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2.3.3 Wild cards
It is often required to perform some disc operation (Cataloguing, copying, erasing etc)
on a number of disc files. When a filename is specified for a particular operation, the
software scans the disc directory looking for a name which exactly matches. It is
possible, where the command allows, to perform the operation on a set of files where
some of the characters can be 'don't care'. This is shown by using the character ? in the
don't care position. If the whole block of the filename or type specifier is 'don't care'
then the block of ?'s can be abbreviated to the symbol * . Thus, for example, FRED.*
is shorthand for FRED.??? and F*.BAS is shorthand for F???????.BAS . Finally the
expression *.* means 'all files'.
example:
DIRECTORY Match *.BAS Match FRED?.BAS Match F*.BA?
BERT.BAS BERT.BAS
FRED1.BAS FRED1.BAS FRED1.BAS FRED1.BAS
FRED2.BAS FRED2.BAS FRED2.BAS FRED2.BAS
FRED3.BAK FRED3.BAK
FRED3.BAS FRED3.BAS FRED3.BAS FRED3.BAS
FINISH.BAS FINISH.BAS FINISH.BAS
2.4 Examples of Using AMSDOS Commands in a
program.
To give you a good understanding of the AMSDOS commands, we recommend that
you work through the examples, referring to the relevant sections in the rest of this
chapter as you go. DO NOT operate these programs with your original Master
System/Utility disc installed - the program writes to the disc and you should NEVER
risk writing to the master disc. Use a working disc or copy instead.
2.4.1 Saving variables and performing a Screen Dump
NOTE: the use of .DAT and .SRN filetypes. These filetypes are used to remind us of
what is in the file, rather than because they have any inherent significance. The file
PARAM.DAT will be an ASCII data file without a header, whilst FLAGDUMP.SRN
is an AMSDOS Binary file with a header. The programs have been provided on your
Master System/Utility disc in unprotected ASCII form.
The first example (EX1.BAS) draws a Union Jack flag and then saves the whole
screen to disc. To run it type RUN"EX1". As we discussed, AMSDOS will search
automatically adding the .BAS filetype for you. The particulars of the screen dump,
namely the screen mode, palette colours and name of file containing the actual
information are saved into a parameter file. This illustrates the use of a data file to
WRITE program variables (dumpfile$) and constants (1), saving them for use by
another program.
AMSTRAD Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Chapter 2. 4