Share Gallery 1/share_gal_1.zip/share_gal_1/DB/DB004A.ZIP/BASEPROG.EXE/lha/PDSBASE.HLP

Text File | 1990-03-10 | 59KB | 1,431 lines

This is the PDS*BASE Data Base System
to create relational data base files
and programs.  This "Shareware" type
software is Copyright 1987 by PRO DEV
Software. If you find this program
useful,  it is requested that you
Send a registration of $40.00 USA to:

   PRO DEV Software
   545 Grover Road
   Muskegon, Michigan 49442

You will be placed on our mailing list
for software update notices and
notices of other PRO DEV Software.

The next screen is the Help Menu.
          Main Help Menu
 A = Set Your Hardware Defaults
 B = Define A New Data Base
 C = Create Blank Data Base Files
 D = Print Your Data Base Definition
 E = Generate Posting Program
 F = Generate Report Program
 G = Generate Sort Program
 H = Generate Utility Program-Fix Files
 I = Do Your Own Thing Programming
 J = Load Existing Definition File
 K = Modify Existing Definition File
 L = Define Report Program
 M = Modify Report Program
 N = Print Instructions & Other Stuff

           Create Sub-Menu

After you have established the hardware
defaults with the Set-Up sub-menu, you
are ready to define your data base.

The "Define Data Base" sub-menu will
allow you to define the file and field
names in your data base. You can have
from 1 up to 10 inter-related files in
a data base. Each file can have up to
40 fields. The PDS*BASE Data Base
system will automatically create
relationships between a file and 1 or
more related files.


Highlight the "Define Data Base" sub-
menu selection with the up or down
arrow cursor keys and press Enter to
select. You will then see the screen
for defining the file and field names.

The first thing you are asked, is to
give your data base a name. This 8
character name will have ".DEF" added
as the file name extender. This file
will contain all of the information
about each file in your data base. If
you have a single file data base, then
it will contain the file name and field
information about that single file.

You can have up to 10 stand-alone or
inter-related files in a single
definition. The term "inter-related"
means a "Master" to "Detail" file type
of relationship. Section 1.4 of the
manual describes this hierarchal file
structure in gory detail.

Next, you fill in the name of each file
in your data base. The first file is
always a "Master" file - it has one
field used for quick random access. If
there are "Detail" or transaction type
files associated with the "Master" file
you enter the quantity of "Detail" type
files for this "Master" file. After the
number of the maximum possible records
is entered for this file, you are asked
for the name and information about the
next file.

To define the field information for a
file, highlight the file name with the
cursor keys and press F4. Fill in the
information about each field. Press F3
to return to the file name side of the
screen, highlight the next file name
with the cursor keys and press F4 to
define the fields for the next file.

Press F2 when you are finished defining
your data base. This will save the .DEF
file. Please note that all F key
instructions are shown on the screen.

The "Blank Data Base" sub-menu will
create the blank data base files after
you have defined your data base. It is
necessary to create the blank files
BEFORE they are used. This is to set up
the record pointers used to establish
the automatic file relationships.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select. You
will be asked several questions before
the blank files are written to either
the floppy disks or to your hard disk.

The "Print Definition" sub-menu is so
you can retain a printed copy of the
data  base  that  you  have  defined.
This printed record is necessary to
allow you to Define Reports. The
reports are defined by file and field
numbers and the file and field numbers
are shown on the printed definition.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select.

The "Posting Program" sub-menu allows
you to create a stand alone BASIC
language program to add, modify or
delete records in the data base files.
The generated program can be run
without the PDS*BASE System disk.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select.

The "Sort Program" sub-menu is so you
can generate a stand alone program to
create special multi-field sorts for
your report programs. The generated
program is written in BASIC.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select.

The "Do Your Own Thing" sub-menu will
generate just the "front end" of a
BASIC language program. You write the
"main" part of the program. The front
end contains all of the sub-routines
that read and write the actual data
base records. You should understand
Section 7 of the manual before using
this sub-menu.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select.

The "Utility Program" sub-menu creates
a stand alone BASIC language program to
fix file pointer errors that may occur
do to power outages, "cock-pit" errors,
etc. A seldom used powerful utility.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select.

The unique feature of the PDS*BASE Data
Base system is that it writes BASIC
language programs for you. These BASIC
programs can then be run by someone who
does not have the PDS*BASE system disk.
           Modify Sub-Menu

The "Load .DEF File" sub-menu selection
will allow you to load an existing data
base DEFinition file. All definition
file names end with a ".DEF" extender.
After you highlight this sub-menu with
the cursor keys, press Enter to select.

Definition files are originally created
with the "Define Data Base" selection
on the "Create" sub-menu.

It is necessary to "Load .DEF File"
before you can use the "Report" sub-
menu, or use the "Create" sub-menu
selections other than the "Define Data
Base" selection, to generate programs
or reprint the Definition File.

