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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1301)
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Information about “FRONT END”
FRONT END is a fairly technical menu-development system of primary
interest to programmers. Menus can be created for hard disks, or
crowded floppies, allowing easy access to each program from the menu.
The system lets you use nested menus (menu within a menu) for many more
choices than would fit on the screen at once. You can also change the
display colors and the size of the menu window.
FRONT END uses a unique programming language, similar in style to dBase
III, and if you want to use this system's full potential, you should
have at least brief exposure to some sort of programming; e.g., BASIC,
dBase, or Pascal. The documentation concerns itself mostly with
command syntax reference rather than programming techniques. There is
a way provided to create menus without learning the language, but the
full flexibility of the system is not truly available. The
documentation provided (23 pages) is technically-oriented.
FILE1301.TXT
Disk No: 1301
Program Title: FRONT END version 1.0B
PC-SIG version 1
FRONT END is a fairly technical menu-development system of primary
interest to programmers. Menus can be created for hard disks, or
floppies which have many programs on them, allowing easy access to each
program from the menu. The system lets you use nested menus (menu
within a menu) for many more choices than would fit on the screen at
once. You can also change the display colors and the size of the menu
window.
FRONT END uses a unique programming language, similar in style to dBase
III, and if you want to use this system's full potential, you should
have at least brief exposure to some sort of programming; e.g., BASIC,
dBASE, or Pascal, as the documentation concerns itself mostly with
command syntax reference, rather than programming techniques. There is
provided a way to create menus without learning the language, but the
full flexibility of the system is not available this way. The
documentation provided (23 pages) is technically-oriented, providing
brief descriptions of each of the programs and their functions.
Usage: DOS Utility.
Special Requirements: 384K memory.
How to Start: Type GO (press enter).
Suggested Registration: Not Specified.
File Descriptions:
DOSNSTAL BAT Creates a sample front end executable disk.
FRONTEND DOC Documentation file.
HDNSTALL BAT Hard disk installation.
INSTALL DOC Documentation file.
MCHECK COM Menu debugging tool.
MCOMPILE COM Menu processor program.
MCOMPILE BAT Batch file.
MEDIT COM Edit existing menus.
MEDIT BAT Batch file.
MLIST COM Display the contents of a menu file.
MRUN COM Run a menu.
MSET COM Change menu display characteristics.
MSYS ENV Created by medit.
README! DOC Message from the author.
SAMPLE MCP Sample menu file.
SAMPLE SRC Sample command file.
SAMPLE1 BAT Batch file.
SAMPLE2 BAT Batch file.
PC-SIG
1030D E Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale CA 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
FRONTEND.DOC
FRONT END
A menu development system.
Written by:
Sherman R. White Jr. (c) 1987
INTRODUCTION
The Front End menu generator is a menu development system for organizing
standard DOS applications into a friendly, easy to use, menu oriented format.
It may be used for simplifying existing tasks or customizing new tasks.
Invoke your favorite applications with the touch of a button! Front End's user
friendly interface eliminates the need to learn complex DOS commands. Simply
select the program you wish from one of the onscreen menus and press the ENTER
key. It's THAT simple. In addition, Front End is fully programmable to change
as your needs change.
This package includes the following files:
MCOMPILE.COM, MEDIT.COM, MRUN.COM, MCHECK.COM, MLIST.COM, MSET.COM, SAMPLE.SRC,
SAMPLE.MCP, DOSNSTAL.BAT, FRONTEND.DOC
MCOMPILE.COM - this is the menu preprocessor program. It takes text files
created by any word processor or text editor and translates them into menu
command data to be used with the various other menu utilities:
Each text file must contain a menu definition written in SMDL (Structured Menu
Definition Language). At the end of translation, an MCP (Menu Control Program)
file is generated. This file may then be executed, examined, or modified by
the other menu utilities such as MRUN, MEDIT, MCHECK, and MLIST. A complete
list of SMDL commands is presented later in the text.
MEDIT.COM - this program allows the user to directly modify or create any MCP
file without going through the translation process. It is useful for the quick
generation and modification of menu systems where detailed documentation is not
an important consideration. It may be used separate from or in conjunction
with the MCOMPILE utility.
MRUN.COM - this is the menu execution utility. This program takes a menu
command program file and optionally executes the menus that the user selects.
It can execute any standard DOS application as a child process and remains in
control when the child process terminates.
MCHECK.COM - this utility is provided for "fixing" defective menu control
program files. This program is especially useful when menu command data has
been shifted or modified, often leaving inaccurate menu pointers.
MLIST.COM - this utility displays the contents of any menu control program
file.
MSET.COM - this utility is provided to modify the menu environment (background
& foreground colors, and the background hue character) to the user's
preferences.
SAMPLE.SRC - this is a sample preprocessor (text) source file written in SMDL.
It is supplied for your inspection to help you learn SMDL and get going with
the FRONT END menu development system.
SAMPLE.MCP - this its the menu command data file compiled from SAMPLE.SRC. It
is also provided for your inspection and may be executed with the menu
execution utility (see MRUN.COM). To examine or modify this file, use the menu
editor (see MEDIT.COM).
DOSNSTAL.BAT - this is a DOS batch file that creates a sample FRONT END
executable disk.
