BACKUP for OS/2

Version 1.00




GENERAL


BACKUP makes fast, intelligent file backups for machines running the OS/2
operating system. File backups are disaster insurance for your computer.

BACKUP copies up only files which don't exist on the target drive, or
whose date-time stamps are later than those of existing target files. (A
date-time stamp tells when a file was created or last changed; it appears in
directory listings.) BACKUP does not use or change file archive bits (unless
you use the /A option).

Regular, frequent file backups are your insurance policy. They are
essential to protect the integrity of your data, especially if you have a hard
disk. Backups protect against the inevitable disk crash, and against
malicious software that tries to destroy your files (e.g., computer viruses
and so called "Trojan horses"). A single computer virus, for example, could
bankrupt a business by destroying vital customer or financial records. Even
in a home environment, you might have to spend hours or days reloading
software and data files after a virus attack or a hard disk crash. BACKUP can
help protect against these disasters. To run BACKUP, enter:


BU source[...] [target] [/A] [/G[C]] [/Vdrive:label...]


Brackets ([]) indicate optional items. Ellipses (...) indicate items you
can repeat. Arguments can be upper or lower case. Separate arguments with
tabs or spaces.

'Source' specifies the files to back up. You can use standard wild card
characters (? and *), & you can give multiple sources if desired.

'Target' is destination for the backed up files. If given, it must be a
drive or directory (no wild card characters). The default is the current
directory on the default drive. If you give more than one source file
specification, you MUST list a target, so BACKUP can distinguish between
source & destination files.

/A clears the archive flag on backed up files. OS/2 sets the archive flag
whenever a file changes.

/G (stands for "globally") performs the same backup operation in every
directory on the default drive. To back up only in the current &
subordinate directories, use /GC. Don't use /G when the default drive is
the target, or you may copy files into every directory on the default
drive (unless, of course, that's what you want).

/V makes BACKUP check disk volume labels before copying. A volume label
is the disk name that appears when you give a DIR or VOL command. OS/2
can put a volume label on a disk when you format it, or when you give the
LABEL command. Follow the /V with a drive letter & colon, then the volume
label itself. If the volume label contains spaces or tabs, enclose the
entire label & /V in double quotes.


If you enter BU with no arguments, the program shows instructions on the
correct usage syntax.

BACKUP squeezes the maximum possible number of files onto the target disk.
If there isn't enough room on the target, some files may not be copied, but
BACKUP will continue, trying to find smaller files that WILL fit.

As BACKUP runs, it shows the files it's processing & whether or not it
backed them up. To abort the program while it's running, press ^C or ^Break
(hold down Ctrl & press C or Break).


EXAMPLES


Example 1

BU *.C D: /G

This command backs up all files in the current directory with an extension of
'C' to drive D:
______________________________________________________________________________

Example 2

BU *.C B: /GC /VB:UTILS

backs up all files in the current & subordinate directories with an extension
of 'C' to drive B:. BACKUP checks to see that the disk in drive B: has a
volume label of 'UTILS.'


______________________________________________________________________________

Example 3

BU A:*.C A:*.H . "/VA:DEMO PROG"

backs up files from the current directory on drive A: with extensions of 'C'
or 'H', or a root name of 'SAMPLE.' BACKUP checks to see that the disk in
drive A: has a volume label of 'DEMO PROG.' It puts the copied files into the
current directory on the default drive.


WHAT'S IN THIS PACKAGE


This package consists of the following files:

BU.EXE The BACKUP program itself
BU.DOC Program documentation
REGISTER.DOC Form to register your copy of the program
CATALOG.DOC Information on other software available


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS


This program requires the OS/2 operating system, version 1.0 or later. It
does not require the OS/2 Presentation Manager (PM), though you can run it in
a PM text window.


MESSAGES


In the following messages, "source" is the file you're copying FROM, &
target is the file (or drive) you're copying TO.


Aborted as requested. You pressed ^C or ^Break, so BACKUP stopped. Some,
none, or all of the specified files may have been copied to the target drive.

Copied to XXXX. File was successfully backed up.

Couldn't open source. Another program is probably using the file at this
time. Try again later.

