ARCHIVE
Vers. 1.8b
Written by Andrew Black 1991
(Modifications by J.G.Harston)
(c) Andrew Soft
This program has been released into Public Domain.
However I still retain all Copyright.
Instructions for ARCHIVE
-----------------------
Welcome to ARCHIVE. ARCHIVE was basically written because I was fed
up of having a 31 file limit on my DFS discs. ARCHIVE enables you to
overcome this limit by taking files (any type) and joining them up
into one big one. ARCHIVE does not alter the load and execution
addresses so the files will be decompacted exactly as they were
compacted. ARCHIVE is very easy to use. (At least I think so).
ARCHIVE also displays in seconds the time it will take to decompress a
file.
Starting out
------------
When you run the program you will get a menu showing the recognised
options, and a prompt waiting for a key. Pressing '?' will redisplay
this menu while using the program. You can compress or decompress
files by pressing 'C' or 'D'. (Strictly speaking, this should be
archive and de-archive, as the files aren't squashed in any way, just
joined together.)
Compression Mode
----------------
To proceed, do the following ...
A. Check the length of each of your files. Add 32 bytes to each file's
length. If they collectively come to under 100000 (or 50000 for
40T) bytes you will fit the compressed file on. If they are over
100000 (or 50000 for 40T) bytes you must remove files until the
compressed file can be fitted on. You should *COMPACT the disk as
well.
B. Next you will be asked for a destination file name. This is the
filename under which the compressed data will be stored. It can be
on a different drive to the source files.
C. The program will now ask you to enter the file names to compress
rather like the example illustrated below ...
Enter file to compress: BLOG
or
Enter file to compress: L.DATA
It will repeat this for the amount of files you want to compact,
compacting them as it goes. You stop by pressing Return on its
own.
For example to compact 3 files ...
Enter file to compress: file1
Enter file to compress: file2
Enter file to compress: file3
Enter file to compress: <Return>
You can also enter the name of a directory, and all the files in
that directory will be compacted.
After pressing Return on its own to end the list, you should see the
message 'Transfer successful'. You are then returned to the menu
prompt. You can redisplay the menu by pressing '?'.
Decompression Mode
------------------
This is very easy to do. Make sure you have sufficient disk space for
the decompressed files, or alternatively use a blank disk. The
examine option will give you the total amount of space you will need.
The program will ask you for the filename of the compressed file.
Enter this and press <Return>. The program will then start to
decompact the compressed file. It will display the approximate time
it will take to work through the complete file. For Example ...
129 seconds to decompress complete file.
Decompressing L.DATA
Decompressing BLOG etc.....
Now all you have to do is wait.
When the computer has finished un-packing all the files it will print
the message 'Transfer successful' if all went well. It will then ask
you if you wish to exit. Reply N or Y then <Return> to this.
Examine file
------------
This option lets you see what files are inside a compressed file.
Enter the filename, and the files and file addresses will be listed.
Errors
------
When an error message is encountered the computer will first close down
all open files and then return to the menu prompt.
Probable errors
---------------
Bad drive - You entered a number for a non existent drive.
Disc full - There is not enough space for the compressing or
decompressing of data.
Disc read only - Take the write protect tab off and retry.
File not found - Check spelling & Current Directory.
Catalog full - You have tried to exceed the DFS' 31 file limit.
Bad filename - Check Spelling - catalogue your disc if neccessary.
General notes
-------------
It is possible to nest compressed files inside each other. ie.
Compres1 ---:
: - Compres6 ---:
Compres2 ---: :
: --- Compres8
Compres3 ---: :
: - Compres7 ---:
Compres4 ---:
But you will have to decompact each compressed file seperately.
The file transfer speed can be speeded quite a lot up by typing
*FX255,15,240 then pressing break and booting the program.
Andrew Black
ARCHIVE version 1.8 was fairly slow in compacting and decompacting.
Also, it forced you into specific options when you first ran the
program. I modified it to use OSGBPB to speed up the transfers by a
factor of about 10. I also added the menu front-end and the examine,
*command and exit options.
J.G.Harston
Please address any comments and ideas for future expansion of the
program to 2J3 c/o 8BS at the usual address. Our thanks go to
Andrew for providing such a useful utility. Also thanks to
J.G.Harston for making the program much more easy to use.