(xreadme)

		       DOS Extensions for Professionals
    
    is a Unified Package of file utilities bringing to the PC the power,
    functionality, and increased personal productivity usually associated
    only with minicomputer-based software.  Designed to meet the processing
    needs of the corporate community as well as of demanding home users,
    these utilities feature designed-in robustness, flexibility, and 
    generality leading to predictable results in the most trying and
    unusual situations.
    
Quick Start:
    
    The fastest way to get an overview of the capabilities of this program 
    is to print this 12 page file and, while it is printing, run the Ten
    Minute XDEMO. 
    
    The simplist way to run the demonstrations and install this product is
    to make a temporary copy of the distribution disk on your hard disk.
    (The demonstrations require extra free space for the creation of 
    temporary subdirectories.  Documentation and installation procedures, 
    which are compressed on 360K disks, must also be expanded.)

    Create a temporary directory of any name and copy the contents of the
    distribution disk to it.  Assuming your current drive is your hard
    disk and drive A: contains the distribution disk:

		mkdir  \DOSX
		cd  \DOSX
		copy  A:*.*
		copy  XREADME  prn        (or print XREADME)
		XDEMO
		
    XDEMO gives a live overview of the utilities found in "DOS Extensions 
    for Professionals".
    
    XDEMO_AD gives a more detailed look at some of the capabilities of 
    "DOS Extensions for Professionals".  Execute it when you feel the need  
    for more complicated examples.
    
    The temporary directory you just created can be removed after "DOS
    Extensions for Professionals" has been fully installed and after you
    have run both demonstrations.
    
    
Contents of Disk:
    
    The shareware distribution disk contains the following files:
    
	xreadme       general information and instructions
	xinstall.bat  installation batch file
	xdemo.bat     introductory demo program
	xdemo_ad.bat  advanced demo program
	register.doc  shareware registration form
      * xmanual.doc   a high-level manual of commands
	vendor.doc    distributor information & product description
	rev22.old     demo text




	rev22.new     altered demo text
	diff.exe
	dump.exe
	search.exe
	split.exe
	sub.exe
	xdel.exe
	xdir.exe
	xhelp.exe
      * add2dos5.bat  DOS 5 supplementary installation procedure
	addhelp.exe   updates doshelp.hlp
      * xdosshel.scr  edlin commands for updating dosshell.ini
      * xdosshel.add  text for updating dosshell.ini
      * xdoshelp.ad?  text for updating doshelp.hlp

  * On smaller distribution disks, these files have been imploded into the 
    self-extracting file XMANUAL.EXE.

Installation Instructions:
    
    Copy the .EXE's and Set the Path:

	Many users store their DOS executable images under the \DOS
	directory on their hard drive.  They often keep utility programs
	in a separate directory.

	XINSTALL, which installs "DOS Extensions for Professionals" on
	your system, must be called with the target drive/directory path
	as its first argument and must be run from your distribution disk
	(or from the directory to which you copied it on your hard disk.)

	The example outlined below assumes that you've copied your
	distribution disk to the directory \DOSX on your hard drive, that 
	drive C: is your target hard drive, and that you've chosen \UTIL 
	as the directory for your utilities.

		cd  \DOSX
		XINSTALL  C:\UTIL

	DOS's search path dictates which directories, in addition to the
	current directory, will be searched for executable and batch
	files. Assuming you have already set the path for your \DOS
	directory, the following command, which already has been executed
	from within XINSTALL.BAT, adds \UTIL to it.

		path=c:\util;c:\dos

	Note that \UTIL will be searched before \DOS.  This is important
	if you want to replace standard DOS commands with your own
	variants.  You don't actually have to delete the DOS version if
	the \UTIL directory is searched first.





    Update Autoexec.bat:
	
	To make the above path change permanent, you must include it in 
	C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT, the file that is executed each time your system is 
	booted.  Use your favorite editor.
	
    Expand Compressed Files:

	The shareware version of "DOS Extensions for Professionals" does
	not fit on one 360K diskette.  If you have XMANUAL.EXE rather than
	XMANUAL.DOC, you must expand compressed files to read the manual
	and to integrate with DOS 5.

	To expand, you must copy the contents of the distribution disk
	to your hard drive - outlined in the Quick Start section above.
	(If you don't have a hard drive, copy XMANUAL.EXE to an empty
	diskette.)

	Execute the self-extracting file XMANUAL.EXE from your hard drive.

		cd  \DOSX
		XMANUAL

	The file XMANUAL.DOC and a number of files required for the next
	step are created.
    
