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Text File | 1992-10-26 | 31KB | 664 lines

dBuddy Ver 2.1 release 26 Oct 1992 (c) Copyright 1991 by John Jamieson All Rights Reserved Intro: dBuddy is a tool for the building of .Dbf and .Dbt Dbase III and dBAse IV compatible Files from text files. Since the majority of commercial and shareware databases have built-in ability to import and export to .dbf and .dbt files, dBuddy could be used by almost any database user in order to facilitate the tedious and very often frustrating task of transferring data from text files into database files. It can also be used by those without dBase or a compatible data base program to view and edit .Dbf and .Dbt files. For best results dBuddy should be used with a mouse, but all its features are accessible from a keyboard. Programming was done in Turbo Pascal 6.0 and uses Turbo Pascal's Turbo Vision Units to provide the user interface and other features. dBuddy was developed to satisfy the needs of one user, I would appreciate comments/suggestions from others. dBuddy Features: Create .Dbf and .Dbt files Mark and Paste data from text files to .Dbf and .Dbt files Search and edit text files while Marking and Pasteing Search, View and edit .Dbf data files View and edit Dbt Memo files Export .Dbf files to character delimited files Export .Dbt files to a Text file Memo files are exported with delimited or text files Trademarks: dBase and Turbo Pascal are trademarks of Borland International, Inc. Thanks: I want to thank Cyrill Vatomsky for all his help with dBuddy; his ideas, testing and critique were invaluable. Files included in this archive: DBUDDY.EXE Data Base Buddy. The only program needed for operation DBUDDY.DOC This File Sample files: ELECVEH.TXT Text file used in the mark and paste process that was used to create ELECVEH.DBF and ELECVEH.DBT ELECVEH.DBF A dBase III compatible .DBF Data file ELECVEH.DBT A dBase III compatible .DBT Memo file ELECVEH.XDF An Exported Character (,) delimited file ELECVEH.XTF An Exported List of Records ELECVEH.XMF An Exported Memo File Caution: It is strongly suggested that when working with existing data base files a backup of those files be made prior to using dBuddy. HOW TO INSTALL dBUDDY If you do not have any problems with moving and copying files, you can create directory DBUDDY and unpack the archive into it. File DBUDDY.EXE is the only one needed to run the program. Sample files are provided for a quick look at dBuddy's features. Be sure to copy .dbf files you want dBuddy to work with into the same directory. If you use dBase III or dBase IV as your primary database software, you can just copy DBUDDY.EXE file into the directory where you keep your .dbf files. If you use other database software that can export data from its format into dBase format, you can place DBUDDY.EXE in the directory where .dbf files are exported to.. You might want to add the dBuddy's location to the PATH statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Quick Try: 1. Place all the dBuddy files in a directory of their own. 2. Select the DATABASE Menu by using the mouse to click on the DATABASE menu. 3. Use the mouse to click on Open a .Dbf file. 4. Select ELECVEH.DBF by clicking first on ELECVEH.DBF and then on OK. Or by using arrow keys to highlight ELECVEH.DBF then pressing enter. The Tab key will move you between FilePickList, OK button And Cancel Button if need be. 5. Next load the text file that is to be used as a source of data into a text file window. In a similar manner to selecting a .Dbf file select ELECTVEH.TXT. 6. Press F5 to add a blank record to the database. 7. Press Ctrl PgDn to move you to the bottom of the text window or use the mouse on the scroll bar on the right side of the window to move to the last item in the text file. 8. Move the mouse cursor to the first character in Electric Golf Cart Press the left mouse key and hold it down while moving the mouse cursor to (t) the last character in the word cart Cart. Then let up on the mouse button. 5. Next move the mouse cursor to the string of field pick numbers in the DATABASE Window and click on the number one. The text will be moved to field number one in the new record that you created. 6. In the same manner as the Veh Name was pasted, Mark and paste the Year "80" into field 2. 7. This process is repeated until all the fields in the record that are to receive captured text have been filled. MEMO's are also marked and copied by this same process, mark and paste the text paragraph starting with "Only slightly" into the memo field five. 7. Now Save this record by pressing F6. 