Z Tips. Use ZCPR3 LLF utility, List Library Files, to quickly determine
files contained within a NULU-type library. Show files on console command
line: LLF dir:<libname><cr> with LLF.COM along search path. We keep ours in
ROOT directory. With LX, LLF, LGET, and LHELP single-function tools available
we use multi-function NULU to create, organize, add to and delete files from
libraries.
Don't forget to renew your subscription to Z-News!
And no matter what you do, don't forget to grasp, absorb GH alias at end
of Z-User's Corner below. It's an alias not to miss, that creates a thought
revolt.
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From Our Mail Box. Okay, you asked for it. A summary of our Software Update
Service (SUS) related to utilities and files as announced in Z-News 506, in a
table:
Location Single Disk Six Months One Year
-------- ----------- ---------- --------
Continental USA $12.00 $47.00 $ 85.00
Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii 14.00 53.00 97.00
Europe, Japan, Australia 19.00 69.00 125.00
Expect minimum of one update disk in any two-month period, up to two disks
maximum per month, 4 to 5 in six months, nine in typical year. Here, your
chance to stay current with ZCPR3 and Z-System community. We encourage
economical yearly SUS subscriptions. Software, diskette, shipping and
handling included in above prices.
Jim Parlett, Pittsburgh, PA, writes and asks, among other things, "Could
you tell me whether I could order back issues [of Z-News], and how much they
are?" You can and they are $12.00 for 24 issues, mailed at once, shipping and
handling included if continental USA. We have all issues in stock, Jim. Z-
News 308 has full policy.
"Weather is too hot to write much, but I do appreciate your staff's
restraint--got my first case of Zinfandel shortly after Z-News 404 came out.
Please thank 'ole read-em-7' for me. I am a little hacked that he seemed
surprised [at Trenton, Z-News 501] when he personally verified the east coast
shortage I so faithfully reported: forewarned..., is thirsty?
"The moving finger writes, ...and moves on, eh? Example: Z-News 004
asks, 'Who needs a RAM disk?' Then from 502 we get 'Understand RAM as main...
from 307." Clearly Mr. Carey Dowd, writing from torrid Charlotte, NC, goes
through his case too swiftly.
Z-User's Corner. A useful alias, especially for writers, is Word Frequency,
WF. Does what "d" menu command line of Z-News 506 does but as an alias. We
use power of ARUNZ, written by Jay Sage, Newton Centre, MA, to avoid having to
use SETFILE to access file name without file type, to have simple,
conventional command line syntax. ARUNZ works as Extended Command Processor
(ECP, we ready ourselves for Version 3.3 of) or is renamed to CMDRUN (but
first, rename CMDRUN back to LX or LRUNZ, depending on what you normally use
with COMMAND.LBR), and uses ALIAS.CMD script file of aliases.
if $1=//;echo $0 - word frequency;echo syntax: $0 [du:]<fn.ft><cr>; <<
else;ROOT:LX WORDFREQ $1;sak strike any key;ROOT:vtype $:1.frq; <<
era $:1.frq;fi
WF has built-in help, as much as needed to remind what it is and how to use
it. Following exit from WORDFREQ, VTYPE scans created FRQ file, a sorted
table of words telling how many times each is used. When finished,
automatically erases it. Elegant! (Our WORDFREQ is in COMMAND.LBR; LX
quickly finds and runs it, bypassing search path and need for CMDRUN.)
Another alias, useful to potentially recover deleted files:
if nul $1;ROOT:unerase *.* l;else;ROOT:unerase $1;ROOT:diskrst;fi
We call it UNERA and has two modes, UNERA<cr> and UNERA <filemask><cr>. First
shows on console files potentially recoverable; second, actually recovers file
or files depending on mask used. Last section of second statement resets and
updates disk directory system. Latter is important when using ZRDOS Version
1.4 and beyond. ZRDOS takes into consideration non-removable, fixed storage,
like Winchester and RAMdisk, and does not reset these drives on entry, for
greatly increased speed. Such storage gets updated as changes are made and
files close. But when UNERASE is used, DISKRST is only way to update changed
directory after file recovery.
We have generated lots of aliases, so many we don't remember their names
much less what they do. SEE alias quickly tells of files used by CMDRUN in
default COMMAND.LBR, Z-News 504. Usually such command utility library files
and what they do have plenty of documentation available to study, hardcopy and
online. But for aliases, what do we have? Nothing but what we provide. What
can we do! We create a single online H-L-P file describing each. And as we
produce aliases, we put descriptions of them into this HLP. Of course, some
built-in help can be provided by using "IF $1=//;echo syntax: xxx nn" condit-
ional statement at or near beginning of script line, as done in GS, Get
Spelling alias of Z-News 506. But for detailed assistance HLP system is way
to go.
