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Monster Media 1993 #2
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WHAT'S.NEW
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1993-06-01
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╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ dB-TOOLS 2.5 ║
║ ║
║ ** What's new ** What's new ** What's new ** What's new ** ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
News-Index
──────────────────────────
1. New Driver
2. Create/Set Index
3. Copy to /Append from
4. General Functions
5. Structures
6. Views
7. Macros
8. Memo-Files
9. Printing Data
10. Printing Labels
11. Dos-Shell
12. Windows (switch)
13. Settings
14. Configuration
15. dBInformation
16. New Hot-Keys
17. Changed Hot-Keys
18. Start DB.EXE:
19. DB.BAT (Batch-File)
20. dBTools Object-Files
21. General Tips
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1.) New Drivers
───────────────
You can use now the follow new xBase-Drivers:
- dbfntx (Clipper 5.x)
- dbfcmx (Comix 1.0)
- dbfsix (Six-Driver)
- dbfndx (dBase III Plus)
- dbfmdx (dBase IV)
- dbfcdx (Foxpro)
- [dbpx (Paradox)]
- The new Clipper-Driver (ntx)
-----------------------------
With the new NTX-Driver (Clipper 5.2) you can "For/While"-
Conditions too.
- The Comix-Driver 1.0
---------------------
The new Comix-Driver (for Clipper 5.2) make's very fast Index's,
and create's very small Index-Files (about 10* smaller then NTX).
At the Option->Index-Menu you can try out the other Feauters from
the Comix-Driver.
- The Six-Driver 1.1b
--------------------
The Six-Driver 1.1b (for Clipper 5.2!) supports Foxpro-Files
(*.FPT too) and create's quickly small Index-Files.
If you want to link by yourself the Six-Driver to dBTools, you
may not link the Foxpro-Driver DBFCDX in it too, since the DBCDX-
Driver is actually same Driver as DBFSIX (just with less Feauters).
So in this case the DBFCDX-Driver will be automaticly ready for use
in dBTools.
- The dBaseIV-Driver
--------------------
The only thing that i can say about it is:
This Driver is unfortunately very slow!
- The Paradox-Driver
--------------------
The Paradox-Driver is not standard in dBTools integrated!
But everyone can link it with the deliverted Object-Files in dBTools.
The Paradox-Driver is a delicate Driver. With a wrong Paradox-
File-Structure (for example) it is easy to make a Programm-Crash..
Otherwise i is also no very fast.
< Driver-Choice >:
──────────────────
1. If you loading (with F2) a new File you have the Choice for:
- Which Driver you want to use for this File
- If you want open the new File shared or Exclusive
- (You can set the File-Filter. Exemple: [*.dbf])
2. At the Utilities ->Configuration-Menu you can choose a Driver
for current your open File.
3. If you start dBTools you can start it with the follow Parameters:
- db /d=[Driver] (Example: "db demo1 /d=dbfcmx")
2.) Make/Set Index's
────────────────────
[- MultiIndex:]
If you want to create a MultiIndex (with the Comix-Driver),
you can set a TAG (Key-Expression).
At a MultiIndex there will be automaticly a *.cdx File created, which
will be opened at each Time you opening a new File.
So you don't need to choose at a Multi-Index the Point SET INDEX to
then SET ORTDER TAG to..!
[- SubIndex:]
A Subindex is a new "Under-Index" inside the a open current Index.
Achtung: Dies ist nur mit dem Comix und Six-Driver möglich!
[- For/While:]
Mit The For/While-Klausel können Sie bequem das bekannte Problem
eines Filters im Browse-Fenster, nämlich die Geschwindigkeit,
umgehen, indem Sie statt eines Filters einen bedingten Index
erstellen.
[- Seek(Search):]
If you have choosed a combined Index-Key in your Index
dBTools allow you automaticly a combined Search-Key Expression
(with Alt+S or F3). But if you want to search just one Expression
you can do this too.
Examples:
- Combined Seek-Search: [Search <Number+Project>: "123"+"Hallo" ]
- Simple Seek-Search : [Search <Number+Project>: "123" ]
3.) Copy to /Append from
────────────────────────
Now you can "copy to" and "append from" via Driver too:
Examples "Copy to":
-------------------
- Copy NTX-File to CDX-File: Copy to ... via "DBFCDX"
- Copy CDX-File to MDX-File: Copy to ... via "DBFMDX"
Examples "Append from":
-----------------------
- Append from NTX-File into CDX-File: Append from.. via "DBFNTX"
- Append from SIX-File into NTX-File: Append from.. via "DBFSIX"
4.) General Functions
─────────────────────
All Option-Menu (as follow) Functions working now faster!
- Copy to.. / - Append from.. / - Replace
- Delete / - Recall / - Index
- Filter / - Total (Sum/Average/Count..)
- Join / - Pack / - Zap
And at all Functions you can use now combined Conditions
Examples: For..
