute at the current program location. Only 10 macros are displayed at a time. If more than 10 macros are available at the current location, the word TAB will be displayed at the bottom right corner of the macro menu window. Press the <Tab> key to view the next 10. Press tab, at the end, to clear the macro menu from the screen. If any other key is pressed, it will be treated as a command and the macro menu window will be cleared from the screen. The name of the current macro file is shown at the top of the window. Macros may be executed without displaying the macro menu. Each macro is assigned to a key or combination of keys called macro keys. The keys which may have macros assigned to them are the function keys <F1> through <F10> and the Alternate alphabetic keys <Alt><A> through <Alt><Z>. The Alt keys are entered by holding down the <Alt> key while entering the desired alphabetic key. No distinction is made between lower and upper case letters. THE TREE SCREENS The first screen that you see when you start JOBS is a graphic representation of the current drive's directory structure which is commonly known as a 'tree'. This screen is called the TREE screen. The directory pointer, a highlighted bar, indicates the current directory. If you move the pointer, with the cursor keys, and then exit the program, you will find that you are in that directory. This is also true when running other programs or batch files from JOBS. FLIP - WHERE THE POWER COMES FROM (A BRIEF TOUR) A unique and significant feature of JOBS is its dual screen mode of operation. JOBS can alternately display two directory trees and two directory lists. In either case, the two displays or screens are referred to as the 'current' screen and the 'alternate' screen. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 8 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To try this out: At a TREE screen, press <F> (for Flip) to display the 'alternate' TREE screen. You may not notice much difference, but move the directory pointer to a different directory and then <F>lip back to the original tree screen. Notice that this tree display is as you left it when you Flipped the first time. Taking it a step further, select the Drive command and change to another drive (a floppy in drive A for example). JOBS will display the selected drive's directory tree, placing the directory pointer on that drive's current directory. Now <F>lip to the alternate TREE screen. Notice that it is as you left it. The two TREE screens may be used to display two copies of the same directory tree or two different directory trees. JOBS is designed around this capability and its commands take full advantage of it, wherever possible. Speaking of commands, notice that both screens have the same menus. In fact, both screens are exactly the same except for the tree structure that is displayed. To see what files are in a directory, point to the directory of interest and press <V> (<Enter> or <+> may also be used to select the View command). The View command takes you to one of the two DIRECTORY screens. The TREE screens are used to perform directory related operations and the DIRECTORY screens are used to perform file related operations. Notice that the DIRECTORY screen menu also has the Flip command. Press <F> now. JOBS returned you to what was the alternate TREE screen (for the moment it is the current screen). Select another directory and <V>iew it. Now you have activated both DIRECTORY screens, one with each TREE screen. Press <F> again to return to the first DIRECTORY screen that you activated. With both DIRECTORY screens active, Flip switches you back and forth between them. With only one DIRECTORY screen active, Flip returns you to the alternate TREE screen to select a directory. Now that you have the swing (or flip?) of things, lets look at a few of the powerful things we can do with this organization. To keep this as brief as possible, we'll look directly at a couple of commands and leave the rest for you to learn as you go. By the way, if you'd like to see a visual of the 4 screens and how they fit together, select the HELP for the Flip command. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 9 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Before we go any further, we need an empty directory to use temporarily. If you are not already at one of the TREE screens, press <Esc> until you are. Move the directory pointer to the directory that you want this temporary sub-directory appended to. Select tilities <M>ake-new. Enter the new directory's name (perhaps TEMP). With the TEMP directory in place, we're ready to proceed. Several of the most frequently used commands involve two directories, ie., copying files requires a source directory and a destination directory. Let's see how this is accomplished in JOBS. For the purpose of this demonstration, let's copy a couple of JOBS' files to that temporary directory. At a TREE screen point to the JOBS data directory (the one you selected when installing JOBS). If you need to change drives, press <D> to select the Drive command. <V>iew JOBS' data directory. Ok, we've selected the source directory and need to select the files to be copied. JOBS provides numerous ways to select files, the simplest of which is 'point and pick'. With the up and down arrow keys, move the highlighted file pointer to the file you what to select and press <Enter> or <+>. You may de-select in the same fashion by pressing <Space> or <->. Select a couple of JOBS' files. Selected files are displayed in high intensity and are preceded by a diamond. Now for the destination directory. Press <Esc> to return to the current (or in this case the source) TREE screen. Press <F> to Flip to the alternate (or destination) TREE screen. Use the cursor keys to place the directory pointer on that temporary directory you created earlier. <V>iew it. Since this is a new directory JOBS displays the message "No files present". Select <F>lip to return to the source DIRECTORY screen and the previously selected files. Press to select the Batch command. All copy operations and commands that operate on groups of files are selected from the Batch menu that is now displayed. The Batch menu lists all of the things you can do to a group of files. Three of these commands (B-copy, Copy, and Dup) have to do with making copies. The one we want in this case is B-copy (stands for batch copy). This is the most frequently used copy command; the other two serve particular needs that will not be covered here (see their respective HELP screens). Press to select B-copy. B-copy automatically assumes that the alternate DIRECTORY screen is the destination and begins copying immediately. When complete, JOBS reports the number of files copied. Press any key to return to the DIRECTORY screen. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 10 JOBS-SW 3.20s USING JOBS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notice that the diamond markers have changed to 'x', denoting that the associated files have been copied. If you select another file now and B-copy again, only the diamond marked files copy. The 'x' marked files will be skipped. If you <F>lip now, you will see the new copies in the destination directory. Before you take off on your own, let's look at one more feature that dual screens make possible. Frequently it is useful to compare the contents of one directory with those of another. While still at the destination directory that we copied those files to, press <S> to bring up the Select menu. This menu displays the various selection methods available. One of the commands is called Match. Press <M> and JOBS will select the files that match with the files in the alternate directory (files match if their names are the same). Now, back at the DIRECTORY screen menu, press <C> to compare the selected files with the files in the alternate directory. Notice that the select markers changed to '=', denoting that the matching files have equal dates and times. Had they been different, the marks would be changed to '<' (this file's date is greater or later) or '>' (this file is earlier). Having completed this brief tour, you should have a reasonably good understanding of how to navigate, how to select commands, and most importantly how to get HELP. This knowledge will serve you well in the learn-as-you-go process. Keep one finger on the HELP key and forge ahead; JOBS is pretty forgiving. Press <Esc> at any time to cancel or back up. If you just want to start over completely, press <Ctrl><Home>. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 11 JOBS-SW 3.20s COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMAND SUMMARY ======================================================================== This section contains a brief listing and description of every command in JOBS. Commands are listed in groups by screen. Indenting indicates sub-menus and their respective levels. KEY USAGE AT THE TREE SCREENS The highlighted directory is the 'selected' directory for commands which require a directory specification, and is also the DOS 'current' directory if you exit JOBS or run other programs from within JOBS. The cursor movement keys may be used to move the highlighted pointer from directory to directory. Their actions: <PgUp> Move to the root directory. <PgDn> Move to the bottom-most sub-directory of the root. <Up-arrow> Move to the next directory above the current one. <Dn-arrow> Move to the next directory below the current one. <Left-arrow> Move to the directory left of the current one. <Right-arrow> Move to the directory right of the current one. <Home> Move to the base of the current branch. <End> Move to the right-most directory in the current branch. If the tree is too large to fit on the screen all at once, the view will automatically scroll as needed. KEY USAGE AT THE DIRECTORY SCREENS </> Redraw the screen. <\> Toggle between display selected and display all. <!> Toggle selected files. <Del> Erase file under pointer. <Enter> or <+> Select file under pointer. <Space> or <-> De-select file under pointer <PgUp> Display previous page in listing. <PgDn> Display next page in listing. <Up-arrow> Move pointer up one file. <Dn-arrow> Move pointer down one file. <Home> Move pointer to top of file list. <End> Move pointer to end of file list. <5> Center file pointer on screen. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 12 JOBS-SW 3.20s COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE MENU STRUCTURE ------------------------- TREE SCREEN MENUS ---------------------------- ESC Quit JOBS. <.> DOS system call ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. Goto Goto DOS and do not return. Large-call Goto DOS and return to same location. Small-call Goto DOS and return to beginning of JOBS. Drive Change drive for the current display. Flip Switch between current and alternate directory screen. Jobs Select the menu for JOBS specific operations. ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. Install Goto the INSTALL Screen for JOBS setup. Macro Goto the MACRO screen. Reset Clears directory screen lists from memory. Timeclock Goto TIMECLOCK screen. New Force JOBS to read the disk and update tree display information. Path Capture path at directory pointer. Quit Quit JOBS. System Goto the SYSTEM Screen for DOS system information Utilities Select menu for basic disk and directory functions. ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. Branch Create a directory branch in one operation. Erase Erase an empty directory. Find Locate file(s) in the current directory branch. Make-new Create a new directory. Rename Edit the name of a directory. Volume Create or revise the disk volume label. View Goto the DIRECTORY Screen for file listing and menu. ------------------------ SYSTEM SCREEN MENUS --------------------------- ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. Break Set DOS Break ON or OFF. Date/time Set DOS system Date and Time. Environment Enter or change DOS environment variable. Verify Set DOS Verify ON or OFF. ----------------------- INSTALL SCREEN MENUS --------------------------- ESC Return to TREE screen and menu. Drive Add or remove a drive from the installation list. ESC Return to main install menu. Add Add a drive. Remove Remove a drive. Load Load install settings from JOBS' file on disk. Macro Set maximum size of macro definitions, macro escape key, and default macro file. Options Access Options menu. ESC Return to the main install menu. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 13 JOBS-SW 3.20s COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bell Turn error bell ON or OFF and select pitch. ESC Return to main install menu. Dos Turn bell ON and use DOS bell sound. 