ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ· ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ³ ÖÄÄÄÄÄĽķ ° FAGERLUND CONSULTING ° DEXTER(tm) by ³ ÓÄÄÄÄ·ÄÄĽ ° Lonsdale West P.O. ° ÄÄÄÄÄÄ ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ³ ÖÄÄÄĽ ° Box 54053 ° Version 2.01 ÀÄĽ ÓÄÄÄÄÄ· ° North Vancouver, B.C. ° ÍÍÍÍÍÍ March 1995 ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄĽ ° CANADA V7M 3L5 ° Copyright (c) FAGERLUND CONSULTING 1991,1995. All rights reserved. ============================ USER'S GUIDE ============================ _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER TABLE OF CONTENTS ================= Definition of Shareware .......................................... 1 ASP Ombudsman Statement .......................................... 1 Limited License .................................................. 2 Disclaimer ....................................................... 2 Registration ..................................................... 3 Introduction ..................................................... 4 Features ......................................................... 7 Specifications ................................................... 8 List of Related Files ............................................ 9 Installation .................................................... 10 Starting Up DEXTER .............................................. 11 Command Line Switches ........................................... 12 Using the Menus ................................................. 13 Using the On-Line Help .......................................... 13 COMMANDS IN DETAIL .............................................. 15 - File Commands ................................................ 15 - File List Options ............................................ 18 - Window Commands .............................................. 19 - Cursor Movement Commands ..................................... 20 - Search & Replace Commands .................................... 22 - Editing Commands ............................................. 23 - Block Commands ............................................... 26 - Print Commands ............................................... 28 - Print Format Codes ........................................... 30 - Printer Drivers .............................................. 31 - Macro Commands ............................................... 32 - Utility Commands ............................................. 34 - Configuration ................................................ 37 - Save Configuration to Disk ................................... 39 APPENDIX, Command Key List ...................................... 40 Order Form ...................................................... 44 DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Definition of Shareware Page 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to a registered copy with enhanced features and printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or shareware. The shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. ASP OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT 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: ASP Ombudsman 545 Grover Road Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 U.S.A. or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe MAIL to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Limited License, Disclaimer Page 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LIMITED LICENSE FOR EVALUATION Fagerlund Consulting hereby grants you a limited license to use this software for evaluation purposes for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days. If you intend to continue using this software after the sixty (60) day evaluation period, you MUST make a registration payment to Fagerlund Consulting. You may not modify, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer the DEXTER software. You are hereby granted permission by Fagerlund Consulting to copy the DEXTER software for your own use for evaluation purposes. You may also distribute the DEXTER software to others, provided that all restrictions in the accompanying Limited License For Distribution (see VENDINFO.DIZ) are met. All rights not expressly granted here are reserved to Fagerlund Consulting. DISCLAIMER Users of DEXTER must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "DEXTER is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of DEXTER." DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Registration Page 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- REGISTRATION The current registration fee for DEXTER is $53 Cdn / $44 U.S. The registration fee includes postage and handling costs so that you can better compare the price of this shareware product with similar retail products. Same price applies for overseas orders. Contact Fagerlund Consulting for information on volume discounts, student discounts, and site-licenses. The registration package you receive by mail will include: - the latest registered version of DEXTER on disk with the opening registration screen disabled - a professionally printed and bound user's guide - the full user's guide on disk - other utility programs currently available from Fagerlund Consulting on disk Your DEXTER registration also includes free telephone support and low-cost upgrades for future releases of DEXTER. You will be notified of new releases. Fill out the order form on the last page of this user's guide and send to the address below, or send via CompuServe EMail. You may also order by phone. We accept cheques and money orders in Canadian or U.S. funds, as well as VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. Mailing Address: FAGERLUND CONSULTING Lonsdale West P.O. Box 54053 North Vancouver, B.C. CANADA V7M 3L5 CompuServe I.D.: 70253,1046 (GO SWREG, ID 4505, to register online) Voice telephone: (604) 984-7330 Questions and comments welcome. Please call between 8AM and 8PM PST. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Introduction Page 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION Welcome to DEXTER! Hope you take the time to give this powerful little text editor a good thorough test drive. You may be quite amazed by what can fit into 70K. What is DEXTER? --------------- DEXTER is a text editor rather than a word processor. It was designed mainly for the writing of program source code, but is just as well suited for the creation of simple documents, large or small, which do not require a lot of special formatting. It performs the basic functions of a word processor such as paragraph formatting and printing. It creates standard ASCII text files which do not include any special formatting codes. The advantage over a word processor is that it is compact, very fast, and can handle huge files. Who should use DEXTER? ---------------------- DEXTER is appropriate for any level of computer user. Its streamlined nature and its impressive list of features make it a true professional programmer's editor, yet it is so easy to use that it also makes a great introductory word processor for the novice. And, with its tiny 70K size and on-line configuration, it is VERY portable, and will work with a minimum of computer resources. DEXTER also makes a very useful search tool for huge volumes of text data. And DEXTER runs just fine from Microsoft Windows. What makes DEXTER superior? --------------------------- DEXTER is premium quality software. It was carefully designed to be small, fast, and full featured without clutter. Its operation is flawless throughout. One of DEXTER's best qualities is ease of use. Its comprehensive menu system is well organized and clearly labelled with all hot key options displayed. Hot keys may even be changed on the fly. And context sensitive help is available for every menu item in the system. DEXTER is also very strong in its capacity to edit huge text files. 615 files of virtually any size may be loaded into its file list for editing. Amazingly fast search and replace capabilities allow you to search interactively back and forth through all files in the file list. The design of the file list also makes DEXTER great for large, ongoing projects with many text files (such as programming projects and text data search applications). The file list may contain DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Introduction Page 5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION (continued) files from any number of subdirectories, and may be sorted in 6 different ways. You can even insert divide lines for organization. A default file list (in text format) may be created so that the same list of files is loaded each time you start up DEXTER. Another powerful feature not commonly found in other editors is the Temporary Quit. This option will save EVERYTHING about your current editing session to a special image file in the current directory. Simply restart DEXTER from this directory and you will be returned EXACTLY where you left off. Similar to a DOS shell, this command may be used to compile a program or run other software. Unlike a DOS shell, it leaves nothing in memory. You may run any software, load TSR's, and even reboot the computer. DEXTER is highly configurable. Configuration includes: General Defaults; Colours; Keyboard Configuration; Macros; and Printer Drivers. And all configuration features are "on-line", meaning that you may change them on the fly without the need of a separate configuration utility. Each part of the configuration may be saved Locally or Globally, allowing certain DOS directories to have a different configuration than others. What's in it for programmers? ----------------------------- DEXTER has many features and qualities that will please computer programmers. The block commands Cut, Copy and Paste are very quick and easy to use because they are controlled by only two keys (F3 and F4). The unique multi-file search & replace features make it a snap to locate and/or change variable names in multiple source code files, jumping from file to file as you search back and forth through the file list. You also have 24 programmable macros to simplify repetitive tasks or to create new commands. The new macros are added to 4 separate macro menus, and can even be labelled, in effect creating new menu options. Three keystrokes will save your newly created macro commands to disk. And you must try the shift-INS and shift-DEL commands for changing the indentation of source code. DEXTER works especially well with large programming projects. The powerful file list features can help keep your whole project organized in a single list, from source code, to support files, to documentation. Use the Temporary Quit to compile your program with all available memory. Even if you crash the system during testing you can still return where you left off. The Temporary Quit also allows you to interrupt what you're doing at the drop of a hat, then return hours or days later exactly where you were. