HTML Utilities for DOS [page 2 of 2]

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HTML CONVERSION- Special formats

For a comprehensive list of HTML converters for various platforms see: <http://www.w3.org/Tools/Filters.html>.


Martha & Ishtar- RTF < > HTML conversion.

unrated [added 12-19-98 updated 03-31-01]

Most word processors support writing of documents to the RTF format. While RTFtoHTML was the premier command line RTF to HTML converter for DOS (DOS version no longer marketed?), it was pay-shareware. Martha is a less ambitious (and still-living) freeware effort and appears to perform adequately for casual use. While Martha is not a comprehensive or configurable tool it does appear to generate more faithful output than the few other existing DOS programs I've run across. Martha supports conversion of heading/ styles, tables, and footnotes (links to / from footnotes are auto-generated). It creates a table of contents with hyperlinks to headings in the body of the document. Font face, size, and attributes are usually but not always converted accurately. Embedded images are saved as external WMF files (links to GIF files are created- you must perform the image conversion). Single file processing only, batch or interactive mode. No docs included. The author also distributes an HTML to RTF converter: ISHTAR.

Author: Yves Sagnier- CENA, France (2001). Home Page.

03-31-01: Martha v1.8 and Ishtar v1.4 (03-01) available.

download martha18.zip (24K)

download ishtar14.zip (21K)

Win32 versions of Martha and Ishtar are also available from home page.


DBF2HTML- Command-line DBF to HTML converter.

* * * * [updated 10-10-99]

There are plenty of utilities floating around that convert Excel or Access tables to HTML tables- but these are usually large GUI apps and often only read the latest proprietary formats generated by the fertile minds at M$.

In contrast, DBF2HTML converts widely transportable DBF files into HTML tables. This small (27K) Italian program includes a healthy list of options to customize the content and general appearance of the resulting HTML. Recognized field types are: character, numeric, logical and date (no support for memo fields, doesn't process index files). DBF2HTML can also be used as a CGI-BIN program for WEB servers. I have seen a shareware Win9x app that does much the same thing- but it's packed as a 3MB zip. Author: Simone Govoni. (1999).

Syntax: DBF2HTML [switches] dbffile[.dbf] [htmlfile[.htm]]
/b width......Set the table border width to <width>
/c caption....Set the table caption to <caption>
/B............Put the caption (/c) below the table(default: above)
/d............Skip deleted records
/f fieldlist..Process only fields specified in the <fieldlist>
/h............Display this help screen
/l............Use the four digits format to display years
/s............Display the DBF structure
/t title......Set the HTML document title to <title>
The following macros can be used inside the title
or the caption:
$f The file name of the DBF; $q The '"' character;
$p The '%' character; $$ The '$' character
10-10-99: new in v1.01 (7-99): Doc fixes, source included, now issued under GPL.

download d2h101.zip (46K)


TtH- TeX / LaTeX to HTML converter.

unrated [added 12-06-98 updated 04-12-01]

TTH is a command line filter that does a good job of converting Plain TeX or LaTeX files into their HTML equivalents.

From a reader: "How well does the program work? Very well. Documents are converted to HTML 3.2. It supports all standard TeX and LaTeX constructs, including the LaTeX tabular environment. Headings and text convert smoothly (for example, text tagged as \bf converts to <B>). TtH can also generate an HTML index if the LaTeX file contains a \makeindex command. Limitations? TtH cannot handle custom macros and styles. Equations are converted to HTML, but the program uses the <FONT FACE="SYMBOL"> extension. Also, <HEAD> and <BODY> tags are not added to the file. This may cause problems when you want to use CSS. " Linux binary, source (C), and a commercial version with added functionality are also available from Home Page.

Free for non-commercial use only. Author: Ian Hutchinson (2001); suggested by Scott Nesbitt.

04-12-01: current version is 2.92 (04-01); see docs for version history.

download tth_exe.zip (292K)


Dir2Web- Convert a directory list to HTML with local or remote links.

