home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Trading on the Edge
/
Trading On The Edge - CD-ROM Toolkit (Wayzata Technology)(2031)(1994).bin
/
pc
/
pc_files
/
venddemo
/
finance
/
pca71.arc
/
PCA.DOC
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-01-06
|
27KB
|
647 lines
PCA.Exe
Version 7.1
(c) Nov., 1989
by
Rad Delaroderie
PO Box 1991
Columbus, Ga.
31902
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*********************
Program Requirements:
*********************
128K RAM
DOS 2.0 or later
IBM or compatible
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*************
Idiosyncrasy:
*************
My programming philosophy is that a program shows its first sign of
failure the moment you have to pick up a user's manual to see what to
do next. With this in mind, let me make a few points, and then you
should never have to read this file again. If you do, leave me a
scathing message.
I can be contacted at the PO Box listed above, or at
Columbus Connection BBS
1-404-687-7309
Rad Delaroderie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*************
Packing List:
*************
This package, whether compressed or normal, should contain at least the
following files:
PCA.Exe (The executable program file)
PCA.Doc (This documentation file that you're reading now)
PCA7Vert.Exe (Conversion program to update older PCA data files
to the new v7.x format)
RadCat.Txt (A catalog of other available RAD Software programs)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
********************
Program Description:
********************
PCA.Exe is a personal checking account program. I've seen many
checking account programs, some of them incomprehensible, all of them
tedious. Many of them are obviously geared toward small business
usage, and have account coding procedures, etc. that I have no use
for. Most importantly, none of them LOOK like a checking account, if
you know what I mean. All my life I've looked at a checkbook, and I'm
comfortable with it. I wanted a program that LOOKS like a checkbook
ledger when I make entries.
So I wrote one. A PERSONAL checking account, if you get my emphasis.
It LOOKS like a checkbook. It FEELS like a personal checkbook. It
contains all the information a regular checkbook does, and nothing
more.
But it does so much more--
Like print out the entire account, or any page you wish (11
transactions per page), balance your account automatically; search and
find any entries by any parameter you want it to search with, give a
listing and total amounts and print it out if you wish, let's you mark
entries as "Cleared" from the bank, void checks, make corrections of
previous entries with immediate updating of all subsequent balances,
and on and on...
I wrote it in late '86 and used it during all of 1987. No problems.
I've been adding new features to the program ever since, making more
and more convenient and practical.
I've been real happy with it, and I'm not easy to please. Computers
are fun to play with, and create things, but personal practical use is
not an easy thing to program. For me to use a computer in a practical
sense, it really does have to be practical. Word processing is
practical; keeping recipes on a computer is not, unless you keep a
convenient terminal in the kitchen. If a personal checking account
program is going to be practical, it has to just as easy and
convenient to enter information on it as my "regular" checkbook
section (which I haven't seen in over 3 years now...). I made sure it
would be. As a matter of fact, it's much easier, because I haven't
had to spent one second figuring my balance since '86, and my account
has been accurate to the penny the whole time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*****************
To Install & Run:
*****************
The following instructions assume that you know next to nothing about
DOS or installing and running programs. I always try to remember that
new computer users are many, and I wish to make things as easy and
clear as possible for these new users.
Floppy disk system (no hard drive)-
Insert a blank floppy disk into Drive A. At the DOS prompt, type
the following:
a: (Enter)
format a: /v/s (Enter)
When the system finishes formatting the disk, it will ask for a
Volume Label. Type
PCA (Enter)
Now remove this newly formatted disk from Drive A and insert the
disk containing the PCA program files into Drive A. Type the
following:
Copy a:\*.* b: (Enter)
Follow the instructions as they appear on the screen. New users
should note that, on a single floppy disk system, your computer
considers your single drive to be both Drive A and Drive B. When
you are finished, you now have a usable program disk. Label the
disk and make a copy for safekeeping. To run the program, insert
the program disk into Drive A. If the computer is off, turn it
on. Type the following:
a: (Enter)
PCA (Enter)
The program will now run.
Hard Disk System-
At the DOS prompt, type the following:
c: (Enter)
cd\ (Enter)
md \PCA (Enter)
cd \PCA (Enter)
If the original program files are on a floppy disk, insert that
disk into Drive A and type the following:
copy a:\*.* c:\PCA (Enter)
If the original program files are already somewhere on your hard
disk, I'll assume that, if you knew enough to get them on your
hard disk already, you know enough to copy them to the PCA sub-
directory.
To start the program, type the following:
c: (Enter)
cd \PCA (Enter)
PCA
PCA.Exe creates external data files, named PCAName.Dat & PCACheck.Dat,
when you start entering your items. Database-type programs are by
their very nature "read/write" intensive. For that reason,
performance is slowest on a floppy disk, very fast on a hard disk, and
lightning on a RAM disk.
If a small set of sample data files is included in this package, you
may immediately get some idea of the PCA's features without having to
enter your own items right away. When you are ready to establish your
own personal data files, you simply erase the sample files by typing
the following:
del *.Dat (Enter)
at the DOS prompt while in the \PCA sub-directory, then start from
scratch with your own data file.
