DCL-EXPAND, Utilities, Self-Expanding DCL; lists; mail merges

	David Cressey    1999-05-21
	V5.0

EXPAND is a utility for generating repetitive scripts,  called expansions.
EXPAND generates an expansion by applying a list to a template.  This works
much the same way as a mail merge facility generates a mailing by applying a
mailing list to a form letter.  

Expansions, lists, and templates are all text files.  This means you can use
a text editor to prepare or revise lists and templates before expanding,
and you can also use a text editor to revise an expansion after.

I wrote EXPAND to help me with certain chores that recur in my work as a
database consultant.  Most of the expansions I generate are scripts in SQL
or DCL.  I have also generated code fragments in languages like C.  You could
use it for scripts in just about any text based language.

You can use the same list with many templates,  and you can use the same
template with many lists.  For such a small tool, the flexibility you get
is surprising.