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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1139)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5150"]
Waiting for machine "ibm5150" to load....
Information about “CLASSIC SOLUTIONS 2 OF 2 (ALSO 1138)”
CLASSIC SOLUTIONS is both a language and a database manager -- a
system that creates fast, powerful business programs -- today.
CLASSIC SOLUTIONS provides a quick way to create screens and reports as
they will appear on a terminal or printed page. It is also a data
control system to keep track of all of the items of information --what
they are, what they contain, what is valid data, and how each item
relates to all the others; a data dictionary. Also included is a set of
standardized tools so you don't have to rebuild the same logic over and
over. Use the same data entry techniques for each and every
application.
The number of data files supported by CLASSIC SOLUTIONS are limited
only by the amount of available storage. Each data file can have 250
records and each record can have 1,000 fields. CLASSIC SOLUTIONS comes
with an on-line tutorial to help you get started. It is fully menu-
driven and extensively documented.
FILE1139.TXT
Disk No 1139
Program Title: CLASSIC SOLUTION version 2.0CG (Disk 2 of 2)
PC-SIG version 1
CLASSIC SOLUTION comes on two disks. This disk has the documenation for
the program and disk #1138 has the program. Please refer to disk #1138
for a full description.
Usage: Business.
System Requirements: A hard disk.
How to Start: Type GO (press enter).
Suggested Registration: $65.00
File Descriptions:
CLASMAN ARC Documentation in an archived format.
MANUAL BAT Batch file to unarchive and print the documentation.
PKARC DOC Doc file for archiving program located on disk #1138.
PKXARC DOC Doc file for unarchiving program located on disk #1138.
PC-SIG
1030D E Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1988 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk No 1139 CLASSIC SOLUTIONS >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To read how to install the program to your hard drive, insert disk ║
║ #1138 into drive A> and type README (press enter) ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
PKARC.DOC
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 1
Table of Contents
-----------------
Topic Page
----- ----
Features and Overview .............................. 2
Archive Functions
Add files to an archive ........................ 4
Update files to an archive ..................... 4
Freshen files in an archive .................... 4
Move files to an archive ....................... 5
Delete files in an archive ..................... 5
Verbose listing of files in an archive ......... 5
PKARC Archive Commenting Feature ................... 6
Using a Ramdisk with PKARC ......................... 8
Using PKARC in a batch file ........................ 8
PKARC Error Messages ............................... 9
PKARC Revision history ............................. 11
General Information ................................ 12
Software License ................................... 13
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 2
Features
--------
- THE FASTEST CREATION AND UPDATING OF ARCHIVES - EVER.
- Highest compression ratios with state-of-the-art Enhanced
Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch Crunching and Squashing.
- Unique Archive Commenting capability.
- Data integrity ensured by 16 bit Cyclic Redundancy Check.
- Superior file buffering.
- Not copy protected.
- Pay only if you find the software useful.
Overview
--------
An archive is a collection of one or more files collected into a
single archive file. A file extension of .ARC is usually used to
denote an archive. Each file in an archive is compressed to save
disk space, backup storage space, and file transfer time. When a
file is archived, it is analyzed and compressed with the most
optimal data compression method for that file. Every file in an
archive is stored with a 16-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) to
ensure data integrity when the file is extracted from the archive.
PKARC is a FAST! archive update/create utility that generates
archives. It is compatible with SEAware's (Software Enhancement
Associate's) ARC program and my own FAST! archive extraction
utility PKXARC, but is many times faster than SEAware's ARC program
and faster than ANY OTHER archive utility. PKARC achieves its
speed through the use of highly optimized assembly language code
and advanced file buffering techniques. With version 1.1 of PKARC,
an Enhanced Ziv-Lempel-Welch crunching technique is employed which
can result in an up to a 40% space savings over ARC. With version
2.0 of PKARC, a new compression method called "squashing" is used
which can save up to an additional 10% or more for large text files.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 3
Using PKARC
-----------
Usage: PKARC [compatibility options] options archive [filespec...]
