NZ-CO� Fo� Th� Beginner

                     Copyrigh� 198� by
                       Ric� Swenton
                     10� Melind� Lane
                  Bristol� C�  06010-717�



    Wha� happened�  I� alon� wit� man� othe� lon�-tim� ZCPR� �
enthusiasts� persuade� man� CP/� user� t� migrat� ove� t� N�-�
COM�  No� i� th� time�  N� longe� doe� installatio� o� ZCPR� �
requir� knowledg� o� syste� integratio� an� assembl� �
language�  N� longe� i� ZCPR� reserve� fo� th� elec� few�  �
No� i� i� availabl� t� th� masses�  Plai� ol� CP/� wa� simpl� �
to� awkwar� an� restrictive�  Nobod� shoul� b� lef� usin� �
CP/� 2.� o� eve� CP/M� (CP/� 3.0� wit� N�-CO� an� Z3PLU� �
availabl� today�  Man� user� too� ou� advice.

    No� come� th� phon� call� an� letters�  A� first� � �
though� tha� peopl� wer� askin� fo� hel� bringin� u� N�-COM�  �
I� wa� no� lon� tha� � realize� tha� the� wer� ver� successfu� �
gettin� N�-CO� running�  Thei� mai� questio� wa� "Wha� d� � d� �
wit� it� no� tha� i� i� running?"�  � thin� th� proble� i� tha� �
man� user� di� no� reall� tr� t� exercis� CP/� o� pus� i� t� �
it� limits�  The� neve� experience� th� feelin� o� CP/� �
fightin� bac� a� you�  The� neve� reall� understoo� th� �
limitation� o� CP/� s� the� don'� no� understan� ho� N�-CO� i� �
muc� better�  Man� use� thei� CP/� system� t� onl� ru� �
application� suc� a� wor� processor� an� spreadsheets�  Man� �
neve� ra� har� disk� an� man� never� eve� use� � use� are� �
othe� tha� zero�  (Mos� stil� don'� kno� wha� � use� are� i� �
today.)

    I� thi� article� � wil� approac� N�-CO� fro� th� ne� �
use� standpoin� an� answe� man� o� th� commo� question� aske� �
b� th� ne� users�  � wil� compar� som� o� th� N�-CO� feature�  �
t� plai� CP/� t� hel� yo� understan� th� similaritie� a� wel� �
a� th� differences.

    � hav� hear� i� sai� man� time� tha� th� wa� t� lear� ZCPR� �
o� th� man� associate� environment� (�-SYSTEM� N�-CO� etc� wa� �
t� firs� rea� th� documentation�  The� rea� th� documentatio� �
again�  Finally� rea� th� documentatio� � thir� time�  �-Syste� �
i� s� comprehensiv� tha� i� i� almos� impossibl� t� lear� �
everythin� abou� it�  Som� o� th� materia� � wil� presen� her� �
i� � rehas� o� th� sam� thing� � presente� before�  However� � �
a� slantin� thi� articl� mor� towar� th� beginne� a� wel� a� �
spendin� mor� tim� contrastin� N�-CO� feature� wit� tha� o� �
plai� CP/M.

NZ-CO� � Wha� yo� get:

    Wit� N�-COM� yo� hav� th� followin� basi� feature� no� �
availabl� i� plai� CP/M: �
    � � Multipl� command� ar� allowe� o� � singl� comman�
        line� separate� b� � semi-colon

    � � Enhancemen� o� th� director� (drive/use� areas
        an� name� directories)

    � � Enhance� comman� processin� (searc� path� and
        erro� handling)

    � � Memory-Residen� Commands

    � � Flo� Commands

    � � Shells

    � � Environmen� Descriptor

    � � Aliases

    � � ZCPR� Enhance� Utilities


    Thi� i� no� b� an� mean� a� al�-inclusiv� lis� bu� i� i� �
� goo� start�  Let'� tal� abou� thes� on� a� � time.


Multipl� Commands

    Multipl� command� ar� permitte� o� � singl� line�  Eac� �
comman� i� separate� b� � semi-colon�  Here'� a� example:

    W� MYFILE.DOC;ER� *.BAK;DIR

    Thi� comman� lin� wil� invok� Wordsta� t� edi� �
MYFILE.DOC�  Whe� yo� finis� wit� Wordstar� th� res� o� th� �
comman� lin� wil� b� automaticall� invoked�  First� al� file� �
*.BA� wil� b� erase� an� the� th� director� wil� b� �
displayed.



Enhancemen� o� th� Directory

    I� CP/M� yo� ar� use� t� seein� th� A� promp� wher� "A� �
i� th� currentl� logge� drive.

    I� ZCPR3� yo� wil� a� leas� se� th� A0� prompt�  "A� i� �
th� currentl� logge� dis� an� "0� i� th� currentl� logge� �
use� area.

    Unde� CP/� ther� ar� 1� use� area� o� eac� disk�  Unde� �
N�-COM� ther� ca� b� 32�  Use� area� ar� su�-division� o� th� �
disk�  Whil� yo� ar� logge� int� on� use� area� yo� onl� se� �
file� whic� ar� i� tha� area�  Thi� i� � grea� wa� o� keepin� ��relate� file� i� � separat� area�  Fo� example� you� Wordsta� �
dis� coul� hav� Wordsta� an� supportin� file� i� Use� Are� 0� �
you� persona� document� i� Use� Are� 1� you� busines� �
document� i� Use� Are� 2� an� s� on�  O� course� yo� ar� �
stil� limite� t� th� tota� maximu� storag� capacit� o� th� �
disk.