8. If any additional data must be input, the record can be called up with the View/Edit function and edited. A MEMO can be edited or viewed by pressing the SPACE bar when the cursor is on the memo field of interest in the View/Edit Window. When pasting data into a field you can click on the line displaying the data, you may find it easier than using the Field Picks. Record:8 Field Fld Typ Len Dec Picks 1 2 3 4 5 2 N 2 0 YEAR 1 C 20 0 VEH_NAME - In the example you could paste marked data into the VEH_NAME by clicking on the line 1 C 20 0 VEH_NAME - The next field the, YEAR field can be pasted in the same way by clicking on the line 2 N 2 0 YEAR When you click on this second field in the record the fields will scroll bringing the next field up ready for filling. RUNNING dBUDDY To run dBuddy, simply type dBuddy<ENTER> at the DOS prompt either in its directory or anywhere if the PATH is known. Or you can include dBuddy into your favorite menu system. dBuddy was especially designed to be used with a mouse, though most all its features can be accessed from a keyboard. PULL DOWN MENUS Menus are pulled down by clicking on the menu name or by simultaneously pressing ALT and the highlighted character in the menu name. You can select an item by moving the highlight bar with UP and DOWN keys. EXIT Clicking on EXIT will pull down EXIT MENU. EXIT TO DOS will temporarily shell you to dos prompt. From there you can issue any DOS command. Eg. COPY, if you forgot to copy a .dbf file into dBuddy's directory. EXIT will terminate execution of dBuddy. ABOUT will gives you info on where to register. DATABASE MENU Clicking on it will pull down DATABASE options menu. MAKE .DBF HEADER will first prompt you for the name of the file you want to create. Do not include file extension. You will also be asked to specify whether you want to create a dBaseIII, dBaseIIIPlus or dBaseIV file. (In the earlier dBIII files, there is an ASCII NUL character between the $0D end of header indicator and the start of the data. The NUL is not used in Plus, making a Plus header one byte smaller than an identically structured III file.) After the file is named and its type is chosen, the following window will appear on the screen. Remember that you can move this window by clicking on the border and moving the mouse while holding the button depressed. ╔═[■]═══════════════ Order.DBF Fields ═══════════════════╗ ║ Name Type Length Decimals ║ ║ NAME C 15 ║ ║ COST N 10 2 ║ ║ POST DATE D ║ ║ ONESHOT L ║ ║ QUANTITY N 5 ║ ║ MEMO M ║ ║ ║ ~ ~ ║ ║ ║ Add Field ▄ Cancel ▄ Save ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ It is recommended that you review the text file first and make all decisions on how many fields you want, on their types and on their lengths before you actually start creating a file. Once created, the file header can be edited only if the file contains no data. Refer to EDIT .DBF HEADER for more hints on editing. You can either add all fields first by highlighting Add Fields and pressing ENTER or clicking the mouse on it. Then move to the first line and begin entry. Or you can enter field names and specifications one by one, navigating between blue areas using mouse or TAB for jump forward and SHIFT-TAB to jump to previous area. Do not use ENTER key to move from field to field, it can only be used when Add Fields is highlighted in order to add more. Be careful while making entries, since dBuddy is not a database software per se and its abilities to modify file structures are limited. Only the following field types are allowed: DATA TYPE C Character (ASCII characters) N Numeric - . 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 L Logical Y y N n T t F f or (? if none of the others) M Memo See the paragraphs on memo's for info D Date dBuddy requires the format MM-DD-YY or MM/DD/YY dBuddy converts and stores dates in the following format YYYYMMDD. Length must be specified for field types C and N. The Decimals column is used with N type to specify the number of Decimals allowed. It does not apply to other field types. Click on Next Page if you need more then one page to list all fields you need. When finished, click on Save or highlight it using TAB and press ENTER. You file structure is now saved and the file is ready for data entry. EDIT .DBF HEADER will first prompt for the name of the file which header you want to edit. It will then bring back the same screen as in MAKE .DBF HEADER. You can then make any changes you want in already existing field specifications. You can add more fields to the end of the list. But you will not be able to insert new fields between the existing ones. Editing of .dbf header can only be performed on files that contain no data. If you want to modify structure of a file with data you will have to use a database software to do so. If you use database software that uses data files in a format different from .dbf, you can import the file created by dBuddy, modify it and then export it back into .dbf format. COPY .DBF HEADER will allow you to create a new file with the structure copied from an existing one. Use the scroll