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FCPO - Electronic Filing Cabinet System
09/01/85
Revised: 09/07/85
Another DarwinWare brought to you by ...
P. L. Olympia
Darwin Systems, Inc.
17 Thorburn Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Voice: 301-251-0497 BBS: 301-963-5249 (soon to change)
NOTE: Version 1.0 eliminates the problem in the beta version where the
program pukes during list-to-printer operation in the FIND opt.
WHAT IS FCPO?
-------------
FCPO is an electronic filing cabinet system that allows you to
file away and retrieve anything you like. It is a unique
implementation of the dBASE environment that solves the problems in
relational-type data bases where you are constrained by a predefined
set of tables of predetermined length. If nothing else, look at this
program as an educational and "technique" tool.
The program does NOT need dBASE to run.
If you need to track any items of variable length, get them
quickly, and are tired of dBASE memo field limitations, this program
is for you.
Quick summary of features:
o Items that you file can be of variable length. They may be as
short as a few characters or as long as ONE BILLION (that's a BIG
B) lines long. In principle, even the 1 billion is an artificial
constraint that I can raise as long as you have the disk space or
the dire need.
o Items may be entered into the filing cabinet either by way of the
keyboard or imported from an external text file, perhaps
downloaded from a mainframe or created by another software
package.
o Similarly, you may export selected items to another software
including your word-processor for inclusion in your documents.
o You may assign any set of keys to an item that will fit on a 79-
character line. You may then select or retrieve items using any
group or characters or substring on that key line.
o All data entry and edit operations use formatted screens with the
commands of dBASE and WordStar.
o All of its files are compatible with dBASE III's DBF format.
Thus, if you should ever need to, you can massage the data using
dBASE as well as FCPO.
o You may have any number of filing cabinets active at any time.
Although FCPO can be used easily to maintain your customer,
vendor or contact list of phone numbers, you are better off with
something like Sidekick if all you have is a few items.
A LITTLE HISTORY
----------------
I originally wrote this program in 1980 using dBASE II version
2.02 on a CP/M micro. I wrote it for myself to keep track of all of
the articles in computer publications to which I subscribed (25 then,
more than 80 now). I needed a system to record article abstracts of
varying length. I also used it to keep track of new computer
products, including prices, vendors and summary descriptions.
In 1982, the system was used to track proposals and projects of a
grant-funding institution. That same institution used the system to
produce a camera-ready copy of a project-funding summary book which
included project abstracts.
Clearly, these are only two examples of the system's uses. Have
a little imagination and you'll find all kinds of uses for it.
DISCLAIMER AND DISTRIBUTION POLICY
----------------------------------
This program is NOT public domain. It is being distributed under
the UserWare-like concept. You are granted a limited license to use
it for evaluation. If you use it and find it of value, you are
encouraged to send in your donation of what you perceive is its worth.
$30 is suggested. Please do not send more than a million dollars as I
don't have the time to count them.
Sysops who put this software up on their BBS for users to
download do NOT need to make any contribution, in recognition of the
mostly thankless jobs they do.
If you choose not to contribute, you may destroy your copy of the
program or give it away to your friends (or foes, if you really
dislike them that much). All commercial uses of this software are
prohibited. Write me if you are thinking of that. I am a reasonable
person who can't count to 1 million.
You should really join the UserWare experiment where you get to
use the software first and make a contribution only if it fulfills
your need. That concept benefits everybody. If it fails, your only
alternative is high-priced software whose advertising cost is many
times over the product's development costs or value. The choice is
yours. If this does not work for me, FCPO will be my last UserWare.
What do you get for your contribution? Mainly my undying
gratitude, special treatment and privileges at my BBS, and my
attention to any problems you may have. I also hope to send you a
disk with a more detailed manual, including guidelines on how to fully
interface this program and its data with dBASE III and other software.
This documentation is necessarily brief to cut down on disk space.
The FCPO package may be freely distributed so long as its
components are distributed together and in unmodified form. Some of
you guys out there should resist the temptation of patching in your
names in the program. Listen to your conscience.
I have spent several weeks of my life to insure that this program
works as expected. To my knowledge, the program has no bugs but I am
not necessarily as inventive as others (you never know). I am
obligated to tell you right here that I will NOT be responsible for
any heartburn this program may cause you. It has not caused me any -
so I hope you are as lucky.
I do appreciate any feedback about this program from anyone, even
non-contributors (ahem!).
REQUIREMENTS
------------
An IBM PC or close compatible with at least one disk drive, 126K
TPA (Transient Program Area). A printer and color monitor are
recommended. The program was fully tested on a color monitor.
Your CONFIG.SYS file must have BUFFERS set at 20 at least and
FILES to 24 at least. If you don't have a CONFIG.SYS file create it as
an ASCII file (even with EDLIN), with the following lines:
FILES=24
BUFFERS=20
Note that the CONFIG.SYS file must be in your boot drive and is read
only during bootup. If you create it, reboot the system and you're
set.