    Integrate with DOS 5:

	To fully integrate "DOS Extensions for Professionals" into systems
	running DOS 5, you must run the batch file ADD2DOS5 from the
	distribution disk (or from your distribution directory on your
	hard disk.)

	Make the drive/directory containing the (expanded) distribution 
	disk your current drive and directory.  Run ADD2DOS5 with the 
	path of the directory containing your DOS 5 system as its first 
	argument.

		cd  \DOSX
		ADD2DOS5  C:\DOS

	This procedure works only if you are running a DOS 5 system.

	The batch file does two things:

	    it updates the file DOSHELP.HLP, a text file containing high
	    level documentation for each system command, and

	    it adds the new Group "DOS Extensions for Pros" and new
	    Programs Items reflecting the utilities found in "DOS
	    Extensions for Professionals" to the system file DOSSHELL.INI.

	You will notice the new Group and Program Items when you are in the
	dosshell environment.




	These additions have been placed there for your convenience.  Feel
	free to modify or change them as you wish.  The original system
	files are preserved as DOSHELP.BAK and DOSSHELL.BAK in case you
	want to restore them.  Rename them to more permanent names,
	perhaps ending in .V1 for "version 1" for safe keeping.

		C:> ren  C:\DOS\DOSHELP.BAK  DOSHELP.V1
		C:> ren  C:\DOS\DOSSHELL.BAK DOSSHELL.V1
    
	Note:  
	     Addition of the new Group and Program Items to the system
	     file DOSSHELL.INI uses the system program EDLIN by redirecting 
	     a simple command script to its standard input.  This process 
	     obviously can't work if EDLIN is unavailable on your system.  
	     Use your favorite editor to insert XDOSSHEL.ADD into 
	     DOSSHELL.INI after the first occurrence of the text 
	     "program =", near line 39.  
	
	     In the unlikely event that EDLIN is available but your system 
	     hangs without exiting the EDLIN command (a TSR problem?), 
	     reboot and run EDLIN manually typing the three commands found 
	     in the script file XDOSSHEL.SCR.  Its surprisingly easy!


    Having taken the preceding steps, "DOS Extensions for Professionals" 
    is completely installed.  Execution of the individual programs is 
    available from anywhere on your system.


System Requirements:

    Exact system requirements vary from program to program.  Most need 
    minimal memory: less than 160KB free, although some, like XDEL, can 
    require considerably more depending upon the extent of the particular 
    task being performed.  DOS version 3 or later on any IBM compatible 
    provides a satisfactory operating environment.  A hard disk is 
    recommended for practicality.



   
Elements Common to All Programs:    
    
    Programs in "DOS Extensions for Professionals" share a common command 
    line interface and are bound together several common threads.


1.  Recursive Notation
    
    The recursive (tree) notation "..." is supported by those commands 
    for which it makes sense.

		XDIR  ...
    
    gives a listing of all files falling in the current directory and in 
    directories under it.
    

2.  Truncatable Command Modifiers

    Command Modifiers are truncatable.  You don't have to enter the 
    entire modifier, just enough to let the computer know what you want.  
    If you want a directory listing sorted by date, you could enter
    
		XDIR  /byda
    
    and the program knows you mean
    
		XDIR  /bydate

    
3.  Explanatory Error Messages
    
    If you don't enter enough letters to be unambiguous, the program will 
    list all possibilities.
    
		XDIR  /by
    
		Ambiguous Command Modifier "/by"
			/bydate
			/bysize

4.  Built-in Help
    
    On-line help is always available by entering -HELP or /? on the command
    line.  e.g.
		XDIR  -HELP      or     XDIR  /?
    
    The four different levels of built-in help are discussed in the next 
    section.

   
    
Built-In Help:

    Built-in help for each command is one of the more important aspects of 
    "DOS Extensions for Professionals".  There are four levels of help.  
    The first is the top level, and is accessed by entering a Command 
    followed by -HELP or /?.
    
		SEARCH  /?

		   or

		SEARCH  -HELP
    
		   or
    
		SEARCH  -H
    
		   or
    
		SEARCH  -HE
    
		   etc
    
    gives you a list of the Command Modifiers for the SEARCH command:
    
		/before  /case  /context  /numbers  /pause  /since
    
    followed by a list of help topics associated with this command:
    
		-ALL    -HELP    -VERSION

	
    The second level of help explains command detail and may, therefore, 
    be the most important.  You can access it by inserting /?, -HELP, or
    any other topic preceded by a "-" on the command line with any Command
    Modifiers you may wish to learn about.
    
		SEARCH  /numbers  -HELP
    
    outputs the detailed description
    
    /numbers
    /nonumbers  (d)
    
	/Numbers prepends each matched line with its line number in that file.
    
