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Text File | 1992-10-14 | 67KB | 1,247 lines

=============================================================================== README.TXT For the dUFLP LIBRARY Files (attached) (dUFLP = dBASE User's Function Library Project) Version 1.9 10/14/92 =============================================================================== This library system is freeware (no charge). This file (README.TXT) is a small amount of description for the attached procedure file. I have spent many hours compiling functions and procedures that I have found useful. Some of these (a few) are ones I have written myself, many are ones I have incorporated here from a variety of sources, usually the Borland (once Ashton-Tate) Bulletin Board (BORBBS). There are a lot of good people using this board, both as sysops/sigops, and as users, and I have learned alot about dBASE IV Programming from these people. This is my attempt at returning the favor. All procedures/functions in PROC and accompanying files are public domain. I ask that if you use them seperate (or in this PROC file) with your systems, that you include ALL the documentation, including (ESPECIALLY) the name of the programmer. SPECIAL THANKS: To Jay Parsons (JPARSONS), who has done 1) a LOT of the routines you will find here, and 2) a lot of work with me to ensure that there is integrety and consistency in this system. RELATED FILES/PROGRAMS ON THE BORLAND BBS: dHUNG2.ZIP -- a file containing the description of the dBASE User's Function Library Project standards (dUFLP) which are used in these programs. PROCLT20.ZIP -- A program that was created to grab the procedures and functions in use from PROC.PRG and add them to specific programs, so that when developing a system you do not need to ship PROC with it (which is, after all, rather huge). (Check for the latest version on the BBS. This has been written by Dave Altsol (ALTSOL) completely independant of the work done on these libraries ...) JPDATES.ZIP -- A text file with most of Jay Parsons' (JPARSONS) Date handling routines, including explanations of the logic behind ones like the EASTER() function (which is difficult to follow, even WITH Jay's explanations!). MARIAN.ZIP -- Marian the Librarian -- a routine by Jay Parsons (JPARSONS) designed to help keep the whole library of functions and procedures under control -- watch for it. dUFLP.ZIP -- A routine created to place the procedure/function headers into a database, and allow you to browse through them. This is designed specifically to work for this system by Bill Ferguson (FERGIE). This is a set of dynamic files -- they're always changing. Please feel free to send me comments and/or suggestions on ways to better it (which includes both functions and procedures, and suggestions to make the ones here better). I can be reached on Electronic Services: BORBBS: KenMayer CompuServe: 71043,3232 or at home at: Ken Mayer 2308 Alva Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 215-5879 (Home) ========== DISCLAIMER ========== No guarantees are given. Last attempted, all these routines worked. I take no responsibility for their use, particularly if something happens to your data. ======== PROBLEMS ======== Problems with individual procedures and functions should be addressed, if possible, to the author (note the 'Programmer' listed in the first line of the internal documentation for each routine). If you cannot reach them, contact me at my id on the BBS, and I will see what I can do. ============ INSTRUCTIONS ============ --------------------------- dBASE IV, version 1.5 users --------------------------- In order to use these, you need to understand (and this is brief) how dBASE IV, version 1.5 uses functions and libraries. Basically, it follows a 'search path' based on your programs and files, as well as its own internal functions. dBASE starts at the top of the following list, and if it cannot find the function or procedure named in your program, it goes to the next item in the list until it either finds it, or doesn't find it, as the case may be. If not, you will get the dBASE error message about not finding a function. 1) dBASE INTERNAL FUNCTIONS AND COMMANDS 2) SYSPROC = "System Procedure Filename" (set in CONFIG.DB) 3) Current Program (the one executing at that time) 4) SET PROCEDURE TO <proc name> 5) Calling Program (a main menu program, for example) 6) SET LIBRARY TO <library name> To use these files in dBASE IV, version 1.5, you should something along the following lines as a layout: For any procedures/functions that are required specifically for your system, and no other, place those in your own procedure file, and refer to that in the SYSPROC command in your CONFIG.DB file. Example: SYSPROC = MYPROC To use the 'standard' library file for this system, in your main program (by 'main program' we could be discussing a MENU program, or other front- end program) put the command: SET PROCEDURE TO PROC && or point to the appropriate directory And in the appropriate programs, or where needed, SET LIBRARY TO <library file> && based on those below This is just one method of handling this. One thing that can make life easier, if you switch LIBRARY files a lot, is the dBASE IV, 1.5 option to the SET command: SET("LIBRARY"). This can be used in the following manner: cLibrary = set("LIBRARY") && save current library name set library to NEWLIB && set new one *-- do function/procedure calls from new library set library to &cLibrary && return to previous library file OR you could use the new function SwitchLib(): cOldLib = switchlib("FILES") *-- execute function/procedure cOldLib = switchlib("&cOldLib") SUGGESTION: If you store your copy of the LIBRARY files (and PROC) in another directory on the drive, you might want to define a public memvar called something like: c_LibPath and store the path in in. This way you can use that with your routines to call the libraries. Something along the following could be useful: PUBLIC c_LibPath Store "C:\DBFILES\PROC\" to c_LibPath *-- processing cOldLib = SwitchLib("&c_LibPath.FILES") && send with path, as well as filename *-- execute function/procedure cOldLib = SwitchLib("&cOldLib") && should return path This will make it easier to update if you are setting this up for a client -- you can change the c_LibPath variable in the setup or menu program ONCE, and not have to worry about it again. NOTE: that in some of the library files there are functions which require the use of functions in OTHER files (i.e., some functions in NAVIGATE use some functions that are in TRIG). I have attempted to ensure that I have copied INTO those library files the appropriate functions, so you don't spend too much time tearing your hair out. ------------------- dBASE IV, 1.1 Users ------------------- To use these procedure files in their entirety, use the DOS Copy command to concatenate the library files to the PROC file. Something along the following lines (although you should check to make sure you have all the files): COPY PROC.PRG+SCREEN.PRG+COLOR.PRG+TRIG.PRG+CONVERT.PRG+ <etc.