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1989-05-09
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DQ Quick Database Utility
written by Richard Dower
Copyright (c) 1989 All rights reserved.
What is DQ ???
DQ is a utility for getting information about dBASE files.
All of DQ's activity is read-only and therefore will not alter your
files in any way. (This may change if there is enough interest.)
It allows you to display the structure, browse, count, locate, sum,
average and goto specific records. It also allows you to find what
each index file in your directory is indexed on and whether that index
is a possible index for the current database file. It is primarily
for DP professionals who need quick information about dBASE files.
DQ gives them information about files and indexes that is usually only
available by reading the documentation for a specific dBASE application,
by talking to the original programmer, or using a debugger.
One of the best features is the ability to open two files at once and
view them both on a split screen. You can then relate the two files
through a common character field. Then, when you move in the first
file, you are moved in the second file to the record whose related field
matches the first file's.
DQ is small enough that you can usually run it from within your
word processor or from within dBASE, Foxbase, or DBXL. Its great for
finding how indexes are indexed, browsing two files simultaneously, or
doing quick sums or locates.
I have found DQ invaluable when writing an application which relates
two files. There is no easy way to view the fields from two separate
databases within dBASE. DQ not only allows you to view records from
two different databases simultaneously, but it allows you to relate any
two matching character fields. You can quickly browse two files which
both have a social security field in common, for instance. Or, you can
even open the same file in both work areas and by relating a field to
itself, you can view 40 fields at one time for the same record! Simply
select a different set of fields to display in either work area.
Having trouble with an accounting application which uses an ACCOUNTS
file and a TRANSACTION file related by an account number? With DQ you
can easily browse through the data by relating the TRANSACTION file to
the ACCOUNTS file through the account number. Then, when you look at
a transaction, you will see all the information about the account also.
You can also LOcate for a specific account number or SUM withdrawals,
deposits, or balances in either database. The SUM command will also give
you maximum, minimum, count and average.
Commands Supported so far:
CHECK check for records with non-printable characters
COUNT counts records matching a condition
DIRECTORY shows all databases in current index and allows
opening of a database by light bar selection
DIRECTORY INDEX shows all the indexes in the current directory,
shows how it is indexed, and whether it is a possible
index for the currently opened database.
FIELDS show the fields and their definitions
GOTO goto a specific record number
HELP gives help about any command
LOCATE locate a record matching a condition
NEXT next locate
QUIT quit
RELATE relates two databases by a common field
SKIP skip n records forward or back
STATISTICS display structure
SUM sums a numeric field on a condition
Shows number of records matching condition,
sum, average, maximum, and minimum.
USE open a database
Functions Supported so far:
VAL(character field) used in the SUM command only
LEFT(field,length) used in COUNT and LOCATE
RIGHT(field,length) used in COUNT and LOCATE
SUBSTR(field,start,length) used in COUNT and LOCATE
See the section after the command summaries for a fuller explanation
of the functions.
All commands in DQ may be truncated to two characters and there is
a 10 command buffer that allows you to edit and re-execute previous
commands.
The current record is always displayed, so there is no need for the
DISPLAY command. If there is more than a screen full of fields,
F2 will toggle between the multiple pages of fields.
The current record number, whether the current record is deleted,
total numer of records, and the date the file was last updated are
always displayed on the screen. DQ can also give number of fields,
field names, field types, file header size and record size.
You have two work areas to open files within. Pressing F3 will move
to the other work area. You may split the screen so that both work
areas are showing at the same time by pressing F4. Pressing F4 again
will unsplit the screen. Each work area works exactly as a stand alone
version of DQ. The bottom of the screen will let you know which
work area has been selected and all windows and messages will appear
in the active window if the screen is split.
Online Help is available by pressing F1 or entering HELP on the command
line. HELP followed by a command will give help on that specific command.
Version 1.3
1. Fixed some a positioning bug after a failed LOCATE.
2. Fixed a bug in numeric field compares in conditional
statements.
Example: sum salary salary > 0
I mistakenly compiled version 1.2 without a certain
header file and what had always worked for me didn't
work on the release version!!
3. Added the substr() function.
Version 1.2
1. Now has two work areas. You may have two different
databases open at the same time.
2. Allows splitting the screen to view both open
work areas at the same time.
3. You may relate the database in WORK AREA 1 with the one
in WORK AREA 2 on a common field. Then, whenever you
move within the database in area 1, the record is found
in area 2 that matches the related field. You may
relate any character field from area 1 with one in
area 2 as long as they are the same length. No need
to have an index active. This is great for browsing
data that is normally accessed though a dBASE program
with SET RELATION command active.
4. Supports the VAL() function for summing numeric data
in character fields.
5. Supports the LEFT() and RIGHT() functions for COUNTing
and LOCATEing partial matches within character fields.
Shareware is not free software. If you use and like
the program, then the I ask that you register (purchase) the
program for an amount much smaller than an equivalent commercial
program ($10.00). By registering you will receive notice of
available upgrades. Keep in mind that the purchase of a program
from a public domain distributor or payment to an online service
(such as GENIE) does NOT constitute registration of the program
since I do NOT receive any money from that payment. Shareware
is NOT public domain software, and continued use of a program
carries with it the OBLIGATION to purchase the program. The free
distribution method is intended only as a means of obtaining a
copy to evaluate before purchasing.
DQ is a shareware program. If you use it, please REGISTER.
You will be placed on a mailing list f