OS/2 Shareware BBS: Product/Product.zip/dbeinfo.zip/dbeinfo.inf

OS/2 Help File | 1996-03-08 | 133KB | 512 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. DBExpert Version 2.0 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

DBExpert TM Database for OS/2 - Version 2.0


Increase Productivity

o   Edit data in a familiar spreadsheet format
o   Reduce paperwork and filing with electronic forms and reports
o   Select just the data you want and sort it any way you like
o   Create customized reports that fit your needs better than the canned
    reports that come with your applications
o   Provide data access to users who don't have SQL training

Edit tables and query results as spreadsheets




Reduce Costs

o   Don't buy separate query, form, and report tools, DBExpert does it all!
o   Create queries and reports without SQL or programming experts
o   Save money on printing paper forms and filing
o   Use simple point-and-click and drag-and-drop techniques to create objects

Enter and edit data on visually designed forms.




Improve Your Image

o   Create professional reports in a flash with the visual report designer
o   Use business charts and graphs to make your point on the screen or in your
    reports
o   Include pictures on the screen and in reports for effective communication
o   Create mailing labels and multi-columns reports from your important
    information
o   DBExpert can even generate reports for you automatically!

Display charts and graphs on forms and reports




Protect Your Investment

o   Use your existing tables and data for queries, forms and reports
o   When your database needs grow, your DBExpert applications will work with
    your new database!
o   Use, convert, and combine your existing data from multiple databases



Take Advantage of the Latest Technology

o   DBExpert is fully object-oriented in its design and interface
o   The powerful Presentation Manager (PM) interface makes it easy to use
o   Experience the power of a true 32-bit, multi-threaded, OS/2 application
o   Gain the advantages of client-server computing
o   Full multi-user support is built in to handle locking and transactions



Rapid Application Development

o   Reduce costs by using graphical tools to develop applications more more
    quickly than is possible with programming languages or 4GL's
o   Event driven model lets you control the application with simple macros
o   Robust data validation to make sure your data is correct
o   Subforms and subreports let you customize your application's interface to
    match your existing system or paperwork which reduces training costs

Design reports with groups, totals, even pictures!

Share Information

o   Ready for networks!
o   DBExpert handles locking and transactions automatically
o   Import and export fixed or delimited ASCII files

Create Applications VISUALLY! (double click object to view)

Applications    Collect related tables, queries, forms, reports and macros in a
                convenient on-screen notebook
Tables          Data files to hold your important information
Queries         Select just the information you want and sort it any way you
                need it
Forms           Create great-looking screens for entering and changing data
Reports         Preview reports on the screen or send them to the printer.
Macros          Validate data, handle user events, or even add your own functions!

Free Technical Support!

You can be assured that if you ever get stuck, you're only a phone call away
from expert help.


ΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇ

DBExpert Version 2.0 Introductory Special - Only $129!

 ($129 price valid through 4/30/96, suggested list price $149,  registered
users upgrade for $49)

Call Designer Software at [phone] to order!

Or fax the convenient DBExpert Order Form! (double click here to view)

We Guarantee It!  If you're not completely satisfied with DBExpert, return it
within thirty days for a full refund.

ΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇΓûÇ


DBExpert 1.0 Users - What's New in Version 2? (double click here to view)

Databases Supported

o   dBASE III
o   dBASE IV
o   Clipper
o   FoxPro
o   FoxBASE
o   DB2/2 for OS/2
o   DB2/6000
o   DB2/MVS (thru DDCS/2 gateway)
o   SQL/400 (thru DDCS/2 gateway)
o   SQL/DS (thru DDCS/2 gateway)
o   Oracle 7 Database for OS/2

System Requirements

o   Computer with OS/2 2.0 or later installed
o   4 MB of memory (8 MB recommended)
o   5 MB of hard disk space
o   No additional software required to use dBASE, Clipper, FoxPro or FoxBASE
    tables.
o   All other databases require the database and appropriate access software to
    be installed

Designer Software, Inc.

Sales:               [phone]
Outside the US:      [phone]
Tech Support:        [phone]
Fax:                 [phone]
Compuserve:          74561,653
Internet:            [e-mail]
World Wide Web:      www.dbexpert.com

Copyright 1996 Designer Software, Inc.  All rights reserved.  This data sheet
is for informational purposes only.  DESIGNER SOFTWARE MAKES NO WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.  Support services are subject to Designer
Software's then-current prices, terms and conditions and are subject to change
without notice.  DBExpert is a trademark of Designer Software, Inc.  All other
company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Applications ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Applications

o   Create complete applications without programming!
o   Data dictionary of tables, queries, forms, reports, and macros
o   Cut, copy and paste objects
o   DLL interface so you can call DBExpert from your own applications

Application notebook with a page for each type of object


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Tables ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Tables

o   Text, number, counter, date, time, timestamp, memo and bitmap data types
o   Flexible field formatting
o   Field validation expressions and messages
o   Create new tables or use existing tables

Quickly create tables by entering column names and types!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Queries ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Queries

o   Graphical Query-By-Example
o   Select just the records you want
o   Sort data on any combination of fields
o   Join multiple tables, even from different databases
o   Call functions in query expressions
o   Edit query results in a spreadsheet
o   View and edit SQL directly if desired

Visual query design with drag-and-drop!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Forms ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Forms

o   Generate default layout from a table or query
o   CUA '91 controls
o   Flexible field formatting
o   Robust field and record validation
o   Events trigger expressions or macros
o   Business graphs and charts
o   Add subforms to edit related information

The graphical report designer makes it easy to define screens!


