How do I upgrade old batch files from the DOS versions?

This version of iPOGO uses a different command syntax from the predecessor DOS and mainframe versions in order to support syntax checking and 3D data format. For example, the line numbers have been removed, the commands all end in semi-colons, certain commands like the 33 (formerly 33,1) have had the '1' dropped, and all angles with negative degrees automatically set the minutes and seconds to negative for angles to the left. See Upgrading FAQ titled "What command changes are in this release of iPOGO?" for more information on command changes. Also, all new command files must end in a CMD extension to be recognized as a command file, as in demo.cmd.

Therefore, all older release iPOGO DOS command files must be imported into the new release format and tested for accuracy.

To import an ASCII text batch command file:
1) Start iPOGO using your desktop shortcut.

2) Do NOT open a CMD file or create a new CMD file.

2) Select File, Import CMD, to select the file to import from the old format into the new version. Caution. The file is automatically named 'filename'_new.cmd. Be careful that you do not overwrite other files of that name.

3) Search the file for any lines labelled "IMPORT ERROR" . This version of iPOGO has strict rules enforced on valid command syntax. Any violation of these rules will result in an "IMPORT ERROR" label in the command file. The offending iPOGO command will be commented out with a dollar sign ($). These errors must be resolved before the import will complete successfully.

4) If no errors are found, then select Run to view the printed output. Select Interactive to view the graphic output.

5) If the command file stops processing due to errors after pressing Run, then there will be an error message in the output window that identifies the line where the error occurred. Select Interactive from the toolbar to display the points and lines that computed successfully up to but not including the erroneous command line.

(If point numbers do not display in your graphics, select Tools, CMD File Settings from the iPOGO menu and toggle on the point number text option. Close the dialog box and press the Reload button on the graphic control to display the text. Use the right mouse button to pan and zoom around in the graphics.)

Due to the strict command syntax checking, the file stops processing at the line of the error. You must stop the current process and resolve the error in the batch file before pressing Run again to re-process the file. We recognize that this may be a controversial decision but feel that it is in the best interest of the user and the program to enforce these quality control checks.

There are two ways to check the converted batch file coordinates for accuracy.

Check Method 1, manual comparison for a small number of points.


• Use the Windows version of iPOGO to list the converted coordinates with the 9 command and save the results.
  
• Use the DOS version of iPOGO to list the original coordinates and save the results.
  
• Perform a visual inspection of the coordinates.


Check Method 2, semi-automated comparison for a large number of points.


• Use the DOS version of iPOGO to generate a 2D binary file of the coordinates from the original batch file.
  
• Use the Windows version of iPOGO to convert the batch file and generate coordinates with the 9 command.
  
• Delete the header and footer from the 9 command output and save the results to file1.lst.
  
• Use the Windows version of iPOGO to run a dummy command file with the 2D binary file and generate coordinates with the 9 command.
  
• Delete the header and footer from the 9 command output and save the results to file2.lst.
  
• Perform a DOS command file comparison of the coordinate dump files as follows 'fc file1.lst file2.lst >file3.lst'.
  
• Inspect the results of the file comparison in file3.lst. Differences should be limited to rounding in the 5th or 6th decimal place.
  
• If differences are found, and you can not determine the source of the error in the batch file, please email the original file and the converted file to ipogo@ipogo.net for our review.

(applies to iPOGO, 5.0, 06/30/2001)