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- #1#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase
- by Saje Enterprises
- and EZX Publishing
-
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase gives you the capability to add, modify, sort, display
- and print all kinds of information in various ways.
-
- Use the on-line manual (from the main menu) or the context sensitive help
- (via F1) for detailed information.
-
-
- Comments or suggestions for improving EZ-Forms DataBase will be
- appreciated.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase requires an IBM PC or compatible with at least 640K of
- RAM. Supported printers include the Epson graphics printers and
- compatibles, and the HP Laserjet laser printers and compatibles. Display
- adapters known to work with EZ-Forms DataBase are the IBM monochrome, CGA,
- EGA, VGA and compatibles.
- #20#
-
- General help for all menus:
-
- This menu is broken up into two basic windows. The window at the top of
- your screen shows several choices. The window at the bottom of the screen
- expands on what will occur if you choose the highlighted option (the one
- that has a different background color).
-
- Options may be selected in one of two ways. You can either press the
- first letter key of the desired command, or move the highlight bar over the
- desired option and press Enter. To move the highlight bar, use one or any
- combination of the space bar, up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, or right
- arrow keys. You can also use Home to move to the first top line item on
- the menu. This is very useful when you need a reference point on the main
- menu to start a keystroke macro from. The End key will move the highlight
- bar to the last option.
-
- Using the first letter of a command only works in the ACTIVE window. If
- you don't have a pulldown, then the active window is the top window. Once
- you pulldown one of the options, that becomes the active window. You must
- use one of the commands in the pulldown once it is active. You can always
- use Escape to back out of the pulldown and return to the top menu.
- #21#
-
- In order to get help on specific areas, you must first select the command
- as explained on the previous screen. Then you can use F1 to get the
- context-sensitive help for where you are in the program.
-
- KEYBOARD MACROS
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Keyboard macros will execute a sequence of keystrokes for you. This can
- be used to automate data entry, simplify command selection or automate
- file selection. The 'Alt =' key brings up the keyboard macro menu from
- any point in the program. Any macro assigned to the 'Shift F10' key is
- an auto-start macro, which is automatically executed at program startup.
- Over 100 keyboard macros can be saved to a macro file. This file can be
- automatically selected by entering it on the EZFDB command line with the
- '/m' switch, or by using the Load Macro File command in the keyboard macro
- menu.
-
- HINT:
- To simplify access to a multitude of databases, create a keyboard macro
- file for each database. Define an auto-start macro to automatically load
- the database and form files. Define some other macros to simplify data
- entry and command selection for that database. Then whenever you want to
- #22#
-
- access that database, invoke EZFDB and specify it's associated keyboard
- macro file on the command line. For example:
-
- EZFDB /m=addrs.mac
-
-
- NOTE
- ÕÕÕÕ
- In the on-line help and manual, commands are usually identified by using
- a two part convention. The first part is the item name from the main menu,
- and the second part is the item name from its pull-down menu. For example,
- the Database - Open command is frequently mentioned. This is the 'Open'
- command item in the 'Database' pull-down menu. From the main menu (with
- no pull-downs shown), you can access the Database - Open command by
- entering the 'D' key followed by the 'O' key, among other ways.
-
- DATA INTEGRITY
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- This stands for the accuracy and proper retention of your data
- notwithstanding operator error. It is imperative that you avoid certain
- #23#
-
- types of actions while EZFDB is running. These include rebooting,
- turning off or resetting your computer. Whenever any file is updated
- by EZFDB, it does not necessarily mean that all data has been properly
- preserved on disk. All data is properly saved whenever you exit the
- program, load a new database, or execute the Database - Close command.
-
- BACKUPS
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- The importance of backing up (making copies of) your database and
- associated files can never be overstated. Hardware and software is never
- perfect, so backing up your files at least daily is the only way to assure
- that any problems will be minimized.
-
- SUGGESTIONS
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- We have tried to design EZ-Forms DataBase to let you get your job done
- quickly and easily. Please feel free to forward any suggestions for
- improvement to us at EZX Publishing, Attn: EZFDB Author.
- #50#
- Quick Expression Help
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Expressions can be used for selection criteria, index creation or field
- calculations. The following screens explain expressions in more detail,
- but first, here are some examples to give you an idea of what's going on.
- To find (or print or delete) all records that have a LASTNAME field
- starting with 'X', the selection criteria expression would be:
- LASTNAME = 'X'
- Alphabetic case is significant for data between quotes, but otherwise case
- is insignificant. The 'UPPER' function can be used to make the search
- case insensitive:
- upper(lastname) = 'X'
- However, since the 'UPPER' function converts all characters to uppercase,
- the characters in between the quotes must also be uppercase in order to
- match. The quotes can be either the single quotes (') or the double
- quotes ("). Spaces anywhere except between quotes or within function
- or field names are optional and insignificant.
- Items can be combined to provide further specificity. To find all
- records that have a CITY field starting with 'DENVER' and STATE field
- starting with 'CO':
- CITY = 'DENVER' .AND. STATE = 'CO'
- #51#
- Detailed Expression Help
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- All expressions have the same structure, no matter where they're used.
- They consist of combinations of field names, operators, functions and/or
- constants. All expressions evaluate to a Logical, Character, Numeric or
- Date type. Logical expressions have a True or False result and are used
- for record selection, i.e., selection criteria. Index key expressions can
- have a Character, Numeric or Date result. A field calculation can have any
- result type, as long it matches its field type. Evaluation to a specific
- type means that all parts of the expression, whether they be fields,
- functions or constants, must be appropriately combined to yield any one
- type. Any improperly mixed types will cause an error.
-
- Memo fields cannot be used in expressions because of the way Memo fields
- are stored.
-
- A common form of an expression is the name of a field. In this case, the
- type of the expression is the type of the field. A common Logical
- expression is one that contains nothing. This is the simplest way to
- specify all records.
- #52#
-
- Constants are fixed values of any type.
- - Character constants are letters with quote marks around them. A
- single (') or double (") quote can be used, but be sure to use the
- same one on both sides of the constant. "Ed", 'Edwardo' and "15515"
- are all examples of Character constants. If you wish to specify a
- character constant with a single quote or a double quote contained
- inside it, use the other type of quote to mark the Character constant.
- For example, "Andy's" and '"OK"' are both legitimate Character
- constants.
- - A Numeric constant represents a number. For example, 7, 82, 2.35 and
- -22 are all Numeric constants. To enter a number less than 1, precede
- it with a zero. E.g., enter .25 as 0.25, otherwise the number will not
- be recognized.
- - A Logical constant can only be '.TRUE.' or '.FALSE.'. '.T.' and '.F.'
- are legitimate abbreviations. The '.' is used to distinguish it from
- a field name.
- - A Date constant must be specified using the Character to Date function
- (CTOD) which converts a character string to a date constant. For
- example, assuming the default date format MM/DD/YY, February 5th, 1990
- would be specified as CTOD('02/05/90'). The date format is specified
- in the Config-Other menu.
- #53#
-
- Field names are entered directly or selected via the F2 key, which gives
- you a window from which you can select the field and paste its name into
- the expression with the Enter key. The presence of a field name in an
- expression will cause the value of that field from the current record to
- replace the field name in the expression. The value returned matches the
- type of the field.
-
- Operators can relate one part of an expression to another (>, =), or they
- can combine parts of an expression through a mathematical process (+, -).
- The result of a relationship is either .TRUE. or .FALSE.. The result of a
- mathematical process can be a value of any type. Operators have a
- precedence which specifies operator evaluation order. The precedence of
- each operator is specified in the following table. The higher the
- precedence, the earlier the operation will be performed. For example,
- Divide has a precedence of 6 and Plus has a precedence of 5 which means
- Divide is evaluated before Plus. Consequently, 7+8/2 is 11. Evaluation
- order can be made explicit by using parenthesis. For example, 1+2*3
- returns 7 and (1+2)*3 returns 9.
- #54#
-
- Operator Symbol Precedence Type Comments
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Add + 5 Numeric,Date
- Subtract - 5 Numeric,Date
- Multiply * 6 Numeric
- Divide / 6 Numeric
- Exponentiate ** or ^ 7 Numeric X**Y means X to the Yth powr
- Concatenate I + 5 Character Straight concatenate
- Concatenate II - 5 Character Concatenate, spaces on end
- Equal To = 4 Logical Any type
- Not Equal To <> 4 Logical Any type
- Less Than < 4 Logical Any type except Logical
- Greater Than > 4 Logical Any type except Logical
- Less Than or <= 4 Logical Any type except Logical
- Equal To
- Greater Than >= 4 Logical Any type except Logical
- or Equal To
- Contained in $ 4 Logical Character only
- Not .NOT. 1 Logical
- Or .OR. 2 Logical
- And .AND. 3 Logical
- #55#
-
- Functions can be used as an expression or as part of an expression and
- always return a value. Functions always have a name and are followed by a
- left and right parenthesis. Values (parameters) may be inside the
- parenthesis. A list of functions follows.
-
- Function Description
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- ABS(Numeric_Value) Returns absolute value of Numeric_Value
- CTOD(Char_Value) Convert Character to Date
- DTOC(Date_Value) Convert Date to Character (in User Date Format)
- DTOS(Date_Value) Convert Date to String (CCYYMMDD)
- DATE() Return the system Date
- DEL() Returns "*" if current record deleted, else " "
- DELETED() Returns .TRUE. if current record deleted
- DESCEND(Char_Value) Returns "inverse", for creating descending indexes
- IIF(Logical_Value,True_Result,False_Result) Returns True_Result when
- Logical_Value is .TRUE., else returns False_Result
- INSTR(Char_Value,Char_V) Returns position of substring in string
- LOOKUP('Index_Field','Index_File','Database_File','Field_Name') Get value
- from Field_Name in other Database_File, via lookup using Index_File
- and value in Index_Field. Pick names (in quotes) with F3 -> F6.
- #56#
- Function Description
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- LOWER(Char_Value) Converts Character string to lower case
- LTRIM(Char_Value) Removes preceding spaces from a Character string
- PROPER(Char_Value) Properizes (upper case first letter of each word)
- RECCOUNT() Returns the total number of records in the d/b
- RECNO() Returns the current record number
- RELATE(....) Same as LOOKUP
- RTRIM(Char_Value) Removes trailing spaces from a Character string
- STR(Numeric_Value,Length,Decimals) Convert Numeric_Value to a Char. value
- SUBSTR(Char_Value,Start_Position,Num_Chars) Returns part of Char_Value
- TIME() Returns system time as HH:MM:SS
- TRUNC(Numeric_Value,Length,Decimals) Truncate Numeric_Value at Decimals
- UPDATE('Index_Field','Index_File','Database_File','Field_Name',Value,Code)
- Place Value into Field_Name field in related Database_File, via
- lookup using Index_File and value in Index_Field. Code specifies non-
- existant rec mode: 0:add but ask, 1:add w/o ask, 2:never add-ignore,
- 3:never add-error. Add 4 to Code for update only when adding record
- to the main database. Pick names (in quotes) with F3 -> F6.
- UPPER(Char_Value) Convert Character string to upper case
- VAL(Char_Value) Convert Character value to Numeric value
- ZS(Numeric_Value) Zero Suppression - blanks field when Value = 0
- #57#
-
- Expression Examples
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- city='CHICAGO' -> Returns .T. (the 'true' constant) when the 'city' field
- of a record starts with 'CHICAGO'.
-
- 'CHICAGO'$UPPER(city) -> Returns .T. when the 'city' field of a record
- contains 'CHICAGO' in any case.
-
- state='TX'.AND.city='HOUSTON' -> Returns .T. when the 'state' field
- starts with 'TX' and the 'city' field starts with 'HOUSTON'.
-
- qty1+qty2 > 100 -> Returns .T. when the 'qty1' field added to the 'qty2'
- field is greater than 100.
-
- SUBSTR(zip,5,1)='3' -> Returns .T. when the fifth digit of the 'zip'
- field contains a '3'.
-
- LOOKUP('cust_id','idx_cust','customer','lname') -> Use 'cust_id' field
- from current database to search in 'idx_cust' index of 'customer'
- database, to get contents of 'lname' field.
- #60#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase Data Entry Commands:
-
- Movement Within a Field Movement Between Fields
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- HOME - Beginning Ctrl HOME - First field of form
- END - Last character Ctrl END - Last field of form
- - Cursor left TAB or ENTER - Next field
- - Cursor right SHFT TAB - Prev field
- BKSP - Delete char left PAGE UP - First field on prev page
- DEL - Delete under crsr PAGE DOWN - First field on next page
- Ctrl - Word left - Prev closest field up
- Ctrl - Word right - Next closest field down
-
- Vertical Form Movement Horizontal Form Movement
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Ctrl T- Top section Ctrl L - Leftmost section
- Ctrl B- Bottom section Ctrl R - Rightmost section
- Ctrl U- Up one line Ctrl P - Left one character
- Ctrl D- Down one line Ctrl N - Right one character
- Ctrl PAGE UP - Top first
- Ctrl PAGE DOWN - Bottom rightmost
- #61#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase Data Entry Commands (continued):
-
- Edit Functions
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Alt A - Alternate character lookup Alt = - Keyboard macro menu
- Alt C - Clear current field Alt F1- Form Help
- Alt D - Place today's date into field Alt F2- Form Pick List
- Alt E - Edit Memo field (same as F9) Alt F3- Relational Pick List
- Alt F - Recall field from Recall Buffer
- Alt M - Execute all field calculations
- Alt N - Recall and increment F9 - Edit field
- Alt O - Recall and decrement F10 - Save record
- Alt P - Print form
- Alt R - Recall record from Recall Buffer Ctrl Q- Abort/Flush macro
- Alt S - Save record (same as F10) Ctrl X- DOS shell
- Alt T - Place current time into field
- Alt V - Clear all fields
- Alt Z - Greek Characters (printer commands)
- #62#
-
- Record Movement Record Movement via selection criteria
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- HOME or F - First record Ctrl HOME or F - First matching rec
- END or L - Last record Ctrl END or L - Last matching rec
- PGUP or P - Prev record Ctrl PGUP or P - Prev matching rec
- PGDN or N - Next record Ctrl PGDN or N - Next matching rec
-
- Form Movement Display / Revise Functions
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- - Left section Alt A - print with Alternate form
- - Right section Alt D - load new Database
- - Up section Alt F - load Form file
- - Down section Alt I - select Index
- Alt L - print Label
- Alt O - index temporarily Off
- Global Functions Alt P - Print current form
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ Alt R - Remember rec (load Recall)
- Alt = - Keyboard macro menu Alt S - Save filled out form (.fof)
- Ctrl Q- Abort/Flush macro Alt T - expression Tutor
- Ctrl X- DOS shell Alt W - Write form as ASCII file
- #63#
-
- Permissable Entries
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- As you move around the form to different fields, you will notice the
- contents of the bottom line change. The row and column numbers indicate
- the cursor position within the form. Whenever editing is started, row 1
- column 1 of the form is positioned at the top left of the screen.
-
- The 'Field:' area of the bottom status line indicates the field name and
- type for the current field the cursor is in. For example,
- 'Field: NAME/C' indicates that the cursor is in the field named 'NAME'
- and it's a Character field type. Some of the field types have limits on
- what characters can be entered and how the characters can be structured.