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Introduction Page 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION (continued) What about the future? ---------------------- DEXTER has been an ongoing project since October of 1990, with its first official shareware release in November of 1991. My goal has been to first create a solid, stable base product, focusing more on design than on features. I believe that I have reached this first step of my goal. From here I have many ideas for how to improve on the product. My direction will be guided by demand because my ultimate goal, of course, is to sell more copies. Those that speak the loudest will likely have the most influence. Many thanks to all those that provided feedback from my previous release. You will see that the majority of suggestions have been implemented in this new version. The bottom line is, I'm listening. How do you like DEXTER's handling of the file list and editing windows? How important is syntax highlighting to you? What about compiler support? More word processing features? Would you like to use a mouse? And the big question, how anxious are you for a Microsoft Windows version? Please tell me what you want! Thanks for trying DEXTER. If you like it and intend on using it, please support shareware and register! If you don't, tell me why! - Paul Fagerlund DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Features Page 7 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURES * Will edit up to 615 files of ANY SIZE at one time. * Can be configured to edit the same unique list of files each time DEXTER starts up. * Can search subdirectories to locate files to edit. * Offers 4 horizontal split, vertical split, and/or boxed editing windows. * Has interactive or automatic multi-file search & replace. * Has a full menu system which is clearly labelled, organized, very flexible, and shows all hot key options. Hot keys may be reassigned on the fly. * Has full context sensitive help. * Has line and column block operations. * Main block commands (cut, copy and paste) use only two keys. * Has 24 programable macro keys which can be placed in a menu and labelled. * Allows line drawing using any line style. * Supports 43 and 50 line modes for EGA and VGA. * Has built-in support for dot matrix and laser printers, plus a printer driver edit screen for defining up to 8 other printers. * Shift-INS and shift-DEL commands allow you to easily change the margin or adjust columns of existing text. * Tabs and margins can be set to any unique values. * Allows indented paragraph reformatting, with or without blank line separators. * Has both DOS shell and Temporary Quit. * Has "Read Only" mode which blocks editing keys. * Status bar may be turned off to give true FULL SCREEN editing. * Has built in screen blanking, and popup ASCII Table (ctrl-alt). * A single key (F9) can take you back to the previous 3 edited areas of a file to ease navigation through large text files. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Specifications Page 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURES (continued) * A single key (alt-F9) will flip through the last 3 edited files. * Has full on-line local and global configuration. * Has keyboard reconfiguration. * Can be configured from the DOS command line, and features command line help ("/?"). SPECIFICATIONS Computer: IBM PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS/2, or IBM compatibles. Memory requirement: Requires 179 KB of free conventional memory. Memory usage: Uses a maximum of 582 KB conventional memory. Does not use EMS or XMS memory. Claims from 151 to 276 KB of memory while resident in memory upon calling a DOS Shell >> (alt-F10). Memory used depends on number of files in file list, and size of block in hold, but does not depend on sizes of files being edited. Maximum file size: Unlimited. Maximum active files: 615. Max. editing windows: 4. Maximum line length: 255 characters. (Characters beyond column 255 will remain out of view but will not be truncated. Long lines can be split automatically.) Maximum block size: 64000 characters. Maximum macro size: 1000 keystrokes. Compiled with: Borland Pascal 7.0 DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- List of Related Files Page 9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LIST OF RELATED FILES The DEXTER package consists of a single executable program file, plus a number of documentation files. See the text file PACKING.LST for a complete listing of all files in the DEXTER package. If you wish to pass on DEXTER to others, you must always include the complete DEXTER package. To run DEXTER, all you need is the program file itself. There are eight other optional files which may be used. The following is a complete list of all files used by DEXTER: DR.EXE - The DEXTER program file. DEXTER.DOC - The User's Guide on disk. This file must exist in the same directory as DR.EXE if you wish to use the on-line context sensitive help. DEXTER.CFG - The general defaults file. DEXTER.CLR - The custom colour configuration file. DEXTER.KEY - The keyboard configuration file. DEXTER.MAC - The saved macros file. DEXTER.PTR - The printer drivers file. DEXTER.FLS - The default file list. Create this text file containing a list of file names if you wish to edit the same group of files each time you run DEXTER. DEXTER.TQT - Temporary Quit image file. This file is created by DEXTER during a Temporary Quit and stores all the information about your current editing session. One or more of the files DEXTER.CFG, DEXTER.CLR, DEXTER.KEY, DEXTER.MAC, and DEXTER.PTR are created by DEXTER in "Save Configuration to Disk" when modifying the default configuration. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Installation Page 10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INSTALLATION All you need to run DEXTER is the single executable file DR.EXE. If you wish to use the on-line context sensitive help, DEXTER.DOC (the User's Guide on disk) is also required and must exist in the same DOS directory as DR.EXE. If you already have a program in your system called "DR", you may rename DR.EXE to anything you like, keeping the extension ".EXE". You have 3 options for installing DEXTER as follows: 1. Simple Use and Evaluation - If you plan to use DEXTER in a single DOS directory for limited use or evaluation, simply copy DR.EXE and DEXTER.DOC into that directory. 2. Install in Utilities Directory - If you already have a DOS directory set aside for general utilities, copy DR.EXE and DEXTER.DOC into that directory. This option assumes that your utilities directory is already listed in your DOS path. 3. Create Separate Directory for DEXTER - You might want to keep the DEXTER program, with all its documentation and configuration files, in its own separate DOS directory. First create the directory, then copy all the files of the DEXTER package into it. You will then want to add this directory to your DOS path so that you can type "DR" from any DOS command line to start up DEXTER. Add the DEXTER directory to the "PATH" statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Here is an example assuming that you created a directory called "DEXTER" in your C: root directory: Before: PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\UTIL After: PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\UTIL;C:\DEXTER Please refer to your DOS manual if you need more help with installation. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Starting Up DEXTER Page 11 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- STARTING UP DEXTER The syntax to run the DEXTER program from the DOS command line is as follows: [d:][path]DR [ [ [...]]] [] [d:][path] is the drive and path name to locate the program file "DR.EXE". This is not required if the DEXTER directory is listed in the DOS path. is the name of a file you wish to edit. may contain the DOS wildcard characters "?" and "*" to load groups of files with similar names. You may also type more than one separated by spaces or commas to load several files at once. indicates a list of possible switches to configure the DEXTER program. See the COMMAND LINE SWITCHES section on the following page for more on . Custom Configuration - As DEXTER starts up it looks for any of the 5 custom configuration files (listed in the previous LIST OF RELATED FILES section). If it finds any of these, the configuration will be set accordingly, otherwise, DEXTER will use its internal default configuration. When searching for each configuration file, DEXTER will first check the current DOS directory, then, if not found, will check the directory where DR.EXE exists. In this way you can have a local and global configuration for each part of the configuration. When you save a configuration file in the "Save Configuration to Disk" section, you have the option to save each file locally or globally. See page 39 for more on configuration. Default File List - If a was not given in the command line, DEXTER will then look for a file called DEXTER.FLS in the current directory. If found, it will use this text file as a list of file names to load into DEXTER's file list. The file DEXTER.FLS is a text file that you create yourself containing one file name per line. File names may use the DOS wildcard characters "?" and "*", and the command line switches "/RO" and "/S" (see the COMMAND LINE SWITCHES section next). Any line beginning with the ":" character is treated as a comment and ignored. Any characters following a "/", other than "/RO" and "/S" are also ignored as comments. A single "-" on a line by itself will create a divide line in the file list. You can also use the "@" command line option to load a default file list other than DEXTER.FLS. Follow the "@" with the name of the default file list to use. If a was not given in the command line, and a default file list was not defined, DEXTER will prompt you for the name of a file to edit. