APEX LANGUAGE PROCESSOR (ALP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What is the memory requirement for using all features of ALP3.0? OR Error message like ‘Memory Allocation Error ‘ is displayed and coming out of ALP? OR After running spellchecker, Memory Allocation error is displayed?

Ans.: ALP needs 573 KB base memory and 64 KB expanded memory. With the availability of this memory you can use ALP with all its features. For this matter you should remark all unnecessary drivers, TSRs etc from your computers Autoexec.Bat and Config.sys files and give 64KB of expanded memory support by using expanded memory managers like emm686.exe. To get the EMM support you need to add following statement into your CONFIG.SYS file

DEVICE = C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE 64 /FRAME=E000

If you have Windows3.1 loaded on your system you will find this EMM386.EXE driver in windows directory also.

load DOS=HIGH,UMB in the config.sys file and now load maximum possible programs and drivers in HIGH memory with DEVICEHIGH AND LOADHIGH STATEMENTS in your CONFIG.SYS file or AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For more details refer to Appendix H in the ALP manual.

After giving proper Expanded Memory support a message like ‘Using Expanded Memory’ will be displayed while opening ALP otherwise a message like ‘Cannot Use Expanded Memory’ will be displayed.

Q. On some monitors, the display is too far to the left or right. How can I rectify this?

Ans.: This problem is due to the monitor adjustment being a little sensitive. It can simply be adjusted by tuning the horizontal hold of the monitor.

Q. Which spellcheckers does ALP 3.0 support?

Ans.: By default ALP 3.0 comes with all three spellcheckers i.e. Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati. With ALP you will find three program executable files named ALPMR, ALPHN, ALPGJ. These exe files are used to open ALP with respective spellchecker. It means that if you are opening ALP with the command ALPHN then ALP will be opened with Hindi (i.e. indicated by HN) spellchecker, ALPMR for Marathi spellcaster and ALPGJ for Gujarati spellchecker. You cannot open ALP with more than one spellchecker at a time. This may create memory problems. Again ALP data files and the dictionary files should be in the same directory.

Q. After successfully installing ALP 3.0 and trying to open it by giving command like ALPHN or ALPGJ or ALPMR the ‘Lock Is Missing’ message is displayed?

Ans.: This message is displayed by the software lock, which is coming with ALP. It means there is not sufficient memory to install the Lock and hence the message is getting displayed and you are not able to open the ALP. In this case release as much base memory as you can by remarking unnecessary drivers from Autoexec.bat and Config.sys and give the Expanded memory support as explained above or refer manual Appendix H.

Q. What commands are used in the ALP?

Ans.: ALP is command compatible with WordStar version 4.0 what it means is all block commands, Dot commands and control commands are like WordStar 4.0. You can refer to all these commands in the manual. Only additionally Alt key will display a menu using which you can select the Script, the printer driver, font etc. of your choice.

Q. ALP file is not getting printed on some printers like TVSE CALLIGRA, EPSON 850 + & 1050, TVSE LSP-100, TVSE LSP-55 etc?

Ans.: These printer models (and some more) are translating CR into CR+LF, which should not happen while printing from ALP. This may result in half lines getting printed or prints in duplicate. So while printing from ALP, CR should be treated as CR and LF should be treated as LF. So we need to do some DIP switch settings to switch OFF CR+LF options. Below is the list of the DIP switch settings for some known printer models. For details you can go through the printer manual.

PRINTER MODEL	DIP Switch	FUNCTION	POSITION
TVSE LSP-100 (Prints in Epson and Epson_LQ modes)	2	CR+LF	OFF
TVSE LSP-55	1-5	(AUTOMATIC LINE FEED)	OFF
TVSE  CALLIGRA	1-3	(Auto CR/LF)	OFF
EPSON  850+&1050+	2-8	(Auto lineFeed)	OFF

Q. While installing ALP the message "Source files are missing or corrupted " is displayed?

Ans.: May be your system is infected by some virus and the same virus has corrupted the ALP files from the floppies. Try to remove the virus from the floppies and system and then install ALP again. But the best and safest way is to ensure virus free environment before installing ALP.

Q. While trying to open ALP from the node (Novell NetWare version), it gives memory allocation error and exits from ALP?

Ans.: The reason is insufficient memory for using ALP. So try to release maximum base memory by making remarks to the unnecessary drivers or TSRs loaded in AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. Also put the statement like DOS=LOAD, HIGH in the config.sys file and try to load all drivers in higher memory by using DEVICEHIGH or LOADHIGH statements in the CONFIG.SYS file. Also ALP needs 64 KB of Expanded Memory. So your node should support 64KB of expanded memory. This you can do by using DOSGEN utility of Novell NetWare. Refer your NetWare manual for more details.

Q. What is the minimum configuration needed to run ALP?

Ans.: ALP can theoretically run on even an XT. However, keeping the user's sanity in mind, an AT-286 is the minimum recommended configuration. Operations will be smooth, except for bulk formatting and printing.