0 = OFF Turn bell OFF. 1 - 9 = ON Turn bell ON and select pitch. Call Select Edit and <.> call default method. ESC Return to main install menu. Echo Have JOBS display intermediate command line. Goto Select GOTO as default. Large-call Select Large-call as default. Small-call Select Small-call as default. Data-dir Declare the JOBS data directory. Editor Provide JOBS with the name of your editor. Graphics Allow graphic characters in text files. Memory Use how many K of memory for data. Tabs Set default tab expansion for View and Print. Update Have Dup leave how many K for updates. Restore Cancel changes made since entering install screen. Save Save the current installation values. Video Video setup menu. ESC Return to the main Install menu. Colors Select the colors for the 6 windows. (CGA only). No-colors Set to the monochrome mode. (CGA only). Reset-colors Switch to color with default colors. (CGA only). Speed Select Fast or Slow screen save/restore method. ------------------------ MACRO SCREEN MENUS ---------------------------- ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. Compile Re-compile the macros in the current macro file from their .JMTs. Erase Erase a macro. File Access menu for macro file related commands. ESC Return to the MACRO screen. Change Select a new Macro file. Make-new Create a new Macro file. Organize Pack the current Macro file. Get Get a macro command from either the screen or a .JMT file for future Put operation. ESC Return to the MACRO screen menu. Binary Get the macro command from a .JMB file. File Get the macro command from a .JMT file. Screen Get macro command from the current macro file. Learn Enter the macro learning mode. Mark Mark a macro to indicate starting point and status. ESC Return to MACRO screen menu. Reset Reset the macro mark to the unmarked state. Auto Execute automatically at marked location. Boot Execute automatically every time you start JOBS. Global Execute anywhere in the program. Hidden Prevents display of macro in macro menu. Local Execute from a specific location. Once Execute automatically only once each time the macro file is loaded. * Indicates the active marks (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 14 JOBS-SW 3.20s COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Put Put the macro command from the previous Get to either a disk file as a .JMT or a key. ESC Return to the MACRO screen menu. Binary Put the macro command to a .JMB file. File Put the macro command to a .JMT disk file. Screen Put the macro command to the current .JM file. Rename Give a macro a new name. Step Set the single step mode ON/OFF. Trade Trade the macro command at one key with the command at another key. View Look at the contents of a compiled macro command. ---------------------- TIMECLOCK SCREEN MENUS -------------------------- ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. In Timecard time In. Out Timecard time Out. Total Total timecard to screen. List Send totals to disk or printer. ESC Return to the TIMECLOCK Screen. Disk Save Total to disk. Printer Send Total the printer (DOS LST device). ---------------------- DIRECTORY SCREEN MENUS -------------------------- ESC Return to the TREE screen menu. <.> Access to DOS command line. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Goto Exit to DOS with no return. Large-call Goto DOS and return to exact departure location. Small-call Goto DOS and return to beginning of JOBS. Attribute Set the highlighted file's attribute. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Archive-on/off Set the archive flag ON/OFF. Hidden Set the file attribute to Hidden. Normal Set the file attribute to Normal. Read-only Set the file attribute to Read-only. System Set the file attribute to System. Batch Do a batch operation on the selected files. ESC Return to DIRECTORY screen. Attribute Select the menu to change file attributes. B-copy Copy the selected files to the alternate directory. Copy Copy the selected files to any destination. Dup Copy the selected files to another drive and duplicate the directory structure. Erase Erase the selected files. Log() Set the logging ON or OFF for B-copy and Dup. Move Move the selected files to a different directory on the same disk. Print Goto the PRINT Screen with the selected files. Rename Rename the selected files. Time Reset the date/time stamps on selected files. Comp Compare current screen with alternate screen. Display Change the display parameters for this directory. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Arch Display the files with their archive bit set ON. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 15 JOBS-SW 3.20s COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date Set the date/time range. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Between Display files with a date/time between two given dates and times. Equal Display files with an equal date/time Newer-than Display files with a newer date/time Older-than Display files with an older date/time. Today Display files with today's date. Logic() Select next logic display operator (OR, AND, NOT). Name Pick a subset by name or wildcards. Order Set the order of the sort. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Date Sort by date and time. High-low Sort in a descending order. Low-high Sort in an ascending order. Name Sort on filename and filetype. Size Sort on file size. Type Sort on filetype and filename. * Current selected sort method and order. Path Specify path and files to display. Reset Set the display back to the program defaults. Selected Display only those files that have been selected. Erase Erase the highlighted file. Flip Flip to the alternate screen. Rename Rename the highlighted file. Select Select a group of files based on some conditions. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen menu. Arch Select files with their archive bit set. Date Select by date menu. ESC Exit to the DIRECTORY screen menu. Equal Select files with an equal date/time. Newer-than Select files with a newer date/time. Older-than Select files with an older date/time. Today Select files with today's date. From(ALL) Select from ALL, DISPLAYED, or SELECTED files. Logic(OR) Logic for next Select operation (OR, AND, NOT). Match Select files that match filenames in the alternate directory. Name Select by name or wildcards. Reset Return the select parameters to their default state and de-select all selections. Sel-file Use a .LST file as the criteria for selection. Token Select files using tokens as criteria. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen menu Copied Select files with the token set to 'x'. Diamond Select files with the token set to a diamond. Equal Select files with the token set to '='. Greater-than Select files with the token set to '<'. Less-than Select files with the token set to '>'. View Brings up Dump, Edit, Type, List menu. ESC Return to DIRECTORY screen menu. Dump Show a file in hexidecimal format. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Graphic() Switch the graphic character display ON or OFF. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 16 JOBS-SW 3.20s COMMAND SUMMARY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Offset Move to a specific offset address from the beginning of the file. Search Search for decimal or hex values in file. Type Switch to the Type mode. <PgDn> Move forward in the file 336 characters. <PgUp> Move backward in the file 336 characters. ** EOF ** End of the file is on the screen. Edit Using your editor, edit the highlighted file. List Copy directory list to a file or the printer. ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen menu. Disk List the displayed files to a .LST file. Printer List the displayed files to the printer. Type Show a file in ASCII format (text). ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen and menu. <1>-<9> Change tab expansion, 1 to 9 characters. Dump Switch to the dump mode. Graphic() Switch the graphic character display ON or OFF. Offset Jump to a specific location offset from the beginning of the file. Search Search for a text string in the file. ** EOF ** End of File is on the screen. View Select a file to Type or Dump using a filespec. ------------------------ PRINT SCREEN MENUS ---------------------------- ESC Return to the DIRECTORY screen. Bell Set the Wait bell ON/OFF. Control Allows sending control characters to the printer. Go Begin printing. Header Define or turn the header ON or OFF. ESC Return to the PRINT screen menu. Define Define or edit the page header. On/off Turn the page header ON or OFF. Line Set the line related settings. ESC Return to the PRINT screen menu. Cut Truncate lines at the specified column. Tab Set the tab columns. Output Declare the output destination (File or Printer). ESC Return to PRINT screen menu Disk Print the file to a disk file. Print Print to the DOS LST: device Page Set the page related settings. ESC Return to the PRINT screen menu. Begin Begin the print process at page number. End End printing after page number. Lines-used Number of printed lines per page. Margin Number of columns for the left-hand margin. Size Set length in lines and the width in columns. Wait Set the Wait conditions. ESC Return to the Print menu. File Return to Print screen menu at the end of each file. Page Pause at the end of each page. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 17 JOBS-SW 3.20s INSTALLATION SETTINGS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHANGING INSTALLATION SETTINGS ======================================================================== JOBS INSTALL From either TREE Screen, press <J> (Jobs Install) to access the Install screen. Individual options may be changed, at any time, without affecting other existing settings. The changes can be Saved permanently or used for the duration of the current session without affecting the permanent settings. DRIVE ------------------------------------------- Add or remove a drive. JOBS needs to know how many disk drives your computer has and of what types. This command allows you to modify the list of drives that JOBS is installed for. When Adding a drive, Drives A and B default to removable media. Drive C and above default to non-removable media. Adding a drive that is already on the drive list will replace the existing one. For a discussion on removable vs. non-removable see Appendix C. You may access drives not included in the install list. You will get a message that the drive has not been installed and JOBS will ask if you wish to continue. If you answer yes and the drive is physically present, JOBS will temporarily install the drive. If the drive doesn't exist, you will be told and the operation terminated. LOAD ----------------------------- Load installation settings from disk. When the installation settings are Saved, they are written to JOBS' .EXE file. Load performs the opposite task, ie., it reads the .EXE file and replaces the settings currently in memory with those from the disk. MACRO ----------------------------------------------------- Macro setup. Macro sets the amount of memory JOBS will set aside for learning a macro or reading macro text files (filetype '.JMT'). It also allows you to change the keyboard macro escape key. The distribution default macro memory size is 5000 bytes, but you may select any size between 100 and 30,000. This macro memory is the space necessary to Learn and/or Compile a macro. When a macro is running, the entire definition is loaded into memory and JOBS allocates sufficient space (if available) regardless of the maximum macro size set by this command. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 18 JOBS-SW 3.20s INSTALLATION SETTINGS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The macro escape key is used to to signal the start and end of a macro learn session, to abort running macros, and as a prefix to special macro commands. The default macro escape character is the grave accent mark (`) (ascii 96) which is usually on the same key as the tilde. It may be changed to any printable character (ascii 32 thru 126) or control character (ascii 1 thru 31), except <Esc> and <Enter>. You cannot enter the current macro escape key as a response. Press <Enter> if the current key is the one that you want. The macro escape key selected should be convenient to use without conflicting with keys used for other purposes. Note: This command only changes the macro escape key. Macro text files always refer to the macro escape code as '~' (ascii 126). OPTIONS -------------------------------------------------- Options menu. This command brings up the Options menu. Menu line: ESC Bell Call Data-dir Editor Graphics Memory Tabs Update JOBS will ring an error bell on improper input or on errors during operation. This bell can be turned off or the pitch can be set to either the DOS sound or one of 9 other preset pitches. For full DOS compatibility, the bell should be set to DOS. The default type of DOS access (using just <Enter> after the <.