What is DISSECT?

DISSECT is a simple utility I wrote so that I could transfer extra
large files from one computer to another using DS/HD floppies (1.44 meg).
After running a file through DISSECT you are left with files that will
fit on a floppy and a batch file to put them back together as they were.
Transfer all the files DISSECT created, including SOLDER.BAT to the other
computer via floppies.  Type SOLDER <ENTER> and wait for the original file
to be recreated. Dissect will work on files up to 14 gigabytes, which would
require you to transfer 1000 floppies worth of information.  Files larger
than about 33 meg will require you to use the copy /b command in stages, as
DOS doesn't normally allow command lines larger than 128 characters.
SOLDER.BAT will not work for this.  I have Successfully used DISSECT on
a file that was 149,098,096 bytes in size.  Putting it back together was an
arduous task, but it worked.  Here's an example of copying in stages.

copy /b 0000+0001+0002+0003+0004+0005+0006+0007+0008+0009 file1.bin
copy /b file1.bin+0010+0011+0012+0013+0014+0015+0016+0017 file2.bin
copy /b file2.bin+0018+0019+0020+0021+0022+0023+0024+0025 original.fil
del 00*
del file1.bin
del file2.bin

DISSECT is a command line tool created for MSDOS use but it will work from
a DOS window from a windows environment.  DISSECT requires no installation.
It can reside in the directory you are working in or in any directory that's
included in your path statement.  DISSECT is not a free program but it is
in no way crippled.  At a cost of only $2.00 it is hoped that you will feel
comfortable paying for it.  Feel free to distribute the program as you will
but please include this README.TXT file along with it.

To use DISSECT, lets assume you have a file named HUGEFILE.BIG and you wish
to move it to another computer.
Just enter the following:

DISSECT HUGEFILE.BIG <ENTER>

DISSECT will begin creating files in sequential order starting with file 0000.
It would be wise to keep DISSECT.EXE in your DOS directory or another
directory that is included in your PATH STATEMENT.  Then copy the large file
you want to dissect into a directory of its own.  Go to the directory where
you copied the large file and run DISSECT.


If you have questions about DISSECT, please e-mail them to me at:
beanpole@sprynet.com

If you like DISSECT look for other programming utilities I have written.

DATTOHEX - A programming utility for converting a binary file to Ascii
hexadecimal in the form commonly required by assemblers.  I use it to
convert a file and "include" it in a program.  It works great to imbed
graphics in an executable.  

STRIPPCX - Strips the header and palette from a PCX file (any size).  This
allows you to use separate graphics files in your programs that are not
recognized by graphics viewers.

PCXTODAT - Unpacks a PCX file to a binary data string and creates an RGB
palette file. Open the external files from within your program or imbed them
into your executables by passing them through DATTOHEX and use them as
"include" files.

FILECOMP - Compares two files, byte for byte.  Good for verifying that DISSECT
did it's job properly.

KODE - Used to scramble a file of any size and type. I use it to protect
sensitive text files. Fortunately KODE will also de-scramble a scrambled file.

All of these utilities were written in assembly and are very small executable
files.  I have used them for some time in my own programming and find them
indispensable.

                        Keep Programming

                                  M. Thompson
