A.C.E. 3/ACE CD 3.iso/files/docs/datastor.lha/Datastor.doc

Text File | 1995-06-15 | 86.1 KB | 3,105 lines

Digita Datastore 1.0  -  Copyright © 1994 - Digita International Limited
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                                                © TYPED BY SHARD - N&B ©

Copyright Notices

Digita®,  the  Digita®  logo,  Wordworth®  and  the  Wordworth® logo are
registered  trademarks,  and  Datastore,  HIP, Human Interface Protocol,
DigiSense and Auto-Date are trademarks of Digita Holdings Ltd.

Amiga® is a registered trademark, and Amigados, Kickstart, Intuition and
Workbench are trademarks of Commodore-Amiga, Inc.

All other trademarks and their owners are acknowledged.

LHX decompression software is ©Copyright 1991,92 by Stefan Boberg.


How To Use Help

You can receive help in several ways:

Help key         - Press the Help key to see the Help contents.

Help menu        - Choose one of the topics from the Help menu.

Menu Help        - To receive Help with a menu or menu command, hold down
                   the Right Mouse key over the menu  or menu command and
                   press the Help key.


Help Commands

Choose  the  Contents command from the Help menu to display the Table of
Contents.

Choose "How Do I...?" command to display a list of explanatory functions
(for example, Create a new document, Change the colour of text).

Choose Index command to display all Datastore menu commands.


Getting Technical Support

Before  contacting  the  Digita  Technical  Support,  please  read   the
Troubleshooting section.

To contact Digita Technical Support in the UK:

Call:  0891 616 944 weekdays from 11am to 5pm.
       Calls are charged at 36p per minute cheap
       rate and 48p per minutes at all other
       times. Be sure to ask the permission of
       the telephone owner before calling.

Fax:   [phone].

Write: Datastore Technical Support Department
       Digita International Limited
       Black Horse House
       Exmouth
       Devon EX8 1JL

CIX:   digita@cix
       Conferences - `digita' for general chat
                   - `digita.tech' for technical
                     support. Mail `digita@cix'
                     for access to this closed
                     conference.

CIS:   100031,3032 (or [e-mail])

If you are outside the UK, contact your local Digita representative.

When phoning, please have ready the following

1 Datastore version number (Refer About command, Project menu)
2 Description of your computer system
3 Detailed description of your problem


When writing, please provide the following

1 A stamped addressed padded envelope when enclosing disks for replacing
  or testing.
2 Datastore version number (Refer About command, Project menu)
3 Description of your computer system
4 Detailed description of your problem, with example files and/or
  printouts.


IMPORTANT
Unfortunately,  under  no  circumstances  can  Digita   provide   either
telephone or written support to unregistered users.


What's New In 1.0?

As this is version 1.0 of Datastore, there is nothing new.

However,  if  you  have  any  ideas  or  suggestions  of new features or
improvements  that you would like to see in the next version then please
let us know at the Digita technical support address.


Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are used to speed up your productivity with Datastore
by providing keyboard alternatives to using the mouse.


Key                  Does                     Which Mode
Right Amiga A        Save As                  Either
Right Amiga C        Copy                     Either
Right Amiga D        Duplicate                Edit Records
Right Amiga F        Find                     Edit Records
Right Amiga G        Find Again               Edit Records
Right Amiga I        Information              Change Design
Right Amiga J        Go To                    Edit Records
Right Amiga K        Close database/report    Either
Right Amiga L        Lock                     Change Design
Right Amiga N        New database             Either
Right Amiga O        Open database            Either
Right Amiga P        Print                    Viewing Report
Right Amiga Q        Quit Wordworth           Either
Right Amiga R        Insert Record            Edit Records
Right Amiga S        Save database            Either
Right Amiga T        Report                   Edit Records
Right Amiga U        Unlock                   Change Design
Right Amiga V        Paste                    Either
Right Amiga X        Cut                      Either
Right Amiga Y        Query                    Edit Records
Right Amiga 1        Create Field             Change Design
Right Amiga 2        Create Caption           Change Design
Right Amiga 3        Create Box               Change Design
Right Amiga 4        Create Picture           Change Design
Right Amiga ?        About                    Either
Right Amiga ,        Previous record          Edit Records
Right Amiga .        Next record              Edit Records
Right Amiga <        First record             Edit Records
Right Amiga >        Last record              Edit Records


Cursor Movement In "Edit Records" Mode
KEY                DOES
Tab                Move to next field
Shift-Tab          Move to previous field

Up Arrow           Move up a line
Down Arrow         Move down a line
Left Arrow         Move left one character
Right Arrow        Move right one character

Del                Delete character to right
Backspace          Delete character to left


Datastore Basics

This section of the help covers the basics on databases and Datastore.

There is information on:

What Is A Database?
How To Use Datastore Requesters
How To Use Requester Gadgets
How To Use File Requesters
Datastore Tool Types


What Is A Database?

A  database  is  a  software  program  which lets you store and organise
information  on  a computer.  The main advantage is that once added, the
information can be easily accessed and manipulated.

To  use  a  database  like  Datastore  effectively,  it  is important to
understand some of the basic computer terminology:

File
This  is  the  container which holds the data (information).  In a file,
the data is divided into sections, or records.

Record
This is one section of the file (usually one page).  A record is divided
into elements, or fields.

Field
This is an element (usually one line) within the record.

For  example,  a file would contain all of the people, a record contains
one person, and each field contains one part of the person's details.

With  Datastore, you can easily open, save and close any number of files
from  the  Project menu.  When you open a file, the first record appears
on  the screen and you scroll through the other records using the Record
Browser palette (the icons work like the controls on a VCR).


Datastore Requesters

Requesters  are  special  windows   that   Datastore   uses   to request
information.  This normally occurs after you have chosen a menu command.

To  exit  a requester, using the default button (which normally executes
the  command),  press  the  Enter  key  or Ctrl-Return key.  The default
button is displayed in bold type.

To cancel a requester press the Esc key.


Requester Gadgets
Requesters consist of the different types of gadget.

Gadgets are part of the Amiga operating system.  They are standard items
which appear on screen, like buttons, lists, check boxes or scroll bars.

When  you  select  gadgets with the mouse, it is unnecessary to position
the arrow pointer precisely, you can click the gadget or its title.

Buttons
Click these pushbutton-like gadgets to confirm or cancel an action.

On  a requester, one of these buttons may appear in a bold font, this is
the default.  You can select the default by clicking it, or pressing the
Enter key (or Ctrl-Return key).

Here are a few example buttons:

Button      Does

OK          Accepts changes and closes requester

Use         Accepts changes and performs the Use command

Options...  Reveals Options requester

Apply       Accepts changes, requester stays open

Done        Closes requester

Cancel      Disregards changes and closes requester

You  can  also cancel a requester by pressing the Esc key.  However, you
cannot cancel any requester changes once you have clicked Apply.


Text Gadget
Boxes  into  which  you type information.  Del and Backspace are used as
normal along with the left and right arrow keys.

When editing:

Key Press          Does

Right Amiga-X      Deletes contents

Shift-Right Arrow  Move to end of box

Shift-Left Arrow   Move to beginning of box

Right Amiga-Q      Restore box contents

Tab                Move to next box

Shift-Tab          Move to previous box

Return key         OK's contents and exits box

Enter or           Finish editing box and quit requester
Ctrl-Return key

If you are editing a text gadget, you can jump to another gadget using a
keyboard  shortcut.    Hold  down  the  Ctrl key and press the underline
letter of the gadget title to which you wish to jump.


Radio Buttons
Groups  of  buttons  where  only one may be selected.  Selecting another
radio  button  will deselect the previous one, similar to the buttons on
some radios, hence their name.

They  are used for presenting a variety of options only one of which may
be selected.

Check Box
Small,  square  box  which  can  be turned on or off by clicking.  Their
status being shown by a check mark (tick) in the box.

Scrolling List Gadget
Large  boxes  which  present  a  list  from which a selection is made by
clicking  one  item.  If the list contains more items than can be shown,
you  can scroll through the list using the scroll bars and scroll arrows
on the right of the list box.

Slider Gadget
Drag  the  bar  in the gadget to select a value.  As you move the slider
bar,  different values are displayed.  You can also click either side of
the bar.

Pop-up Gadget
These  are buttons which display the selection, and when clicked, reveal
a  list  of  options.    Drag  the  mouse through the list to change the
selection.    To  cancel  a  selection release the Selection button with
Arrow pointer away from the list.

Datastore  places an inactive scroll bar next to large lists to indicate
that more options are available.  You can display these extra options by
dragging  the  mouse  beyond the top or bottom of the list (not clicking
the inactive scroll bar).

Pop-up Text Gadget
The  same  as  pop-up  gadgets, except you can also type and edit in the
same  way  as  text gadgets.  To scroll through the list of options, use
the Up and Down Arrow keys when editing the text.

Read Only Gadget
For displaying information and cannot be edited.


File Requesters

There  are two types of file requester: The Open requester which appears
with  a  grey  background  to  the File list, and a Save requester which
appears with a black background.