-
- Type Description
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- C Character No limits
- N Numeric Numbers, '-' (and decimal point if decimals>0)
- D Date Numbers and characters specified in the Date Format
- L Logical 'Y','y','T','t' for True -OR- 'N','n','F','f' for False
- M Memo No limits
- #64#
-
- Window Fields
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- EZFDB will only place data into a form field when that field's name
- matches a database field name. Even so, the form field can be longer
- or shorter than the corresponding database field. When the form field
- is longer, all the data appears but data entry will be limited to the
- length of the database field. When the form field is shorter, the field
- is automatically windowed.
-
- A window field is a form field whose data is longer than its area length.
- All data is accessible, it's just not all shown in the form at the same
- time. Initially, only as much of the data field as can fit in its form
- field is displayed. During data entry, when the cursor approaches the
- end of the field, the remaining data will automatically scroll leftward
- into view. The cursor will remain in the field until it reaches the end of
- the data. Similarly, when the cursor approaches the beginning of the
- field, the remaining data will automatically scroll rightward into view.
- Again, the cursor will remain in the field until it reaches the end of the
- data.
- #65#
-
- Memo Fields
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- All Memo fields are automatically Windowed fields since the permissable
- Memo field length (5000) is much longer than the longest possible form
- field. However, there is one exception: Memo fields cannot be changed
- within the form but the first part is displayed in the form. An external
- memo editor (MEMO.COM) must be invoked (with Alt E) during data entry to
- edit Memo fields. This allows for use of the full screen for editing.
- When you exit the editor, the Memo field will be updated. An intermediate
- file is used for the editing: MMxxxxxx, where xxxxxx is a random number.
-
- EZFDB comes with a full screen editor program, MEMO.COM. This simple
- editor is a separate, stand-alone program with its own on-line help.
- You are free to replace this with any other editor that can accept an edit
- file on its command line. To use another editor, either copy it into the
- EZFDB directory as MEMO.COM or MEMO.EXE, or make a MEMO.BAT file that
- calls it. EZFDB searches for MEMO.BAT, then MEMO.COM, then MEMO.EXE, so
- make sure no files exist that will be found before the one you want.
- #66#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase Data Entry
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The commands used to access the many data entry features are listed in the
- following help screens. Availability of some features is indicated by
- the bottom line of the data entry screen. The contents of this line
- changes from field to field, based on what has been designed for this
- form and database.
-
- [phrw] on the bottom line represents:
-
- P = Form Pick List - Alt F2 for data entry, design with Form-Edit.
- Choose from fixed list of possible entries.
- H = Form Help - Alt F1 for data entry, design with Form-Edit.
- Provides information specific to a section of the form.
- R = Relational Pick List - Alt F3 for data entry, design with
- Revise-Fields. Choose from dynamic list from related database.
- W = Word-wrap - automatic in data entry, design with Form-Setup.
- Treats a set of form fields as a word-processing "paragraph".
- #70#
-
- Expression Tutor and Calculator
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- This dialog box will show the results of any expression you enter. Any
- field names in the expression will be replaced by data from the current
- record. You can enter and re-enter expressions as long as you like, until
- you've mastered the operation or function of interest. The expression
- can also be any numeric formula, so you can use this expression evaluator
- as a calculator. Expressions must evaluate to a specific type (Character,
- Date, Numeric or Logical), so be sure to not mix types.
-
- The screens that follow give details on how to form expressions.
-
- Use the ESCape key to exit the Expression Tutor and Calculator when you
- are done.
- #200#
-
- Database - Open will select an existing database for use. If you want to
- create a new database, you instead need to use the Database - New command.
-
- Enter the database name only, without the .dbf extension. If you don't
- remember exactly what it's called, a list of files will be presented
- whenever you enter just the directory name and leave the filename blank,
- or whenever you enter a wildcard for the file name. Directory listings
- consist of files in the current directory, then subdirectories in the
- current directory, and then valid drives. Selecting a file will load that
- database. Selecting a subdirectory will show a listing for that
- subdirectory. Selecting a drive will show a listing for the current
- directory on that drive.
-
- A file or directory name consists of up to 8 characters. The following
- characters CANNOT be used in file or directory names: ."/\[]:|<>+=;,
-
- Directory names are optional and if left blank, the current directory
- is assumed. The directory name can contain a drive name, a path name or
- both. A path name is a list of directories separated by backslash
- characters ('\'), that leads through the directory tree up to the
- directory of interest.
- #201#
-
- Refer to your Disk Operating System (DOS) manual for detailed information
- on directories and file names.
-
- The following files are read at this time:
-
- - database file (.dbf) Stores the actual data
- - memo file (.dbt) Where memo fields are stored
- - database defs (.dbr) Stores Index List, Calculations, Rel. Pick Lists
- - form file (.frm) EZ-Forms form for data entry or reports
- - form/db file (.fdb) Contains form field names, Word Wrap and
- Field Sequencing info
- - index files (.ndx) Record ordering data (optional)
-
- The database file is always required for this command. If the form file
- does not exist, EZFDB can create one for you. When the form file exists
- without the form/db file, EZFDB can create the form/db file for you. The
- resulting form/db file may not place database fields into form fields
- properly, since form field names are assigned from the database field names
- by sequence.
- #210#
-
- Database - Close will flush all internal disk buffers to disk and terminate
- access to selected files. This is useful for saving data to a floppy
- before its removal, or before powering down a system.
-
- This command is just as effective as exiting the program at preserving
- data.
-
- On a network, this command is useful for freeing up a database so someone
- else can make structural modifications, which require exclusive file
- access.
- #230#
-
- Database - New can create a database using a currently loaded form, any
- other existing form, or it can also create a new form. Once a form is
- available, a Field Setup menu is presented, which allows modification
- of all field characteristics before the database is actually created.
- Subsequent changes can be made with the Revise - Fields command, or the
- Database - Build command.
-
- The Field Setup menu allows you to setup field width, type and name for all
- fields. In the first window (selection list), move the cursor with the up
- and down arrow keys to select the field you want to change, then press the
- 'Enter' key. This will bring up a second window (dialog box) that allows
- you to change certain characteristics for the selected field. Once in the
- dialog box, the direct field selection keys PGUP (previous field), PGDN
- (next field), Ctrl PGUP (first field) and Ctrl PGDN (last field) are
- active. The F10 key will return back to the field selection list. Field
- Calculations can only be entered and modified with Revise - Fields.
-
- If a database with the same name already exists, you will be prompted
- before it is overwritten.
- #231#
-
- Characteristic Description
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Name Can be up to 10 alphabetic, numeric or '_' characters.
-
- Type Character, Numeric, Date, Logical or Memo.
-
- Width 0 through 256, depending on type.
-
- Decimals For Numeric fields only. Number of digits after decimal
- pt., 0 - 15. Must be at least 2 less than field width.
-
-
- Limits
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The sum of the widths of all fields (10 for Memo fields) is the record
- length. The maximum record length is 32000 characters.
- The total number of fields in the form or database cannot exceed 1000.
- Limits are subject to available memory.
- #232#
-
- Type Can Contain Width
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Character any ASCII character 0 - 256
- (letters, numbers, symbols and spaces)
-
- Numeric '0' - '9', '.', '-' 0 - 19
- Decimals 0 - 15
-
- Date '0' - '9', and other chars in user format 8
-
- Logical 'T','t','Y' or 'y' for logical true (.T.) 1
- 'F','f','N' or 'n' for logical false (.F.)
-
- Memo any ASCII character 10
- (letters, numbers, symbols and spaces) (0-5000 in memo file)
-
- Data Entry Help
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- During data entry, the field name and type is displayed on the bottom
- line. A help screen is available to explain permissable entries by type.
- #233#
-
- Memo Fields
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- A Memo field is very similar to a Character field, except that its data
- is stored in a separate Memo (.dbt) file and each Memo field's length
- can be variable and relatively long. The advantage is that when an
- occasional elaboration is required for a certain record, there are no
- limits on how long or short the elaboration can be. Only 10 bytes are
- used for each Memo field in a record to point to the corresponding data in
- the Memo file. When there is data in a Memo field, it is written to
- the Memo file in 512 byte blocks. When there is no data, nothing is
- written to the Memo file.
- #235#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase will create a new form and database from answers
- you place in this dialog box. Fields names are automatically assigned,
- and all field types and widths are the same, as specified. Once the
- default database definition is built, a Field Setup menu is presented,
- which allows full control over all field characteristics. Since defaults
- have already been setup, the field definitions can be used as is.
-
- The Field Setup menu presents a list of fields. Selecting one of the
- fields will present a dialog box for modification of the default field
- characteristics. Once in a dialog box, the direct field selection keys
- PGUP (previous field), PGDN (next field), Ctrl PGUP (first field) and
- Ctrl PGDN (last field) are active. The F10 key will return back to the
- field selection list.
- #236#
-
- EZFDB imposes some limits on the form it automatically creates. The form
- width is fixed to 80 columns, and the height varies depending on the
- number of desired fields. Remember, the maximum height is 999 lines, but
- this can be further limited by the Config - Memory settings. EZFDB tries
- to fit one field per line, but if there are too many fields, it will try
- to fit two fields per line. Depending on the actual field width and total
- number of fields on the form, some fields may be shortened only in the
- form, and therefore windowed.
-
- Of course, the Form - Edit command can then be used to edit the form and
- make it more suitable.
-
- For full control over the form size and format, use the Form - Create
- command to create a new form. Then run Database - New and tell it you
- want to create a database from an existing form.
- #240#
-
- Database - Build will rebuild (clone) the current database to a new one, or
- create a new database that matches an alternate form. When you choose a
- new form, a copy of the current form is made. The new database will then
- be created using the new or alternate form's name.
-
- Once a form is available, the Field Setup menu will appear. This allows
- you to setup all field characteristics for the NEW database. EZFDB can
- add, delete or move fields only when creating a new form. Whenever fields
- are added, deleted, or moved, EZFDB will change the form accordingly. When
- building is done, you may want to edit the form to move new fields into
- proper position, or to remove text relating to deleted fields. However,
- when editing the form, be careful about moving, adding, or deleting fields.
- You can use Form - Setup to change the field names accordingly. When you're
- finished making field changes, press the F10 key to continue to the next
- window, which asks for selection criteria and index ordering. By entering
- an expression, you can select which records get copied to the new database.
- Specifying index ordering will cause records to be written to the new
- database in current index order.
-
- NOTE: After this command executes, the PRIOR database and form are still
- active, not the new ones.
- #241#
-
- Database - Build is useful for making changes to your database structure,
- after you have created the database. You simply build to a new name, then
- load the new database to verify any changes. You can then use the
- Database - Erase command to delete the old database.
-
- Field Setup Commands NOTE: Only available when creating a new form.
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Insert - insert a new field, before or after the current one, if room.
- Delete - delete the current field.
- Alt C - copy field characteristics into paste buffer.
- Alt D - copy field characteristics into paste buffer, then delete field.
- Alt P - insert field, using field characteristics in paste buffer. If
- the original field from which the paste buffer was loaded was
- not deleted, then make sure to change this field name.
- Alt V - view new form in its current state.
- #242#
-
- Using an alternate form to build a new database can be rather involved, but
- in some situations it may be necessary. For example, there may be times
- when massive changes to the form are needed. Or there may simply be no
- room in a certain area to add more fields. Here are the steps:
-
- 1) Create the alternate form, either from new or by altering a form.
- 2) Use the Form - Setup command to assign form field names. Remember,
- these names must match the appropriate fields in the original database.
- 3) Load the original database.
- 4) Optional: use Form - Open to load the alternate form to verify proper
- form setup and field naming.
- 5) Run Database - Build.
- 6) Load new database to verify results.
- #243#
-
- Database - Build is useful for creating a different database to be used by
- a different department or person. In this case, only some of the records
- and fields are needed. For example, a company has a master customer
- database, which includes all domestic and foreign customers. A new
- domestic sales department is created, so the master customer database must
- be split into two - one domestic, and one foreign. Here are the steps:
-
- 1) Load the master customer database.
- 2) Select the Database - Build command, and enter a name for the domestic
- customer database.
- 3) When the Field Setup menu appears, make any necessary modifications,
- then press F10 to the selection criteria dialog box.
- 4) For selection criteria, specify:
- COUNTRY=' '.or.upper(COUNTRY)='USA'.or.upper(country)='U.S.A.'
- This is simply an example, specific cases may vary.
- 5) Select index or non-index order, and press ENTER to start the build.
- 6) When complete, the original customer database will still be active.
- 7) Load the new domestic customer database and verify the results. Since
- you still have the original database, it's easy to redo the above steps
- if there were any problems. Redo until you are satisfied.
- 8) Repeat steps 1-7, with appropriate changes, for the foreign database.
- #250#
-
- Database - Export will export the current database to a seperate file, in
- one of the 6 supported formats. You can select which fields get exported,
- field order, and what records get exported. Records will be ordered based
- on the currently active index. EZFDB leads you through the following
- steps:
-
- 1. Select export file type. Each of these types are fully documented in
- the manual, and are also available for importing with Revise - Import.
-
- 2. Fields to export. Here you can control which fields get exported and
- their sequence.
-
- 3. Selection criteria. Here you enter an expression which selects what
- records get exported.
-
- 4. Export file name.
- #260#
-
- Database - Rename will rename all files directly associated with a
- database. These files are identified by the following file extensions:
- .frm - form
- .fdb - form/database
- .dbr - database definitions
- .dbf - datbase
- .dbt - memo
-
- As with Database - Erase, other files that may be associated with a
- database are not affected. These include:
- .ndx - index
- .cnf - configuration
- .mac - keyboard macros
- To rename one of these other files, you can exit or shell to DOS, and use
- the DOS 'REN' command. However, there is a problem with renaming an
- index file using DOS, since the index file name is also present in the
- database's Index List. To rename an index file, you could:
-
- 1) Use the Index - Erase command to erase the index file and then use
- the Index - Create command to recreate it with the new name.
- OR ...
- #261#
-
- 2) Exit or shell to DOS, and rename the index file. Then re-enter EZFDB,
- tell it to eliminate invalid indexes from the Index List, then use
- the Index - Include command to include the index under its new name.
-
- If any associated keyboard macros use an old file name, that macro must
- be re-recorded using the new file name.
- #270#
-
- Database - Erase will erase all files directly associated with a database.
- These files are identified by the following file name extensions:
- .frm - form
- .fdb - form/database
- .dbr - database definitions
- .dbf - datbase
- .dbt - memo
-
- As with Database - Rename, all other files that may be associated with a
- database are not affected. These include:
- .ndx - index
- .cnf - configuration
- .mac - keyboard macros
-
- To erase one of these other files, you can exit or shell to DOS, and use
- the DOS 'DEL' command.
- #280#
-
- Database - Describe will change the descriptive comment that shows up
- whenever you request a database directory listing. This description is
- first entered at time of database creation. A similar description is also
- maintained for each form, and can be changed with the Form - Describe
- command.
-
- When listing a database directory, to get the database descriptions, EZFDB
- must read part of each database .dbr file. This can be rather time
- consuming on slower machines, or on directories with very many databases.
- The Config - Files menu contains an option to turn off descriptions when
- listing database directories. Initially, this is on.
