Scor­pio News

MKDIR will allow the creation of new named directory segment files. This is also possible by editing and assembling the SYSNDR.ASM/​LIB files provided with the system, but MKDIR is interactive and easier to use.

CD.COM works with either DIR: or DU: forms. If CD is used to log into a new directory, instead of doing this by just typing say B7: oF BAS:, when CD logs into the target directory, it looks for a file (ST.COM), which contains a command sequence. This could, for example, set up new function keys, reprogram the printer, change the Named directory segment, change I/O parameters and carry out other similar setting up operations.

File Protection and Maintenance –

The PROT command of the RCP allows attribute bits to be changed. PROTECT.COM is a much more sophisticated command which will set or reset the file name tag bite, filetype attribute bite, and will allow ‘inspect’ and ‘control’ modes so that the user may exercise varying degrees of control over the process.

CRC.COM is provided in Z3 compatible format. The same algorithm is used as in the other CRC command files that have been available from the CPMUG over the years, so that compatibility is maintained. The Z3 CRC command outputs the file nane, Size in K Bytes and records, Counts Lines of text (text files), supports printer output, Disk File output, and allows comments to be added to each file, supports optional inspect mode. Options may as usual be mixed. (On the Z3 disks, is included CRC.COM Vers. 5 which was described in a late 80-BUS News. Z3 CRC.COM does net compare CRC’s with a current Crcklist, as CRC Vers. 5 does, so both files are useful.)

DIFF.COM is a file comparison utility. It may optionally be told to stop at the first difference, or list all differences on a byte for byte basis. Files may be in different directories. Multiple runs are supported. i.e. Disks may be essentially the same. It is therefore useful to have the Z3 utility and one or two of the others available.

Help Systems –

The version of HELP.COM supplied is tailored to Z3, and will find files in A16: which is suggested as the HELP: directory. Extensive help files are provided, totaling over 500k, although some refer co SYSLIB and VLIB which are not directly related to the operational aspects of Z3. Some of the HELP files operate on an elaborate ‘tree’ system. Sufficient help is provided to enable all of the utilities to be successfully used. With a Winnie, this HELP can all be online. Two supporting utilities HELPCK.COM and HELPPR.COM, are provided to check the format of HELP files that one might write, and to allow hard copy of the .HLP file without wasting paper.

PAGE.COM is a utility that can be used instead of the TYPE command to display files on screen. It is clever enough to make allowance for lines longer than screen length.

The SAK utility is extremely useful. It waits for the user to strike any key – hence the name. It can provide a number of features such as time out, ring the console bell, abort to CP/M.

SHOW.COM is the Z3 display utility. It will display data about the Z3 system, its’ buffers and segments in a very informative and useful way.

PRINT.COM is a sophisticated file print utility. It supports a number of options like multiple file printing, page skipping and so on. I have customized my version so that it reads the system clock and prints this on the first page of the output.