DEBUGSCR
Command

Michael Mefford November 28, 1989 (Utilities)


Purpose: To convert binary files into ordinary ASCII text files, which can be
transmitted over MCI Mail and similar services, and reconverted to the
ir original binary form using the DOS DEBUG command.

Format:DEBUGSCR filespec [/N]
DEBUG < filename

Remarks: Use the first command shown above to create a DEBUGSCR script file
from a binary file (.COM, .EXE, .WK1, etc.) named in the filespec.
An alternate drive and/or path may be specified. The script file is
automatically given an .SCR extension and is placed in the same
directory as the original file. The script file consists of an ASCII
hex representation of the original binary values, together with the
commands DEBUG needs to recreate the original file. The script file
ends with appropriate instructions to the recipient. These
instructions are ignored by DEBUG and can be suppressed altogether
by using the optional /N switch.

The .SCR file can be edited with a word processor before transmission
to append additional information, such as how to use the utility being
sent. The .SCR file must then be resaved in pure ASCII form.
Similarly, before he reconverts the .SCR file with DEBUG.COM, the
recipient must edit out any header prefixed to the file by the
communications service (for example, the TO: heading added by MCI).
After resaving in ASCII, the recipient simply uses the second command
line shown above, supplying the desired final filename.

DEBUGSCR.BAS will automatically create DEBUGSCR.COM when run once in
BASIC. To assemble the program from its source code listing requires
use of a macro assembler (IBM or Microsoft, Version 2 or later) and the
following commands:

MASM DEBUGSCR;
LINK DEBUGSCR;
EXE2BIN DEBUGSCR DEBUGSCR.COM;


Note: DEBUGSCR will not work with files over 60K.

DEBUG.COM will not write a filename with an .EXE extension to disk.
DEBUGSCR therefore strips this extension and appends a warning to the
recipient that after using DEBUG he must rename the file to include its
proper .EXE extension.