What is a .CLI?
A Command Line Interpreter reads a file that when run, the Z88 can interpret a list of keystrokes to fulfil a particular function. There are other commands apart from keystrokes, but these are the ones being used here,
Types of .cli files
There are two types of .cli files
- A BOOT.CLI file (with the unique name of BOOT.CLI) runs after the Z88 has a Soft or Hard Reset. The previously written CLI program, stored on an EPROM or Flash card, is run automatically. This is a useful facility as after a HARD RESET, all settings are lost. The starting point for these files is in the INDEX.
- Any other file with the extension of .cli is run by selecting it in the Filer F withEX, Execute. The starting point for these files is in the Filer
When using OZ 3.0 cli's can
- set up the Default RAM Device in the Panel
- change the Device in the Filer
- create some Directories in the Filer
- load the Printer Driver file
- select the Clock - to enter the time manually.
Moving on to OZ 4.7 advanced functions cli's can
- fetch, unzip, install RAM Applications then delete the any working files used left in RAM
- fetch, unzip and view a file in Pipedream
Writing a .cli File
Planning
Prerequisites
- OZ 4.7
- At least 128K RAM
- Flash card
The typical configuration would either be a
- 512K/512K Flash/RAM card in slot 1 or
- 1M Flash card in slot 1 and at least 128K RAM in slot 2
Writing Loadgame.cli
Here are the steps to write a cli file to do the following:-
- Start Unzip
- Unzip bounder.zip from the file area
- Install bounder.app
- erase the files used
Check List
Check | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Make the first action of the cli file | If at any time the cli file (which starts in the Filer) needs to be a BOOT.CLI file (which starts in the INDEX), putting this command here ensures that both start at the same place. | |
Use the keys to select Applications and menu commands. | ||
Do not use cursor keys to select files or functions | unless there is no other way of using that function | |
Using the Keyboard
Editing the file
Testing
(This is being written up - not complete yet)
.CLI Comments
If the line endings in CLI files are not correct, OZ gets confused.
This happens if a different editor is used other than PipeDream, the Line Feed character may be different i.e. LF (ASCII 10 / 0Ah).
To correct this,
- Load the file in PipeDream then
- Save as 'Plain Text file'.
This corrects the file and the comment identifier works correctly (those lines are skipped by CLI).
.CLI Examples
The following example shows a simple BOOT.CLI file with comments.
Comments
.; Here is a sample BOOT.CLI file.
.; Anything typed after a .;
.; at the beginning of a line is a comment.
.; You can use this to remind
.; yourself what you are trying to do,
.; so when you look at it
.; later on, you will understand
.; what you have done.
.; First we change the Default Device
.; on the Panel to use
.; RAM.1 (You can't use the Z88
.; very well using the internal
.; ram, :RAM.0)
.;
OZ 4.7
Loading and installing a Game
OZ 3.0
Change the Default RAM in the Panel
~As
.; []S Select Panel
.;
~D~D~D
.; Move down 3 lines with the Down Arrow key
.;
~C~R
.; Diamond Right Arrow to move to end of line
.;
~X
.; DELETE key to remove the 0
.;
1
.; Figure 1 put in to change to :RAM.1
.;
.; You could also turn the Keyclick On
.; (optional) if you prefer
~U~U
.; Move the cursor UP two lines
.;
Y
.; Type 'Y' for Yes
.;
.; *** End of Option ***
~E
.; ENTER key to save the changes
.; and leave Panel
Create Directories in the Filer
.;
~Af
.; []F into the Filer
.;
~Csv
.; Diamond SV to Change Device
.;
~C~R~X1~E
.; from :RAM.0 to :RAM.1 (like before)
.; At this point you can
.; Add your Directories. I have
.; used a simple tree.
.; |
.; ---------------
.; | |
.; PIPEDREAM DIARY
.; |
.; |
.; |
.; ---------------------
.; | |
.; LETTERS SSHEETS
.;
.; At this point we're still
.; in the Filer, carrying on
.;
~Ccd
.; Diamond CD (Create Directory)
.;
PIPEDREAM
.; the name of it
.;
~E
.; followed by the ENTER Key
.;
~CcdDIARY~E
.; Create DIARY Directory
.;
~Csi
.; Diamond SI (Select Directory)
.;
PIPEDREAM~E
.; the name of it and the ENTER Key
.;
~Ccd
.; Create Directory
.;
LETTERS~E
.; the name of it and the ENTER Key
.;
~Ccd
.; Create Directory
.;
SSHEETS~E
.; the name of it and the ENTER Key
.;
~Csi
.; Select Directory
.;
~Cd
.; Diamond D Delete to end of line
.; (clear any text)
.;
~E
.; then press the ENTER Key
.;
Printer Drivers
.; LOAD your Printer Driver (Optional)
.; First you need to FETCH FROM EPROM
.; a copy of your
.; Printer Driver File
.;
~Cef
.; Diamond EF (Fetch from EPROM)
.;
DRIVER.PDR
.; the filename
.;
~E~E
.; followed by TWO ENTER Keys
.; Now select the Printer Editor
.;
~Ae
.; Square E
.;
~Cfl
.; Diamond FL (File load)
.;
DRIVER.PDR~E
.; the filename and the ENTER Key
.;
~Cfu
.; Diamond FU (Update Driver)
.; *** END of Printer Driver Option ***
Set the Clock
.;
.; Now all that remains is to select
.;
~At
.; Square T so that you can set the Time
.; and Date manually
.; at the end.
After a BOOT.CLI file is used
You should check and clear any files in :RAM.-. See Bug - :RAM.-.