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PsL Monthly 1993 December
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PSL Monthly Shareware CD-ROM (December 1993).iso
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prgmming
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dos
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basic
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apg_2.exe
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README.TXT
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1993-03-17
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APG
The Automatic Program Generator
From S&M Software
Installation Note:
No installation program is required. Simply create a directory and copy
all of the files contained within the ZIP file. A separate directory is
recommended to prevent the possible erasure of other files un-related to
APG. BTW - We included a sample series of programs which we compiled to
help with you understanding of their capabilities.
General babble and other nonsense:
The purpose of APG is to allow for the simple and easy creation of
programs that create, maintain and print data files.
These maintenance programs do not contain fancy graphics or other
useless "whistle and bells" found in typical PC based programs. In
fact, they were designed after Input screens found on mini and main
frame computers.
They feature several important functions:
Numerics are declared to your desired length saving space in the file
and on print or screen reports. The numeric inputs are bullet proof.
Auto placement of the decimal is included.
The Fields are numerically maintainable. For example suppose you had to
change the area code for part of your data base. You would call up the
first record, enter 17 (if the area code field was the seventeenth
field) and change the area code. Page Down and your cursor remains in
field seventeen of the next record. Compare this to most PC programs
that would require you to Tab or Enter seventeen times in each record to
get to the desired field.
Deleted records are not displayed but can be restored in case of error.
The above features ensure the building of Input screens for professional
use by operators who are required to be fast. In particular, the
screens are designed for typists and 10-key pad operators.
Most important, the entire output of this program is in Microsoft
QuickBASIC or QBASIC. If you program, you can modify any part of this
code to suit your individual need. Use APG to do the grunt work to
develop an application program of almost any type. For example using
APG to create a simple inventory program (with an inventory, history,
customer, ship to, and vendor files and a dozen print programs) would
save you from typing approximately 6000 lines of QuickBASIC code.
We have included several PHONE.* files as examples. Please use PHONE.USE
and PHONE.US1 for examples of the correct specifications required by APG.
Use APG to create the source code for PHONE and run or compile the code.
You may run our compiled versions to see the advantages of .EXE if you
don't have the compiler.
There are three steps before running the QuickBASIC compiler or QBASIC
interrupter. First, enter information about the new program title(s),
data file name, and the exit program. Then enter specific information
about each field that will be displayed. This information must include
the size of the field, type (string or numeric) and the screen location.
Then if desired, you can specify up to 9999 separate print reports. The
report definition process allows you to specify which fields and in what
order they should be printed. It allows for multiple field sorting as
well as specifications for sub-totals and totals.
Generated screen layout
column1....................column80
row 01┌───────────────────────────┐
row 02│ [title] │
. │ [title] │
. │ [field] │
. │ [field] │
. │ [field] │
. │ │
row 24│ [Program options] │
row 25└───────────────────────────┘
column1....................column80
Basic program operations support field numbers. Just enter the number
of the field that you wish to maintain. The Export option will create a
comma delimited file with the extension "EXP". This file is suitable
for import to many applications.
Data Base Definition:
The process of defining the parameters to generate a program with APG
always begin here. This selection consists of two steps. In the first
step you must specify the name of the new data base. Choose this name
carefully because it will be used not only for reference in APG but it
will also become the name of the programs and data files.
The second step is to specify where on the PC screen fields should be
placed and what should they be named. Think of these fields as pieces
of information which should be grouped together as a record.
For example:
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
form a record for a single person having all of these elements.
Generate Data Base:
After you have entered all of the necessary information from the
previous step you can create the actual QuickBASIC source code. After
designing and generating your last screen exit to the DOS prompt. Enter
the name of the data base (as selected in the first step) and your
program will execute.
Report Definition:
This section may be used to create multiple reports from the data base
that has been created.
Create Report Source:
This process is akin to the "Generate Data Base" selection.
NOTE: the general order of events is:
Data Base Definition:
Generate Data Base:
Report Definition:
Create Report Source:
APG is a copyrighted program and is owned by S&M Software. You are
granted a license to use the software and the derivative program for a
period of thirty days. After the thirty day period, if you continue to
use APG or the derivative programs you must remit to S&M Software the
current license amount. Failure to remit the license when you continue
to use these programs is a violation of Federal law and deprives S&M
Software of their hard earned money. You assume all risk by using APG
and under no circumstances will S&M Software be responsible or liable
for any damages or loss which may result from the use of APG.
You may contact S&M Software at 708-485-4910 or leave a message at:
Compuserve
72301,3551
The current license amount is $29.95 and a check may be sent to:
S&M Software
8844 W 47th Street
Brookfield, IL 60513