A  menu  can  be  displayed by holding down the menu-button (right mouse
key), this menu is called the Control menu.


Control Menu
To  Open  or  Save  a file, select the file from the File list and click
either the Open or Save button, alternatively choose OK from the Control
menu.

In the case of Open, you may double-click the file from the list to Open
it.

You  can delete a file by selecting it from the list and choosing Delete
(Control menu).

A  new  drawer  can  be  created by typing the name into the Drawer text
gadget  and pressing Return.  A confirmation requester will then appear.

The  default  path for the contents of the File List can be specified by
changing a tool type on the Datastore program icon.


Keyboard
The  Up  or Down cursor keys will move the selection bar up and down the
list.

Alt-Up/Down will move the selection bar up or down a page at a time.

Shift-Up/Down will move to the top or bottom of the list.


Tool Types

Tool  types  are parameters used by the program.  Tool types are usually
in  the form of `KEYWORD=argument'.  Case differences do not matter when
entering the information and spaces should not be typed.

Tool  types  can  be commented, or disabled, so that the program ignores
them  on  loading.   Commented tool types are enclosed in parenthesis of
preceded by a semi-colon (;).


Datastore Tool Types

Default Files Drawer
The  tool  type "DEFFILES=<path>" specifies the default drawer for Open,
Save and New (templates).

Replace `<path>' with the default drawer path.


Default Picture Drawer
The  tool  type  "DEFPICTURES=<path>"  specifies  the default drawer for
Picture Fields and Picture Items.

Replace `<path>' with the default drawer path.


Help Drawer
The  tool  type  "HELP=<path>" specifies the Help files drawer.  This is
useful if you wish to make room on the `DS-Files' disk for more database
files.

Just  move  the  Help drawer onto another disk and replace `<path>' with
the new Help destination.


Windows
The  tool type "SIMPLEREFRESH" specifies that all of the windows used by
Datastore  are  redrawn  by the program instead of the operating system.
Simple Refresh windows use less memory but are slower.

To make the windows smart refresh (redrawn by the operating system) just
disable this tool type.


Miscellaneous
The  tool  type  "LANGUAGE=<country>"  specifies  which  language  files
Datastore should use and the value of certain program defaults.

For  example,  the  default  Currency   format   (Number   Field Options
requester) is changed depending on the language specified.

Supported Languages:

English
German
Australian
American

Project Menu Contents

The  Project  menu  contains  commands  relating  to  the  Project.  For
example,  items  that  provide functions to create or change a Datastore
database file:

New command
Open command

Save command
`Save As' command

`Import Data' command
`Export Data' command

Print command

Close command

About command

`Quit Datastore' command


Other items are also covered here that are not actual menu commands:

Templates

New Database Disk
Opening Files From a Separate Disk
Saving Files To a Separate Disk

Deleting Database Files


New

Choose  New  to create a new `untitled' Database window.  Alternatively,
press Right Amiga-`N' or use the toolbar.

A new Database will use the current preferences if you select the `Blank
Record' template from the requester.

Instead  of  using  a  blank record and designing your own database from
scratch, you can use a pre-designed template.

A  pre-designed  template  will open the design of an existing database,
but not the data.

When  the  `Blank  Record'  template  is selected, you will be placed in
Change Design mode.  Any other template will place you into Edit Records
mode.

Template Descriptions
The  description that appears in the box when a template is selected can
be specified from the Database File icon.

This is how you add description text to a file that you have saved:

1  From  the Workbench screen, select your Database File icon and choose
Information from the Icons menu.

2 Type into the Comments text gadget the description you wish to give to
the file.

3  Press the Return key and click Save.

The  next  time  you  select  this  file from the Templates requester, a
description about the file will appear below the list.


Templates

You can use any previously saved Database file as a template by choosing
the New command and selecting the template from the list.

A  template  is  just  the design from a normal database file (it has no
data) which opens into Edit Records mode as an `untitled' file.


New Database Disk

To create a separate disk for storing your Database files, you will need
to `format' a blank disk for use with the Amiga.

Place  a  blank  disk  into the internal drive and select the `DF0:????'
icon  that  appears  on  the  Workbench  screen (the `DF0' means `device
floppy  0'  or  internal drive, and the `????' means that the Amiga does
not understand the disk).

Once  the  disk icon has been selected, choose the "Format Disk" command
from the Workbench Icons menu.

A requester will appear asking you several things-

Workbench 2.0:

OK:
Formats the disk for use with the Amiga.

OK Quick:
Formats  a previously formatted Amiga disk.  This option is much quicker
if you have already performed a full format.

Cancel:
Cancels requester.


Workbench 2.1 and above will have additional items:

Volume Name:
This is the name given to the disk (for example, `MyFiles')

Put Trashcan:
This adds a trashcan icon to the disk.  Deselect this checkbox.

Fast File System:
This  makes  Opening and Saving to the disk much quicker.  It also gives
you 80Kb more space.  Select this checkbox.

International Mode:
This  is  for  foreign  languages  where accented characters are used in
filenames.  Select this checkbox.

Directory Cache:
Speeds  up  disk  access  by remembering the directory contents.  Wastes
memory, therefore deselect this checkbox.

Once  formatted,  the  disk  can  be accessed from any file requester by
typing  the  name  of the disk into the Drawer text gadget followed by a
colon  (:).    This  tells  the Amiga to ask for a disk of the specified
name.

For  example,  typing  `MyFiles:'  into the Drawer gadget will display a
requester asking you to `Insert Volume MyFiles in any drive'.


Open

Choose  Open  to  display   the   "Open   Database"   file   requester.
Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`O' or use the toolbar.

From this requester you can select the file you wish to open.

The contents of the default path will be displayed in the File List.

When  a  file  is  opened,  you will be placed in Edit Records mode from
which you can:

Apply a Query
Browse Through The Records
Change a Record
Delete a Record
Duplicate a Record
Insert a Record
Produce a Report
Sort the Records

See also:

New Database Disk
Opening Files From a Separate Disk

Deleting Database Files


Opening Files From a Separate Disk

Open  displays  a  file  requester  from  which  you can select both the
Database file name and disk that you wish to open.

To  view  the  contents  of a separate disk, type the disk name into the
Drawer text gadget followed by a colon `:'.  (The disk name is displayed
under  the  disk  icon on the Workbench screen when the disk is inserted
into a disk drive.)

Press  the Return key and you will be prompted to insert this disk after
which its contents will be displayed in the File List.

For  example, if you have a disk that was named `MyFiles' you would need
to  type  `MyFiles:'  into the Drawer text gadget on the "Open Database"
file requester before pressing the Return key.


Save

Choose  Save  to  save the current database design and records (if any).
Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`S' or use the toolbar.

If  the  database  was  untitled,  the Save Database file requester will
appear for you to type a name and destination for the file.


Save As

Choose  "Save  As"  to  display  the  "Save  Database"  file requester.
Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`A'.

From  this  requester  you can type the name with which you wish to save
your file.  You can also choose the destination of the file.

The contents of the default path will be displayed in the File List.


See also:

New Database Disk
Saving Files To a Separate Disk
Deleting Database Files


Saving Files To a Separate Disk

Save  displays  a  file  requester  from  which  you can select both the
Database file name and location where you wish to save.

To  view  the  contents  of a separate disk, type the disk name into the
Drawer text gadget followed by a colon `:'.  (The disk name is displayed
under  the  disk  icon on the Workbench screen when the disk is inserted
into a disk drive.)

Press  the Return key and you will be prompted to insert this disk after
which its contents will be displayed in the File List.

For  example, if you have a disk that was named `MyFiles' you would need
to  type  `MyFiles:'  into the Drawer text gadget on the "Save Database"
file requester before pressing the Return key.


Deleting Database Files

Documents  can  be  deleted  from  either  the  Open or Save As commands
(Project menu).

To  delete  a  Database,  select the file from the File List in the file
requester and choose the Delete command from the Control menu.


Import Data

Choose "Import Data" to display the "Import Data" file requester.

From  this  requester  you  can  select the file you wish to import into
Datastore.

This command will import ASCII record data from a file and place it into
the  current database.  The format of the file can be specified from the
File Settings requester ("Change Settings-File" command, Settings menu).

Datastore  can  import data from any program that can export record data
as  an  ASCII  file  (such  as  Digita  Wordworth, Digita Mailshot Plus,
Superbase and so on).

When importing, Datastore will try and insert the imported data into the
current database, you may therefore lose some data if a different number
of fields are used in the import file.

Datastore,  however,  will  automatically create a record with the right
number  and  type  of fields if the file is Imported into a blank record
when in Change Design mode.

The  file should include a `header record' for this to work.  (A `header
record' is a record at the top of the ASCII file that contains the field
names.)


See also:

New Database Disk
Opening Files From a Separate Disk
Deleting Database Files


Export Data

Choose  "Export Data" to display the "Export Data" requester.  From this
requester,  you  can  choose  whether  to  export  the current subset of
records as a "Datastore File" or as an "ASCII Data File".

Only  the current records will be exported into a file.  For example, if
a Query was performed on the database to display a selection of records,
only the selection of records will be exported.

