Monster Media 1993 #2/Image.iso/clipper/sld103d.zip/SLD.DOC

Text File | 1993-05-16 | 104KB | 2,603 lines

        Screen Layout Designer - V1.03c
        -------------------------------


                  Chapter 1.
                  ==========

INTRODUCTION
------------

The Screen Layout Designer (SLD) has been designed to create data
entry screens for database applications, such as dBase or
Clipper. Initially it was developed for in house use to assist in
the design of database systems, but it has proved so useful that
it has been enhanced further into a development tool in its own
right.

The Screen Layout Designer will take the drudgery out of
designing data entry screens.  It displays the data fields and
field headings on your screen so that you can use the cursor keys
or a mouse to position them wherever you want.  Additionally you
may add framed boxes and titles to smarten up your data entry
screen.  Colors for the background, data entry fields, headings,
titles, menus and frames are selectable. SLD can read data field
types directly from the header of dBase or Clipper ".DBF" files.
These fields are then displayed on the screen for you to
manoeuvre into the desired position.  Alternatively SLD can read
the fields from a text file, either created by you manually, or
by dumping the database field definitions into the file by
running a database field listing program, an example of which is
given further in the text.  SLD can also retrieve previously
designed screens from a Screen Layout Definition File, with a
".SLF" extension.

SLD can generate two types of output file.  The first type is a
text file containing dBase type "@ SAY" and "@ GET" statements,
which may be directly pasted into your dBase or Clipper programs.
The second type is a Screen Layout Definition File, mentioned
above, which stores full information about fields, boxes, titles
and colors, etc.  You may use almost any programming language to
read these files and extract the information contained in them to
produce data entry screens for almost any database development
language.  Details of these files are given later.
SLD supports multiple data entry screens.  That is to say if
there are more fields in your database file than can be
accommodated on one screen then you may place them on several
screens.  SLD allows you to move freely between screens and even
to move fields from one screen to another.  You may also change
the text of field headings.

Screen Layout Designer version 1.03 has been developed by Neville
T. Palmer of PDM Associates.  This product is available for you
to copy and pass on to other people, but the copyright remains
the property of PDM Associates and Neville T. Palmer.  You may
use this software initially without charge, but if you intend to
continue using it you should register the product for your use.
This product is being developed further and there will be
features of later versions which are not yet available in this
one.  Upon registration we will send you the latest version of
this software.  You will also be entitled to generous discounts
on our other programs and future software. Please see appendix D
for information on planned future enhancements, and the section
on registration for information on how to register and to obtain
your free software updates.

                        Chapter 2.
                        ==========

INSTALLING SCREEN LAYOUT DESIGNER
---------------------------------

SLD may be installed in any directory of your choice.  You should
copy the files supplied on floppy disk into this directory. If
they are archived then you will need to unarchive them into the
directory.  Here is a full list of files you should have to use
SLD:

      SLD.EXE      (the main executable program)
      SLD.OVR      (the overlay file)
      DBFACC.EXE   (the .DBF access program)
      SCREDIT.EXE  (a simple text file editor)
      SETNAME.NAM  (a file containing the name of the setup file
                        initial default: SETUP.SET)
      SETUP.SET    (a file containing the initial default
                        settings)
      SCRHELP.EXE  (the help program)
      SCRHELP.HLP  (the help file)
      SLD.DOC      (the user manual ... this file)
      SLD.WP5      (the user manual in Wordperfect format)
      README       (a list of these files and initial info)
      TUTOR.DOC    (a tutorial ... also found in the manual)
      REGISTER.DOC (the software registration form for SLD)
       HISTORY.DOC  (history of modifications, etc.)

      and sample files as follows:

      INPUT.TXT    (a sample input text file)
      COMPANY.DBF  (a sample .DBF file)
      CONTACT.DBF  (ditto)
      OUTPUT.PRG   (a sample screen output file in Clipper 5)
      DBASE3.PRG   (a sample screen output file in dBase III)
      SCREEN.SLF   (a sample screen layout file)

      miscellaneous files:

       CLIPTEST.PRG (a test program generated by SLD each time a
                        Clipper program is generated)
      DBTEST.PRG   (a test program generated by SLD each time a
                        dBase program is generated)
      CLIPMAKE.BAT (a batch file which may be used to compile the
                        generated code and test program in
                        Clipper)



STARTING SCREEN LAYOUT DESIGNER
-------------------------------

Before running SLD it is best to ensure that no other programs
are running on your system.  To start SLD type 'SLD' at the DOS
prompt. A pull down menu will be displayed.  You will need to
enter systems settings before you can use SLD.  Dependant on the
way you will use SLD you will also have to create certain files
before you can use SLD to build data entry screens (please see
further information below). The most important settings which
you should set from the pull down menu are as follows:

  SETUP - select this option from the main menu to enter
  ====    system settings.

      This will take you to a second pulldown menu bar called the
      "System Setup Menu". The most important choices you should
      make from here are:

     INPUTTYPE:  -menu option.
     ---------
      You have three choices, "TEXT", "DIRECT" or "SLF". If you
      want to read the data fields direct from a ".DBF" database
      file then you should select "DIRECT".

      If you want to read the fields from a text file then you
      should select   "TEXT".  Input text files can be created by
      you either using a text  editor or by running a program
      from Clipper or dBase which dumps the fields to a text
      file. They are also created as an intermediate part of the
      process of reading fields from a .DBF file if you select
      "DIRECT".

      You may also read the screen layout which you have
      generated from a previous session.  In this case you should
      select "SLF".

      LANGUAGE - menu option
      ---------
      There are slight differences between the dialects of dBase
      generic languages. SLD is equipped to allow for these
      differences in the output screen source code that it
      generates. You may select Clipper V.5, Clipper Summer '87,
      dBaseIII or dBaseIV. SLD will choose the most suitable
      commands for the language that you choose. However if you
      select dBaseIII, certain features of SLD are not available,
      these are:
        1)  only three box frame types are available instead of
            five (No Frame, Single or Double lined),
        2)  the 43/50 row by 80 column display mode is not
            supported.
      OTHER - menu option
      -----

      SETFILE: This is the name of the file which will be used to
            store the system information.  You need not worry
            about this option to begin with , as a default file,
            "SETUP.SET" will already be entered here for you.

      EDITOR: You may edit or create the input text file or edit
            the generated screen code file, in which case you
            will require an editor. You may use an editor from
            within SLD, so you should enter the executable name
            of your editor here. The default is the simple built
            in editor "SCREDIT". If you want something more
            sophisticated then your editor should either exist in
            the SLD directory, or in a directory in the DOS path.
            Do not use a wordprocessor, as it is likely to use
            too much memory and may add unwanted control
            characters to your files.

      SPEED: This setting determines the speed at which messages
            are displayed on the screen. You may select "SLOW",
            "MEDIUM", "FAST" or "FLASH" here, which determines
            the speed at which messages are displayed.

      MOUSESPEED: This setting determines the speed of movement
            of the mouse cursor across the screen. You may select
            one of: "VERY SLOW", "SLOW", "MEDIUM", "FAST" and
            "VERY FAST". The optimum setting depends on the mouse
            you are using, the mouse driver software, the speed
            of your computer, as well as personal preference. If
            the mouse cursor moves too fast across the screen as
            you move the mouse, choose a slower setting, and vice
            versa if the cursor moves too slowly.

      MAXFIELDS: If you are reading input data fields direct from
            a database .DBF file, or from a text file, the fields
            will be placed on the screen automatically. You will
            need to limit the number of fields placed on any one
            screen to prevent cluttering. When you select this
            option you will be prompted for the number, between 1
            and 50. Save it by pressing the Enter key or Esc to
            quit.  Note that if the screenheight is less than the
            number you enter here this value will be temporarily
            overridden and reduced to the value of the height, in
            number of rows, of the current screen. Also if you
            have entered #SCREEN commands in the input text file,
            these will temporarily override the value.
      REGISTER: This option allows you to register this program
            or check your existing registration. If you intend to
            continue using this software you should register this
            program. If you do so the first screen you see when
            entering SLD will contain your registered name and
            there will be no time delay before the program runs;
            also the exit screen when you leave SLD will no
            longer appear. See the section on Registration for
            full information on how to use this option to
            register this program.

      AUTHOR: When you generate the screen code a header will be
                  written to the top of the file. This will
                  contain the output source code file name and
                  date. It will also contain the registration
                  name if you have registered SLD. You may wish
                  to add an Author name, and selecting this
                  option will allow you to do this.


      SPLITFILE: You may select "NoSplit" or "Split".

            If you select NoSplit:

            when you generate the output screen code file
            (usually with a "PRG" file extension) all the code
            will be saved to one file, regardless of how many
            screens you have containing data fields or menus. In
            the case of an FMT file only the screen code for the
            currently active screen number will be saved to the
            FMT file.

            Note: the NoSplit option is best suited to Clipper
            programs where multiple screens can be accomodated in
            one program file.

            If you select Split:

            when you generate the screen code, each screen will
            be saved to a different file with a "Pxx" extension,
            where "xx" is the screen number, eg. screen one may
            be saved to a file called "OUTPUT.P1". In the case of
            FMT files each screen would be saved to a file with
            an "Fxx" extension, where "xx" again is the screen
            number. eg. screen ten may be saved to "OUTPUT.F10".
            When these files have been generated you will
            probably need to rename them to a suitable .PRG or
            .FMT filename.

            Notes:

            i)  The Split option is better suited to dBase
            programs, especially since dBaseIII may find a single
            file too long to work with.

            ii)  The filenames that are used to save the code for
            each screen to will be the name of the Code file or
            FMT file you selected from "File" and "Output" on the
            Main Menu with the new "Pxx" or "Fxx" extension added
            in place of the "PRG" or "FMT" extension.

      FILESPERSCREEN: you may select OneOnly or Multiple
            When SLD reads data fields from an input file or
            files you may allow it to display the fields from
            only one data file on each screen or the fields from
            more than one file per screen.

            If you select OneOnly:

            If you have setup SLD to read data fields from more
            than one data file those fields will be placed on the
            screen according to the "MaxFields" option, which is
            described above, unless you have set OneOnly here, in
            which case fields from different data files are
            placed on different screens.

            If you select Multiple:

            In this case fields from different data files may be
            placed on the same screen, and the number of fields
            displayed on one screen will only be determined by
            the "MaxFields" setting.

            Note: this setting depends on the intended use of the
            generated code and also which language you are using.
            If you are generating a dBase III/IV screen format
            (FMT) file, normally only fields from one data file
            need be included in one format file.



