8-Bit Software Online Conversion

______________________________________________________________________ SSSSSSSSSSS SS SSSSSSSSSSS Duncan SS Webster SSS SS SSSSSSSS SS SS SSSSSSS SSSS SSSSSS SSSSSSS SSSSSSS SSSSSSSS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS S SS SS SSS SS SS SSSSSSS SS SSSSSS SS S SS SSSSSSS SSSSSSSS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SSSSSSSS SSSSSSS SSSSSSS SSSSS SSSSSS SS SS SSSSSSS SS SS Suite of Programs - Number 4 SSSSSSS (c) Duncan Webster 24 August 1990 (All rights reserved). _____________________________________________________________________ D F S & A D F S S E R V E R (Version 4) ______________________________________________________________________ A L S O A V A I L A B L E F R O M SSSSSS SSSSSS SSSSS SSSSSS SS SS SS SSSSSS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SSSSSS SSSSS SSSSS SS SS SS SS SS SSSSS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SSSSSS SSSSS SSSSSS SSSSSS SSS SSSSSS C O M M U N I C A T I O N S Telephone 0582-832653 ______________________________________________________________________ ***** IMPORTANT ***** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The SYSTEMS server DFS and ADFS file server is available subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise be lent, sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the author's prior consent. Action may be taken against any person deemed to be in infringement of this notice. The full origional listing of this program has been placed in safe custody at the TSB Bank Plc. 13, Devonshire Square, Loughborough, Leics. on this day 24 August 1990. The listing has been endorsed by the author of this program and witnessed by an independent third party. Any person wishing to distribute this program through their own means should contact the author of the program at the address under section 4.1 loacted towards the end of this manual. NO RESPONSABILITY IS ACCEPTED BY THE AUTHOR FOR ANY LOSS OR INCONVENIENCE CAUSED THROUGH ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT USE OF THIS PROGRAM HOWSOEVER CAUSED. INDEX TO THIS MANUAL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SECTION 1 .... 1.1 .......... Program Overview 1.2 .......... Machine Specifications 1.3 .......... User Support SECTION 2 .... 2.1 .......... Preparing the SYSTEMS disc 2.2 .......... Loading the SYSTEMS program 2.3 .......... Selecting Menu Options 2.4 .......... Information held by the Program SECTION 3 .... 3.1 .......... Adding Program Records 3.2 .......... Catalogues (full & partial) 3.3 .......... The catalogue display 3.4 .......... Obtaining Full Program Details - 3.4.1 ........ - If the program number is known 3.4.2 ........ - If the program number is NOT known 3.5 .......... Deleting Program Records 3.5.1 ........ Marking Program Record(s) for deletion - 3.5.1.1 ...... - Deleting a Single Program Record 3.5.1.2 ...... - Deleting a Range of Program Records 3.5.1.3 ...... - Deleting Selected Program Records 3.5.1.4 ...... - Deleting All Program Records 3.5.2 ........ Why are Program Records marked for deletion? 3.5.3 ........ When are Program Records finally deleted completely? 3.6 .......... Compressing the Program File 3.7 .......... Amending & Updating Program Records 3.7.1 ........ The STATUS field 3.7.2 ........ Rescuing Program Records marked for deletion. 3.8 .......... Loading Programs directly from SYSTEMS - 3.8.1 ........ - If loading access is granted 3.8.2 ........ - If loading access is prohibited 3.8.3 ........ The "M" Option (Menu Only) SECTION 4 .... 4.1 .......... USER and PROGRAM errors 4.2 .......... Ideas for Improvements Appendix ..... Table of coded instructions. SECTION 1 ~~~~~~~~~ 1.1 PROGRAM OVERVIEW ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The "SYSTEMS server" is a database system specifically designed for program storage and management. Almost all users now use a disc system either with DFS or the more recent ADFS filing systems. SYSTEMS server is capable of holding a comprehensive range of information on all possible types of programs available. It provides powerful searching and editing facilities to aid the user in locating that all important program. Using SYSTEMS server should be invaluable in providing an easy-to-use disc management system, providing the means to easily locate any program or file in your library. 1.2 MACHINE SPECIFICATION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Program : Written on a BBC Model B issue 3 & 4 Microcomputer. Tested on BBC Model B Issue 3 and 4. Tested using a Model B with 6502 Second Processor. Tested using Watford Electronics 32k Shadow RAM. Should work on BBC B+, BBC 128, Master 128 (not tested). Page : Tested with PAGE running at &800 and &1900 and &1F00. Filenames : SYSTEMS server comprises of $.SERVER1 and $.SERVER2. Advice : The SYSTEMS server program has been designed to run on it's own formatted 40 or 80 track disc (DFS or ADFS). Due to the vast amount of data this program handles it is not advisable to store any other files on the same disc except that created by the SYSTEMS program. ADFS : Make sure that both $.SERVER1 and $.SERVER2 are both resident in the $ Directory. There should be at least 200k free space on the disc (200,000 bytes). 