If  you  wish  to  export all of the records you should select "Show All
Records"  from  the  list  on the Query requester (Query command (Record
menu) before continuing.


Exporting ASCII Files
Select  the  "ASCII  Data  File"  radio  button  from  the "Export Data"
requester  and  click  Export  to  display  the  "Export Data File" file
requester.

From  this  requester  you  can type the name of the file with which you
wish to export your records.  You can also select the destination of the
file.

This  command will export record data from the current database file and
place it in an ASCII file.  The format of the file can be specified from
the  File  Settings  requester ("Change Settings-File" command, Settings
menu)


Creating New Datastore Files
Select  the  "Datastore  File"  radio  button  from  the   "Export Data"
requester  and  click  Export  to  display  the  "Export Data File" file
requester.

From  this  requester  you type the name of the file you wish to export.
You can also select the destination of the file.

This  command will export record data from the current database file and
create a new Datastore database file.  The current subset of records and
the record design is saved with the file.


See also:

New Database Disk
Saving Files To a Separate Disk
Deleting Database Files

Print

Choose Print to display the Print requester.  Alternatively, press Right
Amiga-`P'.

This command is only available when viewing a Report.

The Print requester will allow you to select the pages you wish to print
and the number of copies.

If  you wish to print the report to an ASCII file so that it can be used
in  another  program,  select  the "Print To File" checkbox and type the
file name and path into the text gadget.  Alternatively, click Select to
display a file requester from which to select a file name and path.


Stopping A Print
To  stop  a  printout  at  the  next  page,  press  the   Escape   key.
Alternatively, press Ctrl-`C'.


See also:

Workbench Printer Preferences


Close

This  command  will  close  the  current database file.  Before closing,
Datastore will ask if you wish to save any changes.

However,  when  viewing  a report, the command is called "Close Report",
which  closes  the  current  "Report Window" and returns you back to the
database file.

Alternatively,  press  Right  Amiga-`K' or click the window close gadget
(the  small  white  box  in  the  top  left  hand corner of the Database
window).


Quit Datastore

Choose  "Quit  Datastore"  to  end a Datastore session and return to the
Workbench screen.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`Q'.

If  you  quit  without saving changes, Datastore will ask if you wish to
save before exiting.


Workbench Printer Preferences

The  Printer  preferences control the set up of the printer connected to
your Amiga.

The  Workbench  Printer Preferences program can be found: Workbench 2.04
floppy disk users In the Prefs drawer on the Workbench2.0 disk.

Workbench 2.1 floppy disk users

In the Prefs drawer on the Extras2.1 disk.

Workbench 3.0 floppy disk users

In the Prefs drawer on the Extras3.0 disk.

Hard Disk users

In the Prefs drawer in the System or Workbench partition.


Before Printing, ensure that the following are set correctly:

°  The  paper  size  (eg.   A4, US Letter) with the "Paper Format" cycle
   gadget.

°  The  paper  type  (Continuous  or Single Sheet) with the "Paper Type"
   cycle gadget.

°  The  number  of  characters  on  a  line with the "Print Pitch" cycle
   gadget.   For example, an A4 page (approx.  8 inches wide) would give
   you  about 80 characters on a line with the "10 cpi (Pica)" option (8
   inches x 10 cpi).

°  The  right margin.  This value is set from the left edge.  With an A4
   page with 10 cpi pitch, set the right margin to about 78.

°  The  line spacing with the cycle gadget "Line Spacing", either 6 or 8
   lines per inch (lpi).  This is best set to "6 lpi".

°  The  number  of  lines  on  a page.  Multiply the line spacing by the
   height of the page in inches.

°  The  printer driver.  Choose the appropriate driver for your printer,
   most printers will emulate at least one of the listed printers.

As a guide:

Most 9 pin printers       use `EpsonX'
Most 24 pin printers      use `EpsonQ'
Canon bubblejets          use `CanonBJ10'
Hewlett Packard DeskJets  use `HPDeskJet'
Hewlett Packard LaserJets use `HPLaserJet'

Click  Save  to save these settings permanently, or Use to just use them
until you next re-boot your machine.

Refer  to  your  Workbench  User  Guide  for  any further information on
printing and Printer preferences.

Design Menu Contents

The  Design  menu  is only available in Change Design mode as all of the
commands are only used in the creation or amendment of a record layout:

`Create Field' command
`Create Other'-Caption command
`Create Other'-Box command
`Create Other'-Picture command
 Information command

`Move Forward' command
`Move Backward' command
`Bring To Front' command
`Send To Back' command

Lock command
Unlock command

`Record Dimensions' command


Other items are covered here that are not actual menu commands:

Deleting Record Items
Moving Record Items
Resizing Record Items
Selecting Record Items


Create Field

Choose  "Create  Field" to change the mouse pointer into a cross-hair so
that  a  field can be created on the record.  Alternatively, press Right
Amiga-`1'.

Once  the  pointer  has changed to a cross-hair, click on the record and
drag  out  (keeping  the  mouse  selection  button down) an outline that
covers the size needed for the field.

If  a  field  is  created which is too small or, in cross-hair mode, the
record  was  clicked  (without  a  drag),  a field will be created using
default sizes at the position of the mouse.

When  a  field  has  been  created, an Information requester will appear
where  certain attributes of the field can be changed, such as format or
justification.

After a field has been created, it can later be:

Altered
Deleted
Moved
Resized

Create Caption

Choose  "Create  Other  -  Caption"  to  change the mouse pointer into a
cross-hair  so  that  a  caption  (or  text frame) can be created on the
record.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`2'.

Once  the  pointer  has changed to a cross-hair, click on the record and
drag  out  (keeping  the  mouse  selection  button down) an outline that
covers the size needed for the caption.

If  a  caption  is  created  too  small or, when in cross-hair mode, the
record  was  clicked  (without a drag), a caption will be created in the
default size at the position of the mouse.

When  a  caption  has  been  created,  an  Information requester will be
displayed where the text for the caption can be specified.

After a caption has been created, it can later be:

Altered
Deleted
Moved
Resized


Create Box

Choose  "Create  Other  -  Box"  to  change  the  mouse  pointer  into a
cross-hair  so  that a box can be created on the record.  Alternatively,
press Right Amiga-`3'.

Once  the  pointer  has changed to a cross-hair, click on the record and
drag  out  (keeping  the  mouse  selection  button down) an outline that
covers the size needed for the box.

If  a  box  is created too small or, when in cross-hair mode, the record
was  clicked (without a drag), a box will be created in the default size
at the position of the mouse.

When  a box has been created, an Information requester will be displayed
where  certain  attributes  of  the  field  can  be changed; such as the
colour, or border of the box.

After a box has been created, it can later be:

Altered
Deleted
Moved
Resized


Create Picture

Choose  "Create  Other  -  Picture"  to  change the mouse pointer into a
cross-hair  so  that  a  picture  frame  can  be  created on the record.
Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`4'.

Once  the  pointer  has changed to a cross-hair, click on the record and
drag  out  (keeping  the  mouse  selection  button down) an outline that
covers the size needed for the picture.

If a picture frame is created too small or, when in cross-hair mode, the
record  was clicked (without a drag), a picture frame will be created in
the default size at the position of the mouse.

When  a picture frame has been created, an Information requester will be
displayed  where  you  can  specify  the  picture to be displayed in the
frame.

After a picture frame has been created, it can later be:

Altered
Deleted
Moved
Resized


Important
Datastore uses Workbench 3.0 Datatypes for picture handling.

This means that new datatypes can be installed onto either the Datastore
disk  or  your hard disk so that other graphic formats such as TIF, GIF,
JPEG can be used.

There  are several formats available in public domain libraries that can
be easily installed and used.

Consult  your  Workbench  User Guide or the documentation that came with
the Datatype for information on how to install it onto your system.

Workbench  2  Users  (including 2.1) do not have Datatypes and therefore
only IFF pictures can be used in Datastore.


Information

Choose  Information to display the Information requester of the selected
record item.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`I'.

If no item is selected, this command is unavailable.

The  Field  Information  requester  displays  many  options  that can be
changed for the formatting of the selected field.

The  Caption  Information requester displays options that can be changed
for the formatting and content of the selected caption.

The  Box Information requester displays many options that can be changed
for the formatting of the selected box.

The  Picture  Information requester displays options that can be changed
for the formatting and content of the selected picture frame.


Field Information Requester

The  `Field  Information'  requester  displays  many options that can be
changed for the formatting of the selected field.

Position

From Left:
Distance between field and left edge of page

From Top:
Distance between field and top edge of page

Width:
Width of field and field title

Height:
Height of field


Field Settings

Name:
The  name of the field used by Datastore for sorting or search criteria.
It  is  also  the  title  of  the  field,  displayed  to the left if the
`Show Name' checkbox is selected.

It  is  advisable  to  use  an  original  field name that relates to the
contents of the field.

