johnbl@tekig5.UUCP (John Blankenagel) (05/21/85)
I am trying to write a program similar to xdir for my cpm computer. I need some information on how to access the directory tracks on the disk. Also, how do I use the disk parameter block to find disk usage information? I will be writing the program in C (Software Toolworks c-80). Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated. John Blankenagel.
Bicer.OsbuSouth@XEROX.ARPA (05/23/85)
--------- I am trying to write a program similar to xdir for my cpm computer. I need some information on how to access the directory tracks on the disk. Also, how do I use the disk parameter block to find disk usage information? I will be writing the program in C (Software Toolworks c-80). Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated. --------- The easiest and most portable way that I know of, is to set up a fully ambiguous FCB (all ?'s), and do a BDOS search for FIRST, look at the directory entry at the default DMA buffer (i.e 80H), then continue doing BDOS search for NEXT and examining the directory entry, until the function returns no more matches (i.e. all the file names on the disk in the current user area have been shown). 1 - Set up fully ambiguous FCB (all ?'s) 2 - BDOS search for FIRST 3 - If no match found, DONE 4 - Examine the directory entry, update internal data 5 - BDOS search for NEXT 6 - If no match found, DONE 7 - GOTO Step 4 One of the best documents I know which explains the directory entries is the DU (Disk Utility) documentation. This program is in public domain, and I would recommend you learn how to use it and understand the information it provides, before you start the project. Good luck. Jack Bicer