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DW4.MAN
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1994-06-18
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Preface
The Data-Wire Four is a Foxpro procedure designed to allow an
application to verify databases quickly and easily. DW4 is written
in a dBASE IV compatible language called Foxpro.
In essence, the programmer executes DW4, generating a data dictionary
program. This data dictionary program, called DBFS.PRG, is a
"picture" of all databases in the current directory. When executed,
DBFS verifies that all specified databases exist and have the correct
field layouts. Structural indices are also verified. DBFS.PRG can
be executed alone or included within a programmer's application.
This manual is not for the beginner. We will not be discussing how
to use MS-DOS, or Foxpro. Examples will be brief, and there will be
a lot of technical notes within the regular discussions.
My advice is to peruse the contents of this manual to familiarize
yourself with its information. You also might want to familiarize
yourself with the DW4 source code.
- Page 1 -
Copyright/License/Warranty
This document and the program Data Wire Four ("the software") are
copyrighted by the author. The copyright owner hereby licenses you
to use the software given these restrictions:
o the program shall be supplied in its original, unmodified
form, which includes this documentation;
o for-profit use without a license is prohibited;
o the program may not be included - or bundled - with other
goods or services. Exceptions may be granted upon written
request only.
o no fee is charged beyond a reasonable amount for the media
and handling ($10 maximum suggested);
There is no warranty of any kind. The copyright owner may not
be held liable for any damages, including any lost profits or
other incidental or consequential damages arising out of or
inability to use the software. By using the software, you agree
to this.
Shareware
DW4 is distributed as Shareware. It is not free software.
You are free to try it and make copies for others. If you
continue to use this application beyond a reasonable trial
period, you are required to register it with the distributor
and author.
ASP Ombudsman
This program is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve
a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon,
MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message
via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
Copyright (C) 1992 Dennis Allen. All rights reserved. All
trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
- Page 2 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface 1
Copyright/License/Warranty 2
Using Data Wire Four 4
Using DBFS.PRG 4
Specifying a file name 5
Distribution 5
Index 6
- Page 3 -
Using Data Wire Four
Using Data Wire Four is simple. First, you must be the data
directory of your application. Remove all temporary files. If you
have structural indices, make sure the index tags are in the desired
order. Then, at the DOS prompt, type:
FOX DW4
and press [Enter]. Data Wire Four will generate a program called
"DBFS.PRG". If there are "FXP" files in the current directory,
"DBFS.PRG" will be compiled.
Using DBFS.PRG
You may execute DBFS.PRG from either the Foxpro command window, or
from within your application. If DBFS.PRG is executed from the
Foxpro command window, a WAIT WINDOW is performed before exiting.
Now DBFS.PRG takes the following parameters:
cPATH - Path of data files
bBACK - Flag, .t. = create backup files (default)
If cPATH is not specified, DBFS.PRG will use the path in cDATAPATH.
If cDATAPATH does not exist, the current directory is assumed.
Unless bBACK is specified as false, backup will occur. Example:
DO DBFS WITH "\DMAIL4", .T.
In this example, DBFS.PRG will verify all database files in the
DMAIL4 directory. If any database file has to be modified, a backup
of the original is created.
- Page 4 -
Using Data Wire Four
When DBFS.PRG is executed, all databases in the specified directory
are inspected. If a database file doesn't exist, it is created. If
a database file is missing a field, it is added. If a field is not
the correct length, it is lengthened. If a structural index tag is
missing or not in the correct order, the index tags are rebuilt.
Note: DBFS.PRG cannot handle index tags containing relationships
(SET RELATION TO). In addition, DBFS.PRG can only handle structural
compound indices.
Specifying a file name
In Data Wire Four, you can specify a file name. At the DOS prompt,
for example, you could type:
FOX DW4 TEMP
A file called "TEMP.PRG" (not "DBFS.PRG") would then be generated.
Note: DW4 ignores the database file FOXUSER.DBF. If the file
DBFS.PRG is generated, DW4 will also ignore the database file
SCR.DBF, and all database files beginning with "Q".
Distribution
Now you're ready to add DBFS.PRG to your application. I suggest
executing DBFS.PRG before your main menu loop. In this way, all
database files are verified BEFORE your application can execute
sensitive code. Distributing DBFS.PRG with your application will
ensure that any client, no matter how old the data files, has the
correct file layouts.
Note: If you decide to distribute DBFS.PRG within your application,
please add the following copyright notice to your installation:
Copyright Notices:
DBFS.PRG is supplied by Dennis Allen
- Page 5 -
Index
Copyright/License/Warranty 2
DBFS.PRG 1, 4, 5
Distribution 5
DW4 1
Foxpro 1
Index 6
Preface 1
Specifying a file name 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
Using Data Wire Four 4
Using DBFS.PRG 4
- Page 6 -