Convert Old Basica to ASCII

[John Romano]

Can anyone out there help.
Problem;Converting tokenized basic to ASCII format. It had been
suggested that I brouse the DOS Tools section for software that
is designed to accomplish this conversion.
I came upon a file called RB58 and can not understand how to
unzip and/or execute it to make it work
Presently I'm able to do this with an older computer with Win95
using the old basica format where you first load and then save
with the "A" switch. I have to assume it would be a lot easier
with this conversion tool


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[Lance Edmonds]

Do you have PBUNZIP or WINZIP installed? You can get an evaluation version of Winzip from www.winzip.com or download one from http://www.powerbasic.com/files/pub/...s/pk250dos.exe or http://www.powerbasic.com/files/pub/...2/pkze110s.exe

Unzipping instructions will be included with the particular zip-utility you are using. For example, with WINZIP, it's a simple double-click operation on RB58.ZIP from within Windows Explorer, then choose Extract.

Once you have the file unzipped, you'll find two files: RB58.DOC and RB58.COM. The former is instructions on using RB58.COM. Briefly, its a command-line driver program, so at the DOS prompt, type:

RB.COM  filename.bas  newfile.bas

I hope this helps!

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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[John Romano]

I now have WinZip installed and unzipped RB58. As you have
indicated it has yielded the two files,RB58.COM & RB58.DOC.
I brought the RB58.COM out onto the desktop and for an instant
see a C:\DOCUME panel. Perhaps I'd better make you aware that
my operating system is Windows XP Home Edition.
I tried typing in the two file names (per your reply) at the
Command Prompt on the C:\ drive and was not successful.
Is there anything further you can add or would it seem that
am I doing something wrong
Thanks Again




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[Lance Edmonds]

John, I'd suggest that you use Windows Explorer and create a specific directory for those 2 files, say, C:\RB58, then move the two files into that folder.

Next, open a DOS prompt and change to the directory where the QBASIC/GWBASIC files are located, for example (you'll have to use the directory names actually used by your PC):

CD \MYAPPS
C:\RB58.COM  FILENAME.BAS  NEWNAME.BAS

Basically, the concept here is that the 'current' directory will be where the .BAS files are located that you wish to convert with the utility. By explicitly typing the path+filename of the RB58.COM app, DOS will be able to find and execute the file. I suggest you make a specific folder for it, since the desktop folder can be located almost anywhere on a system, and it'll be a very long name to type in -- so using something nice and short like C:\RB58 it's much easier to type and hence easy to use.

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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>