# The Batch Buffer Manager

The batch buffer manager handles the execution of batch files. It can execute batch files directly. Additionally, batch files can be added into a queue for later processing. The batch buffer manager supports the following command described below. Please note, that the examples assume that the batch manager has been configured into SICS under the name of exe.

exe buffername
  directly load the buffer stored in the file buffername and execute it. The file is searched in the batch buffer search path.
exe batchpath [newpath]
  Without an argument, this command lists the directories which are searched for batch files. With an argument, a new search path is set. It is possible to specify multiple directories by separating them with colons.
exe syspath [newpath]
  Without an argument, this command lists the system directories which are searched for batch files. With an argument, a new system search path is set. It is possible to specify multiple directories by separating them with colons.
exe info
  prints the name of the currently executing batch buffer
exe info stack
  prints the stack of nested batch files (i.e. batch files calling each other).
exe info range [name]
  Without an argument prints the range of code currently being executed. With a parameter, prints the range of code executing in named buffer within the stack of nested buffers. The reply looks like: number of start character = number of end character = line number.
exe info text [name]
  Without an argument prints the code text currently being executed. With a parameter, prints the range of code text executing in the named buffer within the stack of nested buffers.
exe enqueue buffername
  Appends buffername to the queue of batch buffers to execute.
exe clear
Clears the queue of batch buffers
exe queue
  Prints the content of the batch buffer queue.
exe fullpath filename
  Prints the full path name for filename if the file can be located somewhere in exe paths. Else an error is printed. The purpose is to use exe file management facilties in scripts.
exe makepath filename
  Prints the full path name for filename in the first direcory of batch path. This is a tool to have scripts open files in the proper user directory.
exe run
  Starts executing the batch buffers in the queue.
exe print buffername
  Prints the content of the batch buffer buffername to the screen.
exe interest
  Switches on automatic notification about starting batch files, executing a new bit of code or for finishing a batch file. This is most useful for SICS clients watching the progress of the experiment.
exe upload
  Prepares the batch manager for uploading a buffer to SICS
exe append some text
  Appends a line with everything after append to the upload buffer
exe save filename
  saves the recently uploaded buffer under filename on the SICS server. Does not overwrite existing files.
exe forcesave filename
  saves the recently uploaded buffer under filename on the SICS server. Overwrites existing file.
exe clearupload
  clears any pending upload operations.