>) can be set to Large-call, Small-call or Goto. The View Edit command uses the installed Call Edit setting directly, and goes to the editor with no further interruptions if an editor has been installed. This command selects the call methods for both conditions. The Echo option determines whether or not the command line is echoed on the screen as it is executed. It's recommended that you use the Large-call method for the editor if you can afford the extra memory required. This will return you to the same screen that you left to use the editor. Failing to find a "J-SWDIR=" in the DOS environment, the installed JOBS data directory is the directory that JOBS will expect to find its files in. JOBS can use your editor as if it were one of JOBS' built-in commands. The Options Editor command allows you to tell JOBS the name of your editor or word-processor. If you don't have one or want to disable the capability, enter 'NONE'. For this feature to be fully useful, your editor should reside in a directory that is specified by your system PATH command. The editor you use must be able to accept a file specified on the DOS command line. As an example: C>EDLIN TESTFILE.TXT (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 19 JOBS-SW 3.20s INSTALLATION SETTINGS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This command line would run EDLIN and EDLIN would automatically load the file TESTFILE.TXT. The Graphic or 8th bit, used by some programs for control purposes instead of graphics, can be turned On or Off. If it is used for control, you will want the Graphic switch OFF. The JOBS commands Dump, Type and Print are the only commands affected by this option, and you can change it as required while viewing or printing files. You can control how much memory JOBS will use for data with the Options Memory command. The limits in K bytes (between parenthesis) provide the minimum and maximum settings allowed. You may specify any integer value within the limits. When you set the maximum value, JOBS will ask the operating system for the maximum and automatically adjust to what it gets. If you specify less that the maximum, JOBS will request the specified amount and complain if it doesn't get it. For most purposes, the maximum setting is the one of choice; allowing JOBS to make the most of what is available. Although JOBS will run if given only the minimum of scratch pad memory, 20k is probably a more practical lower limit. The Options Tab command will set the default tab expansion. When a file is displayed on the screen using the View command or printed with the Print command, JOBS converts tabs (ASCII 9) into the necessary spaces to reach the next tab column. Tab columns commonly default to every 8 spaces. Keep in mind that this is only the default value; you may interactively change the tab columns while typing or printing a file. The Batch Dup command will leave a set amount of space free on the destination disk. The Option Update command sets the default value for the amount of space that will be left. The amount of space can be anywhere between 0 K bytes and 1,000 K bytes and is specified in integer values as K bytes. This is only a default value and can be changed on an individual basis when you use the Dup command. RESTORE ----------------------------------------- Reset to prior values. Use this command if you decide, while in the middle of making changes, that you want to start over. This will restore the installation setting that was in place just before the Install command was given. SAVE --------------------------------- Save current installation values. This saves the current installation settings to that file whose name appears on the 3rd line from the bottom of the screen. Save will blink, in the menu line, if the current settings have been changed without saving. Unless Saved, installation changes are only temporary. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 20 JOBS-SW 3.20s INSTALLATION SETTINGS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ VIDEO ------------------------------------------------ Video setup menu. This brings up a menu of commands related to video display options. If you have a video card that has Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) capabilities, you will be able to turn the colors on with Reset-colors, turn them off with No-colors, and select the colors with Color. The color selection is done from a table of colors for each of the standard windows used in JOBS, and is made for both the normal and inverse modes. Reset-colors also returns the display to the distribution default colors. The speed and quality of the screen save and restore depends on the type of display controller in use. To accommodate a variety of systems and maximize performance, JOBS can perform the save and restore operation two different ways. Using Speed Slow, all screen draw and redraw processes will go through BIOS. This provides the most compatibility and is almost guaranteed to provide good quality. Set to Slow, JOBS conforms strictly to the BIOS and DOS requirements. Fast uses a common method of producing faster screen images that by- passes the BIOS, causing JOBS to access video memory directly. Under most conditions this will work just fine, but in some controlled environments even this amount of deviation from recommended practices will cause problems. Try both methods and pick the one that suits you and your operating environment. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 21 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MACROS - CUSTOM COMMANDS ======================================================================== WHAT ARE MACROS? Macros are commands created by combining JOBS' built in commands. Besides combining the built in commands, you may also add some commands that are unique to macros. This combination provides you the ability to create your own customized solutions. Macros may control the display, define pop-up windows, wait for keyboard input, execute other macros, and more. WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR ME? Often there are command sequences that you perform repeatedly with little or no variation. With JOBS' macro capability, you may teach JOBS the desired command sequence and thereafter execute the command sequence with a single keystroke. Macros make repetitive operations not only easier but more accurate. The ability to link the basic commands together and create your own unique commands goes a long way toward customizing the program to your particular needs. The benefit is that you get what you want. The disadvantage is that you have to teach JOBS what you want. The Shareware version of JOBS is distributed with a limited set of ready to run macro commands (JOBS+ comes with approximately 150 macros, and the list continues to grow). To this you can add commands by 'teaching' JOBS new commands or creating text file commands that you can then load into the macro file. Each macro is assigned to a key or combination of keys called macro keys. The keys which may have macros assigned to them are the function keys <F1> through <F10> and the Alternate alphabetic keys <Alt><A> through <Alt><Z>. The Alt keys are entered by holding down the Alt key while entering the desired alphabetic key. There is no distinction made between lower and upper case letters. MACRO FILES A macro file may contain up to 36 macros. Only one macro file can be used at a time, but you can have as many macro files as you want. The JMAC-SW.JM file is the default macro file for JOBS (as distributed). On the install screen, you may specify any macro file you wish to be the default macro file. If no file is specified at the DOS command line when JOBS is first executed, JOBS will try to load the default macro file. If the file is not in the Data Directory, JOBS will complain, disable macros, and then continue. A new macro file can be created using the File Make-new command or by copying an existing one. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 22 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first method, using File Make-new (<F><M>), is done at the MACRO screen menu. This will create a new and empty file. For the second method, select the file you want to use as a model and then use the Batch Copy command. Give the copy a new name. Don't forget that the filetype must be '.JM'. Go to the MACRO screen and File Change to the new macro file. Erase the individual macros that you don't want. Either method will work. Which you choose will depend on what you want to accomplish. Using the copy routine ensures that the keys (macros) used to call standard macros are in the same place. Changing macro files when you are not running a macro can be done with the File Change command or using the supplied macro CHG-MAC. Within a macro, you may use the File Change command or you can use the [$MACFILE] command. THE MACRO SCREEN Except for the actual execution of a macro, all macro activity starts at the MACRO screen. The MACRO screen has three boxes that list the macros. Each box consists of three columns. The first column lists the macro Mark. Macros can be marked Auto, Boot, Global, Hidden, Local, and Once. The second column is the key for the macro starting with the Function keys in the first box and the Alternate-Alpha key in the next two boxes. The third column is the name of the macro and is limited to 8 characters. Any legal file name character can be used. Macros that are highlighted are a special class of macro called extension macros. They were created using JOBS Extension Language (JXL), a high level language that we use to customize and add to JOBS' basic capabilities. These cannot be viewed or converted to text files (JMT's). They are intended to be used as is and are documented in the next section of this manual, entitled Ready to Run Macros. CREATING A MACRO JOBS will allow you to create macros using the Learn mode or create them using your personal editor. In the beginning it will be much easier to use the Learn mode, since this will guarantee the proper syntax and generally take much less time for the simple macros. At some point you will want to modify your existing macros. You now have the choice of going through the Learn process and creating a new macro to replace the old one or extracting the individual macro from the macro file, editing it and then placing the modified macro back into the macro file. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 23 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Most macro commands may be accessed in the Learn mode, but a few are available only to macros which have been created as text files. All macro commands may be used when creating macro text files. Note: The macro escape character is always defined as '~' (ascii 126) by macros when they are in text form, although the actual macro escape key defaults to '`' (ascii 96) and may be changed by the macro command ~E, or at the INSTALL screen. CREATING MACROS WITH LEARN For an explanation of how to put JOBS into the Learn mode, goto JOBS' macro screen (press <J><M> at a TREE screen) and select HELP for the Learn command. Note: The supplied macro, LEARN, automates the start Learn process. See the section 'READY TO RUN MACROS'. In the Learn mode, special macro escape commands are accessed by pressing the macro escape key, followed by the first character of the command's name. You may also wish to call other macros while in Learn mode. Press the macro key for the macro you wish to [CALL]. On the macro information line, JOBS will confirm that you wish to [CALL] another macro. Answer <Y>es and JOBS will insert the [CALL] instruction inoto the current macro. The referenced macro will be run, and when that macro is complete, JOBS will return to recording your keystrokes. In Learn mode, macros may not [CALL] themselves; either directly or indirectly. A macro that calls itself is said to be recursive. Recursive macros may be created as text files. In Learn, all references to other macros are automatically performed as [CALL]s by name instead of [CALL] by key or as [GOTO]s (see [GOTO], this section). CORRECTING MISTAKES WHILE LEARNING. If you enter an illegal keystroke (one that rings the bell), JOBS will automatically 'un-record' it on the next keystroke. If you enter a legal keystroke, but not the one you wanted, there are a couple of ways to correct what JOBS has learned,depending on the situation. You must first enter the commands needed to return JOBS to where it was before the unwanted key was entered. JOBS will record these keystrokes, not knowing that you are merely trying to correct an error. Having backed up to the point where the error occurred, the only thing that remains to be done is getting JOBS to forget the unwanted keystrokes. There are two ways to do this. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 24 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. If you are at a place in the program where <BackSpace> hasn't any meaning you may merely <BackSpace> over the unwanted keystrokes. The bell will ring (for the illegal keystrokes), but you needn't be concerned because the learning part of JOBS will dutifully un-record the unwanted keystrokes and ignore the illegal keystroke errors. 2. If you are at a place in the program where <BackSpace> is a legal keystroke, (ie., at a text input prompt), for each recorded keystroke you wish to un-record, press the macro escape key followed by <BackSpace>. JOBS will un-record keystrokes without passing the <BackSpace> on to the operation being learned. MACRO TEXT FILES A .JMT file is a standard ascii file containing an individual macro in text form. This file can be created either from scratch with a text editor or by using the Learn mode and then using the Get Screen/Put File commands to create the text file. The Get Screen command will extract an individual macro from the current macro file and place the macro in an intermediate buffer. From this buffer, you can then Put it to a disk file (filetype '.JMT') using the File option. To place this .JMT file back into the macro file (.JM), you must Get File the .JMT from the disk and then Put Screen, which assigns it to a key of your choice in the current macro file. Note: The supplied macros, EDMAC and FRESHEN, automate the macro text editing process. See the section 'READY TO RUN MACROS'. CHARACTERS USED IN MACRO TEXT FILES All alpha, numeric and normal character keys are usable. The following non-alphanumeric key combinations are translated to control characters and are specified by their control character names. Key In .JMT file Alternate ----------- ------------ --------- <Esc> ^[ [ESC] <Enter> ^M [RET] <Ins> ^] <Del> ^G <Home> ^^ <End> ^_ <PgUp> ^R <PgDn> ^C (Up arrow) ^E (Down arrow) ^X (Right arrow) ^D (Left arrow) ^S (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 25 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The macro escape symbol in text files is always the tilde (~). In text macros, spaces, tabs, carriage returns, and line-feeds are not significant except in window text. Use these characters freely to enhance the readability of the macro text file. Preceding any character with the macro escape symbol will cause that character to be included, ie., ~~will include ~, ~<Space> includes the space character. <Enter> and <Esc> may also be included as [RET] and [ESC], respectively. TEXT FILE COMMANDS Macros created using your editor may also use the 'bracketed' commands. These are only available to macros created as text files, and are delimited with square brackets. In the macro text file, any significant character that is not part of an escape command or a bracketed command will be passed to JOBS as a recorded keystroke. MACRO COMMAND REFERENCE The macro commands are split into three categories based on their application within JOBS. 1. Menu Commands are the commands that the macro selects from JOBS' regular menus, ie., the recorded keystrokes. 2. Macro Escape Commands can be used while Learning or creating a text file. 3. Bracketed Commands are only available to macros created with an editor. They are not available while using the Learn mode. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 26 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MACRO ESCAPE COMMANDS ~Bell ------------------------------------------------------------------ Enable/disable the JOBS error bell. Text format: ~B[ON] or ~B[OFF] ~Delay ----------------------------------------------------------------- Delay specified number of seconds before continuing with macro. Text format: ~D[nnn] nnn may be any value between 0 and 240. Example: ~D[5] [* Suspend operations for 5 seconds and then continue. *] Comments: This is a fixed delay, see the Pause command (in this section) for a delay that can be interrupted by the keyboard. ~Escape ---------------------------------------------------------------- Change current macro escape key. The default macro escape key is <`> . This is the grave accent key. The new macro escape key remains in effect until changed by another ~E command or until JOBS is exited. Text format: ~Ex the macro escape key would become 'x' Example: ~E@ [* Change the macro escape key to '@'. *] Comments: When changing the macro escape key the user should avoid choosing a key that conflicts with one of JOBS' command keys. ~Help ------------------------------------------------------------------ Turn JOBS' context sensitive HELP processor ON/OFF. When HELP is turned OFF, the <F1> key will be treated the same as the other macro keys; ie., if it is defined the macro will be run. Once turned OFF, HELP remains OFF until turned ON again by an ~H[ON] or until macro processing is completed. Text format: ~H[ON] or ~H[OFF] Comments: With HELP on, the [F-1] macro may only be accessed from another macro; using either [CALL] or [GOTO]. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 27 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ~Keyboard -------------------------------------------------------------- Take input from keyboard up to and including a specified character, then continue with remainder of macro. All keys input up to the specified character are passed through to JOBS. Text format: ~Kx 'x' is the key to wait for. Example: ~K[RET] [* Wait for the <Enter> or <Return> key. *] Comments: This command allows macros to be suspended, accept keyboard input, and then continue. If 'x' is the current macro escape character, JOBS will accept only one character from the keyboard, regardless of what that character is. ~Mark ------------------------------------------------------------------ Mark macro start location. This provides the ability to Mark and change the starting location and status of a macro from within a running macro. This command, when used inside a macro, has the same effect as pressing the macro escape key while outside a macro. Text format: ~M Comments: This command is useful for dynamically changing Auto macro locations or assignments for error trapping or menu windows. ~Pause ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pause and wait for a keystroke or for a specified length of time (in seconds), whichever comes first. If the time value is set to 0, JOBS will wait indefinitely for a keystroke before continuing with the remainder of the macro. Text format: ~P[nnn] nnn is any value from 0 to 240 Example: ~P[5] [* Wait for any key and give up after 5 seconds. *] ~Reset ----------------------------------------------------------------- Do a complete reset of JOBS program. JOBS will immediately stop macro processing and jump to the installed drive's TREE screen, resetting itself to the state it was in when first loaded into memory. Text format: ~R Comments: With ~T[ON],(see ~Trap following), any error that occurs while a macro is running will automatically cause a Reset. If a macro is Marked to automatically run at the TREE screen, it will be run after the Reset operation; thus providing a means to recover from errors. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 28 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ~Screen ---------------------------------------------------------------- Screen output may be turned ON/OFF with this command. This will quiet warning messages but leave fatal messages and HELP style error messages active. (see also [WIND][PROT]). The screen is always ON outside macros. Text format: ~S[ON] or ~S[OFF] Comments: Screen OFF commands follow the command that screen OFF should begin with and screen ON commands precede them. JOBS looks one command ahead for screen OFFs but only actuates screen ONs when it comes to them. For example, the following short macro does a jump from the macro screen to the DIRECTORY screen without displaying the TREE screen. ~S[OFF] is processed before [ESC], while ~S[ON] is only processed before the View command if it placed before it. Example: [ESC] [* Exit macro screen. *] ~S[OFF] [* Turn off screen I/O. *] p\[RET] [* Move tree pointer to root directory. *] ~S[ON]v [* Turn screen back on and View directory. *] ~Trap ------------------------------------------------------------------ Macro error trap. When ON, errors cause JOBS to Reset (See ~Reset). Text format: ~T[ON] or ~T[OFF] Comments: Any error that rings the bell will cause JOBS to Reset if Trap is on. (except for the out of space bell at text prompts) ~Verify ---------------------------------------------------------------- Verify ON/OFF. Operations such as erasing or copying files, changing file attributes, etc., will be performed without confirming the erasure or overwrite if Verify is OFF. Verify is always ON outside macros. Text format: ~V[ON] or ~V[OFF] Range: ON or OFF (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 29 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ~Window ---------------------------------------------------------------- Activate window editor. Prompts: Window number? (1-6) Text format: Not applicable. Comments: After picking the window number you wish to use, JOBS will display the description menu from which you can describe the window. Once the window's descriptors have been selected, JOBS will display an empty window in the middle of the screen. With the cursor keys you may move this window, and also change its size. With <NumLock> off, the cursor keys change the window's size. With <NumLock> on, the cursor keys move the window around the screen. Press <Esc> when the window's size and location are satisfactory. When the window has been described and located, JOBS will display the menu: ESC Describe Edit Locate ESC Exit the window editor, return to Learn mode. Describe Brings up window description menu. Edit Edit window's contents. Locate Set window's size and location. At this menu you can return to the description menu, relocate the window, quit this window definition and continue teaching, or add text to the window using the built-in editor. Select Edit and JOBS will display the window and place the cursor in the upper left corner ready to accept text. The editor is always in the insert mode (as opposed to overwrite) and will not allow you to enter characters if it will cause a line to exceed the width or height of the window. However, you may read files from disk whose lines exceed the width or height of the window; the excess will be truncated for display but will be retained within the macro text. Blink, high intensity, or inverse on allows you to move the cursor to the right causing each character passed over to take on the selected attribute. You may undo/backspace with (Left arrow) or <Ctrl><S>. When finished, exit with <Esc>. Insert graphic character brings up an ASCII table from which you may pick a character by number. You are then prompted for the quantity of the selected character you wish to insert at the current cursor position. Once you exit the description menu, you cannot go back and re-edit the window. There is no return once you exit. JOBS will confirm your desire to exit the window editor. To re-edit a window, turn the macro into a JMT file and edit the text. