Using DOS Edit

If you are debugging an ASP file, you get error messages identifying the line number that stopped the program (it is important to realize that the fundamental problem may have occurred well before this line, but the line number is still useful information). Counting twenty or thirty lines is only boring; counting a few hundred lines is next to impossible. At this point, a true programmer's editor that counts lines is more than welcome. The DOS Edit program is such an editor. While it pays absolutely no attention to the mouse, it is not too hard to learn, and counting lines more than makes up for going mouseless.

Start DOS Edit by going to Start > Run..., then type edit and tap the <Enter> key.

Figure 1: The Edit opening screen

The <alt> key accesses the menus with letters highlighted.

<Alt> then <F> (one at a time, not simultaneously) displays the File menu, with one letter highlighted for each of its options:

It is easiest to activate a menus using these highlighted letters, as follows (do not type the hyphens below):

• <alt>-f-o: File Open (a file)
• <alt>-f-a: Files Save As (save a file for the first time, or save with a different file name)
• <alt>-f-s: File Save (save a file) - do this regularly
• <alt>-f-x: Exit Edit (you will be warned if there are unsaved changes)
• <esc> cancels all open menus and dialogs and clears them from the screen

Here is the File Open menu in Edit. Move to a window using <tab> and <Shift><tab>, move the highlight around in a window using the up and down arrow keys, and choose the highlighted item with the <Enter> key.

• <tab> moves the cursor or highlight to the next field (File Name, Files: or Directories:) in that order
• <Shift><tab> moves the cursor or highlight backwards
• Up and down arrow keys move the highlight around inside a window
• <Enter> selects the highlighted item.
• Get the drive right first, then the folder or directory. Both of these are in the Directories window. then switch to the Files window using <Shift><tab> and select the right file, then tap <Enter> to open it.

Figure 2: The Edit File Open Dialog

Figure 3: A file open in Edit

Once a file is open, edit it using the following keystrokes:

• Typing - insert characters at the flashing underline (insertion point)

• <Backspace> - delete to the left

• <Delete> - delete to the right

• Arrow keys: navigate up and down, left and right, without deleting or inserting

• <Shift><Down Arrow> - Select (highlight) the current line to cut, copy or delete

• <Shift><Left / Right Arrow> - Select on character at a time to cut, copy or delete

• <Alt>-e-t: Cut

• <Alt>-e-c: Copy

• <Alt>-e-p: Paste

Some nice features of Edit:

• You can have several files open at the same time, for example your ASP page and your HTML form, and switch among them using the "View" menu.

• Other programs can be using these files at the same time. For example, since it is relatively difficult to open a file, you can save changes and FTP it, all while keeping it open in Edit.