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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #752)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
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Information about “THE BRAIN”
With your modem and telecommunications program, you call up the local
and national bulletin board systems to download files and pick up your
mail. But sometimes the lines are busy and you won't have time to call
later. Don't worry. Have THE BRAIN make those calls for you.
THE BRAIN is a telecommunications program that accesses your favorite
BBS or on-line service when you're not there. Upload and download
files, leave messages, and generally perform any routine tasks you
don't want to take the time to do yourself. THE BRAIN can also call a
BBS when it is easier to get on-line, such as late at night or during
the day while you're at work.
Suitable for the intermediate to expert user, the documentation
assumes that you are familiar with DOS, have a text editor and know how
to use it, and know how to program your modem. The manual has a
glossary of commands (with detailed descriptions and brief examples of
each) and a sample command file.
BRAIN.DOC
The Brain
Version 3.0
Created in 1986 by Chris Jenks
In return for a $15 contribution I will send you a disk containing the
latest compiled version of The Brain, the Basic source code in ASCII
format, the documentation, and a list of variables used in Brain and
their descriptions. The source code has many comments and the variables
are easy to recognize. To run the source code you will need BASICA
version A2.00. My address is:
Chris Jenks
1324 Bobwhite Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA. 94087
This program was designed to do work on a bulletin board which is busy
without needing to be present. However, there are many applications for
which this program could be used, such as electronic mail, or
transferring files, at any time of day or night.
Before you use The Brain, you must create a file called COMMAND.DAT in
an editor and save it on the default drive. This file will contain the
instructions which tell The Brain what to do. This program can hold up to
500 commands. When The Brain is run, it reads this file and makes sure
everything will work (Checks syntax, makes sure files to upload are
available, etc.), and then it executes the commands. Later in this
documentation is a list of all the commands The Brain can use, as well as
their descriptions and some examples.
Except in the Message and Send commands, spaces are completely ignored
by the compiler, and so is the case of the command. However, each command
must be on its own line. There need not be commands on comment lines.
The function keys can be used to put the keyboard on line with the
modem, to skip the next command in the command file, to edit the command
file, or to terminate the program prematurely and return to DOS. While
editing the command file you can cause The Brain to jump to another point
in the command file, you can save the revised command file (under the
name COMMAND.DAT), or you can restart The Brain program. These functions
are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
After each command below are the parameters. A parameter given in
brackets ([]) is mandatory, and if it is omitted, an error will result
when the command file is checked for errors. A parameter in braces ({})
is optional. If it is not specified, a default will be used. The default
is given in parenthesis () next to the parameter. After the command is an
explanation of it, and sometimes there are three examples of how it can
be used.
The commands are:
*
Is used before a remark. It can be put on a blank line of after a
command other than MESSAGE or SEND.
For example:
* This is a remark.
Will be completely ignored by the compiler. It won't even be
counted as a line unless it is on the same line as a command.
DOWNLOAD HIDEFILE.BAS * Download a utility program.
Will download the file as if the comment weren't there.
SEND 5, Yes * This answers the question `Lower case?'
Will send the line " Yes * This answers the question `Lower
case?'" to the remote computer and might mess things up. If you
need to have a comment for a send line, put the comment before or
after the line.
SCREEN ON
Starts sending the data received over the modem to the screen. It
continues to do this until the SCREEN OFF command is received.
SCREEN OFF
Clears the screen and stops sending data received over the modem to it.
MESSAGE {TEXT ()}{;()}
Prints the text on the screen, but does not send it over the modem or
to the dump file. If a semicolon is appended to the text, the text will
be printed without a carriage return on the end. If no text is specified,
a blank line will be produced.
For example:
MESSAGE Now dialing computer system...
Would print " Now dialing computer system..." on the screen,
followed by a carriage return. Notice the leading space. All spaces
and tabs leading the text in the command are left in when the text
is printed.
MESSAGESemicolon;;
MESSAGE
Would print "Semicolon;" on the screen, followed by a carriage
return (from the second message command).
MESSAGE...hit F2 and type your password...;
Would print "...hit F2 and type your password..." on the screen
without a carriage return.
