GoodLook File Comparator Version 4.1
by John L. Dove III
23 March 1987

Introduction: GoodLook is a side by side (actually, one on top of the other)
file compare program to find differences in ASCII files, particularly in
source code programs. Here is a summary of GoodLook features:

Two files compared one above the other, with the compared lines on the
middle lines between the two files.
Filenames can be entered on the command line or you can use the built-in
directory routines to simply and quickly locate a file to compare.
Wildcard * can be used for second filename for simplicity (e.g.,
GoodLook file.prg *.bak).
Choice of three scrolling modes: Parallel or Opposite or ZOOMed.
Highlight modes for these two lines include:
Normal, Reverse video and Flashing.
Fully configurable options:
Foreground/Background colors in the file windows.
Foreground/Background colors in the Help window.
Foreground/Background colors for the highlighted lines.
"Find Next Mismatch" function key to locate the next spot where the
file lines differ. The "find next mismatch" search can be
interrupted at any time by pressing any key.
WordStar(tm) mode to strip the high bits from characters before
displaying them. (Can be entered on command line or toggled while
viewing a file.
Help available at the press of [F1].
Configuration file presets can be saved to disk.
Full DOS path support. Will search existing path to find its overlays or
configuration files.
Clone a new version of GoodLook with your favorite defaults, or write
them out to a Configuration file.
Simple, intuitive file movement using the keypad and assorted keys.
Alternate keys are also available if you prefer to use the Function
Keys. You can move Forward or Backward in either file by one line
or a screen, either independently or together.
Align function--at any time, you can bring one file up to the
location of the other file.
Print Screen toggle on/off. To prevent accidental Print Screen, PrtSc
is toggled off at startup. If you wish to print any screen, you
may toggle PrtSc back on at any time.
Zoom Feature--You can zoom either file up to full screen at any time.
Single file view mode available from the command line.
EGA supported
-- will use any number of lines found
-- invoke the 43 line mode from the command line.
-- toggle between 25 and 43 line modes while viewing files

Starting GoodLook

NOTE: GoodLook is named GL.COM for ease and speed of use.
(You may rename it to any filename you choose, but do NOT
rename the overlay, GL.000.)


To start Goodlook, enter:

GL [] [] [/w][/1][/4] ( is the Enter key)

where and are optional filenames (if none is entered, you
will be prompted for each).
/w is an optional WordStar(tm) flag to strip the high bits from
characters before displaying them (you know the funny characters
you see at the end of every word in a WordStar(tm) file which was
created in the Document mode.) The /w parameter is position-
independent. You can put it as the 1st, 2nd or 3rd argument and
it will be interpreted correctly.
/1 flag allows you to use GoodLook as a single file View program. This
shows the file in full screen mode (see Zoom feature in next
section.)
/4 flag invokes the 43 line mode if an EGA card is installed.

NOTE: Don't invoke the 43 line mode if you do NOT have an Enhanced Graphics
Display. There is no way I know to tell what type of monitor you have
attached to your EGA (in fact, you can hook up a monochrome monitor, Color
Graphics Display or an Enhanced Graphics Display to the EGA card).

TIME SAVERS: If you are comparing the same filename on
another disk, just enter the drive letter followed by a
colon and the first filename will automatically be added
to the drive letter.

(e.g., GoodLook Filename.typ B: will compare Filename.typ and
B:Filename.typ.)

Additionally, if you are comparing a filename with its
BAK file, just enter the main filename, followed by *.BAK.

(e.g., GoodLook Filename.prg *.bak will compare Filename.prg and
Filename.bak).

You can also refer to a different drive\path at the same time.

(e.g., GoodLook Filename.prg b:\path\*.bak will compare
Filename.prg and b:\path\filename.bak)

It IS important that you list the *.bak filename AFTER the complete filename.
(e.g., "Goodlook File.typ *.bak" is correct, but "Goodlook *.bak file.typ" is
not.)

GoodLook Modes

Two File Mode: This is the normal mode for GoodLook. Unless you
specifically tell GoodLook that you wish to view only one file (see next
paragraph), GoodLook expects two filenames which it will display one above
other.

Single File Mode (also known as Zoom mode): To invoke GoodLook in the
Single File (Zoom) Mode, enter the /1 switch on the command line along with
the desired filename. This switch is position independent--Place it before
or after the filename. To enter the Zoom Mode while in the two file mode,
press the [Z]oom key and then 1 or 2 for the desired file.

Key Definitions Line. On the last two lines of the screen, you'll find a
list of the keys available in the current mode. Here are the lines you
should see in each mode:

TwoFile Mode:
*=Next Mismtch=Both 1+/-=BothPgHome/End=1 Up/DnPgUp/PgDn=2 Up/DnC=Config

Single File Mode, viewing file 1:
Home/End=One Line Up/Dn^Home/^End=One Page Up/Dn^T=Go to Top of fileC=Config

Single File Mode, viewing file 2:
PgUp/PgDn= 1 Line Up/Dn^PgUp/^PgDn= 1 Page Up/Dn^T=Go to Top of fileC=Config

Note that column 71 contains the PrtSc indicator, a Paragraph symbol []. If
the Paragraph symbol is highlighted (or ON), then PrtSc is enabled (i.e., if
you press [Shift][PrtSc] the screen will be printed), if in normal video,
PrtSc is OFF.

