Initialization Files An initialization file contains EVE commands, typically to set margins, tab stops, and other buffer attributes, or to define keys that are not saved in a section file. Default file type is .EVE. Example: The following is a sample EVE initialization file to set margins and other attributes and to define some keys: +-----------------------------+ | SET LEFT MARGIN 4 | Each command must be on a separate | SET PARAGRAPH INDENT +3 | line. If a command is incomplete, | SET RIGHT MARGIN 72 | EVE prompts you for any required | SET TABS EVERY 10 | information before continuing to | SET SCROLL MARGINS 9% 9% | execute the initialization file. | SET FIND WHITESPACE | | ! Key definitions | Comments must be on lines separate | SET KEYPAD EDT | from commands and must begin with | DEF KEY= F20 SHOW BUFFERS | an exclamation point (!). | DEF KEY= CTRL/P BOX PASTE | | DEF KEY= GOLD-S BOX SELECT | | DEF KEY= KP7 WPS GOLD-R | +-----------------------------+ Usage notes: o To use an initialization file when you invoke EVE, do any of the following: * Create an initialization file named EVE$INIT.EVE in your current, default directory or your SYS$LOGIN directory. By default, EVE looks for this initialization file at startup (you need not use the /INITIALIZATION qualifier). * Define the EVE$INIT logical name to specify your initialization file. This is useful if you want to use the same file for all or most editing sessions---including when you use EVE within MAIL---and lets you keep the file in any directory or subdirectory you like. This overrides the search for an EVE$INIT.EVE file. If you omit parts of the file specification from the logical name definition---for example, if you do not specify a device (disk)---EVE supplies them from EVE$INIT.EVE in your current, default directory or your SYS$LOGIN directory. * Invoke EVE using the /INITIALIZATION= qualifier and specify the initialization file. This overrides any definition of the EVE$INIT logical name and overrides the search for an EVE$INIT.EVE file. If you omit parts of the file specification---for example, if you do not specify a device (disk)---EVE supplies them first from the logical name (if defined), and then from EVE$INIT.EVE in your current, default directory or your SYS$LOGIN directory. For more information, see DCL help on EDIT/TPU/INITIALIZATION or see the EVE Reference Manual. o At startup, commands in an initialization file for buffer settings, such as margins, paragraph indent, and tab stops, apply to the MAIN (or first) buffer and to an EVE system buffer named $DEFAULTS$, so that each buffer you create has the same settings---in effect, your own, private defaults. For example, if you prefer a right margin of 70, put SET RIGHT MARGIN 70 in your initialization file. See help on Defaults. o Settings and key definitions in an initialization file override those in a section file or command file. Typically, you use a section file to save key definitions and global attributes (such as if you always want the EDT keypad and a bound cursor), and use an initialization file for buffer settings, such as margins and tab stops. o To execute an initialization file during a session, use the @ command (at sign). This is effectively the same as typing the commands the file contains. Commands in the initialization file for editing operations or buffer settings apply to the current buffer. o You can also use an initialization file when you invoke EVE for batch editing. For example, the following command invokes EVE using an initialization file named BATCH.EVE: $ EDIT/TPU /NODISPLAY /INITIALIZATION=batch This batch initialization file should comprise a complete editing session, including EXIT or QUIT. Some EVE commands cannot be used in batch because they prompt for a key press or other interactive response. o To insert text from within an initialization file, use the TPU command and the EVE$INSERT_TEXT procedure. This is useful to insert a device control string, date and time, standard heading, or some other text at startup. For example, the following command in an initialization file inserts the quoted string: TPU EVE$INSERT_TEXT ("Top Secret!"); o To repeat a command from within an initialization file without requiring keyboard interaction, use the REPEAT command and specify the command to repeat on the same line. For example, the following command in an initialization file repeats the MOVE BY PAGE command 5 times: REPEAT 5 MOVE BY PAGE If you do not specify the command to repeat, EVE waits for you to press the key to be repeated. Related topics: @ Attributes Command Files Defaults Section Files