WAIT UNTIL [hour]:{minutes (00)}:{seconds (00)}{AM/PM (AM)}
Waits until the specified time until going on to the next instruction.
Make sure your computer's clock is set right. The time you specify for
this command can be in just about any format you like. You don't have to
use the colon to separate the hours, minutes, and seconds. You can use
any non-numeric character (except the space), and military time can be
used. To prevent text from being burnt into the screen, use a SCREEN OFF
command before the WAIT UNTIL command to clear the screen. After the WAIT
UNTIL command you can turn the screen back on with SCREEN ON.
For example:
WAIT UNTIL 2
Would wait until 2 AM.
WAIT UNTIL 2:00:30 PM
Would wait until 30 seconds past 2 PM.
WAIT UNTIL 14/00
Would wait until 2 PM.
REPORT
Starts sending statuses to a file named REPORT.DAT on the default
drive. If the file already exists The Brain will append to it.
Statuses are produced whenever a command is executed. It is usually the
time the command is executed and what the command is. It also gives
errors received while transferring files. Be sure you have enough space
on the disk to hold the finished report. The file will require about
forty bytes per command executed.
NEW REPORT
This command is the same as REPORT except that if REPORT.DAT exists it
will be erased, and then a new REPORT.DAT file will be created and filled
with the report information generated.
NO REPORT
Stops sending reports to the REPORT.DAT file.
DUMP [file]
Starts dumping everything that comes from the modem into the specified
file. This command can be used for ASCII downloads. If the dump file
already exists, it will be appended to. It continues to dump information
until the CLOSE DUMP command is reached. The information sent to the dump
file is not formatted by the CHANGE command.
For example:
DUMP LPT1:
Starts printing everything that comes over the modem.
DUMP SCRN:
Dumps everything to the screen. This has the same effect as the
SCREEN command.
DUMP OUTPUT.TXT
Creates the file OUTPUT.TXT and starts building it with the
received information.
NEWDUMP [file]
The same as the DUMP command except that if the dump file already
exists, it will be erased and a new file created.
CLOSE DUMP
Stops sending output to the file specified with the DUMP command. If
there was no DUMP file specified before this command, the compiler will
return an error message.
OPEN AT {commport (1)},{speed (1200)},{parity (N)},{data bits (8)},{stop
bits (1)}
Opens the modem at the specified port. This must be done before you can
use SEND, CHARSEND, MULTI DIAL, DOWNLOAD, UPLOAD, or OUT. If the modem is
already open when this command is executed, it is closed, and then
reopened at the new setting. In this way you can switch baud rates.
For example:
OPEN AT
Opens the modem on the COM1: port, at 1200 baud, no parity, 8 data
bits, and 1 stop bit.
OPEN AT 2, 300, E, 7
Opens the modem on the COM2: port, at 300 baud, even parity, 7 data
bits, and 1 stop bit.
OPEN AT 1, 75, S, 5, 2
Opens the modem on the COM1: port, at 75 baud, space parity, 5 data
bits, and 2 stop bits.
CHANGE [ASCII code of character to replace],{ASCII of replacement (0)}
This command can be used to rid the received text of unwanted
characters. The first parameter, the character to be replaced, is changed
to the second parameter, the replacement character, if it is given. If it
is not given, or if the replacement character is zero, then the character
will be completely removed from the received text. This will not affect
an X-modem transfer, nor will it affect text put into the dump file.
For example:
CHANGE 65
Will cause any capital A's received not to appear on the screen.
CHANGE 7,14
Will make a note symbol come up on the screen whenever a bell is
received over the modem.
CHANGE 10
This would remove line feeds from received text. If you don't put
this command into your command file, you may get double spaced
lines if the computer you call sends both a carriage return and a
line feed as a line terminator.
SEND {delay in seconds (10)}{,;(,)}{text()}
This command will wait the specified number of seconds after data has
stopped coming over the modem before sending the text. If any data comes
over the modem while it is waiting, it will start waiting again. This is
done so that this program won't send text while the program on the other
end is sending text. The delay should be considered carefully. Too short,
and the data sent could be lost, and the call may be wasted. Too long,
and the computer on the other end may hang up because of the long delay.
