The Howdy Glossary

Text Processing Utility (TPU) is a scripting language designed for the text editing program Borland Sidekick, developed by Borland International. It encompasses commands for managing files, such as copying, moving, renaming, searching, and replacing text within files. Created to be user-friendly yet powerful enough to handle intricate data processing tasks, TPU was particularly valuable during an era when graphical user interfaces were less common.

Borland Sidekick served as an early personal information manager and windowed environment for DOS users. TPU enhances this program by providing a scripting language that streamlines various file management tasks. This integration allowed users to interact with files efficiently within Borland Sidekick’s familiar interface. The utility's design focused on offering advanced text editing and data processing capabilities via a straightforward syntax tailored for these specific needs.

TPU stood out due to its specialized focus on text manipulation within Borland Sidekick, setting it apart from general-purpose tools like EDLIN, Norton Commander, and XyWrite. Its user-friendly syntax enabled complex file operations within a structured environment while maintaining efficiency in handling various text editing requirements. The seamless integration of TPU with Borland Sidekick provided users with a significant edge in performing advanced data processing operations effortlessly in the niche DOS-based windowed environment.