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╔══════════════════════════════════╗ ║ DURA DESIGN ║ ║ ║ ║ DESIGN5.EXE ║ ║ ║ ║ INTELLIGENT DATABASE DESIGNER ║ ║ ║ ║ (C) Jerry Adkins 1988 ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════╝ RELEASE 5.0, January, 1989 Design program and documentation Copyright (C), 1989 7770 Regents Road Suite 113-226 San Diego, CA 92122 Registered users will receive a diskette with the latest version of Dura Design. The disk will also contain the following programs: DURA MENU Hard drive menu control system, with optional virus protection, and encrypted password. This program is currently the standard menu system in nine Ford car plants. FKEYS Program function keys to execute several commands at DOS level. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wish to register Dura Design, and receive the update diskette that also includes Dura Menu and FKEYS. Included is the $20 registration fee. Name: _____________________________________________ Street: ___________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ___________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- You may freely distribute copies of this disk to others, provided the files are not altered, or sold. Due to the many variations of programs created by this product, J. Adkins or Adkins Enterprises will not assume any liability for the use of this product, or the suitability for any particular machine. Table Of Contents ----------------- Introduction........................................D-1 Mew Features........................................D-2 Defining And Generating Your Program................D-3 Editing A Defined Program...........................D-4 How To Use The Generated Program....................D-5 Format Of Design Disk Files.........................D-6 Limited License For Design..........................D-7 D-1) Introduction ------------ At Adkins Enterprises, we do quite a lot of database work, both for ourselves and for clients. After writing about the one millionth database manager, we came to a startling conclusion: very little was actually changing from program to program. We became good at reinventing the wheel, but this time a thought struck us, "Why not write a database program generator?" Design 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 Pascal while you watch. What we found was that we were doing in a few minutes what used to take days or weeks. Here's a brief outline of Design's capabilities and features: 1) This program allows you to set up a customized data entry system and then writes a dedicated Pascal database manager program. 2) Several different types of input fields are supported: Numeric, Alphanumeric, Calculated, etc. Strict type checking is done on the input. 3) The generated program is documented with remarks for easy customization. 4) Typical record access (no matter how many records in the system) when the key field is known is under 1/2 second. 5) Knowledge of Pascal, data-file input/output routines, or other special functions is not required. A small amount of Pascal formula format is helpful for using formula fields. 6) Number of fields can be as many as 50. D-2) New features in 5.0 ------------------- Version 5.0 no longer requires toolbox sort modules. There is nothing else to buy. This version takes advantage of the unit structure of Turbo Pascal 5.0. Fewer support files are needed. The archive file is over 30k smaller. Advanced error protection is incorporated into your programs. This takes advantage of the Custom Exit procedures available to the latest Turbo Pascal. All programs generated are designed to be compiled with Turbo Pascal 5.0. Field input now has word processor type editing features, with insert, delete, etc. The commands are Wordstar (tm) compatible. This field input is incorportated into your programs, as well as the designer program. A windows unit (WINDOWS.TPU) is provided, which can be incorporated into other programs. It features removable windows. VAR files created by the older version can still be used to create a newer version program. If you do this, delete the COM version of your previous program. Turbo Pascal 5 creates EXE files. D-3) Defining And Generating Your Database ------------------------------------- Before executing the Design program generator, you should insure that the following files are on the diskette in your logged (default) disk drive: 1) Design program generator (DESIGN5.EXE) 2) Design library files (IBMLIB1.INC) (IBMLIB2.INC) (WINDOWS.TPU) (DSORT.TPU) 5) Turbo Pascal 5.0 (tm) compiler. (TURBO.EXE or TPC.EXE). From the DOS prompt, type: DESIGN5 and the program should load and execute after a few seconds. You will first be presented with the screen: DESIGN5.EXE (C)COPYRIGHT ADKINS ENTERPRISES 1989 7770 Regents Road Suite 113-226 San Diego, CA 92122 ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │ PROGRAM NAME: ■■■■■■■.PAS │ └─────────────────────────────┘ The program will ask you for a filename for the resulting program (7 characters, first character alphabetic). The eighth character is reserved to name the sort program. Now it is time to designate the record fields , variable names, and variable types. A fair amount of error checking is done to insure you only use legal Pascal variable names, but it is best to avoid using illegal Pascal variables. ╒════════════════════╕ ╒══════════════════════════════════╕ │ 1 : string1; │ │ │ │ 2 : string2; │ │ Which type for this variable? │ │ 3 : string3; │ │ │ │ 4 : string4; │ │ │ │ 5 : string5; │ ╘══════════════════════════════════╛ │ 6 : string6; │ │ 7 : string10; │ │ 8 : string12; │ ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │ 9 : string15; │ │ PROGRAM NAME: TEST■■■.PAS │ │ 10 : string20; │ └─────────────────────────────┘ │ 11 : string25; │ │ 12 : string30; │ │ 13 : string40; │ │ 14 : string50; │ │ 15 : string60; │ Used = 1. Avail = 49. Variable name = first_name │ 16 : string65; │ │ 17 : string75; │ │ 18 : string80; │ │ 19 : integer; │ │ 20 : real; │ │ │ │ │ ╘════════════════════╛ 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? Design works best in applications where you know the key field. It's easy to forget whether you entered a person as John Smith or J. 