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----------------------------------------------- : : : Supplement To Ultra-Utilities Documentation : : : : >>>>>> Ultra-Mind <<<<<< : : : : The Intelligent Database Program Generator : : : ----------------------------------------------- RELEASE 1.0, First Release, December, 1983 Author: Wat Buchanon Ultra-Mind program and documentation Copyright (C), 1983, The FreeSoft Company, P.O. Box 27608, St. Louis, MO 63146. All Rights Reserved. Please see Ultra-Utilities documentation for warranty and duplication policy. Table Of Contents ----------------- Introduction........................................UM-1 Defining And Generating Your Database...............UM-2 How To Use The Generated Program....................UM-8 Appendix A: Format Of Ultra-Mind Disk Files.........UM-11 Appendix B: Wish List...............................UM-13 Appendix C: The Ultra-Utilities.....................UM-14 Appendix D: Limited License For Ultra-Mind..........UM-15 UM-1) Introduction ------------ At FreeSoft, we do quite a lot of database work, both for ourselves and for clients. After writing about the seven millionth database manager, we came to a startling conclusion: very little was actually changing from program to program. We admittedly are experts when it comes to reinventing the wheel, but this time a thought struck us, "Why not write a database program generator?" (TA-DA! Sound of trumpets...). Well, that was several years ago, and Ultra-Mind is the end result. Basically what it does is allow you to set up your unique database needs, and then actually writes a dedicated database program in BASIC while you watch. What we found was that we were doing in a few minutes what used to take hours or days. Here's a brief outline of Ultra-Mind's capabilities and features: 1) This program allows you to set up a customized data entry system and then writes a dedicated BASIC database manager program. 2) The data entry can be divided into multiple screens, called "pages". 3) Several different types of input fields are supported: Numeric, Alphanumeric, Formatted Numeric, Calculated, Automatic Date, and Automatic Time. In addition, the user can specify any keys that are restricted from entry for each individual field (No Z's allowed, for instance). 4) Non-field symbols, such as titles or borders, can be placed any- where on the data entry screens for a truly professional appearance. 5) Generated program is documented with remarks for easy customization. 6) Sophisticated hashing algorithm nullifies BASIC's slow execution. Typical record access (no matter how many records in the system) when the key field is known is under 1/2 second. 7) Knowledge of BASIC, data-file input/output routines, or other special functions is not required. A small amount of BASIC formula format is helpful for using calculation fields. 8) All generated programs can be compiled for added speed under the Search and List functions. 9) Number of fields and total field characters dependent only on available memory (total field characters per record must be less than 65,536 characters not counting program size). We hope you'll enjoy this package and will choose to support The FreeSoft Company in our endeavor to bring you the most interesting software at the best price. We place this product in your hands at no cost in order for you to truly judge its appropriatness for your applications. UM-2) Defining And Generating Your Database ------------------------------------- Before executing the Ultra-Mind program generator, you should insure that the following programs are on the diskette in your logged (default) disk drive: 1) Ultra-Mind program generator (U-MIND.BAS) 2) Ultra-Mind skeleton program (SKELETON.BAS) 3) BASIC programming language (BASIC.COM or BASICA.COM) From the DOS prompt, type: BASIC U-MIND and the program should load and execute after a few seconds. You will first be presented with the question: Do you wish to: 1) Define a database 2) Generate an already defined database You should reply by pressing the '1' key (don't press <ENTER> after this). The program will ask you for a filename for the resulting program (8 characters, first character alphabetic). DO NOT add an extension (a period followed by 1-3 characters) to this filename. The program will now ask you for the title of the program and the author's name (yours!). Finally, you'll be asked which disk drive will later be used to hold the data file. You should have a disk with plenty of room in this drive, as the generated program itself, as well as several other information files will be sent to this drive while Ultra-Mind is working. You are now presented with the screen layout display. This display is used to tell Ultra-Mind the information you wish to have displayed in your database program data entry screens, as well as to define the type of input fields. The bottom of the screen is used as a message area in both the program generator and in your generated program. Therefore, the top 23 lines of the screen are reserved for your information. First, a little background on database files. A database file consists of a group of individual entries called "records". A record might be a recipe, information on an employee, or an address book listing. Each record is further subdivided into groups of information called "fields". In an employee record, one field might contain the date the employee was hired, and another might have his zip code. One of the fields in each record is predefined as the "key field". This is the field that best identifies each record, and will