home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Netware Super Library
/
Netware Super Library.iso
/
mis_cnvt
/
dbc15
/
dbc15.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-03-18
|
12KB
|
319 lines
ConQuest Database Converter 1.5
Copyright (C) 1993-94 - ConQuest Data
DISCLAIMERS, NOTICES AND RIGHTS OF PARTIES:
Before we get you started with the program, you are requested to
read the following information. It is imperative that you understand
what this program intends to do for you and what your rights and
obligations are pertaining to the use of this program.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT:
All versions of the ConQuest Database Conversion are
copyrighted and are the property of ConQuest Data, Clayton CA.
modification(s) and redistribution of such modification(s) is a
violation of copyright.
NOTICE TO PURCHASERS:
Purchasers of this shareware program are requested to contact
their shareware Distributor to resolve any conflicts pertaining to the
sale of the evaluation copy of this program. If satisfaction is not
obtained with the Distributor, or if any violation of the distributor
restrictions herein are suspected, the user is requested to notify
ConQuest Data at PO BOX 545, Clayton, CA 94517. ConQuest will not
arbitrate the dispute or refund the purchase price on the behalf of the
Distributor, rather will supply the user with a replacement evaluation
copy of this program for a flat fee of $5.00, inclusive of shipping and
handling. Distributors are encouraged to offer an unconditional money
back guarantee. However, this is at the discretion of the Distributor.
Those other than shareware Distributors may freely copy this
evaluation copy of the program to allow others to evaluate the program,
but must keep the program and all associated files intact and
unmodified. Non-distributors may charge an amount consistent with the
cost of the disk used to convey the program.
GETTING STARTED:
We figured the best way to get started is to give you a Quick
Start tutorial. This is the simplest way to convert a file from one
format to another.
QUICKSTART:
At your DOS Prompt type: dbc
- 1 -
Press the Enter Key and you will be presented with the opening
menu. This menu allows you to select a file type, which is either dBase,
Paradox etc. When you press the Enter Key on a file type, you will be
prompted for a file name to process.
For this Tutorial we have included some sample files to process.
At the Menu select dBase and press the Enter Key. At the Prompt type:
BUSINESS.DBF and press the Enter Key. You will see the file name posted
in the upper right window. Now you can select a file name for the
output file type.
At the Menu use the Down Arrow Key to move to Comma-Delimited
and press the Enter Key. You will be presented with a prompt again,
type: DBC.CDL and press the Enter Key. You will be asked if this is
correct. Respond Yes and you will be presented with a new screen.
Output Fields Selection is what you are looking at. This is the
place where you decide which fields go into the output file. But we are
going to pass ALL the fields in the input file to the output file. So
press the <F10> key to continue. You will be asked if you want to use
All Fields for the output file, respond Yes and it will begin processing
the files.
MAXIMUMS:
All file types have maximums of 4000 bytes per record, 254
fields and 254 bytes in each field.
FILE TYPES SUPPORTED:
dBase
The Input File may be any of the dBase file formats, dBase III,
dBase IV, FoxPro Etc. Memo Fields are ignored at the present time.
Output Files are written in dBase III or IV format with a maximum of 254
fields and each fields length may be up to 254 characters, the maximum
record length is 4000 characters. Be reminded that if you are using a
dBase III File that you should limit your number of fields to 128. No
Indexing is currently supported, you will have to take care of that
yourself in your Database program. The maximum length allowed for
numeric fields are 19 with maximum decimal places of 15.
Paradox
Paradox 3.5 ONLY is supported with NO INDEXING. The reason for
this is: the only access to Paradox files we have to program with is the
Paradox Engine, we have all the latest version(s) up to 3.1, but the
Engine(s) for DOS past version 2.0 are SO FLAKY that we could NOT RELY
on using it for production coding. If this is an inconvenience, WE
APOLOGIZE and we are currently working on our own routines. On Indexing:
allowing a record size of greater than 1350 bytes is not possible when
you index a Paradox File, so we chose not to Index. The maximum(s)
allowed are the same as the above for dBase.
- 2 -
Comma-Delimited
Comma-Delimited Files are one of the most common types. The
concept is simple. Separate each field with a comma. If the file is a
large one, it will take a while to process. We will scan the entire
file to get important information about the file, such as, the length of
each field, and the number of records in the file. Character fields are
have a double quote on each end, Number fields do not.
