

        ********************************************************************
        *                              CDIR                                *
        *                 The Commented Directory Program                  *
        *            Copyright, 1988,1989, by C. Kenneth Curtis            *
        *          Box 539 RD 2 Woodland Drive, Califon, NJ 07830          *
        ********************************************************************

             CDIR is a powerful shell program for IBM PC or compatible
        computers providing an easier, more friendly interface with MS/PC
        DOS.  CDIR features allow you to view, print, change attributes,
        copy, rename or delete files or examine the directory tree-like
        structure.  Users can read and write comments about files and
        sub-directories to recognize their contents.

        *******************************************************************
        *                        PUBLIC NOTIFICATION                      *
        *******************************************************************

             CDIR.EXE, CDIR_CLR.EXE and HOW2CDIR.TXT files MUST be
        distributed as a set in their original unmodified form.  Compacting
        for up/down-loading to/from bulletin board services is permissible
        if the uncompacting process produces the files in their original
        unmodified form.

             Please share CDIR with others and to use it where you work.  I
        have made CDIR available as a public service without any charge for
        its use.  In return I would appreciate your sending a postcard to me
        at the above address with the following information:

             Write "CDIR" at the top of the card.

             Where you obtained CDIR - bulletin board, friend, work,
                  software-distribution company, etc.

             City, State or Province, and Country where you live.

             Your name, address and comments are optional.

             Selling or modification of the CDIR.EXE, CDIR_CLR.EXE or
        HOW2CDIR.TXT files is strictly prohibited without my expressed
        written permission.

                                 C. Kenneth Curtis








                                         1


        ********************************************************************
        *                       TABLE OF CONTENTS                          *
        ********************************************************************

                            Subject                                 Page
          --------------------------------------------------        ----

          The Commented Directory Program..............................1

          Public Notification..........................................1

          Before Starting CDIR You Should Know.........................3

          How To Start CDIR............................................4

          Movement Keys................................................4

          Editing Keys.................................................5

          Writing Comments.............................................5

          Control Key Functions........................................6
           [^A] ( Attribute )..........................................6
           [^C] ( Copy )...............................................6
           [^D] ( Delete ).............................................7
           [^E] ( Path )...............................................7
           [^L] ( Locate ).............................................7
           [^N] ( New Directory )......................................8
           [^O] ( Overview )...........................................9
           [^P] ( Print )..............................................9
           [^Q] ( Quit )..............................................10
           [^R] ( Rename )............................................10
           [^S] ( Sub-directory ).....................................11
           [^T] ( Tag Toggle )........................................11
           [^U] ( Untag ).............................................11
           [^V] ( View )..............................................11
           [^W] ( 2nd Directory ).....................................12
           [^X] ( Exit )..............................................12
           [^Y] ( Copy Comments ).....................................12

          How To Use CDIR_CLR.........................................13










                                         2


        ********************************************************************
        *            Before Starting CDIR You Should Know                  *
        ********************************************************************

             CDIR has a maximum capacity of 256 files per directory.  The
        program will work with directories containing more than 256;
        however, the additional files can not be commented or manipulated
        using CDIR.

             CDIR can open several files at the same time; therefore, it may
        be necessary to have a FILES = 7 ( more are ok ) statement in a
        CONFIG.SYS file.  See your DOS manual for information on creating or
        changing this file.

             CDIR will be called frequently.  If you have a hard disk, keep
        CDIR.EXE in a directory referenced by your PATH chain.  For example,
        if you have a directory of utilities and a path similar to
        C:\;C:\UTILITY;C:\DOSFILES, put the CDIR.EXE file in the C:\UTILITY
        sub-directory.

             CDIR will maintain a file's comment when the file is renamed by
        CDIR to be within the same directory, but be warned that comments
        will be lost by renaming files with the DOS REN command or other
        programs.  Moving a file to another directory with any program
        including CDIR will lose the comment; however, CDIR does have a
        means to transfer comments from one directory to another.

             The control keys are used for various functions.  They are
        activated by holding down the [Ctrl] key and depressing one of the
        other keys; this is shown in the text by a caret followed by a
        letter or word.   Examples:  [^N] or [^Home]  .