be used to retrieve the record from the file. If a file contained records of inventory parts, you might designate the inventory number as the key field. In an address list, you might use the person's last name as a key field. Why the last name instead of the full name? Ultra-Mind works best in applications where you know the key field. It's easy to forget whether you entered a person as George Smith or W. G. Smith, so the last name system would work best. If you're not sure of the key field exactly, there is a mechanism for still finding the record, but it is much slower. UM-3) O.K., back to the program. At the bottom of the screen, you should see the message: <Key Field>, Page 1: Use arrow keys to position cursor, then press <H>. There are three parts to a field, it's number (the key field is always field number 1), the field prompt (that tells you what to enter), and the input field area itself. Directly above the message area in the center you should see a diamond character. This is Ultra-Mind's "cursor", and is what you will move around to point to different areas of the screen. Practice moving the cursor around with the arrow keys (or the number keys 8=up, 2=down, 6=right, and 4=left). Notice that if you press the Home key (or 7 key), the cursor jumps to the upper left hand corner of the screen. The PgUp (or 9) key moves the cursor to the upper right, the PgDn (or 3) moves to the lower right, and the End (or 1) key moves the cursor to the lower left corner. Select a place that will be appropriate for the key field and press the 'H' key. Notice that the characters "1)" appear where the cursor used to be. That's the field number that will make it easy for you to later tell the generated program which field you want to update or search for. At the bottom of the screen, a new message appears telling you to enter the field prompt you wish to use. Type in a descriptive message that will prompt the user to type in the correct information for that field (like NAME: or PART NUMBER:, for instance). You have up to 50 characters for the field prompt, and you can leave it blank should you wish. The program will again ask you to position the cursor and press the <H> key. Don't worry about moving the cursor over other characters on the screen, it's doesn't destroy what it moves over. Don't allow your information to overlap other fields, though, or you will get an error message. When you've positioned the cursor and pressed the H key, you'll see your field prompt appear at that location. Now, we must tell the computer what type of field this is. The different field types each ask different questions, so we'll cover them one at a time. NUMERIC ------- This type of field is composed only of numeric symbols, that is 0-9, the plus and minus signs and the decimal point (period). Although it is kept as a string of characters in the disk file, it is converted into a number when displayed by the generated program. Only numeric fields can be used by calculation fields (described below). When you select this type of field, you will be asked to type in the length of the field. This is the number of characters that the largest possible number that can be entered will have. FOR ALL FIELDS, THE FIELD NUMBER, FIELD PROMPT, AND INPUT FIELD MUST NOT BE GREATER THAN 79 CHARACTERS LONG TOTAL. Because the number of fields is limited only by your computer's memory (and believe us, you have plenty of room), this really isn't a problem. Just split up extra long fields into smaller ones. You will then be asked to locate the cursor and press <H>. When you have done so, the input field appears as a series of small boxes. This field now looks exactly as it will on the data entry screen of the generated program. UM-4) There is still more information the computer needs about this field. It next asks if you wish to restrict input characters. If you type "N", any numeric character can be typed into the field. If you answer "Y", you will be shown a list of all numeric characters and asked to type an "X" under the characters you wish to restrict. Type a space under those you wish to allow. Those characters that you restrict will be dead on the keyboard during entry of this field. Now the program asks you how many lines of edit checking you wish to have. If you don't wish to check the field for entry errors, just type a 0. Otherwise, for each edit check you'll be asked to enter an edit string. The format for an edit string is: TESTSYMBOL VALUE Where TESTSYMBOL is either a > (greater than), < (less than), or = (equal to), and VALUE is a number. Edit checks should be entered in the negative. In otherwords the edit check: < 52 will tell the operator they've made an error only if the number they enter into this field is less than 52. Finally, you'll be asked if you wish to use a special printing format when this field is later displayed. If you do, just type the format as you would the format string in a BASIC PRINT USING statement (without surrounding quotes). You should consult your BASIC manual on the PRINT USING statement if you're unsure of this. As an example, if a field contained the number 342342.345 and your special printing format was ###,###.