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1985-11-30
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F I L E E X P R E S S
by David M. Berdan
(C) Copyright Expressware 1984, 1985
Portions (C) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
All rights reserved
Proprietary Notice
File Express is a proprietary product written by
David M. Berdan and is being distributed by
Expressware in Redmond, Washington.
E X P R E S S W A R E
P.O. BOX 230
Redmond, WA 98073
(206) 481-3040
Compuserve 75226,2020
File Express
November 1985
-
Table of Contents
File Express Distribution Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Starting File Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Select/Change a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Add Data to File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Search/Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Sorting The Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Print Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Label Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
File Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
End Session or Change Disk Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Example database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Compatibility with other programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Feedback, Problems, Bugs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Format of File Express Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Order Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
PROGRAM FILES INCLUDED IN FILE EXPRESS PACKAGE
Program Disk Utility Disk
------------------- ---------------------------------------
1 README 1 WHATSNEW.DOC 9 EXAMPLE .HDR
2 WHATSNEW.DOC 2 FE-1 .DOC 10 EXAMPLE .INX
3 FE .EXE 3 FE-2 .DOC 11 EXAMPLE .STK
4 FE-DEF .EXE 4 FE-3 .DOC 12 EXAMPLE .RPT
5 FE-SORT .EXE 5 FE-4 .DOC 13 EXAMPLE .LAB
6 FE-RPT .EXE 6 PRINTDOC.BAT 14 EXAMPLE .QLB
7 FE-LBL .EXE 7 PRINTER .SET 15 ORDER .BAT
8 FE-SRCH .EXE 8 EXAMPLE .DTA 16 ORDERFRM.DOC
9 FE-EXP .EXE
10 FE-OVL .EXE
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
-----------------------------------------------------------------
F I L E E X P R E S S D I S T R I B U T I O N N O T I C E
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Expressware is distributing File Express by way of the "SHAREWARE"
concept. If, after trying the product, you decide to use it, we
will TRUST you to send the requested $40.00 payment.
You may obtain a production copy of File Express by sending
$10.00 to Expressware to cover the cost of diskettes, mailer, and
postage. Expressware will send you the latest version of File
Express immediately by first class mail.
You may also receive a copy of File Express by sending $40.00. This
will make you a "registered" owner. All registered owners of File
Express will receive a spiral bound copy of the User Guide that con-
tains all of the information in this disk version of the manual, plus
an error appendix and a detailed index.
Registered owners will also be notified of all future releases of File
Express. In addition you would be given the opportunity to receive
ExpressGraph, a business graphics package currently under development
that will interface with File Express. This will be available to all
registered owners for a handling charge of $5.00 to cover the costs of
mailing. ExpressGraph is scheduled for release by December of 1985.
If, after all this, you still decide not to send the payment, you are
still encouraged to copy and distribute File Express with the fol-
lowing restrictions:
1. File Express is distributed as a complete set. Do not
alter, or delete any program files from the distribution
copies.
2. No charge is to be made for copying or distributing File
Express. (User Groups may make a small charge to cover
the cost of disks and copying. This charge is not to
exceed $10.00. User Group members must be informed of
the SHAREWARE concept and encouraged to support it.)
3. Commercial sale of File Express in any manner is pro-
hibited without Expressware's written permission.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
-------------------------
I N T R O D U C T I O N
-------------------------
File Express is an information management program written for
the IBM Personal Computer and other compatible computers using
PC-DOS. This allows easy manipulation of small and medium sized
databases using menu driven commands. File Express allows you
to create and maintain files of facts, figures, names, mailing
lists, patient records or what have you.
WITH FILE EXPRESS YOU CAN:
* Define new databases, specifying the length and type of
information allowed into each field.
* Easily Add, Delete, Edit and Display information from your
files.
* Generate Reports from your files, complete with subtotals,
totals, multiplication, division, and subtraction on
any numeric fields.
* Sort records on up to ten fields, with each separate field
able to be sorted into descending or ascending order.
The sort criterion may consist of any subset at any
location within a field.
* Search or Sort for specific information within a record,
irregardless of upper and lower case letters.
* Search for certain records on a global basis and replace any
or all of the information contained in them.
* Search for certain records on a global basis and delete them
if desired.
* Search for duplicate fields within the records of a file.
* Search for duplicate field information within two files.
* Merge up to ten different files into one new file.
* Designate certain fields for automatic entry of time and
date in several different formats when inputting data.
Some of these are also updated upon any modification
of a record.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
* Define fields within a record to be self-calculating.
Calculation can be between numeric fields or between
numeric fields and constants. All calculated fields
are recalculated after any modification of a record.
* Print Mailing Labels, up to five across in condensed or
regular mode. This will be the easiest label printer
that you will have ever used.
* Create new databases from existing ones, adding new fields
within the record and discarding unneeded ones, changing
the field lengths and rearranging the order.
* Create Mailmerge type files from your databases.
File Express is a powerful system that is very easy to use.
It is so easy, in fact, that you can probably use it without
reading this user's manual. But to get the most out of File
Express, please take the time to read it.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
-------------------------------------------
T E C H N I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N
-------------------------------------------
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Computer: IBM PC, XT, AT, jr. or compatible
Memory: 192 K
DOS: version 2.1 or higher
Disk Drives: 1 minimum (two recommended)
Printer: Needed for printouts
Monitor: Monochrome or Color (80 column)
FILE EXPRESS CAPACITIES
Maximum Records: 16,775,616
Characters per Record: 2400
Maximum Fields per Record: 40
Minimum Field length: 1 character
Maximum Field length: 60 characters
Numeric Accuracy: 14 digits
Maximum Sort depth: 10 fields
(Sort may be ascending or descending for each field)
(Sort may be done on any portion of each field)
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
-------------------------------------------
S T A R T I N G F I L E E X P R E S S
-------------------------------------------
To start File Express, put the diskette containing the File
Express programs into your default disk drive (Usually drive A,
unless you change the default by typing B: or C: etc. from the
DOS prompt ">").
