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Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
OVERVIEW
--------
The Diskette Catalog System is designed to help organize those unwieldy
floppy disks full of software. Anyone, especially BBS Sysops, who may have
a hard time keeping track of their software will benefit greatly from this
system. The basic philosophy of the Diskette Catalog System is to have a
number of diskettes, each containing programs archived using your favorite
compression utility. Since many archived applications can fit onto one
floppy disk, the Diskette Catalog System facilitates easy organization of
these disks and location of programs.
Some major features include:
o Quick and easy to use. The system is designed to do as much of
the work for you as possible.
o Automatic creation of database files and indexes.
o Intuitive database layout. The system maintains a parent/child
relationship of disks to files on each disk.
o Input screens and database maintenance which closely resemble
the layout of the database itself.
o Automatic loading of the database by reading the floppy disk
directory and automatically adding or updating entries in the
database.
o Various listings and reports with the ability to dynamically
create different sorts and searches. Each report can be
printed or viewed on-screen.
o Printing of diskette jacking inserts listing file names, sizes
and available space on each diskette.
o Quick search of database by archive name.
INSTALLING THE DISKETTE CATALOG SYSTEM:
The Diskette Catalog System must be installed on the hard drive
in order to run. To do this, create a directory called "DISKKAT"
off of your root directory. Copy all of the files from the
diskette to this directory. If you received the program in
archived format, simply extract all of the files from the archive
to the "DISKKAT" directory.
-1-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
HISTORY OF THE DISKETTE CATALOG SYSTEM
--------------------------------------
The Diskette Catalog System was created basically as a personal
application to manage the software I had collected over the past few
years. I had always used archivers and disk covers, (diskette
inserts) to manage my software but never really found a good database
product to store and retrieve all of the
information.
Program and database files were originally generated to run under dBASE
III with the use of GENIFER, Application Generator for xBASE products.
After the database started getting large, I decided to compile the code
using Clipper, version Summer '86. This proved to be a powerful
decision, albeit tedious because many modifications had to be made to
accommodate the differences between Clipper and dBASE.
The various features in the program have been added through time to
facilitate my unforeseen needs and to also exploit the enhancements to
the Clipper product from Summer '86 version and Summer '87 version. In
addition, the Funcky Library for Clipper was used to add pick lists and
browse windows, along with some system level functions which aren't seen
by the user. For example, reading floppies is implemented through the
use of Funcky library functions.
The Blinker Dynamic Overlay Linker was used to quickly and efficiently
link all of the object code to the executable. Blinker provides many
features, including built-in functions for EMS/XMS management, internal
error checking and incremental linking.
The code has been highly optimized and functions and procedures called
throughout the program have been put into a standard library. These
functions and procedures were derived directly from the code generated
by GENIFER and enhanced as the system grew.
-2-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
OVERVIEW OF EDITING KEYS
During operation of the Diskette Catalog System, there are
certain keys used to input and edit the data. The keyboard is
divided into 3 major parts.
o Regular typewriter keys used for entering letters,
numbers and special symbols (such as !,@,#,$,%,^,& etc).
o Programmable Function Keys (F1, F2 F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8,
F9, F10). These keys are currently not used by the
Diskette Catalog System.
o Data editing and entry keys (Home, End, PgUp, PgDn,
Backspace, the 4 Arrows, Ins, Del, Enter/Return). If you
have an enhanced keyboard, there will be an additional
set of keys data entry keys.
The following is an explanation of each of the keys mentioned
above:
Regular Typewriter Keys: These are the number and letter keys
such as those on a typewriter. The SHIFT keys are used to enter
capital letters or the top characters on the number keys (top row
of the keyboard).
Programmable Function Keys: These are special function keys that
some programs use to do certain tasks and are currently not used
by the Diskette Catalog System.
