L A P T A L K
    
                                       A
                                      Tiny
                               Telecommunications
                                    Program
                                      for
                                Laptop Computers
    
                                  Release: 1.1
    
                               Revised: 09-Jan-95
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
                       Copyright 1991-1995 Dave Dunfield
                              All rights reserved.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 1


    1. INTRODUCTION
    
          I first conceived of LAPTALK when I did a great deal of  traveling
       with a small 8088 dual-floppy (no hard disk) laptop computer. Being a
       shareware author, I try to log into local BBS's wherever I travel, to
       upload the latest versions of my software.
    
          Some of my archives are quite large, requiring up to 1/2  hour  to
       transfer (at 2400 bps). Using the floppies  was  unacceptable,  since
       the drives just sat  there  starting  and  stopping....  The  obvious
       solution  was  to  define  a  RAMdisk,  allowing  smooth,  quiet  and
       non-destructive operation.
    
          Then I ran into a small problem.... The  telecomm  packages  which
       contained the features I used were all very large, typically  200-300
       Kbytes in size. This not only used up a good portion of the 640K  ram
       on my laptop (thereby reducing the size of my RAMdisk), but  it  took
       lot of space on the 720K floppy drive,  and  took  FOREVER  to  load.
       There just had to be a better solution...
    
          I decided to write my own very small "no frills" terminal program,
       which would still have the features I needed, which were:
    
          1) Reasonable subset of ANSI (VT100) terminal emulation
          2) Built in capture and upload of ASCII files.
          3) Ability to link to external transfer protocols
          4) Powerful "command" language to automate uploads etc.
          5) A simple "host" capability for remote access.
    
          The results  of  my  effort  was  LAPTALK,  a  ".COM"  file  which
       addresses the above requirements, and weighs in at just over 20K.
    
          The complete source code to LAPTALK is distributed with my MICRO-C
       compiler as an example program. See the enclosed CATALOG file.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 2


    2. USING LAPTALK
    
          When you first run LAPTALK, it  will  attempt  to  open  the  file
       LAPTALK.CFG in your current directory. If found,  it  will  read  its
       configuration from it.  If  the  configuration  file  is  not  found,
       LAPTALK will display a warning message, and assume various defaults.
    
          Once started, LAPTALK will present you with a  terminal  emulation
       screen. The top 24 lines are the actual data  window,  and  the  25th
       line is a status line. You may now type on the keyboard to send  data
       to the serial port, and see any incoming data in the terminal window.
    
       2.1 Command Line Options
    
             The format of the LAPTALK command line is:
    
                      LAPTALK [-i c=file] [script command]
    
             The '-i' switch tells  LAPTALK  to  NOT  enter  an  interactive
          session. This is most useful when used with a command line  script
          file, so that control will  return  to  DOS  when  the  script  is
          finished.
    
             The 'c=<file>' parameter allows  you  to  specify  a  different
          configuration file which is to be  used  instead  of  the  default
          "LAPTALK.CFG".
    
             If [script command] is given, LAPTALK will  execute  the  named
          script and pass  it  any  additional  arguments  BEFORE  the  main
          interactive mode is entered.
    
       2.2 LAPTALK Functions
    
             To access LAPTALK's functions, press CTRL-HOME or CTRL-END. You
          will be presented with this menu:
    
                                +--------------+
                                |Function menu |
                                |Download file |
                                |Upload file   |
                                |Kill capture  |
                                |Perform script|
                                |Hangup modem  |
                                |Clear screen  |
                                |Configuration |
                                |Shell to DOS  |
                                |Exit to DOS   |
                                +--------------+
    
             You may activate a function by moving  the  highlighted  cursor
          bar to it (with the UP and DOWN arrow keys) and pressing ENTER. To
          quickly move the cursor bar to a particular entry, type the  first
          letter of the entry.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 3


       2.3 Function menu
    
             This function presents you with a list of "functions" that have
          been configured. Each function  represents  a  "script"  (command)
          file, complete with arguments, that will run when that function is
          selected.
    
             This is a convienent way to set up automatic dialing lists etc.
    
       2.4 Download file
    
             This function will prompt with a menu of  available  protocols,
          and then for the name of  the  file  to  be  transferred.  If  you
          specify a filename which contains wildcard character ('*' or '?'),
          LAPTALK will show you a list of matching files, and allow  you  to
          pick one.
    