- #300#
-
- Form - Open will load a form file (.frm) and its form/database file (.fdb)
- if it exists. A form defines the data entry screen and/or the report
- format. Before selecting a database, or after closing a selected database,
- loading a form can be the first step towards creating a new database, or an
- alternate view/report form. To create an alternate form, create a master
- form, then use Form - Setup to name the form fields appropriately. To
- create a database from a form, use Database - New.
-
- When a database is selected (with Database - Open), the corresponding form
- and form/database files are also loaded. Subsequent form loading will
- provide an alternate view or report format for that database.
-
- Enter the form name only, without the .frm extension. If you don't
- remember exactly what it's called, a list of files will be presented
- whenever you enter just the directory name and leave the filename blank,
- or whenever you enter a wildcard for the file name. Directory listings
- consist of files in the current directory, then subdirectories in the
- current directory, then valid drives. Selecting a file will load that
- form. Selecting a subdirectory will show a listing for that subdirectory.
- Selecting a drive will show a listing for the current directory on that
- drive.
- #301#
-
- A file or directory name consists of up to 8 characters. The following
- characters CANNOT be used in file or directory names: ."/\[]:|<>+=;,
-
- Directory names are optional and if blank, the current directory is
- assumed. The directory name can contain a drive name, a path name or both.
- A path name is a list of directories separated by backslash characters
- ('\'), that leads through the directory tree up to the directory of
- interest.
-
- The form file (.frm) must have been created by EZ-Forms DataBase or
- Executive. EZ-Forms DataBase supports all printing features, but not the
- math formulas of EZFX. Most math formulas can be rewritten as EZFDB
- Field Calculations (see Revise - Fields). EZ-Forms DataBase also supports
- the use of the HP LaserJet Font and Graphics Support Pack (HPLJFGSP) for
- printing.
- #310#
-
- Form - Print will print a form, with or without a database active. If a
- form is not already active, you can enter the name of one. When a form is
- read at this time, you are given a chance to view the form before the
- full-screen Print Setup menu appears.
-
-
- When the form is larger than the screen, the arrow keys will move the form
- to allow viewing of other sections.
- #320#
-
- Form - View allows you to view a form, with or without a database active.
- If a form is not already active, you can enter the name of one, or choose
- one from a directory list.
-
-
- When the form is larger than the screen, the arrow keys will move the form
- to allow viewing of other sections.
- #340#
-
- You can create many different sizes of forms in EZ-Forms DataBase. One
- of the most common is 64 lines by 80 columns. Text 80 columns wide at
- 10 cpi will just fill a 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. Most printers use
- 66 lines per page vertically. So if you allow for a little leeway on
- positioning the printer head at the VERY top of the page, things should
- fit well.
-
- If you have a 80 column printer like the Epson MX80, you can print a form
- as large as 88 lines by 132 columns by using compressed print and 8 lines
- per vertical inch.
-
- Those of you lucky enough to have a wide carriage printer may be able to
- print up to 130 columns normal size print or about 230/240 in the
- compressed mode. The largest form you can print on a MX100 with wide paper
- is 88 lines (if you use 8 lpi) by 230/240 columns. This is a huge form!
-
- For multiple page forms, simply total up all the lines. So for a 3 page
- form where there are 66 lines per page, the total number of lines is 198.
- The maximum EZFDB form height is 999 lines, and the maximum width is 254
- columns. This is dependent on the maximum settings in the Config - Memory
- menu.
- #350#
-
- Form - Setup allows you to enter field names directly into the form, so
- that you can see the form while you're deciding on names. Form names can
- also be assigned when creating a new database with Database - New, but the
- form is not accessible there. Use F2 to view/paste database field names.
-
- Field names consist of up to 10 characters with only alphabetic, numeric
- and the '_' characters allowed. Alphabetic case is insignificant. Field
- windowing is used when the field is smaller than 10 characters. All form
- field names and parameters are stored in the form/database (.fdb) file.
-
- Until the database is opened or created, form field names only apply to
- the form. When a new database is created, the database field names are
- made identical to the form field names. When a database is open and an
- then an alternate form is opened (without closing the database), the form
- field names are matched up to the database field names, in order to find
- out where to place data on the form. Any fields without a match always
- display blanks and any data entered into these fields will be lost.
-
- F2 - View/paste database field names F7 - Insert new field name
- F3 - Form Field Parameters F8 - Delete field name at cursor
- F9 - Edit name full size
- #351#
-
- F3 brings up a Form Field Setup dialog box. This is where Field
- Sequencing and Word Wrap is selected. Field Sequencing controls where the
- cursor will go after data entry for the current field is complete. This
- is the forward sequence. Normally, the next field is defined by normal
- left to right, top to bottom sequence. Field Sequencing allows for
- alternate sequencing, to make data entry easier and more intuitive. The
- next field is selected by entering its name, which also automatically
- selects the backward sequencing from the next field to the current field.
- Field sequencing is sometimes necessary, when lines contain multiple fields,
- with unrelated purposes.
-
- Word Wrap can be selected for each field, and is normally off. With
- Word Wrap on, words will not be divided between fields, unless a word is
- too large for the field. When there are words in the next field, the
- wrapped word is inserted at the beginning. This word wrap process
- continues, in word-processing fashion, until a non-word-wrap field is
- encountered. You will also notice that cursor movement within and
- between fields changes to be more like a word processor.
- #360#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase Form Editor Commands:
-
- FUNCTION KEYS ALT FUNCTION KEYS CTRL FUNCTION KEYS
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- F1 - Help AF1 - Form Help CF1 -
- F2 - Resize Form AF2 - Form Pick List CF2 -
- F3 - Insert Field Markers AF3 - CF3 -
- F4 - Delete Field Markers AF4 - CF4 -
- F5 - Draw Line AF5 - CF5 -
- F6 - Erase Line AF6 - CF6 -
- F7 - Draw Border AF7 - CF7 -
- F8 - Erase Border AF8 - CF8 -
- F9 - Clear Form AF9 - CF9 -
- F10- Editor Menu AF10- CF10-
- #361#
-
- Single keystroke commands (most of these can also be executed via F10):
-
- Alt A - Alternate Character Lookup Ctrl A - Add Block Attributes
- Alt B - Bold Text Ctrl B - Box Draw for Marked Block
- Alt C - Copy Block Ctrl C -
- Alt D - Delete Block Ctrl D -
- Alt E - End Block Ctrl E - Erase Block Attributes
- Alt F - Find Text Ctrl F - Feed Date/Time into form
- Alt G - Graphics Walk-Around Ctrl G - Delete Character
- Alt H - Hide Block (disable block) Ctrl H - (same as backspace)
- Alt I - Information about Form Ctrl I - (same as tab)
- Alt J - Justify Text Ctrl J - Insert a line at cursor
- Alt K - Cross Hatch Generator Ctrl K - WordStar-like ^K Commands
- Alt L - Line Graphics Palette (1-4) Ctrl L - Large Character Lookup
- Alt M - Move Block Ctrl M - (same as Enter)
- Alt N - Notepad (use between forms) Ctrl N - Number (Auto Number Setup)
- Alt O - Ctrl O - Kybd macro prefix (Global)
- Alt P - Print Current Form Ctrl P - Patch Form
- Alt Q - Abort edit Ctrl Q - Abort/Flush macro
- Alt R - Replace Text Ctrl R - Read ASCII file from disk
- Alt S - Start Block Ctrl S - Save Form and Resume Edit
- #362#
-
- Single keystroke commands continued:
-
- Alt T - Text rotation (vertical) Ctrl T -
- Alt U - Underline Ctrl U -
- Alt V - Visible block enable Ctrl V - Verbose (Help Message Level)
- Alt W - Ctrl W - Write ASCII file to Disk
- Alt X - Save form then exit edit Ctrl X - Exit to DOS Shell (Global)
- Alt Y - Generate CFO Grid Ctrl Y - Delete Line
- Alt Z - Printer Cmds (Greek Chars) Ctrl Z -
- Alt = - Kybd macro Menu (Global)
-
- Ctrl Enter - Inserts a line in the form at the current cursor line.
-
- NOTE: The various graphics commands use one of four different sets of
- line type characters, depending on the palette selected with Alt L.
- #363#
-
- Most printers support printing of graphic characters. EZ-Forms DataBase
- provides printer drivers to handle most of them. If you have a text only
- printer, then EZ-Forms DataBase provides a translation of these characters
- into something your printer can handle.
-
- Cursor movement commands:
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Use the keypad arrows to move Home Move to left side of form
- left, right, up, and down. End Move to right side of form
- Ctrl Home Upper left of form
- Use the Control key with the Ctrl End Lower left of form
- keypad left and right arrows Ctrl PgUp Top of screen/form
- to move to left and right of form. Ctrl PgDn Bottom of screen/form
-
- Note: Commands beginning with the Ctrl, Alt or Shift key, are selected by
- holding down the first key and then pressing the second key. For
- example: to use the Ctrl Home command, you would hold down the
- Control key and then press the Home key once.
- #364#
-
- Note: Auto numbering must be set up in the form. During data entry, this
- information is used to automatically insert the updated number into
- the record.
-
- Special character oriented commands that only affect printing:
-
- Alt U -- Underline the character at the cursor. NOT on graphics!
- Alt B -- Bold the character at the cursor. NOT on graphics!
- Alt 1 -- User defined function 1. \
- Alt 2 -- User defined function 2. \ Use the Alt I command to see
- Alt 3 -- User defined function 3. / the configured names for these.
- Alt 4 -- User defined function 4. /
-
- Note: These affect only the printed form. A status of these commands is
- shown on the bottom of the screen. You can see the status updated
- as you move the cursor. Character status will toggle from U and B
- if you press the key again. The user defined functions can be
- altered thru the configuration portion of EZ-Forms DataBase.
- #370#
-
- Form - Describe will change the descriptive comment that shows up whenever
- you request a form directory listing. This description is also entered
- whenever a form is saved from the form editor. A similar description is
- also maintained for each database, and can be changed with the
- Database - Describe command.
-
- When listing a form directory, to get the form descriptions, EZFDB must
- must read part of each form (.frm) file. This can be rather time
- consuming on slower machines, or on directories with very many forms. The
- Config - Files menu contains an option to turn off descriptions when
- listing form directories. Initially, this is on.
- #400#
-
- Add Records
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Add new records to current database. New records are concatenated onto
- the end of the database file. The new key values along with the database
- record number will be inserted into all index files in the Index List.
-
- When you enter the F10 function key, the record will be added. If no
- error occurs, you will get a menu of options:
-
- A Add another record
- R Revise current record
- P Print this form Same as Print - Single
- L Print label
- F Print with alternate form Explained on next screen
- E Exit or Escape
-
- Your selection (ARPLFE)?
-
-
- #401#
-
- The 'L - Print label' and 'F - Print with alternate form' commands require
- a form file (.frm) and associated form/database (.fdb) file. The
- form/database file must contain at least one form field name that matches
- a database field name. After the files are read, the alternate form is
- matched to the database by field name and the appropriate data is inserted
- into the new form. Then, the Print Setup menu allows you to print the
- alternate form with the current data. Once printing is complete, the
- original form is re-loaded and the previous menu appears.
-
-
- Unique Indexes
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- If you've selected any of the indexes to have unique key values only,
- and the record you're adding contains a key value that is already in that
- index file, the record will not be added to the database or any of the
- index files. Unique indexing is an option available at time of index
- creation with the Index - Create command. This prevents adding of
- duplicate records.
- #410#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase Display Commands:
-
-
- FUNCTION KEYS
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- F1 - Help
- F2 - Search for record matching given value, anywhere within record
- F3 - Find records via match of given mask against record
- F4 - Query database for records via index key and/or selection criteria
- F5 - Find next record containing duplicate key
- F6 - Select a record by entering its database record number
- F7 - Add a record
- F8 - Delete/undelete this record (can be purged later)
- F9 - Edit this record
- F10- Exit
- #411#
-
- Edit Records
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- At this point, you can browse through all records in the database by
- using the keys listed later in this help area. To help find a particular
- record, you can use one of the movement keys described previously, or you
- can use one of the find commands, Search (F2), Match (F3) or Query (F4).
-
- The Search command is probably a good first choice, since all that is
- required is a string of sequential characters for which to look. The
- Match command may be more accurate, if you know what field the characters
- are in. Even though Search and Match are fairly simple, they may need
- a long time to find the record, since each record is searched one by one.
- The Query command has two parts, of which either or both can be used to
- help find records. The first part deals with using the current index file
- to find a record. As long as the character string of interest lies at the
- beginning of an index key, a matching record can be found in an instant.
- The second part of the Query command allows you to enter an expression
- for selecting certain records. The expression query still must search
- record by record, but entering an index key to search for (first part) can
- #412#
-
- speed this up by finding a record that matches the key before searching
- via the expression.
-
- To edit any record, use F9 to enter the edit mode on the currently
- displayed record. Using the F8 key to delete a record will simply tag the
- record for later removal by the Revise - Purge command. The Config -
- Misc command can change whether the delete-tagged records are displayed
- by any of the record display commands. If you know the number of a
- particular record you want to see, you can use the F6 function to retrieve
- that record by number.
-
- A record's number is its position in the file relative to the beginning of
- the file. The very first record is number 1 and they are numbered
- sequentially after that. A database can contain up to 2,147,483,647
- records, assuming your disk is large enough. Once a record is added, its
- record number is fixed until the record is deleted with the F8 function and
- purged with the Revise - Purge command. After a record is purged, its
- record number and position in the file are reused by the next valid record.
- #420#
-
- Revise - Delete allows you to delete all records that match the selection
- criteria you provide. Once deleted, the records remain in the database
- until the database is purged. The Config - Other command contains an
- option for selecting whether EZFDB displays deleted records or not.
-
- This command is useful for situations where you want to rid your database
- of some records that contain data that set them apart from the records you
- do want. For example, let's say your database is getting too large for
- your disk and you want to delete all records that are older than a year.
- Assuming that today's date is 12/22/92 and the date field's name is 'DATE',
- you would enter this formula for the selection criteria:
-
- DATE < ctod('12/22/92')
-
- When this command finishes, it displays the number of records found and the
- number of records deleted. If these numbers are different, its only
- because some of the records it found were already deleted.
- #430#
-
- Revise - Undelete allows you to restore any set of previously deleted
- records. It will not allow you to restore any deleted records that
- have already been purged by the Revise - Purge command.
-
- This command allows you to easily change your mind about records you've
- previously deleted. For example, let's say that you normally delete
- invoices for orders that total less than $5.00. Assuming that the total
- field is Numeric and it's name is 'TOTAL', you could enter this formula
- for the selection criteria:
-
- TOTAL < 5.00
-
- When this command finishes, it displays the number of records found and the
- number of records undeleted. If these numbers are different, its only
- because some of the records it found were already not deleted.
- #440#
-
- Revise - Purge will physically remove all deleted records from your
- database. This allows you to reuse the space taken up by deleted records.
- You will probably want to make a backup of your database before running
- this command.
-
- CAUTION: Be v e r y careful, since no backup copy of the database is
- automatically made before the purge is carried out. Once the
- purge is started, it may be impossible to restore the deleted
- records.
-
-
- NOTE: After the database is purged, any record numbers that you've noted
- may now be different. Be careful when recalling records with these
- possibly obsolete numbers.