## the number would be displayed as 342,342.34 when the record is displayed later. ALPHANUMERIC ------------ This field is used for entries that are either all alphabetic or mixed letters, symbols, and numbers. Even if a number is entered into an alphanumeric field, it will be considered only a string of characters, and calculation fields cannot use it. This type of field needs the same type of information as numeric fields in the way of field position, field length, and input character restriction, except that it does not ask for edit checks or special printing formats. There is only one type of edit check for alphanumeric fields and that is for a null entry (<ENTER> pressed without entering any characters). Null entries can be allowed in any field except the key field. FORMATTED NUMERIC ----------------- This is a special type of field that allows you to enter numbers into a "template". For instance, the parentheses, space, and hyphen in the following number (323) 343-3423 identify it as a phone number. Although formatted numeric fields are handy for entering numeric data into a template, the resulting number is treated as a string of characters, including the special symbols used in the template, and cannot be used by calculation fields. After locating the cursor where you wish the input template to appear and pressing H, the computer will ask you to enter your special format. Any special keys can go into the template except the backslash (\). The backslash is used to show where the input numbers will be located. If we wanted a phone number field like the one above, we would enter our format as: (\\\) \\\-\\\\ UM-5) When it's displayed on the screen, the backslashes will be converted to the familiar small input boxes. Pay attention to your format, as its a bit easy to get confused. For example, the format: \\/\\/\\ could actually be used for entry of a date. Look closely and see how it would displayed. (Hint: 01/14/84). CALCULATED ---------- This type of field is not entered by the user at all. It is calculated from values in other numeric fields. It is not displayed at all during the data entry process, only later when the record is retrieved from the file and displayed. It's helpful to know BASIC's format for specifying formulas when using this type of field. You need to pay attention to what the field numbers are of the numeric fields to be used and the resulting calculation field. Here's an example. If we were working on field 5 and we specified a calculation field, the computer would ask us how many calculation lines we wished to have. For this example we'll just do something simple in a single calculation line. To specify numeric or calculation fields in a calculation line, use the symbols F# followed by the field number in parentheses. O.K., let's add the values in field 2 and field 4 and display that in our calculation field (field 5, remember?). Here's how our calculation line would look: F#(5)=F#(2)+F#(4) You can do all kinds of tricky things with calculation fields, and it's easy to get yourself in trouble with them, so practice is in order before using them. If you need to store temporary values in a variable, use the variables U1# through U100#. You can also specify a special printing format for this field, just as you can for numeric fields. DATE AND TIME FIELDS -------------------- These field types are also done automatically, but in the data entry stage. It permanently stores the date or time in the field at the moment of data entry. It's useful for fields such as "Last Updated ON: 03-15-1983". Just use the U>pdate function on these fields each time you update a record. Each time you finish entering a field, you are presented with a list of choices: 1) Enter new field, 2) Start new page, 3) Enter non-field symbols, 4) Quit. Select "Enter new field" to continue adding fields to that page. Whoops! What's a page? Well, that's a special feature of Ultra-Mind that keeps your screens from getting cluttered. You can have as many display screens (called "pages") as you wish. When you select "Start new page" the screen layout area is erased and you continue with a fresh slate. The "Enter non-field symbols" option is used to "prettify" your screen layouts with titles, borders, etc. When you select this option, you will again be asked to locate the cursor where you wish to place the symbols. Then you will asked to enter the symbols you wish to place there. There are two different ways to specify the UM-6) characters: 1) Just type them in from the keyboard. (Note: your string cannot begin with an "@" symbol). 2) Using a special syntax. The syntax is: @,REPEAT,ASCIICODE,ASCIICODE,ASCIICODE...etc. The @ symbol in the first position tells the computer that the special syntax follows. The REPEAT is a numeric value that tells how many times to repeat the following symbols. The ASCIICODE's are the ASCII values of the symbols you with to display. Confusing? It's easier than it sounds. Let's look at a couple of examples: @,79,61 would print a string of 79 equal signs (ASCII code 61). @,10,40,41 would print the sequence () ten times for a total length of 20 characters. It would look like this: ()()()()()()()()()() The reason for using this syntax is so you can draw vertical lines of characters on the screen. Try this sequence: @,10,42,31,29 It should have drawn a vertical line of 10 equal signs. The special codes 31 and 29 are used to move the cursor down a row and backspace one character after each equal sign is printed. The special control codes are: 28 - Move right one character 29 - Move left one character 30 - Move up one row 31 - Move down one row Please note that because of Microsoft BASIC peculiarities, you won't be able to print a vertical line of more than 13 characters at one time (all sorts of strange things happen). To get around this anomaly, just print a string of 13 vertical characters and then print a string of 10 more just beneath it for a line that will stretch from top to bottom of the screen. Experimentation