    Unde� CP/M� yo� change� use� area� wit� th� USE� �
command�  However� th� A� promp� remaine� unchanged�  Eve� �
worse� whil� yo� wer� logge� int� anothe� area� al� thos� �
file� i� use� are� � wer� no� availabl� t� you�  I� yo� lo� �
int� � use� are� othe� tha� 0� DI� show� non� o� th� file� yo� �
kno� ar� ther� i� use� 0.

    Unde� N�-COM� yo� chang� use� area� b� simpl� typin� th� �
numbe� an� � colon�  Fo� example� 2� wil� chang� t� use� are� �
2�  B4� wil� chang� t� Driv� B� Use� 4�  Th� syste� promp� �
wil� chang� t� B4>�  N�-CO� als� allow� � nam� t� b� assigne� �
t� � drive/use� area�  Yo� coul� creat� th� name� an� loa� �
the� i� th� Name� Director� Buffer�  Now� yo� coul� chang� �
area� no� onl� wit� th� drive/use� command� bu� als� wit� th� �
nam� o� th� directory�  YO� creat� thes� director� name� s� yo� �
choos� somethin� meaningfu� t� yo� fo� thei� names�  Let'� �
suppos� tha� ou� Wordsta� dis� i� i� driv� � an� w� hav� file� �
i� use� area� 0,� an� � a� previousl� explained�  W� ca� se� �
ou� Wordsta� file� b� typin� B0� o� WORDSTAR:�  W� ca� se� ou� �
persona� document� b� typin� B1� o� PERSONAL� an� w� ca� se� �
ou� busines� document� b� typin� B2� o� BUSINESS�



    Enhance� Comman� Processing

    Unde� CP/M� i� yo� type� � comman� an� i� wa� no� foun� �
o� th� currentl� logge� dis� i� th� curren� use� area� th� �
comman� wa� simpl� type� bac� a� yo� wit� � questio� mark�  �
Unde� N�-COM� ther� ar� � numbe� o� route� tha� ca� b� take� �
t� resolv� � command�  Th� firs� i� th� Path.

    Th� Pat� i� rout� tha� ZCPR� searche� t� fin� � CO� �
file�  I� yo� like� yo� coul� specif� tha� A0� i� alway� �
searche� fo� comman� files�  Thi� mean� tha� al� th� CO� file� �
whic� resid� i� A0� ar� alway� availabl� t� you� eve� i� yo� �
ar� currentl� logge�-int� � differen� drive/use� area�  Yo� �
don'� hav� t� kee� separat� copie� o� utilitie� i� eac� �
drive/use� are� tha� yo� hav� files�  Th� concep� o� � pat� ma� �
no� b� readil� eviden� t� yo� i� yo� hav� neve� trie� t� tak� �
advantag� o� use� area� unde� plai� CP/M�  Use� area� unde� �
plai� CP/� wa� fa� fro� a� advantag� becaus� CP/� mad� i� VER� �
difficul� t� us� them�  Befor� � bega� usin� ZCPR3� th� onl� �
tim� � use� th� use� area� othe� tha� zer� wa� o� archiv� disk� �
(th� backu� disk� � stor� awa� fo� saf� keeping)�  � use� th� �
popula� NSWEE� t� grou� relate� file� i� � commo� use� area� �
NSWEE� mad� i� ver� eas� t� bounc� aroun� i� differen� use� �
area� bu� tha� flexibilit� wa� onl� availabl� whil� NSWEE� wa� ��running.

    Anothe� metho� t� resolv� command� i� calle� th� Extende� �
Comman� Processor�  Som� peopl� buil� � librar� fil� (LBR� o� �
infrequentl�-use� command� an� sav� i� somewher� o� disk� lik� �
i� A15:�  Th� reaso� fo� doin� thi� i� tw�-fold�  First� al� �
thos� file� whe� clustere� i� � librar� fil� onl� tak� u� on� �
director� entry�  Second� the� tak� u� les� spac� o� th� disk�  �
Thes� ar� importan� consideration� fo� flopp� systems�  Ther� �
i� � ZCPR� utilit� calle� LX.CO� whic� ca� ru� CO� file� whic� �
ar� store� i� libraries�  B� makin� LX.CO� a� th� system'� �
Extende� Comman� Processo� (ECP)� yo� ca� automaticall� searc� �
thi� librar� fil� (typicall� calle� COMMAND.LBR� fo� CO� file� �
whic� wer� no� foun� alon� th� searc� path�  I� wil� tak� � bi� �
mor� tim� t� d� thi� bu� al� thos� CO� file� wil� appea� t� b� �
"o�-line� eve� thoug� the� ar� stuffe� awa� i� � singl� file�  �
I� m� COMMAND.LB� � hav� ancien� copie� o� PIP� STA� an� DD� a� �
wel� a� infrequentl� use� utilitie� lik� MENUC� an� WHEEL.