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Command Line Switches Page 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMAND LINE SWITCHES Much of DEXTER's configuration can be set from the DOS command line using command line switches. Each switch must have its own starting "/", and most can be followed by a "+" or "-" to turn the switch ON or OFF respectively. If a switch is not followed by a "+" or "-", the switch will be toggled from its default state to the other state. The following is a list of all the possible command line switches with their default state. Default state of "ON or OFF" indicates that the switch depends on your current hardware or DOS mode. See the given page number for a description of each switch. Switch Description Default Page --------- ---------------------------------------- ---------- ---- @filelist Default file list. The file specified DEXTER.FLS 11 after the "@" is a text file containing the names of the files to edit. /S Search subdirectories. Searches the OFF current or specified directory, PLUS any subdirectories, for given filename(s). /RO ReadOnly mode. Files will be opened for OFF 18 viewing only, no editing will be allowed. /BW Force monochrome colours. ON or OFF /COLOR Force full colours. ON or OFF /L50 Use maximum number of display lines. ON or OFF /? Display command line options. OFF /HELP Display command line options. OFF /INS+- Insert Mode ON 23 /AI+- Auto Indent ON 23 /WW+- Word Wrap OFF 24 /FC+- Case Sensitive OFF 23 /FH+- Whole Words OFF 23 /F?+- "?" as Wildcard OFF 23 /FA+- Search All Files in File List OFF 23 /ASK+- Ask Before Writing Changes ON 37 /SSW+- Save on Switch Windows OFF 37 /BAK+- Create ".BAK" Backups ON 37 /Y+- Status Bar ON 38 /SNOW+- Eliminate Video Snow OFF 38 Example: To edit all batch files in all directories on your hard disk, without warning before changes are written, and without creating ".BAK" backup files, type: DR C:\*.BAT /S/ASK-/BAK- at the DOS prompt. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- General Program Use Page 13 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USING THE MENUS DEXTER's menu system is easy to use and very flexible, containing both commands and adjustable settings. Menu items may be activated by moving the highlight bar and pressing ENTER, by pressing the item's highlighted letter, or by pressing the item's hot key. Hot keys may be changed at any time using the on-line Keyboard Configuration. See Keyboard Configuration in the CONFIGURATION section for details. Press the F1 key to activate the menu system, then press F1 again from any highlighted menu item to display help on that item. Use the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to move from menu to menu. The 10 main menus in the system are labelled File, Window, Goto, Search, Edit, Block, Print, Macros, Utility, and Configuration. Menus may also be activated directly using the hot key displayed on the top border of each menu. The following is a list of keys available from any menu: F1 - Activate menu system, or display item specific help. UP, shift-TAB - Move to previous item. DOWN, TAB - Move to next item. PGUP - Move to first item. PGDN - Move to last item. LEFT, RIGHT - Switch to next menu. ENTER - Activate the current menu item. If the item is a command, the command will be executed. If the item has a highlighted value displayed, you will be placed into Field Edit Mode where you may change the value of the field. Press ESC, ENTER, UP or DOWN to finish editing. SPACE BAR - Same as the ENTER key, but if the item has a highlighted "YES" or "NO" value, the value will simply be toggled. ctrl-6 - Initiates Keyboard Configuration mode. ESC, F10 - Exit the menu. Under certain conditions, some menu items may not be available. Unavailable menu items will appear in grey and cannot be highlighted. USING THE ON-LINE HELP You may press F1 at any time from any menu or prompt to activate the on-line help system. The help system simply displays the User's Guide on disk (DEXTER.DOC) in an edit window, then automatically locates the appropriate section. You may use any of DEXTER's standard cursor positioning keys to move through the help. The help file is always loaded in ReadOnly mode, so no editing is allowed. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- General Program Use Page 14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USING THE ON-LINE HELP (continued) You may however copy a block of text from the help file and paste it into your document. To locate the appropriate section of help, DEXTER loads the current topic into the Search String, then finds the first occurrence. You may use the grey+ and grey- keys to locate other sections which mention the current topic, and you may press alt-S at any time to change the Search String. To use the on-line help, the file DEXTER.DOC must exist in the same directory as the DEXTER program file, DR.EXE. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE COMMANDS File Menu (alt-F) - Displays a menu of options for loading files to edit, saving and erasing changes, and for quitting DEXTER. Commands are as follows: Open File (shift-F5) - Use this command to edit another file that is not in the current file list. If the file does not exist you will be asked if you wish to create it. You may use the "*" and "?" wildcard characters to load groups of files. You may also type more than one file name separated by spaces or commas. If you follow the file name with "/S", DEXTER will search the current directory plus all subdirectories of the current directory for the given file name. All files loaded or created using this command will be added to the current file list. The maximum number of files that can be loaded into the file list is 615, though this may be less if memory is low. Changes to the previously edited file will be saved to disk before another file may be edited in the current window. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. See WINDOW COMMANDS to edit more than one file in memory without saving changes. Create File (shift-F5) - Prompts for a file name, then creates a new blank file. If the file already exists, the file will simply be loaded for editing. Note that this command is the same as Open File. Refer to Open File for more details. Rename File (alt-F5) - Renames the file which is currently being edited. The file on disk with the previous name will not be updated or erased. Renaming a file will in effect create a new file. The new file name may refer to a different directory or even a different disk drive. List Files (F5) - Displays the current file list (files that have been loaded for editing). Use the UP arrow, DOWN arrow, PGUP and PGDN keys to locate a file, then press the ENTER key to edit that file. As a shortcut, the first 9 files may be edited immediately simply by typing the number of the file. A file in the list may also be quickly located by typing any unique string of characters contained within its file name. Changes to the previously edited file will be saved to disk after a new file is selected from the file list. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. See the following FILE LIST OPTIONS section for other options such as adding and removing files, displaying file sizes and dates, and sorting. See "Default File List" in the previous STARTING UP DEXTER section for pre-loading the file list using the DEXTER.FLS file. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE COMMANDS (continued) Previous File (shift-F6) - Immediately brings up the previous file in the current file list. Changes to the previously edited file will first be saved to disk. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. Next File (F6) - Immediately brings up the next file in the current file list. Changes to the previously edited file will first be saved to disk. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. Last 3 Files (alt-F9) - Switches between the last 3 files in the current file list that were viewed or edited. Changes to the previously edited file will first be saved to disk. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. Erase Changes (shift-ESC) - Erases any changes made to the current file in the current window since it was last saved to disk, then reloads the file from disk. You will always be warned before changes are erased. Save Changes (shift-F10) - Writes the current file in the current window to disk (if changed) without confirmation. Save All Changes (unassigned) - Writes all files in all windows to disk (if changed). If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before each file is written. Quit, Don't Save (ESC) - Erases any changes made to all files in all windows (since the files were last saved to disk), then ends this session of DEXTER and returns to the DOS prompt. You will always be warned before each file's changes are erased. Since the ESC key is also used to turn certain functions off (such as block marking and line drawing), you may have to press the ESC key twice. Save & Quit (F10) - Writes all files in all windows to disk (if changed), then ends this session of DEXTER and returns to the DOS prompt. Save & Quit will always warn before each file is written to disk. Temporary Quit (ctrl-F10) - Writes all files in all windows to disk (if changed), then temporarily quits DEXTER and returns to the DOS prompt. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before each file is written. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 17 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE COMMANDS (continued) All details of the current editing session will be saved in a special image file (DEXTER.TQT to be exact) in the current directory. Simply return to this DOS directory, then type "DR" without any parameters and you will be returned exactly where you left off. Note that Temporary Quit does not use a DOS shell, no memory will be used, and you may even turn off and on your computer and still return exactly as you had left off. All details of your editing session are preserved, including cursor positions in all files and windows, search & replace strings, block hold buffer, etc. You may also save different editing sessions in different DOS directories. DOS Shell >> (alt-F10) - Writes all files in all windows to disk (if changed), then creates a DOS Shell where you may execute any DOS commands or run other programs. