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TTTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOOOOOOO PPPPPPPPPPPP
TTTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOOOOOOO PPPPPPPPPPPP
TTT OOO OOO PPP PPP
TTT OOO OOO PPP PPP
TTT OOO OOO PPPPPPPPPPPP
TTT OOO OOO PPPPPPPPPPPP
TTT OOOOOOOOOOOO PPP
TTT OOOOOOOOOOOO PPP
TOP
The Premier
DOS Command Enhancement Utility
____________
| __
| |\ | | _______
| | \| |__ ____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
TOP Copyright (c) 1990, 1991, 1992 | ____|__ | Association of
by TNC Technology, All Rights Reserved | | |_| Shareware
GTDR |__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
Another fine product from TNC Technology |___|___| MEMBER
################################################################################
################################################################################
TNC Technology TOP Manual
TOP(tm) Command Enhancement Utility
Written by: Leon C. Williams (he never sleeps)
Executive Producer: Tom Beikirch (he complains a lot)
TOP(tm) Program and documentation Copyright (c) 1990, 1991, 1992 by TNC
Technology. All rights reserved, GTDR.
TOP(tm) is a trademark of TNC Technology.
PC(tm), PC-DOS(tm), PC XT(tm), PC AT(tm), PS/2(tm), and IBM(tm) are registered
trademarks of IBM Corporation.
MS-DOS(tm) and OS/2(tm) are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
UNIX(tm) is a registered trademark of AT&T Corporation.
Kleenex(tm) is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Corp.
Direct any inquires about this program or documentation to:
TNC Technology
1084 Webster Road
Webster, New York 14580
Voice: 716-872-1377 (after 6pm M-F EST, otherwise machine attended)
BBS: 716-872-4913 (8-N-1, 24 hours)
CompuServe: 70403,2351
Any other resemblance to any other person or trademark, real or fictional, is
purely coincidental and in no way should be construed as harmful, malicious,
purposeful, or anything else that could get us into trouble. So there.
1
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to IBM(tm) and Microsoft for their never ending lack of features
which created this market opportunity.
TOP is written in Microsoft C 6.0 and assembly language.
Several features were inspired by UNIX(tm).
This manual was created and formatted with Xerox Ventura Publisher 3.0.
The word DOS in this manual refers to either MS-DOS(tm) or PC-DOS(tm), your
choice.
Many thanks to our Beta testers (in random order): Ray Clark, Greg Tellex,
Jessie Zeck, Paul Norder, Dick Maus, Bob Beikirch, Francis Tse, Fred Hayes,
Tommy Richenderfer, Rocky Martin, Bob Lonis, Bob Herloski, Bob Clarke, Theresa
Ciccone, Joe Taille, Ned Seachman, YingWei Lin, John Moore, Tom Davis, Bart
Selby, and Perry Bowen.
Both authors wish to thank their wives for their continued support and patience
even when they didn't and weren't, and we'll be there any day now, we promise.
2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
TOP(tm) Registration Form
TOP Version 1.10
Mail To: TNC Technology
1084 Webster Road
Webster, New York 14580
By phone: 716-872-1377, (after 6pm M-F EST)
Each Quantity Price
Disk, manual, plus one upgrade $50 _______ _______
Disk only, no upgrade $40 _______ _______
Subtotal _______
NY Residents please add 7% Sales Tax _______
Shipping (included in continental USA, others add $3) _______
Technical Support for one year from purchase date Included
Additional Technical Support / Upgrade Licenses Call TNC
Total enclosed _______
Payment by: __Check __Money Order
Diskette size: __5.25" acceptable __3.5" required
Name: ________________________________________________________
Company: ________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Day Phone: ________________________________________________________
I have read and agree to abide by the TOP license and warrantee agreement
(obtained by typing HELP !LICENSE at the prompt after starting TOP).
(signed) ________________________________________________________
Where did you get TOP? Please indicate your shareware registration number.
________________________________________________________
Any suggestions or comments?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
WARRANTEE
*** ONE YEAR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE ***
As with any software, TOP may inadvertently contain errors in programming or
documentation. If you find any such error, or are otherwise dissatisfied with a
registered version of TOP, you may return the entire package at any time up to
one year after purchase for a full refund of your registration fee. This refund
of your registration fee is the maximum liability assumed by TNC Technology,
which is not liable for any other costs incurred by you for programming or
documentation errors.
*** WARRANTEE DISCLAIMER ***
TNC Technology DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES
ARE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED. NEITHER TNC Technology, NOR ANYONE
ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS
SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF TNC Technology
HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT
SHALL TNC Technology LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR
THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE CLAIM. THE
PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF
THE SOFTWARE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of liability for
consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to
you.
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall
inure to the benefit of TNC Technology, and any successors, administrators,
heirs and assigns. Any action or proceeding brought by either party against the
other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be brought only in a
STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent jurisdiction located in Monroe County, New
York. The parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts.
4
TNC Technology TOP Manual
TOP(tm) License Agreement
This is a no-nonsense license agreement in that the terms outlined below are
intended to be fair and reasonable. We do not, for example, expect you to buy
two copies for your home and laptop computer any more than you do. So please
help us maintain the integrity of this product by reading and abiding by the
simple terms below, and sign the accompanying TOP registration form. In turn,
we will continue to provide you with a quality product at a reasonable cost.
TOP and all other programs, documentation, and data distributed or shipped with
it are copyrighted and are protected under United States and international
copyright law. The programs, documentation, and data are collectively referred
to in this manual as TOP. You are granted a license to use your copy of TOP
only under the conditions and terms specified in this license agreement.
TOP is distributed as shareware, which means you can try it before you buy it.
It is not free or public domain. You may use TOP at no charge for a period of
30 days. If you wish to continue using TOP after that period, you must pay the
registration fee in the accompanying TOP registration form. If you choose not
to pay the registration fee, you must stop using TOP and delete it and all
ancillary programs from your computer. However, you may keep shareware copies
and pass them along to others who may use them at no charge for 30 days.
You may use your registered version of TOP on multiple computers, provided
there is no possibility that more than one person will be using it at any one
time. Treat this software as if it were a book: you may loan it to someone but
then you don't have it. Multiple user, network, and corporate licenses are
available from TNC Technology.
You may copy TOP for backup purposes, and you may give copies of the
unregistered shareware version of TOP to others. If you copy the unregistered
shareware version for others, you must include all the files distributed with
it. You may not charge a fee for distribution without express permission from
TNC Technology.
You may not give, sell, or otherwise transfer copies of the registered version
of TOP to any other person or company for any reason without the written
consent of TNC Technology. You may transfer ownership of your registered
version of TOP provided that when you do so, you delete it and all accompanying
programs from your computer. If you do transfer ownership, please notify TNC
Technology of the new owner so update information can be forwarded. You may not
give, sell, or otherwise transfer your registered TOP user ID number.
TOP greatly extends the power and flexibility of your computing. We have taken
many pains to ensure the software does not get you into trouble but, like any
software, improper use can possibly damage or delete your computer software or
data. You assume full responsibility for the selection and proper use of TOP;
TNC Technology is not responsible for any damage whatsoever resulting from
errors in usage or your failure to read and understand the instructions in this
manual. If you have any questions about the use of TOP, you may call the TNC
hot line given in Appendix A of the TOP manual.
As with any software, TOP may inadvertently contain errors in programming or
documentation. If you find any such error, or are otherwise dissatisfied with a
5
TNC Technology TOP Manual
registered version of TOP, you may return the entire package at any time up to
one year after purchase for a full refund of your registration fee. This refund
of your registration fee is the maximum liability assumed by TNC Technology,
which is not liable for any other costs incurred by you for programming or
documentation errors.
If you do not agree with the terms in this license agreement, then you do not
have permission from the copyright holders to use TOP, and must remove TOP from
your computer.
Thank you for reading the TOP license agreement. Now, enjoy!
6
TNC Technology TOP Manual
ASP Ombudsman Notice
This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works
for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP
member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you _______
resolve a dispute or problem with ____|__ | (R)
an ASP member, but does not provide --| | |-------------------
technical support for members' | ____|__ | Association of
products. Please write to the ASP | | |_| Shareware
Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, |__| o | Professionals
Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a Compu- -----| | |---------------------
Serve message via CompuServe Mail |___|___| MEMBER
to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
7
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Chapter 1
Introduction
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
Introduction
Welcome, and thank you for using TOP, the premier DOS command enhancement
utility.
TOP was created by individuals who believe in the command line interface but
were frustrated by the mundane, repetitive nature of DOS, just like you are.
TOP is a well-behaved program which does not replace COMMAND.COM, but
simplifies and adds to its usage. Since COMMAND.COM is not replaced, TOP will
not exclude you from future DOS updates, nor will it make obsolete your current
DOS work that you've slaved to create. TOP will simply make your work more
productive by speeding up and simplifying many repetitive tasks you do every
day.
TOP is a DOS shell type program, but not in the sense that it tries to isolate
the user from DOS. Rather, TOP simplifies and speeds up DOS commands in the
background by pre-processing each command line. Special new commands have been
added which fill the gaps DOS left behind. Judicious use of the new commands
can greatly enhance performance as well as simplify any complex command.
What to Read?
For the most part, nobody ever reads the manual until they get into trouble. If
you're one of these people, TOP will work for you anyway because it's EASY!
After all, the best way to learn any new program is to just try it! For you,
there is a chapter entitled "TOP Command Reference" which you can refer to when
you have a particular question. However, many of the features TOP provides are
subtle and not so obvious at first, but will become much appreciated as you get
to know them. To get the most out of TOP, we recommend you at least browse
chapter 4, "Using TOP," which presents an overview of how to use all of TOP's
feature set, and chapter 1, "Customization and TOP.INI," which explains how to
customize TOP's interface to you.
How TOP Works
TOP works by intercepting everything you type on the command line, before DOS
gets a chance to muck with it. If the command you type is something TOP
recognizes, it quickly executes it without DOS intervention. Otherwise, the
command is passed to DOS. In this way TOP adds new commands and command
enhancements without blocking you from future DOS updates.
TOP is a "DOS Shell" type program, not a terminate and stay resident (TSR)
program. The term "shell" is used because TOP runs on TOP of DOS and forms an
extra layer of software between you and the operating system. Once started, TOP
does not terminate (unless you exit). Because TOP is always running, it does
not need to "hook" into critical system interrupt vectors the way many ill-
behaved utility programs do. The shell nature of TOP is inherently non-invasive
to your system and does not interfere or conflict with even the most difficult
and incompatible commercial programs you may own.
The shell approach is what allows TOP to interpret commands before they reach
Introduction 1-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
DOS and handle ones it recognizes instantly and efficiently. Remember, commands
TOP does not recognize are simply passed through to DOS. Commands TOP would not
recognize include any commands in future DOS updates and therefore you will not
be blocked from using them. Other commands TOP does not recognize are of course
all your other user programs.
Whenever TOP passes an unrecognized command to DOS, it first removes itself
from DOS memory ("swaps out") to minimize its use of DOS resources as much as
possible. For all intents and purposes, during execution of any unrecognized
DOS command or your programs, TOP is essentially "gone."
Is There Anything TOP Won't Do?
So what won't TOP do? Well, it doesn't cook breakfast (unless your PC is wired
to the stove-use a CRON entry). More importantly, since TOP is not actually
there when your programs are running, its features are unavailable then too.
For example, don't expect a CRON job or a TOPDMT to be run while you're working
with your word processor (any missed CRON jobs will be run right after TOP
resumes execution). See the chapter "Using TOP" for more details on CRON and
TOPDMT jobs.
Manual Typographic Conventions
This fancy title refers to the style of type used throughout this manual. All
manual text appears as you see it here, except user examples. User examples are
shown in a fixed space type, and look like:
C:\TOP>myprog parm1 [parm2]<ENTER>
User examples will always be indented as above. Underlined text in examples
identifies the text the user is expected to type, and items contained in square
brackets [ ] are optional.
In examples or manual text, a keyboard key other than a letter or number is
referred to by its name and will be enclosed in angle brackets <> to indicate a
single keypress. For example, <ALT> refers to the "Alt" key, or <ENTER> refers
to the "Enter" key.
All examples assume your PROMPT line at least contains the string $p$g so the
current directory followed by the > character is displayed as part of your
prompt; this is not absolutely necessary, but will make your screen match the
examples.
One Last Word on Shareware
TOP is distributed as shareware, which means you can try it before you buy it.
Many midnight hours went into the reading of obscure DOS technical reference
manuals before TOP was completed, so if you like the program, and believe that
the little guy can someday rise above the tyranny of working for someone else
all his life, a registration fee is requested to help pay for glasses, a new
keyboard, and many related future products. If you send in your full
registration fee, we will send you a version of TOP that does not print an
annoying message to the screen after 30 days, as well as a nicely printed
manual. Also, you will be kept informed of any future updates or bug fixes. In
Introduction 1-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
the meantime, please feel free to share the unregistered shareware version of
TOP with your friends.
Introduction 1-4
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Chapter 2
Features
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
TOP Features
TOP is NOT a replacement for COMMAND.COM as are some DOS command enhancement
utilities. It therefore does not exclude users from future DOS updates, nor
does it make your current DOS work obsolete. TOP works by preprocessing all
command line arguments before they can be passed to COMMAND. If the command
line contains arguments which TOP recognizes, such as special TOP commands,
these are executed immediately. Otherwise, the arguments are simply passed to
COMMAND and executed normally.
TOP recognizes several normal DOS commands and executes these faster and more
efficiently. However, the real power of TOP can be found in the new commands
and features which have been added to the DOS environment, including:
Minimal Memory Usage
TOP utilizes expanded, extended, or disk file memory to swap out a transient
portion of its run file. The resident portion of TOP requires less than 3K
bytes of RAM.
Context Sensitive Help
At the press of a key or click of the mouse, context sensitive HELP is
available. What's more, you don't have to leave HELP to continue with what
you're doing! HELP message text can be cut and pasted from the screen into your
command line using the mouse. All HELP messages are read from an ascii text
file which can be user modified or added to. You can even add HELP messages for
your own programs. Call TNC Technology for information regarding specialized
HELP files, including alternate (foreign) languages.
