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== INTERNATIONAL a. _—— Po _—_— |
& = APPLE CORE™ |
] presents a > | hat ke a |
, Re ee
Te SE 2 Gee
The Premier Magazine for Apple Computer Users 1M |
VOLUME 4 NUMBER4 JUNE 1983 $3.25 (US)
EDGE.
225 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Toll-free: 1-800-343-6833; in Massachusetts (617) 828-8150. Telex 951-624.
NO PERSONAL FILING SYSTEM DOES MORE
Thank
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We gota
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“POWER
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Goodbye valuable data. Unless
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Guardian Angel switches to 150
watts of backup power in 1/100 of a
second or less while alerting you of
blackout or brownout conditions.
Its rugged 12V battery gives you up
to six minutes (15 at half-rated
power), enough to save your data
and shut down your system if line
power does not return.
Guardian Angel is compatible
with virtually every major micro-
computer system, including Apple,
IBM, H-P, TRS-80, Xerox, Eagle
and Osborne. Its transient voltage
ppressor also prevents system
damage from pov ike:
G ian Angel simply plugs
in between your power source and
your microcomputer. Its compact
size permits either desktop use or
out of the way placement.
Protect your investment: see
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Guar Angel or
contact us at
566 Irelan Street,
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(805) 688-2047.
Guardian Angel’,
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Take a bite... 4 ae
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ai
Vol. 4, No. 4 June 1983
Cover; Micro Schizophrenia. Photo by Rob Wheless.
ARTICLES
The IBM That Thinks it’s an Apple - Peter C. Weiglin
First look at a new non-Apple peripheral.
The Ultimate in Userproofing Applesoft Input - Mark S. Darlow, P.E., Ph.D...............0. ee eee 18
Defusing potential bombs.
14
Review: Versaform - Gene Wilson is... i3.0043 cea sua vas Lehi UE eae ewe Lee ee ees 22
How a data manager helped a truck broker.
Writing Custom Utility Programs - Jim Hopper ..... 2.6.6.0 6 cece eet eects 30
A utility to help write utilities.
So What’s This Thing Called Exec? - Mike Kramer. .........6 000000 e eee e eect erence ences 38
How to use this builtin “Auto-Apple” mode.
Word Handler II and Screenwriter Il- Ed Haymes. .... 2.2.0.0... cece cece eee erence ene e nes 42
A comparative review of two word processors.
Burning Your Own EPROMs - Neil D. Lipson, P.E...........0 2.000 c ec eee eee cee eee een eee 44
Adventures in customizing your computer.
The Apple //e User Group Conference - Ransom S. Fields .......... 0.0000. c eevee eee eee e eens 56
Report on a first-class information session.
Of Special Interest- Louis H. Milrad €t al... 6 cscs yeas eaweee sees ete Weta ee es eee eR RES 62
How SIGs can help you — and vice versa.
Converting Hex to Dec - John B. Matthews, M.D......... 00.00 c eee c ete e eee tee eect e een enee 66
$32 states in the Union?
Braindusting with Pascal - Max J. Nareff 0.0.0... cece een eee ence eens 71
Flashcards for education.
Tenth ices see cette teownes pore uncon wanass cepns ae aa nrene ee PO ioe 6
IAC Sponsoring Members. 12
Planting a Seed: The Volunteer Spirit - Peter C. Weiglin. 17
Print FRE(ED):= Val J GOING: 0c esciesecarecesrse: ore nine e'geeienen : : .. 65
From the IAC Office - Ken Silverman.
Forbidden Fruit- Mark L. Crosby... .
New Temptations, Delicacies, and Necessities.
» SAVVY is a miraculous new
information handling system.
SAVVY is an automatic database
management system.
SAVVY is a new level of
machine intelligence.
SAVVY, part hardware,
part software, is the
beginning of truly
“Personal Computing”.
SAVVY comes with:
General Ledger,
Accounts Receivable,
Accounts Payable,
Payroll, Mailing List,
Document Writer and
Inventory Control.
Through SAVVY, you and your
computer talk to each other in your
own natural, conversational
English {or Spanish, or
French, etc.).
It learns from you
what you want
done in your own
personal language.
Once SAVVY learns
your language it
can create any file
you wish. Input,
output, additions,
changes and
deletions are
“Sy, arranged for you.
AS SAVVY's “Robot
, Programmer”
has been trained
to write 100%
of the programs
needed to manage your
database information.
SAVVY runs CP/M™
and Apple DOS.
ec.
Trademark: SAVVY, Robot Programmer:
Excallbur Technologies Corporation.
Personal Language: SAVVY Marketing
International.
100 South Ellsworth Street, 9th Floor, San Mateo, CA 94401
S ACV VY
You'll discover that SAVVY
recognizes your personal words,
even if misspelled, or even if you use
a phrase never used before!
SAVVY continues to grow through
use to become better and better at
understanding your commands.
Eventually, you will see SAVVY as a
mirror to your own way of thinking
and working. It is a re-definition of
“user-friendly”.
SAVVY, it’s the first system that truly
means ‘‘personal computing’.
SAVVY is like no other system on
earth.
SAVVY cost $950.
Seeing is believing. SAVVY is on
display at selected computer retail
locations. Call for the name of your
nearest dealer.
CP/M is a trademark of Digital
Research Corp.
Apple is a Trademark of Apple Computer
Inc.
(415) 340-0335
One Apple
and °1,575
can make a lot of pies.
And charts. And graphs.
Introducing the New Personal
Computer Plotter from
Hewlett-Packard
Now you can use your Apple® com-
puter to generate your own presentation i
charts, graphs, and pie charts. How?
Simply add on the new high
quality, low cost HP 7470A
Personal Computer
Plotter. =
The 7470A helps you
save time, save money, and,
lets you communicate quickly, accu-
rately and effectively.
The eye is faster.
Data, when visualized graphically, becomes informa-
tion fast. Charts and bar graphs can make any presenta-
tion clearer and more readily understood. But asking your
staff to produce the graphics
for your next presentation
doesn’t ensure accuracy or
artistic talent. And going to
outside suppliers can be
costly. Combined with your
Apple® computer, the new
HP 7470A plotter does the
communicating for you.
Quickly. Logically. And with
off-the-shelf software.
Fast and pretty.
The 7470A gives you high plotting speed with excellent
line quality... faster than any competitive small plotter.
On top of all that, it comes in an attractive design
package that looks nice on your desk. And it does it
for only $1,575. (U.S.A. domestic suggested retail price.)
ee
Name
Seeing is believing. Send me a sample plot, an overhead transparency, and more detailed information.
Title
Count on it.
The 7470A is built the Hewlett-
Packard way. To last. Designed and
engineered with only a few parts, none
of which require adjustment. And with
customized integrated circuits
that ensure reliability.
Pen Pals.
The HP 7470A has
— two single-pen stables
that output multi-color plots in
your choice of ten coordinated colors. Pens
are automatically capped and stored.
For only $95, you can also get a 17057 Overhead
Transparency Kit that turns your plots into transpar-
encies for overhead projectors. For “I need it tomorrow
at 9:00 A.M!” meetings, it’s a necessity.
—.__™ An option you'll want, too.
Start plotting your next presentation today.
Clip and mail the coupon below. Now.
Mail the coupon below and we'll send you—absolutely
free—a sample plot, a more detailed brochure, and a
sample overhead transparency.
Then...stop in at your nearest Hewlett-Packard
Dealer. See the HP 7470A in action. Once you see it
demonstrated you'll find a hundred ways to make your
own Apple® pies. And charts. And graphs.
When performance must be measured by results
©) PackanD
Company
Address
City, State & Zip
Phone Number( _)
Apple is the registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Send to: Hewlett-Packard, 16399 W. Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127—Attn: Nancy Carter
ce Se EOE |
11202 Aos
et a SS A A A A SS Se mal
Textfile
No, you're not missing an issue of Apple Orchard; our nine-
times-a-year schedule means we did not publish in January
and May, and will not publish in July.
Herewith the June issue, on a mostly serious note after our
April diversions. First, we welcome back FRE(ED), our prodigal
predecessor, Val Golding, who gallantly responded to some
pointed remarks. As you can see, he has been restored to his
former state of 10-point grace. We can understand his
absence; he’s been working hard on Call-A.P.P.LE., and it
shows in that magazine's high quality.
The concept of Special Interest Groups within the Interna-
tional Apple Core, as well as in local user groups, has taken off
under the firm hand of IAC Vice-President Lou Milrad. A look at
what and how they're doing begins on Page 62. These folks
embody the volunteer spirit, of which more in this month's
Planting a Seed essay. Note that you don't have to be an expert
to join in.
Semi-expert status may seem to be required for something
like burning your own EPROMs, but as Neil Lipson shows, it's
notas difficult as it first appears. As this June issue went to bed,
we received a telephone call from an excited Neil, who said that
he had come upon a group of public-domain character fonts
which could be used in a number of ways, including in
EPROMs. He's preparing that material for a future issue.
Jim Hopper and John B,. Matthews, active Apple owners in
Dayton, Ohio, weigh in with some Assembly language material.
The Dayton group is an active one, and more material from the
Gem City is in the wings. While we're at it, we'll point out that
Mike Kramer and Ed Haymes are active in the Houston Area
Apple Users Group, and Mark Darlow is a member of the
Capital Area Apple Byters in Albany, N.Y. Max Nareff, Ransom
Fields, Gene Wilson and Peter Weiglin are members of the San
Francisco Apple Core. Lou Milrad hails from Toronto, home of
LOGIC, nee Apple-CAN, and Neil Lipson is a stalwart in the
Apple users’ group in Philadelphia. Pretty good cross-section,
huh?
Let us hear from you. [ )
Introducing compl fable
Introductory prices for
“Compu-table” start at
$53.95
An affordable, home-use computer table
insures
stability
wires?
