The FUNCTION command enables the use of eighteen of the function keys that
PC-DOS doesn't use. The important difference between this and other keyboard
definers (such as ANSI.SYS), is that this one only intercepts function keys
during 'command line input' (DOS function 0xA). The result is that editors and
other programs which look for function keys as single keystrokes don't get the
new definition instead. To invoke, type:

FUNCTION

The FUNCTION handler will identify itself and return to the command line
prompt. The function keys now perform as follows:


F7 Recalls the most recent 8 command lines (including any
lines supplied by function keys) in reverse order. The most
recent line is recalled first.

F6
F8 - F10
ALT F1 - F10 These keys become user-definable, single keystroke
commands. The definitions are assigned using
the KEY utility:

KEY fkey text

In this command line, 'fkey' is '6', '8', '9', '0' or 'A1' - 'A0'
depending on which function key is to be defined, and 'text' is any
normally accepted command line (limit 128 characters). For example:

KEY 0 DIR A:

Would cause the directory for drive A to be displayed upon pressing F10.

KEY Displays the current settings of all function keys.

Home Clear the screen and home the cursor.
PgUp Sound the bell. (Useful for announcing program completion)
PgDn Display the time.
End Send form feed to LPT1:

To install, rename the files FUNC????.COM and KEY????.COM which corresponds
to your version of DOS to FUNCTION.COM and KEY.COM.

FILES: FUNC11.COM FUNCTION for PC-DOS 1.1
FUNC21.COM FUNCTION for PC-DOS 2.1
FUNC3.COM FUNCTION for PC-DOS 3.0 *
FUNCM211.COM FUNCTION for MS-DOS 2.11 **

KEY11.COM KEY for PC-DOS 1.1
KEY21.COM KEY for PC-DOS 2.1
KEY3.COM KEY for PC-DOS 3.0 *
KEYM211.COM KEY for MS-DOS 2.11 **

* Not yet tested on PC-AT
** Only tested on the Columbia MPC.











To use FUNCTION with SIDEKICK:

1) FUNCTION must be loaded before SIDEKICK.
2) Make the following patch

A>DEBUG KEY.COM
-E 105 A2
-W
Writing 02E9 bytes
-Q
A>



These programs are provided at no charge to the user. Please feel free to
share them with your friends. The essence of 'user-supported' software is
provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices
(or ANY price if you choose). If you find this program useful, a
contribution would be greatly appreciated. ($10 suggested)

Jim Weisz
J & C Computer Services
P.O. Box 1356
Lombard, Il. 60148




If you need a version to run on a different machine (MS-DOS only, please!),
send me a diskette (and a prepaid return mailer) with the following
information on it.

1) Format the diskette using the /S option.
2) Use DEBUG to create an image of DOS while it's running as follows:

A>DEBUG
-RCX
CX 0000
:8000
-N DOS.BIN
-W 0:0
Writing 8000 bytes
-Q

I'll get the disk with the new version back to you ASAP.