*** ReadMe file for ExAb v.1.8e - 21 Apr. 1997 *** EXAB18e.ZIP contains EXAB.MCR and EXAB.TXT. DESCRIPTION ExAb is a MacSys macro to EXtend ABbreviations. It uses a self-created and self-maintained database of your abbreviations. By positioning the cursor at the end of your abbreviation and hitting the hot key, ExAb searches the database and, if found, extends the abbreviation. If not found, ExAb enables you to add an extension to the database. ExAb is freeware. You are free to use, modify and copy the macro. I've used ExAb on my English 1 Mb Psion 3a, where it performed flawlessly. However, needless to say, I don't give guarantees and you cannot hold me responsible in case anything goes wrong. INSTALLATION Copy EXAB.MCR to directory \MACRO\MCR. Open Tom Dolbilin's MACRO (MacSys), open EXAB.MCR (Psion-E) and translate it (Psion-T). After installation assign a convenient hot-key (I use ). ExAb is now ready for use. While running for the first time, ExAb will create the database file (EXAB.DBF) and a WORD file (EXAB.WRD) containing ExAb information. Both files will be created on the internal drive. When in WORD, typing 'exab' in lower case (by default, ExAb is set to case-sensitive) and hitting the hot-key, will extend the info messages onto the screen. Similarly, extending on 'help' will show ExAb information. Actually, the help lines are written to the file from which you called ExAb, and you may want to delete them afterwards. The macro also works in the other Psion programs, although long extensions, like ExAb's Help lines, may not fit there. With each update ExAb's help lines will be renewed. When you upgrade from an earlier version and wish to keep your old definitions and be able to consult the new Help, proceed as follows. Use DATA to remove the old Help records from EXAB.DBF and rename EXAB.DBF to EXABOLD.DBF. Now upon ExAb's first use, a new EXAB.DBF will be created, containing the new Help records. Using DATA you can merge in your definitions from EXABOLD.DBF. NOTES 1. ExAb will not work when its database is opened by another program like DATA. It will offer to try to close the database. Closure will be impossible if ExAb's database was opened via MACRO, like in the case of a previously improper ending of ExAb. In this case you'll have to close down and reopen MACRO. 2. I found irreproducible behaviour with JBDATA. Sometimes, this resulted in error messages and the inability to open the database. I suggest to use Psion's DATA program for editing the database entries. 3. After having used other programs, the first use of ExAb often results in MACRO's message: "GetText$: Bring server has no data available....". Choose "Stop" (), deselect your abbreviation and call ExAb again. This problem is caused by MACRO and at present I have no solution for this. 4. When you feel confident with ExAb, you may want to delete the help lines from the database (EXAB.DBF) and/or from the macro (EXAB.MCR). To remove these lines from the macro file, open the file and delete the lines indicated. After translation the size of the macro will be reduced approximately 20%. However, I found that this did not result in any noticeable increase in speed. UPDATES V.1.0 to 1.2. First crude versions for own use V.1.3. First version released to Tom Dolbilin's homepage at http://www.livetext.com/macsys/ The macro uses a different database (EXABP.DBF) when using "PROGRAM", Psion's OPL editor, which is also used by MacSys. This simplifies writing OPL or macros. E.g. fp = Fil2Pid%:( "" ). Also, EXABP.DBF is automatically created after first use. V.1.4. Date and time stamping After calling the macro behind .d or .t the current date or time is inserted. See also v.1.7d. V.1.5. Whole text abbreviation extension Abbreviations to which the plus character (+) is added can be extended in one go, after finishing the text. Therefore, type ++ at the beginning of the text containing the abbreviations, followed by the hot-key. E.g. In the following text, ++..txttxt.. sy+ ..txttxt.. br+ ..txttxt.. positioning the cursor after ++ and hitting the hot-key will extend abbreviations 'sy' and 'br' and at the same time remove all "+" characters. IMPORTANT: At the end of the search, enter "Continue" to MACRO's "GetText$..." message. When by accident upon this message "Stop" is entered, MACRO should be exited and reopened before ExAb can be used again (to enable the proper closure of ExAb's database). If you prefer a different character, exchange the + character in the assignment of variable c$ in line 13 of EXAB.MCR for the character of your choice. V.1.6. Major update ExAb now handles "Enters" (line-feeds) correctly. When adding definitions in the extension input screen, insert forward-slash (/) characters at positions where "Enters" are required. Thus, ExAb/Huub Linthorst/E-mail: linthors@chem.leidenuniv.nl would be extended as: ExAb Huub Linthorst E-mail: linthors@chem.leidenuniv.nl The / character can be replaced by one you prefer. To do so, change this character in line 14 of EXAB.MCR (variable r$) and retranslate. An option was added that enables quickly viewing the abbreviations and extensions accumulated in EXAB.DBF. 