ARCVER Vers. 1.8 Written by Andrew Black 1991 (c) Andrew Soft This program has been released into Pulic Domain. However I still retain all Copyright. Instructions for ARCVER ----------------------- Welcome to ARCVER. ARCVER was basically written because I was fed up of having a 31 file limit on my DFS discs. ARCVER enables you overcome this limit by taking files (any type) and squashing them into one big one. ARCVER does not alter the load and execution addresses so the files will be decompacted exactly as they were compacted. ARCVER is very easy to use. (At least I think so). ARCVER allows multiple file entry. This means that you can enter lots of filenames and then leave the computer to get on with it. ARCVER also displays in seconds the time it will take to compress or decompress a file. Starting out ------------ When you boot up the program you will be asked to enter the source drive of the data (the files). This will also be the drive for the compressed file. This can be any number between 0 & 3. You will then be asked whether you want to compress or decompress. Enter C or D then . If you press C you will enter compressing mode and if you press D you will enter decompressing mode. Compressing Mode ---------------- First you will be asked how many files you wish to compress. The maximum number of files you are allowed to compress is 30 at any one time. This is because you have to leave a spare filename for the compressed file. Also remember that you have to leave at least 100K (or 50K for 40T) of free disc space on the disc. To check that there is enough space for the compressed file follow this procedure ... A. Check the length of each of your files. Add 32 bytes to each files length. If they collectivly come to under 100000 (or 50000 for 40T) bytes you will fit the compressed file on. If they are over a 100000 (or 50000 for 40T) bytes you must remove files until the compressed file can be fitted on. B. Next you be asked for a destination file name. This is the filename under which the compressed data will be stored. C. The program will now ask you to enter the file names to compress rather like the example illustrated below ... Enter file(s) to compress? BLOG or Enter file(s) to compress? L.DATA It will repeat this for the amount of files you want compressing for example with 3 files to compress ... 1. Enter file(s) to compress?file1 2. Enter file(s) to compress?file2 3. Enter file(s) to compress?file3 After you have entered the name of the last file to be compacted the computer will automatically start compacting the files (you might like to go and do something until the computer has finished compacting as it could take a long time). During the compacting the current file being compacted is displayed and the estimated time to compress that particular file. For Example ... Compressing L.DATA Compressing time is 182 seconds If everything goes well during the compacting you should see the message 'Transfer successful' after the program has finished compacting. You will then be asked if you wish to exit the program. If you reply N you will be sent back to the start of the program otherwise the computer will return to BASIC. Decompressing Mode ------------------ This is very easy to do. You have already entered the source data drive of the compressed file. This is also where the files will un-compressed. Make sure you have at least 100000 (50000 for 40T) bytes free for the files or alternatively use a blank disc and copy your compressed file onto this. The program will ask you for the filename of the compressed file. Enter this and press . The program will then start to decompact the compressed file. It will display the approximate time it will take to work through the complete file. For Example ... 1829 seconds to decompress complete file. Decompressing L.DATA Decompressing BLOG etc..... Now all you have to do is wait. (I advise making a cup of tea). When the computer has finished un-packing all the files it will print the message 'Transfer successful' if all went well. It will then ask you if you wish to exit. Reply N or Y then to this. Errors ------ When an error message is encounted the computer will first close down all open files. It will then sound a siren, telling you an error has occured. Then it will report the error and end the program. Probable errors --------------- Bad drive - You entered a number for a non existent drive. Disc full - There is not enough space for the compressing or decompressing of data. Disc read only - Take the write protect tab off and retry. File not found - Check spelling & Current Directory. Catalouge full - You have tried to exceed the DFS' 31 file limit. Bad filename - Check Spelling - catalogue your disc if neccessary. General notes ------------- It is possible to nest compressed files inside each other. ie. Compres1 ---: : - Compres6 ---: Compres2 ---: : : --- Compres8 Compres3 ---: : : - Compres7 ---: Compres4 ---: But you will have to decompact each compressed file seperately. At the moment ARCVER is fairly slow at compacting and decompacting. About 2 and a half minutes for a 16K file. I am re-coding it at the moment to do compacting and decompacting in half the orginal time. The next version will be compatible with all existing compacted data files. I am not sure whether it will work with ADFS systems. It should do. The file transfer speed can be speeded quite a lot up by typing *FX255,15 then pressing break and booting the program. Andrew Black Please address any comments and ideas for future expansion of the program for Reviews Editor (722) c/o 8BS at the usual address. Our thanks go to Andrew for providing such as useful utility which 8BS intends to make frequent use of in future issues.