Category : Batch File Utilities - mostly for DOS
Archive   : TIBFU101.ZIP
Filename : TIMEDASK.DOC

TimedAsk - Version 1.01 Copyright (C) 1987 HUMBLEWARE Custom Programming
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TimedAsk is a Timed Interactive Batch File Utility that allows you to control
the execution of batch files by branching to various labels within a batch
file based upon keyboard input.

*OR*

Here comes the good part! TimedAsk will execute a particular batch file label
if a specified number of seconds have elapsed without keyboard input.

With TimedAsk you can write a batch file that will let you manually select the
configuration of your computer system by making menu choices or take a default
selection if you have not made a choice within nn seconds.

Usage: A>TIMEDASK NN,C,ABCD...
À´ ³ ÀÁÁÁÄ Acceptable key-press list
³ ÀÄ Default key-press at time-out
ÀÄ Number of seconds before time-out

Where: NN = Number of seconds to wait before time-out. The number of seconds
before time-out will usually range anywhere from 5 to 60 depending
upon your particular application.

C = Default key-press at time-out. The default key-press at time-out
must be one of the keys found in the acceptable key-press list.

ABCD = Acceptable key-press list. TimedAsk will terminate only when one
of the listed keys are pressed *OR* at the expiration of nn
seconds. The acceptable key-press list can contain any printable
ASCII character, alphabetic, numeric, punctuation, etc. The number
of characters in the key-press list is limited only by the length
of the DOS command line.

Example: A>TIMEDASK 30,G,WPGQSB...
³³³³³ÀÄ B = 6th character = ERRORLEVEL 6
³³³³ÀÄ S = 5th character = ERRORLEVEL 5
³³³ÀÄ Q = 4th character = ERRORLEVEL 4
³³ÀÄ G = 3rd character = ERRORLEVEL 3
³ÀÄ P = 2nd character = ERRORLEVEL 2
ÀÄ W = 1st character = ERRORLEVEL 1

Each character in the acceptable key-press list "WPGQSB" returns
an ERRORLEVEL to DOS based upon its position in the key-press list.


A>TIMEDASK 30,G,WPGQSB...
ÀÄ G = 3rd character in key-press list = ERRORLEVEL 3

The default key-press "G" returns an ERRORLEVEL 3 to DOS because it
is the 3rd character in the acceptable key-press list.


A>TIMEDASK 30,G,WPGQSB...
ÀÁÄ 30 = Number of seconds before time-out

TimedAsk will wait "30" seconds for an acceptable character to be
received from the keyboard before timing out.

If a character in the acceptable key-press list is received within
30 seconds, TimedAsk will return an ERRORLEVEL to DOS based upon
that characters position in the acceptable key-press list.

If a character in the acceptable key-press list is not received
within 30 seconds, TimedAsk will return an ERRORLEVEL 3 to DOS
because "G" (the default key-press) is the 3rd character in the
acceptable key-press list.


For an example of how to use TimedAsk run the included batch file DEMO.BAT
and modify it to suit your specific needs.

Files included in TIBFU101.ARC:

TIMEDASK.DOC 'this document
TIMEDASK.EXE 'TimedAsk program
DEMO.BAT 'a demonstration batch file

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TimedAsk is released to the public and may be used and distributed freely.

Since TimedAsk is a "freebie" the user assumes no responsibility towards the
author in terms of compensation, monetary or otherwise and the author assumes
no responsibility towards the user for any use or mis-use of TimedAsk.



Best wishes, L.A.Westhaver

HUMBLEWARE Custom Programming
247 Paul Martin Drive
Baltimore, MD 21227
Voice: (301) 799-1975
Data: (301) 799-8564