Couldn't open target. Either the target disk has too many files on it,
another program is using the file at this time, or something's wrong with the
disk. Try again later.

Couldn't read source. Another program is using the file at this time, or
something's wrong with your disk. Try again later.

Couldn't write target. Another program is using the file at this time, or

something's wrong with your disk. Try again later.

No more search directories. Other programs are current using all of OS/2's
file search resources. Try terminating some of the other programs or wait
until they finish.

Not enough room. There's still space on the target drive, but not enough for
the file in question. The program will continue in case there are smaller
files that will fit in the available space.

Not enough memory. Try terminating some other programs or device drivers.

Put disk with volume label XXXX in drive X. Put the requested disk in the
drive. If you get this message even with the correct disk, abort with ^C &
check to see that you used the correct volume label with /V. Make sure you
typed it exactly as it appears on the disk, including embedded spaces.

Target full. You can't back up anything else until you delete some files from
the target drive (or use a different target disk).

Target is read only. If you have my ATTRIBUTION program, use it to clear the
target file's flags so BACKUP can update it. Otherwise, see your local
computer expert for a utility program that will do this.

Target still current. The target file's date-time stamp is the same as or
later than the source file's, so BACKUP didn't need to copy it.

This program cannot be run in DOS mode. Either you're using the MS-DOS or PC-
DOS operating system, or you're in OS/2's DOS compatibility box. You must run
BACKUP under OS/2 & you may not be in the DOS compatibility box.

Volume label incomplete. You used /V, but it was missing the drive letter
and/or colon.


EXIT CODES


BACKUP reports the following exit codes. You can query these with the
ERRORLEVEL function in OS/2 batch files.

0 Operator aborted
1 No files were backed up (either there were none to do or an error
occurred)
2 Some, but not all, files were backed up
3 All files were backed up successfully


REVISION HISTORY


1.00 Original version


CREDITS


BACKUP was written in C by Richard W. Adams. It is copyright 1990 by the
author, all rights reserved. Portions of the program are copyright Microsoft
Corporation, 1988.


PERMISSION TO COPY


You may copy & distribute BACKUP freely if you:

Include all files comprising this package
Do not change these files in any way
Charge no fee other than a nominal one to cover distribution costs
Do not distribute the program for commercial purposes without the
written permission of the author

You may post BACKUP on an electronic bulletin board or other computer
system for downloading, even if you charge a fee for using the system, as long
as you don't charge for downloading BACKUP. However, you must include all
constituent files in a single downloadable file (e.g., a compressed format).


REGISTRATION


The author has provided this copy of the program for your evaluation under
the "shareware" concept. The idea behind shareware is "try before you buy."
If you decide not to use the program, you pay nothing.

If you use BACKUP for more than 30 days, you must register your copy,
which gives you a perpetual license to use the product. Bulletin board
operators may post BACKUP on their boards indefinitely, without registering,
as long as they meet the conditions above. Site licenses at reduced unit cost
are available for commercial, government & other organizations.

To register, complete & submit the registration form. To print the
registration form, make sure your printer is turned on and ready, then enter
one of the following:


COPY REGISTER.DOC PRN (parallel printer)


COPY REGISTER.DOC COM1 (or COM2, or whatever, for serial printers)


If REGISTER.DOC is missing, send $15.00 (U.S.) for each copy you want to
register, to the author at the address below. If you are a Virginia resident,
add 4% sales tax. If you would instead prefer a disk with the latest version
of BACKUP, or would like a copy of the DOS version, see the file CATALOG.DOC
for an order form.

Not only is registration a legal requirement under United States &
international copyright laws, but registration fees give shareware authors the
means to develop new programs & improve old ones.

Finally, this software is provided "as is." There is no warranty,
implicit or otherwise. The author does not guarantee compatibility with your
system & is not responsible for any damages incurred by use of this software.

By using this software, you agree to the above terms. Please send any
comments, registration fees, and bug reports to:


Richard W. Adams
104 Willow Oaks Boulevard
Hampton, VA 23669-1528
U.S.A.


If you report a bug or make a suggestion which is fixed/incorporated in a
future version of the program, you are entitled to a free copy of that future
version.