"VANCE,JEFF (HP-Cupertino,ex1)" wrote:

> Someone who can use ABORTPROC (and the INPUT to console enhancement)
> and is on 6.5 needs to try out this patch.

(since it seems that sig leaders are allowed to use harangue mode.... :-)

this enhancement to the input function is about the most wonderful thing since
sliced bread.

from the help text....   (and yes, there is updated help :-)

INPUT

     Assigns a value to a CI variable by reading its value from the
     $STDIN file, or from the system console.  (NM)

SYNTAX

     INPUT [NAME=]varname
           [[;PROMPT=]prompt ] [[;WAIT=]seconds  ]
           [[;READCNT=]chars ] [[;DEFAULT=]default_str ]
           [;CONSOLE ]

see that last option???  you can now write scripts meant solely for the console
without going thru all manner of gyrations.  *and* it's got a timer attached to
it!  the operator's will see this as an ordinary console message needing a
reply.  if they fail to answer (as could happen on a busy console <ahem>), the
timer pops....and (being the superior script writers that we are :-) it's dealt
with accordingly.  marvelous stuff.  jeff did great work on this.              -
d

--
Donna Garverick     Sr. System Programmer
925-210-6631        [log in to unmask]

"Unix _is_ user friendly.
It's just very selective about who its friends are.
And sometimes even best friends have fights."

>>>MY opinions, not Longs Drug Stores'<<<