The "Modify .DEF File" sub-menu will
allow you to modify the files and
fields in an existing Definition File.

Highlight this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select. All of
the existing .DEF file names are shown.

You use the cursor keys to highlight
the desired Definition File name and
then press Return (or Enter). The .DEF
file is loaded and you see the "Define
Data Base" screen for that definition.

You can rename the Definition File,
Data Base file names and modify fields.
If you are modifying the Definition
File for a "live" data base that
contains actual data, you will need a
program on the disk that you will be
sent when you register your copy of the
PDS*BASE Data Base system, to re-build
or restructure your live file. Don't
get mad at me if you didn't structure
it right the first time. I need some-
thing to get the "closet" users to send
the author money. You have a full
manual and no features of this program
are disabled in the unregistered copy.
This is more than some Shareware data
base systems. Please register. Thanks!!
         Reports Sub-Menu

BEFORE you use this sub-menu, we have
to know what data base Definition File
should be used. If you have already
been working on a Definition File, that
file is assumed. If you just started
the PDSBASE.EXE program, select the
"Load .DEF File" option on the "Modify"
sub-menu to load an existing Definition
File for a data base.

The "Define Report" sub-menu option is
selected by highlighting the sub-menu
with the cursor keys. Press Enter to
allow you to define a new Report
Definition File (these files have an
.RDF file name extender). You will see
the Report Definition screen.

The first thing you do is to enter the
optional report title. Then you will be
asked for the File and Field numbers
for each column on the report. This is
where you will need the printed data
base definition file listing. If you
can't locate the definition listing,
print a new one with the "Create" sub-
menu "Print Definition" option.

The "Define Report" option keeps track
of the columns used by each field. When
the default number of columns is
reached, a second line of column head-
ings will be started. Only 2 lines of
column headings are allowed. If you
plan to use compressed print or a wide
carriage printer, you can change the
default number of columns with the
"Report" sub-menu option "Report Width
In Cols.". You should do this BEFORE
you attempt to define a report that
will exceed 80 columns.

Pressing the F2 key will save the
Report Definition File.

The "Modify Report" sub-menu will allow
you to redefine a Report Program. High-
light this sub-menu with the cursor
keys and press Enter to select. You
will be asked for the Report Definition
File name. The existing .RDF files are
shown. You just highlight the desired
file with the cursor keys and press
Enter. You will see the Report
Definition screen.

After you are done modifying the report
press F2 to save the .RDF file.

The "Generate Report Prog." sub-menu
option will create a stand alone BASIC
language program to write your report.
This BASIC program can be run without
the PDS*BASE system disk. You need to
own BASIC, BASICA or GWBASIC. Highlight
with the cursor keys and press Enter to
select. After you answer several
questions, the BASIC program will be
written to disk.

The "Pica/Compressed (P/C)" sub-menu
option allows wider reports to be
written. Check your printer manual for
the number of columns in the compressed
print mode. It typically runs about 17
characters to the inch as compared to
10 characters to the inch for Pica.
The "Report Width In Cols." sub-menu
option allows you to specify the column
width for a report taking into account
the Pica/Compressed setting and the
physical width of the paper in the
printer when the report is printed.

The "Report Width In Cols." sub-menu is
selected by highlighting it with the
cursor keys and pressing Enter. The
default value is 80 columns for 8 1/2
inch wide paper with the 10 characters
per inch Pica type style.

If you have specified Compressed print,
then you can print about 132 characters
on an 8 1/2 inch wide page. The 132
assumes 17 characters per inch for
compressed print. Check your printer
manual for the CPI for your printer.

If you have a wide carriage printer,
you can get more width in characters
depending on Pica or Compressed and the
width of the paper.

Be sure to specify the Report Width In
Columns BEFORE you Define or Modify the
report program.
           Set-Up Sub-Menu

Define your hardware defaults FIRST
before you use the PDS*BASE Data Base
system any further. Use the "Save New
Set-Up Values" sub-menu option so you
won't have to do this again.

The "Color Graphics Adapter" sub-menu
option allows you to let this program
know if you have a Color Graphics
Adapter (CGA) card. If you do, high-
light this option, press Return to
select the option and press the Y key.

You may have a CGA card and a single
color monitor - still press the Y key
so this program will know how to show
the cursor. If you have an EGA card,
press the Y key.

If you do not have a CGA or EGA card,
press the N key.

The "Color Monitor" sub-menu option
allows you to indicate if you have a
color monitor. Highlight this sub-menu
option, press Return to select and
press the Y key to indicate color. If
you have a single color monitor (amber
or green, etc.) press the N key.

If you obtained this PDS*BASE disk from
someone else who had already set the
default options, the following 3 option
values could show confusing defaults.
You may wish to ERASE PDSBASE.CFG at
the DOS prompt to delete the previous
default configuration file.

