4DOS batch files

4TeX uses 4DOS batch files. These batch files have the file extension BTM whereas normal batch files have the extension BAT. BTM stands for batch to memory. Usually a batch file is read and executed line by line, but 4DOS loads the complete batch file in memory and then executes it. This makes BTM batch file run faster. A more imporant advantage of 4DOS is its much richer programming features. 4DOS makes it easy to write fairly sophisticated programs. No compiler is required. Reading the 4DOS help file and looking at the examples you could start to change/add BTM files to suit your own personal needs.

If you leave the 4DOSProgram parameter empty in the 4TEX.INI file, 4TeX will use the program specified by the COMSPEC environment variable. On Windows 95/98 that will usually be COMMAND.COM; on NT it will usually be CMD.EXE. If you don't use 4DOS, 4TeX will not start the BTM files as described below (since BTM files only work with 4DOS), but 4TeX will start the the batch file with the same name but with the extension BAT. This means that people who do not want/like to use 4DOS (because it is shareware and they have to pay for it) can write their own BAT files and still work with 4TeX.

Below you will find a list and short description of BTM files that are currently used by 4TeX:

AUTOSTART.BTM
This batch file is called every time you start 4TeX and when in the 4TEX.INI file the parameter is set to RunAutoStartBatchFile=1 The original autostart.btm will load the PFE editor (with the Main and Current TeX file) and start the LaTeX macro program.
BIBTEX.BTM
Run BibTeX. This batch file is called when pressing the "run BibTeX" button in the BibTeX menu.
BLCKCOMP.BTM
Used for block compilation, which is started by selecting a block in the editor and then right-clicking the "Compile" button.
BLKERROR.BTM
Used to jump to the correct file and line number when an error occurs during block compilation.
CLOSING.BTM
This batch file is called when quitting 4TeX. It will "kill" certain processes (the variable KILL in the 4TEXSET.BAT file) and will delete certain files (specified by the environment variable DELFILES in 4TEXSET.BAT).
CONTEXT.BTM
A batch file for compiling a ConTeXt file and running TeXUTIL in one go.
COMPILER.BTM
The batch file that is called when you press the "Compile" button.
DEVIRT.BTM
If the "devirtualize" option is selected in the Options menu this batch file will run a program to replace virtual fonts with real fonts in the DVI file.
FONTLIB.BTM
A utility to store the fonts used by DVIWIN 2.9 in a FLI file.
GSPRINT.BTM
Batch file to convert a DVI file to PS or PDF file.
GSVIEW.BTM
Display PS or PDF file using GhostScript.
KILL.BTM
Used by CLOSING.BTM to "kill" processes.
KILLPROC.BTM
Used by GSVIEW.BTM to "kill" an already running instance of GSVIEW (so you will have only one instance of the GhostScript viewer running at a time).
MAKEINDX.BTM
Batch file to run MakeIndex (when pressing "Run MakeIndex" in the MakeIndex menu).
MAKELS-R.BTM
(Re)generates the ls-R (index) files needed for TeX and related programs to find their resources.
METAFONT.BTM
Used when pressing "Run metafont" in the Metafont menu.
METAPOST.BTM
Used when pressing "Run MetaPost" in the MetaPost menu.
MFJOB.BTM
Used by DVIWIN 2.9 to automatically generate missing fonts.
MFORMAT.BTM
Used when pressing "Generate" button in the Generate (La)TeX format menu.
WORDLIST.BTM
Used when pressing the "Generate wordlist" button in the MakeIndex menu.

The following batch files are used for printing or previewing:

BJ10E.BTM
Canon Bubblejet 10e (360dpi) through Ghostscript
CDJ550.BTM
HP Deskjet 550c color (300dpi) through Ghostscript
CDJCOLOR.BTM
HP Deskjet 500c color (300dpi) through Ghostscript
CDJMONO.BTM
HP Deskjet 500c monochrome (300dpi) through Ghostscript
DESKJET.BTM
HP Deskjet (300dpi) through Ghostscript
DVIHP.BTM
HP PCL (e.g. HP deskjets) output to printer
DVIWIN.BTM
DVIWIN 2.9 previewer (needs to devirtualize VF fonts)
EPSON.BTM
Epson FX matrix (240x216dpi) through Ghostscript
LJET2P.BTM
HP LaserJet IIp (300dpi) through Ghostscript
LJET3.BTM
HP LaserJet III (300dpi) through Ghostscript
LJET4.BTM
HP LaserJet 4, 5 or 6 (600dpi) through Ghostscript
LJETPLUS.BTM
HP LaserJet Plus (300dpi) through Ghostscript
MSWINPR2.BTM
Windows printer through Ghostscript Choose this option if your printer is not specified in the list
PDFVGA.BTM
Adobe PDF through Ghostscript (110dpi/VGA screen)
PDFWLJ4.BTM
Adobe PDF through Ghostscript (600dpi)
PDFWRITE.BTM
Adobe PDF through Ghostscript (300dpi)
PJXL300.BTM
HP Paintjet XL color (300dpi) through Ghostscript
PS2PDF.BTM
PS to PDF converter