             Once the filename is selected, LAPTALK will invoke the selected
          protocol, and attempt to download the file from the remote  system
          to your PC.
    
       2.5 Upload file
    
             This function is similar to "Download file",  except  that  the
          file is transferred from your PC to the remote system.
    
       2.6 Kill capture
    
             This function  is  used  following  a  download  using  "ASCII"
          protocol, to stop LAPTALK from capturing the terminal  session  to
          the file. When an ASCII download is in effect, you  will  see  the
          string "cap" in the status line  at  the  bottom  of  the  screen.
          Selecting this function will stop the  data  capture,  and  remove
          that indication from the status line.
    
       2.7 Perform script
    
             This function prompts for  a  script  filename  and  arguments.
          Unless you specify otherwise, the file is assumed to be located in
          the LAPTALK  home  directory,  and  it  is  assumed  to  have  the
          extension ".SCR". LAPTALK will process  the  file  as  a  "script"
          program.
    
             This method of running a script program  is  useful  for  those
          files which you do not use  frequently  enough  to  have  in  your
          "function  menu".  It  is  also  useful  in  that  you  may  enter
          parameters to the program when you specify its name.
    
             If the filename you supply contains wildcard character ('*'  or
          '?'), LAPTALK will show you a list of the matching  script  files,
          and allow you to select one.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 4


       2.8 Hangup modem
    
             This command drops the DTR and RTS signals to the modem  for  a
          brief period of time, causing most modems to go offline  and  hang
          up any calls which are in  progress.  See  you  modem  manual  for
          information on how to set up your modem to do this.
    
       2.9 Clear screen
    
             This functions clears the TTY screen.
    
       2.10 Configuration
    
             This function invokes the LAPTALK configuration menu,  allowing
          you to alter the various parameters  controlling  all  aspects  of
          LAPTALK's operation.
    
             See the "configuration" section for more details.
    
       2.11 Shell to DOS
    
             This function invokes the DOS command processor (as defined  in
          the environment variable COMSPEC),  to  allow  you  to  enter  and
          execute DOS commands. LAPTALK  remains  active.  Use  the  command
          "EXIT" to return to LAPTALK.
    
       2.12 Exit to DOS
    
             This function terminates LAPTALK, returning to the DOS  command
          processor.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 5


    3. CONFIGURATION
    
          When you select 'Configuration' from LAPTALK's main function menu,
       you will be presented with this sub-menu:
    
                            +---------------------+
                            |General switches     |
                            |General parameters   |
                            |Serial port settings |
                            |Transfer protocols   |
                            |Function menu scripts|
                            |Video attributes     |
                            |Load configuration   |
                            |Save configuration   |
                            +---------------------+
    
       3.1 General switches
    
             This configuration sub-menu presents you with  a  selection  of
          ON/OFF switches, which control the  way  LAPTALK  handles  certain
          events. To toggle a particular switch between 'Y'es (ON) and  'N'o
          (OFF), simply press the indicated number:
    
             1: Sound ALARM in messages
    
                When set to 'Y'es (ON), this switch causes LAPTALK to  sound
             a BEEP whenever an error  (or  informational)  message  box  is
             presented.
    
             2: Echo data send in tty
    
                When set to  'Y'es  (ON),  this  switch  causes  LAPTALK  to
             display on the terminal  screen,  any  data  entered  from  the
             keyboard, as well as sending it  to  the  remove  device.  This
             option should be  set  ON  whenever  you  are  connected  to  a
             computer which DOES NOT echo input data, and OFF  whenever  you
             are using a system that DOES echo its input.
    
                Incorrect setting of this option will cause the effect  that
             either you cannot see what you are typing, OR you will get  two
             characters displayed for every one that you type.
    
             3: Echo data sent in scripts
    
                When set to  'Y'es  (ON),  this  switch  causes  LAPTALK  to
             display on the terminal screen, any data that is transmitted by
             scripts files (as well as send it to the remote device).
    
                The correct setting of this switch will depend on the nature
             of the script file, and the remote system.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 6


             4: Send LF on ASCII uploads
    
                When set to 'Y'es (ON), this switch causes LAPTALK to output
             both a CARRIAGE RETURN and a LINE FEED at the end of each  line
             of text which is transmitted during an ASCII upload.  When  set
             to 'N'o (OFF), only a CARRIAGE RETURN.
    