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. Better yet, use a key identifier that makes each particular record unique, such as a social security number. Back to the program. ADDRESS BOOK Move cursor to location for first_name prompt and press ENTER ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── █ ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The above prompt will be repeated until you have positioned all the field prompts and input locations on the screen. At the top 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 40 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 Enter. 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. The following is a typical screen after all the variables have been defined. Now a sort key may be selected. Any of the fields can be used for a sort key, even numeric ones. In this case, we are using 7, the social security number. The sort key is the same as the key field. ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ │ 1 fname : string15; │ │ 2 lname : string15; │ │ 3 street : string25; │ │ 4 city : string25; │ │ 5 state : string2; │ │ 6 zip : string10; │ │ 7 social_security : string10; │ │ 8 amt_owed : real; │ │ │ │ Sort key # 7 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ CUSTOMER DATA Formula = 'AMT DUE: ',(amt_owed / 12) ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── FIRST NAME: LAST NAME: STREET: CITY: STATE: ZIP: SOCIAL SECURITY: AMT OWED $è ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── D-4) EDITING A DEFINED PROGRAM ------------------------- You didn't think I would leave you hanging without a way to change an already generated program did you? For each program generated, there is a small token VAR file. The only thing you need to reconstruct your program is this file. A typical file size is about 1k bytes. This means you could store several dozen programs on a single floppy diskette. A typical CUST.PAS program would also have a CUST.VAR file generated. When Design asks for a filename in the opening screen, just type in the name of the program you want to change. DESIGN5.EXE (C)COPYRIGHT ADKINS ENTERPRISES 1989 7770 Regents Road Suite 113-226 San Diego, CA 92122 ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │ PROGRAM NAME: CUST■■■.PAS │ └─────────────────────────────┘ Will CUST be a new program? (Y/N) N <A>dd <D>elete <C>hange <I>nsert <Q>uit (A/D/C/I/Q) A Used = 7. Avail = 43. Variable name = After the editing is complete, a new VAR file is also created. Now, let's suppose you have already keyed in a lot of data into your database. It's no longer compatible with the new program. Don't worry. Design will optionally create a data convert program CONV.PAS. How's that for service? When you run CONV.PAS, it will convert the old database over to the newer format. If you didn't have a lot of time in the data, you may want to just delete the data file. Your generated program will create it again first time run. Warning! Always delete CONV.PAS after it is used. Running it more than one time would damage the new database. Of course you DID have a backup copy of your data didn't you? Well, DIDN'T YOU??? TIPS FOR MAKING DESIGN A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE: --------------------------------------------- 1) Although the use of a hard drive is not mandatory, it will make life a lot easier. 2) You can't go back until later 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 formulas. D-5) How To Use The Generated Program -------------------------------- The following is an example menu showing the options of your generated program. All your programs will use this menu. Your program will have actual removable windows that are almost instantly displayed and removed during the operation of the program. Don't confuse this section with the instructions for running the Design program. In the right window, there are three options. These options are selected by pressing the up/down arrow keys and pressing enter when the option is highlighted. 01/04/89. - 05:34:05 PM CUSTOMER DATABASE 3112960 bytes free ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░╒═════════════════════╕░░╒═════════════════════╕░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F1: Help │░░│ │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F2: Printer setup │░░│ >EDIT RECORD │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F3: Colors │░░│ ADD RECORD │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F4: Clock On/Off │░░│ REPORT │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F5: Sort │░░│ │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F6: Shrink │░░│ │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ F7: Backup Data │░░│ │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░│ ESC-Exit │░░│ │░░░░░░░ ░░░░░╘═════════════════════╛░░╘═════════════════════╛░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ EDIT RECORD ----------- Allows changing any or all fields within a record. Within the edit screen, there are several sub-commands that allow you to change data, delete the entire record, move forward/backward through the database. Use the edit option when you want to navigate through the database to find and change things. SUB-OPTIONS FOR EDIT RECORD --------------------------- + Move forward one record. - Move back one record. B Move to beginning of file (first record). C Change a record. D Delete current record. E Move to end of file (last record). F Find a record by search key. If the change option is