High quality tubular steel frame
superior strength and
Built-in printer slot '
Built-in cord and ribbon slot for
flush-to-wall fit and tangle-free
© Correct 27” height for fatigue-free
Tops are interchangable and may
be purchased seperatly for system
expansion
*Optional, adjustable “Datatop”
shelf, provides easy access to
programs, manuals, printouts,
disks, and other computer aids *
* Additional options include disk
keyboarding drive bay and movable work light
MODEL | H_W_D_|COMPU-TABLE| DATATOP | DISK BAY | LIGHT
24 Printtind | 27”x24"x24” $45.95 N/A N/A N/A
32. 27"x32"x24" $53.95. $26.95 N/A $10.95
39 27"x39"x24" $57.95 $28.95 [$16.95 (12"x12)[ $10.95
48 27"x48"x24”" $59.95 $29.95 $19.95 (12"x17")| $10.95
lodel 48 shown
with o} “Datat
wore light ard qui athe tay
T Model 32 comes without a printer slot
7 All tops for models 32, 39, 48 come wit built-in cord slot and notches for “Datatop”, unless»
customer specifies oi
+ “Datatop” shelf clea
Assembly required
Phone number: (216) 354-4186
ce table” top by a maximum of 22”
Send check or charge card number and expiration date
(MASTERCARD or VISA only)
to: COMPCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
‘Ohio residents include $149 sales tax All orders UPS collect
‘Apple and the Apple Logo are Registered Trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
6 Apple Orchard
2nd Generation Spreadsheet
for Apple Ti and He
_ enn
uta
Everything VisiCalc can do and much more. Plus 64K or 128K RAM.
Plus 80-column display for Apple //e at no extra cost.
MAGICALLC is a completely new
second generation spreadsheet pro-
gram for Apple II. This state-of-the-art
system includes 70-column upper and
lower case video, full 80-column board
display, hard disk compatibility,
individual column widths, invisible
columns for confidential data, and full
compatibility with VisiCalc that lets
you utilize existing VisiCalc models.
Refer to the box below for a compari-
son of MAGICALC and VISICALC.
EXPAND-A-RAM 64K or 128K of
additional RAM memory for expanded
MAGICALC worksheets. Includes
MEMORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
—relocates DOS for more free memory
in BASIC. You also get RAMDISK
emulators for APPLE DOS, APPLE
PASCAL*"and CP/M™— a software
package that emulates a standard
Apple floppy disk drive butis 2 to 10
times faster. Plus more.
Registered trade marks: Apple. .. belongs to
Apple Computer, Inc., Magicalc to Artsci, Inc.,
Expand-A-Ram to Prometheus Products, Inc.,
VisiCalc to Visicorp, CP/M to Digital
Research, Inc.
EXPAND-A-RAM for Apple II plugs
into any slot and works with the many
software programs that use 16K of
RAN in slot 0 — including CP/M,
APPLE PASCAL LISA, MERLIN...
and many others. EXPAND-A-
RAM/80 for Apple Ile, which includes
the 80-column display, goes into the
auxiliary slot. No modification of your
Apple is required.
SPECIAL LOW INTRODUCTORY
PRICES for the combination
MAGICALC plus EXPAND-A-RAM are
$399 with 64K RAM and $499 with
128K RAM. Apple Ile users (only),
please specily your choice of the stan-
dard EXPAND-A-RAM or EXPAND-A-
RAM/80 with 80-column
Display at no additional
charge.
See your local dealer for details:
ARTSCI, INC.
5547 Satsuma Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601,
(213) 985-2922
PROMETHEUS PRODUCTS, INC.
45277 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538,
(415) 490-2370
COMPARE!
Preboot required
70 column upper and
lower case video
display
Full 80 column
boo display
widths
Invisible columns
for confidential
data
Hard disk
compatibility
Full com
with VisiCalc
Program plus
128K RAM
More Apple II owners choose Hayes
Micromodem II than any other modem
in the world. Compare these features
before you buy. You should. It’s your
money. Thousands of other Apple II
owners have already com-
pared, considered, and are now
communicating — all over the
U.S.A. with Micromodem II.
The best modem for the Apple
Il. The most modem
for your money. «2
Acomplete
data communi-
cation system.
Micromodem II
is not "base
priced” plus necessary “options.” It's a
complete, high-performance data com-
munication system. The printed circuit
board fits — quickly and easily — into your
Apple II, eliminating the need for a serial
interface card. And the Microcoupler™
(included) connects the Apple II directly
to a standard modular telephone jack.
Auto-dial and -answer features are built
in. Operation can be full or half duplex,
MMicromodem II and Micr
CP/M isa regi
~~ Mitrocoupler
ue trademarks of Hayes:
ed trademark of Digital Researehy
witha transmission rate of 300 bps. And
it's Bell 103 compatible and FCC approved
Now there's Hayes Terminal Pro-
gram, too! Developed by Hayes speci-
fically for Micromodem II, this new
Terminal Program allows
you to access all the great
features of your modem
in a matter of seconds.
With it, youcan use
your CP/M? DOS
3.3 or Pascal for-
matted disks to
create, send, re-
ceive, list and delete
files. Hayes Terminal
Program is a complete,
stand-alone disk.
And because it's menu
driven, you can choose from
a wide variety of options to set
your communication param-
eters — as well as change hard-
ware configuration — directly
from the keyboard. It even allows you
to generate ASCII characters that are
normally not available from Apple
Your Apple II
just isn't the pen without
Hayes Micromodem II
keyboards, further extending your
capabilities. Incoming data can be
printed (on serial or parallel printers)
as it's displayed on your screen.
Micromodem I! is available with
or without the Terminal Program. Buy
your modem by itself, or optionally pack-
aged with the Terminal Program disk
and user manual at extra cost. The soft-
ware is also sold separately, for those
who already own a Micromodem II
If you're ready to communicate
with other computers, to access infor-
mation utilities, time-sharing systems
or use bulletin boards, then you're
ready for Micromodem II. Come on.
Compare. Consider. Then buy.
Micromodem II is already the
best-selling modem for the Apple II
And Hayes’ new Terminal Program
makes it better than
H ever. Available at
ayes
nationwide.
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.
5835 Peachtree Corners East
Norcross, Georgia 30092 (404) 449-8791
NEW!
Terminal Program
from Hayes!
line Apple is a registered trademar! of Apple c
iter Products, Inc. Sold only in the U
j if. e 4
} / War Ly e
Yeah —H about Mt ples?
Start my subscription with volume CLT] Number 1] ne sae iia” oe
Me Las
es TV eceacaiectes 32. $2700
CITY. STATE. ZIP.
Interbank No. [_1_[_T__]eigit number above your narne on MasterCard [I check/Money Order
Charge CardNo.L TT TTT TTT III Tit ttt CI mastercara”
Credit Card Signature Card Expires Lwisa
Payment must accompany order and must be made in U.S. funds and drawn on U.S. bank. Make
check payable to APPLE ORCHARD.
~ 4 4
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USA. ... Only $19.50
Start my subscription with volume fd Number itd O (Save $9.7: mie ‘
E 2 Fe . - $36.00
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Charge CardNo. CLE TTT TT TPIT ITT] = Unastercara
| VISA
Payment must accompany order and must be made in U.S. funds and drawn on U.S. bank. Make
check payable to APPLE ORCHARD.
Credit Card Signature Card Expires
There's probably nothing that would add
more power and usefulness to your Apple than
a bigger. faster disk
Now Lobo Drives offers a whole family of
disk upgrade options—direct from the manu-
facturer, at substantial savings
We cut out the middleman—not the quality.
Make no mistake—Lobo's low prices are
for highest quality, ultra-reliable systems. We
take no shortcuts in design, manufacturing
testing, and burn-in. That's why Lobo systems
are probably the only ones you'll find anywhere
with a 1-year parts and labor guarantee.
Lobo uses only Shugart or Seagate
drives—the standards of the industry. We put
them in rugged metal cabinets, with heavy-duty
fan-cooled power supplies and our own proven
controllers and interfaces.
So whether you want 8” floppies, a
Winchester system, or just a less expensive
Apple-equivalent disk, Lobo delivers top quality
for less
You'll find our disk price breakthrough
can mean a real performance breakthrough for
your Apple II!
8” Floppy Disk Systems
Up to 2.2 megabytes of on-line storage
with two double-sided, double-density 8" flop-
pies (1.1 megabytes with single-sided drives).
DOS 3.3 capabilities are supported. Interface
plugs into any Apple I/O slot (except 0).
Lobo's optional CP/M includes a special
DENSITY command to permit reading and writ-
ing standard single-density disks.
Optional Pascal software lets you store the|
entire Apple Pascal system on one side of one
8" disk—with lots of room left for program files
TWO SINGLE-SIDED DRIVES
Model 8202CA $1625.00
TWO DOUBLE-SIDED DRIVES
Model 5202CA $1925.00
Winchester Disk Systems
Programs that make heavy use of disk
files will get a spectacular performance boost
when you plug in up to 8 megabytes of ultra-
fast hard disk storage. And imagine the con-
venience of having all your program and data
files immediately available whenever you boot
IMPORTANT: many hard disk systems
now being sold have no provision for backing
up the disk (using standard Apple minifloppies,
you'd need about three dozen diskettes to com-
pletely back up a 5 MB drivel). Lobo hard disk
systems come with a built-in double-sided,
quad-density floppy drive that can store the
complete contents of the hard disk on six or
seven floppies. This floppy drive also adds the
equivalent of at least 5 more Apple disk drives
to your total on-line storage!
— SRS PS
5%" SYSTEM: ONE 5MB HARD DISK PLUS
ONE 737 kB FLOPPY
Model 950A 2675.00
8” SYSTEM: ONE 8 MB HARD DISK PLUS ONE
1.2MB FLOPPY
Model 1850A $3459.00
Both include Lobo DMA interface usable in
Apple slot 1-7 and DOS 3.3 patches. CP/M
optional (see below)
hy
Apple-Compatible Minifloppy Systems
Both the disk drive and the interface card are
plug-compatible with Apple Disk !I equipment.
Lobo and Apple drives may be freely mixed on
a Lobo or Apple interface card, and the Lobo
interface features a switch to select 13 or 16
sector boot. The only other difference is the
price and Lobo’s unique 1-year guarantee!