is in order to get the most out of this feature. If you're like us and don't happen to like digging through the BASIC manual for the chart of ASCII codes, you might appreciate this feature: When asked to enter the symbols, just type the @ symbol alone. You will now enter the <Help> mode. To find out a character's ASCII code, just type it on the keyboard. Nifty, eh? One last caveat, the non-field symbols are not checked very closely for overlapping other screen info, so caution is the word. Wrap around is allowed on the horizontal only. When you're all done entering your screen displays, the fun part starts. Just enter the selection "Quit" and the program will ask you if you wish to go ahead and generate the database. If you don't, you can always generate it later by selecting the "Generate an already defined database" function when first executing this program. As the program is being written, just sit back and appreciate the number of hours it would have taken you to do this by hand. All in all, program generation should take only a few minutes. UM-7) During the definition and generation process, a number of important files are created. The extensions of the programs tell what their purpose are. Let's assume your program is called TEST. The files TEST.ATR and TEST.HDR contain information that is used to generate the program. These are both explained in Appendix A. It's not necessary to keep these files on your program disk once the program is generated. In the generation process, two more files are created: TEST.BAS is your database program, and TEST.BAT is a DOS batch file used to execute the program. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS USE THE BATCH FILE TO START YOUR PROGRAM since it sets important record size pointers. If you choose to compile the program, you can discard the batch file. Otherwise, to execute your database program, you should exit to DOS, make sure a copy of BASIC is on your program diskette, and type the word TEST at a DOS prompt. The first time this program is loaded will be very time consuming. If you used the DOS TYPE command to look at the program, you would see that it is in ASCII format with line numbers out of sequence. It's a good idea once the program is loaded to break out by pressing the BREAK key while holding down the CTRL key, and save the program in compressed format using the BASIC command SAVE "TEST.BAS". The program can be restarted then by entering the command RUN. TIPS FOR MAKING DEFINITION A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE ------------------------------------------------ 1) Always have a couple of disks with plenty of room and copies of BASIC on them on hand just in case. 2) There's no way to go back if you make an error during definition, so move slowly and have some sense of direction. Freestyle coding can be fast, but you're better off at least having a rough sketch of what you'd like to end up with before starting. This goes double if you intend to use edit lines, special printing formats, or calculation fields. 3) Since the method used to make copies of screen information on the printer is by pressing the PrtSc key while holding down the SHIFT key, you'll want to be careful about using non-printable characters for non-field symbols or in field prompts. They can cause some printers to do all sorts of wild things. UM-8) How To Use The Generated Program -------------------------------- Once the program is loaded as above described, you can remove the program diskette. After a brief title display, you'll be instructed to mount your data disk in the drive specified during the generation process, and press the "C" key. All data disks used by Ultra-Mind programs must be first initialized with special information. When you press the "C" key, the program will look for and load in this information if it exists. Otherwise, it will automatically begin the initialization process. You will be asked if the data file should use all available disk space, or if you'd like to specify the maximum number of records on that diskette. After getting your choice, initialization will begin. Depending on the number of records that must be initialized, this can take a few minutes or so. When choosing the size of your data file, keep this in mind: this program will work most efficiently when there is lots of room on the disk. Even though you know your particular program will never have more than 200 records, go ahead and use all available space. The "Specify number of records" option is mainly included for testing purposes. Diskettes are cheap, your time isn't. You'll also be asked to give the data diskette a "volume label". Just type in a word or two (Like Disk #1), and record this on the diskette's label. It just identifies the diskette to the system. The volume label really serves no function in this program. However, we envisioned it for our report generator program (forthcoming) so that you could extend your data file over several diskettes, yet have them all act as one big file for reports. If you already know that your file will be too big to put on one data diskette, you might use this to divide your file (two disks, labeled A-L and M-Z might be an example for a name list file). Once this data diskette is loaded into the program, it is important that you DO NOT REMOVE THE DATA DISKETTE before doing either of two things: 1) Choose the "X-tend Work To New Data Diskette" function. 