- #450#
-
- Revise - Merge will add records to your database from another dBASE
- compatible file that has some matching field names.
-
- First, you select a database to merge. Then EZFDB will check each field
- name in the merge database against each field in the current database.
- If there are no matches, an error is given. If there is at least one
- match, one record is added to the current database from each record in
- the merge database. Only the fields that match by name are copied into
- the new database record. All unmatched fields are left blank. Any size
- discrepencies between matched fields are handled by truncation or
- padding with spaces, whichever is appropriate.
-
- CAUTIONS: No field-type validation is performed on non-character fields.
- No field calculations are performed.
-
- Finally, one record is added to the current database from each record
- in the merge database. Indexes are automatically updated.
- #460#
-
- Revise - Import will add records from a non-dBASE compatible database.
-
- First, you select a database to import. Then EZFDB asks you for a
- database file type, all of which are listed on the next screen. These
- same file types are also available for export with Database - Export.
-
- The only way this command will work is if the fields in the import
- database are in the same order as the fields in the current database.
- Additionally, if there are no field separators, the fields must match
- up by size or translation errors will occur. Also, for type 5 where
- there is no record delimiter, the record length must exactly match.
-
- CAUTIONS: No field-type validation is performed on non-character fields.
- No field calculations are performed.
-
- Finally, one record is added to the current database from each record
- in the import database. Indexes are automatically updated.
- #461#
-
- The following types are supported:
-
- Type Field Sep Rec Sep Notes
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- 1 CR LF None PeachText (field per line)
- 2 , CR LF MailMerge
- 3 , CR LF Lotus PRN
- 4 None CR LF Fixed length packed 1
- 5 None None Fixed length packed 2
- 6 None CR Only File Express format
- #470#
-
- Revise - Recalc will recalculate all field calculations in all records.
- If you've turned Auto Recalc on, this may not be needed, since all field
- calculations would be performed during data entry, and just prior to saving
- a record during an Add or Edit function.
-
- Here are some examples where Revise - Recalc may need to be run:
-
- 1) After merging or importing records from another database.
-
- 2) After changing some fields with the Revise - Substitute command.
-
- 3) You normally leave Auto Recalc off, and now you do want to
- calculate everything.
-
- 4) After changing some pertinent information in a database that is
- 'related' to the current database via the Relate function in a field
- calculation.
- #480#
-
- Revise - Substitute will set a certain field of selected records to a
- particular value. An expression can be used to create the value.
-
- For example, assume the selection criteria expression is 'ZIP='606', the
- field name is 'STATE' and the substitute expression is '"IL"'. This will
- place 'IL' into the 'STATE' field of all records with zip codes starting
- with '606'.
-
- This command achieves nearly the same result as the Replace command of
- any word processing program. The search value in the word processor's
- Replace command is similar to the selection criteria expression in
- conjunction with the field name. The replace value is similar to
- EZFDB's substitute expression. The substitute expression can specify any
- value of the same type as the field to be substituted. This allows the
- use of math, relations, properizations, etc. When the replace is carried
- out, the entire field is set to the substitute expression's result, not
- just the portion found. So, the entire field is replaced.
- #490#
-
- Revise - Fields allows you to change any database characteristic, except
- database field width. To change field widths or field order, a rebuild
- with Database - Build will be necessary. Field Calculation and
- Relational Pick Lists are saved into the database-related (.dbr) file.
- All other field characteristics are saved into the database (.dbf) file.
-
- A Field Calculation is an operation performed on a particular field. This
- operation is specified by an expression, which evaluates to a result of
- the same type as its field. Entry and modification of Field Calculations
- can only be done with the Revise - Fields command.
-
- A Relational Pick List is a more visual but less automatic version of the
- automatic Lookup feature, available via a Field Calculation. It is also a
- more powerful version of the Form Pick List. Instead of choosing from a
- fixed list, records from a related (secondary) database are displayed in a
- pick list manner. Data from the current (primary) record helps select the
- start of the list, but all records are accessible.
-
- Since these characteristics are kept with the database, data entry
- through an alternate form will have no affect on Field Calculations or
- Relational Pick Lists, even if some db fields are missing from the form.
- #491#
-
- Revise - Fields presents a list of fields. Selecting one of the fields
- with F2 or F3, will present a dialog box for modification of the chosen
- field characteristics. Once in a dialog box, the direct field selection
- keys PGUP (previous field), PGDN (next field), Ctrl PGUP (first field) and
- Ctrl PGDN (last field) are active. The F10 key will return back to the
- field selection list. F10 from the selection list will save the changes.
-
- NOTE: All indexes are rechecked after the new characteristics are saved to
- the database. If you change the name or type of a field whose old
- name or type is being used by an index, an error will result.
- Rebuild all index files which use old field names or types in their
- key expressions.
- #500#
-
- View - Look
- #510#
-
- Search for a record containing a given value, anywhere within that record.
- Alphabetic case is insignificant.
-
- This is the simplest method of searching, but it may find more records
- than you need, in which case you may have to specify a longer search
- string or use the Match or Query command instead.
-
- The 'index number of where to start search' allows you to speed up the
- search by specifying at what position in the file to start the search.
- The index number is very similar to the record number. The index number
- represents the position of a record's index key within the active index
- file, relative to the beginning of that file. When there is no active
- index, the index number is identical to the record number.
- #520#
-
- Find records by applying the given mask to each record until a match
- results. Any character position containing a '*' will be masked out
- of the search, essentially ignoring it. The '*' represents a wild card,
- where it in effect matches any character. All other characters are
- matched by position, ignoring alphabetic case.
-
- A Match is more powerful than a Search, but more information about the
- target record is required. In some cases, Match may be too restrictive
- or too slow. The Query command can utilize the index to speed up the
- search, or it can use a search expression for maximum accuracy.
- #530#
-
- Query gives you the most power in finding records. To accomplish this,
- Query is divided into two parts, either or both of which can be used.
- The first part, which is placed in the upper half of the entry box, is
- called the Seek, where the currently active index is used to find a record.
- The second part, which is placed in the lower half of the entry box, is
- called the Find, where an expression is used to find a set of records.
- The additional power comes from being able to combine the above two parts
- to speed up an otherwise slow Find. When both parts are specified, a
- Seek is performed to find a matching index key, then the sequential Find
- is performed, record by record. If there is no active index, the index
- key value is ignored.
-
- For example, assume we have a database of names and address indexed by zip
- code and we want to find 'John Brown' in zip code '99076'. If we use the
- Find part by itself, the selection criteria expression would be:
-
- NAME = 'John Brown' .AND. ZIP = '99076'
-
- Since Find searches in index order and doesn't automatically notice that
- zip code is part of the expression, we must needlessly sit through the
- #531#
-
- first part of the search. For a large database, this can take quite some
- time. All zip codes from 00000 to 99075 must be searched before it finds
- 99076. With the Seek part alone, we need just enter '99076' as the index
- value, and the first record with zip code 99076 is immediately found. But
- still, we have to use the Find part to find 'John Brown'. If both parts
- are used in conjunction, the responses would be:
-
- Index value:
- 99076
-
- Selection criteria expression:
- NAME = 'John Brown'
-
- The first record for zip code 99076 is found immediately, and then the
- first John Brown record is found. In many cases, the Query command will
- be faster than Search or Match, even for simple searches like the above
- one. However some of this speed gain is offset by the extra time needed
- to enter an expression. For the uninitiated, this can be considerable.
- You will need to judge, based on the situation, whether to use Search,
- Match or Query to achieve the quickest overall results.
- #532#
-
- To further clarify, a Seek is almost always faster than a Find for two
- reasons:
-
- 1) Since the index fields are already known, only a value need be
- entered instead of an entire expression.
- 2) Find searches the database record by record, using the index to
- order the search. Seek uses the index file only, and since the
- index file is maintained in the B+Tree format, the search is very
- fast. Once the value is found in the index, the corresponding record
- is retrieved instantaneously. Query essentially combines the above
- two operations - Seek followed by a Find.
-
- A Seek can result in one of the following conditions:
-
- 1) The value was found.
-
- 2) Inexact find. The value was found but had fewer characters than the
- index file keys. For example, if "Andy " was the index file key
- value, seeking for "Andy" would yield an inexact find since there were
- 8 characters in the index file key value and 4 characters in the seek
- #533#
-
- value and the first 4 characters match.
-
- 3) The value was not found, so the record with the key value that's just
- greater than the seek value will be displayed.
-
- 4) The value was not found, and the end-of-file was reached during the
- search. Therefore, the next greater value record can't be displayed.
-
- A Find can be sped up by turning off all indexes with the Index - Off
- command. This will search the database record by record without using
- any index file and result in faster file accessing. Turning off all
- indexes will of course disable the Seek operation.
-
- Case Sensitivity
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The Search and Match functions are not sensitive to alphabetic case, but
- Query (Seek then Find) is. To minimize Seek errors, the seek value is
- automatically converted to upper case whenever the 'upper' function
- appears at the beginning of the index expression. Similarly, the 'lower'
- function will automatically convert the seek value to lower case.
- #540#
-
- View - Browse will display 21 records per screen and allow you to browse
- through the entire database. A Selection Criteria expression can select
- which records to display. For example, by entering the expression
- 'city="CHICAGO"', you can limit Browse to only display records for
- 'CHICAGO'. Once in the Browse screen, you can change the selection
- criteria by using a function key to select Search, Match or Query.
-
- First, enter the names of the fields you want to see on the screen,
- separated by '/'s. If you choose less than can fit on the screen, the
- fields directly following the last one you list are used to fill it up.
- If you choose more than can fit on the screen, the remainder is truncated.
- Then, you can enter the selection criteria expression. On the screen, one
- of the top lines is devoted to column titles, which are simply the names of
- the fields.
-
- When no fields are entered and the input line is blank, EZFDB
- automatically builds the screen starting with the first database field,
- and continuing in database field order until the screen is filled.
-
- View - Browse also allows you to delete/undelete records, search for
- duplicates, edit, add, and view the entire form.
- #550#
-
- View - Report will display a summary of a set of records. The summary
- consists of at least a count. When a Numeric field is specified, the
- summary also includes a sum and average. The count is the number of
- records that match the selection criteria. This means that the expression
- is evaluated on every record of the database and the count is incremented
- by one for each record that yields a true result. When the optional field
- is entered and its Numeric, a sum and average are computed on that field
- for each record that was counted.
-
- This command is useful for getting some quick overall information on your
- database. For example, if you wanted to count the number of records that
- contained 'HOUSTON' in the city field, you could enter:
-
- Expression: 'HOUSTON' $ city
-
- Report Field:
-
-
- After all records are accessed, a count would appear. A sum and average
- is not computed since no Report Field was specified. Also, now you can
- choose to run Report again or make a simple printout of it.
- #560#
-
- View - Fields lets you browse through all the field definitions for the
- current database. The display style is identical to the Revise - Fields
- command's display.
-
- Num - field's order number
-
- Name - field name, used in expressions
-
- Type - C)haracter, N)umeric, D)ate, L)ogical or M)emo
-
- Width - A.B, where A is the total width and B is the number of places
- after the decimal point for Numeric fields
-
- Field Calculation - expression used for field's data
- (truncates at end with '...' if too long)
- #570#
-
- View - Other
-
-
- To be done - any volunteers?
- #580#
-
- View - Info displays a single screen of pertinent information regarding
- the current status of EZ-Forms DataBase.
-
- The screen is divided into four parts:
-
-
- Database - info on currently loaded, open database
-
- Form - info on currently loaded form
-
- Indexes - info on current index and Index List
-
- DOS - memory statistics
-
-
- Blank parts signify no available information.
- #600#
-
- Index - Select allows you to select a new current index from the index
- list. The current index is the index that controls the order in which
- records are displayed. The Index List is a list of index files that are
- valid for the current database. The Index List is stored in the .dbr
- (database definitions) file. Index files can be added to the Index List
- by using the Index - Create or the Index - Include command. Index files
- can be deleted from the list by using the Index - Erase command. To select
- an index, a list of valid index files in the Index List is given. The
- cursor initially highlights the current index. The columns are as follows:
-
- Name - index file name
- D - This letter stands for 'Default'. A 'D' in this column indicates
- that this index is the default current index. That means that this
- index will be the current index whenever this database is selected
- via the Database - Open command.
- U - This letter stands for 'Unique'. A 'U' in this column indicates that
- this index was created with the 'unique' option. Anytime a record
- is added or revised with an index key identical to one that already
- exists, an error will result.
- Expression - The expression that was used to create the index file.
- #610#
-
- Index - Off turns off all indexed record access. This allows the records
- to be displayed in chronological order. When a database is first created,
- no indexes exist for it and the Index List is empty. All displays show the
- records in chronological order, i.e., the order in which the records were
- entered. Once the first index is created, it becomes the default index.
- Whenever the database is selected via the Database - Open command, the
- default index is active. The only way to go back to a chronological index
- is either by using the Index - Erase command to erase the index or by using
- this command to turn off all indexes.
-
- Even after indexed record access has been turned off, all indexes are
- still updated whenever a record is added or modified.
-
- Turning off indexed record access is a way to speed up the Find command,
- since it normally searches using the active index, which takes more time.
- #620#
-
- Index - Find Dup will find any records that have the same index key values.
- This command will only work on the current index so be sure to select
- the appropriate index for your duplicate search. Duplicates cannot be
- found when there is no index selected, since no key is defined.
-
- Once the first duplicate is found, all record movement functions are
- available. This allows you to move between the duplicates to help decide
- which duplicate needs to be modified, deleted or whatever. To continue
- the duplicate search, or to restart the search at any time, use the F5
- function.
-
- NOTE: When you delete a record, and the Use Deleteds option in
- Config - Other is off, the next record in the list is automatically
- displayed. If the next record is another duplicate, it may not be
- found as such, since the F5 function starts duplicate searching from
- the current record. The solution is to move to the previous record
- after deleting one.
-
- The View - Browse screen also has an F5 - Find Duplicate function. This
- can be more useful when more than one duplicate exists for any record.
- #630#
-
- Index - Create will create a new index file from a given expression. When
- complete, the index's file name will be added to the Index List. There is
- a limit of 12 indexes in the Index List.
-
- The expression must be the kind that evaluates to a Character or Numeric
- type. Logical expressions are only used for selection criteria. Memo
- fields cannot be used in an index expression. The result of the expression
- on a given record is the index key for that record. The result must be of
- proper type and cannot be longer than 100 characters.
-
- UPPER(last_name+first_name)
-
- This expression will create an index ordered by each record's last_name
- then first_name fields, all converted to upper case. For example, if
- last_name='Smith ' and first_name='Andrea ', the index
- key is 'SMITH ANDREA ', which is of Character type.
-
- A filename for the index file is required. If the filename already exists
- in the Index List or in the specified directory, a warning is given before
- the file is overwritten.
- #631#
-
- The 'Require unique key values' question requires a yes or no response.
- When yes, any duplicate keys encountered during index creation will halt
- the creation process with an error indicating what record contains the
- duplicate key. In addition, duplicate key values will cause an error after
- adding or revising a record. Records with key values already in the index
- file cannot be entered. A 'no' response allows any keys, and therefore
- allows possibly duplicate records.
