home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
SPACE 1
/
SPACE - Library 1 - Volume 1.iso
/
utilitys
/
613
/
access
/
access.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-10-19
|
30KB
|
1,043 lines
PRESS RELEASE - 1/7/90
****** **** **** * *
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
****** * * * ***
* * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
* * **** **** * *
**** ***** **** ***** ***** * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * *** * * ***** *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
**** ***** **** ***** * * * *****
Rock Digital
2901 Kenmore Avenue
Dayton, OH 45420
(513) 254-3160
****************************************************************
If your going to PRINT this file, please set printer to CONDENSED
mode, as this text contains some long lines that should not be
broken!
****************************************************************
Thank you for downloading the demo version of .ACCess! We hope
you give it a good workout and find it useful.
Following is a reprint of the .ACCess! review printed in December
89 issue of ATARI INTERFACE MAGAZINE. After the review we added
a few notes concerning the Release 3 demo version. If you decide
to purchase .ACCess! ask your local Atari dealer to get it OR
send $29.95 to:
Rock Digital
2901 Kenmore Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45420
(513) 254-3160
****************************************************************
****************************************************************
.ACCess!
by Bill Rayl
The ingenuity of ST programmers simply amazes me at times,
and this is definitely one of them.
.ACCess!, from Rock Digital, is a handy desk accessory (DA)
that gives you all the flexibility of a Command Line Interpreter
(CLI). With .ACCess!, you can copy/delete/rename/move files, get
disk directories, copy files and more from within any GEM program
allowing access to the GEM menu bar.
Sure, there are a number of desk accessories available that
allow you to do those things, as well. But, .ACCess! has many
more features...and .ACCess! gives you a CLI within a GEM window.
You can resize the window, drag it to one corner of your screen
and be able to switch back and forth from .ACCess! to your
program.
You can create "batch" files and run them within .ACCess!,
and though "not supported" by Rock Digital, .ACCess! can execute
TOS and TTP programs, often "tricking" them to run inside the
.ACCess! GEM window. You can even run some GEM programs from
within this desk accessories!
In a word, .ACCess! is...umm...elegant. Yea...it's elegant.
It's kinda cute, too.
And for all you memory misers who refuse to use desk
accessories, Rock Digital has kindly provided a TOS version of
their program. You won't get the GEM window, and the added
flexibility that comes with that window, but you do get a first-
rate Command Line Interpreter.
If you're a user of programs such as DCopy or a "DOS Shell"
program, you surely appreciate the added power and flexibility of
a CLI...especially for file manipulation. If you've never used a
CLI or worked in an MS-DOS environment, and never felt a need for
more than what the ST desktop has to offer, you may not need what
.ACCess! has to offer.
Just try copying over 100 files from one folder on drive A
to a different folder three levels deep on a hard drive using the
standard desktop, and you'll understand immediately how useful a
product like .ACCess! can be.
With the unique feature of being the ONLY CLI (known to me)
in a GEM window, .ACCess! becomes doubly useful.
For example, I was recently leaving a message on CompuServe
and found I needed to quote from a text file I had previously
stored on my hard drive. Using .ACCess!, I was able to type the
file out and, while viewing the quote in the .ACCess! window, I
added it to the message on CompuServe.
Without .ACCess!, I would have had two options. I could
have used the VIEW command in Flash! to type the file to my
screen, written down or memorized the quote and then typed it in.
Or, I could have loaded the text into the Flash! capture
buffer (after saving what I already had loaded there), found the
quote I wanted, separated it from the surrounding text with
carriage returns, selected the quote as block of text and then
uploaded it directly into the CompuServe message.
All this for a couple lines of text. Makes me tired just
writing about it!
In all, nearly 40 commands, 22 programming functions and 12
control flow/batch processing keywords are available via
.ACCess!. Rock Digital has produced a desk accessory that is
both highly useful and very innovative. Check this one out!
Rock Digital
2901 Kenmore Avenue
Dayton, OH 45420
(513) 254-3160
****************************************************************
****************************************************************
The review above was based on Release 2.2 of .ACCess!. Since
this time we have "done our homework" and come up with some more
features and enhancements!
(Note: .ACCess! 2.2 owners make SURE you send in your
registration cards, you will receive Release 3 and new manual
FREE!)