DISK DRIVE WITH INTERFACE CARD
the sytem
Model 3101-1 $455.00
DISK DRIVE ONLY
Model 3101 $385.00
Software and Accessories
All Lobo disk systems come complete
with interface card and any necessary patches
to DOS 3.3. Use of Apple Pascal with Lobo 8"
floppy drives requires the Lobo Pascal Creator
disk and documentation.
Running CP/M with Lobo Winchester
or 8" floppy systems requires a Microsoft
SoftCard, an Apple Language card (or Micro-
soft RAM Card), and the Lobo CP/M disk.
Pascal is not currently supported on Lobo
Winchester systems
PASCAL CREATOR DISK AND
DOCUMENTATION $54.00
CP/M DISK AND
DOCUMENTATION $54.00
CP/M DISK WITH MICROSOFT
SOFTCARD $355.00
MICROSOFT 16 KRAMCARD $175.00
APPLE FAN (RECOMMENDED FOR
HEAVILY LOADED SYSTEMS) CLIPS
ON LEFT SIDE OF COMPUTER $72.00
Ordering Information
All prices include shipping and hand-
ling. California residents add 6% sales tax.
Credit card orders shipped within 24 hours
Personal checks require 2-3 weeks for
clearance before shipment. Please allow up to
6 weeks for delivery,
The Lobo Warranty
All Lobo hardware products carry a
limited 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Call or write for complete warranty
statement.
© 1983 Lobo Systems
CP/Mis a trademark of Digital Research Corp.
SoftCardis a trademark of Microsoft
Apple il is a trademark of Appie Computer, Inc
ox
aT
ORDER NUMBERS:
(805) 683-1576 (800) 235-1245
(800) 322-6103 (In Calif.)
Telex 658482
Hours: 7AM-5PM Pacific Time
LOBO’
SYSTEMS INC
358 S. Fairview Ave., Dept. A0583
Goleta, CA 93117
Prices subject to change without notice.
Apple
pchard
Vol. 4, No. 4
Entire contents Copyright © 1983
by International Apple Core, Inc.
June 1983
Peter C. Weiglin - Editor and Publisher
Donna Caldwell - Managing Editor
Ingrid Worthge - Art Director
Nicole Lefcourt - Editorial Assistant
Val J. Golding - Editorial Associate
Contributing Editors:
Mark L. Crosby - New Products
“Dr. Wo” - Pascal/Languages Editor
Neil D. Lipson, P. E.
A. S. (Woody) Liswood
Morgan P. Caffrey
Jim Linhart - Miscellaneous Cartooniery
Dawn Brown - Circulation Manager
Karen Vanikiotis Zinsmeister - IAC Staff
Advertising Representative:
Jeffrey Ginsberg
(213) 450 - 0056
Address for all subscriptions, correspondence,
advertising material, manuscripts, etc.:
Apple Orchard
908 George Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 727 - 7652
‘ApPLE ORCHARD (ISSN 0277-1950) is published nine times a year by the
International Apple Core, Inc., 908 George St, Santa Clara, CA95050. Second Class
Postage paid at Santa Clara, CA and additional entry points.
Subscription Rates: $19.50 for nine issues in the U. S; $27.00 (US funds) in Canada,
‘Mexico, and APO/FPO addresses; and $36.00 (US funds) for addresses elsewhere.
Se
os
et ase i
osces
bi eS 'e
: iH a oS i.
ace
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International Apple Core
Officers
Bernie Urban Chairman, (301) 229 - 3458
Auby Mandell President (416) 593 - 9862
Harlan G. Felt Vice - President (408) 574-5211
Louis H. Milrad Vice - President (416) 222 -8447
Allen G. Sneider Treasurer (617) 742-6100
Joseph H. Budge Secretary (415) 342 - 1828
Kenneth D. Silverman Executive Director (408) 727 - 7652
Regional Directors
Roger Keating
P.O. Box 448, Double Bay 2048, NSW Australia
‘Auby Mandell 409 Queen St W,, Toronto, Ont Canada M5V2A5
S. Bellamy #402 BarakiNakayama Mansions, Ichikawa, Chiba272-01, Japan
Jerry Vitt (Southern United States) (214) 369 - 7660
Bob Sander-Cederlof (Southern United States) (214) 324-2050
Bernie Urban (Eastern United States) (301) 229-3458
Robert Ramsdell (Eastern United States) (617) 546-3104
James Simpson (Western United States) (805) 492-3391
Stephen C. Lloyd (Western United States) (415) 571 - 7370
James E. Hassler (Northern United States) (307) 632 - 4934
Barry D. Bayer (Norther United States) (312) 798 - 6496
Committee Chairmen
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS:
Co-ordinator Louis H. Milrad (416) 222-8447
Agriculture Susie Allen (408) 746 - 0636
Apple /// Don Norris (415) 673-7635
“Calc” Applications John C. Hunter (416) 292-2590
Computer Art Stephen W. Long (416) 694-8892
Data Management Malcolm Slovin (213) 837-3741
Dental Ellis D. Neiburger (312) 244-0292
Education Ted Perry (916) 485-1690
Family David Stern (301) 881 - 2543
Games Jim Eatherly (202) 232 - 6046
Ham Radio James Hassler (WB7TRQ) (307) 632 - 4934
Handicapped David P. Szetela (617) 259-9710
Health Services Terry Mitiken (512) 691 - 6367
Investments John McMullen (914) 245-2734
Languages Ed Titlebaum (716) 275-4061
Telecommunications Craig Vaughan (703) 471-0572
COMMITTEES
IAC Librarian Maj. Terry N. Taylor (213) 372-4134
Software Dr. Charles Smith (416) 297 -3575
Club Activities Ransom Fields (415)863 - 1093
New Club Assistance Karen Zinsmeister (408) 727 - 7652
NEW Beagle | B
DOUBLE-TAKE omy
2 WAY-LIST/MULTIPLE UTILITY
BY MARK SIMONSEN
LISTS & CATALOGS Soran UP and DOWN,
file names & program lines much easier
to access. Arrow-keys control scroll direction.
NEW LIST FORMAT lists each program statement
on new line— FAST program trace/de-bugging.
VARIABLE-DISPLAY shows all of a proj
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REFERENCE shows line nos on which each vari
able/s Better
So meas peel rams (not just end-to-end).
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stant Hex/Dec Converter, Program Stats,
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PRINT VARIABLE-WIDTH TEXT on the hires
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ADD GRAPHICS TO TEXT or vice-versa. Run
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12 Apple Orchard
IAC Sponsors are a special breed.
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if you've got an Apple II® or Apple Il Plus® with at
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June 1983
13
The IBM That Thinks it’s an Apple
by Peter C. Weiglin
14 Apple Orchard
he rain was pelting the Market Street cobblestones as |
waited for the light to change. Pulling my trenchcoat collar
a bit closer around my ears, | headed for the San
Franciscan Hotel. Darn rain. Bet this'll be the wettest March in
San Francisco history. City looks like the inside of a sewer pipe
today.
The uninhibited revelries of the West Coast Computer Faire
were going on behind me, in Brooks Hall. The annual Bit
Bacchanale, the Festival of the Computer LED Lights, was
nothing new, | had seen it all before. This year, the OI
Rollerskater Jim Warren had set aside an IBM Room and an
Apple Room, kind of like separate arenas. Seemed that the
crowds were much heavier in Apple-land; among other things,
they were almost smothering Lisa to death.
But here | was crossing Market Street, away from the $200
disk drives, away from the $800 Apple lls. But | had a job to do.
The trail of a hot story. My 4,728th secret hotel room meeting.
Just be there, Bobby had said; never mind why. What a
business. Get the story. Getit first. Get it right Well, it had better
be good. Hmm. They're remodelling the lobby. Elevator.
Fourth Floor. Ah, there’s the room. Knock.
“Who's theah?” from inside. Love southern accents, but this
one was male.
“Bobby sent me.”, | answered.
The door swung open to reveal the living room of a normal
hotel suite; the room without the bed. Center stage ona dresser
were an Apple Il and an IBM PG, side by side, looking like Jerry
Brown and Jesse Helms on the same platform.
A personable and professional operative welcomed me,
picked up a disk, and said “Recognize this?”
“Yeah,” I replied; “it's an Apple DOS 3.3 Master.” He nodded,
and inserted it into a boot drive on the Apple. Worked fine.
Then he made his first mistake, or so I thought. He put it into
the boot drive of the IBM! Now, that’s just plain wrong. | had
tensed a few muscles to leap the one and a half yards
separating me from the PC when | stopped dead in my tracks,
frozen with amazement.
The IBM's CRT was reading “Apple II"; the disk was
booting! Obviously, this was something big.
“O.K.,” | said, “what's the answer?”
eek ee
The answer, it turns out, is Quadlink, a new product from
Quadram Corporation. Quadram has made a name and quite
a few bucks with peripherals for Baby Blue; the Quadlink is a
multifunction board including a 6502 and other goodies which
emulate the Apple Il inside an IBM PC.
What that means, of course, is that Apple-based software is
now available to be used by PC owners. Well, most Apple-
based software. We saw games, word processing, and busi-
ness software being booted and run successfully. Then, one
game, known for its Stalag 17 copy protection, failed to boot.
Had the Quadlink failed? Well, the program didn't boot
properly on the nearby Apple either. Thus we found the
ultimate in copy protection: if it won’t boot, it can’t be pirated.
The Quadlink card requires a slotin the IBM PC. But because
there are so few slots available, the trend has been toward
multifunction cards. The Quadlink contains the Apple simu-
lator, a parallel port, a serial port, and a game port The IBM
color or monochrome monitor is used for video displays;
Apple color HiRes looked good on the IBM color monitor.
The controls are simple: press one function key to become
an Apple, another to become an IBM. The hardest part, they
said, was getting the DOS worked out. The IBM enhancements
are also available for use in Apple mode.
Suggested retail price: $680.
te oR oR #
“All right,” I said. “Now show me the one that goes the other
way: that simulates an IBM PC in an Apple.”
