

Create*
21
       Synopsis:  Creates a database.

       ShortCut-  c  (LowerCase)

     Enter How many fields you wish to have.Next enter the field  name
     ,see Field Types, next enter the length.You will  then  be  asked
     for the 'Field Type'.

     SELECT: STRING | DATE | INTEGER | BBOX | FBOX | TEXT

     STRING   Input Data any Format
     DATE     Input data as Date DD/MM/YY
     INTEGER  Input Data as Numeric.
     BBOX     Displays as text in a BevelBox
     FBOX     Displays as text in a Flipped Box
     TEXT     Displays as text.
     ASCII    Will display ASCI file in field definition.
     IFF      Will display IFF file.

     Select Continue Search for More


Create*
14
       Synopsis Creates Database

       Continued-

     After you have defined your fields you now have to position  them
     on the screen using the Mouse. When the field is in  the  desired
     position press the left mouse button. After you  have  positioned
     all of your fields you will then be able to add data as you wish.
     However If you have made a mistake this can be  easily  rectified
     by using the functions found in Organise.


   See Organise Add Field/Delete Field/Edit Field/Move Field


Delete*
7
       Synopsis:  Deletes current record

       ShortCut-  D  (UpperCase)

     Selecting this will result in LOSS OF DATA make sure that you
     have backed up your data before using this function.

Sort*
10
       Synopsis:  Sorts Records

       ShortCut-  S  (UpperCase)

     This function allows you to sort your data by  any      field.You
     can also sort numerically as well by string. After   you select
     this function  the  select  field requester  appears.  The  sort
     routine   is very fast and is case insensitive. In case you  were
     wondering DDBASE uses a type of Shell Metzner sort routine.



Load*
10
       Synopsis:  Loads a previously saved file.

       ShortCut-  l  (LowerCase)

     This function does what it says- loads data from disk.  The  file
     requester has a pattern matching to '.ddb', this is added to  all
     files saved with DDBASE.This makes  finding  and  loading a   lot
     easier. (Nico Francois is worth his weight in gold)


Add*
12
       Synopsis:  Adds a record to the database

       ShortCut-  Cr  (CarriageReturn)

     To add data just press the return key and then just type in your
     data and then select Accept or Cancel. Easy isn't it.

     Also if you have any external fields you can choose the ASCI file
     from a File Requester (Reqtools of course) ,so if you have more than
     one external field it might make sense to keep all your external files
     in the same directory.


Edit*
5
       Synopsis: Edits current record

       ShortCut-  e   (Lowercase)


Print*
5
       Synopsis:  Allows user to print using various output.

       ShortCut-  p  (LowerCase)

    See Help in Print Section.


Searching*
13
       Synopsis: Will send data to printer when you use the
       search function.

       ShortCut- p  (LowerCase)

   You have the option to Output To Printer or a File.
   If you elect to output to a file you can select the Path and Filename
   with a requester.The data will Output to the screen and the file.
   
   Selecting this function any data output from the next  search  will
   be output to the screen and to the printer in the format  you  have
   selected, Table View or Record View.

Envelope*
9
       Synopsis:Will output the selected fields to a Label or
      Envelope.

       ShortCut-   e  (LowerCase)


   You will be asked for the tab position and then it will print
   the current record (Selected Fields)


Print All*
7
       Sysnopsis: Prints all the records.

       ShortCut-  a  (LowerCase)

   This function will print all the records in the format that
   you have selected.

Current*
6
       Synopsis: Prints Current Record

       ShortCut-  c  (LowerCase)

   Prints Current Record in the format you have chosen

Table View*
9
       Synopsis: Print Format

       ShortCut  t  (LowerCase)

   Prints  selected  fields  horizontally  accross  the  Paper.  After
   reaching 65 lines you will be asked to insert a new sheet of paper.
   If you use tractor feed then set your printer to  the  top  of  the
   next page.

Record View*
5
       Synopsis: Print Format

       ShortCut  r  (LowerCase)

   Prints Selected fields vertically down the paper.


Form View*
8
       Synopsis: Print Format

       Shortcut f (LowerCase)

    Prints all fields as they appear on the screen. Saying that it will
    not display Bevel Boxes etc just the field Text and Data.


Save As*
6
       Synopsis: Saves DataBase

       ShortCut s (LowerCase)

    Produces a ReqTools File Requester so you can choose what name to
    save the database with.

