
       OS/2 Upload Information Template for ftp-os2.nmsu.edu

Archive Name: yaos09.zip
Program Description: Yet Another OS/2 Shell (features filename completion)
Operating Systems: 2.1
Program Source: cplee@students.wisc.edu
Replaces: yaos08.zip

Your name: Lee, Cjin Pheow
Your email address: cplee@students.wisc.edu

Proposed directory for placement:
    /os2/2_x/sysutils

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        YAOS (Yet Another OS/2 Shell) version 0.9, Copyright 1994
        =========================================================
                              (FREEWARE)

This is a shell that runs on top of cmd.exe. Its features are:

      * Unix-like file name completion using the <esc> or <tab> key

      * a history of previously used commands with ability
        to access them using commands like: !!, !4, !v test.c
        (those familiar with unix would know what I am saying).
        Of course, the up & down cursor keys will scroll through
        previous commands too.

      * ability to change directory to any [drive:\directory]
        in a single command using the normal 'cd' command.

      * full support for prompt setting in OS/2

      * full implementation of command line editing

      * a popup window that displays the possible file names for
        completion. You can scroll through the entries in this
        popup window using the up and down arrow-keys, Home, End,
        PageUp and PageDown keys. You can also search for a particular
        file name by typing its name directly onto the popup window.
        ['-w' option when starting YAOS]

      * Alt-H keystroke will bring up a popup window containing
        commands that are stored in history. Again, you can scroll
        through this list using the cursor keys, Home, End, PageUp &
        PageDown keys. (The window will only appear if there are two or
        more commands in history).

      * [-f] argument: Fast mode. Directory changing program like
        vcd does not work in this mode. However, choosing this mode
        results in better YAOS performance in terms of speed.
        (The functionality of programs like vcd is planned to be included
         in future releases of YAOS).

      * [-i] argument: Defaulting to insert mode on startup.

      * directory name that is completed using  <esc> or <tab> will
        have the back slash appended to the end of the name.

      * Implementation of aliases. You define aliases in YAOS, save them
        into a file and later retrieve them. You can also specify an alias
        file when starting YAOS with the option [-a <filename>]. You have
        to specify the full path name for the <filename> unless it is
        located in the current directory. A total of up to 9 argument
        replacements (from %1 to %9) is allowed in aliases. You can also
        chain aliases. (But you should avoid cycles in the chain). To read
        or write an alias file inside YAOS, refer to online help on alias:
        (Type:  '? alias' without the quotes at prompt.)
        You can also unset an alias by using the unalias <keyword> command.

      * In the file name completion popup window, the maximum string that
        is common to all possible names is matched. (Previously, matching
        is done from what the user keys in before bringing up the popup
        window.

      *  Emacs like editing keys are implemented.
                Ctl-v   : PageDown
                Alt-v   : PageUp
                Ctl-p   : Previous Line
                Ctl-n   : Next Line
                Ctl-a   : Beginning of line
                Ctl-e   : End of Line
                Ctl-f   : Forward a character
                Ctl-b   : Back a character
                Alt-f   : Forward a word
                Alt-b   : Back a word

New in this release
-------------------
     * Instead of keying in the startup options from the command line, you
       can define an environment setting in the config,sys file to hold
       the options. For example, you can do the following:

             set YAOS=-w -f -m -a -i c:\yaos\alias.fil

       However, you can overwrite the 'set' options from the command line.
                 
     * In the filename completion popup window, after typing in one or more
       characters, hitting the <Tab> key will cause YAOS to match again as 
       much as possible the likely completing file name.

     * Thanks to a sugguestion by David Begley from Australia, I have managed
       to reduce the size of the file YAOS.EXE considerably.  Compare it
       with the YAOS.EXE file prior to v0.9. Also, note that YAOS now uses
       both EMX.DLL and EMXLIBC.DLL.  This will benefit those who run many
       applications compiled using emx/gcc.


Coming soon:
------------
     * Use of '&' character to 'detach' tasks.      [User suggestion]
     * Use of ';' separator for multiple commands   [User suggestion]
     * Customize color settings for popup windows   [User suggestion]
     * A quick directory changer like vcd or ncd
     * Any reasonable feature requests from YOU!

This release is by no means a bug free version. However, I hope you'll
use and like YAOS. Suggestions and comments (including bug reports) are
strongly welcomed.

Installation
------------
1) Copy YAOS.EXE to a PATHed directory (eg. C:\OS)

2) Copy EMX.DLL & EMXLIBC.DLL to a LIBRARY directory (eg. C:\OS\DLL)
(Note: The EMX.DLL & EMXLIBC.DLL files included with YAOS must be used.
       You may not use any earlier versions of the DLL files. If earlier
       versions of the DLL files exist, you have to delete them. If not,
       YAOS may not function properly.)

3) Now you can safely run YAOS

NOTE: Failure to perform the above steps will result in improper execution
      of YAOS.

Author:
-------
        Lee, Cjin Pheow
        Email: cplee@students.wisc.edu
        April 19, 1994