selected, you can press enter for the fields you want to keep, or overtype the ones you want to change. You can move back one field by pressing the up-arrow key. ADD RECORD ---------- Displays the edit/add screen and allows you to key in the information for a new record. You can move forward/backward through the fields with the up/down arrow keys. REPORT ------ A screen similar to the edit/change screen is displayed. This allows you to pick out certain fields for printing. For instance, if you wanted to print all records for people who live in California, and ignore all others, you would press enter for all fields except the state filed, and then type CA for the state. Using this technique makes it possible to make various combinations of printed reports, by keying in partial fields we could do something like print all records that have people in the 9 zip area who have last names beginning with S. LEFT WINDOW FUNCTION KEY COMMANDS --------------------------------- F1: Help -------- Brings up a help window. The help text can be any text file created by you and converted by the HELPCONV.COM program. HELPCONV is a program that converts your ASCII files over to a record structure usable by your generated program. This allows you to move forward/backward through the help file with the + - keys. Handy tip: the calls to (procedure help) in your program can be modified to make more efficient use of the help file. For instance, if your help file talks about the edit screen beginning with line 50, then change the call in the edit procedure to "help(50)" which starts at line 50 in your help file. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure any lines in your help file to be converted don't exceed 65 characters. This is the width of the help window. An example file "HELP.FIL" is provided for your use. When it is converted, the file "HELP.TXT" is created. F2: Printer setup ----------------- Allows you to configure the program for an Epson or Okidata printer. In order to use the codes in your program, you will need to modify (procedure print_record) a bit, otherwise the program will use normal print. Three string variables are used for this purpose. They will be in the CONST section of your program. The defaults are for the Okidata printer: The following typed constants are actually initialized variables. preset : string[5] = #24; expanded : string[5] = #31; normal : string[5] = #30; You could change a line like: writeln(lst,fname); in the print_record procedure to writeln(lst,expanded,fname); { Print first name expanded } F3: Colors ---------- Sets all the foreground/background window colors. Pressing enter for each one will use the defaults. The first time your program is run, this option will be executed. F4: Clock On/Off ---------------- Toggles the ticking clock on/off. If the clock annoys you, you can turn it off. The default is on, but you can change that by changing the line in the main program: Change clockon := true; to clockon := false; F5: Sort -------- Executes the sort program that was also created by Design. Yes, your created program has the ability to execute external programs as well. In order to rapidly find a record, a binary search is employed. If the file isn't sorted, the binary search will fail, then your program will attempt a sequential search from the end of the database backward. The reason for this is all new records are appended to the end of the database until they are sorted. F6: Shrink ---------- Physically removes deleted records by re-writing the database. The database is copied record by record to a temporary file, minus the deleted records, then the old database is deleted and the temporary file is renamed to the normal database filename. It is VERY important to insure that you have enough temporary free disk space to accomplish this. F7: Backup Data --------------- Copies the database to diskettes. If the database is larger than the size of a diskette, it will pause after each diskette is full for insertion of the next diskette. This option also allows you to copy the database from diskettes to a hard drive. ESC-Exit -------- Pressing the Escape key will exit the program. A window will appear so you can verify that you really want to exit. Upon exit, the database file is closed. D-6) FORMAT OF THE DATABASE FILE --------------------------- Since the database file is random access, it will allow read/ write anywhere in the file. The file is open all the time during the operation of the program. No serious damage should occur in the event of an unexpected shutdown such as a power failure. In the event of a run time error, the file will be closed, and an error message will appear in a window. Pressing enter will reopen the file, and return to the program menu. The data file used is a file of records. Each record has a series of fields determined by you when you run DESIGN5.EXE. The search routine uses a binary search, which is very fast, but requires a database that is sorted by the key field. In the event that the binary search fails, a sequential search is attempted. The sequential search starts at the end of the file and reads backward. The reason being that all new data keyed in resides at the end of the file, and a match is more likely to occur in this area. DESIGN5 was intended to create database programs that handle only a few hundred records. If very large databases are intended, a B-Tree type database program would probably be better. DESIGN5 doesn't use index files. All searching is done in the master database file. If the file is sorted, the search is very fast, however, very large databases require time to sort. D-7) LIMITED LICENSE FOR DESIGN -------------------------- Any programs generated by DESIGN5.EXE may be freely distributed or sold for profit. DESIGN5.EXE or the source code modules for DESIGN5.EXE may not be distributed or sold for profit.