      DISPLAY - menu option
      -------
      You may select "COLOR" for a color display and "MONO" for a
      monochrome monitor.  In "MONO" mode the display colors are
      clarified for monochrome display. Normally you should opt
      for "COLOR", even on a monochrome display, but if your
      display does not work well in color select MONO.
      From here you may also select "TYPE" so that you can select
      the display adapter type to which your monitor is attached.
      This should be one of "VGA", "EGA", "CGA" or "MDA". See
      below for a further discussion on this.
      MODE - menu option
      ----
      This option determines the size of your data entry screens
      either 80 columns by 25 rows, 80 columns by 43 rows, or 80
      columns by 50 rows  (dependant on your monitor type).  The
      default is "80x25". See below for further discussion.

      PRINTER - menu option.
      -------
      In order to print files and system setting information you
      will need to enter settings relating printer. The printer
      may have a serial or a parallel interface. If it is
      parallel it may be connected to port LPT1, 2 or 3 on your
      computer. If it is serial it may be connected to port COM1,
      2 or 3, and you may need to enter settings relating to the
      communications speed and the size of data bits which for
      characters which will be sent to your printer. The setup
      information may be entered as follows:

      PORT:  this is the port on your computer to which the
            printer will be attached and should be one of
            LPT1,LPT2,LPT3 for parallel, or COM1, COM2 or COM3
            for serial printer interfaces.

      COMMS: if you are using a printer with a serial interface
                  having selected one of COM1-3, you may need to
                  change  the port communication speed and data
                  bits to match the printer. The options from
                  this submenu are:

        Speed -   one of 9600, 4800, 2400 or 1200 bauds. This is
                  the rate of data transfer to your printer.
        Data  -   this is the number of data bits for each
                  character sent to the printer, either 7 or 8.
        Parity-   this may be Even, Odd or None, depending on the
                  type of data parity error checking your printer
                  requires.
        Stop -    this is the number of stop bits that are added
                  to the end of each character sent to the
                  printer, either one or two.

For information on which printer settings to select you should
consult your printer manual. If your printer has a parallel
interface you do not need to change any of the settings available
from the "COMMS" option, but if it has a serial interface you may
need to. You should ensure that you have the correct cable
attached to your printer, especially in the case of serial
communications where you will need to ensure that correct
handshaking takes place between the computer and printer. There
are no facilities for changing handshaking modes from SLD at the
moment, so ensure that you have a cable capable of dealing with
hardware or software handshaking.
      SAVE - menu option.
      ----
      Once you have entered the settings you should save them by
      selecting this option.

      Now return to the Main Menu by selecting "MAINMENU" or
      pressing "ESC".



            FROM THE MAIN MENU:
            -------------------

      FILE - menu option. Select this option from the Main Menu.
      ----

       INPUT: If you have selected "DIRECT" from the INPUTTYPE
            option of the System Setup Menu, then you will need
            to enter the name of the .DBF file that SLD will read
            data fields from, and the name of an intermediate
            text file into which the fields will be held for use
            by SLD. In this case enter the name of the text file
            by selecting "TEXT" and then the name of the .DBF
            file by selecting "DBASE".

            If you have selected "TEXT" from the INPUT option on
            the System Setup Menu then you only need to enter the
            name of the text file here, in the same way.
            Remember, if you elect to do this the text file must
            already exist, having been created manually or by
            dumping fields from a .DBF file into the text file.

            If you have selected "SLF" from the INPUTTYPE option
            you must enter the name of a previously generated
            Screen Layout File, with an ".SLF" extension, created
            by you during a previous SLD session.


      OUTPUT: You must select "CODE" to enter the name of the
            file which will contain your dBase generic language
            screen source code. You must select "SLF" to enter
            the name of a Screen Layout File which will be used
            to store the screen layout and settings from the
            current SLD session.
Using MonoChrome Monitors with SLD.
-----------------------------------
Ideally Screen Layout Designer is used to best effect on a color
monitor, however you may be using a monochrome monitor, or simply
wish to generate source code for mono monitors. To select
monochrome display mode you may either select Setup/Display/Mono
from the menu bar after starting SLD, or you may start SLD with
the "/M" switch, ie. type the following at the DOS prompt:
SLD /M.  This will override the default colors. If you then
change the colors when in SLD you should save them.  If you do
this you will not need to use the /M switch, which overrides all
color settings, when you next run the program.

The color palette is available for you to change colors in Mono
mode, but they are translated into the gray scale tones
automatically so that what you see is actually what you get when
code is generated.

Some mono monitors have been found to display well in Color
display mode, but others display better in Mono mode.




Selecting a Display Adapter Type:
--------------------------------
When you initially setup SLD you should select SETUP from the
Main Menu. This will take you to the Setup Menu. Enter the other
settings as normal. To change the display adapter type, select
MODE followed by TYPE. You may select MDA for Monochrome and
Hercules display adapters, CGA for the original Color Graphics
Adapter, EGA for the Enhanced Graphics Adapter, or VGA for Video
Graphics Array adapter (including SVGA, etc.). Selecting the
correct display adapter will ensure that you do not select an
incorrect display mode.


Selecting Text Mode.
--------------------
The display mode that you select will determine the appearance of
your data entry screen in the finished dBase/Clipper program. The
display modes are: 25 rows x 80 columns, 43 x 80, and 50 x 80.
There are a number of factors which determine valid display modes
as follows:

 1)   your display adapter and monitor type,
 2)   which output language you will use (dBaseIII or IV, or
      Clipper V5 or S87).
 3)   the version of DOS on the program development PC.
SLD attempts to be as flexible as possible in the above issues.
Here is a breakdown of valid display modes:

 1)   The CGA display adapter generally only allows 25 x 80
      display mode. MDA and Hercules monochrome, and EGA color
      adapters generally allow only 25 x 80, and 43 x 80 display
      modes. VGA adapters generally allow  25 x80, 43 x 80 and 50
      x 80 modes, however SLD only supports 43 x 80 mode on a VGA
      adapter with DOS version 4 and above.

 2)   dBaseIII and Clipper 87 only support 25 x 80 mode. dBaseIV
      supports 25 x 80 and 43 x 80 modes. Clipper V5 supports 25
      x 80, 43 x 80 and 50 x 80 modes.

To select a text mode select SETUP from the Main Menu to display
the Setup Menu. From this menu select MODE. You may then select
one of the three modes, dependant on the adapter type you have
entered in the TYPE option on this menu. If you change mode the
contents of the screen will be cleared and regenerated in the new
mode.


NOTES:
------
You should change the display mode before you have allowed SLD to
read data fields from a file and display them on the screen (by
selecting SHOW from the Main Menu). If you do not the screen you
were editing could be truncated, particularly if you switch from
50 x 80 to 25 x 80 mode, and some fields may not be displayed.
Should this happen, switch back to the previous mode and move the
fields to within the bounds of the new screen mode, or,
alternatively, move the fields to another screen.  eg. if you
wish to switch from 50 x 80 to 25 x 80, then move the relevant
field's position on the screen above the 25 row boundary, or move
it onto the next screen.

Select the best screen mode for the output language you are
using. For instance, don't select 50 x 80 mode when your target
language is dBaseIII. SLD is flexible; you might say that it
gives the user enough rope to hang themselves with!

                              Chapter 3.
                              ==========

USING SCREEN LAYOUT DESIGNER.
-----------------------------

Having setup the important initial settings in SETUP and FILE
from the pulldown menu you are ready to view and edit the data
fields on screen.

To do this select "SHOW" from the main pull down menu.  The pull
down menu will disappear and the fields will be displayed with
their headings.  A second menu will appear superimposed on the
fields; this is the Screen Edit Menu. If you are reading from a
.DBF or text file the data fields and default headings will be
displayed starting from top left.  To start editing the screen
select EDITSCREEN from the pulldown menu or just press "Esc".
You are in Screen Edit Mode. NOTE: to get back to the pull down
menu from within your editing session  press "Esc" again.  To
move the cursor you may use the cursor (arrow) keys or a mouse.

Note:  if to return to the main menu from the Screen Edit Menu,
      select "QUIT"  (or "Alt Q").


Manoeuvring the Fields and Headings.
-------------------------------------
You may use the cursor keys  or mouse to manoeuvre the fields and
headings around the screen.  To move a field or heading, move the
cursor onto it with the mouse or cursor keys and press the Enter
key or press the left mouse button.  If you are using a mouse,
keep the left button pressed and move the field to the new
position, then release the button.  If you are using the cursor
keys, move the field to the new position and press enter again to
place it.

Other Cursor Movement Keys.
---------------------------
In addition to the mouse and cursor keys (arrow keys) you may use
other keyboard keys to move the cursor around the screen as
follows:
      HOME - to move the cursor to the far left of the screen.
      END  - to move the cursor to the far right of the screen.
      PAGE_UP - to move the cursor to the top of the screen.
      PAGE_DOWN -to move the cursor to the bottom of the screen.


Changing Headings & the Screen On Which a Field/Heading Appears.
---------------------------------------------------------------
If you move the cursor onto a field or heading with the mouse or
cursor keys and, either press function key F2, or double click
the mouse, a window will appear containing the following
information on that field:

Field Name: the name of the data field as it appears in the .DBF
            file.
Type: the type of the field (C=character, N=numeric, D=date,
      M=memo, L=logical)
Width: the width of the data field
Decimal Places:   the number of decimal places for numeric
                  fields.

From here you can change the heading text which corresponds to
the data field on the screen, and the screen on which the field
and its heading are displayed.  In version 1.03 of SLD you will
only be able to change these two items.  To change the heading,
simply type in the new text. If you do not want any heading for
this field (eg. for ADDRESS2,3,4 fields) delete the heading,
leaving the text blank, and the heading will not appear on the
screen when you save the information.


If you want the field and its heading to be displayed on another
screen, enter the new screen number here, and when you save the
information the field and heading will disappear from the current
screen.  The field and heading will reappear when you select the
new screen from the menu bar. To save and exit the window, press
Ctrl and Enter.  To exit without saving the changes, press Esc.
Or you may delete a field and its heading completely by pressing
the F4 key.  If you do so the field and heading will disappear
from all screens.  You should consider very carefully whether you
need the field you are about to delete before actually deleting
it. If you delete it then your program will not be able to update
information in this field for each record in your data file, with
the code generated in this session.


Moving to Another Screen.
------------------------
If you press "Esc" whilst in Screen Edit Mode the pulldown Screen
Edit Menu will reappear.  To change to another screen select the
"SCREEN" option from here.  You are given three choices: "NEXT"
to move to the next screen, "PREV" to move to the previous
screen, and "NUMBER" which will prompt you to enter a screen
number to move to.  If the screen you select is out of range you
will be warned accordingly.

You may also select a screen by number from the main menu SCREEN
option.Adding a Blank Screen.
----------------------
You may add a blank screen to the current editing session from
the Main Menu bar or from the Screen Edit Menu by selecting
"SCREEN", followed by "ADD".  If are in Screen Edit Mode you
should press "Alt" and "S" (or press "Esc" to return to the
Screen Edit Menu and select "SCREEN") so that you can select
"ADD" to append a new screen to your session.