Data Editing and Entry Keys: These keys are used to enter a
screen full of information, change information in a specific data
entry block or move around the data entry screen. These keys are
the white keys located on the right hand side of the keyboard
(the numeric keypad), or the set of keys between the numeric
keypad and regular typewrite keys if you have an enhanced
keyboard. The following is a description of how these keys
behave in the Diskette Catalog System:
o Home - When this key is pressed, it will take the cursor to
the beginning of the current input field (data entry block)
o End - This is the same as the Home key except that it will
move the cursor to the end of the data entry block. If
the data entry block is not full, the cursor will stop at
the space after the last non-space character in the
field.
o PgUp, PgDn - These keys, when pressed, will cause the
program to terminate Data Entry mode and accept the current
screen full of information. You will then be asked if you
want to save the current information.
-3-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
o BackSpace - This key is used to move the cursor one
space to the left and delete the character that is
there. This used to correct any typing mistakes.
o Ins - This key will toggle insert mode on and off.
When insert mode is on, all characters that are typed
will push any existing characters to the right.
Pressing this key again will turn off insert mode.
o Del - This key will delete the character that the
cursor is currently on and move all characters ahead of
the cursor one space to the left.
o Left Arrow - This will move the cursor one character to
the left. If the cursor is at the beginning of a
field, it will move to the last character in the
previous field.
o Right Arrow - This will move the cursor one character
to the right. If the cursor is at the end of a field,
it will move to the first character in the next field.
o Up Arrow - This key will move the cursor to the
beginning of the previous field. If the cursor is at
the first field on the screen, this key will have no
effect.
o Down Arrow - This key will move the cursor to the
beginning of the next field. If the cursor is at the
last field on the screen, this key will have no effect.
o Enter/Return - This key will advance the cursor to the
next field on the screen. If the cursor is on the last
field on the screen, input mode ends and you will be
asked if you want to save the current information.
o Caps Lock - When this key is pressed, the "Caps Lock"
light will come on. This will cause all alphabetic
characters to be typed in upper case.
-4-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
USING THE DISKETTE CATALOG SYSTEM:
To start the system, change to the diskette catalog directory and type
"diskkat" and press the ENTER key.
The system will create any database files and index files which are
necessary for the system to run and then will produce the following
menu:
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Diskette Catalog System │
│ Version 2.1 5:35 pm │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ Main Menu │
│ │
│ Maintain Disk Catalog │
│ Search by Archive Name │
│ Browse Database │
├───────────────────────────┤
│ Listings Menu │
│ Utilities Menu │
├───────────────────────────┤
│ Quit to DOS │
└───────────────────────────┘
This is the main system menu. The following is a description of the
available menu choices:
Maintain Disk Catalog: This option will bring up a data
entry screen used to add, delete,
modify and search through
the database.
Search by Archive Name: Quick search the database by
archive Name name. The search
string can be a full or partial
filename.
Browse Database: Pops up a window to browse the
database sorted by archive name.
Listings Menu: Brings you to a submenu where other
options allow you to create various
listings of the database.
Utilities Menu: Brings you to a submenu where other
options allow you to perform
various utility functions.
Quit to DOS: This option terminates the Diskette
Catalog System and returns to DOS.
-5-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISKETTE CATALOG SYSTEM
The section describes, in detail, all of the above functions.
Maintain disk catalog
---------------------
When you select this option, the following screen will appear:
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Diskette Catalog System V2.1 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Disk Number: Free Space: │
│ │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This is the maintenance screen associated with the DISKS datafile.
From this initial screen there are only two fields which are
displayed:
Disk Number: This is the diskette number. The value is a 4
character numeric-only field. For example
"0001". This is the key field in the "DISKS"
file. See Appendix B for a description
of the files and file layouts.
Free Space: The amount of free space available on the
diskette. Valid data for this field is
currently a numeric value ranging from 0 to
1,457,664 (1.44m).
NOTE: If the database is empty when you first enter this screen, the
system will automatically go into Add mode to allow you to
input new data.