Type:
This  popup  gadget specifies the type of data that will be entered into
the field :-

Text        - Any character
Number      - Only numbers
Date        - Only dates
Time        - Only times
True/False  - Booleans (Yes/No, Male/Female etc)
Picture     - Any picture
Preset List - List of entries from which to select

Condition:
This will display the Condition requester from which validation criteria
can be constructed to allow specific entries into the field.

Type Options:
Click this button to display a field type Options requester :-

Text Options
Number Options
Date Options
Time Options
True/False Options
Picture Options
Preset List Options

Show Name:
Select  this checkbox to display the contents of the Name text gadget as
a  field  title.    The title will be displayed to the left of the field
data entry area.

Show Box:
Select  this  checkbox  to  display  a box outline around the field data
entry area.

Mandatory:
Select  this  checkbox  to  enforce  data  entry  into  the field.  When
entering record data, this field cannot be left blank.


Buttons

OK
Confirms requester entries and closes requester.

Apply
Applies requester entries and leaves requester displayed.

Cancel
Cancels  all  changes  made  to  the requester and closes requester.  If
Apply has been clicked, Cancel will just close requester.


Field Condition Requester

The  `Field  Condition'  requester is used to define validation criteria
for the data entered into the field.

For  example, you may only wish to allow data that matches the criteria:
greater than 10 AND less than 50.

First Condition

1st Popup:
Shows current field name.

2nd Popup:
The  Comparison  popup gadget displays all of the conditions that can be
used for the current field.

Text, Boolean, Picture or Preset List fields only:-

Contains
If  contents  of current field contains any of the text in the following
text gadget.  Case Sensitive.

Contains Like
As above but case insensitive.  For example, the text gadget contents do
not have to match exactly (upper and lower case).

Begins With
If  contents of current field begins with the contents of following text
gadget.

Begins With Like
As above but case insensitive.


All types of field:-

Is Equal To
If the contents of the current field is the same as the text in the text
gadget.

Does Not Equal
If the contents of the field specified in Field popup is not the same as
the text in the text gadget.

Less Than
If  the  contents of the current field is less than the text in the text
gadget.

Greater Than
If  the  contents  of  the current field is greater than the text in the
text gadget.

Less Than or Equals
If  the  contents of the current field is less than or equal to the text
in the text gadget.

Greater Than or Equals
If  the  contents  of  the current field is greater than or equal to the
text in the text gadget.

Text gadget: Type the text to compare with the current field.


Operator
The  `First  Condition'  and  the  `Second  Condition'  can  be combined
together  to  create a more complex condition by using And or Or in this
popup.

And:
This will AND the two conditions together.  For example, AGE `is greater
than'  10 And AGE is less than 50 - will allow any number from 11 to 49.


Or:
This  will  OR  the  two conditions together.  For example, AGE `is less
than' 10 Or AGE is greater than 50 - will allow numbers 0 - 9 or numbers
51 onwards.


Second Condition
This group is only available if the And or Or Operator is selected.

1st popup:   As `First Condition'

2nd popup:   As `First Condition'

Text gadget: As `First Condition'


Text Options Requester

From  this  requester, you specify the format of the text typed into the
field.

Type

As Entered:
The text typed into the field will be left unformatted.

Convert to Lower Case
The  text  that  is typed into the field will be converted to lower case
(a..z).

Convert to Upper Case
The  text  that  is typed into the field will be converted to upper case
(A..Z).

Justify
The text will be justified (aligned) to the Left side, Centred or to the
Right side of the field data entry area.

Default
The  text  that is typed into this gadget will appear in the field, as a
default,  on  every  record.    The  default text can be overridden when
typing data.


Number Options Requester

From  this  requester,  you specify the format of the numbers typed into
the field.

Type

As Entered:
The numbers that are typed into the field will be left unformatted.

Whole Numbers:
Numbers will be formatted to only show whole numbers or integers (1234).


One Decimal Place
Numbers will be formatted to one decimal place (1234.0).

Two Decimal Places
Numbers will be formatted to two decimal places (1234.00).

Currency,Whole Numbers
Numbers  will  be  formatted  to show whole numbers and will appear as a
currency value (£12,345).

Currency, Two Decimals
Numbers  will  be  formatted  to two decimal places and will appear as a
currency value (£12,345.00).

Percentage, Whole Numbers
Numbers  will  be  formatted  to show whole numbers and will appear as a
percentage value (123%).

Percentage, Two Decimals
Numbers  will  be  formatted  to two decimal places and will appear as a
percentage value (123.00%).


Currency
This gadget specifies how a currency value type will be formatted:

°  English  will  be  formatted  into  Pounds (£) with large units being
separated by commas.  A full-point separates decimals.

°  American  will  be  formatted into Dollars ($) with large units being
separated by commas.  A full-point separates decimals.

°  German  will  be  formatted  into  Marks  (DM) with large units being
separated by full-points.  A comma separates decimals.


Justify
The  number will be justified (aligned) to either the Left side, Centred
or to the Right side of the field data entry area.


Compute
Type  a  formula  to  compute  a  value  for  the  field.   For example,
`(SubTotal  +  17.5)/100' will place the result of this computation into
the current field.  Formula in parenthesis are evaluated first.


Date Options Requester

From  this  requester, you specify the format of the date typed into the
field.

Type

As Entered:
The date typed into the field will be left unformatted.

The  other  `Type  Options'  in the list are examples of the date format
style.

Justify
The date will be justified (aligned) to either the Left side, Centred or
to the Right side of the field data entry area.

Default
The  date typed into this gadget will appear in the field, as a default,
on every record.  The default text can be overridden when typing data.

The  `Current  Date'  option on the popup gadget will insert the current
date as a default on each record.


Time Options Requester

From  this  requester, you specify the format of the time typed into the
field.

Type

As Entered:
The  time typed into the field will be left unformatted.

The  other  `Type  Options'  in the list are examples of the time format
style.


Justify
The time will be justified (aligned) to either the Left side, Centred or
to the Right side of the field data entry area.


Default
The  time typed into this gadget will appear in the field, as a default,
on every record.  The default text can be overridden when typing data.

The  `Current  Time'  option on the popup gadget will insert the current
time as a default on each record.


True/False Options Requester

A  boolean  is  a value that only has two states.  For example, True and
False; 1 and 0; Male and Female.

When moving into a boolean field and inserting record data, a "Booleans"
requester  appears  showing the two boolean values defined from the Type
list gadget.

Type

Y or N
Only show Y (yes) or N (no) options

Yes or No
Only show Yes or No options

T or F
Only show T (true) or F (false) options

True or False
Only show True or False options

M or F
Only show M (male) or F (female) options

Male or Female
Only show Male or Female options

On or Off
Only show On or Off options

1 or 0
Only show 1 or 0 options


Justify
The  boolean  value will be justified (aligned) to either the Left side,
Centred or to the Right side of the field data entry area.

Default
The popup lets you select the default boolean value.


Picture Options Requester

The  "Picture  Options"  requester specifies the picture that appears in
the field by default on each record.

The  default  picture  can be selected from a file requester by clicking
the  Select  button.   Alternatively, just type the picture filename and
path into the "Default Picture" text gadget.


List Options Requester

The  "List  Options"  requester is used to define the items available in
the Preset List.

When  moving  into  a  preset  list  field  and inserting record data, a
requester  appears  showing  the  items  defined  in  the "List Options"
requester.

Inserting, Amending and Deleting List Items

Click  New  to  insert  an item.  Type the item into the text gadget and
press the Return key to insert it into the list.

To  amend an item, select it and change the contents of the text gadget.
Press the Return key to update the list.

Select an item and click Del to delete it.


Justify
The  preset  list  item  will  be  justified (aligned) to the Left side,
Centred or to the Right side of the field data entry area.


Caption Information Requester

The  `Caption Information' requester displays options for the formatting
and content of the selected caption.

Position
From Left:
Distance between caption and left edge of page

From Top:
Distance between caption and top edge of page


Style Font:
Displays the font, size and style selected from the font requester.

Select:
Displays  the  font  requester  from which a font, size and style can be
chosen.

Colour:
Select the text colour from the popup gadget.

The type the text you wish to appear in the "Caption Text" gadget.


Buttons

OK
Confirms requester entries and closes requester.

Apply
Applies requester entries and leaves requester displayed.

Cancel
Cancels  all  changes  made  to  the requester and closes requester.  If
Apply has been clicked, Cancel will just close requester.


Box Information Requester

The  `Box  Information' requester displays many options for formatting a
selected box.

Position From Left:
Distance between box and left edge of page.

From Top:
Distance between box and top edge of page.

Width:
Width of box.

Height:
Height of box.

Style

Fill Colour:
Select the fill colour from this popup

Border Colour:
Select the border colour from this popup (providing the Thickness is not
set to None).

Thickness:
To  give the box a border, select Hairline.  Select None to turn off the
border.


Buttons

OK
Confirms requester entries and closes requester.

Apply
Applies requester entries and leaves requester displayed.

Cancel
Cancels  all  changes  made  to  the requester and closes requester.  If
Apply has been clicked, Cancel will just close requester.


Picture Information Requester

The  `Picture Information' requester displays options for the formatting
and content of the selected picture frame.

