<<Introduction>>
IT Compares Introduction
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         IT Compares is one of many modules in the ITs for Clarion
         series of utilties.  IT Compares has been created at the
         request of Clarion Professional Developer (CPD) developers
         and at the interest of Clarion Database Developer (CDD)
         developers.

         IT Compares' purpose is to support developers in maintaining
         common file structures across applications and help
         identify any differences.  Developers of applications using
         Clarion Professional Developer (CPD) must maintain the file
         structures in each individual APP files. For systems where
         multiple EXEs are implemented on a similar set of files,
         this can become an increasingly difficult task as the
         number of EXEs increases.

         Since CPD does not support a central data dictionary, the
         developer must either IMPORT file definitions from a master
         APP (administratively controlled) or maintain the file
         definitions through hand coding with or without the use
         of INCLUDEs.

         The majority of us have invested in the Clarion development
         environment in an effort to increase our productivity; and
         therefore, minimize the amount of hand coding and the amount
         of required maintenance.

         IT Compares prompts for the selection of two Clarion source
         files.  Each is validated as a Clarion PROGRAM file.  Once
         the files have been selected, the data declaration sections
         are text parsed into an internal data structure.  Three reports
         are available on the internal data.

                    Report on the differences in files, keys,
                     indices, fields, groups, and memos on
                     file labels common to both files.

                    Report on file components identified in the
                     first file selected not present in the second
                     file selected.

                    Report on file components identified in the
                     second file selected not present in the first
                     file selected.

<<IT Compares Does and Does NOT>>
<IT Compares Does>
    IT Compares Does
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                    Support FILE definitions in the GLOBAL scope.

                    Support FILE definitions in INCLUDEd files
                     called within the GLOBAL scope.

<IT Compares Does Not>
    IT Compares Does Not
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                    Support FILE definitions outside of the GLOBAL
                     scope.  FILE definitions declared in the LOCAL
                     STATIC scope are not identified.  This feature
                     is tagged for a future version release.

                    As of Clarion Database Developer batch release
                     3005, the EXTERNAL attribute use on a
                     file declaration is NOT supported in the current
                     release of IT Compares.  This deficiency is due
                     to the timing of the 3005 batch release and this
                     release of IT Compares.  This feature is tagged
                     for a future version release.

                    Search the PATH nor use the redirect (RED) file
                     for locating any files within the original
                     source files.  This feature is tagged for a future
                     version release.

<<INI - Initialization File>>
    ITCOMPAR.INI
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         Each of the ITs for Clarion utilizes a set of initialization
         files (INIs) for selecting end-user modifiable parameters.
         Each of the pertinent parameters is denoted and discussed
         hereafter.

<INI - GRAPHIC=>
     GRAPHIC= 

         Each of the ITs for Clarion operates in a text or graphic
         environment.  This INI parameter is essential in the
         operation in graphic mode.  Provided the value of the
         GRAPHIC= parameter is ANY value other than YES {GRAPHIC=YES},
         the utilty defaults to text mode.   Text mode obviously runs
         more quickly than graphic mode; therefore, if speed is of
         utmost importance, then set this value to NO {GRAPHIC=NO}.

         If the value is YES {GRAPHIC=YES}, the IT queries the
         computer's video for the current mode.  If the mode is EGA
         or VGA, then the graphic parameters are activated immediately.
         If the video mode is SVGA, then IT sets the video mode to
         VGA then activates the graphic parameter internal to the
         program.

<INI - CTLpath=>
     CTLpath= 

         Each IT in the ITs for Clarion series utilizes a set of
         control (CTL) files.  These CTL files are used for controlling
         the operation of each of the ITs. Normally, the CTL files are
         placed in the \IT directory; however, they may be moved
         to an alternate directory.  Should you move the CTLs
         to another directory, the value of this parameter must be
         modified to include to new path.

         The default is:
                   CTLpath=C:\IT

         You might change it to:
                   CTLpath=C:\ITS\CTLS

<INI - DemoPath=>
     DemoPath=                                                      і
                                                                          і
      Each IT in the ITs for Clarion has a DEMO. Our efforts              і
      to provide a completely functional DEMO include allowing            і
      the user to establish a customized demo path.                       і

<<Files Supplied>>
    Supplied Files
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         If you are like us, you want to know what files are supplied
         and what is their purpose.  We hope to provide a listing of
         file extensions used and their purpose in the following
         manner.