EGA Mode: Enter the /4 (for 43 line mode) switch anywhere on the command
line to put your EGA card in the 43 line mode. This will display 19 lines
per file in the Two File Mode and 39 lines per file in the Single File Mode.
If you have your EGA card in the 43 line mode when GoodLook is run, you do
not need the /4 switch--GoodLook will automatically use all 43 lines. In
fact, GoodLook will use find and use the total number of lines available, any
of the following: 25,35,43 or 50. While viewing file, you may also toggle
between the 43 and 25 line modes using the [E]GA option.

(Even if you opt for normal 25 line viewing, GoodLook detects the EGA card
and sets the Video Speed to Fast.)

NOTE: Version 4.1 of GoodLook fixed the problem with the cursor |
moving to the middle of the line after running other programs. |


GoodLook Filenames

GoodLook requires at least one filename. If you don't enter the filename
on the command line, GoodLook will prompt you for them. If you can't
remember the filename, don't panic, just press the [F1] key to get a complete
listings of the files in the current directory. If you wish to change
directories, just place the highlighter on the desired subdirectory or parent
directory and press [Return] to move to that directory and see the files.


On the Command Line

Here are a few rules about entering files:

Full Pathname Support: GoodLook supports full pathname designations,
(including period and double period directory names). I've tried to adhere
to the DOS standard for filenames as far as I could. Here are the few
deviations I require for entering filenames:

- Wildcards for file 2. Both * and *.* mean use the File 1 filename
along with any new drive\path entered. For example:

GoodLook C:\WP\FILE.TYP D:\* is equivalent to:
GoodLook C:\WP\FILE.TYP D:\*.* GoodLook will try to load:
GoodLook C:\WP\FILE.TYP D:\FILE.TYP

- New Drive or Path. You may use the File 1 as File 2 with a new
drive\pathname\ by just entering the drive\pathname\ as File 2 (which
means you never need to use the * or *.* mentioned above, doesn't
it? Oh, well.). (See next note for the rules for entering
pathnames.) For example,

GoodLook C:\WP\FILE.TYP D: will Look at FILE.TYP and D:FILE.TYP
GoodLook C:\WP\FILE.TYP D:\PATH\ Looks at
C:\WP\FILE.TYP and D:\PATH\FILE.TYP

- Paths MUST end in \. If you enter a path alone as File 2, you MUST end
the path with a backslash (\). (I may add a search for a legal
directory in a future edition, but I hesitate. This seems to me a
small deviation. {Even MSDOS has a few irregularities--a legal
pathname has a \ at the end of [C:\], but not at the end of
[C:\DOS].} Please write and complain if you feel differently.)


NOTE: GoodLook now requires overlay GL.000 to run. But
the good news is that if you have both GL.com and
GL.000 in a directory in your PATH, GoodLook will find the
overlay and run properly from any location. If it does not
find a configuration file (GoodLook.CNF) at the current
spot, it will also look in the same location it found the
overlay.


Selecting Files to Compare: If the filename is not found or if there is a
problem opening the file, you will get an error message and the chance to re-
enter the correct filename. You will see the following prompt:


Enter [Esc] to Exit GoodLook, [F1] to show list of files,

or any other key to enter directly . . .


Press the [Esc] key to exit GoodLook and return to DOS. If you wish to see
the files on the logged drive and directory, press [F1]. To type in the
filename directly, press any other key. You'll get a 35 character typing
area to enter your filename. (If you press a legal character, that character
will be entered as the first character of the filename.)

CHOOSING FROM THE DIRECTORY: If you press [F1] you will see a screen
similar to the following:

[Arrow Key=>Move Cursor][<'=>Select][=>Enter directly]
parent dir_ filename.xxx etc.
A: Drive \
filename.one \
\ \____[highlight] \
\ \
[ Get File Two ][ [V] to View File [PgUp/PgDn: Change Pages

Enter File Two to Compare: =============

[Drive\Dir: C:\ASM][Pg 1/1][File: 1/34]
* * Disk C: has a volume label of: MY HARD DSK * *

You may change to any directory by placing the highlighted cursor on that
directory (or drive name) and pressing the [Return] key. When the cursor
is on a directory, the message area states:

To move to this directory press []: A: Drive

Pressing [] ([Return]) moves to that directory and displays the files in
that directory. You may then move the cursor and select a file from this
directory or move to another subdirectory.

PRE-VIEWING FILES. If you are not sure what file you wish to compare,
I've provided a pre-View option to allow you to look before you leap into
the compare. Just put the cursor on the file you wish to pre-View and
press [V]iew.

DUPLICATE FILENAMES: If the same filename is entered for both File 1
and File 2, GoodLook will notify you and tell you you have entered the
same filename for File2 and prompt you for the new file 2.