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. When the DOS Shell is first invoked you will be presented with a "DOS command:" prompt where you may enter any DOS command or launch any other program. Note that DEXTER macros will operate from this command prompt. Simply press ESC from the prompt to return to DEXTER. If you wish to run a full DOS Shell, press alt-F10 again from the "DOS command:" prompt. The full DOS Shell allows for true DOS command line editing keys, but DEXTER macros will not operate. Type the DOS command "EXIT" to return to DEXTER! DO NOT LOAD ANY MEMORY RESIDENT (TSR) PROGRAMS WHILE IN THE DOS SHELL! The amount of available memory in the DOS Shell will depend on the number of files in the file list, and the size of the block used in the last block operation. The amount of available memory WILL NOT depend on the sizes of the files in the file list. The size of the DOS environment for the DOS Shell is set at 1024. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 18 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE LIST OPTIONS File List Options Menu (TAB) - Displays a menu of commands available from the file list. The commands are as follows: Add File(s) (shift-F5) - Allows for new files to be added to the end of the file list. Note that this command is the same as Open File. Refer to Open File for more details. DEXTER does not allow a single file to appear more than once in the file list. As each file is added to the end of the file list, the list is checked for duplicates. If a file already exists, it will simply be moved to the end of the list. Remove File (alt-D, ctrl-Y) - Removes the currently highlighted file from the file list, but does not erase it from the disk. Show Sizes & Dates (RIGHT) - Increases the display width of the file list to include sizes, dates and times of files. Press the LEFT arrow key to hide them again. Toggle ReadOnly (alt-"-") - Toggles the currently highlighted file between Read Only and Read/Write modes. Files marked as Read Only cannot be modified, and are marked with the "í" character. This command only has effect within DEXTER, and does not change the file's attribute in the DOS directory. See the COMMAND LINE SWITCHES section for more on Read Only mode. Sort (alt-O) - Displays a menu for re-sorting the file list using a variety of different sort criteria. Files are sorted on a one-time basis. New files are always added to the end of the list. Files may be sorted by: Path (); File Name (); Extension (); Size (); Date (); and Natural Order (). The Natural Order option will place the files in the order in which they were originally added to the list, or the order they were in the last time the "Current Order as Natural" command was used. Move Files (F4) - Allows you to manually change the order of files in file list one at a time. When you select this option, the highlighted file will begin to blink. You may then drag the file to a new location using the cursor keys, then press ENTER or ESC to place it. Insert Divide Line (F2) - Inserts a divide line into the file list at the current cursor position for grouping and readability. Current Order as Natural (menu item) - Sets the current positioning of files in the file list as the natural order. You may want to use this command after you have moved files or inserted divide lines. You can then temporarily sort the list in a different order and return to the current order using the Natural Order sort option. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 19 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDOW COMMANDS Window Menu (alt-W) - Displays a menu of commands for opening, resizing, splitting, switching and closing editing windows. A total of 4 editing windows may be open at one time. Open Window (ctrl-O) - Opens a new editing window containing the same file as was open in the previous window, then makes the new window the current window. You then have the option to open a new file in the new window using a command from the File menu. A maximum of 4 windows may be created. Zoom (ctrl-Z) - Expands the size of the current window to use the full screen, without a border. Resize (ctrl-R) - Allows resizing of the current window using the cursor keys. Press the SPACE BAR during resizing to switch into Move mode. Move (ctrl-M) - Allows moving the screen position of the current window using the cursor keys. Press the SPACE BAR during moving to switch into Resize mode. Next (ctrl-N) - Switches to the next editing window. Windows are numbered 1 to 4. Close (ctrl-C) - Closes and removes the current editing window from the active window list, making the next window the current window. The file open in this window will first be saved to disk (if changed and not open in another window). If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. Split (F2) - Splits the current editing window into two windows where you may edit two different parts of the same file, or two different files. Pressing F2 the first time will place a divide line in the middle of the screen. Then you may press PGUP to make the upper window the active window, or press PGDN to make the lower window the active window. The UP and DOWN arrow keys will adjust the position of the divide line up and down. The editing window may also be split vertically by pressing the "V" key while splitting the window. In this case the LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys adjust the position of a vertical divide line. Resize Split (F2) - Pressing F2 from a window that is already split will return you to the divide line where you may adjust the position of the divide line, or press F2 again to switch to the opposite window. Unsplit (shift-F2) - If the editing window has been split using the F2 key, this command will remove the divide line and expand the active window to its original size. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDOW COMMANDS (continued) Cascade (ctrl-A) - Resizes all of the active windows so that they fill the entire screen and overlap downwards to the right. Tile (ctrl-T) - Resizes all of the active windows to fit side by side without overlapping. Switch Windows (unassigned) - Allows you to switch to a specific window in the active window list. Choose the window from the Window menu, or assign a hot key for each window in the list. CURSOR MOVEMENT COMMANDS Goto Menu (alt-G) - Displays a list of commands for moving the cursor on the screen and within the current file. Commands are as follows: Top of File (ctrl-PGUP) - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the file. Bottom of File (ctrl-PGDN) - Moves the cursor to the end of the file. Up One Screen Page (PGUP) - Scrolls up one full screen page through the current file, keeping the cursor in the same relative screen position. Down One Screen Page (PGUP) - Scrolls down one full screen page through the current file, keeping the cursor in the same relative screen position. Scroll Up (shift-PGUP) - Scrolls up one line through the current file, keeping the cursor at the same position in the file. Scroll Down (shift-PGDN) - Scrolls down one line through the current file, keeping the cursor at the same position in the file. Top Edge of Screen (shift-UP) - Moves cursor to top edge of screen. Bottom Edge (shift-DOWN) - Moves cursor to bottom edge of screen. Left Edge (shift-LEFT) - Moves cursor to left edge of screen. Right Edge (shift-RIGHT) - Moves cursor to right edge of screen. Beginning of Line (HOME) - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line (column 1). End of Line (END) - Moves the cursor to the end of the current line, just beyond the last character. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 21 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CURSOR MOVEMENT COMMANDS (continued) Word Left (ctrl-LEFT) - Moves cursor to the beginning of the previous word in the current file. Word Right (ctrl-RIGHT) - Moves cursor to the beginning of the next word in the current file. Cursor Right (shift-SPACE) - Moves the cursor right one space. This command can be handy when changing text, avoiding the need to move your hands off the keyboard. Tab Right (TAB) - Moves the cursor right to the next tab stop as defined in Set Tabs & Margins. If in Insert Mode, will insert spaces, otherwise, will simply move the cursor. Will not wrap around to the next line. Tab Left (shift-TAB) - Moves the cursor left to the next tab stop or left margin as defined in Set Tabs & Margins. If in Insert Mode, will delete any existing spaces, otherwise, will simply move the cursor. Will not wrap around to the next line. Will not delete anything other than spaces. Delete Character Left (BACKSPACE) - Deletes the character immediately to the left of the cursor, then moves the cursor left one character. If at beginning of line, will append the current line to the end of the previous line. Set Bookmark (ctrl-F9) - Remembers the current cursor position in the file so that you may later return to this position using the Go To Bookmark command. Only one bookmark may be placed within each file, but each file in the file list can have its own bookmark. Go To Bookmark (shift-F9) - Moves the cursor to the position in the file where the last Set Bookmark was issued. Go To Line Number (unassigned) - Locates a line by number. Go To Previous 3 Lines (F9) - Moves the cursor one by one through the last 3 areas of the current file where any editing was done, then back to where you started. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 22 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SEARCH & REPLACE COMMANDS Search Menu (alt-S) - Displays a menu of commands for finding and/or replacing text. You may set the scope of your search to include only the current file, or all files in the current file list. For your convenience, the menu starts in edit mode on the Search For: field. Search For: (menu item) - Allows you to enter the string of characters (Search String) that you wish to locate. Replace With: (menu item) - Allows you to enter the string of characters (Replace String) that will replace occurrences of the Search String when using the Find and Replace or Replace All commands. Find Next (grey+) - Finds the next occurrence of the Search String searching forward through the file(s). The grey+ key is the "+" key on the far right side of the keyboard. Find Previous (grey-) - Finds the previous occurrence of the Search String searching backward through the file(s). The grey- key is the "-" key on the far right side of the keyboard. Find and Replace (grey*) - If the cursor is positioned at the first character of an occurrence of the Search String, the Search String will be replaced with the Replace String. If not, the next occurrence of the Search String will be located, just as if the Find Next key had been pressed. The grey* key is the "*" key on the far right side of the keyboard. Replace All (shift-grey+) - Will automatically Find and Replace all occurrences of the Search String with the Replace String in the current file. With the "Search All Files in File List" option ON, will also Find and Replace through the files in the file list from the next file to the end of the file list. Press any key to stop replacing. Unreplace (alt-J) - Swaps the Search and Replace Strings. Copy Search to Replace (alt-K) - Copies the current Search String over to the Replace String. Note that this command only works from within the Search menu since alt-K has a different meaning while editing a file. Find Word/Block at Cursor (alt-V) - Sets the Search String equal to the word in the document where the cursor is located so that other occurrences of the word can then be located with the Find Next and Find Previous commands. If block *MARKING* is ON, the Search String will be set to the currently marked text instead. This will only work if the marked text is within a single line. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 23 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SEARCH & REPLACE COMMANDS (continued) Case Sensitive (alt-C) - Turn this switch ON to locate only exact occurrences of the Search String. Whole Words (alt-H) - With this switch ON, only Search Strings that are not part of another word will be located. Letters, numbers, international characters, and the underscore character are treated as word characters. "?" as Wildcard (unassigned) - With this switch ON, a "?" character in the Search or Replace Strings will represent any character. Search All Files in File List (alt-A) - This feature determines the scope of the search. Normally, searches will stop when the beginning or the end of the current file is reached. With this switch ON, the search will continue on through the next file(s) in the file list. Searches will stop at the next occurrence of the Search String, when the end of the file list is reached, or when any key is pressed. When switching files, any changes made to the current file will first be saved to disk. If the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch is ON (see CONFIGURATION COMMANDS) you will be warned before changes are written. EDITING COMMANDS Definition of Left and Right Margins - The left margin is the position where the next line will begin when the ENTER key is pressed or when words are wrapped. The right margin is used for Word Wrap only. AUTO INDENT NOTE: With Auto Indent on, the left margin as set in the Tab Line is ignored and the left margin of a new line will be the same as the immediately preceding line. Edit Menu (alt-E) - Displays a menu of editing commands as follows: Insert Mode (ScrollLock) - Toggles between insert and overstrike modes, which determines whether characters will be inserted or will overwrite as you type overtop of existing text. Auto Indent (shift-F8) - Toggles Auto Indent mode ON/OFF. With Auto Indent ON, a new line will have the same left margin as the immediately preceding line. With Auto Indent OFF, the left margin of a new line will be determined by the position of the "L" character in the Tab Line. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 24 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITING COMMANDS (continued) Word Wrap (F8) - Toggles Word Wrap mode ON/OFF. With Word Wrap mode ON, words typed beyond the right margin (as set in the Tab Line) will be moved down to the beginning of the next line. Set Tabs & Margins (alt-F2) - Allows you to edit the Tab Line. In the Tab Line, place an "L" where you want your left margin, an "R" where you want your right margin, and a "T" where you want each of your tab stops. All other characters will be ignored, including the lower case "l", "r" and "t" characters. This Tab Line can be saved to disk so that it will be loaded automatically each time you use DEXTER (see the CONFIGURATION section). Note that you may not set tabs & margins while a window is split vertically. Reformat Paragraph (alt-F8) - Formats a paragraph of text between the left and right margins. The end of a paragraph is indicated by a blank line or a change in the left margin (such as a paragraph indent). If the right margin has not been set, the Reformat Paragraph command will do nothing. To change the left margin of existing text, simply change the position of the "L" in the Tab Line, then reformat the paragraph with Auto Indent OFF. With Auto Indent ON, the left margin will never change during a paragraph reformat. The "Repeat INS,TAB Down" and "Repeat DEL,sh-TAB Down" commands are also very useful for changing the margin of existing text. DEXTER has built-in logic to allow for paragraph indenting. If the left margin of the first line is different than the paragraph body, this paragraph indent will be preserved, even if changing the left margin of the paragraph. DEXTER also allows the first line to have a smaller left margin than the paragraph body. Centre Line (alt-N) - Centres the current line between the left and right margins, then moves the cursor down one line. Copy Line (alt-K) - Duplicates the current line in the document without moving the cursor. Carriage Return (ENTER) - Splits the current line at the cursor, placing the cursor and the remainder of the current line at the left margin. The left margin depends on the state of Auto Indent, and on the position of "L" in Set Tabs & Margins. If the "Soft Return on Overstrike" switch is ON, will only split if in Insert Mode. Split Line (shift-ENTER) - Splits the current line at the cursor, placing the cursor and the remainder of the current line in a new line, indented to the previous cursor position. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 25 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITING COMMANDS (continued) Delete Line (alt-D, ^Y) - Deletes the current line. The deleted line is put into the hold buffer so that Paste Block can be used to bring the line back. Delete to EOL (ctrl-ENTER) - Truncates the current line at the cursor position. The deleted portion of the line is put into the hold buffer. Upper/Lower Case (alt-Z) - Changes the case (from lower to upper or from upper to lower) of one character, then moves the cursor one character to the right. Insert One Space (INS) - Inserts one space at the cursor position without moving the cursor. Delete One Character (DEL) - Deletes one character at the cursor. Repeat INS,TAB Down (shift-INS) - Inserts one or more spaces at the cursor position, then moves the cursor down one line. The number of spaces inserted is equal to the number of spaces that were inserted into the previously edited line using the INS or TAB keys. Repeat DEL,sh-TAB Down (shift-DEL) - Deletes one or more characters at the cursor position, then moves the cursor down one line. The number of spaces deleted is equal to the number of spaces that were deleted from the previously edited line using the DEL or shift-TAB or BACKSPACE keys. ASCII 0 (alt-0) - Produces an ASCII 0 character at the cursor. This special character may be required for some printer control codes. All other ASCII characters from 1 to 127 and those from 128 to 255 can be produced from an IBM keyboard by holding the alt key down, typing the number of the character on the number pad, then releasing the alt key. But this will not work for ASCII 0. Instead, use the alt key and the other 0 key (not the number pad). DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 26 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- BLOCK COMMANDS In general, block operations begin with the definition of a block of text. Start by moving the cursor to the beginning of the block you wish to define, then turn *MARKING* ON. As you move the cursor toward the end of the block you are defining, the block will appear highlighted. Then select either Block Copy or Block Cut which will copy or move the block of text into a hold buffer. You can then move the cursor to a new location where you can Paste the block from the hold buffer into the text file. The hold buffer will not be erased when you switch files, making it possible to Cut from one file and Paste into another. Two types of blocks are available. The standard block type (line) will mark a continuous block of text from the beginning anchor point to the current cursor location. Also available are column blocks which allow you to mark any rectangular block of text, useful for manipulating columns and lists. The maximum block size is 64000 bytes, but this may be less depending on available memory. While *MARKING* is ON, the word "*MARKING*" will flash at the top right corner of the screen. Block Menu (alt-B) - Displays a menu of block commands as follows: Line Marking ON (F3,F4) - If *MARKING* is OFF, will mark the current cursor location as the beginning of a newly defined standard line block. Column Marking ON (ctrl-F3) - If *MARKING* is OFF, will mark the current cursor location as the beginning of a column block, allowing you to mark any rectangular block of text. Copy (F3) - If *MARKING* is ON, this command will take a copy of the defined block and copy it to the hold buffer and then turn *MARKING* OFF. Cut (F4) - If *MARKING* is ON, this command will move the defined block of text from the text file into the hold buffer and then turn *MARKING* OFF. Paste (shift-F3 or shift-F4) - Copies the hold buffer into the text file at the current cursor position, turns *MARKING* ON, then moves the cursor to the end of the newly inserted block. Since the newly inserted block will be marked, to remove the block again simply press Cut Block (F4). Paste Over (unassigned) - Copies the hold buffer into the text file at the current cursor position, over top of any existing text at the same location. Will also turn *MARKING* ON, leaving the newly pasted block highlighted. Please use caution as there is no undo command to bring back the overwritten text. This command is DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 27 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- BLOCK COMMANDS (continued) intended for use with column blocks. When used with standard line blocks will never overwrite more than a single line. Import File (alt-F3) - Inserts another text file into the current text file at the current cursor position, turns *MARKING* ON, then moves the cursor to the end of the newly inserted block. The maximum size of file that can be inserted is 64000 bytes. Export To File (alt-F4) - If *MARKING* is ON, will take a copy of the defined block and write it to another text file. If the file already exists you will be prompted to: Overwrite the old file; Append the block to the end of the existing file; or Quit the Export To File operation. Marking OFF (shift-F3, shift-F4, ESC) - Turns *MARKING* OFF without copying or cutting. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 28 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINT COMMANDS DEXTER contains a simple but powerful printing facility which allows you to print to any of 10 predefined printers. Each printer has its own printer driver with initialization and reset strings. The Format Codes Menu allows you to insert special codes into your document for controlling such features as bold, underline, and italics. DEXTER allows you to print whole files or blocks of text. To print a block of text simply turn block *MARKING* ON and highlight the block you wish to print before selecting the Print menu. The Beginning Line and Ending Line values will be set automatically. Note that you may only print whole lines. Print Menu (alt-P,F7) - Displays a menu of print options as follows: Printer (menu item) - Displays a list of predefined printers from which you may choose where to send your output. When a printer is selected, the Print Device will be set to that in the printer's driver. Print Device (menu item) - This is the DOS device name of the printer to use. Normally, the first printer attached to your computer is either "LPT1" or "PRN", and a second printer is normally "LPT2". The device name may also be a file name. In this way you could print to a file on a floppy disk by setting Print Device to the name of the file ("A:TEMP" used here as an example), then carry the disk to another computer where you would type the DOS command "COPY A:TEMP LPT1" to send the file to the printer. Print Margin (menu item) - This is the number of spaces to add to the beginning of each printed line. Lines/Page (menu item) - This is the number of lines to print before sending a page break character (ASCII 12). If DEXTER encounters a page break character embedded in the text, DEXTER will recognize it as the end of a page and restart counting lines from that point. Set "Lines/Page" to 0 for continuous printing without page breaks. Note that you may set a page break at a specific location by inserting the special ASCII 12 page break character. Simply hold down the ALT key, then type the number 12 on the number key pad, then release the ALT key. Final Form Feed (menu item) - Determines whether or not to send a final page break to the printer after printing is complete. Beginning Line (menu item) - DEXTER will begin printing from this line number. If block *MARKING* is ON, this will default to the line number of the first line in the block. Ending Line (menu item) - Printing will stop at this line number or the last line in the file, which ever comes first. If block DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 29 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINT COMMANDS (continued) *MARKING* is ON, this will default to the line number of the last line in the block. Paper Saver Mode (menu item) - This option will slightly compress the printed text so as to use less paper. It will set the printer to 12 characters per inch pitch, and 7 lines per inch line spacing (sends the Format Codes "12 CPI" and "Tight Line Spc"). NLQ Mode (menu item) - This option will set the printer to near letter quality mode (sends the Format Code "NLQ"). Print Line Numbers (menu item) - Set this option to "YES" to print line numbers at the left margin of each printed line. Strip Format Codes (menu item) - When set to "YES", no printer control characters, other than page breaks, will be sent to the printer. This option is useful for stripping out all the Format Codes from a document when combined with the setting of Print Device to a file name. Format Codes Menu (shift-F7) - Displays a menu of options for controlling print format features such as bold, underline, and italics. See the following PRINT FORMAT CODES section for details. Edit Printer Drivers (ctrl-F7) - Displays a data entry menu where you may view and/or edit the details of the printer drivers. From this menu you may also add or delete printers. Up to 10 printers may be defined. The default configuration includes two predefined printers, one for a generic dot matrix printer and another for a generic laser printer. The printer drivers include the specific printer control codes that must be sent to the printer to control the various format features, such as bold, underline, and italics. Different types of printers use different control codes for the same format features. See the PRINTER DRIVERS section for more details. Start Printing (menu item) - Select this item to begin printing. As printing proceeds, "Beginning Line" will display the line number currently being printed. Press any key to suspend printing so that you may adjust the printer or abandon printing. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 30 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINT FORMAT CODES The Format Codes Menu allows for special print formatting such as bold, underline, and italics. Highlight a block of text in a document using block *MARKING*, then choose a print format from this menu. Special beginning and ending codes will be inserted into the document at either end of the highlighted text. These codes will be substituted with the appropriate printer control codes from the printer driver at the time of printing. Format Codes Menu (shift-F7) - Displays the list of available print format codes as follows: Bold (unassigned) - Controls bold printing. Underline (unassigned) - Controls underlined printing. Italics (unassigned) - Controls italics printing. NLQ (unassigned) - Controls near letter quality printing. Using a laser printer, this feature can be set up to select an optional font. Large Font (unassigned) - Intended to select any available large sized font. Large fonts vary greatly from printer to printer. 12 CPI (unassigned) - Sets printing to 12 characters per inch. 17 CPI (unassigned) - Sets printing to 17 characters per inch (compressed print). Tight Line Spc (unassigned) - Changes the line spacing from the standard 6 lines per inch to 7 lines per inch. Modify Format Codes (unassigned) - Places you in format code edit mode where you may customize the Format Codes. Format Codes can be a maximum of 5 characters long. Note that the Format Codes are saved in the general defaults rather than the printer drivers when saving configuration to disk. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 31 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINTER DRIVERS DEXTER can store definitions (printer drivers) for up to 10 different printers. The printer drivers include the specific printer control codes that must be sent to the printer to control the various format features, such as bold, underline, and italics. Different types of printers use different control codes for the same format features. A data entry menu allows you to view and/or edit the details of the printer drivers. From this menu you may also add or delete printers. Use your printer manual to fill in the details of the printer driver. The default configuration includes two predefined printers, one for a generic dot matrix printer and another for a generic laser printer. Note that each format feature in the driver has a separate control code to turn the feature ON and OFF. Edit Printer Drivers (ctrl-F7) - Displays a data entry menu as follows: Name: (menu item) - The name of the printer. Device: (menu item) - The default Print Device for this printer. See the PRINT COMMANDS section for an explanation of the Print Device. Initialize: (menu item) - These are the codes that will be sent to the printer before and after printing to initialize and reset the printer. Bold: (menu item) - Controls bold printing. Underline: (menu item) - Controls underlined printing. Italics: (menu item) - Controls italics printing. NLQ: (menu item) - Controls near letter quality printing. Using a laser printer, this feature can be set up to select an optional font. Large Font: (menu item) - Intended to select any available large sized font. Large fonts vary greatly from printer to printer. 12 CPI: (menu item) - Sets printing to 12 characters per inch. 17 CPI: (menu item) - Sets printing to 17 characters per inch (compressed print). Tight Line Spc: (menu item) - Changes the line spacing from the standard 6 lines per inch to 7 lines per inch. Previous Printer (shift-F6) - Selects the previous printer in the printer list. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 32 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINTER DRIVERS (continued) Next Printer (F6) - Selects the next printer in the printer list. Add (menu item) - Adds a new blank printer driver to the end of the printer list. A maximum of 10 printer drivers may be defined. Duplicate (menu item) - Creates a copy of the currently displayed printer driver and adds it to the end of the printer list. A maximum of 10 printer drivers may be defined. Remove (menu item) - Removes the currently displayed printer driver from the printer list. ASCII Edit Mode (F2) - By default, printer codes are displayed and edited as a list of numbers representing ASCII characters, separated by spaces. You may also edit the printer codes in raw ASCII mode by pressing F2. For some laser printer control codes the true ASCII characters are more meaningful than their ASCII number. In this mode you will also be able to see the maximum length of each printer control code. Most codes have a maximum length of 9 characters, but some allow as much as 39. MACRO COMMANDS A series of keystrokes including character keys and command keys can be recorded and assigned to a single macro key. Each time that macro key is pressed, the same series of keystrokes is repeated, just as if they were typed at the keyboard. Macros can be used to create new commands from combinations of DEXTER's existing commands, and you may even give them names. These newly created macro commands can be easily saved to disk so that they will be available each time you use DEXTER. Macros Menu (alt-F1) - Displays a list of available macros, the number of keystrokes recorded in each, plus their hot keys. The first 9 macros are displayed in the main Macros menu, and there are 3 other sub menus containing 5 macros each, giving you a total of 24 recordable macros. The available commands are as follows: Standard Macros (alt-1 to alt-8) - These macros are the easiest to use since they have predefined hot keys. Auto Execute Macro (alt-9) - This macro will be executed automatically each time DEXTER begins, unless returning from a Temporary Quit. This can be useful for setting features of DEXTER which are not available from command line switches and cannot be customized in the configuration, such as the search and replace strings. