CompuServe Thread

#Script File Redux

21 messages in this thread
#35148From: John WulffJun 7, 1993 10:35 AM
Andy, I have all through both the 2.04 and 3.0 manuals and can find no reference to the concantenation process of variables and text. Methinks your use of the word "backticks" which incidentally appears nowhere in either index points to the fact that you are in possession of "insider" knowledge. 🙂 Looks like C= could use some new manual writers. I feel that little tricks and information like that are of great benefit to us users. It only points out the fact that my subscription to CIS if of great benefit, especially when I can get help to problems. Thanks again. -John-
#35155From: Vic WagnerJun 7, 1993 2:38 PM
John, What Andy is calling "backticks" is described in excruciating detail in MY copy of the "Using the System Software" book, page 8-13 under the heading "Back quote (`)" I believe that the 'concatenation' process becomes obvious if you look at some of the script files provided by C=, especially SPAT and DPAT.
#35162From: Andy FinkelJun 7, 1993 3:09 PM
Ah, I knew it was there somewhere 🙂 andy
#35178From: John WulffJun 7, 1993 10:44 PM
Vic, My 2.04 copy of "Using the System Software", page 8-13 has a continuation of the ASSIGN command. My 3.0 books don't have anything relating to what you mention. Call me stupid, but from Looking at DPAT and SPAT I never would have dedeuced that the "{" placed after the "$" and before the Variable name would allow me to use the variable at the front of the concatenation process. Still look for the documentation, though. Thanks for the input anyway.
#35209From: Greg GivlerJun 9, 1993 1:03 PM
In the 3.0 documentation it is on 1-9, it is listed under in the index: Index-2, Command Line Characters, Back Apostrophe 1-9 Isn't great how things change from edition to edition? Greg Greg Givler – CBMSER Sysop Commodore Product Assurance
#35218From: John WulffJun 9, 1993 7:20 PM
I actually did find that listing, Greg. My comment was that there was no way to infer from that information that placing a "{" after a "$" would allow a $VARIABLE to be concantenated on the front of a string line. Those are the tricks of the trade that are of value to the "common" user such as myself.
#35215From: Vic WagnerJun 9, 1993 6:33 PM
John, If you insist… "you're stupid" … does that really make you feel better ???? <smmiiille> Hmmm, my original docs don't show that either, but the 2nd edition of the 2.0x docs DO show it. I must be missing something…it's not the '{' per se that allows concatination, it's the '<' or whatever character has declared a the '.bra' character…and of course, the other end is bounded by the '.ket' character.
#35219From: John WulffJun 9, 1993 7:20 PM
That point is gradually taking hold. I guess that what little info is in the documentation should be combined with investigation of the script files. I still maintain that it is not as intuitive as it could be. I think I'll lie down and rest…..
#35161From: Andy FinkelJun 7, 1993 3:09 PM
I'm glad to help. I suspect that backticks are in there somewhere, but the manual people probably decided to call them something different. They probably decided to rename the twiddle character and the hash character too 🙂 I've got the first draft of a book containing tips and tricks like that kind of thing; Maybe I should try to shop it around again 🙂 andy
#35179From: John WulffJun 7, 1993 10:44 PM
Lemme know when it's ready and I'll jump on the order wagon.
#35192From: Andy FinkelJun 8, 1993 1:05 PM
Have to find a publisher first 🙂 andy
#35182From: John DraperJun 8, 1993 12:24 AM
The twiddle and the hash character… Hmm… you referring to the twiddle and the gridlet? 🙂 -larry
#35191From: Andy FinkelJun 8, 1993 1:05 PM
Or the twiddle and the octothorp 🙂 andy
#35200From: Marlene Zenker/SYSOPJun 8, 1993 6:10 PM
Octothrope? Gridlet? Hey, that's Pound! 🙂 Steve
#35216From: Vic WagnerJun 9, 1993 6:33 PM
Larry, I thought you'd taken some music when you were a lad. That's CLEARLY a 'sharp' sign.
#35231From: John DraperJun 9, 1993 11:11 PM
While I was in a boy's choir that won several competitions, I never did learn to read music. I agree, though. It's a real sharp gridlet. -larry
#35259From: Betty Clay/SYSOPJun 10, 1993 9:51 PM
Sorry, Vic – but Jim Butterfield told all of us 8-bit Commodore users that it was an octothorpe, and you KNOW that if Jim said it, it is true. (Has something to do with having eight points on it.)
#35273From: Vic WagnerJun 11, 1993 3:26 PM
Betty, You _know_ I'd never contradict Jim.
#35318From: donnellanJun 13, 1993 9:13 PM
Well me was told it's a HASH. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it. Sean. p.s. If you look at it for long enough it will induce fits of laughter (I've heard)! p.p.s. # = 🙂
#35343From: Betty Clay/SYSOPJun 14, 1993 11:34 PM
Sorry – don't smoke.
#35366From: donnellanJun 16, 1993 9:21 AM
🙂 Me neither. But I must say that the # here is a good one! Sean.