Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/003/freefile.arc/FF.DOC

Text File | 1985-11-19 | 113.8 KB | 3,609 lines

             F r e e F i l e

               Version 1.0


      A User Supported Filing System


           (C) Copyright 1985
       Stilwell Software Products
           All Rights Reserved



      Stilwell Software Products
        16403 North 43rd Drive
         Glendale,  AZ  85306
           (602)  978-4678







             **** CONTENTS ****



    USER SUPPORTED SOFTWARE .................1

    INTRODUCTION TO FREEFILE ................4

    FREEFILE SPECIFICATIONS .................7

    FILES ON THE FREEFILE DISKETTE...........7

    GETTING STARTED ........................10

    DEMO1 ..................................16

    DEMO2 ..................................27


    REFERENCE SECTION
        ADD A RECORD ...................51

        CREATE A NEW DATABASE ..........54

        DELETING A RECORD ..............58

        FORMAT OF THE DATABASE .........61

        HELP ...........................62

        IMPORT/EXPORT A DATABASE .......63

        LIST/MODIFY FORMULAS ...........66

        MODIFY A RECORD ................68

        PRINT A REPORT .................72

        PRINT OPTIONS ..................75

        PRINT ORDER ....................78

        QUIT ...........................81

        REBUILD ........................82

        SELECT CASES TO PRINT ..........83

        SELECT A DATABASE ..............86

        VIEW A RECORD ..................87

    DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY .........90







            USER SUPPORTED SOFTWARE


        FreeFile is a "user supported"
    program.  What is meant by that is,
    FreeFile is available to anyone who
    wants to use it at a no cost (if you get
    the program from Stilwell Software
    Products we charge $10 to help cover the
    cost of postage and handling). This
    method of distributing computer software
    allows you to try the program without
    having to pay for it in advance.  It also
    allows you to freely share the program
    with other users without the fear of
    prosecution by the owner of the program.


        If you find FreeFile of use you are
    asked to send a contribution of $45 to
    its author:

             Stilwell Software Products
                16403 North 43rd Drive
                 Glendale,  AZ  85306


        By sending a contribution you will
    become a register owner of FreeFile.
    You will received a printed copy of the
    manual and will be eligible for support
    from us.  You will also receive a
    program called REBUILD.  The REBUILD
    program will allow you to reconstruct
    your database in the event it becomes

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    damaged from not terminating the program
    in the normal way (e.g., if your power
    goes out while you are in the update
    mode you will need to run REBUILD before
    you will be able to use your database
    again).  By contributing, you will also
    enable us to send you information on
    new versions of FreeFile as they become
    available as well as other new programs
    Stilwell Software Products will be
    developing.
        By contributing you will also be
    supporting a means of software develop-
    ment that will give you quality software
    at a greatly reduced price.
        You may receive a copy of FreeFile
    by one of three methods. First, you can
    send a $45 contribution to Stilwell
    Software Products and we will mail you a
    diskette which will contain the program,
    the rebuild utility program (to be used
    if you database ever "crashes"), and the
    printed manual.
        The second way is for you to send
    $10 to Stilwell Software Products.  We
    will send you a diskette with the
    program, and the documentation on the
    diskette.  You will not received the
    printed manual, the rebuild utility (to
    be used in the event of a "crash"), nor
    will you be eligible for our support.
    You may then use the software and make a
    contribution later if you wish.  Once
    you mail the additional contribution to
    Stilwell Software Products, we will send
    you the printed manual, the current
    version of the program, the rebuild
    program, and will make you eligible for
    support.  The third way is to get a copy
    of the program from your local IBM-PC

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    User's Group.  You can use the program
    and later make a contribution if you
    wish.  We will then send you all the
    items listed above.

        You are always free to make copies
    of FreeFile and to share them with
    others.  You are not permitted to sell
    FreeFile nor can you include it with any
    product you are distributing.  You may
    not modify FreeFile in any way.

        Regardless of how you get the
    program, if you find FreeFile useful,
    your contribution will be greatly
    appreciated.

            (3)

               INTRODUCTION TO FREEFILE


        FreeFile is a member of the type of
    programs called "filing systems".  This
    type of program is at times called a
    "database".  We will use "database" and
    "filing systems" to mean the same thing
    for the purpose of the documentation.
    A database is just a collection of data
    (or records).  In its simplest form,
    FreeFile will do your filing for you.
    You define what pieces of information
    you want to store (these pieces are
    called a "data field", or just a
    "field").  FreeFile will store the
    information you entered and then let you
    print it in various different forms.
        FreeFile is a type of database
    called "relational".  You can think of
    your database as being made up of rows
    and columns, like a spreadsheet.  Each
    row is a record, and each column
    represents each field (or piece of
    information).
        Your file (or database) will be
    made up of a number of "records".  A
    record is a collection of pieces of
    information.  These pieces of informa-
    tion are called "fields".  A field might
    be a person's name, or social security
    number.  A special feature of FreeFile
    is its ability to use "computed fie-
    lds".  These fields are a lot like
    formulas in a spreadsheet.  For example,
    you might want to define a field to be
    the commission paid to a salesman in
    your store.  You could define a computed

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    field as "ITEM PRICE * .10".   This
    computed field will result in the price
    of the item being multiplied by .10 (for
    10%) and being entered in the field.
    This is one of the many extremely
    powerful features of FreeFile.
        You can also "import" data from
    other programs.  This allows data from
    another program to by put into a
    FreeFile database.  You can even import
    data from a BASIC program if you like.
    You can also "export" data from your
    database to other programs (e.g., to
    your spreadsheet program).  Data to be
    exported can selected (e.g., select only
    cases where the Due Date > 09/01/85)
    just as you would when you have FreeFile
    write out a report for you.

        FreeFile is menu driven.  This
    means that there are not a lot of
    commands that you must learn to use this
    program.  Many people will be able to
    use the program without reading the
    manual or trying the demo exercises.
    There is also a online help service
    available from the Main Menu.
        Probably the most significant
    design feature of FreeFile is that
    although it is loaded with many advance
    features, these features will stay in
    the background until needed.  For
    example, if you want to print data from
    your database, select the print option
    and select to print.  You need not
    specifically set any print options.  You
    might later decide that you would like
    to change the order of the items on the
    page, or select only certain items to be
    printed, but that is always optional.

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    Once you are comfortable with the
    program you might want to learn how to
    do many of these more advance features.
    It is not a program you are soon to
    outgrow.


            (6)


         FREEFILE SPECIFICATIONS

    FreeFile requires an IBM-PC, PC-XT,
    PC-Portable, or PC-AT and the following;

        (1)  256KB RAM, if using DOS 2.0 or
    later.
        (2)  Either monochrome or color
    monitor.
        (3)  At least one double-sided disk
    drives (you can use a hard disk).



    FILES ON THE FREEFILE DISKETTE:

        FF.EXE    - The actual FreeFile
    program

        FF.HLP    - The on-line help file,
    can be deleted from your    work disk if
    you need the space on your diskette.

        COLOR.EXE - A utility program for
    users of color monitors to set the color
    of the screen.

        NO-COLOR.FIL - Copy this file to
    "COLOR.FIL" if you have a color graphics
    card, but a monochrome display.  This is
    improve the appearance of the characters
    on the screen.

        DEMO1.DAT  - A sample database.
    Very basic (also includes files DEMO1.P,
    DEMO1.HDR, DEMO1.IDX).

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        DEMO2.DAT  - A sample database. A
    bit more involved than DEMO1 (also
    includes files DEMO2.P, DEMO2,HDR,
    DEMO2.IDX).

    OPTIONAL FILES:

        READ.ME   - Instructions on how to
    print FF.DOC if it is on your diskette.

        FF.DOC  - Documentation file, (if
    you did not get the printed manual) this
    can also be deleted from    your work disk
    to give you more room on your diskette.

        REBUILD.EXE - If you are a regis-
    tered contributors to FreeFile you will
    received this program to rebuild your
    database if something happens to cause a
    "crash" (e.g., the power going out).



    FEATURES:

        Maximum number of databases opened
    at any one time is one.
        Maximum number of indexes for any
    one database is 10.
        Maximum number of records in any
    one database is 2 billion.
        Maximum Record length is 1000
    characters.
        Maximum number of fields in a
    record is 100.
        Maximum Field length is 65 char-
    acters.
        Maximum number of sorts for the
    print or export features is 100.

            (8)        Maximum number of compares for
    print and export features is 25.
        Maximum number of computed fields
    (formulas) is 100.
        Maximum number of calculated fields
    on a report is 100 (numeric and computed
    fields will be totaled at the end of the
    report).
        Comparison for date fields will be
    sorted correctly (e.g., 01/01/86 will be
    follow 12/01/85), and can be used in
    computed fields (e.g., Start date - End
    date).
        Computed fields - similar to
    formulas in spreadsheets.


        FreeFile is an filing system for
    the IBM PC.  As you can see from the
    list of features you will have the
    ability to handle fairly complex data
    storage and retrieval tasks.


            (9)


              GETTING STARTED



        FIRST!!  The first thing to do with
    any software is to make a copy of the
    original.  You will probably want to
    store the original and use only the copy
    (the "work diskette").  This will insure
    that you have a good copy of the program
    should anything ever happen to your work
    diskette.
        TO MAKE A COPY.  Put a blank
    diskette in drive B and a diskette that
    has the FORMAT program (supplied on the
    DOS diskette from IBM) in the A drive.
    Type "FORMAT B: /S" (don't type the
    quotes).
        This will format the diskette and
    put a copy of the operating system on
    your diskette.  STEP 2.  Remove from
    drive A the FORMAT diskette and insert
    the FreeFile diskette. Type "COPY *.*
    B:" (don't type the quotes).  This will
    copy all the files from the FreeFile
    diskette to your work diskette.  We
    suggest you put a write protect tab on
    the FreeFile diskette if you have not
    already done so, and store the diskette.
    (To do this put a piece of tape, which
    came with your diskettes, over the notch
    in the upper-right corner of the
    diskette).  For additional information
    on formatting a diskette and copying
    files from a diskette see your DOS
    manual.  If you have a file called
    FF.DOC on your work diskette (type "DIR

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    *.*" to find out), you might want to
    delete after printing it out to make
    more room on your diskette(you will not
    have this file on your diskette if you
    contributed $45 since you were sent a
    printed version of the manual).  You can
    do this by typing "DEL FF.DOC".
        If you have a color monitor on your
    system you might want to first run a
    program called COLOR.  FreeFile is able
    to determine if your system has a color
    graphics card in it or not.  If you do
    have a color graphics card, FreeFile
    will display the screens in color.  If
    you do not like the colors that FreeFile
    uses you can run the COLOR program to
    select different colors.  To start COLOR
    put the diskette that has the file
    COLOR.EXE in your default disk drive,
    and type the word COLOR.  Press any key
    to get pass the start-up screen.  Then
    just follow the directions given to you
    by the COLOR program.  The COLOR program
    will create a file called COLOR.FIL.
    This file must be on the same diskette
    (and in the same directory) as the
    FreeFile program.  When FreeFile starts
    it will search the current directory for
    that file if you have a color graphics
    card.  If the file COLOR.FIL is not on
    your disk, FreeFile will use the default
    color values.
        If you have a color graphics
    card, but a monochrome display you will
    need to copy the file called "NO-COLOR.-
    FIL" to "COLOR.FIL".  This will improve
    the appearance of the characters on the
    screen.  The portable COMPAQ and the IBM
    PC Portable both use this type of
    configuration.

            (11)        You can delete the COLOR.EXE file
    from your work diskette (you will want
    to leave it on the original diskette)
    once you happy with your selection of
    the colors for FreeFile, or if you do
    not have a color monitor, by typing
    "DEL COLOR.EXE".

