home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Hall of Fame
/
HallofFameCDROM.cdr
/
util4
/
helpsys.lzh
/
HELP.SYS
Wrap
Text File
|
1986-03-07
|
24KB
|
851 lines
ASSIGN (Drive)
Instructs DOS to route disk I/O request for one drive into disk I/O for another
drive.
ASSIGN x=y
Where x is the drive to which current disk I/O request to now be sent.
y is the drive you want disk I/O request to now be sent.
ATTRIB (Attribute)
Allows you to set or reset the Read-Only file attribute, or to display the
current setting of that attribute.
ATTRIB [+R] [-R] filename
Where +R is used to set the read attribute of the specified file to
read-only.
-R is used to reset the read attribute of the specified file.
BACKUP
Backs up one or more files from one disk to another.
BACKUP x y [/S] [/M] [/A] [/D:mm-dd-yy]
Where x is the drive and files that you want to backup.
y is the drive that will contain the backup.
/S to backup subdirectory files in addition to the files in the
specified or current directory.
/M is to backup files that have been modified since the last backup.
/A is to add the files to be backed up to the files already present
on the backup disk.
/D is to backup files that have been modified on or after the specified
date.
BATCH file processing
Batch commands are DOS commands that are contained in a special file called a
batch file. When you execute a batch file, DOS executes the commands you
include in the batch file.
Help is available for the following batch commands by entering
HELP BATCH command
ECHO
FOR
GOTO
IF
PAUSE
REM
SHIFT
ECHO
Allows or inhibits the screen display of DOS commands executed from a batch
file. It does not interfere with messages produced while the commands are
processing.
ECHO [ON] [OFF] [message]
Where ON displays all the commands on the standard output device as they are
executed. This is the default if ECHO is not used.
OFF stops the display of commands on the screen (including remarks).
message displays the message on the screen regardless of the current
ON or OFF state.
If ECHO is issued with no parameters, the current ECHO state is displayed.
FOR
Allows iterative execution of DOS commands.
FOR %%variable IN (set) DO command
The %%variable is sequentially set to each member of SET and then the command
is evaluated and executed. If a member of set is an expression involving *
and/or ?, then the %%variable is set to each matching filename from disk.
Path names are allowed in set.
NOTE: %%variable is required if the for command is included in a batch file.
To type the FOR command at the DOS prompt, only include one %.
GOTO
Transfers control to the line following the one containing the appropriate
label. A label is inserted in a batch file as a colon (:) followed by the
label
name.
GOTO label
IF
Allows conditional execution of DOS commands.
IF [NOT] condition command
Where condition is one of the following:
ERRORLEVEL number is true if the previous program had an exit
code of number or higher. The number is specified as a decimal
value.
string1==string2 is true when string1 and string2 are identical.
NOTE: The corresponding characters of string1 and string2 must
both be uppercase or lowercase to be identical.
EXIST filename
PAUSE
Suspends system processing and displays the message
"Strike a key when ready...."
PAUSE message
Where message is an optional message to be displayed.
REM (Remark)
Displays remarks from with a batch file.
REM message
Where message is any string up to 123 characters long
SHIFT
Allows command lines to make use of more than 10 (%0 through %9) replaceable
parameters
SHIFT
Causes all parameters on the command line to be shifted one position to the
left, with the %0 parameter being replaced by the %1 parameter, etc.
BREAK
Allows you to instruct DOS to check for a control break whenever a program
request DOS to perform any functions.
BREAK [ON] [OFF]
Where ON is used to set BREAK=ON. This means that DOS checks for
CTL-BREAK whenever it is requested.
OFF is used to set BREAK=OFF. This means that DOS only checks for
CTL-BREAK during Standard I/O operations.
BREAK without parameters will display the current BREAK setting.
The default is OFF.
CD (Change Directory)
Changes the DOS current directory of the specified or default drive, or
displays the current directory path of a drive.
CHDIR path
or
CD path
Where path is the drive and directory you wish to set. The drive letter is
not needed if you want to set the directory of the current drive.
