CATFILE DESCRIPTION:
Catfile is a program that will catalog a disk and put it into a 
format that compatible with the database program First Base. 
Catfile searches through all directories on the disk for file 
names with extenders that you specify. The names of these files, 
sizes, extenders along with a number of blank spaces is written 
to a file.

The program is most useful with two disk drives. The disks to be 
cataloged are placed in drive A. The disk with the file to be 
written to is placed in drive B. It is best to give your disks 
some short identifier such as a 3 digit number. This will be 
recorded with each file saved. The blank spaces mentioned above 
are for a description of the file. This can be typed in from the 
First Base program after you have completed making the file.

CONFIGURATION FILE:
A configuration file is used to specify what data about files are 
to be included and in what order to save it. Before you run the 
program you must define the configuration file, or you can use 
the sample supplied with this program. The configuration file is 
named CATFILE.CFG. The only significant data in this file are the 
numbers from 1 through 7 located in the left hand column of the 
file. The sample included file also has a description of each 
numbered field. This remarks are optional.

The meaning of the numbers is as follows: 1 is the file name (8 
spaces); 2 is the file name extender (3 spaces); 3 is the file's 
year month and day (6 spaces); 4 is the file's size (6 spaces); 5 
is disk identifier that you type in (3 spaces); 6 is a blank 
field (26 spaces); 7 is a blank field (1 space). Fields 6 and 7 
are for later entry of data using the First Base database 
program. Field 7 could also be used to add an extra space between 
fields. The field numbers may be repeated within the .CFG file or 
they may be put in any order but the maximum number of lines 
permitted is 7. The minimum number is 1.

In order to make the .CFG file you must use some kind of an 
editor. I used the editor in the program Flash to make the 
included sample. 


RUNNING CATFILE:
To run the program put a disk containing CATFILE.PRG into drive A 
and double click on the name or icon. When the program begins you 
may enter up to 20 different extenders. When this is done only 
file names with these extenders will be saved to drive B. This 
makes it possible, for instance, to save only programs by typing 
in .PRG, .TTP, and .TOS. There are many other applications. If 
you want all files on the disk listed you use the familiar *. 
After each extender or * type return. When finished use the 
escape key. A file selector box appears for drive B. Choose a 
name for your data file, it normally should be one that ends in 
.DAT if it is to be used with the First Base Program. Then all 
you have to do is to put your disks into drive A one at a time, 
type in the disk number, and the computer does the rest. When you 
have finished the last disk instead of entering a disk number 
press the escape key and the program will terminate.

MAKING A DEFINITION FILE:
To use the file that you have created with the First Base program 
you will need a .DEF file. If you used the sample CATFILE.CFG 
supplied then use the DATAFILE.DEF file. First make a copy of the 
DATAFILE.DEF. Then rename the copy to whatever you called your  
file containing the file names but using the extender .DEF instead  
of .DAT. You then can run the First Base program to view the data.

If you created a new CATFILE.CFG file with an editor or word 
processor you will have to create a .DEF file using the same 
editor. The .DEF file is explained in the First Base text file. 
Following the : for each field in the DEF file there are a number 
of underlines. You need to include the proper number for each 
field as described in the configuration file description above. 
For instance if you have FILE NAME: ________ you must put in 8 
underlines. This insures the data columns will be read correctly 
in First Base. If the fields are split between boxes in First 
Base you probably have not set up the .DEF file properly.

Dave Henry