GoodLook Navigation Keys

Once you have the filenames selected, use the following techniques to move
around and compare various lines between files.

File 1 shows at the top of your screen and File 2 shows at the bottom.
Notice that long lines are "wrapped" to succeeding lines.

LINE NUMBERS. The line numbers represent the actual line number of the line
in the file. These numbers are right before each of the filenames. When you
find mismatches, you can make a note of this line number to make it easier to
find it when you go into your editor. Lines longer than 80 characters are
"wrapped" to the next line. You can tell a continuation line because it has
the same line number as the first part of the line.

SCROLLING: There are two methods for scrolling through the files: Parallel
Scrolling and Opposite Scrolling. You can toggle between these modes at any
time while you are viewing the files. The compared lines (at the center of
the screen) can be customized to unique colors to make them more easily
distinguished from the rest of the lines. See the Customization section for
more details.

Opposite Scrolling:

NOTE: In this mode you may find it a bit disconcerting dealing
with the upper window. This file scrolls "backwards," meaning
as you go forward in the file, it appears to move in the opposite
direction. If you don't like this problem, try the Parallel
Scrolling mode. (I happen to like the unusual symmetry! Weird,
huh?)

Here's the way Opposite scrolling works:

[Line: 1][ File 1 ]
This is File 1, line 10.
This is File 1, line 9. Scrolling
/////////////////////// Forward
This is File 1, line 2.
Highlighted ----> This is File 1, line 1.
Lines ---->
This is File 2, line 1.
This is File 2, line 2. Scrolling
/////////////////////// Forward
This is File 2, line 9.
This is File 2, line 10.
[Line: 1][File 2 ]

As the files scroll, they scroll into and out of the center. With the
compared lines right above each other, it makes it really easy to find
differences in the lines. Use the Find Next Mismatch key to locate the next
mismatched line, then find out how it differs by one-on-one matching. Notice
that graphics displays or boxes will appear in reverse order in the upper
window. If this is annoying, press [S] and switch to the Parallel Mode
temporarily, or Zoom the file to full screen temporarily.

Parallel Scrolling:

Here's the way Parallel scrolling works:

[Line: 1][ File 1 ]
This is File 1, line 2.
This is File 1, line 3 Scrolling
////////////////////////
This is File 1, line 10. Forward
<-- Blank line makes it easier to sight on the
Highlighted--> This is File 1, line 1. \two middle lines
Lines--> This is File 2, line 1. / being compared
This is File 2, line 2. Scrolling
//////////////////////// Forward
This is File 2, line 10.
[Line: 1][ File 2 ]

Notice that the files both scroll in the same direction for Forward and
Backward. This may be easier for some users. Notices that the first line
of File 1 is at the bottom of the window. The rest of File 1 is in the
proper order at the top of the box. This key format will show any boxes or
graphics displays in File 1 appear normally.


Key Definitions

The definitions of the function keys are shown at the bottom of the screen.
To get the definitions of the other keys, use the Help key [F1] or [?]. You
do NOT have to shift to use the [?] key, [/] works as well.

Use the numeric keypad (or optionally, the Function keys) to scroll file 1,
file 2 or both. If you get lost, just press [F1], [?] or [/] to get a
complete key listing:

[F3] [F7] [F4] [F8]
[^T]op C E
Files Home UpAr PgUp - ConfigSetEGA
1 Up 1&2Up 2 Up 1&2Up OptionLines
[F1] Wndw

? LArr /[Ctl]\ RArr O Q
Help L2=L1[F7] [F8]L1=L2 WS(tm) Quit
Mode to DOS
+
* End DnAr PgDn 1&2Dn
Find 1 Dn 1&2Dn 2 Dn Wndw S Z
Scroll Zoom
[F2] [F5] [F9] [F6] Mode Window
Not available in One File Mode [F10]

[Ctl] - [Home]/[End]/[PgUp]/[PgDn] moves 9 lines up/down.
[Alt][P] toggles PrtSc On/Off -- must be ON to do PrtSc.
Left and Right Arrows (Lx=Ly) changes File Line Lx to Ly.
While searching for next mismatch, pressing any key will stop search.

Press any key . . . [Esc] = Skip commercial


NOTE: You'll notice that the keypad keys are all
close together for all functions. You will
probably find it easier to use the keypad than the
function keys.

At this point, if you press the [Esc] key, you will avoid the DREADED
COMMERCIAL:


Commercial


If you like this program and find it useful,
please consider sending a donation ($15.00 recommended)
to:
John L. Dove III
8581 Chester Grove Court
Springfield, VA 22153

Even if you do not, please send me any questions,
comments or observations and, by all means, please pass
it on in its unmodified form, including the documentation.

Thanks!
John L. Dove III


Detailed Key Definitions:

[Q] - Quit. This key will exit GoodLook and return to DOS. You'll
find that [Esc] is often used to exit from a number of
places in GoodLook.