* * * * [updated 5-29-98]

This small (2.5K) program is a great tool for web authors. From the documentation: "[Dir2Web] reads a user-defined filespec (e.g. *.*) and creates an HTML index file. The index is fully customizable: you can include file times (24-hour), dates (2000 compliant YYYY-MM-DD), or sizes and even create links to each file while including a remote URL prefix."

Usage:
DIR2WEB filespec outfile ["Title"] [/D] [/L[=prefix]][/ND|T|S]
/D include directories
/L make links [with a prefix]
/N no dates/times/sizes
/? this help screen
Example: dir2web \files\*.zip index.htm "Test" /d /l=http://localhost/ /ndts
Notes: /L does not require a prefix. /N can be followed by D, T, or S in any
combination. All [parameters] are optional, and may be used in any combination.

New in v 1.41 (5-98): returns ERRORLEVELs.

Part of Jem Berkes' DOSUTILS package. Freeware.

Download DOSUTILS from: Jem Berkes' PC Utilities site.


BBS2HTML- Converts FILES.BBS list to HTML.

* * * [added 3-8-98]

BBS2HTML takes a FILES.BBS list and converts it to HTML. Primarily intended for BBS sysops who are transferring their file collections to the Internet. Others might find a use for this program if they are uploading personal file collections. This program has both good and bad points. On the negative side: it is completely interactive. BBS2HTML prompts for a few criteria (e.g., the name of your site, the remote path, etc.) and then generates the HTML file. Not much flexibility. On the plus side: sane HTML formatting. No tables or fancy HTML; your file will be readable in nearly any browser. You'll have to check the layout of your FILES.BBS file prior to conversion because the program won't convert properly if the FILES.BBS file contains a header. For a neater look, you should also remove IBM graphics characters that are frequently added to some archive description files. Author: Scott Fletcher (1995)

Also see: FiD

download bbs2html.zip (47K)


HTML (PRE-)PROCESSORS, VALIDATORS


HTML Tidy- Command line HTML validator and cleanup tool.

* * * * * [added 09-01-99 updated 08-20-00]

This tool will generate a line by line error report and/ or clean up your HTML. Customization is possible with a config file. "Tidy is able to fix up a wide range of problems and to bring to your attention things that you need to work on yourself. Each item found is listed with the line number and column so that you can see where the problem lies in your markup. Tidy won't generate a cleaned up version when there are problems that it can't be sure of how to handle. These are logged as "errors" rather than "warnings"." For more info see the Tidy home page.

Notes: This tool can be used by many freeware HTML editors (e.g., NoteTab Light by Eric Fookes and HTML-Kit [both win9x]). DOS version requires 386+ PC. Packages also available for for Win9x/NT (GUI and console), MAC, Amiga, AIX, Linux, Unix, OS/2 and more. Authors: Dave Raggett, Nick B.- DOS port. (2000); Suggested by B. Simonsen and others. Tidy386 for DOS Home Page.

options for tidy released on 4th August 2000

Processing directives
--------------------
  -indent or -i   indent element content
  -omit   or -o   omit optional endtags
  -wrap 72        wrap text at column 72 (default is 68)
  -upper  or -u   force tags to upper case (default is lower)
  -clean  or -c   replace font, nobr & center tags by CSS
  -numeric or -n  output numeric rather than named entities
  -errors or -e   only show errors
  -quiet or -q    suppress nonessential output
  -xml            use this when input is wellformed xml
  -asxml          to convert html to wellformed xml
  -slides         to burst into slides on h2 elements
Character encodings
------------------
  -raw            leave chars > 128 unchanged upon output
  -ascii          use ASCII for output, Latin-1 for input
  -latin1         use Latin-1 for both input and output
  -iso2022        use ISO2022 for both input and output
  -utf8           use UTF-8 for both input and output
  -mac            use the Apple MacRoman character set
File manipulation
---------------
  -config <file>  set options from config file
  -f <file>       write errors to named <file>
  -modify or -m   to modify original files
Miscellaneous
------------
  -version or -v  show version
  -help   or -h   list command line options
You can also use --blah for any config file option blah