Adding Boxes and Titles to your Screens.
---------------------------------------
To improve the presentation of your data entry screens you can
add framed
boxes and additional titles to them.

To Add a Box:
-------------
You may add a box from the Screen Edit Menu by selecting "BOX".
From here
you may add a NEW box, EDIT or DELETE an existing one. If you are
in Screen Edit Mode you may press "Alt" and "B" which will take
you straight to the new box menu option on the Screen Edit Menu
(you may also do this by pressing "Esc" and then selecting "BOX"
from the menu). Before adding your box you may wish to change the
type of frame you want for the box, in which case select "FRAME"
first.  The frame type you select will override the default frame
setting.  Having selected the frame you should then select "NEW".
The pulldown menu will disappear and you will enter Screen Edit
Mode and then Box Edit Mode.  Move the cursor, using the cursor
keys or mouse, to the position where you want the top left corner
of the box to start, then press Enter, or click with the mouse.
Now when you move the cursor the box will expand or contract from
its origin.  When the box is at its correct size you may move it
around the screen by pressing F3.  F3 can be used to toggle
between moving the box or expanding/contracting it.  When you are
happy with the size and position of the box, click with the mouse
or press Enter to save it, or to abandon the box press Esc.

To edit or delete a box select "EDIT" or "DELETE" from the BOX
option on the menu.  Move the cursor to the box to edit or delete
and either click on it with the mouse or press Enter.  If you are
deleting the box you will be asked whether you wish to go ahead
with the deletion.  If you answer "Y" the box will disappear. If
are editing the box you will enter Box Edit mode and you should
progress as mentioned previously when adding a box.

Hotkey to Add a Box.
--------------------
If you are in Screen Edit Mode you may add a box without
resorting to the pulldown menu bar.  If you press F3 you will
enter Box Edit Mode, from where you can place a box on the
screen.  Note however that you cannot use F3 to edit or delete an
existing box.
To Add a Title:
--------------
You may add a box from the Screen Edit Menu by selecting "TITLE".
From here you may add a NEW title, EDIT or DELETE an existing
one. If you are in Screen Edit Mode you may press "Alt" and "T"
which will take you straight to the new title menu option on the
Screen Edit Menu (you may also do this by pressing "Esc" and then
selecting "TITLE" from the menu). The pulldown menu will
disappear and a window will appear prompting you to enter the
title text.  The title text can be up to 78 characters in length.
Leading spaces will may be used to left pad the title. To save
the title text press Enter (to exit without saving press Esc).
You will enter Screen Edit Mode and then Title Edit Mode.  Move
the cursor, using the cursor keys or mouse, to the position where
you want the left side of the title to start, then press Enter,
or click with the mouse.  Now when you move the cursor the title
will expand or contract from its origin. When the title is at its
correct size you may move it around the screen by pressing F3.
F3 can be used to toggle between moving the title or
expanding/contracting it.  When you are happy with the size and
position of the title, click with the mouse or press Enter to
save, or press Esc to abandon it.

To edit or delete a box select "EDIT" or "DELETE" from the TITLE
option on the menu.  Move the cursor to the title to edit or
delete and either click on it with the mouse or press Enter.  If
you are deleting the title you will be asked whether you wish to
go ahead with the deletion.  If you answer "Y" the title will
disappear.  If are editing the title a window will appear
enabling you to edit the title text as previously.  When you have
changed the text save it with Enter, or press Esc to abandon the
edit. You will then enter Title Edit mode and you should progress
as mentioned previously when adding a Title.

Hotkey to Add a Title.
----------------------
If you are in Screen Edit Mode you may add a title without
resorting to the pulldown menu bar.  If you press F4 you will
enter Title Edit Mode, from where you can place a title on the
screen.  Note however that you cannot use F4 to edit or delete an
existing title.

Adding Menu Systems and Options your Screens.
---------------------------------------------
To improve the functionality of your data entry screens you can
add menu sytems to them.  To each menu system you may can add a
number of menu options.

To Add a Menu System:
---------------------
From the Screen Edit Menu select "MENU" and then "ADD" .  From
here you can add a new menu system. The menu system will be added
to the current screen on view. You should plan your menus and
remember not to clutter your screens with too many menus.


dBase II and IV Menus:
----------------------
If the language you are using is dBase III or IV then you may use
one of 3 slightly different menu types. When adding a new menu
you will first of all be prompted:
"Use Conventional dBase Menu style (Y/N)?".
If you answer "NO" to this the menu generated will be a bounce
bar type, and if you answer "YES" the menu will be of the
conventional dBase type. If you do answer "YES" you will be
prompted:
"Use an @GET to Select menu options (Y/N)?".
If you select "NO" to this the user's menu choice will be input
by an INKEY() statement, but if you answer "YES" the user's
choice will be input by an @GET and you will be prompted for the
row and column where you wish the @GET prompt to be initially
placed on the screen. If you answer "YES" you should save the row
and column that you have entered by pressing the "Ctrl" and
"Enter" keys. If you press the "Esc" key you will be returned the
the previous "(Y?N)?" prompt. Remember that if you are adding
more than one menu to the screen the @GET prompt should be placed
in a different position for each menu. In any case you may move
the prompt later by entering Menu Edit Mode.

Note: if you add a conventional dBase menu system without an @GET
to select options on this menu then you may only add a maximum of
nine selectable options to this menu. This type of menu is
available for efficient small menus for dBase applications.Adding Options to Menus:
------------------------
Once you have created your menu system it will be of no use until
you have added menu options to it. To add an option select
"MENU", then "OPTION", followed by "NEW" from the Screen Edit
Menu.  NOTE: If you are in Screen Edit Mode you may get straight
to here by pressing "Alt" and "M".

You will be prompted to enter the heading text for the menu
option you are adding and the number of the menu system on which
it will appear. The heading may be up to 40 characters, for
example you may have a heading of "EDIT" on your menu. If you are
unsure of which menus are active on the screen in view, press the
F3 key and you will be presented with a list box of available
menu numbers active on this screen. You should use the up or down
arrow keys to highlight a menu number and select it using the
Enter key. To save the heading and menu number information press
"Ctrl" and "Enter", or "Esc" to abandon the whole operation.

If you save the menu heading information you will enter Screen
Edit Mode and then Menu Edit Mode.  Move the cursor, using the
cursor keys or mouse, to the position where you want the left
side of the menu option to start, then press Enter, or click with
the mouse. When you move the cursor keys or mouse the menu option
will expand or contract it from its origin.  When the menu option
is at its correct size you may move it around the screen by
pressing F3.  F3 can be used to toggle between moving the option
or expanding/contracting it.  When you are happy with the size
and position of the menu option, click with the mouse or press
Enter to save it.


To edit or delete a menu option select "EDIT" or "DELETE" from
MENU/OPTION  on the menu.  Move the cursor to the menu option to
edit or delete and either click on it with the mouse or press
Enter.  If you are deleting the option you will be asked whether
you wish to go ahead with the deletion.  If you answer "Y" the
menu option will disappear.  If are editing the option a window
will appear enabling you to edit the menu option text as
previously.  You may also attach the menu option to another menu
system.
When you have changed the text save it with Enter, or press Esc
to abandon the edit. You will then enter Menu Edit mode and you
should progress as mentionedpreviously when adding a menu option.

Hotkey to Add a Menu Option.
---------------------------
If you are in Screen Edit Mode you may add a menu option without
resorting to the pulldown menu bar.  If you press F5 you will
enter Menu Edit Mode, from where you can place a menu option on
the screen.  Note however that you cannot use F5 to edit or
delete an existing menu option.
Adding a Standard Menu System.
-----------------------------
To save you the time taken in creating a standard menu system,
you may select a Standard menu from the Screen Edit Menu. This
standard menu has seven options already created for you, these
are: "ADD", "EDIT", "DELETE", "NEXT", "PREV", "FIND" and "QUIT".
These menu options are drawn on the second to last row of the
current screen when you select "MENU", followed by "STANDARD",
from the Screen Edit Menu. You may only add one standard menu to
each screen. These menu options may be edited in the same way as
previosuly described.

Letter Selection of dBase Menus.
--------------------------------
To improve your dBaseIII/IV menus you may wish to select a menu
option by pressing a letter, rather than using the cursor/tab key
to highlight it and then pressing the enter key. For example: if
you have amenu option called "EDIT" you may wish to select it by
simply pressing the letter "E".  To enable letter selection then,
when you edit the menu option heading, insert a ^ (hat) symbol
before the selection letter (normally the first letter). The
^ symbol will not appear on the finished menu system, but the
letter selection code will be generated. (So then in our example
we would enter the option title as "^EDIT" ). Note that when you
select the standard menu system the ^ symbol is added before
the first character of each option automatically.


Notes:

1)    in the case of Clipper menus it is not necessary to include
      the ^ symbol in option headings because Clipper
      automatically allows first letter selection in menus.

2)    If you select Clipper for the Language setting, then
      generate a Standard Menu, and you then change the language
      to dBase, remember that the Standard Menu will have no ^
      symbols for first letter selection.


The Expand/Contract or Move HotKey - F3
----------------------------------------
It is worth emphasising that when editing Boxes, Titles or Menu
options and moving them around the screen the F3 key toggles
between movement of the object and expanding/contracting the size
of the object.
CHANGING DEFAULT COLORS FOR GENERATED SCREENS.
----------------------------------------------

If you select "SCREENCOLORS" from Main Menu, at any time, you
will be able to change the colors, etc, of the data entry screen
you will generate (NOTE: this should not be confused with the
system colors for SLD system menus and windows available from the
Setup Menu).

The settings you can change from SCREENCOLORS are as follows:

 BACKFILL:  this option allows you to change the character that
            will be used to fill the background of your data
            entry screen. It may be a space character, or ASCII
            code.

 BACKGROUND: this allows you to change the background color of
            the data entry screen.  The actual color and
            appearance of the background will depend on the
            combination of this setting and the BACKFILL
            character you selected.

 FIELD:     this determines the color of text and background of
            unselected data entry fields.  To assist you in
            choosing the color of the field text, an asterisk is
            displayed in the blank field.

 SELECTED:  this determines the text and background color in
            which the currently selected data entry field will
            appear.
 HEADING:   this allows you to select the text and background
            color for headings which correspond to a data entry
            field.

 TITLE:     this option allows you to select the text and
            background color for additional titles on your data
            entry screen.

 MENU:      this option allows you to select the text and
            background color for selected user created menu
            options. These menus should not be confused with the
            main SLD pulldown menu bar.

 UNSELMENU: this allows you to select the text and background
            color for unselected user created menu options.