	/Nonumbers, the default, outputs only the line and not its number.
    
    
    These first two levels of help embody the essence of the help 
    philosphy of "DOS Extensions for Professionals".  The top level list 
    of Command Modifiers reminds us of all that a command does while the 
    second level reveals the details.
    
    Built-in help is also a great way to learn as you compute.  No need to 




    master the details of all commands at once.  As you have time, scan 
    the top level helps to learn new Command Modifiers or to reacquaint 
    yourself with options that have slipped your mind.

    In case you can't remember the name of a command or want a more
    detailed discussion of the design criteria of a command, there are two 
    similar levels of help available from XHELP.   
    
    Entering
    
		XHELP
    
		   or
    
		XHELP  -HELP
    
    gives you a list of all the commands found within "DOS Extensions for 
    Professionals" plus several topics which refer to all commands:
    
		-BUG_REPORTING    -LICENSE    -MODIFIERS    -WILDCARDS
    
    (You may want to review these on-line background topics before delving 
    into specific programs in depth.)

    You get the more detailed overview and discussion of each command by 
    entering XHELP followed by a command or a general topic.  For example,
	
		XHELP  SEARCH
    
    lists SEARCH's Command Modifiers, examples of its use, and any notes 
    pertaining to the command.
    

    In review, the four levels of help are:
    
		Command  -HELP          (You know the command's name but not  
					 all the Command Modifiers.)
    
		Command  /Command_modifier  -HELP       (You know the 
					 command but want details about 
					 one or more Command Modifiers.)
    
		XHELP                   (You want a list of all commands.) 
    
		XHELP  command          (You want an overview, examples, or 
					 design information about a command.)
    
    If all else fails, all you have to remember is "XHELP".
    
    Complete help from any program can always be redirected to the 
    printer or to a file for later printing by entering
    
		command  -ALL  /nopause  > prn





			or

		command  -ALL  /nopause  > file
    
    (/Nopause inhibits the normal pause after each screen full of 
    information.)


DOS 5 Compatible Help:

    The "DOS Extensions for Professionals" utilities also support the "/?"
    help notation used in DOS 5.  This notation behaves exactly as the
    "-HELP" notation.  You are free, for example, to type either "XDEL -h"
    or "XDEL /?" for high level command help and "XDEL /secure -h" or
    "XDEL /secure /?" for detailed command help.

    The DOS 5 command HELP gives one line explanations of all functions
    including the "DOS Extensions for Professionals" utilities.  XHELP
    gives one line explanations only for DOSX utilities.

    The support of the "/?" notation enables users to type "HELP XDEL" and
    receive single-page high-level command help for a DOSX utility just as
    they would for any system function.  Entering "XHELP XDEL" gives
    examples and more detailed utility information in a multi-page format.


DOS 5 Marco Command Redefinitions:

    DOS 5's macro support is a handy way to define or redefine your
    favorite "DOS Extensions for Professionals" commands, or any other
    command for that matter.

    If, for instance, you prefer XDIR's /FULL option, you could replace it
    with DIR by defining the macro

		C:>  doskey  dir=xdir  /full

    either at the command line or in your AUTOEXEC.BAT startup batch file.
    Then when you type DIR, you would get XDIR /FULL.  (The way to get the
    real DIR command is to enter " DIR".)

    The down side of this technique, especially when working between many
    machines, is that you're never sure what's which way on which
    computer, and you may forget the full command syntax if you never use
    it.  Sometimes plain vanilla is simpler unless you are in a position
    to define strawberry to be vanilla everywhere.

    
Program Highlights:

DIFF

    displays the differences between two similar text files.  Whether 
    you've made minor or massive changes, DIFF displays only the 
    differences while resyncing on identical text.


DUMP

    displays the contents of binary files, directories, disk sectors 
    (including an interpreted boot sector), disk FAT's, and cluster chains.

    Address the internals of any file by sector or byte. Search the FAT
    for bad clusters, see what's really in your directories, and snoop
    through deleted files.

    Learn about the details of the DOS file structure with the on-line
    DISK_TUTOR and BOOT_TABLE help sections.


SEARCH

    Locates text strings in any file anywhere on your whole disk - and only 
    tells you when they've been found!  The simplicity of this favorite 
    program belies its power and usefulness.


SPLIT

    splits text files into pieces or segments by three methods. Specify the 
    number of segments, the length of each segment, or that breaks be made 
    only at lines containing specific search text.


SUB

    substitutes characters in lines in text files.  This program deletes 
    characters, adds characters, replaces tabs with spaces, and replaces 
    spaces with any size tabs.  It strips trailing blanks from lines or 
    pads out each line to a fixed length.