The "Drive A: Num of Bytes" sub-menu
option is so this program knows what
kind of disk drive you have. Highlight
this sub-menu option with the cursor
keys and press Return. Type in the
number of bytes and press Return.

If you don't know how many bytes your
disk drive will contain, FORMAT a fresh
disk in that drive. Consult your DOS
manual for how to format a disk. When
the FORMAT program is finished, you
will see the number of bytes free.

The "Drive B: Num of Bytes" sub-menu
option is so this program knows what
kind of disk drive you have. Highlight
this sub-menu option with the cursor
keys and press Return. Type in the
number of bytes and press Return.

The "Is Hard Disk Present" sub-menu
option will show a default of "Y" if
you do have a hard disk (assuming that
the PDSBASE.CFG file was created on
your computer). You may wish to change
the default to N if you are preparing
data base systems to run on non-hard
disk computers for someone else.

To change the default, highlight the
sub-menu option with the cursor keys
and press Return to select this sub-
menu option. Then press the Y or N key.

The "Printer Action Table" sub-menu
option is so you can tell this program
what printer you have. If you highlight
this sub-menu option with the cursor
keys and press Return, you will see the
list of available .PAT files. Again,
use the cursor keys to select your
printer and then press Return.

If you don't see your printer name, see
Appendix D of the PDS*BASE Instruction
Manual for how you can create a new PAT
file for your printer. If you are
creating BASIC programs for someone
else, select the .PAT file for their
printer. Be sure to select yours if you
are going to print the PDS*BASE Manual
or BASIC Primer.

The "Work Files Drive & Path" sub-menu
is selected by highlighting it with the
cursor keys and pressing Return.

If you have a 2 floppy disk drive
computer, type "B:\"  (without the
quotes) and press Return. If you have a
hard disk, you may desire to have the
data base, definition and BASIC program
files in a sub-directory different from
the DOS default sub-directory where the
PDS*BASE system files are located.

Enter the full drive and path with a
trailing back slash and press Return.

The "Save New Set-Up Values" option
is so you don't have to provide the
options every time you run the PDSBASE
program. After entering your defaults,
highlight this sub-menu option with the
cursor keys and press Return, Then,
press the Y key. The new defaults will
be saved to a file named PDSBASE.CFG.

This file is read by the PDSBASE.EXE
program when it is run.
            Tools Sub-Menu

This sub-menu gives you several handy
options to organize your disks and to
print the PDS*BASE documentation. If
you need to copy or move files while in
this program, I recommend that you
obtain and register a copy of the
Shareware "FileFriend" memory resident
utility. Most Shareware distributors
and many bulletin boards carry the
ColePro FileFriend system.

The "Disk Directory" sub-menu will show
you the names of the files on any drive
on your system. Highlight this sub-menu
with the cursor keys and press Return.
You will be asked for the letter of the
desired drive. The current DOS default
drive will be shown. Press Return for
the default or press the desired drive
letter key.

WARNING - This option works best if the
DOS COMMAND.COM file is present. If you
do not have a hard disk, try to have
the COMMAND.COM file on the disk in
drive A. Don't panic if you do not have
COMMAND.COM on the disk, the file names
may scroll off the screen if the quan-
tity of files is large.

The "Disk Free Space" sub-menu is handy
if you are planning to create a new
data base or report definition file.
You can highlight this selection with
the cursor keys and press Return. If
the number of bytes is low, you may
wish to use another disk before you
create a new file.

You will be asked for the letter of the
desired drive. The current DOS default
drive will be shown. Press Return for
the default or press the desired drive
letter key to see the bytes free.

The "Delete File" sub-menu option will
be selected when you highlight the sub-
menu with the cursor keys and press
Return. Type the full file name, with
drive letter, colon (and path if the
file is in another sub-directory) and
press Enter. You will be asked to
confirm the deletion.

The "Rename File" sub-menu option is
selected by highlighting it with the
cursor keys and pressing Return. Type
the full file name, with drive letter,
colon (and path if the file is in
another sub-directory) and press Enter.

You will then be asked for the new file
name for the selected file.

The "Print PDS Manual" sub-menu is
selected by highlighting it with the
cursor keys and pressing Return. This
is better than using the DOS command
COPY PDSBASE.DOC PRN as this sub-menu
option adds 7 spaces as a left margin.
If you have previously specified a
default Printer Action Table that has a
Near Letter Quality value, you will be
asked if you wish to print Near Letter
Quality. Answer Y for NLQ. This slows
down most printers, but you really
should do the best job possible when
printing my beautiful manual. (Don't
get sick). Press N for draft quality.

During the printing, you can press the
Esc key to stop printing. You will want
to stop the printing after the first
page is printed. This is the form that
you will rapidly fill out, place in an
envelope, along with a check for $40,
address to Pro Dev Software and rush
to the Post Office. After that, you can
start the printing again to print the
remainder of the manual. (Don't forget
the stamp on the envelope).