Extended VGA Text Mode Support
TOP supports all the extended VGA text modes of most popular video card
manufacturers. No special ANSI drivers or special utilities required! See the
README.VGA file on your release disk.
Command History
TOP can store and recall hundreds of previously issued commands. Any of these
can be quickly retrieved, edited, and re-issued using enhanced search
capabilities. The current command history can be saved and restored from disk
allowing the command history to be continued from a previous TOP session.
Aliasing
TOP provides the ability to assign aliases. Aliases are user-defined command
sequences which can be assigned to a single word. Aliases can be thought of as
RAM resident batch files, and therefore execute two to three times faster than
DOS batch files. Aliases can be nested and can accept command line arguments
just like batch files.
Chronometer Functions (CRON)
One of the most powerful features of TOP, CRON gives you the ability to execute
Features 2-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
programs periodically on a user-defined schedule. Entries in the execution
schedule can include wildcards, lists, and ranges of times and dates. Imagine a
backup which happens automatically every hour or every Friday afternoon! How
about Westminister chimes every fifteen minutes? Or set a reminder for the day
before that anniversary you always forget. CRON functions can be set for any
minute of the year, months in advance. And CRON does not forget to execute a
scheduled job even if your computer was off! Interesting audio and video
programs have been included with your shareware TOP release to demonstrate and
enhance this feature (and more are included with the registered version).
Quick and Intuitive Mouse Support
TOP provides quick, pop-up access to help, its history buffer, user-defined
aliases, its file finder, and its file viewer via any Microsoft compatible (two-
button) mouse. Also, text can be copied from anywhere on the screen and then
pasted into the command line. Keyboard usage can be cut dramatically!
Automatic Time-out Program
Automatically execute a program after a user-definable period of idle time. The
program can be any executable but is typically used as a "screen saver" or DMT.
Several colorful screen saver programs have been included with the shareware
version of TOP (several more are included with the registered version).
Multiple Commands on a Single Line
Several commands can be placed on the command line or in aliases simultaneously
by separating them with the ^ character (or any other user defined character).
Enhanced Command Line Editing
See the entire command line as you scroll left to edit it! Additional functions
have been added to delete forward or backward, and cut and paste text from
anywhere on the screen. User defined cursor shape for overstrike and insert
mode.
Screen Color Palette and Cursor Management
TOP doesn't just set your screen colors, it maintains your screen color palette,
mode, screen lines, typematic rate, and cursor size settings once and for all,
even when other programs reset video modes or otherwise muck with them.
Recursive Directory, Move, and Delete Commands
Like XCOPY, these commands can work across all directories and subdirectories.
With them you can locate or find duplicate files, list directories only, move
files or entire directories (including subdirectories), rename directories,
delete all matching files on an entire drive, even delete entire non-empty
directories containing subdirectories!
Examine File Contents
A built-in file view tool lets you quickly see what's in that file. Unlike TYPE,
you can scroll up and down. VIEW enables text or hex display. Like HELP, while
Features 2-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
VIEWing a file you can still type at the command line, or use the mouse to cut
and paste text from the file to the command line!
On-line File Directory Tool
A pop-up file directory tool lets you quickly display a directory listing of
files and file info of any directory. Unlike DIR, you can scroll up and down to
review the listing, or change directories or drives to display other listings.
Like HELP, while displaying the file listing you can still type at the command
line, or use the mouse to cut and paste file names from the listing to the
command line!
Case-Sensitive PROMPT and Additional Meta Strings
The PROMPT meta strings are case sensitive. New meta strings include time in 12
hour format, AM or PM meridian display, and current free disk space. These can
be included as part of your PROMPT string. An example PROMPT string has been
included with your release.
Time Updated ANSI String Variable
In addition to the PROMPT variable, a new ANSI string environment variable,
TOPTIME, is recognized which is processed every second. This is particularly
useful for displaying the current time on your screen, updated every second. An
example TOPTIME string has been included with your release.
User-defined Function Keys
Assign command sequences to function keys to make often used commands a single
keystroke! Keystroke functions are similar to aliases in power and can contain
any DOS or TOP command as well as accept command line parameters.
Multiple File Parameters
Many TOP commands accept multiple file parameters. For example:
del *.txt *.doc
will delete files matching *.txt and files matching *.doc.
Enhanced Wildcards
Most TOP commands accept enhanced wildcards. For example:
copy *r*.txt d:
will copy files with an 'r' anywhere in the name and ending with '.txt' to
drive d.
NISTIME
TOP includes a utility which dials up the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) Automated Computer Time Service (ACTS), retrieves the time,
and sets your clock.
Features 2-4
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Command Line Completion
Pressing the <TAB> key will cycle through a list of files in the current
directory at the cursor position in the command line, or cycle through a list
of matches if the filename is partly typed or typed with a wildcard spec.
TOPSET
To make life easy for the novice and expert alike, TOP includes a complete
setup tool called TOPSET. Complete with hundreds of lines of context sensitive
help, TOPSET speeds your way through the customization of TOP's features.
Features 2-5
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Chapter 3
Installation
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
Installation Procedure
You will find the installation of TOP is simple and quick. TOP comes with and
uses an ascii editable initialization file called TOP.INI that is completely
filled out with harmless default choices and lots of comments. No other files
or setups are required. After installing TOP, the initialization file can be
easily modified by using TOP's setup utility, TOPSET.
Hardware Requirements
TOP is written for the IBM PC, PC/XT, PC/AT and 100% compatibles. It requires
DOS version 3.0 or above. A hard disk is recommended with about 690 Kbytes of
space for TOP files, and about 120 Kbytes for TOP audio and video accessories.
A Microsoft or compatible mouse is recommended to take advantage of the pop-up
mouse interface but is not required. TOP will take advantage of extended or
expanded memory if present, or can use standard memory or disk file space if
not.
The Installation Procedure
The distribution disk contains three files. The first file is called
INSTALL.BAT and is a batch file used to automatically extract the compressed
TOP files on your release disk. The second file contains all TOP files in
compressed format and is called TOP.DAT. This file will be extracted to all the
files and subdirectories necessary to run TOP when INSTALL is executed. The
third file is called READ.ME and contains condensed installation instructions.
Before you begin with the installation, jot down the registration number on
your release disk so you will have it handy when INSTALL asks for it. If this
is a shareware release, you will not need a number.
Installation of TOP is simple and straight forward. When INSTALL is run, sample
initialization files and setup parameters will be created to help you get up
and running immediately. Simply insert the TOP release disk into your floppy
drive, log on to that drive, and type INSTALL at the DOS prompt. The default
drive and directory INSTALL places TOP in is C:\TOP. For example, if your
floppy drive is drive A: and you want to install TOP to drive C:, you would do
the following (user input is underlined):
C:\> A:<ENTER>
A:\> INSTALL<ENTER>
-Extraction Messages-
-Enter registration number-
C:\TOP>
After you have completed the installation (and run TOP at least once), all
TOP files will have been created.
Installing To Another Directory
Installation 3-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
You may also include a destination drive letter and a destination path if you
want to install TOP to another location. For example, if you wanted to install
TOP on drive D: you would type:
A:\> INSTALL D:<ENTER>
instead of the corresponding line above. If you wanted TOP to be installed in a
directory called MYDIR on drive E:, type:
A:\> INSTALL E: MYDIR<ENTER>
The colon must be used after the drive letter, and no leading or trailing back
slashes are allowed in the destination path name. Also, you must include a
space between the drive letter and the destination path name as shown above.
Post Installation
One last thing before we're done with installation: there must be a FILES=
statement in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you do not have a FILES= statement in
your CONFIG.SYS file, or do not have a CONFIG.SYS file, you must create one and
set the FILES equal to or greater than 9 (the default if not specified is 8).
The CONFIG.SYS file is a file in the root directory of your hard drive which is
used by DOS to load device drivers and extensions to DOS during boot time,
before the AUTOEXEC.BAT file is run. To create a CONFIG.SYS file from scratch
(if you don't have one) type:
cd\<ENTER>
copy con config.sys<ENTER>
files=20<CTRL+Z><ENTER>
Otherwise, simply edit the one you have. Remember to reboot after any
AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS changes so the changes will take effect.
Starting TOP
TOP can now be started from the TOP directory by simply typing TOP at the
command prompt. TOP can also be started from another directory by typing the
entire path specification at the command prompt. For example, if you were in a
directory called MYDIR on drive D: and the TOP files were in a directory called
\TOP on drive C: you would type:
D:\MYDIR> c:\top\top<ENTER>
-TOP Startup Messages-
It is not required that the TOP directory be contained in your path statement,
however TOP.EXE must be located in the same directory as the ancillary TOP
files TOP.INI and TOP.HLP. TOP will determine the path to itself (and therefore
to its ancillary files) on start-up.
Most likely you will add a line to the end of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to start
TOP when booting. The AUTOEXEC.BAT is a batch file run by DOS every time the
computer is booted. If the last line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file is similar to
Installation 3-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
c:\top\top
then TOP will be loaded and run after each boot up.
This completes the installation of TOP. Keep reading to find out more about EGA
43 line mode, VGA 50 line mode, or extended VGA mode operation. Refer to
chapter 4, "Using TOP," to find out more about using the many features TOP can
provide, chapter 6, "Customization and TOP.INI" to learn more about TOP
customization, and Appendix E to learn more about TOP's setup utility, TOPSET.
Using EGA 43 Line, VGA 50 Line, or Extended VGA Modes
DOS 4.0+ provides minimal support for EGA 43 line mode and VGA 50 line mode.
Previous DOS versions provide no support at all. If you are already using one
of these modes with DOS, you know the headaches: ANSI.SYS must be loaded, and
the mode constantly needs resetting every time another program resets it. TOP
has overcome these difficulties by providing complete support for EGA 43 line
and VGA 50 line mode, as well as support for most popular VGA card
manufacturer's extended text modes.
Using these modes is quite simple. Using TOP's setup utility, TOPSU, change the
VideoMode entry in the [Video] section (see chapter 6, "Customization and
TOP.INI" for more details). The mode you select will be maintained permanently
while TOP is in control.
If you have already been using some form of EGA 43 line or VGA 50 line mode,
using DOS 4.0+ and the MODE command, you must know that DOS requires ANSI.SYS
to be loaded to support these modes. TOP does not require ANSI.SYS to run in
these modes and if there is no other reason for ANSI.SYS you can optionally
remove it from your CONFIG.SYS file. Since TOP does not require ANSI.SYS for
anything else, including complex ANSI prompt strings, you might as well remove
it and consequently save some additional memory.
For extended VGA modes, see the file README.VGA that came with your release for
up to date information on mode numbers and capabilities. For extended VGA modes,
DOS's ANSI.SYS must be removed as it does not support any extended VGA modes.
Again, TOP fully supports these modes and it is unlikely you will need ANSI. If
you absolutely have to have ANSI.SYS loaded, you cannot use the extended VGA
modes, but you can still take advantage of EGA 43 or VGA 50 line modes.
Installation 3-4
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Chapter 4
Using TOP
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
Using TOP
Using TOP is as easy as using DOS. Up until now you've only heard what the
features are, not how to use them. This chapter describes how to work the
powerful and yet simple features that TOP provides.
This chapter presents an overview of all TOP features. If, after reading this
chapter, you still need more details about a particular feature, refer to the
TOP Command Reference chapter to follow. Also, see the chapter, "Customization
and TOP.INI," which describes how you can customize TOP by modifying the TOP
initialization file TOP.INI. In fact, many features described below are
controlled through the use of TOP.INI.
Starting TOP
Whenever TOP is started, it first searches the current directory, then the
directory it was loaded from for a file called TOP.INI. This file contains many
parameters which are used to initialize TOP to your specification. TOP.INI is
also a good place to put any initial TOP commands that you may wish to execute
that could not otherwise be executed under DOS. See the [InitialCommands]
section of the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI" for more details.
If you started TOP with the default TOP.INI file, some changes to your old DOS
display will be immediately apparent. For one thing, the prompt characters are
not capitalized, and there appears to be a live clock display in the upper
right corner. These are just some of the new features you now have control
over. You can also use TOP to:
Get on-line context sensitive help by pressing <F1> (go on-try it).
Recall or search for previously issued commands using HISTORY.
Use enhanced editing features to edit the command line.
Put multiple commands on the command line.
Assign user defined command sequences to a single word using ALIAS.
Schedule programs to be executed once or periodically at some future time using
CRON.
Define case sensitive prompts with TOPPROMPT.
Automatically write an ANSI string every second using TOPTIME.
Automatically execute a user-specified program if the computer remains idle
using TOPDMT.
Define keystroke macros to unused function keys using FKEY.
Specify and maintain a user-defined color palette and video mode, regardless of
intervention by other programs.
Access many TOP features with your mouse.
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Move or rename files or directories using MOVE.
Delete non-empty directories or all matching files using XDEL.
Find files or directories and determine disk space usage using XDIR.
Quickly examine the contents of files using VIEW.
Change drive and directory simultaneously using CDD.
Save and recall the current directory using PUSHD and POPD.
Use Super VGA text modes!
Use multiple file parameters with most TOP commands.
Use enhanced wildcards.
Using your modem, dial up the National Institute of Technology and Standards
(NIST), retrieve the time, and accurately set your PC clock.
Automatically complete partially typed filenames at the command line.
On-Line HELP
On-line context sensitive help is available at any time during a command entry.
Unlike other "help" facilities which make you deactivate help before you can go
on, you may continue to type even when help is activated. In addition, the help
messages are read from an ascii text file which you can edit. Messages can be
customized, and new help messages can be added for your own programs!
Help is activated at any time by pressing <F1>, or by typing HELP optionally
followed by a keyword on the command line, or by using the mouse chord pop-up
(see the chapter "Using the Mouse and TOP Windows"). Command line invoked help
can be redirected to a printer or a file.
When help is activated with <F1> or the mouse, the first help message which
matches what you have typed so far on the command line is retrieved and
displayed in a window at the top of your screen. If more than one message is
available which matches what you have typed, pressing <F1> again will retrieve
the next matching message. This situation would occur particularly if what you
have typed is incomplete; for example typing only the letter D would cause HELP
to retrieve messages for DATE, DEL, DIR, DISKCOMP, and DISKCOPY. Pressing <ALT-
F1> deactivates help.