window to highlight the file you want to copy the structure from. OPEN .DBF FILE will open a small window with a list of files in dBuddy's directory and available for loading into database window. Scroll files by clicking on the scroll bar on the right, highlight desired file and then click on OPEN. CANCEL exits from the scroll window. When a .Dbf file is opened dbase window will be opened at the bottom of the screen, this window is used during Data entry operations. Refer to FIELD_OPS AND RECORD_OPS for further instructions EXPORT DELIMITED will export a .dbf data file to a character delimited file. EXPORT TEXT LIST will export a .dbf data file to a fixed length field text file. Record length is cut to a maximum of 250 characters in both of the list types. Memo's are also exported, they are placed in a text file and cross referenced to the character delimited, or text file. See the files ELECVEH.XDF, ELECVEH.XMF, ELECVEH.XTF for examples of how memo's are handled in exported lists. The DATABASE window was described above. RECORD_OPS MENU The Record_Ops menu is divided into two sections, the first gives you the keys that will move you through the .Dbf file. The position in the .Dbf file is shown in the DATABASE Window. The second section is used for performing operations on the current record or to add a blank record. The most often used features from this menu are also placed on the tool bar at the bottom of the screen. NEXT REC will move you to the next record of the dBase file. This function can be accessed from the tool bar at the bottom of the screen. BACK ONE REC will move you one record back. This feature can be accessed from the tool bar at the bottom of the screen. POS AT REC (X) will prompt you for the number of the record you want to go to and then move you to it. FIRST REC POS will move you back to the first record of the file. LAST REC POS will move you to the last record of the file. HUNT FOR will prompt you for a search string then search for that string, starting at the current record and field shown in the data base window. If you want to search from the beginning of the data base first move to the first record in the data base. VIEW/EDIT CURR REC will bring up the full screen record editor. You can view the current record in full and complete editing it if necessary: ╔═[■]═════════════ CHAPLIN.DBF Record 1 Edit/View ═════════════════╗ ║ Fld. Name Type ║ ║ TITLE C MAKING A LIVING ║ ║ COMPANY C KEYSTONE ║ ║ RELEASE_DA D 02-02-14 ║ ║ DIRECTOR C HENRY LEHRMAN ║ ║ FEETLENGTH N 1030 ║ ║ REELS N 1.0 ║ ║ ACTOR C CHARLES CHAPLIN ║ ║ ACTRESS C VIRGINIA KIRTLEY ║ ║ SUPPORT M 1 ║ ║ MUSIC M 0 ║ ~ ~ ║ ║ ║ Cancel ▄ Save ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Click on a field that you want to edit, or use the TAB key to move to it. Make changes in all fields you want and then press Save. MEMO FIELDS are called up by pressing the SPACE bar when the cursor is on the memo field of interest in the View/Edit Window. The number shown in the Memo field is the block number that the Memo starts in, in the .Dbt file. ╔═[■]════════ CHAPLIN.DBF Rec 1 Field 14 Memo Block 1 View/Ed ════ ║CHARLES CHAPLIN (sharper), VIRGINIA KIRTLEY ║(girl), ALICE DAVENPORT (mother), HENRY LEHRMAN ║(reporter), MINTA DURFEE (woman), CHESTER CONKLIN ║(policeman/bum) ~ ║ Cancel ▄ Save ▄ Delete Memo ▄ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ When the Memo window comes up click on the Text field or press TAB until the cursor is in the Text field. Enter your Memo and click on Save. Changed memo's are tacked on the end of the .Dbt file, a bit wasteful but that is the way dBase does it. To pack memo data you can get the Public Domain utility dBTPACK, a dBASE III utility program that packs (removes permanently ) the unused information stored in a memo field. File name DBT102.ARJ. CLEAR CURR REC will clear contents of the record currently displayed in the dbase window. ADD A BLANK REC will add a blank record at the end of the file, regardless of your current position. This function should be used every time you want to start a new record. DELETE RECORD TOGGLE will delete or undelete records marked for deletion. Deleted records are indicated in the DATABASE window by the word DELETED just before the record number. SAVE CURR REC will save the record shown in the DATABASE Window after data has been entered. This function should be used each time after a record has been created or altered. Use this function after you paste text from Text window into fields. This function can also be accessed from the tool bar at the bottom of the screen. A note on saving, when you create or edit a memo and save that memo only the memo is saved. You must still save the record as it contains the memo location. When Memo is marked and copied from text, the memo is saved automatically but the record must still be saved. APPEND