Category : Utilities for DOS and Windows Machines
Archive   : XTOOLS20.ZIP
Filename : XTOOLS.DOC

Expert Tools
Version 2.01
Documentation


Written by: Thomas B. Hardy
Copyright 1990 Expert Source Code, Inc.



SETTING UP EXPERT TOOLS

Before using Expert Tools, you must first do three things.

1) Move the Expert Tools files to a subdirectory. Suggest C:\XT
2) Run the included setup program SETUP.EXE
3) Adjust your AUTOEXEC.BAT

The following describes the proper steps:


NOTE:
You MUST create a default file in order for Expert Tools to run
correctly. All of the defaults are set in what is probably the
best positions for everyone, but the default file also serves as a
locator for the menu shell to locate the directory containing Expert
Tools.

Probably the only default you will need to set is the switch for
mono/color. To create a default file, simply type the following
commands at the DOS prompt.

CD\XT ( or path where Expert Tools was installed )
SETUP

You must now add or adjust two entries in your AUTOEXEC.BAT

Add the path C:\XT to your path. If no path exists, you must
create one that contains the path above.

Add the line SET XTOOLS=C:\XT\XTOOLS.CFG. This tells the
utilities where to look for the configuration file. This
way, you can execute any of the utilities from any other
directory and still use the defaults contained in
XTOOLS.CFG.


Remember: all options except exclude directory and exempt ( /E and /X )
will toggle off and on when used more than once per command. This
includes usage in the default file. Example: if you have set an
option in the default file such as question entry to each subdirectory
or monochrome ( Question=Yes and Mono=Yes ) and you also include these
switches on the command line, ( /Q and /M ) the net result will be
that question is off and monochrome is off.


COMMAND LINE OPTIONS

A : Execute the utility across all subsequent drives.
Command line: /A or A
Default file: /Alldrives=yes or Alldrives=no
Default : Off

E : Exclude a subdirectory from the actions of the utility
Command line: /E=C:\DOS
Default file: Exclude=C:\DOS
Default : Off

M : Monochrome
Command line: /M or M
Default file: Mono=yes or Mono=no
Default : Off

N : Non-stop
Command line: /N or N
Default file: Nonstop=yes or Nonstop=no
Default : Off

O : Override ReadOnly attribute
Command line /O or O
Default file: Override=yes or Override=no
Default : Off

P : Printout
Command line: /P or P
Default file: printout=yes or printout=no
Default : Off

Q : Query for permission to enter each subdirectory
Command line: /Q or Q
Default file: question=yes or question=no
Default : Off

R : Report
Command line: /R=Report.FIL or R=Report.Fil
Default file: report=Report.FIL
Default : Off

S : Subdirectory usage
Command line: /S or S
Default file: Subdirectories=yes or subdirectories=no
Default : ON <<<<<:NOTE

T : Transfer attributes ( XREP Only )
Command line: /T or T
Default file: Transfer=yes or Transfer=no
Default : Off

X : Turn off Excluded directories
Command Line: /X or X
Default file: Xmpt=yes
Default : Off


COMMAND SUMMARY

XASK.EXE - batch file ask utility

Usage : XASK "question" possible answers

Example : XASK "Install (P)rint spool or (R)am drive?" I,R

Result : Install (P)rint spool or (R)am drive(I,R)?

Errorlevel Codes: First option = 1
Second option = 2
Third option = 3
ect.

Sample batch file:

echo off
xask "(L)ow or (H)igh density" l,h
if errorlevel 2 goto high
format a: /n:9 /t:80
goto end
:high
format a:
:end

Note: When testing the errorlevel, you must test for the higher
number first. An errorlevel of 2 will give a result of true
when testing for errorlevel 1.



XDEL.EXE - global deletion utility

Usage : XDEL Path\Filename Options

Example : XDEL C:\*.BAK /R=C:\DEL.RPT

Result : Will delete all files matching *.bak in directory C:\ and all
subsequent subdirectories and create a file name DEL.RPT
containing a list of all files deleted.

Example : XDEL C:\*.BAK /P /E=C:\DOS /A

Result : Will delete all files matching *.bak in directory C:\ and all
subsequent subdirectories EXCEPT C:\DOS. All drives after C:
will also be searched. A path of '\' will be the starting path
on all drives searched INCLUDING C: even if another path is
specified. A list of all files deleted will be printed.




XDELBUT.EXE - delete all but... utility

Usage : XDELBUT Path\FileName Options

Example : XDELBUT D:\PASCAL\*.PAS /X

Result : Will delete all files in the directory D:\PASCAL EXCEPT those
matching *.PAS. If that directory was Excluded in the
defaults file, the Exclusion will be overriden by the /X
option and the operation will be performed;




XDIRRUN.EXE - lists of .BAT, .COM and .EXE files in directory

Usage : XDIRRUN Path\FileName Options

Example : XDIRRUN D:\PASCAL\*.PAS /P

Result : Will list all files in the directory D:\PASCAL that end with
the extensions .BAT, .COM, and .EXE. The listing will also be
printed.




XDUPS.EXE - finds duplicate files on a drive

Usage : XDUPS Drive: Options

Example : XDUPS D: /R=DUPS.RPT

Result : Will search all filed on drive C: and list files that occur in
more than one place. The duplicate listing will be written
out to the file: DUPS.RPT.




XFIND.EXE - find a file(s) anywhere on a drive

Usage : XFIND Path\FileName Options

Example : XFIND D:\ASSM\*.ASM /X

Result : Will Find all files in the directory D:\ASSM that match *.ASM.
If that directory was Excluded in the defaults file, the
Exclusion will be overriden by the /X option and the operation
will be performed;



XFLAG.EXE - change files ReadOnly and Hidden attributes

Usage : XFLAG Path\FileName Options

Example : XFLAG D:\PASCAL\*.PAS +R -H

Result : Will set all files in the directory D:\PASCAL that match *.PAS
to ReadOnly and not Hidden.




