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PFM INFORMATION MANUAL version 2.31
Copyright Paul R. Culley & Henk de Heer 1983-1992
All Rights Reserved
Release date: 06 JUN 1992
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 1
C O N T E N T S
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT IS PFM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
REQUIREMENTS FOR USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
OPERATION OF PFM (MAIN MENU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
MAIN MENU COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
MAIN MEMU SPECIAL KEYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
MULTIFILE OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
MULTIFILE COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
MORE MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SORTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SHOW FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SHOW FILE SPECIAL KEYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CONFIGURING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
YOUR COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
DOS/YOUR COMMAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
DESTINATION PATH INPUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
LINE EDITING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ERRORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 2
WHAT IS PFM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PFM is a personal file managment system to help you to deal with
DOS. It is used to make common file maintenance chores easier and
faster. PFM is a "Front End" for the DOS command processor. It is
a visual directory maintenance tool with pointer and single
character menu driven interface. It is many good things which
users have requested. To find out more, read the rest of this
manual, or, (If you are like me) just start running it and see
what it does.
REQUIREMENTS FOR USE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MSDOS or PCDOS versions 2.0 or greater.
* IBM pc's or compatible machines.
* The IBM monochrome adapter, EGA, or color adapter in the 80
column text mode, or an adapter that is compatible with one of
the above. (Note that PFM.COM produces flicker with the IBM color
adapter, Compaq and other compatible's color adapters work pro-
perly.)
* 50 kbytes of free memory (more is better!)
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 3
OPERATION OF PFM (MAIN MENU)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PFM can be started by typing "PFM" on the DOS command line. Note
that if you start PFM with a drive/path on the command line that
PFM will begin by displaying the indicated path.
Example: c:\pfm c:\util
Starts PFM and display's the contents of the path c:\util on the
menu screen.
The main menu displayed by PFM consists of several sections.
The main section of the screen in the middle to the left is a
listing of the directory at the current drive/path. This listing
contains the file names, sizes of the files, date and time of
last write, and the attributes of the files. This listing is
sorted in some order (the initial order is alphabetic with exten-
sions given priority over names). You can move the cursor to
point to any entry on this screen with the cursor keys. If you
get too close to the beginning or the end, the display will
scroll to show you more files in the directory (as long as there
are some more).
On the top line of the screen is a list of commands which are
available at the moment. These commands are activated by hitting
the highlighted letter from each command (usually the first
letter) on the keyboard. If that command works in the current
situation, then it will do it's thing. If not, or if the command
key is not legal, then nothing will happen, good or bad (No,
bells, buzzes or error messages here!). Many of the commands act
on the file that the cursor is next to (pointing to) allowing you
to do these commands on these files with only a few keystrokes.
On the left side of the second line of the screen is the pathname
of the current drive and directory. On the right side is the
volume label of the current disk. If the disk has no label it is
displayed as [No Label ..].
On the left side of the last line of the screen is a set of
commands which are activated by hitting the function keys (more
on this later).
On the right side of the last line of the screen you see the most
commonly used direction key's, which will do the expected things.
On the right side of the screen is some other miscellaneous
information about the disk drive, directory, DOS memory and the
date and time.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 4
MAIN MENU COMMANDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following are the commands which are activated from the main
menu. In general they will involve the file name that the cursor
is pointing to when the command is hit. At this point I should
note that if you start something that you do not want to finish,
just hit the [ESC] key. This will get you back to the main menu.
Many of the commands require some kind of typed in response. To
make this easier, PFM supplies an initial input or saves your
last input to the response to save typing. To edit these respon-
ses see the section on 'LINE EDITING'.
* Attrib - Change the file attributes of the file. The attributes
of a file are displayed in the main part of the screen as fol-
lows: "B" not backed up, "W" write protected, "S" system type,
"H" hidden. PFM prompts you with a line as follows:
B= W= S= H=
To add an attribute, change the "=" to a "+". To remove an attri-
bute change the "=" to a "-", or use the "=" to leave it as it
is.
