FLEXTEND (tm) - BIOS/DOS/Novell Extension for DataFlex OVERVIEW -------- Have you ever wanted to access MS-DOS information from inside a DataFlex application? How about checking on Novell Network information like the current users name or the physical station number? Or even, passing information directly between 'C' & ASM programs and DataFlex? Flextend allows this and more! The usual techniques for passing information from an external program include writting the information to a temporary file and then reading it sequentially back from your DataFlex application or purchasing the CS&L each of which have drawbacks. METHODS OF INTERPROGRAM COMMUNICATIONS -------------------------------------- - File I/O * Exceptionally Slow. * Messy hard drives. * Time consuming (Often unreliable or impossible) to code in a multi-user situation. - 'C' Source & Library * Expensive at $1500! * Requires use of non-standardized Dataflex run-time. - FLEXTEND by Bennett Software Solutions * Faster than File I/O methods. * Integrates invisibly with DataFlex 2.3 or greater. * Works in both single and multi-user environments. * Allows access to BIOS, MS-DOS, and Novell network information. * Source code available. * Cheap at $24.95. FLEXTEND FEATURES ----------------- - Flextend allows access to the following system functions: * Number of serial ports * Current drive letter * Number of Diskette Drives * Any DOS file size * Disk space for any drive specification * Number of printers available * MS-DOS version number * Current Directory Name - Novell Network users can also access the following information: * Server Version Number * Server Name * Workstation ID * Number of local disks * Physical Station Number * Current Users Name * Printer form loaded * Verify any network printer is RUNNING and/or ON-LINE - Ease of use. Flextend is easily merged in your applications by #INCLUDEing the Flextend macro file. - Royalty free. Once you have purchased Flextend the executable file is redistributable to your customers without any charge under the constraints of the Flextend license. - Works flawlessly in multi-user systems. No File I/O means no headaches managing communications files between DataFlex and non-DataFlex processes. All communication takes place in the process RAM of DFRUN.EXE. - Modifiable. The Flextend source package can be modified to included your own routines that speak directly to DataFlex programs. REQUIREMENTS ------------ Hardware: IBM-PC/XT/AT/Clone computer. PS/2 series is untested but believed to work. Software: DataFlex developers license - Version 2.3 or greater running under MS-DOS. Optional: Novell Advanced Netware - Version 2.0a or greater. Borland's Turbo 'C' compiler for source modification. SETUP ----- Setup to use Flextend in your environment requires 2 steps: 1) The variable DFRET must be added to your environment with a pre-allocated amount of area: Example (Place this line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT): SET DFRET=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX This will allocate 24 characters as a data return area from Flextend to the DataFlex runtime. The amount of space you will want to reserve depends upon your needs. 2) The FLEXTEND.EXE executable must be made available in a directory that is set by the PATH variable. You may want to place this program in your DATAFLEX runtime directory. DEMO VERSION ------------ This demo archive contiains a working version of the Flextend executable with a DataFlex 2.3 compiled program and it's source code. The Flextend executable is identical to the normal version excepted that it is sensitive to certain timing hardware in your machine. Occasionally you will find the message 'FLEXTEND DEMO...' will pop on to your screen. Simply press a key and the demo program will continue normally. ORDERING -------- See the file FLEXTEND.ORD included in this archive. AUTHOR ------ Flextend was written by David Bennett of Bennett Software Solutions. If you have any questions about Flextend please feel free to contact. Dave Bennett Bennett Software Solutions 151 West Geospace Drive Independence, MO 64056 Voice : (816) 796-7505 FAX : (816) 796-8288 DAC BBS : (305) 238-0640 CIS : 74635,1671 TRADEMARKS ----------- DataFlex & CS&L are registered trademarks of Data Access Company Flextend is a trademark of Bennett Software Solutions MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Netware is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. Turbo 'C' is a registered trademark of Borland International IBM is a registered trademarks of International Business Machines