> You should note that in some of the library files, there are duplicated functions used, due to the fact that some users in 1.5 might wish to only use one or two of the library files. You can also use just the individual library files in your SET PROCEDURE command, if you wish. Add to your programs (a menu or startup routine is one of the best places) the line: SET PROCEDURE TO PROC To use individual routines, rather than the whole library, extract them using your favorite ASCII editor, or remove the routines from this file (you might want to copy it first) that you do not feel you will need. ================================================================================ WHAT'S HERE? ================================================================================ Some of the places routines are placed may seem a bit arbitrary -- they are. These decisions were made based on the functions/procedures I use the most in my own routines. Since the original purpose of this library was my own use, I felt it my prerogative to be the one to make the final decision as to what routines were left in PROC.PRG, and which got moved to the LIBRARY files. Included in this LIBRARY System are the following files: Text Files README.TXT -- You're looking at it. WHATS.NEW -- This is a description of the new features for this system. CONTRIB.TXT -- How to contribute to the Library Project. JPMOUSE.TXT -- An explanation from Jay on the JPMOUSE.BIN file, attached (with his permission). See also the function ISMOUSE() and procedure file SETMOUSE in PROC.PRG. DISK.TXT -- A very brief discussion on the use of DISK.BIN. SEARCH.TXT -- A very brief discussion on the use of SEARCH.BIN. Procedure and Library Files -- Described Below ARRAY.PRG COLOR.PRG CONVERT.PRG DATES.PRG FIELDS.PRG FILES.PRG FINANCE.PRG FRPG.PRG MEASURE.PRG MISC.PRG NAVIGATE.PRG OBSOLETE.PRG PROC.PRG SCA.PRG SCREEN.PRG STATS.PRG STRINGS.PRG TIME.PRG TRIG.PRG WINDOWS.PRG BIN Files -- used in routines attached. JPMOUSE.BIN DISK.BIN SEARCH.BIN Below is a quick list of all the procedures and functions included in the library files in the sequence they are presented in the programs themselves: =================================== PROC.PRG -- The MAIN PROCEDURE File =================================== ---------------------------------- MESSAGE/SCREEN PROCESSING ROUTINES ---------------------------------- PrintErr -- used to display a "standard" error message for printer errors (is it on, online, out of paper?). Usage: do PrintErr Open_Screen -- Used to add texture to the background for an opening screen or menu. Usage: do Open_Screen JazClear -- performs a nice center to edge of screen clear (using a box) ... Usage: do JazClear Wipe -- performs a left-to-right wipe of a window. Nice effect. Usage: do Wipe with <nULRow>,<nULCol>,<nBRRow>,<nBRCol> Center -- used to center text anywhere on the screen (optional colors). Usage: do Center with <nRow>,<nWidth>,"<cColors>","<cText>" Surround() -- Used to display text at X,Y position, surrounded with a double- line box. Usage: Surround(<nRow>,<nCol>,"<cColor>","<cText>") Message1() -- Displays a single-line message, waits for user to press a key before program moves on. Usage: Message1(<nRow>,<nWidth>,"<cColor>","<cText>") Message2() -- Same as above, but displays message in a window (with shadow). Usage: Message2("<cText>","<cColor>") Message3() -- Same as above, but will handle LONG messages, wrapping inside window. Usage: Message3("<cText>","<cColor>") Message4() -- 2-Line message in a window, pauses for user. Usage: Message4("<cText1>","<cText2>","<cColor>") Monitor -- Displays a box, showing total records in database -- is designed to be used in a system that does a record-by-record update, so the user knows something is happening. You need to add code to display actual record numbers as the task is happening. Usage: do Monitor with "<cText>","<cColors>" Monitoroff -- Cleanup for Monitor procedure above. Usage: do MonitorOff ScrnHead() -- Used to display a screen header inside a box (with a shadow). Usage: ScrnHead("<cColor>","<cText>") YesNo() -- Used to ask a "yes/no" type question, allows three lines of message, and uses menu pads to choose (move cursor, press <enter>). Usage: YesNo(<lAnswer>,"<cMess1>","<cMess2>","<cMess3>",; "<cColors>") YesNo2() -- As above, but allows programmer to choose position on screen. Usage: YesNo2(<lAnswer>,"<cWhere>","<cMess1>","<cMess2>",; "<cMess3>","<cColors>") where cWhere may be one of the following: UL = Upper Left UC = Upper Center UR = Upper Right CL = Center Left CC = Center Center CR = Center Right BL = Bottom Left BC = Bottom Center BR = Bottom Right Anything else will default to CC. ErrorMsg() -- Allows 2 lines of message, first is ** ERROR **, or optionally, ** ERROR # ** where '#' is a number (if "<cErr>" is empty, (""), system uses first option, but there must be SOMETHING there). Usage: ErrorMsg("<cErr>","<cMess1>","<cMess2>","<cColors>") Shadow -- Used for windows/boxes to display a shadow, giving 3-D effect. Usage: do Shadow with <nULRow>,<nULCol>,<nBRRow>,<nBRCol> VPick() -- Multiple-item Picklist -- this routine will allow you to create a simple vertical picklist of items, returning the first letter of the option selected, or a null string if the user pressed <Esc>. Usage: VPick(<nRow>,<nCol>,"<~Option1~Option2~Option3>",; "<cTitle>","<cMessage>",<lShadow>,<cColor>) HPick() -- Very much like VPICK() above, but does a Horizontal Picklist. Usage: HPick(<nRow>,<nCol>,"<~Option1~Option2~Option3>",; "<cTitle>","<cMessage>",<lShadow>,<cColor>) ------------------------- COLOR PROCESSING ROUTINES ------------------------- SetColor -- Sets colors to contents of a memvar to handle various parts of the screen. THIS IS A NEW ROUTINE -- USERS OF THE OLD SETCOLOR and SETCOLOR2 ROUTINES SHOULD CHECK "OBSOLETE.PRG". Usage: do SetColor with <cColorVar> ReColor -- Restores colors to those held in a string of the form returned by SET("ATTRIBUTE"). Usage: Do ReColor with <cColors> ColorBrk() -- Returns one of three portions of a color variable as used in many of my own routines (YESNO, etc.). Used for explicitly setting colors. Usage: ColorBrk(<cColorVar>,<nField>) ---------------------------- STRING MANIPULATION ROUTINES ---------------------------- AllTrim() -- Trims both sides of a character field/memvar. Usage: AllTrim(<cString>) State() -- This is used for validation of a STATE (two letter) code ... (returns .t. or .f.) -- useful for data entry. Usage: