Copyright: E. Scott Jones 1992, 1993 The Kitchen Sink


Soldier Backup

Introduction...

What It Does

Quick Start...

Tutorial

How To . . .

Getting Started With Soldier Backup

Creating Scripts

Opening Scripts

Adding Script Elements

Subtracting Script Elements

Saving Scripts

Executing Scripts

Removing Scripts

Register Soldier Backup


What It Does

Soldier Backup is an automated utility which facilitates the backing up of data.  The foundation of this utility is the Script.  Each Script contains the information which Soldier Backup uses to automate your backup process.  Once a Scrip has been created, all files contained within the script are copied to the specified path.  From then on, only those files which have been modified are operated on the next time you run that particular script from within Soldier Backup.  This greatly reduces the time needed for backing up data, especially if you do it often.

To learn how to properly use Soldier Backup and create Scripts, see the headings listed under Soldier Backup in this help file.


Tutorial

Soldier Backup Tutorial

It is strongly recommended that you print this topic now.  Make sure your printer is turned on and Choose File | Print Topic from the menu above.  This will allow you to follow along in the tutorial without having to continuously flip back and forth between the Soldier Backup Dialog and this help topic.

The first step is to create a script.  Choose Create by clicking on the Create button.

An input dialog box appears, prompting you to enter a new script name.  Type Sample and click on Ok.

Notice that the new script name appears in the combobox under the heading Speed Scripts.  We now have an empty script with which we can work.  The next step is to add elements to it.

In the lower right corner of the Soldier Backup dialog box you will find a directory listbox.  Double-click on the first file in that listbox.  Notice that the filename and the full path have been entered into the edit control to the left.  This is your source file.  You could also have typed the data into the edit control if you desired, however, it's easier and insures accuracy to instead manipulate the directory list and double-click on the files you wish added to the script.

Now move over to the Target Path edit control with the Tab key or click in the edit control itself.  Type in B:\ if you have a B drive or A:\ if you wish to back up to your A drive.  Of course, you may back up to any drive and directory you wish, but for our purposes here we'll assume a simple backup procedure.

We have now established a source and target object for our script.  Click on the + button.  Notice that both Source File and Target File have been added to their respective listboxes.  We now have one element for our script.

Move down to the directory listbox in the lower right corner and double-click on some other file.  Notice that the specified file has been entered into the Source File edit control.  Normally, when backing up data the same Target Path is used for all files.  The same is true in our sample.  Click on the + button again.  We now have two elements for our script.  Of course, if you had wanted to specify a different Target Path you could have done so by typing in the appropriate data.

Repeat the last process by choosing another file from the directory listbox.  After doing so, you should have three elements in your script.

Oops!  Perhaps we've made a mistake by adding the second element to our script.  Select the second element in the Source Files listbox in the upper left section of the Soldier Backup dialog box by clicking on it.  Now choose - by clicking on the - button.  Viola!  The entry has been removed, leaving us with two elements in our script.

Let's assume we only need two elements for this particular script.  Select the Save button.  We have now created our first script which will automatically appear in the combobox every time you enter Soldier Backup - unless, of course, you decide in the future to remove the script by selecting the Remove button.

Make sure that Sample is displayed in the combobox and select Open.  Notice that your previous entries are now shown in their respective listboxes.  Make sure the Backup radio button is selected.  Be sure you have a diskette in drive A or B, whichever you specified as the Target Path, and then select Ok.  Soldier Backup is now copying your files to the specified path.  After the backup is complete, select Open once more.  Select Ok.  You'll notice that this time neither of the files were backed up because neither file had been modified.

This ends the tutorial.  For more detailed information on each component of Soldier Backup see the topic list.


Getting Started With Soldier Backup

Speed Scripts are the foundtion of Soldier Backup.  Before Soldier Backup can be used, a Script must be created.  Until a Script has been created, the title [-None-] will be displayed in the combobox.  After you have created your first Script, that and any other scripts which have been created will replace [-None-] and will appear in the combobox.  You may create as many Scripts as you like.  These scripts are nothing more than INI files except that they have a WFX extension and will be created in your Windows' directory.  It is highly recommended that you don't modify these WFX files outside of Soldier Backup.