<Supplied Files>
<ГДДД EXEs Supplied>
       *.EXE - Executables

         Executable files are the program files purchased.  Only EXEs
         required are supplied with the ITs for Clarion series.

<ГДДД DLLs Supplied>
       *.DLL - Dynamic Link Libraries

         Dynamic Link Libraries are supplied as necessary to support
         the operation of the ITs for Clarion.  DLLs required
         specifically for its operation are supplied on their unique
         diskette or ZIP file, if accessed via the DTS ***BBS***.

         DLLs supplied on a separate diskette are Clarion Database
         Developer (CDD) supporting DLLs for the appropriate batch
         release.  Provided you are running with the same batch as the
         IT was developed, these DLLs are not required.  However, due
         to the fact that some developers may choose to not upgrade
         to the latest release of CDD and that others may upgrade
         to CDD prior to the ITs for Clarion these DLLs are shipped
         to provide compatibility.

<ГДДД HLPs Supplied>
      *.HLP - Help Files                                                  і
                                                                          і
      Help files contains the MANY-MANY linkage for the Help IDs          і
      in the EXE to the help text (TXT) and the help screens.             і
      This file is required to be in the PATH for help to function.       і
                                                                          і
<ГДДД TXTs Supplied>
      *.TXT - Help Text Files                                             і
                                                                          і
      The Clarion Database Developer help system uses ASCII text          і
      files for the help system.  Unless otherwise noted,                 і
      Diversified Technology Solutions uses a consistant naming           і
      convention for these ASCII text files.  The help text file          і
      inherits the filename of the associated executable with             і
      the TXT extension.  For example, COMPARES.TXT is the ASCII          і
      help file for COMPARES.EXE.                                         і
                                                                          і
      Notice that XTRACEs also contain the TXT extension and are          і
      not required for proper operation of the ITs for Clarion.           і

<ГДДД INIs Supplied>
       *.INI - Initialization Files

         Initialization files are supplied with the ITs for Clarion
         series providing end-user control of program parameters.

<ГДДД CTLs Supplied>
       *.CTL - Control Files

         Control files are supplied as an integral part of each ITs
         for Clarion module controlling the operations of the utility.
         As new features are included or modified, a simple
         downloading of a new CTL may add addtional features to the
         IT.  All end-user modifiable parameters may be set within
         the specific INI.

<АДДД $$$s Created>
       *.$$$ - Scratch Files

         Scratch files are created by the memory management scheme of
         the TopSpeed DOS extender.  Additionally, the ITs
         for Clarion utilities create scratch files for reporting and
         supporting purposes.  We have opted to use the $$$ extension
         for these files to help you identify those files which may
         be deleted without adverse affects.  Should a system crash
         occur during an ITs process, you may remove any of the
         ITs scratch files without experiencing adverse affects.
         Be careful to not delete any Clarion scratch files while
         CDD is running.

<<Main Menu>>

IT Compares Main Menu
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<Files>
    Files
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         The FILES menu option provides a pulldown of two selections:

                    Select Files to Compare
                    Exit

<Reports>
     Reports
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         The REPORTS menu option supports the access to reports
         available to the user.  All REPORTS' menu selections are
         dimmed until the SELECT FILES FOR COMPARE under the FILES
         menu has been run in its fruition.  Should the file
         selection optoin be initiated then aborted, the REPORTS
         options are again dimmed.

         Three reports are available on the interal data:

<ГДДД Differences in Like Files>
             Differences in Like Files

                   Report on the differences in files, keys,
                   indices, fields, groups, and memos on file
                   labels common to both files.

<ГДДД 1st File Labels NOT in 2nd>
             1st File Labels NOT in 2nd

                   Report on file components identified in the
                   first file selected not present in the second
                   file selected.

<АДДД 2nd File Labels NOT in 1st>
             2nd File Labels NOT in 1st

                   Report on file components identified in the
                   second file selected not present in the first
                   file selected.

<About>
     About
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         The About menu selection displays a simple screen containing
         general information regarding the product including but not
         limited to the developer and version.

<Help>
     Help
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         The Help menu selection retrieves a general help screen with
         additional information pertaining to this IT.

<<Select Files for Comparison>>
   Select Files for Comparison
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         The user selects two valid Clarion PROGRAM files for
         comparison of the FILE definitions.  As each file is
         selected it is checked to be a valid Clarion PROGRAM
         file.  If not, the process is aborted and control is
         returned to the file selection screen.