TO END will clone the current record and append it to the end. If you change the current record and append it to the end, the changes made to that current record are then abandoned, it is left as it was before editing. FIELDS_OPS MENU CLEAR CURR FIELD will clear the contents of the field displayed in the second display line of the database window. TOGGLE CHAR FLD APPEND allows you to choose whether you want to overwrite the old contents of the field with the new text, or append the new text to the existing one. dBuddy will always warn you if the text you plan to paste exceeds the field length. Both those functions can be also accessed from the tool bar at the bottom of the screen. ALT ACTIVE FIELDS will activate respective tens of field numbers for picks in database window. Refer to description of database window for more detailed information on those commands. They are included mostly for those who prefer using keyboard over mouse. TEXT MENU LOAD TEXT FILE will bring up a scroll window with the list of available files. The opening directory will be dBuddy's own directory, but you can go up and down directory tree by selecting a subdirectory name or ".." for previous directory and then clicking on OPEN or pressing ENTER. If you know the name of the file and its path you can enter it in the line above the scroll window. CLOSE TEXT WIN will close currently displayed text window. SAVE TEXT will save text displayed in the open window. PREVIOUS will allow you to go to previous text window if you have more than one opened at a time. NEXT will move you to the next open text window WINDOWS AND OPERATION With the exception of the DATABASE Window the windows are moveable if you need to see under one. Just click on the window title with the left mouse button and while holding the button down move the mouse. The window will move with the mouse. DATABASE WINDOW When a database file is created or open from the database menu, the database window will appear at the bottom of the screen: ┌─────────── CHAPLIN.DBF (dBIII+ Compatible File) DataBase Window ────────── │ Record:1 Field Next Prev First Last │ Fld Typ Len Dec Picks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 │ 2 C 15 0 COMPANY -KEYSTONE │ 1 C 30 0 TITLE -MAKING A LIVING │ F2 NextRec F3 PrevRec F4 View F5 AddNew F6 SavRec F7 ClrFld F8 TogApnd One record of the database file is processed at a time. The record number is displayed in the upper left corner of the Data Base window. The string of numbers following the word (Picks) represent the fields in the record. If data is not marked, in the Text Window, for pasting clicking with the left mouse button on the field number will cause that field to be displayed. If data is marked clicking on the field number will Paste the data and display the field with it's newly pasted data. The words (Next Prev First Last) are buttons to click on, another way to change to a different field. Field number, type, length, number of decimals (for numeric fields only) and the field name will be displayed on the left. Contents of the field will be displayed on the right. Two consecutive fields will be displayed at a time. Character fields will be preceded by a + or - depending on how "Character Field Append" has been toggled. If text is marked in the Text Window and you click the left mouse button dBuddy will attempt to move that marked text into the field selected. *** REMEMBER if you are building a new record make sure to first create that new record by pressing F5. In addition to clicking on the field numbers, as just described, you can also click anywhere on the two lines displaying field info. The marked text will be inserted in the field. If the Append toggle if on (plus is displayed) the marked text will be appended. If the Append toggle is off, the marked text will replace the text in the field and the field display will scroll by one. Special Data Inserting keys In the same way clicking on the left mouse moves and inserts a set of alt key combinations will also accomplish the task. Alt 1 thru Alt 0 will move to Record field 1 thru 10, in the DATABASE Window if no text is marked in the text window. If text is marked dBuddy will attempt to insert that text into the field selected and will then display that field. To select fields above 10 using this method requires that you change the Alt active fields by pressing an alt F key combination. For Alt Active Fields 1-10 press Alt F1 For Alt Active Fields 11-20 Press Alt F2 For Alt Active Fields 21-30 Press Alt F3 For Alt Active Fields 31-40 Press Alt F4 For Alt Active Fields 41-50 Press Alt F5 TEXT WINDOW The text window is where text is displayed for marking and Pasting to a field in the DATABASE Window. Text window a text editor window and you can move within it using methods common for text editors. You can use Arrow Keys on the keyboard or you