Bat Lang wrote the following to Charles Jennings, and I quote (in part):

 BL> Surely I'm not the only one here that needs to be refreshed (or
 BL> enlightened)? What's a PIF? If a pgm info file, then explain how it
 BL> works. If not, also explain. {^; After 70 one looses touch with many 

Hi Bat,

   Yep it is a Program Information File.  One of the long-time
window's users can probably explain it better than I can.

   Most of the time when you execute a DOS program windows will
create a PIF for the DOS program automatically.  This is from the
help file:

"On the File menu, click Properties.
    The settings you specify will be used each time you start the
program by double-clicking its icon. If you start the program from
an MS-DOS window, these settings won't be used."

   I have always assumed if you double-clicked on a DOS program, as
opposed to the PIF, that it would use the PIF.  Also I have assumed
that if you execute FOO from a DOS batch file it will use FOO.BAT
rather than FOO.PIF.

  Properties allows you to set/change such things as:

Type/size of memory to use.
Command line.
Working directory.
Fonts.
Type of window.
Bat file to run before executing the DOS program.
Assign a shortcut key.
Set attributes.
Toolbars displayed.
Allow/disallow screen saver.
Exit/not exit on completion.
Etc.

   In general, it allows you to make a DOS program run under
windows and how it will appear.  One of its most useful functions
is the "path" feature.  You can copy the 1k PIF to any/many
location(s) and execute it from that location.  All the information
the file needs is in the PIF.

 BL> BTW, still no joy with GC.

   Are you trying by phone or e-mail?  I did reach him once by
e-mail while he was in Florida.

    Later, 
      Charles

... I am so old that when I was young the Dead Sea was only sick.
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