File Tools Copyright (C) Moose O'Malley, ---------- September 2007. +===========================================================+ | T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S | +===========================================================+ | * Introduction | * Using this Program | * Installing this Program | * Uninstalling this Program | * Walkthrough with Examples on Using File Tools | - "Directory Path View" on the "Other" tab | - "Filename View" on the "Other" tab | - Copy to Window's Clipboard (Main Window) | - Rename File Names (Main Window) | - Search and Replace File Contents (Main Window) | - General Tab Functions | - Rename Tab | - UNIX CR Only Text Files - An Example | - Set File Attributes (Other tab) | - Right Mouse Click Menu | * Special Thanks to | * The Future | * Reviews / Awards / CDs | * Freeware Information | * Warranty | * Amendment History | * Contacting the Program's Author +===========================================================+ Introduction : -------------- File Tools for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, etc. This program is free software. Anyone - any person, any company, or any business - can use this program for free. No fees or payment is required. See "Freeware Information" below. File Tools provides some very useful functionality : - Ever wanted to grab the list of files from the current directory ? - Ever needed to get the long or short directory path from the current directory ? - Ever wanted to stamp all files with the current date and time ? - Ever been frustrated with virtually un-readable text files from MAC or UNIX environments and wished you could make them readable on your PC ? (More on this below with examples !). - Ever needed to convert long file names to short DOS standard (8.3) file names or vica versa ? - Ever needed to search inside a bunch of ZIP files ? - Ever needed to test the integrity of a bunch of ZIP files ? - Ever needed to rename a bunch of files ? - Ever needed to search and replace the contents of a bunch of files ? - Ever needed to Word Wrap all lines in a file or remove the word wrapping of lines in a file ? - Ever needed to change File Access Attributes ? - Ever needed to count the occurence of all characters in a file or a bunch of files ? - Ever needed to count the number of lines, words, or characters in a plain text file or a bunch of plain text files ? - Ever wanted to rename file names to Uppercase, Lowercase, or Title Case ? - Ever wanted to replace underscores with spaces and vica versa, or replace minus signs with spaces and vica versa in file names ? - And have you ever wanted to be able to do any or all of this at the click of a button ? If your answer is "Yes" to any of these questions, then File Tools is could be what you are looking for. File Tools supports full "Drag & Drop", so you can drag and drop bunches of files onto File Tools from Windows Explorer. (File Tools will automatically scan for and remove duplicates !). See "Walkthrough with Examples on Using File Tools" below for descriptions, examples, and further details on all functionality provided by the program. Once the program has been run at least once on your computer, and you have installed the registry changes (under the File menu) then you can also start File Tools by selecting a file in Windows Explorer and right mouse clicking and selecting the "File Tool" option from the popup mouse menu. Developed using 32-bit Delphi. File Tools for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, etc. This program will **NOT** run under Windows 3.x (even with Win32 installed) !! Using this Program : -------------------- To use this program, unzip the contents of the ZIP file to a directory - such as c:\filetool - and run the executable file filetool.EXE. Simply drag and drop files onto File Tools from Windows Explorer and then click the buttons needed to perform the particular processing you need. Once the program has been run at least once on your computer, you can also start File Tools by selecting a file in Windows Explorer and right mouse clicking and selecting the "File Tool" option from the popup mouse menu. I recommend that you also create a Shortcut to FileTools.EXE in the Windows "Send To" folder so that you can select a bunch of files in Windows Explorer, right-click on them, select the "Send To" option and then select "File Tools". This will cause File Tools to load and automatically load the list of files you want to work on. At the moment, when you double click on a file in the list, it always loads it into Windows Notepad - regardless of the type of file. It would be much better to kick of WinZIP for ZIP files, WORD for DOC files, etc. In future versions, I will be able to improve on these features. (Refer to: "The Future" section below.) See "Walkthrough with Examples on Using File Tools" below for descriptions, examples, and further details on all functionality provided by the program. Installing this Program : ------------------------- To install this program, simply unzip the contents of the distribution ZIP file to a directory (using PKUNIP, WinZIP, or similar), run the Filetool.EXE, drag and drop files from Windows Explorer onto FileTools, and then click on the buttons to perform the activities you require. Everything is hopefully clearly labeled and the program should hopefully be fairly straight forward to use. Uninstalling this Program : --------------------------- At the present time, there is No Uninstall program for File Tools. If you ever want to delete File Tools from your computer, then : 1. Uninstall Registry Changes (Only necessary if you ever Installed the Registry Changes), via the "Uninstall Registry Changes" on the File menu. 2. Then exit File Tools, and delete it from wherever you installed it on your harddrive. Simple as that ! Walkthrough with Examples on Using File Tools : ----------------------------------------------- OK, let's assume that you have run File Tools, and have dragged and dropped these files