The ProWesS loader is a utility program for ProWesS. It is used to start applications with full configuration and based on a startup file which can make sure that all the necessary extensions are installed.
The loader will execute the commands which are given in the startup files. The commands themselves can either be executable things, or will load them on the searchpath. The searchpath is also given as parameter to each of the commands, preceded by '-path'.
If the startup file which has been passed happens to be an executable, then that program will be executed (without passing any parameters to it).
loader startup-file [-path path]
The file format is line oriented. Each line contains a command. However, if the command and the parameters do not fit on one line, then you can make sure that the next line is appended by ending the line with a backslash. Empty lines and lines starting with a percentage sign or a semicolon ('%' or ';') are discarded as comments. Lines which start with two precentage signs ('%%') will be used by maintenance programs to customize startup files.
Lines starting with an ampersand ('&'), followed by a program name (not separated), and then the parameters will execute thing or file with that name and wait for the result (even the program name can contain spaces when enclosed in double quotes).
Lines starting with an asteriks ('*'), followed by the name of a startup file (not separated) will run a different startup file (similar to include, except that the search path is redetermined (and restored afterwards).
Lines starting with plus sign ('+'), followed by a searchpath will replace the searchpath by the directory of the startup file, followed by the searchpath which is given as parameter.
Lines starting with a program name (not separated), and then the parameters will execute thing or file with that name and wait for the result (even the program name can contain spaces when enclosed in double quotes).
Set an environment variable. The first word is the program which has to be called. The rest are parameters.
setenv PWSDIR win1_pws
Parameters can contain spaces by enclosing them in quotes. The ProWesS loader can wait until the program has finished.
&request "Please insert another disk"
Program names can also contain spaces.
"ProWesS reader" -file myfile
Commands and their parameters can be spread over several lines.
request "just to display that multiple" \ "lines can be used" \ "indicate OK"