Compatibility options are:
/oc = old crunching (no squashing)
/ot = old datestamping method
/otc = both old crunching and datestamping
Options are:
a = add files to archive d = delete files from archive
f = freshen files in archive m = move files to archive
u = update files in archive v = display verbose listing of archive
l = display software license c = add/update file comments
x = add/update archive comment
The /oc compatibility option prevents PKARC from using file
squashing. With squashing disabled, PKARC will create archives
completely compatible with SEAware's ARC program and older versions
of PKXARC.
The /ot compatibility option forces PKARC to follow SEAware's
archive datestamping method. By default, PKARC sets the time and
date of an archive to the current time and date whenever it is
modified. The SEA archiver will set the time and date of an
archive to the time and date of the latest file within the archive.
Using this option will cause PKARC to use this archive dating
method.
The two compatibility options can be specified at the same time by
using either /oct or /otc.
The A,F,M, and U options can be followed by a C and/or X to cause
prompting for the file comments and/or the archive comment. The V
option can be followed by a C for a verbose listing with the file
comments.
The DOS wildcards * and ? can be used when specifying file names.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 4
Adding files to an archive
--------------------------
This option is used to add files to an existing archive, or create
a new archive with the specified files. This is the most common
use of PKARC. If no list of files is given, all the files in the
current directory will be added. Examples:
PKARC a stuff
will collect all the files in the current directory, and place them
in the archive STUFF.ARC
PKARC a a:manuals b:*.doc b:*.txt
will collect all files with an extension of .DOC or .TXT on drive B
and place them in the archive A:MANUALS.ARC.
Updating files to an archive
----------------------------
This option works the same as the Add option, with the exception
that if a file already exists within an archive, it will be updated
only if the datestamp of the file on the disk is dated after the
file within the archive. This option can be used to prevent an
earlier version of a file from overwriting a later version which is
in an archive. For example:
PKARC u manuals *.doc *.txt
will collect all files with an extension of .DOC or .TXT and place
them in the archive MANUALS.ARC. If however, a file already exists
in the archive and on the disk (say STARTREK.DOC), the file
STARTREK.DOC will be added to the archive only if it is dated later
than the version already in the archive. If the file on the disk
has an earlier date, then the version in the archive will remain.
Freshening files in an archive
------------------------------
This option is used to ensure that an archive contains all the
latest versions of its files. The Freshen function works like the
Update function, except it will not cause new files to be added to
the archive. For example:
PKARC f arcutil b:*.*
will go through all the files on drive B and look for files that
are in already in the archive, but with a later date. If a later
version is found, it will be updated in the archive.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 5
Moving files to an archive
--------------------------
This option works exactly like the Add function, except that the
original files are deleted from the disk after successful
archiving. The files are deleted only after the archive is created
and completed, and no errors have occurred. If any errors occur
during the archiving process (such as disk full) the original files
will not be deleted. For example:
PKARC m cfiles *.c
will add all files with an extension .C to the archive CFILES.ARC.
After all the files have been successfully added to the archive,
they will be deleted from the disk.
Deleting files from an archive
------------------------------
This option is used to delete files from within an archive. For
example:
PKARC d games *.bas
This will delete all files with the extension .BAS from the archive
GAMES.ARC.
Verbose listing of an archive
-----------------------------
This option is used to list the contents of an archive. The
listing is in the following format:
Filename Length Method Size Ratio Date Time
-------- ------ ------ ------ ----- ---- ----
FILENAME.EXT nnnnnn aaaaaaaa nnnnnn nn% mm-dd-yy hr:mm:ss
The length is the true length of the file. The method is the data
compression technique used on the file and is one of the following:
Stored The file was Stored.
Packed The file was Packed with non-repeat packing.
Squeezed The file was Squeezed with Huffman encoding.
crunched The file was crunched with old style Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression.
Crunched The file was Crunched with Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression.
Squashed The file was Squashed with Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression.