Chapter 1 Creating your own menus.
A complete menu system may be created in two ways. The first way we will
discuss is using MCOMPILE.COM.
As mentioned earlier, this program takes a text file containing menu
definitions written in SMDL and creates the data file that is compatible with
the other menu utilities including MEDIT, MRUN, MLIST, and MCHECK.
1.1 Starting MCOMPILE...
To start MCOMPILE, you must have a menu definition text file written in SMDL.
You may use virtually any word processor or text editor capable of producing an
ascii file to create your menu definitions. Once you have created the
definition file, at the DOS prompt type:
A>MCOMPILE filename <ENTER>
where 'filename' is the name of the text file containing the menu definitions.
At this point, MCOMPILE will begin analyzing and translating the text file into
a menu control program file (filename.MCP). This process is automatic and will
only discontinue if the preprocessor encounters an error.
1.2 The menu definition program and SMDL...
The text file read by MCOMPILE contains menu definitions expressed in the SMDL
menu definition language. The SMDL program consists of any of 13 or so
commands arranged in a structured (Pascal-like) format. The current version of
MRUN supports up to 128 definitions per MCP file.
1.2.1 The general format for any menu definition is:
Menu "menu label"
< optional menu description commands >
Option "option label"
< optional option description commands >
enddef
enddef
1.2.2 A list of the SMDL commands is as follows:
MENU
Syntax: Menu "menu name"
Example: Menu "My first menu"
Purpose:
To establish a new menu with the title specified. When defining a menu
definition, this command must precede any of the other SMDL commands. When
invoked, a default menu configuration is selected. To obtain customization,
the programmer may use the other SMDL commands to modify the menu created by
the MENU statement.
WINDOW
Syntax: Window X1,Y1,X2,Y2
Example: Window 1,1,15,15
Purpose:
To define the area on the screen that will contain the current menu. The first
two numbers represent the upper left hand corner of the menu box while the
second two numbers represent the lower right hand corner. The default settings
are <insert the default settings>.
STYLE/KIND
Syntax: Kind n OR
Style n
Example: Kind 6 OR
Style 6
Purpose:
To select the kind of menu that appears onscreen. Both forms ("STYLE" &
"KIND") do exactly the same thing where the value of 'n' determines the menu
type. The default setting is 1.
A table of the different menu types appears below:
n=1, menu will have no borders and be of uniform color.
n=2, menu will have a solid, thick border drawn in the current menu's
foreground color.
n=3, menu will have a thin, single line border drawn in the current menu's
foreground color.
n=4, menu will have a thin, double lined border drawn in the current menu's
foreground color.
n=5, same as n=1, but menu will cast a "shadow" on the screen (provided that
the background of the menu environment is not black).
n=6, same as n=2, but menu will cast a "shadow" on the screen (provided that
the background of the menu environment is not black).
n=7, same as n=3, but menu will cast a "shadow" on the screen (provided that
the background of the menu environment is not black).
n=8, same as n=4, but menu will cast a "shadow" on the screen (provided that
the background of the menu environment is not black).
COLOR
Syntax: Color f,b
Example: Color 7,0
Purpose:
To set the foreground and background colors for the current menu. The first
number represents the foreground color, the second number represents the
background color. The default settings for the foreground and background
colors respectively are 7 and 0.
A color table showing the available colors and their respective values appears
below:
*Color table:
0 Black 8 Gray
1 Blue 9 Light blue
2 Green 10 Light green
3 Cyan 11 Light cyan
4 Red 12 Light red
5 Magenta 13 Light magenta
6 Brown 14 Yellow
7 White 15 High-Intensity White
* All sixteen colors are available as foreground colors, but only colors 0 thru
7 are available as background colors.
UPPERCASE/LOWERCASE
Syntax: Uppercase
Lowercase
Example: Uppercase
Lowercase
Purpose:
To define the selection letter case for the current menu. For instance:
A. My first option (uppercase used)
a. My first option (lowercase used)
Note that only the selection character (the first letter of the option line) is
affected by either the uppercase or lowercase statements. This feature is
provided to express menu dependency, thus a menu of a menu might use a
lowercase statement while its parent menu might use an uppercase statement.
The default setting is uppercase.
OPTION
Syntax: Option "option name"
Example: Option "My first option"
Purpose:
To define an option within the current menu with the name specified in
quotation marks. After execution of this command, all option definition
commands will apply to the current option until an ENDDEF statement is
encountered.
LINK
Syntax: Link "menu name" OR
Link n
Example: Link "My first menu" OR
Link 6
Purpose:
To invoke another menu from the current option. A menu may be called by name
(the name given to the menu in its MENU statement) or by number (its position
within the menu file - 1). When calling a menu by name, the named menu must be
previously defined. For most instances (example: forward menu referencing), it
is easier to call the menu by number.
EXECUTE
Syntax: Execute "command line"
Example: Execute "dir"
Purpose:
To execute a DOS command line from the current option. The command line may be
any legal DOS command.