* Time - Change date and time of the file. The date and time are
both displayed on top of the screen. After modifying just hit
enter to put on a file. Remember, seconds will added as a multip-
le of two. If the file did not have the Backup attribute set, it
will be done by PFM.
* Copy - Copy the pointed file to somewhere. PFM will prompt you
for a "destination". See the 'DESTINATION PATH INPUT' section for
the pathname and filename syntax.
Note: Since copying a file to itself would erase most of the
file, PFM considers this an error and does it's best to
prevent this occurrence.
* Delete - Delete a pointed file or directory. You must answer the
"Are you sure" prompt with a "Y" to actually delete the file. If
a file is write protected (a "W" in the attributes column) then
an error will occur. In this case use the Attribute command to
first unprotect the file. Note that DOS will not let you delete a
directory which contains files. PFM doesn't either.
* Edit - Edit the pointed file with your editor. PFM starts up your
editor on this file name. When you are done editing quit the edit
and PFM will restart right where it left off (Neat Huh?) Note
that Write-protected or Hidden/System files may not be editable
by your editor.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 5
* Print - Print the pointed file on system printer. The "lines per
page" prompt allows you to specify a page length for files which
do not have form feeds imbedded. If your file is already paged,
specify "0". If the file has some form feeds, then setting the
lines per page will insure that no page is longer than the speci-
fied amount. If you want more than one copy of the item being
printed, set the number of copies parameter to the appropriate
number. If you want an eight space left margin added to the
printout, answer 'Y' to the margin question. PFM will show a
"PRINTING" status in the upper left corner of the screen until
printing is complete unless you hit another key on the keyboard.
If you do, printing halts and you are given a chance to abort or
continue the printout. (Hitting the space key is the best way to
stop printing a file).
* Rename - Change the name of the file or move file to a different
directory on the same drive. See the 'DESTINATION PATH INPUT'
section for the pathname and filename syntax. If applied to a
directory, you can ONLY rename the directory, you cannot move it
to a different place on the disk.
* Show - Displays the contents of the current file or directory on
the screen. If you are showing a directory, then you are also
changing to that directory as the current directory. See the
section on SHOW for more details on showing a file.
* cOmmand - Allows the execution of DOS commands. PFM prompts for
the text of the DOS command. A blank entry will activate DOS
until the DOS "EXIT" command is entered so that you can tempora-
rily use DOS as you used to. See the 'DOS/YOUR COMMAND' section
for commandline syntax and execution considerations.
* Your command - Like "O" command above, except uses your preconfi-
gured commands. See the More Config command section for details
on how to configure your own commands.
* Quit - Exit PFM and return to DOS. You will be prompted with "Are
you Sure".
* More - Allows operations not related to the displayed directory.
Use to config PFM, edit a new file, make a new directory, or show
a pathname. See the 'MORE MENU' section for details.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 6
MAIN MENU SPECIAL KEYS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* F1 - help. This key doesn't need comment. Just hit it from almost
everywhere in PFM to get detailed information about the current
operation or screen. Includes some error help.
* F5 - reread dir. This key causes the current directory to be
reread to update the screen. This is done automatically after
each PFM command unless files are marked (see 'MULTIFILE OPERA-
TIONS'). This can be used when a disk has been changed or you are
finished with any marks on the screen. If files are marked, you
will be prompted "Are You Sure".
* F6 - sort. This key allows you to re-sort the directory listing.
See the section on 'SORTING' for more details.
* F7 - swap display. PFM has the ability to keep all the informati-
on about the directory that you are currently viewing (the
primary display) while showing an entirely different drive or
directory (the secondary display). I call the process of saving
the current display and switching to the new "swapping displays".
When you hit [F7] the first time, PFM prompts you for a new
drive/path to display. When this is done, the third line of the
screen changes to reverse vidio to indicate that you are using
the secondary display. You can do anything while the secondary
display is shown that you can do normally. To return to the
primary display, hit [F7] again. When switching back, the origi-
nal contents are displayed unchanged. The last several directo-
ries that you referred to can be accessed by the cursor up and
down arrows.
* F8 - in/exclude. This key toggles the include flag on an indivi-
dual file. See the 'MULTIFILE' section for more information.