State(<cState>) ---------------------- DATE HANDLING ROUTINES ---------------------- DateText() -- Convert date to Month Day, Year format. Usage: DateText(<dDate>) DateText2() -- As above, adds day of week (DoW, Month Day, Year). Usage: DateText2(<dDate>) Age() -- Returns the age of someone as of DATE(), given their birthdate. Usage: Age(<dDate>) ----------------------- FIELD HANDLING ROUTINES ----------------------- IsUnique() -- Used to check a keyfield in a database to see if it's unique. Usage: IsUnique(<xValue>,<cOrder>) -------------- MISC. ROUTINES -------------- SetPrint -- Used to setup the printer memory variables for a print job. Usage: do SetPrint DosRun() -- Used to execute a DOS command/program from inside dBASE, handles windows and such by restoring them when done. Usage: DosRun(<cCmd>) ScrnRpt() -- Shows a dBASE Report on screen, and pauses when the screen is full. Usage: ScrnRpt(<cRpt>) SwitchLib() -- Changes the current library file to another. Useful when doing quick changes to execute a function/file in another library. Usage: SwitchLib(<cNewLib>) IsMouse() -- Looks at system for a mouse driver, if there, it turns off the mouse. Uses JPMOUSE.BIN. Usage: IsMouse() SetMouse -- Used to toggle a mouse, requires JPMOUSE.BIN and a public memvar c_Mouse set to the most current state ("OFF" means the mouse is "OFF" ... and will be toggled ON in the next call to SetMouse). Usage: On Key label ... DO SetMouse VerLevel() -- Used to return numeric value of current version of dBASE or RUNTIME. Useful with those version specific routines. Usage: VerLevel() ============= LIBRARY FILES ============= The following files are the 'library' files that contain all routines in this system not contained in PROC.PRG. See the section of this document marked 'INSTRUCTIONS' for how to use these. Please notice that some functions which are used in specific LIBRARY files (such as NAVIGATE.PRG, which uses some of the functions in TRIG.PRG) are duplicated in some of the other library files. This was done to make life easier on the programmer. Since dBASE IV, 1.5 does not allow multiple library files (although one can hope for such a feature in future editions), we are stuck having to duplicate some routines. ----------------------------- SCREEN.PRG -- Screen Handling ----------------------------- Radio() -- This routine creates a "radio-button" routine. You can have up to four options. Returns # of item chosen ... Usage: Radio(<nULRow>,<nULCol>,<nChoice>,"<cTxt1>","<cTxt2>",; "<cTxt3>","<cTxt4>","<cTitle>","<cColor>") CheckBox -- This routine does a "CheckBox" much like Windows/Mac type software, with up to four options. NOTE -- the items marked in the format must be a) logical, and b) fields/memvars. They cannot be literal values, due to limitations of dBASE parameter handling. Usage: Do CheckBox with <nULRow>,<nULCol>,<lChk1>,<lChk2>,; <lChk3>,<lChk4>,"<cTxt1>",; "<cTxt2>","<cTxt3>","<cTxt4>",; "<cTxt0>","<cColor>" MenuPad() -- Used to define menu pad and popup bars as a specific length. Function will truncate if longer than needed, and will pad with spaces otherwise. Usage: MenuPad("<nChoice>",<nLength>) Banner() -- Used to display a scrolling "banner" message on the screen. Usage: Banner(<nRow>,<nCol>,<nwidth>,"<cMessage>","<cColor>") SeeMatch() -- Displays instant lookup match on a field in a shadowed box. Usage: SeeMatch("<cFile>",<cSeekExp>,"<cReturn>",<nULRow>,; <nULCol>,<nBRRow>,<nBRCol>,"<cColor>") MsgExp() -- Used to display a message (or an error message), centered on the screen. Does not use the "(Press Space)" bits that dBASE uses on an error message ... The message and the line on which it is displayed will be the same color. Usage: MsgExp("<cExp>") Dialog() -- Routine to provide a 'standard' set of dialog boxes and buttons for all applications. Usage: Dialog("<cMsg>",<nType>,"<cBorder>",<nDefBut>,<lShadow>,; "<cWind>","<cButton>") nType is used to describe the dialog box type, options are: 0: 'OK' 1: 'OK' 'CANCEL' 2: 'ABORT' 'RETRY' 'IGNORE' 3: 'YES' 'NO' 'CANCEL' 4: 'YES' 'NO' 5: 'RETRY' 'CANCEL' Pick2() -- This picklist routine creates a picklist that determines it's own location on the screen by calling a couple of other functions (below). Usage: Pick2("<cLookFile>","<cTag>","<cSrchFld>","cRetFld>",; <nScrRow>,<nScrCol>) ScrRow() -- Returns the row position of the current 'Get'. If the memvar nScrRow already exists, it returns the value in that memvar. Usage: ScrRow() ScrCol() -- Returns the column position of the current 'Get'. Works like above, but for column. Usage: ScrCol() YesNoCan() -- A dialog box, defaults to 'Yes/No/Cancel', varies in size, depending on programmer needs, optional row position. Nice modification of the YESNO() function in PROC.PRG. Usage: YesNoCan("<cAnswer>","<cMess1>","<cMess2>","<cMess3>",; "<cPrompt1>","<cPrompt2>","<cPrompt3>",; <nTopRow>,"<cColor>") ProgBar -- Monitor program activity, so user does not get worried that the machine went into limbo. A graphic version of what the "MONITOR" procedure in PROC.PRG does. Usage: Do ProgBar with <nQuan>,"<cWindCol>","<cFillCol1>",; "<cFillCol2>","<cMessage>",<nWindWidth> ProgBar2 -- Same as above, but a bit simpler to use. Usage: Do ProgBar2 with <nQuan>,"<cWindCol>","<cFillCol2>",; "<cFillCol2>" MovePad -- Moves menu pad on selection of a letter. Usage: Do MenuPad with <cLetter>,<lSelect>,<cChoices> ----------------------------- COLOR.PRG -- Color Processing ----------------------------- AttriByte() -- Returns the attribute byte of a dBASE Color code. Usage: AttriByte("<cCode>") ColorName() -- Converts an attribute value for an area to the name of the corresponding color combination. Usage: ColorName(<nAttr>) ColorCode() -- Given a color attribute byte, returns dBASE color code. Usage: ColorCode(<nAttr>) ColorOf() -- Returns the color of attributes in dBASE, as currently set. Usage: ColorOf("<cArea>") ------------------------------------------ STRINGS.PRG -- Character String Processing ------------------------------------------ Proper() -- Converts text to "proper" case (upper/lower case, handles contractions, Mc, Mac, etc.). Useful for names (converts first letter to upper case, the rest to lower, except as above). Usage: Proper("<cArg>") Justify() -- Used to justify a field or memvar (or character expression) within a specific field width. Usage: Justify(<cFld>,<nLength>,"<cType>") cType must be L (left), C (center), or R (right) Dots() -- Used to pad a field with dots (dot leader, trailer ...) Usage: Dots(<cFld>,<nLength>,"<cType>") cType must be L (left), C (center), or R (right) CutPaste() -- Used to Cut a string and Paste another in it's place. It's an easier way to use the STUFF() function. Usage: CutPaste(<cFld>,<cLookFor>,<cRepWith>) LastWord() -- Used to return the last "word" of