2) Choose the "Quit and return to BASIC" function. Removing or swapping diskettes without doing either of these will at best confuse the program into not knowing where the hell your data is and at worst absolutely destroying your data files (ouch). Data disk in place, initialized, and special information loaded? Good, now you're in the MAIN MENU area of your program. In the middle of the screen are your current list of choices, which we'll cover in a moment, and at the top is some important information about your data diskette and the current status of the program. UM-8) The top of the screen lists the number of initialized records as well as the number of records you have already entered. It also displays the volume label name of the current data diskette. At the top left of the screen is a message marked "Current Record". This is used for two things, first to let you know that a record has been retrieved using the "Get A Record" function before updating or deleting it, or to allow you to continue a "Search For And List Records" function from a certain point after aborting a search. If no record has been recently retrieved with the "Get A Record" function, the current record will be NONE. Otherwise, it will be a number between 1 and the number of records initialized on that data diskette. Let's go through the commands on the main menu screen: GET A RECORD ------------ This simply retrieves an entered record and displays it on the screen. It will prompt you for the key field of your desired record and then will search for it. Remember to use the correct case to enter the key field, as this program views lowercase and uppercase letters differently. JOE SMITH and joe smith and Joe Smith are each considered different records. When the record is displayed, you'll be asked "Is This It (Y/N)?" This allows you to find the correct record when two or more records have identical key fields. If you just can't find a record that you know should be in there, use the "Search For And List Records" to scan through the data file and note the correct key field. When the correct record is displayed, you'll see a short menu at the bottom of the screen. The Update, Delete, and Add functions are described below. The Menu function takes you back to the main menu page, and the Switch Page function let's you look at the various pages of the record, if there are more than one. SEARCH FOR AND LIST RECORDS --------------------------- This function is used to list all active (and deleted if you wish) records in the data file, or to select records on the contents of one of the fields. You will first be asked to enter the record # to start the search or press <ENTER> to start at current record. If you had just completed a partial search and want to continue from the point you left off, just press the <ENTER> key. Otherwise, enter the record number you wish to start the listing with (the first record in a datafile is record #1). If you press <ENTER> and there is no current record in memory, the search will begin at record #1. Except for this function, we don't make much use of record numbers with this system. Next, you will be asked whether you wish to display records that have been deleted. Records in a data file exist in one of three states: Active (meaning it contains a valid record), Deleted (meaning it contains a record marked as deleted), and Empty (meaning it has not yet ever contained a record). Accidentally deleted records can be restored to active status by using this function unless they have been overwritten by recently added records. The next prompt is whether you wish to select records for display by the contents of one it's fields. If you don't, you will see every record on file. UM-9) If you do, you'll be asked which field you wish to test. Then, you'll be asked to enter a test string. The three types of tests that can be made on a field are: >STRING (field contains "STRING" somewhere in it) <STRING (field begins with "STRING") =STRING (field contains "STRING" exactly and only) Once again, lowercase is considered different than uppercase. For our purposes here at FreeSoft, we don't use lowercase at all for field information and it makes life much easier. If a match is found, you have the choice of either continuing the search or aborting it. If you abort, operation continues just as if the record were retrieved with the "Get A Record" function. ADD A RECORD ------------ This function is used to add records to the data file. It is pretty much a straight ahead entry procedure. After all fields have been entered, you can proofread the current page and either abort the add or go ahead and save the record on disk. DELETE CURRENT RECORD --------------------- This function is used to mark records as "deleted" status. Deleted records cannot be retrieved by a "Get A Record" function and can only be viewed by the "Search For And List Records" function. Deleted records can be overwritten by newly added records as the space is needed. UPDATE CURRENT RECORD --------------------- Any of a field's records, including the key field, can be modified using this function. Like the "Delete Current Record" function, the record must first be retrieved using the "Get A Record Function". You may wish to review the record and note the field numbers you want to modify before selecting the "Update Current Record" function, because the prior contents of a field are erased as soon as you specify that you wish to modify that field. X-TEND WORK TO NEW DATA DISKETTE -------------------------------- This function is used to close the data file on one data diskette and load the special information from a new one. The new disk must be already initialized or initialization procedures will begin automatically. NEVER SWAP DATA DISKETTES