Type <FE> and press <Enter>. The drive will begin to run as the
main program is loaded into the computer.
The opening screen will tell you many things. Under the title
block is the message:
"If you find this Program Package to be of value,
Expressware will trust you to send the $40.00 payment"
File Express is being marketed under the "User Supported Software"
concept. This means, that after trying this product, if you find
that it is useful to you and meets your needs, you are asked to
send a $40.00 payment to Expressware. This is a marketing approach
that reduces the cost of quality software and also gives you
a chance to test a program to see if it meets your needs
without having to pay in advance. Even if you decide not to send
a payment, please share copies of File Express with others so
they may try it also. Enough for the sales pitch.
At the bottom of the opening screen you are asked:
"Please indicate which drive to be used for DATA "
If you only have one disk drive, press <A>. If you have two or
move drives, or a hard disk, then choose the letter of the drive
where you want to store your data files.
IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE DISK DRIVE
File Express fully supports those of you who only have one disk
drive. In this case you are prompted whenever it is time to
change from the File Express Program Disk to your Data Disk, or
back again.
COLOR MONITORS
Those who have a monochrome type graphics monitor connected to a
color adapter card may not see everything displayed on the screen
because of the various shades of green, amber, or white that are
used to represent the colors.
The color feature of File Express may be turned off from the Opening
Screen or the Main Menu by pressing <Alt-N> (for No color).
Color may be reset again by pressing <Alt-C> (for Color).
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
-------------------
M A I N M E N U
-------------------
After selection of the data drive the Main Menu will appear:
-------------------------- Date: 11-01-1985
| 1) Select / Change File |
| -------------------------- Time: 7:25 PM
| | 2) Add Data to File |
| | -------------------------- M
| | | 3) Search-Update | A
| | | -------------------------- I
| | | | 4) Sort Index | N
---| | | --------------------------
| | | | 5) Print Reports | M
---| | | -------------------------- E
| | | | 6) Print Mailing Labels | N
---| | | -------------------------- U
| | | | 7) File Maintenance |
---| | | --------------------------
| | | | 8) Import/Export/Clone |
---| | | --------------------------
| | | | 9) Change Data Drive |
---| | | |
| | | or |
---| | End Session |
| | |
---| |
| |
--------------------------
Please make selection _
Main Menu Selection Screen
You will notice that only selections <1> and <9> are high-
lighted. When you first begin the program, File Express doesn't
know which file you want to work with. Since menu items <2>
through <8> all deal with a data file, they are useless until
you have selected one to work with. Pressing one of the non-
highlighted selections will present you with the reminder to
choose a file first.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
Pressing <9> will allow you to change the Data File diskette
drive, set the Function Keys, or end the program and return
to DOS.
BEFORE YOU START...SOME TIPS
Before you begin to use File Express you should be aware of
some features that aren't always displayed on the screen.
The Escape Key <Esc> can be used at almost any time to
back yourself out of any point in the program.
EDITING FEATURES
Whenever you can type in two or more characters the following
editing features are available.
<Backspace> - Erases character to the left of the cursor.
<Del> - Erases character under the cursor.
<Ins> - Toggles Insert mode on and off. When Insert mode is on
the cursor will increase in size. Typing in characters
with Insert mode on will force all characters to the
right of the cursor toward the end of the field. If
any charactors are pushed off the end of the line a short
blip is heard.
<Cursor Left> - Moves the cursor toward the beginning of the line.
No characters are erased.
<Cursor Right> - Moves the cursor towards the end of the line.
No characters are erased.
<Control-Home> - Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
<Control-End> - Moves the cursor to the position following the
last character on the line.
<Control-E> - Erases the entire line and puts the cursor back to
the beginning of the field.
<Enter> - You may press <Enter> no matter where the cursor is
within a line and the entire line will be taken as input.
<^D> - From many places in the main program you may dump the
contents of the screen to a disk file called
"SCREEN.DMP". Each time you press <^D> the message
"Dumping Screen" will appear in upper right corner of
the screen and the screen contents will be appended
to the SCREEN.DMP file on the Data Disk along with the
current date.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
Forty fields of sixty characters each are allowed to be defined
in File Express. This is too much information to be displayed
on the screen at one time. So, for records with more than 20
fields the display is split into two pages. After defining or
adding data to the first 20 fields they will disappear and the
21st thru the end of record will appear on a new screen, Page 2.
At times when it is necessary to view both pages of a long record
you may use <PgUp> and <PgDn> to flip between the two screens.
Any reference to a field on the undisplayed page will automati-
cally change page displays before processing.
SINGLE KEY COMMANDS
Whenever a command entry requires the pressing of only one key,
the command is carried out immediately without having to press
<Enter>. All single-key commands will "blip" (a blip is a short
beep). The blip sound may be toggled on and off from the Main
Menu or whenever you are editing a record by pressing <^S>
(Control-S) if the sound is bothersome to you or those around
you.
All questions or entries that may require more than one key to
be pressed must be followed by an <Enter>.
Whenever an incorrect or inappropriate key is pressed, the computer
will sound a two-tone warning and wait for another key.
The <End> key is used in many places to say that you are through
entering information and that you want to move on to the next
step. For example, if you have 10 fields defined in a record and
you only want to put information into the first one and leave the
remaining nine empty, just type in the data for the first and
then press <End>. (You don't even have to press <Enter>). File
Express will then move on to the Save, Edit, Abort question.
