SmartZIP (tm) ZIP File Optimizer þ Version 1.10 þ August, 1990 Copyright 1989, 1990 þ Joseph A. Vincent Consulting þ All Rights Reserved ----------------------- >>>>> What is SmartZIP? ----------------------- SmartZIP is a ZIP file-size optimizing companion product for PKZIP 1.xx and PKZIP 0.9x, so don't throw away PKZIP 0.9x yet! SmartZIP can also take advantage of PKZIP 0.9x if that version's "Reducing" will yield better compression for a particular file. In fact, MUCH of the benefit of using SmartZIP comes from exploiting PKZIP 0.9x's Reducing algorithm. SmartZIP, working with PKZIP 1.xx and PKZIP 0.9x, will produce the absolutely, positively smallest ZIP files possible. SmartZIP is an intelligent ZIP file create/update/reZIP utility that will minimize both ZIP file size and the time required to create/update /reZIP an optimized ZIP file. It does this by using logic that will always yield the smallest possible ZIP file in a minimum number of trials. SmartZIP is shareware. That means that you are encouraged to try it to see if it meets your needs and, if you decide to keep and use the program, register it and pay a reasonable fee ($12 per copy suggested). Those who register SmartZIP will receive: - "MergZIPs", a program that will merge two existing ZIPs together without requiring any intermediate unZIPping of either or both of the two ZIPs. This program is not available as shareware. It's only available as a premium for registering SmartZIP. - The next release of SmartZIP as soon as it is released. Many hours of hard work have gone into producing SmartZIP and the accompanying documentation. I developed SmartZIP because I needed it and I use it every day. I think you'll find that SmartZIP produces an appreciable savings in disk space beyond that saved by using PKZIP alone at the expense of a nominal amount of extra time spent in doing data compression. ----------------- >>>>> Quick Start ----------------- Although I would rather you read all of the documentation before you attempt to use SmartZIP 1.10, if you're like me, you probably won't. Nevertheless, there are some things you MUST know or do before you use SmartZIP 1.10. - If you have ZIPs containing stored paths AND you have DUPLICATE file names within DIFFERENT stored paths, use the "/r" (reZIP) option CAREFULLY on those ZIPs. Although SmartZIP 1.10 handles stored paths (and comments) properly during a reZIP operation, it will NOT handle duplicate file names. If you use the "/r" option against a ZIP having duplicate file names within different stored paths, just answer "NO" when PKUNZIP asks if you want to overlay an existing file with the same name. The reZIP will proceed properly and no files, stored paths or comments will be lost or compromised, but the second and subsequent duplicately-named files will NOT be reZIPped. - If you intend to use ZIP2EXE/PKSFX to produce your own self- extracting .EXE files, DO NOT use the "/B" option to produce the ZIP file you intend to turn into a self-extracting file. The 1.xx version of ZIP2EXE/PKSFX can't handle files ZIPped with 0.9x's Reducing algorithm. - "SMARTZIP.EXE" and PKZIP 1.xx's .EXE ("PKZIP.EXE") should be in a directory specified in your PATH. You'll probably want to use SmartZIP 1.10's "/b" option, to take advantage of PKZIP 0.9x's Reducing, so rename PKZIP 0.9x's .EXE file from "PKZIP.EXE" to "PKZIP09.EXE" and make sure it's in a directory specified in your PATH, as well. - The zipname file extension, if you specify it, must be "ZIP". Since the extension defaults to "ZIP", it's better not to specify an extension. - Any PKZIP configuration options you have set are in effect for SmartZIP. However, the result obtained will depend on which version of PKZIP yields a particular file. For example, files for which Imploding/Shrinking are used will be governed by configuration options set for PKZIP 1.xx, and files for which Reducing is used will be governed by configuration options set for PKZIP 0.9x. With these caveats, you're ready to use SmartZIP 1.10. Let's suppose that you have an existing ZIP file named MYFILE.ZIP into which you wish to ZIP some more files OR you want to ZIP some files and create a new ZIP file named MYFILE.ZIP. Here's a possible SmartZIP command: SMARTZIP MYFILE /b /m /o This command will invoke SmartZIP to create (or update, if it already exists) MYFILE.ZIP. All files ("*.