ZD.COM - A really cool shareware change directory/find file utility!!

Basically ZD is a replacement for the DOS CHDIR (CD) command, but with two 
major improvements:  the ability to change directories based upon just a few 
letters of the directory name, and the ability to find files in any of the 
directories on your hard drives.  There are other change directory utilities 
(CDUs) out there that already do this, but ZD is a CDU with a difference!!!  
The differences between ZD and other CDUs are twofold.

Firstly, ZD does not store its path list in a separate file.  It actually 
appends the path list to the end of itself.  This means that it is much faster 
than those other utilities, because it does not need to open that separate path 
list file!  It is also faster because it is a COM file--a direct memory image 
of ZD is stored on your hard drive, therefore there is no need to set itself up 
in memory like an EXE file does.

Secondly, it can change directories across multiple drives.  This means that 
your path list can span multiple drives and ZD will search through them in the 
order the drives were originally scanned in.  Other utilities require that you 
specifiy the particular drive that you wish to search before entering the 
actual directory you are looking for.  Of course, you can do this with ZD as 
well

ZD also works fine on a network as long as you have write rights for the 
directory in which ZD resides.  ZD has one limitation--it can only store about 
57k of directory paths in its path list.  I have yet to run into this barrier, 
but you might, if you have a really big directory structure on your hard 
drive(s) (or you are running LanManager...just kidding <G>).

INSTALLING ZD

After unzipping the ZD.ZIP file, copy  the ZD.COM file and ZDS.BAT files into a 
directory in your search path.  Perhaps you already have a BAT or BIN 
subdirectory for miscellaneous batch files and utility programs.  This 
directory is perfect for the ZD files.

USING ZD 

Usage:  ZD [[options] [directory name]] or [[options] [file name]]

Options and How They Are Used

Options                  Actions

nothing                  Display a help screen.

full path                Change directories just like DOS' CD command

[d:]prefix               Change to the next matching directory

/S directory             Scans all subdirectories below the directory name and
                         creates a new path list

/A directory             Scans all subdirectories below the directory name and
                         adds them to the path list

/E directory             Erases the matching directories from the path list

/R file name             Reads in a list of paths from the file name

/L [file name]           Displays the list of paths

/F file name or pattern  Finds the matching file(s) in the path list

/Q                       Query option:  Asks before removing a path from the path
                         list.

/D                       Debug feature:  Displays debug information when
                         performing actions



Changing Directories with ZD

First of all case does not matter.  I have uppercased all the options and 
examples for clarification.  You may use ZD with any combination of case.  To 
use ZD to change directories simply type ZD followed by the first few 
characters of the directory name you wish to change to.  ZD will then search 
down its path list and move you into the first directory that matches those 
first few characters.  If you invoke it again with the same parameters it will 
look for the next directory in the path list.  If it does not locate another 
match it will cycle back up to the top of the list and start again.  If ZD does 
not initially locate a match then it will remain in the directory it was in 
when invoked.  No matter what, you must first scan your hard drive using ZD's 
/S option (see below).

Option - /S - Scan

ZD functions identically to DOS' CD command in its basest form.  In other words
you can use ZD just like you are currently using the cd command, but if you 
wish to make use of ZD's other options then the first thing you need to do is 
scan the hard drive(s) you will be using ZD with.  This is accomplished with 
the /S option.  Here is an example of how to scan your C: drive (Remember that 
ZD scans according to actual DOS directory order--not alphabetically):  

	ZD /S C:\

If you wish to scan multiple drives with one command you may add more directory 
names to the command line like this:

	ZD /S C:\ D:\

The above example first scans the C: drive and then scans the D: drive.  This 
means that if you use ZD to move to a directory called "TEMP" by invoking the 
command as follows--ZD TEMP--then ZD will first change to any directory that 
begins with "TEMP" on the C: drive.  If you invoke ZD again with the same 
parameters (This is.easily accomplished by pressing the F3 key; or the up-arrow 
if you are using DOSKEY) it will continue to search the C: drive.  If it does 
not locate another directory that begins with "TEMP" then it move to the next 
drive--in this case D:--then start anew.

I have created a batch file (ZDS.BAT) which automates this process somewhat.  
Simply edit it to reflect your current drive configuration and then invoke it 
instead of ZD from time to time.  ZDS will accept a directory name just like 
ZD, so you can first scan your drives and then change into the desired 
directory in one step.

Option - /A - Add

This functions much like option /S, but it does not replace the existing path 
list.  Instead it appends the directories to the current path list.  This can 
be faster if you have only made a few changes to your directory structure(s), 
you have a really large directory structure, and you know exactly what those 
changes are.  In general it preferable to rerun ZD with /S option instead.  Or 
use the handy ZDS.BAT file.

Option - /E - Erase

The Erase option functions much like the Add option does, except that it erases 
the path from the path list.  This can be used to remove a directory from the 
path list without rescanning the entire drive.

Option /R - Read

The Read option allows you to read a text file which contains a list of 
directories straight into your current path list.

Option /L - List

This option allows you to list the current path list to the standard output.  
It can be redirected into a text file, for later use with the Read option, or 
it can be piped through DOS' MORE command so that it can be perused onscreen.  
If the List option is invoked with a file name as its parameter it will dump 
the list into that file name.

Option /F - Find

The Find option allows you to search for files in your path list. By using ZD 
with /F (Find File) parameter you can locate a file or file pattern. Be aware 
that if you search for a pattern which will be found a lot--for instance: 
*.TXT--more than likely the located file list will scroll off of the screen.  
In this case, you should either direct the output to a file, or pipe the output 
through MORE.

Option /Q - Query

This option may be used in conjunction with the Erase option in order to have 
ZD prompt you before removing a directory entry from the path list.

Option /D - Debug

This option may be used to display debug information during any action 
performed by ZD.  It was primarily designed for my use, but you may want see 
what ZD is actually doing when it runs.  The Debug option may be used with all 
other options.

CLOSING

That's all there is to ZD.  I hope it works as well for you as it does for me.  
Remember, ZD is a shareware product.  Therefore, if you use it for more than 30
days I hope you will send me the $15(US dollars) registration fee.  Of course,
quality beer is always accepted in lieu of money.

If you have problems, suggestions or registration fees($15 US dollars) to send 
me my address is:

	C. Hall
	120-5Th Avenue
	Santa Cruz, CA  95062

You may reach me via Internet e-mail at:  chall@cruzio.com