;;07-18-85 BBCAT.DOC v1.3 11/09/85 Eric Gans French Dep't UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90024 Version 1.3 More informative command-line prompt. Version 1.2 Allows command-line entry of catalog name, asks before creating new CAT, doesn't save empty catalog. Fixed a couple of bugs in BBCAT and BBACK (now v6.2). We're getting there! Version 1.1 Allows prompt for catalog entry/erase from disk. Checks for bad write of catalog file. ***** BBCAT is a catalog program integrated with my archive/dater/backup utility BBACK (6.22) to provide a convenient way of keeping track of backed up files and of eliminating duplicates. Unlike NCAT, UCAT et al., which are meant chiefly for the floppy-disk user, BBCAT is designed primarily for those with hard disks who only use floppies for back-up and storage. The catalog entries created by BBCAT include the date, either as entered by BBACK or as taken from CAL (which should be in A0: and kept up to date). When BBACK backs up a file, it looks for a catalog file of type BB*.CAT in the current user area and adds the backups to the catalog, changing the date for files already backed up on the same disk. Both BBACK and BBCAT will allow you to create a catalog file (default name BB0.CAT) if they don't find one; you can rename this file as you please within the limits of the BB*.CAT filespec. BBACK will also remind you of duplicate backups. You are encouraged to keep different CAT files for types of files that you back up on different (sets of) floppies: just don't keep more than one in the same drive/user area. BBCAT will catalog only floppies inserted in the default backup drive (byte at 102H: 3=C: BBDEF 1.2 can change this for you at the same time as the equivalent byte in BBACK). You are asked for a file mask before cataloguing, and you can choose to be prompted for each entry; in this option, files not entered in the catalog can if you wish be deleted from the diskette. You may also delete files from the catalog (and if you like, delete them from the floppy at the same time). BBCAT also permits you to renumber your disks; it will change all the appropriate file entries. If you use an unnumbered disk with BBACK it will give it number 255; you will probably want to change this to a more reasonable number with BBCAT. All these features make it easy to keep a record of the dates of all your backups and the disks where they are found. This should sharply reduce the number of floppies you need keep active for backup purposes. Command line: bbcat or bbcat If you enter a catalog name (you don't have to enter the .CAT), BBCAT will search for it & if not found or zero-length, ask if you want to create it. If you don't include a name, BBCAT will search the current drive/user for BB*.CAT and if it doesn't find a CAT file will let you create BB0.CAT. BBCAT Commands C = Catalog You will be asked to insert a disk and to give a file-mask for the files you want to catalog. If you choose to be prompted for individual file entries, you will be asked whether files not entered in the catalog should be deleted from the disk. All user areas of the floppy will be searched for appropriate files; duplicate entries (same file, date & disk) will be indicated on screen but not entered in the catalog. The date within the file will be displayed according to BBACK format (mm-dd-yy); if there is none, the current date (from CAL.COM) will be entered in the catalog. You should use this command chiefly to enter your old disks in the system; afterward, it is advisable to let BBACK take care of recording new backups in the catalog. L = List All files in the catalog that match the filemask and/or disk number you enter (default=all) will be listed alphabetically. The date and disk number will be shown for each file; the number of files listed and the total number in the catalog will be given. P = Print This command will send the results of the "List" command to the printer, along with a heading giving the catalog name, filemask, disk number (if any) and date. E = Erase The display is that of the List command. You are given the option of deleting the files from a diskette at the same time as they are removed from the catalog; otherwise you may search the entire catalog for erasure. The disk-erase option should be used whenever possible since it keeps your floppies and your catalog in sync. NB - If you use the disk-erase option it is a good idea to list the files from other disks as well so you can check your duplicates. R = Renumber diskette You will be prompted for the (new) number. A number file will be created on the floppy (any existing number file will be deleted) with format -[date].num where [date] is the current date and "num" is a number between 1 and 255. Thus for disk #1 on July 4, 1985, BBCAT would create the file -070485.001. Unlike most CAT programs, BBCAT will not make separate entries for different number files with the same last three digits. This makes it simple to (re)name number files to reflect the contents of the diskette; just keep the leading "-" and the three digits after the "." All relevant catalog entries will be changed to the new number. Q = Quit If changes have been made to the catalog, it will be rewritten to disk and a BAK file made of the old catalog. Since both BBACK and BBCAT create a (renamable) default catalog BB0.CAT if no catalog is found in the current user area and BBCAT allows you to create your own catalog name, there is no need for the user to create BB*.CAT files. If you do so, save a one-sector file the first two bytes of which contain binary zeroes. (These bytes hold the count of files in the catalog.) Catalog entries occupy 16 bytes: 11 for the filename, 2 for the date, 1 for the disk number and 2 for a pointer to the next file. The entries are not sorted alphabetically but are alphabetized by means of a linked list. To save space, non-ascii characters are used, so you should only list or print the catalog with BBCAT. As always, I would appreciate your suggestions for enhancements, fixes, etc.