This is one of the few cases in which spaces and case matter. The Brain
will send the text exactly as you type it. You must put a new SEND
command for each line you want to send. You can use this command to enter
commands and messages on the host computer.
If you include the delay, you must also put a comma (,) or semicolon
(;) after the number to separate the delay from the text. If you do not
use a comma or semicolon, the entire line, starting with the number, will
be sent. If you use a comma, a carriage return will be appended to the
end of the line. If you use a semicolon, no carriage return will be sent.
Make sure that if you need to send a number followed by a comma or
semicolon to the host computer that you include the delay in the SEND
command. If you incluse a comma or semicolon without the delay then the
delay will be zero.
For example:
SEND 5,Yes
Waits for the computer on the other end of the line to stop sending
for 5 seconds, then sends the text "Yes" with a carriage return to
answer a question.
SEND ;Type of computer:
This command has a delay of zero, and it sends the string "Type of
computer:" to the host computer without a carriage return.
SEND I'm testing my new communications program.
Sends the sentence: " I'm testing my new communications program."
to be put into a message after a ten second delay. Notice the space
after SEND is included in the sent text.
CHARSEND [ASCII code],{ASCII code},{ASCII code}...
Sends a list of characters over the modem.
For example:
CHARSEND 65
Will send an "A" over the modem.
CHARSEND 8,8,8
Sends three backspaces over the modem.
CHARSEND 12
Sends a form feed to the host computer.
REDIAL {delay in seconds (20)},[phone number]
Redials a number until the number answers. After dialing it waits the
specified number of seconds to receive a carrier before hanging up and
dialing again. After receiving a carrier the programs goes on to the next
instruction.
For example:
REDIAL (123) 456-7890
Dials the number, waits 20 seconds for a carrier, then hangs up and
dials it again.
RE DIAL 35, 1234567890
Dials the number and waits 35 seconds for a carrier.
REDIAL 30, 456-7890
Dials the number and waits 30 seconds for a carrier.
MULTI DIAL {delay in seconds (20)}
[phone numbers]
END LIST
[instructions]
NEXT DIAL
This will dial a list of phone numbers. It will call the first one, and
if it is busy go on to the next one, and so on throughout the list. If
one of them answers it will mark it and go on to the instruction after
END LIST and continue to go through the instructions until it reaches
NEXT DIAL, which will tell it to go back to the MULTI DIAL command and
dial the next number. Once all the numbers have answered it will go to
the instruction after NEXT DIAL. You can even have more than one MULTI
DIAL in a program, but make sure to put a NEXT DIAL after every MULTI
DIAL and before the next MULTI DIAL. This function can be used to call a
large list of numbers without having to worry about getting stuck on a
busy one. Each phone number after MULTI DIAL should be on its own line.
For example:
MULTI DIAL 30
423-1658 * Bulletin board numbers
334-6233
424-4547
453-8367
END LIST
SEND 5,
* <CR>'s to get past initial messages
SEND 5,
SEND 5,John
* Caller's first name
SEND 5,Jones
* Caller's last name
SEND 5,SECRET
* Caller's password
SEND 5,
* <CR>'s to go past more messages
SEND 5,
SEND 5,G
* Say goodbye
WAIT 5 * Wait for board to hang up
NEXT DIAL * Dial next number
END
Will call 423-1658 and wait 30 seconds for a carrier. If none is
received, it will call 334-6233. If a carrier is received this time it
will mark 334-6233 to indicate that it has already answered and not to
call it next time. Then it will log onto and log off of the board, then
it will go back and call 423-1658, and if it doesn't answer it will call
424-4547. After all four numbers have answered, it will go on to END.
IF [parameters] THEN [command]
The IF statement is used only after a MULTI DIAL statement has been
given. It allows you to do something if a certain group of numbers have
been called. The parameters are integers separated by commas. The command
is any command listed, even another IF, or an END, or even REDIAL. The
integer parameters stand for the position a particular phone number given
in MULTI DIAL is in.
