                              WESTPAL GROUP

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Contents of Package:

      1 - PAL editor help system/scripts
      2 - Menu table
      3 - MakeLib script
      4 - ToDo table
      5 - Docu table

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1. PAL Editor help scripts:

      Devinit - a script to play to set up the function of the remaining
                PAL editor help scripts.  See subsequent detailed notes.
      HInfo - a script that explains the help "hot" keys and that is also
              part of the help system itself.
      CopyBlok - Cut/copy/paste script for use with PAL editor.
      DelWord - Deletes words (one at a time) from scripts.
      S_R - Search and Replace script.
      S_M - Search and Modify script.

Detailed information regarding these editor help scripts is included at
the end of this text file.

2. MENU table: This table is designed to be used during creation of an appli-
               cation.  Each time you create a procedure script for the appli-
               cation, enter it into this table.  NOTE: Use VARIABLES for
               the procedure library name entries.  Their is a field for the
               script name, description, sub-description, library name, library
               size (if you use it - we recommend against it usually since it
               costs extra memory - although this may become less of a consid-
               eration under 3.5), and "Y" or "N" to add the script to the pro-
               cedure library at the time of creation.  There are forms and
               reports included for the table.  The script "MakeLib" is intend-
               ed to work with this table.  Access to the table is provided via
               "hotkey" in the "Devinit" script.

3. MakeLib script - This script is designed to work in conjunction with the
               MENU table.  The script creates procedure libraries based on
               entries in the MENU table.  The libraries are created or re-
               created each time the script is played.  Of course, the MENU
               table must exist in the current directory or else you will need
               to add the table's path data to the script.  We use a separate
               copy of the table for each application, and just copy the table
               and this script into the working script directory of the appli-
               cation at the time we begin working on it.  The information for
               each application stays with it at all time that way.  Major
               credit is due to Mr. David Kramer, President of Organized
               Information Corporation, for this script.

4. ToDo table - We find it useful to have a table around, either for each
               application or one overall, where things can be quickly listed
               as a "to do" list.  We use this simple Pdx table to accomplish
               the task.  Forms and reports are provided as well.  Access to
               the table is provided via "hotkey" in the "Devinit" script.

5. Docu table - We likewise find it useful to keep a simple table around where
               we can quickly make notes regarding the future documentation of
               an application, since the thoughts about what should be included
               so often come to the mind of the programmer when working on the
               code.  This table is similar to the "ToDo" table and is likewise
               available via "hotkey" through the "Devinit" script.

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PAL Editor Help System:

                                 Preface

We find it useful to eliminate the need for linking an external editor.  One
of many reasons for this is the fact that we work at many different sites at
various times.  We felt that there might be others who would appreciate having
use of the scripts in this system or who might not be able to afford an addi-
tional editor.  Search and replace, cut/copy/paste, mark and locate, and many
other useful functions are provided through the scripts herein provided.  Note
that many of the keys assigned via PAL's SETKEY command are also useful during
form and report designs!  Those that work only within script editing mode will
generally notify you or simply bypass themselves if called in the wrong con-
text.  The major author of this system is Paul Sharp, President of WESTPAL
GROUP (CIS: 72277,3045).

The author also has a healthy dislike for scripts which contain multiple proce-
dures.  Not only does such a condition often result in working with monstrous
scripts but you must also play all of them into the library each time you make
some minor change during debugging.

There is at least one disadvantage to having each script separate: the 8-
character DOS file name limitation.  We get around this for the most part by
following the OIC tradition of using the first letter of each main menu choice
in an application as the first letter of the script and saving the remaining 7
characters for as much of a descriptive name as possible.  The description
fields in the MENU table are used to provide definitive descriptions, anyway.

                                  Setup

The system can be implemented by one of two methods:

      1 - Create a directory such as "C:\WPEd" on your machine and copy
          the scripts and tables there, or
      2 - Put the scripts and tables into the working directory of each
          application.

No matter which method you choose to utilize, you may need to edit the Devinit
script to reflect the directory involved.  Simply change all references to
"C:\\WPEd\\" therein to whatever directory you are using.  (Remember to use
double backslashes per normal PAL requirements.)

                                Operation

To operate the system, simply PLAY the "Devinit" script.  After that, use
Alt-H (Alt key plus H key) to bring up the help screens.  The help screens
contain information regarding the hotkeys and their functions.  Other useful
information is also included in the help screens - PAL keycodes and graphics
character codes.  The PgDn, PgUp, Home, and End keys work while viewing the
help screens.  Any other key exits the help screens and returns the user to
whatever he was doing prior to invoking the help screens.

                                 Scripts

1. Devinit - This script assigns hotkeys via the SETKEY command.  You should
take a look at the script and modify any directory entries as needed.  Addi-
tional SETKEY assignments are listed but unused; you can assign and utilize
these to suit individual preference.  Nothing precludes your modification of
the provided choices, for that matter; you can change them however you wish.
Note that the last section provides for a way to rapidly change directories
in an application.  You can simply assign the Shift-Fxx keys as desired to
accomplish this.  Most of the provided assignments made in the Devinit script
are defined in the HInfo script, so you don't need to pore over the code unless
you wish.

2. HInfo - Assuming you PLAY the Devinit script, you can use the Alt-H key
combination to PLAY the HInfo script.  Doing so will bring up page one of the
script, showing the hotkey assignments that are available.  The PgDn, PgUp,
End, and Home keys are operative while viewing the help screens of HInfo.  Any
other keypress will exit the help screens and HInfo.  Note that some keys that
are indigenous to PAL are included in the lists, since we find that many users
are either unaware of them or can't remember them from time to time.

3. CopyBlok - This script is accessed via the Alt-C hotkey combination and when
played, it allows copying, cutting, and pasting of sections of PAL scripts.
The default maximum of lines that can be cut/pasted is 50, but there is no
reason why you can't edit the script and increase (or decrease) this number as
desired.  From 1 to 9 lines are copied (or copied/cut) by simple one-stroke
keypress of the appropriate number.  If you wish to copy or copy/cut more than
9 lines of PAL code, press Enter at the first prompt and then enter the number
of lines to be processed.

4. DelWord - This script is called by the Ctl-Minus key combination.  If the
cursor is positioned anywhere on a word, DelWord deletes that word.  Note that
a "word" to DelWord is defined as all conjunctive characters between spaces.

5. S_R - This script is called with the Alt-S key combination.  It allows you
to search for a string and replace it with another.  Individual confirmation
is provided for.  You can also simply search without replacement.

6. S_M - This script is called with Alt-X.  It allows you to search for a
string and then have a subsequent script called to do something with the
script.  For example, perhaps you wish to have every occurence of the string:

           "Press F2 when finished."

varied to add a comma, then followed by insertion of a new line and the addi-
tion of:

           "Use Esc to cancel."

You can move to the first occurence in the script , press Alt-F3 to record an
instant script, make the change by pressing Ctl-End, typing in a comma, then
pressing Enter to add a blank line (insert mode assumed in this example), and
then add the new line.  Then press Alt-F3 again to shut off the instant script
recorder.  Now you can play S_M by pressing the Alt-X combination.  Give the
string to be used as a search value and provide the name "Instant" when prompt-
ed.  (This is a very simple example of what can be done with this script.)

                             Additional Notes

If you find bugs, please leave a message for Paul Sharp, CIS: 72277,3045 on
the forum.

(NOTE: Many of the hotkeys set in Devinit can be used to provide great speed
increases during form and report designs.  Wish to move across the screen in
a hurry during form design, for instance?  Just press the Tab key 2 or 3 times.
To copy a line, try Alt-E, and etc.)