HELP Key Summary
The table below summarizes the HELP keys. These keys can be recalled at any
time by typing HELP _KEYS on the command line, or just type _KEYS and press
<F1>. Also see the chapter "Using the Mouse and TOP Windows".
HELP Key | Description
--------------------------------------------------
F1 | Get HELP
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--------------------------------------------------
ALT-F1 | Clear HELP
--------------------------------------------------
ESC | Clear current command line
Customizing the HELP File TOP.HLP
The help utility reads all its messages from a file called TOP.HLP, which must
be located in the same directory that TOP was loaded from, or in other words,
the same directory that TOP.EXE and TOP.INI is located in. The help file is
ascii editable in the following format:
[keyword] VersionNumber
Help message text. The message text contained here must contain lines of less
than 75 characters each (greater amounts are truncated). Each line ends with a
carriage return line feed.
Blank lines are OK. The message ends when a left square bracket is detected as
the first character in a line, i.e. the start of the next message.
Don't use more than 20 lines (more if you use EGA 43 or VGA 50 line mode) if
you want the help message to fit all on one page.
See the beginning of the included TOP.HLP file for more details.
The [keyword] is replaced by the keyword you want the help utility to recognize,
and must be enclosed in square [ ] brackets. The version number is a number
like 3.2 and indicates the applicable DOS version. When TOP first reads the
help file on start-up, only the highest version entries which are less than or
equal to your current DOS version are retained. If no version is specified, the
message will be used with all DOS versions. The entries do not have to be in
any special order, although alphabetical by keyword and version is recommended
for ease of maintenance. All DOS and TOP commands have help messages in the
TOP.HLP file included in your release. Call TNC Technology for information
regarding specialized help files, including foreign language support.
The HISTORY Command Buffer
TOP saves previously issued commands into a command history buffer every time a
new command is issued. The contents of the buffer can be recalled, edited, and
re-issued.
The history buffer size is specified by the HistorySize entry in the
[Initialize] section of TOP.INI. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details. The maximum size of the history buffer is 32 Kbytes, or at
least 256 full length command lines. Since the commands are packed end to end
in the history buffer, many more than 256 commands can be stored if they are
not all the maximum length of 127 characters each. If the history buffer is
filled up, the oldest command is discarded before the new command is saved.
The entire contents of the history buffer can be viewed, saved, initialized,
and automatically saved to a file at the end of a session. In addition, the
contents of the history buffer can be saved after every execution of a user
specified number of commands by setting the HistoryAutoSaveCount entry in the
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[Initialize] section of TOP.INI. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details.
Simple Recall
There are two ways to recall a previously issued command. To scroll up to older
commands simply press the up arrow key. Repeated up arrow key presses scrolls
older and older commands. The down arrow key reverses the scroll to newer
commands. When you find the command you want, you can press enter to execute it
exactly or edit it prior to execution. In addition, pressing the <F9> or <F10>
keys recalls the oldest or newest command, respectively.
For example, suppose you have just compiled a program you were working on with
the following command:
c:\>compile myprog.c /A /C /NO /F=3
You find out you have a compile error and you use your editor to fix it. When
your finished, you push the up arrow key twice to recall the compile command
and re-execute it without having to retype it.
Search Recall
Previous commands can also be searched for by typing a few letters of the
command and hitting the <PAGE UP> key. The newest command containing the letter
sequence will be instantly recalled. Repeated presses of the page up key will
recall older and older commands containing the same letter sequence. A beep
indicates no more matches remain. Page down will recall newer commands
containing the same letter sequence. In the above example, the compile command
could be recalled by typing
c:\>comp<PAGE UP>
or even
c:\>og.c<PAGE UP>
followed by the page up key. The search text is remembered even after a command
is executed so a search can be continued or repeated. Just hit the page up key
without typing any text and the previous search text will be used.
When the command containing the search text is found, the search text is
displayed with a user-defined attribute. The default attribute is reverse text,
and can be changed by modifying the TOP.INI file's [Initialize] section. See
the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for more details.
Pre-loading the History Buffer
To pre-load the history buffer on startup, specify the file containing the
desired history in the TOP.INI file's [Initialize] section. See the chapter,
"Customization and TOP.INI," for more details. The file containing the initial
history can be the history output file generated in the example above, or one
of your own. To create a history file, use your favorite text editor to
generate an ascii file containing a list of commands. Each command can be up to
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128 characters, and ends with a carriage return.
Examine or Save the History Buffer
To examine the contents of the history buffer, just type history at the command
prompt. To save the current history buffer, redirect the output to a file, for
example:
c:\>history > history.txt
The above example saves the current history buffer contents to a file named
history.txt.
Saving a Command Without Execution
A command can be added to the history buffer without execution by pressing
<F5>.
Saving the History Buffer On Exit
The history buffer can be saved automatically whenever TOP is exited to the
same file it was pre-loaded from by modifying the HistorySave entry in the
TOP.INI file's [Initialize] section. See the chapter, "Customization and
TOP.INI," for more details.
Saving the History Buffer On Command Count
The history buffer can be saved automatically to the same file it was pre-
loaded from whenever TOP executes a user specified number of commands by
modifying the HistoryAutoSaveCount entry in the TOP.INI file's [Initialize]
section. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for more details.
HISTORY Key Summary
The table below summarizes the HISTORY keys. These keys can be recalled at any
time by typing HELP _KEYS on the command line, or just type _KEYS and press
<F1>.
HISTORY Key | Description
--------------------------------------------------
Up Arrow | Recall next older command from the
| history buffer
--------------------------------------------------
Down Arrow | Recall next newer command from the
| history buffer
--------------------------------------------------
Page Up | Search for next matching older
| history command
--------------------------------------------------
Page Down | Search for next matching newer
| history command
--------------------------------------------------
F9 | Recall oldest saved command from
| the history buffer
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--------------------------------------------------
F10 | Recall newest saved command from
| the history buffer
--------------------------------------------------
F5 | Save the current command line to
| the history buffer but do not
| execute it
Enhanced Command Line Editing
So you just recalled a long command from the history buffer, and now you wish
you could change something? Try hitting the left arrow key. The cursor moves
into the command line without removing characters! Finally you can see what
you're editing.
The enhanced command line edit features are available at any time, whether you
have recalled a command from the history buffer, or you are in the process of
entering a command. For example, lets say you wanted to set the mode of your
com port, and you typed the following at the command line:
c:\>mode com1 9600,M,8,2,P
Before hitting <ENTER>, you press <F1> for help and find out the "M" is not a
valid setting for parity. To fix the command line, just hit the left arrow key
until the cursor is placed over the "M" and type "N". Now hit the <ENTER> key
and the correct command is issued.
Notice that even if you had issued the incorrect command, after getting bawled
out by DOS you can recall the incorrect command using the up arrow key and
still edit it the same way. Try it-it's easy!
When editing a command line, notice the cursor takes on the shape and color you
have defined in the [Video] section of TOP.INI. The cursor also changes shape
to indicate which mode you are editing in, either overwrite or insert mode. The
edit mode is toggled by hitting the <INSERT> key.
Enhanced Editing Key Summary
The table below lists the new enhanced edit key functions available with TOP.
These keys can be recalled at any time by typing HELP _KEYS on the command line,
or just type _KEYS and press <F1>.
TOP Key | Description
--------------------------------------------------
Left Arrow | Move cursor left into command line
--------------------------------------------------
Right Arrow | Move cursor right within command
| line, and/or recall characters from
| the history buffer if available
--------------------------------------------------
Insert | Toggle between overwrite and insert
| edit modes
--------------------------------------------------
Backspace | Delete the character to the left of
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| the cursor
--------------------------------------------------
Delete | Delete the character at the cursor
| position
--------------------------------------------------
F2 | Copy history buffer characters to
| up to and including the next
| character you type after hitting F2
--------------------------------------------------
F3 | Copy history buffer characters to
| end of line
--------------------------------------------------
F4 | Skip history buffer characters to
| up to and including the next
| character you type after hitting F4
--------------------------------------------------
F6 | Enter a Control-Z character at the
| cursor
--------------------------------------------------
F7 | Move cursor left to the next
| character you type after hitting F7
--------------------------------------------------
F8 | Move cursor right to the next
| character you type after hitting F8
--------------------------------------------------
HOME | Move cursor to start of line
--------------------------------------------------
END | Move cursor to end of line
--------------------------------------------------
TAB | Insert a filename from the current
| directory at the cursor. See
| "Command Line Completion" later in
| this chapter
Multiple Commands on the Command Line
Multiple commands can be placed on a single command line. To do so, commands
must be separated by the command separator character specified in the TOP.INI
file. The default command separator character is the caret (^). For example,
the following command copies files from drive A to the root directory on drive
C and then displays a directory of the root on drive C:
c:\>copy a:*.txt c:\ ^ dir c:\*.txt
A space is not required before and after the caret as in the above example, but
may be added for clarity.
Aliases
One of the most powerful features of TOP, aliases are user-defined command
sequences which can are assigned to a single word. Aliases are assigned using
the ALIAS command, and are removed using the UNALIAS command. In addition,
initial aliases can be defined in the TOP.INI file in the [Alias] section.
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The alias name and argument length is only limited by the size of the internal
alias buffer, which is 64K bytes. All aliases names and their arguments must
fit in this buffer.
An alias may contain any command or combination of commands (using the command
separator character). However, each individual command between the command
separator is limited by the DOS command line length of 127 characters.
Because of the DOS command line length limit of 127 characters, an alias whose
total length is greater than 127 characters can only be specified in a file
(see below) or in the [Alias] section of the TOP.INI.
Aliases can be nested to any depth.
Simple Aliases
The simplest type of alias just assigns a new name to an existing command. For
example, typing:
defines an alias called list, which causes a directory to be displayed in date
order.
Adding Replaceable Parameters to Aliases
Command line arguments can be added to aliases using the same syntax as in
batch files. The above example could have been:
alias list dir %1 | sort
Then typing
c:\>list *.txt<ENTER>
would cause the %1 to be replaced by *.txt, causing list to produce a directory
of files ending in "txt" displayed in date order.
The special command line argument %* can also be added to aliases, which will
be replaced by all command line arguments.
Compound Aliases
Aliases can also be used to execute multiple commands using the command
separator character. For example, the alias definition
alias qp pushd d:\qpro^qpro %1^popd
defines the alias qp to mean "save the current directory, change directory to
d:\qpro, run qpro with the file specified on the command line, then restore the
directory to the original directory."
Nested Aliases
As mentioned earlier, aliases can be nested to any level. In other words, an
alias can contain an alias (which may contain another alias, and so on). For
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example if the following aliases were defined:
alias hello echo Hello
alias likec hello^echo World!
Typing likec at the command line would cause the message:
Hello
World!
Nested aliases are particularly useful for breaking up long unwieldy alias
definitions, or to add a repetitive routine to many other aliases
Preventing Recursive Expansion (Alias Loop Errors)
Aliases names are case sensitive, whereas DOS is not. You can use this feature
to define aliases which are variations of themselves, or to redefine commands
to have new meaning with the same name. For example, the alias definition:
alias dir dir %1 /od
would cause an error since the alias refers to itself. However, the alias
definition:
alias dir Dir %1 /od
will cause the DOS command DIR to be invoked with the /od switch whenever dir
is typed.
Removing Aliases
Aliases can be removed with the UNALIAS command. To remove the dir alias
defined above, type:
unalias dir
Examining or Saving Aliases
To examine the contents of the alias buffer, just type ALIAS at the command
prompt. To save the current alias buffer, redirect the output to a file, for
example:
c:\>alias > alias.txt<ENTER>
The above example saves the current alias buffer contents to a file named
alias.txt. Note that aliases can be automatically saved whenever they are
defined by setting the AliasAutoSaveFile entry in the [Initialize] section of
your TOP.INI file. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for further
details.
Pre-loading Aliases / Reading an Alias File
Three methods are available to read in groups of aliases to pre-load or add
aliases to the alias buffer. First, the TOP.INI file contains a section called
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[Alias] which is a list of initial aliases to be assigned at startup. See the
chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for more details. This method is
generally used by TNC Technology to release interesting alias suggestions since
the TOP.INI file will be overwritten during installation. We therefore do not
advise you store your aliases using this method.
The second method of reading in aliases is to specify a filename using the
AliasAutoSaveFile entry in the [Initialize] section of your TOP.INI file. See
the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for further details. Any aliases
defined in this file will have precedence over those defined in the TOP.INI
file. Also, this file will be updated anytime you define or remove an alias at
the command line, lending a permanence to your definitions. The release TOP.INI
file already has this parameter set, so no additional action is needed to use
this method.
Finally, groups of aliases can be read in by using the /r switch when typing
alias, followed by a file name containing the list of desired alias
definitions. For example, typing:
alias /r alias.txt
would append the aliases defined in the file alias.txt to the current alias
buffer contents (and automatically update the AliasAutoSaveFile).
Debugging Aliases
Aliases, unlike batch files, always operate with echo off. If you find your
alias is not operating correctly, and you can't see what's happening to figure
it out, you can enable alias debug mode by typing:
alias +
This will cause TOP to briefly display the expanded alias and each line to be
executed with command line parameters replaced just prior to execution as an
aid to debugging. For example, using the alias likec we defined earlier with
alias debug mode enabled would result in:
ALIAS: likec = hello^echo World!
ALIAS: hello = echo Hello
EXEC: echo Hello
Hello
EXEC: echo World!
World!
To disable alias debug mode, type:
alias -
The CRON Program Scheduler
One of the most innovative features of TOP, the CRON scheduler allows you to
set up a schedule of programs to occur periodically some time in the future.
All CRON events are set up using the TOP.INI file in the [Cron] section.
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Mandatory and Whimsical Entries
All CRON entries in the TOP.INI file are only executed during the time the
computer is otherwise idle and sitting at the command line waiting for input.