 BOX:       this determines the frame background and foreground
            color of boxes you add to your data entry screen.

 FRAME:     you can select the default frame characters which
            boxes will use by default.  This setting can be
            overridden temporarily when you add a new box.  The
            frame you may select can be one of: No Frame, Single
            Lined Frame, Double Lined Frame, Double Lined Top and
            Single Lined Side, or Single Lined Top and Double
            Lined side.

 SETFRAMES: if you change the default frame type this change will
            not be reflected in the previously defined boxes
            already displayed on the screen, unless you change
            each box individually. However by selecting this
            option all boxes will be updated with the new default
            frame type at the same time.

  Note:     if you are using the monochrome display mode the
            color palette colors will be translated to gray scale
            tones. Some colors in the palette will be displayed
            with an underline. These colors will be displayed
            with underlining in the system colors, and on
            completed data entry screens if you have selected
            Clipper for the language type. However the
            underlining will not be displayed if you select dBase
            for the language type, so bear this in mind when
            selecting colors.
CHANGING DEFAULT SLD SYSTEM COLORS.
-----------------------------------
If you select "SETUP" from Main Menu, the System Setup Menu will
appear. You may change the default system settings for Screen
Layout Designer from here. By selecting "COLORS" you may change
the colors for the pulldown menus, information windows/dialog
boxes, data entry, and listboxes, etc.

The settings you can change from COLORS are as follows:

 MENUBAR - this option allows the setting of pulldown menu colors
 -------
 UNSELECTED: this option allows you to change the color of
            currently unselected options on the pulldown menus.

 HIGHLIGHT: unselected menu options have a highlighted character.
            If you select "Alt" and this character, or just this
            character on its own you will select this option on
            the menu. You may change the highlight color here.

 SELECTED:  this option allows you to change the color of the
            currently selected menu option.

 DISABLED:  some menu options will not be valid for the state of
            the current menu. These options will disabled and
            should appear in a dimmer color than normal selected
            or unselected options. Change this color here.

 FRAME:     this option allows you to change the frame and
            heading text color of pulldown menus.

 HELP:      this option allows the setting of the single help
            line positioned at the bottom of the screen.

 WINDOWS - this option allows the setting of windows/dialog box -
-------   colors.

   TEXT:    this option allows you to change the color of the
            text of information and dialog boxes,as well as the
            background on which it is displayed.

   FRAME:   this allows you to change the frame color for info.
            windows and dialog boxes.

   SBUTTON: some dialog boxes will present you with options
            presented as buttons responding to operator response
            (eg. 'Y' or 'N'). You to change the color of the
            currently selected push button.

   UBUTTON: this allows you to change the color of currently
            unselected push buttons.

  ENTRY - this option allows the setting of data entry box colors
  -----
   WINDOW:  this option allows you to change the frame, heading
            and background colors for data entry windows
            requiring user input (eg. the name of a file for SLD
            to process).

   PROMPT:  this option allows you to change the text and
            background color for the text prompting the user for
            data entry. (eg. Filename: ).

   SELECTED: this allows you to change the color of the currently
            selected item in in a data entry window.

   UNSELECTED: if there is more than one item in a data entry
            window the currently unselected items will be
            presented in a different color to the selected item.
            You may change this color here.

  LISTBOX - this option allows the setting of listbox colors.
  --------  Listboxes will present the user with multiple lines
            of information and may also allow the user to select
            a line for input into a data entry screen.

  FRAME:    this allows you to change the color of the frame
            surrounding a list box.

  HIGHLIGHT: this allows you to change the color of the
            currently highlighted line in a list box.

  NORMAL:   this allows you to change the color of all other
            non-highlighted items in a list box.


  HELP  - this option allows you to change the help window
  ------  and index colors.

   FRAME:   this allows you to change the color of the frame and
            heading colors of the help window and help index.

   NORMAL:  this allows you to change the background and text
            color for of the help window and index.

   HIGHLIGHT: this allows you to change the color of higlighted
            words within the help window (ie. for important
            titles and points).

   INDEX:   the index window highlights the currently selected
            index topic. This allows you to change the the color
            of the highlighted item.

GENERATING SCREEN OUTPUT SOURCE CODE.
-------------------------------------

Once you have laid out your data entry screen(s), complete with
any necessary boxes and titles, you are ready to generate source
code so that the screen can be incorporated into the database
program under development.

The built in code generator will generate code in dBase or
Clipper generic code.  To generate the code you should ensure
that you have entered a file name in the FILE/OUTPUT/CODE option
from the pulldown menu bar, then you should select "GEN" from the
menu bar, followed by "CODE".  The source code for the screen(s)
will be placed in the selected file. You should then paste the
code into your program and compile it with your dBase generic
compiler.  The code will be in the form of a procedure.  If your
program will incorporate multiple data entry screens then one
procedure will be generated for each screen.  Please see Appendix
B for information on the code generated by SLD.

The default filename extension for generated Screen Code Files is
".PRG".


GENERATING A SCREEN LAYOUT FILE.
--------------------------------

In addition to source code, you can store the contents and
settings of a data entry screen you have laid out in a type of
file unique to SLD.  This file contains a header record and a
record for each screen you have assigned in the current session.
The Screen Layout Files have a ".SLF" extension name.  Once you
have laid out your screen(s) you can generatean SLF, first
ensuring that you have entered a file name with the correct
extension in the FILE/OUTPUT/SLF option from the pulldown menu
bar.  To generate the SLF select "GEN", followed by "SLF" from
the menu bar. The full information and settings relating to the
current screen(s) will be stored in the selected Screen Layout
File.

At any time in the future you can read from this SLF by selecting
SETUP/INPUT/SLF from the menu bar and entering its file name when
you select FILE/INPUT/SLF.  Then when you select VIEW the
previously stored screen will be redisplayed.
This type of file is probably the most powerful feature of SLD
because any third party program can be written to read its
contents to generate screen code in almost any language.  This
feature is one being developed further.

For information on the fields in the records of a Screen Layout
File please see Appendix A.


UPDATING THE INPUT TEXT FILE.
-----------------------------

If you are reading the data fields direct from a .DBF file then
an intermediate input text file will be created.  You may also
create your own text file containing the data fields, either
manually with an editor (see Chapter 4), or by dumping the fields
from a .DBF file into a text file (a program example, written in
Clipper is given in Chapter 4).  Screen Layout Designer will read
the data fields from this text file.  You may update the contents
of this file, in a limited way, by selecting "UPDATE", followed
by "TEXT", from the menu bar.  The data fields listed in the text
file will be saved in the order in which they appear on the
screen you have laid out, and according to them screen number on
which they appear.  The update operation may make use of the
#SCREEN command, unique to SLD.

NOTE: beware that if you have updated the text file and you are
reading direct from a database .DBF file, the text file will be
overwritten when you re-run SLD or select NEW from the menu bar,
unless you select a new text file name for input.



EDITING A FILE.
----------------

You may edit an input text file (default extension .TXT), an
output Screen Code File (default extension .PRG), or a dBase FMT
file (default extension .FMT), but you should not attempt to edit
any other type of file used by SLD.  Before you can edit a file
you must ensure that a valid editor has been selected.  The
executable file name of your editor should be entered by
selecting SETUP, then EDITOR from the menu bar. The default
editor is SCREDIT.EXE, however you may want to use a more
sophisticated editor.  Do not use a wordprocessor from within
SLD, as it is likely to use too much memory and may add unwanted
control characters to the file being edited.  If you have to use
a wordprocessor use it outside of the SLD program and save your
files as ASCII text, without control characters.

To edit the input text file select "EDIT", followed by "INPUT"
from the pulldown menu bar, then enter the name of the input text
file you wish to edit.  The default file extension for input text
files is ".TXT".
To edit the output Screen Code File select "EDIT", followed by
"OUTPUT" from the menu bar, then enter the output Screen Code
File name that you wish to edit.  The default file extension for
Screen Code files is ".PRG".

To edit a dBase FMT file select "EDIT", followed by "FMT". The
default extension for these files is ".FMT".


PRINTING A FILE.
----------------

You may print an input text file (default extension .TXT), an
output Screen Code File (default extension .PRG), or a dBase FMT
file (default extension .FMT), but you should not attempt to
print any other type of file used by SLD. You may additionally
print information about the current system settings. The
information is sent to the printer in normal ASCII text form.
Before printing you must ensure that you have selected the
correct printer port for your printer. This should be LPT1, LPT2,
LPT3, COM1, COM2 or COM3, depending on whether your printer
interface is parallel or serial, and on how many ports your
system has free and available. To setup the printer, run the
Setup Menu, by selecting "SETUP" from the Main Menu, and then
select "PRINTER". You should enter the printer port and other
information here (see Setup).

To print the input text file select "PRINT", followed by "INPUT"
from the Main Menu bar. The file to be printed will be the input
text file name that you have entered by selecting "File", "Input"
and "Text" from the Main Menu.


To print the output Screen Code File select "PRINT", followed by
"OUTPUT" from the Main Menu. The file to be printed will be the
output program file name that you have entered by selecting
"File", "Output" and "Code" from the Main Menu.

To edit a dBase FMT file select "PRINT", followed by "FMT". The
file to be printed will be the input text file name that you have
entered by selecting "File", "Output" and "FMT" from the Main
Menu.

To print information about the current system setup select
"PRINT" followed by "SETTINGS".

SELECTING A NEW INPUT FILE.
---------------------------

You do not need to exit Screen Layout Designer to clear the
screen and read data fields from a new file.  If you select "NEW"
from the menu bar you will be able to clear the current fields
from the screen and either re-read the current input file, or
read a new input file.  If you have not saved the current screen
and settings you will be prompted to save them before reading of
the new input file commences.


USING ONLINE HELP.
------------------

A HELP option is available from the pulldown menu.  This is
effectively an online manual with an index of topics.  If you are
stuck at any point then pressing "Esc" will get you out of
trouble and take you back to the menu bar, where you can select
online help which will be of assistance to you in the task you
are trying to perform.


LEAVING THE PROGRAM.
--------------------

To Exit SLD from Screen Edit Mode, press "Esc" until the menu bar
appears.  From the main pulldown menu bar press "Esc" again to
quit the program.  If you have not saved your screen and settings
you will be prompted to do so.


                        Chapter 4.
                        ==========

CREATING AN INPUT TEXT FILE.
----------------------------

If you opt to read data fields onto your screen by
directlyreading from a database .DBF file then Screen Layout
Designer will automatically create an intermediate text file for
you.  You can use the file thus created in future screen editing
sessions without having to re-read the database file.

If you do not want to read fields directly from the database file
then you can create the text file in two ways:

1)    by running a program which lists the fields from your
      database file and dumps them into the text file.
2)    by using an editor to create the file manually yourself.