a string of characters (words being bracketed by spaces). Usage: LastWord(<cString>) VStretch() -- Displays a long character field (254 char) on screen, with wrap-around, and handles proper word-breaks - you give dimensions for where you want it displayed (window). Usage: VStretch(<cFld>,<nULRow>,<nULCol>,<nBRRow>,<nBRCol>) AtCount() -- Returns the number of times a string is found in another. Usage: AtCount(<cFindStr>,<cBigStr>) IsAlNum() -- If first character of string is alphabetic or digit, returns .t., otherwise returns .f.. Usage: IsAlNum(<cChar>) IsAscii() -- If first character is in ASCII (normal, not extended) character set, returns .t., otherwise returns .f.. Usage: IsAscii(<cChar>) IsCntrl() -- If first character is a delete or control character, returns .t., otherwise returns .f.. Usage: IsCntrl(<cChar>) IsDigit() -- If first character is a digit, returns .t.. Usage: IsDigit(<cChar>) IsPrint() -- If first character is a printing character (space through chr(126), returns .t.. Usage: IsPrint(<cChar>) IsXDigit() -- If first character is possible hexadecimal digit, returns .t.. Usage: IsXDigit(<cChar>) IsSpace() -- Returns .t. if first character is space, tab, carriage return, line feed, vertical tab, or formfeed. Usage: IsSpace(<cChar>) Name2Label()-- Returns a name held in five fields as a single field for the purpose of printing in a label. Usage: Name2Label(<nLength>,<cPrefix>,<cFirstName>,; <cMidName>,<cLastName>,<cSuffix>) StrpBrk() -- Search string for first occurrence of any specific character(s). Usage: StrpBrk(<cCharSet>,<cBigStr>) RAt() -- Reverse AT() - returns position of a character string in its last position in a larger string ... Usage: RAt(<cFindStr>,<cBigStr>) StrRev() -- Reverse a string. Usage: StrRev(<cAnyStr>) Strip2Val() -- Strip characters from the left until reaching one that might begin a numeric value ... Usage: Strip2Val(<cString>) StripVal() -- Strip characters until reaching one that is NOT part of a number. Usage: StripVal(<cString>) ParseWord() -- Finds first word in a character string. Usage: ParseWord(<cW>) StripWord() -- Removes first word in character string. Usage: StripWord(<cW>) Plural() -- Returns the "plural" of a noun. This will fit most cases, but not all, as English has too many exceptions. Usage: Plural(<nItems>,"<cNoun>") StrComp() -- Compares the contents of two strings. Usage: StrComp(<cStr1>,<cStr2>) StrOccur() -- Calculates the number of occurences of a string in another, works for character memvar/field, and memo fields. Usage: StrOccur(<cInString>,<cFindString>) NumOccur() -- Calculates the number of occurences of a string in another. Usage: NumOccur(<cInString>,<cFindString>) ReplMemo() -- Globally searches and replaces a string with another string in a character field/memvar or memo field. Usage: ReplMemo(<cSource>,<cCurrStr>,<cNewStr>) MemStuff() -- Replaces a specific string in a character string, by another. Returns the resultant string. Usage: MemStuff(<cSource>,<cCurrStr>,<cNewStr>) Stub() -- Returns a specific number of characters from a given string, adding characters in cIn to the end of it. Usage: Stub(<cString>,<nIn>,<cIn>) FirstMem() -- Capitalizes the first character of all the words in the string passed as a parameter, returns resultant string (unless a memo, in which case, returns a .T.) Usage: FirstMem(<cInStr>) FirstCap() -- Capitalizes the first character of a string. Usage: FirstCap(<cInString>) ----------------------------------------------- CONVERT.PRG -- Numeric Conversions/calculations ----------------------------------------------- Roman() -- Function to return a Roman Numeral based on input of an Arabic. Usage: Roman(<nArabic>) Arabic() -- Opposite of Roman (takes Roman Numeral provided, returns Arabic). Usage: Arabic("<cRoman>") Factorial() -- Does what it sounds like, it returns the factorial of a value. Usage: Factorial(<nNumber>) IsPrime() -- Determines if the argument passed is a prime positive integer. Usage: IsPrime(<nNumber>) BankRound() -- Rounds numeric argument to given # of places using "Banker's rule." Usage: BankRound(<nNumber>,<nPlaces>) Num2Str() -- Number to String, uses ASCII 1/2 and 1/4 instead of decimals where appropriate. Usage: Num2Str(<nNumber>) Dec2Hex() -- Decimal to Hexadecimal conversion. Usage: Dec2Hex(<nDecimal>) Hex2Dec() -- Hexadecimal to Decimal conversion. Usage: Hex2Dec(<cHex>) Hex2Bin() -- Hexadecimal to Binary conversion. Usage: Hex2Bin(<cHex>) Bin2Hex() -- Binary to Hexadecimal conversion. Usage: Bin2Hex(<cBin>) Dec2Oct() -- Decimal to Octal conversion. Usage: Dec2Oct(<nDec>) Oct2Dec() -- Octal to Decimal conversion. Usage: Oct2Dec(<xOct>) Cash2Check()-- Converts a number of dollars and cents to a string of words. Usage: Cash2Check(<nCash>) Num2Words() -- Converts an integer to a string of words. Usage: Num2Words(<nNum>) Thou2Words()-- Converts a positive integer less than 1000 to a string of words. Usage: Thou2Words(<nNum>) Ord() -- Converts an integer to ordinal representation. Usage: Ord(<nNum>) Num2Word() -- Converts an integer to a string of words -- self-contained function, does not call other functions. Usage: Num2Word(<nValue>) Num2Real() -- Converts a number to the ASCII representation of its storage in IEEE 8-byte real format. Usage: Num2Real(<nNum>,<nExp>) Dec2Bin() -- Decimal to Binary conversion. Usage: Dec2Bin(<nNum>,<nPlaces>) Frac2Bin() -- Converts the fractional part of a decimal number to a character string giving its ASCII binary representation. Usage: Frac2Bin(<nNum>,<nPlaces>) ----------------------------------- DATES.PRG -- Date Handling Routines ----------------------------------- DateText3() -- As DateText() and DateText2() in PROC.PRG, returns: Month, Year. Usage: DateText3(<dDate>) Age2() -- Returns age of someone on the date of a specific event. Usage: Age2(<dDate>,<dEvent>) Annivrsry() -- Checks to see if a birthday or other specific "anniversary" is within a range of dates. Usage: Annivrsry(<dTest>,<dBegin>,<dEnd>) AddMonths() -- Returns the exact date 'N' months from give date. Usage: AddMonths(<dDate>,<nMonths>) AddYears() -- Returns the exact date 'N' Years from given date. Usage: AddYears(<dDate>,<nYears>) IsLeap() -- Returns .t./.f. if year is a leap year... (year in YY or YYYY formats) Usage: IsLeap(<nYear>) DoY() -- Day of Year -- returns "Julian" date (US Government version ...) -- this is the number of days a date is from January 1 of that year (i.e., 11/14/91 = 318). Usage: DoY(<dDate>) WeekNo() -- Returns the week number of the date (there are 52 weeks a year, right?). Usage: WeekNo(<dDate>) Holiday() -- Returns the date of specific "floating" holidays for a given year, requires a one-letter code. See full doc in DATES.PRG. Usage: Holiday(<nYear>,<cCode>) Where cCode may be one of the following: P = President's Day D = Daylight Saving Time M = Memorial Day L = Labor Day C = Columbus Day S = Return to "Standard" Time E = Election Day T = Thanksgiving Day A = Advent 1st Sunday EasterDay() -- This returns the day of Easter. It doesn't work as easily as those dates given above, so has it's own function. Usage: EasterDay(<nYear>) && nYear = YYYY format nDoW() -- Numeric Day of Week -- used to return the numeric value of a character day of the week, useful for some of the revised functions below. Usage: nDoW(<cDay>) FWDoM() -- First Working Day Of the Month -- this returns the first working day of the month passed to the function. Usage: FWDoM(<dDate>) LWDoM() -- Last Working Day Of the Month -- returns the last working day of the month passed to the function. Usage: LWDoM(<dDate>) FDoD() -- First Day of Date -- this returns the first occurrence of a given day of the week within a month. For example, you might need the first Monday of the month. Usage: FDoD(<dDate>,"<cDay>") (cDay = Monday, Tuesday, etc.) LDoD() -- Last Day of Date -- This returns the last occurrence of a given day of the week within a month. For example, you might need the last Monday in a month. Usage: LDoD(<dDate>,"<cDay>") LDoM() -- Last Day of Month -- this returns the last day of the month as a date. It's used in LDoD and LWDoM above. Usage: LDoM(<dDate>) NumDoD() -- Number of Day of Date -- this returns a specific occurrence of a given day of the week within a month. For example, you might need the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Usage: NumDoD(<dDate>,<nDay>,"<cDay>") WDIF() -- Work Days In the Future -- this is used to return the date based on a number of work-days from another date. For example, you could find the date of the 10th work date from today (date()) by using date(),10 as the parameters in the format below. This function can use a HOLIDAYS database to be more accurate, but you must create it in a specific format (see complete function documentation in the file DATES.PRG). Usage: WDiF(<dStart>,nWDays) StoD() -- String to Date -- this returns a "normal" dBASE date from a character string containing formats of YYYYMMDD or YYMMDD. Usage: StoD("<cString>") Quarter() -- This function returns the "Quarter" of the year that a specified date is in ... Usage: Quarter(<dDate>) Dat2Jul() -- Convert dBASE date to Julian date Usage: Dat2Jul(<dDate>) Jul2Dat() -- Convert Julian date to dBASE date Usage: Jul2Dat(<nJulian>) FrstNxtMth()-- Returns the first day of next month, given a date in 'current' month. Usage: FrstNxtMth(<dDate>) --------------------------------- TIME.PRG Time Processing Routines --------------------------------- Delay() -- Delay loop in seconds. Usage: Delay(<nSeconds>) Time2Sec() -- Convert time string to seconds. Usage: Time2Sec(<cTime>) Sec2Time() -- Convert seconds to time string. Usage: Sec2Time(<nSeconds>) DiffTime() -- Calculate difference btween two time strings. Usage: DiffTime(<cTime1>,<cTime2>) Civ2Mil() -- Convert civilian time string (i.e., "12:59 A.M.") to 24 hour (military) time. Usage: Civ2Mil(<cCivilTime>) Mil2Civ() -- Convert military (24 hour) time to Civilian time. Usage: Mil2Civ(<cMilTime>) -------------------------------- FINANCE.PRG -- Finance Functions -------------------------------- Discount() -- Compute the present value of an amount received at the end of a number of periods given a periodic interest rate. Usage: Discount(<nFuturVal>,<nRate>,<nPeriods>) FuturVal() -- Compute the future value of an initial amount at compound interest received at a given periodic rate for a number of periods. Usage: FuturVal(<nPresVal>,<nRate>,<nPeriods>) Rate() -- Compute rate of periodic interest needed to produce a future value from a present value in a given number of periods. Usage: Rate(<nFutVal>,<nPresVal>,<nPeriods>) ContRate() -- Compute rate if compounding is continuous. Usage: ContRate(<nFutVal>,<nPresVal>,<nYears>) NPV() -- Net Present Value of array aCashFlow[n]. Usage: NPV(<nRate>,<nPeriods>) IRR() -- Internal Rate of Return, using ZeroIn(). Usage: Irr(<fX1>,<fX2>,<n_Flag>) -------------------------------------- ARRAY.PRG -- Array Processing Routines -------------------------------------- AFill() -- Fills an array with sequential elements. Useful for testing array processing routines. Usage: FillArray(<aArray>,<nArraySize>,<nFirstValue>,<nStep>) AMask() -- Returns a "mask" specifying the desired row or column of an array. Usage: AMask(<cArrayskel>,<cVar>) AMean() -- Mean of non-blank numeric or date values in specified row or column of an array. Usage: AMean(<cArrayskel>) AMax() -- Maximum non-blank numeric, date or character value in specified row or column of an array. Usage: AMax(<cArrayskel>) AMin() -- Minimum non-blank numeric, date or character value in specified row or column of an array. Usage: AMin(<cArrayskel>) AVar() -- Finds population variance of non-blank numeric or date values in specified row or column of a specified array. Usage: AVar(<cArrayskel>) ASeek() -- Performs a binary search in any specified ascending-sorted row or column of an array. Usage: aSeek(<cFindItem>,<aArray>,<nArraySize>) AShuffle() -- Performs a shuffle of elements of an array randomly ... Usage: aShuffle(<aArray>,<nLength>) ABubble()-- Performs a bubble sort (slow) on an array. By telling the routine the number of passes, you can have it stop at a specific point, and obtain some of the highest or lowest values, without taking the time to perform a complete sort. To perform a complete sort, pass the same value for nPasses as for nLength (number of elements in array) -- if you want a complete sort, however, you may want to take another look at ShellSort() below ... it's faster. Usage: aBubble(<aArray>,<nLength>,<nPasses>) ArrayRows() -- Returns number of rows (elements) in an array. Usage: ArrayRows(<aArray>) ArrayCols() -- Returns number of columns in an array. Usage: ArrayCols(<aArray>) ShellSort() -- Performs a fast sort routine on an array. This array must be copied into an array called: aMyArray. Usage: ShellSort(<nNumber>) ARec2Arr() -- Creates a public array, aRecord[n], initialized to the record format of the currently selected DBF, either blank or filled with the values of the current record. Usage: ARec2Arr(<lBlank>) aPullSort() -- Performs a sort on an array. This array must be copied into an array called: aMyArray. This routine is theoretically faster than the ShellSort() routine above, and definitely faster than the aBubble() routine above. Usage: aPullSort(<nNumber>) ----------------------------------------- MEASURE.PRG -- Conversion of Measurements ----------------------------------------- Kg2Lb() -- Used to convert Kilograms to Pounds. Usage: Kg2Lb(<nKg>) Lb2Kg() -- Used to convert Pounds to Kilograms. Usage: Lb2Kg(<nPounds>) Inch2Cm() -- Inches