The "Print BASIC Primer" sub-menu is
selected by highlighting it with the
cursor keys and pressing Enter. This
is better than using the DOS command
COPY PRIMER.DOC PRN as this sub-menu
option adds 7 spaces as a left margin.

If you have previously specified a
default Printer Action Table that has a
Near Letter Quality value, you will be
asked if you wish to print Near Letter
Quality. Answer Y for NLQ. This slows
down most printers, but you really
should do the best job possible when
printing my informative Primer. (Don't
quit now). Press N for draft quality.

The BASIC Primer is for those of you
that wish to learn the basics of the
BASIC language (pun intended). It takes
you from scratch and brings you up to
everything you need to write your own
"Main Programs" for the PDS*BASE Data
Base System. This alone is worth the
registration fee. Please register!!!!!!

During the printing, you can press the
Esc key to stop printing.

The "Print ASCII File" sub-menu (select
with cursor keys and press Enter) will
allow you to print any ASCII or text
type of file. You will be asked for the
full path and file name. If you wished
to print (for example) a file you have
created named TERRFIC.PDS on the B disk
drive, type B:TERRFIC.PDS and press
Return. Press Esc to stop printing.
             Quit Sub-Menu

I don't know why you would wish to quit
this wonderful program and return to
the DOS prompt, but I guess that you
need to eat and do other IMPORTANT
things. Fortunately, the first sub-menu
option is "No" so that you can think
twice about leaving this masterpiece.

Highlight "Yes" with the down arrow and
(sob) press Enter. Watch out - A big
"Gotchya" is coming. You "closet" users
will be REMINDED that you really should
register your copy of the PDS*BASE Data
Base system (that means SEND ME MONEY).
When you register, I will tell you how
to avoid the "Gotchya" screen.

When you register, you will be sent the
latest version of the PDS*BASE system
disks. As an incentive to register, the
registered programs do NOT require
the random number on the opening
copyright screens.  Further, you will
be told the key sequence to skip the
closing registration screen.

This unusual data base system is rare
in that it generates programs for you.
It is also unusual in that it handles
multi-file random access files.



    If you haven't registered yet

  ***** PLEASE REGISTER NOW !! *****
       The Definition File Name

Unlike many other data base systems,
that keep the information about the
fields in a file in the header record
in each file, the PDS*BASE Data Base
system keeps all file and field infor-
mation in a Definition file; separate
from each data file.

This is what gives you the power to
automatically relate fields in one file
with records in another file. This
DEFinition file will contain all of the
field and automatic file relationships
for up to 10 related files. It may have
information on just one or two files if
you have only one or two files.

Enter up to 8 characters (letters or
numbers). The PDS*BASE system will add
the DEF file name extender. Before you
use any other characters for a file
name than letters and/or numbers, check
your DOS manual for legal characters to
use in a file name. Weird charcaters
can cause the dreaded illness of
"Crash!". In other words, this program
will die and you will see one of those
cryptic error messages.

If you are modifying a previous DEF
file, you can give the Definition File
a new name. This is if you got to this
point when you used the "Modify" sub-
menu selection to "Modify .DEF File"
and you have selected an existing DEF
file name.
You selected to Define a new data base
DEFinition file, but you didn't define
any file names or field information for
the DEFinition file. You can try again,
if you wish.
You entered a data file name on the
left side if the Definition screen, but
you didn't define any fields for that
file. Highlight that file name with the
up or down arrow and press F4 to fill
in the information on the fields for
that file.
You have been modifying a DEFinition
file. You pressed F2 to save the
reDEFinition. Since that DEFinition
file name already exists on the disk,
you were asked if you wished to over-
write the existing file.

You answered "N". Thus, you can now
over type the present DEFinition file
name with a different (new) name so
that you will save the reDEFinition
with the new name; thus, not over-
writing the existing DEFinition file.
You pressed Esc while on the file name
side of the data base DEFinition
screen. You may not wish to save this
DEFinition or reDEFinition.

If you actually wish to save the DEF
file, answer Y. If you wish to further
add to or modify the DEFinition, you
can select the "Modify DEF File" sub-
menu - thus, answer Y. If you really
wish to dump your work on this
DEFinition, then answer N.
If you wish to save the DEFinition file
to a different disk, you can change
disks now. BE SURE that the new disk is
already formatted or this program will
crash.
A DEFinition file with the same name
already exists on the disk. If you
answer Y, the previous version of the
DEFinition file with this name will be
overwritten.

If you answer N, you will be given an
opportunity to change the name of the
DEFinition file.
You really should print the Definition
listing. This will give you a ready
reference that you will need when you
are defining a Report program. It will
also give you warning messages if you
have more than 3 files and/or more than
128 characters in any of your data base
files. The BASIC default is a maximum
of 128 characters. This can easily be
expanded if you follow the warning
messages in this print out.  The DOS
default for the number of files can
also be changed.
You are about to have the PDS*BASE Data
Base system write a BASIC language
program for you. It will be tailored to
the data base that you have defined.