In other words, a CRON entry will not be executed in the middle of your word
processing session. To take advantage of this, there are two kinds of CRON
entries, called mandatory and whimsical. A mandatory entry is an entry which
will always be executed, either at the time it was scheduled, or, if the
computer is not idle or even off at that time, at the next available idle time.
A whimsical entry will only be executed if the computer is idle at the time
scheduled in the entry. Use mandatory entries for jobs which must occur
regardless of the time, such as backing up files to a network, or reminder
messages. Use whimsical entries for events which are time sensitive, such as
chimes on the quarter hour.
How To Make A CRON Entry
Each entry in the TOP.INI file consists of a time and date specification
followed by the name of the program to be executed. The time specification is a
sequence of numbers specifying the minute, hour, day-of-month, month, and day-
of-week to run the program, in that order. Any of the time specifications can
contain a single number, a range of numbers, a list of numbers, any combination
of lists and ranges, or a wildcard (*). See the chapter, "Customization and
TOP.INI," for more details. Either the day-of-month or the day-of week entry
can be true for CRON to execute the entry.
The time specification is then followed by the name of the program to be
executed. Any valid program name or command is acceptable, but remember to
specify the program path if it is not specified by your PATH environment
variable. If the program name is preceded by an equals sign (=), the entry is
whimsical, otherwise it is mandatory. This is really not as hard as it sounds,
as some examples will illustrate:
The above example would cause the message "Anniversary Today!" to be displayed
every hour on the hour all day on June 12 (so you for sure don't forget it).
0 7 * * 1-5 getmail
This example would cause your computer to run the program getmail at 7:00 am
every weekday morning. Presumably you are not there to turn on the computer
until 8:20 am. That's OK, since it is a mandatory job CRON will execute it
then.
45 16 * * 5 backup c:\*.txt e: /s
< echo Y
Note: the above entry would be typed all on one line. This entry causes the DOS
program BACKUP to be executed every Friday afternoon at 4:45 pm. It causes all
files ending with .txt on drive c: to be backed up to network drive e:
automatically.
0,15,30,45 * * * * =chime
This entry causes the program chime to be run every quarter hour. However,
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since it is a whimsical entry, it will only be run if the computer is idle at
that quarter hour.
0,30 * * * * history > c:\history.txt
This entry causes the current history buffer to be saved to a file called
history.txt every half hour.
See also the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI," particularly the [Cron]
section, for more details of a CRON entry.
Displaying the Scheduled CRON JOBS
To display the currently scheduled CRON jobs, just type CRON at the command
prompt. To save the currently scheduled CRON jobs, redirect the output to a
file, for example:
c:\>cron > cron.txt<ENTER>
The above example saves the currently scheduled CRON jobs to a file named
cron.txt.
Resetting the CRON Clock Using CRON NOW
CRON remembers which job it is supposed to next execute by keeping an internal
"last executed" time clock. A copy of the last executed time is also saved to
the disk in the file specified by the CronTimeStamp entry in the [Initialize]
section of TOP.INI. This is so CRON can maintain a schedule of jobs to be
executed even through power off and boot times. The last executed time is
updated only after completion of a CRON job. There are conceivable but rare
situations where this is not desirable, for example if a CRON entry causes the
computer to purposely be booted (as might happen if network drivers needed to
be temporarily installed). Executing the command:
c:\>cron now<ENTER>
at the command line or in a CRON entry causes CRON to update its last executed
clock to the current time, thus cancelling execution of any pending jobs and
making CRON think it has completed the current job. Rebooting the computer at
this point will now not cause that job to be re-executed.
You may also want to use the CRON NOW command if you have just reset the time
or date of your system clock to prevent jobs from being re-run.
CRON Log Updates
Every time a scheduled non-whimsical CRON job has completed execution, an entry
will be appended to a log file giving you a dated record of scheduled jobs. The
log file is specified by the CronLogFile entry in the [Initialize] section of
TOP.INI. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for more details. The
time and date of execution, and a copy of the CRON schedule entry are
continuously appended to this file, as well as the error code (if any) returned
by the scheduled program. This enables you to verify if a job was completed
successfully while you were not at your computer. Note: whimsical CRON jobs are
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not logged.
Debugging CRON Entries
Typing:
CRON always operates with echo off. If you find your cron job is not operating
correctly, and you can't see what's happening to figure it out, you can enable
cron debug mode by typing:
cron +
This will cause TOP to briefly display the cron job just prior to execution as
an aid to debugging.
To disable cron debug mode, type:
cron -
Typing CRON with no parameters will display the currently scheduled jobs.
Setting TOP's PROMPT: TOPPROMPT
TOPPROMPT is an environment variable used to set a new system prompt for TOP.
All the meta-string characters which are valid in the DOS PROMPT command are
valid as well in the TOPPROMPT variable, except the DOS meta-string characters
are now case sensitive. If the meta-string characters are capitalized the
result will be capitalized, otherwise the result will be lower case. In
addition, a few new meta-string characters have been added which TOP will
recognize and process. See the TOPPROMPT meta-string summary below.
Also, unlike the DOS PROMPT command, ANSI escape string sequences will be
recognized and processed even if ANSI.SYS is not installed (a summary of ANSI
escape sequences can be found in Appendix C). The TOPPROMPT string sequence is
executed every time a new prompt is issued. A sample TOPPROMPT setting which
uses the new meta-string characters and ANSI escape string sequences has been
included in your initial TOP.INI file.
TOPPROMPT can be set using either the SET or PROMPT command. For example:
PROMPT $p$T$g
sets TOPPROMPT to $p$T$q, which causes the current directory, then the current
time followed by the > character to be displayed as your prompt. This is
equivalent to:
SET TOPPROMPT=$p$T$g
The best place to put your prompt command is the [InitialCommands] section of
TOP.INI. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for more details.
TOPPROMPT Meta-string Summary
The table below contains a list of all valid TOPPROMPT meta-strings. Both lower
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and upper case letters are accepted, and will result in lower or upper case
output (except t or T - see below).
Meta- | Explanation
string |
--------------------------------------------------
$$ | The $ character
--------------------------------------------------
$_ | A carriage return / line feed
--------------------------------------------------
$b | The | character
--------------------------------------------------
$d | The current date
--------------------------------------------------
$e | ASCII code '1B' (the escape character)
--------------------------------------------------
$g | The > character
--------------------------------------------------
$h | A backspace
--------------------------------------------------
$l | The < character
--------------------------------------------------
$m | The time meridian (returns "am" or
| "pm")
--------------------------------------------------
$n | The current drive
--------------------------------------------------
$p | The current directory of the current
| drive
--------------------------------------------------
$q | The = character
--------------------------------------------------
$s | The current drive's available disk
| space
--------------------------------------------------
$t | The current time in 24 hour format
--------------------------------------------------
$T | The current time in 12 hour format
--------------------------------------------------
$v | The version number
The above table is also available on line by typing HELP PROMPT.
TOPTIME: The Time-Updated ANSI String
TOPTIME is similar to TOPPROMPT in that it is an environment variable
containing the same syntax of character strings, including the case sensitive
DOS meta-strings, ANSI escape string sequences (a SUMMARY of ANSI escape
sequences can be found in Appendix C), and the new TOP meta-strings in the
table above. However, TOPTIME is re-executed every second, independent of the
prompt. Naturally, this lends itself well to displaying the current time. A
sample TOPTIME setting which does just that has been included in your initial
TOP.INI file.
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TOPTIME can only be set using the SET command. For example:
SET TOPTIME=$T$m
sets TOPTIME to $T$m, which causes the current time in 12 hour format followed
by the time meridian to be displayed every second.
TOPDMT: Automatic Time-out Execution
TOPDMT is used to specify the name of the program to be executed when the
KeyboardTimeout time specified in the [Initialize] section of TOP.INI is
satisfied. TOPDMT must contain a valid executable program, including path
definition if required. Any user program can be specified by TOPDMT and it will
automatically be started after the idle time specified elapses (idle time is
when your computer is doing nothing else - i.e. when no programs are running
and the prompt is displayed). A typical program to be started is a "screen
saver", or something which temporarily blanks the screen and displays an
interesting picture instead. Several such programs have been included with your
TOP release. See also KeyboardTimeout in the [Initialize] section of TOP.INI
for more details. Also see Appendix D, "Using DMTs".
Keystroke Functions (FKEY)
Keystroke functions are user-defined command sequences which can are assigned
to a single keystroke. Keystroke functions are very similar to aliases and can
contain all the command and features that aliases use. The only difference
between aliases and keystroke functions is the keystroke function is pressed
after the arguments are typed on the command line - like calculator functions.
Keystroke functions are assigned using the FKEY command, and are removed using
the UNFKEY command. In addition, initial aliases can be defined in the TOP.INI
file in the [FunctionKeys] section.
The keystroke function name and argument length is only limited by the size of
the internal function key buffer, which is 64K bytes. All keystroke function
names and their arguments must fit in this buffer.
Like aliases, a keystroke function may contain any command or combination of
commands (using the command separator character). However, the total length of
a keystroke function must be less than 127 characters. If a longer keystroke
function is desired, first define an alias and assign it to a keystroke
function.
Keystroke functions cannot be nested, but may contain aliases which are nested.
Keystroke functions can be assigned to the keys F1 through F12, AltF1 through
AltF12, CtrlF1 through CtrlF12, ShiftF1 through ShiftF12, Alt0 through Alt9,
and AltA through AltZ. Note that assigning a keystroke function to any of F1
through F10 will supersede the default command line edit function for that key.
Adding Keystroke Functions
Keystroke functions are added in much the same way as aliases. For example,
typing
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defines the function key F12 to cause a directory listing to be displayed
listed in date order.
A replaceable parameter was included in the above example. Typing:
c:\>*.txt<F12>
would produce an date order directory of files ending in .txt.
Pre-loading Keystroke Functions / Reading a File
Three methods are available to read in groups of keystroke function definitions
to pre-load or add to the keystroke function buffer. First, the TOP.INI file
contains a section called [FunctionKeys] which is a list of all initial
keystroke functions to be assigned at startup. See the chapter, "Customization
and TOP.INI," for more details. This method is generally used by TNC Technology
to release interesting keystroke function suggestions since the TOP.INI file
will be overwritten during installation. We therefore do not advise you store
your keystroke functions using this method.
The second method of reading in keystroke functions is to specify a filename
using the FkeyAutoSaveFile entry in the [Initialize] section of your TOP.INI
file. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI," for further details. Any
keystroke functions defined in this file will have precedence over those
defined in the TOP.INI file. Also, this file will be updated anytime you define
or remove a keystroke function at the command line, lending a permanence to
your definitions. The release TOP.INI file already has this parameter set, so
no additional action is needed to use this method.
Finally, groups of keystroke functions can be read in by using the /r switch
when typing fkey, followed by a file name containing the list of desired alias
definitions. For example, typing:
fkey /r function.txt
would append the keystroke functions defined in the file function.txt to the
current keystroke function buffer contents (and automatically update the
FkeyAutoSaveFile).
Removing Keystroke Functions
Keystroke functions can be removed with the UNFKEY command. To remove the F12
keystroke function defined above, type:
unfkey F12
Examining or Saving Keystroke Functions
To examine the contents of the keystroke function buffer, just type FKEY at the
command prompt. To save the current keystroke function buffer, redirect the
output to a file, for example:
c:\>fkey > function.txt<ENTER>
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
The above example saves the current keystroke function buffer contents to a
file named function.txt.
Automatically Maintaining Colors
TOP automatically maintains DOS foreground, DOS background, and cursor color as
well as the current color palette. The colors are specified in the [Video] and
[Palette] sections of TOP.INI. See the chapter, "Customization and TOP.INI,"
for more details on setting colors.
Recursive Commands
TOP provides three new commands recursive through directories called MOVE, XDIR,
and XDEL. Like DOS XCOPY, these commands provide file manipulation functions
across all or selected directories.
MOVE
MOVE is used to move or rename files, directories and directories containing
subdirectories. MOVE is much faster than COPY since only the location of the
files is changed; the files are not actually moved on the disk unless you
specify a MOVE to another drive.
The action taken by MOVE depends on the file parameters specified. If source
and destination are on the same disk, the files are moved. Otherwise the source
is copied to the destination disk, and the source is removed.
The action taken by MOVE also depends on the type of file parameters specified.
If the source parameter is a file specification, then only files are moved. If
the source is a path specification, then whole directories are moved. If a
destination is a directory and it does not exist, MOVE will create it for you
(after confirmation).
A few examples should make this clear. To rename a file, source and destination
are at the same path level:
c:\>move result.txt report.doc<ENTER>
The above example just renames the file result.txt to report.doc, unless
report.doc already exits (otherwise confirmation will be requested to delete
and replace report.doc).
To move a file to another directory:
c:\text>move result.txt \wp<ENTER>
The above example moves the file result.txt to the directory \wp if \wp exits,
otherwise \wp is created for you first (after confirmation).
Wildcards are accepted in the source, if the destination is a directory. If a
wildcard operator had been specified in the previous example, such as:
c:\text>move *.txt \wp<ENTER>
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all files matching *.txt in \text would be moved to \wp if \wp exits, otherwise
\wp is created for you first (after confirmation).
To rename a directory, source and destination are at the same path level:
c:\>move \text \wp<ENTER>
would just rename the directory \text to \wp if \wp did not already exist (if
\wp did exist then \text and all files and directories in it would be moved
there), but typing:
c:\>move \text \wp\text<ENTER>
would move the entire contents of the \text directory to the subdirectory
\wp\text contained in \wp, (and/or create the \wp\text directory first if it
did not exist after confirmation).
If a destination file exists, a confirmation is requested to delete it before
the move occurs. However, the switch /NOCONF causes MOVE to overwrite existing
destinations without confirmation. USE WITH CARE! Using /NOCONF does not
disable confirmation if a new directory is to be created.
MOVE normally displays each file name as it is moved. If you do not want to see
each filename displayed, for example if MOVE were part of an ALIAS command, the
/Q switch can be used. /Q runs MOVE quietly, with only summary information
echoed to the display.
