How to use Windows SHAZAM

The SHAZAM window and the Editor window

When Windows SHAZAM is started two windows are displayed:

• The SHAZAM window. All SHAZAM output, including error messages, is displayed in this window.
• The Editor window. This window can be used for preparing files of SHAZAM commands.

It may be useful to arrange these windows to a display that you find workable. For example, from the Window menu select the Tile horizontally option. This will display the SHAZAM window as the upper window and the Editor window as the lower window.

Help with SHAZAM commands

In the SHAZAM window, at the TYPE COMMAND prompt, help is available as follows.

• SHAZAM tutorial - the DEMO command
• On-line HELP

How to create and run a SHAZAM command file

The following steps can be used to create and run a SHAZAM command file.

• Mouse click on the Editor window to make this the active window.
  
  
• Type in a list of SHAZAM commands. The SHAZAM command file will typically start with a SAMPLE command and READ commands to load a data set.
  
  
• Save the SHAZAM command file by one of the following methods:
  • Click on the 'Save' icon on the toolbar; or
  • Select 'Save As ...' under the File menu.
  It is recommended that the command file be saved in a folder reserved for SHAZAM applications. The folder for the SHAZAM command file will be used in all READ commands. That is, SHAZAM will obtain data files from the same folder as the command file.
  
  
• Run the SHAZAM command file by one of the following methods:
  • Click on the 'Run' icon on the toolbar; or
  • Select 'Run Batch' under the Run Menu; or
  • Press the F5 key.

The SHAZAM output file of results should appear in the SHAZAM window. Save the SHAZAM output file as follows:

• Mouse click on the SHAZAM window to make this the active window.
• Click on the 'Save' icon on the toolbar.

How to run an existing SHAZAM command file

Suppose you have a file of SHAZAM commands that you would like to run with Windows SHAZAM. The file may have been prepared and saved in a previous Windows SHAZAM session. Or the file may have been prepared with an editor such as the Notepad editor. As a general rule, a word processor should not be used to prepare command files and data files for SHAZAM.

Start Windows SHAZAM and open the existing SHAZAM command file by one of the following methods:

• Click on the 'Open' icon on the toolbar; or
• Select 'Open' under the File Menu.

Note that the folder specified for the filename will be used in all READ commands. That is, SHAZAM will obtain data files from the same folder as the command file.

To run the SHAZAM command file click on the 'Run' icon on the toolbar.

To save the SHAZAM output file first click on the SHAZAM window to activate it and then click on the 'Save' icon on the toolbar.