[?] or [F1] Help. Use this key to get help in using GoodLook. There is a
Main Screen Help as well as Help while in the Configuration
Options.

[E] - EGA Mode. This allows you to toggle the EGA card between the 25 and 43
line modes. When you press [E], you will be asked:

[ EGA Video Lines]

How many lines? <[2]5/[4]3/No change [N]



Pressing [] or [N] leaves the screen as is, [2] shifts to
the 25 line mode and [4] shifts to the 43 line mode.

NOTE: As expected, this only works on machines which have
the EGA card installed. There is no check to see if there
is an EGA monitor attached, so you need to take care that
you do not shift to a mode which is not supported by your
monitor.

[Alt][P] - Toggle PrtSc On/Off. When GoodLook starts, PrtSc is disabled--
pressing [Shift][PrtSc] will do nothing. This allows you to
freely use the [Right][Shift] (instead of the [Ctl] key) with the
cursor movement keys to move either file one page at a time. (See
the discussion of the [Right Shift] in the [Z]oom section below.)
If you do desire to do a PrtSc, you must first press [Alt][P] to
turn PrtSc back on. You can tell the status of PrtSc by the
PrtSc indicator in column 71 of the Key Status Line:

*=Next Mismtch=Both 1+/-=BothPgHome/End=1 Up/DnPgUp/PgDn=2 Up/DnC=Config
PrtSc Indicator ---^

If this symbol is reverse video (i.e., if the symbol is ON), then
PrtSc is enabled or ON. Pressing [Shift][PrtSc] now will send a
copy of the page to the printer. When this symbol is normal
video (i.e., off), [Shift][PrtSc] does nothing.

[Ctrl][T] - this will return both files to Top of File as when you
first loaded GoodLook.

[O] - WordStar(tm) Mode On/Off toggle. This toggles the WordStar mode
On/Off. When WordStar(tm) Mode is on, the high bit is stripped
from each character. This converts the Horizontal double line
box from "" into "MMMMMMM" but it is mainly useful to
correct the last character of most words in a WordStar(tm)
file. Thus "firs" becomes "first" etc. If you are viewing this
file in GoodLook, press the [O] key to see how these two examples
change.

[S] - Scroll Mode. This toggles between the Opposite and Parallel scrolling
modes. See the description of the two types of scrolling in the
previous section. (This key not available in Zoom Mode.)

NOTE: In the following description of keys, you will see
the terms up/back and down/forward. Think of it as moving
the highlighted line up and down the page. Although the
highlighted line does not move, think of Up/Back as meaning
moving the highlighted line to a previous line on the page
and Down/Forward as meaning moving the highlighted line
further down the page.

[Z] - Zoom feature. This allows you to zoom either file up to full screen.
You may wish to use this for a more complete look at one of the files
and then return to the dual window mode to continue the compare.
When you press [Z] you'll be asked:

[ Zoom a File ]

Zoom which file? <1/2/None> [N]



Pressing [] or [N] will default to None. Press 1 to Zoom
File 1 and 2 for File 2.

When you have a file Zoomed, only the keys for that file will work.
For example, when you have file 1 Zoomed, only the Home/End/^Home/^End
keys work for moving around the file. As expected, the Help key, Top
of file, WordStar(tm) mode, Configuration key and Quit keys work as
expected. To help differentiate between files, the filenames and

line numbers are in the same location as in the dual window mode.
NOTE: When you use GoodLook in the single file mode, you are in the
Zoom Mode and the file is considered File 1. If you use GoodLook
often as a single file view utility, you may wish to reconfigure the
highlight colors to match the main window colors. (The [Z] key is not
available in the Single File Mode.)


Here's how file 1 looks in Zoom mode:

[Line: 1][ File 1 ]
Hilighted Line---> This is File 1, line 1.
This is File 1, line 2 Scrolling
////////////////////////
This is File 1, line 10. Forward
This is File 1, line 11.
This is File 1, line 12.
This is File 1, line 13.
This is File 1, line 14.
////////////////////////
This is File 1, line 21.


(File 2 looks the same, except that the Line Number and Filename are on the
lower box line instead of the upper line.)


NOTE: The file movement keys have been grouped as closely around
the keypad as possible. The majority of the functions can be used
without removing your hand from the keypad area. The [Right Shift]
key has been defined as a synonym for the [Ctl] key for the [Home],
[End], [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys (i.e., to move a page down in file 1
press either [Ctl][End] or [RShift][End], up a page in File 1,
press either [Ctl][Home] or [RShift][Home]).

[Home] or [F3] - use this to scroll File 1 up/back--to view previous lines in
the file.

[Ctl][Home] or - Scroll File 1 up/back one window full.
[Ctl][F3] or
[RShift][Home]

[End] or [F5] - use this to scroll File 1 down/forward-to view later lines
in the file.

[Ctl][End] or - Scroll File 1 down/forward one window full.
[Ctl][F5] or
[RShift][End]

[PgUp] or [F4] - use this key to scroll File 2 up/back.