“Sorry. There just aren't that many people with Apples who
want them to work like IBMs. But someday, maybe. ..”
| flipped my notebook shut “Yeah. Someday.” | took my
leave and headed back through the rain and the traffic to the
bright lights. It had been worth it e
June 1983 15
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The Volunteer Spirit
The most exciting aspect of the Apple Computer phenomenon,
as opposed to the more mundane machinery, is not the sheer
technical brilliance and humanity which Apple the Company
tells us characterizes its activities. Rather, it is the group of
Apple users and owners who have volunteered their time and
effort to help other users and owners. These folks are not paid,
are more often criticized than thanked, and are a significant
reason why, today, some others have become affluent.
If you purchase an Apple or Apple-compatible computer
today, you do not have to flounder around re-inventing the
wheel to use your computer. Instead, there is likely to be a User
Group near you, offering help. That help may take the form of
classes and help sessions, publications and contributions to
them, public domain software (contributed by members),
Special Interest Group materials, Club booth work at a local
Computerfest, digging out a bargain for clubmembers on one
or another product, or the many clerical tasks common to any
volunteer organization.
The User Groups are perpetuating one of the oldest and
finest ideas of mankind: mutual assistance. Those who have
more experience (even when it's measured in months) help
those who are coming along. For many people the most
valuable activity is “random access”. A problem is stated at a
meeting, e.g. “I'm having problems hooking my Frazzistat up
through the Glorffim connector.” From another part of the
room comes, “I think Ican help you.” Helper and helpee move
to a sideline to discuss the problem. Indeed, the sideline
conversations are more interesting than a good deal of what's
going on up front (“Wanna hold the noise down back there?”’)
Special Interest Groups represent a more focused approach
to sharing, within and between Clubs. Elsewhere in this issue,
we describe these widespread yet intense activities. Co-
ordinator Lou Milrad’s wry characterization of the SIG leader's
job as one with “long hours, frustration, and totally inadequate
(ie. nonexistent) compensation” is understood by everyone
who volunteers. Still they go on.
Every club also knows the phenomenon of “burnout”,
wherein a volunteer's level of effort diminishes over time or
ceases altogether. The primary cause of bumout is simply
stated: volunteers come to feel they are outnumbered by the
complainers 10 to 1, and by the demanders, the “gimme’s,
100 to 1. The machinations of a club's amateur politicians is
another factor.
But even if you have never attended a Club meeting; even if
you are repelled by the thought of User Groups and are the
lonest of wolves, you have benefitted because the volunteers
who are those clubs took the time to share some of their
knowledge with others.
Pause to thank them. And be thankful too that the volunteer
spirit lives on.
See Mid
The (Ultimate in User-Proofing
Applesoft Input
by Mark S. Darlow, P.E., Ph.D.
In order for a computer program to be successful, it must
have features which prevent the user from accidently or
otherwise “messing” it up. The best planned screen formatting
can be ruined by a user who insists on responding to queries
with unacceptable input This is particularly true for programs
which require the entry of numeric or alphanumeric data.
There is nothing quite so unnerving as spending half an hour
entering data into a program only to have it “bomb out”
because fumble fingers entered “1 E66” instead of “1E6"; and
then to have to enter the data all over again.
A well-written program must have some compassion for
those of us with fingers just slightly larger than the keys, and
patience just slightly less than needed for entering reams of
data. Rather than be limited to rebuking the user with
“ILLEGAL INPUT - TRY AGAIN” and then try to clean up the
screen, the programmer should consider making itimpossible
for the user to enter an unacceptable response. A method for
doing this is described below along with several Applesoft
routines and sample programs which can be adapted and
inserted in most any Applesoft program.
Most “good” programs do include such features, usually by
providing error messages and other insults to direct the user to
mend his ways. In fact, many BASIC interpreters, Applesoft
included, have some of these features inherent in the execution
of their input statements. Unfortunately, these “user-proofing”
features do not always trap all possible input errors (e.g. illegally
large values) and the error messages tend to clutter the
monitor screen and defeat the programmer's efforts toward
organized and attractive screen formatting. (In deference to the
sensitivities of the reader, the term “user-proof’ is being used in
place of the more colloquial “idiot-proof”.)
Analternative approach to “bomb-out” protection is propos-
ed here, wherein the user is simply not permitted to enter an
illegal response. That is, each character of the user’s response
is read and the resulting string is tested for legality before the
character is even displayed on the screen. If the input character
would render the response incomprehensible (ie. utterly
useless), a control-G (bell) is output to wake up the user and get
him back on track. Of course, this approach could be extended
beyond the prevention of illegal input data to exclude the
possibility of inappropriate input data. The means by which this
approach may be applied is described in some detail below
along with numerous examples and sample routines using
18 Apple Orchard
Applesoft BASIC. The same methods (and routines) could
also be applied, with some modification, to any BASIC
language and computer system which provides for single
character input without automatic output echo.
Single Characters
This “user-proofing” approach will be described by example,
beginning with very simple situations and continuing through
to the development of some fairly sophisticated routines for
general numeric and alphanumeric input Let's begin with
single character input, the simplest case of which is “Y or N”
answers to “yes or no” questions. Single character input differs
from multiple character input in that the code can be written so
that concluding carriage returns are not required. However,
when dealing with particularly fickle users who are apt to
change their minds continually, it may be preferable to require
the concluding carriage return to confirm the response.
The following code will reject (with a beep) any answer other
than Y or N (without a concluding carriage return).
100 GET ZZs 110 IF ZZ$<>"“Y" AND ZZ$<>"“N" THEN
PRINT CHR§(7);:
GOTO 100
120 PRINT ZZ$;
If the semicolon in line 120 is eliminated, the computer will
supply a carriage return in the output. If you want to give the
user a second chance, add these lines:
130 GET ZZ$
140 IF ZZ$ = CHR$(8) THEN PRINT ZZS;" ";ZZ$;:GOTO 100
150 IF ZZ$<>CHR$(13) THEN PRINT CHR§(7);:GOTO 130
Line 140 checks for a backspace « and deletes the character
on the screen if a backspace is found. With slightly more
complicated code, the cursor can be moved over the previous
response without deleting it and this response can be subse-
quently reentered with a right arrow. The procedure for right
arrow reentry is described later in this article.
Minor modifications in this code allow it to be used for other
single character input. For example, replace line 110 with
110 IF ZZ$<“1" ORZZ$>"5" THEN PRINT CHR$(7);:GOTO.
100
to restrict input to a single digit between 1 and 5 (inclusive), or
with
110 IF ZZ$<"C" OR ZZ$>“J" THEN PRINT CHRS$(7);:GOTO
100
to allow input of only a single letter between C and J (note that if
you have a keyboard modification the case makes a difference).
Remember that algebraic comparisons of strings are actually
comparisons of their numerical ASCII equivalents.
Multiple Characters
Now let's get a bit more involved and consider multiple
character input First, we'll look at general alphanumeric input
where everything is accepted except “left arrow” (control-H)
and “right arrow” (control-U). The left arrow will be used to
delete the previously entered character, while the right arrow
will be ignored (for now). This form of input can be handled
using the following code:
200 ZI% = 0:2$ = “”:REM NULL STRING
210 21% = 21% +1
220 GET ZI$
230 IF Z1$<>CHR$(8) AND Z1$<>CHR8(13) AND ZI%>255,
THEN 400
240 IF Z1$ = CHR$(21) THEN 400
250 IF Z1$ = CHR8(13) THEN PRINT:GOTO 1000:REM
CONTINUE
260 IF Z1$<>CHRS8(8) THEN Z$ = Z$ + Z18:PRINT Z1$;:GO-
TO 210
270 IF LEN(Z) = 0 THEN 400
280 IF RIGHTS(Z$,1)> = “" THEN PRINT Z1S;" ";Z1$;
290 IF LEN(Z$)>1 THEN Z$ = LEFTS(Z$,LEN(Z$)-1)
300 IF ZI% = 2 THEN 200
310 ZI% = ZI%-1
320 GOTO 220
400 PRINT CHRS(7);
410 GOTO 220
The above example deserves some explanation. Line 200
initializes the string length counter, ZI%, and the string accumu-
lator, Z$. The next two lines increment the counter and get a
character from the keyboard. The test in line 230 is intended to
prevent the user from making an error by entering a string
which has a length of more than 255 characters. The only legal
256th characters are a backspace « or carriage return. Line 240
disallows a right arrow input Line 250 recognizes a carriage
return as an input terminator and continues the program. Ifthis
code were used as a subroutine, then GOTO 1000 would be
replaced by RETURN.
Line 260 determines whether the input character is a left
arrow. If not, the character is a legal input, is added to the string
accumulator and the loop is repeated for the next input
character. Lines 270 through 320 are accessed only inthe case
of a left arrow input. Line 270 checks to see if any characters
preceded the left arrow. If not, the left arrow is meaningless and
is ignored (with a beep). Otherwise, line 280 checks to see if the
previous character is a printing character. If so, the cursor is
backed up one space and the previous character is erased
from the screen.
In line 290, the previous character is stripped from the string
accumulator if there is more than one character in the string
accumulator. Stripping the last character from a string with
only one character would produce an error during the execu-
tion of the LEFT$ command. Line 300 returns to the initializa-
tion of the loop if there is only one character in the string
accumulator (the left arrow is the second character). Otherwise,
the string counter is decremented and the next character is
read.
An interesting feature of this routine is that if a non-printing
character is deleted with a left arrow, this character is stripped
from the end of the string but the cursor is not moved back over
the last printing character as would be done by Applesoft in the
same situation. Finally, lines 400 and 410 let the user know
(with a beep) if he has done something naughty, and loops
back to get the next character input.
This general alphanumeric input routine can be modified to
allow only specific forms of input. For example, entries from
only a selected list of possibilities might be desired. The string
would then be tested after each character is input to see if it
would still fall within this list. A fairly common example of this is
filename input. In order to restrict the user to legal filename
input, in terms of syntax only (30 characters or less; first
character a letter; no commas allowed), the following substitu-
tions and additions can be made to the above routine:
230 IF Z1$<>CHR$(8) AND Z1$<>CHR§(13)
AND ZI%>30 THEN 400
235 IF Z1$ = “,” THEN 400
245 IF ZI% = 1 AND (Z1$<“A" OR Z1$>"Z") THEN 400
The change in line 230 reduces the maximum string length
to 30 characters. Line 235 disallows commas and line 245
assures that the first character is a letter.
