Bill Reid's Command Line 2.3 for Windows32
Copyright Bill Reid, 1996, 1997, 1998
bill_reid@bigfoot.com
Home: http://billreid.home.ml.org/
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Function Summary:

Program supplies a working command line similar to the "Run" menu on your desktop, with a few extras tacked on.

Updates since 1.2:

-Command line history schema changed - now a viewable/not viewable list that responds  to arrow keys to load previous commands typed
-Resizable instead of a fixed window
-"On Top" option added
-App now makes full use of registry for settings (shoulda done this long before)
-Slightly new interface, misc menu changes to support new features.

Updates since 2.0

-Various bug fixes not worth mentioning
-Added long filename compatibility
-Added DOS command shortcut option
-Replaced funky Move command with a more reliable alternative
-Added functions to launch file browse dialog
-Added alias functionality

Updates since 2.1

-Fixed "Subscript out of range" bug
-Misc menu reshuffling
-Added history saving
-Added "permanent history" function

Updates since 2.2
-Added support for working directory
-Changed behavior of aliases (see FAQ for details)
-Fixed some inconsistancies in the command parsing engine
-Code optimization resulting in smaller filesize
-Misc cosmetic fixes, menu shuffling again

Requirements:

The standard Visual Basic 5 runtime files and the common dialog ActiveX control (COMDLG32.OCX), available from several net locations and not included in this archive to minimize download time.  There are links on the app homepage if you have a lot of trouble finding them.

Description:

Just like you use the Windows95 Start Menu Run... command.  Type in a command and press return.  Include the path to any application not in your system path.  You can also launch documents by their associated program and Windows95 shortcuts, with or without specifying the .LNK extension.

Specify working directories through the appropriate menu option.

If you need to utilize long filenames in your command line or parms, use quotes.  This behavior works (theoretically!) just like the Win95 Run... command.

In order to run a DOS system command, you need to preclude the command with "command /c". However, you can substitute the symbol "%" for speed. (Ie. %dir /w /p)

The program supports the concept of aliases; keywords substituted for a longer command line.  Once an alias is defined, typing that alias keyword will effectively substitute the command you've associated with it into the command string to be executed.  These are defined in the "Define Aliases" dialog.

The program also supports a couple of sorts of history saving.  The first is an automatic storing of all commands in your history list at shutdown.  The second is user-defined items that will always appear in the list.  See the FAQ from this archive for more info.

In this dialog, fill in the fields with your alias keyword and command line and click "Add" to include it.  Double click an alias to remove it.  Make use of the browse button if you need some help pointing out the executable/document.  Once you close this window, the aliases are saved and made active.

Left clicking the button on the left border of the app gives you Command Line's control menu.  

-"On top" allows you to specify whether the program will "float" above other windows.
-"Browse" offers the standard file dialog to specify your executable.  You can also achieve this by entering "browse" (without the quotes) as your command line.
-Other menus do about what they sound like they'd do.
-The up and down arrows allow you to navigate through previous commands.  You may also resize the form beyond the normal size of the data entry box and get a list of these previous commands.  You can click on these to load them similarly.

You can either resize the borders of the application to get it to a new place, or try the tricky move method.  To move the application, place the mouse cursor over the drop menu's button and hold down the left button.  With the left button down, hold down the right button and drag the window to it's new location.  You're basically just doing a drag with both buttons, but if it's hard to get under your fingers, you can follow this method for a (theoretically!) guaranteed move.

Known bugs:

-Some commands with parameters in the past didn't get handled properly even though they logically should have.  I think I have most of the bugs worked out, but I may not have covered every instance.  A workaround would be to create a Windows95 shortcut to the app you normally use, including all the parms and switches and launching the shortcut instead of the app.  It's annoying, but that's what you get with free software occasionally.

Planned upgrades:

-Waiting for your suggestions!

Note:

You may also wish to consult the included FAQ for tips and tricks, as well as the other documentation included.