Method 1:
---------
Here is a sample program, written in Clipper, which can be used
to read the structure of a database file, in this case MEDIA.DBF,
and copy the field information into a text file, in this case
INPUT.TXT:

use MEDIA
COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED TO newlist
USE newlist
LIST field_name,field_type,field_len,field_dec TO FILE input.txt


The above program is all you need to create the input text file.
You might call this program "STRUC.PRG" and then compile it using
the Clipper compiler.  When you run the executable, STRUC.EXE,
you will create the text file.  (Note that newlist is an
intermediate file).

Method 2:
---------
You can get an initial idea of how to create a text file manually
by looking at the sample file INPUT.TXT supplied on the
distribution disks.  The text file must contain, for each field,
the field name, field type, field length and decimal places (for
numeric types).  The field types can be one of: C (character), D
(date), N (numeric) or M (memo).  Here is an example:

      SHORTCODE C 10  0
      ACCNO     C 10  0
      COMPANY   C 30  0
      ADDRESS1  C 30  0
      ADDRESS2  C 30  0
      ADDRESS3  C 30  0
      ADDRESS4  C 30  0
      POSTCODE  C 15  0


Each line corresponding to each field can optionally be prefixed
by a number for compatibility reasons, although SLD ignores the
number. For example:

      1     SHORTCODE C 10  0
      2     ACCNO     C 10  0
      3     COMPANY   C 30  0
      4     ADDRESS1  C 30  0
      5     ADDRESS2  C 30  0
      6     ADDRESS3  C 30  0
      7     ADDRESS4  C 30  0
      8     POSTCODE  C 15  0


In addition the file can contain a "#SCREEN" command, unique to
SLD, which splits a number of fields into screens.  This command
is the only "hash" command currently supported by SLD. The syntax
is:     #SCREEN  <number>
where "number" is the screen number.  All data fields after the
#SCREEN command will be placed onto the screen with the specified
number, until another #SCREEN command is encountered.   Note:
When you do not include a #SCREEN command in the input text file
SLD automatically splits the screens for you, but if you include
#SCREEN commands SLD allows these to split the screens, so be
careful that you do not try to push too many fields onto one
screen. Example:

      #SCREEN 1

      SHORTCODE C 10  0
      ACCNO     C 10  0
      COMPANY   C 30  0

      #SCREEN 2

      ADDRESS1  C 30  0
      ADDRESS2  C 30  0
      ADDRESS3  C 30  0
      ADDRESS4  C 30  0
      POSTCODE  C 15  0

In the above example, SHORTCODE, ACCNO and COMPANY will appear on
screen number 1 and ADDRESS1,2,3,4 and POSTCODE will appear on
screen 2.


Multiple Database Files.
------------------------
You may enter fields from more than one databse file on you data
entry screens. This features allows SLD to produce relational
applications. The layout is as follows:

COMPANY->SHORTCODE C 10  0
COMPANY->ACCNO     C 10  0
COMPANY->COMPANY   C 30  0
COMPANY->ADDRESS1  C 30  0
COMNPNY->ADDRESS2  C 30  0
COMPANY->ADDRESS3  C 30  0
COMPANY->ADDRESS4  C 30  0
COMPANY->POSTCODE  C 15  0
CONTACTS->SHORTNAME C 10 0
CONTACTS->FIRSTNAME C 30 0
CONTACTS->SURNAME   C 30 0

Two data files are used in the example above, COMPANY and
CONTACTS, so that fields from both files will appear on the same
screen.


As previously mentioned SLD will automatically generate an
intermediate text file for you if you opt to read the database
fields directly from  database .DBF files. However you may wish
to edit the input text file to suit your needs.                        APPENDIX A.
                        ===========
THE FORMAT OF SCREEN LAYOUT FILES.
----------------------------------
The format of SLF files have changed. The older format is however
still supported by the later releases of SLD.

Screen Layout Files (SLF) contain full information about screens
that you have built, plus other settings, including colors.  Each
SLF has a 222 byte header record, followed by a 109 byte record
for each field, box or title on all active screens.  The file
looks like this:

          byte
          pos'n
          -----
             1  _______________
               |    Header     |
           223 |---------------|
               |  Field Info.  |
           332 |---------------|
               |  Field Info.  |
           441 |---------------|
               |  Field Info.  |
           550 |---------------|
                    etc...

The Header Record will be as follows:

Byte   Data
Pos'n  Type     Purpose of Data
-----  ------   -----------------------
 1     byte     Color used for background of data entry screen
 2     byte     Color used for unselected data entry fields
 3     byte     Color used for selected data entry fields
 4     byte     Color used for data entry field headings
 5     byte     Color used for additional titles
 6     byte     Color used for boxes
 7     byte     Color used for selected menu options
 8     byte     Color used for unselected menu options
 9     char     ASCII character used for background
10     Boolean  Text mode (true=80x25, false=80x50)
11     byte     Language type (1=Cl5, 2=Cl87, 3=DB3, 4=DB4)
12     Boolean  Use a space after field headings.
13-102 array of 10 strings of length 8 bytes, containing
       .DBF filenames
103    Boolean  Monochrome colors (true=mono, false=color)
104    byte     Default frame type (see table)
105    byte     Number of active data fields on the screen(s)
106    byte     Number of boxes on the data entry screen(s)
107    byte     Number of titles on the data entry screen(s)
108    byte     Maximum number of screens active in this session
109    byte     Number of menus on the data entry screen(s)
110-149 array of bytes (1 to max. menu number) one byte for each
      active menu containing the screen on which it appears.
150    byte     Display type (1=MDA, 2=CGA, 3=EGA, 4=VGA)
151    byte     Display rows (25, 43 or 50)
152    byte     Dos version no.
153-168 array of bytes - Each bit of 16 bytes representing a
      screen, if the bit is set it has a standard menu on it.
169-208 array of bytes (1 to max menu no.) one byte for each
      active menu containing menu type.
209-216 byte    reserved
217-220 byte    Representing ASCII characters giving 'END$'
221    byte     byte value for SLD file type (3 = 1.03b)
222    byte     reserved

The frame types are numbered.  This number represents frame types
as follows:

 0 = No Frame
 1 = Single Frame  (ASCII codes 218,192,191,217,196,179)
 2 = Double Frame  (ASCII codes 201,200,187,188,205,186)
 3 = Single Top Double Sided (ASCII 214,211,183,189,196,186)
 4 = Double Top Single Sided (ASCII 213,212,184,190,205,179)


Following the header, information relating to each active data
field for the session being recorded is stored in the form of one
record field, including its heading, as follows:

Byte
Pos'n
From  Data
Start Type        Purpose of Data
----- ------      ---------------------------
  1   double byte Field reference number
  3   byte        DBF file number (this number corresponds to an
                  index in the array of DBF files in the header)
  4   string[10]  Field name in the database file
 15   string[78]  Heading as it appears on screen for this field
 94   character   The data type of this field (C,N,D, or M)
 95   byte        The length of the field
 96   byte        The number of decimal places (numeric fields)
 97   byte        Left column of start of data entry field on
                  screen
 98   byte        Top row of start of data entry field
 99   byte        Right column of data entry field
100   byte        Bottom row of data entry field (same as top)
101   byte        Left column of start of field heading on screen
102   byte        Top row of field heading
103   byte        Right column of field heading
104   byte        Bottom row of field heading (same as top)
105   byte        The screen number on which this field appears
106   byte        (reserved for boxes,titles and menus... see
                  below)
107   byte        Color attribute of unselected data entry fields
108   byte        Color attribute of field headings
109   byte        Color attribute of selected data entry fields

Note: the color attributes for individual fields are not
currently supported.

After the fields have been stored, information on titles and menu
options will be stored in the same manner, with one record per
title or per menu option. The record format is identical to that
used for the data entry fields, however the record fields are
re-used. The only differences between titles and menu options
are: (a) the title type is 'T', whereas this will be 'Y' or 'Z'
for menus,  (b) a byte is used to store the menu system number in
the case of menu options, and this will be 0 for titles. The
information will be stored as follows:

      Data
Byte  Type        Purpose of Data
----  ------      -----------------------------------
  1   double byte Reference number
  3   byte        unused
  4   string[10]  unused
 15   string[78]  This contains the text for this title
 94   character   The data type of this field = 'T' for a title,
                  but 'Y' or 'Z' for menu options.
 95   byte        unused
 96   byte        unused
 97   byte        Left column of start of title/menu option on
                  screen
 98   byte        Row of title
 99   byte        Right column of title/menu option
100   byte        unused
101   byte        unused
102   byte        unused
103   byte        unused
104   byte        unused
105   byte        The screen number on which this title/menu
                  option appears.
106   byte        must always be set to 0 for titles, but in the
                  case of menu options this must be the menu
                  system number on which this menu option
                  appears.
107   byte        Color attribute for this title or menu option.
108   byte        unused
109   byte        unused

Note: the color attributes for individual titles or menu options
      are not currently supported.

After the title and menu records, information relating to Boxes
on the screen(s) will be stored in a similarly.  The record
fields are re-used as follows:

      Data
Byte  Type        Purpose of Data
----  ------      -----------------------------------
  1   double byte Reference number
  3   byte        unused
  4   string[10]  unused
 15   string[78]  unused
 94   character   The data type of this field = 'X' for boxes
 95   byte        unused
 96   byte        unused
 97   byte        Left column of start of box on screen
 98   byte        Top row of box
 99   byte        Right column of box
100   byte        Bottom row of box
101   byte        unused
102   byte        unused
103   byte        unused
104   byte        unused
105   byte        The screen number on which this box appears
106   byte        The frame type number for this box (see above)
107   byte        Color attribute for this box
108   byte        unused
109   byte        unused

Note: the color attribute for individual boxes is not currently
supported.


                        Appendix B.
                        ===========

THE GENERATED SCREEN CODE.
--------------------------

The Screen Layout Designer is capable of producing dBase generic
source code directly.  The source code representing the screens
that you have laid out will be stored in a text file which may
bepasted directly into your dBase generic program source code.
You can then compile this code, using your dBase generic
compiler, into an executable ".EXE" file.

The default extension for files containing generated screen code
is ".PRG".

When you select dBase language generation a "MAIN.PRG" file will
be generated for you to enable you to test the code in the
generated .PRG file. This file may form the basis for your
application, though you should obviously rename it if you make
changes to it.

FMT FILES
---------
SLD version 1.03 is also capable of producing dBaseIII "FMT"
files.  These FMT files contain only @SAY and @GET statements
corresponding to data entry fields and headings. Any menus, boxes
or titles you have laid out on the screen will not be included.
The default extension for these files is ".FMT".


