PS TEXT FORMAT Reference Manual

1 Introduction to TFORM
11387 Tandem Computers Incorporated 1–1
An Overview of
TFORM
PS TEXT FORMAT (we’ll use the more familiar name of TFORM
throughout this manual) is a text formatter. You use it to convert
documents stored as files on disc (files usually created by a text editor) into
usable form on paper. TFORM controls the character width and line height;
adds margins, indentation, headers, footers, and page numbers; and
specifies underlining, boldface type, boxes, and other enhancements that
make the document not only readable but aesthetically pleasing as well.
You can use TFORM to format any variety of documents. Casual users
might want to print a memo or a hard copy of an electronic mail message.
Others who write more often might use TFORM to control the formatting of
reports and other standard business documents. Technical designers and
writers, who create external specifications, articles, and manuals, can use
most or all of the formatting features of TFORM to produce sophisticated
documents.
Creating a Document
With TFORM
You follow three basic steps when you use TFORM:
1. You create a document file, usually with a text editor such as PS TEXT
EDIT (TEDIT) or EDIT/VS.
Note You could also create a document file by saving PS MAIL messages in one or more files that
you specify. You can even use TFORM interactively—that is, you can converse with
TFORM at your terminal—to enter data directly to TFORM. You type TFORM, then press
RETURN. TFORM responds by displaying the TFORM prompt (a question mark) at your
terminal when it is ready to accept input. Enter commands and text, then press RETURN.
TFORM processes what you have entered, then displays the TFORM prompt when it is
again ready to accept input. Using TFORM interactively is a good way to learn the TFORM
commands and to see how they work. You can also try out unfamiliar features in this
interactive way so that you know what to expect from TFORM when you use a new
command in your document.