AUTOPRCM.COM

Version 2.2 - December 27, 1986

Copyright (C) 1986 - John L. O'Boyle - All Rights Reserved

A routine to generate DOWNLOAD scripts (.CMD files) for ProComm*
version 2.4 and greater.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Changes, Version 2.2:

Add the optional "DELETE DOWNLOAD.CMD" parameter.

Change PC-Board script to reflect new files section prompt. (Huggins)
Shorten script. (Huggins)
Start script from "Main Board" Menu.

Fix "CR" bug in CompUServe script. (Gostl)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Changes, Version 2.1:

Accomodate The SOURCE IBMSIG Menu Change from "5" to "6".

Change PC-HOST script to Logoff from files Section.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

This program was developed after seeing a version originally written
by Keith Peterson. The one I saw had been modified for use with PIBTERM
and RBBS systems only. While RBBS is nice, it's not the ONLY Host System
in the world! I've included File Transfer Protocol and Host options for
several popular systems. If the routine is well-received, I'll continue to
update it as hosts systems (or ProComm) change.

FORWARD:

One of the nicest features of ProComm (this authors opinion only) is
it's CMD processor! CMD files contain, among other things, the keystrokes
you would normally have to enter manually for a given task. The ProComm
documentation covers this subject much more completely and elegantly, but
the "biggies" are the WAITFOR statement and the TRANSMIT statement. The
WAITFOR statement says.."wait until these characters are received from the
host". The TRANSMIT statement says.."send these characters to the host."
You can see where, with a little experimentation, you could build a file to
do just about anything you wanted, provided you KNEW what to expect from
the host.

CMD files can be built with any editor or word-processor. Many BBS
systems offer ProComm CMD file examples that will completely automate the
logon sequence for their particular system. These need only be downloaded
and modified for your individual use, ie; change the sample-name to YOUR
name, etc.

CMD files can be executed directly from the DOS command line when you
execute ProComm. (Again, please refer to the documentation that Tom and
Bruce provide.) Using this feature, it's possible to execute ONE DOS com-
mand which will invoke ProComm, execute a CMD file which will logon to a
given host, go directly to the iles section, download a list of the most
recent file additions, logoff the host system, disconnect the phone line,
print the downloaded list, and exit ProComm. (I do it all the time...and
by using the TEF program, I do it in the middle of the night when the rates
are lower!)

If you haven't yet discovered the CMD feature of ProComm, maybe AU-
TOPRCM will help you get started!

OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

This program may be run from WITHIN ProComm, to produce an immediate
".CMD" file for file transfers. I've substituted it's name for the Editor
option in my PROCOMM.PRM. While on-line to a system, the ALT-A key
sequence initiates the program. Of course it can be run stand-alone any-
time!

I suggest that users run the program a few times to become familiar
with the files produced. (AUTOPRCM produces ONE output file per run,
called "DOWNLOAD.CMD") The .CMD will be activated at different prompts
depending on the host system. Once you know what the FIRST command in the
file does, you'll only have to get to the requisite prompt on the host
system and trigger the .CMD file via ProComms' ALT-F5 key sequence.

It's recommended that .CMD files, created via AUTOPRCM, NOT be run in
an unattended mode! A misspelling of a file name and/or changes in host
prompts may cause the .CMD to WAIT on an unexpected prompt. If a .CMD file
hangs, the ESC key will return you to manual control.

It's also recommended that you have a copy of the host download direc-
tory handy when you create your .CMD file, or at least good clear notes if
you're running the program dynamically. Scan the host directories for the
files you want, make a list of those files, and USE the list when you are
running AUTOPRCM.


MINIMAL NOTES ON SUPPORTED HOSTS:

RBBS - Currently only provides Xmodem protocol. (ASCII was not included in
AUTOPRCM since most useful files are not stored in that form.) Since RBBS
allows the download command, the file name, and the protocol option to be
specified via a single string, (ie; "D;ANYFILE.BAS;X") the "DOWNLOAD.CMD"
file begins with this command.

IBBS - The above notes from RBBS apply here also.

Source IBMSIG - The DOWNLOAD.CMD begins from a MAIN SYSTEM PROMPT ">",
external to the IBMSIG!

PC-Board - The transfer protocol you use from a PC-Board system is con-
tained in your PC-Board user profile. Be certain that the one you choose
for AUTOPRCM matches that used in the PC-Board system you contact. This
.CMD starts from the "Main Board Command" prompt.

EXEC-PC - Download via Kermit, Xmodem and Ymodem. Expects to find prompts
generated by the epert Mode.

FIDO - Prompts and protocols for FIDO systems are in a state of flux.
AUTOPRCM supports Xmodem, Kermit, Telink, and Modem7. This .CMD starts
from the "Enter File Name" prompt.

PC-HOST- These systems do not use filenames for security reasons. Files
are selected via number from a directory list. AUTOPRCM will BEGIN with a
directory change command, and continue from there. For Kermit and Ymodem
Batch, only the Dir # and File # must be specified. For Xmodem amd Ymodem,
an additional file name is required.

CRC-16 verification will be always be utilized where available.