The size is the resulting size of the file after compression, and
the ratio is the percentage of file space saved. For example, a
file with a length of 10,000 and a size of 2,500 would have a
savings ratio of 75%.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 6
PKARC Archive File Comments Feature
-----------------------------------
One of the unique features of PKARC is the ability to store a
comment with an archive, and optionally a comment for each file in
an archive, similar to the file descriptions found on many Bulletin
Board Systems. The archive comment is automatically displayed when
the archive is manipulated by PKARC version 1.2 or later and PKXARC
version 3.3 or later. Each file in an archive can be given a
comment which can be displayed with the verbose listing function.
Following the V option with letter C will cause the comments to be
displayed. For example:
PKARC vc utility
will display the files in the archive UTILITY.ARC with the archive
file comments in the following format:
Filename Comment Date Time
-------- -------------------------------- ---- ----
FILENAME.EXT cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc mm-dd-yy hr-mm-ss
The archive comment and file comments can be up to 32 characters in
length.
If the A,U,F, or M options are followed by a X, prompting will
occur for the archive comment. For example:
PKARC ax datafils *.dat
will add all files with an extension .DAT to the archive
DATAFILS.ARC and prompt for the archive comment for DATAFILS.ARC.
If the A,U,F, or M options are followed by a C, prompting will
occur for a file comment after each file is added to the archive.
For example:
PKARC ac datafils *.dat
will add all files with an extension .DAT to the archive
DATAFILS.ARC. After each file is placed into the archive, the
comment for that file can be entered.
The C and X options from above can be combined to prompt for the
archive comment and the file comments at the same time. For
example:
PKARC acx datafils *.dat
will add all files with an extension .DAT to the archive
DATAFILS.ARC and cause prompting for the archive comment and the
file comments.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 7
The C option can be used to add or update file comments. For
example:
PKARC c programs
will go through all files in the archive PROGRAMS.ARC and prompt
for a comment for each file. Comments can be updated selectively,
such as:
PKARC c programs spoolkey.sys
will allow the file comment for the specified file to be added or
changed.
The X option can be used to add or update the archive comment. For
example:
PKARC x programs
will add or update the archive comment for the archive PROGRAMS.ARC.
The C and X options from above can be combined to prompt for the
archive comment and the file comments at the same time. For
example:
PKARC cx programs
will add or update the archive comment and the file comments for
the archive PROGRAMS.ARC.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 8
NOTE: The comments are stored in a way totally transparent to
SEAware's ARC program and and have no effect on the operation
of ARC.
However, because SEAware's ARC program does not know about
archive comments or file comments, ARC truncates the comments
from an archive when modifying it. Using SEAware's ARC
program to add, update, move, freshen or delete files from an
archive will cause all comments to be lost. If you wish to
retain the comments within an archive, it is recommended that
the use of SEAware's ARC program be avoided.
Using a Ramdisk with PKARC
--------------------------
PKARC sometimes creates one or two temporary files while archiving
files. The default drive for these files is the current drive. In
order to increase performance, PKARC can be told which drive and/or
subdirectory to use for temporary files through DOS environment
strings. PKARC searches the environment for the string
PKARCTMP=pathspec. For compatibility with ARC, the string
ARCTEMP=pathspec can be used as well. For example if drive D is a
ramdisk, entering:
SET PKARCTMP=D:
at the DOS prompt will cause PKARC to use drive D for temporary
files.
Using PKARC in a batch file
---------------------------
If you are using PKARC from a batch file, you can test if PKARC
aborted with an error using the DOS errorlevel variable. PKARC
returns a non-zero errorlevel if an error occurred, and a zero
errorlevel for normal termination.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 9
PKARC Error Messages
--------------------
When any of the following errors are detected, PKARC will display
the indicated message and abort to DOS. All original files and
archives will be intact, as PKARC does not overwrite or delete
existing files on the disk until the entire archive processing has
been successfully completed.
PKARC: Unknown option: (unknown character)
The displayed option is unknown.
PKARC: Insufficient Memory
There is not enough free memory to run PKARC.
PKARC: No archive specified.
The name of the archive to be processed must be given.
PKARC: No files specified for deletion.
The delete option was specified, but no files were given.
Unlike other options, delete does not assume *.* if no specific
files are given.