    W� ca� tak� thi� eve� furthe� b� makin� ARUN� th� syste� �
ECP�  ARUN� i� � specia� progra� whic� take� � comman� fro� th� �
use� an� searche� � tex� fil� t� se� i� ther� i� � match�  I� �
i� find� � match� i� trie� t� execut� th� comman� associate� �
wit� th� match�  Her� i� a� example�  Yo� creat� th� tex� fil� �
calle� ARUNZ.CM� wit� you� tex� editor�  Yo� creat� th� �
followin� ALIA� definitions:

WSTAR=WORD,STAR=EDI� w� $*

Assumin� tha� WS.CO� exist� o� th� disk� yo� ca� no� invok� �
Wordsta� wit� an� o� th� followin� commands:

W� filenam�
WSTA� filename
WOR� filename
WORDSTA� filename
EDI� filename

Th� firs� comman� woul� ru� anyway� bu� th� las� fou� woul� b� �
processe� b� ARUNZ�  Sinc� WSTAR.COM� WORD.COM� WORDSTAR.CO� �
an� EDIT.CO� t� no� exist� n� matchin� CO� fil� woul� b� foun� �
i� the� ar� run�  ZCPR� passe� th� reques� t� th� ECP�  Th� EC� �
(ARUNZ� the� scan� it� lis� o� command� fo� � match�  I� ther� �
i� � match� th� requeste� comman� (WSTA� an� others� i� �
translate� t� � differen� comman� (WS� an� executed.

    Finally� yo� coul� plac� LX.CO� a� th� las� definitio� i� �
a� ALIAS.CM� fil� s� tha� ARUN� an� L� coul� b� ru� together�  �
I� th� comman� wa� no� foun� i� th� ALIAS.CM� file� the� �
COMMAND.LB� coul� b� scanne� fo� th� reques� automatically�  T� �
d� this� th� las� comman� shoul� loo� lik� this:

� l� � $� $*

(Don'� ask�  Th� answe� t� wh� i� look� lik� thi� i� beyon� th� ��scop� o� thi� article!)

    No� suppos� w� exhaus� al� feature� an� stil� di� no� fin� �
th� command�  I� w� installe� a� Erro� Handler� ZCPR� wil� �
invok� i� an� w� wil� likel� b� show� th� whol� comman� lin� �
whic� faile� an� w� wil� b� abl� t� edi� th� lin� usin� �
Wordsta� (o� other� contro� keys.


    Memor�-Residen� Commands

    Memor�-Residen� Command� ar� store� i� th� RC� (Residen� �
Comman� Package)�  Th� RC� typicall� occupie� 2� o� memor� an� �
contain� familia� command� suc� a� ERA� REN� TYPE� PRINT� REG� �
P� POKE� PORT� ECHO� CLS� DI� an� H�  I� ma� no� hav� the� all�  �
Us� "H� t� se� wha� i� availabl� i� you� RCP�  Sinc� ZCPR� wa� �
cramme� wit� extr� powerfu� features� ther� wa� n� roo� lef� �
fo� man� o� th� standar� buil�-i� commands�  Placin� the� i� �
th� RC� make� the� availabl� agai� withou� havin� t� resor� t� �
equivalen� CO� files� lik� ERA.COM� REN.COM� etc�  Becaus� the� �
ar� memor� resident� the� execut� almos� instantly�  Unde� plai� �
CP/M� th� command� DIR,ERA,REN,TYPE,an� SAV� wer� buil� int� th� �
Consol� Comman� Processo� (CCP� an� wer� ver� basi� i� nature�  �
Th� RC� equivalen� command� unde� N�-CO� ar� mor� versatil� an� �
flexible�  Fo� example� unde� CP/M� whe� yo� type� � fil� o� th� �
scree� (TYP� FILE.DOC)� th� fil� wa� displaye� lin� b� lin� �
unti� yo� eithe� stoppe� i� wit� contro�-S o� unti� th� whol� �
fil� scrolle� of� th� scree� righ� pas� you�  Unde� N�-COM� whe� �
yo� typ� � file� th� syste� wil� automaticall� sto� afte� 2� �
line� ar� displaye� an� wai� fo� yo� t� pres� an� ke� befor� �
showin� yo� anothe� scree� full�

    Plai� CP/� ha� n� memor� residen� command� othe� tha� th� �
standar� command� (DIR� REN� ER� etc� i� th� CCP�  Th� �
advantag� o� ZCPR� Residen� Command� i� tha� ther� ca� b� a� �
infinit� numbe� o� Residen� Comman� Package� (RCP� whic� ca� b� �
loade� int� memor� t� enabl� th� feature� desire� a� th� �
particula� moment�  Unde� N�-COM� th� siz� o� th� RC� ca� �
dynamicall� b� a� larg� o� a� smal� a� yo� desire.




