COMMAND NAME:

        help

USAGE:
        Help
        Help [command name]
        Helpmenu [menu name]

        The help commands identify Allegro commands and display additional
information about how to use Allegro menu options and commands.

Help

        When entered on the command line, the help command displays
the On-Line Help form.  The fields on the On-Line Help form
are described below.

        -Display Release Notes  This field displays the Release Notes
that have been provided with the tape.  The Release Notes provide
information about installation, new features, enhancements, bug fixes,
 and known bugs.



        -Command Group:  This field displays a pop-up menu that
you use to select the category of commands from which on-line
help can be displayed.  The categories of commands are:
        1. Overview  This option lists the Allegro desktop commands
in the Select Help Display window.
        2. Editor  This option lists the design editing commands
in the Select Help Display window.
        3. Browser  This option lists the Browser commands in the
Select Help Display window.
        4. Application Alerts  This option lists Allegro Application
Alerts in the Select Help Display window.  The Application Alerts
provide detailed information about using Allegro to solve specific
 design problems.

        -Select Help Display  This field is a heading for the window
that contains the list of command names for which on-line help
is available.  Position the cursor over the
name of the command and click.  Use the scroll bar to
navigate through the list of command names.

        -Display:  This field defines which command's help will be 
displayed.  This field can be used in two ways:

        1. Type the name of a command and Allegro displays the corresponding
help text.
        2. Type a character string that specifies which command(s)
will be listed
in the Select Help Display window.  For example, type Add
and only the commands in the current list that begin with add
will be displayed.  You can also use wildcards to specify which commands
are listed.  For example, type sh* and only the commands
that begin with sh will be listed.  To restore the complete
list, select the list to be displayed from the Command Group:
menu.

        -Done  This field closes the OnLine Help form.

        -Print>  This option displays a pulldown menu with the
following options:
        1. to File  This option displays a stickup that prompts you
for a text file name that Allegro will use to save a copy of the
help text.  Enter the name of the text file and click on Enter
(or press Return) and Allegro saves a copy of the file.
        2. to Printer  This option sends the Online Help form
to the local printer.
        3. to Script  This option displays a stickup that prompts
you for the name of a script file.

        -Help  This option displays this information about using the
Allegro on-line help facility.

EXAMPLE:

        help

Help [command name]

        When entered on the command line, the help [command name]
command displays the Help window and help file for the specified command. 
If you do not specify the name of a command, Allegro displays the
OnLine Help form.

        The Help window behaves as any other Allegro window. 
You can move and resize the window as well as position the window
in front or in back of other windows.  Use the scroll bar to move
forward and backward in the help text.  Online help provides
the following information about each command:

        -The menu button or option that executes the command

        -A description of the command, including information for each field
on the Ministatus or parameter forms that may be required for processing

        -The name of the equivalent command that can be typed at the Allegro
command line

        -The names of any related commands that may provide additional information

        When the Help window is displayed, Allegro provides a pop-up menu
that contains the following options:

        -Done  This option closes the Help window.

        -Top of Msg  This option displays the beginning of the help
text.  If you select this option and the beginning of the help text
is already displayed, Allegro generates a message that reads, "W- Top
of Message."

        -Page Up  This option displays the previous screen of help
in the same help text.  You can also use the scroll bar to display
previous text.

        -Page Down  This option displays the next screen of help in
the same help text.  You can also use the scroll bar to advance the
help display.

        -Bottom of Msg  This option displays the end of the help text. 
If you select this option and the end of the help text is already
displayed, Allegro generates a message that reads, "W- Bottom 
of Message."

        -Save to File  This option displays a stickup that prompts
you for a text file name that Allegro will use to save a copy of
the help text.  Enter the name of the text file and click on Enter
(or press Return) and Allegro saves a copy of the text.

        -Print  This option prints a copy of the help
text on the local printer.

EXAMPLE:

        help spin

        Allegro provides an alternative method for displaying help for a menu
option.  Use the mouse and highlight a menu button or option, pop-up
option, or icon.  While the item is highlighted, press h
and the help file associated for the option will appear on screen.

Helpmenu [menu name]

        When entered on the command line, the help [menu name] command
identifies the Allegro commands that are chained to the menu options. 
If you do not specify the name of a menu, Allegro identifies the commands
for the current menu.

EXAMPLE:

        helpmenu geometry