NOTE: If you have a hard drive, you might want to consider how I
arrange my hard disk to use PCA.Exe--
First, I made a sub-directory called \PCA and put PCA.Exe in
it. I then created sub-directories under PCA, naming each
for the appropriate year of checking records. For instance,
I have my hard disk structured as follows:
\Root Directory
|
|--\PCA (containing PCA.Exe)
| |
| |--\1987 (containing 1987 checking data files)
| | |
| | |-- PCAName.Dat & PCACheck.Dat
| |
| |--\1988 (containing 1988 checking data files)
| | |
| | |-- PCAName.Dat & PCACheck.Dat
| |
| |--\1989 (containing 1989 checking data files)
|
|--\Some other sub-directory
|
|--\etc.
I then include the \PCA sub-directory in my Path command in
my AutoExec.Bat file. (If you're not familiar with the Path
command, look it up in your DOS manual-- It's a must once
you understand it.) Then, if I want to look at any given
checking account year, I simply change to the appropriate
sub-directory year and type PCA. The Path command will find
PCA.Exe and execute it in the appropriate sub-directory.
If you have a floppy disk system, you should use one floppy
disk per calendar year, carrying the end-of-year balance
from the previous year forward as the beginning balance.
If you have a RAM disk, you can copy the *.Dat files to the
RAM disk, go to the RAM disk, and type PCA. When you're
through, make sure to copy the updated *.Dat files back to
the appropriate sub-directory on your physical disk so you
don't lose the information.
*************************
Conversion of Version 6.x
*.Dat Files:
*************************
If you have been using version 6.x of PCA.Exe, and you want to
use the Version 6.x *.Dat files with Version 7.x, then you need
to convert the Version 6.x *.Dat files to a format that Version
7.x uses with PCA7Vert.Exe.
If PCA7Vert.Exe is not included in this package, include a note
with your contribution saying that you need the PCA7Vert.Exe
program, and I'll include it with the latest full-featured
version of PCA. If all you have is a 3-1/2" drive, tell me.
If this is the first time you have ever used PCA.Exe, then you
don't need PCA7Vert.Exe.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
******************
Using the program:
******************
PCA starts with a title page containing author and copyright
information. If you have not established an account yet, the program
will detect that and provide an entry screen to start your account.
The program needs your name, account number, account year, name of the
bank, and the beginning balance. Once you provide that information,
or if there is already an established account, the program presents
you with a display that looks like the last page of your checkbook
ledger. Your last checkbook entry is highlighted. This is the main
screen-- the focal point of the program.
In this screen, you can look over your entire account and highlight
any given transaction using the UpArrow & DownArrow cursor control
keys. You can also mark/unmark any entry in your account as cleared
with the TAB key.
The bottom line of the screen lists the options available at any
point. You can highlight the desired option with the cursor control
keys, or by pressing the first letter of the option word. Pressing
the ENTER key then executes the highlighted option. Each option is
examined in detail below:
*********
New Entry
*********
If you highlight this choice and press ENTER, you will be
presented with an entry screen for entering a check. Help
screens assist you as you enter.
NOTE: When you enter the description of the transaction, like
"Ga. Power Company", or whatever, remember that this program can
search and find previous records, so put some thought into how
you enter the description to make it easy to find later.
For example, I always put "Rx" in the description of any medical
bill that I write so I can get a summarized listing of all
Medical Expenses by telling the program to find all listings that
have "Rx" in them. This is just a practical hint that you'll see
for yourself as you use the program. I'm just telling you now to
save you the trouble of modifying info when you understand how
the search feature works.
AMOUNT Entries: PCA lets you go in the red up to one hundred
thousand dollars! It also lets you maintain up to a one million
dollar balance. Should be enough, huh?
*****************
Print the account
*****************
You can print any displayed screen page (12 entries), or the
entire account.
Suggestion: Set your printer in the compressed mode when
printing. The display looks cleaner and, at least for me, is
easier to read.
***************
Modify an Entry
***************
Highlight a transaction, then highlight "Modify" and press ENTER,
and you can change that transaction's date, type transaction,
description, or amount. Amounts are automatically updated if
necessary.
***************
Delete an Entry
***************
Highlight a transaction, then highlight "Delete" and press ENTER,
and you can delete that transaction entry from your account.
Amounts are automatically updated.
*************
Void an Entry
*************
Highlight a transaction, then highlight "Void" and press ENTER,
and you can void that transaction without removing it from the
account ledger. Amounts are automatically updated.
*****************
Clear the Account
*****************
When you receive your statement from the bank, PCA can reconcile
your balance for you automatically. Choosing this option will
cause the program to generate a list of all uncleared entries
listed in your account. Using your bank statement's listing of
cleared transactions, you simply clear each appropriate entry in
your account with the TAB key. As you clear the entries, the
display updates the outstanding debits, credits, and the balance
the bank thinks you have. When you are finished, the displayed
bank balance should agree with the balance shown on your bank
statement. Reconciling has never been easier!