MOVE normally verifies each file move with the DOS write verify function if
verify is set to on. TOP will perform additional verification before deleting
the source files if a /V switch is included. Including /V will cause MOVE to
take slightly longer, but will provide an extra measure of confidence that
files were written or moved properly.
MOVE also accepts the /! switch (as do many TOP functions), which will cause
all BUT the specified files to be moved. For example,
c:\>move *.txt \wp\other /! <ENTER>
will cause all files except those ending in txt in the current directory to be
moved to the directory \wp\other.
MOVE normally does not move hidden files. Including the /H switch will allow
MOVE to move hidden files as well.
Disk space is never a problem when moving files within a drive since they fit
in the first place, but if MOVE runs out of space when moving across drives it
will exit.
XDEL
XDEL is used to delete a file or group of files in a specified path and all
subpaths. XDEL can even delete an entire directory and all files and
subdirectories in it. USE THIS FEATURE WITH CARE!!
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The action taken by XDEL depends on the type of file parameters specified. If
the parameter is a file specification, then only files are deleted. If the file
parameter is a path specification, then whole directories are deleted. XDEL can
accept multiple file parameters and will act on them individually depending on
what type they are.
XDEL is used like DOS DEL, except the parameter specified may also be a
directory. XDEL always deletes all matching files in the directory specified
and in all subdirectories of that directory. If you only want to delete the one
file you are specifying, do not use XDEL, use DEL. For example:
c:\>xdel \*.bak<ENTER>
would cause all files matching *.bak to be deleted from the entire drive. XDEL
also accepts multiple parameters. Fore example typing:
c:\>xdel \*.bak \*.tmp<ENTER>
would cause all files matching *.bak and *.tmp to be deleted from the entire
drive.
The scope of XDEL in the previous examples was the entire drive since it was
executed from the root directory with no path specification. If instead the
following were typed:
c:\>xdel \text\*.bak<ENTER>
or
c:\text>xdel *.bak<ENTER>
then XDEL would delete all files matching *.bak in the directory \TEXT and all
files matching *.bak in all subdirectories of \TEXT. Finally, typing:
c:\>xdel \text<ENTER>
would delete the directory \TEXT and all files and subdirectories in it.
Normally, XDEL will not delete read-only files. However, if the switch /R is
included with the XDEL command, read-only files will be deleted as well.
XDEL normally displays each file name as it is deleted. If you do not want to
see each filename displayed, for example if XDEL were part of an ALIAS command,
the /Q switch can be used. /Q runs XDEL quietly, with only summary information
echoed to the display. /Q will also make XDEL run considerably faster since
files will be deleted in blocks instead of individually.
Because of the potential for deleting many files in one stroke, XDEL never
proceeds without echoing what you asked for and asking for confirmation.
However, the switch /NOCONF causes XDEL to proceed without confirmation. USE
THIS FEATURE WITH EXTREME CARE!!
XDEL also accepts the /! switch (as do many TOP functions), which will cause
all BUT the specified files to be deleted. For example,
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c:\>xdel \temp\*.zip /! <ENTER>
will cause all files except those ending in zip to be deleted in the directory
\temp and its subdirectories. Needless to say this feature is powerful, but
potentially can delete a large number of files. USE THIS FEATURE WITH CARE!
XDEL normally will not delete hidden, read only, or system files. Including any
or all of the switches /H, /R, or /S will allow XDEL to delete hidden, read
only, or system files, respectfully. USE THIS FEATURE WITH CARE!
XDEL also accepts a /P switch, which will cause XDEL to pause and ask for
confirmation before deleting each file specified. Use of /P overrides /Q or
/NOCONF.
XDIR
XDIR will list (or find) all or specified directory entries in a path and all
its subpaths. XDIR is used like DOS DIR, except the files displayed will be
from the specified directory and all subdirectories. For example:
c:\>xdir \*.txt
will list all files matching *.txt on the entire drive. Including the \ above
insures the root directory is searched, even if this were not your current
directory. This can be particularly useful if you were trying to find a file
ending in .txt but you didn't know where it was.
The action taken by XDIR depends on the type of file parameters specified. If
the source parameter is a file specification, then all matching files are
displayed. If the source is just a path specification, then directories and
subdirectories are displayed. For example, typing:
c:\>xdir \wp\*.*<ENTER>
will list all files in the directory \wp and in its subdirectories. However,
typing:
c:\>xdir \wp<ENTER>
will list all subdirectories in the directory \wp. This is particularly useful
in conjunction with the /V switch (see below).
XDIR will list matching files with their complete path names, or just
directories if only a path is specified. If the /V (verbose) switch is included,
XDIR also displays file date and size. This is particularly useful when
displaying only directories as the file usage will be displayed for each
directory. Typing:
c:\>xdir \ /V| sort /r | view
will produce a list of all directories on your drive, sorted by file space
usage, displayed in the TOP view window. Try it! The above example makes a
great alias too.
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XDIR also accepts the /! switch (as do many TOP functions), which will cause
all BUT the specified files to be displayed. For example,
c:\>xdir \temp\*.zip /! <ENTER>
will cause all files except those ending in zip to be listed.
XDIR normally displays all but hidden files. Using the /H switch will allow
display of hidden files as well.
Two other switches are available for XDIR, /P and /Q. /P will pause the screen
display when full, and /Q runs quietly, displaying only summary information to
the display
Examine File Contents: VIEW
VIEW displays the contents of any file in a TOP window. Unlike using type, the
VIEW is a TOP window function and can be scrolled, sized, and moved. As with
any TOP window, right mouse clicks or drags can highlight any displayed text
for subsequent pasting to the command line or other windows.
VIEW can be started by selecting VIEW from the mouse pop-up chord menu. The
filename to be VIEWed can be dragged into the VIEW window (using the left mouse
button) from either the FILES or LIST window (see the chapter "Using the Mouse
and TOP Windows"). Alternatively, VIEW can be started by typing:
view [filename]
at the command prompt.
The VIEW window's initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off),
and use of colors is controlled by modifying the [ViewWindow] section in
TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI" for more details.
Piping into VIEW
Program output can be piped to VIEW using the DOS pipe symbol (|). You can then
VIEW the output from your program at leisure by scrolling the VIEW window. For
example, typing:
dir | view
will pipe the output from dir into the view window.
Change Drive and Directory: CDD
CDD changes or displays the current drive and directory simultaneously. It is
equivalent, but faster and more convenient than the two commands CD and d:. For
example:
c:\>cdd d:\qp
changes the drive to drive D: and the current directory on D: to \QP. Typing
CDD with no parameters just displays the current drive and directory.
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Save and Recall the Current Directory: PUSHD, POPD
PUSHD is used to push (save) the current drive and directory into a directory
stack and optionally change the current drive and directory at the same time.
It is used in conjunction with POPD, which returns the drive and directory to
the state saved with PUSHD. For example:
c:\wp>pushd d:\spreadsh\wk
d:\spreadsh\wk>
Some time later type:
d:\spreadsh\wk>popd
c:\wp>
If no drive or directory is specified, PUSHD will just push the current
directory without changing directories.
The directory stack saved with PUSHD is restored by POPD on a last in first out
basis. To display the current directory stack, use the TOP command DIRS.
There is virtually no limit to the number of directories that can be saved with
PUSHD (it depends on the length of the path saved, but several hundred at
least).
Extended VGA Modes
So you own a super VGA card. You read the manual, it said you have all kinds of
extended text modes you can run it in. You switched into one of them, maybe the
132 column by 43 row mode. What happened? You typed dir and it started
scrolling at the 25th line! The sad fact is, most DOS utilities have that 25
line parameter hard coded in, so they will never work with those extended modes
you paid extra to have.
So what to do? Ask the little guy in the margin! TOP not only fully supports
all extended VGA text modes of most popular super VGA cards, but maintains the
mode of your choice even when other programs you run reset it.
Using these modes is quite simple. Using TOP's setup utility, TOPSU, change the
VideoMode entry in the [Video] section (see the chapter "Customization and
TOP.INI" for more details). The mode you select will be maintained permanently
while TOP is in control.
If you have already been using some form of EGA 43 line or VGA 50 line mode,
using DOS 4.0+ and the MODE command, you must know that DOS requires ANSI.SYS
to be loaded to support these modes. TOP does not require ANSI.SYS to run in
these modes and if there is no other reason for ANSI.SYS you can optionally
remove it from your CONFIG.SYS file. Since TOP does not require ANSI.SYS for
anything else, including complete support of complex ANSI prompt strings, you
might as well remove it and consequently save some additional memory.
For extended VGA modes, see the file README.VGA that came with your release for
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
up to date information on mode numbers and capabilities of your particular
video card. For extended VGA modes, DOS's ANSI.SYS must be removed as it does
not support any extended VGA modes. Again, TOP fully supports these modes and
it is unlikely you will need ANSI. If you absolutely have to have ANSI.SYS
loaded, you cannot use the extended VGA modes, but you can still take advantage
of EGA 43 or VGA 50 line modes.
See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI" for more details. Finally a way to
use those extended modes!
Handling Programs Lacking VGA Support
Amazingly, even though VGA extended modes have been around a fairly long time,
there are still a lot of applications around that do not take advantage of
them. Many older programs even have the same problem as DOS in that they assume
your screen is in a 25 line text mode and when they start up, they do not
verify or set it!
To help you solve this problem, TOP includes a fast video mode setting utility,
called VIDEO, which you can use to quickly set the mode prior to running these
programs. Since TOP always restores the mode after any program is run, you must
include the VIDEO command in a compound command, alias, fkey, or batch file.
For example, suppose you find your favorite editor only seems to work in a 25
line mode. You might type:
c:\>video co80 ^ editor<ENTER>
Or you could define an alias, called ed:
c:\>alias ed video co80^editor %*
and always start your editor using the alias.
Using Multiple Parameters With Commands
Many TOP commands accept multiple file parameters allowing you to group
otherwise unrelated commands into a single command. The commands which accept
multiple parameters are ATTRIB, DEL, DIR, ERASE, XDEL, and XDIR. For example,
typing
dir *.txt *.doc
will list all files ending with txt and all files ending with doc.
Using Enhanced Wildcards
Wildcards are used to specify a group of related files so you don't have to use
the same command repeatedly for each filename in the group. Wildcards are
special characters which act as a substitute for other characters in a filename
or extension. There are two such characters:
The * character represents any number of characters, including NO characters,
one character, two characters, etc.
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The ? character represents exactly ONE character.
However, DOS only recognizes one * in the filename, and one in the extension.
Any characters typed after the * are ignored. This can lead to confusing and
unexpected results.
Luckily, all TOP commands accept "enhanced" wildcards. Enhanced wildcards are
considerably more flexible than DOS wildcards and do not have the limitations
described above. For example:
dir *r*.*
Will list all files containing an r anywhere in the name in the current
directory. In contrast, given the example above, DOS would ignore the filename
characters after the first * and therefore list ALL files. More examples:
del *.txt
would delete all files ending in txt in the current directory.
attrib my*.* -r
would clear the READ attribute from all files starting with my in the current
directory.
dir *.*q*
would list all files with a q in the extension (DOS would just list ALL files).
del *my*.??
would delete all files with my anywhere in the filename and which had exactly
two characters in the extension (DOS would delete ALL files with exactly two
characters in the extension)
NISTIME
NISTIME is a utility which uses your Hayes(tm) compatible modem to dial the
National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Automated Computer Time
Service (ACTS), retrieves the time and date, and sets your PC clock. A
proprietary algorithm was employed to synchronize the PC's clock as precisely
as possible resulting in a typical setting error of less than +/-1 ms. This
utility is controlled by modifying the [Nistime] section in TOP.INI. See the
[NISTIME] section of the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI" for more details
on changing the setup for NISTIME.
After modifying the appropriate settings in your TOP.INI file (to indicate
choice of com port and etc.), to use NISTIME just type:
c:\>nt<ENTER>
(nt is a supplied example alias which calls NISTIME with the appropriate path
specification). NISTIME reports its progress as it dials ACTS, then sets your
PC's clock.
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
Automatic Command Line Completion
While typing at the command line, pressing the <TAB> key will insert a filename
from the current directory at the cursor. Repeated <TAB> presses will
alphabetically cycle through all files in the directory, or <Shift-TAB> will
reverse alphabetically cycle. If the cursor is on a partly typed filename or
file specification using wildcards, repeated <TAB> presses will cycle through a
list of matching files in the current directory.
Since TOP must first read in all files to sort them at the first press of the
<TAB> key, you may notice a slight but perceptible delay if you are in a
directory containing an enormous number of files.
Using TOP 4-26
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Chapter 5
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows
Many TOP commands are conveniently available through the use of your mouse.
Your mouse must be Microsoft(tm) compatible and have at least two buttons (if
your mouse has more buttons, only the left most and right most buttons will be
used). A Microsoft(tm) mouse compatible driver must be loaded and running.
While a mouse is not absolutely necessary to use TOP, the power it unleashes
makes it highly recommended!
A Short Discussion on Mouse Clicks
No, they're not small groups of "in" mice. TOP recognizes five kinds of mouse
button actions, which will be defined here and used though this section. The
mouse actions are summarized in the table below.
Mouse | Definition
Action |
--------------------------------------------------
Click | Quickly press and release a mouse
| button
--------------------------------------------------
Press | Press and hold a mouse button
--------------------------------------------------
Drag | Press and hold a mouse button, then
| move the mouse
--------------------------------------------------
Double | Quickly press and release a mouse
Click | button twice in succession
--------------------------------------------------
Chord | Press and hold both the LEFT and
| RIGHT mouse button together
The above will usually be preceded by the word "Left" or "Right" meaning the
left or right mouse button, respectively.