-6-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
The following menu will appear on the right hand side of the screen:
┌──────┐
│ Add │
│ Del │
│ Copy │
│ Modi │
│ Ret │
│ Beg │
│ End │
│ Prev │
│ Next │
│ Skip │
│ Filt │
│ List │
│ Tally│
│ Zoom │
│ Help │
│ Quit │
└──────┘
This is a list of functions that can be done while within the
diskette maintenance screen. The following is a description of
each choice and its function.
Add: When this option is chosen, the input blocks on the
screen will be blanked out (the current record will
have already be saved) and the cursor will be positioned
on the first data entry block on the screen. Use this
option for new inputs.
Del: When this choice is made, the program will verify the
deletion. Answer "Y" at this point to delete the current
record. The current record is not actually physically
removed from the file but is marked for later removal.
See the "Quit" option below.
Copy: This option is used to copy the current record to another
record. All of the current information on the record is
duplicated exactly and the program goes into Modify mode.
One good use of this option is in the case of a similar
archive name. You could simply copy the record and
change the filename.
Modify: This option will modify the current record displayed on the
screen. All that you will see happen is the cursor will
advance to the first input block at the top of the input
screen. Use this option to change any or all data on the
current input screen.
-7-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
Ret: When this option is chosen, all of the input blocks
within the current maintenance screen will be cleared
except for the first input block. The retrieval field
will be the "Disk Number" field or "Archive Name" if
you've previously used the Zoom option.
Simply enter the desired field value and the system will
bring the first record matching the input string up on
the screen (if the record currently exists). If no record
matches the key field (Disk Number or Archive Name) the
message "Not Found" will be displayed. Press return to
clear the message.
Beg: When this option is chosen, the system will display the
first record in the database. If you have set a filter
(See the FILT option), the first record matching the
filter will be displayed.
End: This is the same option as Beg except it displays the
last record on file (or the last record matching the
filter).
Prev: This choice will move to the record that comes just
before the current record. If the current record is the
first record in the data file, the program will display
the message "First Record" on the screen. Press ENTER to
go back to the list of options.
Next: This choice will advance to the next record in the
database or the next record matching the filter. If the
current record is the last record, the program will
display "Last Record" on the screen. Press the ENTER
key to clear the message.
Skip: This option will allow you to skip a specified number of
records forward or backward. When this choice is made,
simply enter the number of records to skip at the "Recs"
prompt. If you wish to go back a certain number of
records, precede the number with a minus sign "-".
Filt: This option will allow you to set a filter (group)
on records in the database. A filter is simply a
selection of the records that match a particular
condition. To set the filter, choose "F" at the option
line. You will be asked if you want to set the filter.
Answer "Y" at this point. The data entry blocks will be
cleared and it will appear as if you are entering a new
record. At this point, enter the information that you
want to be "part of the condition". If you select this
option with a filter already set, select "C" for cancel
to remove the filter.
-8-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
List: The List option will display all records in the data
file starting at the current record. The program will
display only one screen full of records at a time. If
there are more records to be displayed the prompt
"More? [Y]" will be displayed at the bottom of the
screen. If you are done viewing the list, enter "N" to
this prompt. If the last record was displayed, the
prompt "OK." will appear at the bottom of the screen.
At this point hit any key to return to the requisition
maintenance screen.
Tally: This function will simply display a count all of the
records in the current data file. If a filter has been
set, the total number of records matching the current
filter condition will be displayed.
Zoom: This option will "zoom" in on child records of the
current parent database. If you have already used this
option, and are currently viewing child records, this
option will not have any effect. See "DESCRIPTION OF
THE PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIP:" below.
Help: Display quick help screen. Later versions of the
Diskette Catalog System will provide context sensitive
help.
Quit: Quit current operation. If you are currently viewing
child records in the database (filename information),
this option will clear the bottom half of the screen
and return to the "disks" information screen. If you
are already at the "disks" screen, this option will
quit back to the main menu. If any records have been
deleted, you will be asked if you want to pack all
deleted records. Packing physically discards all
records flagged for deletion with the "Del" command.