(8)
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
-------------------------------------------
S E L E C T / C H A N G E A F I L E
-------------------------------------------
Before you can begin to work with a database, whether to add new
information, print reports, or print labels, you must first tell
File Express the name of the database you would like to use.
To select a database file or to define a new file, press <1>
while viewing the Main Menu screen.
If you have worked with File Express before and have already
defined one or more database files, then a list of their names
will appear on the screen along with the prompt:
Enter number of file to work with or Press <Enter> to begin a New File
(or enter number of file, then press <End> to erase)
To work with one of the files listed, simply enter the number
listed in front of the file you want and press <Enter>. File
Express will then get everything ready for you and return to
the Main Menu with all menu options highlighted and ready for
your selection.
If you would like to erase the set of files associated with a
database, enter the number of the database from the list and then
press <End> instead of <Enter>.
DEFINING A NEW DATABASE FILE
If you want to start a new data base, just press <Enter> instead
of typing in the number of an existing file. At this point you
will be prompted to:
"Enter name of new file."
Type in the name of the database and press <Enter>. The screen
will clear and the message:
"Transferring to Define section"
will appear.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
With File Express you can set up a new database by defining the
name, length, and data type of each field to be included in each
record. You may also define "calculated fields". These are num-
eric fields whose contents are determined by mathematical opera-
tions on previous fields in the record. For example, you may be
defining a "Patient Record" database that will include several
dollar charges that you would like to keep totals on without hav-
ing to add them all together each time you enter some information.
You could define a calculated field named "Subtotal" that would
automatically be filled in with the total of all the charges above
it. You could then set up a field called "Sales Tax" that would
take the Subtotal amount and multiply it by the tax rate in your
area. The sales tax amount would then automatically appear in
that field. You could then finish up by defining a field with
the name of "Balance Due". This field would be the sum total of
the Subtotal field and the Sales Tax field. All calculations
would be done by File Express in an instant and the resulting
amounts filled in for you each time you entered information into
the records. With this information, you could produce invoices
using the Report Generator in File Express.
To define a new file you must supply the name of the field, the
type of data to be allowed as input, the length of the field,
and, if numeric, whether or not it is to be a calculated field.
The following column headings will be displayed:
-field name- -type- -length- -calc field-
along with the prompt:
"Enter Name for Field 1"
The field names can be any combination of letters and numbers
up to twelve characters long. Begin by typing in the name you
have chosen for the field and press <Enter>. The cursor will
move under the -type- column and you will be asked to choose
from the following valid data types allowed by File Express:
+=positive *=whole #=decimal $=dollar A=alpha N=numbers !=anything
File Express will allow you to specify what kind of input will be
accepted into each field.
These are the types you have to choose from:
NUMERIC FIELDS:
All numeric fields can be subtotaled, totaled, and used in calcu-
lations for the answers in Calculated Fields. When printing
reports, all numeric fields are printed right justified. This
is so that all decimal points will line up when using dollar
amounts. All numeric arithmetic in File Express is done in double
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
precision. The length of numeric fields is limited to 14 digits.
The following are valid types:
<+> - positive whole numbers
<*> - positive or negative whole numbers
<#> - positive or negative decimal numbers
<$> - positive or negative dollar amounts. (All input is
converted to dollar format with two decimal places.
If you just enter a whole number, the decimal point
and two zeros will be added. In addition to the
maximum length limit, dollar fields are required
to be at least four digits long. This is so the
smallest dollar amount, 0.00, will fit into the
field.
CHARACTER FIELDS:
All fields with input of this type can not be totaled or used
in calculated fields. The following are valid types:
<A> - letters only (including the single quote mark)
<N> - number characters only (can't be totaled or calculated )
<!> - almost anything on the keyboard
If you just press <Enter>, File Express will consider your re-
sponse to be <!>. Anything goes!
Next you must decide how long the field will be. This is up to
your discretion with three limitations: First, a CHARACTER FIELD
(A,N,or !) may not be more than 60 characters long. Second, a
NUMERIC FIELD may only be up to 14 digits long. Third, a DOLLAR
AMOUNT must be between 4 and 14 digits. You must consider disk
space and your maximum expected input when deciding how long to
make each field. If you plan to print any reports in a row format,
with each field printed beneath the last, it is suggested that you
choose the same field lengths for all of your numeric fields.
Because all numeric values are printed right-justified it makes
the number columns line up correctly. If you will only be using
columnar printouts this need not concern you.
The next step will depend on whether the field you are defining
is numeric or not. If it is not, then the word "No" will auto-
matically appear under the "calc field" column, and you will be
prompted for the next field name. If, however, you are defining
a numeric field you will be asked:
"Calculated Field (Y/N)?"
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
If this is the first numeric field you have defined then press
<N>. (A calculation can only be done using previous numeric
fields in the record, along with constants if desired).
CALCULATED FIELDS
If you have already defined one or more numeric fields then you
can go ahead and define a calculated field if you want one.
Pressing <Y> in response to the "Calculated Field (Y/N)?" ques-
tion will take you to the prompt:
Enter First Field Number
The calculations that can be made for a Calculated Field must be
between previously defined numeric fields or between numeric
fields and constant values. In either case you must begin the
calculation with a numeric field.
Press the number of the numeric field that you would like to start
with and press <Enter>. You will now be asked to:
Enter Math Operator (+,-,*,/)
You may do addition, subtraction, multiplication or division between
any numeric fields or constant values. Make your choice and press
the corresponding symbol. Upon pressing the key you will see:
Enter next field number or <Ctrl-C> for a Constant Value __
You may now choose the number of a numeric field (even the same one
as the first, if you like), or you may press <Ctrl-C> to specify a
constant value.
