GS_DBASE

Version 2

GRIFFIN SOLUTIONS

dBase III, III+ access

15 November 1990

(C) Copyright 1990 - All Rights reserved

Griffin Solutions
102 Molded Stone Place
Warner Robins, Georgia 31088
(912) 953-2680
CompuServe 75206.231


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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.


















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dBase is a trademark of Ashton-Tate
Turbo Pascal is a trademark of Borland

Shareware
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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:

A copy of the latest version of the program.

Automatic notification of major program updates.

Technical support via Compuserve or by mail.

A printed user's manual.


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_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_STRNG.PAS Unit to handle string manipulation
GS_WIND.PAS Unit to create 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

HEALTH.DBF dBase Test Data File 1
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.DBT dBase Test Data File 2 Memo File

GSDBDATA.DBF Data for Demonstration Program
GSDBDATA.DBT
GSDBDATA.NDX
GSDBDATA.PAS Demonstration Program


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
demonstration program that came with the utilities. Do the following steps:

1. Make, compile and run GSDBDATA.PAS to get a feel for the ease with which
a program can be designed that allows selection, editing, and deletion
of dBase records.

2. This program offers a choice of selecting records, printing records, or
exiting. The printing routine and FileIt options send a list to
either the printer or a disk file GSDBLIST.TXT.

3. Under 'Choose', you may select to review a list of all records, or scan
for a specific data name or procedure. An exact match is not required;
for example, you may select all names that begin with 'GS' by entering
'gs' when asked for a name.

4. Once you select the type of review desired, a list of names will be
displayed. You can use the cursor keys to select the record you want.
The record will be displayed when you press Return with the record
selected.

5. 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.

6. During the edit, any data may be added or removed. When finished, press
Ctrl and End at the same time to save the changes. Pressing Esc will
exit the editor without saving the changes.