* F10 - multi. This key is used to switch between single-file and
multi-file mode. See the 'MULTIFILE' section for more informati-
on.
* Space - in/exclude. This key toggles the include flag on an
individual file. Note that the last file from the directory
listing can only done once, if you want to correct a mistake on
the last file you need to use [F8] or to hit any other key before
trying again with the space.
* ESC - backup directory tree. This shows the "parent" directory of
the current directory (the one closer to the "root"). If you at
the "root", this just rereads the current directory.
* Home - Moves to the top of the directory listing.
* End - Moves to the end of the directory listing.
* Up arrow - Moves up by one line.
* Down arrow - Moves down by one line.
* Pg Up - Moves upward by 20 lines.
* Pg Dn - Moves downward by 20 lines.
* '+' - Moves downward by 10 lines.
* '-' - Moves upward by 10 lines.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 7
MULTIFILE OPERATIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PFM has the ability to do operations on more than one file at one
time. This I call "multifile" operation. Multifile operation is
useful for many operations.
An example of this would be to copy a group of files to another
place. In DOS, you would use the DOS "copy" command once with a
wildcard filename or several times with different file names. If
the files you want to copy are not easily related by a wildcard,
then typeing the individual names soon gets tiresome. In PFM, to
copy these files, you can simply mark the files you want in one
of several ways and then switch to multifile mode and hit "C" for
the copy command.
One way of marking files is with the [F8] and space key's. You
just move the cursor (pointer) to the file you want and hit [F8]
or space. This will put an asterisk "*" next to the file. If the
file is already marked, then [F8] will remove the mark. This can
be used if you have only a few files or they are very different
in name.
Another way to mark files is with the "Include command". This
command marks groups of files according your specification. There
is a corresponding command to unmark files called the "eXclude
command". The excluding of files is especially useful if you want
to copy everything except ".BAK" files, for example. When you hit
"I" or "X" for the include or exclude commands you will be promp-
ted for your choice of the method to mark (unmark) the files.
Following is a list of the choices to be had with the include or
exclude commands;
* Every - This choice allows you to select files very fast without
any wildcard filename prompt.
* Before - This choice allows you to select files before a speci-
fied date/time. If you select this choice, you will be prompted
for the date and time. After entering the time, you will be
prompted for a wildcard ("?" or "*") filename to match against
(see below).
* After - This choice allows you to select files after a specified
date/time in the same manner as "Before".
* Ignore - This choice allows you to select files regardless of the
date/time or attribute. You will be prompted for a wildcard ("?"
or "*") filename to match against (see below).
* aTtribute - This choice allows you to select files depending on
attributes. You will be prompted with:
B= W= S= H=
A "=" indicates that the particular attribute does not matter.
A "+" requires that a file have an attribute to be selected.
A "-" requires that a file NOT have an attribute to be selected.
After entering the attribute selection, you will be prompted for
a wildcard ("?" or "*") filename to match against (see below).
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 8
* Oldmarks - This choice reselects any files which were selected
before the last multifile operation. (The files marked with a
".") Use this to do multifile operations on a group of files more
than once. For example if you want to copy a group of files to
another place and then delete them from the original place, use
"I", "O" for include oldmarks to remark the files for the delete
operation.
When you are prompted for the wildcard filename, you should
follow the standard MSDOS wildcard name conventions. If you want
all files with the previously specified attribute, for example,
use "*.*" for the wildcard. PFM saves the last several wildcard
filenames that you have used. To reuse them, hit the up or down
arrow keys to find the one you want, and hit return.
MULTIFILE COMMANDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following commands operate on files which have been marked
with the "include" flag (an "*" in the 1st column next to the
file entry). All of the files are done in the same operation. If
you wish to abort the operation, hit any key on the keboard.
* Copy - Copy a group of marked files to a new destination. The
destination filename MUST be an incompletely specified or wild-
card type name for reasonable operation. If not, then you would
end up copying several files to the same place, writeing over
each other.
* Delete - Delete a group of marked files. You must answer "Y" to
the "Are You Sure" prompt.