from Windows Explorer into File Tools : C:\temp\File Tools Test 1.txt C:\temp\aaa\File Tools Test 2.txt "Directory Path View" on the "Other" tab : ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ File Tools will display the Directory Path if the "Directory Path View" is set to "Show", otherwise, you will only see the list of files without their directory paths. If paths were set to "Show", the you would see : C:\temp\File Tools Test 1.txt C:\temp\aaa\File Tools Test 2.txt otherwise (with paths set to "Hide") you would see : File Tools Test 1.txt File Tools Test 2.txt "Filename View" on the "Other" tab : ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In addition, view short (DOS compatible) or long file names depending on whether you have selected "Short" or "Long" in the "Filename View". With "Long" selected and "Show" paths, you would see : C:\temp\File Tools Test 1.txt C:\temp\aaa\File Tools Test 2.txt but with "Short" selected, you would see : C:\temp\FILETO~2.TXT C:\temp\FILETO~1.TXT Copy to Window's Clipboard (Main Window) : ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In this group box, there are the following buttons : - File List - copies the list of files to Windows clipboard as they appear in the list according to your "Directory Path View" and "Filename View" settings. e.g. If "Long" filenames and "Show" paths is selected, then the list of files with long file names and full directory paths will be copied to Windows Clipboard. - Short Paths - builds a list of the DOS standard short filename paths for every file in the list. If all files are in one directory, then only one directory will be copied to Windows Clipboard. If the files in the list are in 5 directories, then 5 directories will be copied to Windows Clipboard. - Short Paths - builds a list of the long filename paths for every file in the list. If all files are in one directory, then only one directory will be copied to Windows Clipboard. If the files in the list are in 5 directories, then 5 directories will be copied to Windows Clipboard. Rename File Names (Main Window) : +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Here you can type in how you want to change a file's name, and then press the "Rename" button, and files that match the specification will be renamed as you specify. For example, if our File List contained these files : C:\temp\File Tools Test 1.txt C:\temp\aaa\File Tools Test 2.txt And I wanted to rename "Tools" to "Helper", then I could enter these changes into the edit boxes provided, and press the "Rename" button, and the files would then be called : C:\temp\File Helper Test 1.txt C:\temp\aaa\File Helper Test 2.txt Also, see the "Rename Tab" below Search and Replace File Contents (Main Window) : ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With this functionality, you can search for particular strings in files and replace these with something else. WARNING : Using this functionality to change the contents of BINARY files - such as EXE files or Word Documents, etc could have disastrous effects - do NOT do this. This function is intended for use with plain text files. i.e files that you can edit using Windows Notepad. Using this functionality with other file types is for Advanced Users only. Always backup files before using this functionality !! OK, that's the warnings out of the way ... ;) With this functionality, you can change the text within files. General Tab Functions : +++++++++++++++++++++++ Using functions on this tab, you can : - Reset List : Reset the list of files. - Checksum : Checksum all files in the list - and generate a simple report of this information. - Count Characters : Count all the occurence of all characters in the Extended IBM-PC ASCII character set (255 characters) in all files in the list - and generate a simple report of this information. With this information, you can see how many times - for example - the letter "Z" appears in all files in the list. - Count Lines : Count all Lines of text within in all files in the list - and generate a simple report of this information. - Count Words : Count all Words within in all files in the list - and generate a simple report of this information. e.g. This sentence "Hi there, Mike" contains 3 words. - Date/Time Stamp : Set the last modified date and time to the current system date and time for all files in the list. - DOS Prompt : If there are no files in the list, then a DOS command window is opened in the c:\ root directory. If there is one file in the list, or if there are multiple files in the list all from the one directory, then a DOS command window is opened in this directory - whatever it may be. If the files in the list are from multiple directories, then a list of unique directories is displayed, and you can select one and a DOS command window will be opened in the selected directory. - File Size Report : - Unix to Dos : Converts Unix or Mac based text files to IBM-PC compatible text files, so they are readable with Windows Notepad and similar text editing / viewing programs. See "UNIX CR Only Text Files - An Example" (below) for further information. - Un-Word Wrap : Un-Word Wrap the contents of all files in the list. WARNING : Using this functionality to change the contents of BINARY files - such as EXE files or Word Documents, etc could have disastrous effects - do NOT do this. This function is intended for use with plain text files. i.e files that you can edit using Windows Notepad. Using this functionality with other file types is for Advanced Users only. Always backup files before using this functionality !! - Word Wrap : Word Wrap the contents of all files in the list. WARNING : Using this functionality to change the contents of BINARY files - such as EXE files or Word Documents, etc could have disastrous effects - do NOT do this. This function is intended for use with plain text files. i.e files that you can edit using Windows Notepad. Using this functionality with other file types is for Advanced Users