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WindBase 3.0
NickleWare
Bradley Nicholes
INTRODUCTION
WindBase is an application that was designed to help simplify data
collection, storage and retrieval. With the help of WindBase, you can
design custom data entry forms and at the same time create the database to
match. WindBase will also allow you to index and reindex your data by a
single field or multiple fields. This enables you to organize and retrieve
your data much more easily and faster as well. WindBase allows you to
create, store and view multiple database files all at the same time. Then
when you are ready to print your data, WindBase will print it in the same
custom layout or let you reorganize the data to best fit your needs.
REGISTRATION
WindBase is not public domain, nor is it free software. You are
granted a limited license to use this product on a trial basis. You are
also granted a license to copy WindBase, along with the documentation, for
the trial use by other users. If you wish to continue using the product,
you must send $25 to:
NickleWare
P.O. Box 393
Orem, UT. 84059 USA
If you would like an original disk or an update to the latest release of
the software, please add $5 for shipping and handling.
We encourage you to copy WindBase and share it with anyone who might
be interested in an easier way to gather, store and retrieve information.
GETTING STARTED
REQUIREMENTS -
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher
IBM compatible PC 286, 386, 486 or Pentium
Before proceeding, make sure that you have Microsoft Windows correctly
installed. Next create a directory called WINDBASE and copy the WindBase
software (WINDBASE.EXE) into this directory. WindBase is ready to be
started. Simply start WindBase from the RUN... menu selection of the
Windows Program Manager or add it to a Program Manager group by following
the directions for creating a group item in the Windows 3.1 User's Guide.
WHAT IS A DATABASE
A database is a collection of similar data records stored in a common
file or collection of files. A database management system such as WindBase
provides a means by which a user can easily store and retrieve this data.
CREATING A NEW DATABASE
To create a WindBase database first select DATABASE DEFINITION and NEW
from the FILE pulldown menu. WindBase will create a blank database
definition window and ungray the following menu selections:
FILE Menu:
DATABASE DEFINITION
SAVE...- Save a database definition and data files.
DEFINE Menu:
TEXT - This option creates a static text field in the current
database definition window.
EDIT - This option creates an entry/edit field in the current
database definition window.
CHECKBOX - This option creates a checkbox in the current database
definition window.
BITMAP - This option creates a bitmap field in the current
database definition window.
STYLES - This option displays a popup window that allows you to
modify the attributes of the currently selected TEXT,
EDIT, CHECKBOX or BITMAP field.
DELETE - This option deletes the currently selected TEXT, EDIT,
CHECKBOX or BITMAP field.
TITLE - This option modifies the database title that appears in
the database window.
FONT - This option changes the text font for the current database
definition window.
Layout the database by selecting the desired fields from the DEFINE
pulldown menu as described in the CREATING A DATABASE FIELD section. Each
of the newly created fields can be resized and placed in the database
definition window where desired.
After all of the database fields have been created and defined, the
database layout can be saved and the database files created. To do this,
simply select DATABASE DEFINITION and SAVE... from the FILE pulldown menu.
A SAVE popup window will appear prompting you to enter a path and file name
where the database files and associated layout files will be stored. You
only needs to enter the primary part of the file name (file name without the
extension). WindBase will add the extension of .WB for the database layout
file, .DB for the database file and .IDX for the index file. Once the file
name has been entered and you has selected the OK pushbutton, the database
definition and field layout files will be created. If the database files
already exist in the specified path, Windbase will notify you that the
database already exists and the path or file name must to be changed. Once
a database definition has been saved and the database created, WindBase
will only allow the database fields to be resized or repositioned. No new
database fields can be added to this definition. If there is a need to add
or delete a database field, this can be done as described in the CREATING A
NEW DATABASE FROM AN EXISTING section and the DATA IMPORT AND EXPORT section.
CREATING A DATABASE FIELD
By selecting the TEXT, EDIT, CHECKBOX or BITMAP options from the
DEFINE pulldown menu, the corresponding field will be created in the
currently selected database definition window. The new field will be
created in the upper left hand corner of the database definition window. A
style popup window will be displayed prompting you to enter a name to
identify the newly created field and modify any of the field attributes if
desired. After the database field has been created, it can be moved and
resized as explained in the MOVE AND RESIZING A DATABASE FIELD section.
SETTING ATTRIBUTES OF A DATABASE FIELD
Each TEXT, EDIT, CHECKBOX and BITMAP field defaults to a specific set
of attributes. These attributes may be modified through the STYLES option
in the DEFINE pulldown menu. When the STYLES option is selected a popup
window is presented that corresponds to the selected database field. The
EDIT, CHECKBOX and BITMAP fields require a field name that is later used in
the creation of the database. All other attributes in the styles popup
windows are optional.