    Flo� Commands

    Flo� Command� giv� yo� th� abilit� t� tes� fo� certai� �
condition� an� alte� th� sequenc� o� command� base� o� thes� �
conditions�  Amon� th� primar� flo� command� ar� IF� AND� OR� �
ELSE� an� F� (endif)�  Amon� th� condition� yo� ca� tes� wit� �
thes� flo� command� ar� EMPTY� EXIST� INPUT� RE� an� eve� BG� D� �
an� man� more�  Her� i� a� example�  Suppos� yo� hav� th� �
followin� comman� line:

i� inpu� SHO� FILES?;dir;else;i� exis� time.com;time;else;ztime;fi;fi
�     Whe� thi� lin� i� entered� th� followin� thing� wil� happen�  �
First� yo� wil� b� aske� "SHO� FILES?� an� th� syste� wil� b� �
waitin� fo� yo� t� typ� "Y� o� "N"�  I� yo� typ� "Y"� the� "dir� �
wil� b� run�  I� yo� typ� "N"� the� th� syste� wil� se� i� �
"time.com� exists�  I� i� does� i� wil� b� run�  Otherwise� �
"ztime� wil� b� ru� instead�  Yo� ma� no� se� an� us� fo� thi� i� �
i� wa� type� i� a� � comman� line�  Th� mos� valuabl� applicatio� �
o� thi� featur� i� whe� thi� kin� o� comman� i� par� o� � batc� �
fil� (runnin� unde� SU� o� ZEX)� par� o� a� alia� (create� b� �
SALIA� o� par� o� th� ARUNZ.CM� file� o� containe� withi� � men� �
(MENU� VMEN� o� ZMANG� a� wel� a� bein� � ZFILE� macr� (i� th� �
ZFILER.CM� file).

    Ther� i� nothin� remotel� simila� t� Flo� Contro� unde� �
plai� CP/M.





    Shells

    Severa� Shell� ar� provide� wit� N�-CO� an� ne� one� ar� �
writte� o� � regula� basis�  Describin� � Shel� t� � CP/� use� �
i� rathe� difficul� becaus� n� simila� progra� exist� fo� CP/M�

    T� pu� i� simply� � Shel� i� � progra� whic� act� a� � �
"fron�-end� t� th� system�  I� accept� inpu� fro� th� user� �
perform� predetermine� operation� base� o� thi� use� input� an� �
the� get� automaticall� r�-invoked�  I� i� a� endles� loo� �
(sometimes)�   Menu� ar� generall� shells�  Yo� selec� � men� �
option�  Afte� th� selectio� i� mad� an� th� pr�-programme� �
thing� happen� yo� retur� t� th� men� instea� o� th� A0� prompt�  �
I� th� perso� wh� wrot� th� men� di� no� provid� fo� a� exi� fro� �
th� menu� the� th� use� woul� b� "stuck� i� th� men� environmen� �
an� woul� b� restricte� t� onl� thos� option� foun� i� th� menu�  �
Althoug� restrictive� thi� ma� b� wha� yo� want� especiall� i� �
th� particula� men� i� t� b� use� b� someon� wh� know� nothin� �
abou� computer� an� yo� wan� t� preven� the� fro� eve� seein� th� �
A0� promp� wher� the� coul� potentiall� d� som� damage.

    I� �-System� yo� hav� th� abilit� t� mak� AN� progra� int� � �
shell�  O� cours� yo� hav� t� b� carefu� becaus� certai� program� �
whe� mad� int� shell� woul� simpl� caus� infinit� loops�  Th� �
progra� woul� continuall� r�-invok� itsel� an� woul� requir� � �
col� boo� t� ge� ou� o� th� loop.

    Thi� quic� overvie� o� shell� doesn'� d� th� subjec� �
justice�  Ric� Charne� recentl� wrot� � tw� par� serie� o� ZCPR� �
shell� i� "Th� Compute� Journal� i� issue� 3� an� 37�  Thi� �
serie� i� rathe� comprehensiv� an� possibl� intimidatin� t� th� �
novic� user�  Th� beginne� woul� mor� likel� us� th� shell� SH� �
MENU� VMENU� ZMANG� ZFILER� EAS� an� mos� recentl� LSH.

    Unde� plai� CP/M� th� onl� thin� whic� come� clos� t� � ��shel� i� CP/M'� abilit� t� ru� � comman� o� War� Boot�  I� yo� �
CONFIGU� CP/� t� ru� � comman� o� War� Boot� the� ever� tim� � �
progra� ends� yo� wil� ru� tha� command�  Wit� thi� scheme� yo� �
shoul� neve� b� abl� t� dro� dow� t� th� A� prompt�  Suppos� �
yo� ha� � comman� lik� "MBASIC� entere� a� th� comman� t� ru� �
o� War� Boot�  Ever� tim� th� syste� wa� turne� on� yo� woul� �
g� directl� t� MBASIC�  Ever� tim� yo� type� "SYSTEM� t� exi� �
t� CP/M� yo� woul� immediatel� retur� t� MBASIC�  Th� onl� wa� �
t� chang� thi� woul� b� t� SYSGE� th� dis� o� t� boo� th� �
syste� fro� anothe� disk� cop� th� BIOS.SY� t� tha� disk� ru� �
CONFIGU� o� tha� BIO� an� the� cop� i� bac� t� th� origina� �
disk.