<File Selection>
     File Selection
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         A standard set of screen fields are available in the file
         selection screen.  Each is described below.

<ГДДД File Mask>
      File Mask 

         The File Mask field permits the input of a filter on the
         file names available in the Files list box.  The default
         File mask is set to *.CLA to limit the display of Files
         list box to a set of files containing the default Clarion
         extension.

<ГДДД Directory >
      Directory 

         The Directory field displays the currently selected
         directory.  As the path changes due to pertinent
         selections from the Directories field, the currently
         selected directory is displayed in this field.

<ГДДД Files>
      Files 

         The Files field provides a listing of files available from
         within the selected directory.  The Files list box is
         filtered by the entry in the File Mask field.  The desired
         file may be selected by cursor or mouse movement placing the
         cursor bar on the desired entry followed by selection
         of the OK button OR simply double-clicking the left mouse
         button on the desired file.

<ГДДД Directories>
      Directories 

         The Directories field provides a listing of directories.
         The desired directory may be selected by cursor or mouse
         movement placing the cursor bar on the desired entry
         followed by selection of the OK button OR simply double-
         clicking the left mouse button on the desired directory.

<ГДДД OK>
      OK 

         Selecting the OK button completes the selection of file.
         Once the file is selected, its contents are immediately
         validated to be a Clarion PROGRAM file.

<АДДД Cancel>
      Cancel 

         Selecting the CANCEL button aborts the file selection
         process and returns control to the main menu.

<File Processing>
    Processing the Selected Files
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         After each of the files have been selected and validated
         for containing the appropriate scope, the contents of
         each file are parsed into an internal supporting data set.
         Once the data is available in a database format the
         information is much more easily processed.

         As each file is processed an appropriately titled list
         box is displayed with the contents displayed as parsing
         occurs.  As each source file is parsed, INCLUDE files
         located within the GLOBAL scope are added to the parsing
         stack to support their parsing to ensure all FILE definitions
         are indentified indeed.

<АДДД Special NOTE on INCLUDEs>
       NOTE: Any of the INCLUDE files MUST be explicitly denoted
             inclusive of the path. If the complete path is NOT
             specified within the INCLUDE file name, only the default
             directory is searched.  Neither the PATH nor RED are
             used to locate INCLUDE files.

         A field on the parsing screen immediately above the list
         box displays the file currently parsed.

<Exit>
   Exit
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         Selecting EXIT from the FILE menu performs minor clean-up
         functions prior to returning control to the DOS environment.
         All temporary files created by IT Compares are deleted from
         the disk and the default directory is set to that from
         which the program was initiated.

<<Report Redirection>>
    Redirecting Report Output
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         After selecting a report for analysis, the standard CDD
         template redirection screen is provided for directing the
         report output to the desired device.

<Report Destination>
<ГДДД Destination>
     Destination 

         A radio button selection is provided for redirection of
         the report output.  Devices are available as follows.

                   Parallel Ports
                             LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, and LPT4

                   Serial Ports
                             COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4

                   Disk File
                             FILE

                   Screen Display
                             SCREEN

<ГДДД Filename>
     Filename 

         If the FILE radio button is selected as the Destination
         field, control is passed to the Filename field prompting
         for the input of a disk file name.

<ГДДД OK>
     OK 

         Selecting the OK button initiates the report generation with
         output directed to the opted device.

<АДДД Cancel>
     Cancel 

         Selecting the CANCEL button aborts the report generation
         and control is returned to the menu.

<<View Report>>
<Report Viewing>
  View Report Output
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         After selecting a report for analysis, the standard CDD
         template redirection screen is provided for directing the
         report output to the desired device.

         If the SCREEN or FILE is selected as the output device,
         a list box is displayed permitting the viewing of the
         report on screen.  Three buttons are supplied: Print, Exit,      і
         and Help.                                                        і

<ГДДД Print>
     Print 

         The output displayed on the screen may be printed by
         pressing the Print button.  Once PRINT is selected a set
         of radio buttons is displayed beneath the list box for
         selecting the device for output.  Devices available are:

                    LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, LPT4, and
                    COM1, COM2.

<ГДДД Exit>
     Exit 

         Exits the viewing port and returns control to the main menu.

<  АДДД Help>
       Help                                                         і
                                                                          і
      Help relevant to this process is available by selecting             і
      this button.                                                        і