+While..
+Next... or +Rest.. or +Record.. (etc.)
5.) Structures
──────────────
You can add new Fields in your Structure without pressing the Insert-Key.
(Just go with the Cursor to the last Record(Field) and automaticly
there will be added a new Field)
- With Input particular Field-Type's the Len will be choosed automaticly:
>> Date -> "8" / Logical -> "1" / Memo -> "10"
- For a Paradox-File you must consider follow rules:
>> Len of a numeric Field: 15.4
>> Memo-Fields and logical Fields are not alowed
6.) Views
─────────
You can create now Views. Every View contains follow Information:
- Number and Names of all open xBase-Files
- Drivers for each File
- Open_mode's for each File(shared/Excl.)
- Open-Index's for each File
- Open-Filter for each File
- Record-Positions for each File
- Columns-Positions for each File
- Freezed-Columns for each File
- all open Relations
7.) Macros
──────────
New is the Macro-Menu. You can record all your Steps in dBTools
and safe it to a Macro-File to use it (later) again.
8.) Memo-Files
──────────────
- Memo-Files can also be packed! (with the Six-Driver)
- Memo-Files can contain also Array's und Objects. However they will not
- be put on the Screen (Browse-Window)!
9.) Printing
────────────
New: You can set the Title and Sum/Total-Characters for you Form..
New: You can print with the Dos-Spooler in Background, if you have loaed
the Dos-Printer (Print.com).
10.) Labels
────────────
New: You can now print more then one Label-Columns.
New: You can print a couple of Fields at the same Line.
New: You can decide if empty Fields will be printed or not.
11.) Dos-Shell
──────────────
At the File-Menu you can call now the Dos-Shell directly.
12.) Windows (switching)
────────────────────────
With F6 you can switch forward to the next Window.
With Shift+F6 you can switch backward to the last Window.
13.) Settings
─────────────
- New:: "Columns-Buffer"=On(Off)
You can decide, whether all Browse-Columns in the Begining will be
buffered or in each case of using a new Columns.
- New: "Backup-Struc" =Yes(No)
You can decide, whether dBTools will make a Backup of your old
Structure (*.bak), if you are gonna change it.
14.) Configuration
──────────────────
New: "Index-Hotkey" =Standard/Multikey
You can decide, whether dBTools will make at Time you are pressing
the Hotkey ALT+I (Index) a Standard-Index or, if possible, a Multikey-
Index (by adding a Tag..).
15.) dBInformation
──────────────────
For Information you can get now the Full Name of your current open
Driver, and you can see the full Index/Filter Key-Expression if you
need it, by scrolling with the Crusor to rightside..
16.) New Hot-Keys
─────────────────
Alt+Space -> Set the current Column-Width
Alt+J -> Set your Row-Hilte Function (On/Off)
If Row-Hilite is ON, you see the whole Line (Row)
hilited..!
17.) Changed Hot-Keys
─────────────────────
Alt+Ins -> Insert directly a new Record
Alt+Del -> Delete directly (incl. Pack) a Record
Alt+(+) -> Insert directly a new Field
Alt+(-) -> Remove directly a Field
Ctl+Ins -> Copy the current Record to the Clipboard
Shift+Ins -> Insert from the Clipboard (all Clipboard-Records)
F6 -> Switch to the next Window
Shift+F6 -> Switch back to the last Window
F7 -> Call's the Calculator
F9 -> Call's the Dos-Command Line
with Tab or Escape return to the Browse-Window
Alt+F9 -> Call's Dos-Shell
with "Exit"-Command return to dBTools
F11/F12 -> Make topical of the Browse-Window.
(Spcially for Multi-User at a Network)
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You can see all new Hotkeys at the Help-Window (With F1) too!!!
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
18.) Start db.exe:
──────────────────
You can start dBTools with follow Parameters:
(With "db /?" you can show it for you th follow dBTools-Synatx)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"DB <File1 (+Index1) File2 (+Index2)... [/Modus] [/Driver] [/Config]"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples: DB (without Parameter..)
or: DB /? (Syntax-Help)
or: DB DEMO1 (without [.dbf])
or: DB DEMO1+INDEX1 DEMO2+INDEX2.. (dBase+Index File)
or: DB NEW.DBF (New dBase-File)
or: DB DEMO1.TXT (Text-File)
or: DB DEMO1 DEMO2 READ.ME (several Files)
or: DB DEMO1.DBF C:\DEMO2.DBF D:\READ.ME (several Files)
-> Mode: /E = Exclusive Mode (lokale Disk)
/S = Shared Mode (Netzwerk)
-> Driver.: /D = <Driver> (Exemple: /d=dbfntx)
-> Config. /*.cnf (Exemple: File db.cnf)
19.) DB.BAT (Batch-File)
────────────────────────
If you would like to start dBTools from another Directory, you should it
do with the Batch-File DB-BAT. Because of this dBTools will find the
standard Configuration-File and dBTools Help-File.
