CISMSG.DOC

 Command CISMSG 					    Version 2.7
 -------------- 					    Dec 21, 1988

Purpose:

	CISMSG copies a file which contains CompuServe (CIS) messages to
	a new file with the messages in subject or number order.

Format:

	CISMSG	[d:][path]infile[.ext]	[d:][path]outfile[.ext]
		[/nn]  [/M]  [/S[/X]]

Remarks:

	Records are read from the  file named by 'infile' and  copied to
	the file  named by  'outfile'.  Records  must end  in a carriage
	return or  linefeed, and  must be  less than  255 characters  in
	length.  The 'infile'  file name is  required.  If omitted,  the
	'outfile' name  defaults to  'MESSAGES.ALL', or  to the 'infile'
	name if just a drive for the output is supplied.

	Tab characters should not be present in the input file.

	The records are  sorted into section  and subject order,  unless
	the /M option is used to specify that the messages be sorted  in
	message number order.

	Any  superfluous  data,  such  as  bulletins, become part of the
	preceding message.  Duplicate messages are skipped only if  they
	are identical.

	All available memory is used.  A maximum of 64K is used for  I/O
	buffers.  Half of  the available memory  is used for  containing
	message data.  Each message requires 32 bytes.

	Depending on the amount of memory available, up to 10000 records
	may be ordered.  Neither the  size of the file, nor  the lengths
	of messages, affects the maximum number of messages that can  be
	processed.

	For  best  performance,  place	the  input  message  file on the
	fastest disk drive, e.g.  RAM disk.


 Command CISMSG 					    Version 2.7
 -------------- 					    Dec 21, 1988


			Splitting message files
			-----------------------

	Messages from a single section may be selected by using the  /nn
	option.  Specify a one or  two digit section number in	place of
	the nn.

	Messages may be split into one file for each section by using the
	/S (separate output) option. The output file name extension becomes
	the section number, for example:

		CISMSG ibmcomm.ato com /s

	produces files COM01, COM02, etc, and

		CISMSG ibmcomm.ato com. /s

	produces files with a numeric extension like COM.01, COM.02, etc.

	You may use the /X option with /S to reverse the filename and
	extension for the output filename. For example, say you have a
	file of messages called IBMAPPM.ATO, and you;d like it in separate
	section files with the same extension of A02 and a filename that
	is the section number:

		CISMSG26 IBMAPPM.ATO XX.A02 /S/X

	will create files 01.A02, 02.A02, etc.



 Command CISMSG 					    Version 2.7
 -------------- 					    Dec 21, 1988

			Examples
			--------

	o Sort the  messages from file	IBMSW.719 on drive  A, to a  new
	  file called IBMSW.XXX on drive B

		CISMSG A:IBMSW.719 B:IBMSW.XXX


	o Sort messages in file IBMSW.MON which is on the current drive,
	  and copy to a new files called IBMSW.MON on drive B

		CISMSG IBMSW.MON B:


	o Select section 8 messages from file IBMNEW.MSG

		CISMSG IBMNEW.MSG IBMNEW.8 /8


	o Sort the messages in the file IBMSWM.ATO by message number:

		CISMSG IBMSWM.ATO IBMSW.MSG /M


	o Sort the messages in the file IBMCOMM.ATO into separate  files
	  for each section.  The output files are named IBMCOM.nn where
	  'nn' is the section number.

		CISMSG IBMCOMM.ATO IBMCOM /S



 Command CISMSG 					    Version 2.7
 -------------- 					    Dec 21, 1988

			Version History
			---------------

	Written using assembly language for the IBM PC and DOS 2.0
	through DOS 3.3.

	Version 1.7, Sig version 3B(24), March 26, 1985.

	Version 1.8, Sig versions 3B35,37, April 28, 1985.

	Version 1.9, Correct "Sb:" incorrect sort order. June 10,1985.
	-  Corrected by short patch on 8/19/85 to allow processing
	   more than 2047 messages. Sig version 4A(45).

	Version 2.0, Sept 15, 1985,
	-  Adds the /n command line option to select messages
	   for a single section only.

	Version 2.1, July 1, 1986, through Sig version 4A(70).
	-  Corrections for large files (over 1 Mb).

	Version 2.2, August 20, 1986.
	-  Add /M option to sort messages by number only.
	-  Correct problem when there are no valid messages found

	Version 2.4, December 30, 1987
	- add /S option for separate output files by section
	- allow output filename to default to MESSAGES.ALL

	Version 2.5, September 1, 1988
	- improve creation of files when /S is used
	- removed requirement for "files=25"

	Version 2.6, October 2, 1988
	- added /X option to reverse output filename and ext

	Version 2.7, December 21, 1988
	- correct sorting by message number (/M option)


 Command CISMSG 					    Version 2.7
 -------------- 					    Dec 21, 1988


			Notices
			-------

	This  document	and  the  CISMSG.COM  file  comprise  the CISMSG
	program ("software").  This software is copyrighted material and
	is subject to limitations by the copyright holder ("author")  as
	to its use and distribution.

	You may  use the  software; make  copies of  the software;  give
	copies to anyone; and distribute it via electronic means.  There
	is no charge for this software,  but you must include a copy  of
	this document with any copies that you make.

	You  are  specifically	prohibited  from  charging or requesting
	donations  for	any  copies;  from  modifying the software; from
	distributing the software with commercial products without prior
	written permission; and from distributing this software,  either
	alone or with other material,  and charging any fee.  There  are
	no exceptions.

	There  is  no  warranty  of  any  kind given.  The author is not
	liable for damages  of any kind.   By using this  free software,
	you agree to this.

	The software and documentation are:

		Copyright (C) 1986-88 by Vernon D. Buerg
		ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

		139 White Oak Circle
		Petaluma, CA  94952

		(707) 778-8944, VOR 24-hour BBS

		Compuserve 70007,1212