1.3 USER SUPPORT ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Full user support is maintained to all who use this program. Users who obtained this program from a Bulletin Board can contact me on Resolve Communications (0582 832653) - Enter *DUNCAN once logged on and then press "F" for feedback. Mail is collected once weekly. Alternatively you can write to me at this address ..... Duncan M. Webster (SYSTEMS User Support) 7, Ashdale Thringstone Leicestershire LE6 4LW. Registered users of the PD library operated from the above address can contact me on the phone number already provided for them. Please also forward any ideas/suggestions for improvements. Details of other programs in the SYSTEMS series can also be obtained at the above address. SECTION 2 ~~~~~~~~~ 2.1 PREPARING THE SYSTEMS DISC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Copy the programs $.SERVER1 and $.SERVER2 on to a blank formatted disc (either DFS or ADFS). Having done this, you may set up an autoboot file on the new disc by entering the following commands ... *BUILD !boot <return> 0001 *BASIC <return> 0002 CHAIN"SERVER1" <return> Now press <Escape> When the cursor appears enter: *OPT 4,3 <return>. Your new SYSTEM disc is now prepared and you may now proceed to load and use the SYSTEMS server program. 2.2 LOADING THE SYSTEMS PROGRAM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you have followed the disc preparation instructions given above, you should now be able to perform an auto-boot to load the main program automatically. To perform an auto-boot .... 1. Hold down the <shift> and <break> keys down together. 2. Then release the <break> key. 3. Once the disc drive starts you may release the <shift> key. After a brief pause the main graphics screen will be loaded and displayed. This consists of a red SYSTEMS logo at the top of the screen with the rest of the screen divided into various segments by blue lines. The words "Please Wait" will flash whilst the main program loads. After a further short pause the program will go on to display the main menu. This sequence is performed every time the program is run. When the disc drive eventually stops you should see a list of menu options with the first option (Load Program Only) highlighted by a blue menu bar. 2.3 SELECTING MENU OPTIONS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Commands are selected by moving the menu bar to highlight the desired command. To move the menu bar, just use the Up and Down cursor keys. As this program was written on a Model B, it is not known whether the cursor keys on other computers (Eg. the Master) work. If using the up/down cursor keys fails to move the menu bar, then you may use the "0" key to move the bar UP and the "1" key to move the bar DOWN. To select your desired option, just press the <return> key. 2.4 INFORMATION HELD BY THE PROGRAM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The SYSTEMS server holds very comprehensive information on any program you care to store on it. Here is a brief breakdown of a typical program record ... 1. The Program Name - Ie. SYSTEMS bank account Note that it is not necessary to keep to the 7 or 10 character filename length - this is dealt with by another field. 2. The Program Type - Ie. Word Processor, Game, Utility, Datafile etc. The program type can also be set to "Menu Only" which will prohibit any future attempt to load the program via the SYSTEMS server (see later). 3. Loading Option - Ie. CHAIN or LOAD or *TYPE or *LIST etc. Every known loading method is supported. 4. Disc Surface - The disc surface of where the program is stored Eg. 0, 1, 2, 3 or A (for ADFS). 5. Disc Reference - Relates to the name or number you have given the particular disc upon which the program is stored. Eg. STM01 or GAME1 or UTIL1 etc. 6. Owner of Program - The Author or "owner" of the program stored. Eg. Duncan Webster or PDsoft etc. 7. Filename - The disc filename of the program 8. Directory - Mainly for ADFS users. The directory in which the program is stored. Ie. $.Utils.SYSTEMS etc. 9. Notes - Two lines provided for the user to enter brief notes on the program being recorded. With the exception of No.s 5, 6 and 9 - all the above information fields are mandatory and must be completed when adding a program record to the database. It is very important that the instructions given by this manual are followed closely at first. As you become more familiar with the program you will find that