	DATAPIPE.COM
	------------
	DataPipe is a tiny program that  converts every byte it receives
	into ASCII text decimal numbers which you can insert into BASIC,
	ASM or other programs.


	WHERE CAN I USE DATAPIPE.COM
	----------------------------
	1. Typing  DATAPIPE at the command line will convert  characters
	typed at the keyboard to it's decimal equivalent.  You will need
	to type <CtrlZ> to close the input and exit DATAPIPE when done.

	2. DATAPIPE can convert graphics, binary routines and other data
	into  decimal numbers which you can  include as part of  program
	source	code.	For example: DATAPIPE <picture.bmp >>program.bas
	will append picture at the end of your basic program as DATA. If
	you try  DATAPIPE 0db0 <picture.bmp >>program.asm  then DATAPIPE
	will append the picture at the bottom of your assembler program.
	note: '>>' indicates append, '>' is create a new file.


	HOW TO RUN DATAPIPE.COM
	-----------------------
	DATAPIPE is a DOS based program.  To use DATAPIPE you have to be
	at a DOS prompt, for example C:\>

	If you are running WINDOWS 3.x, WINDOWS 95 or OS/2 you will need
	to open a DOS window or DOS session first before using DATAPIPE.

	DATAPIPE receives it's input through  the standard  input stream
	and pipes it's output to the standard output stream, for example
	DATAPIPE <FileIn >Fileout	input=Filein, outputs=FileOut
	DIR | DATAPIPE			input=DIR command, output=screen
	DATAPIPE			input=keyboard, output=screen
					note: type <ctrlZ> to close the
					      keyboard input to DATAPIPE
	DATAPIPE ?  or	DATAPIPE h	displays a brief help screen

	DATAPIPE will insert a 'DATA ' leader in front of every 16 bytes
	of converted data.  'DATA ' is the default if no leader is given
	on the command line.  If you want another type	of leader to use
	for assembler or other language(s), then  type the leader on the
	command line.  Please note that 0 will be translated  into a TAB
	and that '_' will be counted as a space.  All leaders entered on
	the command line is  output in lowercase by DATAPIPE, 'DATA ' is
	the only exception of uppercase when no leader is specified.

	Samples for BASIC, assembler and other programs are shown below.

	For example, if you have a text file named "ALPHA.TXT" with data
	"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"  and you want to convert it to data
	to use in your BASIC program, then type:

	DATAPIPE <ALPHA.TXT >ALPHADAT.TXT
	results in:
	DATA 65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80
	DATA 81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90

	Various assembler examples to demonstrate TABs and spaces....

	DATAPIPE 0DB0 <ALPHA.TXT >ALPHADAT.TXT
	results in:
		db	 65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80
		db	 81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90

	DATAPIPE 0DEFB <ALPHA.TXT >ALPHADAT.TXT
	results in:
		defb 65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80
		defb 81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90

	DATAPIPE __fcb__ <ALPHA.TXT >ALPHADAT.TXT
	results in:
	  fcb  65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80
	  fcb  81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90


	ADVANCED
	--------
	If you have a parent program which calls DATAPIPE.COM
	DATAPIPE returns 0 if the task done is all okay
	DATAPIPE returns 1 if the leader is longer than 7 characters
	DATAPIPE returns 2 if DATAPIPE cannot read the input stream
	DATAPIPE returns 3 if DATAPIPE cannot send to output stream


	NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
	--------------------
	DATAPIPE.COM and README.TXT is	freeware provided as-is for your
	use.   You may send DATAPIPE.ZIP to others in original ZIP form.

	(C)2000, J.DaSilva, Vancouver, BC, silva@dowco.com
