


                               CONFIGSORT 1.0

                       By Philip A. O'Malley (C)1996


1.1 INTRODUCTION

    The heart of an OS/2 system  is its config.sys file. Unfortunately, this
file starts out  as  an  organizational  mess  and  gets  worse  as numerous
applications modify it. This is where ConfigSort comes in.

    ConfigSort is a small  utility  which  will  take  a config.sys file and
convert it into something  substantially  more  functional.  Notice that the
program does not alter any syntax in the file so it's also safe.

    However, things don't stop there.  ConfigSort  also knows about multiple
entries belonging to certain applications and will group any such entries it
finds into sections at the end of the file with a helpful comment.

    The difference is quite astounding, as I'm sure you'll agree. :)


2.1 REQUIREMENTS

    ConfigSort is a REXX program which  has  been compiled. As a consequence
you must have REXX installed, and  also the RXEXTRAS.DLL library. These come
as part of the standard OS/2 3.0 distribution.


3.1 USAGE AND SYNTAX

    ConfigSort is command-line driven. All options are invoked, or prefixed,
by keywords and are:

 1. /IN <FQFN>

    This specifies the fully-qualified file name  of the config.sys file to
    be processed. This is the only required keyword.

 2. /OUT <FQFN>

    This specifies an output file for ConfigSort to write to.

    If this keyword is not specifed then the original /IN file is backed-up
    with a .bak extension and then overwritten.

 3. /NOAPPS

    Normally ConfigSort will group multiple  entries made by an application
    into a section at the end of the file. This keyword turns this off.

 4. /SORT

    Normally ConfigSort will leave any inactive  (REM'd) lines in the order
    in which they were  found.  By  specifing  the /SORT option, ConfigSort
    will move all these lines to the end of the section.


3.2 EXAMPLES

    This section is just intended  to  visualise  the above into something a
little more tangible. Three examples of syntax are shown below:

 1. PROCESS "F:\CONFIG.SYS"

    configsort /in f:\config.sys

 2. PROCESS "F:\CONFIG.SYS" AND OUTPUT TO "F:\CONFIG.NEW"

    configsort /in f:\config.sys /out f:\config.new

 3. PROCESS "F:\CONFIG.SYS" WITH ALL OPTIONS OFF

    configsort /in f:\config.sys /noapps /nosort


3.3 KNOWN APPLICATIONS

    Currently, ConfigSort knows about the following applications:

    1.  IBM BonusPak TCP/IP.
    2.  IBM DualStor.
    3.  SIO Serial drivers.
    4.  SUBST/2


4.1 LICENCE

    ConfigSort is an original program, copyrighted to the author. It may not
be modified in any shape or form.  It can be freely distributed providing no
charge is made beyond those to cover media expenses and the like.

    ConfigSort is provided "as  is"  and  any  damage,  actual or perceived,
caused by the program is not the  liability  of  the author. Your use of the
program signifies your acceptance of these conditions.


5.1 AFTERWORD

    ConfigSort was written as nothing else  satisfied  my needs. It has been
tested extensively and doesn't appear to have any obvious or major flaws. It
doesn't appear to have any minor ones either. ;)

    However, it is very much a program  in early development and could still
be "fleshed out"  considerably  in  terms  of  capabilities and applications
knowlage, which I intend to do when time permits.


5.2 CONTACTS

    Any suggestions or comments would be very welcome. I'm available at:

    e-mail  : phil.omalley@zetnet.co.uk
    fidonet : "Phil O'Malley" at 2:250/107.96

Phil O'Malley, April 5th 1996.