        Now you are ready to start the
    program.  To do that just type the
    letters "FF".  The first screen will be
    the start-up screen (it has to copyright
    notice on it).  When you are ready to
    continue you may press any key.
        The first piece of information you
    are asked for is the name of the drive
    (and path if you are using pathnames)
    where your database files can be found.
    If you are on a two floppy drive system
    you might want to keep your database
    files on a separate diskette in the "B"
    drive.  If you are using a hard disk you
    can either put the database files in the
    same directory, or put them in a
    separate "database" directory.  Whatever
    you decide to do, you will need to enter
    that information at this point.
        After enter the drive information
    you will be transferred to the Main
    Menu.  The Main Menu offers you the
    major options available to you.  The
    commands are divided in three major
    categories (Data Entry, Query, System
    Commands).  Each of the three categories
    are discussed briefly below.  For more
    detail, see the individual options in
    the Reference Section later in this
    manual.

            (12)
        DATA ENTRY.   These options will
    allow you to actually change the
    information in an existing database in
    some way.  For example, you can add a
    record for a new customer.  You can also
    modify (or update, or change) informa-
    tion in your database.  You might want
    to select the Modify option to, for
    example, change the commission rate of
    one of your sales personnel.  To delete
    a record you will want to select the
    delete option.  You will be given the
    chance to confirm that the record select
    is in fact the record you wanted to
    delete before the actual delete happens.

        QUERY.  These two options will not
    actually alter the contents of the
    database in any way.  The first option
    available here is the "View" option.
    This will allow you to view a record.
    You can select to view a record based on
    a key, or select to view either the
    first or last record in your database.
    Once a record is displayed, you will be
    able to browse through your database
    by pressing either the "PgUp" key (for
    the previous record) or the "PgDn" key
    for the next record.  The "Print" option
    will allow you to send a printed copy of
    your database to your printer or a disk
    file.  This option has many other
    features available with it (see the
    Print Option on the Reference section of
    this manual).


            (13)        SYSTEM COMMANDS.  There are seven
    options that fall in this category.
    First, there is the "Create" option.
    This will allow you to define and create
    a new database.  You will need to create
    the database before you can actually
    enter any information.  The next command
    will list and allow you to modify any of
    the formulas you are using in your data-
    base.  The third option will display the
    format of your database.  All the fields
    names will be listed on your screen,
    along with their type, length, and
    whether or not they are a key field.
    The fourth option is used to select a
    database for use.  The fifth option is
    to import or export a database.  You
    would select this option to use data
    from another program (import), or to
    send data from FreeFile to another
    program (export).  The sixth option is
    the Help option.  A brief description of
    all the options are available online
    through this option.  The last option in
    this section is to Quit.  Select this
    option when you have finished your
    work and you want to return to the
    operating system.  NEVER just turn your
    computer off when you are finished
    before selecting this option!

        To select any of the individual
    options press the first letter of the
    option (this letter will appear high-
    lighted on your screen).  For example,
    if you want to create a new database you
    would press the letter "C" while you
    are at the Main Menu.  You will then be
    shown a "Sub Menu" from which you can
    select the desired action.

            (14)        The first thing you will need to do
    is to "Create" a database.  This means
    to define all the fields that you will
    be using.  If you have never done
    this before you might want to take a
    look at the first demo exercise (it
    follows this section).  After you create
    the database you can start adding
    records to it.  See one of the demos
    for more information on how this is
    done.
        There are two more keys you should
    know about before we get started with
    the tutorials.  The "Esc" key is used
    throughout FreeFile to mean to exit from
    the current screen and return to a
    pervious menu screen.  The second key
    you should know about is the "Q" key.
    When you have completed your work in
    FreeFile you exit the program by
    selecting the "Quit" command (press the
    letter "Q") off of the Main Menu.

        This manual is divided into two
    sections.  The first one is the tutor-
    ials.  The first tutorial will show you
    how to set up a phone and address
    directory database.  Each entry for our
    database will have the name of the
    person, a phone number, address and date
    of birth.  The second tutorial will be a
    bit more complex.  We will set up a
    database for a rental store.  Following
    the tutorial section is the reference
    section.  This section will provide you
    with a detailed description of the major
    options available in FreeFile.

            (15)



                    DEMO1


        DEMO1 is a sample database which
    has been included to help you get a feel
    for how a FreeFile database works.
    DEMO1 is fairly basic while DEMO2 is
    more involved.  It is assumed that you
    have already read the section called
    "Getting Started".  We will walk you
    though each step of how DEMO1 was
    created.  If you wish, you can practice
    by creating another database called
    PHONE.
        DEMO1 is a database for a telephone
    and address directory.  Here is how it
    was created:
        First, start FreeFile by putting
    the diskette in your default drive and
    typing the letters "FF" (for FreeFile -
    don't type the quotes).  You will be
    asked to enter the name of the drive
    where your databases will be located.
    If you are on a two drive floppy system
    you might choose to put your database on
    a blank diskette on drive "B".  To do
    this, type "b:" (don't type the quo-
    tes).  You can press the ENTER key to
    cause the databases to appear on the
    current default drive and in the current
    default directory.

        Help.  Once FreeFile is started
    you will see the Main Menu.  You can
    select the help option by pressing the
    letter "H".  You will see the Help

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    Menu.  You can select any of the topics
    by typing in the number and pressing the
    ENTER key.  Once you have finished
    reading the help text press any key to
    return to the Help Menu.  To return to
    the Main Menu press the Esc (Escape) key
    from the Help Menu.

        Quit.  When you have finished you
    will need to select the Quit (by typing
    the letter "Q") option from the Main
    Menu.  You must always select this
    option rather then just turning your
    computer off to prevent damage to your
    databases.

        Create.    The first option we need
    to choose is to create a database.  This
    is option "C".  You will be asked to
    provide a name for the database.  This
    name can be up to eight characters long
    and must conform to standard PC-DOS
    naming rules (can include letters,
    numbers, and some special characters but
    no blanks - see the DOS manual for
    more information).  You will not need to
    provide an extension since FreeFile will
    do that for you.  When you have entered
    the name for the database press the
    ENTER key.  The next item to be entered
    is an optional description of the
    database.  Since it is often difficult
    to create a meaningful name in the eight
    letters that DOS limits you to, FreeFile
    allows an additional 35 characters for
    more information.  Enter your descrip-
    tion and press the ENTER key.
        Four column headings will appear.
    The headings are Field Name, Data Type,
    Length, and Key.  Enter the first field

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    name ("Name") and press the ENTER key.
    The cursor will move over to the Data
    Type column.  Here we have four opt-
    ions.  They are "A" (for Alphanumeric -
    and keyboard character), "N" (for
    Numeric), "D" (for Date), and "C" (for
    Computed).  Press the "A" key and press
    the ENTER key.  The cursor will now move
    over to the Length column.  Enter "30"
    and press the ENTER key.  The cursor is
    finally located at the last column,
    labeled "Key".  This column is for
    whether or not we want to use this field
    as a key field.  Since we do want to
    look up our friends phone numbers' and
    address' by their names we will enter a
    "Y" for this item.
        If you find that you made a
    mistake, you can edit any of the items
    on the screen by moving the cursor to
    that item with the arrow keys on the
    number pad of your keyboard.  You must
    be certain, however, to see that each
    item is entered.
        You may now enter the remaining
    fields.
        Field 2:     Name = Street Addr.
                Data Type = A
                Length = 30
                Key = N
        Field 3:  Name = City
                Data Type = A
                Length = 15
                Key = N
        Field 4:     Name = State
                Data Type = A
                Length = 2
                Key = N
        Field 5:  Name = Zip
                Data Type = N

            (18)
                Length = 5
                Key = N
        Field 6:  Name = Area Code
                Data Type = N
                Length = 3
                Key = N
        Field 7:  Name = Phone
                Data Type = N
                Length = 7
                Key = N

        The database is now defined.  Your
    cursor should be in the field number 8
    and there should not be anything on that
    line.  If you press the ENTER key you
    will get an Action Menu.  This menu will
    allow you to: continue with creating a
    database definition (option 1), exit the
    create mode without saving this defini-
    tion (option 2), or to create the
    database with the definition you have
    provided (option 3).  Option 3 is the
    default option.  If you just press the
    ENTER key you will get option 3.  You
    may press the ENTER key at this time.

        Add.  Once your database is created
    you will be returned to the Main Menu.
    The first thing we need to do is to
    enter some data into our database.
    Select the "A" option to ADD a record.
    You will now see the Add Screen.  On the
    top line of the screen is the name of
    the database and the description.  The
    left side of the screen is the field
    names.  The brackets to the right of the
    field names are for the actual data for
    that field.  The brackets are the size
    of the field that you defined.  The
    lower part of the screen contains a

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    window.  You can see that we are in the
    "Insert" mode.  You can change to the
    "Replace" mode if you like by pressing
    the "Ins" (Insert) key.
        The reverse video cursor is on the
    first field.  This cursor marks our
    position.  You may now enter the name,
    address and phone number of someone you
    know.  You will notice that your
    computer will beep at you if you try to
    type beyond the field length.  The
    computer will also beep at you if you
    try to type an alphabetic character in a
    numeric field (fields Zip, Area Code and
    Phone are all defined as Numeric).  If
    you try to type a character in a field
    that is already filled with information,
    the computer will beep at you.  You will
    need to delete a character(s) or switch
    to the "Replace" mode to enter data in a
    full field.  Enter three records (three
    people).
        When you have completed entering
    data, press the Esc (Escape) key before
    you have typed anything for the next
    record.  The Esc key will not add the
    current record, if you have already
    entered some data for that record, so
    make sure that you press the Esc key on
    a blank screen so that you will not
    loose any of your data for the current
    record.  This will take you out of the
    Add screen and return you to the Main
    Menu.

        View.  Now we can view some of your
    data.  Select the "V" option (for View)
    from the Main Menu.  The View Menu list
    all the key fields in your database.
    You are asked to select one of these

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    fields to retrieve your data.  Since we
    have only one key (the field called
    Name), all we need to do is to press the
    ENTER key.  The Action Menu at the
    bottom of the screen displays the three
    ways to retrieve a record.  The first
    way is for you to enter a keyed value
    and FreeFile will try find the record.
    You might enter the name "John Smith",
    for example.  The second way is to start
    with the first record and "walk" towards
    the end of the database, one record at a
    time.  The last way is to start with the
    last record and to "walk" forward, one
    record at a time.
        For now, let's select option two
    (find the first record).  After select-
    ing this option you will see the View
    Screen.  You database is sorted in
    alphabetical order.  We have selected
    the first record based on the names your
    entered.  You can get the next record
    by pressing the "PgDn" (Page Down) key.
    You can get the previous record by
    pressing the "PgUp" (Page Up) key.  Once
    you reach either the start or end of the
    database you will not be able to
    continue in that direction any longer
    (your computer will beep at you and send
    you a message).
        Once you have finished viewing your
    database press the Esc key.  This will
    return you to the "Key Fields" screen.
    You could now select a different field
    to start the search on, or select to
    use the same field, but start at the end
    of the database, for example.  If you
    press the Esc key again (while your on
    the "Key Fields" screen) you will return
    to the Main Menu.  You may press the Esc
    key now.

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        Format.  Now that we are back at
    the Main Menu we can demonstrate another
    important feature of FreeFile.  There
    might be times when you have forgotten
    whether you have defined a field as
    alphanumeric or just numeric.  You can
    find out that information by selection
    the "Format of Database" (option "F")
    option from the Main Menu.
        The Format Screen is very similar
    to the "Create New Database" Screen.
    The field names are on the left, and
    there are columns for the Data Type,
    Length, and Key.  You cannot change any
    of this information, it is just for
    viewing.  If you have many fields
    defined in your database not all will
    fit on one screen.  You can use the PgDn
    and the PgUp keys to move to the next or
    previous screens.
        When you have completed examining
    the format, press the Esc key to return
    to the Main Menu.