[Ctl][PgUp] or - Scroll File 2 up/back 9 one window full.
[Ctl][F4] or
[RShift][PgUp]

[PgDn] or [F6] - use this key to scroll File 2 down/forward.

[Ctl][PgDn] or - Scroll File 2 down/forward 9 one window full.
[Ctl][F6] or
[RShift][PgDn]

[UArrow] or [F7] - use this key to scroll both File 1 and 2 up/back. (This
key not available in the Zoom or Single File Mode.)

[DArrow] or [F8] - use this key to scroll both file 1 and 2 down/forward.
(This key not available in the Zoom or Single File Mode.)

[Gray+] or [F9] - use this key to scroll both files up/back 9 lines. (This
key not available in the Zoom or Single File Mode.)

[Gray-] or [F10] - use this key to scroll both files down/forward 9 lines.
(This key not available in the Zoom or Single File Mode.)


[LArrow] or [Ctl][F7] - this key will pull File 2 up to approximately the
same spot as file 1. (This key not available in the Zoom or
Single File Mode.)

[RArrow] or [Ctl][F8] - this key will pull File 1 up to approximately the
same spot as file 2. (This key not available in the Zoom or
Single File Mode.)

Alignment Keys: The [LArrow] and [RArrow] are alignment keys which can be
used to restore the files to approximately the same location. If you have
been moving forward in only one file, the align keys will allow you to bring
the other file up quickly without having to manually walk it forward.

NOTE: These alignment keys only work forward. If you try to
pull a file back to a previous location, you will get warning
tone. If you need to go back, simply use the Top of File key
and start over.

[Gray*] or [F2] - LOCATING MISMATCHES: To locate the next mismatched line,
press the FIND NEXT MISMATCH KEY ([F2], or the Gray [*] key). As
GoodLook searches for the next mismatch, the line numbers will
count off as the lines are compared. Press any key and the
search will be aborted. When the next mismatch is located, the
rest of the lines in that area will be shown with the mismatched
lines flashing or highlighted in the center. If there are minor
differences, try to get the files back in synchronization with
the individual file scroll keys and then press FIND NEXT MISMATCH
again. If both files are exactly alike, you will reach the end
of both files and a message "[ End of both files reached ]" will
appear. Remember that when you manually scroll, you may skip
over lines which are different. [F2] only checks forward for
mismatched lines. (This key not available in the Zoom or Single
File Mode.)


GoodLook Configuration Made Easy

GoodLook offers you several customize options to tailor it to your
personal preferences. The following are changeable:

1. Main Window Foreground and Background colors.
2. Help Window Foreground and Background colors.
3. Highlighted line Foreground and Background colors.
4. WordStar(tm) mode (whether the high bit is stripped or not).
5. Highlight method and colors (normal, flashing or reverse video).
6. Type of Monitor card (Slow card (IBM) or Fast card (almost
every other CGA card made)).
7. Method of Scrolling (Parallel or Reverse).


Choosing Your Favorite Colors

GoodLook comes in plain vanilla White on Black (with the help screen in
exciting Black on White!!). This means it should Look Good on any screen,
whether it's a monochrome, color or monochrome monitor on a color
card.

NOTE: If you are using a monochrome video display on a
Color Graphics Adapter, and the display is horrible, you
might be able to improve it by exiting GoodLook and,
using the MODE.COM program from you DOS disk, typing

A>MODE BW80 ( is the [Return] or [Enter] key.)
------------

Now re-run GoodLook for a much more readable display because
GoodLook checks to see what type of video mode in effect.

Configuring GoodLook: If you would like to add a bit more
pizazz to the program, press [C] to invoke the Configuration/Clone
option. You will see the following screen superimposed on the
existing screen:

[ GoodLook ]

Configuration Function


[ Main Screen ] [ Help Screen ]


[>] to move to Help window [<] to move to Main window



[ Instructions ][ F1 for Help ]

Change text colors: [F]oreground [B]ackground
Change HiLi colors: [Ctl][F]orgnd [Ctl][B]ckgnd
Toggle WordStar(tm) (strip Hi bits) mode: [O]ff
[H]ighlight Mode: Flashing
Toggle [V]ideo Mode: Fast
Toggle [S]crolling Mode: Opposite

[W]rite Configuration file [C]lone new GoodLook
[] Write Cfg AND Clone [Esc] Exit, No Save



Navigating Around Configuration Screen: Use the [Left Arrow] and
[Right Arrow] keys to move from the Main Screen to the Help Screen and back
again. You must move to each screen to change the colors for that window.
Use the [F] and [B] keys to change the Foreground and Background,
respectively. Hold the Control Key and press [F] or [B] to change the
colors of the Highlighted lines at any time. Use the [H] key to toggle
between the Flashing and Reverse Video mode. Use the [V] key to toggle
between the the Slow and Fast Video modes.