to Centimeters. Usage: Inch2Cm(<nInches>) Cm2Inch() -- Centimeters to Inches. Usage: Cm2Inch(<nCm>) Km2Mile() -- Kilometers to Miles. Usage: Km2Mile(<nKm>) Mile2Km() -- Miles to Kilometers. Usage: Mile2Km(<nMiles>) Km2Naut() -- Kilometers to Nautical miles. Usage: Km2Naut(<nKm>) Naut2Km() -- Nautical miles to Kilometers. Usage: Naut2Km(<nNautMiles>) Naut2Stat() -- Nautical miles to Statute miles (approximate). Usage: Naut2Stat(<nNautMiles>) Stat2Naut() -- Statute miles to Nautical miles (approximate). Usage: Stat2Naut(<nStatMiles>) Fahr2Cel() -- Fahrenheit to Celsius. Usage: Fahr2Cel(<nFahrTemp>) Cel2Fahr() -- Celsius to Fahrenheit. Usage: Cel2Fahr(<nCelTemp>) Gal2Ltr() -- US Gallons to Liters Usage: Gal2Ltr(<nGal>) Ltr2Gal() -- Liters to US Gallons Usage: Ltr2Gal(<nLiters>) CuFt2Gal() -- Cubic feet to US Gallons Usage: CuFt2Gal(<nCubicFeet>) Gal2CuFt() -- US Gallons to Cubic Feet Usage: Gal2CuFt(<nGallons>) ----------------------------------- TRIG.PRG -- Trigonometric Functions ----------------------------------- Note, all of these have the Usage: FUNC(<nX>) Secant() -- Secant of an angle X in radians. Cosecant() -- CoSecant of an angle X in radians. CoTan() -- CoTangent of an angle X in radians. ASec() -- Inverse Secant - angle size in radians. ACoSec() -- Inverse Cosecant - angle size in radians. ACoT() -- Inverse CoTangent SinH() -- Hyperbolic Sine CosH() -- Hyperbolic CoSine TanH() -- Hyperbolic Tangent SecH() -- Hyperbolic Secant CScH() -- Hyperbolic CoSecant CoTH() -- Hyperbolic CoTangent ASinH() -- Inverse Hyperbolic Sine ACosH() -- Inverse Hyperbolic CoSine ATanH() -- Inverse Hyperbolic Tangent ASecH() -- Inverse Hyperbolic Secant ACscH() -- Inverse Hyperbolic CoSecant ACotH() -- Inverse Hyperbolic Cotangent Hav() -- Haversine AHav() -- Inverse Haversine ----------------------------------- NAVIGATE.PRG -- Navigation Routines ----------------------------------- Correct() -- Correction of direction - adjusts direction given, in degrees, by a second number of degrees. Usage: Correct(<nDirection>,<xCorrection>) UnCorrect() -- Uncorrection of direction - adjusts direction given, as above. This is the inverse of Correct(). Usage: UnCorrect(<nDirection>,<xUnCorr>) XAngle() -- Angle in degrees (<=90) at which two vectors in degrees intersect. Usage: XAngle(<nVector1>,<nVector2>) LeftWind() -- Effect of second vector on first. Usage: LeftWind(<nCourse>,<nWindFrom>) TailWind() -- Is the effect of second vector on first additive? Usage: TailWind(<nCourse>,<nWindFrom>) Heading() -- Heading required to make good a course. Usage: Heading(<nCourse>,<nAirspeed>,<nWindFrom>,<nForce>) Course() -- Course made good given heading, speed, wind dir, and force. Usage: Course(<nCourse>,<nAirspeed>,<nWindFrom>,<nForce>) GndSpeed() -- Speed over the ground given heading, etc. Usage: GndSpeed(<nCourse>,<nAirspeed>,<nWindFrom>,<nForce>) Deg2Num() -- Degrees to numbers ... converts character description of degrees (Degrees Minutes Seconds: 40d50'30.2 N) to numeric value. Usage: Deg2Num("<cDms>") BearsDist() -- Distance to an object at the time of the second bearing. Usage: BearsDist(<nBear1>,<nBear2>,<nRun>) BearsPass() -- Distance at which an object will be when abeam given 2 bearings. Usage: BearsPass(<nBear1>,<nBear2>,<nRun>) BearsRun() -- Distance to run until object will be abeam given two bearings. Usage: BearsRun(<nBear1>,<nBear2>,<nRun>) GCDist() -- Great Circle distance between 2 points given latitude and long. of each. Usage: GcDist(<cLat1>,<cLon1>,<cLat2>,<cLon2>) GcCourse() -- Initial Great Circle course between two points given lat and long of each. (Following a 'Great Circle' requires course changes. Usage: GcCourse(<cLat1>,<cLon1>,<cLat2>,<cLon2>) --------------------------------- STATS.PRG -- Statistical Routines --------------------------------- Samplevar() -- Finds sample variance of specified field of the current database. Usage: SampleVar(<cField>[,<cClause>]) Stny() -- Returns value of the standard normal distribution function given a number of standard deviations from the mean. Usage: Stny(<nDevs>) StnArea() -- Area of the standard normal distribution function between mean and given number of standard deviations from the mean. Usage: StnArea(<nDevs>) Stnz() -- Lookup table to find the values of 'z', standard deviations, corresponding to the most common areas inside a given number of tails of the normal distribution function. Usage: Stnz(<nProb>,<nTails>) StnDiff() -- Determines whether hypothesis that sample of a given mean is different from expected mean is justified. Usage: StnDiff(<nConf>,<nTails>,<nSample>,<nSampMean>,; <nPopMean>,<nPopStd>) StnDevs() -- Calculates 'z', standard deviations, corresponding to any area of standard normal curve between mean and the desired z. Much slower than Stnz(). Usage: StnDevs(<nArea>) TstnArea() -- Translation function to convert area to left of point under standard normal curve to 0 for ZeroIn(). Usage: TstnArea(<nDevs>,<nArea>) ZeroIn() -- Finds a zero of a continuous function. Usage: ZeroIn(<cFunction>,<fX1>,fX2>,<fAbsError>,<nMaxiter>,; <n_Flag>) --------------------------------------- FIELDS.PRG -- Field Processing Routines --------------------------------------- MemoPagr() -- Used to display a memo in a window on screen, allows user to scroll up and down through memo. Usage: MemoPagr("<cMemo>",<nULRow>,<nULCol>,<nBRRow>,<nBRCol>) ScanMemo -- Used to remove hard returns in all memo fields in all records of a specified database. Usage: Do ScanMemo with "<cDbf>" Cut -- Used to cut to a global memvar CLIPBOARD the contents of a field or memvar on screen (during a read) -- can then be used with PASTE. Usage: do Cut with "<cFld>","<cScrType>" Copy -- Used to COPY to a global memvar CLIPBOARD the contents of a field or memvar on screen, so it can be used with PASTE. Usage: do Copy with "<cFld>" Paste -- Used to paste the contents of CLIPBOARD (global memvar) to the current field. Usage: do Paste with "<cFld>","<cScrType>" Blanker() -- Used to blank out a numeric field upon input of a valid numeric item. Useful with GETs ... Usage: Blanker() ----------------------------------- FILES.PRG -- File Handling Routines ----------------------------------- AllTags -- Used to bring up a popup/picklist of MDX tags ... can be assigned to a function key. Usage: do AllTags with <nULRow>,<nULCol> RedoTags -- Used to deal with "bloated" MDX files. This will delete old tags and recreate the MDX file, reducing the size of it, and making access faster. Usage: do RedoTags with "<cDBF>" && note, do not include ext. AutoRedo -- Used to bring up a picklist of DBF files, so that you (or the user) can choose which to redo the tags for. Usage: do AutoRedo with <nXTL>,<nYTL>,<nXBR>,<nYBR>,<cColor>) PrntTags -- Used to print a list of tags/expressions