Interrupt Helper

Version 1.0

by Gary Chanson
(C) 1994

INTERHLP is Copyright 1994 by Gary Chanson and Starquest

Systems. No restrictions are placed on the use of this
program. This program and its documentation may be copied
and re-distributed provided that they are not changed and no
fee is charged for them. An exception is granted to
not-for-profit user's groups, which are authorized to charge
a nominal fee for materials and handling.

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� This program is dedicated to Ralf Brown for his valuable �
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description:

Interrupt Helper is a search and display utility for Ralf

Brown's Interrupt List. When INTERHLP is first run, it builds a
map of the interrupt data file. It uses this map to display an
index of entries and to find the selected entry for display.

installation:

Copy all of the distribution files into a convenient directory.

They must all reside in the same directory so that they can be
found by INTERHLP. INTERRUPT.LST must also reside in this
directory unless specified as part of the command tail. The
Interrupt List is distributed in many pieces (named INTERRUP.?).
These files must be combined together by running COMBINE.BAT
(supplied with most releases of the Interrupt List) or by
appending them to each other using COPY.

COPY INTERRUP.A + INTERRUP.B + INTERRUP.C INTERRUP.LST

COPY INTERRUP.LST + INTERRUP.D + INTERRUP.E INTERRUP.LST
etc.

usage:

INTERHLP [-cX] [filename] [interrupt] ["string"]

where: -Cx Selects Category 'x'

Note that category specifiers are case
sensitive!

filename Optional list file. The default file name

is INTERRUP.LST and the default path is the
 location of INTERHLP.EXE.

interrupt Optional topic code in the form:

INTERRUPT nn FUNCTION nn SUBFUNCTION nn
All field are optional and the field
specifiers can be omitted if the arguments
are presented in the above order.

"string" Optional title sub-string.

The first time INTERHLP is run (and anytime it detects a new

data file), it reads the entire data file (this takes a few
minutes!) and builds a map of its contents. It then searches
for the specified topic and displays it if found. If the topic
isn't found, or no topic is specified, an index of the entries
is displayed.

Each line of the index display consists of a topic ID and the

text of the first line of the entry. The topic ID consists of a
letter which designates the category and a number which
designates the interrupt and function. To select a topic, use
the cursor keys to move the hilite bar to the desired selection
and press the enter key or point to the selection with the mouse
and click the left button. Topics can also be selected using
the search function. This function prompts the operator for a
search pattern which is in the form:

INTERRUPT nn FUNCTION nn SUBFUNCTION nn "title_text"

All fields are optional and the field designators can be omitted
if the arguments are presented in this order. Field designators
can be abbreviated. Searches for numeric int/func/subfunc are
fast binary searches of the index map. Text searches are linear
searches of the first line of each entry which satisfies the
numeric search criteria and are much slower.

While a topic is being displayed, the cursor keys move up and

down within the current topic and to the adjacent topics. As
topics are selected, they are recorded in a history queue. The
operator can walk back and forth thru the history queue by
pressing F7 and F8. Searches within the topic display are
simple text searches.

Many entries in the Interrupt List have cross-references to

other entries in the form of lines starting with "SeeAlso:". If
the mouse pointer is positioned on one of these lines, and the
left button is clicked, INTERHLP will try to find the referenced
entry and display it. Note that if a category other then "all"
is chosen, some references may not be found.

The entries in the Interrupt List are grouped by category. The

first character of each topic code is a letter which designates
a category. By default, INTERHLP displays all categories. When
appropriate, a category can be selected from the CATEGORY menu
and only the entries in that category will be displayed.

========================================================================
Please forward all comments and bug reports to:

Gary Chanson
31 Chester Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

Voice: 617-899-4771
Email: Gary.Chanson@Channel1.com

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