The  picture  within this picture frame will appear on every record.  If
you  wish each record to have a different picture, then define a Picture
Field.

Position

From Left:
Distance between picture and left edge of page.

From Top:
Distance between picture and top edge of page.

Width:
Width of picture frame.

Height:
Height of picture frame.


Picture

Picture:
Type the picture filename and path into this text gadget.

Select:
Select the picture from the file requester.


Buttons

OK
Confirms requester entries and closes requester.

Apply
Applies requester entries and leaves requester displayed.

Cancel
Cancels  all  changes  made  to  the requester and closes requester.  If
Apply has been clicked, Cancel will just close requester.


Move Forward

Every  item  drawn onto the record design is drawn onto a `layer'.  This
layer  can  be  moved  forward  or  backward so that it is on top of, or
beneath other `layers'.

Use  the  "Move  Forward" command to move the selected item(s) forward a
layer.


See also:

`Move Backward' command
`Bring To Front' command
`Send To Back' command


Move Backward

Every  item  drawn onto the record design is drawn onto a `layer'.  This
layer  can  be  moved  forward  or  backward so that it is on top of, or
beneath other `layers'.

Use  the "Move Backward" command to move the selected item(s) backward a
layer.


See also:

`Move Forward' command
`Bring To Front' command
`Send To Back' command


Bring To Front

Every  item  drawn onto the record design is drawn onto a `layer'.  This
layer  can  be  moved  forward  or  backward so that it is on top of, or
beneath other `layers'.

Use  the  "Bring  To  Front" command to move the selected item(s) to the
very top layer, and therefore in front of all other items.


See also:

`Move Forward' command
`Move Backward' command
`Send To Back' command


Send To Back

Every  item  drawn onto the record design is drawn onto a `layer'.  This
layer  can  be  moved  forward  or  backward so that it is on top of, or
beneath other `layers'.

Use  the "Send To Back" command to move the selected item(s) to the very
back layer and therefore behind all other items.


See also:

`Move Forward' command
`Move Backward' command
`Bring To Front' command


Lock

Choose the Lock command to lock the selected item(s) to the record so it
cannot be moved or altered.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`L'.


See also:

Unlock command


Unlock

Choose  the  Unlock command to unlock any previously `locked' items from
the  record so that they can be moved and altered.  Alternatively, press
Right Amiga-`U'.


See also:

Lock command


Record Dimensions

Choose  "Record  Dimensions"  to  change the size of the `Working Record
Area'.

Values can be typed in the following formats:

in   for inches
cm   for centimetres


Deleting Record Items

To  delete  a  record  item(s)  select  it and then choose "Erase" (Edit
menu), or press the `Del' key.


NOTE:  If a field is deleted, any data typed into the field may be lost.


Moving Record Items

Any  item  on the record, a field, box, caption or picture, can be moved
around in two different ways:

° Through an Information requester.
° Using the mouse.


Using The Mouse
Select  the  item  with the Arrow pointer and, with the Selection button
(left mouse button) still held down, drag the outline of the item to the
desired  position.  When the Selection button is released, the item will
be moved.

Layering Record Items
An  item  on  the record layout can be layered so that it is in front of
some  items,  yet behind others.  This `layering' can be performed using
four commands from the Design menu:

`Move Forward' command
`Move Backward' command
`Bring To Front' command
`Send To Back' command


Locking Record Items
Items  can  be  locked  into  position  so  that they cannot be moved or
altered:

Lock command
Unlock command


Resizing Record Items

To resize a record item, first select it and then move the Arrow Pointer
over one of the eight handles that appear around the item.

When  the  Arrow  Pointer  is  moved  over  a  handle, it changes into a
double-ended pointer.  This shows that the item is ready to be re-sized.

Click  on  the handle with the Selection button (left mouse button) and,
with  the  button  still held down, drag the pointer to change the size.
As  you  are  sizing,  an  outline  of  the  item is displayed giving an
indication of the new size.

Release the Selection button to resize the item.

The four corner handles will allow sizing in any direction.

The  handles  half  way  down each vertical edge will only size the item
horizontally.

The  handles half way along each horizontal edge will only size the item
vertically.


Selecting Record Items

To  select an item on the record design, move the Arrow Pointer over the
item and press the Selection button (left mouse button).

Once  selected,  eight  small boxes or handles appear along the edges of
the item.  These are used for resizing.

Several  items  can  be  selected  by  holding down the Shift key whilst
selecting each one.

Selected items can then be:

Deleted
Moved
Resized

Edit Menu Contents

The Edit menu contains commands relating to the editing of database file
contents:

Cut command
Copy command
Paste command

Erase command

Find command
`Find Again' command
`Go To' command

Librarian command

`Edit Records' command
`Change Design' command



Cut

The Cut command can be used in either of the two Datastore `modes':

Edit Records Mode
If the cursor is within a field, choose Cut to delete the field contents
and store it on the clipboard.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`X'.

If the cursor is not within a field, choose Cut to delete the record and
store it on the clipboard.


Change Design Mode
This  command  will  only  be  available  if  an  item  on the record is
selected.

Choose  Cut  to delete the selected item from the record and store it on
the clipboard.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`X'.

Multiple  items  can be cut from the record by selecting each item while
holding the Shift key and then choosing Cut.

Unfortunately,  pictures cannot be copied from the record data or record
design.


NOTE:  Datastore  uses  the  Workbench Clipboard, and therefore text and
pictures  can  be  freely  copied between Datastore and other supporting
applications.


Copy

The Copy command can be used in either of the two Datastore `modes':

Edit Records Mode
If  the cursor is within a field, choose Copy to copy the field contents
and store it on the clipboard.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`C'.

If  the  cursor  is not within any field, choose Copy to copy the record
and store it on the clipboard.


Change Design Mode
This  command  will  only  be  available  if  an  item  on the record is
selected.

Choose  Copy  to  copy the selected item from the record and store it on
the clipboard.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`C'.

Multiple  items  can  be  Copied  from the record by selecting each item
while holding the Shift key and then choosing Copy.

Unfortunately,  pictures cannot be copied from the record data or record
design.


NOTE:  Datastore  uses  the  Workbench Clipboard, and therefore text and
pictures  can  be  freely  copied between Datastore and other supporting
applications.


Paste

If  there  is  nothing  in  the clipboard, this command will be disabled
(dimmed).

The Paste command can be used in either of the two Datastore `modes':

Edit Records Mode
If  the  cursor  is within a field, choose Paste to copy the contents of
the clipboard into the field.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`V'.

If  a  record  has  been  copied onto the clipboard, Paste will copy the
record data into the database.

Change Design Mode
Choose  Paste  to  copy  the  contents  of the clipboard onto the record
design.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`V'.

NOTE:  Datastore  uses  the  Workbench Clipboard, and therefore text and
pictures  can  be  freely  copied between Datastore and other supporting
applications.



Erase

Edit Records Mode
If  the cursor is within a field, choose Erase to delete the contents of
the field.  Alternatively, press the Del key.

If the cursor is not within any field, choose Erase to delete the record
from the database.


Change Design Mode
This  command  will  only  be  available  if  an  item  on the record is
selected.

Choose  Erase to delete the item from the record design.  Alternatively,
press the Del key.

Multiple  items  can  be  Erased  from the record by selecting each item
while holding the Shift key and then choosing Erase.


Finding And Replacing Text

Choose  Find to display the Find requester where you can search for and,
if  required,  replaced  it  with  different text.  Alternatively, press
Right Amiga-`F' or use the toolbar.

This command will only be available in Edit Records mode.

To the left of the Find and "Replace With" text gadgets, there are popup
buttons  (a button with a triangle in it) which display all the previous
entries.    The  item you select from the popup list will be placed into
the text gadget for editing.

The  `In' popup gadget contains a list of all the fields in the record.
Using  this  gadget, you can specify whether you wish to just search for
text  in  one field or in `All Fields'.  (Searching is much quicker when
confined to one field.)


Special Features

Datastore  can use wildcards to find and replace similar text within the
database:

?   Matches any character
c*  Matches zero or more occurrences of the character c
c+  Matches one or more occurrences of the character c

For example, Find Ho??e will find both Horse and House.

To search for the above characters as text and not as a command, place a
slash before the character, as follows:

\?  Searches for a question mark
\*  Searches for an asterisk
\+  Searches for a plus sign


NOTE:  Find  only  works  on  the  first occurrence of the text within a
field.


Find Again

Choose  "Find  Again"  to  find the next occurrence of the text that you
specified using the Find command.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`G'.

This command will only be available when in Edit Records mode.


Go To

Choose  "Go To" to display the "Go To Record" requester.  Alternatively,
press Right Amiga-`J' or use the toolbar.

From this requester you can specify the record that you wish to edit.

This command is only available when in Edit Records mode.


Librarian

Choose  Librarian,  or  use the toolbar icon, to save common phrases and
then quickly insert them into any fields.

This command will only be available when in Edit Records mode.

To  insert  a  Librarian  entry, select the text from the list and click
Insert to place the text into the current field and close the requester.

Alternatively,  double-click the list entry to insert the text and leave
the requester on the screen.