        Modify.  The Modify option is
    similar to the View option except the
    Modify option will allow you to actually
    change some of your data, while the View
    option does not permit this.  Select the
    "M" option (for Modify) from the Main
    Menu.  The Modify Menu list all the Key
    fields in your database.  You are asked
    to select one of these fields to
    retrieve your data.  Since we have only
    one key (the field called Name), all we
    need to do is to press the ENTER key.
    The Action Menu at the bottom of the
    screen displays the three ways to
    retrieve a record.  The first way is for

            (22)
    you to enter a keyed value and FreeFile
    will try find the record.  You might
    enter the name "Robert Shaw", for
    example.  The second way is to start
    with the first record and "walk" towards
    the end of the database, a record at a
    time.  The last way is to start with the
    last record and to "walk" forward, a
    record at a time.
        For now, let's select option two
    (find the first record).  After select-
    ing this option you will see the Modify
    Screen.  You database is sorted in
    alphabetical order.  We have selected
    the first record based on the names your
    entered.  You can get the next record
    by pressing the "PgDn" (Page Down) key.
    You can get the previous record by
    pressing the "PgUp" (Page Up) key.  Once
    you reach either the start or end of the
    database you will not be able to
    continue in that direction any longer.
        You can move the reverse video
    cursor either up or down to select the
    desired field.  When you reach the end
    of the record you will be transferred to
    the next record.  Select one of the
    fields to be modified.  Make some change
    and press the ENTER key.  Your change
    will be recorded in the database.
        Your changes will in made in the
    default mode of INSERT unless you select
    the REPLACE mode.  If a field is already
    full and you try to insert an additional
    character your computer will beep at
    you.  If this happens to you either
    switch to the replace mode (by pressing
    the "Ins" key), or delete a letter(s)
    with the "Del" key.

            (23)
        Once you have finished modifying
    your database press the Esc key.  This
    will return you to the "Key Fields"
    screen.  You could now select a diffe-
    rent field to start the search on, or
    select to use the same field, but start
    at the end of the database, for exam-
    ple.  If you press the Esc key again
    (while your on the "Key Fields" screen)
    you will return to the Main Menu.  You
    may press the Esc key now.

        Print.  Our last exercise for this
    demo session is to print out a report.
    To print a report you will need to
    select the "P" (for Print) option from
    the Main Menu.
        The first screen will be for the
    selection of previous reports.  FreeFile
    will allow you to save your report
    formats if you change any of the default
    settings.  Since we want to print a
    report with all the default settings you
    will want to select option "2" (create a
    new file).
        The next menu is the Print Action
    Menu.  This menu will allow us to print
    the report with the current settings
    (option 1), change one of the default
    settings (option 2), change the order
    (option 3), or select certain cases to
    be printed (option 4).  You will want to
    select option 1 (we will take all the
    default print formats).
        If your printer is not ready, you
    will receive a message from FreeFile and
    be told that you can press Esc (the
    escape key) to cancel the print request,
    or press any other key once your printer
    is ready.  While the printer is printer,

            (24)
    you may stop the printer by pressing the
    Esc key.  Once the printer has stopped
    you may press the Esc key again to
    cancel the print request, or press any
    other key once you are ready to have the
    printer continue.
        At the end of your report you will
    notice a section called "Summary".  This
    section will contain the date the report
    was printed.  It will also contain the
    sum of all numeric and computed fields.
    You can see in DEMO1 you will get a sum
    for the fields Zip, Area Code, and
    Phone.  Of course, the sum of these
    three fields is not meaningful, but you
    will want the sums of many of the fields
    that you define as numeric or computed
    in the databases you will create in the
    future.  The last line of the Summary
    section is the number of records
    printed, and the total number of records
    in your database.  In this example, we
    have chosen to print all the records for
    the database, so the two numbers will be
    the same.  If you had selected to print
    only certain records (by selecting
    option 4 from the Print Action Menu),
    these two numbers might not have been
    the same.
        If you have a printer that prints
    only 80 columns you may have noticed
    that your information does not all fit
    on one line.  FreeFile allows several
    ways of dealing with that problem.
    FreeFile has a "Print Type" called
    "Snapshot".  If you select this format,
    each field will appear on a new line and
    each record will start a new page.  This
    format is very similar to the data entry
    screens you used to add and modify the

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    data.  Another way of correcting this
    situation is to change the page width to
    be 80 rather than the default of 132
    characters.  In Demo2 we will examine
    the print format options in greater
    detail and show you how you can change
    the appearance of your reports.


            (26)



                    DEMO2


        DEMO2 is a sample database which
    has been included to help you get a feel
    for how a FreeFile database works.
    DEMO2 is a bit more involved than DEMO1
    was.  It is assumed that you have
    already read the section called "Getting
    Started".  We will walk you though each
    step of how DEMO2 was created.  If you
    wish, you can practice by creating
    another database called RENTALS.
        DEMO2 is a database for a rental
    business.  Here is how it was created:
        First, start FreeFile by putting
    the diskette in your default drive and
    typing the letters "FF" (for FreeFile -
    don't type the quotes).  You will be
    asked to enter the name of the drive
    where your databases will be located.
    If you are on a two drive floppy system
    you might choose to put your database on
    a blank diskette on drive "B".  To do
    this, type "b:" (don't type the quo-
    tes).  You can press the ENTER key to
    cause the databases to appear on the
    current default drive.

        Help.  Once FreeFile is started
    you will see the Main Menu.  You can
    select the help option by pressing the
    letter "H".  You will see the Help
    Menu.  You can select any of the topics
    by typing in the number and pressing the
    ENTER key.  Once you have finished

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    reading the help text press any key to
    return to the Help Menu.  To return to
    the Main Menu press the Esc (Escape) key
    from the Help Menu.

        Quit.  When you have finished you
    will need to select the Quit (by typing
    the letter "Q") option from the Main
    Menu.  You must always select this
    option rather then just turning your
    computer off to prevent damage to your
    databases.

        Create.    The first option we need
    to choose is to create a database.  This
    is option "C".  You will be asked to
    provide a name for the database.  This
    name can be up to eight characters long
    and must conform to standard PC-DOS
    naming rules (see the DOS manual for
    more information).  You will not need to
    provide an extension since FreeFile will
    do that for you.  You can use the name
    RENTALS.  When you have entered the name
    for the database press the ENTER key.
    The next item to be entered is an
    optional description of the database.
    Since it is often difficult to create a
    meaningful name in the eight letters
    that DOS limits you to, FreeFile allows
    an additional 35 characters for more
    information.  Enter your descrip-
    tion and press the ENTER key.
        Four column headings will appear.
    The headings are Field Name, Data Type,
    Length, and Key.  Enter the first field
    name ("Item Rented") and press the ENTER
    key.  The cursor will move over to the
    Data Type column.  Here we have four
    options.  They are "A" (for Alpha-

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    numeric), "N" (for Numeric), "D" (for
    Date), and "C" (for Computed).  Press
    the "A" key and press the ENTER key.
    The cursor will now move over to the
    Length column.  Enter "50" and press the
    ENTER key.  The cursor is finally
    located at the last column.  This column
    is for whether or not we want to use
    this field as a key field.  Since we do
    want to use the name of the item rented
    to find rental information, we will
    enter a "Y" for this item.
        If you find that you made a
    mistake, you can edit any of the items
    on the screen by moving the cursor to
    that item with the arrow keys on the
    number pad of your keyboard.  You must
    be certain, however, to see that each
    item is entered.
        You may now enter the remaining
    fields.
          Field 2:     Name = Date Rented
                    Data Type = D
                    Length = 8
                    Key = N
        Field 3:  Name = Dt. Due Back
                Data Type = D
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 4:     Name = Daily Rate
                Data Type = N
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 5:  Name = Amount Due
                Data Type = C
                Formula = (Dt. Due Back -
                    Date Rented + 1) *
                    Daily Rate
                Length = 8
                Key = N

            (29)
        Field 6:  Name = Rented To
                Data Type = A
                Length = 30
                Key = Y
        Field 7:  Name = Street Addr.
                Data Type = A
                Length = 30
                Key = N
          Field 9:     Name = City
                Data Type = A
                    Length = 15
                    Key = N
        Field 9:     Name = State
                Data Type = A
                Length = 2
                Key = N
        Field 10: Name = Zip
                Data Type = N
                Length = 5
                Key = N
        Field 11:    Name =Phone
                Data Type = N
                Length = 7
                Key = N
        Field 12: Name = Return Date
                Data Type = D
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 13: Name = Actual Due
                Data Type = C
                Formula = (Return Date -
                    Date Rented + 1) *
                    Daily Rate
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 14: Name = Amount Paid
                Data Type = N
                Length = 8
                Key = N

            (30)
        The database is now defined.  Your
    cursor should be in the field number 15
    and there should not be anything on that
    line.  If you press the ENTER key you
    will get an Action Menu.  This menu will
    allow you to: continue with creating
    a database definition (option 1), or
    exit the create mode without saving this
    definition (option 2), or to create the
    database with the definition you have
    provided (option 3).  Option 3 is the
    default option.  If you just press the
    ENTER key you will get option 3.  You
    may press the ENTER key at this time.

        Add.  Once your database is created
    you will be returned to the Main Menu.
    The first thing we need to do is
    to enter some data into our database.
    Select the "A" option to ADD a record.
    You will now see the Add Screen.  On the
    top line of the screen is the name of
    the database and the description.  The
    left side of the screen is the field
    names.  The brackets to the right of the
    field names are for the actual data for
    that field.  The brackets are the size
    of the field that you defined.  The
    lower part of the screen contains a
    window.  You can see that we are in the
    "Insert" mode.  You can change to the
    "Replace" mode if you like by pressing
    the "Ins" (Insert) key.
        The reverse video cursor is on the
    first field.  This cursor marks our
    position.  You will notice that your
    computer will beep at you if you try to
    type beyond the field length.  The
    computer will also beep at you if you

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    try to type an alphabetic character in a
    numeric field (daily rate, zip, phone,
    and amount paid are all defined as
    Numeric).  You will not be able to type
    anything in a field defined as a
    computed field (amount due, and actual
    due are computed fields).  Computed
    fields are "entered" by FreeFile.  If
    you try to type a character in a field
    that is already filled with information,
    the computer will beep at you.  You will
    need to delete a character(s) or switch
    to the "Replace" mode to enter data in a
    full field.  Enter three records (make
    up three items that where rented).  You
    might notice that after entering the
    data for daily rate, and return data,
    the next fields (amount due and actual
    due) were entered by FreeFile.  These
    fields are the computed fields.
        When you have completed entering
    data, press the Esc (Escape) key before
    you have typed anything for the next
    record.  The Esc key will not add the
    current record, if you have already
    entered some data for that record, so
    make sure that you press the Esc key on
    a blank screen so that you will not
    loose any of your data for the current
    record.  This will take you out of the
    Add screen and return you to the Main
    Menu.
        You can select the View option
    (press the "V" key while at the Main
    Menu) to view your records.  Return to
    the Main Menu by pressing the Esc key
    twice.

