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1992-04-07
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213 lines
dbMAX(tm) Version 1.12
Copyright (c) 1991-1992 David A. Kennedy.
All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION
============
dbMAX is an xBASE utility that will allow complete multi-user access to xBASE
databases and Clipper(tm) indexes. The program uses a CUA-type menu system
with Brief(tm)-style hot keys and can browse databases in up to 250 moveable,
sizable windows. Almost every Clipper/dBASE(tm) command is available,
allowing dbMAX to replace the dBASE Assist/Control Center or Nantucket's DBU
utility. dbMAX also has a partially open architecture, allowing programmers
to create their own menus and operate on dbMAX internal data structures.
COMPILE and LINK
================
This version of dbMAX does not include the source code. If enough people
are interested, I will upload the source at a later date.
To link dbMAX you will need Clipper 5.01. A batch file, MAKEDBX.BAT, is
provided to you to automate this task. Linking can be performed with
.RTLink, Blinker, or any other dynamic overlay linker. .RTLink and Blinker
link files are provided. The MAKEDBX.BAT file and the .LNK files are set
up assuming you have no third-party linker or libraries, so you may want to
edit these files (add/remove comments).
THIRD-PARTY LIBRARIES
=====================
A few third-party libraries are used by dbMAX. The third-party functions
called by dbMAX are NOT critical to the operation of the program and can be
removed and/or worked around. The following functions are used:
IDL 2.11: kbd_alt() - detects if <Alt> key was pressed
ProClip 4.0: alldrives() - returns a string of all valid drive letters
dosargs() - returns command line arguments (i.e., true name)
clock() - ticking clock
curpath() - gets the current drive/path on the specified drive
flipcolor() - reverses colors
getcolor() - gets the screen color at a location
isptr() - is printer port ready
newcolor() - changes background color (for shadows/lowlighting)
Overlay 3.5: overlay() - swaps out memory for shelling to DOS
If you do not have one or more of the above libraries, I have included
FIXUP.PRG which contains all the third-party functions re-written using
Clipper 5.0 and/or NANFOR.LIB, so that none of the original source code needs
to be modified. This .PRG can also be used if you don't like one or more of
the above libraries and want to use your preferred libraries.
RUNNING dbMAX
=============
The only file you need to run the program is DBX.EXE. All other files are
optional. A missing DBX.INI file will cause a warning message to appear.
To run dbMAX, type DBX at the DOS prompt. DBX /? will list all the command
line parameters that can be used.
Syntax: DBX [database] [index] [switches]
where: database = name of database, extension not required
index = name of index, extension not required
Switches: /C<n> = columns to display (default=80)
/R<n> = rows to display (default=25)
/S = single-user (default=multi-user)
/T = temporary files drive (default=current)
/U<file> = use specified .INI file (default=DBX.INI)
/V<file> = use specified .ENV file (default=DBX.ENV)
/? = help screen
The parameters can appear in any order, except that the database name must
appear before the index name. Please note that the following additional
parameters can be specified as long at they appear BEFORE any others:
//E:<nExpanded> = amount of EMS to use (in KB, default=ALL)
//F:<nHandles> = number of file handles to use (default=50)
//X:<nKbytes> = amount of conventional RAM to exclude
//CGACURS = fixes possible cursor problems (default=ON)
//SWAPK:<nBytes> = maximum swap file size
//SWAPPATH:'<path>' = path where VMM swap files are placed
//TEMPPATH:'<path>' = path where temp index/sort files are placed.
NETWORKS
========
When running dbMAX in a network environment, BE SURE to set the temporary
files drive to a LOCAL DRIVE or your personal drive/directory! The temporary
files drive is not the same as the one specified by //SWAPPATH and //TEMPPATH
above. Having these three parameters point to a RAM disk will provide the
best performance.
Installing dbMAX on a network is not recommended since other users can
overwrite your initialization and environment files. This can be worked
around by running dbMAX from a batch file as follows:
DBX /U<userdrive:\DBX.INI> /V<userdrive:\DBX.ENV> /TC:\ %1 %2 %3 %4
TIPS & TRICKS
=============
- Since dbMAX does not use report form (.FRM) files, users who want to print
a "canned" report can use the Heading (F3), Window Column, and environment
functions to set up a dbMAX session and then save it to an environment
file (.ENV). The file can be reloaded (Ctrl-F10) and the database
printed when required. Grouping/subtotalling is not possible.