The source code will be generated as follows:

Start and End of a Screen.
--------------------------
The contents of each screen will be placed in a procedure,
beginning with:

 PROC SCREEN#     ,where # is the screen number, and ending with:
 RETURN


Colors for Screens.
------------------
Colors for each screen as a whole, boxes or titles will be set by
the following command:

 SET COLOR TO <expC1>,<expC2>,<expC3>,<expC4>,<expC5>

where expC1 = standard color, expC2 = enhanced color, expC3 =
border color, expC4 is left blank, expC5 = unselected color.
For example:

 SET COLOR TO "GR+/R,BG+/R,W+/G,,N/W"

 In the case of Clipper V5 this will take the form of:

 SETCOLOR("GR+/R,BG+/R,W+/G,,N/W")


Drawing Boxes.
---------------
Boxes are drawn with the following command syntax for Clipper:

  @ <toprow>,<leftcol>,<botrow>,<rightcol> BOX <frame> COLOR
<color>

For example:

  @ 13,32,17,62 BOX "┌─┐│┘─" COLOR "W+/G"


In the case of dBaseIII the box drawing is different:
Firstly the colors are set, then the box may have a double or
single lined frame:

  @ <toprow>,<leftcol> TO <botrow>,<rightcol> [DOUBLE]

Note: "DOUBLE" is omitted in the case of single lined frames.

Example:

      SET COLOR TO "W+/G"
      @ 8,36 TO 13,54 DOUBLE
      SET COLOR TO "GR+/RB,N/BG,,,N/W"


For dBaseIV the code will be similar to this example:

      SET COLOR TO "W+/G"
      @ 8,36 TO 13,55 "┌─┐│┘─└│"
      SET COLOR TO "GR+/RB,N/BG,,,N/W"

Titles.
-------
The command syntax for titles will be a simple @SAY statement,
preceded by coloring information:

     @ <row>,<col> SAY  "<text>"

For example:

   @  1,12  SAY "   Sales Database  "



Data Entry Fields.
------------------
The colors for unselected and selected data entry fields will be
taken from the SET COLOR command immediately preceding the @GET
commands.  The data entry field code will be as follows:

   @ <row>,<col>  GET  <field_name>

For example:

   @ 3,17 GET company


Data Field Headings.
--------------------
The headings corresponding to data entry fields will be generated
using @SAY statements as follows:

   @ <row>,<col>  SAY  <heading>

For example:

   @ 3,5  SAY  "Company Name"


Reading Data Fields.
--------------------
The @GET statements in a procedure are terminated with a
READ command.



Menu Systems
------------
The way in which menus are implemented in Clipper differs from
dBase. In Clipper @PROMPT commands are used to build the menu and
the selected menu option stored using a MENU TO MKey command. In
the case of dBase menus the process of menu building is more
complicated, and an example is more suitable to illustrate this.
Each menu system is formed by a separate procedure in which the
menu is defined and laid out on the screen. This procedure is
called:
PROCEDURE MENU#   ,where # is the menu number.
Another procedure contains CASE statements where appropriate
action is taken in accordance with the selected menu option.
This is called:
PROCEDURE MENUCASE#   ,where # is the menu number.

Clipper menu syntax:
-------------------
The menu is defined within the MENU# procedure:

To define a menu option:

  @ <row>,<col> PROMPT <heading>  MESSAGE <message>

Foe example:

  @ 14,20 PROMPT "QUIT" MESSAGE " "

Note that the message is blank, but you may add your own help
text.

Storing the menu to a variable:

  MENU TO <key>

For example:

MENU TO MKey

dBaseIII/IV Menus
-----------------
This is rather more complicated. Please study the sample program
DBASE3.PRG.

The last statement before RETURN in the MENU# procedure should
be a call to the procedure containing CASE statements:
  DO MENUCASE#
Clipper example:

  PROCEDURE MENU1
    LOCAL MKey
    @ 1,1 PROMPT "SAVE" MESSAGE " "
    @ 3,1 PROMPT "QUIT" MESSAGE " "
    MENU TO MKey
    DO MENUCASE1 WITH MKey
  RETURN


To Define the Menu Case Statements:
----------------------------------
As mentioned previously the final stage of the menu process is a
separate procedure in which CASE statements perform appropriate
action according to the selected key from the menu.  The syntax
for this procedure is as follows:

PROCEDURE MENUCASE#
   PARAMETER <key>
   DO CASE
       CASE <key> = 1
         DO <procedure>
       CASE <key> = 2
         DO <procedure>
       ....
       ....
   ENDCASE
RETURN


For example:

 PROCEDURE MENUCASE1
   PARAMETER MKey
   DO CASE
      CASE MKey = 1
        DO SaveIt
      CASE MKey = 2
        RETURN
   ENDCASE
 RETURN


Note: SLD directs the case statements to a dummy procedure with
      DO DUMMY.  You should enter your own user defined procedure
      in each case statement. The DUMMY procedure is defined as:
      PROCEDURE DUMMY
      RETURN

Selecting Menu Options at Runtime.
---------------------------------
When you have generated the code for your menus you may, in
addition to first letter selection, select menu options when you
run the program as follows:

  dBaseIII/IV:    using the tab key, or the up or down  arrow
                  keys.
  Clipper:  using the cursor keys (arrow keys).



How the Generated Source Code is Constructed.
--------------------------------------------
The source code is formed of several modules. Each screen has its
own associated set of procedures, which are as follows:

Procedure 1: Displays titles and framed boxes, @SAY and @GETs for
            the data field memory variables.
Procedure 2: Declares data field memory variables corresponding
            to the open database fields. They are declared as
            PUBLIC.
Procedure 3: Initialises the memory variables so that they do
            not contain garbage.
Procedure 4: sets the memory variables to the contents of the
            database fields, so that editing procedures can make
            use of this.
Procedure 5: replaces the database field values with the values
            of the corresponding memory variables.
Procedure 6: this is a dummy procedure used by case statements
            in menus for testing purposes only.
Procedure 7: this defines menus and the menu options, and passes
            a menu selection to the next procedure.
Procedure 8: this is a series of case statements which act on the
            appropriate menu selection in procedure 7. The case
            statements call the dummy procedure at the moment
            -you should replace this with your own procedures.


An Example of Generated Screen Source Code.
--------------------------------------------
There are sample programs supplied with .PRG file extensions.
These will undoubtedly give you more insight into how SLD
generates its screen code. Howeever here is a simple single
screen example of the typical output of the Screen Layout
Designer.  It includes, boxes, a title, and data fields, with
appropriate headings:
 PROCEDURE SCREEN1

  LOCAL WinStr,iRow

    SETMODE(25,80)

      WinStr=""
      SETCOLOR("B+/B")
      FOR iRow = 0 TO 25
        @ iRow,0 SAY PADC(WinStr,80,"░")
      NEXT

      SETCOLOR("W+/BG")
      @ 0,0,24,79 BOX "┌─┐│┘─└│"

      SETCOLOR("GR+/R,W/R,,,N/W")
      @ 2,25 SAY "    ACME Sales Database   "

      SETCOLOR("GR+/RB,N/BG,,,N/W")

      @ 4,8 SAY "Short Name "
      @ 6,11 SAY "Company "
      @ 8,11 SAY "Address "
      @ 9,20 SAY aADDRESS2 PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 10,20 SAY aADDRESS3 PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 11,14 SAY "City "
      @ 13,5 SAY "Zip/Post Code "
      @ 15,15 SAY "Tel "
      @ 16,15 SAY "Fax "
      @ 18,9 SAY "Sales Area "
      @ 20,9 SAY "Sales Rep. "
      @ 18,44 SAY "Credit Limit "
      @ 14,43 SAY "Business Type "
      @ 4,39 SAY "Account No. "
      @ 16,48 SAY "Turnover "
      @ 20,46 SAY "Last Order "
     DO GETSCR1
     DO MENU2

 RETURN

 PROCEDURE SCREEN2

  LOCAL WinStr,iRow

    SETMODE(25,80)

      WinStr=""
      SETCOLOR("B+/B")
      FOR iRow = 0 TO 25
        @ iRow,0 SAY PADC(WinStr,80,"░")
      NEXT

      SETCOLOR("W+/BG")
      @ 0,0,24,79 BOX "┌─┐│┘─└│"

      SETCOLOR("GR+/R,W/R,,,N/W")
      @ 2,25 SAY "    Customer Contacts    "
      @ 16,8 SAY "Received: "

      SETCOLOR("GR+/RB,N/BG,,,N/W")
      @ 9,49 SAY "Importance "
      @ 5,15 SAY "Short ID "
      @ 7,14 SAY "Firstname "
      @ 8,16 SAY "Surname "
      @ 10,18 SAY "Title "
      @ 12,14 SAY "Call Rate "
      @ 14,14 SAY "Interests "
      @ 16,21 SAY "Xmas Card? "
      @ 16,37 SAY "XMas Gift? "
      @ 16,53 SAY "Golf Day Invite? "
      @ 19,12 SAY "Note: "
     DO GETSCR2
     DO MENU2

 RETURN

 PROCEDURE GETSCR1

      @ 4,20 GET aSHORTNAM PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 6,20 GET aCOMPANY PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 8,20 GET aADDRESS1 PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 9,20 GET aADDRESS2 PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 10,20 GET aADDRESS3 PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 11,20 GET aADDRESS4 PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 13,20 GET aPOSTCODE PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 15,20 GET aTELNO PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 16,20 GET aFAXNO PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 18,21 GET aSALEAREA PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 20,21 GET aSALESREP PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 18,58 GET aCREDIT PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 14,58 GET aBUSTYPE PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 4,52 GET aACCNO PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 16,58 GET aTURNTARG PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 20,58 GET aLASTORD PICTURE "@D"

 RETURN

 PROCEDURE GETSCR2

      @ 9,61 GET aIMPORT PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 5,25 GET bSHORTID PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 7,25 GET bFIRSTNAM PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 8,25 GET bSURNAME PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 10,25 GET bTITLE PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 12,25 GET bCALLRATE PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 14,25 GET bINTEREST PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 16,33 GET bXMASCARD PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 16,49 GET bXMASGIFT PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 16,71 GET bGOLFDAY PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"
      @ 19,20 GET bNOTE PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX"