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 30 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The window editor utilizes the same keystroke conventions as Wordstar and supports the following commands: COMMAND DESCRIPTION ------------- ---------------------------------- <Esc> exit editor <Home> move to start of line <End> move to end of line <BackSpace> delete character to left of cursor <Del> delete character under cursor <PgUp> move to top of window <PgDn> move to bottom of window (Right arrow) move cursor right (Left arrow) move cursor left (Up arrow) move cursor up one line (Down arrow) move cursor down one line <Ctrl><A> move cursor back one word <Ctrl><C> same as <PgDn> <Ctrl><D> same as (Right arrow) <Ctrl><E> same as (Up arrow) <Ctrl><F> move cursor forward one word <Ctrl><G> same as <Del> <Ctrl><K> ^K command prefix <Ctrl> or mark start of block <Ctrl><C> or <C> copy marked block to cursor location <Ctrl><K> or <K> mark end of block <Ctrl><R> or <R> read file from disk, insert at cursor <Ctrl><W> or <W> write marked block to disk <Ctrl><Y> or <Y> delete marked block any other key cancels operation <Ctrl><O> ^O command prefix <Ctrl> or start blink on <Ctrl><C> or <C> center text in current line <Ctrl><G> or <G> insert graphic character(s) <Ctrl><H> or <H> start high intensity on <Ctrl> or start inverse on any other key cancels operation <Ctrl><N> insert linefeed at cursor <Ctrl><Q> ^Q command prefix <Ctrl> or move cursor to beginning of marked block <Ctrl><D> or <D> same and <End> <Ctrl><K> or <K> move cursor to end of marked block <Ctrl><S> or <S> same as <Home> <Ctrl><Y> or <Y> erase from cursor to end of line any other key cancels operation <Ctrl><R> same as <PgUp> <Ctrl><S> same as (Left arrow) <Ctrl><X> same as (Down arrow) <Ctrl><Y> delete line (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 31 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE BRACKETED COMMANDS These commands represent an additional macro capability. They are used when creating or enhancing macros with an editor, and cannot be used in the Learn mode. [$MACFILE] ------------------------------------------------------------- This variable holds the name of the current macro file. Assigning it a valid macro file name (without the extension) causes JOBS to load the specified file. If the file is not found the current macro file remains unchanged. Assigning the variable the name of the current macro file has no effect. Format: [$MACFILE = "mac"] "mac" is the name of a valid macro file. [* ... *] -------------------------------------------------------------- Macro .JMT files may be freely commented by placing comments between [* and *]. Comments may be as long you wish, covering as many lines as you wish. When JOBS compiles the JMT, commented text is discarded; so no penalty is paid for extensive commenting of source code. Comments may be nested within one another. Comments may not be included between [WIND] and [ENDWIND]. [ASK][SELECT] ---------------------------------------------------------- This will check the keyboard for a keystroke. It will only accept legal keys. For macro keys, it will attempt to [GOTO] the macro assigned to the entered key. Non-macro keys will fall through and the macro will continue. A failed [GOTO] will result in an error message. Format: [ASK][SELECT] [BELL] ----------------------------------------------------------------- This will ring the bell once if either ~B[ON] or JOBS is installed to ring the bell on an error. Format: [BELL] [CALL] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Call another macro in the current macro file and return. When the called macro is completed, macro processing resumes with the next command following the [CALL]. Nesting of macros with the [CALL] command is limited to 6 calls deep. [CALL] has several formats: Format: [CALL][F-10] Call the macro assigned to <F10>. [CALL][A-C] Call the macro assigned to <Alt><C>. [CALL]["MACNAME"] Call the macro named "MACNAME". (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 32 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [EXIT] ----------------------------------------------------------------- [EXIT] causes JOBS to immediately exit the current macro. If the current macro was called by another, control is returned to the caller. Exiting an un-nested macro causes macro processing to end with the message "macro completed". Running off the end of a macro has the same effect. Format: [EXIT] [GOTO] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Goto another macro in the current macro file and do not return. The format of the [GOTO] command is the same as that of the [CALL] command. Format: [GOTO][F-10] Goto the macro assigned to <F10>. [GOTO][A-C] Goto the macro assigned to <Alt><C>. [GOTO]["MACNAME"] Goto the macro named "MACNAME". [GOTO] is more memory efficient than the [CALL]. With the [CALL] command, the calling macro remains in memory. With the [GOTO] command, the macro containing the [GOTO] is discarded and its memory becomes available for other uses. [KEY] ------------------------------------------------------------------ The next macro key is to be taken literally and passed to program. Format: [KEY][F-1] Passes the F-1 key to the program. [LEGAL]..[ENDLEGAL] or [ILLEGAL]..[ENDLEGAL] --------------------------- Individual keystrokes may be declared legal or illegal. Illegal keystrokes will be ignored by JOBS. To declare any key legal or illegal, place its name between the appropriate delimiters. Keys specified may include ^A (ascii 1) through ~ (ascii 126) and the macro keys. Format: [LEGAL] (list of keys) [ENDLEGAL] [ILLEGAL] (list of keys) [ENDLEGAL] Examples: [LEGAL]A^C.[A-B][ENDLEGAL] [* declares that 'A', CTRL-C, '.' and ALT-B are legal keystrokes and all others are not. *] [ILLEGAL]J[F-2]7^^[ENDLEGAL] [* declares that 'J', F-2, '7', and Home are illegal and all other keys are legal. *] Multiple declaration are not cumulative, that is, each declaration completely redefines legal/illegal keystrokes. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 33 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Keystroke status remains in effect until redefined and only inside of macros. Note that the non-alphanumeric keys are represented and translated as described earlier in the section (see Characters Used in Macro Text Files). The <F1> key (HELP) is not affected by these declarations unless HELP is turned off with ~H command. ALT-F?, SHIFT-F?, ALT-# are always illegal and unused by JOBS. [MACRO] ---------------------------------------------------------------- This may be used to supply the macro's name. No actual commands are generated by this statement. If JOBS finds this statement anywhere in the .JMT file, it will supply the given name as the default when prompted for the macros name at completion of the Macro Get File operation. Format: [MACRO][MACSNAME] supplies the name 'MACSNAME'. This statement is optional. In any case, it supplies only the default name. You may supply a different name at the prompt if you wish. [START] ---------------------------------------------------------------- This may be used, in a .JMT file, to supply the macro's starting location. It is the same task performed by marking. No macro commands are generated by the statement. Each location in the program has a unique identifier. This is a character string of from one to four characters long. Format: [START][loc] Where loc is the location string. This macro may only begin at loc. [START][BOOT] To start the macro from the TREE screen once each time JOBS is started. [START][GLOBAL] The macro may be run at any location. In addition, the following modifiers may be appended to the [START] command: [AUTO] Run this macro automatically each time JOBS comes to loc. [HIDDEN] This macro is not to be run from the keyboard. It may be called by other macros. [ONCE] Limit this [AUTO] macro to running automatically only once. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 34 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Examples: [START][T] [* Start this one at the TREE screen. *] [START][DD][AUTO] [* Run this macro automatically at the DIRECTORY screen's Display menu. *] [START][GLOBAL][HIDDEN] [* Call by another macro at any location. Can't be run from keyboard.*] To determine the location identifier for a particular program location, Mark it's location with the macro escape key (see the Macro screen's Mark command HELP text). JOBS will display the message: Marked at: "LOC" where LOC is the location identifier. When JOBS looks through the macro list for BOOT or AUTO macros, only one will be finally selected, regardless of how many are found. The one selected will be the one closest to the top of the macro menu. [STOP] ----------------------------------------------------------------- The [STOP] command causes JOBS to immediately terminate macro processing with the message "macro discontinued." Format: [STOP] [WIND]..[ENDWIND] ------------------------------------------------------ [WIND] is the keyword declaring that a window definition follows. Each bracketed keyword between [WIND] and W# are descriptors which describe the window. All descriptors are optional, and may appear in any order. The W# through LLIN are mandatory parameters for the first use of that window and they MUST appear in this exact order. All [WIND] commands must terminate with a matching [ENDWIND]. Subsequent use of the same window only needs the [WIND] command, optional descriptors, and W#. Window attributes and coordinates will default to those provided by the last definition of this W#. [WIND] and its parameters must reside on a line by themselves. Any lines between that line and the line containing [ENDWIND] will be displayed as text. Text may be highlighted with blinking, high intensity, or inverse video by delimiting the desired area with ~B, ~H, or ~I; respectively. Once a window is defined, its definition will not be altered until it is redefined by a macro command. Window definitions remain active even outside macros. Format: [WIND].. descriptors ..W#,FG,BG,LCOL,ULIN,RCOL,LLIN desired text [ENDWIND] (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 35 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTORS ------------ The 'descriptors' may include: [BORDER][CLEAR][FREE][INVERSE][PROT][RESTORE][SAVE] [BORDER] Display window with double line border around it. [CLEAR] Clear window area. If the defined window contains text, [CLEAR] is implied. [FREE] This keyword is used to free storage used previously to [SAVE] this window. Saved screen areas remain stored until released with the [FREE] descriptor, macro processing is completed, or a ~R (reset) occurs. [INVERSE] Cause the entire window to be displayed in inverse video, a swap of FG and BG [PROT] will prevent this window from being overwritten by subsequent screen output. This protection will remain in affect until this W# is used again. Protected status is also lost if another program is run from JOBS. Protection remains in affect even after macro processing is completed. [RESTORE] restore an area on the screen that was previously saved, using this window number. [SAVE] saves that portion of the screen which will be overwritten by the new window. Once a screen area is saved, it may be restored, any number of times, using the [RESTORE] descriptor. PARAMETERS ----------- W# Specifies the window number. There are 6 window structures which may be used to define and maintain macro windows. They are numbered from 1 through 6. FG Specifies foreground color/attribute. The range is a number from 1 to 127. Setting this value to 0 will cause this window to use the installed color settings for the corresponding JOBS window number (See the install color setting screen for corresponding window number assignments). BG Specifies background color/attribute. This value is ignored if FG=0. The range is 1 to 127. LCOL Specifies the window's left hand column. The range is 1 to 80, the left most column on the screen being column 1. ULIN Specifies the window's upper line. The range is 1 to 25, the top line on the screen being line 1. RCOL Specifies the window's right hand column. The range is 1 to 80. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 36 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LLIN Specifies the window's lower line. The range is 1 to 25. [SAVE], [RESTORE] and [PROT] are tied to the window number and subsequent use of a window number cancels previous settings for these descriptors. However, windows may be used to clear or display text and immediately re-used to display other another window of text without affecting the original display. Window coordinates are also tied to the window number. If a window with a particular size and location is defined, and that same window number is later used without specifying size and location, the initial specifications will be used. Using a previously uninitialized window number without specifying its coordinates will cause that window's coordinates to default to those of the corresponding JOBS window number. Window definition commands may be in upper or lower case. Window text may include any ascii value. To include the ~ character in text, precede it with a ~ (~~). Macro comments (text between [* and *]) should not be placed between [WIND] and [ENDWIND]. ... WINDOW example 1 ... [WIND][BORDER][INVERSE]1,0,0,1,1,80,25 first line in window - 2nd line on screen 3rd line in window - 4th line on screen [ENDWIND] This defines a full screen window with a border. The window is cleared and the two lines of text are displayed; one on the top line of the window (1st one below the border) and another on the third line. The default screen attributes for window number 1 are used. The entire window is cleared using the inverse attribute. ... WINDOW example 2 ... [WIND][SAVE][INVERSE]4,0,0,1,24,80,25 Press <~hY~h> to erase, <~hN~h> to skip. Press <~hEsc~h> to abandon file erase process. [ENDWIND] This definition clears the 2 lines at the bottom of the screen using inverse video. It uses the default colors for window 4 (JOBS' menu window). Two lines of text are displayed in this window and no border is used. This two line area of the screen was saved, in window 4's storage, before displaying the new window. Notice the ~h preceding and following the characters inside of the <>. ~h is the escape sequence that turns the high intensity video on or off. ~i and ~b are the escape codes for inverse video and blinking. