

                                FileStat
                      ShareWare User Documentation



Introduction

FileStat is a set of useful utilities for keeping track of what files are 
regularly used on your hard disk, and which are not.  It consists of 
a 9k TSR (memory resident program), a conversion program, a 
program to produce a sorted, printable text file in report format, 
and a program to produce an ASCII file list of unused or inactive 
files.

FileStat works by recording all file accesses in a log file.  The user 
then runs a program (preferably on a daily basis) which converts 
the log file into a dBase III+  compatible data base file.  Each 
time the conversion program is run, the data base is updated.  If 
new a file access has already been converted to the data base 
file, then its access count is incremented and the date of last 
access is updated. If the new file access has never previously 
been converted to the database file, then a new record is 
added.

By running FileStat for a significant period of time, (a period of 
several weeks is recommended) a comprehensive data base of 
file names and accesses can be developed. This allows the user 
to see what files on their hard disk are actually used, how often, 
and how long ago.




 
Installation
	
Installation of FileStat is very simple.  All you need to do is copy the 
contents of your distribution disk to any sub directory on your 
hard disk.  The sub directory you choose should be where you 
normally keep your utility programs.  For example, if you have a 
directory where your utility programs are stored called C:\UTILITY,
you would Insert your distribution disk in your A drive, and simply 
type the following at the DOS prompt:

                         COPY A:*.* C:\UTILITY

Whatever sub directory you install the FileStat programs in should 
be included in your PATH statement.


Operation

There are five executable programs  included with the FileStat 
package.  Each program, and its operation are described below.  
For ease of reference, each program is numbered in the order 
that they would normally be used.

1.	CONFIGFS.EXE - This is the FileStat configuration program.  You 
MUST run this program before running any of the FileStat 
programs.  It will create a configuration file in the root 
directory of your hard disk called F_STAT.INF.  It will also create 
a sub-directory on the current drive called \F_STAT , where 
your FileStat files will be maintained.

2.	FILELOG.EXE - This is the TSR program that will keep track of all 
file accesses.  It will occupy about 9k of RAM, and can be 
loaded high.  Its operation should be imperceptible to the 
user.  FILELOG will create a file called FILELOG.DAT in the 
FileStat directory.  This is where all file accesses will be 
recorded. FILELOG can be unloaded by using the /U option 
(i.e. FILELOG /U ).  FILELOG can also be loaded in a "quiet" 
mode (no screen information) by using the /Q option (i.e. 
FILELOG /Q ).


3.	FILESTAT.EXE - This program will create and maintain a file in 
your FileStat directory called FILESTAT.DBF.  It should be run at 
least once a day (from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file).  It will read all 
file accesses recorded in the FILELOG.DAT file, and update the 
FILESTAT.DBF file.  The FILELOG.DAT file is then deleted, and 
FILELOG will create a new one when there are more file 
accesses to record.  FILESTAT.DBF is a standard dBase III+ file 
and can be used by any program that is compatible with DBF 
type files.

4.	STATREPT.EXE - This program will read your data base file 
(FILESTAT.DBF) and create an ASCII text file called STATS.TXT.  
STATS.TXT can be viewed or edited by any text editor or word 
processor.  You can also print STATS.TXT by typing the following 
command at the DOS prompt:

                      COPY C:\F_STAT\STATS.TXT PRN

You may view it on your screen with the following command:

                    TYPE C:\F_STAT\STATS.TXT | MORE

STATREPT will pre-sort your data in specific order if you like.

STATREPT /N  will sort the data by the full path and file 
name.  This is the default.

STATREPT /A  will sort the data by the number of file 
accesses with the most active files first.

STATREPT /D  will sort the data by date the file was last 
accessed with the most recent files  first.

5.	NOTUSED.EXE - This program will create a current list of all files 
residing on your hard disk that have not been accessed since 
you began using FileStat.  The list created is in ASCII file format 
and is named NOTUSED.TXT  It can be viewed, printed, or 
edited in the same way as the STATS.TXT file.  NOTUSED can will 
also accept a file specification mask.  For example, NOTUSED 
*.EXE will produce a listing of all unused files with the 
extension EXE.  Whenever you use a file specification mask, the
resultant NOTUSED file created will use the same extention.  In this
way you can set up numerous NOTUSED files for various situations.
There a few situations where the extention will not be exactly the
same as the file specification mask.  The extention EXE will be
changed to EX_, COM will be changed to C_M, and BAT will become B_T.
In addition, when you use a mask like  NOTUSED *.B??, the resultant
file created by not used will be NOTUSED.B--.  A file mask like
NOTUSED *.B* will create a file called NOTUSED.B%.  In other words,
? will become - and * will become % whenever they are used as part of
the file extention mask.

The NOTUSED.TXT file can also be used as a "response" file for
other programs.  A "response" file is an ASCII file that supplies 
input data to other programs.  In this case, the input data 
would be the full drive, path, and file name of inactive files.  
Many back-up, "move", and archiving (ZIP) programs allow the use
of response files.  NOTUSED.TXT can, and SHOULD be used to 
create some type archival copy or back-up of any files you 
plan to delete or remove from your system.


Be Careful!

There are some dangers involved in using this program.  Some files 
reported by FileStat as inactive, may actually be needed on your 
system.  Here' s some guidelines to help you decide what files to 
leave alone.

1.  Be sure to disable FILELOG before using any backup programs or
every file on your hard disk will show up in your FILESTAT database.

2.  ALWAYS unload FILELOG before running any disk maintenence or
optimization programs.

3.  Never mess around with DOS or system files unless you know
what you are doing.

4.  Never delete any files from accounting program directories
unless you check with the software publisher first.  Many files 
used by accounting programs are accessed only on a 
quarterly or yearly basis.

5.  NEVER NEVER NEVER delete any files without backing them up
first.  You may find out some time in the future that you will 
need a couple of them!  IF YOU DON'T BACK-UP FILES THAT 
YOU INTEND TO DELETE, AND YOU FIND THAT YOU DELETED 
SOMETHING IMPORTANT, DON'T CALL US  WE CAN'T HELP YOU!




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