Programmer 7500/MAX_PROGRAMMERS.iso/CLIPPER/DATABASE/XDBASE4.ZIP/DINFO.DOC

Text File | 1993-04-15 | 16.5 KB | 376 lines

                       dINFO MANAGER PROFESSIONAL


  dInfo Manager Professional requires very little from the user
  beyond pointing at a desired action and hitting the ENTER key. It
  was designed this way from the start.

  dINFO Manager Professional contains complete DBMS & reporting
  facilities. It will give you complete control over your dBASE data
  files.  Reports, label definitions, and form letters created with
  dINFO can be saved, edited, and rerun at will.  All output can be
  sent to the printer, screen, or to a disk file.  Custom indexes can
  be built from within dINFO for your report and label runs. dINFO
  offers a number of very useful file managment routines as well.

  Please note that dINFO MANAGER PROFESSIONAL 4.1 is not intended for
  use on PC networks.


                        [ VERY IMPORTANT ]

  dINFO MANAGER PROFESSIONAL 4.1 For dBASE IV is compatible with
  dBASE IV .DBF, .DBT., & .MDX FILES.  dINFO MANAGER PROFESSIONAL 4.1
  For dBASE IV will attempt to open the .MDX file with the same name
  as the .DBF file you choose.

                        [ VERY IMPORTANT ]



  *-------------------------------------------------------------------*
                                MAIN MENU
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------*

  CREATING A REPORT DEFINITION FOR THE FIRST TIME

  dInfo Manager Prof creates three distinct types of reports. A single
  file report uses just one primary file.  A relational report type one
  may use a primary,secondary and tertiary file.  There is one record in
  the   secondary file for each primary record.  A relational report type
  two may use a primary, secondary and tertiary file.  There are multiple
  secondary records for each primary record. Your data detemines which type
  of report you will need to create.

  Creating a report is essentially the same process for all report
  types. First, the report type is chosen and then report parameters
  are entered. You can control things like the left margin, spaces
  between printed fields on the report, page width, page length, etc.

  You choose your primary, secondary and tertiary files from a scolling
  list. You choose the fields you wish to include in the report from
  scrolling lists. Nothing could be easier!  Just remember the following:


  1. UP TO 3 FILES MAY BE USED IN EACH REPORT!

  2. A MAXIUM OF 27 FIELDS FROM EACH FILE MAY BE USED IN THE REPORT.

  3. THREE CALCULATED FIELDS MAY BE DEFINED PER FILE. FIELDS IN OTHER
     FILES IN A MULT-FILE REPORT MAY BE REFERENCED IN THE CALCULATIONS

  4. MEMO FIELD PROCESSING IS LIMITED TO ONE MEMO FIELD IN A SINGLE FILE
     REPORT.

  5. FIELDS APPEAR ON THE PRINTED REPORT IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY WERE
     SELECTED.

  6. IF YOU DO NOT ENTER A COLUMN HEADING FOR A FIELD THE FIELD NAME WILL
     BE USED AS A COLUMN HEADING ON THE REPORT.

  7. IF YOU ARE USING TOTALS, SUBTOTALS, AND/OR CALCULATED FIELDS EXPECT
     YOUR REPORT TO BE WIDER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE SELECTED FIELDS ALONE.
     EXTRA SPACE IS ALLOCATED TO A FIELD BEING TOTALLED AND TO A CALC
     FIELD BEYOND THAT WHICH IS DISPLAYED BY THE FIELD SELECTION SCREEN.

  8. YOU MAY LINK THE FILES ON ANY FIELD(S) OF YOUR CHOICE

  9. ALL OUTPUT CAN BE STOPPED WITH THE ESC KEY IF YOU DESIRE.


  EXECUTING A REPORT DEFINITION

  Simply select the report definition from the scrolling list by
  striking enter.  You will have an opportunity to edit the report
  parameters you entered when you created it.  You can also edit or
  create a query for the report and save it under the same or differ-
  ent name.  Output for all reports can go to the printer, screen, or
  to a disk file.


  FREQUENCY ANALYSIS REPORT

  This is a simple but very valuable module for the person who needs
  to know the breakdown of his database.  If you were in the mail order
  business it might be important to know the breakdown of your total
  customer base by state.  Running a frequency analysis on the state
  field would list each occurance of state and the accompanying number
  of customers in each.  The same breakdown could be run for city, zip
  or any other field you might desire.

  In addition to simply counting the number of occurances for the field
  you select this module can sum numeric fields in the record. If each
  of your customers had a balance due entry, for example, all the
  balance dues by state could be summed.  Your needs will determine
  your use of this module.

