Re: Unix Style Command Line for Apple II - the HELP command

[gids.rs@sasktel.net]

These are some of the major differences between Davex, Command.com and my Command line environment.

Davex and Command.com replace Basic.system and has its own built in disk commands
Writing a Davex command requires a header
No support for Applesoft, no commands to help basic programs, nor a chr$(4) for disk commands
they are both bloated
commands that are included, are, in a word, useless with no visual appeal
aliases runs system programs only, not basic programs (not sure about binary)
may not be compatible with games or binary programs that require basic.system
There are no commands to easily navigate or create information files by using a simple command such as EDIT "filename" and have it automatically save when you return to the prompt with a simple Escape key press.


My Command line program
Alots some free space between Basic.system and its buffers but fairly small footprint
Any binary program, system program that does not disable Basic.system, or .cmd program can be easily be converted to run as a command. All you need is an address change
Full support for Applesoft, and then some, with memory saving enhancements and speed increase for applesoft programs.  All applesoft programs should be able to run without modificaton
uses mouse text characters for nicer displays
Full screen mousetext editor allows very quick and easy use of mousetext characters
mouse support in the form of a command is available for programs
aliases can be used to run system, binary, and applesoft programs and point to data files for opening, also has an option to open data file with a default application
No header is required for my command programs.
only 3 commands are built in plus 2 keyboard enhancements, a very versatile input routine and powerful output routine - The built in commands are CDD (change default directory), Type and Help

The change default directory allows you to make any directory into a command folder in which it takes it commands from.  This allows you to change, for instance, to a games or applications directory.  Any game or applicaton that can be converted to a command can be run just by typing its name.  Or if the game or application is too large, then an alias can be created for it.



So to sum it up.  The magor difference over tha other command line programs are:

Its compatibility with basic.system and basic programs and rarely having to leave and reload basic.system.
It has a smaller footprint.
Use of mouse and mousetext characters for way nicer visual display
Far easier to create and implement commands with no headers
Way better selection of commands
Due to the implementation method used, commands themselves have a very small footprint
Navigation, creating files and viewing files are way easier with nicer displays
  (no need to leave basic just to run appleworks to create a simple text file)
Retains ability to install regular commands between basic.system and its buffers to allow more than one command to be available at the same time.


The way I have set up this command line environment, should allow one to be way more productive through its ease of use, simplicity for creation of data, yet complex and powerful enough to satisfy the most advanced user.

Here is an example:

EDIT /Volumename/HELP/REMINDERS  (or BIRTHDAYS or TODOLIST)
  - this opens a small yet powerful text editor to enter quick information
Enter data
Press ESC - to get back to the prompt, the file is autosaved
Type HELP REMINDERS at the prompt

- you have virtually instant access to your information.  What can be easier than that.  And what other command line program allows you to do that?

All I know is that I now enjoy an efficiency and an ease of access to information that I could not achieve with the other command line programs.

So! No!  I don't think this program is anything like Davex or Command.com. It's better.

Rob