The Librarian is a modeless requester, which means it can be left on the
screen  whilst editing records.  Just click the requester zoom gadget to
shrink the requester to its title bar and carry on editing the database.


Creating A Librarian Entry
Click New and type the text that you wish to add to the Librarian in the
Text  text  gadget.    Then press the Return key to add the entry to the
list.

You can also use these special codes within Librarian:

¶ Insert a new line (to type the character ¶, press Right Alt-`P')

\\    Insert the character `\'


Deleting A Librarian Entry
Select  the  entry to be deleted from the list and click Del.  This will
permanently delete the entry from Librarian when the requester is closed
(unless you click Cancel).


Amending A Librarian Entry
Select  the entry to be amended from the list and change the text in the
text gadget.  Then press the Return key to update the entry in the list.


Edit Records

Choose "Edit Records" to change to `Edit Records' mode.

This  mode  is  only  for creating and altering record data.  The record
layout can be altered only in Change Design mode.

The record data can be manipulated in one of several ways:

Applying A Query
Browsing Through The Records
Changing A Record
Deleting A Record
Duplicating A Record
Inserting A Record
Manoeuvring Around A Record
Producing A Report
Sorting the Records

NOTE: This menu command will change to `Change Design' after the command
has been chosen.


Change Design

Choose "Change Design" to change to `Change Design' mode.

This mode is only for creating and altering the design and layout of the
records.  Record data can only be altered in Edit Records mode.

The record layout can be manipulated in several ways:

Changing A Field or Items Attributes
Changing The Record Dimensions
Deleting Existing Fields or Items
Inserting A New Field
Inserting A New Caption
Inserting A New Box
Inserting A New Picture
Moving Fields or Items
Resizing Fields or Items

NOTE:  This menu command will change to `Edit Records' after the command
has been chosen.

Record Menu Contents

The Record menu is only available when in Edit Record mode as all of the
commands are only used for manipulating record data:

`Insert Record' command
Delete command
Duplicate command

Previous command
Next command
First command
Last command

Query command
Report command
Sort command


Other tasks are also discussed in this section:

Browsing Through The Records
Changing A Record
Manoeuvring Around A Record


Insert Record

Choose  "Insert  Record"  to  insert  a  blank  record at the end of the
database.  Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`R'.

This command is only available in Edit Records mode.

You  can  also use the Record Browser floating palette to insert records
using an icon.

The  `Insertion  Cursor'  will  appear in the first field ready for data
input.

To  manoeuvre  through the fields on the record use the Tab key or click
in the appropriate field with the mouse.


Delete Record

Choose  "Delete"  to  delete  the  current  on-screen  record   from the
database.

Beware, this command cannot be undone.


Duplicate Record

Choose  the "Duplicate" command to duplicate the data within the current
record.

The  new  record data will be inserted into a blank record at the end of
the database.


Previous Record

Choose  Previous  to  move  to  the  previous  record  in the database.
Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`,' (Right Amiga-comma).

This command will not be available if the first record is on-screen.

Use the Record Browser floating palette to manoeuvre through the records
using icons.


Next Record

Choose  Next to move to the next record in the database.  Alternatively,
press Right Amiga-`.' (Right Amiga-full point).

This command will not be available if the last record is on-screen.

Use the Record Browser floating palette to manoeuvre through the records
using icons.


First Record

Choose  First  to  move  to  the  first   record   in   the   database.
Alternatively, press Right Amiga-`<' (Right Amiga Shift-comma).

This command will not be available if the first record is on-screen.

Use the Record Browser floating palette to manoeuvre through the records
using icons.


Last Record

Choose  Last to move to the last record in the database.  Alternatively,
press Right Amiga-`>' (Right Amiga Shift-full point).

This command will not be available if the last record is on-screen.

Use the Record Browser floating palette to manoeuvre through the records
using icons.


Query

Choose Query to display the Query requester.  Alternatively, press Right
Amiga-`Y' or use the toolbar.

Use  a  Query  to  create  a  subset  of records matching defined search
criteria.    For  example,  just  people  who have not paid all of their
account, or all of the people living in a particular town.

The  Query  requester displays a list of previously created queries with
the  default  query  "Show  All  Records" at the top.  The default query
cannot be Edited, Deleted or Duplicated.

Use  the query "Show All Records" to come out of a subset of records and
return back to view the full database.

When  a  subset of records is being viewed, you can export the subset of
records as an ASCII file or create a new Datastore file.


Buttons

New
Creates a new query and displays the New Query requester.

Edit
Displays the New Query requester for the selected query.

Delete
Deletes the selected query from the list.

Duplicate
Duplicates the selected query.


Exit Buttons

Use
Applies  the selected query and creates a subset of records matching the
query criteria.

Done
Closes the requester without applying a query.


New Query Requester

The  "New  Query" requester is used for creating the search criteria for
the query.

For  example,  the  following criteria would only show records of people
who  lived  in  Exmouth  and  were  not called Smith: Town contains like
Exmouth AND Surname does not equal Smith

If  the  New  button  is  clicked  from  the  Query requester, no search
criteria appears and a default Query name will be shown.

If  the  Edit  button  is  clicked  from the Query requester, the search
criteria for the selected query is displayed in the requester.


Query Name:
Type the name for the query into this gadget.

First Condition

1st Popup:
The  Field popup gadget displays a list of all the fields in the record.

2nd Popup:
The  Comparison  popup gadget displays all of the conditions that can be
used for the selected field.

Text, Boolean, Contains

Picture or Preset List fields only:-

If  contents  of field specified in Field popup contains any of the text
in the following text gadget.  Case Sensitive.

Contains Like
As above but case insensitive.  For example, the text gadget contents do
not have to match exactly (upper and lower case).

Begins With
If  contents of Field begins with the contents of following text gadget.

Begins With Like
As above but case insensitive.


All types of field:-

Is Equal To
If the contents of the field specified in Field popup is the same as the
text in the text gadget.

Does Not Equal
If the contents of the field specified in Field popup is not the same as
the text in the text gadget.

Less Than
If  the  contents of the field specified in Field popup is less than the
text in the text gadget.

Greater Than
If  the  contents  of the field specified in Field popup is greater than
the text in the text gadget.

Less Than or Equals
If  the  contents  of the field specified in Field popup is less than or
equal to the text in the text gadget.

Greater Than or Equals
If the contents of the field specified in Field popup is greater than or
equal to the text in the text gadget.


Text gadget: Type the text to compare with the selected field.


Operator
The  `First  Condition'  and  the  `Second  Condition'  can  be combined
together  to  create a more complex condition by using And or Or in this
popup.

And:
This will AND the two conditions together.  For example, AGE `is greater
than'  10 And AGE is less than 50 - will allow any number from 11 to 49.

Or:
This  will  OR  the  two conditions together.  For example, AGE `is less
than' 10 Or AGE is greater than 50 - will allow numbers 0 - 9 or numbers
51 onwards.

Second Condition
This group is only available if an Operator is selected.

1st popup:
As `First Condition'

2nd popup:
As `First Condition'

Text gadget:
As `First Condition'


Report

Choose  Report  to  display  the Report requester.  Alternatively, press
Right Amiga-`T' or use the toolbar.

Use a Report to display the current subset of records.  You can attach a
query  to the report.  For example, you may wish to only view particular
fields  for  one  subset  of  records  and  different fields for another
subset.

The  Report requester displays a list of previously created reports with
the default report "Database Statistics" at the top.  The default report
cannot be Edited, Deleted or Duplicated.

The  report  "Database  Statistics"  lists  useful information about the
current database file:

 ° The date and time that the report was viewed
 ° The database name
 ° The field names and types
 ° The number of records in the current subset
 ° The number of records in the database

Once  created,  a  report  can  be  displayed on screen and then, either
printed to a printer, or output to a file.

A  report  file  can be useful for importing into a word processor, like
Digita Wordworth.


Stopping The Creation Of A Report

To  stop  a  report  while  it  is  being created, press the Escape key.
Alternatively, press Ctrl-`C'.


Buttons

New
Creates a new report and displays the New Report requester.

Edit
Displays the New Report requester for the selected report.

Delete
Deletes the selected report from the list.

Duplicate
Duplicates the selected report.


Exit Buttons

View
Views  the  selected  report in a report window which can be printed, or
closed like any other window.

Done
Closes the requester without viewing a report.


New Report Requester

The  "New  Report"  requester  is used for creating the report which you
wish to view.

You  can  define what fields are used in the report, what query to apply
before the report and what page headings should be used.

The number of characters that can be displayed on each line of a report,
and  the  number  of  lines  on  each  page are defined in the Workbench
Printer Preferences program.

Report Name:
The  name  given  to  the report for the Report requester list should be
typed into this text gadget.

Available Fields:
Select  a  field  and  click  the  >> button to move it into the "Chosen
Fields" list.

Chosen Fields:
All  fields  in this list will appear in the report.  Select a field and
click the << button to remove it from the list.

Move Before:
Select a field in the "Chosen Fields" list and click this button to move
it before the previous field.

