Guru
Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United KingdomPosts: 7564
| Posted: 07:23am 13 Apr 2025 |
I've no problem with manipulating multiple files or folders in a file manager, in fact that's the sort of stuff that would be ideal.
Tree display could be a different program altogether as it isn't needed for normal file management. You could include the directory management in this program.
Viewing files and hex display can also be farmed out to a file viewer, which could display in ASCII, HEX or both at the same time. Have a look at the old HEX monitor programs for how this can work.
We have been told that there will be no increase in the number of flash slots so my own preference would be to have it built into MMBasic, where it may be able to use internal routines more efficiently. Failing that it could be installed in the Library.
Whether the file manager is stored in MMBasic or in the library it could still use the library by looking for a table of add-on SUBs in there. If any are find they could appear as menu items when the file manager is displayed and called from within it. Consequently there would be no need to install the extras or even a library if the file manager is within MMBasic. This method makes the basic file manager extendable relatively easily.
Could this make all users happy? How long is a piece of string? :)
No, some would want proper graphic characters and/or colour but IMHO neither of those is possible in the basic file manager if you want maximum flexibility. You could write *device specific* extensions that use such things but you are making them inflexible if you do. There will always be some that want more bells and whistles, that's life. :)