CHDIR (Change Directory)
Changes the DOS current directory of the specified or default drive, or
displays the current directory path of a drive.
CHDIR path
or
CD path
Where path is the drive and directory you wish to set. The drive letter is
not needed if you want to set the directory of the current drive.
CD without parameters will display the current directory.
CHKDSK (Check Disk)
Checks the validity of the disk data.
CHKDSK [/F] [/V]
where /F To have CHKDSK fix errors that are found in the directory or
file allocation table.
CLS (Clear Screen)
Clears the display.
COMMAND (Secondary Command Processor)
Use the following command to invoke a secondary command processor. The primary
reason is to invoke a batch file from with another batch file.
COMMAND [/P] [/C string]
Where /P Causes the copy of the new command processor to become permanent
in memory. This is normally not used.
/C string Allows you to pass a string and then automatically exit back
to the primary command processor after the command is complete.
string is a command that you want to pass to the command
processor. The command is interpreted and acted upon as if you
had typed it at the DOS prompt.
COMP (Compare Files)
Compares the contents of the first set of specified files to the contents of the
second set of specified files.
COMP file1 file2
Where file1 Is the primary file
file2 Is the secondary file
COPY
Copies one or more file to the specified disk.
COPY [/A][/B] ipfile [/A][/B] opfile [/V]
Where ipfile Is the input file
opfile Is the output file
When used before the input file
/A Causes the file to be treated as an ASCII (text) file. The
files data is copied up to, but not including the first
end-of-file character (Ctrl-Z) found in the file. The
remainder of the file is not copied.
/B Causes the entire file (based on the directory file size)
to be copied.
When used before the output file
/A Causes a Ctrl-Z character to be added as the last character
of the file.
/B Causes no end-of-file character (Ctrl-Z) to be added.
Defaults: /A when concatenation is being performed and /B when
concatenation is not being performed)
CTTY (Change Console)
Changes the standard input and output console to an auxiliary console, or
restores the keyboard and screen as the standard input and output devices.
CCTY device-name
Where device-name is AUX, COM1, OR COM2. Use CON to reset the primary
standard input and output devices to the primary console.
DATE
DATE mm-dd-yy
Where mm-dd-yy is the month, day, and year
DEL (Delete)
Deletes the specified file or files.
DELETE file
Where file Is the file name or file templet. If file is not specified
*.* is assumed. When *.* is specified or assumed the
following message is displayed to verify that you actually
want to delete all files:
Are you sure (Y/N)?
DIR (Directory)
List either all the directory entries, or only those for specified files.
DIR file [/P] [W]
Where file is a file name or templet.
/P to pause the display when the screen is full.
/W to display the information in a wide display format.
DISKCOMP (Compare Diskettes)
Compares the contents of the diskette in the first specified drive to the
contents of the diskette in the second specified drive.
DISKCOMP d1 d2 [/1] [/8]
Where d1 is the primary drive.
d2 is the secondary drive.
/1 compares only the first side.
/8 compares only 8 sectors per track
DISKCOPY (Copy Diskettes)
Copies the contents of the diskette in the source drive to the diskette in the
target drive. The target diskette is formatted if necessary, during the copy.
DISKCOPY d1 d2 [/1]
Where d1 is the input drive.
d2 is the output drive.
/1 to copy only the first side regardless of the diskette or
drive type.
ERASE (Erase File)
Erase the specified file or files. (See DELETE).
FIND (Find Filter)
Sends all lines from the specified filenames that contain the specified string
to the standard output device.
FIND [/V][/C][/N] "string" file
Where /V to display all lines NOT containing the string
/C to display a count of the number of lines containing the string.
/N to display the relative line number of each matching line ahead
of the line from the file.
"string" Enclose the string in double quotes("). Two quotes in
succession are taken as single quote. An uppercase string does
not match a lowercase string.
FORMAT
Initializes the disk in the designated or default drive to a recording format
acceptable to DOS; analyzes the entire disk for any defective tracks; and
prepares the disk to accept DOS files by initializing the directory, File
Allocation Table, and system loader.
CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION
Please note that formatting destroys all data on the disk.