Move After:
Select a field in the "Chosen Fields" list and click this button to move
it after the next field.

Include Field Headings:
Shows the field names above each column in the report.

Spaces Between:
Specify the number of spaces between each field column in the report.


Buttons

OK
Closes the requester, remembering any changes.

Query
Displays  the  Query  requester  for  choosing  a query to link with the
report.    This  query  is  applied on the database before the report is
compiled.

Titles
Displays the Report Titles requester for specifying the page headers and
footers.

Cancel
Closes the requester and cancels any changes.


Report Titles Requester

Specify  the  text  to be used at the top and bottom of each report page
from this requester.

Page Header

Text:
Type  the  text  to  be  placed at the top of each report page into this
gadget.

Special Codes:
Some  special  codes  can  be  inserted into the header text for certain
items:-

Page Number   Alternatively, type "\pn"
Page Count    Alternatively, type "\pc"
Current Date  Alternatively, type "\cd"
Current Time  Alternatively, type "\ct"
New Line      Alternatively, type "\n"

Justify:
Select  the justification of the text on the page, either aligned to the
Left, to the Right or Centred.


Page Footer

Text:
Type  the  text to be placed at the bottom of each report page into this
gadget.

Special Codes:
Some  special  codes  can  be  inserted into the footer text for certain
items:-

Page Number   Alternatively, type "\pn"
Page Count    Alternatively, type "\pc"
Current Date  Alternatively, type "\cd"
Current Time  Alternatively, type "\ct"
New Line      Alternatively, type "\n"

Justify:
Select  the justification of the text, either aligned to the Left of the
page, to the Right or Centred.


Sort Record

Choose  Sort  to  display  the Sort requester.  Alternatively, click the
icon in the toolbar.

The  Sort requester can sort up to three levels.  This means that if you
have  several  entries  the  same,  these entries are sorted on the next
level.

For example:

Name     Town/City    Country
Smith    Portland     US
Blogs    Newcastle    England
Smith    Exmouth      England
Smith    New York     US
Smith    Portland     England
Jones    Geneva       Switzerland
Smith    London       England

Sorted on Name, then Town/City then Country (three levels):

Sort on first level

  Blogs    Newcastle    England
  Jones    Geneva       Switzerland

Many Smiths so sort on second level

  Smith    Exmouth      England
  Smith    London       England

Two Smiths in Portland, so sort on third level

  Smith    Portland     England
  Smith    Portland     US

For each level

Field:
Select the field to be sorted from the popup

Ascend:
Select  the  order  to  sort the field.  Either Ascend (A..Z) or Descend
(Z..A).


Browsing Through The Records

Use  the  `Record Browser' floating palette to move forward and backward
through the records in the database using icons.

Alternatively, use the menu commands:

Previous command
Next command
First command
Last command


Changing A Record

To change a record, first display the record you wish to amend by either
using the Go To or Find commands from the Edit menu.

Then  move  the  cursor into the field you wish to change and ammend the
contents.

The record data in the database will be amended automatically.


Manoeuvring Around A Record

There are two ways to move from field to field on a record:

Using Keyboard
Press the Tab key to move onto the next field and Shift-Tab to move back
to the previous field.

If  you press Tab in the last field, the Insertion Cursor will move back
to the first field.  Shift-Tabbing from the first field will move you to
the last field.

Tabbing  around  the  record  moves  the cursor horizontally from top to
bottom, like a book.


Using Mouse
Click in the field you wish to edit by moving the Arrow Pointer over the
field data entry area (you will notice the pointer changes to an I-Beam)
and press the Selection button (left mouse button).

View Menu Contents

The  View  menu contains commands for turning On or Off certain parts of
the screen display:

Toolbar command
`Design Tools' command
`Record Browser' command

`Show Pictures' command


Toolbar

Choose Toolbar to toggle On or Off the fixed toolbar on the left side of
the screen.

The commands available on the toolbar are as follows:

New
Open
Save

Cut
Copy
Paste

Find
Go To
Librarian

Query
Report
Sort


Design Tools

Choose  "Design  Tools"  to  toggle  On or Off the floating Design Tools
palette.

This command is only available in Change Design mode.

The commands available on the floating palette are, from left to right:

Pointer
Field
Caption
Box
Picture


Record Browser

Choose  "Record Browser" to toggle On or Off the floating Record Browser
palette.    The "Record Browser" is used for moving forward and backward
through the records in the database.

This command is only available in Edit Records mode.

The commands available on the floating palette are, from left to right:

First Record
Previous Record
Insert Record
Next Record
Last Record


Show Pictures

Choose  "Show  Pictures"  to toggle On or Off the display of pictures in
picture fields.

This command is only available in Edit Records mode.

Settings Menu Contents

The Settings menu contains Datastore Preference commands:

`Snap To Grid?' command
`Create Icons?' command

Workbench-Open/Close command
Change Settings-File command
Change Settings-Screen command

`Load Settings' command
`Save Settings' command
`Save Settings As' command


Snap To Grid?

Choose  "Snap  To  Grid?" to turn on the grid display and allow items in
Design  mode  to snap to it.  This allows easy positioning and alignment
of items on the record layout.

This command is only available in Change Design mode.


Create Icons?

Choose  the  "Create  Icons"  command  to  save  icons  with any project
(database) or settings file.


Workbench-Open/Close Workbench

You  can  save  about  40k  of  memory  by choosing the Workbench-"Close
Workbench" command.

The     Workbench     can     be     re-opened      by      choosing the
Workbench-"Open Workbench" command.

The  Workbench  can  only be closed if you do not have any tools or open
windows running on the Workbench screen.


Change Settings-File

The  File Settings requester displays preferences that are file related.


File

Create Document

Backups:
If  this  option is selected, Datastore will rename the previous version
on  disk  with  the  suffix  `.bak' before saving the new version.  This
maintains  a  backup  of  the last revision just in case the database is
corrupted.

Save Password With File
Select this option if you wish to protect your files with a password.

If selected, you will be asked to type a password when you next Save the
file.    Upon  subsequent  opening  of  this  file, you have to type the
correct password before you will be allowed access.

To change a password, choose Save As command.


ASCII File Format

Format:
Before  using  the Export Data command (ASCII option) or the Import Data
command  you  will need to select the format of the ASCII file from this
popup.

ASCII Field Separator
Type an ASCII character value if you have selected the Custom format, or
choose a separator character from the popup.

A  field separator is the character used between each field in the file.


ASCII Record Separator
Type an ASCII character value if you have selected the Custom format, or
choose a separator character from the popup.

A  record  separator  is  the  character used between each record in the
file.


Change Settings-Screen

Various Screen Settings can be specified from this requester.

Screen

Public Screen:
Select  from  the  popup  if  you  wish  Datastore to use the `Workbench
screen' or Datastores's own `Custom Screen'.

Screen Mode:
Click  this button to display the "Screen Mode" requester from which the
`Custom Screen' mode (type and number of colours) can be specified.

Fonts

Screen Text:
Set  the  font  for  Datastore menus and window titles.  Click Select to
reveal the font requester.

Requester Headings:
Set  the  font  for  Datastore  to  use  in the gadget group headings in
requesters.  Click Select to reveal the font requester.

Requester Gadgets:
Set  the  font  for Datastore to use in the gadget titles in requesters.
Click Select to reveal the font requester.


Load Settings

Choose "Load Settings" to load a settings file into Datastore.

Any settings file saved using the Save Settings As command can be loaded
using "Load Settings".


Save Settings

When  you  choose  "Save Settings" all the current settings are saved to
the default settings file which is used each time you start Datastore.

If  you  wish  to  save the settings using a different name, choose Save
Settings As.

Any  settings  files saved, using Save Settings As can be reloaded again
at any time.


Save Settings As

Choose  "Save  Settings  As" to save the settings file under a different
name and not as the default Datastore settings.

Type  the  settings  filename  into  the   File   text   gadget   on the
file requester.

If you wish to save the current settings as the default so that they are
used each time Datastore is loaded, choose Save Settings.

Troubleshooting Contents

This  section will help you find a solution to a problem so that you can
solve it yourself.

Printing Problems

Problem  1  When  I print a report, each line of data seems to wrap over
the right hand edge of the page onto the next line.  The report was okay
when I viewed it on-screen.

Problem  2  When  I  print  a report, there seems to be a lot of garbage
printed at the top of the page.

Problem  3  There  does  not  seem  to be a proper printer driver for my
printer  in  the  Workbench  Printer  Preferences  list.    I am running
Datastore from floppy disk on an Amiga 1200.


General Problems

Problem 1 When I create a report and view it, each line of data seems to
wrap  over  the  right  hand  edge of the page onto the next line.  This
makes my report unreadable.

Problem  2  After I quit Datastore, the amount of memory available seems
to have decreased.

Problem  3  When  I  try  and Save my database to floppy disk, I get the
message `DS-Files disk full'.  I am running from floppy disks.

Problem  4  When  I  try  and place a picture which is in PCX format (or
indeed  BMP, or JPEG), the screen flashes and the picture is not opened.


Problem  5 I am running Datastore from floppy disk and I cannot import a
database ASCII file that I saved from my PC at work.