can use a mouse to click on scroll bars on the right and on the bottom of the window. ╔═[■]═════════════════════ C:\TP\DBUDDY\ELECTVEH.TXT ═══════════════ ║Electric Vehicles for sale ║ ║'80 Courier Pickups ║120 Volt, 55mph, 25-40 mile range ║3 available all in process of renovation. ║$6000, $2500, $900 ║ ║'80 Omni Hatchbach ║65mph, 40-60 mile range ║$4900 ║ ║'88 Sinclair Moped ║3-wheel, 12 Volt, 15mph ║$700 ╚══════ 1:1 ══════▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ Marking is accomplished by Moving the mouse cursor to the first character of the text, pressing the left mouse button and, holding it down, Moving the mouse cursor to the last character in the text to be transferred. The text will be highlighted. Releasing the mouse button will stop the highlighting and marked text is ready to be pasted into database. Marking can also be accomplished by use of the keyboard. Press <CTRL K B> at the start of the text to be marked then use the cursor key to move to the last character and press <CTRL K K>. Though it is not possible to load files bigger than 64K in the editor, multiple text windows can be opened containing different files. The number of text windows that can be opened at a time depends on available memory. Some simple editing can be performed, if minor changes are needed in a data prior to being inserted into the database. A text window is closed by pressing F10 or using the mouse to click on the [■] in the upper left corner of the window. Press F8 to switch to the next text window if you have more than one text file loaded. F9 will save changes to text files. The text window is limited to a 60k maximum file size. Special Text Window keys: Ctrl K B Start marking a Block of text Ctrl K K Stop marking text Enter will Delete a marked Block Ctrl Y Deletes a line Ctrl U UnDo Ctrl PageUp Moves cursor to top of file Ctrl PageDn Moves cursor to bottom of file Ctrl K F Search Ctrl K A Search and replace Ctrl L Search again ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │Exit DATABASE Record_Ops Field_Ops Text │ └───────────┬────────────┬───────────────┬───────────────────┬───┘ ┌─────────┴──────────┐ │ │ │ │ Make a .DBF File │ │ │ │ │ Edit a .DBF Header │ │ │ │ │ Copy a .DBF Header │ │ │ │ │ Open a .DBF File │ │ │ │ ├────────────────────┤ │ │ │ │ Export Delimited │ │ │ │ │ Export Text List │ │ │ │ └────────────────────┘ │ │ │ ┌─────────────┴─────────────┐ │ │ │ Next Rec F2 │ │ │ │ Back One Rec F3 │ │ │ │ First Rec Pos ShftF2 │ │ │ │ Last Rec Pos ShftF3 │ │ │ │ Pos at Rec (X) ShftF4 │ │ │ │ Hunt for ShftF8 │ │ │ ├───────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ View/Edit Curr Rec F4 │ │ │ │ Clear Curr Rec F7 │ │ │ │ Add a Blank Rec F5 │ │ │ │ Delete Rec Toggle ShftF5 │ │ │ │ Save Curr Rec F6 │ │ │ │ Append to End ShftF6 │ │ │ └───────────────────────────┘ │ │ ┌────────────────┴────────────────┐ │ │ Clear Curr Field F7 │ │ │ Toggle Char Fld Append F8 │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ Alt Active Fields 1-10 AltF1 │ │ │ Alt Active Fields 11-20 AltF2 │ │ │ Alt Active Fields 21-30 AltF3 │ │ │ Alt Active Fields 31-40 AltF4 │ │ │ Alt Active Fields 41-50 AltF5 │ │ └─────────────────────────────────┘ │ ┌────────────┴────────────┐ │ Load Text File │ │ Save Text F9 │ │ Find Text CtrlF2 │ │ Find Again Text CtrlF3 │ │ Replace Text CtrlF4 │ │ Previous Window │ │ Next Window ShftF10 │ │ Close Text Win F10 │ └─────────────────────────┘ Disclaimer agreement: Users of dBuddy must except the following disclaimer agreement: dBuddy is provided AS IS. The Author makes no Warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. In addition THE AUTHOR ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF dBuddy. History: Version 1.0 BETA released Sept 92 Version 1.1 BETA released 27 Sept 92 Added dBase IV compatibility Version 1.2 BETA released 1 Oct 92 Incorporated comments and fixed a few bugs. The dBIV Memo file bug was the most significant. Version 1.3 BETA released 2 Oct 92 Menu changes and an improved DATABASE Window. Version 1.4 BETA released 6 Oct 92 A couple of minor adjustments Version 1.5 BETA released 8 Oct 92 Improvements in the user interface Version 1.6 BETA released 9 Oct 92 Sorted out compatibility problem vers 1.6 now reads and writes dBIII, dBIII+ and dBIV files Version 1.7 BETA released 10 Oct 92 Bug fix and added next,prev, first,last to field pick in the data base window Version 2.0 Beta status removed, added a data base Search function. Version 2.1 Bug Fix, a non fatal bug allowed possible erroneous results during database searches. Registration: If you decide to continue using dBuddy after a 90 day trial period you are expected to register. Please send your $20 registration fee to: John Jamieson Mountain Retreat BBS 555 Buckeye St. Felton Ca, 95018 For support contact: Fidonet 1:216/506 BBS phone (408)335-4595 Voice phone (408)335-4672