November 19, 1998

Dear OKScript User,

The OKScript Status Report is sent to OKScript licensees, 
developers and friends when significant updates have been
made to the program. To be removed from the distribution 
list please reply to this message and indicate that desire.

Most of the OKScript developments that have occured
during this period involve new or expanded capabilities
in the editor and scripting language that are targeted 
primarily at developers of complex scripts.

If these issues affect your scripts you can download the 
latest revision from http://home1.gte.net/yweare. Your existing 
license will automatically be active on the new software if you
install it to the same directory, otherwise you will have to 
re-enter the registration data (or copy the okscript.ini file from 
the folder where your licensed program was installed.) The 
current build is dated November 19. Click Help | About to determine 
the date of your copy of OKScript. 

This list is provided in no particular order. See the latest 
help file to learn more about the new capabilities.

1. An instruction was added to override the default filename display
   in the title bar with any text desired, up to 120 characters. See 
   the MODE TITLE instruction in the help.

2. The GET instruction now provides the ability to give the user a
   list of items to choose from which are displayed in a pull-down list.
   The syntax is GET macro prompt{enter}item1{enter}item2 etc.
   Also new, canceling out of a GET instruction now sets the
   predefined macro -CANCEL to '1'.

3. The LET instruction can now be used to convert the metacharacters
   in a string to what they represent. This is useful when preparing
   information to be displayed with the MESSAGE instruction. The
   conversion syntax is LET *<macroname> <text>. Note the 
   asterisk (*).

4. The PRAGMA <x> directive was added. PRAGMA allows the user
   to set various options in a script. At this time PRAGMA can
   control two functions - a) the error detection of questionable MENU
   constructions (which used to be ignored), and b) the inclusion of a 
   status reporting area in a button/menu panel. See PRAGMA and
   MODE STATUS in the Help for details.

5. The USE instruction was expanded to allow libraries with MENUs,
   BUTTONs, PRAGMAs and NEWLINEs. This capability lets developers
   write modular scripts for specific treatments, for example, that can be 
   exchanged and shared in a script repository. Dave Miller has divided his
   script into over 25 modules. Expect it to be posted on his site soon after 
   Thanksgiving (November 26.)

6. The parameter protocol for CALL was changed. Now, PROC arguments
   have macros expanded but metacharacters are ignored. This makes passing
   parameters on to further nested PROCs much less error prone. If 
   parameters are destined for a MESSAGE instruction you will want to
   use the LET * instruction mentioned above first.

7. The full diacritic character set is now supported. 

8. A status line and bookmarking were added to the script editor. The status
   bar reports the current line and column number, as well as various
   error and status messages that used to pop up in an annoying
   dialog box. Bookmarks let you punch a key (ctrl-F9 through F12) to
   remember where you are in the file. Move around your script and
   punch another key (F9 through F12) to return to the remembered 
   spot.

9. The help file continues to be refined.

Your ideas and problem reports *are* appreciated. You can email 
them to me or post them to the message board that I have set
up at my web site. Thank you for using OKScript. 

best regards,
Michael Mardesich
okb://mikezzz