 RETURN
 PROCEDURE DECVARS1
    PUBLIC aSHORTNAM
    PUBLIC aCOMPANY
    PUBLIC aADDRESS1
    PUBLIC aADDRESS2
    PUBLIC aADDRESS3
    PUBLIC aADDRESS4
    PUBLIC aPOSTCODE
    PUBLIC aTELNO
    PUBLIC aFAXNO
    PUBLIC aSALEAREA
    PUBLIC aSALESREP
    PUBLIC aCREDIT
    PUBLIC aBUSTYPE
    PUBLIC aACCNO
    PUBLIC aTURNTARG
    PUBLIC aLASTORD
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE DECVARS2
    PUBLIC aIMPORT
    PUBLIC bSHORTID
    PUBLIC bFIRSTNAM
    PUBLIC bSURNAME
    PUBLIC bTITLE
    PUBLIC bCALLRATE
    PUBLIC bINTEREST
    PUBLIC bXMASCARD
    PUBLIC bXMASGIFT
    PUBLIC bGOLFDAY
    PUBLIC bNOTE
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE INITVARS1
   aSHORTNAM = SPACE(10)
   aCOMPANY = SPACE(30)
   aADDRESS1 = SPACE(30)
   aADDRESS2 = SPACE(30)
   aADDRESS3 = SPACE(30)
   aADDRESS4 = SPACE(30)
   aPOSTCODE = SPACE(15)
   aTELNO = SPACE(15)
   aFAXNO = SPACE(15)
   aSALEAREA = SPACE(1)
   aSALESREP = SPACE(20)
   aCREDIT = SPACE(9)
   aBUSTYPE = SPACE(12)
   aACCNO = SPACE(20)
   aTURNTARG = SPACE(11)
   aLASTORD = DATE()
 RETURN
 PROCEDURE INITVARS2
   aIMPORT = SPACE(1)
   bSHORTID = SPACE(10)
   bFIRSTNAM = SPACE(20)
   bSURNAME = SPACE(20)
   bTITLE = SPACE(20)
   bCALLRATE = SPACE(10)
   bINTEREST = SPACE(40)
   bXMASCARD = SPACE(1)
   bXMASGIFT = SPACE(1)
   bGOLFDAY = SPACE(1)
   bNOTE = SPACE(50)
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE SETVARS1
    aSHORTNAM = a->SHORTNAM
    aCOMPANY = a->COMPANY
    aADDRESS1 = a->ADDRESS1
    aADDRESS2 = a->ADDRESS2
    aADDRESS3 = a->ADDRESS3
    aADDRESS4 = a->ADDRESS4
    aPOSTCODE = a->POSTCODE
    aTELNO = a->TELNO
    aFAXNO = a->FAXNO
    aSALEAREA = a->SALEAREA
    aSALESREP = a->SALESREP
    aCREDIT = a->CREDIT
    aBUSTYPE = a->BUSTYPE
    aACCNO = a->ACCNO
    aTURNTARG = a->TURNTARG
    aLASTORD = a->LASTORD
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE SETVARS2
    aIMPORT = a->IMPORT
    bSHORTID = b->SHORTID
    bFIRSTNAM = b->FIRSTNAM
    bSURNAME = b->SURNAME
    bTITLE = b->TITLE
    bCALLRATE = b->CALLRATE
    bINTEREST = b->INTEREST
    bXMASCARD = b->XMASCARD
    bXMASGIFT = b->XMASGIFT
    bGOLFDAY = b->GOLFDAY
    bNOTE = b->NOTE
 RETURN

 PROCEDURE REPLVARS1
    REPLACE a->SHORTNAM WITH aSHORTNAM
    REPLACE a->COMPANY WITH aCOMPANY
    REPLACE a->ADDRESS1 WITH aADDRESS1
    REPLACE a->ADDRESS2 WITH aADDRESS2
    REPLACE a->ADDRESS3 WITH aADDRESS3
    REPLACE a->ADDRESS4 WITH aADDRESS4
    REPLACE a->POSTCODE WITH aPOSTCODE
    REPLACE a->TELNO WITH aTELNO
    REPLACE a->FAXNO WITH aFAXNO
    REPLACE a->SALEAREA WITH aSALEAREA
    REPLACE a->SALESREP WITH aSALESREP
    REPLACE a->CREDIT WITH aCREDIT
    REPLACE a->BUSTYPE WITH aBUSTYPE
    REPLACE a->ACCNO WITH aACCNO
    REPLACE a->TURNTARG WITH aTURNTARG
    REPLACE a->LASTORD WITH aLASTORD
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE REPLVARS2
    REPLACE a->IMPORT WITH aIMPORT
    REPLACE b->SHORTID WITH bSHORTID
    REPLACE b->FIRSTNAM WITH bFIRSTNAM
    REPLACE b->SURNAME WITH bSURNAME
    REPLACE b->TITLE WITH bTITLE
    REPLACE b->CALLRATE WITH bCALLRATE
    REPLACE b->INTEREST WITH bINTEREST
    REPLACE b->XMASCARD WITH bXMASCARD
    REPLACE b->XMASGIFT WITH bXMASGIFT
    REPLACE b->GOLFDAY WITH bGOLFDAY
    REPLACE b->NOTE WITH bNOTE
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE RELVARS1
    RELEASE aSHORTNAM
    RELEASE aCOMPANY
    RELEASE aADDRESS1
    RELEASE aADDRESS2
    RELEASE aADDRESS3
    RELEASE aADDRESS4
    RELEASE aPOSTCODE
    RELEASE aTELNO
    RELEASE aFAXNO
    RELEASE aSALEAREA
    RELEASE aSALESREP
    RELEASE aCREDIT
    RELEASE aBUSTYPE
    RELEASE aACCNO
    RELEASE aTURNTARG
    RELEASE aLASTORD
 RETURN
 PROCEDURE RELVARS2
    RELEASE aIMPORT
    RELEASE bSHORTID
    RELEASE bFIRSTNAM
    RELEASE bSURNAME
    RELEASE bTITLE
    RELEASE bCALLRATE
    RELEASE bINTEREST
    RELEASE bXMASCARD
    RELEASE bXMASGIFT
    RELEASE bGOLFDAY
    RELEASE bNOTE
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE DUMMY
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE MENU1
  LOCAL MKey

      SET ESCAPE OFF
        SETCOLOR("R/W,W/R,,,N/W")

      @ 22,5 PROMPT " ADD  " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,14 PROMPT " EDIT " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,23 PROMPT "DELETE" MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,32 PROMPT " NEXT " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,41 PROMPT " PREV " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,50 PROMPT " FIND " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,69 PROMPT " QUIT " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,59 PROMPT "CONTACT" MESSAGE " "

       MENU TO MKey
       DO MENUCASE1 WITH MKey
 RETURN

 PROCEDURE MENU2
  LOCAL MKey

      SET ESCAPE OFF

        SETCOLOR("R/W,W/R,,,N/W")
      @ 22,9 PROMPT " ADD  " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,18 PROMPT " EDIT " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,27 PROMPT "DELETE" MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,36 PROMPT " NEXT " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,45 PROMPT " PREV " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,54 PROMPT " FIND " MESSAGE " "
      @ 22,63 PROMPT "RETURN" MESSAGE " "
       MENU TO MKey
       DO MENUCASE2 WITH MKey
 RETURN


 PROCEDURE MENUCASE1
   PARAMETER MKey
    DO CASE

      CASE MKey = 1
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 2
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 3
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 4
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 5
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 6
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 7
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 8
         DO Dummy

     ENDCASE
 RETURN
 PROCEDURE MENUCASE2
   PARAMETER MKey
    DO CASE

      CASE MKey = 1
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 2
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 3
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 4
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 5
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 6
         DO Dummy
      CASE MKey = 7
         DO Dummy

     ENDCASE
 RETURN


Note: you may use this program by adding a few lines of code to
      it. If you place "DO SCREEN1" before the declaration of
      procedure SCREEN1 and you add "USE COMPANY" and "USE
      CONTACT" after the local variable declarations, then
      compile the program, you will be able to see the data entry
      screen as it would appear in a Clipper program. You will of
      course need to add SET RELATION or similar commands to
      relate the fields in the two database files, and if you
      intend to use the program on a network you will need to
      open your files accordingly. You will need to add the code
      to add, edit and delete records. SLD should greatly reduce
      the time taken to produce screens and menus. Our further
      planned releases will do even more for you.

Test programs are also generated at the same time as you generate
the main code .PRG. These test programs can be used to test the
operation of the main code:

For Clipper:      CLIPTEST.PRG for Clipper code. Compile and link
                  the generated code with the CLIPMAKE.BAT batch
                  file (also generated at the SAME TIME).

For dBase:        DBTEST.PRG for dBase code. Run this program
                  from the applications generator.

How To Complete Your Application.
---------------------------------
Whilst Screen Layout Designer takes care of the bulk of the task
of generating source code you will need to open your data files,
take care of database file relations, record locking and general
record operations. SLD was designed to take the hit and miss
frustration out of data entry screen layout and menu design, but
not to replace the programmer. (Please note: future versions SLD
will be able to open data files, take care of relational code and
record locking, and more).


                       Appendix C.
                       ===========

Two Tutorials.
--------------------
Here are two examples of how to read input from two previously
created input files.  The first example demonstrates how to get
SLD to read directly from a database file, COMPANY.DBF, and the
second example demonstrates how to read fields from a previously
created Screen Layout File, SCREEN.SLF or TUTOR1.SLF.  You will
be shown how to generate the code in the form of a .PRG file and
view it with an editor.

Tutorial One: Direct from a .DBF
------------------------------
Action 1:  Start SLD.
Action 2:  select Setup from the Main Menu bar, followed by
            InputType.
Action 3: select Direct (the system is set to read directly from
            a .DBF)
Action 4:  press Esc until you return to the Main Menu bar.
Action 5:  select File, followed by Input.
Action 6:  select DBase.
Action 7:  enter "COMPANY" in the box next to the DB File 1
            prompt and ensure that all other boxes are empty.
Action 8:  press Ctrl and Enter.
Action 9:  select Text.
Action 10: enter the name of the intermediate text file, eg.
            TUTOR1.TXT
Action 11: press Esc until you return to the Main Menu bar.
Action 12: select SHOW  (if the file TUTOR1.TXT exists you will
            be prompted to overwrite it, so enter "Y" in this
            case)
Action 13: you will now be in the Screen Edit Menu. Select
            ScreenEdit, or alternatively press  the Esc key.
Action 14: you will now be in Screen Edit Mode, so, either use
            a mouse or the arrow keys to move the cursor onto a
            data field displayed on the screen.
Action 15: with the cursor on a data field, or its heading, click
            with the left mouse button or press the Enter key.
Action 16: you may now move the field around the screen.
Action 17: when you are satisfied with the position of the field
            on the screen click with the left mouse button or
            press Enter.
Action 18: to see information about the contents of the field,
            ensure that the cursor is over the field or its
            heading and double the left mouse button quickly or
            press F2.
Action 19: you may edit the heading text or change the screen on
            which it will be displayed. For the moment move down
            to the Field Description prompt and change the text.
Action 20: Press Ctrl and Enter to save the text. The field
            heading will change accordingly.Adding a box:

Action 21: Press Esc to return to the Screen Edit Menu bar.
Action 22: select Box.
Action 23: select New. You will enter Box Edit Mode.
Action 24: move the cursor around the screen to the position
            where you want the box to start.
Action 25: click with the left mouse button or press enter.
Action 26: when you move the cursor with the mouse or arrow keys
            the box will expand or contract from its origin.
Action 27: Press F3. Now when you move the cursor the box will
            remain the same size, but will move around the
            screen.
Action 28: press F3 again. The box will expand or contract when
            you move the cursor again.
Action 29: When you are happy with the size and position of the
            box press the Enter key or click the left mouse
            button. You have succeeded in drawing a box!

