Thursday, March 03, 2011

Automatic file backup - loading setup

Now that we've got a simple GUI designed, let's write some code which will load the files we want to backup, the destination path, and the interval of our automatic backup.

We need a subroutine to load the setup which we will call using GOSUB. We can call this right after we open the window.

open "Backup Utility" for window_nf as #main
gosub [loadSetup]
wait


We want to know if the setup file exists. There is an example program called fileExists.bas that comes with the functions we need to check for file existence. We'll just grab those. Here they are:

'return a true if the file in fullPath$ exists, else return false
function fileExists(fullPath$)
files pathOnly$(fullPath$), filenameOnly$(fullPath$), info$()
fileExists = val(info$(0, 0)) > 0
end function

'return just the directory path from a full file path
function pathOnly$(fullPath$)
pathOnly$ = fullPath$
while right$(pathOnly$, 1) <> "\" and pathOnly$ <> ""
pathOnly$ = left$(pathOnly$, len(pathOnly$)-1)
wend
end function

'return just the filename from a full file path
function filenameOnly$(fullPath$)
pathLength = len(pathOnly$(fullPath$))
filenameOnly$ = right$(fullPath$, len(fullPath$)-pathLength)
end function


We will call the fileExists( ) function from our [loadSetup] subroutine. A really simple example of the data in our setup file would have a list of file paths, and end! marker for the end of that list of files, a single line with the desired destination path, and another line with the interval in seconds between backup attempts.

Example backupSetup.ini
c:\myfolder\test.txt
c:\myfolder\backMeUp.dat
c:\myfolder\SillyPutty.exe
end!
c:\backupFolder\files
5


Once we know the file exists we can open it up and read it, placing the information into the different fields in our GUI.

[loadSetup]
#main.listOfFiles "!cls";
if fileExists(setupPath$) then
open setupPath$ for input as #setup
while filename$ <> "end!"
line input #setup, filename$
if filename$ <> "" then
#main.listOfFiles filename$
end if
wend
line input #setup, destination$
#main.destination destination$
line input #setup, interval
#main.interval interval
close #setup
end if
return


Here is the complete listing so far:

dim info$(10,10)
setupPath$ = DefaultDir$+"\backupsetup.ini"

WindowWidth = 560
WindowHeight = 460
statictext #main, "Files to backup:", 5, 5, 94, 20
texteditor #main.listOfFiles, 5, 26, 530, 95
statictext #main, "Destination folder:", 5, 132, 107, 20
textbox #main.destination, 115, 127, 420, 25
statictext #main, "Backup interval in seconds:", 5, 157, 163, 20
textbox #main.interval, 170, 152, 100, 25
button #main.save,"Save",[save], UL, 495, 152, 42, 25
button #main.start,"Start",[start], UL, 5, 187, 75, 25
button #main.stop,"Stop",[stop], UL, 90, 187, 70, 25
statictext #main, "Backup status log", 5, 217, 106, 20
texteditor #main.statusLog, 5, 237, 530, 160
menu #main, "Edit"
open "Backup Utility" for window_nf as #main
gosub [loadSetup]
wait

[loadSetup]
#main.listOfFiles "!cls";
if fileExists(setupPath$) then
open setupPath$ for input as #setup
while filename$ <> ""
line input #setup, filename$
if filename$ <> "end!" then
#main.listOfFiles filename$
end if
wend
line input #setup, destination$
#main.destination destination$
line input #setup, interval
#main.interval interval
close #setup
end if
return

'return a true if the file in fullPath$ exists, else return false
function fileExists(fullPath$)
files pathOnly$(fullPath$), filenameOnly$(fullPath$), info$()
fileExists = val(info$(0, 0)) > 0
end function

'return just the directory path from a full file path
function pathOnly$(fullPath$)
pathOnly$ = fullPath$
while right$(pathOnly$, 1) <> "\" and pathOnly$ <> ""
pathOnly$ = left$(pathOnly$, len(pathOnly$)-1)
wend
end function

'return just the filename from a full file path
function filenameOnly$(fullPath$)
pathLength = len(pathOnly$(fullPath$))
filenameOnly$ = right$(fullPath$, len(fullPath$)-pathLength)
end function

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Automatic file backup UI design

Here's what I'm thinking. The back utility GUI will be a simple window with a text area that contains a list of file paths. There will be start and stop buttons, an interval for a timer in seconds, and a field with a destination path.