PKARC: Can't find XXXXXXXX.YYY
The specified file(s) could not be found.
PKARC: No file(s) found.
No files were found to add or update to the archive.
PKARC: Can't create file XXXXXXXX.YYY
The displayed file could not be created. The output directory
is probably invalid or full.
PKARC: Too many files.
This error will occur if more than 512 files or 16 different
drive/pathspecs are given at one time for the add, update,
freshen, or move options. While there is no limit on the total
number of files allowed in an archive, only 512 can be added at
one time.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 10
PKARC: XXXXXXXX.YYY is not an archive.
The archive name given to PKARC existed on the disk, but either
is not an archive, or is corrupted.
PKARC: Can't open XXXXXXXX.YYY
The displayed file could not be opened.
PKARC: disk full
The disk is full.
PKARC: XXXXXXXX.YYY is read-only!
The displayed archive file is a read-only or system file.
No modification (add, update, delete, etc.) is possible.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 11
PKARC Revision History
----------------------
*** PKARC version 1.0, 8-06-86 ***
Initial release.
*** PKARC version 1.1, 9-12-86 ***
Enhanced Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression was added to PKARC. The
enchanced crunching algorithm provides superior compression ratios
over the traditional crunching algorithm used in SEAware's ARC
program. Files crunched with the enhanced crunching algorithm are
up to 40% smaller, yet still fully compatible with ARC and PKXARC.
File buffering has been drastically improved, resulting in faster
compression, especially on floppy disks.
The improved buffering and other optimizations have resulted in a
twofold increase in archiving speed over PKARC version 1.0.
*** PKARC version 1.2, 10-23-86 ***
PKARC version 1.1 inadvertently introduced a rare bug involving
squeezed files. This has been corrected in version 1.2.
Archive commenting ability has been added to PKARC. PKARC now
allows a comment to be assigned to an archive, in addition to each
file within an archive. The archive comment is automatically
displayed when the archive is manipulated by PKARC version 1.2 or
later and PKXARC version 3.3 or later.
File buffering has been improved. While PKARC will still run in
minimum of 128K of RAM, PKARC will take advantage of up to 224K of
RAM if available to increase file buffering.
The Enhanced Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression has been slightly
improved. Some files will compress up to 5% smaller than with
PKARC version 1.1. Binary files should experience the most
improvement.
Optimizations in PKARC version 1.2 have resulted in up to a 20%
increase in archiving speed over PKARC version 1.1.
*** PKARC version 2.0, 12-15-86 ***
A new compression method called "squashing" was added to PKARC
version 2.0. Squashing is a variation of Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch
compression which can yield a significant improvement over
crunching for larger text files. Also, the unsquashing of files is
faster than uncrunching. In addition, the Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch
crunching has been improved in PKARC version 2.0 with some files
crunching significantly smaller than with PKARC version 1.2.
As always, minor speed improvements have resulted in about 10%
speed increase over the previous version.
An "old compatibility switch" was added to PKARC version 2.0 for
compatibility with SEAware's archive dating method. By default,
PKARC sets the time and date of an archive to the current time and
date whenever it is modified. The SEA archiver will set the time
and date of an archive to the time and date of the latest file
within the archive. While most users prefer that an archive date
be set to the current date, this switch was added for those who
prefer the SEA method.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 12
General Information
-------------------
PKARC will run on any IBM PC/XT/AT/RT/jr/Portable/Convertible or
DOS compatible whatever running PC/MS-DOS 2.0 or higher with a
minimum of 128K free RAM.
IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machine
Corporation.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Inc.
If you have any questions or comments about PKARC send them to Phil
Katz at:
Exec-PC multi-user IBM BBS, Bob Mahoney SYSOP
Shorewood, Wisconsin
414-964-5160
300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours a day, 16 lines
or
RBBS-PC of FARGO, Loren Jones SYSOP
Fargo, North Dakota
701-293-5973
300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours a day
Special thanks to Bob Mahoney, Alan Losoff, Gene Alm,
Loren Jones, and Mike Shawaluk.