'Exabbing' on .? opens a screen presenting these data. It is very important that the length of the abbreviations not exceeds 10 characters! Upgraders, remove the old Help lines and check your EXAB.DBF file! When you forget to do this EXAB.DBF remains open and you need to shut down MACRO, before it is released. ExAb is set to handle a maximum of 100 different abbreviations. E-mail me if you prefer a larger number. A feature was included to show the number of the added record. at the input screen during a whole text search now quits the search. Whole text search has been modified, resulting in less screen flashings and increased speed. For first-time users, WORD document EXAB.WRD will be created, explaining the program. The document contains the concatenated records from database EXAB.DBF. Upgraders, see above on how to handle when you want ExAb to create a new EXAB.DBF with the updated help lines and the EXAB.WRD document. V.1.7c. ExAb database manipulation included Exabbing on .? now presents a menu from which the list view can be opened. Alternatively, the menu opens ExAb's database in DATA for editing, or enables alphabetical sorting on the abbreviations field. An extra feature was incorporated that starts or opens a file in the proper Psion application. Thus, hot-keying on HUUB.AGN, opens this file in AGENDA, while exabbing on ADDRESS.DBF opens the address database. Only the Psion applications DATA, WORD, AGENDA and SHEET can be reached by ExAb. When also John Boyce's JBMACFIX.OPO is installed (in the \APP directory containing MACRO; change variable e$ in line 16 of EXAB.MCR if JBMACFIX.OPO is not present on the internal drive), exiting returns to the application from which ExAb was used. If not, exiting will return to MACRO. Erratic GetText$: message at the end of a whole text search removed (thanks to a procedure of Tom Dolbilin). V.1.7d. Cosmetic modifications You can easily modify the date format in EXAB.MCR by editing the line assigning the d$ variable. Alternatively, choose between date formats "14 Mar 1997" or "14-3-1997" (lines 19 and 20 of EXAB.MCR). V.1.8a. Increased user friendlyness Added busy message during database sort. Case sensitivity can be set on/off. Therefore, change variable g$ in line 17 of EXAB.MCR (default is on) and retranslate. Improved error handling when ExAb found database used by other program. Upon abbreviation not found, first list view is shown to allow pasting of existing extension. from list view subsequently presents input screen. Added Codes button in .? (Info) menu. This presents a menu showing ExAb's special codes. Selection of such a menu item results in the execution of the corresponding command. Slightly modified Help lines. If you would like these lines in your ExAb database, please see above. V.1.8b. Not released V.1.8c. Added possibility to chain extensions It is possible to let ExAb automatically chain a following extension onto the presently extended one. This will release the maximum block size of 254 characters. When the last word of the extension (max. 9 characters) is followed by the ">" symbol, Exab will use this word (without the ">") as a new abbreviation to extend. E.g. suppose you have two definitions in your database: "def1: The following text will be def2>" "def2: chained to this line of text." Extension on "def1" will result in the concatanation of the two extensions: "The following text will be chained to this line of text." This way the chain feature offers the possibility to open another program file by one use of the hot-key. E.g. When ".a" is the abbreviation for "ADDRESS.DBF>", your address database will be opened by hot keying on ".a". Note, when used for file opening there is no 9 characters max. limit. ExAb Help lines were edited to make use of the chaining possibility. Added max. length control of filename entry. V.1.8d and v.1.8e Bug fixes I cannot anticipate how often future updates will be uploaded. I'm hesitant to put to much stress on the sysops of the Psion-related websites and I certainly don't want to annoy users with "daily" minor updates. However, when you send me your E-mail address, I'll add your name to the list of ExAb users who will receive all future (major and minor) updates by E-mail. Thanks to Tom Dolbilin for his excellent MACRO program, John Boyce and Tom for two subroutines, and Ben Clifford for the spark that ignited ExAb. ExAb would not be half of what it is now, without the helpful comments of many users. Therefore, if you like this macro, miss anything, or have useful suggestions, please give me feed-back. You may also want to try my macros CodeSafe and NDCode. These encrypt sensitive information on your Psion. Huub Linthorst E-mail: linthors@chem.leidenuniv.nl