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Reports ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Reports

o   Generate default layout from any table or query
o   Two-pass processor supports percent-of-total  calculations
o   Report and page headers and footers
o   Multi-level grouping and sorting
o   Mailing labels and multi-column reports
o   Subtotals and grand totals
o   WYSIWYG preview on screen
o   Business graphs and charts
o   Add subreports to combine information from multiple sources

Design reports with the visual report designer


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Macros ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Macros

o   Link parts of an application
o   Respond to events like the press of a button or changing a field
o   Validate fields and records
o   Access functions in other applications
o   Create your own functions
o   REXX macro language gives you all the power of OS/2!

Edit REXX macros with a simple text editor


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. DBExpert Order Form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select Services-Print from the menu and fax completed order form to [phone]

Please send me ____ copies of DBExpert for only $129* plus $5 shipping and handling.**

____ My check is enclosed.

Please charge my:  Visa  Master Card  American Express (circle one)

Account Number:      _________________________

Expiration Date:     __________

Name:                _________________________

Signature:           _________________________


Please ship to:

Name:         __________________________________________

Company:      __________________________________________

Address:      __________________________________________

              __________________________________________

City:         __________________________________________

State:        __________________________________________

Country:      _______________

Zip Code:     _______________

Phone:        ____________________

Fax:          ____________________

EMail:        ____________________

Where did you hear about DBExpert?  __________________

*Colorado residents are required to add 3% sales tax of  $3.87 per copy.  Call
for volume discounts/site licenses.
**U.S. only.  International rates are slightly higher.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. What New in 2.0 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What's New in Version 2?

The new DBExpert is faster, easier to use, and more powerful.  Here are the
highlights of the new features:

o   REXX macro language gives you all the power of OS/2
o   Improved multi-threading so you don't have to wait on the database
o   Improved performance (everyone loves that!)
o   Direct DB2 access (no ODBC middleware)
o   Counter fields (automatically incrementing fields)
o   ASCII import and export for exchanging data with other applications
o   Business charts and graphs for powerful presentations
o   Mailing labels and snaking column reports
o   DLL interface callable by user programs
o   Expanded and improved user guide
o   Brand new tutorial

DBExpert 1.0 users can upgrade for only $49


New easy-to-use interface

Desktop Windows -  The main DBExpert window no longer exists.  Instead, the
application window and the form, preview, and designer windows are opened on
the desktop.  The advantage of this approach is more room to work and the user
only needs to see the window that he is working with.

Easy Window Switching - Object windows are now displayed in the OS/2 Task List
window so it's easy to switch between windows even if they are minimized. Just
press Ctrl+Escape to see the task list and select the window you want to work with.

Menus and Toolbars - Added menus and toolbars to the form, spreadsheet,
preview, and designer windows to make it easier to execute commonly used functions.

Popup Menus - Forms now have an expanded system menu and a popup menu
(activated by clicking the right mouse button anywhere on the form).



Improved performance

Improved Form Display Performance - forms and spreadsheets are now displayed
faster than ever before.

Improved Database Access Performance - Opening tables and queries is faster, in
some cases like action queries, the performance has improved by a factor of
over 100!

Direct DB2 API Calls - Replaced the ODBC driver for DB2 with direct API calls.
This improves performance when using DB2 databases.

Improved Multi-Threading - Enhanced system to open tables, queries, and forms
in their own threads so the user can continue working in DBExpert or other
applications during database operations.

Faster Action Queries - Dramatically improved performance of update and delete
queries that have a single table as their source.



What's new In tables

Automatically Incrementing Fields - Added the Counter data type so users can
create tables with fields that are automatically set to a unique number

Date and Time Data Types - Added Date and Time data types and changed the
Date/Time data type to Timestamp.  You can now have columns that contain only a
date, only a time, or a timestamp (date and time).  This feature allows
DBExpert to take advantage of native date type in dBASE and DB2 databases and
the native time type in DB2 databases.

Selective DB2 Table Attach List - When attaching DB2 tables, the user can now
enter the creator and table name using wildcards (% and _) to limit the list of
tables to select from.

DB2 Database Pick List - Enhanced the DB2 connection routine so the user can
select from a list of available databases.