Use up to 8 letters and/or numbers to
make up your program name. Consult your
DOS manual for legal file name
characters. If you use bad characters,
this program will CRASH!

If you wish to reuse one of the BASIC
program names that may be shown
presently on the screen, use the cursor
keys to highlight the existing file
name and press Enter. If you do reuse
a name already on the disk, you will be
asked if you wish to over write the
existing file by that name.
You used a BASIC program file name that
is the same as a file already on the
disk. Thus, you are bring asked if you
wish to overwrite that existing file.

If you answer Y, the old file will be
replaced with the new BASIC program. If
you answer N, the program writing will
be aborted so that you have a chance to
use a different file name.
This program tried to find the file
named DBMANAGE.SRC in the DOS default
drive. You will have to end this
program and at the DOS prompt, copy the
DBMANAGE.SRC file on to the disk. This
file is on the PDS*BASE Data Base
master disk when you received it.
This program tried to find the file
named DBSORT.SRC in the DOS default
drive. You will have to end this
program and at the DOS prompt, copy the
DBSORT.SRC file on to the disk. This
file is on the PDS*BASE Data Base
master disk when you received it.
This program tried to find the file
named DBOPSUB.SRC in the DOS default
drive. You will have to end this
program and at the DOS prompt, copy the
DBOPSUB.SRC file on to the disk. This
file is on the PDS*BASE Data Base
master disk when you received it.
This program tried to find the file
named DBUTIL01.SRC in the DOS default
drive. You will have to end this
program and at the DOS prompt, copy the
DBUTIL01.SRC file on to the disk. This
file is on the PDS*BASE Data Base
master disk when you received it.
You have entered the DEFinition file
name. If it is on a different disk, you
have a chance to change disks now.
The requested DEFinition file was not
found on disk. You either entered an
incorrect file name, or the file is on
a different disk. Try again.
What can I say further?, You can only
press P to indicate Pica (10 CPI) type
or C for compressed type. Many printers
give you about 17 CPI for compressed.
Check your printer manual for actual
Characters Per Inch.
You are being asked for the Report
Definition File name. All of the Report
Definition File names have an extender
of ".RDF". This file contains all of
the information that allows the
PDS*BASE Data Base system to write a
BASIC program to print reports from
your data base files.
The requested Report Definition file
was not found on the disk. You entered
the name incorrectly, or the file is on
some other disk.
You just loaded an existing Report DEF.
File that has a different value for
Pica/Compressed than the current
default value in the "Reports" submenu.
The RDF file will be changed to the
current sub-menu default unless you
change the default to match the RDF
file value.
You just loaded an existing Report DEF.
File that has a different value for
Width In Cols. than the current default
value in the "Reports" submenu. The RDF
file will be changed to the current
sub-menu default unless you change the
default to match the RDF file value.
You just pressed Esc to abort defining
a Report. If you did that by accident,
you can press Y to go back to defining
the report.
The Report Definition File you are
about to save has the same name as a
file already on the disk. If you press
Y, the existing file will then be
overwritten be the file you are about
to save. Press N to not save the RDF.
The Printer Action Table (PAT) file
could not be found on the disk. Check
the "Defaults" sub-menu entry for the
PAT file and see if it is correct or if
it is on the disk.

If you are creating a Report program
that requires compressed print, the
value used (of ASCII code 15) may not
be correct for your printer.

If you are about to print one of the
PDS*BASE Data Base instruction manuals,
it will not be possible to use Near
Letter Quality printing.
Try to fix the problem indicated by the
error message.
Enter the name of the data file. Use up
to 8 letters or numbers. Check your DOS
manual for other legal characters for
use in file names. A file name extender
of ".DAT" will automatically be added
to the 8 character file name.

If you are ready to define fields for
this file, press the F4 key.

If you wish to insert a file name,
press F5. If you wish to delete a file,
press F7.

If you are finished defining this data
base, press the F2 key. If you wish to
abort without saving the definition,
then press the Esc key.
Hey!! - You just pressed F6 to insert
this file. Then, you have the audacity
to try to leave this field name blank.

Either fill in the file name and later
define some fields for this file, or
press F7 to delete this file.
You can't use the F6 key to insert a
Detail file. Use the up arrow cursor
key to place the cursor on the Master
file name, press Enter to position
over the Detail Quantity field. Then
increase the Detail quantity. This will
automatically insert the Detail file.
You have gone to a lot of work to
define fields for this file. Answer Y
if you really want to dump those fields
down the bit bucket.
It would really play havoc if I let you
get away with having 2 files in a data
base with the same file name. Try again
You have just entered a Master file
name. A Master file will be such that
any record can almost instantly be
accessed via one of the fields.