FORMAT d [/S][/1][/8][/V][/B][/4]
Where d is the drive to be formatted.
/S to copy the operating system files to the new disk.
/1 to format the diskette for single-sided.
/8 to format the diskette for 8 sectors per track.
/V to give the disk a volume label.
/B See manual.
/4 See manual.
HELPDOC
Configuring The Help Facility
The new SCP help facility can be easily tailored for OEM or
end user needs. The program "HELP.COM" looks for a file "HELP.SYS" in
the default directory, or through path searching. When distributed, HELP
is located in the BIN directory with the rest of the command files.
HELP.SYS is really just an ASCII text file with a few special
control keys embedded for text manipulation. If you have a screen editor
that can insert control characters (Control-C,etc.) ,such as VEDIT, then
you can re-edit the file for your specific needs, such as special commands,
further explanations. Explained below is how the text file is manipulated.
HELP.COM searches for the file "HELP.SYS" on the default directory.
If it is not found, the default environment will be searched for "PATH="
then it will start path searches, just as the command processor does. If
you have another application which uses the same filename "HELP.SYS" then you
can rename the file,and with the debugger, you can change HELP.COM to search
for another name. See explanation below.
IF HELP finds the file, it opens it with XENIX type file calls. An
8K buffer is established and the 1st 8k of the file is read in. If there was
no key or subkey typed when help starts up, the default menu is displayed.
When a key is type (such as 'debug') HELP will search each 'record' until
it finds that key. Case is ignored and the length of the key doesn't matter.
You do not have to type the full key name for searching, it will just search
for the 1st match of the key name entered. You need type a key only up to the
first significant letter. For example:
"BAT" Will find batch processing record.
"BAC" Will find the backup record.
Records are separated from each other by a Control-A (01H). If there
are subkeys for that record, (such as FIND OPTION) the subkey records have a
Control-B at the beginning of the record. Records can be any length, if the
text buffer fills up, it will automatically fill in more. When the proper
record is found, text is display to the screen, a line counter keeps track
of the number of lines. If the text fills more than 23 lines, the scrolling
stops and waits for user (unless pause flag is disabled). The only non-alpha
characters in the file are Control-D (04H) - page screen, and Control-C - end
of file. A summary of the control keys is below:
Control-A : Marks beginning of text record.
Control-B : Marks beginning of sub-key text record.
Control-D : Page screen (if pause flag). Stop text
writing and fill screen with blanks. Wait
for user entry to start. (Cleans up display
into desired screen pages)
Control-C : End of file.
The command line in help is a standard buffer and can use the
standard DOS editing template keys. If a simple return is typed, the old
template will not be lost. Typing a control-x while records are viewed will
return the user to the help command level. You can return to DOS by typing
control-C at any time, or "Q" or "QUIT" from the help command level.
To speed up search of keys and simplify code, it is assumed that the
keys are in alphanumeric order. If they are not, it will not find the key on
the first pass and an error will be generated. It will find the key on the
2nd pass, but this is usually not a desired effect. If you add new records,
make sure they are in alphabetical order.
Changing HELP.SYS to another name: Just rename the file with REN.
REN HELP.SYS (Newname)
You must modify HELP.COM to search for another name. The
debugger DEBUG.COM can do it. Type the following:
DEBUG \BIN\HELP.COM
This will load in the help command file. Then type
D742
You should see:
d742
0B7E:0740 48 45 4C 50-2E 53 59 53 00 00 00 00 HELP.SYS....
0B7E:0750 00 24 00 00 00 00 00 00-00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 .$..............
0B7E:0760 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00-00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
If you don't see the above, search any memory area nearby.
You must only modify if you find "HELP.SYS". This is a
reserved area for the filename. You can modify it by typing
E742 "(Newfilename)",0
E is the enter command, and 704 is the starting address for
the text string. The new filename must be a maximum of 8
characters for the filename and 3 for the extension. You must
put a 0 at the end of the name.
Save your new HELP.COM by typing
W
Q
Do not attempt to modify any registers or other memory
locations as the program will not work then. All error
messages will use the new filename you have just set up.
