Category : BASIC Source Code
Archive   : CONTRL30.ZIP
Filename : CONTROL.DOC

QBCC 3.0
Quickbasic Control Center 3.0 (c) 1993 by Levi Page, All rights reserved.


Disclaimer:
Levi Page, makes no warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to this software and
accompanying documentation.

IN NO EVENT SHALL LEVI PAGE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES
TO PROGRAM, SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, OR ANY OTHER LOSS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM USE
OF THIS PROGRAM) EVEN IF LEVI PAGE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.




Distribution:
Note: No fee larger than $3.00 may be charged to copy this program or
distribute it, this includes the disk with QBCC 3.0.

This program is being distributed as shareware, You are free to copy and
distribute this program as long as this file accompanies it, if you try the
program and use it, you MUST register your copy. In addition to rewarding me

for my work and relieving you conscience, registration provides the following
benefits:

1. The current registered version on disk, registered to your name

2. Free Updates - You will receive free updates through the mail as they
become available.

3. The opening screen removed

4. You get to see you name instead of UNREGISTERED on the QBCC Screen

5. You relieve your conscience and show how honest you are!!!


Registration is simple. Just send $10 to the address listed and a copy of
CONTROL.FRM and you will receive the lastest REGISTERED copy of this program.

Background:
Everytime I write programs, I find myself concentrating and straining my
eyes to find out where I'm at on the screen. My code was to cluttered up and I
realized that I should write a program that make Quickbasic Code easier to
read. So I did, and here you have it. I also come accross something about how
comments take up space. I decided to add a function to remove comments along
with a function to remove REM statements, all with a menu driven interface.
And here you have the finished product: QBCC 3.0 (c) by Levi Page, and that's
not all, it has built in DOS Functions. See for yourself and if you see it's
the program for you then please register today. I have spent many, many hours
writing, debuging, adding, ect. Just about all my spare time. So please reward
me and register today...


Operation:
Using QBCC 3.0 is simple. First of all just type CONTROL. You will find
with an opening screen giving you information or registration and the program
itself. Once you register this screen will be removed. In no way is QBCC 3.0
crippled. It is a full blown version. The only difference is that it is
shareware, and it has an opening screen. I am depending on YOU to be honest
and if you use this program then PLEASE register. Your registration will go
towards helping this project continue and letting me rely on honesty instead
of crippling my programs. The shareware concept is, a man's work is worth a
man's pay. You may try QBCC 3.0, and if you use it the you MUST register, or
discontinue use. Now on we go: To load a program into the control center just
select Load Program with the menu bar. It will load your specified program and
you may now: Format, Backup, Remove Comments, or Remove REM Statements. You
cannot format a program ect. without first loading it. Note: The program name
must end with a .BAS extension or QBCC will refuse to load it. To format a
program just select Format with the menu bar. Dont worry this is a
non-destructive process. But, make a backup just in case.

Dos Commands - By selecting this you will be shown a menu with options such
as, Delete file, backup load file, change directory ect. These options are
self explanitory and easy to use. It is recommended that you use the backup
function on your load file just in case something happens. It has tested fine
on my machine and a friends, but YOU NEVER KNOW, so be careful, always back
up. Most commands are self explanitory. If anyone needs any help then call
407-889-4955. Just ask for Levi Page.

