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The page merger MODULE, PMERGE, forms an output text file from selected pages of existing input text files. PMERGE prompts for the name of the output file to be created. A ? typed in response to this prompt causes a brief introduction to be displayed.
Once the output file has been specified, PMERGE prompts for input files and the pages to be included from each. To exit PMERGE, type <eol> in response to the Next input file prompt.
After an input file has been specified, PMERGE prompts for the pages to be included from that file. The Pages prompt expects either a line of page specifications, an <eol> or ?. If <eol> is entered, PMERGE prompts for the next input file. Table 28–1 lists the available page specification forms and is displayed when ? is typed in response to the Pages prompt.
Table 28–1. PMERGE Page Specifications
| Page Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| m | copy page m |
| m-n | copy page m through page n |
| * | copy the whole file |
| m-* | copy page m to the end of the file |
| -pageSpec | copy pages in pageSpec only if not already copied |
Any number of page specifications may be entered on a line, separated by commas (no spaces). The first page in a file is page 1. Example 28–2 gives an example of a page specification line.
Example 28–2. PMERGE Page Specification Example
| If a file is 13 pages long and the following page
specification is given:
9-10,5,7,9,11,-5-11,-* pages are copied from the input file as follows:
9,10,5,7,9,11,6,8,1,2,3,4,12,13 |
Example 28–3 shows a sample session with PMERGE. Pages from file1 and file2 are written to outFile. PMERGE displays the pages that it includes after each page specification line.
| MAINSAIL (R) Version 16.20.<release> (? for help) Revision: <date> Copyright (c) 1984-1998 by XIDAK, Inc., Point Arena, California, USA. *pmerge<eol> Output file (? for help): outFile<eol> Next input file (eol to stop): file1<eol> Pages (eol to stop,? for help): 3-5,8,2,-4-10<eol> 3 4 5 8 2 6 7 9 10 Pages (eol to stop,? for help): <eol> Next input file (eol to stop): file2<eol> Pages (eol to stop,? for help): 1,3<eol> 1 3 Pages (eol to stop,? for help): <eol> Next input file (eol to stop): <eol> |
MAINSAIL Utilities User's Guide, Chapter 28