If you press <Ctrl-C> for a constant, you will see:
Enter Constant Value _______________
You may enter a numeric value up to 14 digits long (a decimal point
counts as a digit). After pressing <Enter> you will be asked to:
Enter Math Operator (+,-,*,/) or <=> if finished with calculation
You may continue to enter fields or constants along with the math
operations to be done or you may conclude the calculation definition
by pressing the "equal sign" key. After pressing the <=> key a "Yes"
will be placed under the "CALC FIELD" column. You may now continue
on to difine the next field name.
Please note that when defining a Calculated Field the math operator
hierarchy is from left to right with no precedence given any oper-
ator over another. The formula: X + Y * Z is derived by first,
adding together X and Y and then multiplying the result by Z. If
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
you need to make a calculation such as (X+Y)*(A+B) you will have
to do it in steps. First define a calc field for X+Y, then another
for A+B. Finally, define a calc field to multiply the previous two
calc fields together to get the final answer.
Calculations may be made by up to ten operations. You may use the
same field in a calculation as often as you like. If you need to
multiply a field to the 4th power you may do so by defining the
calc field to be FIELD X times FIELD X times FIELD X times FIELD X.
While you are defining the equation for the calc field the steps will
be shown near the bottom of the screen as they are being entered. If
you make a mistake you can either press <Esc> and redefine the equa
tion at this point or wait until you are about to save the database
format where you will be given a chance to correct any mistakes
before recording it on disk.
AUTOMATIC TIME AND DATE ENTRIES
With File Express you may define fields that will automatically
be filled in with the current date or time in many different for-
mats when entering new records.
File Express knows which fields to fill in by recognizing KEY
FIELD NAMES.
The following list summarizes the options available:
TIME- 10:48 PM YYMMDD- 84/04/21
TIME* 21:48 DATE- 04/21/85
DAY- 05 DATE* 26FEB1985
DAY* Sat. ORIGIN DATE- 04/10/84
MONTH- Jan.
MONTH* November UPDATE DATE- 05/22/82
YEAR- 1985 UPDATE TIME- 8:16 AM
You may define up to 40 different fields in File Express. It is
not a requirement that each field have a unique name. All refer-
ences to any particular field will be made by field number, not
name. So, if you want three fields named "Comments", go right ahead!
When you have finished with your definition of the new database,
just press <Enter> when asked for the name of the next field.
You will then see:
"<S>ave layout <C>hange <Esc>- to Abort"
Pressing <Esc> will start you over at the beginning of the Define
Database process.
If you would like to make any changes to your format you may do
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
so now, before saving it to disk, by pressing <C>. You will then
be prompted to:
"Enter Field Number to change"
You may change any part of any field, even the equations of a
calc field, or you may add additional fields by specifying the
number just above the last field entered. Type in the number
of the field you want to change and press <Enter>. The entire
line will be blanked out and you will be prompted for Name, Type,
Length and Calc just as before. If, after selecting a field number
you realize that you didn't select the right field number just
press <Enter> and the old values will reappear.
After making changes to a field, File Express will analyze the
entire format to be sure that everything is still O.K.. If you
changed a field from numeric to alphabetic and that field was
included in a Calc field below it, File Express will determine
this and report the error. The affected Calc equation will be
displayed with the offending references highlighted. You must
then change the field back to a numeric field or change the
definition of the Calc field to exclude the non-numeric field
reference. File Express will not allow you to save the file
format until all errors have been corrected.
When everything looks alright to both you and File Express you
may press <S> to save the format on the data disk.
Pressing <S> will prompt you to be sure your data disk is in the
data drive and then save the format on the data disk and return
you to the Main Menu with the newly defined Database open and all
menu options highlighted and available for selection.
---------------------------------
A D D D A T A T O F I L E
---------------------------------
To add new records to a file, press <2> while viewing the Main
Menu. A list of fields will appear along with the number of the
record being entered. This will be one higher than the previous
number of records in the file unless you have deleted records,
in which case File Express re-uses the deleted record numbers to
save disk space.
The first field will be highlighted, followed by an entry line
that indicates the length of the field. The cursor will be at
the beginning of the line. Type in your input and press <Enter>
to move to the next line. Continue until you have filled in all
the fields. Any field may be left blank by just pressing <Enter>
without any input for that field. You may also use <Tab>, <Back-
tab>, <Cursor up>, <Cursor down>, and <Home> to move back and forth
through the fields.
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
If your record contains more than 20 fields, the screen will clear
after the 20th field is filled and the 21st field, through the end
of the record, will begin on a new screen.
AUTO ENTRY FIELDS
Whenever you get to a field with a KEY FIELD NAME, (See Define
New Database section for complete list and description of each
name), File Express will automatically fill in the field with the
appropriate information and then move on to the next field. This
is done very fast and is a quick way of supplying the current
date or time to each record.
CALCULATED FIELDS
When you reach a Calculated Field, (A numeric field that was as-
signed some mathematical operation in the Define New Database
section), File Express will quickly make the necessary calculations
and fill the correct answer into the field and then proceed to the
next field. In this manner you can have the computer do any re-
dundant arithmetic without having to figure the answer out your-
self before you enter it.