We generate "help" files ZCPR3 style. Such files can be extremely
simple, non-indexed or indexed and tree-structured, depending upon your needs
and desires. ZCPR3: The Manual, Chapter 4, describes what help files are and
how to generate and use them. HELP.COM automates display of help text; we
need but write the text in correct format.
Let's generate an extensible "user-indexed" help file, we call it
ALIASES.HLP, starting with entries GS, DIR, and SEE aliases we created and
discussed in 504/506. Any text editor or word processor may be used. One
screen can hold up to 36 alias references. Here, menu (text between semicolon
and first colon) and individual descriptions (text between colons) are short
to conserve Z-News space. File starts with single semicolon, immediately
followed by carriage (cursor) return:
;
Help System for Online Aliases
Online Aliases are described here. Whenever an alias is created, place
details of its operation within this help file for later reference.
A - GS Get Spelling Directory Listing with options DIR - B
C - SEE Display COMMAND.LBR Files on Console
:a
GS uses Oasis Systems FIND utility to scan main dictionary, MAINDICT.CMP,
for word declared on command line. Syntax is GS <word><cr>. <word> may
contain wild cards "?" and "*" to assist in locating specific words
desired.
:b
DIR uses ZCPR3 transient DIRnn to display disk file directory using one or
more trailing options. Options are A=All Files, S=System Files Only,
H=Horizontal Sort, V=Vertical Sort, and T=Sort by File Type/Name Toggle.
:c
SEE displays files contained in COMMAND.LBR. Shows size, CRC values, etc.
Notice, as you add more aliases to list, you "index" single-keystroke command
character to ":" text describing item. In sample above, next in line would be
"D -" followed by ":d" in help text. Alphanumeric characters, A to Z (case
unimportant) and 0 to 9, may be used as indices. But order or usage of
letters and digits is unimportant. No need to start with A. Each command
character is paired with a "colon" character. With user-indexed help menus,
text may be placed anywhere on screen.
That's all there is to making HLP files. More complex, tree-structure
types need little more than double colons added, "::helpfile" or ":t
:helpfile.typ", to function.
Lots more detail about help files are found in The Manual, pages 121
through 131. Of course, examples of HLP files abound covering most user-
aspects of ZCPR3 and ZRDOS, over 40 files containing over 400k-bytes, mostly
squeezed! Study them for ideas.
We use an alias in ROOT directory to access help. It's called HELP; but
first, HELP53.COM is renamed HLP.COM. And it and all HLP files are placed in
A12:HELP directory. From any directory, simply type HELP<cr> or HELP
<helpfile><cr> to get help desired. HELP alias:
a12:;if nul $1;hlp zcpr3;else;hlp $1;fi;$d$u:
Version 5.3 of HELP.COM permits using squeezed HLP files as text, useful
as files get large (over 4k-bytes) at saving disk storage space, but slows
getting first screen of help. And...in case you can't remember which
"helpfile" to use for what you need...
-------------------------------------
We have kept best alias for now! It permits quick assessment of
available help files on system, beyond root-of-tree ZCPR3.HLP and ZRDOS1.HLP,
including our recently created ALIASES.HLP, and allows desired one to be
immediately used. We call alias Get Help, GH, and it uses Dreas Nielsen's
GETVAR and RESOLVE shell support utilities briefly discussed in Z-News 408 and
505. Utilities use routines from Richard Conn's SH.COM named variable shell.
Here, here is something to sink your teeth into, for sure!
HELP:;ROOT:dir14 *.h?p h;ROOT:quiet s;ROOT:getvar ghelp enter <<
desired help file by name -;ROOT:resolve hlp %ghelp;ROOT:quiet r;$d$u:
We walk through GH alias. Log into HELP directory (A12:) and then run from
ROOT: directory, DIR14 not an alias in this case, on help files with mask to
show files of type HLP and HQP, straight and squeezed. Go into quiet mode to
suppress utility headers and messages. With files showing on screen, prompt
operator for one to use, "enter desired help file by name - ". GETVAR places
operator's response into variable named "ghelp" which is located automatically
in ROOT file SH.VAR. (Same "ghelp" is used over and over, each time GH is
used.) Next, RESOLVE sets up main command sting, consisting of HLP
(HELP53.COM renamed) followed by expanded "ghelp" variable (our operator's
chosen HLP or HQP file). (Notice variable "%" flag convention of RESOLVE,
same as SH and VFILER). And now, reset QUIET flag for normal operation, log
back into directory (an abstract place) from where alias was called.
