UNFORM.100

                         by Don Zeikel
                 [CIS 75775,1430  DELPHI "ZEIKEL"]


                         INTRODUCTION

     When text material is downloaded from a computer system, it is usually 
formatted to a specific line width.  If you attempt to print it out using a 
different width, you can get some strange-looking short lines and other awkward
blocking.  This is unfortunate, as it would often be nice to be able to print 
out the text using a formatter, with page numbering, headers, footers, or 
whatever else your text processor offers.  Even the built-in PRINT command in 
your 100 can adjust for page width, but every time it hits a carriage return, 
it starts a new line.

     There are several SEARCH & REPLACE programs available that will simply 
strip all the carriage returns.  If you do that, you will discover that your 
paragraphs all run together, words run together likethis, and formatted lists 
are jumbled.

     The only alternative, whether using a SEARCH AND REPLACE program or not, 
has been to go through the file and make individual decisions on carriage 
returns.  UNFORM.100 was created to eliminate this tedious chore.

     UNFORM.100 makes the decisions, on a line-by-line basis, whether to leave 
or remove a carriage return, and, if the carriage return is dropped, whether to
insert 0, 1, or 2 spaces in its place.  It will delete returns within a 
paragraph, and leave them at the end of a paragraph, on blank lines, and on 
formatted lists.


                           INSTRUCTIONS

     Delete any garbage material from the beginning and end of the file.
     Run the program.  Press any key to move from the title page.  You will be 
asked for the name of the file you wish to unformat.  Just type in the name of 
the file and [ENTER].  Do not write ".DO".  For this example, we will say the 
name of the file is "TESTER.DO".

     You will now see "Measuring TESTER.DO".  This will stay on the screen as 
much as a minute or more, depending on the length of the file.  You need not 
stay at the computer; it will BEEP at any point in the program where you must 
take an action.

     You will then be told the width of the file.  This is the greatest length 
of any line in the file.  On pressing any key, you will be shown a sample line 
and asked "Is this a typical length line?"  This will help to catch any garbage
before, after, or within the body of the file.  It is critical, because the 
program will make many of its decisions based on the line length.  If you 
answer "Y" the program will continue.  If you answer "N" then it will start 
measuring again, looking for a SHORTER line.

     Assuming you have answered "Y", you will now see "Unformatting TESTER.DO".
  This will be a faster process than the measuring.

     Finally, you will be told that the unformatting is complete, and you will 
be asked if you want to retain the original file.  If you answer "N" then you 
will exit to menu, where the revised TESTER.DO will be waiting for you.  If you
answer "Y" then you will be told the new name of the OLD file, which will be 
OLD followed by the first three letters of the file name (in this case, 
OLDTES.DO).


                           PRECAUTIONS

     UNFORM.100 is intended for use only on previously formatted text files.  
It is not recommended for program listings, or any other type of file in which 
carriage returns are CRITICAL to the meaning of the file.  It should, however, 
be able to handle formatted lists within a text file.

     It will not format files that are already not formatted.  Any file with a 
line of over 200 characters will be rejected.  It will also reject a file with 
control characters, so do not put any imbedded printer characters into the file
until AFTER running UNFORM.100.

     The program creates a second, unformatted file, while retaining the 
original, which you may keep if desired.  This means that you must have a lot 
of free RAM memory.  If you do not have enough, the program will tell you so, 
and you can kill some files and try again.

     Finally, the program may never be perfect.  It is looking for clues as to 
whether or not to leave in a carriage return, based on spaces, punctuation, and
the length of the lines.  If a line is formatted oddly, the program might make 
a mistake.  However, on the whole, it should give satisfactory results.  I have
hit very few snags after running several versions of it for several weeks.