Building a Title Without a Search Index

To improve efficiency, you can divide your title into separate topic files, and then build and test these files independently. You can do this by running the MVC.EXE compiler. The compiler creates a title but doesn't build a search index.

Note:

The OS/2 version of the compiler is MVCP.EXE. The syntax is the same as the syntax for MVC.EXE.

The easiest way to compile individual files separately is by editing the project (.MVP) file and comment out lines in the [FILES] section for topic files you don't want included. To comment out a line, insert a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line.

If you decide to leave out particular topic files, make sure that the topics you decide to keep don't reference excluded topics as jumps or popup windows. Otherwise, you'll get warnings as the title builds.

·To build a title without a search index:

1.To load the title in Viewer and test it after you build it, create a BAG.INI file and put a reference to BAG.INI in the project file. See “Creating the BAG.INI File,” later in this chapter, for more information.

If you're only building to make sure your coding is correct, skip this step.

2.To monitor the build process, edit the project file and enter the following option in the [OPTIONS] section:

REPORT = ON

When this option is set, the build program displays messages telling you when it is performing the different phases of the build, including compiling the file, resolving jumps, and verifying browse sequences.

3.Change to the directory that holds the project file; for example:

cd \viewer\usa

4.Type the MVC command using the following syntax:

MVC projectfile

The projectfile is the name of your project file. You don't need to include the .MVP extension. You can simply type the project filename, as in the following example:

mvc usa

5.The MVC compiler displays periods on the screen to show its progress. If the compiler encounters problems, warnings and error messages appear. See “Troubleshooting the Build Process,” later in this chapter, for more information.

If everything goes smoothly, MVC creates a Viewer title in the project directory and then returns to the MS-DOS prompt. The title has the same name as the project file, only with a .MVB extension. For example, the command in the previous example would produce USA.MVB.