SLOVAS Productions (C) 1998                      eXtended File Finder





    What is XFF........................................1.0
    ShareWare and registering..........................1.1
    Installation.......................................2.0
    How to use XFF.....................................3.0
       Starting directory..............................3.1
       FileSpecs and wildcards.........................3.2
       Switches........................................3.3
          /A - Attribute switch........................3.3.1
          /D - Date switch.............................3.3.2
          /N - Number of days switch...................3.3.3
          /S - Size switch.............................3.3.4
          /T - String search switch....................3.3.5  *
          /K - Delete switch...........................3.3.6
          /M - Move switch.............................3.3.7
          /C - Copy switch.............................3.3.8
          /W - File output switch......................3.3.9
          /E - Execute switch..........................3.3.10 *
          /P - Pause switch............................3.3.11
          /Q - Quiet mode switch.......................3.3.12 *
          /F - Maximum files switch....................3.3.13
       The XFFCONFIRM variable.........................3.4
       Errorlevels.....................................3.5
    How to receive new updates.........................4.0
    How to contact the author..........................5.0
    Thanks/Credits.....................................6.0
    Known problems.....................................7.0

*) Only available in registered version.




   What is XFF      1.0
===========================

    eXtended File Find is a file finder that can be used to find files
easily, based on filename, attributes, date, size, days old, text within
file etc.

    When you have found the files you want you can also execute any
command of your choice on the matching files.

    eXtended File Find is ShareWare, and is copyrighted by the author.
You may distribute at freely and evaluate the program for a period of 
30 days. If you wish to continue using the program beyond this period 
you have to register the program. Information about limitation of the 
ShareWare version and how to register is in chapter 1.1.

    The author accepts no responsibility for any damage the program may  
cause when in use. If you wipe your harddisk with "XFF c:\ *.* /k" it is 
your and only your problem. 

     STANDARD DISCLAIMER:  This software is provided AS IS without warranty 
of any kind, either expressed or implied.  The entire risk as to the quality 
and performance of the program is with you.  Should the program prove defec-
tive, you assume the cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction.  
In no event shall the author, copyright holder, or any other party who may 
redistribute the software be liable to you for damages, including any general, 
special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or 
inability to use the program (including, but not limited to, loss of data, 
data being rendered inaccurate, loss of business profits, loss of business 
information, business interruptions, loss sustained by you or third parties, 
or a failure of the program to operate with any other programs), even if the 
author, copyright holder, or other party has been advised of the possibility
of such damages.

   
   
   

   ShareWare and registering     1.1
======================================

----------------------------------------------------------------
DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------



    This program is distributed on a try-before-you-buy concept. 
You may evaluate the program for 30 days. If you continue to use it beyond
this period you are encouraged to register it. 

    When registered the annoying unregistered remarks will disappear, and 
the /E, /T and /Q switch will function properly. You will receive the  
registration key and the most recent release by E-mail, so please remember 
to state your E-mail address in the registration form, or with ShareIt. 

See REGISTER.TXT for prices and payment methods.

    Registered users may if desired receive new versions of the program 
as they are released, free of charge.






   Installation     2.0 
===========================

    To install XFF simply unzip the archive into a directory.
The XFF.EXE is the main program, and to make it available system wide just
copy the EXE file to a directory which is in your path. (C:\DOS etc.)




   How to use XFF   3.0
===========================

    XFF is command line driven only. The syntax is:

    XFF d:\path FileSpec [FileSpec FileSpec ...] [Switches]
      or
    XFF to get the help screens



   The starting directory   3.1
-----------------------------------

    The start directory parameter is mandatory and must be the first 
parameter that is passed to the program. 
This parameter determines where the program should start searching for 
files.

    To search from the root of drive D for *.TXT files you must use
XFF d:\ *.txt    or
XFF . *.txt      if your current directory is D:\




   FileSpecs and wildcards   3.2
------------------------------------

    This program uses the FileSpec unit written by Robert Walking-Owl.
You can specify up to 32 different filespecs.

    You can use standard DOS wildcards, but in addition you can use the
~-sign to exclude files. ie. To exclude *.txt files from the search specify
~*.txt at the command line.

