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N: Device Tools and Utilities

FujiNet provides a suite of command-line tools for working with the N: device. These tools are distributed on the fnc-tools.atr disk image, available from fujinet.online.

A key advantage of these tools is that they communicate directly with FujiNet over SIO, so the NDEV handler does not need to be loaded for them to work. Each tool also includes a corresponding .DOC file with detailed usage information.

Tools Overview

ToolPurpose
NCDChange the N: device directory prefix
NPWDDisplay the current directory prefix
NDIRList directory contents from a network resource
NCOPYCopy files between N: devices and local drives
NDELDelete files on network resources
NRENRename files on network resources

All tools work with both menu-based DOSes (such as Atari DOS 2.5 and MyDOS) and CLI-based DOSes (such as DOS XL and SpartaDOS). When run from a menu-based DOS, parameters are requested interactively. When run from a CLI, parameters can be passed on the command line.

If N: is not specified or no unit number is given, N1: is assumed by default.

NCD

NCD (Network Change Directory) sets the directory prefix for an N: device. The prefix is automatically prepended to any devicespec you use, saving significant typing when working within a particular server or directory tree.

Usage

NCD [N[x]:][PROTO:]//[HOST][:PORT]/[PATH]

All parameters are optional. If no arguments are given, the directory prefix is cleared.

Examples

Set a prefix to an FTP server:

NCD N:FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/stuff/collections/

Set a prefix to an HTTP server:

NCD N:HTTP://ATARI-APPS.IRATA.ONLINE/

Clear the prefix:

NCD

Relative Navigation

NCD supports relative path navigation, making it easy to browse directory trees:

CommandAction
NCD N:games/Append games/ to the current prefix
NCD /Reset to the root directory (keeps protocol, host, port)
NCD ..Move up one directory level

Mapping Directly to a File

You can set the prefix to point directly to a specific file. This is useful for programs that only accept simple devicespecs:

NCD N:FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/stuff/collections/games/FROG.EXE

Now N: points directly to FROG.EXE, and you can use simple copy commands:

COPY N: D1:FROG.COM

Directories vs. Files

End directory names with / to indicate they are directories:

N:FTP://SERVER/stuff/games/       This is a directory
N:FTP://SERVER/welcome.msg        This is a file

If you accidentally specify a directory as a file, use NCD .. to back out.

NPWD

NPWD (Network Print Working Directory) displays the current directory prefix for an N: device.

Usage

NPWD [N[x]:]

Examples

D1:NPWD N:
FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/stuff/collections/

If no prefix is set:

D1:NPWD N:
NO PREFIX SET

NDIR

NDIR (Network Directory) retrieves and displays a directory listing from a network file system.

Usage

NDIR [N[x]:]<devicespec>

If a filename is not specified, the wildcard * is assumed. If no parameters are given, interactive mode prompts for the path.

Examples

List the root of an FTP server:

D1:NDIR N:FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/
Changelog.html
lost+found
stuff
upload
upload2
welcome.msg

List using the current prefix:

D1:NCD N:FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/stuff/
D1:NDIR N:
collections
docs
utils

NCOPY

NCOPY (Network Copy) copies files between network resources and local devices. It supports three copy modes and transfers data in efficient 16 KB chunks for better performance.

Usage

NCOPY <FROM>,<TO>

If parameters are not specified, NCOPY prompts:

NET COPY--FROM, TO?

Copy Modes

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Copy Mode 1"
        D1["D: (Local Disk)"] -->|NCOPY| N1["N: (Network)"]
    end

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Copy Mode 2"
        N2["N: (Network)"] -->|NCOPY| D2["D: (Local Disk)"]
    end

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Copy Mode 3"
        N3["N1: (Network)"] -->|NCOPY| N4["N2: (Network)"]
    end

Local to Network

D1:FROG.EXE,N:TNFS://HOMESERVER/GAMES/FROG.EXE

Network to Local

With the prefix set to an FTP path:

N:FROG.EXE,D1:FROG.EXE

Network to Network

Using two different N: units with different prefixes:

NCD N1:FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/pub/collections/games/
NCD N2:HTTP://MYHOMESERVER/games/
NCOPY N1:FROG.EXE,N2:FROG.EXE

Notes

  • Both FROM and TO must be valid devicespecs. For N: devices, the directory prefix is used.
  • Wildcards are not currently supported but are planned for a future release.
  • NDEV does not need to be loaded in memory.

NDEL

NDEL (Network Delete) deletes files from network resources.

Usage

NDEL [N[x]:]<devicespec>

If no parameter is given, one is prompted for interactively.

Example

NDEL N:HTTP://HOMESERVER/BLAH.TXT

Warning: Unlike DOS, NDEL does not prompt for confirmation before deleting. Use with care.

NREN

NREN (Network Rename) renames a file on a network file system. The old and new filenames are separated by a comma.

Usage

NREN [N[x]:]<OLD>,<NEW>

Example

D1:NREN N1:TNFS://TMA-1/FOO.TXT,BAR.TXT

This renames FOO.TXT to BAR.TXT on the TNFS server TMA-1.

Practical Workflow Example

Here is a typical workflow combining multiple tools to browse an FTP archive and download a file:

REM Step 1: Set the prefix to an FTP server
NCD N:FTP://FTP.PIGWA.NET/

REM Step 2: See what's available
NDIR N:

REM Step 3: Navigate into a subdirectory
NCD N:stuff/collections/

REM Step 4: Check our current location
NPWD N:

REM Step 5: List the contents
NDIR N:

REM Step 6: Copy a file to local disk
NCOPY N:GAME.COM,D1:GAME.COM

flowchart TD
    A["NCD: Set prefix to FTP server"] --> B["NDIR: Browse directory"]
    B --> C["NCD: Navigate deeper"]
    C --> D["NPWD: Verify location"]
    D --> E["NDIR: Find the file"]
    E --> F["NCOPY: Download to D:"]

Next Steps