This directory contains a program that converts
scratchpad files (*.scr) from "Prolog switched" syntax
into Prolog syntax.  "Prolog switched" was Mobal's
default syntax until release 2.*, so unless you
explicitly changed the syntax parameter, your old
.scr files are in this syntax.  In Mobal 3.*, only Prolog
syntax is used, so you should use the programs in 
this directory to convert you *.scr files.  

N.B. Do not use these programs if your *.scr files are
in Prolog syntax already.

N.B.II Save Mobal domains (internal format) are *NOT*
affected by this change in surface syntax, so you can
continue to use these as is.

How to install the converter:

Untar ScrConverter.tar in $MOBALHOME (make sure $MOBALHOME
is set properly) using the commands
   % cd $MOBALHOME
   % tar -xvf ScrConverter.tar

How to use the converter:

The easiest way to use the converter is to cd into the
parent directory of all your *.scr files, and then call
   % $MOBALHOME/ScrConverter/convert-ps2pl .
which will convert all *.scr files in all subdirectories
of the current directory.  To convert files in directories
other than the current working directory, simply specify
the directory
   % $MOBALHOME/ScrConverter/convert-ps2pl <directory-name>

convert-ps2pl uses the ps2pl.sh program on all *.scr files
that it finds.  ps2pl.sh first makes a backup copy of the
existing *.scr file in the file *.scr.old-syntax.  If this
fails due to missing write permissions, no conversion is
performed.  If there is an *.scr.old-syntax file already,
ps2pl.sh assumes the file has been converted already and
will not convert it again.  This means you can safely call
convert-ps2pl and ps2pl.sh repeatedly.

If there are syntax errors in the existing *.scr file, ps2pl.sh will
show you the error and reinstall the old version.  In these cases,
please fix the syntax error and then call the program again.

To convert individual files, use the call
   % $MOBALHOME/ScrConverter/ps2plsh. <filename>
which will place the converted contents on standard output.

N.B. Conversion will work properly on most of your files.  Some
comments may be lost or turn up in suprising places.  If there
are problems with the converted version, you can always go back
and check the original in *.scr.old-syntax.