The command line has a special importance to the menu execution utility (see
MRUN). Before the execution utility passes a command line to DOS, it searches
the line for any of the utility's special command set. When the preprocessor
finds one of its commands, it processes that command before sending the command
line to DOS. In addition to special functions, the preprocessor also supports
concatenation to "customize" command lines before DOS gets them. For instance,
to edit a selected file using EDLIN (refer to your DOS manual) from an option,
one would simply use:
Execute "Edlin file$"
File$ is a special command that allows the user to select a file from a set of
files in a file window using the computer's arrow keys. If the selected file
was MYFILE.TXT then the command line will look like:
Edlin MYFILE.TXT
just BEFORE DOS gets it. It is important to note that preprocessor commands
have no meaning outside of the menu execution utility, for instance, they
cannot be used in DOS or with any other program. They must be inserted using
the menu editing utilities or as a part of the translation process in order for
them to be passed along to the execution utility. They are provided to
facilitate the execution of non-specific commands from a menu option. A full
list of the other special preprocessor commands follow:
DATE$
This function returns the current date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
DAY$
This function returns the current day of the week as a three to five letter
abbreviation. (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)
DIR$
This function returns the current directory name and is intended for use with
concatenation. Using this function, files may be shared across directories.
DISK$
This function returns the current disk drive name and is also intended for use
with concatenation. Using this files may be more easily shared between disk
devices.
ENVIRON$(label)
This function returns the value of an environment variable.
FILE$, FILE$(filespec)
This function reads the named files within the current directory and allows the
user to select a file from a window using the computer's arrow keys.
HALT$, HALT$(returncode)
This function allows the user to immediately terminate the menu executive
utility from an option and return to DOS. The optional returncode parameter
allows the program to send a code that may be used with 'IF ERRORLEVEL'
statements in a batch file.
INPUT$(prompt)
This function allows the user to get a string directly from the keyboard before
processing the current command line. The prompt string is displayed above the
input field.
PATH$
This function returns the current path string, if any.
PROMPT$ (message)
This function displays the given message at the upper middle portion of the
screen before allowing command line processing to continue. The display
disappears and command line processing resumes when the user strikes a key.
This function doesn't return any value and is best used with concatenation to
avoid command line parameter confusion.
REBOOT$
Similar to HALT$, this function allows the user to directly reboot the computer
from a menu option.
TIME$
This function returns the value of the system clock in HH:MM:SS format.
Concatenation and the preprocessor...
String concatenation is achieved via the ampersand (&) character between the
strings in an expression. For example:
DATE$&TIME$
will be processed as the date and the time appended to one another or
MM/DD/YYYYHH:MM:SS
HELP
Syntax: HELP
Example: HELP
Purpose:
To begin help definition for the current option. An example HELP definition
would look like:
HELP
. "This is the first line of help text, help data appears when a user selects"
. "the f1 key with the current option."
ENDDEF
., TEXT
Syntax: . "Help information text" OR
TEXT "Help information text"
Example: . "This is an example."
TEXT "This is an example."
Purpose:
To define help documentation for the current option. This command MUST be
preceded by the HELP declaration (see HELP declaration). The current version
of FRONT END supports up to five lines of help text, which may be up to 72
characters in length.
ENDDEF
Syntax: ENDDEF
Example: ENDDEF
Purpose:
To end a definition clause. There must be an ENDDEF statement for each MENU,
OPTION and HELP declaration in a menu definition.
1.2.3 Parameters and the command line...
A command line is a special string passed to the DOS command interpreter to
invoke a DOS command or a program. Command lines consist of parameters
separated by spaces, commas, or plus signs. Because command lines are
preprocessed, the preprocessor command set may be substituted in place of or
integrated along with regular DOS parameters.
When substituting a preprocessor command in place of a command line parameter
(like a file name), simply replace the parameter with the preprocessor command.
For example:
EDLIN MYFILE.DOC --> EDLIN FILE$
The above transformation takes a very specific DOS command and with the help of
the preprocessor function, generalizes the command to apply to any file that
the user might select from a file window.
To integrate a preprocessor command with a DOS parameter, include the
preprocessor command in the parameter using concatenation. For example:
EDLIN INPUT$(Enter pascal file name:)&.PAS
The above transformation allows the user to input a pascal name and have the
EDLIN command attach the suffix '.PAS' to the file before opening the file to
be edited.
The preprocessor supports nested commands, that is, commands with other
commands as their operands. While this may seem an attractive option for some
applications, there are some areas where combining commands in this fashion
will either not work or produce adverse effects. The important thing to
remember is that commands inside of parentheses are executed first, and
subsequent commands are executed outwardly.
1.2.4 String processing...
String processing is handled at two levels of the FRONT END menu generator
system. The first level where strings are processed is when MCOMPILE processes
an appropriate SMDL command (MENU, OPTION, EXECUTE, LINK, or .). In these
cases a string is defined by surrounding quotation marks. Example:
Menu "my menu"
In this case, the string 'my menu' is passed to the MENU command for
processing.
The other level at which strings are processed is when the menu execution
utility preprocesses a command line before passing it to DOS. Here a string is
defined by surrounding parentheses. Example:
FILE$(*.pas)
Notice the absence of quotation marks between parentheses. In this case
'*.pas' is passed to the function FILE$.
