Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/018/pcfplus2.arc/CHANGES

Text File | 1987-03-01 | 9.6 KB | 203 lines

                    PC-FILE+ version 1.0 ENHANCEMENTS
                    ---------------------------------
+--------+
| FASTER |
+--------+
* Far faster speed:
   Sequential searches are typically 2 to 10 times faster
   Sort is typically 2 to 5 times faster
   Print is typically 2 times faster (to disk)
* Eliminated the multiple program files on disk. All of pc-file is now
    in one program file. Easier to install, use, and share.  Much
    faster "chaining" from one module to another.
+--------+
| EASIER |
+--------+
* Context sensitive HELP windows. The help file is more compact,
   and contains more help messages.
* Much easier to learn and use. Command structure better organized.
    modify, find, delete, display have all been combined into one
    command. Commands only require a single keystroke.
* Macros (Smart Keys) much easier to set up. There is a macro memorize
    mode, which memorizes your keystrokes.
* Improved subdirectory support. You can put PC-File in any subdirectory
   on the DOS "PATH". Then, you can run it from any subdirectory that
   you happen to be in. You can also put the help file and the profile
   file on the path with pc-file.
* New menus make PC-File even easier to learn and use.
* "Setup" is much easier to use.
* Help, error, message windows movable to allow viewing underneath.
* A new TEACH mode can be turned on/off. When on, it automatically
    provides the help screen associated with the prompt being requested.
* The BIN command is no longer necessary. PC-File+ keeps track
    of binary fields automatically (through the sort).
* New CLONE routine makes cloning a snap.
* New Labels printing program. Very flexible and easy to use. Draw
  (paint) your label format.
* You can press [Esc] as often as you like now.
* Fields are easier to select from the menus. Select by:
    1. number,     or
    2. name,       or
    3. short name, or
    4. cursor movement
* Characters in numeric fields are now allowed. The conversion of the
    data to a number is much more intelligent. Garbage characters will
    be bypassed (so $ and commas, etc are permitted). Imbedded dashes,
    and slashes will become an implied decimal point.
+---------------+
| MORE POWERFUL |
+---------------+
* Twice as many records allowed (65533 records maximum).
* More fields per database (up to 70).
* Relational database retrievals are now a standard feature.
    A relation is another type of calculation. This means you
    can calculate using relational fields, and you can select records
    for printing based on the results of relational lookups.

* Defining new databases is easier and more flexible:
    Choose from a "Paint" the input screen mode, or
                a fill-in-the-blanks mode
    Place your fields anywhere on the screen that you like.  Put other
       titles, prompts, boxes or lines on the screen with your field
       names and data.
    Databases can be "patterned" after existing databases
    You can control how the cursor moves from field to field
* Greatly enhanced report writer:
  User selects from four methods of report creation:
    a. Page format. Computer designs the report completely.
    b. Row/column format. User specifies which fields to print. Computer
       then designs the report.
    c. "Paint" the report.  User draws the report on the screen and
       answers some questions.  Computer finishes the report design.
    d. Report command language, which allows total flexibility with:
       1. Cover page
       2. Multiple heading lines
       2. Multiple detail lines
       3. Multiple footing lines
       4. Multiple subtotal lines
       5. Multiple total lines
       6. User designs format of all parts of report.
       7. Output edit masks allow complete formatting of each report item.
          User specifies placement of decimals and commas in numbers, etc.
       8. User controls where date,time,page#,subtotals,totals,
          and selection criteria are printed
       9. Report can pause to request operator keyed data
      10. Predefined "system" fields available for calculating, editing,
          or printing include:
          a. current date
          b. current time
          c. cumulative count of records selected
          d. cumulative count of records selected in the subtotal group
          e. field name of subtotal break field
          f. group id of current subtotal group.
          g. current page number
          h. number of records in database
          i. the record number of the current record
          j. the primary sort field
          k. the selection criteria for this report
      11. User can specify printer control codes to print out anywhere
          in the report. This allows highlighting of fields or data, with
          color if the printer supports it.
  Reports can now go to LPT1:, LPT2:, COM1:, and COM2: as well as to
    the screen or a disk file.
* Calculated fields greatly improved:
    Imbedded blanks permitted
    Nested parentheses permitted (to any depth)
    ^ exponent
    % mod (remainder)
    Negation operator (negative constants) allowed
    They'll now recalculate for modify and global-modify
* Improved Find command. You can AND and OR your finds. "Complex"
    searches can be initiated using the new command language.

