FCLS - Fancy Clear Screen Utility

                                  User's Guide


                             Colin Walls  -  02MAY88





































          INTRODUCTION

          The FCLS utility was written to provide a more interesting
          alternative to the usual DOS CLS command to clear the PC
          screen.  This is particularly desirable for use in
          demonstration batch files etc.

          The program should work with any type of display and requires
          IBM PC BIOS compatibility.  It was developed on an Amstrad
          1640 with ECD (EGA) screen.  It has also been tested on a
          Compaq (CGA), some Tandons (Mono and CGA) and an IBM (Mono). 
          The C compiler used for its development was Zorland
          (Zortech).

          Although the author retains the copyright, this program may
          be freely copied with only the following restrictions:

          1)   No charge should be made for the software.

          2)   The software should be unmodified.

          3)   The whole set of distribution files should be copied
               together, as follows:

               FCLS.COM       The executable utility.
               FCLS.C         The C source code.
               FCLS.DOC       This document.
               FCLSTEST.BAT   Batch file to test FCLS.
               FCLSTEST.TXT   Text used by FLCSTEST.BAT.

          Any queries or suggestions (or donations?) may be addressed
          to:
                    Colin Walls
                    88 Woosehill Lane
                    Wokingham
                    Berkshire
                    RG11 2TS
                    England




























          USING FCLS

          The FCLS utility is invoked by typing FCLS, optionally
          followed by a single parameter.  If a parameter is provided,
          only the first character is considered by FCLS.  The
          following commands are available:

               FCLS E -  Explode the screen.  An area of cleared screen
                         appears in the centre and expands to the
                         edges.

               FCLS I -  Implode the screen.  An area of cleared screen
                         appears around the edge and progresses towards
                         the centre.

               FCLS V -  Vertically sweep the screen.  A vertical bar
                         of cleared screen appears down the centre and
                         expands to the edges.

               FCLS H -  Horizontally sweep the screen.  A horizontal
                         bar of cleared screen appears across the
                         centre and expands to the edges.

               FCLS F -  Fade (randomly) the screen.  Blocks of
                         characters at random locations on the screen
                         are progressively cleared.

               FCLS C -  Collapse the screen.  Vertical bars of cleared
                         screen appear on either edge and progress
                         towards the centre.  A vertical bar of
                         uncleared screen remains, which is cleared
                         from the top and bottom towards the centre of
                         the screen.

               FCLS S -  Scroll off the screen.  Six areas of the
                         screen are individually scrolled (up or down)
                         until the whole screen is clear.

               FCLS ? -  Help.  A message outlining FCLS commands is
                         displayed.

          A batch file (FCLSTEST.BAT) is provided, which demonstrates
          each of the possible commands.

          If no parameter is provided to FCLS a default action is
          performed.  This default may be set by giving a value to the
          DOS environment variable FCLS.  This may be achieved using
          the DOS SET command (probably in the AUTOEXEC.BAT batch
          file).  For example:

                    SET FCLS=F

          would cause FCLS to fade the screen by default.

          If no default has been set, FCLS displays a help message
          (i.e. FCLS=? is the default default).