Is there any way to find quickly the program behind a rexx/clist panel.
I know that i have check one by one all the panle librairies to find the panel.
But it takes lot of time.
Thanks
First step is is to turn panelid on with the ispf panelid command
panelid on
This will list name of panel on all ISPF panels being displayed
Actually you do not need to search each panel library, you can use Ispf rexx program
to allocate a DataId to ispplib and edit using the DataId i.e.
/* rexx */
address ispexec
'LMINIT DATAID(didVar) DDNAME(ISPPLIB)'
'edit DATAID('didVar') memeber(panelname)'
'lmfree DATAID('didVar')'
Note: If you make changes while editing, the changes are saved in the first library in the list. So if ISPPLIB is setup as
my.panels
test.panels
prod.panels
any changes will always be save in my.panels
Note: if you edit without a specifying the member, the member list will include a dataset number relating to the top level where the panel will be picked up from.
Note: There is almost certainly a limit on the number datasets that can be accessed this way. So if there are a lot of datasets allocated to ISPPLIB, there could be issues.
Hopefully there will be a
Relationship between where the panel is stored and where the rexx/clist is stored
relationship between the panel name and the rexx/clist name; often they are nearly the same. Some times the panel might have a P at a certain character position while the rexx might have a R
If there is no relationship between the panel and the Rexx/clist; you will have to search for it. You could set up a batch search for to search for the panel in all the rexx/clist libraries. A bit of a pain to set up, but it only has to be done once and then you have it for future use.
If you want to get really smart you could use the LM services to extract rexx/clist libraries
Building on some of what #Bruce Martin said, type TSO ISRDDN on any COMMAND ==> line in ISPF. Use the member command to search your SYSPROC and SYSEXEC concatenations. You can also use SRCHFOR when in a member list, looking for the panel name.
Related
If you look at Classic Shell Start menu, you see that it has a section for recent applications. Every item in the section can contain popup menu, usually used for displaying recent documents, opened earlier in the application. For instance, the 'Word' item contains all .doc and .docx files recently opened in Word. I know a way to build such list: get all links from the 'Recent' folder and filter out matched documents, by .exe name.
But Classic Shell Start menu also shows popup menu for programs like RDC. For RDC client, namely, it shows a list of recent connections. It seems there is a concept of pseudo-documents in Windows, but I have never heard of it. How to get such list for a random .exe file?
Regards,
The shell maintains the list of recent documents. SHAddToRecentDocs allows a program to add an item to the list. The item can be:
A path and filename
A PIDL representing the shell object
(Windows 7+) A SHARDAPPIDINFO or SHARDAPPIDINFOIDLIST structure that identifies a shell item, and associated application.
(Windows 7+) An IShellLink
The key idea from the list and documentation is that the item can be a PIDL, which can represent a fancy kind of 'file'. (What you called a pseudo-document. This is an oversimplification. Read the documentation.)
To obtain the recent files list, use SHGetFolderLocation specifying CSIDL_RECENT and use the returned PIDLIST_ABSOLUTE to iterate the shell items.
If the item is not a file the list can be retrieved through the COM IApplicationDocumentLists which requires an Application User Model ID. This excludes pinned items, for which there is no programmatic access for the same reason that there is no access to the start menu pin list.
There are a lot of caveats to this, which is best explained by the documentation:
SHAddToRecentDocs
Managing the File System
(edited to add information about the jump list, and missing IShellLink from the list.)
I am looking for resolving the paths of files in an MSI with or without installing (whichever is faster) from outside an MSI, using VBScript.
I found a similar query using C# instead and Christpher had provided a solution, below: How can I resolve MSI paths in C#?