-
- To create a descending index, use the DESCEND function. For example, to
- create a descending index using the previous example, enter:
-
- DESCEND(UPPER(last_name+first_name))
-
- To create a descending index with a date value or numeric value, first
- convert it to a character value with the DTOS or VAL functions. For
- example, to create a descending index using a date field, enter:
-
- DESCEND(DTOS(date))
-
- For a numeric field, enter: DESCEND(VAL(number))
- #640#
-
- Index - Rebuild will rebuild any one index file or all index files listed
- in the Index List. Rebuilding an index file is usually only necessary when
- one of the files has been damaged or the database has been modified without
- the corresponding modification made to the index files. EZFDB cannot
- always determine when an index file is invalid. Occasional checks are
- made where possible. Here are some examples of when the index file is
- partially checked for validity:
-
- 1) When a database is initially selected, the database file and all its
- Index List indexes are opened. When an index file is opened, the
- expression that was used to create the index file is checked against
- the database for valid field names and field types.
- 2) When an index is active, the index helps determine which record to
- display. A particular entry in the index file corresponds to a
- record in its database. If the corresponding record no longer exists
- or it has a different key value, an error will occur.
- 3) When a record is accessed by number, the index file is not needed.
- After the record is retreived however, the key is determined and
- found in the index file to setup the next indexed access. An error
- will occur when the key is not found in the index file, or when the
- key points to a different database record.
- #650#
-
-
- Index - Erase will delete an index file and remove its entry from the Index
- List. This may be necessary when you decide that you no longer need an
- index you've previously created.
-
- If an index file is deleted by any other method, you will get an error
- when the database is opened with Database - Open, since the index file name
- is still present in the Index List. At that time, you can choose to delete
- the index from the Index List, thereby eliminating future error messages.
- #660#
-
- Index - Include will add an existing index file to the Index List. This
- is only needed when the database and its index files were created by
- another program and you're setting it up for use with EZFDB.
-
- Enter the index name only, without the .ndx extension. If you don't
- remember exactly what it's called, a list of files will be presented
- whenever you enter just the directory name and leave the filename blank,
- or whenever you enter a wildcard for the file name. Directory listings
- consist of files in the current directory, then subdirectories in the
- current directory, then valid drives. Selecting a file will load that
- index. Selecting a subdirectory will show a listing for that subdirectory.
- Selecting a drive will show a listing for the current directory on that
- drive.
-
- A file or directory name consists of up to 8 characters. The following
- characters CANNOT be used in file or directory names: ."/\[]:|<>+=;,
- Directory names are optional and if left blank, the current directory
- is assumed. The directory name can contain a drive name, a path name or
- both. A path name is a list of directories separated by backslash
- characters ('\'), that leads through the directory tree up to the
- directory of interest.
- #670#
-
-
- Index - Default will select a default index. This is the index that will
- be active whenever the database is selected using the Database - Open
- command. The default index is identified by a 'D' in the Index - Select
- command's index listing. The View - Info command will also indicate the
- default index.
- #680#
-
-
- Index - Test will completely test the accuracy of all indexes. In
- most cases, this will not execute much faster than rebuilding the index,
- but it is useful for finding certain problems. If an error is found,
- a description is displayed and testing is aborted.
- #700#
- Config - Printer options are:
-
- U Select a printer by pressing U and specifying a predefined printer
- type. This must be done before you can customize a printer driver.
- This first step sets up the basic printer defaults.
-
- M Modify a predefined printer type. This allows you to customize the
- printer driver for things such as initialization string, user defined
- functions, etc. You should first choose a basic printer type with the
- U option.
-
- C Change the default printer and user defined function names.
-
- S Show the configured printer defaults. This screen will display a number
- on the left side to number each string. These numbers correspond to
- the numbers in the "Modify predefined printer type" section.
-
- L Select printer port number, LPT1 through LPT4.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase will support almost any printer on the market. Some of
- the printers, such as the Epson, are so numerous that we have taken the
- time to customize EZ-Forms DataBase to provide many print options.
- #701#
-
- Look for your printer in this list and choose it. The list is in
- alphabetical order by manufacturer name. If you cannot find your specific
- printer, try one that may be similar to it. Please notify us if your
- printer is not listed, and you have found a driver that works properly with
- it, so that we can provide it in our printer list for future releases.
- Some printers in the list are followed by mode or emulation
- information, such as Epson or LaserJet. If yours does, make sure your
- printer is setup in this mode.
-
- The left column of the printer list is a type code, which identifies
- which printer driver EZFDB is to use. If your printer is not in the
- list, or does not work properly, here is a description of each driver.
- After reading this, you may be able to choose a driver that is more
- suitable. All of these drivers are available at the end of the printer
- list.
-
- A. Plain generic dot matrix This type should work with ANY printer.
- Plain dot matrix/daisywheel. Only standard ASCII (like 1,2,Z,-, etc.)
- are sent to this printer. No control codes. ALL character graphics
- symbols are translated to a standard symbol like -, |, and +.
- #702#
-
- B. IBM Extended ASCII No ESC Sequences
- IBM Graphics printer compatible codes (ASCII codes above 127 like ⁄ ≈ ø
- etc). EZ-Forms DataBase sends the same character graphics symbols as
- you see on the screen to the printer. NO escape sequences are used,
- therefore no special print attributes are supported.
- C. IBM ASCII with ESC Sequences
- Same as above, but uses IBM Proprinter escape sequences to provide some
- of the special print attributes.
- D. HP LaserJet Font Cartridge Y
- This driver requires the Y font cartridge (or any other cartridge with
- the IBM character set) to be inserted into the printer.
- E. HP LaserJet with Optional Soft Fonts
- This is for use with the EZX optional HP LaserJet Fonts and Graphics
- Support Pack (HPLJFGSP). It can be used to display up to 10 different
- fonts and 15 different graphic images, with unlimited repetition
- throughout the form. Any printer that supports PCL 4 or higher, and
- has at least 1MB of internal memory can be used. Printers with less
- memory can can still work, but total number of fonts and graphic images
- will be limited. The HPLJFGSP also works in conjunction with the
- Printer - Preload command, to speed up printing by loading all fonts,
- #703#
-
- graphic images and the form only one time. Subsequent printing only
- sends the filled-in portions of the form.
- F. HP LaserJet with HPGraph
- For older LaserJets without a Y font cartridge or the IBM character set,
- such as the LaserJet II series, this driver can be used. It requires
- the HPGraph program to be loaded prior to running EZFDB. The font
- is fixed to portrait, at 10cpi (80 col, 66 lines).
- G. Okidata Plus Series (Utility mode)
- For older Okidata printers without Epson compatibility, this driver
- will print the graphics and attributes on your forms.
- H. HP LaserJet with Basic Soft Fonts
- As an alternative to the type F driver, this driver can print
- compressed and landscape forms. Refer to HPLJFNTS.EXE for more info.
- I. HP LaserJet/DeskJet with PC-8 Symbol Set
- This driver is the simplest and quickest LaserJet driver to use, but
- requires that the printer support the IBM character set, PC-8. Of
- course, these printers can also use drivers E or K, with the HPLJFGSP.
- J. HP LaserJet/DeskJet with PC-8 and Macros
- Same as driver type I, except can also print graphic images via HP
- print macros.
- #704#
-
- K. HP LaserJet with Optional Soft Fonts and PC-8
- Same as driver type E, except uses the PC-8 font for the default font,
- font 0, instead of the HPLJFGSP font 0.
- 1. Epson 9 pin dot matrix
- Uses Epson escape sequences for print attributes and to generate high
- quality graphics.
- 2. HP ThinkJet (Epson mode)
- Similar to driver type 1, but uses different resolution for graphics,
- as required.
- 3. Epson LQ 24 pin SW selected font
- Same as driver type 1, but for 24 pin printers. Also selects the
- basic draft font. To use the front panel or switches to select any
- other font, use driver type 4.
- 4. Epson LQ 24 pin HW selected font
- Same as above, but uses default font.
- L2. HP LaserJet/DeskJet Series
- This is a family of drivers. When selected, it shows a list which
- allows a choice of driver types I, J, H, E, K, F or D. Refer to the
- above descriptions for further information.
- #705#
-
- PS. Postscript with PSFX
- This is for any Postscript printer. PSFX is a TSR program that
- converts Epson 9 pin codes into Postscript. PSFX must be loaded prior
- to running EZFDB. Refer to PSFX-DOC.EXE for further information.
- Driver type 1 is used. Superscript and subscript are not supported.
- #706#
-
- The printer control codes are broken into five basic groups.
-
- 1. Codes 1-8: Printer initialization/exit, form initialization/exit, and
- and the 6 lines per inch (6 lpi) and 10 characters per inch
- (10 cpi) codes. The drawing below shows you how they are
- used.
-
- ’ÕÕÕÕÕ Printer Initialization
- ≥ ’ÕÕÕ Form Initialization
- ≥ ≥ ’Õ Print one line
- ≥ ≥ ≥ -- Send text quality codes to printer (see 19 & 20)
- ≥ ≥ ≥ -- If 6 lpi use 6 lpi codes else use 8 lpi codes
- ≥ ≥ ≥ -- If 10 cpi use 10 cpi codes else use 17 cpi codes
- ≥ ≥ ‘Õ End printing line and loop back to print another line
- ≥ ‘ÕÕÕ Form Exit
- ‘ÕÕÕÕÕ Printer Exit
-
- 2. Codes 9-16: User defined character attributes. These codes are used
- for EZ-Forms character attribute functions.
- #707#
-
- 3. Codes 19-20: Selects either high quality or draft quality text.
- 4. Codes 21-68: Character graphics symbols. If you are using a text driver
- this string will be sent to the printer to print the
- the character shown. On some printers you can get them
- to print character graphics symbols but they aren't in the
- same order as the IBM Extended ASCII Symbols. These codes
- allow you to translate the order to match your printer.
- Also, you can configure an escape sequence for each one of
- these symbols to get your printer into graphics, draw the
- character, then return to normal text mode. These
- translate strings offer you a means to really customize
- EZ-Forms DataBase. These codes do not affect the graphics
- drivers. In the bit-image graphics drivers, a graphics
- escape sequence is used to draw the entire line at one
- time instead of using these translate strings.
- #708#
-
- 5. Codes 69-98: Greek characters. These are user defined commands to
- direct the printer to do something. They are defaulted to
- spaces to maintain correct form spacing. Add any printer
- commands you want for these special characters. The first
- time EZFDB encounters the symbol in a form it will send the
- the On sequence. The second time it will send the Off
- sequence (they toggle states each time used).
- NOTE: Printer driver types E, J and K use Greek characters
- for graphic image placement. In these cases, the Greek
- character printer codes are not replaceable.
- #709#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to customize the "translate strings" it uses
- to work with your printer. These printer command strings consist of up to
- 18 (24 decimal) characters to be sent to the printer plus a length
- character you use to tell EZ-Forms DataBase how many of the characters to
- send.
-
- All codes are displayed in hex (base 16). If you are changing codes in
- this area, you probably are already used to working in hex. If not, then
- most computer books provide a quick tutorial on working with hex and may
- even provide a conversion table between decimal and hex.
-
- Please be careful when modifying these codes. You can easily enter
- codes that have your printer doing all sorts of strange things.
- #710#
-
- This menu gives you complete control over the way you print a form. It
- also places a lot of responsibility on you to know how your printer
- works. In particular, you need to know how wide the form is and whether it
- will fit on the width of paper in your printer. Most Epson series
- printers can only print 80 characters per line normally or 132 characters
- per line using compressed print. This is the type of information you will
- need to refer to your printer manual for or see a PC Guru in your area.
-
- Warnings:
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Epson series printers can't print both compressed and bold at the same
- time. Because of this conflict, EZFDB disables bold when printing a
- compressed form.
- #715#
- High level problem description:
-
- EZFDB has sensed an error while trying to initialize your printer. The
- perceived error may or may not be real. The most common problem here is
- forgetting to turn on the printer. The second most common
- problem is that the printer is off-line. If you are fairly sure that
- everything is all right with your printer, then tell EZFDB to NOT abandon
- printing (Ignore) and to try printing anyway. If there really is an
- error/problem in your system, then it may lock up when you print anyway!
-
- Technical problem description:
-
- Interupt 24 (Abort, Retry, Ignore) checking has been vectored thru the
- EZFDB code disabling that message. The result of an interrupt call
- indicates that there is a serious printer problem in your system. You will
- no longer have the option to abort thru the Int 24 handler. If you choose
- to proceed with printing, ALL further error messages will be disabled.
- This will cause one of three things to happen. One - if there is no
- problem, then printing will work as normal. Two - you may be able to
- "print thru" the error with EZFDB continually ignoring the errors (nothing
- to the printer). Three - your system locks up forever, there really is
- a serious problem!
- #717#
-
- Did you press one of the keyboard keys? That is the signal to EZ-Forms
- DataBase that you would like to abandon printing.
-
- If you pressed a key by accident and would like to continue printing, tell
- EZ-Forms DataBase, N for no, you don't want to abandon printing.
- Otherwise, press Y for yes to abandon printing.
- #720#
-
- The "Status" on the left reflects the selected options for printing. These
- options can be changed by pressing the key shown under "Select" heading.
-
- Some combinations of the options are not valid. That is why some of the
- selected options under "Status" switch their condition. For example,
- when you press 8 for 8 lines per vertical inch - the 6 will be deleted
- from the "Status" area. You can't have both 6 and 8 lines per inch
- selected at the same time.
-
- Many printers do not support the full range of options shown. A summary
- of printer capability by driver type is shown below.
-
- Driver Types Options NOT Supported
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- A, B . . . . . . . . . . 6, 8, S, V, F, U
- F. . . . . . . . . . . . S, V, F, U
- E, I, J, K . . . . . . . U
- C, D, G, 1, 2, 3, 4. . . F, U
- H . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 8, S, V, F
-
- NOTE: Not all 24 pin printers support the Double Tall attribute.
- #721#
-
- To change the default printer type, use the Config command of
- EZ-Forms DataBase located in the main menu. Don't forget to tell
- EZ-Forms DataBase to retain the new printer type.
-
- Filling out Pre-printed Forms
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase has a Clear Forms Overlay selection on this menu, which
- allows you to easily use most preprinted forms. To use this feature,
- first create a form to act as the template. Make sure that all the
- fields match or align with those on your preprinted form. When you go to
- print, select C for Clear Forms Overlay. This will ensure only the
- unprotected area (the form fields) will be printed. The form outline is
- not printed.
- #725#
-
- Orientation ONLY applies to HP LaserJet drivers type E, I, J and K.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to print your form in the landscape (sideways)
- orientation if you are using an HP LaserJet with one of the LaserJet
- drivers. For driver types E and K, EZFDB will download the landscape fonts
- (they have a .sfl extension) and use them for printing. Please ensure the
- landscape fonts are in your default directory.
-
- You must also have a landscape version of your print macros. The print
- macros have an L or P as the last letter of the macro name to denote the
- orientation in which they were created, and when EZFDB should use them.
-
- Examples: macro01p.hpm (portrait) and macro01l.hpm (landscape)
-
- When using printer driver type H, the orientation will automatically match
- the orientation of the font that is downloaded.
- #730#
-
- You are being asked to input in HEX, the byte you would like to enter at
- this location. Don't forget the length byte has to contain the number of
- characters you want to send to the printer. The length byte doesn't count
- against the total so the maximum is 18 (24 in decimal).
