Appendix E: WordMaster Cheat Sheet

Note

This cheat sheet summarizes the core commands for the WordMaster editor under CP/M. WordMaster’s command structure is split across two primary modes: Video Mode and Command Mode.

Modes & Switching

WordMaster operates in three modes:

• Video Mode – The primary editing mode. You see your text on screen, and control keys perform editing functions. WordMaster starts in this mode.

• Command Mode – A line-oriented mode for complex commands like search, replace, and file operations. Press the ESC key from Video Mode to enter Command Mode.

• Insert Mode – A mode for typing large amounts of new text. Enter Command Mode and type I + Enter (<CR>) to activate.

To switch between modes:

• To Command Mode – Press the ESC key from Video or Insert Mode.

• To Video Mode – From Command Mode, type V and press Enter (<CR>).

• To Insert Mode – From Command Mode, type I and press Enter (<CR>).

Video Mode Commands (Core Editing)

In Video Mode, standard typing inserts characters. Control characters (indicated by ^ before a letter) perform editing functions. This is the mode you’ll use most often.

Cursor & File Movement

Command	Function
^S	Move cursor left one character.
^D	Move cursor right one character.
^A	Move cursor left one word.
^F	Move cursor right one word.
^E	Move cursor up one line.
^X	Move cursor down one line.
^W	Scroll file down one line on screen.
^Z	Scroll file up one line on screen.
^R	Scroll file down one screenful (toward beginning of file).
^C	Scroll file up one screenful.

Deletion Commands

Command	Function
^G	Delete the character under the cursor.
RUBOUT / DEL	Delete the character to the left of the cursor.
^T	Delete the word to the right of the cursor.
^Y	Delete the entire current line (including the carriage return).

Insertion & Toggles

Command	Function
^O	Toggle Insert Mode on/off.
^N	Insert a carriage return/line feed (start a new line).
^I	Insert a tab character.
^P	Put the next character typed into the file, even if it’s a control character.

Other Video Mode Commands

Command	Function
^Q	Display a summary of edit commands (requires WM.HLP file).
^J	Display a summary of edit commands (requires WM.HLP file).
<CR> (Enter)	Move cursor to the beginning of the next line.
ESC	Exit Video Mode and enter Command Mode.

Hint

Many functions in Video Mode are two-key commands. For instance, ^Q is the prefix for “Quick” movement commands (e.g., ^QS moves to the start of a line).

Command Mode Summary (Advanced Operations)

Command Mode is indicated by a * prompt. Type commands here and press Enter (<CR>) to execute them.

In the commands below:

• n is an optional number (default is 1).

• $ represents the ESC key, ^Z, or a carriage return, which ends the string.

Command	Function
V	Return to Video Mode.
E	Save changes and end the edit session.
Q	Quit the edit session without saving changes.
H	Save changes, end edit, and restart WordMaster with the same file.
nT	Type n lines on the screen.
nL	Move the pointer n lines.
nC	Move the pointer n characters.
nD	Delete n characters.
nK	Kill (delete) n lines.
nF key	Find the key string (short search).
nN key	Find the key string (long search through entire file).
nS old $ new	Search and Substitute new for old (short search).
nR old $ new	Replace old with new (long search through entire file).
Y filename	Read (Yank) a file into the edit buffer at the current pointer position.
nW filename	Write n lines from the buffer to file.

Key Details & Workflow

• The “Repeat” Command (^@ or ^g): In Video Mode, pressing ^@ (Control-Shift-2) will cause the next command to be repeated four times. For example, ^@^Y will delete four lines.

• Two-Character Commands: Many functions in Video Mode are two-key commands. For instance, ^Q is the prefix for “Quick” movement commands (e.g., ^QS moves to the start of a line).

• Help Files: Some commands (like ^Q and ^J) require the WM.HLP file to be present in the same directory as the WordMaster executable.