                When uploading to a computer expecting keyboard input,  this
             switch is usually set OFF, because you do not normally  include
             LINE FEED on keyboard input. When uploading  to  a  printer  or
             terminal, setting this switch ON will prevent the  output  from
             continuously overwriting itself one line.
    
             5: Send space in NULL lines
    
                When set to 'Y'es (ON), this switch causes LAPTALK to expand
             any lines of ZERO LENGTH which  are  being  transmitted  during
             ASCII uploads to contain a single space.
    
                The text entry interface of many  online  systems  interpret
             NULL lines as "end of entry". A null line in an  uploaded  file
             will cause these system to stop accepting text (and usually get
             very confused by the remainder of the uploaded  file).  Setting
             this switch ON will prevent this from occuring.
    
             6: Drop DTR+RTS on exit
    
                When set to  'Y'es  (ON),  this  switch  causes  LAPTALK  to
             de-assert the DTR and RTS modem control signals of the PC  COMM
             port whenever you select "Exit to DOS" from the main menu. This
             will usually hangup a modem, or terminate you login session  on
             a multitasking system. The exact  effect  will  depend  on  the
             device to which you are connected.
    
                When this  switch  set  OFF,  LAPTALK  leaves  DTR  and  RTS
             asserted on the PC COMM port, insuring that device to which you
             are connected is unaware that you have terminated the  program.
             You may then re-enter LAPTALK and resume your communication  at
             some later time.
    
       3.2 General parameters
    
             This configuration sub-menu presents you with  a  selection  of
          parameters which control various aspects of LAPTALK's operation:
    
             Home directory
    
                The directory name entered at this prompt determines the DOS
             directory  where  LAPTALK  will  search   for   SCRIPT   FILES,
             CONFIGURATION FILES, and FILE  TRANSFER  PROTOCOL  MODULES.  If
             left blank, LAPTALK will search the current directory.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 7


             Tab spacing
    
                This parameter defines the spacing of TAB STOPS in the  main
             terminal screen. When a  TAB  character  is  received,  LAPTALK
             advances te cursor to the next tab stop.
    
             Modem hangup delay
    
                This parameter defines  the  number  of  seconds  for  which
             LAPTALK will drop the DTR and  RTS  modem  control  signals  in
             order to hang up the modem. LAPTALK will hang up the  modem  in
             rsponse to your selection of the "Hnagup modem" option  of  the
             main function menu, or the occurance of a "hangup" command in a
             script file.
    
             String TX character delay
    
                This parameter defines the length of time which LAPTALK will
             wait between characters in a string being  transmitted.  String
             transmissions occur as a result of several SCRIPT commands,  as
             well as the ANSI function keys in tty mode.
    
                The length if time  indicated  by  each  unit  of  value  is
             dependant on the CPU  speed  of  your  PC.  You  will  have  to
             experiment to obtain appropriate values for your application.
    
             ASCII Upload char delay
    
                This parameter defines the length of time which LAPTALK will
             wait between characters transmitted during ASCII uploads.
    
                The length if time  indicated  by  each  unit  of  value  is
             dependant on the CPU  speed  of  your  PC.  You  will  have  to
             experiment to obtain appropriate values for your application.
    
             ASCII Upload line delay
    
                This parameter defines the length of time which LAPTALK will
             wait between lines transmitted during ASCII uploads.
    
                The length if time  indicated  by  each  unit  of  value  is
             dependant on the CPU  speed  of  your  PC.  You  will  have  to
             experiment to obtain appropriate values for your application.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 8


             ASCII Upload sync. char
    
                This parameter defines an ASCII character  value  for  which
             LAPTALK will wait, after sending a line during ASCII uploads. A
             value of zero (0) is a special  case,  and  causes  LAPTALK  to
             ignore the sync character, proceeding immediately (after  ASCII
             Upload line delay) with tramsission of the next line.
    
                LAPTALK will only match characters which are received  AFTER
             the line has been transmitted. This prevents any occurances  of
             the defined character which  are  imbedded  in  the  line  from
             triggering the next transmission.
    
                LAPTALK will always wait for the  minimum  time  defined  by
             "ASCII  Upload  line  delay"   before   proceeding   with   the
             transmission,  regardless  of  when  the  sync.  character   is
             received. It will also wait for one interval of time defined by
             "ASCII Upload char delay" before proceeding  with  transmission
             if the sync. character is received after the "line  delay"  has
             expired.
    
