Subj : Re: Webster's dictionary from an alias
To   : Scorpius
From : Charles Dye
Date : Wed Dec 19 2001 03:40 pm

From: raster@highfiber.com (Charles Dye)

scorpius@sdf.lonestar.org (Scorpius) wrote:

>I wanted to define an alias which would open a browser, looking for a
>word I specify, on Webster's dictionary site. However, it appears my
>syntax is incorrect. I used:
>
>def=http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=%1
>or
>def=start http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=%1
>
>Thus, writing "def word" in 4NT/4DOS would open IE with the
>explanation of "word". But the part of the alias after & (that is,
>"va=word") is not accepted, so this doesn't really work. How can I fix
>it so that the look-up will work OK?

That probably is not the actual command you're using -- DEF is not a command.

My guess, not having seen what you're actually doing, is that you need to 
enclose your alias definition in backquotes to delay the expansion of the %1 
until the alias is actually executed.  Something like this:

alias lookup=`start http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=%1 
`

Also, be aware that the ampersand (&) has special meaning in 4NT and 
TakeCommand.  It's the default command separator; using it in a string would 
require special handling.  (This should not be a problem in 4DOS, at least in 
its default configuration.)

--
Charles Dye     raster@highfiber.com

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