             When typing a directory, a colon ( : ) must always be followed
        by a backslash ( \ ).  Example:  A:\   .  Otherwise an error message
        will appear on the screen.

             CDIR colors can be changed for those individuals with other
        preferences, by executing the CDIR_CLR program explained at the end
        of this document.












                                         3



        ********************************************************************
        *                     How To Start CDIR                            *
        ********************************************************************

             Start the program by typing "CDIR" followed by [Return].  The
        default directory will be displayed first.  You can tell the program
        to start and display any directory by typing "CDIR", space, the name
        of a directory and then [Return].  In this case the drive letter,
        colon, a backslash and path portions of the directory must be
        specified.

             The following are examples of starting commands:

                  CDIR[Return]
                  CDIR A:\[Return]
                  CDIR c:\123files\checks[Return]

             A moment after starting, CDIR will display the files and
        sub-directories, their size, creation dates and times and comments.
        Sub-directories are denoted by the letter S in the left-hand column.

             Quit the program with [^Q] or [^X].  (See control keys below.)


        ********************************************************************
        *                         Movement Keys                            *
        ********************************************************************

             The movement keys move the highlighted bar or scroll the screen
        as follows:

             [Cur Up] and [Cur Dn] keys:
                  Moves the highlighted bar up or down 1 row.
             [Page Up] or [Page Dn] keys:
                  Scrolls 8 files.
             [^Page Up] or [^Page Dn] keys:
                  Scrolls 32 files.
             [Home] or [End] keys:
                  Moves to top or bottom of screen.
             [^Home] or [^End] keys:
                  Moves to beginning or end of file.









                                         4



        ********************************************************************
        *                          Editing Keys                            *
        ********************************************************************

             The keystrokes listed below can be used to edit comments or
        directory and file names rapidly.

             [Cur Left] and [Cur Right] keys:
                  Moves the cursor position left or right.
             [^Cur Left] and [^Cur Right] keys:
                  Moves the cursor position 8 characters left or right.
             [Home] key:
                  Moves cursor to left side.
             [End] key:
                  Moves cursor to right side.
             [Tab] key:
                  Erases entire line.
             [^End] key:
                  Erases all characters above and to the right of the
                  cursor.
             [Delete] key:
                  Deletes only the single character above the cursor.
             [Backspace] key:
                  Erases the character to the immediate left of the cursor.
             [Ins] key:
                  Toggles between the over-write and insert modes.  Editing
                  begins in the insert mode whereby characters are inserted
                  at the cursor location.  In the over-write mode, the shape
                  of the cursor changes and a typed character simply
                  replaces the character above the cursor.

        ********************************************************************
        *                         Writing Comments                         *
        ********************************************************************

             To write a comment, just use the movement keys to position the
        highlighted bar over the desired file and begin typing.  Press
        [Return] to enter the comment.  If you start to type, and then
        change your mind, press [Esc], and the original comment will be
        restored.

             To edit an existing comment, position the bar as above and then
        press the [Space] key.  You may alter the comment using the editing
        keys explained above.  Again if you change your mind, press [Esc].






                                         5



        ********************************************************************
        *                     Control Key Functions                        *
        ********************************************************************

             The control key functions are described in the paragraphs which
        follow:

        [^A] ( Attribute ) key:

             Displays the file attribute on the third screen row.  The
             attributes displayed are interpreted

                  "R/O" means it is a read-only file.  It can not be written
                  or erased until its attribute is changed to remove the
                  read-only restriction.

                  "Arc" means the file has been changed since it was last
                  backed up (via the DOS backup command).

                  "Sub-directory" means the file is a sub-directory.

             The read-only attribute status, of non-sub-directory files, can
             be toggled to the opposite state by pressing the [R] key when
             asked; otherwise [Esc] allows you to continue.

        [^C] ( Copy ) key:

             Copies tagged or highlighted file(s).

             After pressing [^C] you are asked to press [T], [O] or [Esc].
             If you press [T], all of the tagged files will be copied, but
             if [O] is depressed, only the highlighted file will be copied.
             [Esc] is used to abort the operation.