On the other hand, a Detail file is not
a random access file. One or more
records in a Detail file are connected
via automatic file record number
pointers with one record in the Detail
file's associated Master file. Section
1.4 of the manual describes this
relationship.

It is possible to have up to 9 Detail
files associated with one Master file
as long as the total number of both
Master and Detail files does not
exceed 10. Enter the number of Detail
files associated with THIS Master file.

If this is a "Stand-Alone" Master file,
press Enter to leave the quantity of
associated Detail files for this Master
at zero.
If you had checked this handy HELP
screen before entering the number of
Detail files for this Master, you would
have known that the total of both types
of files can NOT exceed 10.
To delete a Detail file, move the
cursor over the Detail file name and
press the F7 key. This will lower the
quantity of Detail files for this
Master file.
One of the unique features of the
PDS*BASE Data Base is that you will
never get a "Disk full" error message.
This is accomplished by pre-setting the
maximum number of records that can ever
be in this data file. For a Master file
this fixed maximum quantity allows
almost instant random access without
the need for index files.

I recommend that you estimate the
maximum number of possible records that
will be placed in this file, and add
about 20% for a safety factor.

You MUST enter a quantity greater than
zero. Try again . . .
I had to stop somewhere. I also wished
to stay with Integer variaables to
save memory. Actually, if you enter
32000, it can be automatically raised
to the next higher prime number of
32003. Try a lower quantity of records.
The "Hashing" type of fast random
access, without separate index files,
works most efficiently if the maximum
number of records is a prime number.
Answer Y (or just press Enter) to round
up to the next higher prime number.
You can't insert another file if the
maximum number of both Detail and
Master files would exceed 10.
Records in Detail files are chained to
records in an associated Master file.
Thus, you can't have Detail files with-
out an associated Master file to chain
to. Place the cursor on each Detail
file name for this Master and press F7.
Enter a unique (for this file) name for
this field. Any character is OK; even
blanks (hear that dBASE ?). These names
will appear on the screen of the
generated BASIC programs, so make the
name descriptive.

Press F3 when done defining fields to
return to the file name side of the
screen.
What more can I say?
What gives??? You just pressed F6 to
insert this field and now you don't
want to give it a name. If you can't
think of a name for this field, press
F8 to get rid of it. (Some people's
kids!).
When you plan to input data for this
field into the data file, how many
characters will be required; how "wide"
should the field be? If this is to be a
numeric field that will have a decimal
point, allow a space for that decimal.
If it is a Date field, allow 8 spaces.
The BASIC language limits you to 254
characters in a STRING variable. If you
compile the generated BASIC program,
the limit is much higher. However, I
haven't seen a screen that shows more
than 132 characters and 80 is standard.
Press the space bar to toggle between
Required and Optional. You can also
press either R or O.

If a field is Required, the generated
BASIC program to post records to your
data files, will "insist" that a value
be entered. A random access search
field MUST be required.
Here is where you define what kind of
data will be put in this field.

   C = Character or Alpha/Numeric
         No math will be performed
         on this field.

   I = Integer - Numeric - Whole
         numbers only - no decimal

   R = Real numbers (with decimal
         point)

   D = Date MM-DD-YY format

Press the space bar to toggle between
types or press the letter of the type.
BASIC eventually runs out of STRING
space. I had to stop somewhere. Thus,
you are limited to 40 fields per file.
The PDS*BASE system will not worry
about space on the disk if the files
are going to be placed on a hard disk.
However, if you are creating a system
that is to run on floppy disks, the
system will attempt to fit the data
files on the available floppy disk
drives if you answer N.
You have indicated that you will be
running your application on a hard disk
computer. However, you may have more
than 32 megabytes (thus, partitions
with drive letters other than "C") or
you will be on a Local Area Network
where you could have any drive letter
from A to Z. Enter the drive letter.
Wow! - You have a large number of files
where the files are spread over 2 or
drives. This has exceeded the DOS limit
of 15 file buffers. You really should
get a hard disk. They don't cost that
much nowadays. Sorry . . .
Wow! - You have exceeded the available
disk drive capacity for the files you
have specified. I suggest either you
define smaller files or get a hard disk
drive. They don't cost that much now.
You have a small system, file wise,
where you may be able to fit the files
and the generated programs all on a
single drive. Thus, you may wish to
enter "A" to run entirely on drive A:.
This is just a copy of the actual .DEF
file. You can get the same print out by
issuing the following at the DOS prompt

   COPY filename.DEF PRN
It looks like you renamed a DEFinition
file from the DOS prompt. The first
line in the DEF file has the name of
DEF file when it was first created. If
You wish to reuse a DEF file with a new
name, use the "Modify .DEF File" sub-
menu and let PDS*BASE do the work.
WE are about to create the blank data
files for your data base. If the files
are being written to a floppy disk, be
sure the disk(s) is already formatted.