    SUB can also limit its operations to lines containing search strings
    and anchor operations to that text.

    This utility is useful for dynamically creating complex batch and 
    script files based on directory contents.  This is one of those 
    utilities for which you may see no need - until you need it, and then 
    it's indispensable.


XDEL

    recursively deletes files and removes directories operating in either 
    the default normal mode or in a secure overwrite mode.
 


    XDEL deletes hidden, readonly, and system files or files by date. 
    Verification is available on the command, directory, or file levels as 
    requested, or you can bypass all verification for batch operations.

    The secure overwrite mode is flexible, allowing you to specify the
    number of overwrites and whether they are with random data or with
    patterns of your own choosing.

    To a large extent, XDEL parallels XDIR in syntax and operation.


XDIR

    recursively lists files in directory trees giving subtotals and 
    grandtotals of file sizes and disk allocations.  (Bottom line 
    enthusiasts can specify totals or grandtotals only - without file 
    detail.) Directories are displayed in UPPER CASE and regular files in 
    lower case for easy discrimination.  The default sort order is 
    alphabetic unless you request ordering by file size or date.

    Searches can specify hidden, readonly, system, or modified files only,
    and can limit the scope of a search before or after any time and date,
    or use the generic keywords "yesterday" and "today".

    XDIR supports leading and multiple wildcards as do most "DOS Extensions 
    for Professionals" utilities.


XHELP

    supplements the help built into each command and becomes the first
    stop for those not knowing where to look.  It contains a brief
    description of each program in "DOS Extensions for Professionals" as 
    well as examples, notes, and discussions of features common to all 
    commands.


	
Legal Considerations:
    
Copyright:
    
    The collection of software described in this file and contained on 
    this disk is the Shareware Version of "DOS Extensions for 
    Professionals" (the Software) and is Copyright 1991 John B. Allison.

Ownership:
    
    You have purchased or otherwise obtained media containing a copy of 
    the Shareware Version of "DOS Extensions for Professionals".  The 
    Software contained on the media and all rights pertaining thereto 
    remain the sole property of John B. Allison.  By continuing to use the 
    Software, you indicate your acceptance of the terms and conditions 
    outlined below.
    
Shareware License: 
    
    You are permitted to use the Software for an evaluation period of 
    THREE WEEKS.  After the evaluation period, you must either remove all 
    copies of the Software from your computer system(s) and refrain from 
    all additional use, or register your copy of the Software with
     
				Allison Software
				 166 Shady Lane
			       Apollo, PA 15613 USA
    
				 (412) 727-2198
			      CompuServe 72600,1200
    
    (See the file REGISTER.DOC on the distribution disk for registration 
    instructions.)

Shareware Distribution:
	
    You may give copies of the Software IN ITS UNMODIFIED ENTIRETY to
    friends or to other parties.

    You may distribute copies of the Software IN ITS UNMODIFIED ENTIRETY
    on a commercial basis for a fee not to exceed FIVE DOLLARS (US), or you
    may post the Software on electronic bulletin boards if you package the
    Software so that it must be downloaded as a single unit IN ITS
    UNMODIFIED ENTIRETY.

ASP Member:

    This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
    Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
    principle works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
    related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly,
    ASP may be able to help.  The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
    dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical
    support for members' products.  Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at
    545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe message via
    CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.  The OMB may be contacted



    by FAX by sending to the ASP FAX number: (616) 788-2765.  In communi-
    cation with the OMB, please include a telephone number and/or FAX if
    available.


Limited Warranty:

    THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER 
    EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED 
    WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 
    THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFOMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE IS 
    YOURS.  SHOULD THIS SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU (AND NOT JOHN B. 
    ALLISON, ALLISON SOFTWARE, OR AN AGENT) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL 
    NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION.

    SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE
    ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC
    LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE
    TO STATE.

Limitation of Remedies:

    IN NO EVENT SHALL JOHN B. ALLISON, ALLISON SOFTWARE, OR AN AGENT BE
    LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
    DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF
    BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE
    USE OF OR INABILITY TO US THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF JOHN B. ALLISON OR
    ALLISON SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
    
    SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL
    OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY
    NOT APPLY TO YOU.

    This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with 
    the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the applicable laws 
    of the United States of America and shall inure to the benefit of John 
    B. Allison dba Allison Software and any successors, administrators, 
    heirs, and assigns.  Any action or proceeding brought by either party 
    against the other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be 
    brought only in a Commonwealth or Federal Court of competent 
    jurisdiction located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  The parties 
    hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts.