* Attribute - Change the file attributes of the marked files. The
Backup, Write-protect, System and Hidden attributes may be chan-
ged. To add an attribute, use a "+", to remove an attribute use
"-", use an "=" to leave it alone.
* Time - Change date and time of the marked files. If one of the
marked files doesn't have the Backup attribute set, it will be
done by PFM.
* cOmmand - Allows execution of DOS commands on the marked files.
Use the F1 and F2 keys to indicate insertion of the filename into
your command. Do not change the current directory or default disk
within your command without restoring it or PFM will get very
confused.
* Print - Print the marked files. The "lines per page" prompt
allows you to specify a page size for files which do not have
form feeds imbedded. If your file is already paged, specify "0".
* Rename - Change the name on the marked files to that specified.
The new filename MUST be a wildcard type name or a new directory
on the same disk.
* Your command - Like "cOmmand" above, except uses your preconfigu-
red commands.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 9
MORE MENU
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
These commands are accessed by hitting "M" on the main menu. They
are generally not related to the directory being shown.
* Show - This command allows selection of a new directory path
and/or drive to display. You will be prompted for the new path
which does not require a trailing "\". The last several directo-
ries that you have used are available with the cursor up and down
keys.
* Config PFM - This command allows you to setup PFM with your own
system configuration. The editor PFM uses can be changed and you
can also configure some of your own commands through here. See
the section on 'YOUR COMMANDS' for more information on their
configuration. PFM also saves many of the "text" entries which
you type while using PFM (such as old commands, copy destinati-
ons, show file search strings, etc.) You may want to check and
clean up some of these before answering 'Y' to the "OK" question
at the end of the config process. The final configuration can be
saved on disk (in the PFM.COM file itself).
* Edit - This command allows you to edit a file that you specify.
Enter the file name in response to the `Pathname:' prompt. This
is useful for creating new text files with your editor. If you
specify a file on another drive or path, PFM changes to that
directory before starting the editor. This means the editor does
not require an understanding of pathnames.
* MKDIR - This command allows the creation of a new subdirectory.
The path should not be terminated by a "\". The new directory
will be displayed.
SORTING
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sort command [F6] is used to sort the directory listing in
some useful order. Unless the directory is left unsorted, any
subdirectories present in a directory are placed at the top of
the display and any files that are marked to be included in a
multi-file operation are placed next. Beyond that, the following
orders are provided:
* Name - The directory listing is sorted in alpha-numeric order
with the filename given first priority. That is, all files with
the same first name will be together.
* Extension - The directory list is sorted in alpha-numeric order
with the file extension given first priority. That is, all of the
files with the same extension will be together.
* Size - The directory list is sorted in reverse order of file
size. The largest files will appear closest to the top of the
listing.
* Time - The directory list is sorted in reverse order of the file
date and time. The newest files will appear closest to the top of
the listing.
* Don't sort - Files are left in their unsorted order (the order
that they are on the disk.) Since PFM default is to sort files,
you must use [F5] to reread the directory in order to see the
files in the original order after you first select this sort
method.
* '+' and '-' - You can put a '-' in front of an other key to
reverse the order. To get back to normal hit the '+' key.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 10
SHOW FILE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The show file portion of PFM is one of it's best features (I
think) in that you can show any file, regardless of size or
content. Many files, particularly binary or executable ones, will
appear as so much garbage with this utility, but even then, you
can still see some interesting things.
Following are a list of the commands available from the Show file
menu:
* Quit - This command ends Show File and returns to the PFM main
menu.
* +n / -n lines - This command allows you to move forward / back-
ward through the file by the number of lines that you specify.
Simply press the + or - key and enter the number that you want
followed by a return.
* Variable lines - This command displays the file in text mode,
that is, CR, LF, and TAB are interpreted in the usual manner. If
you select this mode, PFM will show all subsequent files in this
mode. Variable lines is the default mode.
* Fixed lines - This command displays the file 80 chars per line
ignoring the meaning of the characters. Use this mode to display
binary data files or files without any carriage returns. If you
select this mode, PFM will show all subsequent files in this
mode.