-9-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
When you select "ZOOM" from the menu, the system will display file
information matching the diskette number. The following is an example
of what the screen will look like:
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ┌──────┐
│ Diskette Catalog System V2.1 │ │ Add │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Del │
│ │ │ Copy │
│ Disk Number: Free Space: │ │ Modi │
│ │ │ Ret │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Beg │
│ │ │ End │
│ Archive Name: Archive Size: │ │ Prev │
│ │ │ Next │
│ Actual Size: Archive Type: │ │ Skip │
│ │ │ Filt │
│ Description: │ │ List │
│ │ │ Tally│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ Zoom │
│ Help │
│ Quit │
└──────┘
The following is a description of the fields associated with the
FILES database:
Archive Name: This is the name of the file on the diskette.
Since this is a key field in the database, this
field must be filled and must not be a duplicate
for the current diskette. You can, however, have
two archive names on different diskettes.
Archive Size: This is the size of the archive file. This field
can currently be from 0 to 1,457,664. (1.44M)
Actual Size: If you know the size of the program in its
uncompressed form, enter that value here. This
field is not required.
-10-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
Archive Type: The Diskette Catalog System classifies files by
type. This field is very powerful and is used on
the reports to retrieve files by category. For
example you could generate a listing of all
"Windows" application files in your library. If
you do not enter a file type, the following pop-up
screen will appear:
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ C - Communications │
│ E - Text Editors │
│ L - Languages │
│ S - Source Code │
│ D - Desktop Applications │
│ G - Graphics │
│ R - Games │
│ T - Text Files │
│ U - Utilities │
│ W - Windows Applications │
│ X - Unclassified │
├───────────────────────────┤
│ Select File Type │
└───────────────────────────┘
Use the arrow keys to highlight the desired
file type and press return. The File Type
field will be updated with the type you chose.
Description: This is a 30 character field used to describe the
file. This field is not required, but is very
useful when used.
After filling in the Description field (or hitting "PgDn"), the
system will ask if you want to save the record. Select "Yes" to
save the record or "No" to discard the record. If you select
"NO" and the record is the first record (ie the first file on the
diskette), the input screen will clear and return you to the disk
information screen (the top half of the screen).
NOTE: The Diskette Catalog System is designed to allow automatic
adding. For example, when you select "add" from the menu
(or the record is the first one related to the current
disk), the system will continually add records until you
hit ESCape.
-11-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
Search by Archive Name
----------------------
Selecting this option from the main menu will allow you to search the
database for a whole or partial archive name and display the
associated information for all records matching the search string.
When you select this option, the following pop-up window will appear:
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Title: _____________ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────┘
At this point, enter the full or partial filename to be searched for.
For example, if you wanted to see all files beginning with "PC", enter
"PC" at this prompt. The system will search the database and display
all records whose archive name begins with "PC". Each record will be
displayed in the following pop-up window:
Search Key: "PC"
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Disk Number: 0065 Archive Name: PC-ART.ZIP │
│ │
│ Archive Size: 80,594 │
│ │
│ Description: PC-ART STUDIO (LIKE PC PAINT) │
│ ┌───────────────┐ │
└────────────────────┤ More? ├────────────────────────────┘
│ │
│ YES NO │
└───────────────┘
Selecting "YES" will display the next record matching "Search
Key"; Selecting "NO" will return to the main menu.
BROWSE DATABASE
---------------
This option will allow you to browse through the entire database in a
pop-up window. The Disk Number, Archive Name, Description and file
type will all be displayed in a scrolling window. See appendix A for
a list of keys to use while within this window.
LISTINGS MENU
-------------
The listings menu contains many options for displaying data within the
Diskette Catalog System database. All reports have been standardized
to function the same way. This section explains the available menu
choices. The follow section describes the steps involved in
generating each of the listings.
-12-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
The following is the listings menu:
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ Listings Menu │
│ │
│ Archive Name Listing │
│ Disk Number Listing │
│ Summary Disk Listing │
├───────────────────────────┤
│ Quit Listings Menu │
└───────────────────────────┘
ARCHIVE NAME LISTING
--------------------
This choice will list the database sorted by archive name. The
following is a list fields, in order, which are included on this
report:
o Archive Name
o File Type
o Description
o Archive Size
o Diskette Number
See the section "Running Reports" below for details of how to run
this and other report listings.