to either the printer or a file for a specific database. Usage: do PrntTags with "<cDBF>" ListDBFs -- Used to create a simple database (DBFS.DBF) containing the names of all databases in the current directory. Usage: do ListDBFs ReCompile() -- Recompiles all dBASE source-code files. Usage: Recompile([<cDir>],[,<cSkel>[,"R"]]) MakeDbf -- Makes an empty DBF. Usage: Do MakeDbf with <cFileName>,<aArray> MakeDbf2 -- Makes an empty DBF, assumes array aMakeDBF[n,5]. Usage: Do MakeDBF with <cDBFpath>,<cStruPath> MakeStru() -- Makes an empty dBASE Structure EXTENDED file and returns its root name. Usage: MakeStru() MakeStru2() -- Makes an empty dBASE Structure EXTENDED file, using dBASE print redirection. User/programmer may specify to save database in directory specified by DBTMP (DOS Environment variable) or in the current directory. Usage: MakeStru2(<lDBTmp>) TempName() -- Returns a name that can be used for a file of given extension without conflicting with names of existing files. If extension is 'DBF', assures that no .DBT or .MDX of that name exists as well. Usage: TempName(<cExtension>,<lDBTmp>) FileMove -- Used to handle data entry/editing, allowing the user to move through the database by pressing specific keys. See internal docs for more detail. Usage: do FileMove with <nKey> Used() -- Checks to see if a database is currently in use -- returns a logical. Usage: Used("<cFile>") MDXByte() -- Used to set the MDX Byte in a DBF header ON or OFF. Usage: MDXByte(<cDBFPath>,<cOnOff>) aDir() -- Creates a public array GADIR[n,4] containing directory information. It is limited to 292 files or less, depending on the memory available. Requires SEARCH.BIN. Usage: aDir(<cFMask>,<cBINPath>,<cAttr>) DBFDir() -- Creates (or Overwrites) DBDDIR.DBF, and populates it with directory information. Uses the DOS 5.0 DIR command, and requires DOS 5.0. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE WITH PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF DOS. Usage: DBFDir(<cPathSkel>,<lHidSys>) ParsPath() -- Extracts and returns the path from a full path file specification. Usage: ParsPath(<cFullPath>) TagPop -- Brings up a picklist of .MDX Tags for current database, so user can change sequence data is listed in. Lists key, whether or not tag has a 'for' clause or is unique, and gives most (if not all) of expression for the tag. Usage: do TagPop AAppend() -- Appends a text file into an array. This routine is limited to text files of 1,170 lines, and 254 characters per line. The text file must be an ASCII .TXT formatted file. Warning -- if array already exists, it will be overwritten. Usage: AAppend(<cFileName>,<aArrayName>) FDel() -- Deletes a given portion of a file (text or binary) from the beginning of the file, end of the file, or current pointer position. Usage: FDel(<nHandle>,<nBytes>,<nStart>) FGetLine() -- Extracts a line of text from a text file. Usage: FGetLine(<cFileName>,<cLookup>[,<lCase>[,<lEntire>]]) FIns() -- Inserts specified number of nulls into a low-level file. See comments on FDel(). Usage: FIns(<nHandle>,<nBytes>,<nStart>) GetInfo() -- Retrieves information from STATUS that you cannot get with the dBASE IV function SET(). Keywords are: WORK Number of work area currently in PRINT Current printer destination (PRN, NUL, etc.) ERROR Error condition set by ON ERROR ESCAPE Escape condition set by ON ESCAPE F2 to F10 Ctrl-F1 to Ctrl-F10 Shift-F1 to Shift-F10 Current setting of each key as set by SET FUNCTION PAGE,LINE Line number specified by ON PAGE AT LINE HANDLE,<filename> Handle number of low-level file <filename> NAME,<filehandle> Filename of low-level file specified by <filehandle> MODE,<filehandle> Privilege of low-level file spec. by <filehandle> Usage: GetInfo(<cKeyWord>[,<cKeyWord2>]) TextLine() -- Returns the number of lines of text in an ASCII Text file. Usage: TextLine(<cTextFile>) TLine() -- Returns a specific line in an ASCII Text File. Usage: TLine(<cTextFile>,<nLine>) TLineNo() -- Returns the line number of the phrase you are searching for in an ASCII Text File. Usage: TLineNO(<cTextFile>,<cLookup>[,<lCase]) TempFile() -- Returns a random filename in temporary directory. Usage: TempFile([cFileExt]) TempDir() -- Returns path of temporary directory as set from DOS (i.e., SET DBTMP=...). ---------------------------------- MISC.PRG -- Miscellaneous Routines ---------------------------------- PlayIt() -- Plays a song based on parameter passed. 1 = Dirge, 2 = "touchdown", programmer may add more as needed ... Usage: PlayIt(<nSong>) PageEst -- Will estimate number of pages in a report, and then ask if you wish to generate said report ... requires three parameters: nCount = record count (may be 0, in which case procedure will try to count the records) cReport = report name, with any FOR condition you wish -- if you use a FOR condition, and give a '0' for the nCount parameter, the procedure will count the records that match the FOR (only a FOR is setup at the moment). nRecords = number of records that will print on a page. If you send '0', the procedure will calculate based on 60 records to the page. Usage: do PageEst with <nCount>,"<cReport>",<nRecords> Permutes() -- Permutations of a number of items taken x amount at a time. Usage: Permutes(<nNum>,<nHowMany> Combos() -- Combinations, similar to above -- slight difference. See docs. Usage: Combos(<nNum>,<nHowMany>) BinLoad() -- A function used to manage .BIN files. Usage: BinLoad(<cBinName>) DialUp() -- A simple dialer routine. (No longer requires LOWLEVEL.BIN) Usage: DialUp(<cPhoneNo>) CurrPort() -- Returns the current port being used by the SET PRINT command. Requires a database (CURRPORT.DBF, one field, 80 characters, called CURRPRT, indexed on said field ...) Usage: CurrPort() FileLock() -- Returns a logical if an attempt to lock a file on a LAN was successful, displays a message otherwise. Usage: FileLock("<cColor>") RecLock() -- Returns a logical if an attempt to lock a record on a LAN was successful, displays a message otherwise. Usage: RecLock("<cColor>") DosShell -- Swaps out dBASE from memory, loads a DOS shell. Usage: do DosShell with <cAppName> IsDisk() -- Checks a disk in a disk drive to see if it's valid (door open, unformatted disk, etc.). Uses DISK.BIN. Usage: IsDisk("<cDrive>","<cColMess>","<cColErr>") ------------------------------------- SCA.PRG -- SCA Date Handling Routines ------------------------------------- SCA_Real -- Special purpose for SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), brings up a window, enter date in SCA dates, converts to "real" dates (dBASE format). Usage: do SCA_Real SCA2Real() -- This function works like SCA_Real, without the user-input. Usage: SCA2Real(<cDay>,<cMonth>,<cYear>) && cyear=Roman Numeral Real_SCA() -- Used to convert 'real' (dBASE