Changing the WordStar(tm) Mode: Press [O] to toggle the WordStar(tm)
mode On or Off. When the WordStar(tm) mode is On, all characters will have
their high bits stripped off before they are displayed on the screen. This
mode allows you to read file which contain characters with their high bits
set. If that is a bit of greek, then here's a quick explanation. When you
create a file with WordStar(tm) in the Document mode, WordStar(tm) uses the
last character in each word to control microspacing for justifying the text.
It does this by setting the high bit. When you display this word on the IBM
monitor, you will see the last character as a strange symbol, a greek letter
or a graphics character. If you toggle the WordStar(tm) mode On, this
character will once again appear as a normal character.

Changing The Highlight Mode For Mismatched Lines: When you press [H], in
the Main Screen window, the highlight mode cycles between Flashing, Reversed
and Normal. Use this key, in conjunction with [Ctrl][F] and [Ctrl][B] keys,
to get the desired effect on the highlighted lines.

Speeding Up The Display On A Fast Color Graphics Adapter. On many clones,
the color card is much faster than the IBM CGA. Because of this you do not
need to wait for retrace to write to VIDEO memory. To take advantage of
your card's faster speed, use the [V]ideo mode key to toggle to the Fast
Video mode. If you see snow when in the Fast mode, you'll need to toggle
back to Slow if this snow annoys you.

Toggling Scrolling Modes. Press the [S] key to toggle between the
Parallel and Opposite Scrolling Modes. This option can be toggled at any
point while viewing files and in the Configuration screen.

Getting Help. Press the [F1] key to get help about the Configuration
Options and the Exit Options.

Saving Your New Values. When you have completed you customization, choose
one of the following modes to exit:

[C]lone a new copy of GoodLook with your current settings as the
default.
[W]rite the new settings out to a configuration file (GoodLook.CNF)
[] Do both: Clone a new copy and save values to a configuration
file.
[Esc] Do not save either, but use the current settings for this
session only.

Cloning: Pressing [C] or [] writes a new copy of GL.COM out to disk. The
next time you load GoodLook, it will come up in your chosen colors.
Note that even if you are not in your normal directory where GL.COM
resides, the Clone procedure will create the cloned copy of GL.COM
where it found the original when it was first loaded. This means
that it will find and clone the copy that you have in your \UTILITY
subdirectory, for example.

NOTE: Because of the overlay structure, when
you clone GL.COM, the file size will go from
about 35K to 59K. I don't recommend cloning
GL.COM--use the Config file option to maximum
advantage!

Writing Pressing [W] or [] writes the parameters out to a configuration
CONFIG file named GoodLook.cnf. You may edit this file with any ASCII
File: editor and change the values as desired. Don't worry about
destroying the file. If the file is in the wrong format, GoodLook
will ignore any illegal values when it is loaded. Here is the
sample configuration file included with GoodLook.

GoodLook.Cnf
6 Main Screen foreground color (0-15)
1 Main Screen background color (0-7)
14 Help Screen foreground color (0 to 15)
4 Help Screen background color (0 to 7)
9 HiLi Screen foreground color (0 to 31)
6 HiLi Screen background color (0 to 7)
True WordStar(tm) Mode Selected (T/F) (will strip hi bit of all chars)
F Fast Video Mode Selected (Slow/Fast)
R Reversed Mismatched line Selected (Flashing/Reverse/Normal)
O Opposite Scrolling Mode Selected (Parallel/Opposite)

Use the editor to install the desired colors, then
save as GoodLook.cnf in the directory or disk of
your choice.

Colors to install are as listed below:

Foreground or Background Foreground only
0 Black 8 LightGray
1 Blue 9 LightBlue
2 Green 10 LightGreen
3 Cyan 11 LightCyan
4 Red 12 LightRed
5 Magenta 13 LightMagenta
6 Brown 14 Yellow
7 White 15 LightWhite

Do both: Pressing [] will both Clone a new copy of GoodLook and write
out a configuration file.

Do Pressing [Esc] will exit the configuration function without
Neither: saving any of the parameters. The current colors and values will,
however, be in effect until you exit GoodLook. Remember, if you
wish to save these values, you MUST return to the configuration
option and use [C], [W] or [] to save the settings.

If you are using a hard disk, you may wish to place different configuration
files in different directories, for variety. GoodLook first looks in the
currently logged location for the CNF file and loads it if found. If there
is none, it looks down your designated PATH, and, if it finds the CNF in the
same spot it found GL.COM, it then loads it. You can use this to put custom
colors in different directories and the default colors in your main utilities
location.