If the files already exist on either
the floppy disk or your hard disk, the
current data (if any) in these files
WILL BE DESTROYED. You may wish to back
up the data files to another disk if
this is the case. Esc = Abort operation
Just in case you are using a disk where
you have other files, I check for free
space just before creating this file.
Get the other files off this disk to
have a successful data file creation.
If you are just going to "look-at" data
in your custom main program, you don't
want the generated program to contain
the rather large sub-routines that
create or modify records. Typically, a
report type of program would not create
or modify records. Thus answer N.

However, if your program will create or
modify records, answer Y.
If you wish, a series of lines that are
DATA statements containing the field
names can be included in your generated
program. If you desire this, answer Y.
This is a rather important question if
there is room for all of the files on 1
floppy disk or you are using a hard
disk. You may wish to run the programs
on various drives where you set the DOS
default drive prior to running the
programs. If this is the case, you do
not want the programs to look for the
data base files in a fixed drive
letter. If this is the case, Answer N.

However, if your DOS default drive is
A: or C:, etc., but the data files will
always be in drive B:, then you will
answer Y. This may be required if you
are on a Local Area Network and your
programs are running from the DOS
default of K: and you have linked drive
letter F: to the location on the LAN
that contains your data files. These
drive letters are just for example.
Answering Y will add several lines of
BASIC code to your generated program to
handle printing the date on each page.
If you are printing to 11 inch paper,
the default of 58 lines of printed info
is what I like. You may prefer more or
less lines. If the paper is shorter,
you will type in a smaller figure.
Label stock would require 6 or 8 lines
as an example.
Somebody or something has been messing
with the SRC file that we are trying to
use. Check over your original disk to
find a version of this SRC file that
has "*31" as the last line. If you are
"Registered" with PRO DEV Software, I
will send you a new disk if you send me
the disk that I sent to you using a re-
usable disk mailer.

If you just got the PDS*BASE system
disk from a distributor that includes
this corrupted file, they should get
you a good disk if they are worth
anything. Of course, if you are a
"closet" user that hasn't registered
with me SEND ME MONEY and I will send
you a good disk.  I have never issued a
corrupted disk to a distributor or to
a user group, etc. PLEASE REGISTER !!
While running the Create or Modify
Report sub-menu, you modified the sort
formula and created a BASIC syntax
error. I suggest that you recheck your
modification and, if necessary, consult
the BASIC Primer manual that is on the
PDS*BASE Documentation disk.
Enter the title to appear at the top of
your report when the generated report
program is run. It will be centered.
This is where you must have a printed
copy of the data base DEFinition file.
That print out has assigned a number to
each file and field in your data base.
After you enter the file and field
number for this report field, that
field name will be shown on the screen
just below where you type in the file
and field numbers.

The first field on the report MUST be
the random access search field from a
Master file. If you have asked for
several report fields from one file and
you are calling for a field from
another Master file, you will be asked
which previous report field will give
the random access value to reach a
record in this new Master file. Let me
know if any other $40 data base system
gives you this POWER!

If you ask for a file and field from a
Detail file, it must be a Detail file
associated with the Master that you
have already used for previous fields
on this report.

If you wish to insert a field, press
F6. If you wish to delete a report
field, press F8.

Press F2 (while on the File # question)
to indicate you are finished.
What gives? - You just pressed F6 to
insert a field, and now you don't want
to enter a file number.
Check your DEFinition print out. You
just asked for a file number that is
greater than the number of files in
your data base.
Check your DEFinition print out. You
just asked for a field number that is
greater than the number of fields in
the file you are on now.
This Report Generator can handle only
one Detail File associated with one
Master File.  The structure of the
generated program would have to be
modified by you for more Detail Files.
You must have changed your mind.
You have called for a field in a Detail
file. However, the Master file for this
Detail file has not been used yet for
any previous columns in this report.
The ONLY way to get to a chain of
Detail records is through a record in
the Master file associated with the
Detail file.
You have specified a Detail file field.
There may be more than one record in
the Detail chain of records for the
associated Master record. Do you wish
to report on just the First or Last
record in the chain, or All records in
the chain.

You can toggle choices with the space
bar (then Enter) or by pressing the F,
L or A key.
You have up to 3 lines to enter a title
for this report column. The width of
the column will be controlled by the
width of the title that you enter now,
or the width of the actual data field;
which ever is greater. If you enter all
column headings with just 1 or 2 lines
then only the space for 1 or 2 lines
will be used on the report.
You have filled the "Width In Col." as
specified on the Report sub-menu. You
already did that once and we wrapped
the column headings to a second line.
This program is not set up to wrap to a
third line. You may have to write your
own main program for this complex a
report.
The starting column was calculated for
you based on one space after the last
report field. You may wish more space.
You may also wish to cause much more
space as you wish to modify the gener-
ated BASIC program to insert your own
special field.

One use for a special field would be
for calculated totals on several fields
in the report.