MOVING AND RESIZING A DATABASE FIELD
Once a database field has been created, it can be moved or resized to
the desired position and size by dragging and dropping with the mouse
pointer or grabbing the field border and stretching it.
To move the field, simply place the mouse pointer over the top of it
and click the mouse button once. A dotted line will appear around the field
to indicate that it is now the currently selected field. The mouse pointer
will also change to a four direction pointer to indicate that the field may
be moved. With the four direction pointer over the top of the selected
field, press and hold the left mouse button down and while hold down the
button, move the mouse pointer to the desired position. A database field
may also be moved by using the arrow keys on the keyboard. To do this first
select the database field with the mouse as described above. Then use the arrow
keys to move the database field in the desired direction.
To resize a database field, select the field as described above, then
move the mouse pointer over the border of the selected field. As this is
done, the mouse pointer will change from a four direction pointer to a two
direction horizontal, vertical or diagonal pointer depending on the
direction in which the field may be resized. Then simply hold the left
mouse button down and move the mouse in the direction indicated by the two
direction pointer until the field is resized to the desired size.
DELETING A DATABASE FIELD
Once a TEXT, EDIT, CHECKBOX or BITMAP field has been created, it may be
deleted. To delete a field, simply select it by placing the mouse pointer
over it and pressing the left mouse button. Once the field has been
selected, a dotted line border will appear around it. Then select DELETE
from the DEFINE pulldown menu. A confirmation popup window will appear
asking that you to confirm the operation. Selecting the YES pushbutton,
will delete the field.
CHANGING THE DATABASE TITLE
To change the title that appears in the database window title bar,
select the TITLE option from the DEFINE pulldown menu. After making this
selection a popup window will be displayed allowing you to enter a database
title. After entering the database title, select the OK pushbutton
and the database window title will change.
CHANGING THE DATABASE FONT
To change the font for the database window text, select the FONT...
option from the DEFINE pulldown menu. After making this selection a popup
window will be displayed allowing you to select a new font. After
selecting the new font, select the OK pushbutton and the new font will
appear in the database window.
OPENING A DATABASE
To open an existing database you must select OPEN DATABASE... from the
FILE pulldown menu. An open file popup window will be displayed. This
popup window allows you to change directories and select database files.
There are four types of files that WindBase creates. The primary name of
each of the four files of a database is the name specified by you when the
database was originally created. The extensions for each of these files are
as follows:
.WB - WindBase database layout file.
.DB - Database file.
.IDX - Database index file.
.WBN - Database bitmap file.
.PRN - WindBase page layout file.
When opening a database, any one of these files can be selected. Once
the database has been selected, a database window will appear with the
current database layout.
OPENING A DATABASE DEFINITION
An existing database definition can be opened by selection DATABASE
DEFINITION and OPEN... from the FILE pulldown menu. A database definition
that has been opened for modification can not have new database fields
created. The only modifications that are allowed are resizing and
repositioning of existing database fields. Once all of the modifications
have been completed, select DATABASE DEFINITION and SAVE... from the FILE
pulldown menu. If there is a need to add or delete a database field from an
existing definition, this can be done as described in the CREATING A NEW
DATABASE FROM AN EXISTING section and the DATA IMPORT AND EXPORT section.
CREATING A NEW DATABASE FROM AN EXISTING
A new database definition can be created from an existing definition by
selection DATABASE DEFINITION and OPEN AS... from the FILE pulldown menu.
You will then be prompted to select an existing database definition to use
as the template for the new database definition. Once a database definition
template has been selection, a database definition window will appear
containing all of the same fields that existed in the selected database
definition template. You can then add, modify or delete database fields as
described in the Creating A Database Field Setting Attributes Of A Database
Field and Deleting A Database Field sections.
DELETING A DATABASE
To delete a database you must open the database as described in the
OPENING A DATABASE section. Once the database has been opened and selected,
pull down the FILE menu and select DELETE DATABASE. A confirmation popup
window will appear allowing you to confirm the action. If the OK
pushbutton is selected, the database along with its associated files will be
deleted.
DELETING DATABASE RECORDS ONLY
To delete all of the database records without deleting the database
definition, simply pulldown the FILE menu and select DELETE ALL RECORDS. A
confirmation message box will appear prompting you to confirm the delete
all records action. If you selects the YES pushbutton, WindBase will then
delete all of the records from the currently selected database without
deleting the definition.