the need to refer to this manual becomes less frequent. SECTION 3 ~~~~~~~~~ 3.1 ADDING PROGRAM RECORDS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Having loaded SYSTEMS server for the first time, the first thing you will want to do is add a few "Program Records" to the database. Simply highlight the "Add New Program" option by using the cursor keys (or the "0" and "1" keys as the case may be) and press <return>. You will be presented with a blank "Program Record" and the cursor will position itself just to the right of the "PROGRAM" field. Complete the screen as follows substituting your own data for the data given in the examples. PROGRAM : Enter the Name of the Program (max. 27 characters). There is no need to restrict the name of the program to DFS or ADFS sized filenames. This is dealt with by using another field as you will see later. TYPE : Enter one of the following codes from the table below and then press <return>. This field is mandatory. For example if the program is a game then you would enter the letter G and press <return>. U = Utility I = Incomplete Program D = Datafile W = Word Processor O = Other G = Game R = ROM Image A = ASCII text N = Non BASIC X = Not Input (not known) OPTION : Enter the "Loading Method" of the program (ie. CHAIN) Select an option from the table listed below. This field is mandatory. L = LOAD C = CHAIN R = *RUN E = *EXEC LS = *LIST M = Menu Only LD = *LOAD Note: If the option is set to M (Menu Only) then the SYSTEMS server will prevent any attempt to load the program using the "Load Program Only" command from the main menu. The "Menu Only" option is usually used when the program in question is "Non BASIC". For example AMPLE Music 5000 files would probably be "Menu Only" records. See later for a description of the M option. SURFACE : The drive number the program will be run from. If using DFS dual drives it is advisable to enter 1 or 3 as this will save you having to switch discs when loading files. Choose an option from the table below ... 0 = Drive 0 3 = Drive 3 1 = Drive 1 A = ADFS program 2 = Drive 2 If the program is stored on an ADFS disc, then just enter "A" and press <return> - no need to specify Drive No. DISC : Enter the reference of the disc on which the program is stored (Eg. GAME1). An idea would be to number all your discs (say from 1 to 50 etc.) and enter the appropriate disc No. relevent to the program record. This is only a suggestion! You can use any referencing system you like. Max. characters for this field = 5. OWNER : Provided so you can keep a record of who wrote or supplied the program. Max. Characters = 20. This field can be left blank if desired. FILENAME : This field is Mandatory. Enter the disc filename of the program. If you selected "ADFS program" from the SURFACE field earlier, then the length of the filename is restricted to 10 characters. Otherwise the filename is restricted to 7 characters. Just enter the filename - do not enter any directory paths .... Ie. filename = SYSTEMS and not $.SYSTEMS ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ DIRCTORY : Enter the directory under which the program is stored. DFS programs are restricted to 1 character Eg. "$". ADFS programs are allowed up to 20 characters Eg:- "$.Interword.SYSTEMS". You must specify the directory path from the root ($) directory when using ADFS. This field is mandatory. NOTES : Two lines are provided for notes. Press <return> after entering one line in order to proceed on to the next line. Max. characters per line = 38 CORRECT : You will now have to confirm the above information is correct before saving the Program Record to disc. Enter one of the following options and press <return>. Y = To confirm and save to disc. N = To clear the record and start entering all over again. E = To abort completely back to main menu. Assuming you entered "Y" to confirm, there will be a short pause whilst the data is saved to disc. You will then be given the option to add ANOTHER record, or FINISH entering and return to the main menu. Select your desired option by using the LEFT and RIGHT cursor keys. (Alternatively you can use the "1" and "0" keys). When you have made your selection, press <return>. If you selected ANOTHER, then the computer will present another blank record to be completed. If you selected FINISH, then the computer will return back to the main menu. NOTE: For your convenience, a table listing all the recognised entry codes when adding new Program Records is listed at the back of this manual which you can detach and keep in a handy place until you become more familiar with the codes. Each program added to the database is assigned a unique "program number". This helps identify and locate a program record on the database very quickly indeed. You will learn more about the "program number" structure as you progress throught this manual. 