ZipQ For OS/2 PM

Version 0.50

By

Chris Barker

Compuserve ID: 72261,2312












Contents


1 QUICK START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 CUSTOMIZING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4 FUTURE PLANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 PROGRAMMING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6 KNOWN BUGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7 DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PROGRAM . . . . . . . . 5









































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ZipQ for OS/2 PM Documentation 5/25/91 Page 2



ZipQ is an OS/2 Presentation Manager program designed to
facilitate access to files compressed using the PKZIP utilities
developed by Phil Katz.

ZipQ allows you to view a list of files compressed in a Zip file
and to selectively extract and perform various operations on
these files.

To make complete use of ZipQ, you should have a copy of PKUNZIP
for OS/2 located somewhere along your PATH statement. If you do
not have PKUNZIP you will only be able to view the contents of a
zipped file with ZipQ.

=================================================================


1 QUICK START


To run ZipQ from an OS/2 window prompt you would type:

zipq [file name]

The filename parameter is optional. If a valid zipped file name
is passed to ZipQ it will automatically read the file's directory
structure and display its contents in a scrollable listbox. If
no name is passed, then ZipQ will install itself on the OS/2
Desktop as an icon.

You may also use the PM File Manager and form an association
between '*.ZIP' files and ZipQ. Doing so, will allow you double
click on a Zip file in the File Manager and have ZipQ
automatically invoked with the listing of the file chosen.

Once a file has been listed by ZipQ, you may perform several
actions to perform.

The most direct action is to double click with the mouse pointer
on a file name displayed in the list box. This action will cause
ZipQ to unzip that file from the zipped file and then invoke a
file viewing utility to view the contents of the just unzipped
file.


ZipQ for OS/2 PM Documentation 5/25/91 Page 3



=================================================================


2 CUSTOMIZING


You may specify your own choices for file viewers and editors by
accessing the Options|Settings menu and typing in your favorite
editor and viewer. If your program is already in your search path
you can just enter the program name and its extension (usually,
.EXE). The program must be an OS/2 program but can be either a
text or PM application. Alternately, you may specify a complete
file name including it's path. While we are discussing settings,
you may specify the directory you wish ZipQ to use when it
extracts files. This should be a directory that does not contain
files you mind getting overwritten since ZipQ invokes the -O (for
overwrite file if found) option for all of its extract routines.
The default values for the settings are as follows:

Extract Directory C:\TEMP

Default Editor E.EXE

Default Viewer PMVIEW.EXE

After making your changes, you may save them to disk by checking
the Save Changes checkbox, which is checked by default, and
clicking the Ok button. The changes will then be saved to your
OS2.INI file. Each time ZipQ is started it will consult OS2.INI
for the settings that have been saved. If you wish to make
temporary changes, just uncheck the Save Options check box and
click on Ok. Any changes made in this mode will only last for the
current ZipQ session.

ZipQ makes use of the threading capabilities of OS/2 when it
reads the contents of a Zip file. You will notice that control is
immediately returned to you as soon as you select a file from the
File|Open dialog box. Ordinarily, because many Zip files only
contain a few files, the list box will be filled almost
instantaneously. But, when you access Zip files with hundreds of
files or Zip files on a floppy disk, you will appreciate
regaining control of the desktop while the ZipQ worker thread
quietly works in the background. This allows you to work with
other programs while ZipQ reads the zipped file. Currently, you
can only access one Zip file at a time, since ZipQ is only an SDI
(single document interface) application. With a little luck, this
will change in future releases as I learn how to create an MDI
(multiple document interface) application.


ZipQ for OS/2 PM Documentation 5/25/91 Page 4



=================================================================


3 HISTORY


05-25-91 Premier edition of ZipQ version 0.50 released.

=================================================================


4 FUTURE PLANS


It should be apparent that this is just a skeleton of what I hope
to achieve in the future. Some ideas I am working on for ZipQ
include:

1. Turning ZipQ into an MDI application with OS/2 1.3 drag
and drop capabilities between windows and other
applications.

2. Better incorporation of PKUNZIP processing and detaching
of extraction processes.

3. Automatic invocation of OS/2 applications upon file
extraction based on association settings in user's OS2.INI
file.

4. Zip file disk search utility.

5. Display all information about zipped files (e.g. dates,
size, etc.)

6. Possible accommodation of other file compression formats.
Most likely LHARC.

7. Addition of on-line Help.

=================================================================


5 PROGRAMMING NOTES


ZipQ was written entirely in Modula-2 using JPI's Modula-2 for
OS/2 version 2 release 1.06. Those interested in examining code
for OS/2 PM written with Modula-2, should look for my archive of
source code examples called PM-M2x.ZIP on your favorite BBS or on
Compuserve.


ZipQ for OS/2 PM Documentation 5/25/91 Page 5



=================================================================


6 KNOWN BUGS


1. When the client window is resized and the number of files
in the directory of a zip file are not enough to
completely fill the list box, the scrollbar is not
redrawn. Resizing or clicking where the scrollbar should
be will reinstate the scrollbar. I'm probably not handling
a paint message correctly?

2. No error checking is done by ZipQ if you do not have a
disk in a floppy drive. Put a disk in the selected drive
and select retry when you get an error message.

=================================================================


7 DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PROGRAM


In the interest of promoting the use and popularity of OS/2 I am
asking people to copy this program freely. Even so, this is not
public domain software and I own the copyrights to this material.
In the spirit of the free exchange of computing information, and
as a tribute to such "freeware" pioneers as Vernon Buerg, I
simply ask that you abide by the following guidelines:

This document and the ZIPQ.EXE file comprise the ZIPQ
program ("software"). This software is copyrighted material
and is subject to limitations by the copyright holder ("author")
as to its use and distribution.

You may use the software; make copies of the software; give
copies to anyone; and distribute it via electronic means. There
is no charge for this software, but you must include a copy of
this document with any copies that you make.

You are specifically prohibited from charging or requesting
donations for any copies; from modifying the software; from
distributing the software with commercial products without prior
written permission; and from distributing this software, either
alone or with other material, and charging any fee. There are
no exceptions.

There is no warranty of any kind given. The author is not
liable for damages of any kind. By using this free software,
you agree to this.

If you are using ZIPQ and find it of value, your gift in any
amount ($15 suggested) will be greatly appreciated. Please make
checks payable in U.S. dollars to Christopher T. Barker.


ZipQ for OS/2 PM Documentation 5/25/91 Page 6



The software and documentation are:

Copyright (C) 1991 by Christopher T. Barker

10809 Melvin Grove Ct.
Kensington, MD 20895
U.S.A.

I may also be reached electronically at the following locations:

Compuserve ID: 72261,2312

The Fidonet OS/2 conference

Pete Norloff's OS/2 Shareware BBS - (703) 385-4325

Programmer's Corner - (301) 596-1180

CPCUG Mix (OS/2 - Window Sig) BBS - (301) 738-9060

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Enjoy!