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 37 JOBS-SW 3.20s MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ... WINDOW example 3 ... [WIND][RESTORE]4 [ENDWIND] This window command will restore the screen area saved in example 2. Without a [FREE] descriptor, the saved area remains in storage and may be restored any number of times. ... WINDOW example 4 ... [WIND][PROT]W# [ENDWIND] Turns on protection for previously defined window. ... WINDOW example 5 ... [WIND][SAVE][BORDER][CLEAR]W#,0,0,5,10,15,20 [ENDWIND] Clears window (10 lines x 10 columns) and encloses clear area with a double line border. The area cleared by this window is saved for later restore. Any previous protection of this W# is turned off. ... WINDOW example 6 ... [WIND][RESTORE][FREE]W# [ENDWIND] Restore the contents of previously saved window and free the storage. The memory used for storing the screen information is released to be used elsewhere. Any protection associated with this window is removed. ... WINDOW example 7 ... [WIND][BORDER]W#,0,0,1,1,80,25 [ENDWIND] Puts a border around the entire screen without clearing the screen inside the border. Windows are only cleared if the descriptor [CLEAR] is used or they contain text to display. Note: Use the window editor in Learn mode to create syntactically correct windows every time, it's fun to do. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 38 JOBS-SW 3.20s READY TO RUN MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ READY TO RUN MACROS ======================================================================== JMAC-SW.JM JMAC-SW.JM is the default macro file for the shareware distribution version of JOBS. The following is a description of each of the macros provided in the file. Each of these macros' access method or limits are noted by the following key words preceding their description. EXT Referred to as Extension macros, these are macros that have special capabilities not available to the distributed version of the JOBS macro language. These macros also have the additional restriction that they cannot be Viewed, Stepped, or Put to a text file. They are displayed on the MACRO screen in reverse video. CALL Some of them may be [CALL]ed by macros that you create. The callable macros are distinguished by CALL following their names. These macros may also be accessed using the [GOTO] command. GLOBAL Many of these macro commands are insensitive to where they begin running, ie., they may be run at any time, from any menu. To execute these commands: 1. Change to the macro file called JMAC-SW. As this is the default macro file, this step will usually be unnecessary unless you have previously changed the current macro file. Press <Tab>, any time, to see the currently defined macros and the name of the current file. 2. For macros which are not Marked GLOBAL, go to the appropriate JOBS menu. 3.Press the macro key that the command is assigned to. Remember, <A-x> refers to pressing the <Alt> key at the same time as you press key <x>; <F-2> refers to function key number 2. GO-MENU_----------------------- <F-2> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL Press <F2> from anywhere in JOBS to activate a demonstration copy of the JOBS+ Menu Manager. DOS-CMDS ---------------------- <F-3> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL DOS-CMDS opens a DOS command line at the bottom of screen and may be selected at any time, anywhere in JOBS. HELP <F1> is available. The command line can be edited using the cursor and edit keys and the last executed command line is available by pressing the <Ins> key. This is a short cut with help for the <.> DOS access command. It will use the default Call/Goto method, selected on the Install screen. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 39 JOBS-SW 3.20s READY TO RUN MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DO ---------------------------- <F-4> ------ EXT, CALL, DIRECTORY Screen DO is similar to DOS-CMDS except that it will place the name of the file, pointed to by the file pointer, on the command line. The command line may be edited or executed 'as is'. DO will only accept files having the file type of .EXE, .COM, or .BAT. Remember that if you have captured a path or filename, these can be added to the command line with a <^P> for the path, a <^F> for the file name and extension, or a <^N> for just the file name. LEARN ------------------------- <F-5> ---------------------- EXT, GLOBAL LEARN is a quick way to put JOBS in Learn mode. This macro may be run from anywhere in JOBS. It will automatically place you at the MACRO screen and prompt you for the macro key to be defined. Once you have selected the key and named the new macro, JOBS will return to the TREE screen; ready to begin learning. ARC-SEL ----------------------- <A-A> ------ EXT, CALL, DIRECTORY Screen If you use either of the popular archive programs, you will find this macro to be very handy. It provides a menu to access the 5 most common archive operations. With ARC-SEL you may select the files to be archived using JOBS selection commands and ARC-SEL will automatically compose the necessary command line(s) for the archive programs. ARC-SEL defaults to using PKWARE's archive programs. To use the the archiver from System Enhancement Associates, place the following variable in the DOS environment: ARCHIVER=ARC where ARC is the name of their program that both adds and extracts to/from archive files. PKWARE uses separate programs for adding and extracting; PKARC and PKXARC, respectively. CHG-MAC ----------------------- <A-C> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL This macro provides a convenient way to change macro files from anywhere in JOBS. It opens a window and displays a list of the macro files currently in the Data Directory. Using the cursor keys, point to the desired macro file. Press <Enter> to change to the selected file or <Esc> to remain in the current file. SW-DOC ------------------------ <A-D> ---------------------- EXT, GLOBAL This allows you to view or print the .DOC file call JOBS-SW.DOC. This macro expects these two files to be in JOBS' data directory. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 40 JOBS-SW 3.20s READY TO RUN MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EDMAC ------------------------- <A-E> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL This macro integrates your editor into the macro screen. Using EDMAC, you may edit an existing macro or create a new one. Upon return from editing, the macro is automatically compiled (Get File) and saved (Put Screen). To run EDMAC, press <A-E> anywhere in the program. EDMAC will automatically moves you to the Macro screen and prompts you for the macro key of the macro you wish to edit. If you select the key of an already defined macro, EDMAC will check to see if that macro's .JMT file already exists. If so, EDMAC will ask if you wish to use the existing .JMT file or create a new one (overwriting the old one). If you select the key of an undefined macro, EDMAC will prompt you for the new macro's name. Enter the new macro name, and EDMAC will create the empty .JMT file; ready to edit. If the name that you select already exists as a .JMT file, EDMAC will ask if you want to replace it. When editing is complete and you exit your editor, EDMAC will compile the newly edited .JMT file and save it to the current macro file using the key that you originally selected. To use EDMAC, you must tell JOBS the name of your editor. This is done on the Install screen. If you have not installed your editor, EDMAC will ask for the name of your editor each time you use it. FRESHEN ----------------------- <A-F> ---------- EXT, CALL, MACRO Screen This macro compiles a single macro from its .JMT file, given a key in the current macro file. It automatically does the Get and Put required to update an existing macro. At the macro screen, press <Alt><F> and the the macro key of the macro you wish to update. An error will be reported if the appropriate .JMT can not be found. Updating an undefined key has no effect. EDMAC and FRESHEN make macro text file development quick and easy. For convenience, place copies of them in each of your macro files. GOTOTREE ---------------------- <A-G> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL GOTOTREE does just that, it provides the necessary keystrokes to return to a TREE screen. It can be run from anywhere in JOBS. When creating your own macros, calling this macro as the first instruction in your macro guarantees that your macro will begin at a tree screen. Your macro may then be Marked as Global. Run from the keyboard, this macro is a handy way to return to a TREE screen without pressing <Esc> repeatedly or performing a reset. DATE-HI ----------------------- <A-H> ----------------- DIRECTORY Screen This will change the sort order of the DIRECTORY Screen to Date High-low and place the file pointer at the top of the list. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 41 JOBS-SW 3.20s READY TO RUN MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GO-SMENU ---------------------- <A-M> --------------------- CALL, GLOBAL This macro changes the current macro file to SAMPMENU.JM and causes the sample menu to be displayed. SAMPMENU.JM is provided as an example of how to create your own menus using JOBS macros. Try it out. The source .JMT for the menu is named SMENU.JMT and contains an explanation of how to customize the menu to suit your needs. MAKEPATH ---------------------- <A-P> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL MAKEPATH provides a quick and painless way to create and enter a new PATH= list (equivalent to the DOS path command). Try it, it has its own HELP windows. It can be run from anywhere in JOBS. CONTINUE ---------------------- <A-Q> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL Continue is a subroutine to be called by other macros. It is used by other macros to ask the question "Continue? (Y/N) <N>." Answering <N>o or <Esc> will will terminate macro processing. With a <Y>es answer, control is returned to the calling macro. README ------------------------ <A-R> ---------------------- EXT, GLOBAL This allows you to view or print the READ.ME file call JREAD-SW.ME. This macro expects these two files to be in JOBS' data directory. TREEPRNT ---------------------- <A-T> ----------------- EXT, TREE Screen TREEPRNT will print a copy of your tree to your printer. It produces a file called "TREE.IMG" in JOBS' data directory and then prints the image using JOBS' Print Utility. As distributed, TREEPRNT is set to use standard ascii characters. It has its own setup routine to change the codes it uses for the 5 graphic characters needed to print the tree. To change these codes for use with a your printer, run TREEPRNT and when prompted for a comment line enter the word 'setup'. It will prompt you for the ascii codes for the 5 characters it uses to print the tree. Setup saves these codes for future use, so you need only perform this setup if you are changing printers. This setup will also help you build the printer initialization macro. See TREEINIT below. Note: As distributed, the TREEPRNT routine uses standard ascii characters for the tree graphics. In this configuration the tree may be printed on any standard printer. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 42 JOBS-SW 3.20s READY TO RUN MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TREEINIT ---------------------- <A-U> ---------------------- TREE Screen TREEPRNT calls this macro, at the PRINT Screen, just before it prints the directory tree. It is a non-EXT macro that you can replace, edit, or delete to suit your needs. As distributed, it uses the Print Utility Control command to advance the paper two lines and the Line Cut command to limit the printout to 80 columns or less. You may edit this macro to do anything you wish done before printing the tree, so long as this macro exits at the PRINT Screen. If TREEINIT is not defined, no printer initialization will be performed. LSTFILES ---------------------- <A-V> --------------------------- GLOBAL A subroutine used by PICK-LST. See below. WRITER ------------------------ <A-W> ---------------- EXT, CALL, GLOBAL Turn your system into an expensive typewriter with this command. It's handy for addressing envelopes, making labels and quick notes. Used in combination with the Print Utility Control command, you can change fonts, line spacing, etc., as needed. The typewriter's output may be re-directed using MODE.COM. DISP2DAY ---------------------- <A-X> ----------------- DIRECTORY Screen This macro limits the file list to display only those files having dates equal to the most recent two days in the current directory. PICK-LST ----------------- <A-Y> and <A-Z> ------------ DIRECTORY Screen The PICK-LST macros make creating .LST files and selecting files using a .LST file quicker and easier. They automatically execute each time you select the View List Disk or Select Sel-file commands. Each opens a window and displays a list of the .LST files found in the data directory. If there are more than 10 .LST files, you may use the cursor keys to page through them. Selecting a file from the window with the <Enter> key will put that file's name on the prompt line. You can now edit the name or use it as-is by pressing <Enter>. To enter a new name, just type in its name and the .LST window will be cleared. Once cleared the .LST window may be re-displayed by pressing the up-arrow key. Each PICK-LST is marked Auto to run at either the Select Sel-list or View List Disk command automatically. To disable either macro, remove the Auto Mark. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 43 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix A - JOBS Files ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JOBS FILES ======================================================================== THE SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION SET CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING FILES. FILE FUNCTION DIRECTORY LOCATION ------------ ------------------------------ ------------------ JOBS-SW.EXE Main Program Any Dir in PATH JOBS-SW.OV Overlay for JOBS Data Directory JOBS-SW.HLP Basic JOBS HELP Data Directory JERR-SW.HLP Basic JOBS error messages Data Directory JMAC-SW.JM Default macro file Data Directory JINST-SW.JM Install macro file Data Directory JOBS-SW.DOC Manual for shareware version Data Directory JREAD-SW.ME Read first text Data Directory SAMPMENU.JM Macro file with sample menu Data Directory SMENU.JMT Macro source code for sample menu Data Directory The directory location is where the file must be for JOBS to use it. The DATA DIRECTORY is the directory that was selected by you during installation or the one pointed to by the J-SWDIR= variable in the DOS environment. JOBS will always look there for its files. JOBS MAY CREATE THE FOLLOWING FILES FILE FUNCTION DIRECTORY LOCATION ------------ ------------------------------ ------------------ JFIND.LST Results of last Find Data Directory JTREE?. JOBS image of the tree structure Root Directory TIMECLK.TIM Default Timeclock file Data Directory TIMECLK.TOT Default Timeclock totals file Data Directory (*.* Files for JOBS' own use Data Directory *.JMT Macro text file Data Directory *.JMB Binary image of a macro Data Directory *.LST Selection list files Data Directory *.TIM Timeclock file(s) Data Directory *.TOT Timeclock totals file(s) Data Directory *.!?? Backup for *.??? file(s) Data Directory *.$?? File *.??? printed to disk Current Directory (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 44 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix A - JOBS Files ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTES ON SOME OF THE FILES. JOBS-SW.EXE and JOBS-SW.OV - These two files are the absolute minimum required to run JOBS. JOBS-SW.HLP and JERR-SW.HLP - JOBS HELP and error message files. JOBS will execute without these files, but there will be NO basic HELP or error messages. The error messages contain useful information concerning JOBS and system failures. If you don't need HELP and really need to save disk space remove JOBS-SW.HLP but retain JERR-SW.HLP. JFIND.LST - The results of the Find operation are placed in this file. This file is replaced each time a Find is done. If you want to keep the results, you must rename the file or move it out of the JOBS Data Directory. JTREE?. - JOBS uses this file to store information about a disk's directory structure. JOBS only writes this file to drives that have been installed as using non-removable media. This file is kept in the root (\) directory and ? is replaced by the drive letter JTREE is for. MINIMUM FILE REQUIREMENTS. JOBS will run with only JOBS-SW.EXE and JOBS-SW.OV present. Without JOBS-SW.HLP, context sensitive help will be unavailable. Without JERR-SW.HLP, full screen error messages will not be provided. Without the default macro file JMAC-SW.JM, macros will be disabled. Without JOBS-SW.DOC, online access to JOBS' documentation will be unavailable. Recommended minimum configuration: In a directory specified by the DOS path: JOBS-SW.EXE In JOBS' data directory: JOBS-SW.OV JMAC-SW.JM JOBS-SW.HLP JERR-SW.HLP Include MENU_.JM and JOBSD.JMH in JOBS' data directory if you wish to use the Menu Manager demo. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 45 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix B - Key Words ------------------------------------------------------------------------ KEY WORDS ======================================================================== Alternate screen - This is the screen that you are not currently viewing. The screen may be either a DIRECTORY screen or a TREE screen. BATCH screen - This screen is used to display batch operations, such as copying or renaming a group of files. It is used by the DIRECTORY screen Batch commands. Branch - A branch is a portion of the directory TREE that grows from a single parent. That parent can be any directory, including the root. The branch is then the parent directory and all directories connected to it on the right (as displayed on the TREE screen). If the parent is the root then the branch is the entire directory tree. Current directory - This is the directory that the operating system recognizes as the logged drive and directory. In JOBS the current directory is always the directory under the pointer at the TREE screen or the directory being viewed at the DIRECTORY screen. Current screen - This is the screen that you are actually using at the moment. Although JOBS has two TREE screens and two DIRECTORY screens, there are no screen numbers. The one that is currently displayed is the current screen and the other is the alternate screen. Flipping between screens exchanges the current with the alternate. For many operations which have a source and a destination, the current screen is the source and the alternate screen is the destination. Data Directory - This is the directory where JOBS' keeps it files. This directory can be the root or any sub-directory. It should be on a drive which uses non-removable media. Destination - This is the same as the alternate screen except it is used in reference to operations that take place between two directories. This is the directory that is not showing. DIRECTORY screen - Executing the View command from one of the TREE screens will result in a screen that provides a listing of the files in the directory that was highlighted at the TREE screen. This screen is a window on the total list. This screen is also used to display file and disk statistics. File or file name - generally refers to the filename plus filetype combination. Filename - refers to the characters before the period in the DOS file naming convention. The maximum number of characters is 8. Filespec - refers to the drive specification, the path, the filename and filetype (if used). The following is an example of a filespec: C:\DIR1\DIR2\FILENAME.TYP Filetype - refers to the characters following the period in the DOS file naming convention. The filetype is not a required part of the file name. The filetype is often referred to as the file extension or type. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 46 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix B - Key Words ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INSTALL screen - Installation, re-installation, and change of defaults are done from this screen. The Jobs command from the TREE screen gets you to the INSTALL screen. Levels - refers to the columns of directory entries on the JOBS TREE screen. The root is in the first level, sub-directories to the root directory are in level two, etc. MACRO screen - JOBS macro management is done from this screen. This screen lists the 36 keys that macros can be assigned to and the macros defined in the current macro file. Non-removable media - JOBS considers any drive declared as using non- removable media as always having the media installed. JOBS will access this type of drive more readily, knowing that it is safe to access that device without considering the consequences of open doors, missing or unformatted media. Parent - refers to the directory that precedes the current directory in a path and is one level to the left (as displayed on the TREE screen) of the current directory. PRINT screen - refers to the display screen for the print utility. This screen may be accessed from either of the DIRECTORY screens using the Batch Print commands. Removable media - JOBS considers any drive declared as using removable media as one whose media may be removed at any time. JOBS will treat data taken from this type of drive as more transient, requiring more frequent updating than non-removable media. Source - As opposed to the destination screen, this is the current screen. This is used in reference to operations that occur between two directories. SYSTEM screen - This screen is viewed when you use the System command. The screen displays the DOS environment. Shown on the screen are the Break and Verify statuses, the DOS system clock Date and Time. Any of these can be changed while at this screen. TIMECLOCK screen - The Jobs Timeclock command displays this screen. It will show the current date and time and is used for the various timecard functions. TREE screen - One of the two available screens used to display a graphic representation of a disk's directory structure or 'Tree'. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 47 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix C - Fine Tuning ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FINE TUNING ======================================================================== This is for those who want better performance; better performance not just for JOBS but for many other programs that you will be using. Fine tuning means that several things can to be done with the DOS and JOBS environment to optimize efficiency. The increase in performance may well be worth the investment in time and effort. CONFIG.SYS At each boot, DOS looks for an optional file called CONFIG.SYS in the boot disk root directory . This file is used to specify such things as what device drivers to use, the maximum number of files that may be open at one time, and how much memory to set aside for buffers. If it is not found, DOS will use pre-set values for the number of files and buffers. These default values seldom provide optimum performance. Look at your root directory. If there is a CONFIG.SYS file, type it with JOBS' View Type command. Look for the one line entry BUFFERS=n The decimal number following BUFFERS= represents the number of 528 byte pieces of RAM that the operating system will reserve to hold information that is coming from or going to the disk. If BUFFERS= is not specified, DOS will default to 8. Any program, including JOBS, that goes out to a disk regularly for information will benefit significantly if more than 8 buffers are available. We recommend setting BUFFERS=20 for the XT and BUFFERS=30 for the AT. From experience, these seem to be good settings for JOBS, and many other applications also benefit from this increase over the default. Beyond these recommended values, the law of diminishing returns begins to take effect. The computer will spend more time searching memory than it would take to go directly to the disk. The number is a function of the speed of your processor, the speed of your RAM and the speed of your drive. The faster the processor and memory, the more BUFFERS. The faster your drive, the fewer the BUFFERS. CONFIG.SYS is a standard ascii text file. Use your editor to adjust the buffer count. The new setting will take effect only after re-booting your system. