Category : Dbase (Clipper, FoxBase, etc) Languages Source Code
Archive   : DBVIEW20.ZIP
Filename : README.DOC

DBVIEW.EXE is Copyright 1993 T & T Engineering All Rights Reserved.

By T. A. Kulaga
P.O. Box 97000
Kirkland, WA 98083-9700


This version of dBVIEW is NOT public domain or free software, but is
being distributed as "shareware" for EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY.


REGISTRATION
============
To register the DOS database viewer DBVIEW.EXE program, send $10.00 to
the above address and you will receive a registration serial number with
instructions on how to register your copy of the program. Registering
your copy of the program will remove the registration screen displayed
each time the program is exited. Source code can be provided on
request to registered users for an additional $35.00 fee.

So what do you get for registering? Good question. You will receive a
serial number which can be used to register your copy of the program and
remove the annoying registration screen. Not much, is it? Well, $10
isn't much, either. However, this is a lifetime registration. All
future revisions to this program are included in this registration.

NOTE: A disk will not be sent to you when you register, only a
registration serial number. If you absolutely need a copy sent to
you on a DISK please enclose an additional $7.00 with your $10.00
registration fee to cover the costs of shipping and handling.
Remember to specify the disk size desired.


LICENSE
=======
DBVIEW is distributed as shareware for evaluation purposes only. This
means that you are granted a limited license to use it for a period of
30 days. If you find it useful and decide to continue using it after the
trial period, registration is required.

Registered users will be granted a just-like-a-book license which means
a registered version of the software can be used by more than one person
and can be moved from one computer to another so long as there is NO
POSSIBILITY of it being used by two different persons on two different
computers at the same time, just like a book can not be read by two
different persons in two different places at the same time.


DBVIEW
PROGRAM SUMMARY
===============
This program is a viewer of dBASE format database files. This includes
files created by dBASE III, dBASE III+, dBASE IV, Clipper, Foxbase,
Foxpro, and other dBASE compatible programs. This program can be used
as a direct replacement for the Norton Commander DBVIEW program which
allows dBASE files to be viewed. This program differs from the Norton
Commander program in the number of features provided: specifically
FoxPRO files can be viewed in addition to dBASE files, and memo fields
can be viewed.

NOTE: To use this program in place of Norton Commander's DBVIEW program,
copy the DBVIEW.EXE file to the sub-directory containing the
Norton Commander program files. Function key F3 in Norton
Commander will call this program whenever a .dbf file is
highlighted.

NOTE: A Windows program for viewing database files is forthcoming.
Watch for it on your local BBS. The name to look for is DBV-WIN.

NOTE: A smaller version of this program is being developed. It is
identical to this program except that it has been trimmed in size
by more than one third by deleting the on-line help, removing the
point and click file selection window (replacing it with a simple
text entry field), and shortening the text messages. The purpose
of this version is to reduce the executable file size for faster
loading and less disk space usage. Watch for it on your local BBS.
The name to look for is DBV-SM.


DEMO
====
Included for demonstration and tutorial purposes is a small database of
various quotes and sayings. This database is a FoxPro database which
contains memo fields and can be viewed by typing

DBVIEW DEMO

The first memo field contains a varied amount of information which may
be useful. It discusses the various options and shows how they may be
used. The database contains the various types of fields encountered
and illustrates how they are displayed.

If you like the sayings in the demo database, you may be interested in
knowing that I am compiling a large database with a program which
displays these sayings. Watch your local BBS for the program titled
SAYINGS. A windows version is also forthcoming.

DBVIEW
USAGE SUMMARY
=============
To start the program, at the DOS prompt use the following syntax:

DBVIEW {filename}[.dbf]

The filename and extension are optional. If the filename is not used, a
point and click type file selection window will be opened. The database
extension must be specified if it is different than .dbf. Any
associated memo file will be opened automatically and does not need to
be explicitly specified.

After the program is started, the program is controlled either by
pressing the appropriate function key via the keyboard or by clicking
the left mouse button when the mouse cursor is located on the desired
menu function.

The cursor keys can be used to navigate through the records of the
database.

