FileStat ShareWare User Documentation Introduction FileStat is a set of useful utilities for keeping track of what files are regularly used on your hard disk, and which are not. It consists of a 9k TSR (memory resident program), a conversion program, a program to produce a sorted, printable text file in report format, and a program to produce an ASCII file list of unused or inactive files. FileStat works by recording all file accesses in a log file. The user then runs a program (preferably on a daily basis) which converts the log file into a dBase III+ compatible data base file. Each time the conversion program is run, the data base is updated. If new a file access has already been converted to the data base file, then its access count is incremented and the date of last access is updated. If the new file access has never previously been converted to the database file, then a new record is added. By running FileStat for a significant period of time, (a period of several weeks is recommended) a comprehensive data base of file names and accesses can be developed. This allows the user to see what files on their hard disk are actually used, how often, and how long ago. Installation Installation of FileStat is very simple. All you need to do is copy the contents of your distribution disk to any sub directory on your hard disk. The sub directory you choose should be where you normally keep your utility programs. For example, if you have a directory where your utility programs are stored called C:\UTILITY, you would Insert your distribution disk in your A drive, and simply type the following at the DOS prompt: COPY A:*.* C:\UTILITY Whatever sub directory you install the FileStat programs in should be included in your PATH statement. Operation There are five executable programs included with the FileStat package. Each program, and its operation are described below. For ease of reference, each program is numbered in the order that they would normally be used. 1. CONFIGFS.EXE - This is the FileStat configuration program. You MUST run this program before running any of the FileStat programs. It will create a configuration file in the root directory of your hard disk called F_STAT.INF. It will also create a sub-directory on the current drive called \F_STAT , where your FileStat files will be maintained. 2. FILELOG.EXE - This is the TSR program that will keep track of all file accesses. It will occupy about 9k of RAM, and can be loaded high. Its operation should be imperceptible to the user. FILELOG will create a file called FILELOG.DAT in the FileStat directory. This is where all file accesses will be recorded. FILELOG can be unloaded by using the /U option (i.e. FILELOG /U ). FILELOG can also be loaded in a "quiet" mode (no screen information) by using the /Q option (i.e. FILELOG /Q ). 3. FILESTAT.EXE - This program will create and maintain a file in your FileStat directory called FILESTAT.DBF. It should be run at least once a day (from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file). It will read all file accesses recorded in the FILELOG.DAT file, and update the FILESTAT.DBF file. The FILELOG.DAT file is then deleted, and FILELOG will create a new one when there are more file accesses to record. FILESTAT.DBF is a standard dBase III+ file and can be used by any program that is compatible with DBF type files. 4. STATREPT.EXE - This program will read your data base file (FILESTAT.DBF) and create an ASCII text file called STATS.TXT. STATS.TXT can be viewed or edited by any text editor or word processor. You can also print STATS.TXT by typing the following command at the DOS prompt: COPY C:\F_STAT\STATS.TXT PRN You may view it on your screen with the following command: TYPE C:\F_STAT\STATS.TXT | MORE STATREPT will pre-sort your data in specific order if you like. STATREPT /N will sort the data by the full path and file name. This is the default. STATREPT /A will sort the data by the number of file accesses with the most active files first. STATREPT /D will sort the data by date the file was last accessed with the most recent files first. 5. NOTUSED.EXE - This program will create a current list of all files residing on your hard disk that have not been accessed since you began using FileStat. The list created is in ASCII file format and is named NOTUSED.TXT It can be viewed, printed, or edited in the same way as the STATS.TXT file. NOTUSED can will also accept a file specification mask. For example, NOTUSED *.EXE will produce a listing of all unused files with the extension EXE. Whenever you use a file specification mask, the resultant NOTUSED file created will use the same extention. In this way you can set up numerous NOTUSED files for various situations. There a few situations where the extention will not be exactly the same as the file specification mask. The extention EXE will be changed to EX_, COM will be changed to C_M, and BAT will become B_T. In addition, when you use a mask like NOTUSED *.B??, the resultant file created by not used will be NOTUSED.B--. A file mask like NOTUSED *.B* will create a file called NOTUSED.B%. In other words, ? will become - and * will become % whenever they are used as part of the file extention mask. The NOTUSED.TXT file can also be used as a "response" file for other programs. A "response" file is an ASCII file that supplies input data to other programs. In this case, the input data would be the full drive, path, and file name of inactive files. Many back-up, "move", and archiving (ZIP) programs allow the use of response files. NOTUSED.TXT can, and SHOULD be used to create some type archival copy or back-up of any files you plan to delete or remove from your system. Be Careful! There are some dangers involved in using this program. Some files reported by FileStat as inactive, may actually be needed on your system. Here' s some guidelines to help you decide what files to leave alone. 1. Be sure to disable FILELOG before using any backup programs or every file on your hard disk will show up in your FILESTAT database. 2. ALWAYS unload FILELOG before running any disk maintenence or optimization programs. 3. Never mess around with DOS or system files unless you know what you are doing. 4. Never delete any files from accounting program directories unless you check with the software publisher first. Many files used by accounting programs are accessed only on a quarterly or yearly basis. 5. NEVER NEVER NEVER delete any files without backing them up first. You may find out some time in the future that you will need a couple of them! 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