        List/Modify formulas.  You can at
    any point list all the formulas in your

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    database.  These formulas can be
    modified as well if you find a need to
    alter one or more of them.  Remember
    that you can use the left and right
    parentheses to change the order in which
    the formula is computed.  You can also
    use any of the following four arithmetic
    operators: +, -, *, /.  Formulas can be
    up to 55 characters long.
        Select the "L" option from the Main
    Menu.  You will then see a list of all
    formulas for the computed fields in your
    database.  Select the formula to be
    modified by moving the reverse video
    cursor either up or down (with the up or
    down arrows) until the desired formula
    is highlighted.  The default edit mode
    is INSERT.  In this mode all the
    characters you type will be inserted
    into the formula.  If you want to change
    the edit mode to REPLACE, press the
    "Ins" key.  You may also use the "Del"
    and the Backspace key.  Press the ENTER
    key when you have finished with the
    modification and you what to save the
    changed formula.  Press the Esc key if
    you want to cancel the changes you made
    to this formula.  The Esc key will also
    return you to the Main Menu.
        Let's make the following changes to
    our formulas.  Our example formulas in
    the rental database are a bit tough on
    the customer.  We insist that the
    customer pay for two days when s/he
    picks the item up on a Saturday and
    returns it on a Sunday, for example.
    Let's say that we want to change our
    policy and if a customer picks the item
    up on a Saturday and returns it on a
    Sunday we want to charge him/her for

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    just one day.  The reverse video
    cursor highlights the first formula to
    be changed.  The first formula will
    appear in the window on the bottom
    of your screen.  Move the cursor over to
    the part of the formula that says " + 1"
    (put the cursor under the space before
    the plus sign), and press the Del
    (delete) key four times.  This will
    erase the " + 1".  Press the ENTER key.
    Now move the reverse video cursor down
    to the next formula by pressing the down
    arrow.  Locate the portion of the second
    formula that say " + 1" and delete that
    part of the formula.  Press the ENTER
    key.  You must press the ENTER key to
    actually make any of the changes you
    want.  If you press the Esc key before
    pressing the ENTER key your changes to
    that formula will not become effective.
    Once your changes are made and the ENTER
    key pressed, press the Esc key to return
    to the Main Menu.  Select the View
    option to see the effect of your
    changes.

        Delete a Record.  There may be
    times when you would like to delete a
    record from your database.  Maybe you
    found that you have entered the same
    information twice.  To delete a record
    you will need to select the "D" (for
    delete) option from the Main Menu.  The
    first screen you will see displays the
    key fields.  These are the fields that
    FreeFile can use to retrieve data from
    your database.  They are the path, or
    roadmap, that FreeFile will use to find
    your data.  You must select one of these
    fields.  For this demo, we will delete

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    the first record based on the Item
    Rented.  Since that is the field that is
    in reverse video, all you need to do is
    to press the ENTER key.

        The next option to be selected is
    how you want to search the database for
    the desired record to be deleted.  You
    can search by the key, select the first
    record, or select the last record.  We
    want to find the first record, so you
    will need to select option 2.
        The delete screen will display the
    database name and description (if you
    entered one when creating the database)
    on the top line.  To delete the current
    record, press the ENTER key.  You will
    be asked to confirm that this is the
    record you want to delete.  Type a "Y"
    (for "yes") if you do want to delete the
    current record.  Type a "N" (for "no")
    if you do not want to delete this
    record.  Press the "Y" key at this
    point.
        Once you confirm the delete action,
    the data part of the screen will
    disappear, and all that will remain will
    be the field names.  Press the "Esc" key
    to return to the Main Menu, or press the
    "PgUp" (Page Up) key to go to the
    previous record, or the "PgDn" (Page
    Down) key to go to the next record.
        Should you decide you do not want
    to delete the current record you may
    press the "Esc" (Escape) key to return
    to the Main Menu.  The Esc key can also
    be used once you have finished deleting
    a record(s) and you are ready to return
    to the Main Menu.  The first Esc key
    will return you to the menu to select

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    the key field.  Another press of the Esc
    key will return you to the Main Menu.

        Print a Report.  Now we want to
    print a report.  If you are not at the
    Main Menu return to there now (you can
    do this by pressing the Esc key until
    you reach the Main Menu).  Select the
    Print option by pressing the "P" key.
    The screen will have any print files you
    might have on the same disk with your
    database.  We want to create a new print
    file so you will need to press the "2"
    key.

        Change Options.  You will be at the
    Print Action Menu.  Select option "2"
    ("Change options").  FreeFile will
    display the Print Option Menu.  The
    first change we want to make is to
    change the print type (option 4 and 5).
    The default print type is for "list-
    ing".  The default will print a new line
    for each record printed.  We want to
    change that to print a new page for each
    record (this is the "Snapshot" option -
    number 5).  This option will print out a
    report that looks somewhat similar to
    the screens you used to enter the data.
    Select option 5 now by pressing the "5"
    key.  Press the Esc key to return to the
    Print Action Menu.  Press "1" to print
    the new report.  You will be asked if
    you want to save this report format.
    Press "N" (for no).  Your printer should
    start printing.
        For the next report we will want to
    return to the Print Option Menu.  Press
    the "2" key from the Print Action Menu.
    This next report we want to print a

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    listing report, but we want it to print
    on our screen rather on our printer.
    Select option "4" to return to the
    "listing" print type.  Next, press
    option "2" to cause the report to be
    printed on the screen.  Press the Esc
    key to return to the Print Action Menu.
    Select "1" to print, and press "N" when
    asked if you want to save the print
    format.
        You can see that it is very
    difficult to read this report.  That is
    because we have instructed FreeFile to
    print each record on one line, and each
    record is 195 characters long.  Since
    our screen can only display 80 char-
    acter, the line "wraps" making it
    difficult to read.  It could be that we
    don't really need to see all the
    information in the database, perhaps
    only a few fields are needed on the
    report.  Return to the Print Action Menu
    and we will try to solve this problem.

        Change Order.  The option "Change
    Order" (option 3) deals mostly with
    sorting a database.  You can change the
    order in which fields appear on a
    report, as well as the sorting of the
    actual data.  The "Change Order" option
    also allows you to select certain fields
    for printing.  The default is that all
    fields will be printed.  We now want to
    print a report listing of all the items
    ever rented and the date those items are
    due back.  Here is how you would do
    that:
        Select option 3 from the Print
    Action Menu.  The reverse video cursor
    will be positioned under the column

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    labeled "SELECT FIELD" for the first
    field.  Since we want to select this
    first field we will leave it alone and
    move to the next field by pressing the
    down arrow.  Since we don't want to
    select the second field you will need to
    type the letter "N".    Move it to the
    next field by pressing the down key.
    Since we also want to include the field
    called "Dt. Due Back" we will leave the
    value as "YES" and move down to the next
    field.  Change the remaining values in
    the SELECT FIELD column to be "NO".
        Return to the Print Action Menu by
    pressing the Esc key.  Press the "1" key
    to select to print.  Answer "N" when
    asked if you want to save the print
    format.  Since we had change the print
    location previously to be our screen,
    the current report will print on the
    screen.  We now have a report of the
    items rented and their due dates.
    Return to the Print Action Menu by
    pressing any key after the report has
    printed.
        We can easily change the order of
    the fields on the report.  Select the
    "Change Order" option (option 3) from
    the Print Action Menu.  The column
    labeled "PRINT" is the order that each
    field will be printed.  The default is
    that the first field will be printed
    first and the second field will be
    printed second, and so on.  We currently
    have two fields selected to be printed.
    We now want to have the field "Item
    Rented" to be printed second and
    "Dt. Due Back" to be printed first.  To
    make that change, enter a two under the
    PRINT column for "Item Rented" and a one

            (38)
    under the PRINT column for "Dt. Due
    Back".  This will cause "Item Rented" to
    be printed after "Dt. Due Back" since
    item rented has a greater value for the
    column PRINT then does "Dt. Due Back".
    To print this new report, return to the
    Print Action Menu by pressing the Esc
    key.  Select the print option, and
    respond "N" to the question about saving
    your report format.

        Return to the Main Menu now by
    pressing the Esc key until you have
    reached it.  This will clear all the
    report format out and return them to
    their default values.
        Our next exercise will be to print
    a blank line between each record, and to
    print some fields on separate lines.
    First select the "P" option from the
    Main Menu.  You will be given the chance
    to select a previously defined report
    format, or to create a new file.  We
    want to create a new report format, so
    select option 2.
        At the Print Action Menu you will
    want to select option 3.  Move the
    reverse video cursor over to the column
    labeled "LINE NBR.".  The default
    setting is to print all fields on the
    same line, therefore all fields have the
    same relative line number.  Change the
    first field to line 2 (this will cause
    a blank line to be printed before each
    new record).  Move the reverse video
    cursor down to the next field by
    pressing the down arrow.  Change the
    value in field two to 3.  This will
    cause Date Rented to be printed on the
    line following Item Rented.  On the same

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    line as Date Rented we also want to
    print Dt. Due Back, Daily Rate, and
    Amount Due.  You many change the value
    in the LINE NBR. column for these fields
    to be 3 also.  We want the data for the
    field Rented To to appear on the next
    line, so change the value in LINE
    NBR. for Rented To to 4.  Street
    Addr. will be on the following line, so
    make that value a 5.  City, State, Zip,
    and Phone can all appear on line 6.  The
    last three fields, Return Date, Actual
    Due, and Amount Paid, will be printed on
    line 7.  In summary, the values for the
    column LINE NBR. should be 2, 3, 3, 3,
    3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7.
        Press the Esc key to return to the
    Print Action Menu.  If you want to print
    your report on your screen rather than
    the printer, you will need to select
    option 2 from the Print Action Menu and
    make that change at this point.
        To print our new report, select
    option 1.  Respond with a "N" when asked
    about saving the report format to disk.
    You might noticed that the headings for
    the fields are not printed above each
    field that we printed.  That is because
    we selected to print the fields on
    different lines rather than on the same
    line.  This report looks rather messy as
    the result.  This report points out the
    advantage of using the print type of
    "Snapshot" described earlier in this
    demo.  In the Snapshot, fields can be on
    separate lines, but each field is
    labeled with its name.  There may be
    times when you will want a report like
    the one you just produced, but when you
    need to print fields on separate lines,
    the Snapshot print type is usually best.

            (40)
        Return once again to the Main Menu
    by pressing the Esc key until you
    have reached it.  This will clear all
    the report format out and return them to
    their default values.  We now want to
    print out a report of all rental items
    that have not yet been returned.  If you
    have entered a date for each record in
    your database for the field Return Date
    you will need to select the Modify
    option form the Main Menu and remove the
    data from one or two of your record (you
    remove the date by positioning the
    reverse video cursor over the Return
    Date field and pressing the Del (delete)
    key until the date disappears).  After
    removing a date from one of the records,
    return to the Main Menu.
        Select the "P" option for our last
    print exercise.  Select to create a new
    report file when given that option.  At
    the Print Action Menu you will need to
    select option three.  We want to print
    only three fields in this report.  The
    fields are Item Rented, Dt. Due Back,
    and Actual Due.  Enter a "N" (for NO) in
    the column for SELECT FIELD for all
    other fields.  Press the Esc key when
    finished.
        Once you have returned to the Print
    Action Menu you will want to select
    option four (select cases).  The first
    report we want is a listing of all items
    where the return date is not entered
    (the item has been rented but not
    returned yet).  Move the reverse video
    cursor down (by using the down arrow)
    until it is positioned over the field
    called Return Date.  Press the ENTER key

            (41)
    to select that field.  The next item is
    to select the relationship used in the
    comparison.  We want to select a case
    when the value is "equal" so we can just
    press the ENTER key.  If you wanted one
    of the other relationship operators to
    be selected you would move the reverse
    video cursor left or right with the
    arrow keys and press Enter to make your
    selection.
        The next item is the value to be
    compared.  Since we want to select the
    cases where there is no entry we will
    enter the value "0" (don't type the
    quotes) and then press the ENTER key.
    You enter zero rather than a space since
    Return Date is defined as a date field,
    and date fields, like numeric fields
    have a value of zero when they are
    "empty".  If we were trying to select an
    field that was "empty" and defined as a
    alphanumeric field we would just hit the
    ENTER key without typing anything else
    to indicate "nothing".
        The next item ask for the "Logical
    Connector".  This is how each of your
    relationships will be connected.  You
    can define up to 25 relationships for
    each report.  We do not want to add any
    other conditions for the selection so we
    will move the reverse video cursor to
    the word "NONE" and press Enter.
        We will return to the Print Action
    Menu.  Select the print option (number
    1) and respond "N" to the question about
    saving your print format.  There are
    several things you might have questions
    about in this report.  First, the field
    Actual Due might look with something
    like "********" (this will depend on the

            (42)
    actual data you entered).  This is
    because the length of the result of the
    computed field is greater than what we
    defined the length of the field. If
    FreeFile tried to print out the field,
    it would run into the next field on the
    report.  The data is still save, it is
    just not being printed out (a Snapshot
    will correctly print out the data).
        You might also noticed that the
    value of the sum of Actual Due (in the
    Summary at the end of the report) is a
    large negative number.  This might at
    first appear to be an error.  In fact it
    is exactly what we asked for.  In our
    formula we said that the value of Actual
    Due is equal to "(Return Date - Date
    Rented) * Daily Rate".  When FreeFile
    finds a date field in a formula it
    converts the date to a Julian date.  For
    example, the date 10/01/85 is converted
    to 85274.  If the Date Rented was
    10/01/85, and the Return Date was 0 (the
    item was not yet returned) and the daily
    rate was $25.00, the result would be
    -2,131,850.00.  All the items called for
    in the formula are entered, the computed
    field's value will not appear to be
    correct.