    Unde� ZCPR3� yo� ca� hav� a� man� shel� program� a� yo� �
want�  The� ca� b� change� an� exite� (generally� a� will�




    Th� Environmen� Descripto� an� Selectin� you� Terminal

    Man� times� thos� o� u� wh� hav� ha� lon�-tim� exposur� t� �
th� ZCP� serie� o� enhancement� tak� fo� grante� som� thing� tha� �
th� newe� user� ar� findin� difficul� t� understand�  On� suc� �
cloud� are� i� you� termina� an� th� TCSELEC� utility�  Let'� �
tal� no� abou� ho� t� mak� you� termina� selectio� an� wha� �
effect� � correc� an� a� incorrec� termina� selectio� wil� hav� �
o� you� system.

    Wha� i� � terminal�  I� � termina� th� sam� a� � computer�  �
Wh� d� w� nee� t� selec� th� correc� definition�  Thes� ar� �
commo� question� � hav� bee� receivin� becaus� m� nam� i� o� th� �
lis� o� voluntee� helper� whic� come� o� th� N�-CO� disk�  � �
termina� i� generall� � stan�-alon� vide� displa� wit� � �
keyboard�  Th� interna� termina� electronic� ma� co
nsis� o� �
simpl� digita� logi� alon� wit� standar� vide� displa� circuit� �
o� i� ma� consis� o� � microprocesso� controlle� intelligen� �
syste� wit� fanc� scree� display� an� options�  I� an� event� i� �
i� no� � computer�  I� i� onl� � compute� I/� devic� whic� ca� �
displa� compute� dat� o� it� scree� o� receiv� compute� dat� fro� �
� use� throug� it� keyboard�  Som� computer� requir� tha� yo� �
connec� � termina� i� orde� t� us� them.

      Th� Ampr� Littl� Board� th� Micromin� S�-180� th� Heat� H� �
an� Morro� system� ar� amon� th� computer� whic� requir� � �
terminal�  Th� olde� �-100� CompuPro� Cromemc� an� BigBoar� �
system� (a� � showin� m� age?� als� require� terminals.

      Man� o� th� newe� CP/� system� ha� buil�-i� terminals�  �
Th� Kaypro� Osborne� Heat� H8� an� Xero� 82� system� ha� buil�-i� �
terminals�  Her� i� wher� thing� ge� � bi� confusing.

      Th� Heat� H8� i� actuall� � CP/� compute� buil� righ� int� �
th� H1� termina� cabinet�  Thi� mean� tha� ther� ar� tw� �
independen� microprocesso� chip� i� th� box�  On� i� th� ��controlle� fo� th� terminal�  Th� othe� i� th� computer'� CPU�  �
The� operat� independentl� an� ar� onl� connecte� wit� � seria� �
I/� cable�  Yo� coul� remov� th� CP/� compute� fro� th� bo� an� �
hav� � stan�-alon� terminal.

      Th� othe� system� (Kaypro� Osborne� etc� hav� onl� on� CP� �
chip�  Thi� CP� i� programme� no� onl� t� b� � CP/� compute� bu� �
als� t� contro� th� vide� displa� an� keyboar� a� th� sam� time�  �
Thi� i� usuall� don� wit� � ver� sophisticate� interrup� drive� �
softwar� routin� whic� write� character� t� th� scree� an� read� �
character� fro� th� keyboar� b� suspendin� th� curren� CP� �
activity� doin� th� scree� writ� o� keyboar� read� an� the� �
restorin� th� curren� CP� activity.

    Sinc� w� hav� determine� tha� ther� ar� man� differen� �
kind� o� CR� terminals� on� ca� gues� tha� i� i� likel� tha� �
the� al� operat� differently�  O� course� thi� i� true.

    Mos� o� th� time� terminal� simpl� receiv� � characte� �
fro� th� hos� (th� CP/� computer� an� displa� tha� characte� o� �
th� screen�  However� th� mor� sophisticate� terminal� hav� �
fanc� bell� an� whistle� whic� ca� b� accesse� t� provid� �
comple� displays�  Som� o� thos� feature� ar� curso� �
positioning� scree� attribute� (revers� video� underlining� �
blinking� bol� o� dim)� graphic� an� editin� (delete/inser� �
character� delete/inser� line)�  Th� command� whic� perfor� �
thes� function� ar� calle� "Escap� Codes� becaus� the� �
generall� begi� wit� th� Escap� characte� a� th� firs� �
characte� o� th� command�  Th� terminal'� comman� se� o� Escap� �
Code� i� define� b� th� manufacture� i� th� terminal'� firmwar� �
(RO� software).

    Application� program� whic� tak� advantag� o� th� bell� �
an� whistle� o� th� CR� termina� mus� b� capabl� o� runnin� o� �
� wid� variet� o� terminal� i� th� autho� expect� t� sel� man� �
copies�  Thi� i� wh� program� lik� Wordsta� an� dBAS�-I� hav� �
installatio� program� (WINSTALL.CO� o� INSTALL.COM� whic� allo� �
th� use� t� tel� th� progra� wha� kin� o� CR� termina� i� bein� �
used.