20.) dBTools Object-Files
─────────────────────────
If you want or if you need to save Memory, you can link dBTools with
the dBTools Object-Files again, with your own Link-Script for the RDD's.
Not everyone nedd's the Paradox - or dBaseIV or Comix or Six-Driver.
So you van link dBTools also without some Drivers (see *.lnk to)
Instead of those Driver-Librarys you just need to link the equivalented
NO*.OBJ too.
Because of this DB.EXE will be smaller and faster and will need fewer
Memory!
Examples:
---------
You want to save Memory and you don't need the dBASEIV-Driver:
- Instead of DBFMDX.LIB, link NOMDX.OBJ!
You want that the Clipper-Driver DBFNTX will be work faster but for
this you decide to do without all other Dirvers:
- You don't link the Blinker-File "NTX250" enymore!
- Instead of DBFMDX.LIB, link NOMDX.OBJ!
- Instead of DBFNDX.LIB, link NONDX.OBJ!
- Instead of DBFCDX.LIB, link NOCDX.OBJ!
- Instead of DBFSIX.LIB, link NOSIX.OBJ!
- Instead of DBPX.LIB, link NOPX.OBJ !
- Instead of CMX.LIB, link NOCMX.OBJ!
- Additional exclude follow Blinker-Files:
mdx250.lnk, ndx250.lnk, cdx250.lnk, dbfsix.lnk, px250.lnk, cmx.lnk
21.) General Tips
─────────────────
1. The Replace-Function
───────────────────────
On good thing about dBTools is, that you can replace Fields with other
Fields. Al you need is to place the Character "@" before your Fieldname
Examples (Replace-Menu):
------------------------------------------------------------------
//-- Now will be replaced the Field Number by Number2 .--//
Input1: [ Replace Fields: "NUMBER "]
Input2: [ New Value : "@NUMBER2 "]
------------------------------------------------------------------
//-- Now will be replaced the Field Number from DEMO1.DBF
by the Field Number from DEMO2.DBF --//
Input1: [ Replace Fields: "NUMBER "]
Input2: [ New Value : "@DEMO2->NUMBER2 "]
------------------------------------------------------------------
//-- Now will be replaced the Field Number with the
Clipper/dBase Function "SUBSTR" --//
Input1: [ Replace Fields: "NUMBER "]
Input2: [ New Value : "@SUBSTR(NUMBER,10,20) "]
Replacing multiple Fields:
- You can replace multiple Fields with "+" or "," too.
Example:
Input1: [ Replace Fields: "NUMBER+NUMBER2+NUMBER3 "]
Input2: [ New Value : "22.11 "]
(2). The "Shift+F2" Function
────────────────────────────
If you want to input (use) combined Fields (to make a Index) or combined
Conditions (While, For etc..), just press Shift+F2 again and again
and choose the Fields fpr your Syntax-Input. dBTools will automaticly
formating you Syntax to the right Clipper/dBase Syntax.
Example:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
//-- You wnat to create a Index on NUMBER (N) and PROJECT (C).
Please press Shift+F2 and choose Number and press Shift+F2 again
and choose now the Field Project: --//
Result: [ Fields.. (Sh+F2): "str(NUMBER)+PROJECT "]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
//-- You want to make a Filter for NUMBER=2 and PROJECT="HALLO".
Please press Shift+F2 and choose Number and press Shift+F2 again
and choose now the Field Project: --//
Result: [ Fields.. (Sh+F2): "NUMBER= .and. trim(PROJECT)= "]
(3). The Calculator
───────────────────
With the Calculator you can combine Fields and Numbers:
Example: [Calculate: "Number*100/2 "]
or: [Calculate: "(Number+Number2)*100/2 "]
(3). View-Style /Screen-Files
─────────────────────────────
If you have set at Utilties ->Settings or by pressing Alt+V,
"View-Style" to ON, dBTools will creating automaticly to your opened
Data-File a Screen-File with the Extension ".scr"!
If "Autosave" is ON, all your Screen-Files will be saved, also when
you quit dBTools, so that you can use another Time again.
With "ViewStyle" you can desgin your Browse-Window by yourself:
- At the Menu Utilties ->Goodies <"Show Columns"> you can set
which Fields and what kind of Column-Width you want to see at your
Browse-Window.
- With Alt+(+) or Alt+(-) you cann add new Felds or remove them just
from the Screen or from the Screen-File.
- With Alt+Space you can set the current Column-Width.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For any Suggetions, Questions, new Ideas, or Bug-Reports you can
contact me under:
Ricky Holles
Gerechtigkeitsgasse 4
8002 Zürich /Schweiz
────────────────────
CompuServe No.: 100024.2572
Phone: (00411) 344'22'11
Fax : (00411) 341'22'05
──────────────────────────
Sincerely, Ricky Holles