DOLLAR FIELDS
All dollar fields can only be filled with dollar amounts. File
Express will only allow one decimal point to be entered and only
two digits may follow it. Attempts to enter more than one decimal
point or to enter more than two numbers after it will be rejected
with the usual beep. You may change the sign of a dollar field,
or any numeric field except <+>, by pressing the minus sign at any
time during the entry, before pressing <Enter>. A negative sign
will appear to the right of the field. Further striking of the
minus sign key will toggle the sign off and on. If you enter a
partial dollar amount, such as '8' or '9.' or '6.3', File Express
will make the necessary conversion to the dollar format by adding
a decimal point, if needed, and one or two trailing zeros (again,
if needed). If you enter a number which, after conversion to
dollar format, will not fit within the length of the field you
will be given the message:
"Too long to fit in field ...Press <Enter>"
For example, if you enter the dollar amount '750' into a five
digit field, the resulting dollar format of 750.00 will not fit.
Also if you enter 59.95 into the field and set the minus sign on,
the result of -59.95 will not fit either. (These potential pro-
blems should be taken into consideration when choosing the length
of the field when defining a new database.)
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CONTROL KEYS
During data entry, a command line appears at the bottom of the
screen:
"<^R> copy from last record <Cursor up> up line <End> no
more <Esc> Abort"
<^R>
Pressing <^R> will copy the data you typed for the same field
number on the previous record. This is convenient if you are
entering a lot of duplicate information on each record, like
department numbers, cities, states, etc. (On the first record
entry of each session there is no "previous entry" so pressing
<^R> will only produce blanks).
<CURSOR UP>
Pressing <Cursor up> will move you back up one line at a time if
you need to make corrections. You may make any changes you wish.
In this manner you may <Cursor up> several fields, make a correc-
tion, and then <Cursor down> to move back to where you left off.
Since calculated fields are filled in by File Express, you can't
change them directly. Therefore, when using the <Cursor up> key,
all calculated fields are skipped over.
<END>
Press <End> if you have nothing more to add to a record. For
instance, if a record has 10 fields in it and you only want to
make entries into the first five, make the first five entries
and then press <End>. This has the same effect as if you had
just pressed <Enter> for the remaining five fields. If there are
any Calculated Fields in the record, they will be filled in at
this time.
<ESC>
If you would like to abort the entry of a record at any time,
press <Esc> and you will be returned to the Main Menu.
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SETTING FUNCTION KEYS
There are two places in File Express where you can set the Func-
tion Keys. The first is from the Main Menu, from option <9>.
The second is from the Add Data section. If you find that you
are having to repeatedly enter the name of one or two cities,
while filling in records, you may want to assign each city name
to a Function Key. To do this just press <Ctrl-K> from any-
where in the "Add Data" section. As soon as you do the screen
will clear and a list of the current contents of each Function
Key will be displayed. At the bottom of the screen will be
the prompt:
Press F-Key to Reset or <End> when finished
If you want to set F1 to "Cincinnati", press F1, then type in
"Cincinnati" in answer to the prompt:
Enter new text for F-Key 1
You will then see the first prompt again. You may continue to set
any of the Function Keys or reset any of them to a new value. When
you have completed your assignments, press <End>. File Express will
save the settings on the Data Disk with the same name as the database
file and with an extension of ".KEY" and then return you to the "Add
Data" section, leaving you at the same point where you initially
pressed <Ctrl-K>. Each time you select a database file to work with,
File Express will look on the disk for the Function Key file that
goes with it and pre-set the keys for you before you begin.
SAVE RECORDS
After filling all the fields of a record, or after pressing <End>
from the middle of a record, you will see the prompt:
"Press <S>ave <C>hange <R>e-enter <Esc> to quit"
If your record has more than 20 fields, you may use <PgUp> and
<PgDn> to look at the entire record to see if it is correct be-
fore you save it.
To save your record on the data diskette, press <S>. The drive
will run for a moment, the field contents will clear and File
Express will be ready for your input on the next record. (Press-
ing <Enter> will act the same as <S>. After typing in the last
field of a record and seeing that all is well, you may just press
<Enter> twice to quickly save the record to disk.
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CHANGES BEFORE SAVING
If you would like to make a change in any field before you Save
it, just press <C>. You will see:
"Enter field number to change".
Enter the field number you would like to correct and press
<Enter>. The cursor will be placed at the desired field and
you may then make your changes. From this point you may use
all editing keys to move through the fields, making any other
changes needed. When you are through, press <End>.
If the record contains any Calculated Fields or Auto Entry fields,
File Express will go back through the record, after a change, and
recalculate the Calc Fields and change any updatable Time or Date
fields before allowing you to save the record on disk, with the
<S> command.
If you decide that the record is all wrong and you would like to
start over again, press <R> for re-enter. The fields will clear
and you may then begin entering information from the beginning.
If you decide to forget the whole thing, just press <Esc> and you
will be taken back to the Main Menu.
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-------------------------------
S E A R C H / U P D A T E
-------------------------------
To search for a particular record or string of records within a
file, or to locate a record that you wish to correct, update, or
delete, press <3> while viewing the Main Menu.
There are several ways to find a record in File Express. You may
look by record number, field contents, last record on the file, or
you may view the entire list and stop wherever you like.
After arriving at the Search / Update Menu, by pressing <3> from
the Main Menu, you are presented with the following choices:
Search / Update
_____________________________________
| |
| 1 - Record Number |
| |
| 2 - Field Contents |
| |
| 3 - Last Record in File |
| |
| 4 - Display Entire File |
| |
| 5 - Quick Scan mode |
|-------------------------------------|
| 6 - Search and Replace |
| |
| 7 - Search and Delete |
| |
| 8 - Find duplicates in 1 file |
| |
| 9 - Find duplicates in 2 files |
|_____________________________________|
Selection ? <Esc> to Main Menu
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BY RECORD NUMBER
You may view any record by number within the current file.