Snap*
20
       Synopsis: Takes a snapshot of current record

       ShortCut  P (UpperCase)

    Those of you who have not heard of the  utility  'SNAP'  ©  Mikael
    Karlsson, may find this quite strange. When selected  the  program
    will save the current record to T: as snap{nn}.ddb. NN is  updated
    for each record you Snap so after for instance you Snap 2  Records
    the directory T: would look something like this:

   1.Ram Disk:> dir t:
    snap1.ddb
    snap2.ddb
   1.Ram Disk:>

    The reason why the current record is displayed in a  Requester  is
    quite simple SNAP © by Mikael Karlsson does not work  due  to  the
    BevelBoxs.


New*
8
       Synopsis:Deletes the whole database or data

       ShortCut  n (LowerCase)

    You have the option Kill! | Data | Cancel. Selecting  Kill!  will
    delete the data and  the  data  structure  (fields  etc).  Whereas
    Delete Data will only clear the data leaving the data structure in
    tact.


UpDate*
7
       Synopsis: Edit Current Record using Selected Fields only.
       
       Shortcut  u
       
       Useful if you add a field after you have entered some data. Just
       select the fields you wish to UpDate {See Organise}.
       

Notes*
13
      Synopsis: Create a small ASCII File.
      
      Shortcut N
      
      Useful for creating small text files on the fly for use with a 
      ASCII field. If the file exists then you can Overwrite or Append the
      file.If you choose to Append then the last page is displayed first
      so you can add more data to the end.
      
      You can however only edit the current line you are entering, if you
      wish to edit a ASCII file you can by using a text editor, for longer
      text files you would use this method anyway.
      
Save*
9
       Synopsis: Save data direct without the option of a File
       Requester.

       ShortCut v (LowerCase)

    Save will only work if their is a database that  has  either  been
    loaded or has previously been saved.In other  words  if  the  file
    path and name is null ("") it will not work



ASCII*
10
      Synopsis: List [Ext]ernal Asci File

      ShortCut x (LowerCase)

   You can display any external records stored in the External field
   definition.

   To scroll the file press the left mouse key. To exit press the right
   mouse key.


Organise*
8
       Synopsis: To alter fields and Import and Export Data

       ShortCut  o   (LowerCase)

    I believe that these functions make DDBASE stand  out  from  other
    Database programs. To be  able  to alter  the  fields   and  their
    position to Add fields or delete them with ease.

Select Fields*
10
       Synopsis:Select the fields you wish to print

       ShortCut s (LowerCase)

   You have the option to select All | Select | Cancel.  By  selecting
   All this will enable   you to print all the fields.With  Select you
   can choose the fields that you want printed and their length. Enter
   how many fields you wish to use. The field requester will appear on
   the right and a list of chosen fields on the left.


Calculations*
8
      Synopsis: Select fields you wish to Calculate the Sum of.

      Shortcut Non (At the Moment)

      Choose   Select|Cancel. To select fields  click on select and enter how
      many fields you wish to use.Then with the Mouse select the fields from
      the requester.



Export DATA*
21
       Synopsis: Exports data with out the field information.
       ASCI or SuperBase Format

       ShortCut x (LowerCase)

   ASCI

   The selected fields will be output to a file. This will  be useful
   to transfer data from one database to another or for a  mail  merge
   file for use with a word processor.

   SuperBase

   The data will be output in a format that SuperBase can Import. Also
   you will find a  second  file  with a  '.hlp'  suffix,  this   file
   contains the field name and length of the records.To use  the  data
   in SuperBase you will first need to create a database that has  the
   same amount of fields and the correct length.To find out how to  do
   this look in the SuperBase manual.


Import DATA*
17
       Synopsis: Merges Data ASCI or SuperBase Format

       Shortcut  i (LowerCase)

   Merges data to database.Their must be the same amount for fields in
   the file to be  imported  otherwise all  sorts   of problems  will
   occur.However the actual length of the fields on  the  file to   be
   imported is not important,BE WARNED if the fields are  longer  than
   the current database then they will be trimmed to the size  of  the
   current field lengths.

  Import SuperBase

   Will import data that has been previously exported from Superbase
   Enter the field seperator ie ',' or '*' whatever you set in Superbase
   SuperBase ©Precision Software.

Edit Field*
17
       Synopsis: Allows you to edit any field.Also change the length.
.................Delete Field.

       Shortcut  e  (LowerCase)

   Displays the Select Field requester.After selecting the  field  you
   can change or alter the field name.After pressing  return  you  can
   change the field length.Also you can change the Field Type.

   Delete Field


   After selecting Edit and Selected the Field you choose to delete.
   It must be noted that deleting  a  field not only deletes the 
   specified field  but  also  the  corresponding data in the database.

   See Create



Move Field*
14
       Synopsis: Allows you to move any field to a new position.

       ShortCut  m (LowerCase)

   You have the option to change   all the   fields or select
   field. Change  all  fields  is  the same procedure  you   went
   through  with Create after defining your fields.