I am going through the very same pain now but is there anyway to achieve this using WindowsInstaller object in VBScript, rather than go with endless queries through SQL Tables of MSI back and forth to achieve the same. Though any direction would be welcoming as I have tried tested whatever I can with very limited success.
yes there is a solution without installing the msi and using vbscript.
there is a very good example in the Windows Installer SDK called "WiFilVer.vbs"
using that example i've thrown together an quick example script that does exactly what you need.
set installer = CreateObject("WindowsInstaller.Installer")
const READONLY = 0
set db = installer.OpenDataBase("<FULL PATH TO YOUR MSI>", READONLY)
set session = installer.OpenPackage(db, READONLY)
session.DoAction("CostInitialize")
session.DoAction("CostFinalize")
set view = db.OpenView("SELECT File, Directory_, FileName, Component_, Component FROM File,Component WHERE Component=Component_ ORDER BY Directory_")
view.Execute
set record = view.Fetch
do until record is nothing
file = record.StringData(1)
directoryName = record.StringData(2)
fileName = record.StringData(3)
if instr(fileName, "|") then fileName = split(fileName, "|")(1)
wsh.echo(session.TargetPath(directoryName) & fileName)
set record = view.Fetch
loop
just add the path to your MSI file.
tell me if you need a more detailed answer. i will have some more time to answer this in detail this evening.
EDIT the promised background (and why i need to call ConstFinalize)
naveen actually MSDN was the only resource that can give an definitive answer on this, but you need to know where and how to look since windows installer ist IMHO a pretty complex topic.
I really recommend a mix of the msdn installer function reference, the database reference, and the examples from the windows installer SDK (sorry couldn't find a download link, i think its somewhere hidden in the like 3GB windows SDK)
first you need general knowledge of MSIs:
an MSI is actually a relational database.
Everything is stored in tables that relate to each other.
(actually not everything, but i will try to keep it simple ;))
This database is interpreted by the Windows Installer,
this creates a 'Session'
also some parts are dynamically resolved, depending on the system you install the msi on,
like 'special' folders similar to environment variables.
E.g. msi has a "ProgramFilesFolder", where windows generally has %ProgramFiles%.
All dynamic stuff only exists in the Installer session, not the database itself.
In your case there are 3 tables you need to look at, take care of the relations and resolve them.
the 'File' table contains all Files, the 'Component' table tells you which file goes into which directory and the 'Directory' table contains all information about the filesystem structure.
Using a SQL Query i could link the Component and File table to find the directory name (or primary key in database jargon).
But the directory table has relations in itself, its structured like a tree.
take a look at this example directory table (taken from the instEd MSI)
The columns are Directory, Directory_Parent and DefaultDir
InstEdAllUseAppDat InstEdAppData InstEd
INSTALLDIR InstEdPF InstEd
CUBDIR INSTALLDIR hkyb3vcm|Validation
InstEdAppData CommonAppDataFolder instedit.com
CommonAppDataFolder TARGETDIR .
TARGETDIR SourceDir
InstEdPF ProgramFilesFolder instedit.com
ProgramFilesFolder TARGETDIR .
ProgramMenuFolder TARGETDIR .
SendToFolder TARGETDIR .
WindowsFolder_x86_VC.1DEE2A86_2F57_3629_8107_A71DBB4DBED2 TARGETDIR Win
SystemFolder_x86_VC.1DEE2A86_2F57_3629_8107_A71DBB4DBED2 WindowsFolder_x86_VC.1DEE2A86_2F57_3629_8107_A71DBB4DBED2 System
The directory_parent links it to a directory. the DefaultDir contains the actual name.
You could now resolve the tree by yourself and replace all special folders(which in a vbscript would be very tedious)...