WITHOUT SELECTING THIS FUNCTION FIRST! INITIALIZE NEW DATA DISKETTE ---------------------------- This is used to perform the initialization procedures on a data diskette so that it can be used to hold your data file. THIS DOES NOT LOAD IN THE SPECIAL INFORMATION! Always verify that the volume label specified in the MAIN MENU display corresponds the data diskette mounted in the drive before attempting to do any work with it! UM-10) QUIT AND RETURN TO BASIC ------------------------ This is the only approved way of ending the program. Ending the program by any other means could possibly lead to a destroyed data file! Well, that about does it. Chances are good that you'll find many more undocumented features (hopefully not bugs), that we'll need to include in the next revision of this manual. We always appreciate your comments and suggestions. Keep those cards and letters coming (we always wanted to say that). UM-11) APPENDIX A: FORMAT OF THE ULTRA-MIND DISK FILES ----------------------------------------------- Chances are, you're going to want to do some rather exciting and unusual things with this package. To aid you in your endeaver, here's a description of the data files used by these programs. In the following examples, we use the filespec TEST for the program name. TEST.HDR -------- NF - Number of defined fields ND - Number of defined display pages TB - Total number of field characters - 1 (one byte variable STAT$ is added to beginning of each record to hold record status: A=Active, D=Deleted, E=Empty TEST.ATR -------- AU$ - Author's name NA$ - Program's filespec (including drive but without extension) TI$ - Program title For each field defined by NF in TEST.HDR: PG - Page number MR - Field prompt row MC - Field prompt column M$ - Field prompt string TY - Field type (1=Numeric, 2=Alphanumeric, 3=Formatted numeric, 4=Calculation, 5=Date, 6=Time, 7=Non-field symbols) If TY=1 ------- FR - Field row FC - Field column FL - Field length AI$ - String of acceptable input characters EL - Number of edit lines For each EL: EL$ - Edit line SP$ - Special printing format (Y or N) If SP$="Y": SF$ - special printing format string If TY=2 ------- FR - Field row FC - Field column FL - Field length AI$ - String of acceptable input characters If not key field: AI$ - Null entry valid (Y or N) If TY=3 ------- FR - Field row FC - Field column FL - Field length AF$ - Input format string AI$ - String of acceptable input characters UM-12) If TY=4 ------- FR - Field row FC - Field column CL - Number of calculation lines For each CL: CL$ - Calculation line string SP$ - Special printing format (Y or N) If SP$="Y": SF$ - Special printing format string If TY=5 or TY=6 --------------- FR - Field row FC - Field column FL - Field length If TY=7 ------- No further variables TEST.VOL --------- V$ - Volume label string of data diskette TEST.DEF -------- MAXSIZE - Number of initialized records on data diskette GOOD - Number of entered records on data diskette TEST.DAT -------- The data file is a variable length random file than varies with the number of fields, length of fields, etc. Study the blocking and un- blocking procedures in your generated program to see the format of your data file. HASHING ALGORYTHM EXPLAINED --------------------------- This package uses a hashing routing for placing and retrieveing data records. Basically, what happens is that your key field is converted to a number between 1 and the number of initialized records on your data diskette. This becomes the record number for the record. If a record is already in that location, the file is scanned sequentially from that record until an empty or deleted record space is found. The hashing algorythm we're using was developed and placed in the public domain by Bruce L. Tonkin and we're indebted to him for its usefulness. To be effective, the hashing algorythm must be reasonably "random" to insure that records will spread out through the available space instead of clumping together. This is what gives this package such excellent retrieval speed under typical circumstances. UM-13) APPENDIX B: WISH LIST --------------------- For many purposes, this package will be sufficient "off the shelf". However, we encourage you all to do what you do best: take a skeleton package and refine it to something really phenomenal. Here's our wish list for Ultra-Mind: 1) Better documentation: O.K., we admit that this isn't the best in the world, but it's all in there if you look close enough. This manual definitely needs a re-write. We'll take responsibility for this and offer the fact that we wanted to get the darned thing out as our only excuse. 2) Sample definition (.HDR & .ATR) files: This is the best way for folks to learn how to get the fanciest use out this package. If you develope a snazzy file for keeping track of your video tape collection or christmas card list, why not share it with all of us. The definition files are rather small, so it's not necessary to distribute the package in generated form. We'll give this responsibility to y'all. 3) Report generator program: We're working on this one and it should be ready in the first quarter of 1984. 4) Better UPDATE function: We sorely need an update function that uses the INS and DEL keys like an editor instead of wiping out the field to be replaced. Any of you hot shots care to take this on? 5) Better lineprinter support: A small assembly language program that would print the screen and turn all non-printable characters into periods would be great. BASIC routines are just too slow. We give this one to you also. 6) Definition file editor: Let's make it easy to take a definition file and either edit, delete, or add field information. This would be great for "cloning" one data file's information into a new one, not to mention making it less frustrating when you make a mistake near the end of a lengthy definition session. Any takers? 