*" is the default file specification) in the current directory will be SmartZIPped into MYFILE.ZIP using both ("/b") PKZIP 1.xx's Imploding/Shrinking and PKZIP 0.9x's Reducing as candidate compression algorithms. Files will be moved ("/m") into MYFILE.ZIP and MYFILE.ZIP's file date will be set ("/o") to the date of the newest file in MYFILE.ZIP. Another example. Let's suppose that you have an existing ZIP file named OLDZIP.ZIP that you wish to reZIP with SmartZIP 1.10. Here's a possible SmartZIP command: SMARTZIP OLDZIP *.EXE /b /k /r This command will invoke SmartZIP to reZIP OLDZIP.ZIP. However, for some odd reason, you only want to reZIP the ".EXE" files and leave all other files in OLDZIP.ZIP as they are. All ".EXE" files in OLDZIP.ZIP will be reZIPped using both ("/b") PKZIP 1.xx's Imploding/Shrinking and PKZIP 0.9x's Reducing as candidate compression algorithms. OLDZIP.ZIP's existing file date will be kept ("/k"). --------------------- >>>>> SmartZIP Syntax --------------------- To run the program, key the following at the DOS prompt: SMARTZIP [path]zipname [[path]filespec] [/B [/D]] [/K | /O] [/M] [/R] "zipname" = the name of the ZIP file to be created or updated. If not specified, the file extension defaults to "ZIP". If an extension is specified, it must be "ZIP". "filespec" = an optional pattern for specifying the files to be SmartZIPped. Wild cards (* and ?) are supported. The default is to SmartZIP all files (i.e., *.*). "/B" = Use both PKZIPs. Try 1.xx Imploding/Shrinking AND 0.9x Reducing. (The default is to try only PKZIP 1.xx Imploding/Shrinking.) SEE NOTE BELOW. "/D" = "Dumb" ZIPping (with "/b" only). This will force SmartZIP to try ALL four levels of reducing for each file. "/K" = Keep existing ZIP file date. "/M" = "Move" files to the ZIP file. The default is to add files to the ZIP file. "/O" = Set ZIP date to date of latest file. "/R" = ReZIP the ZIP. NOTE: If you wish to use the "/B" option to use both PKZIP 1.xx Imploding/Shrinking and PKZIP 0.9x Reducing (HIGHLY recommended), you MUST rename PKZIP 0.9x's .EXE file from "PKZIP.EXE" to "PKZIP09.EXE" and place it in a directory in your PATH. SmartZIP has extensive logic for checking syntax and detecting errors. When SmartZIP detects an error, a high-intensity error message will be displayed along with an "information panel" showing correct syntax and brief help information. ------------------------ >>>>> Usage Restrictions ------------------------ SmartZIP is supplied for personal, private use. You may distribute SmartZIP with these restrictions: - SmartZIP and the other programs and documentation that accompany it must be distributed together and in unmodified form. - You may not charge a fee for distribution or usage. - For-profit use without a license is prohibited. - SmartZIP and the other programs and documentation that accompany it may not be included (i.e., "bundled") with other products, goods or services. SmartZIP is shareware. That means that you are encouraged to try it to see if it meets your needs and, if you decide to keep and use the program, register it and pay a reasonable fee ($12 per copy suggested). Those who register SmartZIP will receive: - "MergZIPs", a program that will merge two existing ZIPs together without requiring any intermediate unZIPping of either or both of the two ZIPs. This program is not available as shareware. It's only available as a premium for registering SmartZIP. - The next release of SmartZIP as soon as it is released. ---------------------------- >>>>> Disclaimer of Warranty ---------------------------- This software and documentation are distributed "as is" and without warranties as to performance or merchantability. The author makes no warranties whatsoever, either express or implied, with regard to this software and other material distributed with this software and hereby disclaims any and all implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Because of the diversity of conditions and hardware under which this software may be used, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. The user is advised to test the software thoroughly before relying on it. The user must assume the entire risk of using the software. In no event will the author be liable for incidental or consequential damages, including, but not limited to, destruction of data or damage to your equipment. ------------------------- >>>>> Contact Information ------------------------- Registrations, suggestions, comments and reports of anomalous SmartZIP behavior should be directed to: Joe Vincent Joseph A. Vincent Consulting 805 Pine Way Anchorage, Kentucky 40223-2361 Voice: (502) 244-1541 Data: Exec-PC BBS, (414) 789-4210, PC Applications conference, File Compression topic. PKWare BBS, (414) 352-7176