WSKEY: WordStar Function Key and Numeric Keypad Implementation
Dr. William C. Parke
April, 1984
WSKEY is a machine language module which can by attached to the
back of MicroPro's WordStar for CP/M-80. When in place, it will
translate the function and numeric keypad key codes on the
Heath/Zenith H/Z-19,29,89,90, and 100 series terminals and
computers into user defined commands and strings to be
interpreted by WordStar.
If you have the latest CP/M-80 WordStar from Zenith (Version
3.3), your arrow keys already work, and the function keys
generate the most often used control keys. However, simply
having a single control code generated by a function key is not a
great savings of keystrokes! It would be far more useful to have
specific multistroke WordStar functions generated by a single
function key. With WSKEY, you can do that. Moreover, it is not
an internal patch in WordStar, so that it will not affect any
special configurations or installations you have made. WSKEY
hides on the backend of WordStar on disk. When WordStar is
loaded, WSKEY gets control first, relocates a function and
numeric key interceptor just under BDOS in high memory, then
transfers control to WordStar. At this point, WordStar begins
completely ignorant of any change made. However, console
character requests made to BDOS are now check for function key
action. WSKEY translates these requests to your custom
configuration for these functions. On exit from WordStar, BDOS
is returned to its original form and the 25th line display of the
key functions is turned off as part of the warm boot sequence.
The choice for the numeric keypad functions are taken from the
very well-thought out conventions adopted by Pat Swayne (at the
National HUG office) which he used in his program KEYMAP. With
KEYMAP, you can configure the keys interactively from the
operating system before entering any particular program. Pat
uses the HOME key as a function "shift" key, so that each of the
function and numeric keypad keys can be given a double purpose.
The keypad itself is reserved for screen operations (cursor,
line, page moves and FIND operations corresponding to the ^Q menu
options in WordStar). If you will need interactive reprograming
of the function keys, I strongly recommend Pat's KEYMAP.
The special advantage of WSKEY is its small size (only 512 bytes
take from WordStar's available space) and the fact that it loads
and unloads automatically when WordStar is used. It can be used
to configure the function and keypad keys on the H-19, Z-29, H-
89, and the Z-100 (under 8085 control) to generate any meaningful
command string or often-used text line in WordStar.
You may examine the function key and numeric keypad definitions
in the file WSKEY.DEF. These definitions may be changed to your
own commands using the patch table below.
Also, on this disk, there are a series of SUB and HEX files which
are ready to automatically patch your version of WordStar. The
names taken for these files, WSKExxyy., correspond to the
WordStar version and the terminal or computer you wish to use as
the table below shows:
Below is the procedure for adding WSKEY to your WordStar.
1. Pick the appropriate version of WSKExxyy.SUB for
your computer and WordStar version. Substitute the
value of xxyy in the steps below.
2. Copy to one disk the following files:
WS.COM (Initialized, but without function keys)
WSKExxyy.SUB
WSKExxyy.HEX
DDT.COM (from Digital Research distribution disk)
EX.COM (an enhanced SUBMIT; contained herein)
3. From this disk, type: EX WSKExxyy.
Your new version of WordStar, WSK.COM should now be ready to use.
The twenty-fifth line will define the double functions of each
function key. The numeric keypad which principly controls cursor
and page moves, is logically and functionally laid out. However,
you may wish to make a hard copy of the file WSKEY.DEF as
reference.
If you wish to redefine the command or ASCII string sent when a
function key is pressed while in WordStar, patch WSK.COM at the
locations given below with your own command string, up to 6
characters for f1 to f7, 12 characters for f8. The same number
of characters can be used for the alternate functions. End each
string with the high-order bit (parity bit) set.