Customizing GoodLook Colors Using Debug

It obviously is much easier to customize the GoodLook colors by using the
[C]onfiguration option. However, if you wish to change the colors directly
using Debug (real men don't use Manuals or User-friendly software!), here
are the locations to look for and the method to change the values. I've
made the locations easy to find. Simply use a program like File Modifier,
Patch or Debug and find (Search for) "ForeColor 1" or "BackColor 1" or
"Help Fore 2" or "Help Back 2." You'll find them around offset 2E10(hex) in
Debug. The current values are:

ForeColor 1-> 07 LightGray Main Screen
BackColor 1-> 00 Black Colors
Help Fore 2-> 00 Black Help Screen
Help Back 2-> 07 LightGray Colors
HiLi Fore 1-> 00 Black Hili Line
HiLi Back 1-> 07 LightGray Colors
WSMode(T/F)-> F True or False
VidSpeed(S/F) S Slow or Fast
HiLi(F/R/N)-> R Flashing/Reverse Video/Normal
ScrMode(P/O)> O Opposite or Parallel Modes


CHANGING THE COLORS: To modify these colors, simply change them to one of
these allowable numbers and save the file. (The Hex equivalents are shown
in the following table, for use in Debug.) (Be careful not to change any
other value in the file!)

Foreground: Background:
----------- -----------
Normal Highlighted Normal (only)
Dec Hex Color Dec Hex Color Dec Hex Color
0 (0) Black 8 (8) Dark Gray 0 (0) Black
1 (1) Blue 9 (9) Light Blue 1 (1) Blue
2 (2) Green 10 (A) Light Green 2 (2) Green
3 (3) Cyan 11 (B) Light Cyan 3 (3) Cyan
4 (4) Red 12 (C) Light Red 4 (4) Red
5 (5) Magenta 13 (D) Light Magenta 5 (5) Magenta
6 (6) Brown 14 (E) Yellow 6 (6) Brown
7 (7) LightGray 15 (F) White 7 (7) LightGray


Planned Future Enhancements:

Scrolling: Greater backward scroll capability.


Some limitations:

Duplicate Filenames: I've tried to check for duplicate filenames
entered. If you have the same file open twice, you may get garbage in one
of the windows, especially if you get one window ahead of the other. You CAN
fool GoodLook and enter the same filename twice, but why would you want
to??!!
Truncated Lines: Goodlook will truncate any lines longer than 255
characters--I hope that is not a big problem.
File Load Peculiarities: Goodlook reads in 300 lines at a time and
when it gets close, it loads another 150. Because of this, you cannot
scroll back more than about 150 lines. If you need to see the beginning of
the file, just press [Ctrl][T]op-Of-File to go to the beginning of both
files.


Version History:

1.0 Initial release.
1.1 Added single key to scroll forward or backward. New windowing techniques
to speed up showing window.
1.2 Added a find next key, scroll both, and scroll both by a page feature.
Also fixed it so that it loads 300 lines at a time vice 100.
1.3 Added prompt for a file if not entered or if file not exist.
Added the numerals alone as synonyms for the function keys.
Added the [Esc] key to skip the commercial on get help.
Fixed the information line to show all 10 function keys.
Removed the reset video mode line.
Fixed a few bugs with beginning of file/end of file.
Put the filenames at the top and bottom of the screen so they
would not interfere with the compare and so that very long
pathnames\filenames could be accommodated.
1.4 Fixed the line numbers so that more than 999 lines can be displayed.
1.5 30 September 1986
Fixed continuous loop when two illegal files are entered. In fact
fixed the whole filename entry routine.
Added option to enter just a drive name for the same filename.
Change display type to default console vice color display. Thanks to
Karl Brendel of Hutchinson, KS for this tip!!
Fixed it so it would search till end of file.
1.6 2 October 1986.
Defined synonym keys on the numeric keypad to make it easier to
scroll through the files, response to George Sullivan's critical
review.
Added full path/filename support.
1.7 Added support for a monochrome adapter.
1.8 Added a Color setting option on the fly and clone routine.
1.9 Fixed a bug when two identical filenames were entered on command
line.
Added a prompt to remind you to enter a drive only to use the
same filename on a different drive.
2.0 Added File directory routine to display files on the drive (as well
as the ability to move from drive to drive) and View a file prior
to choosing.
2.1 Fixed some bugs parsing filenames provided as command line
parameters.
Fixed the end of file routine to show consistently when at end
of file.
Fixed the Drive change routine to move to the logged subdir on
the new drive, rather than the root drive.
Fixed the DriveTest routine. It would automatically change the
tested drive to the root directory.
2.2 11/5/86. Added a Customize option to choose the flashing or highlighted
lines.
Added customize option retrace testing for IBM CGA. Change to
fast for non-IBM cards.
2.3 11/9/86. Added option to have a Config file to override default config.
Removed the bottom line garbage which remained at exit.
Eliminated CursorOff and On temporarily to avoid problems with
compatible and EGA card.
2.4 Added an optional scrolling mode which scrolls file 1 in same dir as 2
Also puts the compared lines right next to each other
Added Scroll Mode to variable, clonable options.
Fixed the directory error-handling so that when the DOS message "Place
Disk B in drive A..." occurs it doesn't blow up my screen.
Changed the line numbering scheme so that they match the actual
line nos in a file. Wrapped lines are shown as -->
Added help screens [F1] in the configuration function.
2.5 Fixed a minor bug when shifting from Parallel to Opposite
in the Configure routine.
Added the Top of File option to return to the top of both files.
2.6 Fixed the color option so that it shows the colors as they are
installed.
Changed the Color option to Configuration option since it there are
several option to change.
Added a direct to video write routine to speed up the display when
scrolling by 10 lines and when displaying help screens.
2.7 Released immediately to fix a bug in the display function: it would
display only file 1 in both windows after a search.
2.8 Fixed a still minor bug as in 2.7.
Added the ability to enter *.BAK as file 2 to use the filename of
file1 with the new extension (filename.bak). This includes the
ability to use b:*.bak or b:\newpath\*.bak also.
2.9 Changed the margin from 73 to 80 to get more of a line on the screen.
Removed the --> from the front of a wrapped line.
Moved the line number from on each line to the fname line.
Added the ability to customize the colors of the highlighted lines;
added a normal display for the highlighted lines.
Thanks to comments from Tim Penner of Wichita, KS.
3.0 Added optional flag for WordStar(tm) mode, which strips high bits. The
flag can be entered on the command line else config file sets default.
Added the ability to stop the search for the Next Mismatch by pressing
any key during the search. This is a fast way to move forward.
Fixed a bug in reading in lines, one file or the other would end up
with blank lines, wasn't going back to the file and getting more when
it should.
Added individual file 9 line scroll, using Control plus the 1 line
scroll keys: Home, End, PgUp, PgDn. Had to change Top of File
function to ^T from Ctrl Home.
3.1 Added a Zoom feature. You can Zoom either of the files up to the
full-screen mode.
Added the Single file mode to use GoodLook as a file viewer. Uses the
Zoom function Zooming File 1.
3.2 Fixed minor typos.
Fixed problem with long paths causing the program to blow up.
Fixed config, so that when returning from config, rewrites bottom lines
in new colors.
Thanks to Karl Brendel for the above tips!!
Fixed initialization so that it only looks for the Overlay if it does
not exist in the default location.
Added a [Z]oom indicator on bottom to show how to Zoom and to show
what was zoomed.
3.3 Maintenance Release to replace 3.2, which may have had a garbled overlay
file included.
3.4 Fixed file handling problem when, filenames entered one at at time.
- Now adds current location if no drive\path entered
- *.* is now equivalent of * for file 2 = file 1 (just filename)
- easier to detect duplicate filenames entered
- Updated DOC to show rules for filenames (\ must be on end of
path, etc.)
Many thanks to Jack Kilday for inadvertently Beta Testing this for me,
discovering and reporting the problems clearly enough for me to find them.