For example:
MULTI DIAL
423-1658 * Number 1
334-6233 * Number 2
424-4547 * Number 3
453-8367 * Number 4
END LIST
IF 1,2 THEN SEND 5,Y
IF 1,2,4 THEN SEND 5,N
IF 3 THEN DUMP TEXT.TXT
SEND 5,
IF 1 THEN SEND 5,John;Jones;SECRET
IF 2,3,4 THEN SEND 5,John;Jones;PASSWORD
SEND 5,
SEND 5,
SEND 5,G
WAIT 10
NEXT DIAL
CLOSE DUMP
END
Will call the four numbers sequentially, and when one answers it
will go on to the next step. As you can see in the comments above,
the phone numbers are each assigned a number, and this is used in
an IF statement. It will send a "Y" to 423-1658 and 334-6233, but
not to 424-4547 or 453-8367.
DOWNLOAD [file]
Creates the specified file and downloads the contents. The file is
downloaded using the X-Modem protocol.
For example:
DOWNLOAD BRAIN.ARC
Will create BRAIN.ARC on the default drive.
DOWNLOAD B:BRAIN.ARC
Will create BRAIN.ARC on the B drive.
DOWNLOAD BRAIN
Will download BRAIN. on the default drive, and it has to be
renamed BRAIN.ARC before it can be unpacked.
UPLOAD [file]
Sends a file to the host computer. When The Brain is first run, it will
make sure that the specified file exists, and if it is missing an error
message will appear. The file is uploaded using the X-Modem protocol.
For example:
UPLOAD BRAIN.ARC
Will read BRAIN.ARC off the default drive and send it to the host
computer.
UPLOAD B:BRAIN.ARC
Will read BRAIN.ARC off the B drive and send it to the host
computer.
UPLOAD BRAIN
Will read the file BRAIN. off the default drive and, if it
exists, send it to the host computer.
OUT [file]
Sends a file to the host computer. The file sent will be checked for in
the compiler, and if it is missing an error message will appear. The file
is sent in ASCII. This can be used to enter a message on the other end
from text in a file.
For example:
OUT MESSAGE.TXT
Will read MESSAGE.TXT from the default drive and send it line by
line over the modem.
OUT B:TEXT.TXT
Will read TEXT.TXT from the B drive and send it to the host
computer.
OUT BRAIN.EXE
Would probably result in a run time error because the lines send,
which end in a carriage return, can't be over 255 characters long.
WAIT [time]
Waits for the number of seconds specified where time is a positive
integer, regardless of received text. Text received is still sent to the
specified outputs.
For example:
WAIT 5
Waits 5 seconds until proceeding.
WAIT 0
Accomplishes absolutely nothing.
WAIT -1
Returns an error message in the compiler.
COUNT [number of times] and ENDLOOP
Repeats a given sequence a given number of times. The number of times
can be an integer from one to 32767. After the COUNT command is given,
ordinary commands follow, and then the command END LOOP to tell it when
to go back to the corresponding COUNT command. The Brain can go through
25 COUNT commands before needing to execute an ENDLOOP command.
For example:
COUNT 5
SEND 10,
END LOOP
Would be the same as typing:
SEND 10,
SEND 10,
SEND 10,
SEND 10,
SEND 10,
END LOOP
SEND 5,
COUNT 5
Would cause an error because all END LOOP's must be preceded by
COUNT statements.
COUNT 3
SEND 5, Yes
COUNT 2
SEND 5,
END LOOP
END LOOP
Would be the same as typing:
SEND 5, Yes
SEND 5,
SEND 5,
SEND 5, Yes
SEND 5,
SEND 5,
SEND 5, Yes
SEND 5,
SEND 5,
JUMP [Lines away]
When this command is received, the interpreter will go to line X+lines
away, where X is the line that the JUMP command is on.
For example:
JUMP -1
Will cause the line before the JUMP command to be repeated
indefinitely.
JUMP 0
Will make the computer sit there and sit there and sit there...
JUMP 2
Will cause the interpreter to skip the next line.
END
Closes all open files and returns to the system or Basic.