ENTERING AND EDITING DATA
To enter and edit a record within a database you must first open the
database as described in the OPENING A DATABASE section. Data can be
entered into any of the EDIT fields, CHECKBOXes or BITMAP fields. Once the
desired data has been entered, select ADD from the RECORD pulldown menu.
This will add the record to the database.
Modifying a record can be done in the same manner. After the data has
been completely modified, select MODIFY from the RECORD pulldown menu.
Bitmap data can be pasted in from the clipboard or read in from a file
by using the normal clipboard paste option under the EDIT pulldown menu or
selecting the PASTE FROM A FILE option. Also by double clicking on a bitmap
field, you will be presented with a popup menu which will allow a bitmap to
be stretched to fit within the bounds of the field or in normal view. The
popup menu also provides the PASTE FROM A FILE functionality for reading in
the bitmap data from a .BMP file.
MOVING AROUND A DATABASE
Searching and moving through the records of a database can be done by
selecting SEARCH, PREVIOUS and NEXT from the RECORD pulldown menu. To
search for a specific record, simply enter in the data or part of the data
into the field by which the database has been indexed. Then select SEARCH
from the RECORD pulldown menu. WindBase will search the database for the
first record that exactly matches or is the closest match to the data
entered. By selecting the NEXT or PREVIOUS options from the RECORD
pulldown menu, you will be able to step through each record one by one
forward or backward.
BROWSING A DATABASE
Browsing through the records in a database can be done by selection
BROWSE from the RECORD pulldown menu. A new window will appear displaying
an indexed list of all of the records in the database. Any record can be
selected and displayed in the main database window by double clicking on
the record in the browse window.
Each data column in the browse window can be moved to a new position by
placing the mouse on top of the column title box and while holding the left
mouse button down, dragging the column title box to a new position. Also,
each column can be resized to display more or less data by placing the mouse
over the right edge of a column title and while holding the left mouse
button down, dragging the edge until the column title box is the desired
size.
To close the browse window, pull down the system menu from the upper
left-hand corner of the browse window and select CLOSE.
DELETING A RECORD FROM THE DATABASE
To delete a record from the database, simply select the record in the
same manner as described in the MOVING AROUND A DATABASE section. Once the
desired record has been selected pull down the RECORD menu and click on the
DELETE option. A confirmation popup window will appear allowing you to
confirm or reject the action. If you clicks on the YES pushbutton, the
record will be deleted from the databases.
DEFINING AN INDEX
One of the selections under the FILE pulldown menu is the option to
define or set a new default INDEX for a database. After selecting this
option, a popup window will appear that contains two list boxes. The first
list box on the left contains a list of the currently defined indexes for
the selected database. By highlighting one of the index names in the list
box, the name will appear in the entry field at the top right-hand side of
the popup window. The second list box will display a list of the fields
currently defined in the selected database with the selected index
definition fields highlighted.
A new index can be created by first entering in a new index name into
the INDEX NAME entry field above the INDEX DEFINITION list box. Then by
dragging and placing the database field names within the INDEX DEFINITION
list box into the desired order and highlighting them by click on them with
the mouse, you is able to define a new index definition. After the new
index has been defined, click on the DEFINE pushbutton beneath the INDEX
DEFINITION list box and the index will be created and added to the current
database index list. Once an index has been defined, it can not be
modified or deleted. The only way to remove index definitions is by
selecting the REINDEX option from the FILE/INDEX cascade menu. This option
will remove all of the defined indexes and recreate the PHYSICAL and
PRIMARY indexes.
REINDEXING A DATABASE
To reindex a database, first open the database as described in the
OPENING A DATABASE section. Once the database has been opened and the
database window selected, pulldown the FILE menu and select REINDEX from
the INDEX cascade menu. This will remove all of the currently defined
indexes for the selected database and restore the base PHYSICAL and
PRIMARY indexes.
LAYING OUT A PRINTER PAGE
WindBase allows you to print a database record in a different format
than what was originally defined. Creating a printer definition is similar
to creating a database definition. Select PAGE SETUP from the FILE pulldown
menu. A database window will appear with the current database definition.
When the page layout window is created, the working area is adjusted to
reflect the current size of a physical printer page according to the printer
definition. The working area can be scrolled within the printer page
definition window by using the scroll bars along the sides of the window.
If the printer page definition has not already been created, it will default
to the current database definition. The database fields can be moved and
resized as described in the MOVING AND RESIZING A DATABASE FIELD section.