        Return to the Main Menu by pressing
    the Esc key until you have reached it.
    This will clear all the report format
    out and return them to their default
    values.  Now we want to print a report
    that will list all items rented when the
    Dt. Due Back is greater than today's
    date.  Select the "P" option from the
    Main Menu and then select to create a
    new report file.  Pick option 3 to

            (43)
    change the order to select only fields
    Item Rented, Dt. Date Rented, and Due
    Back.  Return to the Print Action Menu
    by pressing the Esc key.
        Select option 4 (Select Cases) from
    the Print Action Menu.  Move the reverse
    video cursor to the field Dt. Due Back.
    Press the ENTER key to select that
    field.  Move the reverse video cursor to
    the "greater than" sign ( ">" ) when
    asked for the Relationship.  Enter the
    word "Today" for Value to be Compared,
    and press Enter.  This will get the
    system date from your computer (you will
    have had to correctly entered the date
    when you started your computer for this
    to work properly).  Move the reverse
    video cursor to NONE when asked for the
    Logical Connecter.
        Select the print option (number 1)
    when returned to the Print Action Menu.
    Respond "N" when asked if you want to
    save the report format.  Your report
    will list all items rented which are due
    to be returned in the future (if you
    have entered any future dates when you
    were adding records to your database).
        If you try to print your report
    again before returning to the Main Menu
    the selection criterion you entered will
    remain in effect.  If you return to the
    Main Menu, or select option 4 (Select
    Cases) then FreeFile will be reset to
    select all cases.

        Import/Export.  The Import/Export
    options serve two general purposes; (1)
    Transfer of data to, or from, other
    programs, and (2) Modify the structure
    of your FreeFile database.  The first

            (44)
    purpose is to either take some of your
    data from a FreeFile database and
    convert it to a format that some other
    program can read and use (e.g., a
    spreadsheet program, or another database
    program).  The second general purpose,
    modify your FreeFile database structure,
    will be deal with in this demo.
        Want we want to do is to change the
    length of one of the fields in our
    Rentals database, and to add one addit-
    ional field onto the end of the database
    (you can only add fields to the end of a
    database).  Return to the Main Menu if
    you have not already have done so by
    pressing the Esc key until you have
    reached it.
        The first thing we need to do is to
    export our Rentals database so that we
    can then import the data into the new
    database structure.  Select the Import-
    /Export option from the Main Menu
    (Option "I" for Import).  Select option
    "2" (Export a database) from the
    Import/Export Menu.  You will be given
    the Export Menu.  Notice that this
    menu looks very similar to the Print
    Menu.  You can select to change the
    order (option 2), or select cases
    (option 3).   These options will work
    just like they do when you print a
    report.  You can select only certain
    fields to be exported and only certain
    cases, for example.  We will want to
    select all fields, and all cases so we
    will not want to change any of the
    default values.
        Select option "1" (Export a
    database) from the Export Menu.  You
    will be asked to enter a name for the

            (45)
    export file.  You will need to enter the
    full name (including drive name, path
    name and extension, if any of these
    values are used).  Be certain that you
    have enough room on your disk for the
    exported file.  You may want to use a
    filename like "EXPORT".
        Next, we need to create the new
    database.  This is option "C" from the
    Main Menu, select this option now.  You
    will be asked to provide a name for the
    database.  This name can be up to eight
    characters long and must conform to
    standard PC-DOS naming rules (see the
    DOS manual for more information).  You
    will not need to provide an extension
    since FreeFile will do that for you.
    You can use the name RENTAL-1.  When you
    have entered the name for the database
    press the ENTER key.  The next item to
    be entered is an optional description of
    the database.  Since it is often
    difficult to create a meaningful name in
    the eight letters that DOS limits you
    to, FreeFile allows an additional 35
    characters for more information.  Enter
    your description and press the ENTER
    key.
        Four column headings will appear.
    The headings are Field Name, Data Type,
    Length, and Key.  Enter the first field
    name ("Item Rented") and press the ENTER
    key.  The cursor will move over to the
    Data Type column.  Here we have four
    options.  They are "A" (for Alpha-
    numeric), "N" (for Numeric), "D" (for
    Date), and "C" (for Computed).  Press
    the "A" key and press the ENTER key.
    The cursor will now move over to the
    Length column.  Enter "50" and press the

            (46)
    ENTER key.  The cursor is finally
    located at the last column.  This column
    is for whether or not we want to use
    this field as a key field.  Since we do
    want to use the name of the item rented
    to find rental information, we will
    enter a "Y" for this item.
        If you find that you made a
    mistake, you can edit any of the items
    on the screen by moving the cursor to
    that item with the arrow keys on the
    number pad of your keyboard.  You must
    be certain, however, to see that each
    item is entered.
        You may now enter the remaining
    fields.
          Field 2:     Name = Date Rented
                    Data Type = D
                    Length = 8
                    Key = N
        Field 3:  Name = Dt. Due Back
                Data Type = D
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 4:     Name = Daily Rate
                Data Type = N
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 5:  Name = Amount Due
                Data Type = C
                Formula = (Dt. Due Back -
                    Date Rented + 1) *
                    Daily Rate
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 6:  Name = Rented To
                Data Type = A
                Length = 30
                Key = Y
        Field 7:  Name = Street Addr.

            (47)
                Data Type = A
                Length = 30
                Key = N
          Field 9:     Name = City
                Data Type = A
                    Length = 20
    (Note:  This is the field
    length we are changing,
    the value in the old
    database was 15.)
                    Key = N
        Field 9:     Name = State
                Data Type = A
                Length = 2
                Key = N
        Field 10: Name = Zip
                Data Type = N
                Length = 5
                Key = N
        Field 11:    Name =Phone
                Data Type = N
                Length = 7
                Key = N
        Field 12: Name = Return Date
                Data Type = D
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 13: Name = Actual Due
                Data Type = C
                Formula = (Return Date -
                    Date Rented + 1) *
                    Daily Rate
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 14: Name = Amount Paid
                Data Type = N
                Length = 8
                Key = N
        Field 15: Store Number
    (Note: This is the field
    we are adding.)

            (48)
                Data Type = N
                Length = 3
                Key = N

        The database is now defined.  Your
    cursor should be in the field number 16
    and there should not be anything on that
    line.  If you press the ENTER key you
    will get an Action Menu.  This menu you
    will allow you to continue with creating
    a database definition (option 1), or
    exit the create mode without saving this
    definition (option 2), or to create the
    database with the definition you have
    provided (option 3).  Option 3 is the
    default option.  If you just press the
    ENTER key you will get option 3.  You
    may press the ENTER key at this time.
        The last step is to Import the file
    you exported in the first step above.
    Return to the Main Menu if you have not
    already have done so.  Select the "I"
    option (for Import).  Select the "1"
    option from the Import/Export Menu.
    Enter the filename you provide FreeFile
    when you exported the file in the first
    step.  Your file will now be imported.
    You can examine your new file by
    selecting the "View" option from the
    Main Menu.

        Select a database.  The only
    remaining option yet to be used is the
    "Select" option.  Examine one of your
    records in your new database by using
    the View option.  Return to the Main
    Menu and enter a "S" (for Select).  You
    will be given a list of your databases.
    Choose the Rentals database (the first
    database created in this demo).  Now

            (49)
    view the same record in the original
    database.  You will use the Select
    option to switch from one database to
    another.  You can now select your
    Rental-1 database again and return to it
    if you like.

            (50)


        A D D   A   R E C O R D


    USAGE:  Allow a new record (collection
    of information) to be entered into your
    database.  For example, you would select
    this option if you have just started to
    market a new product, and you want to
    add it to your product list database.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu.  The add screen will
    display the database name and descrip-
    tion (if you entered one when creating
    the database) on the top line.  The
    field names will appear along the left
    side of the screen.  A reverse video
    cursor will appear for the first field.
    This is to represent your location.  You
    can move this reverse video cursor up
    and down with the arrow key.  Type in
    the desired information and move to the
    next field by pressing one of the
    following keys; the ENTER key, the tab
    key, or the down arrow.  Continue
    entering information for each field
    until you get to the last field.  Once
    the information for the last field is
    entered, move the reverse video cursor
    down (by using the ENTER key, tab key,
    or down arrow), and the current record
    will be stored in your database and you
    will be given a blank screen to enter
    the next record.

        The type of the field will appear
    in the bottom window.  You will not be

            (51)
    allowed to enter alphabetic characters
    in a numeric field.

        FreeFile supports full screen
    editing.  This means that you can move
    freely around the screen any change any
    of the information you have entered on
    the screen.  The "Up" and the "Down"
    arrows will move you to the previous and
    the next field respectfully.  The the
    "back tab" (Shift-Tab) and the "tab"
    will do the same thing.

        The default data entry mode is the
    insert mode.  This mode will allow you
    to type a character and cause all other
    characters to move over one place to the
    right.  When the field is full, you will
    not be allowed to insert any more
    characters (your computer will "beep" at
    you).  You can switch to the replace
    mode by pressing the "Ins" (insert)
    key.  Once in the replace mode you can
    return to the insert mode by pressing
    the "Ins" key again.  You can also use
    the "Del" (delete) key to delete
    characters as well as the backspace key.


        Should you decide you do not want
    to add your current record to the
    database you may press the "Esc"
    (Escape) key to return to the Main
    Menu.  Remember though, the Esc key
    tells FreeFile to cancel what you are
    currently doing, so the current record
    will not be added to the database.

        Once you have completed entering
    the last record to be entered during

            (52)
    this session, press the Esc key.  Be
    certain to do this while you are either
    on a screen where you have not entered
    any data yet, or on a screen where you
    do not want to keep the information you
    entered on your database.  The current
    data will not be added to your database
    if your press the Esc key.  After
    pressing the Esc key you will be
    returned to the Main Menu.

    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can add a record to
    it.  If you have not already selected a
    database when you choose this option,
    you will be provide with a list of
    databases on your disk.  You can select
    one of the databases you have created
    before, or you can choose to create a
    new database.