only. Always backup files before using this functionality !! - ZIP Search : With this functionality, you can search all ZIP files in the list for particular files - by file name or by CRC. - ZIP Test : Test the integrity of all ZIP files in the list of files. Rename Tab : ++++++++++++ Using the options on this tab, you can change file names to : - UPPER CASE - lower case - Title Case and you can also change file names by replacing : - Underscores with Spaces - Spaces with Underscores - Minus Signs with Spaces - Spaces with Minus Signs - Underscores with Minus Signs - Minus Signs with Underscores UNIX CR Only Text Files - An Example : ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In the UNIX world, there is only a Carriage Return at the end of a line of text, but in the DOS / Windows world there is a Carriage Return and Line Feed at the end of a line of text. If you ever get a text file from a UNIX system, you will quickly recognise it, because it has ugly black boxes in amongst the text and it isn't formatted right. For example, it will look like this : With File Tools,this text would be readable in a snap ! instead of : With File Tools, this text would be readable in a snap ! Which is how the text looks after File Tools has fixed it !! Similar problems happen with text files transferred from a MAC. File Tools will convert the text files from these all MAC and UNIX sources to once again be readable !! Converting text files from MAC or UNIX environments makes them readable. However, converting all the CRs to CR/LFs in a binary file (such as an EXE or ZIP or Word DOC or Excel XLS or similar file) will cause corruption of the data in this file. ONLY CONVERT TEXT FILES !!! NEVER CONVERT BINARY FILES !!! If you need more information on this, please Email me. WARNING : Using this functionality to change the contents of BINARY files - such as EXE files or Word Documents, etc could have disastrous effects - do NOT do this. This function is intended for use with plain text files. i.e files that you can edit using Windows Notepad. Using this functionality with other file types is for Advanced Users only. Always backup files before using this functionality !! Set File Attributes (Other tab) : +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Using this functionality, you can set the file attributes for all files in the list to one or more of the following : - Read-Only - Archive - System - Hidden Right Mouse Click Menu : ++++++++++++++++++++++++ After selecting a file (or multiple files in the list of files), you can right mouse click on the and - Remove Selected File(s) from List - Remove all but the Selected File(s) from List The list of files is multi-select enabled so you can select a single file or multiple files by holding down the SHIFT key just as you can in Windows Explorer. Special Thanks to : ------------------- The ZIP Testing functionality for this program was mostly supplied by : Info-Zip: http://www.cdrom.com/pub/infozip/ Delphi Zip: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Orchard/8607/ I would like to thanks the developers of these products for making great FREE ZIP tools and utilities. The Future : ------------ In the future, many improvements could be made to this program, such as : - Storing the program in the Windows Tray Bar - with the clock, etc. - Automatically create a File Tools shortcut in the "Send To" menu (displayed when you right click on a file in Windows Explorer). - Tie File Tools in with Windows Explorer, so when you select a group of files and right click on them, then File Tools is an option on the popup menu displayed. At the moment, File Tool only works with a single file - if you select multiple files and right click, you get multiple copies of File Tools running - each with a single file in them - which isn't satisfactory. But, it is the best I could do for now. - Check if a file is a Text File before allowing it to be converted from UNIX (CR) to DOS (CR/LF). Checking if a file is a text file and getting it absolutely correct is not easy - even WinZip gets it wrong somethimes !! - Add in support for ARJ, TAR, and other types of compressed files. - Add in functionality to perform Backups. - Add in an "Edit / View" Text file option - with support for huge text files. (Rotten Windows Notepad !!) - Add in smart file handling. At the moment, when you double click on a file in the list, it always loads it into Windows Notepad - regardless of the type of file. It would be much better to kick of WinZIP for ZIP files, WORD for DOC files, etc. - Command Line mode. - Anything else ? If you would like any of these improvements, or would like to suggest more, please email me and let me know. How much more work I do on this program depends entirely on what support I get, how many people use the program, etc. Reviews / Awards / CDs : ------------------------- None so far. Freeware Information : ----------------------- This is free software. Anyone - any person, any company, or any business - can use this program for free. No fees or payment is required. However, if you find the program useful, then please consider making a PayPal donation to support my efforts. (To make a donation, please run the program and select the "About" option under the Help menu, and then click the PayPal link on the "About" screen). Warranty : ---------- This software and the accompanying files are provided "as is" and without warranties as to performance or merchantability or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. The user assumes the entire risk of using this software. If you do find any faults with this program, email me and let me know. Ammendment History : -------------------- Vers Date Description 1.0 22-Feb-2000 First Public Release. (11,672 lines of code / comments.) 1.1 29-Feb-2000 Save and Load previously used File list to the same directory where File Tool is installed. Also, if File Tool is run by selecting a file, right mouse clicking and choosing "File Tool" or the "Send To ..." menu, then do not load the previously used file list. Save the settings INI file in File Tool's directory, rather that in the Windows' directory - there's enough crap there already ! ;) (11,676 lines of code / comments.) 