7) A natural evolution would allow you to define how your title and main menu pages will look. As you can see, we've got all kinds of suggestions for making this product better. After all, if we'd taken the time to do everything to Ultra-Mind that we wanted, you probably would never get it in your hands. Sooner or later, you just have to take the darn thing and say "sink or swim, booger". One thing we do ask is that you not distribute the program in modified form. Instead, offer your corrections or improvements as merge files. That way, we can continue to support this package with updates and corrections from our end. Otherwise, we just won't be able to keep track of all of the modifications floating around. Be sure to send us any of your improvements or suggestions, though. They just might find a permanent home in Ultra-Mind. UM-14) APPENDIX C: THE ULTRA-UTILITIES ------------------------------- The FreeSoft Company produces only user supported software. If you find the software to be useful, we have a registration program so you can support us. As long as we keep getting the great support we've enjoyed so far, we'll continue to add packages to our one and only product: The Ultra-Utilities. Our registration and duplication policies are in the Library #1 documentation. Do not distribute this program until you have obtained, read, and understand these policies! If you don't have the complete 5-volume Ultra-Utility set, you don't know what you're missing. To get the entire set, read and follow the below carefully: 1) We now offer two libraries of the Ultra-Utilities. FOR EACH LIBRARY that you want, send us one double sided, or two single sided diskettes formatted 8 sectors per track. Do not send diskettes formatted 9 sectors per track or we'll just waste our time reformatting them. 2) Send them to us along with a POSTAGE PAID, SELF-ADDRESSED RETURN MAILER. A couple of stiff pieces of cardboard is suggested for envelope mailers. We will not try to protect your diskettes from damage any better than you do. Also, please make sure that you've got the correct amount of postage. We hate to bitch, but we sometimes get up to 5 requests per day that arrive postage due. 3) Send this conglomeration to: The FreeSoft Company, P.O. Box 27608, St. Louis, MO 63146. Drop a note in the envelope telling us which library you want and where you heard about us. If you don't send enough disks for both libraries, we'll assume you want only Library #1. The Ultra-Utilities Includes: LIBRARY#1 --------- ULTRA-ZAP: disk repair/modification utility with functions for display/modify disk sectors, display/modify file sectors, copy disk sectors, fill disk sectors, search for byte sequences (ASCII or numeric) in disk sectors, search for byte sequences in file sectors, interrogate disk format and protection schemes, modify BIOS disk parameter table. ULTRA-FORMAT: functions for formatting single standard tracks, re-format a "flaky" track without erasing old data, and format a non-standard (copy protected) track. ULTRA-FILE: functions for display file's directory information, assign or remove hidden status, assign or remove system status, display list of sectors allocated to a file, build a disk file from scratch, restore accidentally erased files, produce a unique roadmap of a diskette, and selectively kill files from a menu. UM-14) LIBRARY #2 ---------- ULTRA-OPTIMIZE: takes a standard BASIC program saved in ASCII format and optimizes it so that the /N switch can be used with the BASIC compiler to produce smaller and more efficient object code. ULTRA-MIND: intelligent database generator program that allows you to define a database with six different field types, full input control, and multiple full screens, and generates a unique BASIC program that offers record access in typical applications in less than 1/2 second (no matter how many records in the file). Coming soon to LIBRARY #2: Ultra-Report: report program generator for databases created with Ultra-Mind. All of the Ultra-Utilties work with PC-DOS versions 1.10, 2.00 and 2.10 UM-15) APPENDIX D: LIMITED LICENSE FOR ULTRA-MIND ------------------------------------------ U-MIND.BAS and SKELETON.BAS are copyrighted programs and are owned soley by The FreeSoft Company. You are free to use and distribute these and all other Ultra-Utility programs under the policies set forth in the LIBRARY #1 documentation manual. By using this software, you agree not to distribute or duplicate any Ultra-Utility program until you have obtained, read, and understand all duplication and registration policies listed in that manual. You agree not to distribute any Ultra-Utility program in modified form and you agree not remove any information concerning The FreeSoft Company, it's products or copyrights from the programs or documentation. The FreeSoft Company gives sole ownership to you for all programs generated by Ultra-Mind. You agree not to copyright such programs as not to interfere with our existing copyrights. Otherwise, you are free to compile, modify, sell, or destroy any programs generated by Ultra-Mind. No royalties are due The FreeSoft Company under any circumstance for the sale of programs generated by Ultra-Mind. If you have a problem with the above policies, we'll be willing to consider a special license for registered users only.