Here is an example of what the COMMAND.DAT file would look like if we
wanted to call an RBBS-PC bulletin board, enter a message on the board,
and log off of the board:
Screen OFF * Clear screen and turn off cursor.
Wait until 1 AM * When rates are lowest!
Screen ON * So if I'm around I can see what's happening.
Report * In case something goes wrong.
Dump B:DUMP.TXT * I can look over what happened the next day.
Open at * 1, 1200, N, 8, 1
Change 10 * Keep line feeds from printing on the screen.
Send 5,
* Make sure modem is listening.
Send 5,ATM0
* Turn off modem speaker (It's 1 AM!)
Redial 30, (215) 935-4114 * RBBS phone number.
Count 3 * Unnecessary. Still uses 3 lines.
Send 5,
End loop * To get past initial messages.
Send John
* Answer "First name?"
Send Jones
* Answer "Last name?"
Send SECRET
* Answer "Password?"
Send 15,
* More (Y)/N/NS? on welcome.
Send
* C/R to pass bulletins.
Send E
* Enter message.
Send 5,
* C/R if addressed to "All".
Send 5,Announcement
* Subject.
Send 5,N
* No protection.
Send 5, I have just made a program to replace the programmer! It dials a
Send 5,board, loggs onto it, enters this message, and loggs off, all by
Send 5,itself!
Send 5,
* Blank line when done entering message.
Send 5,S
* Save the message.
Send 5,G
* Goodbye.
Close dump * Just for neatness.
No report
Screen OFF
End
After this file is created in an editor, just put it on the default
drive under the name COMMAND.DAT and execute BRAIN.EXE. The Brain will
check the file to make sure everything is spelled right and such. This
section of the program has been referred to as the compiler, although it
really only formats the commands.
If you receive several error messages in the compiler, try to fix the
first one, and then compile it again. Some errors are caused by a mistake
earlier in the command file. For instance, if you get an error on an OPEN
AT statement, you will get errors on all commands after that which need
to interface with the modem, like SEND.
FILES752.TXT
Disk No #752
Program Name: The Brain Version 1
PC-SIG Version: 1
The BRAIN is a telecommunications designed to go through the motions of
accessing your favorite BBS (Bullitin Board Sysytem), or online service
(compuserve etc.) without requiring you to be present. This is accomplished
by building a "Command File" filled with special commands which the program
interprets and acts upon in your absence. These commands allow you to
upload and download files, leave messages, and generally perform any
routine tasks which you dont want to take the time to do yourself. Another
advantage is being able to set the program up to call a BBS when it is
easier to get online, such as late at night or while your at work in the
daytime. The documentation assumes that you are familiar with DOS and that
you already have a text editor and know how to use it. The manual consists
of a glossary of all the needed commands and a detailed description of each
(with brief examples). Also included is a sample command file for you to
learn from. The program will run an any IBM-PC or compatible with at least
128 K of memory and one disk drive. Since the command file is built from
scratch you must be familiar with the commands needed to program your modem
(initialize, dial, hang-up, etc.) as the program does not do any of this
for you (you must include modem commands within your command file). This
program is best suited to the intermediate and expert user and not well
suited to the novice.
Usage: Communications
System Requirements: 128 K of memory and one disk drive.
How to Start: Type the command BRAIN (press enter)
How to print the Documentation: Type COPY BRAIN.DOC PRN (press enter)
File Descriptions:
BRAIN EXE Main program
BRAIN DOC Documentation file
COMMAND DAT Sample command file
PC-SIG
1030D E Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1987 PC-SIG
GO.TXT
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<< #752 The BRAIN >>> ║
╟──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ ║
║ To print the documentation type: COPY BRAIN.DOC PRN (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To start the program type: BRAIN (press enter) ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #0752
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
BRAIN DOC 21731 4-01-87 9:57p
BRAIN EXE 62080 4-01-87 6:11p
COMMAND DAT 299 4-01-87 8:40p
FILES752 TXT 1951 5-19-87 1:38p
GO BAT 38 5-15-87 10:50a
GO TXT 703 5-15-87 10:50a
6 file(s) 86802 bytes
71680 bytes free