-
- These codes are sent to the printer during printing.
- #735#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to download custom fonts to your printer
- before printing a form.
-
- Steps in the process:
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- 1. You select any font other than 0. For example, Font 1.
- 2. Tell EZFDB to print.
- 3. EZFDB will run a DOS shell to execute FONT1.BAT (place the commands
- for downloading your font in FONT1.BAT).
- 4. For landscape printing, specify a landscape font.
- 5. After FONT1.BAT executes, normal printing of your form will take place.
-
- The batch file's name is built up of 'FONT' plus the 'font number you
- select' with Print Setup option U, plus '.BAT'.
-
- Example: You select font 27, then EZFDB will execute FONT27.BAT before
- printing your form.
- #740#
-
- This option refers to the actual number of lines on the paper in your
- printer. Normally a 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper using 6 lines per inch
- contains 66 lines (6x11=66) or 88 lines using 8 lines per inch (8x11=88).
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase will print blank lines at the end of your form to advance
- the paper to the top of the next page. Examples:
-
- Form length L setting Additional line feeds
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- 64 66 2
- 80 80 0
-
- Formula for additional line feeds (ALF): ALF = Form length - L setting.
- If ALF is 0 or negative, no additional line feeds will be printed.
-
- A few printers may require "tweeking" of these numbers to compensate for
- nonstandard paper or unusual print size.
-
- The default minimum lines per page setting is the length of your form.
- The maximum is set to the maximum lines supported by EZFDB (999 lines max).
- #745#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to print more than one copy at a time. Enter
- the number of copies desired at the prompt.
-
- Please ensure you have the "lines per page" option set for the correct
- value to advance your printer after printing a form to the top of the next
- page. The default value will work for most printers. A few printers may
- require the number of lines under "lines per page" option to be modified.
-
- You may abandon the printing of multiple copies just like a single copy.
- By pressing a key on your keyboard you can signal EZFDB to give you
- this option. If selected, all further copies will be abandoned.
-
- EZ-Forms allows you to store the print attributes into a form. During
- printing, these attributes are used. The attributes include: the number
- of copies, whether to compress the printed form, etc.
- #770#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to customize the name of the printer and user
- defined print functions/attributes. When you choose a basic printer type
- (under Use Predefined), EZFDB loads a generic set of text labels. As you
- customize the printer driver, you should modify these names to document
- the changes. Example: If you customize user function 4 to switch your
- printer into double high, then install the user function 4 name to say
- "Double High Character".
-
- Use the modify printer driver option to modify the command codes sent to
- your printer when a user defined function is attached to a character.
- #775#
-
- This very confusing screen shows you the codes contained in the user
- configurable printer command strings. These strings control many of the
- operations during printing. See the modify option on the printer selection
- menu for a breakdown of what each command string does.
-
- The format for the information is:
-
- Location: 1 2 3-26
- What it is: [Command string number] [length] [printer commands]
- Number base: (in decimal) (in hex) (in hex)
-
- The first byte of the command tells EZ-Forms DataBase how many of the
- possible 24 bytes to send to the printer.
-
- Hex (base 16) was chosen for the commands to reduce the display space and
- to allow more commands per string (example: 255 is hex FF).
- #800#
-
- Print - Multiple will print all records that match the given selection
- criteria, using the current form. The first dialog box is very similar
- to the Query command's.
-
- For each matching record, the form is filled out and printed. The next
- form will be printed immediately after the previous one.
-
- If you answer 'Y' to the 'Break form across page?' question, a form that
- appears at the end of a page may have its last part printed on the
- beginning of the next page. A 'N' answer will cause the form to be
- printed on the new page if all of it can't fit in the remainder of the
- current page. If the form itself is larger than a page, it will be broken
- across a page boundary, but each form will start on a new page.
-
- When a Window field or a Memo field is printed, only the first part of its
- data will appear on the form.
- #810#
-
- Print - Single will print the current record, and then move the paper in
- the printer to the top of a new page.
-
- Be sure to have your printer aligned to the top of the first page before
- printing.
- #820#
-
- Print - Labels will print all records that match the given selection
- criteria, using an alternate form. This command differs from Print -
- Multiple by being able to print forms 1, 2, or 3, etc. accross, and remove
- multiple blanks between fields (auto label spacing) and lines. This allows
- use of 2x, 3x, or 4x, etc. labels and laser printer label sheets. With
- label spacing, labels look more natural.
-
- Label Spacing
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The width of fields on a form are fixed, but sometimes the data within
- them is not. This can lead to an unnatural-looking label. For example,
- consider 2 fields on the same line, for first and last name, each 20
- characters wide. Without label printing, the label would look like:
-
- DAWN DAVIS
-
- 12212 Pasadena Ct.
-
- Pasadena, CA 99999
- #821#
-
- A label looks more natural with automatic label spacing and blank line
- removal, thereby bringing all information close together, like:
-
- DAWN DAVIS
- 12212 Pasadena Ct.
- Pasadena, CA 99999
-
- With label spacing, both protected (~) and non-protected extra blank spaces
- are considered blank and are candidates for removal. Automatic Label
- Spacing only makes sense when the start of a field is not significant. To
- prevent a field from being moved, simply place a non-blank, protected
- character in front of it, in the form. To prevent a blank line from being
- moved, simply place a non-blank, protected character on that line, in the
- the form.
-
- After printing, the current form is automatically reloaded.
-
- Be sure to have your printer aligned to the top of the first label before
- printing.
- #822#
-
- Limitations on Label Size
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- For processing while printing labels, EZ-Forms DataBase utilizes unused
- portions of the maximum form area. The size of this maximum form area is
- defined by the maximum form row and column numbers in the Config - Memory
- dialog box. This imposes some limitations on the size of a label and how
- many can be printed across.
-
- ˘ The maximum number of labels that can be printed across, is equal to
- the maximum form width divided by the current form width. For a
- typical label of 40 columns in width, a maximum form width of 132
- columns will allow for printing 3 labels accross.
-
- ˘ A label form can be no taller (number of rows) than half the maximum
- form area height. This is rarely a problem, and only becomes a
- consideration when the label has more than 66 rows.
-
- For example, when the form area is set to 248 columns by 132 lines, a 40
- column by 6 line label can be printed up to 6 across.
- #830#
-
- Print - Alternate will print all records that match the given selection
- criteria, using an alternate form. First select the alternate form, then
- enter the selection criteria. After printing, the current form is
- automatically reloaded.
-
- For each matching record, the form is filled out and printed. The next
- form will be printed immediately after the previous one.
-
- If you answer 'Y' to the 'Break form across page?' question, a form that
- appears at the end of a page may have its last part printed on the
- beginning of the next page. A 'N' answer will cause the form to be
- printed on the new page if all of it can't fit in the remainder of the
- current page. If the form itself is larger than a page, it will be broken
- across a page boundary, but each form will start on a new page.
-
- When a Window field or a Memo field is printed, only the first part of its
- data will appear on the form.
- #840#
-
- A report is a detailed listing of some or all of a database. Sometimes
- this can be accomplished by printing the main form for each record with
- Print-Multiple, or an alternate form with Print-Alternate, or an alternate
- form used as a label with Print-Labels. A report is used to print page
- titles, page headers, column titles, etc. Similar to labels, an
- alternate form called a "report form" defines the report layout. Before
- creating a new report, you must first create a new form to be used as the
- report form. If you have not done so already, exit this command and run
- Form-New to create a report form first.
-
- ˘ A report form is usually the size of a printed page, and contains a page
- header, detail and footer to use for the report. It is very similar to
- any other alternate form, but the fields on the form must group together
- to form a detail section, which is then repeated throughout the form.
-
- ˘ The detail section is assumed to start on the first line that contains a
- field, and to end on the last line that contains a field. Blank lines
- can be added between detail instances.
-
- ˘ The portion of the report form above the detail section is the page
- header.
- #841#
-
- ˘ The non-blank (protected) portion of the form below the detail section is
- the page footer. To allow border printing throughout the report,
- footer start line can be specified.
-
- ˘ Any one of the indexes created for this database can be used to control
- record ordering.
-
- ˘ A selection criteria expression can select which records to print.
-
- ˘ All of the above information is stored into a report file, which has a
- .rpt extension. The next time you print a report, you simply select this
- report file.
-
- The following diagram represents a general report form, divided into all
- possible sections. Header and footer are optional.
- #842#
-
- ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
- ≥ Header √ƒƒƒ Can contain text, graphics, or even be empty.
- √ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥ NO FIELDS.
- ≥ Detail √ƒƒƒ Must contain at least one field. Can also contain
- √ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥ text, graphics, blank lines, etc.
- ≥ Detail ≥
- ≥ repeated √ƒƒƒ This area must be completely filled with protected
- ≥ here ≥ blanks (tildes, ~). It must be large enough to hold
- ≥ ≥ at least one more detail section.
- √ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ¥
- ≥ Footer √ƒƒƒ Similar to header. NO FIELDS.
- ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
-
- To print page number, date and time, a series of repeating characters is
- placed into the header or footer at the desired position.
-
- PPP - page number (3 char sequence minimum, maximum 10)
- DDDDDDDD - current date (8 char sequence required)
- TTTTTTTT - current time (8 char sequence required)
- #843#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase will recognize any of the above sequences, and replace it
- with the appropriate information at report printing time. For page number,
- a minimum of 3 characters in a row is required, with no intervening
- characters. Date and time require 8 characters in a row. Date and time
- can occur more than once, and will be the same throughout the report. Page
- number can only occur once.
-
- To define a new report, first create a report form using the above
- guidelines. Then select the Print-Report command, which also allows you to
- edit and/or print an existing report. EZFDB guides you through report
- creation, editing and printing. The end result is simply the printed
- report form, with as many records as can be printed in the detail areas.
-
- EZFDB comes with an example report called CITIES.RPT. This is a report of
- US cities, listed alphabetically by name, using data from the CITIES
- database. The report form is CITIESRP.FRM. To help clarify the above
- concepts, first open the CITIES database, then open CITIESRP.FRM as an
- alternate form, without closing the database. Now view the records via
- this report form to get a feel for what a report form should look like.
- Then re-open the original CITIES form, and print the CITIES report.
- #850#
-
- Print - Fields will print a report of all the field definitions for the
- current database. Only simple ASCII characters are sent to the printer.
-
- The report can serve as documentation of your database structure. It can
- also be a reference for when you are modifying the form, creating an
- alternate form, or rebuilding the database.
- #860#
-
- Print - Preload is only available when you have the optional EZX HP
- LaserJet Fonts and Graphics Support Pack (HPLJFGSP) loaded, and you are
- using a LaserJet compatible printer with printer driver type E or K, and
- your printer has enough memory.
-
- Normally, when printing 1 or more forms, the soft fonts and graphic images
- are sent to the printer, followed by the form and the filled-in fields.
- Whenever you print a relatively small number of forms at a time, you must
- wait for all of this to be sent to your printer, each time you print.
-
- Print - Preload will send the soft fonts, graphic images and form to your
- LaserJet printer, and set it all up as an Automatic Overly Macro. This
- means that whenever you print a form, none of this has to be re-sent.
- Only the information in the filled-in fields has to be sent to the printer.
- This can tremendously speed up the printing of even complex forms.
- #861#
-
- NOTES:
-
- 1) When the form length is greater than the page length, i.e., the form
- is comprised of multiple pages, then the form is not sent during
- preload, but sent during every print. This is because a LaserJet
- Automatic Background Macro is limited to 1 page in size.
-
- 2) When running Preload on a form and then starting printing with an
- alternate form, EZFDB will ask if the printer should be unloaded.
- Usually the answer to this question is yes, but if the alternate form is
- identical, you could say no. This prevents the original form from being
- printed on top of your alternate one, if its different. Also, run
- Print - Preload again after loading a new database or form.
- #870#
-
- Print - Unload is only available when you have the optional EZX HP
- LaserJet Fonts and Graphics Support Pack (HPLJFGSP) loaded, and you are
- using a LaserJet compatible printer with printer driver type E or K, and
- your printer has enough memory.
-
- This command simply sends a reset to the printer, which unloads anything
- that was previously loaded with Print - Preload. See Print - Preload for
- complete details.
- #900#
-
- Macros allow you to record a keystroke sequence for later playback.
- EZ-Forms DataBase maintains a general buffer to record your keystrokes.
- Once you have recorded a keystroke sequence, you can write it to a disk
- file for later playback. Over 100 macro keys are supported. The shifted
- function keys 1 thru 10 are supported directly (just press one of them).
- The other macros are available by pressing Control O then the second key.
- Be sure to take advantage of the descriptive text label for your macro
- when you write it to disk.
-
- Use Ctrl Q to flush the keyboard buffer if your macro gets out of control.
-
- Macros can contain virtually any keystroke that you can enter from the
- keyboard. Here are some suggestions to make using macros easier.
-
- 1. If you start a macro from the main menu, use the numeric keypad Home
- key to reset the menu to a known starting position.
-
- 2. Be aware of the keystroke limit. As you enter each keystroke you will
- see a small box in the center of your screen that shows which keystroke
- you are entering and the maximum allowable keystrokes.
- #901#
-
- 3. You can execute a keyboard macro at any point. However, the macro
- attached to Shift+F10 will automatically execute when you start
- running EZ-Forms DataBase, or when you load a new macro file.
-
-
- Once you have recorded a macro, write it to disk. This allows you to
- select the macro's key and give it a description. This will be written to
- your current macro file. You can choose any macro file name. This allows
- you to have multiple sets of macros defined. At startup, EZ-Forms DataBase
- will automatically load the macro file EZFDB.MAC if it exists on the
- default drive and directory. You will probably want your most useful set
- of macros as the default. To specify a name other than EZFDB.MAC for the
- macros at program startup, use the command line 'EZFDB /m=macrofile'.
-
- Hint: Macros emulate you at the keyboard. As you record a macro, try to
- start at a known position and enter the keystrokes just as you
- would like the macro to be played back. Don't try to design a macro
- in one area of the program and play it back in another area. It may
- work but the macro will be harder to visualize and enter.
- #910#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows the default macro file name to be changed from
- within the program. Normally the name EZFDB.MAC is used. To tell EZFDB
- to default to another macro file at program load time, use the command
- line: EZFDB /m=MyMacros.MAC
-
- You are being asked for the name of the macro file to load. You may have
- several macro files saved under different names.
-
- Make sure that the macro file you are asking EZFDB to use is really an
- EZ-Forms DataBase macro file!
-
- Remember you can always press ESC if you got into this area by accident.
- #920#
-
- Sorting large macro files may take a while. We have gone to great lengths
- to minimize the requirement for additional disk space during the sorting
- process. The macro file can be over 200K in size. Creating and managing
- backup files would require a lot of extra program code and disk space. We
- have opted for a disk based sort that sorts the macro file without
- creating a backup. If you would like an unsorted backup, copy the macro
- file to another name prior to sorting it.
-
- The sorting may take a while for a large macro file. Please be patient.
- #930#
-
- Each of the over 100 macros can have a descriptive text label. This
- description serves as a reminder of its function. As you create macros,
- use a long description of the macro's function. You will find the
- description extremely important both to yourself and to other people who
- also use the macros you create.