* Color - This command allows you to change the color in which
files are displayed. Once you select a color, PFM will show all
subse quent files in that color. The three available colors are:
full color whit highlight on eight bit set, only text is colored,
no color's.
* Showmode - This command allows you to change the way files are
displayed. Once you select a mode, PFM will show all subsequent
files in the mode. Toggles between 7 bit ASCII and 8 bit IBM-PC
codes.
SHOW FILE SPECIAL KEYS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* ESC - Ends Show File and returns to the PFM main menu.
* Home - Shows the file starting at the beginning.
* End - Shows the end of the file.
* Down arrow - Moves the cursor down one line.
* Up arrow - Moves the cursor up one line.
* Right arrow - Moves to the right by 8 columns to see long lines.
* Left arrow - Moves to the left by 8 columns.
* Ctrl-Right arrow - Moves to the right by 40 columns.
* Ctrl-Left arrow - Moves to the left by 40 columns.
* Pg Dn - Moves forward through the file by 20 lines.
* Pg Up - Moves backward through the file by 20 lines.
* F1 - Help
* F2 - Search for a string in the file. You will be prompted for
the search string (a space matches tab or space). The cursor will
stop on the line containing the string or the end of the file if
not found.
* F4 - Search for the last entered search string again. This can
even be used to find a string in more than one file.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 11
CONFIGURING
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that the cursor, [Ins], and [Del] keys work for changing the
response. You can change the some default's from PFM in the
Configuration menu from PFM. PFM will then ask you if you require
help, if you enter "Y" a help screen will appear which will
remind you how to answer the following installation questions.
After the HELP question is complete, PFM asks the name of the a
text editor that you generally use.
The requirements for the editor are that it be started as a
".COM" or ".EXE" file, it must accept the file to be edited as a
command line input, and it must be able to locate it's own over-
lays and help files (if any) when they are not on the current
disk or in the current directory. The DOS editor EDLIN.COM can be
used but there are many better ones available (such as PE).
(Sadly WORDSTAR and PALANTIR versions that the author is familiar
with will not work.)
Enter the name and location of your editor as the example shows.
Remember to type the entire pathname including drive.
Example: Editor pathname: C:\DOS\EDLIN.COM
This entry specifies the editor used by PFM when you want to edit
a file.
The next question PFM asks is whether you want to keep the origi-
nal cursor provided by DOS when you return to DOS later on. Since
I happen to like a large blinking cursor (the better to find it
on the screen) I made this option available. Enter a "Y" to this
question to make the cursor that way when leaving PFM.
Example: Keep original cursor on exit [Y/N]? Y
Now PFM asks you whether you want to keep the PFM main menu
remaining when exit PFM. This kan by useful if you want to see
disksize, or filespec's.
Example: Clear screen on exit [Y/N]? N
The next question PFM asks refers to the setup of your own speci-
al commands. This is described in detail in the section 'YOUR
COMMANDS'. For now, just hit the "ESC" key.
Example: ESC or Your command Char? [ESC]
The next question PFM asks is if you want to save the new confi-
guration. The answers to all these questions and other settings
will be saved with PFM if you answer "Y". If you don't answer
"Y", then the answers will only last until you quit. (You can
come back and change your mind later before you quit).
Example: Save new config [Y/N]? Y
After all PFM will display the advertisement screen. Hit [ESC] to
return to the PFM menu screen.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 12
YOUR COMMANDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PFM allows the user to configure a set of commonly used one line
commands as part of itself so that lazy typists (like me) can use
a two character sequence instead of a longer command line entry.
To use one of these sequences, hit "Y" from the main menu. The
available commands will be displayed along the right side of the
screen preceded by their command characters. To select one, just
hit the appropriate command character.
To set up or change your own "Y" commands, use the "M", "C" (More
Configure) commands from the main menu to get to the configurati-
on screen. Skip through the question on your editor with the
return key, and answer the question on the cursor. When the
following line prompts, enter a command character which will go
with the "Y":
ESC or Your command Char?