Calling GH couldn't be simpler: gh<cr> is it, from command line of any
directory on your system (even from VFILER, VMENU, or MENU). What we see:
After entering choice followed by carriage return, selected help file is
displayed. Help files ZCPR3 and ZRDOS1 are "tree-ed" into many other H?P
files. For example, ALIAS.HQP has its own internal menu but is in menu,
structure of ZCPR3.HLP. SHUTLS.HQP is for GETVAR and RESOLVE.
Use utility SHDEFINE to create and see variables and their equates
located in SH.VAR, always in ROOT directory. After listing (L) variables with
their equals, an editor mode (E) permits changing variable values, even
deleting (D) them. While into shell utilities you might wish to try
SHVAR.COM. Similar to SHDEFINE but command line driven, works with only one
variable at a time. Great for changing variable values on-the-fly, from menu
and alias lines. Another, SHFILE permits displaying and changing file name
shell variables are stored in, file located in ROOT directory. Study SH.HLP,
SHUTILS.HLP, and Chapter 6 along with shell utility command definitions of
ZCPR3: The Manual, pages 84-90, 149-151.
Tip: When writing scripts, don't put directory (DU or DIR) location in
front of file to be executed if that file is in COMMAND.LBR. ZCPR3 automati-
cally finds such file using its CMDRUN facility. For maximum speed, file is
left out of library and its location then declared in command line script. We
use COMMAND.LBR for files where speed is not critical, for seldom-used files,
to get them out of sight, use SEE to remind what is therein.
Another tip: Do place alias names, like GH and GS, with brief
descriptions of their use, in MENU and VMENU, even VFILER CMD, displays off in
a corner as reminders-of-availability from built-in "Z" command line. GH...
Oh! Wow! Show this alias to your PC DOS and Unix friends.
Aliases GH, GS, DIR, SEE, and HELP, and greatly expanded, appropriately
highlighted ALIASES.HLP, plus surprises, are on Z-Nodes (and on SUS, update-
service diskette as individual files, soon to be mailed) within file
ALIAS#1.LBR. Who comes up with an HLP file detailing files in COMMAND.LBR?
Send us your generally useful creations!
Don't forget to renew your subscription to newsletter...only $24.00 per
year, delivered every two weeks. Send in your renewal order now!
Z-Node Corner. Jon Schneider, Z-Node #39 Sysop and TRS-80 expert, El Paso,
TX, has his RAS running with TRS-80 Model 4 HD64180 upgrade of M.A.N Systems,
reported in Z-News 505. Add-on board is called TR-XL180tm and sells for
$325.00. If interested, get Jon's evaluation by calling 915/592-4976. Then,
if still interested call M.A.N at 405/395-3849.
Users of ICD's XL-M180tm S-100 computer boards should stay in touch with
Wells Brimhall, Z-Node #52 Sysop, 602/996-8739. He designs and codes a super
Z-System BIOS for this HD64180-based SBC.
VFILER torch picked up by Jay Sage, Sysop for Z-Node #3 and Z-System
Good-Neighbor Helper, 617-965-7259. Extending works of Joe Wright and Al
Dunsmuir on Richard Conn's screen oriented file manipulation creation, program
gets ever better. Unreleased Version 4.1f has ability to use screen
highlighting in CMD file as (V)MENU, has "home" (default, from where VFILER
was called) directory parameters, %r and %h, to return to disk/user area from
which command call came from, seven equate options selectable from within
program, and extension of number of macro commands from 0-9 to include A-Z,
using lead-in character. Escape character, <esc>, is default for letter
commands. Original ten numbers continue to work as before. Group archiving
command now archives only tagged and changed files. Pointer returns to last
Current File after running a user macro or "Z" command and after using "A"
sort command. Several other changes make life better for user. File has
crossed 14k-byte boundary, might as well add squeeze and crunch/uncrunch
functions. Yes, both! Jay continues, with Version 4.2 to have ability to run
user macro (0 to 9, <esc> A to Z) on tagged files. Good luck, Jay.
Another Sysop, Bob Peddicord, Z-Node #60, 503/597-2066, author of,
updates TALIAS to Version 1.5. We have four alias generators and editors.