            (53)


             C R E A T E   A   N E W
               D A T A B A S E

    USAGE:  Before you can add any records
    to your database you must first "create"
    the database.  This process will define
    the fields you want to use, their size,
    and how they actually will be used (as
    numeric, date, alphanumeric or compu-
    ted).

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu.  You will first be
    asked to name the database.  This name
    needs to be a valid "DOS" name of up
    to eight characters.  You will not need
    to enter an "extension" for the filename
    - FreeFile will do this for you. Since
    it is often times hard to make a
    meaningful name in 8 characters you will
    given the chance to enter an optional
    description of the database.  This
    description can be up to 35 characters
    long.
        You can move around on the screen
    and change any column's information if
    you find that you have entered something
    incorrectly.  The TAB key will take you
    to the next column to your right and the
    SHIFT_TAB key will take you to the
    previous column.  The UP and DOWN arrows
    can be used to move from row to row.  Be
    careful not to leave any of the items
    blank.  Each item will be needed to
    create your database successfully.

         Field Name.  Next, you will need to

            (54)
    enter information on the various fields.
    The first item you will be asked for is
    the Field Name.  This name can be up to
    12 characters long.  You may use
    alphabetic or numeric characters.
    Spaces may also be included, but each
    field name must be unique.

         Data Type.  The field's data type
    refers to how the field will be used. If
    you define the field as NUMERIC,
    FreeFile will provide you with a sum
    total of the values of that field when
    it makes a report.  Also, you will be
    prevented from typing any other char-
    acter but numbers.  DATE type fields
    require the format month/day/year
    (mm/dd/yy).  ALPHANUMERIC may contain
    any types of characters.  COMPUTED
    fields are formulas.  These formulas are
    very similar to those used by spread-
    sheet programs.  Once you select a
    field to have the type of "Computed",
    the window on the bottom of your screen
    will request that you enter the form-
    ula.  In this formula you may reference
    other fields names (but they must
    already be defined), numeric constants
    (e.g., 100), or the keyword "TODAY".
    You can use the left and right paren-
    theses to change the order in which the
    formula is computed.  You can also use
    any of the following four arithmetic
    operators: +, -, *, /.  For example, if
    you have defined a field as "Total
    Sale" and you would like to compute the
    5% commission on this field for each
    record in your database you could create
    a computed field with a formula like:-
    "Total Sales * .05".  Computed fields

            (55)
    will have their values displayed on the
    add, modify, delete and view screens.
    These values will be rounded when there
    are two consecutive zeros after the
    decimal point, otherwise the entire
    value will be displayed.
        Computed fields, like numeric
    fields, will have their values summed
    and printed in the Summary section of
    every report.


         Length.  The length of DATE fields
    must be 8.  NUMERIC fields should be no
    longer than 15 to insure proper arith-
    metic.  ALPHANUMERIC fields may be up
    to 65 characters long.  Total record
    length can be no longer than 1000
    characters.  The present record length
    will be updated in the bottom window
    each time the length parameter is
    entered.

        Key.  Keys are how the database
    will sort the data.  Every database
    needs to have at least ONE key field.
    You may have no more than 10 keys.  You
    do not need very many keys since
    FreeFile will allow you to sort the
    database on any field when you want to
    print.  You will want to have enough
    keys to make it easy to access your
    database on one hand, yet if you have
    too many you will be wasting space on
    your disk, and be increasing slightly,
    the amount of time it takes to store a
    record.  In general, most applications
    can get by with between one and three
    keys.


            (56)
        Exit.  When you have completed
    defining the fields for your database
    you will want to exit.  The cursor will
    need to be on the first blank line
    following the field listings.  The
    cursor should be in the column labeled
    "Field Name".  Press the ENTER key with
    this column blank.  You will see a
    menu in the bottom of your screen.  This
    will allow you to (1) Continue defining
    your database, (2) Exit from this
    screen without creating a database, or
    (3) Save/Exit - save the database
    definition and exit.  This last option
    (3) will create the database for you.

    REMARKS:  After creating the database
    you still cannot print anything until
    you enter some records.  You must go
    to the ADD screen to enter your data.

            (57)


      D E L E T I N G   A   R E C O R D


    USAGE:  Allows a record (collection of
    information) to be deleted (removed)
    from your database.  Select this option
    when you need to delete a record from
    your database.  For example, to remove a
    product from your product database.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu.  The first screen
    you will see displays the key fields.
    These are the fields that FreeFile
    can use to retrieve data from your data-
    base.  They are the path, or roadmap,
    that FreeFile will use to find your
    data.  You must select one of these
    fields.  If you called the first field
    in your database "name", for example,
    and you want to view the database
    in terms of your customers' names, you
    will want to select that key field.  The
    first keyed field will be displayed
    in reverse video.  To select a keyed
    field, move the reverse video cursor
    either up or down (with the up or down
    arrow keys).  Once the desired field is
    in reverse video, press the ENTER key.


        The next option to be selected is
    how you want to search the database for
    the desired record to be deleted.
    You can search by the key, select the
    first record, or select the last
    record.  If you want to delete a

            (58)
    customer record and you have a key for
    the customer name, for example, you will
    want to select the "name" key field and
    then select to find the record by a
    key.  You will then be asked to enter
    the key value (this is the actual name
    your are searching for, e.g., "Smith's
    Hardware Store").  In this case it will
    be the customer name.  You will then be
    given a delete screen for you to
    examine.  If there is not an exact match
    (upper and lower case letters will be
    interpreted as the same), a "beep" will
    sound, and the screen will display the
    closest match.

        You can also select to start with
    the first or last record.  This option
    will allow you to "browse" through the
    database until you find the record you
    want to delete.  Once you find the
    desired record, you can select to
    delete that record.

        The delete screen will display the
    database name and description (if you
    entered one when creating the database)
    on the top line.  The field names
    will appear along the left side of the
    screen.  A reverse video cursor will
    appear for the first field.  To delete
    the current record, press the ENTER
    key.  You will be asked to confirm that
    this is the record you want to delete.
    Type a "Y" (for "yes") if you do want to
    delete the current record.  Type a "N"
    (for "no") if you do not want to delete
    this record.


            (59)        Once you confirm the delete action,
    the data part of the screen will
    disappear, and all that will remain will
    be the field names.  Press the "Esc" key
    to return to the Main Menu, or press the
    "PgUp" (Page Up) key to go to the
    previous record, or the "PgDn" (Page
    Down) key to go to the next record.

        Should you decide you do not want
    to delete the current record you may
    press the "Esc" (Escape) key to return
    to the Main Menu (you will need to press
    it twice).

    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can delete a
    record.  If you have not already
    selected a database when you choose this
    option, you will be provide with a list
    of databases on your disk.  You can
    select one of the databases you have
    created before, or you can choose to
    create a new database.


            (60)


          F O R M A T   O F   T H E
              D A T A B A S E


    USAGE:  To display all the field names,
    the data type of each field, the length
    of each field, whether or not each
    field is a key or not, and the size of
    each record.  For example, if you are
    uncertain if you defined a specific
    field as a numeric field or not.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu (option "F").  The
    screen is very similar in appearance to
    the "Create a Database" screen.  The
    first column is the field names.  Next
    is the data type for each field (alpha-
    numeric, numeric, date, or computed).
    The third column is the length for each
    field.  The last column is the whether
    or not the field is being used as
    a key.  In the lower window is the size
    of the record.  You can use the "PgDn"
    (Page Down) and the "PgUp" (Page Up) to
    move to the next, or previous screen.

    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can display its
    format.  If you have not already
    selected a database when you choose this
    option, you will be provide with a list
    of databases on your disk.  You can
    select one of the databases you have
    created before, or you can choose to
    create a new database.

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                 H E L P


    USAGE:  To get assistance with one of
    FreeFile's commands.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu (option "H").  After
    selecting the option,the Help Menu will
    appear.  Select one of the help topics
    by entering the topic number and
    pressing the ENTER key.

    REMARKS:  This option is always avail-
    able from the Main Menu.  The file
    FF.HLP is the help file and must be on
    the default drive.


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         I M P O R T / E X P O R T   A
               D A T A B A S E

    USAGE:  Can be used to transfer data to,
    or from, other programs, or to modify
    the data structure of your FreeFile
    database.  The import feature is to
    bring data into FreeFile.  You can bring
    data from any program that supports the
    DIF (Data Interchange Format) struc-
    ture.  The export feature allow you to
    pass data from FreeFile to any program
    that support DIF.  For example, you have
    a dBASE II database that you want to
    bring the data into FreeFile to be used.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu (option "I").  The
    first screen will ask you to select to
    import or export a database.  The
    following paragraphs will describe those
    options.

        Import.  This option can be used to
    bring data from other programs into an
    empty database in FreeFile, or to
    bring data into a FreeFile database that
    already contains data.  After selecting
    this option, you will be asked to
    enter the filename for the incoming
    data.  You will have to enter the full
    filename including drive name, path
    name, and extension if applicable.  The
    reason for not using the default drive
    and path name is that you might have the
    incoming data in one directory and the
    FreeFile database in another.  After

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    selecting the filename a message will
    appear on the bottom of your screen
    informing you that the data is being
    imported.
        Data can come from any source that
    creates DIF files.  Each record in a DIF
    file must end with a carriage return.
    String fields (which may contain commas
    and spaces) are enclosed with double
    quotes.  Fields within a data record are
    delimited by commas.  Most program will
    support exporting data with the DIF
    structure.  For example, if you have a
    dBASE II file to import into FreeFile
    you would enter the following command
    from within dBASE:  COPY TO [output
    filename] DELIMITED WITH ".  The double
    quote at the end of the command tells
    dBASE to use the double quote to delimit
    the fields.

        Export.  This option copies data
    from FreeFile to a disk file so that it
    can be used by other programs.  Once
    you select to export your database you
    will see the Export Menu.  This menu
    allows you to (1) Export the database,
    (2) Change order, and (3) Select cases.
    Options 2 and 3 work just like they do
    on the print menu (see sections entitled
    "Print Order" and "Select Cases to
    Print" for more details).  These options
    allow a great deal of flexibility in
    exporting your data.  You can, for
    example, select to export only certain
    fields, change the order of the fields
    to be exported, or select only certain
    cases to be exported.
        The exported file is a DIF file
    (see the import section for a discussion

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    on the DIF data structure).  Programs
    that except DIF files should be able to
    work with this file with no problems.

        When you select option "1" (to
    start the exporting of the data), you
    will have to enter the full filename
    including drive name, path name, and
    extension if applicable, for exported
    file being created by FreeFile.  The
    reason for not using the default drive
    and path name is that you might want to
    put the exported file in one directory
    and the FreeFile database in another.

    REMARKS:  You must have a database
    created and selected before you can
    import data into it, or export data from
    it.  You can also use these two options
    to change the structure of your data-
    base.  You can export a FreeFile
    database and then create a new database,
    perhaps with added fields, or fields of
    different sizes or data types, and
    import the data back to FreeFile.  If
    you are adding new fields, they will
    need to follow all the old fields.



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    L I S T / M O D I F Y   F O R M U L A S


    USAGE:  To display or alter any of the
    field you have defined as being "com-
    puted" fields.  For example, you may
    find that you have incorrectly entered a
    formula to multiple a field by 100 when
    you meant to multiple it by 10.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu.  The first screen
    will display all the formulas for the
    computed fields in the database.  You
    can use the left and right parentheses
    to change the order in which the formula
    is computed.  You can also use any of
    the following four arithmetic opera-
    tors: +, -, *, /.  Formulas can be up to
    55 characters long.