- Opening database files in exclusive mode will have a noticeable improvement
on performance when browsing, indexing, filtering, etc. F11 toggles the
open mode.
- The About option (on the Help menu) will indicate the amount of RAM
available to dbMAX.
KNOWN PROBLEMS
==============
The software is intended to be used by knowledgable xBASE users/programmers
and as a result error handling has been minimized to reduce the size of the
.EXE file and speed up the program.
1) Entering an illegal filename or pathname will cause a run-time error.
Opening a corrupted database or index will cause a run-time error.
2) Browsing the same database in two windows can lead to problems if you
do something like ZAP the database in one window and then try to browse
the other (can only happen on local drives).
3) Changing files in a network environment may cause other users to
experience problems. For example, revising a database with an index
active while someone else is revising it without the index will cause
the index file to become corrupted.
4) Entering invalid color settings may cause menu items to be invisible.
Quitting dbMAX and re-running the program may restore the original colors
if they were not saved; otherwise, you will have to delete the DBX.INI
file to restore the default settings.
5) Using DOS versions earlier than 3.30 may cause multi-user problems on
networks due to lack of support for COMMIT. Use of versions earlier than
3.00 will cause other, more minor, problems due to the DOSARGS() (or
FT_ORIGIN()) function.
6) Some users have reported that their PCs lock-up occasionally during
swapping (swaps occur when shelling to DOS and calling hyperhelp). This
appears to be due to an EMS conflict between Blinker and Overlay(). DOS
5.0/HIMEM users seem to encounter the problem more often than QEMM users.
Using the BADEMS switch, setting the BLINKER PAGEFRAME OFF, using the
new Blinker 2.0 swap function, and/or eliminating the use of the
Overlay() library will usually fix the problem.
MODIFICATIONS & FUTURE STUFF
============================
The next minor release of dbMAX may allow printing of memo fields and use
of dBASE report forms. Concurrent use of the DBFNDX driver may also be
added, though users so far have not asked for it. For the next major release
of dbMAX I hope to utilize the ProVision:Windows library and/or the new
release of Clipper, such that the program is mouse-able and runs in graphics
or pseudo-graphics mode (like Norton Utils 6.x and PC Tools 7.x). Also, no
users have needed context-sensitive hyperhelp, so unless there's a big
demand, hyperhelp will remain as is.
If you have any comments/suggestions/fixes for dbMAX or want to submit your
user-defined routines for inclusion into later versions of the program, send
them to Dave Kennedy (or Tim Fritz) at CIS #: 76300,2164 and I'll gladly
consider them. Please keep in mind that the main goal for dbMAX is maximum
performance with minimum bells/whistles/crap (I hope I've done this).
"FREEWARE" LICENSE AGREEMENT
============================
This software is an original work by David A. Kennedy and is released into
the public domain with restrictions. The software can be USED, COPIED, and
DISTRIBUTED on an UNLIMITED BASIS, as long as no fee is charged for its use,
copying, or distribution. All rights to the program worldwide are reserved
by David A. Kennedy. Unauthorized duplication, distribution, modification,
or decompilation of this software is expressly prohibited.
THE SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE ENTIRE RISK TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE
SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU.
David A. Kennedy will not be liable for any special, incidental,
consequential, indirect or similar damages due to the loss of data, loss of
business profits, business interruption or any other reason, even if David
A. Kennedy has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
This is a legal agreement between you, the end user, and David A. Kennedy.
By using or distributing this package, you are agreeing to be bound by the
terms of this Agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement
promptly destroy (erase) all copies of the software.
The Help! Engine (HELP.EXE) is property of Flambeaux Software, Inc. and
specifically IS NOT placed into the public domain. All rights worldwide are
reserved by Flambeaux Software, Inc. Modifications to the Help! Engine are
prohibited.