The two levels of the string processing are provided to avoid confusing
information between the MCOMPILE and MRUN utilities. With the exception of
directly modifying menu characteristics via MEDIT, parentheses, concatenation,
and other preprocessor commands must be ultimately surrounded by quotation
marks.
1.3 Starting MEDIT...
The second way to define a menu definition that we will discuss is by using
MEDIT.COM.
[The following text will be a general description of how to use MEDIT, for
further instruction concerning MEDIT, refer to the program's on-line help]
To invoke the MEDIT program, simply type:
A>MEDIT filename <ENTER>
at the command prompt. Again as in MCOMPILE, filename refers to the menu
control program file. This is will be an output file generated by MCOMPILE, or
if the file does not exist, MEDIT will create a default file with the given
name on disk if space permits.
When MEDIT comes up onscreen, all of the menu definitions contained within the
given file will be displayed within a selection window. Using the cursor keys,
select the menu that you wish to edit and press the ENTER key.
At this point, the menu characteristic editing page should appear. Using the
appropriate function keys, select the menu characteristic you wish to modify.
Press the ENTER key to confirm your selection.
When you have completed modifying the current menu, you may either save your
changes to disk and select another menu or abort your changes and start from
scratch.
1.4 Creating your own menus using MEDIT...
As mentioned earlier, MEDIT can be used in place of MCOMPILE to create your own
menus. Unlike the other utilities, when MEDIT tries to read a file, if that
file is not found, MEDIT will CREATE a file with the same name, containing one
default menu. This file is compatible with the rest of the menu utilities and
resembles the output file generated by the menu compiler.
After a menu file is established, MEDIT will display its menu selection page.
From it you can select the menu you want to edit. (only 1 menu is available in
a newly created menu file), add menus, or delete a menu.
To add a menu, press the INS key. A menu will be added at the bottom of the
current menu file.
To delete a menu, move the highlight bar over the menu you want to delete and
press the DEL key.
To edit a menu, move the highlight bar over the menu you want to edit and press
the ENTER key.
1.4.1 Modifying menus...
When MEDIT creates a menu, that menu is assigned the title 'Untitled' and given
default values for each of its characteristic fields. At this point, you must
substitute your own values for the default values. With MEDIT you can change a
menu's title, size, position, color and contents. Basically, MEDIT can be used
with or in place of MCOMPILE. The major difference between the two is that no
source file is required to create the menu definitions.
To modify a menu, select the characteristic you want to change from the edit
page (use function keys f3-f8 or ESC) and press ENTER.
1.4.2 Changing menu characteristics...
As mentioned earlier, to change a menu characteristic, move the highlight bar
over the characteristic you wish to change using the appropriate function key
(f3-f8) and press the ENTER key to confirm your selection.
With the exception of f7, used to change the menu contents, changing the menu
characteristics is a very straightforward and clearly described in the onscreen
documentation of each modification area. For your convenience, a brief
description of the different modification areas is provided below:
o Change menu title (f3)
Invoke this function when you wish to change the title (appears at the very top
of the menu) of the current menu. The default title of any menu is "Untitled",
to change the current title, simply type in the new title name when the
program asks for it.
To leave a menu title unchanged, enter a blank line. The program will warn you
that no changes where made to the current title and allow you to return to the
menu characteristic selection page.
o Change the menu size/position (f4)
Invoke this function when you want to change the menu's size or position on the
screen.
Changing the menu's size adjusts the amount of display area the menu has to
work with on the screen.
Changing the menu's position determines where the menu will appear on the
screen when invoked by the menu execution utility (MRUN).
o Change the menu style (f5)
This function serves the same purpose as the KIND/STYLE command used with
MCOMPILE. Use this function to change the type of menu that appears on the
screen.
o Change menu colors (f6)
Use this function to change the foreground and background colors for the
current menu.
WARNING: with monochrome displays, undesirable effects may result from some
color combinations. This is NOT an error, to correct any unwanted results,
simply continue to select colors until a desired effect is achieved.
o Change menu contents (f7)
Use this function to modify option data within the current menu. (see
"Modifying option data" presented later in text)
o View changes (f8)
This function is provided to display the current menu as it might be seen in
actual execution. All changes to the current menu will be displayed.
o End edit/return to previous menu (ESC)
Using this function will return you to the menu selection page. Before
returning, the user is asked whether or not to save the current menu changes to
disk.
Pressing "Y" or the ENTER key will save the changes to disk and return to the
menu selection page.
Pressing "N" will return you to the menu selection page without saving the
current changes.
Pressing ESC will abort the abort and return you to the menu characteristic
selection page.
1.4.3 Modifying option data
When changing the menu contents, select "change menu contents" from the menu
characteristic selection page (f7) and press the ENTER key.
The current menu will be displayed on the screen. Use the arrow or letter keys
(A-Z) to select the option you wish to edit and press the ENTER key again. The
"edit menu item" page will appear on the screen.
The edit menu item page contains three fields that are functionally identical
to the OPTION, EXECUTE, LINK, and HELP commands used with MCOMPILE. A
description of each field, its importance, and how to modify it is provided
below:
o Item label:
This field is used to name the current option and serves the same purpose as
the "OPTION" statement used with MCOMPILE. It allows the user to define how
the option will appear in the current menu. Labels are displayed as menu
display space permits.
