This package contains a comprehensive String and File Matching program,
"Mat",and some EXECUTE Command Scripts which use it.

[The nature of the program means that it needs a command line -- it can't
be run from an icon. This README file and the two .DOC files are the only
WorkBench accessible files in this directory.]

Mat's notation for patterns is an extension of the standard AmigaDOS
convention (used by LIST, COPY, and DELETE etc.). It uses additional
special characters for negation and for marking the matched string into
"slices".

To provide the flexibility that Mat has, its command line syntax has to be
fairly complex.  In most cases you will probably want prewritten command
scripts to perform common actions; some examples are included.  [Warning!
Commercial message on rapid approach vector...!]  This program becomes much
friendlier if you are using Sili(Con:); in the first place because command
scripts are used like any other command (no "EXECUTE"...), and in the
second because you can enter a complex command line for a special Mat job
once and then use it repeatedly (or with modifications) by clicking on it
with the mouse.  Sili(Con:) is probably also on this disk, so check it out,
but remember it is Shareware (unlike this program which is free for all
non-profit use).

The main contents of this package are as follows:

    Mat             --  A general purpose string and file matching utility
                        with the ability to slice and rearrange the input.

    Mat.DOC         --  The user's manual for Mat.

    REN             --  Command script for extended renaming of multiple
                        files.
    REF             --  Example command script to highlight references
                        in text.
    PR              --  Command script to print specified files in the
                        background.
    UPDATE          --  Command script to invoke "xcopy" with full pattern
                        matching on file names.

    Scripts.DOC     --  Instructions for using the command scripts.
                        [I suggest you try using the scripts before
                        plunging into the syntax of Mat!]

Sources:
    Mat.c
    Match.c         --  The extended AmigaDOS type matching algorithm used.
    Splicer.c       --  String slicing, dicing, and splicing.
    Splicer.h       --  Splicing structure definition

    Match.c_BCPL    --  A direct translation into C of the original
                        algorithm.

These sources have only been compiled under Lattice 3.10.  Match is
SUPPOSED to be portable (!), but Mat may not be.

I apologize for the lack of documentation on the matching algorithm.  It
really needs a tutorial --- which I hope maybe to be able to supply later.
In the meantime you'll have to piece it together from the code and how Mat
uses it.

Mat itself is copyright, but freely distributable for non-profit purposes.
I consider the Match code to be public; it was derived from someone else's
published work after all... (see the reference in the source code).

                                            Peter Goodeve
                                            August 1987