    Wit� th� introductio� o� ZCPR3� � plac� wa� reserve� �
withi� th� operatin� syste� t� stor� th� detail� abou� th� �
system'� CR� terminal�  Thi� provide� � ver� efficien� wa� fo� �
ZCPR� utilitie� t� acces� th� specia� feature� o� th� CR� �
withou� havin� th� specia� sequence� "har� coded� int� eac� �
utility�  Fo� thi� reason� th� sam� cop� o� � ZCPR� utilit� �
wil� perfor� properl� o� man� differen� system� wit� man� �
differen� terminals�  The� ge� th� termina� informatio� fro� �
th� ZCPR� TCA� (Termina� Capabilities� whic� reside� i� memory�  �
Withou� th� TCAP� eac� ZCPR� utilit� whic� use� termina� �
feature� woul� hav� t� b� installe� b� th� use� fo� th� �
particula� termina� desired.

    Furthermore� i� yo� ar� luck� t� hav� mor� tha� on� �
termina� an� yo� wan� t� operat� i� o� th� system� al� yo� hav� ��t� d� i� ru� TCSELEC� an� selec� th� ne� termina� fro� th� �
menu�  Now� al� th� sam� o�-lin� ZCPR� utilitie� wil� wor� �
properl� o� th� ne� terminal.

    Severa� peopl� hav� aske� m� fo� hel� wit� TCSELECT�  "M� �
compute� i� no� o� th� menu�  Wha� d� � d� now?�  On� perso� �
ha� � Televide� TP�-� portabl� computer�  Ther� wa� n� TP�-� o� �
th� men� an� h� wa� understandabl� confused�  Afte� referrin� �
hi� t� hi� owner'� manua� t� fin� ou� wha� kin� o� termina� th� �
TP�-� emulated� w� determine� tha� hi� correc� selectio� wa� �
th� Televide� 803�  Th� no�-hacke� type� hav� difficult� �
understandin� th� differenc� betwee� � compute� an� � terminal�  �
A� thi� perso� discovered� th� �-Helper'� Lis� whic� come� o� �
th� N�-CO� dis� contain� name� o� voluntee� consultant� t� hel� �
yo� wit� problem� suc� a� thi� one.

    I� yo� d� no� selec� th� correc� termina� fo� you� system� �
don'� b� surprise� i� th� scree� jumble� u� whe� yo� tr� t� ru� �
ZFILER� ZMAN� o� VL� an� man� othe� programs�  I� sever� cases� �
th� syste� ma� eve� loc�-u� (o� see� to)�  � typica� exampl� �
woul� b� i� � certai� termina� use� ESCAP� � t� clea� it� �
screen�  I� yo� incorrectl� selecte� thi� termina� instea� o� �
you� trust� Heat� H1� terminal� you� syste� woul� appea� t� �
loc�-up�  Thi� i� becaus� th� ESCAP� � sequenc� whic� cleare� �
th� othe� terminal'� scree� i� th� H19'� Disabl� Keyboar� �
Command!

    (� can'� resis� offerin� anothe� o� m� H8� trivi� tidbits�  �
I� you� keyboar� lock� fo� an� reaso� � th� progra� �
deliberatel� di� it� lin� nois� ove� th� modem� incorrec� �
termina� selection� etc� � yo� ca� enabl� th� keyboar� withou� �
resetin� o� rebooting�  Jus� pres� th� followin� key� al� a� �
th� sam� tim�  CTR� � � BACKSPACE)




    Aliases

    � ZCPR� Alia� i� � progra� (o� � command� whic� itsel� �
invoke� anothe� progra� (o� commands)�

    First� a� Alia� ca� b� � CO� fil� create� b� a� Alia� �
utility�  Thi� CO� fil� simpl� passe� � comman� lin� t� ZCPR3�  �
Fo� example� let'� creat� th� Alia� TEST.COM�  Th� alia� wil� �
contai� th� followin� comman� line:

    B4:;MBASI� WHUMPUS;A0:;DIR

    Whe� w� typ� "TEST"� th� abov� comman� lin� wil� b� sen� �
t� ZCPR3�  Th� syste� wil� lo� int� driv� � use� � an� ru� �
MBASIC�  MBASI� wil� loa� WHUMPUS.BA� an� execut� it�  Whe� w� �
ar� don� playin� WHUMPUS� th� syste� wil� lo� u� int� driv� � �
use� � an� displa� th� directory�  Tha� lon� comman� lin� �
exist� i� th� fil� TEST.COM�  Th� othe� content� o� TEST.CO� i� ��cod� whic� wil� plac� tha� lon� comman� lin� int� th� ZCPR� �
Multipl� Comman� Lin� Buffe� (MCLB)�  A� soo� a� ZCPR� detect� �
tha� th� MCL� i� suddenl� n� longe� empty� i� begin� processin� �
it� contents�  Notic� tha� whil� WHUMPU� wa� running� th� �
remainde� o� th� comman� lin� � A0:;DI� wa� stil� lurkin� i� �
th� MCL� waitin� t� b� processe� afte� yo� wer� don� wit� �
WHUMP�S.