...or let the windows installer handle that (just like when installing a msi).
now i have to introduce a new thing: Actions (and Sequences):
when running (installing, removing, repairing) an msi a defined list of actions is performed.
some actions just collect information, some change the actual database.
there are list of actions (called sequences) for various things a msi can do,
like one sequence for installing (called InstallExecuteSequence), one for collecting information from the user (the UI of the MSI: InstallUISequence) or one for adminpoint installations(AdminExecuteSequence).
in our case we don't want to run a whole sequence (which could alter the system or just take to long),
luckily the windows installer lets us run single actions without running a whole sequence.
reading the reference of the directory table on MSDN (the remarks section) you can see which action you need:
Directory resolution is performed during the CostFinalize action
so putting all this together the script is easier to read
* open the msi file
* 'parse' it (providing the session)
* query component and file table
* run the CostFinalize action to resolve directory table (without running the whole MSI)
* get the resolved path with the targetPath function
btw i found the targetPath function by browsing the Installer Reference on MSDN
also i just noticed that CostInitialize is not required. its only required if you want to get the sourcePath of a file.
I hope this makes everything clearer, its very hard to explain since it took me like half a year to understand it myself ;)
And regarding PhilmEs answer:
Yes there are more influences to the resolution of the directory table, like custom actions.
keeping that in mind also the administrative installation might result in different directorys (eg. because different sequence might hold different custom actions).
Components have conditions so maybe a file is not installed at all.
Im pretty sure InstEd doesnt take custom actions into account either.
So yes, there is no 100% solution. Maybe a mix of everything is necessary.
The script given by weberik (deriven from MS SDK VB code) is very good, because it makes it easy to analyse the directory table without an own algorithm (which is a mid-size effort to do it in a loop or with a recursion algorithm).
But it gives not a 100% perfect view for all files, see below.
The method of the script is semi-dynamic (can be extended by other actions), but in effect it gives only the static directory structure, similar to a default administrative install or advanced MSI viewers.
Normally this is enough and what we want.
But be aware, that this is not the 100% solution (Knowing before exact the path of each file afterwards). That does mean, this will not give you always the correct paths in some cases:
You use command line parameters which substitute predefined directory table entries.
The MSI uses custom actions which change paths.
Especially it is not guaranteed, that every file is installed. There may be optional conditions and features and this may depend on the install environment.
In effect, a 100% solution is very very hard to achieve, without installing really. It comes near to reprogram nearly the whole windows installer engine. So simplifications are normally sufficient and accepted.
But you can extend the method to cover custom actions, e.g. with adding a line "session.DoAction(..)" for each additional action needed. Or to include command line parameters.
Sometimes it can be tricky. The easier the structure of the MSI is, the more likely it is that you succeed without more efforts.
Alternative to write an own program:
The question is, what you really want to find out, and if it is really necessary to program it:
If you don't want to write an automatical every-day MSI analyzer maybe the following is sufficient for you:
First tip: install the MSI with "msiexec /a mysetup.msi TARGETDIR="c:\mytestpath" . (similar restrictions as script above by weberik)
If the MSI has not used custom actions to change pathes including forgetting to add to the admin sequence ("forgetting" should be taken as the normal case for 99% or existing setups :-), you get the filestructure like if you install "really" with some special namings for the Windows predefined folders which you will find out easily.
If the administrative install lacks some folders, it is often a better idea of fixing the custom action (adding to the admin sequence) and using this scenario as your primary test case.
The advantage is, that only you limit the dynamics used by admin install. BTW, you can use the same command line params or path settings custom actions as in real install.
Second tip: Google for the InstEd tool , go to the file or component table and you will see the resulting MSI paths in the same static way as with the mentioned VB-script after calling CostInitialize/CostFinalize. For human view such an editor view maybe better.
For automatic testing and improvements or accuracy, you need an own program of course.
For those of you that mentioned snippet given is a good starting point. :-)
The rest of you should live easier with one of the two given methods without programming.
I am unable to change the order of modules in Joomla1.6. I tried by clicking the order option . But there are many modules with the same order number and it does not move up or down even after using the arrow keys.
Any thoughts?
Reorder them yourself. Type in 1,2,3,4, etc. according to the manner you want them to be in, then click the 'save' icon next to the order header.