Adding a Title:

Action 30: Press Esc to return to the Screen Edit Menu bar.
Action 31: Select Title.
Action 32: select New.
Action 33: you will be prompted to enter some text for your
            title. Do so and press Enter. You will enter Title
            Edit Mode.
Action 34: Move the cursor to where you want the title to begin,
            then click with the left mouse button or press Enter.
Action 35: when you move the cursor the title will expand or
            contract.
Action 36: press F3. Now when you move the cursor the title will
            move.
Action 37: press F3 again. You will be able to expand/ contract
            and move the title.
Action 38: when you are satisfied with the position and size of
            your title press Enter, or click the left mouse
            button. You have drawn a title.

Adding a User defined Menu:
Action 39: Press Esc to return to the Screen Edit Menu bar.
Action 40: Select Menu.
Action 41: select Add. You have now added a new menu system to
            the screen on view.
Action 42: select New. This will add a new menu option to the new
            menu.
Action 43: you will be prompted to enter a heading text for your
            menu option (eg. "EDIT"). Do so and press Enter. You
            will enter Menu Edit Mode.
Action 44: Move the cursor to where you want the menu option to
            begin, then click with the left mouse button or press
            Enter.Action 45: when you move the cursor the menu option will expand
            or contract.
Action 46: press F3. Now when you move the cursor the menu option
            will move.
Action 47: press F3 again. You will be able to expand/ contract
            and move the menu option.
Action 48: when you are satisfied with the position and size of
            your menu option press Enter, or click the left mouse
            button.

You have drawn the first option on your new menu.(You may repeat
steps 42 to 48 if you want to continue adding options to your new
menu, or continue to 48).


Generating the Code:

Action 49: Press Esc to return to the Screen Edit Menu bar.
Action 50: Select Quit. You will be returned to the Main Menu.
Action 51: from the Main Menu select File, followed by Output,
            then Code.
Action 52: enter the name of the source code output file, eg.
            TUTOR1.PRG
Action 53: press Esc until you return to the top level of the
            Main Menu.
Action 54: select Generate, followed by Code.
Action 55: if the TUTOR1.PRG or other file exists you will be
            warned. In this case enter "Y" to overwrite it. The
            screen code will be generated.

Viewing the generated Code:

Action 56: select Edit, followed by Output from the Main Menu
            bar.
Action 57: enter the name of your output code file, eg.
            TUTOR1.PRG (or press Enter if it is shown). Your
            output source code wil be displayed.
Action 58: To exit the editor, press F4.

Saving Your Work:

Action 59: pres Esc to return to the top level of the Main Menu
            bar.
Action 60: select File, followed by Output, then SLF.
Action 61: enter the name of a Screen Layout File, eg. TUTOR1.SLF
Action 62: Esc to the Main Menu bar.
Action 63: select Generate, followed by SLF.
Action 64: if the file TUTOR1.SLF, etc. exists then enter "Y" to
            the prompt to overwrite it.

To exit SLD:

Action 65: Select Exit (or just press Esc) from the Main Menu
            bar. You will be prompted to confirm whether you wish
            to exit, and whether to save setup and screen
            information. For the moment respond "Y" to confirm
            that you want to exit and "N" to save setup/screen
            information.

Well done, you have generated your first application!

Tutorial Two: Reading from an SLF:
----------------------------------
Action 1:  Start SLD.
Action 2:  select Setup from the Main Menu, then InputType from
            the Setup Menu.
Action 3:  select SLF (the system is set to read from a
            previously generated Screen Layout File).
Action 4:  press Esc until you return to the Main Menu bar.
Action 5:  select File, followed by Input.
Action 6:  select SLF.
Action 7:  enter the name of a previously generated SL File in
            the box,  eg. TUTOR1.SLF that you generated in
            Tutorial One.
Action 8:  press Enter.
Action 9:  press Esc until you return to the Main menu bar.
Action 10: select SHOW.
Action 11: you will now be in the Screen Edit Menu. Select
            ScreenEdit, or alternatively press  the Esc key.
Action 12: the data fields from the SLF will be displayed and
            your screen and you will enter Screen Edit Mode.

You may now proceed according to the Actions from 14 onwards in
Tutorial 1.
                        Appendix D.
                        ===========

FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS OF THE SCREEN LAYOUT DESIGNER.
--------------------------------------------------

Development is continuing on this software and related products
too.  Of course we would appreciate your interest and feedback.
By listening to users of this software we can provide you with
what you want. In addition to planned enhancements to this
program we are developing one related program in particular:

A separate program, as part of a suite of software, for creating
.DBF files and for defining relational links between files,
including definition of primary and foreign keys, which will be
used by SLD to generate complete relational database
applications, including network record and file locking for
multi-user environments. This will reduce greatly the programming
work required by the developer. Work on this is in progress at
present. This will complement SLD  and registered users of SLD
will geat a generous discount on this software when available.

We also intend to produce further modules for SLD so that it can
generate screen source code in other languages.

We are investigating the feasibility of a separate program
allowing users not developing in dBase generic code to use SLD to
generate data entry screen source code in other languages. This
would allow users to define their own procedures or functions for
generating an object on the screen. SLD would use the defined
functions/procedures to generate screen source code.




                        Appendix E.
                        ===========

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
=================

If you have any technical problems with Screen Layout Designer,
or you wish to enquire about other software we are developing,
then youshould contact us at the address below, or telephone
0703-701936 in the UK or 44 703 701936 outside the UK. Another
number you may call at weekends if you are unable to contact us
is 0329 833488 in the UK, or 44 329 833488 outside the UK.

Compuserve support is available: user id: 100116,370

      Neville T. Palmer
      PDM Associates
      17 Heathlands
      Shedfield
      Southampton
      Hants
      SO3 2JD
      England


Who are PDM Associates?:
We are a group of three programmers who have been working
together since 1991 on various projects. We will continue to work
in this way in the future.
                        REGISTRATION.
                        =============
If you register your copy of Screen Layout Designer we will send
you the latest version of the software, which will include any
enhancements. The cost of registration is US $40 or £25 Sterling.
To register, please print and fill in the form below,
then send it, together with the appropriate payment, made out to
Neville T. Palmer, to this address:

      Neville T. Palmer
      PDM Associates
      17 Heathlands
      Shedfield
      Southampton
      Hants
      SO3 2JD
      England

Registration Form - Screen Layout Designer V1.03 Plus
-----------------------------------------------------

      Name:    ____________________________________

      Company: ____________________________________

      Address: ____________________________________

               ____________________________________

      City:    _____________________

      State/County:  _______________

      Zip/Post Code: _______________

      Country:       _______________

      Telephone: __________________  Fax:__________________

      Compuserve: _________________

      IMPORTANT!! Please enter the Name that you wish to appearon
      your registration screen when running the program (14 to 40
      alphanumeric characters; see next page for full info):

      Registered Name:

      ______________________________________________________

      Disk Size for Update(s):  5.25" [ ]      3.25" [ ]

      Please enclose $40 US or £25 Sterling (or equivalent)
HOW TO COMPLETE PROGRAM REGISTRATION:
------------------------------------

To register you should send us the appropriate fee along with the
name that you will register this software under. This name must
consist of at least 14 alphamumeric characters. Valid characters
are capital 'A' to 'Z', lower case 'a' to 'z', number '0' to '9'
and figures &',/()-   (ampersand, apostrophe, comma, forward
slash, left bracket, right bracket and hyphen). Spaces are of
course permitted between words, but note that there must be at
least 11 non-space characters in the name. No other characters
are valid. Case sensitivity is not important. When we receive the
registration fee and name we will generate a registration number
encoded from the name, so it is important that you send us the
exact name you will use for registration. We will send you the
latest version of this software. You will also be entitled to
full support and discounts on our other programs. We will send
you the registration number and confirmation of the name. You
should then run SLD and go into the Setup Menu from the main
menu, then select "OTHER", followed by "REGISTER" from this menu.
From here enter the name and registration number.  When you have
entered them satisfactorily.  Press the F2 function key to to
complete registration. You will see a message telling you that
registration has been successful. If you see an error message
"invalid registration number" then check that you have entered
the name and number correctly.

The registration number and name are stored in a text file called
'REGISTER.SLD'. This file must be present in the directory from
which you run SLD otherwise the registration information will not
be picked up by the program. You can generate this file in more
than one directory. Keep your registration number and name safe
so that if you accidentally delete this file you can re-generate
it.

When you complete registration the delay on the message at the
start and end of the program will be removed. You will only see
the opening screen with your rgistered name on it and you may
press any key or click a mouse button to continue immediately.


RESTRICTIONS
------------
Your registration entitles you to use this software on a single
computer and make a copy for backup purposes. If you intend to
use this software on more than one computer then you should
register each copy.

If you are reading this text at registration time then thankyou
for your support.
                  SOFTWARE FOR YOU!
                  =================

This software has been aimed at professional and amateur software
developers and dealers with experience ranging from novice to
advanced. We always welcome any comments regarding our software
so that we can write software that people want. The whole purpose
of this software is to make life easier for you!

Additionally we may be able to customise this product for your
individual requirements. Contact us today.

We are also working on other developement/database projects.
Details upon request!

Screen Layout Designer V1.03d
-----------------------------

The Differences Between Version 1.03 and 1.03c.
------------------------------------------------
Improvements have been made in the way SLD selects the
text mode. Three modes are supported: 25 rows x 80 columns,
43 x 80 and 50 x 80. The improvements are as follows:

1) improvements to overcome text mode selection problems
   experienced on some PCs.

2) use of the DOS 4 & 5 MODE command to allow EGA emulation
   on a VGA display.

3) Allow Clipper to use 50 line mode.

4) User may select a display adapter type (MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA).

5) Changes to the SETUPS.SET file and Screen Layout
   Files (SLF), so that mode and display type are saved,
   etc.

6) dBase III and IV users now have the choice of 3 menu
   types:
      i) Clipper style menus.
      ii) conventional dBase menus with the choice input in
          an @GET.
      iii) conventional dBase menus with no @GET.

7) Frame types can be reset globally to a new type.

8) dBase IV frame strings are now correct.

9) Corrections and amendments to documentation.

10)   Generated source code files now have a header describing
      the file name, date, author and registration name.

11)  Mouse speed option added to Setup Menu. 5 mouse speeds.
12)  DBFs may be correctly selected from alternative directory.