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1991-08-03
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GS_DBASE
Version 2.5
GRIFFIN SOLUTIONS
dBase III, III+ access
1 August 1991
(C) Copyright 1991 - All Rights reserved
Griffin Solutions
102 Molded Stone Place
Warner Robins, Georgia 31088
(912) 953-2680
CompuServe 75206.231
---------------------------------------------------------------
These Turbo Pascal 5.5 routines handle processing for dBase III
files, including memo (.DBT), index (.NDX), and data (.DBF) files.
Use is made of object oriented programming to simplify the user
interface. Examples of the user interface is demonstrated in the
sample programs.
This release is valid for reading and writing of data, index, and
memo files.
--------------------------------------
dBase is a trademark of Ashton-Tate
Turbo Pascal is a trademark of Borland
Shareware
---------
GS_dBase is copyrighted. It is not a public domain program. It
is being distributed as Shareware, which means that unmodified
copies of the software and documentation may be freely copied and
shared. We ask in return that should you find GS_dBase to be
useful, you become a registered user. You become registered by
sending $25.00 to the address on the cover. By registering you
will get:
o A copy of the latest version of the program.
o Automatic notification of major program updates.
o Technical support via Compuserve or by mail.
o A user's manual on disk. Sorry--printed manuals are too
expensive at this price.
The shareware philosophy is to pay smaller amounts for well-
crafted and useful software from developers who cannot spend the
millions of dollars on marketing necessary to compete with the
large software development companies. You benefit by being able
to try a wider variety of software products to find the ones that
suit your particular purpose. And the trial is free. The
shareware developer benefits from being able to distribute his
work to a wider audience than would be possible through normal
channels.
Your share of the responsibility for shareware to continue, and
to support the development of more and better products is to
distribute your shareware programs to others and become a
registered user of those products you like and use.
FEATURES
Welcome to GS_dBASE, a series of Turbo Pascal 5.5 routines for management of
dBase III+ files. The routines are designed to do the following:
- Provide a simple user interface to read and write dBase III files.
- Allow use and updating of index (NDX) files in reading and updating the
dBase III data (DBF) files.
- Allow reading and updating of memo (DBT) file entries.
- Allow creation of new dBase III files.
- Allow creation of indexes to dBase files.
- Provide automatic routines to display, edit, and update dBase III files.
- Provide a file handler interface that provides a simple disk cache
capability and provision for LAN adaptability.
- Do all of the above using only Turbo Pascal 5.5 -- no assembly routines are
used, yet speed is not sacrificed.
- Apply Object Oriented Programming to create easily usable modules.
GETTING STARTED
This section will acquaint you with the files on the distribution disk and show
you a demonstration to quickly see what GS_dBase can accomplish.
Distribution Files
The following programs should be on the accompanying disk:
GS_DATE.PAS Unit containing date-handling routines
GS_DB3WK.PAS Unit for creating a dBase III file
GS_DBASE.PAS Handles .DBF file operations
GS_DBFLD.PAS Unit for field handling and .DBT files
GS_DBNDX.PAS Handles .NDX file access
GS_DBTBL.PAS Unit for creating menus from dBase fields
GS_EDIT.PAS Unit for editing memo fields
GS_ERROR.PAS Unit to handle error messages
GS_FILEH.PAS Unit to process file I/O
GS_KEYI.PAS Unit for keyboard input
GS_PICK.PAS Unit for pulldown menus
GS_SCRN.PAS Unit for handling the screen display
GS_SORT.PAS Unit containing sort, compare, and swap routines
GS_STRNG.PAS Unit to handle string manipulation
GS_WINDW.PAS Unit to create windows
GS_WINFC.PAS Unit to provide interface 'hook' to windows
DB_XPL01.PAS Example program - The Basic GS_dBase Program
DB_XPL02.PAS Example program - Adding an Index
DB_XPL03.PAS Example program - Formatting Data on the Screen
DB_XPL04.PAS Example program - Updating dBase III Files
DB_XPL05.PAS Example program - Automating Screen Displays
DB_XPL06.PAS Example program - Adding Automated Update
DB_XPL07.PAS Example program - Adding Field Menus
DB_XPL08.PAS Example program - Functional File Update Program
DB_XPL09.PAS Example program - Creating an Index File
DB_XPL10.PAS Example program - Creating a dBase III File
DB_XPL11.PAS Example program - Packing a dBase III File
DB_XPL12.PAS Example program - Working with Fields
DB_XPL13.PAS Example program - Using Memo Fields
DB_XPL14.PAS Example program - Using Virtual Methods
DB_XPL15.PAS Example program - Using the GS_Date Unit
DB_XPL16.PAS Example program - Using the GS_Strng Unit
DB_XPL17.PAS Example program - Using the GS_Winfc unit
DB_XPL18.PAS Example program - Using the StatusUpdate Method
HEALTH.DBF dBase Test Data File 1
HEALTH.DBT dBase Test Data File 1 Memo File
FOODNAME.NDX dBase Test Index File for HEALTH.DBF
FOODCODE.NDX dBase Test Index File for HEALTH.DBF
HLTHDATA.DBF dBase Test Data File 2
HLTHDATA.NDX dBase Test Data File 2 Index File
GSDBLOOK.PAS Demonstration Program
GSDBLOOK.EXE Executable Demonstration Program
ADDENDUM.001 Descriptions and Example Applications of
the Latest Changes.