             Next, you will be asked to where the file(s) should be copied.
             In general, use the same format for the destination as you
             would if you were using the DOS Copy command.  You may give a
             directory only, in which case the files will be copied with the
             same name and extension to that directory.  You may specify
             file name(s) or extension(s) for the new file(s), or the wild
             card characters * and ? described by DOS may be used.  If a
             directory is already shown on the third line, it may be edited
             as described above.

             If files are to be copied to another disk, a typical response
             might be  B:\  .  If you tag all the files with an extension of
             .ABC  , and want them copied to the same directory, but with
             the extension of .XYZ , then your response should be  *.XYZ  .


                                         6



             If the [Esc] key is pressed while tagged files are being
             copied, the process will be aborted as soon as CDIR is finished
             with the file it was copying when the key was pushed.

        [^D] ( Delete ) key:

             Deletes tagged or highlighted file(s).

             After pressing [^D] you are asked to press [T], [O] or [Esc].
             If you press [T] all of the tagged files will be deleted, but
             if [O] is depressed, only the highlighted file will be erased.
             [Esc] is used to abort the operation.

             Sub-directories ( other than the "single-dot" and "double-dot"
             directories ) can be removed using the [O] option but only if
             they are empty, ie, contain no files.

        [^E] ( Path ) key:

             When [^E] is pressed, the default path will be displayed on the
             third line.  Pressing [Esc] then returns the display to normal.

             The path displayed is the currently active parameter which lets
             DOS know where to find executeable files if they can not be
             found in the default directory.  It is also used by some
             application programs for similar reasons.  The term Path as
             used here has a different meaning than we use in describing
             directories which have a path of sub-directories leading from
             the root to a desired file.  See your DOS manual for more
             information.

        [^L] ( Locate ) key:

             The locate function has two modes.  The first is to find a file
             or sub-directory by moving the highlighted bar to the requested
             file.  The second mode tags all of the files having common or
             similar file names or extensions.

             After pressing [^L] you are asked to press [S] to find a single
             file (first mode) or press [T] to tag common or similar files
             (second mode).

             If [S] is pressed, you will be asked to enter which file to
             find.  Enter the file name and extension.  Do not use a drive
             or path specifier.     Example:  MYFILE.DOC   .  The exact file
             name and extension must be typed.




                                         7



             If [T] is pressed, you should enter the file name-extension
             pattern to tag using the * and ? wild cards.  Previously tagged
             files will be untagged automatically if they do not fit the
             wild card criteria.  Example: *.BAK tags all back up files.

        [^N] ( New Directory ) key:

             Changes the current directory.

             The current directory is always displayed at the top of the
             screen.  Press [^N] to change it.  You will be asked to enter
             the new directory.  Enter a drive letter, colon, backslash and
             path.  Examples: are  A:\  or  C:\MEMOS\SALES   .  If a
             directory is already shown on the third line, it may be used as
             is by pressing [Return] or edited as described above.  [Esc] is
             used to abort the operation.

             There is an alternative which will save typing if the new
             directory appears with the letter S in the left column of the
             currently displayed directory.  Prior to entering [^N], move
             the highlighted bar over that sub-directory.  When asked to
             type the sub-directory name, instead just press [Return].

                  Selecting either the single-dot or double-dot
                  sub-directory with the highlighted bar and pressing
                  [Return] causes CDIR to go to the parent ( moves back
                  towards the root directory ).  Selecting any other
                  sub-directory tells CDIR to go to a child ( moves away
                  from the root directory ).

             Pressing [^N] automatically saves the comments in a file named
             CMTD-DIR.-%- to be located in the current directory.  The size
             of CMTD-DIR.-%- will depend upon the number of files in that
             directory.

             After you have entered the new directory, the program will
             change to it.  First, CDIR will load the file information data
             ( 256 files maximum ) and then look for a CMTD-DIR.-%- file in
             that directory.  If it is found, the comments will be matched
             to the file names just loaded.

             It is perfectly acceptable for new files to have been written
             into the new directory, or old ones to have been changed or
             deleted since the last time CDIR accessed the directory.  These
             actions do not affect CDIR's operation.





