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1988-01-17
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PCF2QB3
A Program Generation Utility
for
PC-File+ Data Bases
Copyright 1988 by
Integrated Financial Systems, Inc.
201 East Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 583-8976
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PC-FILE to QuickBASIC Generator
Background:
Integrated Financial Systems, Inc. (IFS) is a commercial
custom program development firm with offices in Louisville, Ky.
For several years we have had occasion to assist our clients with
conversions, specialized reports, and other such activities using
PC-File. We have strongly supported ButtonWare products as an
entry level data base. However, with even the best of products
our clients have a knack for finding a need for a report or
process which requires custom programming. With PC-File III, PC-
FILE/R, and now even with PC-File+, we have continually had to
resort to custom programming.
Eventually, we grew tired of hand coding data file layouts,
particularly error-prone coding of BASIC FIELD statements. Thus,
PCF2QB3 was born.
General Description:
PCF2QB3, the version of the utility included in this
package, is an automatic program source code generator for
QuickBasic versions 3.0 and 4.0. It has the "QB3" suffix because
it does not take advantage of the new record TYPE structures
available with QB4. It does generate fairly clean code for both
versions.
The program reads the ".HDR" file of a PC-File+ data base
and generates a clean, compilable QuickBasic program with all
FIELD statements and a sequential processing mainline process. It
even performs a conversion of all data field names ending with
"#" to a basic double precision variable automatically.
From that point on it's up to you to add any special
processing required. We use the program most often for complex
reports requiring many levels of subtotaling, as well as using
PC-File+ data bases for table storage of data for complex
processing algorithms.
USAGE:
PCF2QB3 usage could not be simpler, we don't think. Type
PCF2QB3, and you will be prompted for the name (and, optionally
the drive and path) of a PC-FILE+ data base. After a few seconds,
you will be prompted for a name for the BASIC program which you
wish to create. DO NOT ADD AN EXTENSION to this name. The program
will automatically be generated with an extension of ".BAS".
PCF2QB3 will save any file which may currently exist by the
name you selected to "name.OLD" (where "name" is the existing
file name). This was quickly added on day when a 1200 line
program was replaced by a newly generated .BAS file.
USING THE GENERATED PROGRAM:
If you can't follow the generated program logic, you
PROBABLY shouldn't be using it. However, we do recommend that you
use the data variable name generated in the CnvrtDta procedure
rather than the FIELD statement data names.
Also, note that PC-FILE+ is much more liberal with data
field names than is BASIC. PCF2QB3 strips out all special
characters, such as the underscore character, as part of the
generate process. This will cause problems only if you are using
field names which differ only by a special character (which is
bad practice anyway). THIS IS A DIFFICULT BUG TO CATCH in BASIC,
so review the generated names carefully before using the new
source code. Finally, PCF2QB3 does not check for the use of reserved
BASIC words as PCFILE field names. Change any conflicts before
compiling.
The generated program is designed for sequential
processing, but can be easily converted to indexed access. We
often add logic to write back into the data base as well. Most
often this is done in a batch mode followed by a PCFIX run to
rebuild the index.
THE CATCH:
No catch. Use PCF2QB3 any way you want. We assume that
commercial use is the primary target of developers, so generate
away. If you want the source code, just send us a request and
$25. You will get the source for PCF2QB3 and PCF2QB4, which is a
much faster version, by return mail. The QB4 product generates
record TYPE structures rather than FIELD statements. Once you use
it, you will never go back.
DISCLAIMER:
Use the product at your own risk. We do, and so far we're
all still healthy and productive members of society.
Also, PC-FILE, PC-FILE III, PC-FILE/R, and PC-FILE+ are
trademarks of Buttonware, Inc. QuickBasic 3.0, and 4.0 are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
(IFS doesn't have trademarks yet, because we're too busy.
Maybe someday....) What we DO have is a very sophisticated and
simple to use report generator for Armor System's EXCALIBUR PLUS
Accounting package, a FoodBank Management System for non-profit
agencies, and a wide variety of DataFlex application packages and
programming support utilities. Call for details if interested.
Integrated Financial Systems, Inc.
201 East Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 583-8976 CompuServe ID: 74676,1103