TOP Mouse Commands
Since by now you've probably started TOP, you've already noticed that there's a
live mouse cursor on your screen. The mouse is used in two primary ways: To
operate TOP window functions, and to cut and paste text from anywhere on the
screen to the command line. These two functions have been divided up between
the left and right mouse buttons. The table below summarizes the mouse commands
available at any time:
Mouse | Left Button | Right Button
Action | In general: Used | In general:
| to operate windows;| Selects any
| used to copy | visable text from
| selected text | anywhere on the
| between windows | screen
| and/or to the |
| command line |
---------------------------------------------------
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Click | Select a window | Highlight the word
| function option. | under the mouse
| See "TOP Window | cursor. Use a Left-
| Functions - | Drag to copy the
| General Usage" | highlighted word
| below. Also moves | to a window or the
| the command line | command line
| cursor |
---------------------------------------------------
Drag | Drag window | Controlled
| selection or right | highlight (drag
| button highlight | mouse cursor over
| to the command | any desired screen
| line or to another | text). Use a Left-
| window | Drag to copy the
| | highlighted text
| | to a window or the
| | command line
---------------------------------------------------
Double | Select a window | Highlight the word
Click | option, paste it | under the mouse
| to the command | cursor, paste it
| line at the cursor,| to the command
| and immediately | line at the cursor,
| execute the | and immediately
| resulting command | execute the
| line | resulting command
| | line
---------------------------------------------------
Chord | Pop up the window control menu. Menu
| choices are: CloseAll, SaveLayout,
| Alias, Files, History, List, View, and
| Help. To select an item, move the mouse
| over the item desired and release the
| chord.
The above table can be accessed online by typing HELP wMOUSE, or just type
wMOUSE and press <F1>. All HELP for TOP mouse and window functions generally
start with a little w.
While the above table may at first seem complicated when read, it cannot be
overemphasized how simple and convenient it will seem in practice!
The Chord Pop-Up Menu
Chording the mouse (see table above) brings up a pop-up menu containing the
following window function choices: CloseAll, SaveLayout, Alias, Files, History,
List, View, and Help. The chord pop-up menu is global, in other words it is
always available when TOP is running, and it affects all functions equally. The
table below explains the chord pop-up menu functions:
Pop-up | Explanation
menu item |
-------------------------------------------------
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
CloseAll | Closes all TOP window functions
-------------------------------------------------
SaveLayout| Save the position and size of all
| TOP windows
-------------------------------------------------
Alias | Opens the ALIAS window, or brings it
| to the top
-------------------------------------------------
Files | Opens the FILES window, or brings it
| to the top
-------------------------------------------------
History | Opens the HISTORY window, or brings
| it to the top
-------------------------------------------------
List | Opens the LIST window, or brings it
| to the top
-------------------------------------------------
View | Opens the VIEW window, or brings it
| to the top
-------------------------------------------------
Help | Opens the HELP window, or brings it
| to the top
TOP Window Functions
TOP window functions are simple, convenient ways to speed up and simplify
access to or creation of your commands. For example, HELP is a TOP window
function. Other TOP window functions are ALIASES, FILES, HISTORY, LIST, and
VIEW, all described below.
General Usage
This section describes the common features of all TOP window functions and how
to use them. Specific information for individual TOP windows is presented later
in this chapter.
All TOP window functions can be started with the chord pop-up menu (see above),
and can be cancelled by clicking the left mouse button on the close box in the
upper left corner of each window (the small square dot enclosed in square
brackets). Once opened a window will remain open until it is closed, or it can
close itself (autoclose) when a command is executed. The choice to autoclose is
made in the appropriate section of TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and
TOP.INI" for more details.
TOP windows can be moved and sized. To move a window, place the mouse cursor
anywhere on the title bar and press the left button. Move the window to the
desired location and release the mouse. To size a window, place the mouse
cursor anywhere on the window's boarder or corner and press the left button.
Stretch the window to the desired size and release the mouse. The new position
and size can be permanently saved using the SaveLayout command from the chord
pop-up menu.
TOP windows can also be maximized, or made as big as the screen will allow, by
clicking the left mouse button on the maximize box in the upper right corner of
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-4
TNC Technology TOP Manual
the window (the small up and down arrow enclosed in square brackets). Pressing
the maximize box again after a window is full size will return the window to
its former size.
When all items to be displayed do not fit in a TOP window, scroll bars are
activated on the right and/or bottom side of the window. The scroll bar
consists of small up and down or left and right arrows, and a relative position
indicator. The scroll bars are actuated with the left mouse button in two ways:
pressing or clicking on the arrows scrolls the text up or down a line at a time;
dragging the left button on the relative position indicator moves the view
directly to that relative point.
A click on any place in a window not associated with any other function (such
as the boarder or background) brings that window to the front if it is partly
obscured by any other window. A window can also be brought to the front at any
time by reselecting it from the chord pop-up menu.
All TOP windows have an associated section in the TOP.INI file which controls
their initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off), autoclose
ability, and use of colors. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI" for
more details.
Using TOP Windows Without a Mouse
A keyboard interface is available to let you use TOP windows if you do not have
a mouse. The keys are shown in the table below:
Key | Function
--------------------------------------------------
<Alt F6> | Change active window
| (highlights title)
--------------------------------------------------
<Alt F4> | Close active window
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl PGUP> | Scroll active window up
| one page
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl PGDN> | Scroll active window
| down one page
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl HOME> | Scroll active window to
| top
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl END> | Scroll active window to
| bottom
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl Left Arrow> | Scroll active window
| left
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl Right Arrow> | Scroll active window
| right
--------------------------------------------------
<Ctrl Up Arrow> | Scroll active window up
--------------------------------------------------
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-5
TNC Technology TOP Manual
<Ctrl Down Arrow> | Scroll active window
| down
The "active" window is the window in the front, and will be indicated by a
highlighted title.
Keyboard users do not have access to the Alias, Files, History, or List
windows.
Moving Selections Between Windows and the Command Line
In addition to dragging text or selections from any window to the command line,
some TOP windows also accept selections from the screen or other windows. In
other words, you can drag selections into a window as well as out of a window.
The table below summarizes the relationship between all TOP windows.
Window | Imports | Exports
| (dragged into) | (Left button
| | select)
----------------------------------------------------
ALIAS | none | Command
----------------------------------------------------
FILES | none | File name with
| | complete path
----------------------------------------------------
HELP | Help topic | Any word
----------------------------------------------------
HISTORY | none | Command
----------------------------------------------------
LIST | Path | File name
| specification | without path
----------------------------------------------------
VIEW | File name | Line in file
If a selection is already highlighed and the window is selected from the chord
pop-up menu, it is equivelent to dragging the selection into that window.
ALIAS Window
Selecting ALIAS from the chord menu brings up the ALIAS window containing a
list of all currently defined aliases. While this window is active, a left
click on any item in the window selects that item for export. A left drag
copies the selected item to the command line at the command cursor or to any
other TOP window. In addition, a left double click on any item will select the
item, copy it to the command line at the command cursor, and execute the
resulting command line in one action.
The ALIAS window can be moved and sized (see "TOP Window Functions - General
Usage"). Left clicking the close box will cancel the ALIAS window.
The ALIAS window's initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off),
autoclose function, and use of colors is controlled by modifying the
[AliasWindow] section in TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details.
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-6
TNC Technology TOP Manual
FILES Window
Selecting FILES from the chord menu brings up the FILES window containing an
alphabetical list of files, file information, directories, and file extensions
for the current directory. While this window is active, a left click on any
file in the window selects that item. A left drag copies the selected filename
(and its full path specification) to the command line at the command cursor or
to any other TOP window. In addition, a left double click on any file will
select the file, copy the filename to the command line at the command cursor,
and execute the resulting command line in one action.
Pull-down menus are available in the FILES window to change drives or change
file sort order. The pull-downs are actuated with a left press; release the
button on the desired selection.
To change directory or display filter, left click on the desired directory or
filter in the Dirs or Types area of the FILES window.
The FILES window can be moved and sized (see "TOP Window Functions - General
Usage"). Left clicking the close box will cancel the FILES window.
The FILES window initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off),
autoclose function, and use of colors is controlled by modifying the
[FilesWindow] section in TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details.
HISTORY Window
Selecting HISTORY from the chord menu brings up the HISTORY window containing a
list of all the items currently in the command history buffer. While this
window is active, a left click on any item in the window selects that item. A
left drag copies the selected item to the command line at the command cursor or
to any other TOP window. In addition, a left double click on any item will
select the item, copy it to the command line at the command cursor, and execute
the resulting command line in one action.
The HISTORY window can be moved and sized (see "TOP Window Functions - General
Usage"). Left clicking the close box will cancel the HISTORY window.
The HISTORY window's initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off),
autoclose ability, and use of colors is controlled by modifying the
[HistoryWindow] section in TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details.
LIST Window
Selecting LIST from the chord menu brings up the LIST window containing a
directory and files listing of the current directory. While this window is
active, a left click on any item in the window selects that item. A left drag
copies the selected item to the command line at the command cursor or to any
other TOP window. In addition, a left double click on any item will select the
item, copy it to the command line at the command cursor, and execute the
resulting command line in one action. If the item you left double clicked on
was a directory, the current directory is changed to that one and a new list is
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-7
TNC Technology TOP Manual
displayed. Also, if a directory path specification is dragged into the LIST
window, the current directory is changed to the dragged specification.
The LIST window can be moved and sized (see "TOP Window Functions - General
Usage"). Left clicking the close box will cancel the LIST window.
The LIST window's initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off),
autoclose ability, and use of colors is controlled by modifying the
[ListWindow] section in TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details.
VIEW Window
Selecting VIEW from the chord menu invokes the VIEW window, which displays the
contents of a file. The filename to be VIEWed is dragged into the window from
the FILES or LIST window with the LEFT mouse button.
Alternatively, VIEW can be started by typing:
view [filename]
at the command prompt. VIEW can also be started as a result of a pipe operation,
as in:
dir | view
which would cause the output from the dir command in the VIEW window. As in any
window, right clicks or drags can highlight any text for subsequent pasting to
the command line at the command cursor or to any other TOP window.
The VIEW window can be moved and sized (see "TOP Window Functions - General
Usage"). Left clicking the close box will cancel the VIEW window.
The VIEW window's initial position, initial size, initial state (on or off),
autoclose ability, and use of colors is controlled by modifying the
[ViewWindow] section in TOP.INI. See the chapter "Customization and TOP.INI"
for more details.
HELP Window
Selecting HELP from the chord menu invokes the HELP window (identical to
pressing <F1>). After the HELP window is activated, repeated left clicks will
change HELP context to the text at the mouse position (especially useful on
"See Also" text, but works on any word displayed). HELP window topics can also
be seen or changed by dragging the topic into the HELP window from another
window or the screen using the Left mouse button.
The HELP window can be moved and sized (see "TOP Window Functions - General
Usage"). However, when a new topic is selected, the HELP window will
automatically resize itself to fit the topic. Left clicking the close box or
pressing <AltF1> will cancel the HELP window.
The HELP window's initial state (on or off), autoclose ability, and use of
colors is controlled by modifying the [HelpWindow] section in TOP.INI. See the
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-8
TNC Technology TOP Manual
chapter "Customization and TOP.INI" for more details.
Using the Mouse and TOP Windows 5-9
################################################################################
################################################################################
Chapter 6
Customization and TOP.INI
Note: This chapter was not inluded in the shareware release to conserve space.
However, the entire contents of this chapter are available on line when
using TOP's setup utility, TOPSET (included).
The complete printed manual is included with your registration.
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
Chapter 7
TOP Command Reference
Note: This chapter was not inluded in the shareware release to conserve space.
However, the entire contents of this chapter are available on line when
using TOP's HELP utility.
The complete printed manual is included with your registration.
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
Appendix A
Technical Support
################################################################################
################################################################################
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Technical Support Information
Technical support is available to all registered users in many forms. Please
feel free to use the service of your choice:
Problem resolutions are usually posted within 48 hours.
US Mail
TNC Technology
Attn: Technical Support
1084 Webster Road
Webster, New York 14580
Voice
716-872-1377 (after 6pm EST, M-F)
Machine attended during the day.
BBS
716-872-4913 (8-N-1)
24 hrs.
FAX
716-872-1377
Press "7" after answer
CompuServe
70403,2351
Checked Daily
Technical Support A-2
################################################################################
################################################################################
Appendix B
Sample TOP.INI File
Note: This chapter was not inluded in the shareware release to conserve space.
However, the entire contents of this chapter are available on line when
using TOP's setup utility, TOPSET (included).
The complete printed manual is included with your registration.
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
################################################################################
Appendix C
Using ANSI
################################################################################
################################################################################
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Using ANSI
This appendix explains ANSI escape sequences and how to use them. Also
explained is how to install ANSI.SYS, which enables DOS to use ANSI escape
sequences (more explanation below). However, ANSI.SYS is NOT required to be
installed for TOP. TOP completely emulates ANSI escape sequences in it's prompt
statement WITHOUT having ANSI.SYS loaded! If the only reason you have ANSI.SYS
loaded is to produce better prompts, you can remove it and save memory.
ANSI.SYS is an installable device driver that was included with your DOS
release. When installed, ANSI lets you use special escape sequences which give
you more control over video graphics mode and cursor movement. Normally ANSI is
used to enhance your prompt.
An ANSI escape sequence is a series of characters developed by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI); the series always begins with the escape
character (ascii code 1B hex ). These escape sequences are how you go about
using ANSI.
Installing ANSI.SYS
Remember, ANSI.SYS is NOT required for TOP's prompt. If you must install
ANSI.SYS for other reasons, include the following line in your config.sys:
device=[d:][path]ANSI.SYS [/X] [/K]
Where:
[d:][path] specifies the drive and directory that contains ANSI.SYS
/X (DOS 4.0+ only) allows expanded keys on 101-key keyboards to be remapped
independently.
/K (DOS 5.0+ only) ignores expanded keys on 101-key keyboards
You must boot the computer after modifying config.sys for the changes to take
effect.
Using ANSI
To use ANSI escape sequences, first you must have some way to generate an
escape and the subsequent series of characters which define the desired ANSI
function, then you must issue the sequence via DOS function calls which use
standard input or standard output.
A perfect example of such a DOS function call is the command PROMPT. As you may
recall, PROMPT issues a sequence of characters to standard output every time
the <ENTER> key is pressed. PROMPT also recognizes its own special character
sequences, called meta-strings, which enable PROMPT to issue funny characters
like escape. Starting to sound suspiciously like a way to issue an ANSI escape
sequence isn't it? The PROMPT meta-string for escape is $e, so to include an
ANSI escape sequence in your prompt, you would include the sequence:
...$e[ANSI sequence]...
