Database functions - Bench 1.1
------------------------------

     Hidden underneath Bench 1.1 is a dBASE-compatible
database engine (Codebase ++, by Sequiter Software).  This
database engine is responsible not only for cataloging
the tests, but also for keeping track of their results.  In
order for you to get the most out of Bench 1.1, it is
important to understand how Bench 1.1 organizes
the results it generates from the tests.

     In the Bench subdirectory, you will find five .DBF
files and five .MDX files:

          TEST.DBF       TEST.MDX
          TSTGROUP.DBF   TSTGROUP.MDX
          MACHINE.DBF    MACHINE.MDX
          RESULT.DBF     RESULT.MDX
          SYSINFO.DBF    SYSINFO.MDX

     The .DBF files are dBASE-compatible data files and the
.MDX files are their respective index files.  The MACHINE and 
RESULT files record information for the test machines.

     The MACHINE file stores data about a given system
configuration.  The information in this file is as
follows:

          Machine ID          :    8 characters
          Variant             :    1 character
          Machine Name        :    12 characters
          Machine Description :    225 characters

     The Machine ID and Variant are used to uniquely
identify a machine and configuration.  For example:

          Machine ID: ibm70        Variant: 0

could be used to identify an IBM PS/2 Model 70 configured to
run without a disk cache while:

          Machine ID: ibm70        Variant: 1

could be used to identify the same machine with disk caching
enabled.

     It is imperative to use meaningful Machine IDs when
recording test results.  

     When printing test results to a file, the output
file name will take the form of:

                    [MachineID].PR[V]

     where [V] is the Variant ID used for that unit's test
run.

     "Machine Name" serves in Bench 1.1 as identifier for
column headings in all of the test windows.

     Machine Description is a long description which can
include notes about the system's components, any special
configuration notes, or any special observations about the
system's behavior while under test.

     The RESULT file is where all the results from the tests
are stored.  Provided with Bench 1.1 are result files from the
following machines:

     IBM XT                        IBM AT
     Compaq Deskpro 386N           IBM Model 70-A21
     Compaq Deskpro 38625e         IBM Model 90 (486-33)

     Every time a test is run, the result is immediately
written to the database.  This ensures that if there is a
problem with any one test hanging the system or aborting the
tests, the results from the rest of the test run aren't
lost.  Upon exiting the program, the exit dialog box asks you
if you want to commit results to the database.  Checking this
box means that the results that are currently in the
database will be permanently stamped with a date and
time.  This will permit these results to be recalled later on
for comparison purposes.

     If you choose not to commit the results to the
database, the next time you run the program, the first thing
that will appear is a dialog that will remind you of
uncommitted results in the database.  You will be given four
options at that time:

     use - use the results and bring them back
for modifications/additions

     delete - delete the results from the
database and then prompt for new machine information

     commit - date- and time-stamp the results
and then prompt for new machine information

     exit - exit the program

You should make backups of your database periodically.  In
the event that your database becomes corrupt or gets
destroyed there are backup files containing only the
default comparison machine data.  When making
your own backups, do not use the extensions .BKD or .BKX as
they will conflict with the prestored backups.

TO RESTORE THE DATABASE TO ITS ORIGINAL CONTENTS:
Run the REINITDB batch file.  You will be warned that your
data is about to be destroyed.  To cancel the procedure, hold
down the Ctrl key and hit the Break key.  (The word "Break"
may appear on the front of this key on some keyboards.)