format) dates into SCA dates. (see SCA_Real Procedure above) Usage: Real_SCA(<dDate>) ------------------------------------------------------ FRPG.PRG -- FRPG (Fantasy Role-Playing Games) ROUTINES ------------------------------------------------------ SetRand -- Procedure used to set a random # table, based on the time it is called, multiplied by the seconds at that moment. Useful for calling before using any of routines below. Used ONCE in a dBASE session, should be enough. The reason for this procedure is that I have found that using RAND(-1) often returns exactly the same values if the exact same function call (i.e., Dice() below) is made several times. This doesn't, therefore, do what I want. By using the current TIME, I can get a different random number table each time. Use EITHER this function OR RAND(-1) during any one session of dBASE. Dice() -- Used to simulate the roll of a dice, will handle different types of dice (for FRPG type games, where you have 4,6,8,10,12,20,100 sided dice ...) Usage: Dice(<nSides>) MultDice() -- As above but for multiple die (more than one). Usage: MultDice(<nNum>,<nSides>) ValiDice() -- Asks a gamer to enter a valid die roll, GM/Programmer specifies # of dice, number of sides ... (i.e., 3d6 is 3 six-sided dice, if GM says: 3,6 the program will ask for a value from 3 to 18, and not allow any other input). Usage: ValiDice(<nNum>,<nSides>,"<cMessage>","<cColor>") DiceChoose()-- Presents three choices (in menu format) for gamer to use, die dice rolls ... Usage: DiceChoose(<nNum>,<nSides>,"<cMessage>","<cColor>") ParseDice() -- Used to parse character field/memvar for xdy+z format of dice (a standard gaming format) and evaluate the value. I.e., 3d6+1 = 3 six-sided dice, +1 for each die rolled, giving a range from 6 to 21 -- function will return random number in that range (actually "rolling" 3 six-sided dice, adding 1 in example). Usage: ParseDice("<cDiceString>") PopDice Used to popup a place the user can enter a quick die roll, and have the computer do the actual dice rolling. Handy little routine ... Usage: do PopDice with <cColor> Example: ON KEY LABEL ALT-D DO POPDICE WITH "rg+/rg,w+/n,rg+/rg" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDOWS.PRG -- People are beginning to want things that look like MicroSoft Windows. Here are routines that do some of that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alert() -- A popup with an "OK" pad, designed to force the user to acknowledge the message. Usage: Alert("<cTitle>","<cMessage>") CheckBox() -- One line message, with a check box to change the status of a logical memvar. Usage: CheckBox(<lVar>,"<cTitle>",<nRow>,<nCol>,<nAscii>) CheckBx1() -- Same as above, but is programmed a bit differently. Usage: CheckBx1(<lVar>,"<cTitle>",<nRow>,<nCol>) DropDown() -- Performs a picklist with an array, or a field in a database. Holds a choice in a holding area, allowing user to use that, or select something else. Usage: DropDown("<cType>","<cName>",[<nRow,[<nCol>,[<nSize>]]]) MSWind() -- Creates a window that acts like a "MS Windows" window, in that you can move it, enlarge it to full screen, and bring it back to its original size. Usage: MSWind(<nTop>,<nLeft>,<nLower>,<nRight>) Enlarge -- Routine used with MSWIND() above to enlarge the window. Usage: do Enlarge MoveWinU -- Routine used to Move the window (MSWIND()) up on the screen. Usage: do MoveWinU MoveWinD -- Same as above to move window (MSWIND()) down. Usage: do MoveWinD MSWinAct -- Used to perform action(s) inside the window (MSWIND()). This routine should be modified for each specific system ... This one is just a sample ... Usage: do MSWinAct with <nTop>,<nLeft> RadioBut() -- Radio Button routine. Usage: RadioBut("<cArray>",<nRow>,<nCol>,<nDefPad>,<nAscii>) TmpRadio -- Used to set/reset temporary array aTmpRadio used with RadioBut() routine above. Usage: Do TmpRadio ScrolBar() -- Performs a horizontal scroll-bar to find a record in a database file. Usage: ScrolBar(<nAtLine>) Alert2() -- Same as Alert() above, but uses a Window, shadow, and programmable colors. Usage: Alert2("<cTitle>","<cMessage>","<cColor>") MSWind2() -- Acts like above, but title (due to a ... feature ... of dBASE IV version 1.5) does not display if enlarged. Usage: MsWind2(<nTop>,<nLeft>,<nLower>,<nRight>,"<cColor>",; "<cTitle>") Enlarge2 -- Used with MSWind2() to enlarge to full-screen. Usage: do Enlarge2 with cTitle, cTitlCol MoveWind -- Used with MSWind2() to move the window. Usage: do MoveWin with <pPad> MSWinAt2 -- Used to perform an action inside the window from MSWind2(). Usage: do MSWinAt2 FieldNum() -- Used to return the number of a given fieldname in the database structure. Works only on an open database. Usage: FieldNum("<cFldName>") -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OBSOLETE.PRG -- These are functions that, due to the advent of dBASE IV, 1.5, (or other reasons) are no longer necessary. However, if you are a user of 1.1, and/or wish to still use these functions, they are still available, but with little support. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Empty() -- Returns a logical (.t. or .f.) if a field or memvar is empty. In release 1.5 this is replaced with the internal function: ISBLANK(). Usage: Empty(<cField>) Recommendation: If creating a system that uses both dBASE IV versions 1.5 and earlier versions, rename this function to ISBLANK(). If the system is an earlier version of dBASE, this function will be used, and if 1.5 or later, the internal function will be used. NumFlds() -- Counts the fields in a given database. This is replaced in version 1.5 of dBASE IV with FLDCOUNT(). Usage: NumFlds(<cDBF>) DateSet() -- Returns a string giving name of current DATE format. Usage: DateSet() StampVal() -- Evaluates a 16-character string in the form of the rightmost 16 characters returned by the DOS DIR command for a file. Usage: StampVal(<cTimeStamp>) FullWin -- Handy to overlay a screen with a full-screen window ... Usage: do FullWin with "<cColor>","<cWinName>","<cScreen>" SetColor -- used to set a memory file with colors, or load colors into memory variables from a memory file. Usage: do SetColor SetColor2 -- used to set a mem file as above, but asks for a parameter to be sent, so that when designing a system, you can ask the user if their monitor is color or mono ... you pass "Y" or "N" ... i.e., Usage: do SetColor2 with "<cYN>" ExtrClr() -- Used to extract the first parameter of a color memory variable. Usage: ExtrClr(<cColorVar>) InvClr() -- Can invert the colors of a color memory variable. Usage: InvClr(<cColorVar>) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoy. Happy computing. KJM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- EoF: README.TXT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------