If you do not want to enter or change your own commands, hit
[ESC]. Otherwise you will then be prompted for the text of your
command. Enter as you would on the usual command line, including
the [F1] to [F4] keys. Delete everything on the line if you want
to remove an old command. When you are finished entering the
command hit return. If you have more commands to enter, repeat
the process. When you are done, you will be prompted with an "OK
(Y/N)?". Your configured commands and other changable settings
will be saved with PFM if you answer "Y" to the OK? at the end of
the configuration. If you don't answer "Y", then the new settings
will only last until you quit.
DOS/YOUR COMMAND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
When entering a command string, you can specify portions of the
current (pointed to) pathname by entering on of the keys F1 to
F4. Use the F1 key for the first part of a filename, and the F2
key for the entire file name. If you want to include the current
path or drive in the command string, use the F3 and/or F4 keys.
The F5 key is used to refer to the "SWAP" directory path (the
last directory you looked at with the F7 key). Entering the F6
key at the end of the command string will cause no message: "Hit
a key to continue" before returning to PFM. When you do this,
strange characters will be entered on the command line which will
later be replaced by their corresponding pathname parts.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 13
When you complete the command, PFM will execute it just as DOS
would. When the command is finished running, a message "Hit any
key to continue" will appear. When you strike a key, the system
will return to PFM. In the following examples the current dri-
ve/directory is "C:\EXAM", the file name is "TEST.ASM", and the
swap directory is "a:\xxx\";
Input Result
----------- ---------------------------------
type [F4][F3][F2] "type C:\EXAM\TEST.ASM"
masm [F1],[F1]; "masm TEST,TEST;"
comp [F5][F2] [F2] "comp A:\XXX\TEST.ASM TEST.ASM"
del DEMO\[F2] "del C:\EXAM\DEMO\TEST.ASM"
[F1] executing the command "TEST"
xtalk executing the command "xtalk"
The command line also has the ability to remember the last sever-
al commands that you have used. To look at and use them, use the
cursor down arrow and/or up arrow to find the one you want.
DESTINATION PATH INPUT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
When PFM prompts you for a "destination", several special options
are available. The prompt may be answered with a complete
pathname (drive, path, file, ext) or just some of these. If an
element is missing, then PFM will assume the current pathname
component for the missing element. You can also use wildcards
("?" or "*") as DOS does in the file or extension portion of the
pathname. PFM behaves much like DOS in all these examples. Also,
PFM allows you to use the full pathname of the last referred to
"SWAP" directory (see [F7] key). This option is used by hitting
the [F5] key in place of a drive and path. PFM will then automa-
tically replace the funny character (Club) with the pathname of
the swap directory.
In the following examples the cursor is in front of the file
"test.123" in the single-file main menu. The current drive/direc-
tory is "C:\EXAM".
Input Destination
----------- -----------------------------------------
a: A:\DATA\test.123 if last dir accessed on A: was
"DATA"
a:\ A:\test.123)
\ouch C:\ouch if C: does not contain a dir called
"OUCH")
\ouch C:\OUCH\test.123 if C: does contain a dir called
"OUCH")
\ouch\ C:\OUCH\test.123
a:\*. A:\test
a:\*.xyz A:\test.xyz
a:\* A:\test.123
?z*.?4? C:\EXAM\tzst.143
*.* C:\EXAM\test.123 (an error)
[F5] A:\test.123 if the last accessed swap directory
was a:\
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 14
Note: Since copying a file to itself would erase most of the
file, PFM considers this an error and does it's best to
prevent this occurrence.
When the destination has been fully specified, a return will
cause the operation to be performed. The destination file name
will be displayed on the second line of the screen the first
letter of the command will appear where the cursor was in the
main part of the screen. If an error occurs it will be displayed
at the top of the screen. PFM saves the last several destinations
for you. To use them, hit the up-arrow and/or down-arrow keys to
find the one you want.
LINE EDITING
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whenever PFM prompts you for a response which requires more than
a single character, it allows you to use the keys on the cursor
pad and some others to help you change the line you are entering.
