What is a .CLI File?

A CLI file is a 'plain text' or ASCII file that is read by Command Line Interpreter. The Z88 can then use this file to 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 with Unzip ^*
• At least 128K RAM
• Flash card
• Connection to the desktop to get files off the internet

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

Collecting the files

These files are RAM applications

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

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.-.