If  a  solution  to  your  problem  does not appear in any section, then
contact Technical Support.


When  I  print  a report, each line of data seems to wrap over the right
hand edge of the page onto the next line.  The report appeared okay when
I viewed it on-screen.

----------------------------------------------------------------
If  you  have  already  changed  the  character Pitch and Margins in the
Workbench  Printer  Preferences,  then  you  may  find that the selected
Printer Driver is set to "Generic".

Select  the  appropriate  driver  for  your printer and click Save.  You
should  now  find  that  your  reports print out the same as they appear
on-screen.

As  a  guide,  the  following  type  of printers use the shown Workbench
Printer Driver:

Most 9 pin printers       use `EpsonX'
Most 24 pin printers      use `EpsonQ'
Canon bubblejets          use `CanonBJ10'
Hewlett Packard DeskJets  use `HPDeskJet'
Hewlett Packard LaserJets use `HPLaserJet'


When I print a report, there seems to be a lot of garbage printed at the
top of the page.
----------------------------------------------------------------
You  may  find  that  you have the wrong printer driver selected in your
Workbench Printer Preferences.

Select  the  appropriate  driver  for  your printer and click Save.  You
should  now  find  that  your  reports  print  out  without any spurious
characters.

As  a  guide,  the  following  type  of printers use the shown Workbench
Printer Driver:

Most 9 pin printers       use `EpsonX'
Most 24 pin printers      use `EpsonQ'
Canon bubblejets          use `CanonBJ10'
Hewlett Packard DeskJets  use `HPDeskJet'
Hewlett Packard LaserJets use `HPLaserJet'

If  none  of  the available Workbench Printer Drivers work properly with
your  printer,  you will need to find a suitable driver from the printer
manufacturers themselves or through a Public Domain Library.


There  does not seem to be a proper printer driver for my printer in the
Workbench  Printer Preferences list.  I am running Datastore from floppy
disk on an Amiga 1200.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As  a  guide,  the  following  type  of printers use the shown Workbench
Printer Driver:

Most 9 pin printers       use `EpsonX'
Most 24 pin printers      use `EpsonQ'
Canon bubblejets          use `CanonBJ10'
Hewlett Packard DeskJets  use `HPDeskJet'
Hewlett Packard LaserJets use `HPLaserJet'

First  you  will  need  to  copy  a  suitable  printer  driver from your
Workbench disk onto the Datastore disk.

Turn  your  machine  on  with  the Workbench disk in the internal drive,
double-click the disk icon and then double-click the System drawer icon.
Open  up  a  shell  by  double-clicking  the  Shell  tool  and  type the
following: copy Storage3.0:Printers/<driver> Datastore:Devs/Printers

Replace <driver> with the name of the Printer Driver you wish to copy.

If  none  of  the  Workbench  Printer  Drivers  work  properly with your
printer,  you  will  need  to  find  a  suitable driver from the printer
manufacturers themselves or through a Public Domain Library.

Next  you will need to set the Workbench Printer Preferences to use this
driver.


When I create a report and view it, each line of data seems to wrap over
the  right  hand  edge  of  the  page onto the next line.  This makes my
report unreadable.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The width of the report page is determined by settings in your Workbench
Printer  Preferences.    You  will  need  to  change the Pitch and Right
Margins to allow more characters to fit on the page.

If,  after  changing the pitch and margins the report still does not fit
on  the page, it will need to be modified by either removing some fields
and/or decreasing the `Spaces Between'.

To  edit  a  report, choose Report (Record menu), select the report from
the list and click Edit.


After  I  quit  Datastore,  the amount of memory available seems to have
decreased.
----------------------------------------------------------------
When  Datastore quits, it returns as much of the memory to the system as
it can.

However,  Datastore  uses many system libraries which are kept in memory
until such a time as more memory is needed, they are then flushed out.

You  can  flush  out  the  libraries manually by opening up a Shell tool
(Workbench System drawer) and typing `avail flush'.


When  I  try  and  Save  my  database  to floppy disk, I get the message
`DS-Files disk full'.  I am running from floppy disks.
----------------------------------------------------------------
By  default,  Datastore  saves  all  database  files  to a drawer called
Databases on the DS-Files disk.

If this message appears, the disk has been filled up with your documents
and there is no space left to save another.

You  will therefore need to create a separate disk which can be used for
any further documents.

Please refer to the sections:

New Database Disk
Opening Files From a Separate Disk
Saving Files To a Separate Disk

Deleting Database Files


When I try and place a picture which is in PCX format (or indeed BMP, or
JPEG), the screen flashes and the picture is not opened.
----------------------------------------------------------------
This  often  occurs when the graphic file is not understood by Datastore
for one of two reasons:

°  The  picture  is  corrupt  in  some  way,  due  to  a  faulty disk or
   incorrectly saved file.

° The picture format is not understood by Datastore.

Workbench 3 Users
Datastore  uses  a  Workbench  3.0  facility  called  Datatypes  for its
graphics handling.

By  default,  Datastore  only  ships  with one Datatype which it uses to
understand the standard amiga IFF graphic format.

If  you  wish  to use any other type of graphic, you will need to have a
datatype for that file format copied into the Datatypes drawer (refer to
your  Workbench manual, or the Read.me file supplied with the Datatype).

There  are  many  different types of datatype in the Public Domain which
are can be used with Datastore.

Workbench 2 Users
Unfortunately,  Workbench  2  users do not have Datatypes as part of the
operating system and therefore you will only be able to use standard IFF
pictures.

If  you  try  and  use  any  other  type of picture.  Datastore will not
understand it.


I  am  running Datastore from floppy disk and I cannot import a database
ASCII file that I saved from my PC at work.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The  Amiga  can  only understand a floppy disk that was formatted by the
Amiga.

If  you  try  and  insert a PC disk into your Amiga, you will only see a
disk icon with the following beneath it, "DF0:????".

To  enable  the  Amiga  to understand a PC disk, you will need a program
called  CrossDOS  (Workbench  3  users have this program, as part of the
operating system).

Install  and  enable  the  CrossDOS program and PC disks will have "PC0:
<diskname>" beneath them.

Digita Datastore 1.0 Additional Notes - 16th December 1994

Please Note:

1 When the Install Datastore icon is double-clicked, you will experience
  a delay before you are asked to choose your experience level.  This is
  normal as the install script is quite large.

2  Single  Floppy  Disk  Users - The first time a database that contains
   graphics, is opened from floppy disk, there will be a couple of extra
   disk  swaps.    This  is because Datastore needs to open up libraries
   that exist on the other disk.


Common Startup Problems

Q I get half way through the installation process, and a message appears
  telling me that I have a Checksum error.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------

A It seems that the install disk you are using has an error on it.  Make
  a new backup of the faulty disk from your Master set and try again.

If  the  problem  persists  then  send the disk back to Digita Technical
Support  with  a  stamped,  addressed jiffy bag and a covering letter so
that we may exchange it with a tested one immediately.

Please press the Return key to continue.


Q  When I install Datastore onto my hard disk, it tells me that there is
not  enough  disk  space on my System partition to install.  I have 60MB
free!

  ------------------------------------------------------------------

A  Hard  disks  are  usually split up into several areas or partitions.
Commonly  there  is a Work and a Workbench (sometimes called a System or
Boot partition).

Datastore needs to copy several items (fonts and drivers) to your System
partition  in  order  to  work correctly.  When there is not enough disk
space on this partition, this error message is displayed.

Please press the Return key to exit.


Index

Project menu
New
Open
Save
Save As
Import Data
Export Data
Print
Close
About
Quit

Edit menu
Cut
Copy
Paste
Erase
Find
Find Again
Go To
Librarian
Edit Records
Change Design

View menu
Toolbar
Design Tools
Record Browser
Show Pictures

Design menu
Create Field
Create Other-Caption
Create Other-Box
Create Other-Picture
Information
Move Forward
Move Backward
Bring To Front
Send To Back
Lock
Unlock
Record Dimensions

Record menu
Insert Record
Delete
Duplicate
Previous
Next
First
Last
Query
Report
Sort

Settings menu
Snap To Grid?
Create Icons?
Workbench-Open/Close
Change Settings-File
Change Settings-Screen
Load Settings
Save Settings
Save Settings As

Help menu
How Do I...?
How To Use Help
Contents
Shortcuts
What's New In 1.0
Index
Troubleshooting



          Digita Datastore 1.0
 ©Copyright 1994 Digita International Ltd

 By T.Titchmarsh and the Datastore team.

Warning:  This  computer  program  is  protected  by  copyright  law and
international  treaties.    Unauthorised reproduction or distribution of
this  program,  or  any  portion  of  it, may result in severe civil and
criminal  penalties,  and  will  be  prosecuted  to  the  maximum extent
possible under the law.

All trademarks and their owners are acknowledged.

LHA decompression software used in the Datastore installer is ©Copyright
by Stefan Boberg 1991, 92.


NOTE:  If  memory  is  low  and  the About command is chosen, any cached
(stored) pictures or data are flushed out to regain some memory.