08-20-00: latest MSDOS release is now dated 08-04-00.

download tidy386.zip (140K)


Htmlpp- Powerful HTML pre-processor; requires Perl.

unrated [added 11-14-99]

Htmlpp is a Perl script (not a DOS program) that functions as an extremely powerful html pre-processor. Although it requires installation of the substantial Perl language package, you don't need to be a Perl guru to use htmlpp. Because htmlpp doesn't rely on any system-specific features it should be usable with any OS that has a recent Perl port.

Special requirements: Perl (v4x or 5x).

Author: iMatix (1998). Htmlpp Home Page.

download htmlp42a.zip (128K)


PPWIZARD- Multi-platform HTML pre-processor (requires REXX interpreter).

unrated [added 08-21-00 updated 12-04-00]

PPWIZARD, well known in OS/2 circles, is a ccollapsibleomprehensive and well documented Rexx-driven HTML pre-processor that's also compatible with the multi-platform Regina Rexx interpreter.

Notes: PPWIZARD now supports Regina v2.0. Tested here with Regina v2.0 for DOS (DJGPP package). The author maintains a helpful page of Regina-specific issues. Extensive, separate HTML documentation is available- there's even a section for former ORB users. An online manual and beginner's guide are also maintained.

Author: Dennis Bareis, Australia (2000). Home Page.

download ppwall.zip (95K)
and html documentation (warning: html files possess long filenames): ppwhdoco.zip (900K)


ORB- HTML pre-processor for efficient management of multiple web pages.

untested [added 12-5-98]

Paraphrased from the docs: "Orb is a tool for Web developers which makes design, development, and maintenance of large sites easier...Orb source files consist of normal HTML source with additional Orb-specific markup; the latter is parsed and replaced by Orb to create a pure HTML output file.

Note: Formerly fee-ware, Orb is now free (and GPL), although the docs in the source package haven't been updated to reflect this change. See Orb Home Page for more info. Author: Craig Berry. (1998). Suggested by Scott Nesbitt, Dev Teelucksingh, others.

download orb20dos.zip (DOS exe only)
and
orb20s.zip (Docs and source)


htp- HTML pre-processor for efficient management of multiple web pages.

untested [added 9-12-98]

This command line program could be a big time-saver (in the long run) for those who manage numerous web pages sharing a common layout. In brief, the program requires management of Content files (HTML files containing the content of your pages and time-saving macros) and a Template (design) file which holds instructions for the common layout of your pages. Features:

Author: Jim Nelson (1996). Suggested by Robert Bull.

http://www.geocities.com/rlcgreen/bin/ get htp.zip (157K)


StrpHTML & KeepHTML- Cut out or keep sections of text in HTML document.

* * *

StrpHTML and the companion KeepHTML are programs which strip out (or keep) sections of text in an HTML document. The programs work by locating and cutting around user-inserted HTML comments. For example, StrpHTML cuts out text between <!--CUT --> and <!--ENDCUT --> comments. A possible application includes generating distinct, multiple HTML pages from a single commented template file.

Usage:
StrpHTML [INFILE] [OUTFILE] [0 1 2 ... 9]
[INFILE]...The file to process.
[OUTFILE]..File that should be written to. If it exists StrpHTML
...........will overwrite it.
[LEVEL]....Stripping level. Should be 0,1,2... or 9.
StrpHTML will copy every line from INFILE to OUTFILE until it finds a line that _starts_ with "<!--CUTn" (without the quotes), and if the level indicator n was specified on the commandline. Copying will resume after a line is found starting with "<!--ENDCUTn", and where n is a specified level. Also, every line starting with "<!--REMOVEn" or "nREMOVE-->" will not be copied to OUTFILE. Limitations: The CUT/ENDCUT comments must be placed at column one of a line and can't be preceded by other text. Tip: Strp/KeepHTML don't support wildcards: try LOCATE's marvelous /O option to quickly generate a batch file with multiple commands, e.g.,
LOCATE C:\HTML\*.HTM /O:"STRPHTML &N C:\HTML\&R.OUT 0" >STRIP.BAT
(where &N holds a filename and &R a basename)