                In the event that a communication error or some other  event
             prevents LAPTALK from  seeing  the  sync.  character,  you  can
             manually proceed to the next line by pressing the SPACE bar.
    
       3.3 Serial port settings
    
             This configuration sub-menu allows you to select the COMM port,
          Baudrate, Parity, Number of Data bits, Number of  Stop  bits,  and
          Enable/Disable XON/XOFF flow control.
    
       3.4 Transfer protocols
    
             This configuration sub-menu permits you to define up  to  eight
          file transfer protocols,  which  can  be  invoked  from  the  main
          function menu,
    
             For details on configuring the protocols, refer  to  the  "FILE
          TRANSFER PROTOCOLS" section of this manual.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 9


       3.5 Function menu scripts
    
             This configuration sub-menu permits you to define up  to  eight
          script files (complete with arguments) which may be  invoked  from
          the "Function menu" selection  of  the  main  LAPTALK  menu.  This
          provides "fast access" to your favorite scripts.
    
             Each entry has the following format:
    
                     [name;][script file name] [arguments]
    
             [name;] is the  name  that  will  appear  in  the  script  file
          selection window. It is delimited from the filename by a semicolon
          (';'). If no name is given,  LAPTALK  displays  the  name  of  the
          script file.
    
             [script file name] is the full name of the script file which is
          to run when this entry is  selected.  If  not  specified,  LAPTALK
          assumes the extension ".SCR". Unless the name includes a directory
          path, LAPTALK assumes that the file will be found in  the  LAPTALK
          home directory.
    
             [arguments] are any command  line  arguments  which  should  be
          passed to the script file.
    
             Here are a few example entries which implement a simple  "phone
          list" using the "dial.scr" script supplied with LAPTALK:
    
                BBS;dial 555-1234
                WORK;dial 555-5678
                JOHN;dial 555-9012
    
             NOTE: See 'PHONE.SCR' for another way to set up a phone list.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 10


       3.6 Video attributes
    
             This  configuration  option  allows  you  to  set   the   video
          attributes (colors)  of  the  various  windows  and  screens  that
          LAPTALK presents.
    
             The following entries may be selected:
                Main TTY screen
                Video attribute (1-7)   *
                Status line
                Error message box's
                String input fields     **
                Main menu's
                Sub-menu's
    
        * - Video attributes 1-7 are selected with the ANSI escape sequence
            "ESC[#n", where '#' is the number from 1-7. If '#' is specified
            as '0', the "Main TTY screen" attribute is restored.
    
        **- Also includes FILE SELECTION WINDOWS.
    
             When you select this option, you will  be  presented  with  the
          "Main TTY screen" attributes. You may use the PgDn and  PgUp  keys
          to cycle between the selections listed above.
    
             The Right and Left arrow keys may be used to cycle between  the
          available FOREGROUND video options.
    
             The Up and Down arrow keys may be used  to  cycle  between  the
          available BACKGROUND video options.
    
             Press ESCAPE when you have finished. NOTE: If you have  altered
          the "Main TTY screen" or the "Status line" entries, the TTY screen
          will be cleared to new attributes.
    
       3.7 Load configuration
    
             This option prompts you for a filename,  and  then  loads  that
          file as a new LAPTALK configuration. The  LAPTALK  home  directory
          and the extension ".CFG" are  assumed  if  not  specified  in  the
          filename. Wildcard characters ('*' and '?') may be used, in  which
          case you will be presented with a menu of the  matching  files  to
          pick from.
    
       3.8 Save configuration
    
             This options prompts you for a filename,  and  then  saves  the
          current LAPTALK configuration into that  file.  The  LAPTALK  home
          directory and the extension ".CFG" are assumed if not specified in
          the filename. Wildcard characters ('*' and '?') may  be  used,  in
          which case you will be presented with a menu of matching files  to
          pick from.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 11


    4. FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS
    
          LAPTALK allows up to 8 file  transfer  protocols  to  be  defined,
       which are implemented as external programs. Only the  ASCII  transfer
       protocol is implemented internally.
    
       4.1 Configuration
    
             You set up  the  file  transfer  protocols  via  the  "Transfer
          Protocols" option under the configuration menu.  You  may  make  8
          entries, one for each protocol.
    