Numeric Input
We will now venture into the much more complicated world
of numeric input General numeric input gets very complicat-
ed fora number of reasons. First, in addition to numbers, there
are other legal characters which are “+”, “—", “.” and “E” (as
well the ever present left arrow and the occasionally allowed
right arrow). However, these additional legal characters are
legal only if used in the proper places. The numbers and other
characters must also be combined so as not to produce an
illegal value (i.e. greater than 1E+38).
After each character is read in, it must be determined not
only if the character is legal, but whether it is legal in the context
in which it is being used. Additional tests can be used to
determine if the inputis legal with regard to the more restrictive
requirements of a particular application. For example, the
input may be restricted to a particular range of values, or
particular values (e.g. zero) may not be appropriate input
values. How user-proof numerical input is accomplished is
described below as part of a general user-proof input program.
An Applesoft program is presented in Listing 1 which
includes general numeric and alphanumeric user-proof input
routines. Lines 1 through 140 make up a simple calling
program whose only purpose is to exercise and demonstrate
the user-proof input routines that follow. The user-proof input
routine for numeric data is listed in lines 60000 through
60550. A number of variables are used in this routine to keep
track of the number and types of legal characters input These
variables are initialized in line 60020 and are defined below:
ZP% indicates whether a period has been input (1 = yes; 0 =
no)
ZE% indicates whether an E has been input (1 = yes; 0 =) no)
ZI% is a character input counter
ZN&% is a count of the numerical characters entered prior to an
June 1983 19
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E.
ZX% is a count of all of the characters entered following an E
ZD% is a count of the numerical characters entered between a
period and an E
Line 60047 prevents the entry of a null input or more thana
single leading zero (no beep). Deletion of the first test in this
line will result in a null entry (carriage return only) being
interpreted as the value zero. Line 60050 causes a branch to
line 60110 if the input character is not a number. Otherwise, a
series of tests are conducted to determine whether the number
read results in a legal value.
Line 60053 limits the number of characters permitted in the
exponent (the value following the E). Line 60055 assigns the
current value of the exponent to the variable ZT. Line 60058
checks to see that no more than 38 numeric characters are
entered in the mantissa (before the E). Line60060 then tests to
make sure that the character read in would not result in a value
greater than 1E + 38. If not, the appropriate counters are
incremented in lines 60070 and 60080, and the program
branches to line 60300 to update the string accumulator, print
the character and loop back to get the next character.
Line 60110 disallows spaces (no beep). A carriage return is
detected in line 60120 and the value of the string accumulator
is loaded into the variable ZZ. Lines 60125 through 60130
handle input of a left arrow, as discussed above. Lines 60140
through 60160 check for the input of a plus or minus sign and
determine whether it is legal (it must be either the first
character read in or the first character after an E). Similarly,
lines 60170 through 60190 check the input of a period and
lines 60200 through 60220 check the input of an E.
Lines 60300 and 60310 add a legal input character to the
string accumulator, print the character and loop back to get
the next input character. Line 60400 beeps for an illegal input
character and loops back to get the next character. Lines
60500 through 60550 decrement the appropriate counters
following a left arrow input, and loop back for the next input
character.
An alphanumeric input routine with a filename option
follows in lines 61000 through 61410. This routine is a
modification of the one presented above for user-proof
alphanumeric input Line 61000 (or 61010) is the entry point
for general alphanumeric input, while line 61100 is the entry
point for filename input, as discussed above.
If desired, additional restrictions may be placed on the input
data by adding appropriate checks. For example, a line 60065.
could be added to check that VAL(Z$ + Z1$) is within an
acceptable range of values before appending the input
character (Z1$) to the string accumulator (Z$).
Analternative programming scheme for providing this form
of user-proof numeric input is simply to compute VAL(Z$ +
Z1$) and trap any error with an ONERR GOTO, rather than to
perform all of the tests in the routine in Listing 1. While this
approach would be somewhat simpler and more direct, it
would trap only illegal values and not irrelevent or absurd input
(such as DUMMY or 1.1.1E + 1.1). Thus, atleast in my opinion,
it would not be entirely satisfactory.
Use of the left arrow as an input character to the routines in
Listing 1 results in the deletion of the last character in the string
accumulator and an appropriate adjustment of the screen
image. These routines ignore a right arrow entry. Standard
right arrow capability (character reentry) can be added to these
routines, if desired. Two principal modifications are required.
First, don’t delete characters from the screen after input of a
left arrow (just backspace, if appropriate). Second, entry of a
right arrow must be detected and the screen character under
the cursor determined using a line of code lifted from page 87
of the Applesoft Il Reference Manual (using the SCRN
function). A modified version of the routines in Listing 1 to
include right arrow capability are presented in Listing 2.
Note that entry of right arrows will result in reentry of printing
characters only, and that non-printing characters which are
deleted with a left arrow cannot be reentered with a right arrow.
When first writing these routines, | was concerned that, as
they got more complicated, they would get slow enough to
hinder the user. However, as presented in Listings 1 and 2, the
routines are fast enough that they will not lose any characters
even from a fast typist. When using these routines in long
programs, it would be a good idea to renumber the routines
and put them at the beginning of the program so as not to slow
them down. The only time speed might be a problem would be
if Applesoft were to decide to “collect garbage” (delete old
strings) during data input. To eliminate any concerns about
speed, the routines presented in this article could be rewritten
in machine language. However, | have not yet found this
necessary.
While these routines have been tested very carefully, the
bugless program is yet to be written. If any bugs are found in
these routines or a resourceful user finds a way to make them
bomb, | would greatly appreciate being notified. | would also be
interested to learn of modifications and interesting applica-
tions that other programmers come up with. Certainly, there
are an infinite variety of approaches and modifications which
may be used to provide this form of user-proof input
Happy programming, and may your users be well proofed.
EE
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“Apple Il is a product of Apple Computer, Inc
June 1983 21
Versaform
Review by Gene Wilson
Versaform
from Applied Software Technology, Inc.
14125 Capri Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95030
VS-1 (Apple Il Floppy disk)
VH-1 (Apple II Hard Disk)
VS:3 (Apple ///)
Introduction
Advertised as a “business forms processor’, Versaform is in
facta versatile data base management system, available for the
Apple Il or the Apple ///. The group of runtime Pascal
programs that makes up Versaform is so extensive as to rival
software running on larger “mini” computers. Transaction
recording (including printouts), data processing and report
generation have been brought to a level where the computer
user needs no special tools or training. Versaform’s form
design flexibility is a real plus in helping non-computer people
to understand, use and accept the system.
The examples in this article have been provided from a
database which was actually prepared on an Apple II with
Versaform to handle the daily and monthly billing and invoice
information for a West Coast truck brokerage firm. The broker
provides trucking services to clients from a pool of available
independent truck owners. The broker receives payment from
the client, makes certain deductions (including the brokerage
fee), and pays the truckers. The needs and available trucks vary
from day to day, which means that no two days are alike;
reconciliation of the data is not a simple process.
The task of separating the many daily trucking operations,
each with its own “ticket” or “day card”, into the various daily
summaries and monthly invoices, statements, and reports is
one for which Versaform is well suited. Much of the labor
involved in taking the daily tickets and turning them into
computer data has been removed by features like automatic
filling, lookup tables and default values. Even the format of the
former manual trucking ticket can be reproduced on screen to
give the company emplyees a familiar “fill-in-the-blanks”
system that is very fast and efficient!
There are many other data base programs on the market
Versaform fills a particular function that lies somewhere
between the very rigidly structured formats of DB Master, and
the mindbending task of learning another “language” with
dBase Il. The other programs are great, but only Versaform
allowed me the freedom to take a quick shot ata form design or
entry screen formats. If] don’t like the end result, it only takes a
couple of minutes to make it better.
22 Apple Orchard
Floppy Disk Version
Versaform comes in either a floppy disk (two drives mini-
mum) or a hard disk version for the Apple I The Apple ///
Versaform contains two boot disks, one for two-drive systems,
and the other for 3-drive and hard disk systems. In the floppy
disk versions, each program disk covers a general function;
here is a list of the disks:
(1) Design Program Disk;
(2) Filing Program Disk;
(3) Report Program Disk;
(4) Copy/Print Program Disk;
(5) Tutorial Disk;
(6) Report Work Disk.
Many people are intimidated by the pile of diskettes that
comes out of the box; don’t be. Disk 5 is a Tutorial session, and
is not part of the ongoing system. The other five disks are
separated by activity. For example, designing a form (Disk 1) is
a task which will seldom (if ever) involve simultaneous use of
any of the other program diskettes. Filing (Disk 2) is another
task which seldom involves the generation of reports or fresh
design work.
Most of your sessions with Versaform will involve only a
single system diskette. This is the reason that the Pascal
System is on each of the diskettes. This is also why you must
have a minimum of two floppy disk drives on line (the second is
for your data diskette).
Reports require Disks 3 and 6; the requirement of a Report
Work Disk (Disk 6) is created by the need to store intermediate
files during the processing of reports. The Copy/Print program
disk (Disk 4) is very handy for segmenting the data into
multiple data bases, or for elimination of old records (file
updating), etc. You select and boot with the function disk you
wish to use.
Hard Disk Version
The hard disk versions (II and ///) tie all of the functions
together with a master menu. There is a very complete
installation guide for the Corvus Hard Disk System. The eight
pages of information were presented in sufficient detail to allow
a correct installation on the first pass. Setting up 1000 blocks
(one block equals 512 bytes) for the program (as stated in the
manual) gives a pretty wide margin for later addition of files!
A look at the hard disk files shows that 728 blocks were
required for the Versaform programs. A few more blocks were
used on the boot disk for VERSAFORM.CODE (four blocks for
the menu that ties everything together so neatly), and for
BJTERM (one block), the configuration information file.
SYSTEMLIBRARY is going to have nine blocks added.