The following is an example of a Comma-Delimited File:
"John Doe", "14 Bla Blah St", "My City", "My State", 14500
String String String String Number
Fixed-Length Line Feed
This type of file is very common. Each field in a record is a Fixed
Length, but each record has a CR/LF attached to the end. This file would
load into a word processor and each record wooould be a row. Following is
an example of a Fixed-Length Line Feed file:
John Doe 14 Bla Blah St My City St 14500
Mark Doe 27 Bogus Ave My City St 27000
20 Characters 20 Characters 20 Characters 2 10 Characters
Many times a number field will be represented as a string.
ASCII Line Feed
This type of file structure is like a Mail Label output. You
must know the number of fields for the file, otherwise we cannot process
it. Following is an example of this file type:
John Doe <Field 1> -------------|
14 Bogus Ave <Field 2> |
My City <Field 3> | Record 1, 6 Fields
State <Field 4> |
Zip Code <Field 5> |
Amt Due <Field 6> -------------|
Mark Doe <Field 1> -------------|
27 Bogus Ave <Field 2> |
My City <Field 3> | Record 2, 6 Fields
State <Field 4> |
Zip Code <Field 5> |
Amt Due <Field 6> -------------|
Fixed-Length
This record structure has been around for a long time, probably
as long as Comma-Delimited. What this means is that, each field is a
Fixed-Length but the data file is treated as one (1) long string.
Following is an example of a fixed length file.
John Doe 14 Bla Blah St My City St 14500Mark Doe
27 Bogus Ave My City St 27000
- 3 -
More on Fixed-Length files: we have included a copy of Vern
Buerg's great LIST program for you to look at files. If you don't know
a files fields and field lengths this is a good way to find out. To do
this load LIST like this: C:\>LIST <Enter>
You will get a list of files to select. Select your file and press
<Enter>, when the file is displayed on the screen press <W> for Word
Wrap then press <Alt-R> for the Ruler. Now you should be able to figure
out what the field lengths are. If you have a problem with this you can
always call us and we will be glad to help you.
The last menu option dealing with files is, Don't Know File
Type. This option will ATTEMPT to figure out what file type you are
processing. We say ATTEMPT because in the Fixed-Length type almost any
file that does not have a CR/LF could be a Fixed-Length File, so use this
option with care on Fixed-Length files.
OUTPUT FIELDS:
When we have all the information we need on the Input File, you
will be taken to the Output Fields Screen. As we explained in the Quick
Start section you coould press <F10> to begin processing all fields or
you can select which fields will go intoo the output file. To select a
field for the output file use the <UP> or <DOWN> Arrow Key to move to
the field you want and press <SPACE> or <ENTER> Key. The field
information will be displayed in the window in the lower left side. You
may edit the fields in the Output Field window. If you press the <TAB>
or <LEFT ARROW> key to get to the output field window. Watch the
Messages window on the bottom of the screen and you will see the options
change.
WARNING: You must have at least one (1) field displayed in the Output
Field window or you will not be able to move into that window.
When in the Output Fields window you are allowed to change the
Fields information such as: Name, Type, Length, and if appropriate the
number of decimal places. You may also Delete a Field, Insert a BLANK
field, and combine up to Five (5) fields together.
When you are finished with your manipulation of the file, press
the <F10> key to process the file.
This wraps up the explanation of how ConQuest Database Conversion
works, if you have any problems please call us for help. We will help you
ONLY once if you are not a Registered User.
BUG REPORT:
Nobody likes a buggy program, especially us. The only BUG we
have encountered has to do with the Paradox Engine. When processing to
a Paradox output file, if you have some TSR's loaded it will lock up the
computer when it has finished processing the file. You will have to
REBOOT, but the Paradox output file is intact and usable.
If you find a BUG in any of our software products, we want to
know. If you notify us we will fix the bug and for registered users we
- 4 -
will send a new copy of the program to you.
If you really need to get ahold of us, you may leave a message
at the Walnut Creek BBS -- (510) 937-0156 N-8-1 for Node 1
(510) 938-5836 N-8-1 for Node 2
If you call between the hours of 6 PM to 7 PM Pacific Time you will get
into the system easily because this is reserved for messages only.
We would like to hear from you.
LICENSING:
Same as everybody we need to be paid for our labor. This
program represents years of study and work by our programming staff.
Please register this program and help us keep making it better. When you
register we will send you the next version free of charge, (You must pay
shipping costs).
To register with us you can fill out the ORDER form. To do this,
type at the DOS prompt C:\>TYPE ORDER.FRM >PRN <Enter>
This will print the order form for you to fill out.
- 5 -