Fixed and variable length "sets" are also supported:

[a-m]*.*           <- Any files beginning with letters A-M
[a-z,~ux]*.*       <- Any files beginning with a any letter except X or U
*.?[~q]?           <- Any files except those that match *.?Q?
foo[abc]*.*        <- Files of FOO?*.* where '?' is A,B or C
foo["abc"]*.*      <- Same as above.
foo[a-c]*.*        <- Same as above.
test{0-9}.*        <- Files of TEST0.* through TEST9999.*
x{}z.*             <- Filenames beginning with X and ending with Z
x{0123456789}z.*   <- Same as above, only with numbers between X and Z.
('read')*.*        <- Filenames that contain the text 'READ'





   Switches     3.3
-----------------------

    You can use many switches to limit the search or assign actions on the
files found.
The search switches can be used together, but the action switches excludes 
each other.

    If you don't set an action switch the program list the matching files. 



   /A - Attribute switch      3.3.1
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to search for files according to the file's attributes.
The syntax of the switch is /A=[-]XXXX where X can be R H S or A.
(R = Read only, H = Hidden, S = System, A=Archive)
Preceding a letter with - would search for files without that specific 
attribute.

   To search for files that are hidden, but not system on C:\ use
XFF c:\ *.* /A=H-S



   /D - Date switch           3.3.2
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to search for files according to the date it was stored.
There are six syntaxes to this switch:
 /D=ddmmyy            - This searches for files stored on the date ddmmyy. 
 /D=~ddmmyy           - This searches for files NOT stored on the date ddmmyy.
 /D=-ddmmyy           - This searches for files stored before this date
 /D=+ddmmyy           - This searches for files stored after this date.
 /D=ddmmyy..ddmmyy    - This searches for files stored between these dates.
 /D=~ddmmyy..ddmmyy   - This searches for files NOT stored between these 
                        dates.
 
 

   /N - Number of days switch 3.3.3
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to search for files according to how old the file is.
There are two syntaxes to this switch:
 /N=-xxx              - This searches for files older than xxx days.
 /N=+xxx              - This searches for files newer than xxx days.




   /S - Size switch           3.3.4
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to search for files according to their size.
You have to specify the size in KiloBytes - KB. 
There are four syntaxes to this switch:
 /S=+xxx             - Searches for files bigger than xxx KBs 
 /S=-xxx             - Searches for files smaller than xxx KBs
 /S=xxx..yyy         - Searches for files within the size range xxx KBs
                       to yyy KBs
 /S=~xxx..yyy        - Searches for files NOT within the size range
                       xxx KBs to yyy KBs





   /T - String search switch  3.3.5
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to search for files containing a specific string. 
Your search may be case sensitive or case insensitive. Remember that 
this kind of search may take some time. If you can, you may want to 
limit the search as much as possible using other switches etc.

There are two syntaxes to this switch:
 /T="text to search for"   - Case insensitive search.
 /TC="Text to search for"  - Case sensitive search.






   /K - Delete switch (KILL)  3.3.6
--------------------------------------

    If you use this switch the matching files will be DELETED !
If you haven't set the XFFCONFIRM variable you will not be prompted for
confirmation (See 2.4), so use with care.
    I suggest you run the program without the switch first, and if you  
want to delete the files listed run the program again with the switch set.

    To delete all unread PMail letters on a Novell server use:
XFF f:\mail *.cnm /k






   /M - Move switch           3.3.7
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to move the matching files to another directory.
Syntax is /M=d:\path   where d:\path is the new directory.
You will not be prompted for confirmation unless you have set the 
XFFCONFIRM variable.

    If there already is a file with the same name in the new directory you 
will be prompted to rename or skip the file.





 
   /C - Copy switch           3.3.8
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to copy the matching files to another directory.
Syntax is /C=d:\path   where d:\path is the new directory.
You will not be prompted for confirmation unless you have set the 
XFFCONFIRM variable.

    If there already is a file with the same name in the new directory you 
will be prompted to rename or skip the file.






   /W - File output switch    3.3.9
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to write the matching files to a file.
Syntax is /W=filename   where filename is the name of the file where
the names of the matching files are to be placed.