             The format of the protocol definition entry is as follows:
    
                   [name;][executable file name] [arguments]
    
             [name;] is the name that  appears  in  the  protocol  selection
          window, of the file upload/download  functions.  It  is  delimited
          from the filename by a semicolon  (';').  If  no  name  is  given,
          LAPTALK displays the name of the executable file.
    
             [executable file name] is the full name of the program which is
          to run when the protocol is selected.  It  must  be  a  ".COM"  or
          ".EXE" file (LAPTALK assumes ".COM" is no type is  given).  Unless
          the name includes a directory path, LAPTALK assumes that the  file
          will be found in the LAPTALK home directory.
    
             [arguments] are any command  line  arguments  which  should  be
          passed to the program. The following "special  sequences"  may  be
          used in the arguments field:
    
            \A          - Use ASCII transfer instead of COM/EXE file.
            \B          - Insert BAUD rate ('110'-'38400').
            \C          - Insert COMM port ('1'-'4').
            \D<string>\ - Insert <string> for DOWNLOADS only.
            \F          - Obtain and insert a filename.
            \G          - Like '\F' but ignored for downloads.
            \H          - Insert LAPTALK home directory.
            \N          - Insert number of DATA BITS (5-8).
            \P          - Insert PARITY (Odd, Even, Mark, Space or None).
            \S          - Insert number of STOP BITS (1-2).
            \U<string>\ - Insert <string> for UPLOADS only.
            \W          - Wait for ENTER after transfer.
            \X          - Like '\F' but passes wildcards through.
            \Y          - Like '\X' but ignored for downloads.
            \Z          - ZAP (save, clear and restore) screen.
            \\          - Insert a single '\'.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 12


       4.2 The XMODEM module
    
             The  LAPTALK  package  includes  XMODEM.COM,  a  program  which
          implements basic XMODEM  file  transfers.  It  has  the  following
          command line syntax:
    
           XMODEM <filename> [-C -D -P R=size P=port F=value S=speed]
    
             The meanings of the command line options are:
    
                -C      - Skip CRC negotiation & proceed with CHECKSUM
                -D      - Perform DOWNLOAD instead of UPLOAD
                -P      - Force pause ("Press any key") when finished
                R=size  - Specify record size
                P=port  - Specify COMM port (1, 2, 3 or 4)
                F=value - Fill unused bytes of last upload record
                          with this value.
                S=speed - Communicate at this baud rate
    
             Here are some LAPTALK protocol entries for use with XMODEM.COM:
    
                        Xmodem \F s=\B\D -d\
                        Xmodem/1K;xmodem \F s=\B r=1024\D -d\
    
       4.3 Examples
    
             The internal ASCII transfer can be activiated with  a  transfer
          protocol entry such as:
    
                        ASCII \F\A
    
             Here are XMODEM, YMODEM and ZMODEM  transfer  protocol  entries
          which make use of a popular shareware communications module called
          DSZ:
    
                        XMODEM;DSZ port \C \Drx\\Usx\ \F\Z
                        YMODEM;DSZ port \C \Drb\\Usb\ \F\Z
                        ZMODEM;DSZ port \C \Drz\\Usz\ \G\Z
    
          DSZ is available from:
    
                              Omen Technology INC
                                 P.O. Box 4681
                            Portland, OR 97208-4681
                               FAX: 503-621-3735
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 13


    5. SCRIPT INTERPRETER
    
          LAPTALK includes a powerful "script" interpreter, which allows you
       to set up automatic sequences of events to be performed as  a  single
       operation.
    
          The script interpreter can be considered as a simple  "programming
       language", complete with commands, expressions and variables.
    
       5.1 Insert Codes
    
             Any any point in a script  file,  you  can  use  any  of  these
          "Insert Codes", to cause the script interpreter to insert a  ASCII
          string representing some value  into  the  command  line  at  that
          point:
    