3.2 CATALOGUES (full & partial) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The SYSTEMS server incorporates some very powerful cataloguing facilities. You can use one of 5 prepared "partial" catalogues, or you can have a complete catalogue which will list all the Program Records resident on the database. To view a catalogue, select the "Search/View programs" option from the main menu and press <return>. You will be presented with a secondary menu containing 6 further options. Select the kind of catalogue you prefer using the explanations below as guidelines. POSSIBLE OPTIONS: Type Surface Disc Owner Directory CATALOGUE Abandon EXPLANATIONS: Type : If selected you will be presented with another menu screen listing all the possible types of programs on SYSTEMS server. For example if you wanted to list all the games you have you would highlight GAME. Simply highlight your preferred catalogue and press the <return> key. Surface : If chosen you will be presented with another menu listing disc drives 0-3 and "ADFS disc". Simply highlight the kind of catalogue you desire and press the <return> key. For example to list all the ADFS programs you have you would highlight "ADFS disc" and press return. Disc : If selected you will be asked to enter a "Disc Specification". Enter one of your disc references - for example "GAME1" or "UTIL1" etc. - When done press <return> This is a very useful option as it allows you to catalogue any one of your discs without getting it out of the disc box - all you do is enter it's reference and hey presto - there is the disc catalogue sorted out from the database. Owner : If selected you will be asked for an "Owner Specification" Enter the relevent search data (ie. "Duncan Webster") and press <return>. Directory : If selected you will be asked to enter a "Directory Specification". Enter the necessary search data ie. "$.Games.BLUBBER" and press <return>. This catalogue will be of more use to ADFS users than DFS users. CATALOGUE : Will catalogue all program records on the database irrespective of any record particulars. 3.3 THE CATALOGUE DISPLAY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once you have selected your preferred catalogue option, the computer will search through the whole database and list all the records which match the search paramaters you have selected. The catalogue display consists of the PROGRAM NUMBER (in white on the left of the screen) and the PROGRAM NAME (in cyan). Should you wish to obtain information on any of the programs you see in the catalogue, just note down it's corresponding PROGRAM NUMBER and read the next paragraph. When you have finished viewing the catalogue you will be returned to the main menu and the computer will await your next command. 3.4 OBTAINING FULL PROGRAM DETAILS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This option provides the user with full details of any program held on the database. In order to access a program instantly, the PROGRAM NUMBER is needed. However an alternative option is included enabling the user to search for a Program Record by entering it's full or a partial name. 3.4.1 If the Program Number is Known ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Highlight the option "Program Details" from the main menu and press the <return> key. The computer will prompt you for a program number. If you know the number of the program you wish to view then all you do is enter this and press <return>. Provided the number is valid the relevent details will quickly be displayed. After viewing you will be returned to the main menu. 3.4.2 If the Program Number is NOT Known (partial name search) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you do not know which program number you wish to view, but you have a fair idea of the program name, then you may perform a "partial name search". To do this, just highlight "Program Details" from the main menu and press <return>. The computer will ask you for a program number - ignore this and just press <return>. The computer will then ask you for a "NAME". This is where the partial search comes in ... Example: You wish to obtain details on one of the SYSTEMS programs, but did not know which one it was. You would enter the following text in the NAME field ... ?SYSTEMS The computer would then display all the records found that contain the text "SYSTEMS" somewhere in it's name. For example the following records would be matched for the above example of ?SYSTEMS .... SYSTEMS bank SYSTEMS server SYSTEMS phone Complete SYSTEMS Library SYSTEMS Basic SYSTEMS Version 2 As the computer finds each match, the details will be shown on the screen. At the bottom of each screen of details will be a menu bar offering to CONTINUE or ABANDON. Selecting CONTINUE will tell the computer to carry on searching for more matches until the end of the database is reached.