LIMITATIONS
-----------
None. Except what you bring to it. Oooops!
Seriously, your only limitation is disk space and your
imagination. Remember that the 1 billion record limit is something
that can be raised - I just had to set it at something.
WHAT ARE IN THE PACKAGE?
------------------------
FCPO.EXE The filing cabinet program
FCPOCNF.DBF Configuration file. The program needs it to run.
FCSAMP.DBF Sample file cabinet data base. You will need it to
follow the QUICK START instructions and to build your
own (first) filing cabinet.
FCSAMPK.DBF Key to the sample filing cabinet. No key, no go.
FCPO.DOC You are reading it. This is an abbreviated manual to
cut down on disk space.
HOW TO RUN
----------
Copy the program files to your hard disk or to a backup
diskette. You should always keep a backup copy just in case disaster
strikes. The program always needs FCPOCNF.DBF and will look for the
sample files FCSAMP.DBF and FCSAMPK.DBF the very first time you run
it. You won't need the sample files after you build your own filing
cabinet(s). In fact, this program remembers which filing cabinet you
used last time and will look for it on startup.
The program works much better on a hard disk or RAM disk. The
data files may reside in a remote drive.
At the DOS prompt, type FCPO:
C>fcpo
After a 2-second animated welcome screen, the program looks for
FCPOCNF.DBF and reads that for its setup environment. After it finds
all the files it needs, you will be presented with a Main Menu. All
menu options are described below.
To exit the program and return to DOS, pick "X" at the Main Menu.
QUICK START
-----------
The system is menu-driven and is easy to follow. All actions
flow from and to a Main Menu, shown below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FCPO 0.1 - Electronic Filing Cabinet Thanks for your support.
(c) 1982,85 P.L. Olympia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabinet: FCSAMP.DBF Today: 09/01/85
M A I N M E N U
DATA ENTRY/EDIT OUTPUT
--------------- ------
A -> Add data/key L -> List all keys
E -> Edit data/key F -> Find Data
I -> Import data from file P -> exPort data to file
SETUP OTHER
----- -----
C -> Change Default Parameters R -> Reorganize keys
B -> Build new Filing Cabinet X -> eXit this program
Pick a letter .... _
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
L>IST KEYS
First, pick "L" to list the first 50 characters of keys to all of
the items. You will find that several of the items in the sample file
have a key of "DBASE".
F>IND DATA
When the Main Menu reappears, pick "F" to find any item you
like and display that on the screen. You will be presented with the
following selection screen on which you specify your selection
criteria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabinet: FCSAMP.DBF Today: 09/01/85
SPECIFY SELECTION CRITERIA
You may select records by a combination of keys or date range when the
the data were entered. Leaving all fields blank means you want everything;
this is not recommended unless you have plenty of time.
Key substring wanted --------------------- DBAS___________
(don't use single quote)
DATE RANGE WHEN DATA WERE ENTERED
From which date ------------------------ __/__/__
To which date -------------------------- __/__/__
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may select any item by any combination of key substring or
date range when the data were filed. For now, type the substring DBAS
on the "Key substring wanted" prompt. Then press PgDn or CTRL-W to
terminate the data entry (leaving date fields blank).
What you have just done is ask for a screen display of all items
in the data base (one at a time) whose keys contain the substring
"DBAS". The file cabinet items will be shown to you one screen at a
time. There is a way to route the display directly to the printer.
We'll cover that later.
E>DIT DATA
At the Main Menu, pick "E" to edit data. You will be presented
with the data selection screen again (pre-filled with the last set of
criteria you used). If you want to EDIT all of the same items you
have just seen displayed with the F>ind command, just press PgDn (or
CTRL-W) at the selection screen.
The first item that satisfies the selection criteria and its key
will be presented to you. Like this:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key expression shown below. Date Entered: 09/01/85
DBMEMOPO DBASE III UTIL MEMO <$50 SMUGWARE DBT DBF
DBMEMOPO is a utility program that allows you to load text files created
elsewhere (even a mainframe) into your dBASE III memo fields. It also
frees up unused space in your dBASE DBT file. All functions are done in
DOS and does not require dBASE III. Additional features that will be
added later will be ... search memo fields for substring along with a
display of selected DBF fields ... and report facility with MEMO.
Program requires a donation of $30 (introductory price). A free demo
package can be downloaded from the SMUG BBS, 301-963-5249, 24 hrs,
1200/2400 bps.
For more info, write or call:
P. L. Olympia
Darwin Systems, Inc.
17 Thorburn Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-251-0497 (Voice)
<M>ainMenu <P>rev <N>ext <D>elete <C>ontinue. Your choice? C
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second line contains the item's key. And most of the screen
contains the first 18 lines of the item. You may edit the key or any
of the item's data displayed on the screen. All your cursor pad keys
are active, including DEL and INS as well as the WordStar commands
CTRL-Y (delete line), CTRL-V (same as INS), CTRL-G (delete character
at cursor).
