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TerraGraphics XEDIT - Updates

XEDIT is now a 32 bit Windows program, not a DOS program and not a console mode program.

XEDIT is now self configuring via the -SAVE command line option and doesn't need the XCFG program.

The XEDIT.TML file is no longer used but otherwise the XEDIT directory is used as before. Most defaults after installation are the same as those of previous versions. If you changed your XEDIT.TML file or used XCFG to change XEDIT, use the -SAVE option to make the changes now. The configuration is now in .ini files in the XEDIT directory.

XEDIT now looks in the directory of the file being written for a local tab file, then in the current directory for a local tab file (as it used to), and then for the master tab file (as it used to). A new command line option, -TAB, edits the master tab file if specified alone or, if used with another file name, reads the master tab file as the input file to edit and produce an output file (usually XEDIT.TAB, a new local tab file).

Keyboard support has been improved:

• The Insert key repeats if held down (just as all the other keys always have).
• Shift can be used to shift all keys (old version required Ctrl or Alt for some).

A new editing format option (-F) supports two text and four binary formats. The new default format -FPT displays the full PC extended character set and expands tabs. For most work you won't notice the difference or will find it beneficial. The old format is available through the -FA command line option.

Macros can be assigned to the 26 Alt-letter key combinations. These and the standard macro are saved between XEDIT runs. The END MACRO key does the ASSIGN MACRO function (when not preceded by START MACRO). The new -MAC command line option lets you edit all 27 macros.

New width and height options (-W and -H) let you control how many characters are displayed.

The Esc key can be used to invoke the QUIT function. Shift-F1 still works too. Ctrl-\ does what Esc used to do (although you should never need it). QUIT can now be used to quit subfunctions (FIND, SET TABS, RPT nX, ASSIGN MACRO, and QUIT) as well as quitting XEDIT.

Shift-Ctrl enters control characters. The previous method (Ctrl-^ followed by a character) still works when using the old (-FA) editing format.

Shift-Alt enters PC extended characters. Releasing and pressing only one of them (Shift or Alt) selects different groups of the extended characters. The previous method (Ctrl-^ followed by a character) still works when using the old (-FA) editing format.

Pressing both Shift keys displays a picture of the keyboard layout. This is useful if you don't have a keyboard overlay and haven't learned all the keys yet.

Ctrl-Z looks like a rightarrow in the default -FPT format and is treated like any other character by default (same as before). The old -ZY option is replaced by -FPZ, -FPTZ, -FAZ, and -FATZ and looks slightly different on the screen.

Word wrap now occurs only when the cursor is beyond the right margin. When entering new text this makes no difference, but when editing old text it allows you to insert and delete without the line breaking up as it grows and shrinks. You may find you need to see what is off the right screen edge to continue working (probably less often when you get used to it). Just hit SPLIT LINE with the cursor between words and keep right on working. Use ROUGH JUST when you finish (same as before).

A new function, Total, is executed via the Ctrl-T key combination. It totals a column of numbers.

Now you can edit the past. When XEDIT is in undo mode (after you use UNDO and possibly REDO), the RPT 5X function (the Insert key) has a different meaning. It controls insert/delete mode. If you press Insert once the next key will be processed in insert/delete mode. If you press Insert twice XEDIT will be locked in insert/delete mode until you press Insert again to end it.

While in insert/delete mode:

UNDO undoes the previous function without adding it to the redo list (Backspace out a function).
REDO discards the next item on the redo list (Delete a function).
Any other function executes normally but does not clear the redo list (Insert a function).