Detailed Operation:
How to get started: First of all you must decide which program you want
operate on. This file must end with .BAS or .INC to
be able to load it into the control center. To load
your desired file just move the highlighter by
pressing the arrow keys on your keyboard. Highlight
"Load a File" and press . You will be prompted
for the name of the file that you would like to load.
Enter your desired file to load and press .
You will be directed to the Main Menu. Now you must
decide what you want to do to your desired file. If
you wish to format the program then select "Format
Load File" with the hightlighter bar. But, before you
do this you should backup you program just in case
you are not happy with the way that QBCC 3.0 formats
your program. The can be done by moving the
highlighter bar to "DOS Commands" and press .
Once this has been done you will be shown a DOS
Commands menu. Move the highlighter bar down to
"Backup Program" and press . QBCC 3.0 will
make a backup of your load file by taking the file
name without the extention, and adding a
.BAK extension to the desired load file name, and
storing the load file contents in the .BAK file.
After this is completed move the highlighter bar to
"Quit to Main Menu" and press . You will be
returned to the main menu. Now you can select "Format
Load FIle". You will be asked to press a key to
continue, or asked if you would like to cancel. If
you wish to cancel then just press the ESC key on you
keyboard. If you press ESC you will be returned to
the main menu, otherwise the formatting process will
begin. How long the process will take depends on the
speed of your computer and the size of the file. Once
the formatting process has finished you will be
returned to the main menu. The process is complete.
When you load the file into your editor you will
notice that it is easier to read. QBCC 3.0 does this
by using special spacing in your programming code.
This spacing is specified by the user before the
formatting process begins. After you select "Format
Program" from the main menu will be asked to press a
key to continue or ESC to cancel. If you decide to
continue you will be asked to specify the tab spacer
size. The default is 4.

Questions and Answers:
Q: What is the Tab Spacer?
A: It is the size of the space that is used to print before each line and
to use when in a loop such as FOR, WHILE, ECT. So if you specify 8 then
the space that is used will look like this ( ) without the
brackets. Since QBCC 2.9 can be run on the same program with a different
tab space very easily and as many times as you want, it would be
suggested that you try different tab spaces to see what suites you best.
I would recomments 4-8.

Q: Is there any way I can test QBCC before I run it on my program?
A: Well certainly, just type CONTROL TESTME.BAS from the DOS Prompt and the
test me file will be automaticaly loaded into the control center. Now
just select, Format Program, with the highlight bar and press .
You will be asked to select the tab spacer. This will determine the
spacing that the program uses. Just press for the default and the
process will begin. You will be given a the total line amount for the
program and the current line as the program progresses, as well as the
percentage of the program that has been formatted so far.

Q: How is QBCC better than the competitors?
A: Well let's compare QBFORMT for QBCC.

Menu Driven Interface:
QBFORMT: NO
QBCC : YES

Ability to reconize multiple commands on program statements:
QBFORMT: NO
QBCC : YES

Backup, Print, Database, Features:
QBFORMT: NO / NO / NO
QBCC : YES / YES / YES

DOS Functions:
QBFORMT: NO
QBCC : YES

Cost:
QBFORMT: $10.00
QBCC : $10.00

Q: Why is the ability to reconize multiple commands important?
A: This is another reason QBCC is better than the rest. Heres an example...


START:
FOR X=1 TO 10
PRINT X
PRINT X-1
PRINT X+1:NEXT X ' Notice how this line ends the loop with two commands.
PRINT "THIS DEMO IS OVER"
PRINT "PRESS ANYKEY TO CONTINUE..."
WHILE INKEY$=""
PRINT ".";:WEND
PRINT "BYE, BYE...":END

The competitor puts this:
START:
FOR X=1 to 10
PRINT X
PRINT X-1
PRINT X+1:NEXT X ' IT DID NOT RECONIZE THIS STATEMENT
PRINT "THIS DEMO IS OVER"
PRINT "PRESS ANKEY TO CONTINUE..."
WHILE INKEY$=""
PRINT ".";:WEND ' IT DID NOT RECONIZE THE WEND STATEMENT
PRINT "BYE, BYE...":END

QBCC Puts:

START:
FOR X=1 TO 10
PRINT X
PRINT X-1
PRINT X+1:NEXT X ' IT RECONIZES IT
PRINT "THIS DEMO IS OVER"
PRINT "PRESS ANYKEY TO CONTINUE..."
WHILE INKEY$=""
PRINT ".";:WEND
PRINT "BYE, BYE...":END

It is especially important to be able to do this, because after going
through a full progrom with multiple command loops, the competitor could
have your program leaving the screen. QBCC does not.


