Hello Ted,
 \|/  Subject:  Question #1!
 /|\  On Saturday April 11 1998 at 13:06, 
      you wrote to Gerald Miller saying:
 TM>>> Making the batch more readable in the process ;-)
 GM>> Wouldn't the `IF EXIST ... blah, blah` make the batch run faster?
 TM> It may... but are you that fast a typist, that you'll notice the
 TM> difference? ;-)
Last time I did a timer test on myself, I was up to sixty words a minute. Not 
all that fast...  I cheat, anyway!  I create one batch file to operate and a 
data file that contains the various other routines I may want to try. Then I 
load the two files into my trusty editor, use the cut and paste functions to 
substitute the new routines...
 GM>> I think I'm going to put some timer routines in and check to see
 GM>> which technique works in the shortest time......
 TM> If you want to go through all that, don't let me stop you. :-)
 TM> And if it turns out to be significantly faster when using the tests,
 TM> then throw out those extra /e and the >&>nul stuff, too. You'll hardly
 TM> need them in that case... ;-)
Ahhh, but they're in the batch file (commented out with either REM or :: 
statements) along with the name(s), address, date & time of who made the 
recommendation(s) and why.
 TM>>> All those jumps tend to make your batch look like noodles...
 GM>> Would the term "spaghetti" be more appropriate?
 TM> Something equivalent will also do... ;-))
Maybe so, but WE don't use that kind of language in this echo...  :^))
 GM>> It can look like an Andy Warhol painting for all I care, but if
 GM>> it's functional and does the job for which it was intended, then
 GM>> that's number one in my book!  
 TM> Yeah, and then, after two years, you wish to add some new features to
 TM> it, and you won't be able to make out heads or tails on it... No, it'd
 TM> better look nice and neat... ;-)
In-line documentation / comments certainly helps...
 TM>>> That's far too much honour for me, Gerald... :)
 GM>> Okay, no more praise for you!  It just goes to your head and
 GM>> makes us all feel woozy.   :-)))
 TM> Do you feel it, too, then? ;-)))
Shades of Peter Frampton?
... If at first you don't succeed, have Ted Menks do it for you!
              G'Day ... Gerald
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