Q. When I invoke the SpellCaster, I get the message "Running Spellcaster in basic Mode". What does this mean?

Ans.: SpellCaster has many capabilities. However, when memory is low, it is not possible to perform functions like maintaining ignore lists, adding words to a personal dictionary or even globally replacing words.

Q. What about printer drivers and ports?

Ans.: All the settings in the various menus can be saved and will be loaded up every time ALP is invoked. This is done by using the Alt Option Save option (Alt-O-S).

Q. Why, after running SpellCaster a few times, do I get an insufficient memory message? Where has the memory gone?

Ans.: Every time the SpellCaster is invoked, many words are added to the memory. Spellcaster also makes sure that there is enough memory for all its actions, before it loads up. If this limit is reached, then SpellCaster displays the warning message. This is just to inform you that the special capabilities will be suppressed.

Q. Can I print directly from the network?

Ans.: Yes. ALP will allow direct printing from Novell NetWare. All you have to do is to set the LPT port in ALP (using Alt-P-L) to the printer port, which has been captured to the network. ALP will automatically detect that this is the network port and behave accordingly.

Q. What driver do I use for a strange printer?

Ans.: Most printers will have compatibility with Epson 9 or 24-pin emulation or HP LaserJet emulation. Setting a switch or a mode in the printer will allow you to choose one of the emulations of ALP. Check the manual of the printer to see which emulation will be supported.

Q. How can I print multiple copies faster?

Ans.: Multiple copies can be printed faster in either of the two ways. The first is to print to a file and then just copy the file to the printer. In this case, the time required to create the bitmap line by line is not repeated every time. The second way is only in case of laser printers. The printer menu can be set for the required number of copies. In this case, the bitmap is created once and transfer also takes place once. This is the fastest method of printing multiple copies.

Q. How do I Spellcast multilingual text?

Ans.: Each copy of ALP can spell check only one language. All other languages will be skipped. Therefore, simply using the different ALP files will ensure that all the different languages are checked, in turn.

Q. Can I Spellcast English text?

Ans.: English cannot be spell checked in ALP. However, if you have an English spell checker like Wordstar, then ALP will allow you to export the English language part of your document. This can then be spell checked in the non document mode of Wordstar.

Q. What is the default script?

Ans.: The default script is either the first script that is seen when you press the Alt-Script option, or the script that you have saved using the Alt-Option-Save option. It is indicated along the Script in the Alt menu, within the brackets. It is also the script that is displayed if you open up a fresh document and start typing with CAPS-LOCK on.

Q. How can I limit an attribute to one word or a single line?

Ans.: Attributes normally flow from the point they are inserted till the end of the paragraph. Applying the same attribute twice to the same text will remove the effect of the attribute. So to limit the attribute, go to the point where you wish it to end and repeat the same attribute again.

Q. Can I have more than one column?

Ans.: No, multi-columnar text is not possible in this version of ALP.

Q. Can I have more than one window?

Ans.: No, this version of ALP does not support this feature.

Q. Can I choose different point-sizes?

Ans.: Only one point-size is provided in ALP. However, by duplicating a line and using the top-low attribute, one can effectively double the point-size. This, however, is not a separate font - it is merely derived from the smaller font.

Q. Why can I not use different fonts?

Ans.: Only one font (typeface) is provided with ALP.

Q. The space between words on the printer is too less. What can I do?

Ans.: Using the SETALP program supplied with the package, you can choose a value greater than the existing value for the "Space width" in the "Miscellaneous settings" option.

Q. Often, in my directory there are a large number of files starting with the name GWP. Where did these come from?

Ans.: While editing a file, ALP maintains a temporary file to store lot of information, including parts of the file being edited. When you quit ALP normally, this file is deleted. If there is a power failure or if the system crashes and is rebooted, the temporary file remains there as it will not be deleted. You can delete all these files without any hesitation, except in a network, where you may not be able to delete some of the files, because these may be in use by some other user at that point of time.

Q. How can I use English capitals without keeping shift pressed all the time?

Ans.: To always get English capital letters without having to press the Shift key continuously, just press the Alt key and keeping it down, press the space bar. Now your keyboard is in English only mode. If you wish to revert back to the old system, press Alt-Space again.

Q. Why can I see less number of lines on the CGA than on other monitors?

Ans.: Since Indian language characters are much more intricate than the English, they have to be displayed in a more elaborate. We have the choice of displaying it on a medium where the quality is better, or to make the size of each character big enough to show clearly all the complexities.

In the HGA, EGA and VGA monitors, since the display quality is much better, it is possible to display all the characters in a size that allows the screen to have 14 lines. However in the CGA systems, there is no option but to increase the size of the character. So only 8 lines are possible.