    A� Alia� ca� als� b� � comman� expression�  Ther� i� � �
ZCPR� utilit� calle� ARUN� (Alia� RU� ZCPR3� whic� ca� proces� �
Aliase� containe� i� � tex� file�  I� ou� exampl� abov� w� �
create� a� alia� whic� wa� � CO� file�  Yo� ca� als� creat� � �
lis� o� aliase� wit� you� wor� processo� o� edito� jus� lik� �
yo� woul� creat� � document�  Cal� thi� fil� ALIAS.CMD� you� �
Alia� Comman� File�  Let'� sa� yo� hav� � fe� Basi� game� an� �
yo� wan� t� b� abl� t� ru� the� b� jus� typin� thei� name�  �
Creat� th� followin� ALIAS.CM� file:

    WHUMPU� b4:;mbasic whumpus;a0:
    WAR� b4:;mbasi� wars;a0:
    DN� b4:;mbasi� dnd;a0:

WHUMPUS� WAR� an� DN� ar� th� name� o� th� Basi� gam� programs�  �
No� i� yo� typ� ARUN� WHUMPU� o� ARUN� WAR� o� ARUN� DND� th� �
requeste� gam� wil� ru� an� yo� wil� retur� t� driv� � use� � �
whe� yo� ar� done�

    Th� invocatio� o� th� aliase� containe� i� th� ALIAS.CM� �
fil� ca� becom� automatic�  Jus� renam� ARUNZ.CO� t� �
CMDRUN.COM�  CMDRU� i� th� defaul� nam� o� ZCPR3'� Extende� �
Comman� Processor�  CMDRU� i� invoke� afte� ZCPR� exhaust� al� �
possibilitie� whil� searchin� fo� � requeste� CO� file�  �
Assumin� tha� n� CO� file� exis� wit� th� sam� name� a� ou� �
basi� games� al� yo� hav� t� d� i� typ� th� nam� o� th� gam� � �
WHUMPUS�  First� ZCPR� wil� searc� al� th� drive� (an� use� �
areas� define� i� th� PATH�  (� a� tryin� t� kee� thi� simpl� � �
really!�  No� havin� foun� WHUMPUS.CO� anywhere� i� invoke� �
CMDRU� an� passe� WHUMPU� t� it�  Sinc� CMDRU� i� reall� ARUN� �
i� disguise� i� begin� t� sca� th� ALIAS.CM� tex� fil� fo� th� �
wor� WHUMPUS�  Havin� foun� i� a� th� firs� entry� i� passe� �
th� comman� lin� B4:;MBASI� WHUMPUS;A0� bac� t� ZCPR� (i� th� �
MCLB� fo� ZCPR� t� execute�  Usin� ARUNZ� yo� d� no� hav� t� �
creat� � CO� fil� fo� eac� alia� yo� desire�  Al� yo� hav� t� �
d� i� typ� � fe� byte� int� th� ALIAS.CM� tex� file�  Thi� �
techniqu� save� dis� spac� an� director� entries.

    Som� novic� user� hav� aske� m� wha� th� differenc� wa� �
betwee� a� Alia� an� SU� o� ZEX�  Th� mai� differenc� i� tha� �
a� Alia� send� � comman� lin� directl� t� th� ZCPR� comman� �
lin� buffer�  A� such� th� lengt� o� th� comman� lin� i� �
limite� t� 20� characters�  Eac� alia� definitio� ca� no� �
excee� thi� lin� length�  Unde� SU� o� ZEX� th� lengt� o� th� �
comman� lin� stil� ha� thi� characte� coun� limitatio� bu� th� �
numbe� o� LINE� i� almos� unlimited�  Furthermore� SU� o� ZE� �
batc� job� mus� b� handle� b� th� overhea� o� thei� respectiv� ��utilit� (SUMBIT.CO� o� ZEX.COM� wher� eithe� spee� o� memor� �
usag� ar� affected�  � SU� o� ZE� jo� ca� no� exis� a� � CO� �
file� read� t� b� run�  Yo� hav� t� typ� SU� JOBNAM� o� ZE� �
JOBNAME�  Fo� thos� shor� job� unde� 20� character� long� us� �
a� Alias�  Fo� th� lon� one� consistin� o� man� lines� us� SU� �
o� ZEX�




    ZCPR� Enhance� Utilities

    Th� man� ZCPR� utilitie� wer� writte� t� tak� advantag� o� �
th� increase� versatilit� o� ZCPR3�  A� state� before� man� �
perfor� scree� display� whic� acces� th� CR� terminal� specia� �
features�  Al� confor� t� ZCPR3'� syntax�  Fo� example� yo� �
coul� referenc� � drive/use� are� wit� a� expressio� lik� A3� �
o� � Name� Director� lik� WORDSTAR:�  Nearl� al� ZCPR� �
utilitie� wil� displa� � brie� hel� messag� i� invoke� wit� � �
doubl� slas� � ARUN� /� o� ZE� /� etc�  Mos� ZCPR� utilitie� tak� �
advantag� o� you� syste� informatio� containe� i� th� ZCPR� �
Environmen� Descriptor�  I� yo� hav� correctl� define� you� �
environment� thes� utilitie� kno� ho� man� flopp� o� har� disk� �
yo� hav� (an� i� ther� ar� gaps� i.e� Har� Disk� A� B� an� Flopp� �
Disk� E� an� G:)�  The� wil� als� kno� you� CP� cloc� spee� an� �
whe� tim� delay� ar� involved� the� wil� b� correc� o� everyone'� �
system�  The� wil� kno� abou� you� printe� � ho� man� character� �
pe� line� ho� man� line� pe� page� ca� i� accep� for� feed� etc�
An� a� � state� above� the� kno� abou� th� CR� termina� an� sen� �
th� correc� code� t� i� t� perfor� enhance� ful�-scree� �
operation.