-
- The macro file is built as you define the macros. This ensures the macro
- file is as small as possible, but the macros may be out of order. Use the
- Change Macro Order option to sort the macros back into key order. The
- maximum file size with all macros defined is over 200K (102 macros with
- each having 1000 keystrokes of two bytes each - 102*1000*2 plus overhead).
-
- We have defined S+F10 to be the "Autostart" keyboard macro since it will
- be automatically executed when you run EZ-Forms DataBase.
- #960#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to write the defined macros to disk for later
- use. If you would like for your macros to automatically load, then use
- the default name EZFDB.MAC, or use the '/m' command line switch.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase is asking you for two pieces of information before it
- saves your macros to disk. The first is which key you want to use to
- call up the macro at a future time. The second piece of information is
- the textual label or comment that will be shown when you ask to see all
- the recorded macros. This piece of information is optional, but its use is
- strongly recommended, since at a future time you may need to figure out
- what the macro is supposed to do.
-
- You may have multiple sets of macro commands defined. Save each set under
- a different file name and use the Load Macro command to read it from disk
- or specify a different macro file when you call up EZ-Forms DataBase.
-
- Example: EZFDB /m=MyMacros.MAC
- #970#
-
- A file error occured while trying to save your macro to a disk file. The
- macro file grows as you add new macros to it. If you redefine an existing
- macro, the space within the macro file is reused.
-
- When a file error occurs, it is typically due to one of the following:
-
- 1. You are out of hard disk space.
- 2. You specified an invalid filename or path for the macro file.
- 3. There is a bad area on your hard disk that can't be written to.
-
- If possible, remedy the problem and retry the operation.
- #1000#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase ran out of memory while trying to perform the requested
- operation. Generally this will only happen if you have limited free system
- memory (RAM). It can also happen when the form memory is very large, or
- there are too many fields in your form and/or database.
-
- For certain commands, EZFDB will ask your computer for memory to perform the
- requested operation only when you use the command. That way, the drain on
- your system resources is kept to a minimum. However, if you have limited
- free memory, you may see this message.
-
- Possible corrective measures:
-
- 1. Limit the number of memory resident programs you load.
- 2. Upgrade your system RAM if you have less than 640K.
- 3. Minimize form memory with the Config - Memory command.
- 4. Try to eliminate some fields, or make some fields shorter.
- 5. Exit the program, restart and then try the same operation again.
- #1001#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase could not run the external program.
-
- If swapping was selected, make sure that the SWAP.COM program is in your
- current directory or accessible via the DOS PATH variable. There must be
- at least 5K DOS memory available just to run SWAP. Also make sure that
- your swap drive has sufficient available space (up to 620K), unless there
- is sufficient available EMS memory and you choose to use it. If swapping
- was not selected, make sure that sufficient memory remains to run your
- program. To use the DOS Shell command (Ctrl X), the COMMAND.COM file must
- be accessible via the DOS PATH variable, which defaults to the root
- directory of the boot drive.
-
- If you're trying to edit a memo field, make sure that MEMO.COM or MEMO.EXE
- is in your current directory or accessible via the DOS PATH variable.
- If you want to use a batch file for your own memo editor, the file must
- be called MEMO.BAT and must reside in the current directory.
-
- If you still get this error after following the above advice, exit EZFDB
- and verify that you can run the command or batch file directly from DOS.
- #1002#
-
- This warning should only occur in the multi-user (network) version of
- EZ-Forms DataBase.
-
- Another user on the network is using one or more of the same files that
- you are using. Normally this is not a problem since EZFDB automatically
- arbitrates simultaneous file accesses via your LAN software. However,
- there are some rare instances where temporary hang-ups can occur.
- #1100#
-
- Config - Retain will save all configuration options to a file, and
- activate them. The configuration options consist of all the options that
- can be changed via any item under the Config pulldown menu. The file
- written here can be subsequently loaded by the Config - Install command.
- The configuration file can have any name or extension.
-
- NOTE: None of the configuration option changes will be in effect until
- the options are retained (saved to a file).
-
- Example: C:\EZFDB\EZFDB.CNF
- ΔæΔÕÕÕÕÕæΔÕÕÕæ ΔÕæ
- ≥ ≥ ≥ ‘ÕÕÕ Extension (optional, but recommended)
- ≥ ≥ ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ File name
- ≥ ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ Directory name
- ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ Drive name
-
- A file or directory name consists of up to 8 characters, and the extension
- can be up to 3 characters. The following characters CANNOT be used in
- file or directory names: ."/\[]:|<>+=;,
- #1110#
-
- This menu allows you to change all the colors used in EZFDB. To change
- a default color - first use the up or down arrow key to select the color,
- then type in the new color. When you have changed all the colors, press
- Ctrl D to display these colors in a sample window. As with all
- configuration options, these changes will not be used until you choose the
- Retain option on the main menu. This allows you to experiment with the
- configuration options without losing your original defaults.
-
- Please keep in mind the foreground text colors can be 0-15, the
- background 0-7. If you choose a text color the same as a background color,
- then the text will disappear. You may notice some of your installed color
- combinations result in invisible lines on the Ctrl D popup window.
- Please be careful not to choose this color for one of your text colors!!
-
- Note: For many of the EZFDB configurable options and user inputs, you will
- see a prompt containing the characters . If you count the number
- of 's you will know the maximum number of characters that can be
- entered. Also, Escape is used throughout EZFDB to signal "I want out".
- Press Enter, up arrow, down arrow, or whatever is asked for, to enter the
- desired value. Escape will throw away any immediate changes and leave
- the current menu.
- #1111#
-
- Please note that the background color (0-7) is one digit long and the
- foreground color (0-15) is two digits long. That is why you will see the
- input prompt (the 's) change it's width as you go between the colors.
-
- #1115#
-
- This screen shows the possible combinations of colors in EZFDB. The
- top set (Main EZ-Forms DataBase colors) shows you what the various menus
- will look like. The Form colors are those used to display a form.
- These colors will show you what underline, block, protected, etc.
- will look like.
-
- If you are using a non-IBM display adapter, you may have to "play" with the
- colors to get a pleasing combination. EZFDB defaults to colors that
- work well with the IBM CGA, EGA, VGA, Monochrome boards, and boards that
- are fully compatible with these.
-
- On some monochrome display adapter clones you may need to alter a
- foreground text color to get the background to change intensity.
-
- The default combination of colors will work on any 100% IBM PC compatible
- display adapter!
- #1120#
-
- Config - Printer
- #1130#
-
- Config - Files allows you to configure some file-related options.
-
- 1) Database pathname - this is what directory comes up as the default in
- any filename dialog box.
- 2) dBASE IV Memo fields (Y/N) - this specifies whether you want the Memo
- files to be compatible with the new dBASE IV format or not. If you
- enter N, the Memo file format will be compatible with dBASE III and
- III+ instead. The dBASE IV format is preferred.
- 3) Include descriptions when listing files (Yes/No/Ask) - database and
- form files can have descriptions (comments) associated with them.
- Whenever form or database file listings are given, any associated
- descriptions can also be shown. Unfortunately, it takes time to read
- these descriptions from the files. When a directory contains many
- files, depending on the speed of the system, the descriptions may take
- too long to read. When this option is set to Yes, descriptions are
- always read and displayed. When set to Ask, EZFDB will ask if you want
- the descriptions, just before each file listing. This allows you to
- decide on a case by case basis.
- #1140#
-
- Config - Memory is necessary because of the infamous DOS "640K barrier".
- Thoughtful setup with this menu will allow you to strike a balance between
- memory usage and execution time. These options must be saved before they
- will take effect.
-
- 1) Max Form Height
- 2) Max Form Width
-
- These select the amount of memory allocated for the maximum allowable
- size form. Adjusting the maximum height and width in this manner
- allows you some control over EZFDB's memory usage, while maintaining
- quick form access. The minimum is 64x80. Maximum height is 999,
- and maximum width is 254, but height times width must be <= 65535.
-
- Due to memory fragmentation, it sometimes may not be possible to
- increase the maximum form size without reloading EZFDB.
-
- SWAPPING
- There are two features of EZFDB that don't require it to be in memory
- at the time: memo field edit and shell to DOS. For these cases, EZFDB
- can be taken out of main memory and placed into either expanded memory
- #1141#
-
- (EMS) or disk. Approximately up to 600K of space may be needed. This
- frees up most of the memory originally taken up by EZFDB, which allows
- you to run other programs even if they require a large amount of memory.
- When the function is complete, EZFDB is then restored back into main
- memory. To use extended memory, set it up as a RAM disk. The remaining
- options control various aspects of EZFDB's swapping.
-
- 3) Swap EZFDB out of memory before running memo editor (Y/N) - this
- controls the memory made available to the memo editor program. If yes,
- all of EZFDB will be swapped out before the memo editor program is run.
-
- 4) Swap EZFDB out of memory before running DOS shell (Y/N) - this controls
- the memory made available to the DOS shell. If yes, all of EZFDB will
- be swapped out before the DOS shell is run.
-
- CAUTION
- DO NOT run any TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) programs from the DOS
- shell even if swap is not used. ALWAYS load TSR's before running EZFDB,
- then watch for potential conflicts.
- #1142#
-
- 5) Use Expanded Memory (EMS) for swapping (Y/N) - this controls whether
- or not to use EMS memory for swapping out EZFDB. If yes, EZFDB will try
- to use EMS first. If EMS isn't available, or doesn't have enough
- memory, EZFDB will be swapped to disk instead. If no, disk is always
- used. EMS V3.2 or newer is required.
-
- 6) Swap drive - this controls which drive is used to contain the swapped
- EZFDB. EZFDB is swapped to a temporary file called "SWAP.EZX", created
- in the current directory of this drive. For best performance, use the
- fastest drive that contains sufficient memory (approximately 600K max).
- RAM disks can be used.
- #1150#
-
- Config - Other allows you to change some miscellaneous EZ-Forms DataBase
- options. These options must be retained (saved to a file) before they
- will take effect.
-
- 1) Use deleted records (Y/N) - this controls whether delete-tagged
- records are used by the program or not. This affects display and
- multi-record operations such as Revise - Substitute.
-
- 2) Beep on error (Y/N) - this controls the beep given whenever an
- error occurs.
-
- 3) Beep on record save (Y/N) - this controls the beep given whenever a
- record is saved with the F10 function key, or a multi-record operation
- (index creation, purge, substitute, etc.) finishes.
-
- 4) Auto Recalc (Y/N) - this controls automatic calculation done on
- all Field Calculations, at time of record save with the F10 function
- key. When this is NO, the user must execute a specific command to
- calculate/recalculate.
- #1151#
-
- 5) Help level (1=least help, to 4=most help) - As you learn the program,
- you can change this to a smaller number, which will eliminate some
- helpful messages that may no longer be necessary.
-
- 6) Screen blank time (in minutes, 0=never) - when your monitor displays
- text that doesn't change for long periods of time, some portions of the
- screen may be damaged by "burn-in". To guard against this, EZFDB will
- blank the screen whenever the keyboard and mouse are not used for a
- specified period of time - the screen blank time. A setting of 0 will
- disable the screen protection.
-
- 7) User Date Format - this specifies the display and entry format for all
- Date fields, and the CTOD function. Date fields are always stored in
- the same format, so changing the User Data Format will not affect how
- dates are stored. The User Date Format can be any combination of non-
- alphanumeric symbols and the letters C, Y, M and D. Any occurrence of
- one of these significant letters will be replaced by its corresponding
- date part. During data entry, dates must match this format exactly and
- must be valid before acceptance.
- #1152#
-
- For October 1, 1942, the date parts are:
-
- Letter Description Number Examples
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- C Century 19 MM/DD/YY -> 10/01/42
- Y Year 42 DD-MM-YY -> 01-10-42
- M Month 10 (Oct) YY*MM&DD -> 42*10&01
- D Day 01 CCYYMMDD -> 19421001
- MMM,CCYY -> Oct,1942
-
-
- 8) Network: Display records even when locked (Y/N) - this controls
- record locking during display only. Database records are locked
- before a modification is made, and unlocked after the modification is
- complete. During the locked time, and with this option set to No, other
- users are prevented from even looking at the record. Users that are
- locked out receive a message indicating the condition. The only option
- is to either wait for the record to be unlocked, or to abort the current
- operation. When this option is set to Yes, locked records can be
- displayed, but they still cannot be modified until unlocked.
- #1160#
-
- Config - Install will load a configuration file and activate its contents.
- All parameters setup by the Colors, Printer, Files, Memory and Other
- commands in the Config pulldown menu can be saved into any file by using
- the Config - Retain command. The configuration file can have any name or
- extension.
-
- Enter the file name, including the extension (.cnf recommended). If you
- don't remember exactly what it's called, a list of files will be presented
- whenever you enter just the directory name and leave the filename blank,
- or whenever you enter a wildcard for the file name. Directory listings
- consist of files in the current directory, then subdirectories in the
- current directory, and then valid drives. Selecting a file will load it.
- Selecting a subdirectory will show a listing for that subdirectory.
- Selecting a drive will show a listing for the current directory on that
- drive.
-
- A file or directory name consists of up to 8 characters, plus 3 for an
- extension. The following characters CANNOT be used in file or directory
- names: ."/\[]:|<>+=;,
- #1161#
-
- Directory names are optional and if left blank, the current directory
- is assumed. The directory name can contain a drive name, a path name or
- both. A path name is a list of directories separated by backslash
- characters ('\'), that leads through the directory tree up to the
- directory of interest.
-
- The default file loaded at program startup is EZFDB.CNF. To override this
- default, you can enter a different configuration file name as the second
- parameter on the command line. Here is the effective default command line:
-
- EZFDB /M=EZFDB.MAC /C=EZFDB.CNF
-
- The '/M' switch selects the keyboard macro file, and the '/C' switch
- selects the configuration file. The switches can be specified in any
- order, but multiple switches must be separated by at least one space.
- The file extensions must be specified.
- #1170#
-
- Config - Lock will lock or unlock the form/database revise and create
- functions. Once locked with a password, the user will not be able to
- run any form or database create/edit/revise functions. Specifically
- these are:
-
- Database - New Form - New Revise - Fields
- Database - Build Form - Setup
- Database - Xport Form - Edit
- Database - Rename Form - Describe
- Database - Erase
- Database - Describe
-
- Once locked, the above functions and this help screen are unavailable.
-
- Be careful! DON'T forget your password.
- #1171#
-
- Config - Lock.
-
- This function is only available to your System Administrator.
-
- Please contact him/her for any further information.
- #1200#
- EZ-Forms supports virtually the entire IBM Extended ASCII Character Set.
- Your choice of what character to chose for borders, lines, boxes, etc.
- just became more complex. EZ-Forms has four basic graphic line sets or
- palettes to choose from:
-
- 1 ⁄ƒƒƒƒ¬ƒƒƒƒø 2 ’ÕÕÕÕ—ÕÕÕÕ∏ 3 ÷ƒƒƒƒ“ƒƒƒƒ∑ 4 …ÕÕÕÕÀÕÕÕÕª
- ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫
- √ƒƒƒƒ≈ƒƒƒƒ¥ ΔÕÕÕÕÿÕÕÕÕµ «ƒƒƒƒ◊ƒƒƒƒ∂ ÃÕÕÕÕŒÕÕÕÕπ
- ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫
- ¿ƒƒƒƒ¡ƒƒƒƒŸ ‘ÕÕÕÕœÕÕÕÕæ ”ƒƒƒƒ–ƒƒƒƒΩ »ÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕº
- ∞ ± ≤ € ›fi fl ‹ ‡ · ‚ „ ‰ Â Ê Á Ë È Í Î Ï Ì Ó reserved
- ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥
- ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕ—ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕæ ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕ—ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕæ
- ≥ ≥
- ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕœÕÕÕ Printer commands.