Q. How can I create tables in ALP?

Ans.: Creating tables in ALP uses only two elements. Horizontal lines are drawn by placing an underline attribute at the desired point and then using tabs to advance the underline to wherever required. Vertical lines are created using the pipe (‘|’) symbol. This can be combined, staggered etc. to make a variety if styles of vertical bars. For precise alignment of the table, the "dot space" (Ctrl ^) can be used.

Note that using tabs will prevent text from causing the vertical bars to move away from their place till the text "hits" them.

Q. I have a Apple II NT. Can I print using ALP?

Ans.: No. ALP does not have a POSTSCRIPT printer driver in this version.

Q. How can I see all the files in my directory? Most of the time I can only see some of the files?

Ans.: The Directory display can be switched on and off using the F key in the main menu (opening menu). This will let you choose the wildcard pattern you wish to use to display only selected files. The default is "*.ALP". This can be changed to "*.*", "GWP?.*", or any other DOS wildcard pattern.

Q. When is a file protected? How can I unprotect it?

Ans.: When a file is being edited, it cannot be used by other invocations of ALP. Alternatively, a user can choose to protect a document such that it will not be accidentally deleted. To unprotect, the C option in the opening menu can be used.

Q. What is PC-ACII?

Ans.: PC-ACII is a character set that was used by the GIST card on the PC to provide Indian language support on the DATA page, along with normal English. This is no longer used in ALP. ALP uses only ACII. If you have GIST card files using PC-ACII, it can be converted to ACII using one of the converters provided in the "Conversion" menu.

Q. Can I print in 132-column mode?

Ans.: Since ALP can only format and display text till 20 tab stops,132 column mode is not supported.

Q. Is the GIST card version faster than the software version?

Ans.: The GIST card version of ALP is faster on XT’s and 286 based machines. It is slower on 386 and above machines.

Q. What is the "Internal confusion" message?

Ans.: ALP has planned for lot of contingencies. However, some contingencies may be of a serious enough nature to force ALP to shut itself down. When it does this, it aborts with the above message. Any numbers displayed on the screen can be sent along with the bug report.

Q. Why, in the GIST card version, is the opening screen disturbed sometimes?

Ans.: This is because ALP works only with ACII, while the GIST card can use both PC-ACII as well as ACII. By default, the GIST card is in PC-ACII. Starting ALP will switch it to ACII. If your GIST data file is in PC-ACII, it is tempting to switch the GIST card to PC-ACII from the Alt menu. However, on returning to the opening menu, the display is disturbed. Therefore, it is advisable to convert PC-ACII files to ACII before using them in ALP.

Q. Why is my cursor movement not what I would expect?

Ans.: There are a lot of invisible characters on the screen. These are characters like Tabs, Linefeeds, font and script attributes. When the cursor is moved, it only moves to visible characters. If there is some tabs in the beginning of a line, unless it is the start line of a paragraph, the cursor will not move there. The same is valid for an attribute character in the beginning of the line. This is because paragraph behavior is characterized by the tabs or attributes placed at the beginning. If any change has to be made, it is to these attributes at the start of the paragraph, not elsewhere. To facilitate the editing of hidden characters, the Alt-Attribute-Visi toggle option is provided (Alt-A-V). This can help in knowing where these special characters are, as well as understanding the strange behavior of ALP, occasionally.

Q. How can I just indent the first line of a paragraph and not all the lines?

Ans.: The first line can be easily indented by giving the number of spaces by which it is desired to be indented. The rest of the paragraph will not get indented.

Q. What do I do if my personal dictionary gets corrupted?

Ans.: There is, unfortunately, no solution to this. Delete the personal dictionary and start all over again.

Q. Do I have to re-format the document after Spellcasting?

Ans.: Yes. Sometimes Spellcasting will result in a lot of corrections or replacements that will not conform to the original formatting of the document. Therefore it has to be reformatted.

Q. What are the default settings in ALP for Page margins, length, offset and lines/inch?

Ans.: This may vary from installation to installation. A sure way to find the defaults on your machine is to use the SETALP program and read off the values.

Q. In the ALT menu, both script and font menu show the same mnemonics. What is the difference?

Ans.: In any ALP document, there is a default script. This is the script that can be straight-away typed with the CAPS-LOCK key on. To type in any other script (except English), it is necessary to insert a Font attribute in the document. From that position onward, till another font attribute is encountered, all the script typing will appear in that language. Changing the Script option will globally change all text to the selected script, if there is no Font attribute to force it to another script.

Q. While using attributes, I end up making mistakes. How can I avoid this? What corrective measure can I take?

Ans.: Attributes flow from the position they are inserted to the point where that are repeated, or the paragraph end. To edit any attributes, use the Alt-Attribute-Visi toggle option. When all the attributes and other characters are visible, editing and tracing mistakes becomes very easy.

Q. Can I use ALP files on GIST CARD and vice-versa?

Ans.: ALP GIST card version and software only version are fully compatible.