    Eve� Wordsta�-� i� capabl� o� acceptin� ZCPR�-styl� syntax�  �
Wordsta�-� wil� permi� yo� t� lo� int� drive� o� use� area� wit� �
th� drive/use� specificatio� (DU� lik� B3:� a� wel� a� th� name� �
director� specificatio� (DIR� lik� TEXT:)



    Wrap-up

    � realiz� tha� � hav� covere� muc� o� thi� informatio� i� �
th� past�  Hopefull� � hav� me� man� o� th� need� o� th� N�-CO� �
novic� wit� th� wa� � hav� presente� th� informatio� here�  Par� �
o� m� objectiv� wa� th� "Read� read� the� rea� again� philosophy.

    � strongl� sugges� tha� yo� see� ou� � CP/� user� grou� �
whic� i� know� t� suppor� ZCPR� an� N�-COM�  Unfortunately� �
sometime� thes� user� group� ar� � wel�-kep� secret�  Let'� fac� �
it�  Peopl� ar� no� flockin� t� CP/� clu� meetings�  Afte� all� �
CP/� i� believe� t� b� dead�

    Chec� int� th� �-Node� (th� Bulleti� Boar� System� yo� ca� �
cal� wit� � modem)�  � lis� i� provide� o� you� N�-CO� disk�  Ja� �
Sage� autho� o� ZCPR34� run� � �-Nod� i� th� Bosto� area�  Hi� ��syste� i� alway� floode� wit� th� lates� dialo� a� wel� a� th� �
lates� release� o� publicall� distribute� enhancement� o� ZCPR� �
software.

    Chec� wit� you� loca� "�-Helper� t� fin� ou� wher� th� �
closes� "ho� spots� o� ZCPR� activit� ar� i� you� area�  Th� lis� �
o� �-Helper� i� als� o� th� N�-CO� disk.

    Subscrib� t� "Th� Compute� Journal"�  Thi� i� th� �
authoritativ� sourc� o� th� lates� ZCPR� an� advance� CP/� �
information�  Ja� Sage� Bridge� Mitchel� (autho� o� Backgrounde�-�
i� an� Datestamper� an� man� othe� note� personalitie� ar� �
regula� contributors�  � subscriptio� t� "TCJ� als� entitle� yo� �
acces� th� Lilliput� �-Nod� i� Chicag� � on� o� th� larges� an� �
mos� comprehensiv� dia�-i� system� i� th� country.


    Nex� time


    � a� currentl� plannin� � produc� revie� o� Le� Hart'� �
Superse� upgrad� t� th� H19/H89�  Yo� migh� a� wel� orde� thi� �
no� s� tha� yo� ca� hav� i� ahea� o� time!

    � a� als� plannin� o� releasin� m� lates� programmin� effor� �
� CP/� softwar� t� contro� th� �-1� C�-29� Compute� Interface�  �
Thi� uni� (i� th� Heat� catalog� allow� you� compute� t� contro� �
lightin� an� appliance� connecte� t� th� �-1� Powerhous� system�  �
U� unti� now� softwar� wa� availabl� onl� fo� th� IB� an� �
Macintos� computers�  I� yo� orde� thi� uni� ($39.95� fo� us� o� �
th� IBM� th� cabl� i� come� wit� wil� directl� connec� t� th� H8� �
(o� H� wit� H�-� seria� board� mode� port.

    � hav� writte� � progra� i� Z8� assembl� languag� (16� CO� �
file� whic� wil� acces� nearl� al� th� feature� o� th� interface�  �
Yo� ca� progra� al� 12� events� perfor� immediat� commands� rea� �
an� se� th� clock� an� read/writ� th� event� to/fro� dis� file� �
o� prin� the� o� you� printer�  Yo� ca� eve� edi� event� save� t� �
dis� wit� a� ordinar� tex� editor�  Th� progra� dynamicall� �
operate� i� eithe� men� mod� o� wil� accep� command� directl� �
fro� th� CP/� comman� line�  O�-lin� hel� display� ca� b� calle� �
fro� th� menu.

    I� yo� currentl� hav� a� �-1� syste� i� you� home� thi� �
compute� interfac� wil� rapidl� transfor� yo� int� � hom�-contro� �
junki� (i� yo� ar� no� on� already)!

    B� th� way� th� reaso� tha� th� X1� progra� i� a� larg� a� �
16� i� becaus� o� al� thos� paragraph� o� Hel� Tex� an� Erro� �
Messages!

    Sta� tune� ....


�Sag� Microsystem� Eas�                  Lilliput� Z-Node
143� Centr� Stree�                      Chicago
Newto� Centre� M�  02159-246�           (312� 649-173� and
Voice�  (617� 965-355�                  (312� 664-1730
Z-Node� (617� 965-725�                  tw� systems
300/1200/240� 2� hour�                  Leav� � messag� t� the
passwor� � DD�                          SYSO� i� yo� ar� � TCJ
MABO� o� PC-Pursui�                     Subscriber

Yo� ca� reac� m� o� "Th� Compute� Club� PBBS-RCP/� at
(203� 673-875�  300/1200/240�  2� hours