Then refresh your page to ensure they've reorganized appropriately.
When ordering anything in Joomla, make sure the list you are looking at it ordered by the ordering column first. Most times you can not change ordering at all, unless your list is sorted by ordering first.
I know this is a very old question, and Joomla is currently 3.4.8, soon to release 3.5, and the above instructions do not apply any longer, but I thought I should add a small detail here.
In case you are working with a complex template that has many pre-installed modules at various module positions, you may come up with this:Module ordering may not work properly if you are filtering the results in the module manager using a search keyword.
Make sure that you clear search, navigate to the position you need re-arranged (ideally, use the filters on the left column to only show that specific position) and then re-arrange. It should work.
Took me a while to realize.
I've read somewhere (can't remember/find where) an article about web usability describing when to use drop downs and when to use autocomplete fields.
Basically, the article says that the human brain cannot store more then the last five options presented to choose.
For example, in a profile form, where there is your current occupation, and the system gives you a bunch of options, when you read the sixth options, your brain can't remember the first one anymore. This example is a great place to use an autocomplete field, where the user types something that he thinks that would be his occupation and then select the better from the few options filtered.
I would like to hear your opinion about this subject.
When should I use a drop-down and when I should use a Autocomplete field?
For a limited list, don't use an autocomplete edit box or combobox, but use a listbox where all values are visible all at once. For limited lists, especially with static content of up to about 8 items, this takes up real estate, but presents the user with a better immediate overview.
For less than 5 items a radiogroup or checkbox group (multiple selections) may also be better.
For lists whose content is dynamic, like a list of contacts, a (scrolling) listbox or combobox are appropriate because you never know how many items will be in the list. To keep it manageable, you will need to allow for some kind of filtering and/or autocomplete.
Autocomplete usually suffers from the fact that what the users types needs to match a string from the beginning. I hate those except for when they are used to complete a value based on what I typed in that (type of) field before. E.g. what browsers nowadays offer when filling out online forms.
Allowing a user to start typing in a combobox usually suffers the same drawback. But admittedly it doesn't need to if the filtering is based on "like %abc%" instead of "starts with abc"
When dealing with lists that can have many similar items, I really like the way GMail's "To" field handles it. You start typing any part of someone's name or e-mail address and GMail will drop down a list presenting all the contacts whose name or e-mail address contains the characters you have typed so far anywhere within them. Using the up and down keys changes the selection in the dropped down list (without affecting what you have typed) and pressing enter adds the currently selected item to the "To" field. By far the best user experience I have had so far when having to select something from a list.
Haven't found any components yet that can do this, but it's not too hard to "fake" by combining an edit box and a listbox that drops down when you start typing and has its contents is filtered based on what has been typed so far.
I would use 2 criteria,
1) How long is the list, if the list contains 5 elements you better use a combobox as it will be easier for the user (better UX)
2) In case the list is long, how easy for the user to remember the prefix of what he/she is looking for... if it's not easy, using autocomplete is irrelevant..
I'd say it depends on the diversity in the list, and the familiarity with the list items.
If for example the list contained over 5 car brands (list items I'm familiar with), no problem.
If on the other hand the list has over 5 last names, it could take me some more time before I'd make a selection.
You should probably just try out both options and trust your gut on which you find easier to use.
Here's the opposite approach:
The worst time to use an auto-complete box is when you have a finite and relatively small set of options, and the user doesn't know the range of valid options. For example, if you're selling used cars and you have a mixed bag of brands, simply listing the brands in a combobox is more efficient and easier to browse than an auto-complete method.
Being able to remember the last 5 options is most likely irrelevant unless you have a giant list of options and are requiring the user to select the most relevant item.
An alternative approach is to use both. I believe Dojo has a widget that acts as both a combobox and an auto-complete field. You can either choose to start typing and it will narrow down the possible options, or you can interact with it with your mouse and browse it like a combobox.