        Modify.  Select the formula to be
    modified by moving the reverse video
    cursor either up or down (with the up or
    down arrows) until the desired formula
    is highlighted.  The default edit mode
    is INSERT.  In this mode all the
    characters you type will be inserted
    into the formula.  If you want to change
    the edit mode to REPLACE, press the
    "Ins" key.  You may also use the "Del"
    and the Backspace key.  Press the ENTER
    key when you have finished with the
    modification and you what to save the
    changed formula.  Press the Esc key if
    you want to cancel the changes you made
    to this formula.  The Esc key will also
    return you to the Main Menu.

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    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can list/modify the
    formula from that database.  If you
    have not already selected a database
    when you choose this option, you will be
    provide with a list of databases on
    your disk.  You can select one of the
    databases you have created before, or
    you can choose to create a new data-
    base.  If the database you selected has
    no computed fields, the screen will
    inform you of that and you will be
    allowed to return to the Main Menu by
    pressing the Esc key.


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        M O D I F Y   A   R E C O R D


    USAGE:  Allows a record (collection of
    information) to be modified (changed).
    Select this option when you need to
    alter a piece of information that is
    already stored in your database.  For
    example, to change the billing address
    of one of your customers.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu.  The first screen
    you will see displays the key fields.
    These are the fields that FreeFile
    can use to retrieve data from your data-
    base.  They are the path, or roadmap,
    used to find your data.  You must select
    one of these fields.  If you called the
    first field in your database "name", for
    example, and you want to view the
    database in terms of your customers'
    names, you will want to select that key
    field.  The first keyed field will be
    displayed in reverse video.  To select a
    keyed field, move the reverse video
    cursor either up or down (with the up or
    down arrow keys).  Once the desired
    field is in reverse video, press the
    ENTER key.

        The next option to be selected is
    how you want to search the database for
    the desired record to be changed.
    You can search by the key, select the
    first record, or select the last
    record.  If you want to modify a

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    customer address and you have a key for
    the customer name, for example, you will
    want to select the "name" key field and
    then select to find the record by a
    key.  You will then be asked to enter
    the key value (this is the actual name
    your are searching for, e.g., "Smith
    Hardware Store").  In this case it will
    be the customer name.  You will then be
    given a "Modify" screen for you to use
    to update the data.  If there is not an
    exact match (upper and lower case
    letters will be interpreted as the
    same), a "beep" will sound, and the
    screen will display the closest match.

        You can also select to start with
    the first or last record.  This option
    will allow you to "browse" through the
    database until you find the record you
    want to modify.  Once you find the
    desired record, you can move to the
    information that needs to be altered and
    change it.

        The modify screen will display the
    database name and description (if you
    entered one when creating the database)
    on the top line.  The field names
    will appear along the left side of the
    screen.  A reverse video cursor will
    appear for the first field.  This is to
    represent your location.  You can move
    this reverse video cursor up and down
    with the arrow key.  Type in the desired
    information and move to the next field
    by pressing one of the following
    keys; the ENTER key, the tab key, or the
    down arrow (do not press "Esc" since
    this will cancel the corrections you

            (69)
    have mode to this field).  You can
    continue to enter information for each
    field until you get to the last field.
    Once the information for the last
    field is entered, move the reverse video
    cursor down (by using the ENTER key, tab
    key or down arrow), and the current
    record will be updated in your database
    and you will be given the next record in
    your database.

        The type of the field will appear
    in the bottom window.  You will not be
    allowed to enter alphabetic characters
    in a numeric field.

        FreeFile supports full screen
    editing.  This means that you can move
    freely around the screen any change any
    of the information you have entered on
    the screen.  The "Up" and the "Down"
    arrows will move you to the previous and
    the next field respectfully.  The the
    "back tab" (Shift-Tab) and the "tab"
    will do the same thing.

        The default data entry mode is the
    insert mode.  This mode will allow you
    to type a character and cause all other
    characters to move over one place to the
    right.  When the field is full, you will
    not be allowed to insert any more
    characters (your computer will "beep" at
    you).  You can switch to the replace
    mode by pressing the "Ins" (insert)
    key.  Once in the replace mode you can
    return to the insert mode by pressing
    the "Ins" key again.  You can also use
    the "Del" (delete) key to delete
    characters as well as the backspace key.

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        Should you decide you do not want
    to modify the current field you may
    press the "Esc" (Escape) key to return
    to the Main Menu.  Remember though,
    the Esc key tells FreeFile to cancel
    what you are currently doing, so the
    current field will not be modified
    (though changes made to other fields
    will be accepted).

        Once you have completed modifying
    your database, press the Esc key.  Be
    certain to do this while you are either
    on a field where you have not altered
    any data yet, or on a field where you do
    not want to keep the information you
    altered on your database.  After
    pressing the Esc key you will be
    returned to the Main Menu (you will need
    to press the Esc key twice).

    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can modify a
    record.  If you have not already
    selected a database when you choose this
    option, you will be provide with a list
    of databases on your disk.  You can
    select one of the databases you have
    created before, or you can choose to
    create a new database.


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         P R I N T   A   R E P O R T


    USAGE:  Allows information from your
    database to be printed on paper, your
    computer's terminal, or to disk.  Can
    also be used to generate mailing
    labels.  For example, you want a listing
    of all your customers, their addresses
    and their outstanding balances.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu.  The first screen
    you will allow you to select the format
    for the report from one you had used
    previously and had saved to disk.  This
    will save you from having to change a
    lot of parameters on complex reports.
    This first screen will allow you to (1)
    "Select a file", or (2) "Create a new
    file".  We will examine both of these
    options.

        Select a file.  This option will
    allow you to choose one of the prev-
    iously created print format files on the
    screen.  You can select the print format
    file by moving the reverse video cursor
    either up or down (with the up and down
    arrows) until the desired file is high-
    lighted.  When you are ready to make
    your selection, press the ENTER key.

        Create a new file.  Select this
    option when you do not want to use one
    of your existing print formats.  See
    the sections on "Print Options", "Print
    Order", and "Select Cases to Print" for
    more information.

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        Once one of the above options have
    been taken, you will see the print
    sub-menu.  This menu will allow you to
    (1) "Print", (2) "Change options"
    (see "Print Option" section), (3)
    "Change Order" (see "Print Order"
    section) and (4) "Select Cases" (see
    "Select Cases to Print" section).  You
    may select the Print option (option
    number "1") to start printing, or may
    select to change one or more of the
    print parameters.

        If you are new to FreeFile you
    might want to just take the "Print"
    option from the Print Menu.  This option
    will make certain assumptions about what
    you want and print out the report.
    Although FreeFile has a lot of power and
    flexibility, the program is also very
    easy to use.  When you are ready to
    Print out a report, select the print
    option.  It could hardly be easier.
    Many applications will never need to
    adjust any of the print options.  But if
    you find that you do, you can select to
    change many of the print parameters to
    "taylor" your report to your needs.

    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can print a report.
    If you have not already selected a
    database when you choose this option,
    you will be provide with a list of
    databases on your disk.  You can select
    one of the databases you have created
    before, or you can choose to create a
    new database.  Your print format files
    (format files you saved on disk) must be

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    on the same drive and directory as your
    database.  Once FreeFile has started to
    print, you may press the "Esc" (Escape)
    key to cause the printing to pause.  At
    that point, you may select to cancel the
    printing, or to continue printing.
        A "Summary" section will appear at
    the end of each report.  All numeric and
    computed fields will have their values
    summed.  These values will be rounded
    when there are two consecutive zeros
    after the decimal point, otherwise the
    entire value will be displayed.


            (74)


           P R I N T   O P T I O N S


    USAGE:  Allows you to change one or more
    of the print parameters.  Select this
    option when the default print parameters
    do not meet your needs.  For example,
    you want to have your report print on
    your screen rather than on your printer.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Print Menu.  After selecting to
    change the print options (option "2" on
    the Print Menu), FreeFile will display
    the "Print Options Menu".  The following
    are a description of the various options
    available from this menu.

        (1) Print Location - Printer.  The
    default print location is the printer.
    The reports will be sent to your
    printer when this option is selected.
    Any type of PC printer will work with
    FreeFile.

        (2) Print Location - Screen.  If
    you do not have a printer, or if you
    just want to see the report on your
    screen before you send it to your
    printer, select option two ("2").

        (3) Print Location - Disk.  This
    option will direct the report to be
    placed in a file on your disk.  You will
    be asked for the filename once you
    select the action print option from the
    Print Menu.

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        (4) Print Type - Listing.  The
    listing print type is the default.  This
    type instructs FreeFile to print a new
    line for each record.  Field names will
    appear as headers for each column
    of data.

        (5) Print type - Snapshot.  This
    option will instruct FreeFile to print a
    new page for each record.  Each field
    will appear on a separate line.  The
    field name will appear to the left of
    the data for that field.  This is very
    similar in appearance to FreeFile's data
    entry screens.

        (6) Lines Per Page.  Number of
    lines per page.  Default is 52 lines per
    page.

        (7) Page width.  Number of columns
    per page.  Default is 132 columns per
    page.  If your printer does not print
    132 columns, you will want to change
    this to a smaller number, e.g., 80
    columns.

        (8) Starting Column Location.  This
    is the first print position for your
    report.  The default is the first
    column.  If you would like a margin of
    10 characters, for example, you will
    need to change this field to 10.

        (A) Spaces between the fields.  The
    default is three spaces between each
    field on the report.  Change this item
    if you would like either more or less
    spacing between the fields.

            (76)
        (B) Print Labels.  FreeFile
    supports printing of mailing labels.
    The default for this item is NO, that
    you are not going to print labels.
    To change it, press "B", then press "Y"
    (for yes).  You will then see the Label
    Menu.  You can select the number of rows
    per label (the default is 5) and the
    width of the label you will be printing
    (the default is 35).  The default label
    size is for 3 1/2" by 15/16" labels.

        (C) Enter Report Title.  Each
    report will print a title on the first
    line of each page.  If you do not enter
    a report title, FreeFile will use
    the optional description of the database
    if you have entered that.  If you do not
    want to use the database description
    for your report title select this option
    and enter a title for the report.
    Report titles can be up to 35 char-
    acters long.

    REMARKS:  If you want to use any of the
    report formats you changed the next time
    you print a report, you will need to
    save these report formats before you
    start to print (FreeFile will ask you if
    you want to save the formats before
    printing).


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            P R I N T   O R D E R


    USAGE:  Allows you to change the order
    of the printed report and the physical
    appearance of the report.  You can
    select to include or omit fields,
    arrange the print order of the fields,
    break up a print line, or sort the
    report based on any field.  For example,
    you would use this menu to generate a
    sorted report based on your customer
    list with zip code being the sort field.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Print Menu.  After select-
    ing to change the print order (option
    "3" on the Print Menu), FreeFile will
    display a screen displaying all the
    field names, whether or not each field
    is a key, and information on field
    selection, print sequence, line number,
    and sorting.  Each of these items are
    described below.  Select any item by
    moving the reverse video cursor with any
    of the four direction arrows located on
    your numeric keypad.

        Select field.  The default is for
    all fields to appear on the report.
    There will be times where this is not
    what you want.  To omit a field,
    position the reverse video cursor under
    the column label "Select Field".  Move
    the reverse video cursor to the line for
    the field you want to omit.  Press the
    "N" (for "NO") key so that this field

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    will not be selected.  Press a "Y" (for
    "YES") to change any field from not
    being selected to being selected.

        Print.  This option is the print
    sequence for each field in your data-
    base.  The default is to number the
    first field in your database as the
    first field to be printed (1), and to
    increase each number by one with each
    field.  The valid entries range from 1
    to 99.