ADDED COMMANDS FOR RELEASE 3
****************************
FONT command is now available to allow switching of fonts
interactively or in batch mode.
CLS command has been added. This command clears screen (or
window) and places the cursor in upper left hand corner.
PRINT command has been added to allow ASCII files to be printed
quickly and easily.
FORMAT command has been added to format disks into a variety of
formats!
An ACCESS.TTP files is now supplied to allow you to pass a
command or batch process to it for processing.
An ACCESS_A.PRG file is now supplied to allow AUTO folder batch
processing on bootup!
An ACCESS.TOS version of .ACCess! is supplied with Release 3,
same as Release 2.2
WHAT DO I GET IN THE DEMO VERSION?
**********************************
The demo of .ACCess! you just downloaded contains a striped down
version of the Desk Accessory and TOS versions of .ACCess!. The
demo version only knows how to do two things. Display
directories and process a subset of batch functions. All the
other commands such as copy, move, rename... have been striped
from the demo version.
Built-in commands and functions contained in demo version:
*, +, -, /, <, <=, =, >, >=, ?, and, ascii, batch, block,
cd, chdir, chr,date, defaults, dir, drive, dtnum, echo,
else, elseif, eof, exit, export,filedt, filestat, font,
for, help, if, input, justify, length, ls, md,mkdir, pwd,
rd, rmdir, segment, set, tail, time, variables, ver,
version,while
But, to illustrate the true power that .ACCess! provides, we
have rewritten most of the standard MS-DOS like commands using
batch files. What you say? Yes, the following commands are
suported through the use of .ACCess! batch files.
Simulated commands for demo version (some not fully functional):
and, cat, cls, concat, copy, cp, create, delete, dir, erase,
ext, extension, full, head, justify, length, ls, mod, move,
mv, not, or, pos, position, print, prompt, quit, rename,
return, rm, rn, root, tail, type, unlink
Commands not supported in demo verison:
chkdsk, color, du, format, res, resolution, rndir, touch, verify
HOW TO SETUP DEMO VERSION?
**************************
1) Create a folder called ACCESS. Create another folder inside
ACCESS called BATCH.
2) Copy ALL batch files (i.e. the ones that have file extensions
.BAT) into BATCH folder.
3) Copy rest of files into ACCESS folder.
4) Copy ACCESS_D.ACC onto root directory of boot disk.
5) Reboot computer is install .ACCess! Desk Accessory.
6) When ACCESS is executed (or called up from list of desk
accessories) use SET PATH command to set the path variable to
correct BATCH folder. This will allow you to use the emulated
ACCess! commands.
For Example,
SET PATH \ACCESS\BATCH
7) You can use to VARIABLES command to display system variables.
8) After .ACCess! window is open, click on it again out of the
list of Desk Accessories to change displayed font size.
9) The last and most important step is to purchase .ACCess! from
your local dealer! <grin>
SYNTAX OF .ACCess! COMMANDS (Full Version)
**********************************************
* <number> <number>{ <number>} :: <number>
Returns the product
Example
echo {9 * 2 = }!{* 9 2}{\n}
Output
9 * 2 = 18
+ <number> <number>{ <number>} :: <number>
Returns the sum
Example
echo {9 + 2 = }!{+ 9 2}{\n}
Output
9 + 2 = 11
- <number> <number> :: <number>
Returns the difference
Example
echo {9 - 2 = }!{- 9 2}{\n}
Output
9 - 2 = 7
/ <number> <number> :: <number>
Returns the integer quotient
Example
echo {9 / 2 = }!{/ 9 2}{\n}
Output
9 / 2 = 4
< <number> <number> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if first number is
less than second
Example
if !{< 9 2}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
FALSE
<= <number> <number> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if first number is
less than or equal to second
Example
if !{<= 9 2}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
FALSE
=[ -c] <arbitrary> <arbitrary> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if first argument is
equal to the second
-c will make the compare case sensitive
Example
if !{= 9 2}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