PKARC FAST! Archive Create/Update Utility Version 2.0 12-15-86 Page 13
License
-------
Copyright (c) 1986 PKWARE, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You are free to use, copy and distribute PKARC providing that:
NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR USE, COPYING OR DISTRIBUTION.
IT IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY.
Clubs and user groups may charge a nominal fee for expenses and
handling while distributing PKARC.
Volume discounts, site licenses, commercial licenses and custom
versions of PKARC and PKXARC are available. Write to the address
below for more information.
This program is provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or
implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular
purpose.
If you find PKARC fast, easy, and convenient to use, a contribution
of $20 would be appreciated. With each contribution of $45 or more
you will be registered to receive a diskette with the next version
of PKARC and PKXARC when available. Please state the current
versions of PKARC and PKXARC that you have. Send contributions to:
PKWARE, Inc.
7032 Ardara Avenue
Glendale, WI 53209
PKXARC.DOC
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 1
Table of Contents
-----------------
Topic Page
----- ----
Features and Overview .............................. 2
Using PKXARC ....................................... 3
PKXARC Warning Messages............................. 4
PKXARC Error Messages .............................. 4
PKXARC Revision history ............................ 5
Using PKXARC in a batch file ....................... 8
General Information ................................ 9
Software License ................................... 10
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 2
Features
--------
- THE FASTEST ARCHIVE EXTRACTION - EVER.
- Data integrity ensured by 16 bit Cyclic Redundancy Check.
- Supports the PKARC file squashing and archive comment features.
- Superior file buffering.
- Not copy protected.
- Pay only if you find the software useful.
Overview
--------
An archive is a collection of one or more files collected into a
single archive file. A file extension of .ARC is usually used to
denote an archive. Each file in an archive is compressed to save
disk space, backup storage space, and file transfer time. When a
file is archived, it is analyzed and compressed with the most
optimal data compression method for that file. Every file in an
archive is stored with a 16-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) to
ensure data integrity when the file is extracted from the archive.
PKXARC is a FAST! archive extraction utility that extracts files
from an archive and restores them to their orignal name, size, time
& date. It is completely compatible with SEAware's (Software
Enhancement Associate's) ARC program and my own FAST! archive
create/update utility PKARC, but is many times faster than
SEAware's ARC program and faster than ANY OTHER archive extract
utility. PKXARC achieves its speed through the use of highly
optimized assembly language code and advanced file buffering
techniques.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 3
Using PKXARC
------------
Usage: PKXARC [options] archive [d:path\] [file...]
Options are:
/r = replace existing files /v = verbose listing of archive(s)
/c = extract file(s) to the console /p = extract file(s) to the printer
/t = test archive integrity /l = display software license
archive Archive file name, wildcards *,? ok. Default extension
is .ARC
d:path\ Output drive and/or path.
file Name(s) of files to extract, list, or test.
Wildcards *,? ok. Default is ALL files.
Examples:
PKXARC a:* b:
- Extract all files from all archives on drive A: storing
extracted files on drive B:.
PKXARC sigdir1 c:
- Extract all files from the archive SIGDIR1.ARC in the current
drive & subdirectory storing extracted files on drive C:.
PKXARC c:\lotus\tax *.wks
- Extract all .WKS files from archive C:\LOTUS\TAX.ARC storing
extracted files in the current drive & subdirectory.
PKXARC/r c:\public\* d:\ *.doc *.txt
- Extract all .DOC and .TXT files from all archives in the
directory C:\PUBLIC storing the extracted files in the root
directory of drive D:. Overwrite existing files without query.
PKXARC/v c:\download\*
- Display a verbose listing of all archives in the directory
C:\DOWNLOAD.
PKXARC/c utility *.doc
- Extract all .DOC files form the archive UTILITY.ARC displaying
extracted files on the console.
PKXARC/p utility *.doc
- Same as above, except extracted files are displayed on the
printer.
PKXARC/t utility
-Test the integrity of the archive UTILITY.ARC.