I usually look at how big the list is going to be. If there are going to be more than 15 options then it just seems easier to find if they can just start typing.
The other circumstance for me is when there is an other option and they can free type it. This essentially eliminates the need for two controls since you can combine in one.
The main difference has nothing to do with usability but more to do with what defines the acceptable inputs.
You normally use a ComboBox when you have a predefined list of acceptable inputs (e.g. an Enum or list of occupations).
An auto-complete field is best used when there are many known inputs BUT custom input is accepted as well. The user will become frustrated if they type "Programmer" in as their occupation but it wasn't one of the pre-defined, acceptable inputs, and they are given a message that their input is not valid.
Keep in mind that ComboBoxes do allow you to type in them to select the first matching option. Some types of ComboBoxes (depending on the UI framework you are using) even allow free-form text fields at the top or side of the field to search or add to the list.
Of coarse the best way to determine what YOUR user will prefer is testing: A/B, field, user, etc.
Hope this helps you solve your dilemma!
Background
Lately I've become a fanatic that everything I type while working on a computer should be compatible with "DRY". If there's anything I have to type more than once in any context, I want some kind of user-aware auto-complete option to do some of the work for me -- always -- no exceptions.
Having to work under Windows, I've looked at GUI solutions to make this insane goal a reality.
The (almost) optimal solution
If you have a moment, open up Firefox 3.0 and type a few keystrokes into the address bar. You will notice that it performs a kind of Incremental Autocomplete based on space-separated sub-strings of whatever you type. Another place in Firefox that does something similar is the about:config URL.
This is sub-optimal, because I don't want this in Firefox only. I want to use this everywhere.
The Question
Does anyone out there know of a widget or app that does nothing but insanely good incremental auto-complete that can be used as a general purpose "run everywhere" tool? Something that allows the user to: 1) maintain one or more "completion candidate files"; 2) pick one of those files as the source for Firefox 3.0 style completion; 3) return the result (or blank if the user canceled), and do those three things only?
Details
Here's how it should work:
STEP1: user saves or more csv file(s) (or other easy-edit format) somewhere in his hard-drive
STEP2: user creates a Windows Script Host script or a batch file (or whatever) instantiates the FilterAsYouType GUI
STEP3: user runs the script file, and the script file instantiates the GUI, telling it which CSV file to use as the source of all potential completions
STEP4: the user either chooses one of the completions, supplies his own text that is not in the list, or cancels out without supplying anything
STEP5: when the user is done the script saves the result to a variable and does something with it
Here is some pseudo-code for the script:
include "GenericTypeaheadWidget";
var gengui = new GenericTypaheadWidget('c:\docs\favorite_foods.csv');
var fave_food = gengui.get_user_input();
if(fave_food != ''){
alert('you chose '+fave_food+'!');
}
The rationale
The goal is to just have a way to always be able to do auto-completions from a list of arbitrary items, even if the list is a couple thousand items, and not have to rely on it being built into some IDE or standalone application that only accepts certain kinds of input or has an overly-complicated API relative to the simplicity of this task.
CSV (or text or sqlite database) would provide a way for me to self-generate "candidate lists" or "history logs" and then just use those logs as the source of the possible completions.
The disclaimer
I've tried several GUI "launcher" programs, command-line engines like power-shell and scripting shells, the regular plain old command-line history with varying degrees of satisfaction. The problem with these is they all do extra superfluous stuff like searching directories or built-in commands. I just want nothing but whatever is in the CSV file I happen to be pointing at.
I'm wondering if there is any simple tool that does nothing but what I'm describing above.
UPDATE: It looks like this question is very closely related to Graphical Command Shell, which captures the essential idea presented here.
You should really try Launchy - it's exactly what you're looking for, a "run anything" with intelligent autocompletion. It completely changes the way you interact with a Windows PC.
And it has open source-code, so you can borrow its autocompletion code if you want to roll your own interface.