CAVEAT:

The various host system prompts that are produced in AUTOPRCM for the
WAITFOR command were accurate as of this release! I have NO control over
these prompts if they have been changed by a given Sysop for his or her
particular software. Should you discover that a system prompt has changed
(and it MUST be for the generic system, ie; ALL RBBS systems), I'll be
happy to modify the code if you let me know what's changed. Notes, sugges-
tions, or comments on AUTOPRCM can be left on the PConnecticut BBS (203)
521-1991 (1200/2400 only). The LATEST version of AUTOPRCM.COM can ALWAYS
be found on that system, the Datastorm Technologies System, and the
IBMSIG on The Source.

To change AUTOPRCM default values, see the section on Auto-patch.

BATCH MODE OPERATION:
AUTOPRCM batch-mode was the result of a (what I first thought was an
unusual) user request. I initially didn't see the advantage to be gained
in using .BAT files to do ALL the work. I now LIKE the idea of being able
to use a "list of new files" for example from RBBS, and just plug that file
into the AUTOPRCM.DAT file. Saves having to re-key (and possible mis-key)
the file names!

Basically...
AUTOPRCM LOOKS for a file named "AUTOPRCM.DAT". If it finds it, it
operates in "batch" or "semi-automatic" (discussed later) mode. In the
absence of AUTOPRCM.DAT, the program operates as originally designed.

The particulars are... You ALWAYS get Auto-logoff. You ALWAYS get
"DELETE DOWNLOAD.CMD". If the FIRST line of AUTOMENU.DAT is NOT a PAT-
HSPEC, the default is used. The SECOND line of AUTOPRCM.DAT (or the first
if the path is missing) MUST be a system name, Source, CServe, TComm,
etc. It's not case-sensitive, and only scans four characters, so you
don't even have to spell it all the way out.

The third line (or second..see above) is the Transfer Protocol. Same
thing here. Only scans four characters and either upper or lower case is
fine. Subsequent lines are file names. AUTOPRCM extracts to the FIRST
blank, so it's possible to leave the descriptions in the line if you
prefer. (I did that with the RBBS listing.) That's about it. There's
almost NO error checking. If a filespec length is bad, it STAYS that way.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC MODE:
Turns out that after the coding for the batch-mode was complete, I
ended up with a semi-automatic mode without doing any further work.

If AUTOPRCM.DAT exists, AUTOPRCM will look at it! Straight ASCII
file. Nothing special. The FIRST thing AUTOPRCM expects to see is a new
directory specification. As in..."G:\THISISIT\". Turns out though, that
if it's NOT there (as the first record of the file), AUTOPRCM will use the
hard-coded directory and NOT give you an opportunity to change it on the
fly! The SECOND line of AUTOPRCM.DAT (or the FIRST, if the path wasn't
specified) MUST be a host system name. Again, it can be mispelled to some
degree, since AUTOPRCM only checks three or four significant characters.
Any further lines will cause AUTOPRCM to operate in batch-mode.

Thereafter, AUTOPRCM operates in manual mode, but you've saved having
to enter the PATH and/or the host system name.


AUTO-PATCH:
Some defaults in AUTOPRCM can be changed via the auto-patch feature.
These changes will remain in effect until a subsequent auto-patch operation
is performed.

With NO AUTOPRCM.DAT file around, execute AUTOPRCM. WHILE the logo is
painting, hit the F1 key. You'll see another selection which allows you to
change the default path, optionally skip the path prompt in future execu-
tions, and decide if AUTOPRCM.DAT should be deleted during batch-mode
operation. AUTOPRCM will modify itself and exit. If you don't like the
way it works, do it over again! The only restriction is that AUTOPRCM MUST
be in the current directory.

That's it!

I'd like to take a minute here to thank two Mikes, Todd and Callahan
respectively, (of The Source IBMSIG) for their considerable input to, and
relentless testing of, this program. They provided both the support and
motivation necessary for me to finish it co-incidental with the release of
ProComm 2.4.

AUTOPRCM is distributed on the SHAREWARE concept and is NOT Public Domain
Code.
This program is copyright (C) 1986, by John L. O'Boyle. All
rights reserved. Non-registered users are granted a limited license to
use this product on a trial basis, and to copy the program for trial use
by others subject to the following limitations:

The program is distributed in unmodified form, complete with documentation.

No fee, charge or other consideration is requested or accepted.

If you intend to use AUTOPRCM on a regular basis, please register and
show your support for the author. Commercial, business or governmental
use by non-registered users is prohibited.

Registrations, and the associated $5.00 fee should be mailed to:

John L .O'Boyle PO Box 10596 West Hartford, CT 06110

Since this code is useless without PROCOMM, please be certain that you've
also supported THAT product via registration! If it gets to a choice
between me and them, please send THEM your money first!

The usual disclaimer applies to AUTOPRCM. NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED!


* ProComm is a trademark of Datastorm Technologies, Inc.


V2.4 Copyright 1985, 1986 Datastorm Technologies, Bruce Barkelew & Tom Smith

Datastorm Technologies, Inc. P.O. Box 1471 Columbia, MO 65205

ProComm support BBS (314) 449-9401 23 hrs per day, 4:00 - 3:00 am CST.