PKXARC/t c:\download\*
-Test the validity of all archives in the directory C:\DOWNLOAD.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 4
PKXARC warnings
---------------
Warning! File XXXXXXXX.YYY already exists! overwrite (y/n)?
- A file to be extracted from the archive already exists on disk.
Answer "y" to extract the file from the archive anyway and
overwrite the existing file, "n" to not extract the file from
the archive. Use the "/r" command line option to suppress this
warning.
Unknown packing method for: XXXXXXXX.YYY
- The file is squeezed or encoded in a unknown way. The archive
is probably corrupt.
Warning! File XXXXXXXX.YYY fails CRC check
- The Cyclic Redundancy Check calculation did not match the
stored value. The file is probably corrupt.
XXXXXXXX.YYY is not an archive
- The file specified is either not an archive, or is corrupt.
Archive length error
- A end of file token was not found for a file within the
archive. The archive is corrupt.
PKXARC errors
-------------
PKXARC: can't find XXXXXXXX.YYY
- The given archive filename could not be found.
PKXARC: cannot read archive: XXXXXXXX.YYY
- The archive could not be opened.
PKXARC: Cannot create: XXXXXXXX.YYY
- The output file could not be created. The output directory is
invalid or full.
PKXARC: File has invalid decode tree
- The Huffman decode tree for the file is invalid. The archive
is corrupt.
PKXARC: Disk full
- The disk is full.
PKXARC: Internal table overflow
- An internal decode table overflowed. The archive is corrupt.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 5
PKXARC history
--------------
Soon after the archive file format was introduced into the public
domain, it became popular and many BBS files were transfered this
way. The archive format is a convenient way to put several files
into one and compress them for effecient disk storage and reduced
transfer time, in one step.
However, the archive utility was much slower at extracting files
than equivalent UnSQueeze type programs. In the inevitable quest
for faster archive file extraction, PKXARC was created.
Changes in PKXARC version 2.3
-----------------------------
The ability to extract dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch encoded files was
added. Version 5.0 of ARC introduced a new, more efficient
variation of Ziv-Lempel "Crunching". PKXARC can now extract files
Crunched with this method, approximately 3 times faster than ARC
5.1.
Changes in PKXARC version 2.4
-----------------------------
Performance for extracting dynamic Ziv-Lempel files has been
improved. Files which are identified as "Crunched" (with a capital
C) on the ARC verbose listing extract 15-20% faster than before.
When a "Disk full" error occurred, previous versions of PKXARC
would leave an empty or incomplete file on the disk. PKXARC now
deletes any incomplete files before aborting with a "Disk full"
error.
Changes in PKXARC version 2.5
-----------------------------
The ability to extract specific files was added. PKXARC can now be
passed the specific names of files to be extracted from an archive
on the command line.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 6
Changes in PKXARC version 2.6
-----------------------------
Extraction performance for all compression types has been
significantly improved over PKXARC version 2.5. Files that are
crunched with older versions of ARC (pre 5.x) extract 5% faster.
Squeezed files extract 15% faster. Files that are Crunched with
ARC 5.x extract 20% faster.
Changes in PKXARC version 2.7
-----------------------------
Extraction performance of Squeezed files has been improved more
than 60%. PKXARC version 2.7 can extract a Squeezed file more than
8 times as fast as ARC 5.1.
The message displayed when a file is being extracted has been
enhanced to indicate the compression method used to store the file.
Message Meaning
------- -------
Extracting The file was Stored.
un-Packing The file was Packed with non-repeat packing.
uncrunching The file was crunched with old style Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression.
unSqueezing The file was Squeezed with Huffman encoding.
unCrunching The file was Crunched with Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression.
unSquashing The file was Squashed with Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch compression.
Changes in PKXARC version 3.0
-----------------------------
The following functions have been added to PKXARC version 3.0:
Extraction of files to the console or printer.
The ability to display a verbose archive listing.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 7
Changes in PKXARC version 3.1
-----------------------------
A minor bug in the pattern matching code for individual file
specifications when using the wildcard "*" was fixed. For example,
previous versions of PKXARC would not correctly match "flight*.com"
to the exact filename "flight.com". This has been corrected in
PKXARC version 3.1.