DISK NUMBER LISTING
-------------------
This choice will list the database sorted by diskette number. The
records will be listed first by diskette number and then by
archive names associated with each diskette number. The following
fields are included on this report:
o Diskette Number
o Archive Name
o Description
o Archive Size
o File Type
See the section "Running Reports" below for details of how to run
this and other report listings.
SUMMARY DISK LISTING
--------------------
This choice will list the FILES database sorted by diskette
number. The following fields are included on this report:
o Diskette Number
o Bytes Free
This report is useful when trying to fit new files into the
diskette database. Since there are only two fields on this
report, each record on this listing is unique; therefor, there is
no option for setting a filter (See below).
-13-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
RUNNING REPORTS
---------------
Although the Diskette Catalog System can generate various reports,
they all function the same way; with the exception of the Summary
Diskette Listing, which only has sorting options. Each report has
options for specifying sort criteria, filter, and the option of
viewing the report on the screen or sending output to the printer.
Specifying a Sort
-----------------
When each report starts, a "YES/NO" box will be displayed asking if a
special sort is required. Selecting "YES" will display the fields in
the FILES datafile in a pick list. Simply select the desired field.
You will then be asked if you want to add more fields to the sort.
Selecting "YES" will display a "+" on the "Sort Expression" line and the
field pick list will be displayed. You can continue to pick field names
in this manner until the desired sort criteria is met. The following is
an example:
To sort the database on filenames within file type do the
following:
o Select "YES" from the "Special Sort Required" dialog box.
o Select "F_TYPE" from the field name pick list. (See appendix
B for a list of field names).
o Select "YES" at the "More?" prompt.
o Select "ARC_NAME" from the field pick list
o Select "NO" at the "More?" prompt.
Notice how the "Sort Expression" line contains the fields you
chose for the special sort. This line should look like the
following:
Sort Expression: [ F_TYPE+ARC_NAME ]
Specifying a Filter
-------------------
A filter is simply a way of including only those records that match a
certain condition. After selecting the sort expression (or answering
"NO" to "Special Sort Required?"), the system will ask if you want to
set a filter. If you specify "YES", the system will display a list of
field names.
Simply select the field name you want to include in the filter
expression. This pick list is the same as the sort pick list. After you
select the field name, you will be prompted for the equality operator to
use (<, >, <>, =, $). This pick list is self explanatory. Simply select
the operator to use.
After selecting the operator, the system will prompt for the value of
the field you picked. You can basically type anything you want in this
field but if it includes invalid data, you will receive an error. Note
how the "Filter Expression" line contains the fields and values as you
build the filter. See the example below for details.
-14-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
Next, the system will ask if you want to include more fields in the
filter expression. If you selecting "YES", another pick list will
appear with ".and." and ".or." as choices. Simply choose the
appropriate conjunction. You will then be prompted with another field
name list.
Repeat the above process until you have chosen all of the conditions
you want in the filter.
This example will describe the steps necessary to create a listing
which includes all unclassified files (F_TYPE="X") whose description
contains the characters "PC".
After selecting the sort criteria, the following steps will create the
proper filter expression:
o Select "YES" at the "Set Filter?" prompt.
o Select "F_TYPE" from the field pick list.
o Use the arrow keys to select "=" from the operator pick list
o Enter "X" at the "Enter value for F_TYPE" prompt
o Choose "YES" at the "More? prompt.
o Select ".and." from the boolean operator pick list.
o Select "DESCR" from the field pick list.
o Use the arrow keys to select "$" from the operator pick list
o Enter "PC" at the "Enter value for F_TYPE" prompt
o Choose "NO" at the "More?" prompt.
