BATCALL.EXE DOCUMENTATION

Why use BATCALL?

One of the failures of DOS is that you cannot prompt a user for a
response from within a DOS batch file. Several programs have been
written that get a single key stroke response and return an error
level code, but until BATCALL none would return the input as a
string (complete word or words).

BATCALL usage.

Invoking the program without any arguments will produce the
following usage message.

Usage: BATCALL "" []

Prompt String

The prompt string must be enclosed in quotes. It should be the
message to the user asking for input. An example would be;
"Selection ? ". You may use a Ctrl J linefeed character as the first
character in the prompt string to space the prompt down one line
from the copyright message generated by the BATCALL program. (This
technique of course assumes your batch file editor can handle control
characters.)

The batch file will pause at the BATCALL statement until
the user hits the enter key, presumably after he responds to the
prompt. The "response" text will be passed to the called batch file
as an argument (%1). If the response contains more than one word,
separated by a space, then the responses will be passed to the
called batch file as %1 %2 %3.... etc.

Name of Batch File

The next argument should be the name of the batch file to be
called. Although BATCALL was specifically written to call batch
files it will call EXE and COM files also.

Extra Arguments

If needed you can supply extra arguments that need to be passed to
your program.

Support

Support is available by calling (301)258-9245 M-F 9-5 EST, or on
CompuServe; Jon Payne, 76576,2713; Adam Blum 72657,1773


MENU EXAMPLE
The following is an example to replace the typical batch file main
menu systems commonly used by novice users. An advantage to this
approach is the elimination of space-wasting batch files such as
1.bat, 2.bat...etc.

REM MENU.BAT BY JON PAYNE, (c) LOCKSOFT, INC. 1989
ECHO OFF
CLS
IF %1.==. GOTO DISPLAY
GOTO %1
:1
CD \123
123
CD\
MENU
:2
CD\WP50
WP
CD\
MENU
:3
CD\PCFILE
PCF
CD\
MENU
:4
MM
GOTO END
:DISPLAY
ECHO.
ECHO MAIN MENU
ECHO.
ECHO 1. RUN LOTUS 123
ECHO 2. RUN WORD PERFECT
ECHO 3. RUN PCFILE
ECHO 4. EXIT TO DOS
ECHO.
BATCALL "Selection ? " MENU.BAT
:END

SHAREWARE REGISTRATION FORM




______ BATCALL Gets a string response from within
a batch file program $10.00 _________

______ UNIQ Renames files to a unique name for
the target directory. $10.00 _________

* Registered versions do not display the "Shareware" or
"Copyright" message.

TOTAL _________

______ OTHER ____________________________________ QUOTE _________

Disk Size? (3.5 or 5.25) _______________ SHIPPING + $ 3.00
NEXT DAY SHIPPING + $12.00

TOTAL ORDER _________

Computer Brand name and model___________________________________

Your Name __________________ Company ___________________________

Street ________________________________________________________

City ___________________________ State _______ Zip __________

Day Phone (____)_____-_________ Eve Phone (____)____-_________

Checks require 2 weeks to clear. Credit card orders ship immediately.

VISA |_|_|_|_|-|_|_|_|_|-|_|_|_|_|-|_|_|_|_| EXP |_|_|/|_|_|

M/C |_|_|_|_|-|_|_|_|_|-|_|_|_|_|-|_|_|_|_| EXP |_|_|/|_|_|

Signature _____________________________________________________
Mail to: Locksoft Inc., 845-K Quince Orchard Blvd.
Gaithersburg, Md. 20878 1-800-LOCKSOFT (562-5763) (SALES ONLY)
(301)-258-9245 (SALES AND SUPPORT)

LICENSE AGREEMENT


BATCALL is shareware. It is NOT "Public Domain" and it is NOT
"Freeware". You must pay us for it if you use it beyond the 30
day evaluation period. BATCALL is a copyrighted software product
developed and owned by Locksoft, Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.

Locksoft, Inc., grants you the right to evaluate this software
free of charge for 30 days. If you continue to use the software
beyond 30 days you are obligated to register it whereupon you
will receive a registered version void of the shareware message
but with a unique serial number assigned to you.

You may feel free to distribute copies of the SHAREWARE VERSION
ONLY for the purpose of evaluation only. The recipient is also
obligated by these same terms. You may not distribute or copy
your registered version.

BATCALL must NOT be sold or otherwise provided as part of a
larger system, or as a part of a more inclusive product or
service, without obtaining a separate licensed copy from
Locksoft, Inc.