SYSTEM.STARTUP can be set to chain directly to Versaform,
or VERSAFORM.CODE can be renamed SYSTEM.STARTUP
on the boot volume.) As a further note, only the programs on
Disks 1 through 4 need to go on the hard disk. There is some
duplication of identical programs on various disks to allow the
system to run smoothly in the floppy environment (that is, to
minimize disk swapping). Only one copy of each of these
programs is needed in the hard disk system.
Why a hard disk? Speed. The hard disk is much faster than
the floppy. (We all suspected that!) Finding records in a very
large file is also faster with a hard disk. Loading and swapping
program segments and messages is extremely fast (and very
pleasant for the user), as information, menus and records
literally “leap” onto the screen. but, don't look for the hard disk
to make the CPU do any magic. Looking through a huge data
base while sorting for a special report could take all night (just
like the floppy version). Be aware of the limitations while the
obvious advantages flash before you.
Configuration
The most important part of getting into Versaform is to read
and thoroughly understand the System Configuration Pro-
gram. The true power of this program will not be seen unless
things are done correctly; the woods are full of people who
have said, “I didn't know it could do that.” There are provisions
for assigning key-activated commands while in data entry
mode, and terminal initiation sequences can be manipulated
from here. You can even have a standard printer initialization
sequence, but still have the option of entering a different
sequence at print time. This allows printing of some reports in
compressed font mode, while others can be in any font or
size/style available on your printer or interface card. The
configuration file is named BUTERM, and it must be on every
disk to be used as a boot disk (Design, Filing, Report and
CPrint). Figure 1 shows a printout of a system configuration list
Good News - Bad News: As important as the configuration
process is, it's the LAST chapter in the User's Guide.
Time for a little philosophy. Documentation isn't a major
problem. The whole series of programs called Versaform is set
up with the non-computer type person in mind. The menus are
clear and usually concise. The decision process is straightfor-
ward, and there is ample opportunity (in most cases) to “back
out” of a bad decision. There need be no fear of making a
mistake that can't be rectified without losing many hours of
work. This quick experimentation can be a boon to the person
who isn't entirely sure about the final layout or appearance of a
report.
Designing the Form
This is the easiest part of the whole system. Simply decide
what you want and where, answer questions regarding range
checking, length, justification, if keyboard entry is mandatory,
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
BJPROG: BJTERM
Prefix code for this terminal is: NONE
COMMAND CODE PREFIXED
Display the cmd menu
Validate 3
Get a form
Save a form
First form in file
Last form in file
File space report
Print current form
Calculator
Next form
Back to previous form
Clear to blank form
Erase unvalidated data
Page forward
Page backward
Remove the current form
Index list
Delete a line
Cursor to command line 27
Quit - exit the program
SESE S ETE G EET ET ET TEE
Video reverse type : O (none)
Video reverse seq : NONE
Normal video seq : NONE
Terminal initialization seq: NONE
Printer page width default : 80
Printer page length default : 66
Printer does not have form feed
Printer does take LF after CR
Printer initialization seq: NONE
Operator will not be asked for
printer control sequence.
Display dummy data character is "."
Printer dummy data character is "."
Program volume names :
Vol name for Design pgm is BJPROG .
Vol name for Filing pgm is BJPROG .
Vol name for Report pgm is BJPROG .
Vol name for Copy/Prnt pgm is BJPROG .
Vol name for Rptwrk disk is #5 .
Default vol name for files is BACK1 .
Diagnostic mode is not set.
Figure 1
June 1983 23
look-up table, calculations, automatic filling, etc. The program
will ask all the right questions, keep track of the answers, and
even give you a hard copy of the session's results. Changes are
easy to make. The input mask can be built and then changed,
modified, or drastically altered just as quickly. Figure 2 shows
the Truck Ticket Entry Form we designed.
Filing
No secrets here, but a few pleasant surprises. Hard work can
be replaced by look-up tables, built-in calculator functions, and
default values. Yes, you can enter quantity and a stock number,
and Versaform will first look up the unit price from a lookup
table you have created, and then calculate the extended
amount Just keep dumping data into the machine. The
program will make things as tolerable as possible, and a lot of
checking can be done to see that the data entry is done
properly. Hard copy of the day's activity can be obtained as well.
There is no reason to have faulty data if a reasonable system of
checks is maintained. The data entry does not have to wait long
periods while the screen is reformatted between records. The
program is fast in that area, and will not slow you down.
The Command Line is available at any time while entering
data:
CMD:....V, G, SA, N, B, CL, PF, PB, R, I, @
Truck Ticket Entry Form:
Job .. Ticket # ...... Mo .. Day ..
Code .
Qwner ..... + Driver
Gross Amt .
Less Brok . sees
Less PUC. ......---
Net Due.© ...------
BACK1:
TRUCK 260 26-Sep-82 r-
BJWORK 12 13-Jun-82 266
< UNUSED > z 278
The command line doesn’t include all of the possible |
commands available to you; pressing “?” and «RETURN» gives
the full display of available commands:
Validate (V) |
Get a form (G)
Save a form (SA)
First form in file (F)
Last form in file (L)
File space report (SP)
Print current form (PR)
Delete a line (D)
Next form (N)
Back to previous form (B)
Clear to blank form (CL)
Erase unvalidated data (E)
Page forward (PF)
Page backward (PB)
Remove the current form (R)
Index list (I)
Calculator (CA)
Quit - another file (Q)
Semi 10Whlr
Truck # ....-. Hrsi ...... Hrs2 ......
Rate Rate
se eeeeeee ee TRHL 49.50 Tr#2 46.30
Amti ..e2-- AmtZ2 ...20e
S12 Datafile
512 Datafile
2/2 files<listed/in-dir>, 278 blocks used, 2 unused, 2 in largest
File #9: TRUCK
File size: 1040 storage units.
Minimum form size: 110 characters,
Column line size: O characters
1 storage units.
Estimated file capacity: 936 forms with no column lines.
Figure 2
24 Apple Orchard
Now look at Figure 3, which shows the Checking and
Automatic Filing information for item “Mo” (month). We see
that the item Month has a minimum length of one character, a
maximum limit of two; the number is right justified; it must be
numeric, and it is mandatory (meaning you must enter data in
this item from the keyboard.) Low acceptable value is 1 and
high is 12. Any number out of this range will simply not be
accepted.
CHECKING AND AUTOMATIC FILLING
Minimum-length 1.
Justify-(L/R/#) r
Numeric --- (Y) y
Yes-or—no --(Y) .
Maximum-length- 2.
Selfchecking (Y) .
Date ------- (Y) .
Mandatory -- (Y) y
EXTENDED CHECKS
Ranges (Y) y List (Y) .
Format (Y) .
AUTOMATIC FILLING
Lookup (Y) . Todaysdate (Y) .
Calc - (Y) . Column Total (Y) .
This item:
Figure 3
Look-up Table
Now we get fancy, using the Lookup Table feature of
Versaform. Information can be stored and cross-referenced
using this feature. In our example, we tied not one but two data
items, “Owner” and “Driver”, to the “Truck #” item. (See
Figures 4a and 4b.) You enter the truck number, and
Versaform automatically places on the form the data from the
lookup tables, The truck owner and driver were both found and
plugged into the screen form after the user had entered only
two to five digits of information. You can, if necessary, enter a
value different from what the table provided by merely typing
the new, overriding data right over the information supplied by
the table (couldn't be easier).
This allows a tremendous speedup in data entry. Itis also one
of the places where | felt the program is limited. There is
provision for only 99 lookup items per file. This could be too
small for many applications. In this data base, every truck
number is unique. This saves a great deal of time if much of the
data can be keyed to a common (but unique) item.
TABLE LOOKUP
The data for this item will be obtained
by looking it up in the table below.
The item to get the lookup value from
is:
Item name Truck. #.....000eee0e
Look up Result
Le he
BIG.’J’.TRKG.
BIG.’ J’. TRKG.
BIG. ’J’.TRKG.
BIG.’ J’. TRKG.
BISHOP.
BLANCHARD. .
AL.CAIN. .
CIRCLE.’H’....
DAVID.ROGERS...
DDL. TRKG...
DDL. TRKG.
DDL. TRKG.
P&K. TRKG.
P&K. TRKG.
GORDON. ... ‘
This item: Qwner.............05
Figure 4a
TABLE LOOKUP
The data for this item will be obtained
by looking it up in the table below.
The item to get the lookup value from
i Item name Truck. #.......0e2002
Look up Result
L# ....L. wee ee eRe
O1 J-1... BELL...
02 J-2... CAMPBELL,
03 J-3.
04 J-4...
OS KB-1..
BREAD. .
LUCAS...
KARL. BISHOP.
06 B-21.. L.. ANDERSON
07 AC-1.. AL.CAIN. .
08 H-88.. J..CHRIS...
09 T-1... D..ROGERS..
10 DDL-1. BULLOCK, .
11 DDL-6. Ww. .SMITI .
12 DDL-7. BULLOCK....
13 H-10.. J..HIGDON..
14 H-11.. BEN. HOSKINS
15 K-99... K.E..JOHNSON
16 K-111. KINNARD....
17 R-15..
18 R-18..
19 R-83..
20 O-1...
21 R-97..
22 505.
23 T-1.
24 G-1.
25 G-2.
R.T. .EDWARDS
B..WELSCH.
SHELTON.
O. . WEBB.
APARICIO.
T..FORD.
ROGER. THOMAS.
D. «MARSHALL
V.R..GORDON. ..
This item: Driver.......22.0008
Figure 4b
June 1983 25
The Net-due item needed a Checking/Filling and a calcula:
tion mechanism as part of the form design; it's calculated to
two decimal places. Calculation begins with Gross-Amt, sub-
tracts the Less-Brok item, and subtracts the Less-PUC item.
Roundoff errors should be trapped and eliminated from the
data. (Try explaining three-cent “bust” in the month's receipts
and you'll see the value of storing numbers rounded to two
decimal places!) Dummy (intermediate) items can be set up to
accomplish further manipulation of the data.
CHECKING AND AUTOMATIC FILLING
Minimum-length ..
Justify-(L/R/#) 2
Numeric --- (Y) .