To modify this field, press the f2 key. Type the new menu label followed by
ENTER to accept.
o Destination:
This field allows the user to determine what type of response will be invoked
when the current option is selected. It serves essentially the same purpose as
BOTH the LINK and EXECUTE commands used with MCOMPILE.
To modify this field press the f4 key. At this point you may select the type
of response you want by pressing "M" to invoke another menu, or "P" to pass a
command line to DOS. The "edit menu item" page will then allow you to enter
the field you selected in the box directly below the "Destination" prompt.
If you selected "M" to invoke a child menu, enter the identification number
(equal to the menu's position within the current menu file - 1) of the menu to
invoke. Unlike with the LINK command that MCOMPILE uses, all menus must be
referenced by number.
If you selected "P" to pass a command line to DOS, enter the command line
(without surrounding quotations) using the same rules as with the EXECUTE
command that MCOMPILE recognizes (see EXECUTE, MCOMPILE). All menu compiler
commands are supported.
o Help:
This field allows you to define the documentation that is displayed when the
current option is invoked using the f1 key. The current version of MEDIT
supports up to 5 lines of text.
To modify this field, press the f6 key. Type in the appropriate
documentation. Text entry continues until a blank line is entered or 5 lines
of text are filled. All text is word wrapped at the end of each line to
provide for the most attractive display so that the ENTER key need not be
pressed at the end of each line of text.
TO ACCEPT ALL OPTION CHANGES AND RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS COMMAND LEVEL, press
the ENTER key.
TO ABORT THE CURRENT OPTION CHANGES AND RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS COMMAND LEVEL,
press the ESC key.
Once you have reached the option selection page, you may select another option
to modify or return to the menu characteristic selection page.
To modify another option, position the arrow on the left side of the menu
display to point to the option you wish to modify. Press the ENTER key and
repeat the instructions found at the beginning of this section.
To return to the menu characteristic selection page, press the ESC key. All
changes will remain in effect.
1.4.4 Summary of MEDIT organization...
+---------------+
| DOS |
+---------------+
|
+-------------------------+
| MENU SELECTION PAGE |
| ------------------- |<-------------+
| 1. Select menu to edit. | |
| | |
+-------------------------+ |
| |
+---------------------------------+ |
| CHARACTERISTIC SELECTION PAGE | |
| ----------------------------- | |
+-------->| 2. Select menu characteristic |----------+
| | to edit... |
| | |
| +---------------------------------+
| |
| +----------------------+
| | EDIT MENU |
+--------------| CHARACTERISTICS |
| PAGES |<---------+
| 3. follow directions | |
| | |
+----------------------+ |
| |
+----------------------+ |
| EDIT OPTION FIELDS | |
| PAGE |---------+
| 4. See section 1.4.3 |
+----------------------+
Menu selection page:
This page opens the current menu control program file and selects an individual
menu definition to edit.
Characteristic selection page:
This page allows you to select an individual menu characteristic to edit.
Modifiable menu characteristics include menu title, size, position, style,
color, and option response data.
Edit menu characteristics pages:
These pages vary with the characteristic being modified, follow the
instructions provided with each modification area.
Edit option fields page:
This page is dedicated to entering an modifying option response data. The
three fields available for modification are Title, Destination, and Help.
Chapter 2 The other menu utilities...
2.1 Starting MLIST...
Use MLIST to examine any menu control program file. MLIST reports the contents
of each field in each menu definition. To display the contents of a menu
control program file, type
A>MLIST filename <ENTER>
where 'filename' is the name of the menu control program file to examine.
MLIST will then start displaying menu data in a menu by menu format. A
description of the data provided is as follows:
Menu: .... - Identifies the current menu by title.
Identification # .... - This field identifies the current menu by number, when
linking menus by number (via MCOMPILE or MEDIT), use
this number to invoke the current menu.
Option ... is linked to menu ....
This message reports the response invoked (a child menu) when the current
option is selected. The letter following the 'option' identifies the current
option, the number following the 'is linked to ' identifies the destination
menu. The destination menu's title is provided within the brackets following
its numeric identifier.
Option ... executes:
This message reports the response invoked (a command line passed to DOS) when
the current option is selected. The letter following the 'option' identifies
the current option, the expression displayed on the following line is the
actual command line preprocessed by the menu execution utility.
2.2 Starting MCHECK...
Use this utility to repair damaged menu control program files. MCHECK checks
all pointers to make sure they are valid (point to the proper locations within
the menu files). When an invalid menu pointer is encountered, MCHECK remaps
the pointer to point to a "best guess" of the true destination of the pointer.
To check/correct a menu control program file, type:
A>MCHECK filename <ENTER>
where 'filename' is the name of the menu control program file to operate on.
MCHECK will then display menu analysis data from the current menu control
program file. A description of the analysis data commands follows:
Linking menu #... [], ... items:
This message indicates that the menu checker is examining a new menu. The
number following the '#' is the current menu identification number, the current
menu's title is provided between the following brackets. The number before the
'items:' reports the number of defined options within the current menu
definition.
Linking option ...