When the timer is started the backup utility will examine each file that is specified in the text area and collect modification date and time. Later when the timer ticks we will check them again to see if any of them has changed. If even one of the files is different we will back them up as a set.

To perform the backup the program will take the destination path and use it to create a unique folder by adding a number to it. Then it will copy all the files into newly created folder.

There will also be a status area in the window where the user will be kept informed about backup activities.

The configuration for the backup utility will be stored in a file. When the program is started it will be loaded and displayed in the GUI, and there will be a save button to save the configuration back to the configuration file.

More than likely this design will evolve as we actually build the program code.

Here is the beginning of our program, just the GUI code to start.

WindowWidth = 560
WindowHeight = 460
statictext #main, "Files to backup:", 5, 5, 94, 20
texteditor #main.listOfFiles, 5, 26, 530, 95
statictext #main, "Destination folder:", 5, 132, 107, 20
textbox #main.destination, 115, 127, 420, 25
statictext #main, "Backup interval in seconds:", 5, 157, 163, 20
textbox #main.interval, 170, 152, 100, 25
button #main.save,"Save",[save], UL, 495, 152, 42, 25
button #main.start,"Start",[start], UL, 5, 187, 75, 25
button #main.stop,"Stop",[stop], UL, 90, 187, 70, 25
statictext #main, "Backup status log", 5, 217, 106, 20
texteditor #main.statusLog, 5, 237, 530, 160
menu #main, "Edit"
open "Backup Utility" for window as #main
wait

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Automatic file backup

I'm inspired by a real world need I have to create utility in Liberty BASIC which will do the following:

1) Periodically examine a list of files in a folder to see if they have changed
2) Make a new folder with a unique name somewhere else to contain the updated files
3) Copy the changed files to the new folder

We can keep a list of paths and files in a file, create a simple gui for maintaining this list and starting and stopping the timer, and for displaying a log of activity.

In our next installment we will write the GUI code.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Projects

I've decided to start some small projects which show how to do various things in Liberty BASIC. This will be a good way to demonstrate how easy programming in BASIC can be, and it will help people to learn specific programming techniques.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Words of wisdom

I've always been a big fan of the Forth programming language. It is nothing like BASIC, but here is a page from forth.com with some words of wisdom from Chuck Moore that I figure are just good food for thought no matter what language you prefer.

http://www.forth.com/resources/evolution/evolve_1.html

Sunday, October 11, 2009

BASIC and Space Flight!

The same fellow who created an OpenGL flight simulator in Liberty BASIC has taken it a step further by creating a spaceflight simulator with a map editor. Very neat!

Check it out

Monday, September 28, 2009

BASIC, Lasers, and you

Here's an interesting example of the perfect use for BASIC. If you're into laser tag and programming this may be your ticket. It's cool that the makers of this device decided to write the config tool in Liberty BASIC, and that they make the code available so the average Joe can customize it. That's in the spirit of BASIC. Programming for the non-programmer.

http://www.lasertagparts.com/mtmicro.htm

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fractals in a page of code

What's great about BASIC and languages like it is that you don't have a write a lot of code that has nothing to do with what you're trying to create (like Java for example). It should be really easy to throw together a little code and play with graphics. Programming should be fun, not a burden.

Here is a thread that shows how to draw fractals in less than a page of BASIC.

Click to read the thread

Friday, September 11, 2009

Levity and Programming

BASIC is the perfect programming language to a lighthearted programming challenge, and I'm about to prove it to you. What better matchup between BASIC than Paper, Rock, Scissors?

Check it out. It's great to see people programming just for fun.

Programming tools in BASIC

Alyce Watson has updated her CodeAChrome widget, which is a syntax coloring editor specially made for editing BASIC source code. It's small, simple to use, and free! Check out her announcement here.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Earth shaking!

Here's a neat example of BASIC programming which plots earthquake data graphically.  What's cool about this is that it demonstrates graphics, interfacing with VBScript, and getting information off the Internet.  Add to this that it's not a large program.



Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Who says you can't do that in BASIC?

Over at the Liberty BASIC forum on Conforums they've announced a programmer of the month for September.  Chung, a prolific Liberty BASIC programmer has created an OpenGL flight simulator in Liberty BASIC.   Very, very nice!