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 48 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix C - Fine Tuning ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PATH The DOS PATH command provides DOS with a list of directories to search for a given program or batch file. When asked to run a program, DOS (or JOBS) will look for it in the current directory first. If not found, it will then proceed from left to right through the PATH list until it either finds the file or reaches the end of the list. The power of this command lies in fact that you can run programs from any sub-directory. You can also move unique applications into their own directory and still have access to them from other directories, if their directory is in the PATH. With a PATH command that specifies multiple directories, some improvement in performance will be realized if the directories are ordered according to frequency of use, ie., the most frequently accessed directory first. The PATH command is essential to the operation of JOBS. If you do not have a PATH specified, during the easy installation, JOBS will ask you if you want to add a PATH specification to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If you answer no, JOBS will put a path in the environment, but this will only be available until you exit JOBS the first time. Minimally, the following PATH command should be included in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. PATH=C:\ Where C is the drive with JOBS-SW.EXE in the root directory. If you don't understand the path concept or what the AUTOEXEC.BAT file is, please review your DOS manual. They will vastly improve the usefulness of your system. NON-REMOVABLE VS. REMOVABLE The current disk/directory (CD/D) in DOS is the default drive and directory. DOS first looks here for programs or batch files in the absence of a path specification, drive specification or both. The notion of CD/D becomes somewhat less apparent when using JOBS. You may move freely from directory to directory and from disk to disk; the CD/D is assumed from your actions and the type of media declared at installation. For drives which are installed as using non-removable media you may consider the directory you are pointing to or viewing to be the current directory; and the disk whose tree you are working with to be the current disk. With JOBS it's more accurate to consider the media as a mode of operation or state of mind, rather than the actual fact. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 49 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix C - Fine Tuning ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As an example, let's assume a two drive system (drives A & C). Drive A is installed as removable and Drive C as non-removable. If, while viewing the directory tree for drive A, you choose to exit JOBS the CD/D will remain set to the C drive. If you are viewing a directory from drive C on one screen and one from drive A on the other, JOBS will not change the CD/D when flipping between them. This prevents inadvertent access to media that may have been removed and eliminates the overhead of logging on to the slower media each time you wish to view its contents. Note: If you Call or Goto a program on drive A, JOBS will change the CD/D to drive A before running the program. This scenario is best suited for a system where floppy drives or tape units are treated mostly as backup or single access media. Single access media refers to media which is accessed to download data to the hard disk where it will actually be used. Whenever JOBS reads a non-removable media device to create a directory tree and it finds more than one directory, it will save the tree information to a file named JTREE. If JOBS accesses a disk and finds that JTREE already exists, it will take the tree information from this file. JOBS will only create the JTREE file on non-removable media. The JTREE file is automatically updated whenever the directory tree is altered using JOBS. Use the New command (@ TREE screen menu) to force JOBS to update JTREE if the directory tree has been changed while outside JOBS. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 50 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix D - Manual Installation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MANUAL INSTALLATION ======================================================================== Here we assume you are fully conversant with DOS and its commands. It is also assumed that you have read through the rest of this manual an have become somewhat familiar with JOBS. An installation is considered successful if: 1. The environment variable PATH= has been SET and JOBS-SW.EXE is in the PATH. 2. JOBS has been assigned a data directory and, at a minimum, the following files are in that directory: JOBS-SW.OV JOBS-SW.HLP JERR-SW.HLP JMAC-SW.JM optionally copy: JREAD-SW.ME JOBS-SW.DOC SAMPMENU.JM SMENU.JMT 3. JOBS runs. SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THIS Comply with requirement #1. Pick a directory where you wish to have JOBS keep its files (the data directory). Copy at least the files specified in requirement #2 to this directory. Log into the data directory, making it the current directory. At the DOS command line enter: JOBS-SW /N<Enter> JOBS should come up with a screen displaying the directory tree of the current drive (may take a moment if its a big tree). Near the bottom right-hand side of the screen will be the blinking words: <J>obs nstall This signifies that JOBS is in the install mode and that you should press <J> then to access the Install screen. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 51 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix D - Manual Installation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Important things to do at the install screen: A. Enter the Drive and Path of the selected data directory. B. Install the drives used by your system. C. Select the proper screen save/restore method. Suggested things to do: D. Select colors if using a color display. E. Install your editor. Any other settings may be dealt with later, as needed. Remember, you may return to the install screen at any time to make either permanent or temporary changes. Save the install settings and exit the install screen. The blinking install reminder will still be displayed. Press <Ctrl><Home> to reset JOBS. JOBS installation is complete and requirement #3 has been satisfied.. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 52 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix E - Command Line Options ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AT THE DOS COMMAND LINE ======================================================================== When running JOBS from the DOS command line, you may specify the drive to be displayed first, the macro file you wish to begin with, a macro to begin executing, and/or the amount of environment space you want JOBS to set aside. For example: C>JOBS-SW D: MYFILE MACRO /E:300<Enter> With the command line shown above, JOBS would begin on drive D:, using the macro file 'MFILE.JM'. 300 extra bytes of environment space would be set aside and JOBS would immediately begin executing the macro named 'MACRO'. All of these are optional and may be supplied in any order, with one exception. If a macro name is specified, it must be preceded by the name of the macro file. /N on the command line forces JOBS into installation mode. In this mode, JOBS resets it's installation settings to the distribution defaults and widens it's search for needed files. /P will permanently load this copy of JOBS. JOBS functions very well as a shell. If it is installed to execute other programs using Small calls, it will actually use less memory than COMMAND.COM to load and run other programs. If you use this option, load all of your RAM resident programs first. /P is also very handy when setting up an environment for others to use; preventing them from inadvertently exiting JOBS. Examples: C>JOBS-SW E:<Enter> Run JOBS and come up displaying the directory tree on drive E: C>JOBS-SW MYFILE<Enter> Run JOBS, display the tree for the current drive and load the macro file named MYFILE.JM. C>JOBS-SW C: /E:500<Enter> Come up displaying the tree on drive C: and set aside 500 extra bytes for environment storage. C>JOBS-SW /P /E:300<Enter> Load JOBS as a permanent shell and allot 300 extra bytes of environment storage. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 53 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix F - Error messages ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ERROR MESSAGES ======================================================================== JOBS has four types of error messages. In order of severity they are: 1. One or two line pop-up warning messages. Warning messages are informative messages that usually let the user try again after reading the message. 2. One or two line pop-up fatal error messages. Fatal error messages cause the current process to be abandoned after the user has read the error message. 3. Full screen, HELP style error messages. HELP style error messages deal mostly with DOS errors and are more informative. After the user exits the HELP screen, JOBS resets itself or in extreme cases exits to DOS. 4. Critical DOS errors are a special type of DOS error, usually indicating that something completely failed to work as it was supposed to. Some errors of this type are automatically processed by JOBS, ie., Disk not ready or Printer not ready. Others are not so easy to recognize, and are often of a more serious nature. The critical error codes provided by DOS are occasionally accurate, often cryptic or ambiguous, and sometimes meaningless. When it is unclear what the problem is, JOBS will display the message: CRITICAL DOS ERROR #n on Drive A: ..Re-start JOBS? (Y/N) <N> where n is the error code provided by DOS. The DOS literature provides the following information about these codes. Code Meaning ---- ---------------------------------- 3 Unknown command 4 CRC error in data 5 Bad drive request structure length 6 Seek error 7 Unknown media type 8 Sector not found 10 Write fault 11 Read fault 12 General failure In addition to these, we have received reports of other error codes that are not documented in the DOS literature. Notice that, for the most part, these messages are reporting serious disk errors. For this reason, JOBS will not access your disks any further. Instead, you are asked to decide what to do next; continue with JOBS or exit to DOS. If you answer <Y>es at the critical error prompt, JOBS will reset itself and continue on as if it was being run for the first time. Answer <N>o to exit JOBS and return to DOS. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 54 JOBS-SW 3.20s Appendix F - Error messages ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The most common error of this type is General failure (#12) and most often occurs when you access a disk that has not been formatted. In fact this is a quick and painless way to find out if a disk has been formatted. If the error occurred while accessing the drive that JOBS is installed on, answer <N>o to this prompt (exit to DOS). Further use of this drive, without determining what the problem is, may be risky. Warning messages are suppressed if the screen is turned off by a macro. Fatal, HELP style and critical error messages may not be suppressed. Error messages cause running macros to be discontinued; warning messages do not. (C) Copyright RCT Design, 1989 Page - 55 Order Form Order Form RCT Design PO Box 1726 Novato, CA 94948 (415) 892-2713 Your name: _________________________________________ Company name: _________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ City, State: _________________________________________ ZIP/Country: ______________ Phone: (____) ____________ MasterCard/VISA # ________________________ Expiration __/__ NOTE: Printed manuals are normally shipped by UPS Ground, disks only by US Mail. If you are ordering a printed manual, PLEASE use a street address, NOT a PO Box. NOTE: The $29/$39 registered version of JOBS-SW has been discontinued, despite what the initial sign-on screen says. Quantity Description Unit Price Total Price +--------+---------------------------------+----------+-------------+ | | JOBS+ w/ disk manual | $69.00 | | +--------+---------------------------------+----------+-------------+ | | JOBS+ with Printed manual | $79.00 | | +--------+---------------------------------+----------+-------------+ | | JOBS SW Unregistered | $10.00 | | +--------+---------------------------------+----------+-------------+ Subtotal: _____________ California Residents add 6% State Sales Tax: _____________ Shipping, $2.50 per printed manual ordered: _____________ Total Due: _____________ in US Dollars THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER. Quantity discounts and site licenses are available, call for quote. Government and corporate purchase orders accepted. Order Form Order Form