  The query function enables you to set a filter for the database.
  If, for example, you are only interested in the number of your
  customers in California and New York you could use the query
  function to select only those states for your frequency study and
  eliminate the other 48 states from your output.  Once again, your
  needs will dictate your use of this module and the query function.
  There is only one important rule to follow.  You cannot sum a field
  that has been chosen as a frequency analysis field.  If you made an
  error in this regard, exit the module and start from scratch again.


  *-------------------------------------------------------------------*
                              MAIL LABELS
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------*


  CREATING A MAIL LABEL DEFINITION FOR THE FIRST TIME


  STANDARD LABELS:

  Ad Hoc Report Writer permits the creation of standard, large,
  or cheshire format mailing labels.  Simply take the Mailing Label
  option from the Main menu.  You will be asked to choose a
  primary file and primary file index.  Next you will be given the
  opportunity to query the primary file if you desire. In this manner
  you can select to filter out certain zipcodes or cities according to
  your preferences and needs.

  You will then enter the label module.  Choose the create option from
  within the label module.  Assign the label file a unique and meaningful
  name. Select the modify contents option.  Press F2 to choose field names
  for each line of the label you wish to create.  BE SURE TO PLACE THE
  CURSOR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LINE TO WHICH YOU ARE APPENDING FIELD
  NAMES!  Follow the prompts and press F10 when you are done.  Be sure to
  choose the proper format and dimensions from within the dimensions
  selection.

  By experimenting with the other options you'll find that you can
  tag select records and print only them if you choose.  You can now print
  your mail labels and recall the new label definition you've just created
  whenever you wish. Just remember the following:

  1. Be certain to choose the proper format and dimension from within
     the dimension option.  You can make adjustments to the default
     sizes as you wish.  Maximum label size is 24 X 60.

  2. Create index files keyed on the fields by which you want to order
     your label printout.  If you want labels to be printed in zipcode
     order then be sure to create an index file keyed on zipcode etc.

  3. Make use of the test pattern and correct your alignment before
     beginning a large label run. (** Very Important **)

  4. Make use of the query builder to select or filter your primary
     file when printing labels if you don't wish to create a label for
     every record in your file.

  5. You can pause printer output with ALT-C if your label run jams in
     the printer.  It's not the most sophisticated way to do so, but
     it certainly works.  ESCAPE will ABORT a label printout.

  6. A sample label definition (MAIL.LBL) is provided on your diskette.
     You can experiment with changes and printing by selecting it. First
     you select the Process Mailing Labels option from the Main Menu.
     Then select MAIL.DBF and MAIL.NTX as your primary file and index.

  7. The copies parameter will determine how many labels for each record
     are printed.

  8. The blank lines parameter will control the printing of blank lines
     in your label definition.  Blank lines can be useful for spacers
     when printing large labels.

  9. If you build a new label or edit an existing one and utilize the
     automatic field name selector, be sure to place the cursor at the
     BEGINNING of the line you are appending field names to!  Experiment
     with this and you'll see why!



  AVERY 3-UP LASER LABELS:

    Follow the same instructions given for STANDARD LABELS. The following
    exceptions apply:

        1. YOU MUST SELECT LASER LABELS AND CONFIRM OUTPUT TO ACTIVATE
           THIS OPTION.

        2. The Dimensions for Avery 3-UP Laser Labels are PRESET &
           CANNOT BE CHANGED

        3. Blank lines will print if included in label

        4. Option may only be chosen if a LASER PRINTER is selected.


  dINFO DATABASE MANAGER

  The database manager is completely menu driven and allows you to
  add, edit delete, search for, and view your database records. It is
  completely data driven and requires no special instructions.  The
  only word of caution involves using a query over the database.
  This should be done only with small to medium sized files to avoid
  serious performance degradation.

  Please note that when you query the primary file BEFORE entering
  the database manager you effectively filter the records you are able
  to work with.  You will only be able to view and edit those records
  that satisfify the query conditions.  If you create a query AFTER you
  are inside the database manager you must use the query facilities to
  view only those records matching the query condition.

  Once again, you should avoid placing a query condition on very
  large files before entering the database manager.  Experiment with
  medium sized files and note the difference as the files grow larger.


  CHANGE THE DIRECTORY

  This option enables you to select any directory on your disk
  in which you you might have database files.  dINFO will ask you which
  directory you'd like to enter.  If you simply strike ENTER dINFO will
  display a listing of all your directories.  ALT-F will pop up a
  display of the files in any of these directories.  You can actually
  view the contents of text files and database files by pointing at them
  and striking the ENTER key. The database file viewer is very powerful.
  With it you can view your files from top to bottom and search out
  individual records.  It does not permit data to be edited so feel free
  to experiment with it without concern.

