Page 3_1

External Programs

Settings Notebook - Page 3_1

Double clicking or "Executing" a file in one of the file windows launches an executable file or runs a pre-defined program associated with the file extension. For instance, double clicking on an *.INF file will cause the file to be viewed with view.exe or newview.exe if installed as a replacement.

Since there are various options available for ASCII editors, browsers and printer support, the user must use this External Programs page to link an external program of choice with the function. Windows programs are supported for use as external programs.

Do not alter the order of these functions!

The following functions must be configured with an external executable program. Press the appropriate pushbutton to configure using the Configure External Programs dialog;

1. Edit function - Configures the default or alternate editor to use for editing ASCII text files. The default entry in this field is the OS/2 Enhanced Editor, EPM.EXE. If the Default editor is internal option on Settings notebook page 2_2 is checked, the program entered here is the alternate editor and will only be started with Ctrl+Shift+Double click (or Enter) or clicking the menu or toolbar Edit item.

2. Browse function - Configures the browser to use for browsing any file that does not have a defined association. The default entry in this field is the OS/2 Editor, E.EXE. If the Default viewer is internal option on Settings notebook page 2_2 is checked, the program entered here is the alternate viewer and will only be started with Alt+Shift+Double click (or Enter) or clicking the menu or toolbar Browse item.

3. Zip function - Configures the program used for archiving files. This file must be InfoZIP's ZIP.EXE.

4. Unzip function - Configures the program used for extracting zipped files. This file must be InfoZIP's UNZIP.EXE or UNZIP32.EXE.

5. Compare Files function - Configures the compare program used for comparing files. Default is the OS/2 compare program COMP.COM.

6. Directory Compare function - Configures an external directory compare program for optional use. This program may be used in addition to the internal function through the accelerator keys Ctrl Alt =. The Directories->Compare menu item starts only the internal compare directories function.

7. Print function - Configures a print interface program to be used for printing files. Default is the internal print function.

Automatic Entry of Zip/Unzip Files

If the zip files required to support zip archiving operations (zip.exe and unzip.exe) are in the FS/2 directory, those files will be automatically setup on first startup. If not, the config.sys path statement is searched and, if found, the first directory found is used and the program will fill the zip and unzip entry fields. Otherwise, enter the complete path/file name to both the zip.exe and unzip.exe files.