Yes-or-no --(Y) .
Maximum-length- ..
Selfchecking (Y) .
Date -— a
Mandatory — F
EXTENDED CHECKS
Ranges (Y) . List (Y) .
Format (Y) .
AUTOMATIC FILLING
Lookup (Y) .
Calc - (Y) Y
Todaysdate (Y) .
Column Total (Y) .
This item: Net.Due.$...........
Figure 5a
CALCULATION
The calculation may be made by adding,
subtracting, multiplying, or dividing
two items, or one item and a number.
Operations are +,-,*,/,Low(L),High (H)
Oper ations Items/numbers
Ii: GROSS. AMT.
LESS. BROK.
LESS.PUC..
This item: Net.Due.$........-++
Figure 5b
Reports
The whole idea of having a data base is to be able to store
and manipulate the data. The report module allows the data to
be displayed in almost any imaginable format, on pre-printed
forms, in many different sorting orders. Different combinations
of data can be readily compared.
The standard reports are handled well. Simply move the
cursor around the entry screen and indicate which items you
want to have printed (and the order of printing). Subtotals, item
totals, and sorting criteria are all established in a fast, straight
forward manner. Changes are easily made. Figure 6 shows the
payoff: an activity summary printout for all truckers with
breakdown of hours and earnings.
The real challenge is to design a print format to fit a pre-
printed form, one which has critical locations for items of data.
The tools provided include a numeric scale and a “dummy”
record for the form that can be printed, using asterisks to show
maximum data fields. This removes doubt as to just where an
item will appear. Text can be added to every printed form to
further clarify the data that is output.
Versaform has provided a key index for record search and
retrieval; use it. Any record can be found anywhere in even the
largest of databases, but the search must be ona key item to be
really fast. Use the built-in features and data can be manipulated
at amazing speeds.
Calculator
Another nice feature is the calculator, which provides a
dynamic tool for invoicing. In conjunction with column type
data entry, it can provide a very fast billing service. The standard
four functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide) are supported by
additional functions which can change sign, invert, round, total
columns, calculate a check digit, or validate data. Some
26 Apple Orchard
statistical functions aren't provided, which limits Versaform’s
ability to produce many types of scientific reports. The
calculator is a good device for adding round-off routines where
necessary.
Sorting and Printing Reports
Provisions have been included to subtotal, sort and total on
any item(s) in the data base. Report Control instructions can be
filled in and then saved for repeated use. A particular instruc-
tion “form” can be called up and modified (for monthly reports,
etc.) The ease of use makes this feature a real joy.
The speed and versatility makes it possible (and convenient)
to experiment and adjust until the desired result is obtained. It
isn't necessary to have an idea for a form chiseled in concrete
before booting up. No big preparation need be done in
advance. Just get into it and see if the computer cranks out
what you thought you wanted. This is one of the best features
of Versaform; the ability to create “on the fly’. No one likes to be
tied down to a program that demands that every little dot be
placed in an absolute location or two hours later it won't work.
That doesn’t happen with Versaform.
Export
Your data base probably has information that can be
collated or placed into some type of written report with a word
processor. The facility Versaform provides for this is the Export
option of the Report Definition form. An Apple Pascal text file
will be created on the data you have asked for, in the proper
order as well. This text file will not include header titles, page
numbers, etc. or other information that would clobber the entry
of this data into a word processor program (or another data
base with a completely different format than the original).
Export has some less obvious uses, including placement of
very specific data blocks into other files, data bases, etc. This
REPLAY IT
Apple Program Copy And Development System
Disk Formatting Irrelevant
Does not interfere with other cards
Card is transparent until copy is desired
Copies all 64K with *no* compression
Menu driven
Copy and restart in un
Copies memory resident programs
Analyze programs
Development tool
Why ours is better!
1. Accurate copy of memory
2. Language card not needed to
copy or run - when using
Replay Card
3. Fast copy €% restart
- 15 seconds -
4. Analysis programs and 60
pages of documentation
5. Copy system in eprom
- No need to boot other disks
at copy time -
To order or request info:
Write or call
Micro-Analyst, Inc.
P.O. Box 15003
Austin, TX 78761
(512) 926-4527
Dealer Inquiries Welcome
Cost:
$150.00 [includes postage)
Outside U.S./Canada add $10 shipping
Texas residents add $7.50 sales tax
VISA/MASTER CARD accepted!!
REPLAY Il is intended to be used as an
analysis tool, for program development, and
for making archival backup copies.
“Apple is a registered trademark for Apple Computers Inc
naa
ir 15 seconds
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REPLAY ll is an interface card that is slot independent. Users can
stop a program, examine and change memory, or copy the pro-
gram, and restart. Control of the APPLE is obtained by pressing
the remote switch which comes on an 18 inch cord outside the
APPLE. REPLAY II does not copy the original disk, rather it copies
the program executing in memory. If a copy is desired a blank disk
is inserted in drive 1 and the options on the menu are contained in
the eprom on the REPLAY II card, no other disk needs to be booted
for copying, unlike other copy cards. The very act of booting
another disk alters memory which is detectable by some protected
software.
REPLAY II does not change ANY memory. Extra money is buffered
to allow copying and analysis without altering the original memory
contents. REPLAY Il faithfully reproduces the lower 48K of
memory in a fast load format. The upper 16K can also be copied
for a 64K copy. Standard DOS 3.3 files can be created for
storage on floppy or hard disks. A RAM card is needed for this.
REPLAY II is fully documented in a GO page manual. Utility pro-
grams supplied with the REPLAY II card include Program Analysis,
Comparisons, Packing, and Compression. A ianguage card is not
needed to run packed program copies. Because most programs
are written in Assembly language, the user should be familiar with
Assembly in order to fully utilize the advanced Analysis and Packing
programs.
REPLAY Il can automatically move protected APPLESOFT pro-
grams to a standard DOS 3.3 disk for listing or modification
Now game players can save a game at any level and QUICKLY
restart with the REPLAY Il card. Users can freeze games, change
variables to obtain unlimited ships or power, etc., then restart the
program. Saving high scores is easy!
Minimum requirements are an APPLE Il and a single disk drive.
TRUCKING SUMMARY-BY OWNER
fa Owner Truck Driver Ticket) Hrst Hirs2 Gross Aat Less Brok Less PUL. Net Due.$
il AL CAIN AC-i AL CAIN 2504
AL CAIN 0
1 BIG *J’ TRKG Jd BREAD 2461 297,90 14.85 0.67 281.48
1 BIG 7d" TRKG J-4 LUCAS. 2707 a 309.38 15,47 0.70 293.21
2 BIG 7d’ TRKE d-2 CAMPBELL 2552 5.50 2712.25 13,61 0.6! 258.02
2 BIB J’ TREE J-3 BREAD 2467 6.00 297.00 14.85 0.67 281.48
10 BIB ‘J’ TRKE J-2 CAMPBELL 2554 7,50 371.25 18.56 0.84 351.85
i BIG *J’ TRKG J-2 CAMPBELL 2558 4,75 235.13 11.76 0.53 222.84
12 BIG ’J? TRG JZ CAMPBELL 2560 8.00 396.00 19.80 0.89 375.31
2 BIG 7d’ TRKE J4 LUCAS am 7.50 371.25 18.56 0.84 351.85
15 BIG ’J’ TREE J-2 CAMPBELL 2564 8.00 19.80 0,89 375.31
15 BIG "J? TREE J4 LUCAS. 2712 7,50 18.56 0.84 351.85
16 BIG ’J? TRKB d-2 CAMPBELL 2568 7.75 19,18 0.86 363.59
1 BI6 ‘J? TRKG J-2 CAMPBELL 2572 4,00 9,90 0.45, 187.65
at BIG *J’ TRKG d-t BELL 2189 7.50 18.56 0.84 351.85
kj BIG ‘J’ TREG dd BREAD 2463 4.50 1.14 0.50 QUAL
BIG ‘J’ TRKB 90.75 0 449214 224.60 10.13 4257.40
15 BISHOP KE-E KARL BISHOP 9999 175 383.63
16 BISHOP KB-1 KARL BISHOP 2569 8.00 396.00
BISHOP 15.75 0 779.63
10 BLANCHARD L. ANDERSON 2557 49,50
2 BLANCHARD L. ANDERSON 2561 383.63
t BLANCHARD L. ANDERSON 2727 396.00
1 BLANCHARD L. ANDERSON 2729 383.63
47 BLANCHARD L, ANDERSON 2730 185.63
BLANCHARD a 1398.39
10 CIRCLE 7H? H-88 J, CHRIS 1241 6.00 297.00
CIRCLE °H? 6.00 0
12 DAVID ROGERS ie! D. ROGERS 2257 5.50
DAVID ROGERS tT] 5.59
Figure 6
28 Apple Orchard
feature is a real “sleeper” that can provide some interesting
applications for advanced users.
Pre-Printed Forms
Changing over to a computer system will create some
tension among those people in an organization who have
depended on having the data massaged in a familiar fashion
over a long period of time. Transition is much easier if the old-
style forms are still used. Managers can still see the data they've
always had, but now it is more readily available, and usually
neater.
The pre-printed forms option allows the placement of data at
specific locations on the pre-printed forms. A grid system is
established with the printer. The entry locations are then
determined, and output information is relayed by the user to
Versaform. Output will then “fill” the correct boxes, columns of
information will align, and totals will be in the right locations.
With this option, it's possible to print mailing labels, envelopes,
letters and invoices, and the bonusis that nothing need appear
to have been “computer-generated”. Business can continue to
appear as if the old ways are still being observed, and that
quality is not going to be sacrificed to improve speed.
Stockpiles of old forms need not be discarded. Printing and
setup costs for new forms can be avoided entirely as well.
Documentation
Strong and weak points. The good news is first that there is a
thorough tutorial disk and very detailed Hands-On manual. The
reference Summary is well done and to the point The bad
news is that the “User's Guide’, although well-written, is not
well-presented, nor does it group information where it can be
easily located. The most important information is about the
Configuration process, and this information appears in Chap-
ter 10, the last chapter. My advice is to read this manual
carefully, one time, then put it carefully away in a dark place at
the bottom of a drawer (preferably in another part of the
building).
