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DBF_BOSS.DOC Data Base Boss Version 1.12 Developer: Richard A. Yawn Disclaimer: This software and supporting files are provided on an "as-is" basis, without warranty of any kind. Richard A. Yawn and Norman Benton do not warrant, guarantee, or make any representations about the suitability or results from the use of this program. Any and all risks arising from the use of this software are assumed by the user and not the person, or BBS distributing this program. Shareware: Data Base Boss is shareware.... not "freeware". We want you to try the software to find out if it may be suitable to your needs. If so, please register so that more work can be done on future versions. Data Base Boss is not in the public domain. Copyright: Data Base Boss is protected under the copyright laws of the U.S.,1993. Support: Any questions, comments or request for technical support may be directed by writing to: Norman Benton 207 Upson Avenue Thomaston,GA 30286 (TABLE OF CONTENTS) Page # 2 .................... Introduction/Overview Page # 3 .................... Log On Page # 3 .................... Edit Passwords/Access Classes Page # 3/4 .................. Create Database Page # 4 .................... Modify Structure Page # 5/6/7/8 .............. Editor/Query Page # 8 .................... System Utilities Page # 9 .................... Report Generator Page # 9 .................... ASCII File Editor Page #10 .................... Recent Changes *************************************************** ≥ …ÕÕÕª …Õª ÕÕÕÀÕÕÕ …Õª ≥ ≥ ∫ ∫ …º »ª ∫ …º »ª ≥ ≥ ∫ ∫ …º »ª ∫ …º »ª ≥ ≥ ∫ ∫ … ÕÕÕÕÕ ª ∫ … ÕÕÕÕÕ ª ≥ ≥ »ÕÕÕº ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ …ÕÕª …Õª …ÕÕÕÕÕÕ ≥ ≥ ∫ »ª …º »ª …ÕÕÕ ∫ ≥ ≥ ÃÕÕÀº …º »ª ∫ ÃÕÕÕ ≥ ≥ ∫ »ª … ÕÕÕÕÕ ª »ÕÕÕª ∫ ≥ ≥ »ÕÕÕº ∫ ∫ ÕÕÕÕº »ÕÕÕÕÕÕ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ …ÕÕª …ÕÕÕª ≥ ≥ ∫ »ª …º »ª …ÕÕÕ …ÕÕÕ ≥ ≥ ÃÕÕÀº ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ≥ ≥ ∫ »ª »ª …º »ÕÕÕª »ÕÕÕª ≥ ≥ »ÕÕÕº »ÕÕÕº ÕÕÕÕº ÕÕÕÕº ≥ *************************************************** (1) ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ Data Base Boss is used to manipulate data, whether it be numbers, characters, dates, logic, or attached memos. It is made up of field names, field lengths, and field decimal places. Inside of the fields chosen by the user are records made up of numbers or characters. Data Base Boss is designed to be as user- friendly as possible. Some database programs are equal in power and some may surpass Data Base Boss, but none that we know of are as easy. Data Base Boss allows you, the user, to build databases ranging from almost any type of data. If you own a business and want to enter your customer's names, addresses, and requirements... piece of cake. You may wish to catalog your household goods, baseball cards, stereo equipment, home video library, business inventory....anything. You might need a program to do the math on your business ledgers. I could go on and on about what you could do, with a little effort and imagination, with Data Base Boss. The possibilities are endless and the registered version of this program allows you to get some REAL use out of it. You could purchase programs custom designed to catalog anything under the sun but they can only catalog ONE type of database. With Data Base Boss you can database as many as you like and define your own type of fields! The main tasks Data Base Boss performs are: * Sorting-- Arranging your data any way you want it. * Locating- Finding your data when you need it. * Math----- Can average or sum your numeric records. ----- Can count any type of records. Along with these tasks are built-in, easy to use features such as: * Password protection, editing, access classes. * Ability to create user-defined database fields. * Ability to go back and modify your database structures. * Get in your database and edit as you wish. * Use system utilities to include deleting, copying, and moving any file(s). around on your computer, without having to go back to the DOS command line. * Can pack data records tagged for deletion in your database. * Can zap (erase) all of your data records in the database, if you wish. * Can generate reports almost any way you like, on any Xbase type database. * Can go into any text file on your computer and edit or create new ASCII text files or batch files. System Requirements: You must have at least a 286 (a 386 and up is preferred). You must have a color monitor. You must have a hard drive. Installation: If using the install program, install from A or B drive only. We tried to make installation pretty simple. Put the disk in your floppy drive and type install and follow directions. The install program will prompt you to make changes in your config.sys file if needed. This is necessary to optimize the Data Base Boss software. If you would rather not make these changes, which will use some memory, try the program without them. If you later decide to make them...do so. MAKE a back- up of all of the program files. (See FileID.txt for file list) (2) ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥* NOTICE: From this portion on, this documentation file will contain ≥ ≥ some HELP text available from the Data Base Boss program for ≥ ≥ easy reference along some additional descriptions and examples. ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ LOG ON ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ HOW TO LOG ON: Move the menu bar to LOG ONTO SYSTEM and press enter. At the new screen move the menu bar to the user that you want to activate and press enter. If successful, the white text on black background on the main menu screen will display the user that is logged on and that user's level; otherwise, NONE will be displayed for the user and access is denied to everything except QUIT, LOG ONTO SYSTEM, and SYSTEM HELP. ABOUT LOG ON: If this is the first time the program is to be used, the password for user (OWNER) is (MASTER). It is advised that the password for master be changed to another password and that you write the password down and save it somewhere. To LOG OFF of the system select any user and press enter. ** NOTE, all passwords are case sensitive. ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ EDIT PASSWORDS/ACCESS CLASSES ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ PASSWORD PROTECTION: ABOUT PASSWORD PROTECTION: There are two functions under password protection. One is the password editor, which allows a database owner to assign users, user passwords, and user access level. NOTE - the users assigned will appear in the log on box. The other function is the access class. This function allows a user to customize the program for what level functions the users will be capable of accessing. ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ CREATE DATABASE ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ A database is made up of field names, field types, field lengths, and field decimal places. By pressing enter when the cursor is located over the desired position, the user takes control of input. Data Base Boss automatically allocates field lengths for logical, date, and memo field types. The user must assign field lengths to numeric and character field types. Also, a user must assign decimal lengths to a numeric field if desired. Data Base Boss attempts to make the task of building databases error free. Invalid characters are automatically replaced with an underscore. Users are prompted with valid entries when invalid entries are encountered. Positioning is not allowed where defaulted. Database structures may not be saved where incomplete databases have been built. (3) EXAMPLE: Lets try creating a database for a business in Anytown,USA. This store owner needs to list customer's name (last name first), their balance, date last contacted, and have a rating of the customer's credit by using a logic field (T or F), T being good and F being bad. Step 1. Go to CREATE DATABASE from the main menu and ENTER. 2. For Field Name, we will put the customer's name in here. ENTER and a small black box will appear in bottom left hand corner. This is the editing box. Type Customer and ENTER. 3. Use RIGHT ARROW key to go to Length and ENTER. Here, we will want to leave enough room for people who have those long names. If everyone's name were the same length we would be entering the length parameter exactly the same. This would be advantageous since when your field is set for the right amount of length, you don't have to use the right arrow key to get to the next field. Type in 20 and ENTER.... that should do it. 4. We won't need to go to the decimal field since this is not a numeric field. 5. CTRL and LEFT ARROW will take you back to Field Name, just as CTRL and RIGHT ARROW would take you back to the Decimal field. 6. DOWN ARROW to start a field for the customer's balance. 7. ENTER and type Balance and ENTER. 8. Go to Field Type and ENTER, then type N and enter. (Numeric). 9. Go to Field Length, and since none of your accounts are over $999.99, type 6 and ENTER. 10. Go to Decimal and ENTER, then type 2 and ENTER. Data displays will be in this format 000.00. 11. Start another field for date last contacted by going to Field Name, ENTER, type date, and ENTER. 12. Go to Field Type, ENTER, type D for date field, ENTER. (You won't need to do anything else on this field, Data Base Boss does it for you). 13. Last but not least, the credit field; we will use a Logic field type which works on True/False and has almost unlimited uses for checking to see if certain conditions (criteria) have been met. Helps allot when sorting your databases. Go to Field Name, ENTER, type Credit, and ENTER. 14. Go to Field Type, ENTER, type L (for logic), and ENTER. (Again, you won't have to do anything else here). Once your database is saved it would look something like this: (Minus the data) ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ CUSTOMER BALANCE DATE CREDIT ≥ √ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥ ∫ Doe,John B. ∫ 487.90 ∫ 01/01/58 ∫ F ∫ ∫ Citizen,Goodman A. ∫ 910.84 ∫ 02/15/93 ∫ T ∫ ∫ Lamb, Mary H. ∫ 20.00 ∫ 07/23/92 ∫ T ∫ ∫ Crook, Clever ∫ 999.99 ∫ 05/20/91 ∫ F ∫ ”ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒΩ (4) ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ MODIFY DATABASE ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ MODIFY STRUCTURE: ABOUT MODIFY STRUCTURE: Modify structure allows users to modify X-BASE databases by field deletion, field insertion, or field addition. Also, users are allowed to change field types and field lengths. EXAMPLE: In our previous example we had the following fields: Customer's Name, Balance, Last date contacted, and credit rating. Lets suppose our needs have changed or we didn't like the first setup. We want to add a field called MonthPay (the amount due from the customer each month). Simply go to Modify Structure from the main menu, choose the affected database, drop down, hit insert field, and enter MonthPay in the Field Name. Move over to Field Type and enter N. Enter the length and decimal parameters and save your changes. Bring your database back up through Editor/Query and it would look something like this: ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ CUSTOMER BALANCE MONTHPAY DATE CREDIT ≥ √ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥ ∫ Doe,John B. ∫ 487.90 ∫ 84.98 ∫ 01/01/58 ∫ F ∫ ∫ Citizen,Goodman A.