As stated in Paper 44, SPROGS can output to the Tektronix by writing an ALLCHAR file. However, listing a file with more than one frame of information in it will cause subsequent frames to overwrite the first. Various methods for dealing with this have been proposed. Until a more satisfactory solution is found, a macro has been written to split a single file into a number of separate files, each containing just one frame.
The macro is :SPROGS.TKFILES
Parameters are (in any order):
Input: IN filename
filename is an ALLCHAR file which contains a number of frames of output. The macro is abandoned if no input parameter is present.
Output: OUT filename
Files of the form:
filename (x/FRME)
are generated, each containing just one frame from the input file. x indicates the frame number. If this parameter is absent, filename is taken to be the same as that of the input file.
Limits: FROM no1
TO no2
FRAMES no3
If FROM is present, the splitting of the input file begins at the no1-th frame, with default 1. If FRAMES is present, no3 frames are split. If TO is present (but not FRAMES), no2-no1+1 frames are split. The default is one frame.
The macro may be run either from MOP or as a background job (no core image is required). It will DISPLAY the following information:
Name of first frame file generated
Number of frames required
Name of last frame file generated
In addition, any error (for example, requesting more frames than are available in the input file) will be indicated, and the offending frame number printed. The corresponding output file for this frame is likely to be corrupt in some way.
When complete, a user wishing to view frame n will list
outfile (n/FRME)
at the tektronix.
The macro takes advantage of the form of output from SPROGS, and uses the editor to create the required number of files. The input file is assumed to start with 4 lines of null commands which act as timing, and to separate each frame by a position command to the top left hand corner of the screen. The macro creates two temporary files - XXjobname and YYjobname. The first of these is used to edit the input file to produce the required frame, including the four timing 1ines each time. The second temporary file is used to edit the first temporary file so that a new frame is obtained from the input file each time.
The macro creates a considerable number of files and makes heavy use of the editor. It is advisable that, for a given input file, only those frames which will be required are split. However, all such frames should be split at the same time. When viewing has finished, unwanted files should be deleted. The macro :SPROGSTKDEL will allow multiple deletes. Parameters are:
Input: IN filename
Name of series of files to be deleted
Limits: FROM no1
TO no2
FRAMES n03
As for TKFILES. The default frame count, however, is -1, so that all such files are deleted.
To obtain frames 8 to 12 from file TKIN:
OB :SPROGS.TKFILES,INTKIN,OUTTKOUT,FROM8,TO12
or
OB :SPROGS.TKFILES,INTKIN,OUTTKOUT,FROM8,FRAMES5
will produce files TKOUT (8/FRME) to TKOUT(I2/FRME).