After pressing <1> from the above menu, you will be asked to:
"Enter Record Number to view"
Type in the number of the record you would like to look at and
press <Enter>. File Express will pull that record from the
diskette and put it on the screen. If the record has two pages
you may use <PgUp> and <PgDn> to flip back and forth. The com-
mand line at the bottom of the screen will now read:
"<E>dit <N>ext Record <P>revious Record"
If you have found the record you are looking for and you wish to
do some editing on it, press <E>. The command line will change
to:
"<S>ave <C>hange <D>elete Record <Esc> Abort-not saved"
If your record contains any calculated fields you can turn on and
off the auto-recalc feature of File Express at this time. At the
right of the screen, near the bottom is:
"ReCalc-(Yes), No "
Press <Y> or <N>, this will toggle the state of auto-recalc on
and off. When the desired state is set, go ahead with any changes.
If auto-recalc is on, File Express will go back thru and recalculate
all Calc fields and also update any updatable time or date fields.
With recalc off, only the time & date are updated.
To change a field within the record, press <C> and proceed by
answering the questions that are asked by File Express.
To delete the entire record, press <D>. File Express will
beep a few times and ask:
"Are you sure you want to DESTROY THIS RECORD (Y/N)?"
If you are certain that you don't need the record, press <Y>. If
you decide to keep it, press <N>, and you will be back to the
line:
"<S>ave <C>hange <D>elete Record <Esc> Abort-not saved"
After you have made all the corrections that you desire, press
<S> to save the new version in place of the old. If you decide
that you don't want to save the changes, press <Esc>. You will
be returned to the <E>dit <N>ext <P>revious prompt with the re-
cord untouched.
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If you choose the number of a record to view and find that it is
not the one you wanted, you may press <N> for the Next record
number or <P> for the Previous record number. (<N> and <P> in a
record number search will pull the Next or Previous record number
regardless of how the file has been sorted). You may proceed in
either direction with these keys until you reach the beginning or
end of the file. Any record that you see may be edited by press-
ing <E>.
FIELD CONTENTS
You may also search for a particular record by telling File
Express to look for a given field entry, or even part of one.
When viewing the Search / Update menu, press <2> for Field
Contents. A list of the field names will be displayed and the
prompt line will ask:
"Field number to pull records by"
If your first field is called "Last Name", for instance, and you
want to find a record or records with a certain last name, press
<1> then <Enter>. File Express will then ask:
"Last Name to look for"
If you are looking for someone named "Anderson" then type that in
and press <Enter>. File Express will pull out the first record
that has a last name of "Anderson". Then a command line will
appear:
"<Space>-search <E>dit <N>ext Record <P>revious Record"
If the correct record is shown, then you may edit it if you wish
by pressing <E>. If, however, the record shown is not the "Ander-
son" you were looking for, you may press <Space bar> and File
Express will search for the next occurrence of "Anderson". When
it finds it, it will be displayed on the screen. If there are no
more "Anderson"'s in the file then the message will appear:
"There are No More MATCHES in this File...Press <Enter>"
At any time, you may also use <N> and <P> to back up or go forward
in the file.
If you want to pull up all records with the last name "Anderson",
but you don't remember if it is spelled "Anderson" or "Andersen",
you may enter just "Anders" when asked:
"Which Last Name to look for____________"
File Express will pull all records where the Last Name field
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
starts with "Anders". You may be as general or specific as you
like. Entering just an "A" will pull all the records that have
a last name beginning with "A".
Under most conditions File Express does not care whether the case
of the search string matches the information that it is looking
for. If you want to find the name Williams, you may enter
'williams', or 'WILLIAMS', or even 'WiLlIaMs. Likewise, if you
want to find 'McGinnis', File Express will pull all records that
match, whether 'MCGINNIS', 'mcginnis', MCGinnis, or any other
combination of upper and lower case within the name.
MIXED CASE SEARCHES
If you would like to take upper and lower case into consideration
when you are searching, Press <Ctrl-Enter> instead of <Enter> after
you type in the text to search for. In this manner, for example,
you can differentiate between the abbreviation for Canada (Ca) and
the abbreviation for California (CA).
SEARCHING FOR EMBEDDED TEXT
You may also search for text that is embedded within the contents
of a field. To make this kind of search you must type two periods
(..), before and after the text you want to search for. Such as
..money..
It is also possible to search for text that ends a particular field.
To do this just type the two periods before the text to look for.
Such as ..money
LAST RECORD
Pressing <3> when viewing the Search / Update Menu will cause the
last record on the file to be displayed. You may then use <N>
and <P> to move around the file from there. You may edit any of
the records presented.
If the last record in the file had previously been deleted, it
will not be displayed and instead, a message will appear next to
the first field:
"Deleted Record"
Pressing <Esc> will return you to the Search Menu. This will
also occur if you choose a record by RECORD NUMBER that has been
deleted.
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VIEW ENTIRE FILE
To view the entire file, press <4> while viewing the Search / Update
Menu.
Each record from the beginning of the file to the end will be
displayed in the order of the last sort, one after the other,
with a variable time delay between each one.
To change the length of time the records are shown on the screen,
press a number between 0 and 9 while the display is changing.
