What is DatTools?

(Note: DatTools is a NaturallySpeaking version 6 specific program. It only works in version 6 of NaturallySpeaking. ALL of the functionality (and more) of DatTools has been rolled into and integrated into the flagship SayWhatPro series of programs for versions 7 and beyond).

DatTools is a program to directly manipulate Dragon NaturallySpeaking Pro Series .dat files. SayWhatPro indirectly manipulates only 1 command in the current user mycmds.dat file by calling up one of the Dragon browsers and sending it keystrokes which in turn allows Natspeak to update the mycmds.dat.

A whole new approach

DatTools takes a whole new approach in that it can directly write any .dat file itself. This opens up the possibility of updating multiple commands at one time. The most obvious capability DatTools brings to the table is easy Exporting. Upgraders to Natspeak 6.1 especially have a difficult time Exporting more than a few macros using the awkward Command Browser. DatTools has several powerful methods for performing Exports (or for that matter - all its multiple command updating abilities). The current Group can be Exported, the current application (Progam) can be exported, the current window name (Scope) can be Exported, or you can pick and choose macros to be Exported similar to Command Browser (although not in a manner that randomly repeats the same command). You can also even undertake actions on every macro in a .dat file at once. (See graphic at bottom of page). The View menu is obeyed also, so you can further subdivide your command groupings by particular type of macro (dvc KEYS, Step-by-step, Advanced Scripting, etc).

Appending also available

Furthermore, in the case of Exporting, you can Append macros to an existing .dat file, thus allowing multiple Export operations if needed. With both of the Dragon Browsers, exporters are stuck with ‘Overwrite or else’ for operations on existing files.

More than Exporting

Other multiple command at a time operations currently include Delete, and renaming of Groups. DatTools will also convert .dat files to/from 6.0/6.1 format. Future multiple command at a time enhancements will likely be copying or renaming of Programs and Scopes as well as Search and Replace in Macro Bodies. Also possible is single command Save Changes.

New in Version 1.1 - Search and Replace

I purchased a new computer, and it wasn't feasible to set up the drive letter mappings exactly like I had on my old computer. I also had a lot of macros with drive letter pathnames in the body of the macros. This new feature made it easy to do a mycmds.dat-wide Search and Replace and fix everything up in one easy operation. Works in the body of Advanced Scripting, KEYS, SCRIPTS, and LISTs.

New in Version 1.1 - Rename Program

Designed specifically for those occasions when you get an update for a particular program you have been using, and the executable filename changes. For instance, WordPerfect always puts the version number in the executable filename. (wpwin9.exe). When you get a new version of a program of this type, all your previously defined macros will likely not work because the executable filename is actually stored in the mycmds.dat file for each macro. You could use Command Browser and fix up the macros one at a time, but this way you can modify them all in one operation. Note: this is only designed for this situation, and will likely not work to copy macros from one application to a completely different one.

New in Version 1.1 - Individual command editing

Now you can do a Modify, Save Changes sequence just like in SayWhatPro, except that instead of bringing up Command Browser, and sending it keystrokes to update your macro, DatTools immediately writes out a new updated .dat file. This brings up the ability to do "off-line" editing of previously Exported .dat files, or even your user mycmds.dat file. Available in the body of Advanced Scripting, KEYS, SCRIPTS, and LISTs.

Perform operations on any .dat file

DatTools has a File, Open menu command. All operations may also be performed on any .dat file. This allows for maximum flexibility. Of course, you may perform these operations on your production mycmds.dat file. If you do so,

Be Aware...(and don't come crying to me if you don't read and understand these paragraphs before you go around unleashing the power of a god in your mycmds.dat file!)

Of how modifying a Natspeak open user mycmds.dat file affects things. When DatTools fires up, it always loads the current user mycmds.dat file from ..users\your user\current\mycmds.dat. If you perform DatTools operations on this file, it will warn you that Naturally Speaking must be restarted for updates to take effect. This is because Natspeak only reads the mycmds.dat when starting up. For the duration of each user session, Natspeak keeps a copy in memory (for recognizing your commands) and when you make changes with one of the Dragon Browsers, Natspeak writes out a whole new mycmds.dat file with the Browser changes incorporated. It does this based upon the contents of its copy in memory, not the possibly modified by DatTools disk file version. This has some implications, none of which are particularly dangerous. You just need to know how things work.

You can make direct modifications with DatTools to the production mycmds.dat. It will tell you before and after that Natspeak needs to be restarted for changes to take effect. If you shutdown and restart Natspeak, then the changes you made with DatTools will be manifested in actions and appearances reflected in the Dragon Browsers.

If, however, you ignore (or forget) the recommendation to shutdown Natspeak and restart it, and then make a modification with one of the Dragon Browsers, what will happen is that Natspeak will write a new mycmds.dat file based on its in-memory-copy and the effect will be that the changes you made with DatTools had never taken place at all. No damage or corruption of the mycmds.dat file will take place, just one progam’s changes will take effect. Also, be aware that saving your Speech files when exiting Natspeak has no effect on the mycmds.dat file.

Backup-Restore

DatTools (like SayWhatPro) has a Backup-Restore feature (formerly called Rollback) which, before modifying your production mycmds.dat file for the first time in a day, will make a backup copy of your mycmds.dat file. Then, if you have make changes that you don't really like, you can restore the mycmds.dat file to what it was before, restart NatSpeak, and your back where you started. If you manage to get your mycmds.dat file all messed up, do not get in a panic and pick the Backup menu option. You do not want to make a Backup of a bad file. Then the only thing Restore can do is restore a bad file! I mention this because I have seen people in other situations do exactly this.

How is DatTools Supplied?

DatTools is supplied just like SayWhatPro, that is a freeware version that you can try and get a feel for, and a registered version with the complete feature set. One multiple command function is available in the freeware version, 'converting to 6.0 file format '. The 6.1 ScanSoft update creates a macro file format that is completely unusable by 6.0 users. This solves that problem. See the Help file for details.

Who should get DatTools?

Obviously, anyone who does much Exporting will love DatTools. It is simply a must have. DatTools is an advanced tool, you won't use it every day, but depending on your circumstances, even one usage can pay for itself.

Pricing

The price of DatTools is $39. Registered users of SayWhatPro may upgrade for $29.