FALSE
> <number> <number> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if first number is
greater than second
Example
if !{> 9 2}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
TRUE
>= <number> <number> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if first number is
greater than or equal to second
Example
if !{>= 9 2}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
TRUE
? (see help)
and <arbitrary> <arbitrary> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if both arguments
are non-empty
Example
if !{and {OK} {}}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
FALSE
ascii <character> :: <number>
Returns the ascii value
Example
echo {Ascii value of A = }!{ascii A}{\n}
Output
Ascii value of A = 65
attrib[ -r][ -h][ -s][ -a] <search pathname>
Marks attributes of files with read only being the
default
-r marks read only
-h marks hidden
-s marks system
-a marks archive
Example
attrib -s -h ^c:\*.sys
Result
Marks all files in device c: with extension
of sys as system and hidden
batch[ <pathname>{ <arbitrary>}]
Interprets command block in file
Number variables are saved
<arbitrary> is put into the corresponding number
variable
Example
batch access.bat
Result
Interprets access.bat
block<NEW LINE><command block>
Does the command block
Example
block > test
echo {Hello world!\n}
Result
"Hello world!" is written to test
cat (see type)
cd (see chdir)
chdir <pathname>
Changes the current directory
Example
chdir \auto
Result
The current directory is changed to \auto
chkdsk[ <device>]
Gets statistics
Example
chkdsk c:
Result
The statistics of c: are displayed
chr <number> :: <character>
Returns character corresponding to the ascii value
Example
echo {Character with ascii value 65 = }!{chr 65}{\n}
Output
Character with ascii value 65 = A
cls
Clears the screen
Example
cls
Result
The screen is cleared
color <number> <number>
Changes the color register
Example
color 0 15
Result
sets color register 0 to blue
concat <arbitrary> <arbitrary>{ <arbitrary>} :: <arbitrary>
Returns the concatenation of the arguments
Example
echo {Concatenation of a, b, and c = }!{concat a b c}{\n}
Output
Concatenation of a, b, and c = abc
copy[ -q][ -a][ -o] <search pathname>[ <search pathname>]
Copies files and subdirectories
-q queries for each file
-a appends if destination exists
-o overwrites if destination exists
Example
copy -q ^a:\ work\
Result
Copies requested files and subdirectories
from a:\ to work\
cp (see copy)
create[ -a][ -o][ <pathname>]
Creates a file from the console
-a appends if destination exists
-o overwrites if destination exists
Example
create test
Result
Creates test and puts user input into it
date[ <date>] :: <date>
Returns the date
<date> will change the date
Example
echo {Current date is }!date{\n}
Output
Current date is <current date>
defaults{ -[!]<character><arbitrary>}
Sets default options on all commands and functions
Example
defaults -w
Result
Makes -w a default option on all commands
delete[ -n] <search pathname>
Deletes files and subdirectories
-n does not query for each file
Example
delete -n ^temp\
Result
Delete all files in temp directory without
asking user
dir[ -w][ -a] <search pathname>
Lists directory
-w shows files across the width of the screen
-a shows every file
Example
dir ..,^a:\
Result
Lists parent directory and directory tree of a:
drive :: <device>
Returns current drive
Example
echo {Current drive is }!drive{\n}
Output
Current drive is <current drive>
dtnum <date>[ <time>] :: <number>
Returns a number corresponding to date and time
Example
if !{> !{dtnum 9-9-89} !{dtnum 2-2-89}}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
TRUE
du (see chkdsk)
echo <arbitrary>{ <arbitrary>}
Puts the arguments to the screen separated by spaces
Example
echo {Hello world!\n}
Result
"Hello world!" is written
else<NEW LINE><command block>
Does the command block when if or elseif is not done
See example in if command
elseif <arbitrary><NEW LINE><command block>
Does the command block when if or elseif is not
done and argument is non-empty
See example in if command