While in the printer page definition mode you will not be able to create new
EDIT, CHECKBOX or BITMAP fields, but you may create new TEXT fields. You is
also allowed to change the text of a CHECKBOX or any previously existing
TEXT field. Once the printer page has been laid out as desired, select
DATABASE DEFINITION and SAVE... from the FILE pulldown menu. The printer
page definition will be saved and used whenever a record is printed from
the corresponding database.
PRINTING A RECORD
To print a record, first select the desired record as described in the
MOVING AROUND THE DATABASE section. After the desired record has be
selected, pulldown the FILE menu and select PRINT. The current record will
be printed using the defined printer page definition. (The printer page
definition must have been defined as described in the LAYING OUT A PRINTER
PAGE section.).
To print the BROWSE window first click on the BROWSE window to make
sure that it is the active window. Then select PRINT from the FILE menu.
VIEWING / MANIPULATING MULTIPLE DATABASES
Because WindBase was implemented as a multiple document interface
application, it allows you to open, maintain and view more the one database
at a time. As each database file is opened, WindBase creates a new
database window and lays out the database on the working area. Switching
from one database to another is as simple as placing the mouse cursor over
the desired window and clicking the left mouse button. This will select
that database and window as the current database. All of the WindBase menu
options will then apply to that database. Each of the database windows can
also be minimized to avoid cluttering up the desktop with too many windows.
Then, as desired, each database window can be restored or minimized as you
moves from one database file to another.
DATA IMPORT AND EXPORT
WindBase will allow you to import or export data from or to a text
file. To import data from a text file, first open the database as
described in the OPENING A DATABASE section. Once a database has been
opened, select IMPORT from the FILE pulldown menu. You will be prompted
to select the text file containing the data to be imported. Once the
import file has been selected, an import window will appear allowing you to
set the type of delimiter that WindBase should look for to delimit each
field of a database record. After selecting a delimiter, you should select
the RESET FILE pushbutton. At this point WindBase will read in and display
the first record from the import text file.
If the format of the data in the text file does not match the layout
of your database, WindBase gives you the ability to alter the way that the
import file is read to make sure that the formats match and the data is
imported correctly. To do this, WindBase provides a list of the fields that
are defined in the database. The fields are initially displayed in default
order. The order of the fields can be changed by selecting one of the
fields and while holding the left mouse button down, dragging the field to a
new position within the list. You can also add SPACERs to the field list.
A SPACER will cause WindBase to skip a field in the import data and replace
it with the following import field. For example if you had a database with
the fields, NAME, ADDRESS and STATE but your import data was formatted as
NAME, ADDRESS, CITY and STATE, by placing a SPACER between the ADDRESS field
and the STATE field in the fields list, WindBase will skip over the CITY
field in your import data as the import is done.
The data import window also contains three options for importing the
data. These three options are importing a SINGLE record at a time,
importing ALL records at one time or importing a specified number of
records. Once one of these options has been selected, you can click on
the IMPORT pushbutton to begin importing and adding the data to the
database.
There are also two other pushbuttons which allow you to move through
import data or cancel the import operation. These two pushbuttons are SKIP
and CANCEL. By selecting the SKIP pushbutton, the current import record
will be skipped and the next record will be read in and displayed.
Data export is similar to data import. By selecting the EXPORT menu
option, you will be prompted to specify an export file name after which an
export window will appear that looks similar to the import window with the
exception of the ADD RECORD TERMINATOR checkbox. This checkbox instructs
WindBase to add a carriage return and line feed to the end of each record
regardless of the selected field delimiter. This allows the resulting
output to be written in a format that is more suitable for reporting. As
described above you should specify the field delimiter and export option
WindBase should use. Then by clicking on the EXPORT pushbutton, WindBase
will export the data into a text file.
WindBase also provide the ability to alter the format of the export
file as the export is done. You can do this simply by changing the order
of the fields in the fields list as described above. You can also insert
blank fields by placing a SPACER at the position where WindBase should
insert a blank field. WindBase will also allow you to specify which
fields should be exported. To select a field for export, simply highlight
the field in the fields list. Any field in the fields list that is not
highlighted during the export, will be skipped.
MENU OPTIONS
FILE MENU
OPEN DATABASE - Open an existing database for uses or modification.
DATABASE DEFINITION
NEW - Create an empty database layout window.
OPEN... - Open an existing database for user or modification.
OPEN AS... - Open an existing database definition as a
template for creating a new database.
SAVE... - Save the currently selected database or printer
page definition.
DELETE DATABASE - Delete the currently selected database and the
associated files.
