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authorNorbert Preining <norbert@preining.info>2019-09-02 13:46:59 +0900
committerNorbert Preining <norbert@preining.info>2019-09-02 13:46:59 +0900
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+
+ *****************************************************************
+ * *
+ * Program MNU *
+ * *
+ * A configurable menu for starting applications under DOS *
+ * *
+ * ( A brief description ) *
+ * *
+ *****************************************************************
+
+The program MNU allows, together with its control batch (".bat"),
+repeated starting of various application programs. It has been developed
+for the TeX packages, nonetheless, it can be utilized elsewhere.
+
+The batch "demo.bat" starts a simple exhibition of possibilities of the
+program MNU itself. The second batch "demotex.bat" shows a more complicated
+example of configuration of emTeX used in CSTeX package. This example
+exhibits possibilities of MNU program itself on the one hand, and of its
+suggested configuration "cfg.mnu" suitable for the emTeX packages with DOS
+on the other hand. These examples are documented in EXAMPLES.DOC file.
+The documentation of program MNU is writen in MNU.DOC file or MNU.TEX
+file (plain TeX format).
+
+The documentation is intended for the users, who wish to change the
+existing configuration of the system, where the program is applied, or who
+wish to develop a new one. Therefore some deeper knowledge of DOS is
+assumed, esp. some advanced skills in batch (".bat") programming.
+
+The program keeps up appearances of an integrated environment for starting
+of various processes. This environment is fully configurable, including
+window colours and shapes, names and ways of application of individual menu
+items, context help, etc. The process is controlled by the batch. In a
+definite moment, the batch starts the MNU program with a single parameter --
+the configuration file name (e.g. "texcfg.mnu"). The program MNU reads
+a full description of menu structure from this file and displays menu items on
+the screen. Now the user can choose the particular item comfortably. When
+the item is chosen, the program MNU terminates and the control batch
+evaluates the error code corresponding to the respective item. In the
+batch, the chosen item number is determined using a set of "if errorlevel"
+commands, and the batch branches to separate application processes. When
+the application ends, the batch calls the MNU program again, and the user
+can choose a new item, and so on.
+
+The batch can also communicate with the MNU program by means of DOS
+``environment variables'', and of input and/or output files. The program can
+display and edit the content of these variables (if this is given in the
+configuration file). Moreover, there exists a special environment variable
+called ``MNU'' influencing the start of the program -- the item specified
+in this variable is offered as active when the program starts. Seeing that,
+the user does not need to choose tediously the next item, provided his
+activity proceeds in the ``normal'' sequence. For example, after the
+TeX\ program run it is possible for the batch to examine (using the "if
+errorlevel" command) whether the translation ended without errors. If so,
+then the variable ``MNU'' can be set in such a way that the item "View" is
+active in the next call of the menu. In the menu environment, the user can
+do nothing but "Enter" pressing.
+
+The advantage of this ``batch'' philosophy is that the MNU program does not
+occupy the memory during the application run. Furthermore, concerning the
+system configuration, there are practically no limitations on variability
+in setting the behaviour of particular processes. The only limitations are
+due to the DOS itself. Only a batch allows to express all configuration
+possibilities of separate application programs.
+
+The list of files contained in the MNU program package is given in the
+following table:
+
+ readme.txt Basic information about the program -- this text
+ mnu.doc Detailed documentation of the program
+ examples.doc Description of some tricks used in the demo batches
+ mnu.tex Contents of three previous files in plain TeX
+ mnu.exe The MNU program itself
+ demo.bat, demo.mnu A simple example of program MNU possibilities
+ demotex.bat, cfg.mnu,
+ sorry.mnu, *.bat A more complicated example of emTeX configuration
+ totext.exe, totext.c Switches the screen to the text mode 80x25
+ dupcent.exe, dupcent.c Duplicates "%" (utility program)
+ kalk.exe, kalk.hlp The calculator -- an illustration of an
+ application program
+
+The software contained in the files listed above is in the public domain.
+The author transfers it to the CSTUG association (Czechoslovak TeX Users
+Group) and expects that they will care about its popularization and further
+distribution. It is not allowed to utilize these programs and/or their
+modifications for commercial purposes. That means, it is not allowed to
+sell this software (with the exception of a diskette copying fee), nor to
+include it in systems designed merely for commercial purposes.
+
+Since of the first public distribution of this product (Euro-TeX 92)
+some unimportant improvements were made. This changes keep full
+compatibility with the old configuration files and offers some new
+possibilities (see the end of the documentation MNU.DOC).
+
+The author will not more change or improve this software, esp. its basic
+conception. However, he welcomes all suggestions leading to elimination of
+errors, which can, unfortunately, appear in any software.
+
+The source code of the MNU program (written in C language) is not public.
+
+address: Petr Olsak
+ Department of Mathematics
+ Faculty of Electrical Engineering
+ Czech Technical University
+
+ 166 27 PRAGUE
+ --------------------------
+ CZECH REPUBLIC
+
+email: olsak@csearn.bitnet
+