   However if you  choose  to  select  the  field  that  you  wish  to
   move,choose Select.After  selecting the  field  from   the  Field
   Requester, all the existing fields will be displayed.All  you  have
   to do is to move your new field to the correct position  and  press
   the left mouse button.



Add Field*
10
       Synopsis: Add field

       ShortCut a (LowerCase)

   Allows you to Add another field.A string requester appears for  you
   to enter the name of the new field.Then you enter the  length.  You
   then have to select the Field Type. After this you position the new
   field using the mouse, when it is in the desired position press the
   left mouse button.




Statistics*
8
     Synopsis: Displays Information about your Database

     Shortcut =  S  (UpperCase)

     Will display a requester displaying how many records,fields and
     displaying all the fields with their length and Field Types.You
     can also print the information.


Draw Box*
21
     Synopsis: Draw Flip / Bevel Boxes

     Shortcut = b (LowerCase)

     Select BEVEL|FLIP|RBOX|CIRCLE|DELETE|CANCEL

     BEVEL  Draws a bevelbox {GADTOOL}
     FLIP   Draws a flipbox {GADTOOL} (DDBASE will not run on OS1.3)
     RBOX   Draws a rounded box.(Best on Square Boxes or small ones)
     CIRCLE Draws a circle.
     DELETE Deletes Last Box Drawn
     CANCEL Exits from the routine.

     Position pointer to the top left corner of the box that you wish
     to draw, then press the left mouse button.
     Move the pointer to the bottom right corner, you will notice the
     rubber banding effect. When the box is to your desired size press
     the left mouse button.

     If you are drawing a circle start from the centre and work to the
     Right.

     NOTE: You can only go from Left to Right and not Right to Left.



Replace*
9
      Synopsis: Search for a character/word and replace it.

      ShortCut b (LowerCase)

      Enter the word you wish to change in the requester and then enter
      what you wish it to be changed to.

      Answer 'Accept' or 'Cancel' to exit without proceding.


=*
21
     Synopsis: Search Database      (Case Insensitive)

     Shortcut  =

    With this function you can search the database using  any  of  the
    fields.Any field that you do not want to use just leave blank. You
    can use `^' `=' `*' `|' (thats shift + \).

    Using '^' {In String}  You would use this :- ^fred -:  this  would
    search that field for any occurances of 'fred' in the field.

    Using '|' {Left String} You would use this :- |fred -: this  would
    search that field for the left  part  of  the  field  that equals
    'fred'.

    Using '=' {Exact Match} You would use this :- =fred -: this  would
    search that field for an exact match.

    See ? Quick Search   Select Continue for MORE
    


=*
9
     Continued....
     
     Using `*' {Range}   You would use this :- *Peter|Oscar -: This would
     display all the records from Peter to Oscar. If you want to do a
     range with a date or the field length isn't sufficient to enter your
     range the just enter `*' and after to have entered all your other
     search criterea you will be able to enter your range using a string
     requester.


?*
9
     Synopsis: Quick Search  (Case Insensitive)

     Shortcut ?

    This function will search all fields  for  any  occurance  of  the
    search word. Example :- If you entered 'fred' it would try to find
    any occurance  of  fred  in  any  of the   fields.     This     is
    case insensitive.


|«*
7

    Synopsis: Move to start of Database

    Shortcut Cursor Down

    When a database has been open it moves to the start.


««*
7
    Synopsis: Moves to the previous record

    Shortcut  Cursor Left

     Displays the previous record.



º*
7
     Synopsis: Goto Line No

     Shortcut  Space

     Allows you to Jump to any Record.



»»*
6
     Synopsis: Displays the next record

     Shortcut  Cursor Right

     Displays the next record.

»|*
7
     Synopsis: Moves to Last record

     Shortcut  Cursor Up

     Moves to the last record.


About*
6
     Synopsis: Tells you all about me!

     Shortcut  A (Uppercase)

     What can I say!!!!


Prefs*
19
     Synopsis: Allows the user to alter some operations of DDBASE

     Shortcut f (LowerCase)

     LOAD      Set On/Off. When On DDBASE will attempt to load the file
          Defined in the FileName Gadget

     FILENAME  Select the 'R' Gadget (short for Requester) and then select
          a file from the File Requester.

     PRINT     This option sets the page Length for output to a printer.
      SEE the Print section.

     SEPERATOR This allows you to enter the field seperator.This is useful
          when you are exporting or importing data from SuperBase.
          {SuperBase ©Precision Software}

          SELECT Continue Search For More!