This message reports which option link within the current menu definition is
being examined/corrected. The letter following the 'option' indicates the
current option. If the destination menu has a lower identification number than
the current menu the message:
WARNING: Menu #... reverse linked to menu #...
is displayed to indicate a possible conflict. As a matter of practice, menus
should always reference menus with higher identification numbers and avoid
referencing menus with lower identification numbers. This is because, when a
user aborts a menu using the ESC key, he is usually sent to a previous menu.
Forward referencing may serve to confuse both the computer and the user and
should be used with caution.
When MCHECK completes its analysis of the current menu control program file, it
will display the message:
... corrections made.
where the number before 'corrections' will indicate how many pointers within
the current menu control program file were remapped.
2.3 Starting MSET...
Unlike the other menu utilities, MSET does not modify or affect an MCP file.
Instead, MSET modifies the file MSYS.ENV which controls the background
displayed 'beneath' menus. To invoke this program, type:
MSET <ENTER>
MSET will then display a block in the center of the screen that represents the
menu environment. Using 'H' for hue character, 'F' for foreground color, or
'B' for background color, modify the environment by paging through different
combinations. Press the ENTER key to accept a given configuration.
Chapter 3 The Menu execution utility (MRUN.COM)...
3.1 Running your own menus from DOS...
Once you have finished developing a menu control program file, you may execute
it from DOS using the menu execution utility (MRUN.COM). To invoke the menu
execution utility, type:
A>MRUN filename <ENTER>
where 'filename' is the name of the menu control program file to execute. Use
arrow or letter keys to select options, ENTER to invoke an option, and F1 to
display any available help information for an option. Pressing the ESC key
will return you to previous menus, or to DOS if you are in the root menu (menu
#0).
3.2 MRUN and your AUTOEXEC.BAT file...
On some machines, it may be advantageous to load the menu execution utility
whenever the computer is turned on, so as to avoid DOS entirely. This may be
done by including the following line:
MRUN filename
where 'filename' is the name of the menu control program file to execute, in
your system's AUTOEXEC.BAT file. If your system already has an AUTOEXEC.BAT
file, this line should appear as the very last line of the batch file. (For
more information, look for "BATCH FILES" in your DOS manual) This can be done
with any text editor and is fairly quick and painless. If your system
currently has no AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you may create one by following these
simple steps:
1. At the DOS prompt, type:
A>COPY CON: AUTOEXEC.BAT <ENTER>
2. Next type in the following:
MRUN filename <ENTER>
^Z
3. DOS should respond with:
1 file(s) copied.
4. To test the batch file, at the current DOS prompt, type:
A>AUTOEXEC <ENTER>
DOS should now execute your menu.
* Notes:
Step 2 - ^Z should be read as "control-Z", this means hold down the Ctrl and Z
keys at the same time.
The AUTOEXEC.BAT file must be located within the root directory in order to be
invoked when the computer is first turned on.
The expression 'filename' should be interpreted to mean the name of the menu
control program file that you wish to execute. In other words, substitute the
name of the MCP file you want to execute in place of the expression 'filename'.
If the named file does not exist within the current directory, you must include
the path name of the file as a part of its 'filename'.
Chapter 4 A sample source file...
The following menu control program can be found in the ascii file SAMPLE.SRC,
and may be compiled using MCOMPILE.COM.
# Define Opening menu (see section 4.1)
menu "Opening menu"
uppercase
kind 3
color 7,0
window 4,4,44,10
# define dos functions option
option "Quick DOS functions menu"
link 1
enddef
# define FRONT END system option
option "FRONT END functions menu"
link 2
enddef
enddef
# define Quick DOS menu (see section 4.2)
menu "Quick DOS menu"
window 25,10,55,18
kind 3
lowercase
# define list option
option "directory"
execute "dir input$(Enter search specification:)"
help
. "use this function to look at files"
enddef
enddef
# define type option
option "type file"
execute "type file$(*.*)"
help
. "use this feature to look at files"
enddef
enddef
# define copy option
option "copy file"
execute "copy file$(*.*) input$(Input destination specification:)"
SAMPLE.SRC continued...
help
. "use this feature to copy files"
enddef
enddef
# define print option
option "print file"
execute "copy file$(*.*) > prn:"
help
. "use this feature to send files to the printer"
enddef
enddef
enddef
# define FRONT END menu
menu "Quick FRONT END menu"
kind 3
window 10,10,48,19
# define menu compile option
option "compile menu file"
execute "mcompile file$(*.src)"
enddef
# define menu edit option
option "edit/examine menu"
execute "medit file$(*.MCP)"
enddef
# define change environment option
option "change enviroment"
execute "mset"
enddef
# define list menu contents option
option "examine menu file"
execute "mlist file$(*.MCP)"
enddef
# define check menu contents option
option "correct menu file"
execute "mcheck file$(*.MCP)"
enddef
enddef
4.1 The Opening menu
The Opening menu is used to select either the Quick DOS menu or the Quick FRONT
END menu. ESCaping from this menu returns the user to DOS; selecting either of
the two options will allow the user to enter a limited number of DOS commands
or to execute the different FRONT END utilities. This menu serves as the ROOT
menu, and much like the roots of a tree, provides the foundation for all other
menus.
