USING EDLIN

Edlin is a limited line-editing software that comes with the MSDOS package. If you are unfamiliar with other line-editing packages, Edlin can be used to insert titles in the SQC data files. To invoke it, do the following:

[Edlin filename.DAT]

filename refers to the ASCII file created with Minitab.

Edlin will come back and say 'end of file'. If it says 'new file', then you have entered the wrong filename. Enter [Q] and then [Y] to avoid creating another file. Once you have obtained the 'end of file' message, enter [L]. The first 22 lines of the data file will print on the screen. If this is the file that you wish to put a title on, do the following:

[1I]

Edlin insert mode. Allows edits typed in to be placed on the first line of the data file.

Enter the first line of the title (be certain to begin the line with a 'C'):

Press Enter

Places information at the top of the data file then prompts for the second line.

Type in the subsequent title lines and any additional data file information. Place a C at the beginning of each new line and press Enter at the end of each line. The SQC software requires a C in the first position on any line with comments or titles. When you have finished editing the data file, do as follows :

Press F6 and then press Enter

Exits the Edlin insert mode.

EDLIN DATA FILE DUMP AAA

After entering the title or comments and exiting the insert mode, use the following command:

[1L]

Lists the data file.

There should be a C in the first space of each comment or title line. There should also be no lines left blank throughout the data file. If you have made mistakes and don't know how to correct them, either refer to the Edlin section of the DOS manual for further Edlin editing techniques or do as follows:

[Q] and then [Y]

Abort the edit.

Note that newer versions of these software packages do have editing capabilities that are much more sophisticated than the DOS approach. It is your choice as to what you use; just make sure that you are familiar with the version that you are using so that the appropriate and applicable changes will be entered correctly.