Only the full filename is written to the file. All headers are suppressed.
If the file already exists, the new filenames are appended at the end of
the old file.






   /E - Execute switch       3.3.10
--------------------------------------

    Use this switch to execute any command on the matching files.
Be VERY careful when using this switch as is very powerful and does no 
error checking of its own.

The syntax is /E="command parameters". This switch supports these 
variables:
    %d    The drive of the matching file (ie. 'C')
    %c    The directory of the matching file (ie. '\windows\system')
    %p    The full path of the matching file (ie. 'c:\windows\system\')
    %n    The filename of the matching file (ie. 'user')
    %e    The extension of the matching file (ie. 'exe')
    %f    The full filename of the matching file 
            (ie. 'c:\windows\system\user.exe')

    Remember to exclude any files created by the external command to prevent
the program to enter a loop. 
ie. XFF . *.* /E="pkzip -ex -m %p%n.zip %f" would move a file into a zip
file, but would also begin to zip the newly created zips. Causing a error 
and a loop.
XFF . *.* ~*.zip /E="pkzip -ex -m %p%n.zip %f", however would do what really
was intended.

    If you are going to use internal commands you have to start a second
command interpreter. ie. XFF c:\dos *.* /E="command /c copy %f c:\tmp"





   /P - Pause switch          3.3.11
--------------------------------------

    If you use this switch the program will pause between every screen
of matching files. 


   

   /Q - Quiet mode switch     3.3.12
--------------------------------------

    If you use this switch the program will not display any normal messages
on screen. However it will display error messages and skip/rename messages 
of the /C and /M switch.

    This switch will override the /P switch and the XFFConfirm=yes variable.




   
   /F - Maximum files switch  3.3.13
--------------------------------------

    If you use this switch the program will halt when it has found the 
specified number of files. /F=20 will cause the program to halt after
displaying 20 matching files.

An additional line will inform you if there are more matching files left.

If the number of matching files in the search are less than the number
specified the switch is ignored.






   The XFFCONFIRM variable    3.4
------------------------------------

    If you have a weak heart you may want to set this variable! 
When the variable is set to YES the program will ask you for confirmation
before it performs an action on each matching file. 

   If the variable is not set to YES the program will delete, move and copy
files without asking for permission.

    To set the variable to YES use
SET XFFCONFIRM=YES  from the DOS prompt or from within autoexec.bat

    To remove the variable use
SET XFFCONFIRM=



   
   Errorlevels                3.5
------------------------------------

    Here is a list of errorlevels that XFF exits with:

   0    - Normal execution. One or more files found.
   1    - No matching files found.
   2    - Incomplete file list. ( /F switch used)
   8    - Path/file error of some kind.
   9    - User abort. (Esc when using /P switch)
  10    - Error in command line.
 255    - Ctrl-Break / Ctrl-C pressed.





   How to RECEIVE updates     4.0
====================================

    If you want to RECEIVE updated versions of this program automatically
you have to register the program and tick the line "I want to receive 
updates". If you also wish to RECEIVE new beta versions tick "I also want
to RECEIVE beta versions"

    Then the updates will be sent to your E-mail address as they are released.





   How to contact the author  5.0 
====================================

    If you have bug reports / questions / suggestions / comments please
send them to slovas@online.no

    SLOVAS Productions Home Page on the WWW:
      http://home.sol.no/~slovas/

    GREATLY appreciated.






   Thanks/Credits             6.0
====================================

    Thanks to Johan Kristian Olsen for beta testing the program !

    The FileSpec unit was written by Robert Walking-Owl.






   Known problems             7.0
====================================

   1. /E switch don't work properly under 4DOS.

   2. When executing internal commands (type, copy etc) you have to
      start a second command interpreter.
      (xff . *.dll /e="command /c copy %f c:\tmp")

   3. Windows95/NT - XFF only have partial support for long file names.
      It seems to work fine with the truncated filenames in Windows95, 
      but sometimes fails to read some directories in WindowsNT.

   4. On very fast machines you may get runtime error 200 from time to time.
      Just run the command once more.




    All programs made by SLOVAS Productions may be downloaded from
    the WWW :  http://home.sol.no/~slovas/slovas.htm
