TOPIC: FIND54 DATE : 27 JAN 86 FROM : IRV HOFF NOTE: FIND54 may be used with files created by WordStar and other word processors, as it strips off any high bits set while doing a comparison and when displaying the results. FIND54 locates strings of characters in a file, then displays the entire line(s) that string was found. It can be used with wildcards to look through numerous files automatically, searching for a particular combination of characters. It is especially useful with MAST.CAT or MAST.LST catalog programs to see what disk(s) a program might be on. It would show how many copies of that file were available, permitting "housecleaning" of extra programs. It is very convenient to use when updating newer versions of files, to erase those no longer needed that have similar names. It has some advantages over using a normal editor "search" since it displays each line, rather than merely stopping each time the combination appears. (Some editors would not conveniently al- low hard copy printing of "search" results.) FIND54 can optionally make a disk file for later printing, etc. Using a program like LISTT with such a disk file would then permit a paginated listing of the results, with page numbers, date, heading, etc.. You will likely wish to keep FIND54.COM on an archive disk, then rename to FIND.COM on your catalog and utility disks to simplify typing the complete name (or even remembering the current version). NOTE: There are 3 special characters available in the string area. These fake control characters that normally cannot be typed: _ = tab key (underline) ? = any character \ = line feed (reverse slant) for finding strings starting at the beginning of a new line Examples of how to use FIND54: 1) B>FIND 2) B>FIND ? 3) B>FIND HELLO.ASM 4) B>FIND MAST.LST MODEM 5) B>FIND MAST.CAT _MODEM 6) B>FIND FILE.ASM \M7 7) B>FIND MAST.CAT MOD|BYE 8) B>FIND *.ASM HELLO 9) B>FIND MAST.LST .A?M 10 B>FIND HELLO.DOC MDM712[N] or [N or [n] or [n 11) B>FIND MAST.LST MDM7 (CTL-P) control-P to operate printer 12) B>FIND MAST.CAT .COM >NEW.CAT the > indicates disk file 13) B>FIND HELLO.DOC process the file >FILE.TYP[n] 1) Displays a short "built in" instruction guide. 2) Same as 1). 3) Prompts for a string to find. If string is in lower-case it will display lines only with the same lower-case chars. If string is upper-case, will show all lines having the string, whether upper-case or lower-case or mixed case. 4) Typical use of the program. Displays all lines with the sequential characters MODEM or modem. 5) Using the "_" (underline) character fakes a tab key. Just those lines with "(TAB)MODEM" or "(TAB)modem" are shown. 6) Using the "\" (reverse slant) fakes a LF character. This allows strings appearing only at the first of the line to be found. In this example all files starting with M7 would be found, without the '\', all files containing M7 would be found, including MDM7 files, etc. If look- in a file with a group of messages, all 'To: ' could be found via '\TO: ' and would only look at the start of the line. Or all files in MAST.CAT starting with 'M' could be found with '\M', etc. Gives FIND54 a positive capability of finding strings or characters known to ap- pear at the beginning of a line. 7) Using the "|" (vertical bar) character permits concurrent search/display of several strings of characters. In this case, all lines containing either MOD or BYE (or same strings in lower case) will be displayed. 8) Wildcards may be used. In this case, the name of each file is printed prior to being searched. 9) '?' may be used as a wildcard in the search field. 10) If [N] is included, line numbers will be added. This is similar to using PIP.COM and including the [N] option, except the line numbers shown here are those containing the requested string. 11) Turns the printer on to make a quick hard copy of results. If pagination is needed/preferred, make a disk copy and use a normal paginating program like LISTT. 12) A disk file can be made, using the '>' character. (This is needed to isolate the string area, permitting spaces to be used in the string. 13) Strings can be used with spaces between words. Shows a disk file will be made, with line numbers. GENERAL COMMENTS: ---------------- This program is especially useful with the MAST.CAT catalog program as it can find files where only a few characters are used. For instance the user knows he has some modem programs called MODEM7 or MDM7 or some- thing, so he looks for: A>FIND MAST.CAT DEM7|DM7|MOD He may also want to find all files with .ASM, .AQM and .COM so he can make a new disk file: A>FIND MAST.CAT .ASM|.AQM|.COM >CAT.NEW He could then use XCAT to make a cross-reference listing, although it will be a small nuisance: 1) Rename the existing MAST.CAT temporarily to ZMAST.CAT 2) Rename CAT.NEW (or whatever name was used) to MAST.CAT 3) Use the editor to put at least () for an "ignore file" at the start (XCAT cannot work otherwise). 4) Use XCAT which makes a file named MAST.LST. 5) Rename all files involved to whatever the user prefers, restoring the original MAST.CAT file. Adding line numbers is occasionally beneficial since it shows where in the file that line is located. This can be useful for finding errors in assembly level source code that are hard to find with an editor, or to show the concentration of certain groups of characters in a file. FIND54 may also be used with address files or large message banks, to find all occurrences of similar names, or similar streets, or similar cities, purchase dates, product names, etc. etc. etc. (In this case the '\' character to look only at the beginning of a new line is frequently of value. The ability to make a disk file (plus concurrent searching for a variety of different strings separated by a '|' character), gives FIND54 a very powerful feature. - Irv Hoff W6FFC