Note the prompt at the bottom of the screen:
M - Returns you to the MainMenu, discarding any changes you have made
P - Retrieves the previous item (before this one) that satisfies the
selection criteria. If there is no previous item, or the last
item you just edited is farther down in the filing cabinet than
the one on display, you return to the Main Menu.
N - Retrieves the next item satisfying the selection criteria.
D - Deletes this item from the filing cabinet. The program will ask
you to confirm this action, then marks the item for deletion.
Items so marked become physically removed from the filing cabinet
with the R>EORGANIZE option of the Main Menu.
C - Continues to the next 18 lines of the present item. If there are
no more data lines for this item, the system moves on to display
the next item that satisfies the selection criteria (same as the
N>ext option). If there are no more items, you return to the Main
Menu.
Note that "C" is the default option of the Edit screen. You can
rapidly move forward through the filing cabinet by pressing PgDn
or CTRL-W.
B>UILD OPTION
When the Main Menu reappears, press "B" to build your own filing
cabinet. You will be presented a configuration (setup) screen like
this:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabinet: FCSAMP.DBF Today: 09/01/85
DEFAULT PARAMETERS
Symbol delimiter for key ----------------- ~
(Changeable only during Build function)
File Cabinet Name ------------------------ FCSAMP.DBF
File Cabinet Key Filename ---------------- FCSAMPK.DBF
2-char symbol to terminate data entry ---- ##
Find data output device (Screen/Printer) - S
Export data file name -------------------- FCOUT.TXT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The system will accept fully qualified filenames including
drive.
The symbol delimiter (default is ~) is used to tell the system
that any line beginning with that symbol in a file being imported is
intended to be a KEY line for the following data lines of an item.
The next two lines prompt you for the names of the new file
cabinet you want to use or build. They must be different names. They
may contain a drive specifier, and should contain a filetype (although
NOT necessary). If the filetype is omitted, it defaults to DBF.
The two-character symbol (default ##) is used during keyboard
entry of items in the filing cabinet to tell the system that you have
finished entering data for the item.
The default output device for F>ind data operation is the screen.
Change this to P if you want output to go to the printer. You can go
back and change this using the C>HANGE option of the Main Menu.
A>DD OPTION
After you build your filing cabinet you need to add items to it.
You may do this either with the I>MPORT option (from a text file) or
A>DD option (from the keyboard). When you press "A" at the Main Menu,
you will be presented with the following data entry screen:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enter key expression below. Leave blank then PgDn returns to Main Menu
__________________________________________________________________
Enter text in following lines. Terminate data entry with ##
as the first chars in a blank line, then PgDn
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
End data entry with ## at beginning of line. Then PgDn.
Leave key line on top blank to return to Main Menu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the first line, enter any keys you want to assign to this
item. You may enter them in any mix of upper or lower case or you may
elect to string all keys together (without intervening blanks).
On the next 9 lines, enter your item data. If you need more
lines, the system will continue to present you with a fresh set of 9
lines until you signify that you are done, by typing the end delimiter
(## in this case) at the beginning of any line. All lines following
this one will be discarded - since the ## says "This is the end, bud."
You may use ## in any item line so long as that line does NOT
begin with that delimiter.
The system will now give you a new data entry screen. If you no
longer have any items to enter, just PgDn and the system returns you
to the Main Menu.
NOTE: I CANNOT OVEREMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT YOU MUST TERMINATE YOUR
DATA ENTRY FOR AN ITEM'S DATA BY PUTTING IN THE DELIMITER
SYMBOL (DEFAULT IS ##) AT THE BEGINNING OF A DATA ENTRY LINE
FOLLOWING THE LAST LINE OF THE ITEM'S DATA.
I>MPORT OPTION
Use this to add data to the filing cabinet from an ASCII file
created elsewhere. The system will ask you for the name of the import
file. You may specify drive or filetype.
The import file must begin with a line containing the symbol
delimiter (default ~) to signify a KEY line. All lines following this
KEY line until the next KEY line is encountered (or until end of file)
will be the data lines for this item.
C>HANGE OPTION
Use this to change any of your operating environments, e.g.,
close the present filing cabinet and work on a different one, or
change the output destination to printer or screen.
EX<P>ORT OPTION
Use this to output selected items to a disk file named in the
configuration screen. This is often used to send data to a word-
processor for inclusion in documents.
R>EORGANIZE OPTION
Use this to physically remove deleted items from the filing
cabinet, or to fix a filing cabinet whose keys have become messed up
for one reason or another.
And finally ...
E<X>IT OPTION
Use this to exit the program and return to DOS. The system will
give you a 2-second animated bye-bye screen.
And speaking of bye-bye ...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TH' TH' TH' THAT'S ALL FOLKS ...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------