Using ANSI C-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
For example, the following PROMPT command saves the cursor position, moves to
the top of the screen, prints "Hi!", returns the cursor to its original
position, outputs the current directory, and outputs the > character (do not
put spaces in the sequence, they were included only to show the individual
commands):
See ANSI Escape Sequences below for a more detailed explanation of the ANSI
sequences themselves (and the chapters "Using TOP" and TOP Command Reference"
for more information on the PROMPT command).
ANSI Escape Sequences
Each ANSI escape sequences is in the following form:
ESC[ parameters COMMAND
Where:
ESC represents the escape character
parameters can be one or more of:
n, a numeric parameter specified with ASCII digits
s, a numeric parameter used to specify a subfunction, specified with ASCII
digits
r, a row or line number
c, a column number
COMMAND is an alphabetic string which specifies the ANSI command. It is case
specific
Multiple parameters are separated by semicolons
ANSI Commands
ESC[r;cH
ESC[r;cf
Changes cursor position to r, c. If parameters are omitted, sends cursor home.
ESC[nA
Move cursor up by n lines without changing column. Ignored if cursor already at
the top.
ESC[nB
Move cursor down by n lines without changing column. Ignored if cursor already
at the bottom.
ESC[nC
Using ANSI C-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Move cursor forward by n lines without changing row. Ignored if cursor already
at the right most edge.
ESC[nD
Move cursor backward by n lines without changing row. Ignored if cursor already
at the left most edge.
ESC[s
Save the current cursor position. The current cursor position can later be
restored with ESC[r.
ESC[u
Restore cursor position to the position saved with ESC[s.
ESC[2J
Erase the entire display and move cursor to home position (top left).
ESC[K
Erase to the end of the current row or line, including the current cursor
position.
ESC[s;...;sm
Set graphics rendition to s...s. The following graphic functions are possible:
Text Attributes
------------------------------------------------------
0 | All Attributes | 5 | Blink On
| Off | |
------------------------------------------------------
1 | Bold On | 7 | Reverse Video On
------------------------------------------------------
4 | Underscore On | 8 | Invisible On
------------------------------------------------------
Foreground Colors | Background Colors
------------------------------------------------------
30 | Black | 40 | Black
------------------------------------------------------
31 | Red | 41 | Red
------------------------------------------------------
32 | Green | 42 | Green
------------------------------------------------------
33 | Yellow | 43 | Yellow
------------------------------------------------------
34 | Blue | 44 | Blue
------------------------------------------------------
35 | Magenta | 45 | Magenta
------------------------------------------------------
36 | Cyan | 46 | Cyan
Using ANSI C-4
TNC Technology TOP Manual
------------------------------------------------------
37 | White | 47 | White
ESC[=sh
Set video mode to s. The following mode functions are possible:
0 | 40 x 25 B&W | 7 | Wrap at end of
| | | line
------------------------------------------------------
1 | 40 x 25 Color | 14 | 640 x 200 Color
------------------------------------------------------
2 | 80 x 25 B&W | 15 | 640 x 350 B&W
------------------------------------------------------
3 | 80 x 25 Color | 16 | 640 x 350 Color
------------------------------------------------------
4 | 320 x 200 Color | 17 | 640 x 480 Color
------------------------------------------------------
5 | 320 x 200 B&W | 18 | 640 x 480 Color
------------------------------------------------------
6 | 640 x 200 B&W | 19 | 320 x 200 Color
ESC[=sl
Reset mode to s. See table above, except 7 which disables wrap at end of line.
ESC[code;string;...;stringp
Redefine the keyboard key specified by code to sequence given by string.
string is either the ASCII code for a single character or a character contained
in quotation marks. For example, both "a" and 97 are equivalent.
code can be one or more of the values listed in the following table. Semicolons
shown must be entered in addition to the required semicolons in the command.
Values shown in parentheses may not be available on all keyboards.
Key | Code
------------------------------------
| Alone | Shift- | Ctrl- | Alt-
-------------------------------------------------------
F1 | 0;59 | 0;84 | 0;94 | 0;104
-------------------------------------------------------
F2 | 0;60 | 0;85 | 0;95 | 0;105
-------------------------------------------------------
F3 | 0;61 | 0;86 | 0;96 | 0;106
-------------------------------------------------------
F4 | 0;62 | 0;87 | 0;97 | 0;107
-------------------------------------------------------
F5 | 0;63 | 0;88 | 0;98 | 0;108
-------------------------------------------------------
F6 | 0;64 | 0;89 | 0;99 | 0;109
-------------------------------------------------------
F7 | 0;65 | 0;90 | 0;100 | 0;110
Using ANSI C-5
TNC Technology TOP Manual
-------------------------------------------------------
F8 | 0;66 | 0;91 | 0;101 | 0;111
-------------------------------------------------------
F9 | 0;67 | 0;92 | 0;102 | 0;112
-------------------------------------------------------
F10 | 0;68 | 0;93 | 0;103 | 0;113
-------------------------------------------------------
F11 | 0;133 | 0;135 | 0;137 | 0;139
-------------------------------------------------------
F12 | 0;134 | 0;136 | 0;138 | 0;140
-------------------------------------------------------
HOME | 0;71 | 55 | 0;119 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
UP ARROW | 0;72 | 56 | (0; | -
| | | 141) |
-------------------------------------------------------
PAGE UP | 0;73 | 57 | 0;132 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
LEFT ARROW | 0;75 | 52 | 0;115 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
RIGHT ARROW | 0;77 | 54 | 0;116 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
END | 0;79 | 49 | 0;117 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
DOWN ARROW | 0;80 | 50 | (0; | -
| | | 145) |
-------------------------------------------------------
PAGE DOWN | 0;81 | 51 | 0;118 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
INSERT | 0;82 | 48 | (0; | -
| | | 146) |
-------------------------------------------------------
DELETE | 0;83 | 46 | (0; | -
| | | 147) |
-------------------------------------------------------
HOME (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 71) | 71) | 119) | 151)
-------------------------------------------------------
UP ARROW (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 72) | 72) | 141) | 152)
-------------------------------------------------------
PAGE UP (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 73) | 73) | 132) | 153)
-------------------------------------------------------
LEFT ARROW (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 75) | 75) | 115) | 155)
-------------------------------------------------------
RIGHT ARROW (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 77) | 77) | 116) | 157)
-------------------------------------------------------
END (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 79) | 79) | 117) | 159)
-------------------------------------------------------
DOWN ARROW (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
Using ANSI C-6
TNC Technology TOP Manual
| 80) | 80) | 145) | 154)
-------------------------------------------------------
PAGE DOWN (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 81) | 81) | 118) | 161)
-------------------------------------------------------
INSERT (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 82) | 82) | 146) | 162)
-------------------------------------------------------
DELETE (gray) | (224; | (224; | (224; | (224;
| 83) | 83) | 147) | 163)
-------------------------------------------------------
PRINT SCREEN | - | - | 0;114 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
PAUSE/BREAK | - | - | 0;0 | -
-------------------------------------------------------
BACKSPACE | 8 | 8 | 127 | (0)
-------------------------------------------------------
ENTER | 13 | - | 10 | (0;28)
-------------------------------------------------------
TAB | 9 | 0;15 | (0; | (0;
| | | 148) | 165)
-------------------------------------------------------
NULL | 0;3 | - | - | -
-------------------------------------------------------
A | 97 | 65 | 1 | 0;30
-------------------------------------------------------
B | 98 | 66 | 2 | 0;48
-------------------------------------------------------
C | 99 | 67 | 3 | 0;46
-------------------------------------------------------
D | 100 | 68 | 4 | 0;32
-------------------------------------------------------
E | 101 | 69 | 5 | 0;18
-------------------------------------------------------
F | 102 | 70 | 6 | 0;33
-------------------------------------------------------
G | 103 | 71 | 7 | 0;34
-------------------------------------------------------
H | 104 | 72 | 8 | 0;35
-------------------------------------------------------
I | 105 | 73 | 9 | 0;23
-------------------------------------------------------
J | 106 | 74 | 10 | 0;36
-------------------------------------------------------
K | 107 | 75 | 11 | 0;37
-------------------------------------------------------
L | 108 | 76 | 12 | 0;38
-------------------------------------------------------
M | 109 | 77 | 13 | 0;50
-------------------------------------------------------
N | 110 | 78 | 14 | 0;49
-------------------------------------------------------
O | 111 | 79 | 15 | 0;24
-------------------------------------------------------
Using ANSI C-7
TNC Technology TOP Manual
P | 112 | 80 | 16 | 0;25
-------------------------------------------------------
Q | 113 | 81 | 17 | 0;16
-------------------------------------------------------
R | 114 | 82 | 18 | 0;19
-------------------------------------------------------
S | 115 | 83 | 19 | 0;31
-------------------------------------------------------
T | 116 | 84 | 20 | 0;20
-------------------------------------------------------
U | 117 | 85 | 21 | 0;22
-------------------------------------------------------
V | 118 | 86 | 22 | 0;47
-------------------------------------------------------
W | 119 | 87 | 23 | 0;17
-------------------------------------------------------
X | 120 | 88 | 24 | 0;45
-------------------------------------------------------
Y | 121 | 89 | 25 | 0;21
-------------------------------------------------------
Z | 122 | 90 | 26 | 0;44
-------------------------------------------------------
1 | 49 | 33 | - | 0;120
-------------------------------------------------------
2 | 50 | 64 | 0 | 0;121
-------------------------------------------------------
3 | 51 | 35 | - | 0;122
-------------------------------------------------------
4 | 52 | 36 | - | 0;123
-------------------------------------------------------
5 | 53 | 37 | - | 0;124
-------------------------------------------------------
6 | 54 | 94 | 30 | 0;125
-------------------------------------------------------
7 | 55 | 38 | - | 0;126
-------------------------------------------------------
8 | 56 | 42 | - | 0;127
-------------------------------------------------------
9 | 57 | 40 | - | 0;128
-------------------------------------------------------
0 | 48 | 41 | - | 0;129
-------------------------------------------------------
- | 45 | 95 | 31 | 0;130
-------------------------------------------------------
= | 61 | 43 | - | 0;131
-------------------------------------------------------
[ | 91 | 123 | 27 | 0;26
-------------------------------------------------------
] | 93 | 125 | 29 | 0;27
-------------------------------------------------------
\ | 92 | 124 | 28 | 0;43
-------------------------------------------------------
; | 59 | 58 | - | 0;39
-------------------------------------------------------
Using ANSI C-8
TNC Technology TOP Manual
' | 39 | 24 | - | 0;40
-------------------------------------------------------
, | 44 | 60 | - | 0;51
-------------------------------------------------------
. | 46 | 62 | - | 0;52
-------------------------------------------------------
/ | 47 | 63 | - | 0;53
-------------------------------------------------------
` | 96 | 126 | - | (0;41)
-------------------------------------------------------
ENTER (keypad) | 13 | - | 10 | (0;
| | | | 166)
-------------------------------------------------------
/ (keypad) | 47 | 47 | (0; | (0;74)
| | | 142) |
-------------------------------------------------------
* (keypad) | 42 | (0; | (0;78) | -
| | 144) | |
-------------------------------------------------------
- (keypad) | 45 | 45 | (0; | (0;
| | | 149) | 164)
-------------------------------------------------------
+ (keypad) | 43 | 43 | (0; | (0;55)
| | | 150) |
-------------------------------------------------------
5 (keypad) | (0;76) | 53 | (0; | -
| | | 143) |
For example, to exchange the number 1 with the number 9 (and thoroughly confuse
anyone who uses your system), use the escape sequence:
ESC[49;57pESC[57;49p
Using ANSI C-9
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################################################################################
Appendix D
TOP DMTs
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################################################################################
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Using TOP DMTs
DMT is an old three letter acronym (TLA) which stands for Day-Month-Time. In
the early days of non-personal computing, computers took too long to boot up,
so people never shut them off at all. In between times they still didn't want
the screen to show their private data though, so the concept of the DMT was
born. They reasoned: since I don't want anything on my screen, but I have all
this horsepower sitting idle, why not do something useful? A simple program was
written to continuously display the current day-month-time so the user could
have a warm fuzzy feeling that his computer had not yet crashed. Realizing that
a continuous display might burn the phosphor on their VDTs, the designers
decided to periodically move the day-month time display around. And thus, DMTs
were born.
Today, we can shut off our PCs, but we still tend to leave them on and
unattended during the day. And most of us still don't want our VDTs to have
burned phosphor. We could use a screen saver type program, but they just blank
the screen and don't do anything else to let us know whether or not our
computers have crashed. Besides, what if we didn't want to blank the screen,
but instead wanted to execute something else during an idle period? If TOP man
were here you know what he'd say: Use TOP!
TOPDMT: Automatic Time-out Execution
TOP has a function, called TOPDMT, which will automatically execute a program
after a user-definable period of idle time. The program can be any executable
but is typically a DMT. A few colorful screen saver sample programs have been
included with the shareware version of TOP (more are included with the
registered version).
TOPDMT is an environment variable used to specify the name of the program to be
executed when the KeyboardTimeout time specified in the [Initialize] section of
TOP.INI is satisfied. TOPDMT must contain a valid executable program, including
path definition if required. TOPDMT is usually specified in the
[InitialCommands] section of TOP.INI, but can be specified at the command line
using the SET command. Any user program can be specified by TOPDMT and it will
automatically be started after the idle time specified elapses (idle time is
when your computer is doing nothing else - i.e. when no programs are running
and the prompt is displayed). See also KeyboardTimeout in the [Initialize]
section of TOP.INI for more details.
Running TOPDMT Included Programs
After you have installed TOP, the TOPDMT programs will be located in a
subdirectory in the TOP directory called VIDEO. You can run any of these
programs by simply typing their name at the command line. It's usually best to
run the program this way first so you can decide how you want it configured. To
find out more about the options of a specific program, type the program name
followed by a question mark. A usage message will be displayed. Try running
them all!