Notice how the "Filter Expression" line contains the filter as it's
being assembled. The line should look like the following:
Filter expression: [ F_TYPE = "X" .and. 'PC' $ DESCR ]
This filter expression will include all records in the database whose
file type is "X" and has the characters "PC" anywhere in the
description (the "$" operator means "is a substring of...".
Generating the Report
---------------------
After selecting the sort criterion and filter expressions, you will be
asked if you want the report to go to the printer, screen or if you
want to quit the report operation.
Selecting "P" (for printer) will generate a hard copy listing of the
report.
Selecting "S" (for screen) will display the report on the screen in a
browse box. This browse feature is the same as the main menu option
"Browse Database".
Selecting "Q" (for Quit) will terminate the current listing operation.
Use this option if you choose the wrong report, or enter an incorrect
filter expression.
-15-
Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
UTILITIES MENU
-------------
Selecting "Utilities Menu" from the main menu will produce the
following menu:
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ Utilities Menu │
│ │
│ Print Diskette Inserts │
│ Auto-load Database │
│ Reorganize Database │
├───────────────────────────┤
│ Shell to DOS │
├───────────────────────────┤
│ Quit Utilities Menu │
└───────────────────────────┘
The following is a description of menu choices available:
Print Diskette Inserts
----------------------
This option will create diskette label inserts. This is basically the
same as many popular disk cover programs currently in the
public domain. This selection will print the contents of the
diskette directory containing filename, file sizes, the date of
the listing and the volume label.
Auto-load Database
----------------------
This is probably the most powerful feature of the Diskette Catalog
System. This option will read the diskette directory and
automatically load the information into the database. You will first
be prompted for the desired disk drive. Select either "A" or "B". You
will then be prompted to insert the diskette into the drive.
After inserting the disk into the desired drive, the system will read
the volume label, available space and all of the file information on
the diskette.
NOTE: The Diskette Catalog System expects the format of the volume
label to be either "DISK XXXX" or "XXXX" where "XXXX" is the
number of the diskette.
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Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
Once the system has read the diskette information, it searches the
database to see if the diskette is already in the database.
If the disk number already exists, the Auto-Load will simply update
the information in the database to match the information on the
diskette. For example, if an archive size changes or a new archive has
been added to the diskette, the information will be automatically
updated.
If the disk number doesn't exist in the database, a screen will pop-up
allowing you to update specific information for each file. This screen
is similar to the archive name input section of the diskette Maintenance
screen (see above for details). The diskette number, filename and file
size will be read from the diskette and you only need to input the file
type and description.
Reorganize Database
-------------------
This option is used to physically sort the records in the database
according to the indexes for each file. The FILES datafile is indexed
on diskette number and archive name; the DISKS datafile is indexed on
diskette number only. If you notice searching/sorting/filtering
performance is slow, this option can be used to re-build the database
and possibly increase performance.
Shell to DOS
------------
This option simply clears the screen and gives you an MS-DOS prompt.
The maximum amount of memory will be freed allowing you to run other
applications. When you are finished, typing "EXIT" followed by carriage
return at your DOS prompt will return you to the Diskette Catalog
System.
NOTE: DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER OR REBOOT WHILE IN A DOS SHELL.
UNEXPECTED RESULTS MAY OCCUR, RESULTING IN PERMANENT DAMAGE TO
YOU DATA.
The "Quit Utilities Menu" option returns you to the main menu.
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Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
POP-UP WINDOWS AND "YES" "NO" BOXES
-----------------------------------
Throughout the Diskette Catalog System there are many messages that
appear in message windows and "YES/NO" boxes. "YES/NO" boxes appear in
appropriate instances to query the user. A message is displayed along
with choices "YES" and "NO". You can select the appropriate choice by
using the arrow keys and hitting return or by hitting the first letter
of the desired choice. Hitting escape while this window is displayed
will often times take the negative or "NO" option.
Message windows are used to let you know what the system is doing. For
example, counting records, searching for data, printing listings, etc.
There are two forms of this windows; interactive and independent. The
interactive form will wait for the user to hit return or escape, as the
non-interactive form will stay on the screen while the operation is
in progress and then closes by itself when the operation completes.