See the following section - Creating Scripts - for detailed information on how to proceed.


Creating Scripts

In order to create a Script, click on the Create button.  An input dialog box appears, prompting you for a new script name.  Enter any valid DOS name up to a maximum of eight characters.  Select Ok to have the new name placed in the combobox under the heading Speed Scripts.  Select Cancel to abort.  If you've selected Ok, the Script is automatically opened and is ready to receive new elements.  It is not, however, saved until you manually do so by clicking on the Save button.  In any event, Soldier Backup will prompt you if you attempt to change tasks or leave Soldier Backup before saving a newly created or modified script.

See Adding Elements to proceed after having created a Script.


Opening Scripts

To open a Script, make sure that the appropriate script title is displayed in the combobox under Speed Scripts, then click on the Open button.  If the script is a valid Script which has previously been created by Speed Backup, it will be opened and its elements will appear in their respective Source Files and Target Path listboxes.

The current script will remain open until it is either saved, backed up, restored, or a new script is selected.  Exiting Speed Backup will also close the current script , if open.


Adding Script Elements

Adding script  elemements is accomplished by clicking on the + button.  Several strictures must be adhered to, however, in order for the process to function properly.  The Source Files edit control and the Target Path edit control must contain data.  Additionally, a valid script must be visible in the combobox display under the heading Speed Scripts and it must be open.

Data may be entered into the Source Files edit control in one of two ways.  You may either type in the data manually or use the more recommended approach of double-clicking on the desired file in the listbox positioned in the lower right corner of the  Soldier Backup dialog box.  Using this second method insures that the path information will be accurate because you are not subjected to possible typos.  Additionally, if you have a number of elements to add to your script, it would be tedious to manually enter each one.  Therefore, double-clickiing is the safer and more accurate method.

Data must be manually entered into the Target Path edit control.  Unlike the Source Files edit control, however, it is improbable that you would enter different Target Path data in the same script, although this is certainly permitted.  Normally one would be backing up his or her data to an identical target path.  Such being the case, you will only need to enter this data once.  When you double-click on the next entry to add to the Source Files edit control, the data in the Target Path edit control remains static.

Once the Source Files edit control and the Target Path edit control have valid data in them, click on the + button.  This will add the data in both edit controls to their respective listboxes and, if necessary, will automatically scroll the listboxes down so you may always have your last entry in view.

Soldier Backup always checks for duplicate entries before adding your data to the listboxes.  If both the source and target in the edit controls are an identical match to an existing entry, you will be notified of such and the entry will not be made.


Subtracting Script Elements

Highlight an entry in the Source Files listbox located in the upper left corner of the Soldier Backup dialog box.  Click on the - button.  The entry will be removed.  Remember to save your script if you wish the change to be permanent.


Saving Scripts

Click on the Save button to save a Script.  If the script is invalid, unopened, or unmodified no action will be taken.  Soldier Backup will prompt you if you attempt to change tasks or leave Soldier Backup before saving a modified or newly created script.


Executing Scripts

Click on the Ok button to begin the backup or restore process.  A valid Script must be opened before the backup or restore process is undertaken.

The Backup and Restore radio buttons determine which process will be undertaken.

If the Backup radio button (the default) is selected, then all files from the Source Files listbox will be copied to the Target Path if Soldier Backup determines that any of the files have been modified and therefore need to be updated.

If the Restore radio button is selected, the process is reversed.  In other words, all files from the Target Path listbox will be copied to the Source Files path if any files have been modified.


Removing Scripts

In order to remove a Script, be sure that a valid, proper script is visible in the combobox under the heading Speed Scripts and then click on the Remove button.  You will be prompted for confirmation before any action is taken.  Once a script has been removed it can not be recovered unless you re-create it.


Registering Soldier Backup

Make check payable to E. Scott Jones

Price = $24.95 per registered copy

Mail to:

E. Scott Jones

422 Pebblestone Court

Marietta, GA  30067

(404)955-6682