TIP # 14 Autoshuf - DOS/*NIX - What is it good for?

Did you ever have to make changes to a map on a remote system? Did you ever need to change the file structure on a system that only has a runtime installed? (No DDEFINE program) AUTOSHUF is the answer. The program is now distributed on the 04.05.xx development system. Here is how it works.

Make the changes to map on the development computer.

DEVELOPMENT COMPUTER Invoice	CLIENT COMPUTER
map map.tmp screen.0 screen.1 prc.automatic prc.input tok.automatic tok.input out.list	invoice map screen.0 screen.1 tok.automatic tok.input out.list
Before distributing copy map map.new (using appropriate commands for your OS) map.new
Files listed in pink are copied to media and sent to client. They are added to the client "invoice" directory. screen.0 screen.1 tok.input tok.automatic out.list map.new	UPDATED CLIENT map screen.0 screen.1 tok.input tok.automatic out.list map.new tok.input

*NIX: Be sure all files installed are owned by filePro on client computer.

Then write a script that will execute the autoshuf with the filename. For example,

/appl/fp/autoshuf invoice

This will compare the map to the map.new and shuffle the data as appropriate, just as if you had made the changes manually.

NOTE: The version on *nix systems will ask if you want to change the Creation Password. This can be avoided by sending the correct keystrokes to answer the question automatically.

The DOS version does not ask the creation password question.

If the new file structure is smaller than the old file structure, it will ask if you want to shrink the file. It is my experience that it normally is expanded, not shrunk. But allow for this when you are writing a script if it is possible. It would be the exception.

Email me if you would find some sample scripts helpful. I will see what I can find. Let me know if you normally work in DOS or *NIX.  I have both types.

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This tip posted on April 6, 1998 by Nancy Palmquist. Your comments and suggestions are gratefully accepted. If no one is reading this, I will direct my efforts elsewhere, so let me know if you are finding this helpful. I will be looking for topics that can be covered in a page or two to use for future tips.