  Once you've found the directory you desire just point at it and strike
  ENTER.  You will be asked for confirmation.  If you respond positively
  the directory will be changed for you.


  CREATING A FORM LETTER

  Form letter creation is actually quite simple.  It is also a data
  driven process.


  1. Create a Form - Use F3 to place the current date anywhere you wish.
                     Use F2 to select and position field names on your
                     letter. Enter the rest of a sample letter.

  2. Save the Form -  Strike F10 when you are done typing your letter.

  3. Select the option to send the output to a file.

  4. Examine the file FORMLETR.PRN after exiting the program. You'll
     see how the program drew all the information from your database
     into your letters.



  *-------------------------------------------------------------------*
                           FILE MANAGEMENT MENU
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------*


   CREATE A NEW INDEX FILE

  Simply select this option from the File Mgmt menu. Select a
  primary file. Select the field(s) you wish to index on and give
  the new file a name. That's all!  dInfo Manager Professional does
  the rest!

   ( ** VERY IMPORTANT ** )
  1.  dINFO converts numeric and date fields to character values when
  you build an index with them.  dINFO ensures the proper ordering of
  values in this manner. It is recommended that you build your indexes
  with dINFO's Index Builder for use with dINFO's Database Manager.
  Character indexes are completely compatible and need not be rebuilt.
  This conversion of numeric & date fields to string values is standard
  practice and enables you to build compound keys with mixed data types.
  These indexes are not backwards compatible with dBASE, but it is a
  simple procedure to rebuild an index file using dBASE if you must for
  reasons of compatiblity with other programs which access your data
  files.


  PERFORM A GLOBAL REPLACE

  Watch out for this module!  Use this only if you really understand
  what you are doing with it.  With it you can change EVERY first name
  in your database to JOHN or anything else you type in.  That's fine
  if that is really what you set out to do.  GLOBAL REPLACE means just
  that.  When you choose a field from one of your files to update this
  module will update EVERY ONE of those fields!  Experiment with
  dummy files and BE CAREFUL!


  MODIFY OR CREATE A DBF

  This is also a powerful function.  It permits you to add, delete
  or reposition fields in your file.  It will also create a new file
  for you from scratch.  Once again, experimentation with a BACKUP COPY
  of one of your files is required to understand this module.


  APPENDING RECORDS FROM ANOTHER DATABASE


  This is a very powerful module with many options.  The only way
  to fully understand its operation is to use it extensively on a
  backup copy of one of your files.  Remember, the primary file you
  choose is the one to which records will be appended (added on to
  the end of the file).  Appending does not replace the records in
  the primary file with new records.  The process ADDS TO the file.

  This module will let you append data from a file with different
  field names and different field types.  Again, it is very flexible
  and requires experimentation to master.  Use a BACKUP COPY of one of
  your files to experiment with and follow the screen prompts carefully.


  COPY A DATABASE FILE

  This module permits you to copy the primary file you choose out to
  another file you can name.  This process creates a new file which is
  an exact copy of the primary file.  This is a good module to use to
  create files you can experiment with using the MODIFY and APPEND
  modules!


  PACKING A DATAFILE (Removing Deleted Records)

  1. (** Very Important **)  Removing deleted records from a file can
  be a lengthy process depending upon the size of the file.  Although
  dINFO packs the file in the safest possible manner, you should take
  every precaution with your valuable data.  Backup your important files
  before packing them.  If anything at all should go wrong in the copy
  process such as a disk I/O error or power glitch your data will be
  protected.

  YOU are responsible for the safety of your data at all times.
  Every reasonable precaution was taken in creating dINFO. In the
  event of an unforseen problem, however, there is no substitute
  for a backup copy of your data.  No data processing department
  in the world operates without backup nor should you.

  Once again, YOU are responsible for maintaining adequate backup
  copies of your data.  Backup important files before packing.  Backup
  is a resonable precaution to take whenever making large changes to
  your files.

  2.  This option is available from the File Mgmt Menu. Simply select
  a file to be PACKED. ALL records you've marked for deletion will be
  permanently removed from the file. dINFO packs files & memo fields in
  a safe manner by copying them out to temporary files.  Be sure you
  have enough disk space left to pack a large datafile before deciding
  to pack the file.  You'll need double the space of your file and its
  associated.DBT file, if it has one, to be on the safe side.



  DUPLICATE FIELD CHECKING

  Take the Duplicate Record Check option from the File Mgmt menu.
  Simply select the field or fields for dupe checking.  The report of
  duplicates can be viewed on the screen, sent to a disk file, or the
  output can be sent to a printer.



                            **  END OF FILE ***