The entry fields are generally long enough for their normal use,
but if you try to go beyond the end, the cursor will refuse to do
it. Following are the keys and what they do:
Right - move the cursor to the right nondestructively until the
end of the current entry is reached.
Ctrl Right- move the cursor to the next "word" to the right or the
end of the line if this is the last word.
Left - move the cursor to the left nondestructively until the
beginning of the entry is reached.
Ctrl Left - move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word or
the beginning of the entry if appropriate.
Backspace - delete the character to the left of the cursor.
Del - delete the character under the cursor.
Ins - go into insert mode until a special character is entered.
Characters are inserted before the current cursor locati-
on.
Home - move the cursor to the beginning of the entry.
End - move the cursor to the end of the entry.
Shift Tab - move the cursor to the beginning of the entry.
Tab - move the cursor to the end of the entry.
Ctrl End - delete from the cursor to the end of the line.
Ctrl Ret - delete from the cursor to the end of the line and return.
Return - take the current entry as it is. (return does not need to
be at the end of the line).
Esc - Ignore the current entry and exit from command.
Up - For those prompts which "remember" your last several
entries, this goes through them in order of age.
Down - Like the Up arrow above, except that your next newest
entry is displayed.
Ctrl Home - For those prompts which "remember" your last several
entries, this will remove all of the remembered entries
(usually used before configuring to "clean house").
The keys [F1] to [F6] will put special characters into the entry
which will only be meaningful in "cOmmands". At other times, they
may cause strange errors. Other special keys will be ignored.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 15
ERRORS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PFM tries to make error handling as easy as possible. If an error
occurrs during normal operation which DOS would let you fix and
retry, PFM also lets you fix and retry or abort. If the error is
such that a retry is not reasonable, an error code is displayed
and you are given a chance to look at the error help list or just
to return to the menu. Following is a list of the error codes
that you might get and what they might mean. If you get a code
that is not in the list, then try looking up the code in your DOS
manual (you may have a different DOS than I do).
1 - DOS function number invalid. This shouldn't happen, contact
program support.
2 - File not found. The disk has been changed or perhaps the editor
is not present where it was configured to be.
3 - Path not found. Possibly invalid syntax, remember, no trailing
"\" on "More MKDIR" command.
4 - Too many files open, no handles available. See your DOS manual on
system configuration. (CONFIG.SYS)
5 - Access denied or protection violation. This usually means you are
trying to write or delete a "write-protected" file. Use the
"Attribute" command to unprotect the file.
6 - Invalid file handle. This shouldn't happen, contact program
support.
7 - Memory control block destroyed. Something has gone very wrong,
you had better reboot.
8 - Insufficient memory for program. The program might work if you
"Quit" PFM first to open up some more memory and then run in the
old fashioned DOS way.
10 - Invalid environment, usually >32K in length. Something has gone
very wrong, you had better reboot.
11 - DOS error, Invalid format. Who Knows???
12 - DOS error, Invalid Access code. Who Knows???
13 - DOS error, Invalid Data. Who Knows???
15 - Invalid drive number specified. You probably specified a drive
letter higher than you should have.
16 - Cannot remove the current directory. If you really want to, first
delete all the files and other directories in it first.
17 - Cannot rename from one device to another. The only way to do this
is to copy to the other device and then delete the original.
18 - No more files available in the directory. That just about says it
all.
19 - No more room on the disk. That just about says it all.
21 - Incorrect syntax in operator entry. PFM doesn't like the syntax
of the Date/time entry or maybe of an attribute spec.
22 - Cannot copy a file to itself. Since this would generally destroy
the file, PFM will not let you do this.
23 - Cannot show an empty file.
24 - Cannot load a permanent memory resident task from PFM. Some
programs (like PFM) leave parts of themselves in memory all the
time after they are loaded. An example is the DOS PRINT utility.
Since PFM uses memory in a simple minded way, programs such as
these can not be run from PFM. Sometimes programs such as the
PRINT utility can be loaded once before starting PFM (like in an
AUTOEXEC.BAT) and will then run normally when called by PFM
afterwords.
PFM Information Manual Version 2.31 Page 16