eof :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if it is the end
of standard input
Example
block < access.bat
while !{not !eof}
echo !input{\n}
Output
<contents of access.bat>
erase (see delete)
execute <pathname>{ <arbitrary>}
Not available in accessory versions
Executes program
<arbitrary> is passed to program
Example
execute test.tos
Result
Executes test.tos
exit[ <number>[ <arbitrary>]]
Exits command block
<number> causes that many nested commands blocks
to be exited
<arbitrary> is returned
Example
exit 3
Result
Exits 3 levels
export <variable name>[ <arbitrary>]
Exports a variable to the environment
<arbitrary> sets the variable
Example
export path
Result
The path variable is moved to the environment
ext (see extension)
extension <pathname> :: <extension>
Returns the extension
Example
echo {Extension of c:\auto\access.bat = }!{extension c:\auto\access.bat}{\n}
Output
Extension of c:\auto\access.bat = bat
filedt <pathname>[ <date>[ <time>]] :: [<date> <time>]
Returns the date and time of a file
<date> sets the date of the file
<time> sets the time of the file
Example
echo {Date of access.bat = }!{filedt access.bat}{\n}
Output
Date of access.bat = <date of access.bat>
filestat <pathname> :: [(R| )(H| )(S| )(A| )(V| )(D| )]
Returns file statistics
R is for read only
H is for hidden
S is for system
A is for archive
V is for volume label
D is for directory
Example
echo {Statistics of access.bat = }!{filestat access.bat}{\n}
Output
Statistics of access.bat = <statistics of access.bat>
font[ <number>]
Only available in accessory versions
Changes the font
If no number is specified the default font is used
-1 - changes the font to one lower
0 - 6x6 font
1 - 8x8 font
2 - 8x16 font
Example
font 0
Result
Font is changed to the 6x6 font
for[ -d] <variable name> <search pathname>[ <search pathname>]<NEW LINE><command block>
Does the command block for every match of the first search pathname
If the variable name is a number
$<variable name> will be the pathname match
${<variable name>+1} will be the corresponding other pathname
${<variable name>+2} will be the file size
${<variable name>+3} will be the file statistics(same as filestat)
${<variable name>+4} will be the file date and time
Else
${<variable name>_pathname} will be the pathname match
${<variable name>_destination} will be the corresponding other pathname
${<variable name>_size} will be the file size
${<variable name>_stat} will be the file statistics(same as filestat)
${<variable name>_date} will be the file date and time
If a tree search is done
The file statistics will be ">>>>>>" when entering a directory
The file statistics will be "<<<<<<" when exiting a directory
The for command has an extra level for exiting the loop
-d causes directories to be included in the search
Example
for -d x \*.*
echo $x_pathname{ }$x_size{ }$x_stat{ }$x_date{\n}
Result
The files and directories in the root will be displayed
full <pathname> :: <pathname>
Returns the full pathname
Example
echo {Full pathname of access.bat = }!{full access.bat}{\n}
Output
Full pathname of access.bat = <current drive><current path>\access.bat
head <pathname> :: <pathname>
Returns the path
Example
echo {Head of c:\auto\access.bat = }!{head c:\auto\access.bat}{\n}
Output
Head of c:\auto\access.bat = c:\auto\
help[ <command name>]
Gives commands
<command name> gives help on one command
Example
help dir
Result
The syntax of dir is displayed
if <arbitrary><NEW LINE><command block>
Does command block if argument is non-empty
Example
if !{< $x 3}
echo {$x < 3\n}
if !{< $x 0}
exit 2
echo {$x >= 0\n}
elseif !{< $x 10}
echo {3 <= $x < 10\n}
else
echo {$x >= 10\n}
Result
If $x < 0
"$x < 3" is displayed
If 0 <= $x <3
"$x < 3" and "$x >= 0" are displayed
If 3 <= $x < 10
"3 <= $x < 10" is displayed
If $x >= 10
"$x >= 10" is displayed
input[ -d<arbitrary>][ -c]{ <arbitrary>}
Returns input from console
-d displays a default line for input
-c makes just one character to be inputed
<arbitrary> is display before the input
Example
echo {Hi }!{input {What is your name?}}{!\n}
Output
What is your name? (input your name)
Hi <your name>!
