Date   : Wed, 22 Jan 1986 15:07:56 PST (Wed)
From   : Bridger Mitchell <bridger@RAND-UNIX.ARPA>
Subject: Re: just what is Datestamper?

DateStamper is a CP/M 2.2 system extension for time-and-date-stamping of
files.  It occupies under 1K of high memory, either above/in the bios
or below the CCP and stamps the created, accessed and modified date-and-time
of each file.  Each directory entry has a corresponding 16-byte
entry in the special datestamper file, which is the first directory entry
and occupies the first unreserved groups on a disk.  A disk is prepared,
once, for datestamping with the PUTDS utility, which creates the file,
moving existing entries/groups if necessary.

Except for the use of the one directory entry and space for the file
(1K per 64 directory entries) DateStamper and non-datestamper disks
are totally compatible.  All disk i/o is done at the bios level,
with little overhead.

DateStamper runs with most any type of real-time clock. Or with none,
in which case it keeps the date plus  "relative time" - one tick per
file access.  The clock interface is portable - applications programs
can read the current time with an extended bdos-getversion call.

The major utilities supplied with DateStamper are SDD - an extension
of Super Directory to include created/accessed/modified dates/times,
and DATSWEEP - a many-featured file-maintenance program that supports
incremental file backup, etc. by date and time.  Applications programs
can obtain a file's datestamps through a specified interface.

DateStamper runs with the standard Digital Research CP/m 2.2 bdos,
with various Apple 2/2e z80 look-alikes, Magnolia-H/Z 89/90, ZRDOS,
and some other variants.  Not, however, with 3.0 or TurboDos.

For more information contact:

PluPerfect Systems (714) 659-4432
Box 1494
Idyllwild CA 92349

--bridger mitchell (I am a co-author).