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 33 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- MACRO COMMANDS (continued) Macro Set B (unassigned) - Displays a sub menu with 5 more macros. Macro Set C (unassigned) - Displays a sub menu with 5 more macros. Macro Set D (unassigned) - Displays a sub menu with 5 more macros. Start/Stop Recording (alt-M) - The main purpose of this menu option is to allow reconfiguration of the Start/Stop Recording hot key. This option cannot be selected from the menu to start or stop recording. Macro Instructions (menu item) - The sequence of steps to follow in the creation of a new macro is as follows: Step 1 --- Press alt-M to begin recording the macro. You will probably want to exit the Macros menu before recording. The "Start/Stop Recording" menu option is for display only. Macros may begin or end anywhere within DEXTER, including menus, prompts, and the "DOS command:" prompt. Step 2 --- Press any macro hot key to select the key to which the following series of keystrokes will be assigned (optional, the default is alt-1). Step 3 --- Type any series of keystrokes including command keys and character keys. Step 4 --- Press alt-M to finish recording the macro. A new macro will now have been created. To play the macro, simply type the key to which the macro was assigned and the series of keystrokes that were typed in Step 2 will be repeated. Press ESC to stop a macro in play! The macros in the 3 sub menus B, C, and D do not have predefined hot keys. To record any of these macros you must first assign hot keys to them using the Keyboard Configuration command (see the CONFIGURATION section). If you wish to keep these macros simply as menu options without hot keys, you must still assign hot keys temporarily for the purpose of recording, but you may unassign the hot keys after you are finished. NOTE: When creating a new macro, the previous macro will not be erased until Step 4. You may change the macro key any time during the recording of a macro by simply pressing another macro hot key. The macro currently being recorded will always appear at the upper right corner of the screen. DEXTER's macros do have a few restrictions and limitations. You may not include macros within macros. The CapsLock and NumLock keys cannot be recorded, but the ScrollLock key can be. In a DOS Shell, recording and playing of macros will be suspended during the execution of another program, but are still in effect at DEXTER's DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 34 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- MACRO COMMANDS (continued) "DOS command:" prompt. The combined maximum number of keystrokes that can be recorded in all macros is 1000. Macros are suspended during the confirmation of writing or erasing changes to a file. If you wish to use a command that causes writing of changes within a macro, and you want to avoid the confirmation prompt, you can either use the Save Changes command (shift-F10) which doesn't confirm, or you can turn the "Ask Before Writing Changes" switch OFF. Note that if you answer "N" to a confirmation within a macro, the macro will be terminated. Macros are also terminated if any type of error message occurs. Assign Macro Names (menu item) - Use this command to assign names to your macros after they are recorded. UTILITY COMMANDS Utility Menu (alt-U) - Displays a menu of utility commands as follows: Sum a Column of Numbers (alt-F7) - Adds up a column of numbers and displays the total on the status bar. Start by placing the cursor on the first number to be totalled. Then, each time you press alt-F7 the number at the cursor will be added to the total and the cursor will automatically move down one line. Press ESC once to set the total to 0 and clear it from the status bar. The cursor must touch at least one digit of each number to be totalled. If the cursor is not touching a number when alt-F7 is pressed, the line will simply be skipped. Besides numeric digits and decimals, leading or trailing "+" or "-" signs will also be recognized, but numbers may not contain commas. Increment Column of Numbers (alt-"=") - Renumbers an existing column of numbers. Place the cursor on any column of numbers in the document, then each time you press alt-"=" the cursor will move down one line and set the number where the cursor now resides to one greater than the number immediately above. Each number in the column must have the same number of digits. Only works with integers. Lines that do not already contain numbers will be skipped. The amount of increment may be adjusted in the Increment Amount field. Increment a Number (unassigned) - Adds the current Increment Amount to any existing number in a document. Place the cursor on the number to be incremented, then select the Increment a Number command. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 35 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- UTILITY COMMANDS (continued) Increment Amount (menu item) - This is the increment value used in the Increment Column of Numbers and Increment a Number commands. May be positive or negative, but may not contain a decimal. Set Line Counter To 1 (unassigned) - Sets the line number displayed on the Status Bar to 1 temporarily. The current line will now be displayed as 1, and as the cursor is moved up and down from this line, the line counter will be decremented or incremented accordingly. This utility command is useful for counting the number of lines from one position to another. Press ESC once to reset the line counter to its true value. The line counter will also be automatically reset when you switch files. Set Column Counter To 1 (unassigned) - Sets the column number displayed on the Status Bar to 1 temporarily. The current column will now be displayed as 1, and as the cursor is moved left and right from this column, the column counter will be decremented or incremented accordingly. This utility command is useful for counting the number of columns from one position to another. Press ESC once to reset the column counter to its true value. The column counter will also be automatically reset when you switch files. Clear "Previous 3 Lines" (unassigned) - Clears the "Previous 3 Lines" stack used in the "Previous 3 Lines" command. Clear "Last 3 Files" (unassigned) - Clears the "Last 3 Files" stack used in the "Last 3 Files" command. Draw Line (alt-L) - This feature will allow you to draw lines in your text files with the IBM line drawing characters (chars 179 to 218). With line drawing mode ON, as you move the cursor around the screen with the UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys, lines will be drawn into the text file. By default, single lines are drawn. Press the keys "1", "2", "3", "4" or "5" to change the line drawing style as follows: "1" = Single line top and bottom and sides. "2" = Double line top and bottom, Single line sides. "3" = Single line top and bottom, Double line sides. "4" = Double line top and bottom and sides. "5" = Draws lines with the "-", "|" and "+" characters. If you press any other character key while in line drawing mode, you will draw lines with that character. This feature is useful for filling or clearing areas of the screen. Press alt-L again or press ESC once to turn line drawing mode off. Repeat A Keystroke (alt-R) - Will repeat a single keystroke from 1 to 50,000 times. You will first be prompted for the number of times to repeat the keystroke. Press ENTER after entering this number, then press the keystroke you wish to be repeated. Press ESC at any DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 36 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- UTILITY COMMANDS (continued) time to abandon this command. The keystroke to be repeated may be a macro key, but this command may not be used within a macro. Repeating will stop prematurely under the following conditions: - when NOT FOUND occurs during a Find Next, Find Previous, or Find and Replace command. - when end of file list is reached during a Next File or Previous File command. - when any key is pressed. Split Long Lines (unassigned) - DEXTER will allow you to view and edit the first 255 characters of any line. If any lines are longer than 255 characters, the remainder of the lines will be out of view but will remain intact, even if changes are made. You may split these long lines individually by pressing ENTER at the end of the lines, or you may split all long lines in the file at one time with the Split Long Lines command. You will be prompted for a maximum line length before the lines are split. Press ESC from the prompt to abandon the command. Convert " " Tab Characters (unassigned) - Some word processors and text editors will insert an ASCII 9 character into the text each time the TAB key is pressed. These characters will appear as small circles on the screen. Use this command to convert all these tab characters to spaces. You will first be prompted for the tab stop spacing. Press ESC from the prompt to abandon the command. Trim All Trailing Blanks (unassigned) - Removes trailing spaces from all lines in the current file. ASCII Table (ctrl-alt) - Press the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys together to display a table of all 256 ASCII and extended ASCII characters. About DEXTER (shift-F1) - Displays a short description of the DEXTER text editor. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 37 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFIGURATION This configuration menu allows you to customize DEXTER to your preferences, then if you wish to make the changes permanent, you can save the changes to disk. If the configuration is not saved to disk the changes to the configuration will be lost when you quit DEXTER. See the SAVE CONFIGURATION TO DISK section for more details. Configuration Menu (alt-Q) - Displays a list of configuration options as follows: Ask Before Writing Changes (menu item) - This toggle switch controls the warning before DEXTER writes any changes to disk. With this switch OFF, you will not be warned before changes are written. Note that you will always be warned before changes are erased. The following commands may cause changes to be written: Open File; Create File; List Files (after another file is selected); Next File; Previous File; Last 3 Files; Save Changes; Save All Changes; Save & Quit; Temporary Quit; DOS Shell >>; Close or Unsplit Window; Find Next and Find Previous (with the "Search All Files in File List" option ON). Note that changes are not written to disk when switching amongst editing windows (unless the "Save on Switch Windows" option is ON). Save on Switch Windows (menu item) - Set this switch to "YES" if you wish your changes to be written each time you switch windows. Create ".BAK" Backups (menu item) - With this switch ON, DEXTER will create a backup file of the text file before any changes are written. The backup file will have the same name as the original file, but its extension will be given the name ".BAK". A backup file for any one text file will only be written once during the current session of DEXTER (each return from a Temporary Quit is considered a separate session in this context). Soft Return on Overstrike (menu item) - With this switch ON, the ENTER key will not split the current line when in overstrike mode (Insert Mode set to "NO"). This option is useful when entering columns of data overtop of existing text. You will likely want to set Auto Indent OFF and set a left margin in the Tab Line as well. Suppress Temporary Quit Msg (menu item) - Each time you use the Temporary Quit command, a message is displayed on the DOS screen instructing you how to return to DEXTER. Set this switch OFF to suppress this message. Screen Blanker (menu item) - This feature will reduce damage to your monitor when you are away from your computer. If a key has not been touched in the given number of seconds, the screen will be blanked. Press any key to refresh the screen after it has been blanked. Set to 0 to disable the screen blanker. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 38 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFIGURATION (continued) Status Bar (unassigned) - Turns the status bar at the top of the screen ON and OFF. With the status bar OFF, you will have the full screen (25, 43 or 50 lines) to edit a file. Video Mode (unassigned) - Toggles video display mode between 25, 43, and 50 lines if they are available on your computer. Colour Mode (unassigned) - Toggles video display mode between colour and monochrome display. Eliminate Video Snow (unassigned) - A snowy static effect may appear on CGA video adapters. This switch will toggle ON and OFF the special code needed to avoid the snow effect. The speed of screen display will be reduced when this switch is ON. Set Colours (unassigned) - Displays a full screen with examples of all colours used within DEXTER, and allows you to change any of them. Note that a separate colour array exists for both colour and monochrome modes. Keyboard Configuration (ctrl-6) - Allows changing the hot keys for any menu item. When in keyboard reconfiguration mode, use the arrow keys to highlight any menu item from any menu, then press ENTER. Note that you may also highlight the hot keys at the top border of the 10 main menus while in keyboard reconfiguration mode. Now press the hot key(s) you wish to assign to this menu item. Press the item's existing hot key to unassign it. Press ESC to quit hot key editing mode and return to keyboard reconfiguration mode where you may select another menu option to reconfigure. Press ESC again to quit keyboard reconfiguration mode. When assigning hot keys, you will be warned if you press a hot key that is already used by another menu option. Certain basic hot keys, such as ESC and the arrow keys, cannot be used. Certain menu options cannot be assigned hot keys. See the Appendix for a list of available hot keys with their default assignments. Save Configuration to Disk (unassigned) - Saves the settings from this and other menus to disk to make the changes permanent. See the SAVE CONFIGURATION TO DISK section next for details. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- Commands in Detail Page 39 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SAVE CONFIGURATION TO DISK All settings in the Configuration menu, plus many other configurable features of DEXTER, can be saved to disk directly from the Save Configuration To Disk menu. No separate configuration utility is required. DEXTER's configuration is divided into 5 parts, each saved within a separate configuration file. Configuration files may be saved locally or globally. The local directory is the current DOS directory in which you are working. The global directory is the directory where the DEXTER program (DR.EXE) resides. When DEXTER starts up, it first looks in the current DOS directory for any configuration files. If any of the 5 configuration files are not found locally, it will then search for them in the global directory. Save Configuration To Disk Menu (unassigned) - Displays a menu showing the current local and global directories, and has separate options for saving each of the 5 configuration files to disk. It also allows setting the destination of each file (local or global). Menu options for sections of the configuration which have not been modified will be grey and unavailable. The menu options are as follows: Save General Defaults (menu item) - This option will save the current general configuration to disk locally or globally, in the file DEXTER.CFG. The items saved are specifically: - "Show Sizes & Dates" setting in the file list - Edit menu options - tabs & margins line - Search menu options, other than Search & Replace strings - Print menu options - Format Codes - Utility menu options and command defaults - Configuration menu options - Local/Global destinations for configuration files Save Colours (menu item) - This option will save the current colour configuration to disk locally or globally, in the file DEXTER.CLR. Saves the customized colour array for both colour and monochrome modes. Save Keyboard Configuration (menu item) - This option will save all reconfigured menu hot keys to disk locally or globally, in the file DEXTER.KEY. Save Macros (menu item) - This option will save all currently defined macros to disk locally or globally, in the file DEXTER.MAC. Save Printer Drivers (menu item) - This option will save all customized printer drivers to disk locally or globally, in the file DEXTER.PTR. DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- APPENDIX, Command Key List Page 40 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE KEYSTROKE FUNCTION NAME RECONFIG --------------- --------- ------------------------- -------- HELP F1 = Context Sensitive Help FIXED ---- shift-F1 = ctrl-F1 = About DEXTER alt-F1 = Macros Menu SPLIT WINDOW F2 = Split Window ------------ shift-F2 = Unsplit Window ctrl-F2 = alt-F2 = Set Tabs & Margins COPY BLOCK F3 = Line Marking ON / Copy Block ---------- shift-F3 = Paste Block / Marking OFF ctrl-F3 = Column Marking ON alt-F3 = Import File CUT BLOCK F4 = Line Marking ON / Cut Block --------- shift-F4 = Paste Block / Marking OFF ctrl-F4 = alt-F4 = Export To File LIST FILES F5 = List Files ---------- shift-F5 = Open File ctrl-F5 = alt-F5 = Rename File NEXT FILE F6 = Next File --------- shift-F6 = Previous File ctrl-F6 = alt-F6 = PRINT F7 = Print Menu ----- shift-F7 = Format Codes Menu ctrl-F7 = Edit Printer Drivers alt-F7 = Sum a Column of Numbers PARAGRAPHS F8 = Word Wrap ON/OFF ---------- shift-F8 = Auto Indent ON/OFF ctrl-F8 = alt-F8 = Reformat Paragraph PREVIOUS 3 LINES F9 = Go To Previous 3 Lines ---------------- shift-F9 = Go To Bookmark ctrl-F9 = Set Bookmark alt-F9 = Last 3 Files SAVE & QUIT F10 = Save & Quit ----------- shift-F10 = Save Changes ctrl-F10 = Temporary Quit alt-F10 = DOS Shell >> DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- APPENDIX, Command Key List Page 41 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- KEYSTROKE FUNCTION NAME RECONFIG ----------- ------------------------------- -------- alt-A Search All Files in File List alt-B Block Menu alt-C Case Sensitive alt-D Delete Line alt-E Edit Menu alt-F File Menu alt-G Goto Menu alt-H Whole Words alt-I alt-J Unreplace (Swap Srch & Rplc) alt-K Copy Line alt-L Draw Line alt-M Start/Stop Recording alt-N Centre Line alt-O List Files: Sort alt-P Print Menu alt-Q Configuration Menu alt-R Repeat A Keystroke alt-S Search Menu alt-T alt-U Utility Menu alt-V Find Word/Block at Cursor alt-W Window Menu alt-X alt-Y alt-Z Upper/Lower Case alt-1 Macro #01 alt-2 Macro #02 alt-3 Macro #03 alt-4 Macro #04 alt-5 Macro #05 alt-6 Macro #06 alt-7 Macro #07 alt-8 Macro #08 alt-9 Auto Execute Macro alt-0 ASCII 0 alt-"-" List Files: Toggle ReadOnly alt-"=" Increment Column of Numbers DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- APPENDIX, Command Key List Page 42 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- KEYSTROKE FUNCTION NAME RECONFIG ----------- ------------------------------- -------- ctrl-A Cascade ctrl-B ctrl-C Close Window ctrl-D ctrl-E ctrl-F ctrl-G ctrl-H ctrl-I ctrl-J ctrl-K ctrl-L ctrl-M Move Window ctrl-N Next Window ctrl-O Open Window ctrl-P ctrl-Q ctrl-R Resize Window ctrl-S ctrl-T Tile ctrl-U ctrl-V ctrl-W ctrl-X ctrl-Y Delete Line ctrl-Z Zoom Window ctrl-2 ctrl-6 Keyboard Configuration ctrl-"-" ctrl-[ ctrl-] ctrl-* DEXTER 2.01 USER'S GUIDE --- APPENDIX, Command Key List Page 43 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- KEYSTROKE FUNCTION NAME RECONFIG ----------- ------------------------------- -------- ESC Quit, Don't Save FIXED shift-ESC Erase Changes ScrollLock Insert Mode / Overstrike Mode INS Insert One Space DEL Delete One Character FIXED shift-INS Repeat INS,TAB Down shift-DEL Repeat DEL,sh-TAB Down HOME Beginning Of Line END End Of Line shift-HOME shift-END ctrl-HOME ctrl-END PGUP Up One Screen Page FIXED PGDN Down One Screen Page FIXED shift-PGUP Scroll Up shift-PGDN Scroll Down ctrl-PGUP Top Of File ctrl-PGDN Bottom Of File LEFT Cursor Left FIXED RIGHT Cursor Right FIXED shift-SPACE Cursor Right FIXED UP Cursor Up FIXED DOWN Cursor Down FIXED shift-UP Top Edge Of Screen shift-DOWN Bottom Edge shift-LEFT Left Edge shift-RIGHT Right Edge ctrl-LEFT Word Left ctrl-RIGHT Word Right TAB Tab Right FIXED shift-TAB Tab Left FIXED BACKSPACE Delete Character Left FIXED ENTER Carriage Return FIXED shift-ENTER Split Line ctrl-ENTER Delete to EOL ctrl-alt ASCII Table grey+ Find Next grey- Find Previous grey* Find and Replace shift-grey+ Replace All DEXTER Text Editor v2.01 --- Order Form --------------------------------------- Send to: FAGERLUND CONSULTING Phone orders: (604) 984-7330 Lonsdale West P.O. 8AM to 8PM PST only please! 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