            ^c      - Insert control code of 'c'. (Ie: '^C' = 0x03)
            \b      - Insert a BACKSPACE character. (0x08)
            \d      - Insert a DELETE character.    (0x7F)
            \e      - Insert a ESCAPE character.    (0x1B)
            \h      - Insert LAPTALK home directory.
            \r      - Insert a RETURN character.    (0x0D)
            \n      - Insert a NEWLINE sequence.    (0X0D, 0x0A)
            \s      - Insert the MODEM SIGNALS as a decimal value,
                      made up of these components (OR'd together):
                        1   - CTS has changed state.
                        2   - DSR has changed state.
                        4   - Ringing has just ended.
                        8   - CD has changed state.
                        16  - CTS state (1 = asserted)
                        32  - DSR state (1 = asserted)
                        64  - RI  state (1 = asserted)
                        128 - CD  state (1 = asserted)
                    * You can test the individual signals by ANDing ('&')
                      this value with a mask.
            \#n     - Insert character with decimal value n.
            \0-9    - Insert the corresponding argument (0-9) from the script
                      command line. Argument 0 is the name of the script.
            \A-Z    - Insert the contents of the corresponding variable.
            \\      - Insert a single '\'.
            \^      - Insert a single '^'.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 14


       5.2 Script File Commands
    
             Some of commands  described  in  this  section  accept  various
          arguments which they use to perform their actions. Arguments shown
          in angle braces ('<>') are REQUIRED.  Arguments  shown  in  square
          braces ('[]') are OPTIONAL.
    
             The various arguments accepted by the script commands are:
    
            text        - The rest of the command line, which is treated as a
                          text string.
    
            variable    - A script variable name ('A'-'Z'). Note that for
                          commands which specifically require a variable name,
                          you DO NOT include a preceeding '\' (otherwise the
                          CONTENTS of the variable would be passed).
    
            script      - The name of a script file.
    
            arguments   - Any arguments to a script file.
    
            protocol    - A file transfer protocol name. This is the name
                          defined under the "Transfer Protocols" option of
                          the configuration menu, which appears in the
                          protocol selection list for uploads and downloads.
    
            filename    - The name of a file to upload or download.
    
            value       - An expression resulting in a numeric value. This
                          may consist of numbers (-32768 to 32767) and any
                          of the following operators:
                                +   - Addition          -   - Subtraction
                                *   - Multiplication    /   - Division
                                %   - Modulus           &   - Bitwise AND
                                |   - Bitwise OR        ^   - EXCLUSIVE OR
                                <<  - Shift Left        >>  - Shift Right
                                ==  - Test for EQUALITY (0=False, 1=True)
                                !=  - Test for INEQUALITY
                                >   - Test for GREATER THAN
                                <   - Test for LESS THAN
                                >=  - Test for GREATER THAN or EQUAL
                                <=  - Test for LESS THAN or EQUAL
                          When multiple operators are present, they are
                          processed from LEFT to RIGHT, without precedence.
                          Round brackets '()' may be used for force the
                          grouping of operators into sub-expressions.
    
            string      - A text string enclosed within delimiters.
                          It does not matter what characters are used for the
                          delimiters, as long as they are identical, and do not
                          occur within the string.
    
            command     - Any script file command
    
            label       - A line label. Any line can be labeled by placing a
                          colon (':') at the beginning of the line, followed
                          immediately by a label name.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 15


          5.2.1 abort <text>
    
                Displays <text> as an error message, and then terminates all
             scripts (including any which  called  the  one  containing  the
             "abort" command).
    
          5.2.2 assign <variable> <text>
    
                Places  <text>  into  the  indicated  variable  (A-Z).  Each
             variable can hold up to 50 characters.
    
          5.2.3 call <script> [arguments]
    
                Suspends processing of the current script file,  and  begins
             executing the named one. The new script file will have its  own
             environment (arguments, variables etc.) and will not affect the
             environment of the  calling  script.  When  the  called  script
             terminates, the original script will resume execution.
    
          5.2.4 chain <script> [arguments]
    
                Terminates execution  of  the  current  script,  and  begins
             executing the named one. This function is  similar  to  "call",
             except that the original script will not resume  when  the  new
             one terminates.
    
          5.2.5 clear
    
                This command clears the main terminal screen.
    
          5.2.6 close
    
                This command is used to  stop  capturing  data  to  a  file,
             following an ASCII download.
    
          5.2.7 config [config filename]
    
                Loads all LAPTALK options  and  parameters  from  the  named
             configuration file.
    
          5.2.8 dos [text]
    
                The remainer of the  command  line  is  passed  to  the  DOS
             command processor to be executed as a system command.
    
          5.2.9 download <protocol> [filename]
    
                This  command  will  download  the  named  file  using   the
             specified protocol (From your protocol setup menu).
    