CURSOR KEY ACTION
---------- ------
UP Previous record
DOWN Next record
LEFT Shift fields to left (oriented as in browse mode)
CTRL-LEFT Shift fields to far left, first field first
RIGHT Shift fields to right
CTRL-RIGHT Shift fields to far right, last field
PAGEUP Previous record or screen
PAGEDOWN Next record or screen
CTRL-PGUP Go to first record
HOME Go to first record
CTRL-PGDN Go to last record
END Go to last record
ESC Exit the program

Additionally, the mouse changes shape based on its screen location. Near
the top and bottom of the screen, clicking the left mouse button will
cause the previous or next record to be displayed. Near the left or
right of the display, clicking the left mouse button causes the previous
or next field to be displayed.

The right side of the screen is a scrollbar for mouse movement and a
relative indication of where the current record is in relation to all
the records in the file. Clicking the left mouse button on either the
up or down arrows at either end of the scrollbar displays either the
first or last record, respectively. Clicking the left button while the
mouse cursor is in the upper or lower half of the scrollbar is the same
as pressing the Page-Up or Page-Down keys, respectively.


DBVIEW
FEATURES
========
þ Quick help F1

þ Database file info can be viewed F2

þ Field info can be viewed in a scrollable window F3

þ Record info can be viewed in browse mode F4 or 'B'

þ Run WPVIEW program (Norton Commander) SHIFT F4

þ Specify a record number to go to F5

þ View another .dbf file without exiting F6

þ Search for a text string F7 or 'F'

þ A thermometer shows relative location in the file as the search
is being conducted.

þ Memo fields can be viewed, one at a time F8

þ 25/50 line display toggle for VGA monitors F9

þ Deleted records are identified (The word 'DELETED' appears on the
top line, and while in browse mode * appears on left side of window.)

þ The current record and total record count is displayed

þ Full mouse control of menus and record/field movements

þ Any file of dBASE format can be read, including the special files
FoxPro uses for report forms, screen formats, etc.

þ If the database file has a bad format, Norton Commander's WPVIEW
program is loaded as a default file viewer. This allows the file
to be viewed, one way or the other.

þ File selection is via a point and click style window

þ Memo fields expand to full screen width when less than 8 fields are
displayed on the screen. Normal size is a quarter of the screen.

þ Mouse scrollbar on the right side of the display.

þ The default color can be changed to green on black by setting an
environment variable: SET DBVIEW=GREEN


DBVIEW
KNOWN BUGS
==========
At this time, there is only a few known bugs or glitches in the
software.

1) After being cleared, error messages do not always restore the screen
background color. A black area is left on the screen where the error
message appeared. This area will disappear when the screen image is
redisplayed (switching to browse mode, pressing HOME, etc.)

2) Loading another file (F6) will stop functioning after a random number
of files (but a lot of them) have been loaded via the F6 function. A
warning message pops up telling you that you cannot load another
file. I'm still trying to figure this one out. It is not fatal
since the previous file is still loaded. Just exit and re-run the
program to view another file.

3) The DBVIEW program is not network aware. That is, if the database
file to be viewed is already in use and locked, the DBVIEW program
will report a GENERAL FAILURE and not be able to view the file. This
isn't really a bug, just a feature which has not been programmed yet.
DBVIEW can read files on networks which are not being accessed by
others.

Any other bugs or program enhancements can be reported to the Author at
the address above.


ERROR MESSAGES
==============
The database handling routines do numerous checks for errors: file not
found, file is corrupted, out of memory, read fault, etc. The program
handles all error messages, exiting the program for fatal errors or
performing other actions as appropriate.


PROGRAMMER INFORMATION
======================
dBVIEW is written in Microsoft QuickC and uses the SCL1 library of
screen and mouse functions. A library of generic database handling
routines was developed to support this program and others which are
being developed. The program was compiled with the medium memory model.
The intention was to provide a very compact and fast database file
viewer.

DBVIEW

The following is provided due to the litigious society in which we live in:

WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
===================
T&T Engineering provides the shareware version of dBVIEW "as is" and
without any warranty. To the extent permitted under applicable law, T&T
Engineering disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but
not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. T&T Engineering makes no representation or warranty
that the software is fit for any particular purpose.

T&T Engineering shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the
use of this software, including but not limited to loss of profit, data,
or use of the software or special, incidental, or consequential damages
or other similar claims, even if T&T Engineering has been specifically
advised of the possibility of such damages.


Note: Microsoft QuickC, SCL1, Norton Commander, dBASE, Clipper, Foxbase,
and Foxpro are registered trademarks/tradenames of their
respective companies. Trademarks of other companies mentioned
appear for identification purposes only and are the property of
their respective companies.