Original ALIAS by Richard Conn, BALIAS by Paul Pomerleau, VALIAS by Jay Sage,
and near perfect TALIAS. All have strengths. VALIAS is most elegant; BALIAS,
f
astest and very WordStar-like; TALIAS, somewhere in between; and ALIAS,
simplest and likely most dependable. Ain't life sweet!
Sysop Steve Kitahata, Z-Node #57, 213/532-3336, Gardena, CA, created
HOLDZ (later updated by Bruce Morgen) to allow delays, long delays if
necessary, before and between commands. A super SAK-like tool--but for time
only--use when delays of hours or minutes are needed to control computer
operations.
Lunch Break. High Tech Research (Bill Nesting, Redding, CA, Z-News 503)
makes their "Handyman" utility ZRDOS compatible. That certainly opens an up-
to-now closed market. If interested, call HTR 800/446-3220, -3223 if
California.
We should have guessed but did not. Squeezing our benchmark SCAN.EI file
resulted in a compression of 24 to 1...unsqueezed file is 68k-bytes (544
records), squeezed is 3k (23 records). Repetition of main "#" character used
for "text" permits a good squeeze is be obtained. Such a deal! CRUNCH,
another compression program, brought file down to only 10 records, 54 to 1!
Quick-Tasktm real-time kernel is 100% compatible with ZAS and ZLINK. REL
file structuring makes linkage of user tasks quick and easy. Also compatible
with 2500AD assembler.
Version 2.4 of ZAS is shipping. About 8 bugs were removed in update
process. Patrick O'Connell, its author, says Version 2.5 will be a full ZCPR3
utility and use Z-System facilities to indicate to an editor where first
assembly error, if one, is in source file. Boy (girl?), we have wanted both
these features for a long time.
John Otken reports DSD will be upgraded to understand full HD64180
instruction set "real soon now, you hear!" We have beta-test version, it
looks good! Still sells for $129.95 plus S&H.
Clarification. Z-Index, massive index to Z-News, announced in Z-News
506, is provided bundled with renewals only, is a one-time special offer that
expires on 31 August 1986. First-time subscribers may purchase Z-Index for
$8.95 plus $4.00 S&H, continental USA.
Japan's semiconductor shipments as percentage of USA's is quoted at
beginning of 1984 as 53%; beginning of '85, 82%; and '86, 115%. Seems USA
production is falling behind Japan at an alarming rate. US government
"solution" is political, but US government itself is more problem than
solution, personifies humanity's lower attributes, that of slothfulness. Long
range, real solution is with our industry, its people, and a change of
attitude about work.
"Now that my bones are grown weaker, my brain seems stronger."--anonymous
====================================================================
Of Cabbages and Kings. How are attitudes changed? Are they not elements of
our emotions which we normally can't control? But control is what life is
about and comes from learning those things necessary to be at ease, not of
ease, both short term (tomorrow) and long (next generation of our species).
Do only things we like to do, feel good doing, and we do them well, like our
hobbies. Do things we don't like to do and they are done poorly, like the job
for an employer not having our high regard. Most people do not like the jobs
they make a living at. Why not? They think these jobs are just for the
employer's benefit, to make him more money than should be make from their
labors. But think of your left hand washing your right. Which one of the two
is superior! One cannot BE without the other. So find a job that commands
your respect and it is performed with gusto. Rewards are high for jobs well-
done! Okay? See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
885 N. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022 USA
Telephone: 415/948-3820
Z-Node Central (RAS): 415/489-9005
Trademarks: Bookshelf, Ampro Computers; SB180, Micromint; PRO-180, Magnum
Digital; ON!, Oneac; DT42, The SemiDisk, Deep Thought 42, SemiDisk Systems;
TR-XL180, M.A.N, Systems; HD64180, Hitachi; CLIPPER, Fairchild; Z-System,
ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Zas, Zlink, Z-Msg, Term3, Quick-Task, Lasting-Value
Software, Echelon; Unix, AT&T Bell Laboratories; GT180, Turbo Modula-II,
Borland International; Lotus 1-2-3, Lotus Development; TWP, The Word Plus,
Oasis Systems; C/80, Software Toolworks; BDS-C, BD Software; SIFT, Siftsoft;
SEARCH, CompuMagic; Electra-Find, O'Neill Software.
* *
Z sets you FREE!
* *
Z-News 507 is Copyright 1986 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
s Rese