Pressing <0> will cause the records to be displayed one after the
other, very quickly. Pressing <9> will show each record for about
two seconds before bringing up the next one. <1> through <8> will
vary the delay between these two limits. To stop the display,
press <Space bar>. You will then see:
"<Space Bar>-to continue <E>dit <N>ext <P>revious"
If you saw the record you were looking for but weren't fast enough
to catch it with the space bar, just backup through the index by
using the <P> key. To continue the display of records, press
<Space bar> again. You may edit or delete any record you stop at
by pressing <E>. You may exit the file display at any time by
pressing <Esc>, whether the display is scrolling or whether you
have stopped at a record. If you stop and Edit a record, you will
be returned to the sequential display when you come back from the
change.
QUICK SCAN
File Express will allow you to view several fields of twenty records
at a time from your database. You may choose up to three fields to
be shown on the line for each record. You may choose to display any
record in its entirety at any time and then edit or delete the record
if desired.
To reach the Quick Scan feature, press <5> while viewing the Search/
Update Menu. After doing so you will see:
Enter up to 3 fields to view
Type in the number of up to three fields that you would like to view
on the one line display for each record. After doing so, the first
twenty records will be shown on the screen along with the associated
record numbers where each is stored. The records will be displayed
in the order of the last sort. The prompt line will read:
<C>hoose record to edit <PgDn>-next <PgUp>-prev
<Home>-top <End>-bot <Esc>-exit
<PgDn> will display the next twenty records in the database at a time
until the end of the index is reached. <PgUp> will display the prev-
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
ious 20 records at a time until the beginning of the index is reached.
<Home> will display the first 20 records in the index no matter where
you are. <End> will display the last 20 records in the index.
After looking through the database and finding a record you would like
to display in full, you may do so by pressing <C> and then entering the
number of the record desired. The entire record will then be displayed
and you may edit or delete it. After saving an edited record or
deleting a record, you will be returned to the Quick Scan mode.
-------------------------------------
S E A R C H A N D R E P L A C E
-------------------------------------
You may search for records within a file by using up to ten "AND"
and "OR" comparisons, then make replacements in up to forty differ-
ent fields. You may choose to have all changes made automatically
or you may confirm each change. You may also request a printed
list of all changed records.
To reach the Search and Replace section, press <6> from the
Search / Update menu. (The Search / Update menu is reached from
the Main Menu by pressing <3>) A message will appear:
Transferring to Search section
When the Search section has been loaded, a list of the field
names of the current file will be shown on the screen. At the
bottom of the screen will be a prompt:
"How would you like to choose the Records to have Fields Replaced"
<G>reater than <L>ess than <E>qual to <N>ot equal to
Press the beginning letter of the type of comparison you would
like to start off with. After selecting you will see:
"Select FIELD NUMBER to pull records by __"
You must now type in the number of the field you want to do the
comparison on. After doing so you will be asked:
"Which <fieldname> would you like to choose Records <comp type>"
You should now enter the name, value, etc., that you would like
to make your comparison with.
After doing so the bottom line will change to:
<A>-"AND" comparison <O>-"OR" comparison <End>-finished
With File Express you may do up to ten multiple comparisons when
choosing records to have replacements done.
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When you have finished, press <End> to tell File Express that
you are done and would like to continue on.
REPLACEMENT INFORMATION
After selecting the criteria by which the records will be pulled
you may then tell File Express which fields you would like to make
replacements into and what to replace them with.
The list of fields will be shown again and you will be asked to:
Choose first field to replace __
You may now choose the number of the first field in which you would
like to make a replacement. This field does not have to be amoung
the fields chosen to pull the record by. When you have typed in the
number you must then:
"Enter replacement text"
After typing in the text or number to be put into the field you will
be prompted to:
Choose next field to replace __ <End> when finished
You may then continue to specify the replacement fields (up to 40),
and the replacement contents. When you have finished, press <End>.
AUTOMATIC REPLACEMENT OR CONFIRMATION REQUIRED
After specifying which records to search for and which fields to
replace, you will be asked:
Replace <A>utomatically or <C>onfirm each change?
If you would like to have File Express go ahead and make the
replacements in all the records that match the search criteria,
press <A>. If, however, you would like to view the selected
records first and then decide whether or not to make the replace-
ments on a record-by-record basis, press <C>.
The next question to be asked will be:
Would you like a printed list of Records Replaced (Y/N)?
If you would like a printed copy of the record numbers that match
the search request, and if you chose to confirm each one, whether
or not they were replaced, press <Y>. You will then be prompted:
When printer is ready... press any key
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File Express(tm) User's Guide
If no printed list is desired then press <N>.
The screen will now clear and you will be shown a summary of the
search request. Example:
Search and Replace
Making replacements in <filename>
with:
LAST NAME equal to HAMBLIN
and FIRST NAME equal to RANDY
or FIRST NAME equal to NANCY
Ready to start checking file...Press any key when ready
Pressing any key (except <Esc> which will abort the whole search
and take you to the Search sub-menu), will start the Search and
Replace process. If you chose to confirm each record replaced
you will be shown the contents of each record that matches the
search values and asked:
Would you like to replace this record (Y/N)?
If you would like to have the replacement done then press <Y>.
If you want to bypass the record and go on then press <N>.
A running total of records replaced is shown on the screen as
the search is being done. If a printed list was requested then
the number of each record replaced will be printed.
After the search is complete you will see on the bottom line:
Search complete...Press any key to continue
Pressing any key will take you to the Search sub-menu.
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Search Menu
1 - Search and Replace
2 - Search and Delete
3 - Find Duplicated in one file
4 - Find Duplicates in two files
5 - Merge Multiple files
6 - Re-sort Index - return to Main Menu
7 - Re-sort Index - return here again
8 - Quit all processing - return to DOS
Selection
<Esc> to Main Menu
-----------------------------------
S E A R C H A N D D E L E T E
-----------------------------------
Records may be searched for by up to ten "AND" and "OR" compari-
sons and then deleted from the database. You may choose automa-
tic deletion or confirmation of each record deleted. A printed
list of deleted records is also available.