Prefs*
20
    Continued

     CALCULATE Calculate when searching [=].Will open a window and display
     				all the selected fields.{See Calculations}
     				
     PATH      Set the Path for DDBASE.Keep all your files here.
     
     GUIDE     Use Amigaguide for Help. AmigaGuide needs to be in the C
     				directory and ddbase.guide in the Path directory.
     				
     DATE      Use DD/MM/YY or DD MMM YYYY (12/06/93 or 12 Jun 1993)
     
     SAVE      This saves the preference settings.

     USE       This saves the preference settings to Ram:env/sys/.

     USE+SAVE  Take a guess at this one... Thats correct it saves the
          Preference Settings to the current prefs (env:sys/) and to
          prefs/Env-Archive/sys/.



String*
6
   Synopsis: Field Definition- String Field

   ShortCut s (LowerCase)

   Defines the current field to input strings {Alpha/Numeric}



Date*
22
        Synopsis: Field Definition- Date Field
        
        ShortCut d {LowerCase}
 
        Date Type 1  DD/MM/YY
        Date Type 2 DD MMM YYY IE. 12 Nov 1993
        
        Defines the current field for a Date input. 
        
        NOTE: It is very important that you specify a date field BEFORE
        you enter any data.
        
        If you have already created a database and have entered some data
        you will be alright if you Add a Date field.
        
        On the other hand if you wish to change a current field to a Date
        field you will first have to Export the database, select New `delete
        data' , then change the field type and Import the data back in.
        
        Alternatively you could add another field and use the UpDate function
        to enter the correct dates.
        
Integer*
6
   Synopsis: Field Definition- Numeric Data Input

   ShortCut i {LowerCase}

   Input Numeric data.


BBox*
8
   Synopsis: Field Definition- Display Field

   ShortCut b {LowerCase}

   Displays field title only. The field title is embodied in a
   BevelBox .NOTE You need only set the field length to 1.


Text*
7
   Synopsis: Field Definition- Display Field

   ShortCut t {LowerCase}

   Displays field title only.
   NOTE You need only set the field length to 1.



FBox*
7
   Synopsis: Field Definition- Display Field

   ShortCut f {LowerCase}

   Displays field title embodied in a flipped bevel box.
   NOTE You need only set the field length to 1.



External*
20
       Synopsis:Will Display external ASCII File

       ShortCut e {LowerCase}

       You may have as many external fields {upto 20} as you like.
       You should set the field length so it will be adequate for
       storing the file path and name.A typical external field would
       look something like  this:

       Workbench:documents/reqtools/reqtools.doc

       The field name would be for example - Documents. The field length
   = 40. This should be enough for most purposes but you can have
   Longer/Shorter fields if you wish.

   On the main screen a External field will be displayed as a gadget
   To view the External File just click the gadget.

   Please see the tutorial.


Iff*
10
       Synopsis: Displays ILBM IFF Pictures

       ShortCut  p

       Similar to External but displays a IFF File instead.If you wish to
       print your picture then select `Searching' from the `Print'
       requester before viewing the file.

       See External


External Gadget*
11
     Synopsis: To display a External Field

     Shortcut  Non

     A gadget that when pressed will display a ASCII file that has the
     Path and Name stored in the Field.To see the Name and Path of a
     External field select Snap.A External field Gadget can be identified
     by a blue broken border.

      See External, Snap.


Iff Gadget*
10
     Synopsis: To Display a IFF Picture

     ShortCut Non

     A gadget when pressed will display a IFF Picture that has the name
     and path stored in the field.A IFF Gadget can be identified by a
     blue Border.Just to see the contents of the field select Snap.

     See IFF, Snap


Guide*
10
     Synopsis:Use AmigaGuide when Help Key is pressed.
     
     Shortcut  Non
     
     Instead of pressing Help and then clicking the gadget you need help
     with, a Help file in AmigaGuide is used.
     
     This gives more information overall but shares the same information
     about the gadgets.


Path*
12
     Synopsis: The path for the system files.IE. Help files etc
     
     Shortcut Non
     
     This enables you to put DDBASE in any directory on a Hard Disk or
     floppy and the Help files - DDBASE.HLP and DDBASE.GUIDE anywhere
     you wish,DDBASE will know how to find them.
     
     Ideally you would put DDBASE and the supporting files in a directory
     along with the database files you create and then set the path to
     this directory. IE Path == 'DH0:Database/' .


Calculate*
12
    Synopsis:When set will calculate selected fields
    
    Shortcut Non
    
    When set it will display the fields,either all the fields or the fields
    you have selected {see Organise Select Fields}.
    
    If you have selected the fields you wish to use {See Organise Set-Calc}
    when you use Search  or Quick Search the Sum of the fields will be 
    calculated.
    