∫ 910.84 ∫ 101.50 ∫ 02/15/93 ∫ T ∫ ∫ Lamb, Mary H. ∫ 20.00 ∫ 2.00 ∫ 07/23/92 ∫ T ∫ ∫ Crook, Clever ∫ 999.99 ∫ 150.75 ∫ 05/20/91 ∫ F ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ”ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒΩ ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ EDITOR/QUERY ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ ABOUT EDITOR/QUERY: EDITOR/QUERY allows user to locate, sort, and do math routines on databases by using menu driven structured techniques. The user has the option to load as few or as many fields from a database as desired. Also, the user may do simple utility functions to the database - pack and zap. Data entry may also be performed if desired. Key Legend: END -> bottom of file. HOME -> top of file. DELETE -> mark a record for deletion. _________________________________________________________________________ (5) Data Input: Move to the bottom of the database and press the down arrow key. A blank record will appear at the bottom of the database. Move the cursor to the field that you want to input data and press enter. Enter data into the selected position. _________________________________________________________________________ Sort: Sorting may be performed on all field types except memo. Once sort is activated, select a field from the available menu options. The user may now select ascending or descending order. If escape is selected during this prompt, the order is defaulted. The maximum number of fields allowed in a sort criteria is three. __________________________________________________________________________ Locate: Locate is a menu driven and user friendly search criteria function. A user doesn't have to know the individual field types to be able to use this function. Simply activate locate and then select begin. Select the field to begin the search criteria and type in the value as that field's parameter. If the search needs to be more specific, select continue criteria to build a more lengthy search algorithm. The maximum number of fields that may be mated together is three. __________________________________________________________________________ Math: Math is a menu driven and user friendly database reference function. The options include average, count, sum. Average only allows numeric fields to be the initial selection. This is the field to perform the average on. All other field types except memo fields may be selected for the remainder of the parameters for the average query function. Sum only allows numeric fields to be the initial selection. This is the field to perform the summary on. All other field types except memo fields may be selected for the remainder of the parameters for the average query function. Count is a function that counts the number of records meeting the parameters of the query. This function may be performed on all but memo fields. __________________________________________________________________________ Utility: This option contains two sub options, packing and zapping. Packing a database removes all records that have previously been marked for deletion. Once pack has been performed, the data is unrecoverable. Zapping a database removes all records. Before selecting this option, be sure that you want to commit to it. The data is unrecoverable. __________________________________________________________________________ (6) Quit: This will close the file and save any of the changes that were made to the data in the database. Also, the user will return to the prior screen. __________________________________________________________________________ We have included one sample database for you to try. The file name is SAMPLE.DBF. After printing this documentation file, go into the Editor/Query and bring up the sample file by highlighting the file called SAMPLE.DBF, ENTER and hit ESC. Load all of the fields by answering yes, ENTER. Here are some examples of the basic functions of Data Base Boss: EXAMPLE "A" ON SORTING: Objective is to sort all of your movie titles alphabetically. Step 1. Hit F-2 two times. 2. Select Title, ENTER. 3. Select Ascending, ENTER. 4. F-5...there you have it. EXAMPLE "B" ON SORTING: Objective is to sort your movies with the rating field listing adult movies first and descending to children's movies. Step 1. Hit F-2 two times. 2. Select Rating, ENTER. 3. Select Descending, ENTER, Hit F-5. Note: When you exit editor/query your changes will be saved but when you go back in the same database your records will go back to the original order, which doesn't matter because it only takes a few seconds to sort them any way you wish. There is a limit to how many records the databases will hold; (ONE BILLION, or the amount of your disk space). EXAMPLE "C" ON LOCATING: Objective is to find the movie called Willie Wonka. Step 1. From the SAMPLE.DBF, hit F-4 to LOCATE. 2. Hit F-2 to BUILD the search criteria and select Title, ENTER. 3. Select = and ENTER. Type in WILLIE WONKA (Case sensitive), ENTER. 4. Hit F-5 to process. There you have it. Starting to get the idea? EXAMPLE "D" ON LOCATING: Objective is to find all of the old black and white drama movies. Step 1. Hit F-4. 2. Hit F-2 and select Color, ENTER. 3. Select = and ENTER, type F (for False), Hit F-3 4. Select .AND., ENTER, then select Typemovie, ENTER. 