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CATALOG.TXT
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1993-07-26
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Copyright (c) 1991-1993 Borland International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
THE CATALOG SYSTEM
------------------
Bladerunner has a catalog system that serves the same purpose as the
one in dBASE IV, which is to identify and make readily available those
files you want to associate with a particular application or use.
Contents
--------
I. Overview
II. Using the File Viewer
III. Viewing Files
IV. Creating Catalogs
V. Opening Catalogs
VI. Adding Files to Catalogs
VII. Opening Tables
VIII. Viewing Non-dBASE Databases
IX. Implementation Status
Overview
--------
The Bladerunner catalog system has two main parts: the File Viewer
window, and one or more Catalog windows.
The File Viewer shows icons for the major Bladerunner-related files in
the current directory.
A Catalog window shows icons for files in a specified catalog. A
catalog can contain only dBASE files. (Catalog windows are not
implemented yet.)
Using the File Viewer
---------------------
There is only one File Viewer and you can close or open it with
standard Windows menu commands. The File Viewer is permanent; you
canÆt create or delete it.
The Search Path at the top of the File Viewer is a text field in which
you can type the path to search; it also displays the path youÆve
specified in the Command window with the SET PATH command. The
Current Directory, below the Search Path, is another text field in
which you can type the current directory; it also displays the
directory youÆve specified in the Command window with the SET DIR or
CD commands.
Viewing Files
-------------
In both the File Viewer and Catalog windows you can choose to see all
files or categories of files. Catalog windows show the major types of
files you can create in Bladerunner such as .DBFs and .PRGs (but not
supporting files such as .NDXs or .TXTs). The File Viewer shows major
Bladerunner files, plus related files not created in Bladerunner, such
as .WAV sound files and .BMP bitmap files. (Final File Viewer icons are
not implemented yet.)
Creating Catalogs
-----------------
You can create a catalog in these ways:
- Choose File | New | Catalog
- Double-click the Catalog icon on the SpeedBar
- Double-click the Untitled catalog icon in the File Viewer
- Right-click the Untitled catalog icon to open a local menu and
choose the Create Catalog command
- Drag the Untitled icon to the Bladerunner desktop
(Some menu commands, some mouse actions, and the drag-and-drop
capabilities of Blade Runner are not implemented yet.)
You can add a description of the catalog at the time you create it. (This feature
is not implemented yet.)
To delete a catalog file, enter the ERASE <file name> command in the
Command window, or use a file management program.
Note that the above creation methods apply to only those files in the
File Viewer or Catalog windows that Bladerunner can create.
Opening Catalogs
----------------
You open and close Catalog windows with standard Windows menu
commands and mouse actions. You can open multiple Catalog
windows. (Catalog windows are not implemented yet.)
Adding Files to a Catalog
-------------------------
You can add a file to a Catalog window in two ways: by creating a
file while a Catalog window is open and selected, or by dragging an
icon from the File Viewer to a Catalog window. You can move a file
from one catalog to another by dragging its icon, or copy the file by
dragging its icon while pressing the Ctrl key. To remove a file from
a Catalog window, select its icon and press the Delete key. (Dragging
and deleting are not implemented yet.)
The Bladerunner files you create are recorded in the Catalog window
that is open and currently active. To switch recording to a different
Catalog window, just select that window. You can disengage a catalog
from recording by closing its window, or by selecting a different
window.
Opening Tables
--------------
When you use a Catalog window to open tables, Bladerunner handles all
work area and alias assignments automatically. The DISPLAY STATUS
command can show you the state of all current assignments.
Viewing Non-dBASE Databases
---------------------------
Files you create with Bladerunner appear in the Catalog window; any
other files you might use appear only in the File Viewer.
To see non-dBASE databases (collections of tables and associated
files) from products such as Interbase, Oracle, or Sybase, you need to
make appropriate settings with the ODAPI Configuration utility
(included with Bladerunner). You also need to click the Database
category selection in the File Viewer. (The Database category is not
implemented yet.)
The ODAPI Configuration utility has primary control over access to
non-dBASE databases, including paths, and drivers. Selecting the
Database category in the File Viewer is equivalent to using the OPEN
DATABASE command.
Each database icon in the File Viewer represents a collection of
tables and associated files, such as queries and reports. The files
associated with a database are displayed in the appropriate categories
of the File Viewer when you click a database icon. The File Viewer
continues to show ODAPI-connected, non-dBASE database files until you
restore it to viewing the current dBASE directory. (The restoration method
is not implemented yet.)
Implementation Status
---------------------
Catalog windows are not available yet. Catalog functionality,
however, is available through the SET CATALOG and SET CATALOG TO
commands in the Command window.
The "drag and drop" feature for icons hasnÆt been enabled yet.
Not all mouse-click, keyboard, menu, and local menu options are
determined or installed yet.
The Catalog menuÆs Add and Delete (and other) commands are not yet
finalized.
The catalog description mechanism hasnÆt been added yet.
The ability to automatically reopen the catalog you were using when
you last closed Bladerunner hasnÆt been enabled yet.
The "Databases" category hasnÆt been added to the File Viewer yet.
The icon designs arenÆt final.
The term "File Viewer" is subject to change.
The possibility of displaying lists of file names in File Viewer or
Catalog windows, as an alternative to icons, is not yet determined.
Comboboxes, or a similar mechanism, may be added to the File Viewer to
replace the text fields for Search Path and Current Directory.
The method for restoring the File Viewer to the dBASE path, after
viewing non-dBASE databases, is not yet determined.
The SpeedBar isnÆt fully implemented.