Save DB2 Database Names - Enhanced DB2 tables to save the database name with
the table information so when opening a table before you are connected, the
system can connect to the proper database without prompting the user to select
a database.

ASCII Import - Added Import option to the file menu of the application window
so users can import either fixed-length or delimited ASCII files into a
DBExpert table.

ASCII Export - Added Export option to the file menu of the application window
so users can export any table or query to a fixed-length or delimited ASCII file.



What's new in queries

New Add Table Tool - Added 'Add Table' tool to query designer toolbar.

Improved DB2 Editing - Enhanced DB2 support to allow editing tables that do not
have unique keys.

Smaller, Faster Queries - Enhanced queries to only select the required columns
instead of all columns when reading from tables.

Improved Make Table Queries - Changed 'Make Table' queries to create the table
in the database where the source tables are located.  For example, if you are
selecting data from DB2/2 tables for a Make Table query, the table will be
created as a DB2/2 table in the same database.

Save Table Relations - Relations between tables can now be saved and deleted.
For example, if you have an Invoice table and an Item table, you can save the
relation between the tables using the InvoiceNumber column in each table.
Whenever tables that have a relation are added to a query, the tables will
automatically be joined on the columns in the relation.



What's new in forms

Improved VCR Controls - Moved the VCR controls to the toolbar and made them
larger and easier to use.  A 'Delete' tool has also been added to form and
spreadsheet VCR controls to delete current or selected records.

More Room on Forms - Removed the selector button from forms since you can now
delete using the 'Delete' tool on the toolbar.

Graphs and Charts - Added chart controls to support bar graphs, line graphs,
and pie charts on forms.

New Form Menus - Added 'Menu' attribute to forms.  When the attribute is set to
Yes, a menu bar will be displayed at the top of the form.

New Form Tool Bars - Added 'Tool bar' attribute to forms.  When the attribute
is set to Yes, a tool bar will be displayed at the top of the form.

New Form Status Bars - Added 'Status bar' attribute to forms.  When the
attribute is set to Yes, a status bar will be displayed at the bottom of the
form.  The status bar shows the description of the field the user is currently
on and the description of the tool bar tool the mouse pointer is currently on.

Fast Switching from Form View to Spreadsheet View - When switching between form
and spreadsheet view, the switch is now made much more quickly and you remain
on the current record.

Selecting Multiple Controls - Added multi-select capability to form and report
designers.  To select controls, hold the CTRL key down and click each control
you want to select.  Clicking a selected control with the CTRL key pressed
unselects the control.

Default Memo Length Increased - Changed default length of memo fields added to
forms and reports to 65280 which is the maximum size.

Use the Clipboard to Move and Copy Rows of Data - Added clipboard support for
rows of data in a spreadsheet.  Users can now cut, copy, and paste selected
rows of data from one spreadsheet to another.

Quick Key Access to Find Function - Added Ctrl+F and Ctrl+N accelerator keys
for Find and Find Next functions when viewing a form or spreadsheet.



What's new in reports

New Preview Toolbar - Added `Print', `Print Setup', and 'View Design' tool to
the report preview toolbar.

Graphs and Charts - Added chart controls to support bar graphs, line graphs,
and pie charts on reports.

User Controlled Page Breaks - Added 'Force new page' attribute to report
sections to enable the user to generate a page break before or after group or
detail sections.

Multi-Column Reports and Mailing Labels - Added 'Column count' attribute to
report sections to enable users to create snaking column reports like pages in
a phone book or mailing labels.

Keep Report Sections Together - Added 'Keep together' attribute to report
sections to enable users to specify that a section should not be split at the
end of a page.  If the Keep together attribute is set to yes and a section will
not completely fit at the end of the page, then the section will be printed on
the next page.



What's new in macros

REXX Macro Language - The DBExpert macro language is now REXX!  This means
that users can take advantage of the full power of REXX programming when
responding to events like button clicks or updated records.  With the power of
REXX, DBExpert can be expanded to do many things that it could not do before.
And best of all, REXX is a standard language supported on many platforms so you
don't have to learn a proprietary language and there are lots of REXX resources
and programs available to help you get the most out of the REXX macro language.
Existing macros are automatically converted when you open the macro designer or
run the macro.  You can use any valid REXX commands as well as all the DBExpert
functions in macros.



New functions

dbeExport - Exports data from a table or query to a text file.
dbeImport - Imports a text file to a table.
dbeSendKeys - Sends keystrokes to active window
dbeLoadFuncs - Registers DBExpert functions with REXX
dbeUnloadFuncs - Deregisters DBExpert functions with REXX
dbeCut - Cuts an object to the clipboard
dbeCopy - Copies an object to the clipboard
dbePaste - Pastes an object from the clipboard
dbeLoadPicture - Loads a picture of any size from a disk file in a variety of formats:
dbeRequeryControl - Requeries the source of a list or combo box control
dbeSysStart - Starts DBExpert from REXX or your program
dbeSysStop - Shuts DBExpert down from REXX or your program