3.5 to 3.9: (maintenance releases, limited distribution)
Fixed problem when running GoodLook w/no arguments (would say
"file c:\" does not exist, vice "Syntax is:..."
Renamed GoodLook.com to GL.com, which is what I am sure was the
first thing that any user of this program would do!!
Changed the overlay search routine to first look for the overlay
in the dir from which GoodLook was run. Thanks to Karl Brendel
for the tip that the run location is at the end of the environment
string!
4.0 16 February 1987-Major revision incl/EGA support.
Added routines to find switches even if they are right next to
filenames (i.e., File.typ/w, etc.)
Added routine in Directory-Get routines which will take the first
character typed and use it as the first in the typed in filename
Fixed Directory routine to use the correct path when using the
change drive/directory procedure.
In Zoom, the proper key definitions now show on the next to last line,
referring to keys used to move around in File 1, File 2 or both.
Changed the Beep from ^G to a short Bell routine using the Sound
procedure to keep the program from getting hung up on the PC's
beep.
Fixed the "search for next" algorithm to go to the last line instead
of stopping on the last page.
Fixed the "search for next" algorithm to correctly show whether the
files were the same from the start of compare.
Changed the Exit to DOS command from ESC to Q to prevent accidentally
exiting to DOS by pressing ESC twice when leaving Configure.
Added the [RShift] key as a synonym for the [Ctl] key to alloy one-
handed movement using [RShift] plus [Home], [End], [PgUp], [PgDn].
Disabled PrtSc key to avoid inadvertent print screen call. Added the
[Alt][P] function to re-enable it if desired to Print the screen.
Para symbol added to next to last line to show status of PrtSc.
Added full EGA support;
Uses the default number of lines in effect when GoodLook is
invoked, or
Use the /4 switch on the command line to force the EGA into the
43 line mode.
On exit, restores 25 line mode if you entered GoodLook in the
25 line mode.
Many invoke either the 25 or 43 line mode "on the fly" while
viewing files with the [E]GA key.

4.1 Fixed the Cursor problem upon exit from EGA 43 line mode. If you
ran another program (such as PC-Write) after GoodLook the
cursor would be in the middle of the line all the time you
would be in PC-Write and after exit.
Removed the Drive Test for C: and D: at the startup of GoodLook.
Thanks for the tip from Ted Decastro.
Fixed minor problems with the Directory routines at startup. (Now
when you change drives, you will change to the logged directory
of the destination drive, vice the root directory.)
Eliminated keystrokes which should have been disabled when a file is
Zoomed.

If you do have any comments or suggestions, please send them along to me
at the above address.
Thanks!
JLDIII