If you set the starting column number
to 999, this will indicate that this
is to be an INVISIBLE report field.

An Invisible field is used to store
it's value to "look up" the Master
record for a later report field.
You can now control the justification
of the data as it is printed on the
report. It can be Left, Right or Center
justified. Toggle the choices with the
space bar (then Enter) or press the L,
R or C key. (Try this in dBASE).
You have stumbled across a real hum-
dinger of a feature. If you know about
the BASIC PRINT USING command, you will
recognize this window. Take a look in
your BASIC manual to see how you can
modify this window to print numbers
with imbedded commas, decimals where
you want them and leading dollar signs.

Some may scoff at my having a data base
system that runs in BASIC, but look at
what I just gave to you. You can easily
control what your printed report looks
like. ALL THIS AND MORE for only $40.
I had to stop somewhere. Thus you are
limited to 40 fields on your report.
You can write your own main program to
have more fields if you desire. Keep in
mind that most reports are supposed to
be  easy to read. Even 40 fields could
be mind-boggling (how's that for an
excuse?)
If you are going to modify the sort
formula, you should understand both the
BASIC language and have read-up on this
feature in Section 4.2 of the manual.

By modifying the sort formula, you can
sort on several fields at the same time
or sort on part of a field.

You have attempted to modify the sort
formula and you do not have the same
quantity of left parenthesis as right.
The Work File Drive is displayed. You
can press Enter to select that drive.
Or, you can enter any valid drive
letter. A non-exsistant drive letter
will cause unpredictable results.

If you are familiar with the SHELL
feature, I am going to try to use the
DOS "DIR /W/P" command. To do this, I
look in the DOS environment to see
where COMMAND.COM was when you booted.
Then I check to see if it is still
there. If so, a secondary command pro-
cessor is loaded so the DIR command can
be  SHELLed. This allows me to use the
/P feature to cause a pause when the
screen overflows with file names. If I
can't locate COMMAND.COM I just use the
BASIC "FILES" command. If so, and you
have a LOT of files, they may scroll
off the screen.
You have been asked for the full name
of the file. If the file is not in the
DOS default drive (and path), include
the drive letter, a colon (the path)
and the full file name. For example:

   B:FILENAME.EXT    or with path
   C:\PDS\FILENAME.EXT

The second example is where the file is
in the PDS sub-directory.
You specified a file, drive (and/or
path) name that could not be found.
You have a chance to change your mind
in case you made a mistake.
The original file name was found, now
you need to enter the new name for that
file so that it can be renamed.
The new file name already exists on the
disk. You will need to use a different
new file name for the rename process.
If your printer is not on, the program
will probably crash. If you are on a
Local Area Network and you forgot to
LINK to a LAN printer, the results will
be unpredictable.
Put the PDS*BASE Documentation disk in
drive A and try again.
       End Of Generated Program

You are about to cause the PDSBASE
system to write a BASIC language prog-
ram for you.  When you RUN this program
and then the program ends, where do you
want to end up?

   M = RUN the menu program MENU.BAS
       that will allow you to run other
       BASIC programs or return to the
       DOS prompt.

   B = Return to the BASIC Ok prompt.
       Then you will have to type
       RUN"progname to run another
       program or type SYSTEM to return
       to the DOS prompt.

   D = Return to the DOS prompt.
     Printing The PDS*BASE Manual

You can print the Registration Form
(PLEASE fill it out and send to PRO DEV
Software with check ASAP) and the
TOTAL instruction manual by typing T.

This will take some time. Or you may
have been printing the entire manual
and you pressed Esc to stop printing
for some reason.  Thus, it is possible
to print selected Sections.

0 = Section 0 is the Table Of Contents.

1 through 8 are the 8 Sections of the
  main part of the manual.  At least
  print and read Sections 0 and 1 to
  get an over-view of the PDS*BASE Data
  Base system.

A through F are the Appendices.

I = The Index.

R = The Registration Form.  If you are
    using the PDS*BASE system beyond
    the evaluation stage, you must send
    PRO DEV Software the requested
    registration fee for continued use.
You need to press Enter or T to print
the entire manual.  Press 0, 1, 2, to 8
to print one of the 8 Sections.  Press
A, B, to F to print an Appendix. Press
I to print the Index. Press R to print
the all important Registration Form.

Since you have pressed an invalid
choice, you are being returned to the
TOOLS Sub-Menu.
This is a Master field that is either a
Real or Integer type.  You may have
report or group totals on this field if
you answer Y.  Otherwise answer N.

When you press F2 to save this report
definition, you will be asked for the
field for which to print group totals
(each time the group value changes).
For example, you have a Master file
to keep track of your checks.  You have
a field for Account Number.  You will
sort the report by Account Number and
wish a Sub Total for each Account.

Enter the File and Field number for the
Group Sub-Total field.  If you do not
wish Group Sub-Totals, enter zero for
the file number.  Then, you will only
get a report total.