The verbose archive listing now displays the total number of files
in the archive.
Extraction speed has been increased 5-10% for all decompression
methods.
A "jr" version of PKXARC was created for computers with limited
memory. PKXARCjr requires only 74K of free memory to run, but is
slightly slower than the standard version for most archives. Both
versions will run on any type of computer providing there is
sufficient free memory.
Changes in PKXARC version 3.2
-----------------------------
The archive test function "/t" was added to PKXARC. This function
tests the integrity of the archive without extracting the files to
disk. Specifically, the CRC for each file is computed and compared
against the correct value stored in the archive.
Extraction speed has been increased by 5% for most files.
Changes in PKXARC version 3.3
-----------------------------
Support of the PKARC archive comment feature was added. PKXARC
will automatically display an archive comment if it is present in
an archive.
When extracting files to the printer, PKXARC will now print a
form-feed character after each file.
Extraction speed has been increased by 5% for Crunched files.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 8
Changes in PKXARC version 3.4
-----------------------------
Support of "squashed" files created by PKARC 2.0 has been added.
Squashing is a variation of Dynamic Ziv-Lempel-Welch encoding which
can yield a 10% or better compression ratio for large text files.
Squashed files typically unsquash 15% faster than equivalent
crunched files.
In order to be consistent with the command syntax of PKARC, the
requirement for dashes "-" to be given before individual filenames
to extract or list has been removed.
Error recovery for damaged archives has been improved. Previous
versions of PKXARC would occasionally hang up while processing
damaged archives. PKXARC version 3.4 has improved error recovery
allowing at least the partial extraction of files from a damaged
archive.
Using PKXARC in a batch file
---------------------------
If you are using PKXARC from a batch file, you can test if PKXARC
aborted with an error using the DOS errorlevel variable. PKXARC
returns a non-zero errorlevel if an error occurred, and a zero
errorlevel for normal termination.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 9
General Information
-------------------
PKXARC will run on any IBM PC/XT/AT/RT/jr/Portable/Convertible or
DOS compatible whatever running PC/MS-DOS 2.0 or higher with a
minimum of 128K free RAM.
IBM is a registered trademark of the International Business Machine
Corporation.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Inc.
If you have any questions or comments about PKARC send them to Phil
Katz at:
Exec-PC multi-user IBM BBS, Bob Mahoney SYSOP
Shorewood, Wisconsin
414-964-5160
300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours a day, 16 lines
or
RBBS-PC of FARGO, Loren Jones SYSOP
Fargo, North Dakota
701-293-5973
300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours a day
Special thanks to Bob Mahoney, Alan Losoff, Gene Alm,
Loren Jones, and Mike Shawaluk.
PKXARC FAST! Archive Extract Utility Version 3.4 12-15-86 Page 10
License
-------
Copyright (c) 1986 PKWARE, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You are free to use, copy and distribute PKXARC providing that:
NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR USE, COPYING OR DISTRIBUTION.
IT IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY.
Clubs and user groups may charge a nominal fee for expenses and
handling while distributing PKARC.
Site licenses, commercial licenses and custom versions of PKARC and
PKXARC are available. Write to the address below for more
information.
This program is provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or
implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular
purpose.
If you find PKXARC fast, easy, and convenient to use, a
contribution of $20 would be appreciated. With each contribution
of $45 or more you will be registered to receive a diskette with
the next version of PKARC and PKXARC when available. Please state
the current versions of PKARC and PKXARC that you have. Send
contributions to:
PKWARE, Inc.
7032 Ardara Avenue
Glendale, WI 53209
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1139
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
CLASMAN ARC 263599 6-08-88 4:55p
FILE1139 TXT 791 9-28-88 12:39p
GO BAT 38 9-23-88 1:43p
GO TXT 463 9-23-88 1:59p
MANUAL BAT 128 6-08-88 10:08a
PKARC DOC 20859 12-15-86
PKXARC DOC 14043 12-15-86
7 file(s) 299921 bytes
18432 bytes free