                                         8



        [^O] ( Overview ) key:

             Overview shows all of the directories on a particular drive.
             The display shows the sub-directory parent-child relationships
             with indenting.

             After pressing [^O] you will be asked to enter the drive letter
             for which the overview is to be displayed.  Normally, the first
             and second floppy disk drives are identified as A and B while
             the first hard drive is C.  If you have other floppy drives,
             have partitioned your hard drive into two or more logical
             drives, or have used the DOS SUBST command (probably in the
             AUTOEXEC.BAT file), then your system will specify letters
             higher than C.

             The program takes a few seconds to search the drive and then it
             displays the tree structure overview.  The movement keys behave
             the same as when looking at a single directory.  These are
             explained in an earlier paragraph.

             You can change the current sub-directory (as shown on the top
             screen row) by moving the highlighted bar over the desired
             sub-directory and pressing [^N].  To stay in the same
             directory, just press [Esc] to terminate the overview display.

        [^P] ( Print ) key:

             Prints either the commented directory or the contents of tagged
             or highlighted file(s).

             After pressing [^P] you will be asked to press [T], [O], [D],
             [P] or [Esc].  If your answer is [D], then a listing of all the
             files in the current directory, along with their comments, will
             be printed.  If your answer is [O], only the highlighted file
             will be printed, but if you press [T], then the contents of all
             the tagged files will be printed.  [P] is used to eject one
             more page from your printer.  This is convenient for pushing
             out documents from printers having continuous paper.

             Printing can be aborted before selecting [T], [O], [D] or [P]
             or while it is in process by pressing the [Esc] key.









                                         9



        [^Q] ( Quit ) key:

             Causes the CDIR program to quit and return to DOS.

             The comments of the current directory are saved before
             terminating.  See the discussion about CMTD-DIR,-%- under the
             [^N] key.  Also see the [^X] key description.

        [^R] ( Rename ) key:

             Allows files to be renamed and/or moved to another directory.

             After depressing [^R] you will be asked to press [T], [O] or
             [Esc].  If you press [T], all of the tagged files will be
             renamed, but if [O] is depressed, only the highlighted file
             will be renamed.  [Esc] is used to abort the operation.  You
             will then be asked for the new name.  The wild card characters
             * and ? may be used to simplify typing; in fact they should be
             used for renaming multiple tagged files.  If a directory is
             already shown on the third line, it may be edited as described
             above.  The file name and extension must be specified.

             Typing an optional drive and path will move the file(s) to that
             directory if the drive letter is the same as the current drive.
             Comments will be lost unless the procedure outlined below is
             followed for renaming files to a different directory:

                  1.  Make sure there is a CMTD-DIR.-%- file in the other
                  directory.  If one is not there already, (use [^W] to find
                  out,) you can copy the CMTD-DIR.-%- file from the current
                  directory, then change to the other directory with the
                  [^N] key and then change back to the current directory
                  again using the [^N] key.

                  2.  If the file names or extensions will be changed when
                  they are moved, use the [^R] key and rename the files to
                  be in the current directory by changing only the file name
                  or extension, but not the directory; do not rename (move)
                  them to the other directory yet.

                  3.  Copy the comments to the other directory with the [^Y]
                  key.

                  4.  Use the [^R] to rename (move) the files to the other
                  directory.





                                         10



        [^S] ( Sub-directory ) key:

             Creates a new sub-directory.

             When this option is selected, you will be asked to enter a
             sub-directory name.  If a name is entered without a Drive:\
             Path prefix, the sub-directory will be placed in the current
             directory as shown at the top of the screen.

        [^T] ( Tag Toggle ) key:

             Toggles the tag mark on and off.

             The highlighted file may be tagged in preparation for the other
             control key functions.  A heart-shaped figure appears in the
             left column on the screen for each tagged file.  Press [^T] to
             turn the heart on or off.

        [^U] ( Untag ) key:

             Untags all files.

             When [^U] is pressed, every tagged file is untagged, and its
             heart symbol turned off.

        [^V] ( View ) key:

             Allows the highlighted file to be viewed.