*****
Find
*****
This is the feature mentioned in the "New Entry" section above.
PCA will let you find one entry, or a sub-list of entries, in the
following manner:
PCA will ask you if you wish to find according to the month of
the entry, the check number or type of transaction, any part of
the description, any debit amount, or any credit amount. Upon
responding, PCA asks you to enter what you are looking for. PCA
will then search the account extremely quickly and present you
with a list of matches with debit and credit totals. You can
print out this list if you wish.
This powerful feature lets you query and learn about your
spending habits, and provide useful information (such as tax
information) in ways only limited by your imagination. Previous
careful thought of your description in your entries will let you
generate lists in a practical and revealing manner.
*********
Help Page
*********
This will present you with a help page that summarizes this
documentation
*****************
Quit the Program-
*****************
If you wish to Quit the program, simply highlight that option and
press the ENTER key. PCA will ask you if you want to see a
statistical summary of the your account.
If you answer yes, you'll be presented with a summary screen that
gives you a statistical picture of your spending history for that
year.
If you answer no, the program will exit to DOS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
********
Request:
********
I love compliments. I welcome critiques. I'm open to suggestions.
I'll listen to advice. I'll consider criticisms. I'll ignore
sarcasm. I'll seethe over insults. No matter what, I encourage
feedback one way or the other. The bottom line is that someone else's
point of view always gives me a wider perspective on my work. So if
you have something to say, make the effort and get in touch with me.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*************
Expectations:
*************
If you find that you use the review version of this program regularly,
and you are any kind of gentleman or lady, I know you'd send a miserly
$20 for a full-featured version of a program that is commercially
worth a lot more than that. Make sure that you specify the program
name, version number, and the type floppy disk you need. (Use the
order form at the bottom of the accompanying RadCat.Txt file)
If you wish to use this program in a commercial or institutional
environment, contact me and we'll make arrangements.
Finally, if this is the review version, you are encouraged to freely
distribute copies of this program for others to review. However,
please make sure to include this PCA.Doc file, the RadCat.Txt catalog
file, and the sample PCA*.Dat files along with the PCA.Exe file.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
********
History:
********
Checking.Bas
Version 1.0
Dec.'86
Original version
Checking.Exe
Version 1.4
Aug.'87
* About 150% faster
Checking.Exe
Version 2.0
Dec.'87
* About 50% faster
* Windowed options added
Checking.Exe
Version 2.1
Feb.'88
*bug in Marking routine fixed
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 3.0
June '88
* About 25% faster
* Display vastly improved with extensive scrolling capability
* Binary encryption of the data files for speed and compactness
* Printout options added
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 3.2
Sept. '88
* Display bug corrected
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 4.0
March '89
* About 10% faster
* User response scheme greatly simplified
* New Entries inserted into the existing entries according to
date of transaction instead of simply being added sequentially
to the end of the list of entries
* Delete option added
* Void option added
* Help page for Main Menu options added
* "Clear" option added. Reconciling your bank statement now
takes seconds, the program does all the math automatically, and
shows you the balance the bank thinks you have
See Help Page in program for details.
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 5.0
May '89
* A couple of display bugs fixed.
Thanks for the user input!
* User response scheme even simpler, yet more versatile.
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 5.3
July '89
* Inline Assembly code incorporated to save screens
during windows. Saves and Restores now occur instantly,
whether on RAM disk or slow floppies!
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 5.4
July '89
* Bug in printing routines fixed.
Thanks for the user input!
* Several minor display changes
* Printout of "Find" matches
now includes debit and credit totals.
Thanks for the user input!
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 5.5
Aug. '89
* Bug fixed. If a credit entry was date inserted into the
transaction record, the program displayed incorrect subtotals
from the date of the transaction to the end of the record.
Current users, note that the displayed math error was internal
and temporary. That is, it was not a "permanent" error. If
you quit and re-entered the program, the math became correct
again. Regardless, displayed subtotals under such circumstances
are now always correct. Thanks for the user input!
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 6.0
Sept. '89
* Complete screen display revision that allows the program to run
on a monochrome as well as color monitor.
* Considerable "tightening" of certain algorithms for increased
efficiency and speed.
* Minor bug fixed in printing routine.
Thanks for the user input!
* Limited version released
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 6.1
Sept. '89
* Minor user response changes for quicker user input.
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 6.2
Oct. '89
* Bug fix in printing routine and other minor changes.
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 6.3
Nov. '89
* Full-featured version available upon contribution.
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 7.0
Dec. '89
* Converted all amounts to double-precision real numbers with an
internal precision of up to 17 digits. (Conversion program,
PCA7Vert.Exe, available to update older PCA data files.)
* Several screen display enhancements
* Data entry fields now have "default" entries that are based on
your last entry in that field, including automatic check number
incrementing.
* Increased Heading/Description entry by 10 Characters
PCA.Exe (Personal Checking Account)
Version 7.1
Jan. '90
* Minor bug in screen display during searches cleared up.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of PCA.Doc File