XGLOBAL.EXE - Execute any command in all directories

Usage : XGLOBAL "COMMAND" Options

Example : XGLOBAL "DIR" /P

Result : Will execute the DOS command DIR in the current directory and
all subsequent directories and print a list of all directories
that it enters.




XRD.EXE - remove a directory, even when full

Usage : XRD Path Options

Example : XRD D:\PASCAL /P

Result : Will remove the subdirectory D:\PASCAL after deleting all
files and directories within D:\PASCAL. A printout will be
made of all files deleted and directories removed during the
operation.




XREP.EXE - replace all files of a name with specified copy

Usage : XREP Path\FileName Options

Example : XREP D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS

Result : Will search the CURRENT directory and all subsequent
directories for the file FRED.PAS. If it is found, it will be
replaced with the file D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS.

Example : XREP D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS /T

Result : Will search the CURRENT directory and all subsequent
directories for the file FRED.PAS. If it is found, it will be
replaced with the file D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS and flag the file
with the same attributes as D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS unless the file
found is flagged ReadOnly.

Example : XREP D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS /T /O

Result : Will search the CURRENT directory and all subsequent
directories for the file FRED.PAS. If it is found, it will be
replaced with the file D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS and flag the file
with the same attributes as D:\PASCAL\FRED.PAS regardless of
whether the found file was flagged ReadOnly.




XSEP.EXE - separate files into groups of specified size

Usage : XREP Size Options

Example : XREP 360 /P

Result : Will take all of the files in the current directory and
separate them into groups that are no larger that 360 KBytes
and create directories numbered 1, 2, 3 ect. to place them in.
Files larger than 360 will be placed in the directory TOOLARGE
which will be created if needed. A printout will be made of
all the files locations.




XTOOLS.EXE - UTILITY SHELL FOR RUNNING THESE UTILITIES

Usage : XTOOLS

Example : XTOOLS

Result : Starts the utility shell that will help you to execute the
other utilities.



USING THE XTOOLS SHELL

The XTOOLS shell is provided to help you grow accustomed to the utilities
and to remind you of what command line options are available for each
utility.

To select a utility, simply move the cursor keys up or down or use 8 for
up and 2 for down and highlight the utility you wish to use. As you
highlight each utility, a description will be displayed for that
utility including a sample call to the utility and a list of available
parameters.

When you press enter, you will be asked for parameters and when those are
entered, the utility will be executed.

Pressing escape or selecting EXIT from the list of utilities will exit
the menu program.



REGISTRATION

Expert Tools is marketed as Shareware (For a more detailed
description of Shareware please see the DEFINITION OF SHARWARE
section). You are free to use this program for a period
of two weeks. If you continue to use this program after two
weeks you are required to register it by filling out the
registration form in the file XTOOLS.REG (or printed from the
from the program). Or if you are using VISA and MasterCard you
can register on-line by calling ESC BBS at (813) 997-8479 and
typing "OPEN 2" at the main menu prompt.

Also, when you register more than one product at a time you
become eligible for a 10% discount on your order. Please see
the registration form for more details. Other Expert Source
Code, Inc. Titles currently available are:


Aggression (only $15.00)
A graphical strategy game. EGA and mouse required.

Apples & Oranges (only $15.00)
An Othello style strategy game. EGA and mouse required.

Match'em (only $15.00)
A Concentration style memory game. EGA and mouse required.

Super Maxit (only $15.00)
A graphical Maxit game with a twist. EGA required.

Florida Lottery (only $20.00)
A Florida lottery number picker/tracker. EGA required.



ESC BBS

ESC BBS is the Expert Source Code, Inc. support BBS. In
addition to its normal services if offers free support of all
Expert Source Code, Inc. Shareware. The ESC BBS also offers all
of the lattest versions of Expert Source Code, Inc. Shareware
products for free download (Not including long distance telephone
charges of course.). The ESC opperates at 1200/2400/9600 baud
24 hours a day and can be reached at (813) 997-8479.



DIRECTORY

Expert Tools includes the following files:

XTOOLS.EXE - The executable program shell.
XTOOLS.REG - Registration form.
XTOOLS.DOC - This file.
SETUP.EXE - Sets defaults.
X*.EXE - Command line commands.


DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registra-
tion, you get anything from the simple right to continue using
the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few
specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are
accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the
programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are
good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method
of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written per-
mission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.


DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of Expert Tools must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"Expert Tools is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warran-
ties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the
warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The
author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential,
which may result from the use of Expert Tools."

Expert Tools is a "shareware program" and is provided at
no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with
your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part
of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is
to provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products. If you find this program
useful and find that you are using Expert Tools and continue
to use Expert Tools after a two week trial period, you must make a
registration payment of $20.00 to Expert Source Code, Inc. The
$20.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any
one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just
like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.

Commercial users of Expert Tools must register and pay for
their copies of Expert Tools within 30 days of first use or their
license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by
contacting Expert Source Code, Inc.

Anyone distributing Expert Tools for any kind of remuneration
must first contact Expert Source Code, Inc. at the address below for
authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to
distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines
for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering
Expert Tools immediately (However Expert Source Code, Inc. must
still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with
the latest version of Expert Tools.).

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Expert Tools along
to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to
register their copy if they find that they can use it. All
registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the
Expert Tools system.


Expert Source Code, Inc.
P. O. Box 180519
Casselberry, FL
32718-0519