        Line Number.  This is the relative
    line number for each field in a record.
    The default is for all fields to have a
    value of one ("1").  This will result in
    all fields being printed on the same
    line (if you take the default print type
    of "listing" - if you choose snapshot,
    each field will appear on a separate
    line regardless of this setting).  The
    valid responses for this option range
    from 1 - 99.  EXAMPLE:  Print "First
    Name" and "Last Name" on one line, then
    print a blank line, then print the
    person's "Street Address".  Select "1"
    for the line number for First Name and
    Last Name.  Select "3" for Street
    Address.  Omit all other fields by
    selecting "N" for Select Field options.
    If you want a blank line before the
    first name, print that line on "2" and
    the Street Address on "4".

        Sort.  You can sort on any field in
    your database.  The default is to sort
    your database for the report by the
    first keyed field, but this can be
    easily changed.  You can also combine

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    fields to sort.  The lower the value you
    assign to the sort option, the more
    important that field will be in the
    sort.  For example, if you put a "1" in
    the sort option for "City" and a "2" in
    the sort option for "Last Name",
    your database will be sorted by city,
    and then within city, by last name
    within that city.  That is, all the
    Smiths from Chicago will print out
    together and all the Smiths from Phoenix
    will print out together.  You can select
    to sort any fields and any combination
    of fields up to 255 characters long.

        Method.  This is the sort method.
    The default is ascending (A's before
    B's, etc.).  Press the "A" key for
    ascending sort, "D" for a descending
    sorts.

    REMARKS:  If you want to use any of the
    report formats you changed the next time
    you print a report, you will need to
    save these report formats before you
    start to print (FreeFile will ask you if
    you want to save the formats before
    printing).


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          Q U I T


    USAGE:  To exit from FreeFile and to
    return to the operating system.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu (option "Q").  After
    selecting this option, any open files
    will be brought to a normal close, and
    any data not yet written to your disk
    will be written.

    REMARKS:  You must always exit from
    FreeFile by using this command.  If you,
    for example, turn your machine off
    rather than exiting with the Quit
    option, you might damage your database.
    If this happens, you will have to use
    the REBUILD program before you will be
    able to use that database again.
    This option is always available from the
    Main Menu.

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        R E B U I L D



    USAGE:  To repair damaged database
    files.  A database file that was in use
    when your computer is turned off will
    usually need to be rebuilt.  FreeFile
    will inform you when you try to use a
    file that is damaged that you will need
    to use the Rebuild program.

    DESCRIPTION:  Rebuild is a separate
    program that is available to all users
    of FreeFile who donate $45.  To start
    Rebuild, put the diskette with the file
    REBUILD.EXE in your computer.  Type the
    word REBUILD to start the program.
    Press any key to move pass the Start-Up
    screen.  Enter the name of the database
    needing to be rebuilt (use the full
    drive name and path name if the database
    is on a different drive or in a diffe-
    rent directory).  Your database files
    will be repaired.

    REMARKS:  You must always exit from
    FreeFile by using the "Quit" command.
    If you, for example, turn your machine
    off rather than exiting with the Quit
    option, you might damage your database
    and have to use this option.  If you are
    not a registered user of FreeFile you
    will need to send in your $45 to get
    this program.

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        S E L E C T   C A S E S   T O
                 P R I N T


    USAGE:  Allows you to select specific
    records to be included on your printed
    report.  For example, used to select all
    customers who live in Chicago.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Print Sub-Menu (option "3").
    The "Select Cases" screen has the
    field names on the left side of the
    screen and the selection parameters on
    the right side.

        Select a field.  You select a field
    by moving the reverse video cursor
    either up or down with the arrow keys.
    Once the field name is highlighted,
    press the Enter key.

        Relationship.  After selecting the
    field, you will need to define the
    relationship to be used in the compari-
    son.  The options are; "=" (equal),
    "<" (less than), ">" (greater than),
    "<=" (less than or equal to), ">="
    (greater than or equal to), or "<>" (not
    equal to).  You can select any of
    these options by moving the reverse
    video cursor either left or right until
    the desired relationship is high-
    lighted.  Then press the Enter key.

        Value to be Compared.  This will
    be the value to be compared against the

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    selected field to see if the record is
    to be selected or not.  If you defined
    your field as a "date" field you can
    enter a date here to be compared
    against.  For example, you might want to
    select all records of individuals who
    birthday falls on January 1, 1960.  If
    that was the case you would enter
    01/01/60 for the value to be compared.
    You can also use the keyword TODAY to
    represent today's date if you have
    defined the field to be compared as a
    "date" field (you will need to have
    entered the correct date when you
    started your computer for this to work
    properly).

        Logical Connector.  The options
    for this item are "AND", "OR", and
    "NONE".  Select the AND or OR options if
    you are going to enter another field to
    be tested.  Select the NONE option if
    you are not going to enter any more
    fields to be tested.  If you wanted to
    select, for example, only customers that
    lived in New York City AND had an
    outstanding balance of $1000 or more,
    you would need to select the AND
    connector.  If you wanted any customers
    who lived in New York City OR any
    customer who had an outstanding balance
    of $1000 or more, you would need
    to select the OR connector.  You can
    make up to 25 different comparisons for
    any one report.

    REMARKS:  If you want to use any of the
    select cases formats the next time you
    print a report, you will need to save
    these formats before you start to print

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    (FreeFile will ask you if you want to
    save the formats before printing).  If
    you try to print your report again
    before returning to the Main Menu
    the selection criterion you entered will
    remain in effect.  If you return to the
    Main Menu, or select option 4 (Select
    Cases) the FreeFile will reset to select
    all cases.


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      S E L E C T   A   D A T A B A S E


    USAGE:  To select a previously created
    database.  To you choose this option
    when you are not currently working on
    any database, or when you want to
    change from working on one database to
    another.  For example, you are working
    on your customer database and now
    you want to check an item in your
    inventory database.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option is selected
    from the Main Menu (option "S").  The
    first screen will display all the
    databases you have created on your
    disk.  You can select one of these
    database by moving the reverse video
    cursor up or down and then pressing the
    ENTER key once the desired database has
    been highlighted.  You can change your
    default drive, and/or, path name, by
    selecting option 3 and entering the new
    drive, and/or path name.

    REMARKS:  Any work done on any active
    database when you selected this option
    will be saved before the new database
    will be made available to you.  If you
    want to change from one database to
    another, you must select this option
    to do so.


            (86)



          V I E W   A   R E C O R D


    USAGE:  Allows a record (collection of
    information) to be viewed (examine).
    Select this option when you need to
    view a portions of your database but do
    not need a printed copy. For example,
    you need to check to see if you current-
    ly have a particular product in your
    inventory.

    DESCRIPTION:  This option ("V") is
    selected from the Main Menu.  The first
    screen you will see displays the key
    fields.  These are the fields that
    FreeFile can use to retrieve data from
    your database.  They are the path, or
    roadmap, used to find your data.  You
    must select one of these fields.  If you
    called the first field in your database
    "name", for example, and you want to
    view the database in terms of a cust-
    omer's name, you will want to select
    that key field.  The first keyed field
    will be displayed in reverse video.  To
    select a keyed field, move the reverse
    video cursor either up or down (with the
    up or down arrow keys).  Once the
    desired field is in reverse video, press
    the Enter key.

        The next option to be selected is
    how you want to search the database for
    the desired record to be changed.
    You can search by the key, select the

            (87)
    first record, or select the last
    record.  If you want to view a specific
    customer's address and you have a key
    for the customer name, for example, you
    will want to select the "name" key field
    and then select to find the record
    by a key.  You will then be asked to
    enter the key value (this is the actual
    name your are searching for, e.g.,
    "Smith's Hardware Store").  In this case
    it will be the customer name.  You will
    then be given a "View" screen for you to
    examine.  If there is not an exact match
    (upper and lower case letters will be
    interpreted as the same), a "beep" will
    sound, and the screen will display the a
    closest match.

        You can also select to start with
    the first or last record.  This option
    will allow you to "browse" through the
    database until you find the exact record
    you wanted.

        The view screen will display the
    database name and description (if you
    entered one when creating the database)
    on the top line.  The field names
    will appear along the left side of the
    screen.  A reverse video cursor will
    appear for the first field.  If you have
    completed viewing your record and you do
    not want to go to the next record, you
    can press the "Esc" key twice.  This
    will return you to the Main Menu.

    REMARKS:  You must have "created" your
    database before you can view a record.
    If you have not already selected a
    database when you choose this option,

            (88)
    you will be provide with a list of
    databases on your disk.  You can select
    one of the databases you have created
    before, or you can choose to create a
    new database.



            (89)

           DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY


        FreeFile and the documentation are
    distributed "AS IS" and without warran-
    ties as to performance.  Any statements
    by the author do not constitute warran-
    ties and shall not be relied on by the
    user in deciding whether to contribute
    to the author.

        FreeFile is distributed without any
    express or implied warranties what-
    soever.  Because of the diversity of
    conditions and hardware under which this
    program may be use, no warranty of
    fitness for a particular purpose is
    offered.  The user is advise to test the
    program thoroughly before relying on it.
     Any liability of the author will be
    limited exclusively to product replace-
    ment.


        If you have any questions, or
    comments, please write to:


          Stilwell Software Products
            16403 North 43rd Drive
             Glendale,  AZ  85306

            (90)

                 **** INDEX ****


    Add  19, 51
    Change Print Options
       36
    Change Print Order
       37
    Color monitor  11
    COMPAQ  11
    Computed fields  4
       55, 66
    Contribution  1
    Create  17, 54
    Create print file
       72
    Damaged database  82
    Data Type  18, 55
    Database  4
    Date fields
       84
    Delete a Record  34, 58
    DEMO1
        16
    DEMO2
        27
    DIF  63
    Export  44, 64
       63
    FEATURES  8
    FF.HLP  62
    Field  4
    Field name  18, 54
    Format  22
    Format of the database
       61
    Formulas  4, 55
       66


    Help  16, 62
    Import/Export  44
       63
    Key  18, 56
    Labels  77
    Length  18, 56
    Line Number  79
    Lines Per Page  76
    List/Modify formulas  32
       66
    Logical Connector  84
    Modify  22
    Modify a record
       68
    Modify formulas  32
       66
    Page width  76
    PHONE  16
    Print  24, 79
    Print a Report  36
       72
    Print Labels  77
    Print Location - Disk  75
    Print Location - Printer  75
    Print Location - Screen  75
    Print options
       75
    Print order
       78
    Print Type - Listing  76
    Print type - Snapshot  76
    Quit  17
       81
    REBUILD  1
       81, 82
    Records  4
    Relational  4
    Relationship  83
    RENTALS  27


    Report Title  77
    Select a database  49
       86
    Select a Field  83
       37
    Select a print file
       72
    Select case  83
    Select field  78
    Sort  79
    Sort method  80
    Spaces between the fields  76
    Starting Column Location  76
    Today - keyword
       84
    User supported  1
    Value to be Compared  83
    View  20
       87
    Warranty
       90



             **********************
             *       INVOICE      *
             **********************



    Stilwell Software Products
    16403 North 43rd Drive
    Glendale, AZ  85306



    DATE                     Invoice #85216
    ***************************************



                                    PRICE
         FreeWord a word processor,
         SSP's SPELL, a spelling checker,
         and documentation
                        $49.00


    FreeFile a database
    and documentation
                     $45.00


    FreeCalc an electronic
    spreadsheet and documentation
                                   $35.00


    PC-USAGE  a utility program
    to help you track your PC usage
                                   $24.95


    PC-TRIVIA an electronic trivia
    game for and about the IBM PC
                        $29.00



    MATH SCHOOL an arithmetic
    drill program for children
                       $15.00


    dMAX  a dBASE II utility
    to compress program files
                       $35.00



    6% Arizona Sales Tax
       (Arizona residents Only)
                                   ________




                     TOTAL   $ ________

    ***************************************


    You may keep this invoice for your
    records.