BUG REPORTS
-----------------------
I've employed extensive efforts to insure that this release of the
Diskette Catalog System is free of any bugs. I can confidently state
that any fatal run-time bugs have been completely eliminated to prevent
any possible loss of data (yours, not my own...).
However, often times nasty little bugs seem to rear their ugly head
when you least expect it. If you happen to find any fatal
program-aborting bugs, or if the system doesn't function the way it
should, the author can be reached at the addresses or phone numbers
listed in LICENSE.DOC. The first reporters of bugs will receive
commercial versions of the system free of charge.
UPDATES AND ENHANCEMENTS
------------------------
This program has been updated and enhanced over the past three years
before being released to the public. However, there is still
room for improvement. There are a number of enhancements that could be
made to make the system even better. I currently maintain a to-do list
of enhancements I would like to make to the system. I decided not to
include the list here because anyone who provides any *meaningful*
enhancement suggestions may be eligible to receive the commercial
version of the software, free of charge.
As with any good shareware product, your input counts. Any suggestions
for enhancements or changes to the current features will be considered
very seriously.
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Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
APPENDIX A
----------
The following table shows the keys which can be used while in a browse
window. A browse window is displayed when you choose "Browse
Database" from the main menu or if you display on of the listings to
the screen.
KEY FUNCTION
--- --------
UP ARROW Go to previous record (line) in the
browse window.
DOWN ARROW Go to previous record (line) in the
browse window.
PGUP Go to previous page
PGDN Go to next page
HOME Go to first record in the browse window
END Go to last record in the browse window
CTRL/HOME Go to first record in the database
CTRL/END Go to last record in the database
LEFT ARROW Pan one column to the left within the
browse window.
RIGHT ARROW Pan one column to the right within the
browse window.
ESC Close the browse window
RETURN Close the browse window
ALPHA KEYS Go to the record that matches the
uppercase value of the key you pressed.
For example, if you are displaying the
Archive Name listing on the screen,
pressing "A" go to the first record whose
archive name begins with "A".
ALT/S Search for a record.
ALT/R Redraw the browse window.
ALT/G Go to a specific record.
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Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
The following keys are used to move and resize the browse window.
NOTE: Some browse windows have this ability disabled.
Key Combination Function
=============== ========
LEFT SHIFT+LEFT ARROW Shrink browse window by moving the
right side of the window in to the
left.
LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW Expand browse window by moving the
right side of the window out to the
right.
LEFT SHIFT+UP ARROW Shrink browse window by moving the
right side of the window in to the
left.
LEFT SHIFT+DOWN ARROW Expand browse window by moving the
right side of the window out to the
right.
SCROLLOCK+UP ARROW Move entire browse window up
SCROLLOCK+DOWN ARROW Move entire browse window down
SCROLLOCK+LEFT ARROW Move entire browse window left
SCROLLOCK+RIGHT ARROW Move entire browse window right
NOTE: While using the last four functions, you must press the
scroll lock key again to resume normal operation of the browse
window.
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Diskette Catalog System User's Manual
APPENDIX B
----------
The Diskette Catalog System database is comprised of two data files.
These are standard dBASE III/Clipper database files and can be read by
any program designed to work with dBASE files. This appendix describes
the datafiles, their layouts and associated index files.
The first datafile is DISKS.DBF. This file contains the information
about each Diskette. The following is the file layout:
Field Name Data Type Length Description
BYTES_FREE numeric 9 Free Space on each diskette
DISK_NUM character 4 Diskette Number
The the FILES.DBF contains the information about each file on each
diskette. The following is the file layout:
Field Name Data Type Length Description
ARC_NAME character 12 Archive name on each disk
ARC_SIZE numeric 9 File size
DESCR character 30 File description
DISK_NUM character 4 Diskette number (this is
linked to the DISKS datafile.
F_TYPE character 1 File category
REAL_SIZE numeric 9 Actual size of the file(s)
when uncompressed.
These field names appear in the field name pick lists in the listings
options.
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