                If <filename> is not supplied, you will be prompted for it.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 16


          5.2.10 echo <text>
    
                The remainder of  the  command  line  is  displayed  on  the
             console terminal screen,  without  a  following  line-feed  and
             carriage-return. See also 'print'.
    
          5.2.11 error <text>
    
                Similar to "abort", except that the message is displayed  in
             a window, and you must press ENTER to remove it.
    
          5.2.12 equate <variable> <value>
    
                Similar to  "assign",  except  that  the  remainder  of  the
             command line is evaluated as  a  numeric  expression,  and  the
             result is assigned to the variable as an ASCII number.
    
          5.2.13 exittodos
    
                Causes the entire LAPTALK program to terminate.  Control  is
             returned to the DOS prompt.
    
          5.2.14 flush [text]
    
                Removes  all  previously  received  data  from  the  capture
             buffer. If [text] is supplied, that text is then  written  into
             the capture buffer.
    
          5.2.15 goto [+]<label>
    
                Searches the script file  for  the  location  of  the  named
             label, and proceeds to execute commands from there.
    
                If '+' is specified, the search will begin  at  the  current
             line, instead of the beginning of the file. In  large  scripts,
             this will speed up forward references to labels.
    
          5.2.16 hangup
    
                This command drops the DTR and RTS signals to the modem  for
             a period of time in order to force it offline.
    
          5.2.17 if <string> : <command>
    
                Executes the named command only if <string> can  be  located
             in the capture buffer.
    
          5.2.18 ifnot <string> : <command>
    
                Executes the named command  only  if  <string>  can  NOT  be
             located in the capture buffer.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 17


          5.2.19 ifeq <string> <string> : command
    
                Executes the named command only of the  two  <string>'s  are
             identical.
    
          5.2.20 ifne <string> <string> : command
    
                Executes the named command only if the  two  <string>'s  are
             NOT identical.
    
          5.2.21 if# <value> : command
    
                Executes the named command only if  the  numeric  result  of
             evaluating <value> is not zero.
    
          5.2.22 input <variable> [text]
    
                Issues a prompt containing [text], and then reads  a  string
             from the console which is assigned to the named <variable>.
    
          5.2.23 invisible
    
                Causes all data subsequently received from the  serial  port
             to NOT be displayed on the terminal screen. See also "visible".
    
          5.2.24 menu <variable> <text>
    
                Presents a menu, with each word from <text> as a  selection.
             The <variable> is set to 0 if the first entry  is  selected,  1
             for the second, 2 for the third, etc. If the menu is aborted by
             pressing ESCAPE, the variable is set to -1.
    
          5.2.25 print [text]
    
                The remainder of  the  command  line  is  displayed  on  the
             console  terminal  screen,  followed   by   a   line-feed   and
             carriage-return. See also 'echo'.
    
          5.2.26 read <variable> <text>
    
                Similar to "input", except that the prompt  is  issued,  and
             the string is read from the serial port.
    
          5.2.27 rem [text]
    
                This command is used to insert remarks into the script file.
             The remainder of the command line is simply ignored.
    
          5.2.28 scan <string> <time> [: command]
    
                Waits for either the specified <string> to be received  from
             the serial port, or until <time> seconds  have  elapsed.  If  a
             command is given, it will be executed if  the  string  was  NOT
             seen before the timer expired.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 18


          5.2.29 send <text>
    
                The remainder of the command  line  is  transmitted  to  the
             serial port.
    
          5.2.30 skip <value>
    
                Skips ahead by the specified number of lines,  and  proceeds
             to process the script file from  there.  In  other  words,  the
             specified number of lines  following  the  one  containing  the
             "skip" command will not be processed.
    
                This is a convienent way to perform  multi-line  conditional
             statements.
    
          5.2.31 stop
    
                Terminates processing of the current script  file.  If  this
             file was called by another script file, that file will resume.
    
          5.2.32 terminal
    
                This command invokes the ANSI  terminal,  which  will  allow
             interactive communication with the remote port  until  CTRL-END
             if entered, following which the script file will resume.
    
          5.2.33 upload <protocol> [filename]
    
                This command will upload the named file using the  specified
             protocol (From your protocol setup menu).
    
                If <filename> is not supplied, you will be prompted for it.
    
