[Oberon] simplifying Dialer.DoScript

[shark at gulfnet.sd64.bc.ca]

Oberoners,

Here is a question about Dialer.DoScript.

System.Text in PC Native 05.01.2003 describes the receive
command of the Dialer script thus.
"  rcv = int string .
    wait up to int seconds for string to be received, abort on failure"

If the string is empty, there is nothing to wait for and nothing
is received immediately.  According to the semantic 
specification, the command should have the effect of a 
"continue" statement.  In reality the specified time elapses 
and the script aborts.

Mgetty in Linux provides a ringback dialing protocol (google 
"mgetty ringback") which allows a telephone line to be used 
for both voice and modem communications.  The initiating 
modem dials, waits for a ring or two, hangs up, waits a few 
seconds and then dials again.  mgetty answers the second 
call.

Most modems do not provide a command for pausing 
between two dialings.  The existing Dialer does not 
provide a pause.

The "simple-minded" solution here is to implement a PAUSE 
macro.  For example "PAUSE 6" to invoke a 6 second pause.

Alternatively, an empty wait string could invoke a pause.
Semantically this would be a special case.

If someone can suggest another approach, I am interested.  
Also, there might be a good argument against pausing for the 
empty wait string.

Thanks,                Peter E.


            http://carnot.pathology.ubc.ca/