Syntax

  DATAPOST /FILE=x {/DEBUG}

            *              /FILE=x – Specify which type of file modification will occur.  Allowable values for x are:
                  o                    M – Media.Dat
                  o                    P – Printers.Dat
                  o                    L – Configuration file as defined by Memo2.
            *              /Debug – Optional parameter to display the data as it is received from and returned to TouchPro.  Without this switch, there is no screen output.

Implementation

  1.      Unzip DataPost into the Tools directory.
  2.      Using EditPro, create a shell that runs DataPost with the correct /FILE=x switch.  Check Preserve Screen, Store Variables, Swap to XMS/EMS/VMS, Initialize Mouse, and Get Variables.
  3.      Write an instruction chain that provides a method for loading Memo1 with the new value, then calls the shell.  Here is a section of a possible chain:

      … (code) …            ;loads Memo1 and Bucket Row variables.

      Variable Index = 9    ;Index used for shell status result.
      Shell to DataPost      ;Write to the file.

      If Index = 8              ;Invalid data.  Could not post.
      Window = BadPost
      Delay 2 Seconds
      Close 1 Window
      Stop – Ignore Rest
      End If

      If Index = 9              ;Shell has failed.
      Window = ShellErr
      Delay 2 Seconds
      Close 1 Window
      Stop – Ignore Rest
      End If

      ‘END’

Variable Usage

Passed to DataPost

    Variable Media.Dat Printers.Dat Config File
    Memo1 Media Name Printer Port Letter Report Cut Code
    Memo2 not used not used Nodename
    Number1 not used not used Timeout Minutes
    Number2 not used not used Enable Sound
    Bucket Row Media Number+1 Printer File Row not used

Returned to TouchPro

    Index – Program termination result
                0 – Data posting successful
                8 – Data posting failed
                9 – Reserved for use by Touchnet to indicate shell failure

Technical

DataPost is designed to run with List-it as a low end file editing utility.  List-it can be made to display the raw contents of a file, and some file, including both the Media.Dat and Printers.Dat files are comma delimited, and therefore readable as text.  If a line is highlighted by a user, List-it can return the line number of the line to be changed, into the Bucket Row variable.  A second window can then pop up to allow the user to enter a value into Memo1, representing the new entry.  Alternatively, a user interface can be built into the application itself.

DataPost does not change the entire line.  If writing to Media.Dat, it takes the first 16 characters of Memo1 and writes it as the media name to the line as specified by bucket row.  Note that Medias are numbered starting at zero, but DataPost expects the line number, not the media number.  Therefore a Bucket Row value of five would be needed to change the name of media four.  Media names for medias zero through three are not user changeable, and DataPost will return a Data Posting Failed error value in the index field if the user tries to change these medias.

If writing to Printers.Dat, only the first character of Memo1 is used.  This character must be an upper case A through an upper case H, or DataPost will return a Data Posting Failed error value in the index field.  Letter values correspond to ports as follows:

    *      A – COM1
    *      B – COM2
    *      C – LPT1
    *      D – LPT2
    *      E – LPT3
    *      F – LPT4
    *      G – COM3
    *      H – COM4

If setting Local Options, all four variables must be defined, as all four options are changed.  You cannot change just one option. Values are interpreted as follows:

    *      Memo2 – The first eight characters are used to determine the nodename.
    *      Memo1 – The first twenty characters are used to determine the cut code.
    *      Number1 – Valid values 0-99.  If value is over 99, then timeout minutes is set to 99.
    *      Number2 – If 0, then Enable Sound is turned off.  For any other value, Enable Sound is turned on.

Although DataPost screens all data for validity, it is recommended that when designing a user interface, the stylist pre-screen the data and provide appropriate error messages to the user.
Revisions

6/29/99 6.00 rw

    *      Initial Release

9/24/99 6.01 rw