  Click to read the announcement and make sure to follow the link to Chung's site to see the flight simulator!


Saturday, July 25, 2009

Searching for BASIC

When people search for BASIC online using Google or Bing, or whatever, what keywords do they search with? Some of the obvious choices to me are:

  • basic
  • basic for windows
  • qbasic
  • visual basic
  • vb

How would you search for BASIC?

Monday, June 01, 2009

Joy in Programming

I responded to a post on another blog (http://blogten.blogspot.com/2009/05/wards-comment.html) about how someone complained that the Smalltalk programming language permits the programmer too much freedom and that it's "too easy." The argument against being easy is that if it's too easy the programmer will be able to rush into creating software that is designed poorly. I have a hard time believing it is ever a benefit that something is hard to do. I think this applies to languages like BASIC so I'm copying what I posted there below.
Freedom is essential if you want to live life to the full, and not just in software development. We need to teach what is the best way to live in freedom, not impose a tyranny of suffocating "safety". If we don't build a culture of discipline and excellence then we deserve what we get. If we impose tons of rules to in an effort to prevent people from making mistakes we risk making software development such a burden that few people will want to do it anymore. It should be possible for software development to be an enjoyable activity, and for innovation and discovery to be experienced by newbies and experts. Joy is important in life.

Perhaps I oversimplify, but I hope this communicates an important idea effectively.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Easter Eggs?

Here's a link to a fun article about how Microsoft added Easter Eggs to their original BASIC implementations.


It never even occurred to me to do this.  ;-)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Imposter?

I found an article named Web programming is hard to do right by a fellow named Bert Hubert. He does a nice job of explaining what is so hard about web programming and then goes on to describe how it could be done right. He even includes some BASIC code as an example. I like the questions he asks:
  • How did we arrive at this mess?
  • That's just the way it works, isn't it?
  • How should it be then?
  • Why not go back to the old days?
This article really resonates with the ideas that inspired Run BASIC. We need more people who think this way.

He provides some C-like code implementing what the BASIC code does. I guess that this new scripting language is code for a language called Imposter by Gabor Vitez which he mentions in a note at the top of his article.

I did a quick search for information about Imposter and its author but it seems to have withdrawn from the Internet. Does anyone know where to get a copy of Imposter to have a look?

Friday, December 12, 2008

Getting the word out about Run BASIC

I've been working on a whitepaper for a while now that tries to explain what it is that makes Run BASIC special and I've finally published it. It's titled "Run BASIC - A Breakthrough Web Application Server." Check it out here

It isn't usually wise to toot one's own horn too loud but I really believe that Run BASIC is unique. The trouble is that people are so overexposed to hype that they don't really easily believe that Run BASIC is different. In fact one person who helped me edit the whitepaper recently contacted me after trying Run BASIC and explained that he didn't realize how easy it really is until he tried it out.

Monday, December 08, 2008

Run BASIC v1.01!

I'm excited to announce that we've released Run BASIC v1.01. In addition to the Windows version, this is our first release for the Macintosh and also for Linux. Now we also have a free edition (not time limited!) so you can go and try it on your own computer. Run (don't walk) immediately to http://www.runbasic.com/ and get your own copy.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Teaching an old dog new tricks

One reader commented, "So should a basic language add object-oriented features? For me, it would simplify things. Inheritance and polymorphism produces much less code, and FOR ME, much more simplicity. However, for a procedure-oriented person, only complexity has been added."

This is an excellent point. One way that I've tried to add objects to Run BASIC is to have some built right in. You don't have to create them and you don't need to import them, but you can start using them. This is hopefully one way to begin to help procedural programmers warm up to objects and there's no reason why the rest of the program cannot be written in a procedural style.

The other thing that Run BASIC does is take the RUN statement and adapt it so that other BASIC programs that you run can be optionally treated as objects, or if that's too far of a leap you can think of it as a modular library of code, like so:

run "mymodule.bas", #module
#module doMyWork("some string")


Thursday, October 09, 2008

Flight Simulator in BASIC

I remember years ago that there was an instrument-only flight simulator written in BASIC and ported to different computers.  It wasn't much to look at because it was all character based.  Tom Nally has just released an open source flight simulator written in Liberty BASIC.  This one blows the doors off that old classic.  Check it out here.