There is a very good tutorial disk, a “Hands-On Experience”
manual, and a very detailed reference summary. Don't look for
configuration information in the Hands-On Manual or the
summary; it just isn’t there. The simple truth is that the
program itself is so well documented that the average user just
won't have any need (after the first use) to look at the manual.
Summary
Versaform is a valuable tool, with a personality unlike any of
the other data base programs on the market today. Not for all
applications, it handles small and medium data base applica-
tions in a very flexible and efficient manner. Ease of use is the
key at all times. Program flow from idea to finished report is
swift and sure. Report generation is so fast that there is no
hesitation in playing “what if” with the data. The program is a
real joy for the person desiring to power up and create.
le users: Buy Transend I for
Vv $89. And get a valuable
subscription offer
from THE
SOURCE.
For just $89. Transend 1 software can make your Apple com-
municate with any computer or information service over the
telephone lines. And, for a limited time, you can take advan-
tage of a valuable subscription offer from THE SOURCE,
AMERICA'S INFORMATION UTILITY™—your connection
to up-to-the-minute business and UPI news; stock
prices; information and shopping services—virtually
unlimited uses.
Right now, SSM's complete line of Transend commu-
nication software includes this subscription offer. For de-
tails, ask your local de:
dealer, piease call: 80
Offer expires June 30, 1983.
bout Transend. For the name of a local SSM
2400, ext 912 (or 800-772-2666, ext 912 in California]
Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Transend is a trademark of $8M Microcomputer Products, Inc.
‘THE SOURCE and AMERICA’S INFORMATION UTILITY is a servicemark of Source Telecomputing Corporation, a subsidiary of The Reader's
lA man Digest Association: ne
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a7
Transend it.
SSM Microcomputer Products Inc.
2190 Paragon Drive, San Jose, CA 95131
June 1983 29
Writing Custom Utility Programs
by Jim Hopper
While there is a wide variety of disk utilities available, very few
are amenable to customizing or incorporation into a larger
program. To be truly useful in these respects, a program
should include documented source code. Until fairly recently
the user had little choice but to use the commercial programs
“as is"; however, the recent explosion of information on the
Disk Operating System (DOS) has made it relatively easy for
the user to write custom utility programs. The listing with this
article is an example of a small utility program that exercises
many of the routines used to write more complex utility
programs. This program creates a text map of a diskette’s
sector usage, along with a printout of the number of free and
used sectors. It is made up of four main modules which use two
general library subroutines and several monitor routines. The
structure of these modules and the use of the monitor routines
will be discussed in the following paragraphs.
One special note: this listing was written to be assembled by
On-Line System's LISA v2.5, and as such it uses some facilities
unique to this assembler. Most of these differences are
obvious; however, the use of LISA’s local labels will need some
explanation. A local label is defined by an up arrow (Shift-N)
followed by a digit (0 to 9 inclusive). These labels can be reused
many times within the same program, thereby eliminating the
need for a unique name for every little loop or skip in a
program. Local labels are referenced by direction and name,
where the direction is defined by < to branch to the first
occurence of the label previous to the current line, or > which
will branch to the first occurence after the current line. These
labels can be replaced bya series of unique names if LISA v2.5
is not available.
The first routine executed is SCREEN which creates the
formatted display that is the background for the map. A
rectangular border of inverse hex digits is created that labels
the map locations for each track and sector on the disk. An
inverse title and credit line is printed on the bottom line of the
display, and a legend explaining the map’s symbolism is
printed immediately below the lower border. Two fields are
created and labeled for a free and used sector report. All
access to the screen and keyboard is through a set of monitor
routines which will be breifly discussed below.
Notall these routines are used by SCREEN, but they are used
elsewhere in the program, and are included here for complete-
ness. The subroutine HOME clears the 40 column screen, and
positions the cursor at the upper left corner of the screen.
There are no inputs to this routine and the “homed” screen is
the only output. The contents of both the accumulator and the
Y register are destroyed by this routine. The vertical tab
function is performed by the VTAB routine, where the zero page
variable CV is the vertical position numbered down from the
top, its values range from 0 to 23. To use this routine, the
vertical position is loaded into CV, then a subroutine call to
VTAB is executed, which destroys the contents of the accumu:
lator.
30 Apple Orchard
An ASCII character is output to the screen by the COUT1
routine. It is used by loading the desired character into the
accumulator and executing a JSR instruction. The character is
printed at the position of the cursor as defined by the VTABed
position, and the contents of the zero page variable CH, which
has a range of values from 0 to 39. A carriage return is output
by the CROUT subroutine, the contents of the accumulator are
destroyed by this subroutine. In PRBYTE the contents of the
accumulator are printed to the screen; however, the value is not
treated as an ASCII character. Instead the two hexidecimal
digits represented by the accumulator value are printed.
RDCHAR reads one byte from the keyboard and returns it in the
accumulator. The program pauses until a character is input
There are three different character sets in the Apple II
computer: inverse, flashing, and normal character sets. Not all
characters are represented in all three sets. The ASCII codes for
the normal letters‘A’ to'Z’ are $C1 to $EO, and the numerals ‘0"
to 9’ by $B0 to $B9. Inverse letters are given by the hex codes
$01 to $1A, and numerals by $30 to $39. The codes for the 16
hex digits ‘0’ to ‘F’ are thus not entirely sequential.
To print the sequence it is necessary to check for the last
digit, then change the next code to ‘A’. The lines 48 to 64 of
SCREEN demonstrate this for the inverse set. The character ‘0’
is initialized by loading the code $30 into the accumulator. The
character is then printed by the routine COUT1, and incre-
mented to the next character. It is necessary to check for‘ :’;
when this occurs the sequence is moved to ‘A’ by changing the
code to $01. In this routine the sequence is repeated several
times to mark every track, thus the sequence continues until 'F"
is printed. At this point, the sequence is restarted at ‘0’ and
continued until the character counter in the X register is zero.
The tracks are marked on the top and bottom borders, and the
sectors are marked similarly down both sides.
The legends, labels, and title line are created using the
assembler's Psuedo Ops which generate strings of ASCII
codes from a text string. The ASC Pseudo Op generates ASCII
codes for either flashing or normal text depending upon the
string delimiters used. Inverse strings are generated by the INV
Pseudo Op, both types of delimiters generate identical code
strings. These code strings are printed using the PRINT library
subroutine; a zero is considered the end of string marker.
The diskettes Volume Table Of Contents (VTOC) is read
from track $11, sector 0 by RDVTOC. The DOS Input Output
Block (IOB) is initialized to accept any volume number, and the
correct track and sector. The buffer location is loaded both into
the IOB, and stored as a zero page pointer to the buffer. The
VTOC is then read into this one page buffer by using the Read
Write Track Sector (RWTS) routine from DOS. The VTOC
contains a bit map of the sector usage on a diskette, and a
pointer to the first sector of the catalog. The bytes $38 to $C3 in
the buffer are used as the bit map, with four bytes reserved for
each track.
At the present time only two of these bytes is used to
represent the 16 sectors on each disk. Thus, each of the 16 bits
is used to represent one sector ona track. A'‘1' indicates a free
sector, and ‘0’ a used sector. For example, if all the sectors ona
track are free, the two bytes are $FFFF, and if used, $0000.
Partial usage of a track is indicated by a value between 0 and
$FFFF. The first byte contains the map for sectors $F@@$8, and
the second byte $7@@$0. For example:
sectors
byte #1: FEDC BA98
byte #2: 7654 3210.
For more information on the VTOC format see References 1
and 2.
The subroutine STATS prints the usage statistics to the
predefined fields created by SCREEN. The library routine
HEXDEC is used to convert the numbers to decimal values.
Input is via the 2 bytes at SUM and SUM 2 + 1, and output
values are stored in DECO, DEC1, DEC2 with the low order two
digits stored in DECO. The output bytes are Binary Coded
Decimal (BCD) representations which are output through the
PRBYTE routine discussed above. For more information on
this conversion routine see reference #3.
MAP is the main program and as such calls the other three
modules and translates the VTOC bit map into the text map.
Starting at track zero, the index to the VTOC buffer is computed
using the formula
Y= 4* TRACK + $38
and the horizontal cursor position for this track is calculated by
CH= TRACK + 1.
The first eight sectors are mapped by the high byte of the pair
so the index is initially incremented to read this byte. If the byte
is $FF, all eight sectors are free and nothing is added to the
map as blank sectors are indicated by space characters. If the
byte is not $FF, then at least one sector of the eight is used, and
the code starting at the label CHKBYTE is used to find out which
it is. A count of the number of used sectors is kept in the two
bytes labelled USED and USED + 1. The bits are rotated out
of the accumulator into the carry bit which is checked for zero
bits. If a zero bit is found that sector is marked as used by
calculating its vertical position on the map by using the formula
CV= SECTOR + 2
The cursor is positioned and an asterisk is added to the map
to indicate a used sector. A ‘1’ is rotated back into the
accumulator for every bit taken out; thus, the byte will become
$FF when all the used sectors have been marked. The variable
FLAG is checked to see if both bytes have been tested. If not,
the index is decremented to read the first byte and the sector
number is set to eight Once a track has been mapped the two
unused bytes are skipped, and a check is made for the last
track.
hope you will find this a useful utility program, as well as an
interesting illustration of the use of several important library
and monitor routines. This program was written as part of a
much larger utility program and as such is not as flexible as it
could be. To create a stand alone program that is easy to use,
some customization is required, which is the point of this
article. | will leave you with the age old dodge used in physics
texts when a problem is too much bother for the author to
solve: “The completion of this project is left as an exercise for
the reader”.
References
iar Computer, Inc.: The DOS Manual, Cupertino, CA,
2. Worth Don, Lechner Pieter: Beneath Apple DOS, Quality
Software, Reseda, CA, 1981.
3. Wozniak, Steve: ‘Binary-To-Decimal shortcut’, APPLE
ORCHARD, pp 52-53, Daly City CA, Winter 1980-1981.
q
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