             Pressing [^V] causes the contents of the highlighted file to be
             displayed a page at-a-time on the screen.  Carriage-return
             characters ( ASCII 13 ) are ignored, and Line-feed characters
             ( ASCII 10 ) cause a jump to the next line on the screen but
             are also not displayed.  Other print control characters such as
             Page-eject or tab cause no action; their symbol is displayed on
             the screen.

             Pressing [Cur Dn] moves the screen down one line and [Page Dn]
             displays the next 24 lines.  [Cur Up] moves the screen back one
             line and [Page Up] displays the previous 24 lines.  [Esc]
             removes the display and returns you to normal operation.









                                         11


        [^W] ( 2nd Directory ) key:

             Lets the contents of another directory be displayed without
             leaving the current directory.  This useful feature allows you
             to preview the second directory for determining whether a file
             already exists or if it has the same date and time as a file in
             the current directory.

             After pressing [^W], you will be asked to enter the second
             directory.  Enter a drive letter, colon, backslash and path.
             Examples: are  B:\  or  C:\DOCS\STATUS   .  If a directory is
             already shown on the third line, it may be used as is by
             pressing [Return] or edited as described above.  [Esc] is used
             to abort the operation.

             The [Page Up] and [Page Dn] keys cause the display to scroll 8
             files at a time.  The [Esc] key removes the second directory
             display.

        [^X] ( Exit ) key:

             Causes the CDIR program to quit and immediately return to DOS
             without saving the comments ( CMTD-DIR.-%- file is not saved ).

             See [^Q] description.

        [^Y] ( Copy Comments ) key:

             Copies tagged or highlighted comments(s) to another directory.
             This is useful, for example, to transfer the comments about
             files which have just been copied to a floppy disk.

             A prerequisite is having a CMTD-DIR.-%- file already in the
             other directory to where the comments will be copied.

             After pressing [^Y] you are asked to press [T], [O] or [Esc].
             If you press [T], all of the tagged comments will be copied,
             but if [O] is depressed, only the highlighted comment will be
             copied.  [Esc] is used to abort the operation.

             Next, you will be asked to where the comment(s) should be
             copied.  Enter a drive letter, colon, backslash and path.
             Examples: are  A:\  or  C:\BUYERS   .  If a directory is
             already shown on the third line, it may be used as is by
             pressing [Return] or edited as described above.  [Esc] is used
             to abort the operation.





                                         12



        ********************************************************************
        *                    How To Use CDIR_CLR                           *
        ********************************************************************

             Users can easily change the screen colors displayed by CDIR
        from the standard colors to their preference with the CDIR_CLR
        program.

             To use CDIR_CLR make sure that both the CDIR.EXE and the
        CDIR_CLR.EXE files are in the default directory.  At the DOS prompt
        type CDIR_CLR [Return] and then follow the directions in the top box
        on the screen.  The bottom box contains information explaining how
        the color pairs are used within the CDIR program.

             Each color has two attributes, the foreground color (such as
        the letters you are currently reading) and a background color, which
        is as the name suggests, the area behind the characters.  These two
        attributes are called color pairs.  A color sample is displayed for
        each color pair.

             The foreground attribute can have one of sixteen different
        values identified 0 thru 9 and A thru F.  The background can have
        one of eight values numbered 0 thru 7.  Depressing the [F5] or [F6]
        keys changes the foreground or background attribute of the boxed
        color pair.  The attribute numbers are displayed in the center of
        the screen.  Pressing the left and right cursor movement keys, moves
        the box to another color pair.

             Finally, the [F1] and [F2] keys are used to save the new colors
        or leave them unchanged.

             The pre-chosen standard colors are listed in the table below.

                  Pair   Color System   Mono System
                   No.    Fgnd  Bgnd    Fgnd  Bgnd
                  ----   ----- ------   ---- ------
                   1       3      0       7     0
                   2       4      7       F     0
                   3       F      5       F     0
                   4       D      0       F     0
                   5       3      6       7     0
                   6       7      1       7     0
                   7       0      3       0     7
                   8       E      0       F     0
                   9       7      4       7     0





                                         13

         ----------------end-of-author's-documentation---------------

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