DELETE ALL RECORDS - Delete all records in the currently selected
database.
INDEX
DEFINE/SET DEFAULT - Define and set the default indexes for
the currently selected database.
REINDEX - Reindex the currently selected database.
IMPORT - Import data from a text file.
EXPORT - Export data to a text file.
PAGE SETUP - Create or modify the printer page layout for the
currently selected database.
PRINT - Print the active record from the currently selected
database.
PRINTER SETUP - Change the printer attributes
EXIT - Close all open databases and exit WindBase.
EDIT MENU
UNDO - Undo the last entry field action.
CUT - Cut the currently selected entry field text to the clipboard.
COPY - Copy the currently selected entry field text to the
clipboard.
PASTE - Page the clipboard contents to the currently selected
entry field.
PASTE FROM FILE - Paste a bitmap from a file.
CLEAR - Clear the currently selected entry field text.
SELECT ALL - Select all of the text in the currently selected
entry field.
RECORD MENU
ADD - Add a record to the currently selected database.
MODIFY - Modify a record in the currently selected database.
DELETE - Delete a record from the currently selected database.
CLEAR - Clear all fields in the currently selected database window.
SEARCH - Search for a record in the currently selected database
based on the selected index.
NEXT - Display the next record in the currently selected database
based on the selected index.
PREVIOUS - Display the previous record in the currently selected
database based on the selected index.
FIRST - Display the first record in the currently selected
database based on the selected index.
LAST - Display the last record in the currently selected database
based on the selected index.
BROWSE - Display a list of all the records in the database.
DEFINE MENU
TEXT - Create a Text field in the currently selected database
window.
EDIT - Create an edit field in the currently selected database
window.
CHECKBOX - Create a checkbox field in the currently selected
database window.
BITMAP - Create a bitmap field in the currently selected database
window.
STYLES - Modify the attributes of the selected field in the
currently selected database window.
DELETE - Delete the selected field in the currently selected
database window.
TITLE - Modify the title of the currently selected database window.
FONT - Select a new font for the currently selected database window.
WINDOW MENU
TILE - Tile all open database windows within the WindBase main
window.
CASCADE - Cascade all open database windows within the WindBase
main window.
ARRANGE ICONS - Arrange all database window icons within the
WindBase main window.
CLOSE ALL - Close all open database windows.
HELP MENU
INDEX - Display the WindBase help file.
ABOUT - Display the WindBase About Box.
SPECIAL FEATURES
DRAG AND DROP - Whenever an item such as a database field is being
repositioned within a database definition window , the item may be dragged
and dropped. This means that an item can be selected with the mouse
pointer, and while holding the mouse button down, move the pointer to a new
position. When the mouse button is released the selected item will be
placed at the mouse pointer position.
CLIPBOARD - The clipboard is a convenient way of transferring data
between WindBase and other Windows applications or between different
WindBase databases or records. To use the clipboard functions simply
highlight any text that is displayed in an entry field, pull down the EDIT
menu and choose COPY or CUT. The COPY function will place a copy of the
highlighted text in the Windows clipboard. The CUT function also places
the highlighted text in the clipboard but also removes it from the entry
field. To retrieve text from the clipboard, place the cursor at the
position inside an entry field where the clipboard text should be inserted
or appended. Then pull down the EDIT menu and choose PASTE. The clipboard
text will be placed in the entry field at the cursor position.
ENHANCEMENTS
The following is a list of the new features and enhancements that have
been included in version 2.0 of WindBase:
o Data Import and Export functionality.
o Database Text and Printing Font Selection Per Database Definition.
o Ability to Store and Retrieve Bitmap Graphical Data.
o Addition of Windows 3.1 File Open, Save As... and Font dialogs
The following is a list of the new features and enhancements that have
been included in version 3.0 of WindBase:
o Improved data import and export functionality.
o Ability to reorder and select export fields.
o Ability to reorder and remap import fields.
o Data record browsing capability.
o Ability to print the browse window.
o Added support for 256 color graphics.
o Fixed the exact key matching during a search.
EXITING
When you have finished using WindBase, you should exit via the EXIT
selection from the main window's FILE menu. If you forget and turn your
computer off before exiting, WindBase can not guarantee that your database
files have been saved completely. It is very important that you always
exit WindBase via this selection.
NickleWare
Copyright (C) 1990-94 Bradley Nicholes
CompuServe: 72730,1002
This documentation must accompany the WindBase software.
NickleWare or Bradley Nicholes shall not be liable for any damages, whether
direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from the use or failure
of this program to operate in the manner desired by you.