READ.ME This File
Installation
Installation consists of copying these disks to your hard disk. It is
recommended that backup copies be made. You will likely want to reload the
database files as you 'play' with and change them while running the
demonstrations.
Demonstration
To get the feeling of the speed and features of GS_dBase, let's run the
program using the HEALTH.DBF file.
1. Compile and run GSDBLOOK.PAS to get a feel for the ease with which
a program can be designed that allows selection, editing, and deletion
of dBase records. If you prefer, the GSDBLOOK.EXE program may be used
instead.
2. Execute GSDBLOOK without any other parameters.
A. You will be presented with a selection of all .DBF files in
the current subdirectory. Make sure HEALTH.DBF is highlighted
and press return.
B. Next will be displayed a list of all index files in the
subdirectory. For now, just press Escape.
C. A menu consisting of options to Edit, Append, Select, Print,
Pack, and Exit will appear. The Select option is the only one
that is not immediately obvious. Use the cursor keys to
highlight the Select option and press return.
D. You will be presented with a list of field names included in
the database. Highlight 'FOOD' and press return.
E. You will then be asked to provide select criteria. For example,
To get a selection of all foods that start with 'B', you can
press 'b' and return. For all starting with 'BR', press 'b',
'r' and return. To get an alphabetical list of all records
press enter with the select field empty.
F. Highlight the food name you wish to see. Use the home, end,
and cursor up and down arrows to select. The record will be
displayed for editing. As an alternative, you may append a new
record by selecting 'Append' at the end of the list.
G. Once the record is selected, any field may be updated. To access
a memo field, use the cursor keys to highlight the field. When
the field is highlighted, it will change from '-- memo --' to
' Edit? '. Press 'y' to call up the memo field in the editor.
H. When editing is complete, press F10 to exit. Pressing [Esc] will
exit the editor without saving the changes.
I. You may then select another record. Press [ESC] when done.
3. This program offers a choice of selecting, editing, appending,
printing, or packing records. The printing routine allows you to
select the fields you wish to list. When all desired fields have been
picked, press escape. You will then be asked if you want to print the
listing.
4. The program may be executed with the name of the file to use on the
command line (without an extension). For example, if you want to
edit file 'xyz.dbf' using index 'tuv.ndx' then the command is:
GSDBLOOK XYZ TUV
If there is no index, the second argument may be ommited.
Major changes in GS_dBase Version 2.5:
- Dates are now handled as longint values using their Julian Date.
This simplifies date calculations. See GS_Date unit for details.
- A windows interface is added to facilitate use of other window
handling packages to replace GS_Wind. GS_Wind is renamed GS_Windw.
See GS_Winfc unit for details.
- Additional string handling functions have been added. See GS_Strng
unit for details.
- A StatusUpdate routine is available to allow the programmer to capture
the progress of long-running routines such as Pack and IndexTo.
You may read about these upgrades in the file ADDENDUM.001, included with this
library. It may be printed by using the 'COPY ADDENDUM.001 PRN' DOS command.
Your printer should be set to 12-pitch.