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Shareware Overload Trio 2
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Shareware Overload Trio Volume 2 (Chestnut CD-ROM).ISO
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dir39
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envform.zip
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README.TXT
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1994-10-17
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Contents
--------
Section 1 Program Description
Section 2 Screen File
Section 3 INI File Parameters
Section 4 Errors / Return Codes
Section 5 Special Notes / Considerations
Section 6 Examples
ENVFORM is a C program I wrote to accomplish a specific need. Upon
completion, I decided to distribute it under the shareware concept. You may
use the software to determine if it meets your needs. If you then decide to
continue using the software you pay a license fee to the author. The license
fee for this package is $10.00. This fee entitles you to use the software
royalty free.
If you choose to license ENVFORM, please send the $10.00 license fee to:
Steve Lundeen
Software Integration Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 723847
Atlanta, GA 31139
Whatever you decide to do, please distribute this software to any bulletin
boards you wish. I may be contacted at CIS[71051,1243].
ENVFORM uses The Window Boss screen I/O routines provided by Philip A.
Mongelluzzo, Star Guidance Consulting, Inc.
DISCLAIMER
----------
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. We cannot be held liable for any loss of profit or any
other commercial damage, including but not limited to, special; incidental;
consequential; or other damages.
Section 1 - Program Description
-------------------------------
ENVFORM is a parameter driven program which allows you to perform full screen
input of DOS enviroment variables. The fields can be set to the values of DOS
environment variables pior to the calling of the program, allowing you to
establish desired defaults. ENVFORM is also capable of displaying error
messages to instruct the user to re-enter invalid information.
ENVFORM requires the use of two files, an .INI file which contains control
information and a text file which is displayed on the screen upon program
entry.
When invoked, ENVFORM parses the passed INI file for required information. If
any required parameters are not specified, the program will set the
appropriate return code and terminate. After successfully interrogating the
INI file, the program will then display the screen contained in the text file
specified. Next, the program will solicite input from the user to fill the
defined fields. If the user presses escape to exit the screen, a return code
will be set to denote this action. Once the user accepts the entries, the DOS
environment variables are set and, if specified, a batch file is created in
the designated directory. Optionally, ENVFORM can invoke another program upon
entry of all the fields.
Section 2 - Screen File
-----------------------
The screen file is typically a 24 row by 80 column text file. This file is
written to the screen, starting at the top left corner. Row 25 is reserved
for program use. Included with this download are four sample screen form
files, FORM1.TXT through FORM4.TXT. These are just text files which can be
used for initial form design or as copy and paste objects.
Section 3 - INI File Parameters
-------------------------------
The INI file consists of the following sections and keys:
[ENVFORM]
SCREEN=text file name
RUN=program file to invoke
BATCH=batch file name for SET statements
ERRORLOCATION=row,column
PUTFORECOLOR=color
PUTBACKCOLOR=color
GETFORECOLOR=color
GETBACKCOLOR=color
[ENVVARS]
var1=row,column,length
var2= row,column,length
varn= row,column,length
[ENVTEXT]
var1=row,column,foreground color,background color
var2=row,column,foreground color,background color
.
.
varn=row,column,foreground color,background color
[ENVFORM] section
SCREEN=text file name
Specify the name of the text file to be displayed upon program entry.
This file can contain any displayable ASCII characters. This file
should not be more than 24 rows by 80 columns.
RUN=program file to invoke
Specify the name of the program to run after the user accepts the input.
This can be a .BAT, .COM, or .EXE file. This program will receive a
copy of the environment which contains the specified DOS environment
variables.
BATCH=batch file name for SET statements
If specified, this batch file will be created and contain DOS SET
statements which can be execute to set the environment variables
specified. This is useful for integrating ENVFORM with batch files.
ENVLOCATION=row,column
Specify the row and column to display a blinking error message to the
user. Error messages can be passed to ENVFORM in the DOS ENVERROR
environment variable. If upon program entry the variable ENVERROR
exists, its contents will be displayed at the row and column specified
by ENVLOCATION. If the column is set to zero, the text will be
centered.
PUTFORECOLOR=color
PUTBACKCOLOR=color
GETFORECOLOR=color
GETBACKCOLOR=color
Specify the color values for the foreground and background colors for
the text display (PUT) and field variables (GET). The color values are
as follows:
0 = Black 4 = Red
1 = Blue 5 = Magenta
2 = Green 6 = Yellow
3 = Cyan 7 = White
[ENVVARS] section
varx=row,column,length
These values specify the variables to be accepted during data entry.
Each variable entered here will correspond to a screen field as well as
a DOS environment variable. The name preceding the equal sign will be
the name of the environment variable. If the variable exists in the
current environment, its contents will be used as a default during data
entry. The screen position for this field is specified by the row and
colmun values. The of the field length used during data entry is
specified by the length value.
The top left corner of the screen is row one, column one. This method
was chosen due to the fact that most text editors display the row and
column when editing files.
[ENVTEXT] section
varx=row,column,color
These values specify DOS environment variables to be displayed within
the data entry form. The top left corner of the screen is row one,
column one. If column is set to zero, the text is centered. The color
values are the same as in the [ENVFORM] section.
Section 4 - Errors / Return Codes
---------------------------------
When ENVFORM terminates, the following return codes (ERRORLEVEL) are set:
0 = Normal completion
1 = Screen error, possible row/column error
2 = INI file not found
3 = Screen file not found
4 = Run file not found
5 = Run file could not be invoked
6 = Batch file could not be created
7 = Reserved, not used
8 = User pressed ESCape
Section 5 - Special Notes / Considerations
------------------------------------------
If you receive an 'Out of environment space' message, the amount of memory
allocated for the DOS environment may need to be increased. Adding the
following line to your CONFIG.SYS file may correct the problem:
SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM /E:512 /P
Reference the 'COMMAND' command in your DOS manual for more information.
Section 6 - Examples
--------------------
Several examples should have been included in this download. Remarks within
each sample should provide you with ample information to design your own
ENVFORM applications.
Example 1
EX1.BAT - Simple form to run DOS EDIT.
Example 2
EX2.BAT - Simple form to run DOS EDIT, with error checking.
Example 3
EX3.BAT - Form to accept and validate data. Sample application.