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ART12
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1992-09-27
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╓──────────────╖
║ Approach for ║
║ Windows ║
╙──────────────╜
by Tony Curro
Database programs have been around for some time. It is an
excellent way to keep name and address information, inventory, catalog
items you own and so on. You can keep track of just about anything using a
database program. DOS users have an abundance of databases to choose from.
Windows users have not had that luxury. There are several database programs
that will come to market this year or early in 1993. Right now, however,
the few that are out there are either cumbersome or require much
learning. Approach is on the market now and does not require a lot of
learning or is it cumbersome.
Requiring only 1.8MB of hard disk space for a full installation, it
does more than its size would indicate. The manual says you need 2MB RAM,
but also recommends that you have at least 4MB RAM. SHARE must be use with
Approach. This is done automatically for you during installation.
In Approach you don't open a database file directly, instead you
open a view file as a window "into" a data file. From one view file you can
create numerous forms, reports, and mailing labels. Approach will work with
dBASE III+, dBASE IV, Paradox and Oracle SQL file types.
When you first start Approach you are in Browse mode. This is where
you enter, organize, and present data. To change the way a form looks you
switch to Design mode, where there are tools to add or remove fields, draw
graphics, change field attributes such as color, and add borders.
You can import Bitmap, Windows Metafile, EPS, TIFF, and PCX graphic
formats.
You can manipulate your fields in any way you choose. Set the way
you wish to have the fields indexed. They do NOT have to be indexed as you
see them on the screen. You can also move fields to different locations.
Using the arrow keys is the best way for more precise movement.
Creating labels is a very easy process when using Approach. It
supports all size Avery labels. You just need the Avery label # when
creating labels in this fashion. The only thing you have to do is place the
fields where you want them to appear on the label.
I had a database of almost 1,000 records in Q&A. I exported the
file from Q&A into dBASE IV format, and then had Approach import it.
Searching and sorting is case-sensitive, which gave me the only problem. I
had many fields in all capital letters. When I imported it, I did use the
field option in Approach to change it to have only the first letter in
caps. I saw it like this on the screen. However, when I added data in this
format and then sorted alphabetically, it would place these new records at
the end. They were not sorted with the other records that had the same last
name. One way around this is to enter ALL data in the same format that the
original data was entered.
One of the options in a field is calculations. You can have
Approach enter the information in one field based on the formula you use.
For example, if you have three fields named: #item, price each, total
price, Approach can put in the total price based on # of items times the
price each. In text fields you can enter specific values for certain fields
to avoid errors in inputting data, or you can make sure that a certain
field contains data before you move onto the next entry.
There are a few things I would like to see changed. One is the sort
option. Approach will NOT retain a sort. So each time you start it you must
re-sort your entire database. You can get by the configuring of this by
using a macro. But, this is just a short way around and not a solution.
I also had some problems when moving a field. When you move a
field, it can appear on screen a little off-centered from the rest. When
you print, you can adjust this by selecting from several options. The fact
remains though, on screen it is not uniform to the other fields. This
applies if you want to say swap the location of fields 1 and 3. If you are
moving ALL the fields, you can select them all and move the whole as one
unit.
When viewing a report on screen, the PageDown key moves you through
the file one line at a time. I want to move a page at a time.
Approach is listed as being easy to use for non-programmers. While
it is not that hard to create a form, and even a report, the user should
have some knowledge of databases and their terminology. For example you can
create shaded boxes with Approach. In simplest terms, you would create a
box. Then type text in, and then changing color of box text will appear in
the box. This is actually two different items, and can be move as one or
individually. The explanation and it use may be a little beyond a novice to
intermediate user.
Approach comes with out-of-the-box network support, with no
additional setup required. It also comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
I had a few problems with using Approach, which I finally found out to be
my setup, and not even related to Approach. Calling their technical support
line was very helpful and I was able to work through these problems.
Overall, the product was good and I do like the way databases are
going in Windows.
╓──────────────────────────╖
║ Product Information ║
╟──────────────────────────╢
║ Approach for ║
║ Windows ║
╟──────────────────────────╢
║ List Price $399 ║
╟──────────────────────────╢
║ Approach Software Corp. ║
║ 311 Penobscot Drive ║
║ Redwood City, CA 94063 ║
║ 415-306-7890 ║
╙──────────────────────────╜