Database:
The new database feature allows you to keep a database of your current
ten projects to allow you to access them quickly without changing directorys
or entering the name. To add a record just go to the database menu and select
option "A" it will ask you for the directory and the name of the file. Once
this is done just enter 0-9 for the record to save to. Once this is done the
file can be easily loaded by pressing 0-9 on your keyboard, depending on which
file you are trying to load. The commands are self explanitory and easy to
use. Try it out for your self, you won't be disappointed...

New in Version 1.1:
Minor Changes to Sreeens

New in Version 1.2:
You may now PRINT the load file to the printer.

New in Version 2.0:
Major Upgrade!!! You may now keep an extensive database of your
Quickbasic files. You may keep a database of up to 10 .BAS programs. It allows
you to easily load one of the nine files without typing the directory of the
name of the file. Once the file is stored it may be easily accessed with the
press of a key. Or you can just load it without the database from the main
menu. The database is a real time saver, and it makes a great tool to maintain
your current ten projects. Or if you just want to load a certain file then
goto the main menu and select "Load a File", with the menu bar and press
enter. The database is easy to use and maintain. It gives you quick access to
your current 10 projects. You may add, erase, ect. to the database very quickly
and easily.

New in Version 2.1:
Added database functions.

New in Version 2.2:
Minor changes to screens and a minor bug fix in the database menu when
loading load file number 6.

New in Version 2.5: Added the ability to reconize tabs in program code.
Technically this was a major upgrade considering the
program would not work properly when it came accross tabs
in the program code.

New in Version 2.7: Fixed bug with the backup option. Added support for nested
loops and multiple command lines.

New in Version 2.9: Command Line Support and the ability to specify the tab
spacer size.

New in Version 3.0: Improved formatter. Added status screen for the formatter.
It now gives you the total line amount for the program,
current line, and percentage completed. Improved
documentation. Added the ability to load a file into the
control center from the DOS prompt. Major speed
improvement. Using tricks of the trade, QBCC now has
blazing speed. QBCC is now almost 700% faster.

Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank Steve Page, and no he is not related to me, of
Speakeasy BBS (407) 291 - 4626, over 2.1 Gigs Online, for helping me test
this program. Thanks STEVE, I really appreciate all of your help... I
would also like to thank Dale Couch for testing my program for me.


Current Version:
The current version will always be available on the Speakeasy BBS.
The phone number is (407) 291 - 4626. I will be starting my own bbs soon,
so stayed tuned to the Quickbasic Confernece for details. I will post a
message as soon as I finish setting it up.


Errors:

Printer Errors - These errors occur if your printer is not on-line,
out-of-paper or other misc. errors that may occur while printing. If one
occurs you will get a printer error and you will be asked to fix the
problem and try again.

File Errors - If a file has not been loaded into the Control Center then
you cannot do anything to it. The only way to interface with a file is to
load it first.

Invalid Extension - You will get an error if you try to load a non -
Basic file. Meaning the file you load must end with a .BAS extension.

Shell Errors - In order to complete certain operations, QBCC 2.7 must be
able to access certain functions. It is recommended that you have a
SET COMSPEC=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM ' or the directory containing COMMAND.COM.
If COMMAND.COM cannot be found then your load file will be stored in
NEWFILE.BAS. There is no way around this so make sure your COMMAND.COM
file can be found and always use the backup function at the DOS menu.


Fee:
Quickbasic Control Center 3.0 is Shareware and it is not free, so if you
decide to use it then you must pay a fee of $10.00. This includes
shipping so $10.00 is all you need to pay. If you would like to purchase
QBCC 2.5, then fill out CONTROL.FRM and send it to the below address.

Commercial Site License:
The commercial fee for Quickbasic Control Center 3.0 is $30.00, this will
allow you to use Quickbasic Control Center 3.0 on four(4) Computers at a
time. CONTROL.FRM contains information that you must abide by and then
you must sign you name at the end of the form where it asks for you
signature.

Note:
The name that you register with is the name that will be displayed on the
program screen.


Note: Call 407-889-4955 for information



Levi Page
RE: QBCC 3.0 Registration
210 Caldwell St.
Apopka, Fl. 32712


Need Anything? Call 407-889-4955