NEW DOCUMENTATION
This program was originally written by me for Seattle Computer
products. Some of the documentation in the help.sys will not apply to
the IBM owners! I hope to download most of these programs (Count,Debug
etc.) to the database in the near future as I know they will be useful
to all PC lovers! Most of these programs were set up for generic
MS-DOS machines and will be unfamiliar to the IBM world. Some of the programs
were also distributed by IBM but I modified them at SCP for our own
needs, since I had the source code to MS-DOS and its utilities.
I hope to xmit most of these different programs sometime soon as
I feel the whole community of users can use them, and since I no longer
work at SCP I have complete rights to them! Enjoy it!
Craig Derouen
Seattle,Wa
LABEL
Allows you to create, change, or delete a volume label.
LABEL d [label]
Where d is the disk drive.
label to specify the volume label. They can be up to 11 characters
and are in the same format as volume labels created by
FORMAT /V. If you do not specify a volume label, you are
prompted for one.
MKDIR (Make a Directory)
Creates a subdirectory on the specified disk.
MKDIR path
or
MD path
Where path specifies the path of directory names.
MODE
Set the way that a printer, a Color/Graphics monitor adapter, or an Asynchronous
Communications Adapter operates.
Help for the four options of the MODE command are available by entering:
HELP MODE option
Where option is PRINTER to set the printer.
DISPLAY to set the display.
COMM to set the Asynchronous Communications Adapter
SERIAL to redirect printer output to serial printer
COMM
Used to set the Asynchronous Communications Adapter.
MODE COMn[:]baud[,parity[,databits[,stopbits[,P]]]]
Where n is either 1 or 2 (asynchronous communications adapter number).
baud 110, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600.
parity is either N (none), O (odd), or E (even) default is E.
databits is either 7 or 8. Default is 7.
stopbits is either 1 or 2. If baud is 110 then default is 2, otherwise
the default is 1.
P indicates that the asynchronous adapter is being used for a
serial interface printer.
DISPLAY
To switch display adapters and setting the display mode of the Color/Graphics
monitor adapter.
MODE n
or
MODE [n],[m][,T]
Where n is 40, 80, BW40, CO40, CO80, or MONO.
40 sets the display width to 40 characters.
80 sets the display width to 80 characters.
BW40 sets the color monitor for a width of 40 characters and
disables the color.
BW80 sets the color monitor for a width of 80 characters and
disables the color.
CO40 sets the color monitor for a width of 40 characters and
enables the color.
CO80 sets the color monitor for a width of 80 characters and
enables the color.
MONO switches the active display adapter to the Monocrome
Display Adapter.
m is R or L (shift the display right or left)
T request a test pattern used to align the display.
PRINTER
MODE LPT#[:][,[n],[m][,P]]
Where # is 1 or 2 (the printer number)
n is 80 or 132 (characters per line)
m is 6 or 8 (lines per inch vertical spacing)
P specifies continuous retry on time-out errors
SERIAL PRINTER
To redirect parallel printer output to an asynchronous communications adapter.
MODE LPT#[:]=COMn
Where # is either 1, 2, or 3 (printer number)
n is either 1 or 2 (asynchronous communications adapter number)
MORE (More Filter)
Reads data from the standard input device, and sends one screen of data to the
standard output device, and then pauses with the message --More--.
MORE
PATH (Set Search Directory)
Specifies the directories for commands or batch files that were not found by a
search of the current directory
PATH [[path[;path]...]
Where path is the full path of the directory. You should also include the
drive as part of the path.
When a path is not specified the current path will be displayed.
PRINT
Prints a queue (list) of data files on the printer while you are doing other
tasks on the computer.
PRINT [/D:device][/B:buffsiz][/U:busytick][/M:maxtick][/S:timeslice][/Q:quesiz]
[/C][/T][/P][filename]
Where device is used to specify the print device. If not specified the
default PRN is used. IMPORTANT: If you specify /D, it must be
the first parameter.
buffsiz is used to the the size in bytes of the internal buffer. The
default is 512 bytes.
quesiz is used to specify how many print files you can have in the
queue. The range of values is from 1 to 32. The default is 10.
timeslice is used to specify the time-slice value. The default is 8
time slices. The range is from 1 to 255.
busytick is used to specify the number of clock ticks that PRINT will
wait until the print device is not busy.
maxtick is used to specify how many clock ticks PRINT can have to print
characters on the print device. The default is 2. The range
is from 1 to 255.