1.2 29-Mar-2000 Re-design the user interface - hope you like it ! Add in "Restore Factory Defaults" menu option, to restore the size and shape of the application to what it was when it was originally downloaded. Add in "Set / Change File Attributes" functionality. (12,016 lines of code / comments.) 2.0 29-Jan-2001 Big changes for this release !! No longer make registry changes automatically when the user runs File Tools for the first time. Installing and Uninstalling Registry changes - along with a full description of the benefits that this provides - are now user selectable menu options available under the Install and Uninstall Registry Changes menu options under the File menu. Registry changes enable you to right mouse click on a file in Windows Explorer and select "File Tool" from the popup menu to send the file to File Tools. (This only works for single files at the moment). If you ever want to delete File Tools from your computer, then "Uninstall Registry Changes", then exit the program, and then you can delete the File Tools from your harddrive. Add in a "Copy to Windows Clipboard" button on the error dialog. Add in "Always On Top" menu option / functionality. Add in support for ZIP files with DeflatN compression. Add in a "Checksum Files" button, which calculates WinZIP compatible CRC 32's on all files in the list. Add in functionality to Word Wrap or remove Word Wraps on text files. (This will make it much easier to move a text file into a WordProcessor document, and vica versa). (14,845 lines of code / comments.) 2.1 17-Apr-2001 Add in a "Char Count" button to enable you to count the the occurence of all characters in one or more selected files, and display these counts in a simple report. Add in support for "Big Fonts" and "Other Sized Fonts" - with these Windows resizes the windows automatically - but only sometimes and it doesn't always do it right, so now I make sure my main window is the right size before doing any scaling, etc. i.e. I make it fit the component(s) that extend the furthest right and furthest down the form. See the Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Pannel -> Display -> Settings Tab -> "Advanced" button -> "General" tab for your PC's settings in this area. Bring program up-to-date with my latest code libraries. (16,059 lines of code / comments.) 2.2 20-Jan-2002 Add in Line Count functionality for plain text files. Make all Yes/No and OK/Cancel dialogs Confirmation dialogs instead of Information dialogs. (This basically changes the dialog heading and logo used on the dialog - a minor change, but it clarifies things). Add in a whole raft of new functionality to rename files : Uppercase, Lowercase, Title Case, replacing underscores with spaces and vica versa, and replacing minus signs with spaces and vica versa. (You could always do this with the existing "Rename Files" functionality but it is now as easy as clicking a button). If a file used last time the File Tools was used is missing then remove it from the list, instead of replacing it with 'ERROR' in the list. Bring program up-to-date with my latest code libraries. (18,108 lines of code / comments.) 3.0 25-Sep-2002 Massive changes for this release !! Add Word Count functionality to count the number of words in all files in the list. All files in the list will be treated as plain text files. Add in a "File Size" report and functionality. Add "DOS Prompt" functionality to enable you to open a DOS Command Prompt in any drive or directory for any of the files in the list of files. Very useful if you need to drop down and work in DOS on any of your files !! Add in 2 additional "Quick Pick" file renaming options "Underscores with Minuses" and "Minuses with Underscores". Add in "ZIP Search" functionality which allows you to search within all ZIP files in the list of files, and find all ZIP files that contain files with a particular name or CRC or part of a name or CRC. Files that no longer exist between runs are removed from the list automatically when the program is next run. Add in support for the Maximise icon in the top right corner of the program's main window. Add a pop-up menu which appears when you right mouse click on file(s) in the list. This pop-up menu allows you to : - Remove Selected File(s) from the List - Remove all but the Selected File(s) from the List The list of files is multi-select enabled so you can select a single file or multiple files by holding down the SHIFT key just as you can in Windows Explorer. Bring the program up to date with my latest code libraries. Introduce yet more Anti-Hacker / Anti-Cracker measures. Various user interface / usability enhancements. Improve several error messages. Add the "Walkthrough with Examples on Using File Tools" section above with descriptions, examples, and further details on all functionality provided by the program. (49,644 lines of code / comments.) 3.1 25-Oct-2002 Fix the checksumming and comparison of *HUGE* files - you can now checksum or compare or process files of any size regardless of the amount of free memory your PC has. Add in a progress bar for the progress in checksumming each file. Bring the program up to date with my latest code libraries. (50,468 lines of code / comments.) 3.1b 20-Nov-2002 Bring the program up to date with my latest code libraries. (54,346 lines of code / comments.) 3.1f 3-Sep-2007 This program is now FREEWARE - see "Freeware Information" above. If this program was not downloaded from my Home Page, then it is possibly an old version. The latest version of this program is available from my WEB page - see below. Mike "Moose" O'Malley ____________________________________________________ Moose's Software Valley - Established July, 1996. WEB: http://move.to/moose ____________________________________________________