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1993-11-26
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DDBASE TUTORIAL.
NEEDS:
1- Amiga Computer
2- WorkBench 2 or above
3- The program 'DDBASE1
4- The File ddbase.hlp
5- Reqtools.library
In this tutorial we shall just learn how to create,add data, and edit
a database.
To setup DDBASE see the DDBASE.DOC for details.
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The Tutorial 1>Loading a Database<1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the program has loaded and you have selected Ok! from the welcome
requester you will have to either 1 Load a previously saved file or 2
create a file.
Fortunately there is a file for you to look at on the disk called-
testaddress.ddb. Notice the suffix .ddb.This identifies program files
created with DDBASE.
So to load this file just follow these simple instructions.
1.1 Move the pointer until its over the gadget called Load {What else would
it be called} and press the left mouse button, or you can use the shortcut
by pressing 'l' on the keyboard.By the way to see what the current shortcuts
are press the letter 'h' or 'H'.
If you have been successful a file requester will appear on the screen.To
make your life easier the requester has a pattern match for the suffix
'.ddb'.You should see the file 'testaddress.ddb'.If you cant see this file
then put the disk that you recieved DDBASE on {A backup I hope} in to a
drive and then select the gadget 'Volumes' or press the right mouse button.
Select the Volume {df0:,df1:,dh0:etc} and then select the file
'testaddress.ddb'.
The mouse pointer will change into a busy pointer.After a few seconds the
file will of loaded.
You can move around the file with the cursor keys.
Cursor Left == Previous record
Cursor Right== Next Record
Cursor Up == Last Record
Cursor Down == First Record
Space == GoTo Record
Dont forget to see what the shortcut is press 'h' or 'H'.
Or press the Help Key as DDBASE has on line help.You just press the Help
key and then just select the gadget you want help with.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tutorial 2>Create a Database<2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you had loaded a file previously select New and then select Kill! from
the requester.
Now select Create. A string requester appears for you to input how many
fields you wish to have {1 to 20}. For now enter 4 and press return.
It is always wise to plan your database before you create it {Obvious again!}
ie work out how many fields etc and note them.
For this example we are going to create a database with 4 Fields.These will
be:
Field 1 == Name
Field 2 == Address
Field 3 == Post Code
Field 4 == Telephone
After you have entered 4 in the requester the field requester appears.
You will notice that the FieldName input is Active.So Enter 'Name' for
the first field.Now the Field Length input gadget is active so enter
25.Just below this gadget you will notice 'Enter Field Type'.
There are 7 gadgets displayed along the bottom of the requester.At this
point you can select 'h' for the shortcut or Help for the on line help.
Just for now though select the String gadget{ or 's' -shortcut}
What you have entered will now be displayed to see if it is correct.Select
Correct {or press return} and you can enter the next fields.
Try doing these your self they are
Address Length=40 String
Post Code Length=10 String
Telephone Length=20 String
After you have entered these you will now be required to position them on
the screen.
The first field {Name} is displayed at the pointer.By moving the mouse
you move the field.Move the field until its about an inch
{or Metric equivalent} from the top and about an inch from the left of the
screen and press the Left Mouse Button.
You will go through the same procedure for the other fields.Position the
other fields with about half an inch below the one in front.
Once you have done this you have created you first file in DDBASE.
Dont forget to save this file.
To Save select Save As {save only works if there is a filename already
declared}.If you are not in the desired directory then see the Load
tutorial of how to change directories.
Once you are in the correct directory just type a filename,for instance
myfile,there is no need to add .ddb as the program will do this for you.
After you have entered the filename just press return or select Ok!.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tutorial 3>Adding fields <3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can add more fields to your file quite easily.First select Organise
If a window does not open then follow the procedure in Load to load a file.
You will notice 12 Gadgets.For now select Add Field, or h for shortcut or
press help key and select the gadget you need help with.
After you have selected Add Field you will see the Field Definition
Requester . Enter Comments for the Field name and enter 30 for the length.
Then select the string gadget.Select Ok! if it is correct and then you
can position the field on the screen using the same method described
earlier.
You have just added a field.
Now select Organise and then select Add Field once more.This time enter
the following into the Field Name:
DDBASE MADCAP-SOFTWARE
For the Length enter 1, this is beacause this field we are using just to
display DDBASE MADCAP-SOFTWARE and no data. For the field type select
Text and then select Ok! if it is correct.
Next you will position this field on screen.Position it any where you like
but please be sensible about it!
The field Type Text,FBox,BBox are all similar as they all display only
fields.The difference is the text in FBox is displayed in a Flipped Bevel
Box and BBox in a Bevel Box. The fact that DDBASE uses GadTools.Library
means that this program will not work on 1.3 machines.
If you have a pre WB2 machine then its tough.If you want to use DDBASE
and other Wonderful programs that utilise the many benefits of WB2/WB3
,then its time you upgraded. UPGRADE or LOSE OUT on the Benefits of the
OS2.04 or Higher Machines.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tutorial 4>Editing Fields<4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can Edit,Move,Delete Fields. All these functions can be accessed from
Organise.
Edit All you have to do is select the field to edit and just follow the
instructions.
Delete Field. Select the field to delete. The program will ask you if it
is Ok to delete that field.
Move field. You can reposition either all or select the field/s you wish
to reposition.
For more details see the DDBASE.DOC or the Help feature of DDBASE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tutorial 5>Search<5
There are two types of Search available.
First there is a quick search that's the ? Gadget.If you select the Quick
search all you have to do is enter the word or name that you wish to find
in the string gadget and press return.The program will then search all the
fields for any occurance of the search word.
Secondly if you want to search specific fields then select `=' Gadget.
You can Use:-
^ - Find any occurance in the field.{Any Field}
| - Find the Left most occurance. {Any Field}
<>- Greater than/Less Than. {Numeric/Date}
* - Range Between to Parameters {Any Field}
See DDBASE.DOC/Guide for more details.
This concludes the Tutorial for DDBASE Version 3.00