To reach the Search and Delete section of File Express, press <7>
while viewing the Search / Update menu.
The Search and Delete section is very much like the Search and
Replace section except that instead of making replacements into
certain fields of a selected record, the record is deleted from
the database. As with Search and Replace, deletions can be made
automatically or by confirmation only. A printed list is also
available.
After reading the section on Search and Replace preceding this
section you will have no trouble with Search and Delete.
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-------------------------------------------------------
F I N D D U P L I C A T E S I N O N E F I L E
-------------------------------------------------------
You may search for records that contain the same information in
up to ten different fields. A printed list of records found is
available.
To reach the Search for Duplicates section of File Express, press
<8> from the Search / Update menu. (The Search / Update menu is
reached from the Main Menu by pressing <3>).
After the required module is loaded, a list of the field names
in the current database file will be displayed. The command line
at the bottom of the screen will read:
Enter number of first field to check ___
You will be allowed to specify up to ten different fields to check
while searching for duplicates in a file. Begin by typing in the
number of the most important field to check. After making the
selection you will be asked to:
Enter number of next field to check __ or <End> - finished
You may now enter the number of the second most important field
to check. The fields you choose will be shown near the bottom
of the screen as you choose them so you can keep track of your
choices. If you only want to search on one field, press <End>
to continue on. The next question will be:
Has the index been sorted in ascending order as shown below?
The sequence of field choices that you have made will be shown.
For the duplicate search to work properly the database index must
have been sorted in ascending order in the same sequence as you
have selected the duplicate search fields. Answering <N> to the
question will cause a reminder message of this requirement to
be shown on the screen. Pressing a key after reading this message
will take you to the search sub-menu where you can choose to re-sort
the index and return to the search section again.
Answering <Y> to the above question will take you to the next query:
Would you like a printed list of Records that match (Y/N)?
If you want a printed list, as well as the list that is always sent
to the screen, press <Y>. Answering <N> will cause the list to only
be displayed on the screen.
Ready to start checking File...Press any key when ready
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Pressing any key will start the search process.
As each group of duplicate records is found, the group will be
shown on the screen along with their corresponding record numbers.
The contents of the search fields will also be shown so that you
can see at a glance what the duplicate records contain. As the
search is going on you may press <Esc> to pause at any time. If
the search is suspended in this way it can be restarted by pressing
<Enter> or canceled by pressing <Esc> again.
When the search is complete you will see:
Search for duplicates is complete...press any key to continue
Duplicate count: __ Group Count: __
Pressing any key will take you to the Search sub-menu where you
may select any of the options on the list.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
S E A R C H F O R D U P L I C A T E S I N 2 F I L E S
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You may search on up to ten fields for duplicates between two
different database files. A printed list of the duplicate
records is given on request.
To reach the Search for Duplicates in 2 Files section, press <9>
while viewing the Search / Update menu. (The Search / Update
menu is reached from the Main Menu by pressing <3>).
On the screen will appear a directory listing of the data files
on the current data drive. You must select the second file that
you want to compare to the one you have currently. This second
file does not have to have the same format as the current file
because you will be able to specify which field in the first
file to compare with which field in the second file.
The prompt at the bottom of the screen will read:
Enter number of File to include in duplicate search with <filename>
or press <drive letter> - new directory
If you see the name of the file you want to choose then enter the
number of that file. If the file you want to compare with is on a
different disk drive, you may press the letter of that drive and
the directory listing on the screen will change to reflect the
files on that drive.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Both files must be available to File Express on
the drive that they were selected from at all times during the
comparison process. (If you have a two diskette drive system, you
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may remove the Program Disk from its drive and put a Data Disk in
its place. File Express will prompt you to replace the program
later, if it needs it).
After selecting the file that you want to compare with the current
file you will be shown a list of the fields contained in the first
file (current file), and asked to:
Enter number of first field to check in <current filename>
After selecting the first field in the first file you will be
shown a list of the fields in the second file and asked to:
Enter comparison field to check in <second filename>
You may now enter the number of the field that you want to compare
with the first field you chose in the first file. This field
number may be different from the one chosen in the first file.
As you choose fields from each file they will be shown in the center
of the screen so you can keep track of your progress. You may
select up to ten different fields to compare between files.
After making your desired selections for field comparisons, press
<End> to continue on.
You will now be shown a summary of your selections with a list of
which fields in the first file are to be compared to which fields
in the second file. File Express will then ask:
Would you like a printed list of the duplicate records (Y/N)?
Press <Y> if you want a copy of the search results printed on the
printer along with the list to be shown on the screen. Answer <N>
if you want the screen display only.
The next question File Express will ask you is:
Are the indexes sorted in ascending order as shown above (Y/N)?
The index of each of the two files must have been previously sorted
in ascending order in the same sequence as the list shown under the
two filenames. If not, the search will not work correctly.
If they have not been sorted as shown, press <N>. You will be re-
minded of the requirement and taken to the Search sub-menu where you
may go to the Sort section to re-sort the current file, or return
to the Main Menu to select the second file as the current file so
you can sort it.
Pressing <Y> will display the message:
Ready to start checking File...press any key when ready
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Pressing any key will start the comparison.
As each match is found it will be displayed on the screen and op-
tionally on the printer as follows:
<first filename> # __ = <second filename> # __
When the comparison is complete, the message line will indicate:
Compare is complete...press any key to continue
Pressing any key will take you to the Search sub-menu where you can
select any option from the menu or press <Esc> to return to the
Main Menu.
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