5. Select = and ENTER, Type Drama, ENTER, then hit F-5. You will get 3 occurrences after toggling F-4 and F-5 through search. EXAMPLE "E" ON LOCATING: Objective is for you the business owner to locate all of your movie inventory that is numbered between Tape_No 377 thru 550. (7) Step 1. F-4. 2. F-2, select Tape_No, ENTER 3. Select > and type 376, ENTER 4. F-3, Select .AND. , ENTER 5. Select Tape_No, ENTER 6. Select < and type 551, ENTER 7. F-5 to process, then just toggle between F-4 and F-5 until the Query (criteria) is no longer found. Count the number of matches to this criteria you should get 10 occurrences. EXAMPLE "F" ON MATH: Objective is to find out how much you have spent on all of the movies listed as Action type movies. Step 1. F-6, then F-2 and select Sum, ENTER. 2. Select cost, ENTER. 3. Select Typemovie, ENTER, Select = ,ENTER. (This is the FOR condition) 4. Type ACTION, ENTER, then F-5. ( " " " " " ) You have spent a total of $455.94 on action movies. EXAMPLE "G" ON MATH: Objective is to get an average cost of all drama movies in inventory. Step 1. Repeat steps in Example "F" except substitute Average for Sum and Drama for Action. You should come up with $23.39 (Avg. Drama movie cost). Note: These examples are quite simple and are geared towards a novice user. For the experienced computerists...go for it ! ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ SYSTEM UTILITIES ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ ABOUT SYSTEM UTILITIES: System utilities allow users to delete files or copy files by menu driven options via following the paths through the system. Hint: When performing file maintenance with the System Utilities portion of Data Base Boss remember the following: 1. When you first go in you will be in the DBF_BOSS directory. 2. If you wish to access files in other directories on your hard drive highlight (..), ENTER , then scroll until you find the directory you want, ENTER. 3. If you want to use your own DOS path simply go to (.) and ENTER, then hit the SPACE bar or ESC to clear the pathline for your entry. Don't forget to add \ at the end of the path. Ex. C:\GAMES\CARDS\BLACKJAC\ 4. If you want to use the path provided on the top white line, but want to bring up only those files with a certain extension, such as TXT, hit END twice and the cursor will appear at the end of the path for wildcards such as *.TXT. Ex. C:\GAMES\CARDS\BLACKJAC\*.TXT 5. WARNING: Hitting ESC after selecting files for deletion will erase affected files. (8) ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ REPORT GENERATOR ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ HOW TO USE REPORT GENERATOR: The report generator is a utility that helps a user setup parameters for a report. The parameters are report name, two headers, print date, print time, database for reference, field listing, and the condition for reference. REPORT GENERATOR LISTING AND BUILDING: LISTING HOW TO USE FIELD LIST: Field list is a function used to automatically load database fields into the listing option on the generator. The maximum number of fields that may be assigned to print is seven; however, the fields that are chosen do not have to be synchronous. FIRST_NAME,LAST_NAME,MIDDLE_INI,START_DATE NOTE: Memo fields cannot be printed nor used for field lists or criteria. ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ ASCII FILE EDITOR ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ HOW TO GET AROUND IN A FILE/MEMO Keyboard Legend: Up Arrow -> Up one line ^Y -> Delete current line Down Arrow -> Down one line ^T -> Delete word right ^Left Arrow -> Left one word ^Page Up -> Beginning of memo ^Right Arrow -> Right one word ^Page Down -> End of memo _________________________________________________________________________ Objective: This is a simple word processor that is used to store information related to the current record being processed. No attempt has been made to replace a word processor. This is only for the use of storing pertinent information to records, creating or editing text and/or batch files. (9) ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø ≥ RECENT CHANGES ≥ ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ Several changes/ improvements have been made to the program since Ver 1.00 was released in April 1993. Ver 1.12 contains the following big changes: 1. Some of our users felt it best to remove the crippled save database function so that the people using Data Base Boss can evaluate it to its fullest potential. . . So keeping in the spirit of the shareware concept for you good people, the program is now fully functional ! 2. After exploring the market for database manager type shareware and still not finding anything like our program, we decided to invite users in on a reduced price of registration of only $40, which includes all shipping, handling, and disks. 3. We have added a full screen edit mode in the Editor/Query, try it out. 4. In the System Utilities area there is now a system Time/Date utility, and a Make Directory and Remove Directory utility. Novice users should refrain from using the System Utilities section, until they get some keyboard time under their belt. One suggestion might be to make dummy files/directorys to experiment with. Always keep your data backed up. 5. Also, in the Editor/Query section of the program, we have added a Copy Structure command under F-8, which will allow the user to duplicate any structure without having to go back and create one. In addition, a Copy Contents command under F-8 has been added. It does exactly that.. copies the entire contents to another database. There will be a merge function, among other exciting changes, coming soon to a PC near you !!!