4.2 The Quick DOS menu
The Quick DOS menu allows users to optionally execute a limited number of DOS
commands. These commands include copying a selected file, displaying a
selected file, printing a selected file, or getting a directory of a disk
device.
While only the most "harmless" of the DOS commands were selected for
demonstration purposes, with a little modification, this particular menu
definition could be expanded to execute up to 26 DOS commands directly.
Another approach that could be taken would be to group DOS commands into their
own executable menus. Instead of executing DOS commands directly, the Quick
DOS menu would then selectively execute the menus according to group. In this
manner, the Quick DOS menu could indirectly execute as many as 26^2 or 26*26
DOS commands.
4.3 The Quick FRONT END menu
The Quick FRONT END menu allows users to access the FRONT END menu utilities
without going through DOS. After the completion of each command, control will
be passed back to the menu execution utility. In this manner, a user may
perform a number of operations on a development file in a relatively short
amount of time.
Because MSYS.ENV is read only when a menu utility is first loaded, adaptations
made using MSET in this manner will not effect the current implementation of
the execution utility. However, utilities executed from the Quick FRONT END
menu will be affected.
Chapter 5 Program limitations for FRONT END version 1.0
1. The file$ function will only read a finite amount (enough to fill the
window) of file names per directory and does not support multiple pages of
files. While it is unlikely that you will exceed the limit set for the
number of files displayed per window, this problem can be corrected by
making better use of subdirectories.
2. Because a menu control program file and the menu execution utility can both
fit onto a single floppy disk, it is possible to configure individual disks
provided that any target programs exist on their destination drives. In the
case of double floppy systems, it is usually better to place the menu
executive and menu control program on one disk in drive A and any target
programs on drive B.
3. The FRONT END was originally developed on a 640k PC compatible system.
Because the development system is broken down into separate programs, memory
consumption is kept to a minimum. However, the menu execution utility
requires a certain amount of memory set aside to execute other programs in
addition to the memory needed to keep track of menu data. For these
reasons, it is not recommended that FRONT END be executed on any system with
less than 384k. If users experience allocation errors and so on, lack of
memory on the host machine may well be the culprit.
4. FRONT END will only run under DOS versions 2.00 and greater. If your system
uses a version older than 2.00, you will have to upgrade to use FRONT END.
5. FRONT END behaves in a slightly different manner between DOS versions 2.xx
and 3.xx. Under DOS 2.xx, a COMMAND.COM disk must be present in the disk
drive from which you booted the computer BEFORE any child processes may be
executed. Careful planning should be undertaken to insure that FRONT END
has access to all of the files it will need to perform an operation (MENU
CONTROL PROGRAMS, COMMAND.COM, AND ANY "TARGET" PROGRAM OR PROCESS).
Chapter 6 If you have problems or questions...
On-line support for the FRONT END menu development system is available to
registered users (see file README.DOC for details) 24 hrs a day through:
CapeNet BBS
(804) 971-4947
300 or 1200 baud, 8 bits, no parity
Letters and other correspondence may be sent to:
Sherman R. White Jr.
INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE DESIGN
607 Beechwood Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk No 1301 FRONT END version 1.0B >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ To print the documentation, type: ║
║ ║
║ MANUAL (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To install Front End to a hard drive, type: ║
║ ║
║ HDNSTALL (press enter) ║
║ ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
INSTALL.DOC
Notes on installation:
Though the FRONTEND menu generation system comes with its own installation
batch files for both double floppy and hard disk systems, they may or may not
work on your particular system. In the event that the automatic installation
batch files do NOT work, these notes are provided to assist in installing
FRONTEND on your system.
FRONTEND may be successfully installed on any system by placing all of the
files found in FRONTEND.ARC together on a boot disk with COMMAND.COM on it.
For most applications that you develop, it will suffice to put only MRUN, the
object file, and COMMAND.COM on the destination disk; the other utilities are
for development purposes only.
README!.DOC
FRONT END
A menu development system.
Copyright/Author: (c) 1987 by Sherman R. White Jr.
Date: October, November 1987
Version 1.0 Beta
Systems: For MS-DOS 2.0 or greater on IBM PCs and close compatibles only.
While a hard disk device is recommended, a double floppy disk unit
may be used for customizing individual disks.
Purpose: This program generates customized, menu oriented, user-friendly
environments to greatly simplify computer usage. It accomplishes
this by acting as a "front end" (or translator) to insulate users
from the many frustrations associated with DOS.
About the program...
FRONT END is a menu development system dedicated to the purpose of simplifying
computer usage. A limited license is hereby granted for the personal/non-
commercial use and distribution of this program. No fees may be accepted for
this program or its use without my written permission. A separate license is
available for commercial software developers seeking to use FRONT END in
conjunction with their own products, and businesses interested in promoting
themselves through its use. Interested parties should contact me at the
address given below.
User Supported Software and Innovative Software Design
Innovative Software Design was created as a means to help pay for my college
expenses. The FRONT END menu development system was created to help simplify
computer usage and increase personal productivity. If you like this program,
find it useful, are interested in the support I'm offering for it, or just want
to do something you can feel good about, please send a check or money order in
the amount of $35 to:
Sherman R. White Jr.
INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE DESIGN
607 Beechwood Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901
make all checks payable to Sherman R. White Jr.
What do you get for your contribution?
You become a registered customer of Innovative Software Design entitled to
free* updates and access to various other related software products that I
develop. You get all the support that I can offer you though mail, telephone,
and electronic bulletin board. In addition to helping me afford the high price
of an education, your contributions also make it possible for me to buy the
tools to support and develop better software.
I enjoy computer programming and develop new programs all of the time. Amongst
the software I have already developed to run with FRONT END is a programmer's
package to allow programmers to load, modify, and display menu files in their
own Turbo Pascal programs, and utilities to access certain DOS and BIOS
services from Turbo Pascal.
Coming attractions include various other utilities such as an examine utility
to display ascii text files in a window, limited "desk" accessories such as a
calendar, a calculator, and a notepad, an RS232 compatible version of the menu
execution utility to interface FRONT END menus to your bulletin board, and
much, much more.
*Note:
There is no charge for persons supplying their own disks or downloading
software from the support bulletin board, for those not supplying their own
disks, there will be a small $1.25 duplication/postage fee.
It is truly my belief that this software would be harmless, but of course no
README.DOC would be complete without the following disclaimer:
NOTICE: This software is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranty of any
kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranty of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, performance, or otherwise.
Should the program prove defective, you assume the entire cost of all necessary
repair, servicing or correction. In no event will the author be liable to you
for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental
or or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use this
program.
Bulletin Board Support is available through:
CapeNet BBS
Sysop: Tom Allensworth
300/1200 Baud, 8 bits, No parity
Operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
(804) 971-4947
Special Thanks to:
Tom Allensworth for helping me support this beastie, Matt Crispin, Scott
Johnson, Mark Cagley and Pat Wilson for their ears, eyes, reviews, opinions,
help and advice.
BETA-RELEASE Modifications made to this program as of 11/3/87:
MEDIT.COM modified to display color names as well as hexidecimal values during
color selection routines. (11/3/87)
MRUN.COM modified to allow the use of the ESC key to abort procedures using
the file$ function...and to allow the entering of a null string to
abort procedures using the input$ function. (10/29/87)
modified to allow a new function NOPAUSE$ (see addendum below) that
optionally disables the key wait before return to menu control
program. (11/3/87)
MSET.COM modified to optionally disable the date display through the use of
the 'd' toggle command. (10/29/87)
modified to include color alignment charts, as well as hue character
verification. (10/30/87)
MORE CHANGES TO COME!!!
* All other utilities were modified slightly to accomodate the changes in the
three previously mentioned utilities.
* MRUN, MCOMPILE, and MLIST had their self documentation modified to include
changes from last version.
ADDENDUM (added: 11/3/87):
The following enhancements have been made to the functions recognized by
MRUN.COM. These descriptions maintain compatibility with older versions of
and MRUN should be used in place of the function descriptions found in the
FRONTEND Manual.
FILE$, FILE$(filespec)
This function reads the named files within the current directory and allows the
user to select a file from a window using the computer's arrow keys. This
function may be aborted by pressing the ESC key. In this case, command line
execution will also be aborted and control will be passed back to the menu
control program.
INPUT$(prompt)
This function allows the user to get a string directly from the keyboard before
processing the current command line. The prompt string is displayed above the
input field. This function may be aborted by entering a NULL string. In this
case, command line execution will also be aborted and control will be passed
back to the menu control program.
NOPAUSE$
This function disables the key wait before reentering the menu control program.
After executing a command line, the prompt
Hit any key to return to menu control program...
appears at the bottom of the screen. Before returning to the menu control
program, the user must hit a key. This feature is provided so that any text
generated by the child program may be read before being destroyed by the menu
control program screen display. In some case however, the forced pause may be
superfluous. By using the NOPAUSE$ option, the menu control program will be
executed immediately after execution of the child program terminates, allowing
for a smoother display transition.
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1301
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
DOSNSTAL BAT 1304 10-05-87 3:39p
FRONTEND DOC 40889 10-05-87 3:15p
HDNSTALL BAT 985 2-21-89 10:14a
INSTALL DOC 713 11-03-87 10:58p
MCHECK COM 20371 10-29-87 1:01p
MCOMPILE BAT 33 10-05-87 2:13a
MCOMPILE COM 26877 11-03-87 5:35p
MEDIT BAT 30 10-05-87 2:12a
MEDIT COM 47672 11-03-87 5:11p
MLIST COM 19858 11-03-87 5:34p
MRUN COM 34589 11-03-87 5:40p
MSET COM 20022 10-30-87 2:53a
MSYS ENV 4 11-03-87 5:05p
README! DOC 7307 11-03-87 10:24p
SAMPLE MCP 48426 11-03-87 5:23p
SAMPLE SRC 1627 11-03-87 5:22p
SAMPLE1 BAT 14 10-05-87 3:05p
SAMPLE2 BAT 24 10-05-87 3:05p
FILE1301 TXT 2066 2-23-89 1:25p
GO BAT 38 10-19-87 3:56p
GO TXT 1002 2-21-89 10:16a
MANUAL BAT 147 12-15-88 12:39p
22 file(s) 273998 bytes
34816 bytes free