justify <arbitrary> <number> :: <arbitrary>
Returns the argument right-justified by the number
If the number is negative it is left-justified
Example
echo {Justification abc justified by 8 = }!{justify abc 8}{\n}
Output
Justification abc by 8 = <5 spaces>abc
launch <pathname>{ <arbitrary>}(not available in accessory versions)
Not available in accessory versions
Launches a GEM application
<arbitrary> is passed to the application
Example
launch test.prg
Result
Executes test.prg with cursor off and mouse on
length <arbitrary> :: <number>
Return the length of the argument
Example
echo {Length of abc = }!{length abc}{\n}
Output
Length of abc = 3
ls[ -l][ -a] <search pathname>
Lists directory
-l shows a long listing with size, statistics, time, and date
-a shows every file
Example
ls ..,^a:\
Result
Lists parent directory and directory tree of a:
md (see mkdir)
mk (see create)
mkdir <pathname>
Makes a directory
Example
mkdir test
Result
Makes directory test
mod <number> <number> :: <number>
Returns the modula(remainder)
Example
echo {9 mod 2 = }!{mod 9 2}{\n}
Output
9 mod 2 = 1
move[ -q][ -a][ -o] <search pathname>[ <search pathname>]
Moves files
-q queries for each file
-a appends if destination exists
-o overwrites if destination exists
Example
move ^a:\ work\
Result
Moves files and subdirectories from a:\ to work\
mv (see move)
not <arbitrary> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if the argument is empty
Example
if !{not {OK}}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
FALSE
or <arbitrary> <arbitrary> :: [OK]
Returns a non-empty string only if one of the arguments is non-empty
Example
if !{or {OK} {}}
echo {TRUE\n}
else
echo {FALSE\n}
Output
TRUE
path[ <device>] :: <pathname>
Returns the current directory
<device> will use a different device
Example
echo {Current path is }!path{\n}
Output
Current path is <current path>
pos (see position)
position <number> <number>
Positions the cursor at is x and y coordinate
Example
position 40 0
Result
Positions cursor at the center of the top line
print[ <pathname>]
Outputs a file to the printer
Example
print test
Result
Outputs test to the printer
prompt <arbitrary>
Changes the prompt variable
Example
prompt {{\n}!drive!path{ >}}
Result
Makes the prompt have a linefeed, drive, path,
and greater than sign
pwd (see path)
quit
Quits the program
Example
quit
Result
Terminates .ACCess!
rd (see rmdir)
rename <search pathname> <name>
Renames files
Example
rename *.doc *.txt
Result
Renames DOC files to TXT files
res (see resolution)
resolution[ l|m]
Returns resolution as low, medium, or high
l changes to low resolution
m changes to medium resolution
Example
echo {Resolution is }!resolution{\n}
Output
Resolution is <resolution>
return[ <arbitrary>]
Exits a batch file with an optional value
Example
return OK
Result
Exits a batch file with OK
rm (see delete)
rmdir <pathname>
Removes a directory
Example
rmdir test
Result
Removes directory test
rn (see rename)
rndir <pathname> <name>
Renames a directory
Example
rndir test temp
Result
Renames directory test to temp
root <pathname> :: <pathname>
Returns everything but extension
Example
echo {Root of c:\auto\access.bat = }!{root c:\auto\access.bat}{\n}
Output
Root of c:\auto\access.bat = c:\auto\access
segment <arbitrary> <number>[ <number>] :: <arbitrary>
Returns a segment from a starting position
<number> returns a maximum number of characters
Example
echo {Segment of abc starting at 1 = }!{segment abc 1}{\n}
Output
Segment of abc starting at 1 = bc
set <variable name> <arbitrary>
sets a variable
Example
set x abc
Result
Sets the variable x to "abc"
tail <pathname> :: <name>
Returns everything but the path
Example
echo {Tail of c:\auto\access.bat = }!{tail c:\auto\access.bat}{\n}
Output
Tail of c:\auto\access.bat = access.bat
time[ <time>] :: <time>
Returns the time
<time> change the time
Example
echo {Current time is }!time{\n}
Output
Current time is <current time>
touch <pathname>
Makes the file have the current date and time
Example
touch test
Result
Makes test have the current date and time
type <pathname>
Outputs a file to the console
Example
type test
Result
Outputs test to the screen
unattrib[ -r][ -h][ -s][ -a] <search pathname>
Unmarks attributes of a file with read only being the default
-r unmarks read only
-h unmarks hidden
-s unmarks system
-a unmarks archive
Example
unattrib -s -h ^c:\*.sys
Result
Unmarks system and hidden attributes of all files
in device c: with extension of sys
unlink (see delete)
variables
Display all variables
Example
variables
Result
Displays all variables and their values
ver (see version)
version
Shows the version of the program
Example
version
Result
Shows the version of .ACCess!
while <arbitrary><NEW LINE><command block>
Does the command block while argument is non-empty
The while command has an extra level for exiting the loop
Example
block < infile > outfile
while !{not !eof}
set line !input
if {= $line quit}
exit 3
echo $line
Result
The file "infile" is copied to "outfile"
If one of the lines is "quit" the copying is ended
****************************************************************
****************************************************************
END OF DOCUMENT
****************************************************************
****************************************************************