Running Non-DMT Programs
To automatically run a non-DMT program, set TOPDMT to specify the name and path
TOP DMTs D-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
of that program. Include any required command line options. Also, unless the
program was written to be DMT aware (see Writing Your Own DMT below), you may
wish to set IgnoreDmtError to yes in the [Initialize] section of TOP.INI. This
will prevent TOP from falsely detecting exit error level codes from programs
that do not set the error level on exit.
Writing Your Own DMT
Writing your own DMT program might be easier than you expect, since TOP can do
some of the work for you. For example, the screen and mode does not need to be
saved if RestoreScreen and RestoreMode are yes in the [Video] section of
TOP.INI (these are the default settings).However, to be fully compatible with
TOP, you must accept a "-x exitTime" switch, and set the error level code
appropriately on exit. If you do not wish to comply with these compatibility
requirements, or you didn't write the DMT program, set IgnoreDmtError to yes in
the [Initialize] section of TOP.INI.
"-x exitTime" Switch
When TOP issues a DMT program command (as specified by the environment variable
TOPDMT), TOP automatically appends
-x exitTime
to the end of the issued command. "exitTime" is replaced by the number of
minutes to the next CRON job. It is expected the DMT program will exit after
exitTime minutes so the CRON job can be executed. When writing your own DMT
program, your program should also accept this parameter if you want CRON jobs
to be executed during DMT execution. When your program exits as a result of a
exitTime time-out, set the error level exit code to 2. This alerts TOP that the
exit was a planned result of exitTime. After the CRON job is executed, the DMT
will be restarted immediately, without waiting for a keyboard time-out.
Other Exit Codes
Your DMT program needs two other ways to exit: normally, or as a result of an
error. Normal exit is a result of the user wishing to terminate the DMT, i.e.
by pressing a key, etc. If the DMT program exits normally, set the error level
to 0. If your DMT program exits as a result of a detected error, such as not
enough memory, or a bad parameter on the command line, set the error level to
1. This alerts TOP that an error occurred, and TOP will not try to reload the
DMT program until TOPDMT is changed.
Have fun and keep hacking!
Using PLAYTUNE
PLAYTUNE is a utility which reads and plays music. After you have installed TOP,
PLAYTUNE will be located in a subdirectory in the TOP directory called AUDIO,
along with some sample music files. To run PLAYTUNE, type:
PLAYTUNE notefile [-t notetime]
where notefile is an ascii text file containing a sequence of musical notes,
TOP DMTs D-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
and optionally notetime is the time for one full note in milliseconds (the
default time if not specified is 250).
The format for each note in notefile is:
P [A] O D [.]
| | | | +- Dot if present, extends duration by 50%
| | | +---- Duration 1 = whole note, 2 = half note...
| | +------- Octive 0 = lowest, 8 = highest
| +---------- Accidental one of #,b [optional]
+------------- Pitch one of A,B,C,D,E,F,G,R,-
(R or '-' means rest)
For example,
C#4 8
plays a sharp middle C for one eighth note.
Spaces, tabs, and carriage returns can optionally be placed between any note or
note element.
A few short tunes have been included with your TOP release. You'll find them in
the AUDIO subdirectory of your TOP directory. Have fun!
TOP DMTs D-4
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################################################################################
Appendix E
Using TOPSET
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################################################################################
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Using TOP's Setup Utility: TOPSET
Included with your TOP release is TOPSET, an interactive setup tool to help you
easily set and maintain TOP parameters. Using TOPSET, all TOP parameters are
presented in a menu format, with context sensitive help for each entry.
Using TOPSET is exceptionally easy. At the command line, type TOPSET (with the
appropriate path specification if you are not in the TOP directory):
c:\top>topset<ENTER>
In fact, the default installation of TOP will define an FKEY to start TOPSET.
Just hit <Alt-T>. After starting, pressing <F1> displays help.
After starting, you'll see a menu of setup choices. Any of these can be
selected by using the arrow keys or the space bar and pressing <ENTER>. Also,
like all TOP tools, the mouse can be used. Just double click the left mouse
button on your choice.
After making a selection, you'll see a list of TOP parameters which can be
changed in a window on the left side of your screen. To select the parameter to
be changed, use the up or down arrow key to move the highlight over the
parameter you want to examine or change (or click the left mouse button on your
choice). If all the parameters don't fit in the window, scroll bars appear
which can be actuated with the up or down arrow keys or the left button of the
mouse.
As you move the highlight up and down you'll see complete help for that
parameter displayed in the window on the right side of the screen. The help
explains the setting of that parameter nd lists all choices.
If all the help doesn't fit in the window, scroll bars appear. The scroll bars
can be actuated with the <Page Up> or <Page Down> keys to scroll a page at a
time, or, on some keyboards, by pressing <Ctrl> with an up or down arrow. The
scroll bars can also be actuated with the left mouse button.
At any menu level in TOPSET, pressing <ESC> will move up one level. Pressing
the right mouse button is the same as pressing <ESC>.
Using TOPSET E-2
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Appendix F
TOP Color Names
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TNC Technology TOP Manual
TOP Color Names
Included below is a complete list of color names which can be used in either
the [Palette] or [AnalogMonoPalette] sections of TOP.INI. This list is also
available on line when using TOPSET, TOP's setup utility.
| Equivalent color setting
Color Name ---------------------------------
| Red | Green | Blue
------------------------------------------------------
Black | 0 | 0 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
Blue | 0 | 0 | 168
------------------------------------------------------
MediumBlue | 0 | 0 | 205
------------------------------------------------------
BrightBlue | 84 | 84 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
DarkGreen | 0 | 100 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
Green | 0 | 168 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
Cyan | 0 | 168 | 168
------------------------------------------------------
DeepSkyBlue | 0 | 191 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
DarkTurquoise | 0 | 206 | 209
------------------------------------------------------
MediumSpringGreen | 0 | 250 | 154
------------------------------------------------------
BrightGreen | 84 | 255 | 84
------------------------------------------------------
SpringGreen | 0 | 255 | 127
------------------------------------------------------
BrightCyan | 84 | 255 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
MidnightBlue | 25 | 25 | 112
------------------------------------------------------
DodgerBlue | 30 | 144 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
LightSeaGreen | 32 | 178 | 170
------------------------------------------------------
ForestGreen | 34 | 139 | 34
------------------------------------------------------
SeaGreen | 46 | 139 | 87
------------------------------------------------------
DarkSlateGray | 47 | 79 | 79
------------------------------------------------------
LimeGreen | 50 | 205 | 50
------------------------------------------------------
MediumSeaGreen | 60 | 179 | 113
------------------------------------------------------
DarkGray | 84 | 84 | 84
------------------------------------------------------
TOP Color Names F-2
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Turquoise | 64 | 224 | 208
------------------------------------------------------
RoyalBlue | 65 | 105 | 225
------------------------------------------------------
SteelBlue | 70 | 130 | 180
------------------------------------------------------
DarkSlateBlue | 72 | 61 | 139
------------------------------------------------------
MediumTurquoise | 72 | 209 | 204
------------------------------------------------------
DarkOliveGreen | 85 | 107 | 47
------------------------------------------------------
CadetBlue | 95 | 158 | 160
------------------------------------------------------
CornflowerBlue | 100 | 149 | 237
------------------------------------------------------
MediumAquamarine | 102 | 205 | 170
------------------------------------------------------
Gray | 105 | 105 | 105
------------------------------------------------------
SlateBlue | 106 | 90 | 205
------------------------------------------------------
OliveDrab | 107 | 142 | 35
------------------------------------------------------
SlateGray | 112 | 128 | 144
------------------------------------------------------
LightSlateGray | 119 | 136 | 153
------------------------------------------------------
MediumSlateBlue | 123 | 104 | 238
------------------------------------------------------
LawnGreen | 124 | 252 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
Aquamarine | 127 | 255 | 212
------------------------------------------------------
Red | 168 | 0 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
Magenta | 168 | 0 | 168
------------------------------------------------------
DimOrange | 128 | 64 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
DimYellow | 168 | 168 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
White | 168 | 168 | 168
------------------------------------------------------
LightSlateBlue | 132 | 112 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
SkyBlue | 135 | 206 | 235
------------------------------------------------------
LightSkyBlue | 135 | 206 | 250
------------------------------------------------------
BlueViolet | 138 | 43 | 226
------------------------------------------------------
SaddleBrown | 139 | 69 | 19
------------------------------------------------------
TOP Color Names F-3
TNC Technology TOP Manual
DarkSeaGreen | 143 | 188 | 143
------------------------------------------------------
MediumPurple | 147 | 112 | 219
------------------------------------------------------
DarkViolet | 148 | 0 | 211
------------------------------------------------------
PaleGreen | 152 | 251 | 152
------------------------------------------------------
DarkOrchid | 153 | 50 | 204
------------------------------------------------------
YellowGreen | 154 | 205 | 50
------------------------------------------------------
Purple | 160 | 32 | 240
------------------------------------------------------
Sienna | 160 | 82 | 45
------------------------------------------------------
Brown | 165 | 42 | 42
------------------------------------------------------
LightBlue | 173 | 216 | 230
------------------------------------------------------
GreenYellow | 173 | 255 | 47
------------------------------------------------------
PaleTurquoise | 175 | 238 | 238
------------------------------------------------------
Maroon | 176 | 48 | 96
------------------------------------------------------
LightSteelBlue | 176 | 196 | 222
------------------------------------------------------
PowderBlue | 176 | 224 | 230
------------------------------------------------------
Firebrick | 178 | 34 | 34
------------------------------------------------------
DarkGoldenrod | 184 | 134 | 11
------------------------------------------------------
MediumOrchid | 186 | 85 | 211
------------------------------------------------------
RosyBrown | 188 | 143 | 143
------------------------------------------------------
DarkKhaki | 189 | 183 | 107
------------------------------------------------------
PaleGray | 192 | 192 | 192
------------------------------------------------------
MediumVioletRed | 199 | 21 | 133
------------------------------------------------------
IndianRed | 205 | 92 | 92
------------------------------------------------------
Peru | 205 | 133 | 63
------------------------------------------------------
VioletRed | 208 | 32 | 144
------------------------------------------------------
Chocolate | 210 | 105 | 30
------------------------------------------------------
Tan | 210 | 180 | 140
------------------------------------------------------
TOP Color Names F-4
TNC Technology TOP Manual
LightGray | 211 | 211 | 211
------------------------------------------------------
Thistle | 216 | 191 | 216
------------------------------------------------------
Orchid | 218 | 112 | 214
------------------------------------------------------
Goldenrod | 218 | 165 | 32
------------------------------------------------------
PaleVioletRed | 219 | 112 | 147
------------------------------------------------------
Gainsboro | 220 | 220 | 220
------------------------------------------------------
Plum | 221 | 160 | 221
------------------------------------------------------
Burlywood | 222 | 184 | 135
------------------------------------------------------
LightCyan | 224 | 255 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
Lavender | 230 | 230 | 250
------------------------------------------------------
DarkSalmon | 233 | 150 | 122
------------------------------------------------------
Violet | 238 | 130 | 238
------------------------------------------------------
LightGoldenrod | 238 | 221 | 130
------------------------------------------------------
PaleGoldenrod | 238 | 232 | 170
------------------------------------------------------
LightCoral | 240 | 128 | 128
------------------------------------------------------
Khaki | 240 | 230 | 140
------------------------------------------------------
AliceBlue | 240 | 248 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
Honeydew | 240 | 255 | 240
------------------------------------------------------
Azure | 240 | 255 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
SandyBrown | 244 | 164 | 96
------------------------------------------------------
Wheat | 245 | 222 | 179
------------------------------------------------------
Beige | 245 | 245 | 220
------------------------------------------------------
WhiteSmoke | 245 | 245 | 245
------------------------------------------------------
MintCream | 245 | 255 | 250
------------------------------------------------------
GhostWhite | 248 | 248 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
Salmon | 250 | 128 | 114
------------------------------------------------------
AntiqueWhite | 250 | 235 | 215
------------------------------------------------------
TOP Color Names F-5
TNC Technology TOP Manual
Linen | 250 | 240 | 230
------------------------------------------------------
YellowGoldenrod | 250 | 250 | 210
------------------------------------------------------
OldLace | 253 | 245 | 230
------------------------------------------------------
BrightRed | 255 | 84 | 84
------------------------------------------------------
BrightMagenta | 255 | 84 | 255
------------------------------------------------------
DeepPink | 255 | 20 | 147
------------------------------------------------------
OrangeRed | 255 | 69 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
Tomato | 255 | 99 | 71
------------------------------------------------------
HotPink | 255 | 105 | 180
------------------------------------------------------
Coral | 255 | 127 | 80
------------------------------------------------------
DeepOrange | 255 | 140 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
LightSalmon | 255 | 160 | 122
------------------------------------------------------
Orange | 255 | 165 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
LightPink | 255 | 182 | 193
------------------------------------------------------
Pink | 255 | 192 | 203
------------------------------------------------------
Gold | 255 | 215 | 0
------------------------------------------------------
PeachPuff | 255 | 218 | 185
------------------------------------------------------
NavajoWhite | 255 | 222 | 173
------------------------------------------------------
Moccasin | 255 | 228 | 181
------------------------------------------------------
Bisque | 255 | 228 | 196
------------------------------------------------------
MistyRose | 255 | 228 | 225
------------------------------------------------------
BlanchedAlmond | 255 | 235 | 205
------------------------------------------------------
PapayaWhip | 255 | 239 | 213
------------------------------------------------------
LavenderBlush | 255 | 240 | 245
------------------------------------------------------
Seashell | 255 | 245 | 238
------------------------------------------------------
Cornsilk | 255 | 248 | 220
------------------------------------------------------
LemonChiffon | 255 | 250 | 205
------------------------------------------------------
TOP Color Names F-6
TNC Technology TOP Manual
FloralWhite | 255 | 250 | 240
------------------------------------------------------
Snow | 255 | 250 | 250
------------------------------------------------------
Yellow | 255 | 255 | 84
------------------------------------------------------
LightYellow | 255 | 255 | 224
------------------------------------------------------
Ivory | 255 | 255 | 240
------------------------------------------------------
BrightWhite | 255 | 255 | 255
TOP Color Names F-7