Author: Arjen Venhuis, Netherlands. (1997). Tip by Bjorn Simonsen.

http://www.geocities.com/rlcgreen/bin/ get strphtml.zip (19K, includes KeepHTML).


OTHER . . .


FTE- Programmer's editor with HTML editing mode.

While this editor is tuned for programming chores, it does include a straightfoward HTML "mode" with color highlighting of HTML tags and, more uniquely, a pull-down menu with commands to insert common HTML tags. See full description on the Text Editor page.

Also see: Editors which offer some HTML syntax highlighting and/or (obvious) tagging capabilities: TDE (s-highlight), FED (s- highlight), Vim, Elvis (html mode display, with local hyperlink navigation), JED (s- highlight, html_mode command bar), ZED (s-highlight), SETEdit (tag macros, s-highlighting), and GNU Emacs (s-highlight/ pulldown tag menu).


TTM- Create background texture images for HTML pages.

* * *

Note: For fast Pentiums patch the exe using bp7pat.

The TeraLogic Texture Maker is an SVGA-only graphics mode program that creates and saves background texture images commonly used in HTML pages. TTM could conceivably be used as a texture creator for programs like POV-RAY. Images are saved to uncompressed 24-bit TGA format. The mouse compatible interface is easy to navigate. Includes a good variety of effects like relief, plasma, shadowing, and waves. Context sensitive help window.

Requires 386+, 1MB RAM, Mouse, 800x600x8 Bit VESA.; Executable size= 75K

Donationware.

Author: Tobias Reichert (1997). Suggested by Marianna Van Erp

download ttxmkrr.zip from ZDNET (166K).


GIF-TOOLS- Create animated and transparent GIFs.

unrated [updated 06-26-99]

GIF-TOOLS is a suite of special purpose GIF utilities- including GIF MAKE which creates animated and transparent GIFs.

Includes:

Author: "Samiel" (1997)

For documentation, get the older v2.0:

download gt20free.zip (47K)

06-26-99: For the latest binaries (v2.1;1997) get:

download gt21free.zip (47K)

Also see GIFTRANS - Creates transparent GIF's.


HTML_Cal- Creates monthly HTML calendar with link-day-to-file option.

unrated [added 03-15-01]

This command line tool outputs a small html calendar (using HTML table formatting) to standard output. Suitable for batch use. Options include ability to link dates to date specific files (e.g., for use as a scheduler).
Usage: HTML_CAL.COM [options] [>file.htm]
Options:
    mMonthNumber    (m11)
    mYearNumber     (y1997)
    wWeekendDays    (w17) (Sunday=1 and Saturday=7)
    dDateOption     (d0)  (Check Box=0, Radio Button=1
                           Link=2, None=3)
    cwWeekendColor  (cwCC6666)
    clLabelColor    (cwFFFFCC)
    lLinkString     (ldirectory1/directory2/data%d.htm)
        Use this option only with d2 option. In the above
        example, %d will be replaced with the date number
    ?   Produces this help.

Author: Sudarshan Karkada.

See sample commands/ associated output, and download HTML_CAL.COM (not zipped) from Home Page.


CalHTML- Creates HTML calendar for any month.

unrated

This little 6K program sends a samll HTML single month calendar (using HTML table formatting) to standard output- you can redirect the output to a file. No options. The command line syntax is simple:

usage: cal Month Year 
cal 10 1997 > oct97cal.htm

download calhtml.zip


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