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Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!ames!necntc!custom!boykin
From: boykin@custom.UUCP (Joseph Boykin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: DOS patches
Message-ID: <656@custom.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 30-May-87 12:58:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: custom.656
Posted: Sat May 30 12:58:15 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 1-Jun-87 06:36:48 EDT
References: <923@wjvax.wjvax.UUCP>
Organization: Custom Software Systems; Natick, MA
Lines: 38
Summary: Can't extend path, but you can extend type-ahead

In article <923@wjvax.wjvax.UUCP>, curl@wjvax.UUCP (Jim Curl) writes:
> I'm looking for ways to patch DOS in order to do two things:
>     (1) I'd like to be able to have a longer PATH than the 128 or so
>         characters now allowed -- this limitation might be a function
>         of my editor?
>     (2) I'd like to be able to expand the type-ahead keyboard buffer.

1) DOS has an internal limit of 64 characters for any single
directory name (see documentation on System call # 3bH).
The limit on the PATH environment variable is due to both the
size of your environment (default is 160 bytes, part of which
is taken up with the COMSPEC variable, part with the characters
PATH= plus NULLS, plus any other environment variables you have.

It's easy to change the size of the environment using the /E option
for command.com in your CONFIG.SYS file (see DOS Tech Ref or 
email for details -- most of the net has seen these enough that
if its posted again I'll get flamed!).  One note on long paths,
their DOS is VERY inefficient!  It's generally better to
keep only a couple of directories which have your executables
and keep your search path short than to split everything up,
but that's your choice.

RE: Expanding your type-ahead buffer... Theres a bunch of
programs out there which do this, my choice is FANSI-CONSOLE,
it does ALOT more than increase your type ahead buffer though.
It will increase screen output performance by 1.2 to 6X, 
give you key click, change your repeat rate, change lenght of
bell, auto screen dim, and gives a scroll recall buffer.
Oh yes, and a 255 character type-ahead buffer.  All for $25
without manual, $75 with (you might be able to find discounts
though, I know Programmers Connection has it for less, we
sell it for $60 with PC/VI, etc.)  In my opinion, the program
is a bargain at $75.

Joe Boykin
Custom Software Systems
...necntc!custom!boykin