/T All queued files are canceled form the print queue.
/C Allows you to select which file or files to cancel. The
preceding filename and all following filenames entered on the
command line are canceled form the print queue until a /P is
found.
/P The preceding filename and all following filenames are added to
the print queue until a /C is found on the command line.
NOTE: The parameters /D, /B, /Q, /S, /U, and /M can only be specified the
first time you use the PRINT command.
PROMPT (Set System Prompt)
Sets a new DOS prompt.
PROMPT [prompt text]
Where prompt text can contain one or more of the following special character
strings that are in the form of $c.
Where c is one of the following:
$ The $ character
t time
d date
p current directory of the default drive
v version number
n default drive letter
g the > character
l the < character
b the | character
q the = character
h A backspace; the previous character is erased
_ the CR LF sequence
RECOVER
Recovers files from a disk that has a defective sector.
SEE THE DOS MANUAL!
RENAME
Changes the name of the file specified in the first parameter to the name and
extension given in the second parameter.
RENAME opath npath
Where opath is the old name
npath is the new name
RESTORE
Restores one or more backup files from a disk to another disk.
RESTORE d: path [/S][/P]
Where d: is used to specify the drive that contains the BACKUP files.
path is used to specify where you want to restore the files and what
files from the source you want to restore.
/S causes all files in subdirectories in addition to the files in
in the specified directory.
/P causes RESTORE to prompt you before restoring files that have
changed since they were last backed up, or that are marked
read-only.
For more information see the manual.
RMDIR (Remove a Directory)
Removes a subdirectory from the specified disk.
RMDIR path
or
RD path
Where path is the path of the directory to be deleted.
Note: A directory can not be deleted if there are any files in it.
SET (Set Environment)
This command inserts strings into the command processor's environment.
SET [name=[parm]]
Where name is the name associated with the parameter.
parm is the data associated with the name.
If name is specified and not parm the that name will be removed from the
environment. If name is not specified then the current contents of the
environment space will be displayed.
SORT (Sort Filter)
Read data from the standard input device, sorts the data, then writes the data
to the standard output device.
SORT [/R][/+n]
Where /R causes it to sort in reverse order.
/+n is used to start sorting with column n. The default is 1.
SUBST (Substitute)
Allows you to use a different drive specifier to refer to another drive or
path.
SUBST d: path
or
SUBST d: /D
Where d: is used to specify the drive letter that you want to use to
refer to another drive or path.
path is used to specify the drive and path that you want to refer
to with d:. The path you specify should start from the root
directory.
/D is used to delete a substitution. You must specify the drive
letter of the drive whose substitution you want to delete.
SYS (System)
Transfers the operating system files IBMDOS.COM and IBMBIO.COM from the current
drive to the specified drive.
SYS d:
Where d: is the drive you want to transfer the operating system to.
Note: The disk you are transferring the operating system to must have been
formatted with the /S option (see FORMAT).
TIME
Permits you to enter or change the time known to the system.
TIME [hh:mm[:ss[.xx]]
Where hh is the hours using a 24 hour clock.
mm is the minutes.
ss is the seconds.
xx is the hundredths of seconds.
TREE
Displays all of the directory paths found on the specified drive, and optionally
list the files in the root directory and each subdirectory.
TREE [d:][/F]
Where d: is used to specify the drive. The default is the current drive.
/F is used to display the names of the files in all directories.
TYPE
Displays the contents of the specified file on the standard output device.
TYPE path
Where path is the path of the file to be displayed.
VERIFY
Verifies that the data written on a disk has been correctly recorded.
VERIFY [ON | OFF]
Where ON turns verify on.
OFF turns verify off.
VERIFY with no parameters displays the current status.