          5.2.34 visible
    
                Causes all data subsequently received from the  serial  port
             to be displayed on the terminal screen. See also "invisible".
    
          5.2.35 wait <time>
    
                Waits until no data has been received from the  serial  port
             for the indicated number of seconds.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 19


       5.3 Fast Access Scripts
    
             You may set up a "Function menu", with up to  8  "fast  access"
          scripts (complete with arguments) that can be invoked from  a  pop
          up menu. This is done with  the  "Function  Menu  Scripts"  option
          under the "Configuration" menu.
    
             The format of each function menu entry is:
    
                     [name;][script file name] [arguments]
    
             [name;] is the name that appears in the script  file  selection
          window of the "Function menu" function. It is delimited  from  the
          script file name by a semicolon (';').
    
             [script file name] is the full name of the script file which is
          to be processed.  Unless  the  name  includes  a  directory  path,
          LAPTALK assumes that the file will be found in  the  LAPTALK  home
          directory. If not explicitly given, LAPTALK assumes the  extension
          ".SCR".
    
             [arguments] are any command  line  arguments  which  should  be
          passed to the script.
    LAPTALK Users Guide                                              Page: 20


    6. TERMINAL CONTROL CODES
    
          LAPTALK recognizes the  following  subset  of  the  ANSI  terminal
       control codes:
    
            ^G          - Sound ALARM
            ^H          - Backspace
            ^I          - Horizontal TAB
            ^J          - Line feed
            ^M          - Carriage return
            <ESC>[H     - Home cursor
            <ESC>[f     - Alternate home cursor
            <ESC>[#;#H  - Position cursor to Y,X
            <ESC>[#;#f  - Alternate position cursor
            <ESC>[J     - Clear to end of screen
            <ESC>[0J    - Alternate clear to end of screen
            <ESC>[2J    - Clear entire screen
            <ESC>[K     - Clear to end of line
            <ESC>[0K    - Alternate clear to end of line
            <ESC>[2K    - Clear entire line
            <ESC>[#m    - Select video attributes (1-7 or 0=Normal)
    
        The following special codes are transmitted for keys:
    
            <ESC>[A     - Up arrow
            <ESC>[B     - Down arrow
            <ESC>[C     - Right arrow
            <ESC>[D     - Left arrow
            <ESC>OP     - PgUp
            <ESC>OS     - PgDn
            <ESC>OP     - Home
            <ESC>OQ     - End
            <ESC>OM     - Keypad '+'
            <ESC>Om     - Keypad '-'
            <ESC>Op     - Insert
            <ESC>Oq     - F1
            <ESC>Or     - F2
            <ESC>Os     - F3
            <ESC>Ot     - F4
            <ESC>Ou     - F5
            <ESC>Ov     - F6
            <ESC>Ow     - F7
            <ESC>Ox     - F8
            <ESC>Oy     - F9
            <ESC>Oz     - F10
            ^H          - Backspace
            ^I          - TAB
            ^M          - ENTER
            Hex: 7F     - Delete



                              LAPTALK Users Guide

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                         Page

     1. INTRODUCTION                                                        1


     2. USING LAPTALK                                                       2

        2.1 Command Line Options                                            2
        2.2 LAPTALK Functions                                               2
        2.3 Function menu                                                   3
        2.4 Download file                                                   3
        2.5 Upload file                                                     3
        2.6 Kill capture                                                    3
        2.7 Perform script                                                  3
        2.8 Hangup modem                                                    4
        2.9 Clear screen                                                    4
        2.10 Configuration                                                  4
        2.11 Shell to DOS                                                   4
        2.12 Exit to DOS                                                    4

     3. CONFIGURATION                                                       5

        3.1 General switches                                                5
        3.2 General parameters                                              6
        3.3 Serial port settings                                            8
        3.4 Transfer protocols                                              8
        3.5 Function menu scripts                                           9
        3.6 Video attributes                                               10
        3.7 Load configuration                                             10
        3.8 Save configuration                                             10

     4. FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS                                            11

        4.1 Configuration                                                  11
        4.2 The XMODEM module                                              12
        4.3 Examples                                                       12

     5. SCRIPT INTERPRETER                                                 13

        5.1 Insert Codes                                                   13
        5.2 Script File Commands                                           14
        5.3 Fast Access Scripts                                            19

     6. TERMINAL CONTROL CODES                                             20