* Comparison searches improved:
    Nesting of AND/OR
    Calculations permitted
    >=, <=, !=, etc. permitted
* GLObal update/delete:
    Searches of any complexity
    Update any number of fields at once
    Update into portions of a field (using wildcard characters)
* Improved security: multilevel (5 levels) password control
    "USE" password controls:                    /USEPW,---
        restricts all use of database (even viewing)
    MODIFY password controls:                   /MODPW,---
        add, modify, delete, global operations
    SYSTEM password controls:                   /SYSPW,---
        utilities, smart key definition, field naming, BIN cmd (display),
        cloning, database defining, pc-fix, setup, and importing
    SORT passwords controls:                    /SORTPW,---
        sorting, changing indexes
    A special "Hide" password can be set for most of the above. It stops
        users from even seeing options that they're not allowed to use.
    A special override password can be set up.  /XXXPW. If provided, the
        operator can execute an XXX command and provide the XXXPW. Then,
        access will be allowed to all functions.
* DOS commands can be executed at any time
* New UNDELETE feature can recover deleted records
* A third color can be specified, to highlight field names on the
  data display screens.
* Soundex algorithm improved. First char need not be exact.
* Search improvement: ~scanacross can include imbedded wildcard
  characters.
* Sort can now sort in Soundex sequence as an option
* Case-sensitive sorting is now an option.   /CASESORT in profile
* Case-sensitive searching is now an option. /CASEFIND in profile
* There are now two "dupe" keys. Both work instantly.
  (Ctrl)F duplicates the field
  (Ctrl)D duplicates the entire record
  There is also a "DUPE*" field mask available for auto-dupe fields
* A field can now contain BOTH an edit mask and a constant.
* PCFix can also removes deleted records.
* Import and export can handle selected records, with operator override
* Import can now import a pcfile database, changing field lengths if
  necessary. This eliminates the need for a "merge" program. Allows
  "merging" selected records.
* A "Duplicate record" reporting utility has been added.
* Automatic fields (i.e. YYMMDD*) can also have an edit mask, like
  this  :YYMMDD*09:
* Each automatic field can be specified as:
    1. automatic only when ADDing records
    2. automatic only when MODifying records
    3. automatic when ADDing or MODifying
* The relative record number (#) is now a calculation. It can be used
  in calculations or selections.
* "Autoskip" option on data entry. When field is filled, cursor
  automatically moves to next field, without having to press (Enter).

+---------------+
| SPECIAL NOTES |
+---------------+
Note: The Snapshot key is now (Ctl)L instead of (Alt)5
      - but (Alt)5 is still supported in this version.
Note: encrypted files are not supported.
      (but a conversion program "PCDECODE.COM" is provided);
Note: Database definitions from older PC-File versions which contain
      constants will have to have the constants redefined. Constants
      now have to have quote marks at both ends.
Note: Since the "order of calculation" is now changed, calculated
      fields from older versions may have to be respecified.
Note: Searches no longer "wrap around". They start at #1 and go
      to the end.
Note: The scan across command is now ~xxx rather than >xxx
Note: These characters are not allowed in field names:
      ~<>-/*%&+|'"!^,.={()}@
Note: Fastadd and fastanswer are no longer options
Note: EMPTY* is no longer supported
Note: Run "PCF SETUP" (from DOS cmnd line) takes you into setup program.
Note: The sort requires a scratch area on disk - as large as the size
      of the index file.
Note: New definition of "Enter" key: It only reads the full data
      when there is only one answer being requested.
Note: Relative record number is now # instead of *
Note: .RPT files are now .REP
Note: Scan-across searches only look at the first 65 characters in the
      field.
Note: RAM memory requirements:
      240K in the partition
      +80K if editing print command files (report define, option "C")