-
- The above boxes show you what the boxes and lines drawn with each palette
- look like. Below the boxes are some stand-alone characters which can be
- entered from the keyboard. The shaded block characters in palette 1 are
- useful in designing logos or just to emphasize a section of a form. The
- Greek characters in palettes 2 and 3 can be used to send commands to your
- printer during printing.
- #1210#
-
- Press G to start the graphics drawing. The default is N to prevent errors.
- You are now in a full screen graphics walk-around mode. Depending on the
- mode selected (see the characters in the lower right hand and upper right
- corner of the screen) different things will happen. Options are:
-
- G Graphics - A full screen walk-around mode where you use the cursor
- keys to draw figures. Whatever character is needed will
- be substituted to make the lines solid.
- N Neutral - You can walk around without affecting any characters.
- E Erase - Erase the character under where you move the cursor.
- D Drag - This mode will drag/repeat the character under the
- cursor as you move it around. Use N to position the
- cursor over the character to be repeated before using D.
- 1-4 Palette - Shorthand method to select the default graphics palette.
- P Pick - Pick a character from a table of supported characters.
-
- Press either G, N, E, D, 1-4, or P to select the function. The active mode
- is shown in the lower right corner of the screen.
-
- Note: P is valid only in modes D or N. In the other modes the inserted
- character is erased or overwritten and will not remain in your form.
- #1211#
-
- Set the graphics palette with Alt L. You can choose single line graphics,
- double line graphics, or a combination. As a short hand method, press
- 1-4. A sample character based on the palette selected will appear in
- upper right corner of your screen. Esc will return you to the editor.
- #1220#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase will move the text in the marked block to the left side,
- to the right side, or center it within the block. If you would like an
- entire section of text centered, mark the block first then call up the
- justify text command. When a multi-line block is marked, you will be
- asked whether you would like to justify all the lines in the block.
- #1230#
-
- Several of the EZ-Forms DataBase commands support Extended ASCII symbols
- not found on your keyboard. This screen lists all supported characters
- and should make it easier for you to select them.
-
- Directions for use:
-
- Use the numeric keypad cursor keys to position the box over the desired
- character and press Enter.
-
- You can also move the box to a desired character by pressing the
- corresponding keyboard key, if any.
- #1240#
-
- The block attribute erase command erases/subtracts the attributes you
- specify at the prompt from each of the characters in the marked block.
- This is a selective erase, not a clearing of all character attributes. So
- if something is bold (B) and underline (U), and you specify underline at
- the prompt, then the character will become just bold.
-
- Character meanings:
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- U Underline
- B Bold (HP LaserJet printer type E and K - background shading)
- 1 User defined function 1. \
- 2 User defined function 2. \ Use the Alt I command to see
- 3 User defined function 3. / the configured names for these.
- 4 User defined function 4. /
- F Font select for HP LaserJet using printer type E or K, and HPLJFGSP.
- P Pick a character from all possible characters.
- ~ Remove any field markers in the marked block.
-
- The bottom line of the editor screen shows the character attributes as
- you move the cursor over a character.
- #1250#
-
- The block attribute add command adds the attributes you specify at the
- prompt to each of the characters in the marked block. This is an add
- function, NOT a replace function. If something is already bold (B) and you
- specify underline (U), then it will become bold and underline.
-
- Character meanings:
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- U Underline
- B Bold (HP LaserJet printer type E and K - background shading)
- 1 User defined function 1. \
- 2 User defined function 2. \ Use the Alt I command to see
- 3 User defined function 3. / the configured names for these.
- 4 User defined function 4. /
- F Font select for HP LaserJet using printer type E or K, and HPLJFGSP.
- P Pick a character from all possible characters.
- ~ Add field markers to blank locations in the marked block.
-
- The bottom line of the editor screen shows the character attributes as
- you move the cursor over a character. Please note that the operations are
- performed in the order you enter them. If you specify ~ then p, then your
- picked character will never show up in the form because ~s will be added
- first and there won't be any blank areas to insert your picked character.
- #1260#
-
- You can draw a box around the inside border of the marked block using this
- command. The default line drawing character palette (use Alt L to select)
- will be used. The inside characters all the around the marked block will
- be replaced by the graphic lines.
-
- Boxes may be drawn in almost any size and with a variety of border styles.
- #1270#
-
- Want to read a text file into an EZ-Forms form? This command allows you
- to load text created under almost any other software program. The only
- requirement is that the file must contain only ASCII characters.
-
- If you have a block marked, you will be given the option to load the file
- into only the marked section of your form.
- #1280#
-
- This screen provides basic information on the status of the EZ-Forms
- Editor, your printer defaults, etc.
-
- Under the "Current printer related defaults" you will find the user
- function names. If you take a close look at the bottom of the editor
- screen, you will notice a character attribute area. When you see a 1, 2,
- 3, or 4 pop up, this is what it is referring to. The user functions are
- defined to contain specific information for each printer and can be
- customized by the user. See the printer configuration area for more
- details.
-
- HP LaserJet specific information is listed on the next page.
- #1281#
- Fonts are specified for the HP LaserJet using printer type 'E' thru
- combinations of user defined functions attached to each character. Other
- sections of the documentation give details on font naming conventions.
-
- Font Attributes How the font is selected
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Font 0 pub.... The default, no user defined functions.
- Font 1 pub1... Selected with Alt1.
- Font 2 pub.2.. Selected with Alt2.
- Font 3 pub..3. Selected with Alt3.
- Font 4 pub...4 Selected with Alt4.
- Font 5 pub1..4 Selected with Alt1+4.
- Font 6 pub.2.4 Selected with Alt2+4.
- Font 7 pub..34 Selected with Alt3+4.
- Font 8 pub1.34 Selected with Alt1+3+4.
- Font 9 pub.234 Selected with Alt2+3+4.
-
- Support for mutiple fonts requires:
-
- 1. An HP LaserJet Plus, HP LaserJet Series II, III, 4 or compatible
- 2. The EZX LaserJet Fonts and Graphics Support Pack ver 2.0 or greater
- 3. Configuration of EZ-Forms DataBase for the HP LaserJet - driver E or K
- #1290#
-
- Many of the editing commands have optional prompt messages to provide
- information and serve as a safety catch in case of mistakes. The extent
- of the user help/interference offered by EZ-Forms is tied to the message
- level. The more potentially harmful a command, the lower the message
- level has to be set, for the command's warning/prompt to disappear.
-
- Examples:
-
- Command Tied to Help/Message level
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Patch form 4 (no message 3 and below)
- Block delete 1 (no message at level 0)
- Various other commands 1-4 (level varies)
-
-
- Most of the block operations and some of the other editing commands
- provide this feature.
-
- The default (unless configured otherwise) is to provide the maximum level
- of user help messages.
- #1300#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to set up one auto number field within a form
- that will automatically increment each time the form is used to add a
- record to a database. Use this to generate invoice/purchase order numbers
- and control numbers. Each added record will have a unique number.
-
- If you need a starting number other than 1, simply type it into the form at
- the auto number position you have selected. EZ-Forms will use that
- number as the starting point. When the form is saved, EZ-Forms will read
- the auto number location and update all its pointers to contain your new
- number.
-
- The auto number will "roll over" from all 9s to 1 when you exceed the
- maximum number for the field.
-
- Any invalid character (non-numeric) will generate an error and cause the
- auto number to reset to 1. Example: auto number width is 5, the number
- 00A01, contains an invalid character (A) - auto number is reset to 00001.
- #1330#
-
-
- The clear form option allows you to start again with a clean slate.
-
- All characters, graphics and attributes are erased.
- #1350#
-
- The large character lookup allows you to easily create headings in large
- (8 by 8) characters. Simply type in the text and then select what
- character to use for the drawing. For other size characters, you can use
- the Notepad to move characters from the form 359-HIGH.FRM.
-
- Play with this command in a new form to get a feel for how it operates.
- This command places a lot of power (and potential for destruction) in your
- hands.
-
- The length of the allowable input text (shown as s) depends on your
- cursor position within the form and the width of the form. As you move
- the cursor to the left, there is more space to insert text so the prompt
- will get longer. Each of the large characters take up eight normal
- character spaces in both directions. That means an eighty column form can
- have at most ten large characters on a single line.
-
- The characters are entered into your form starting at the cursor position.
- They will be inserted with the cursor being the upper left point of the
- 8 by 8 character box.
- #1360#
-
- The marked block defines the area for the grid. All characters in the
- marked block will be erased. You will be asked for the vertical and
- horizontal spacing for the grid. If the desired spacing provides even
- spacing the grid will come out completely even. Otherwise you will be
- left with an off size block at the ends. See the examples below.
-
- ⁄¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ø ⁄ƒ¬ƒ¬ƒ¬ƒ¬ƒø ⁄ƒƒ¬ƒƒ¬ƒƒ¬ø ⁄ƒƒƒ¬ƒƒƒ¬ƒø ⁄ƒƒƒƒ¬ƒƒƒƒø ⁄¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ø
- √≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈¥ √ƒ≈ƒ≈ƒ≈ƒ≈ƒ¥ √ƒƒ≈ƒƒ≈ƒƒ≈¥ √ƒƒƒ≈ƒƒƒ≈ƒ¥ √ƒƒƒƒ≈ƒƒƒƒ¥ ≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥≥
- √≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈¥ √ƒ≈ƒ≈ƒ≈ƒ≈ƒ¥ √ƒƒ≈ƒƒ≈ƒƒ≈¥ √ƒƒƒ≈ƒƒƒ≈ƒ¥ √ƒƒƒƒ≈ƒƒƒƒ¥ √≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈¥
- ¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ÿ ¿ƒ¡ƒ¡ƒ¡ƒ¡ƒŸ ¿ƒƒ¡ƒƒ¡ƒƒ¡Ÿ ¿ƒƒƒ¡ƒƒƒ¡ƒŸ ¿ƒƒƒƒ¡ƒƒƒƒŸ ¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ÿ
- vert 1 vert 1 vert 1 vert 1 vert 1 vert 2
- horz 1 horz 2 horz 3 horz 4 horz 5 horz 1
- #1370#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase will download to your HP LaserJet+ or compatible the
- fonts that you attach to the characters in your form. Fonts are specified
- on a character by character basis. That means you could have ten
- characters in a row on any line, each character with a different font.
-
- The font sizes listed are the defaults provided with the EZX Publishing
- HP LaserJet Fonts and Graphics Support Pack. Actual sizes may vary since
- all of the fonts can be modified by the user. This is accomplished by
- copying a different font to the font name EZ-Forms DataBase uses for that
- font (the downloading to your printer is done at print time).
-
- Combinations of the user defined functions (Alt1-4) are used to specify
- which font is attached to which character. We have tried to make the use
- of these combinations as easy as possible. Please note that even though
- you have to specify the font (0 thru 9) with up to four different user
- defined functions, the sum of the specific user defined functions is
- always the font number.
-
- The HP LaserJet supports up to 10 fonts at one time; we have provided full
- support for that maximum. The HP LaserJet supports up to 32 print macros;
- we have supported 15 print macros thru the Greek characters.
- #1371#
-
- Refer to the On-line Manual from the main menu for additional information
- on HP LaserJet support. The information is located under the Printing
- section of the On-line Manual. Font naming conventions, printing
- sequence, plus several other topics are covered.
-
- The Print - Preload command can speed up printing time by downloading
- the soft fonts, graphics and form only once. Subsequent printing only
- needs to send the information filled in to the fields.
- #1380#
-
- Erasing the font references from a block involves clearing all the user
- defined functions from the marked block.
-
- Answer yes if you would like the font references erased/cleared. This will
- default the text back to font 0.
- #1390#
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to use your computer's system clock to
- obtain the current date and time for use in your form. If you choose
- either date or time feed then the computer's clock will be checked for
- the current time or date and then inserted at the current cursor position.
-
- As much of the date or time as will fit will be inserted into the
- available space. Be careful if you are close to the right margin.
-
- Date formats: 0 mm/dd/yy 06/15/89 Time formats: 24 hour formats
- (Example 1 mm-dd-yy 06-15-89 (Example 0 hh:mm:ss 13:30:15
- using 2 yy-mm-dd 89-06-15 using 1 hh:mm 13:30
- 15 Jun 1989) 3 mmddyy 061589 1:30:15 PM) 12 hour AM/PM formats
- 4 yymmdd 890615 2 hh:mm:ss 01:30:15 PM
- 5 dd mmm yy 15 Jun 89 3 hh:mm 01:30 PM
- (Military) 6 Julian 9166 (last digit of year & 001-365 day of year)
- 7 dd/mm/yy 15/06/89
- 8 dd:mm:yy 15:06:89
- 9 ddmmyy 150689
- A yy/mm/dd 89/06/15
- B yy:mm:dd 89:06:15
- C mm:dd:yy 06:15:89
- #1400#
-
-
- Field markers are used in two ways:
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- In forms, you insert field markers (the ~ character) to mark areas you
- want protected in the data entry screen. By filling the unused areas of a
- form with the field markers, you limit the area of the form that can be
- be filled-in later.
-
- Note: Field markers can be entered and deleted using the keyboard keys.
- #1410#
-
- After you input the text press Enter to insert it into your form. Press
- Escape if you want to exit without altering your form.
-
- The text will be inserted vertically into your form. The first character
- will be at the current cursor location. The next character will be on the
- same column but one line down. Etc.
-
- If you input text longer than the number of lines to the bottom of your
- form, inserting will stop at the last line of the form.
-
- The length of the prompt using 's will vary depending on the number of
- lines from your current cursor location to the bottom of your form.
- #1420#
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to easily generate form templates to be used
- with your pre-printed forms. To do this:
-
- 1. Answer yes to generate the overlay grid. Is this form the right size?
- 2. Insert your pre-printed form into your printer.
- 3. Call up the print menu (Alt P) and use the A (alignment dot) to print
- a dot in the corner of your form. Move your form around in the printer
- until the alignment dot prints EXACTLY on a known reference point.
- You may have to turn off the printer and move the printer head to see
- the alignment dot. Turn the printer back on before trying to print.
- 4. Print the CFO grid. It will overlay a numbered grid over your form.
- 5. Take note of the areas to be filled in on your pre-printed form and
- the line and column numbers from the CFO grid that overlay them. At
- this point you have two options:
-
- a. Try to design a form that looks like your pre-printed form with
- the blank areas in the correct spots.
- b. Forget about appearance and use the generated grid with erased
- areas in the correct areas for data entry.
-
- The next screen briefly describes CFO and gives tips on how to better
- adjust the line and column spacing for CFO.
- #1421#
-
- Using preprinted forms with EZ-Forms DataBase is easy. To use this
- feature, first create a form to act as the template. Make sure that all
- the "fields" match or align with those on your preprinted form. Create a
- new database with this form and enter a test record. When you print the
- test record, select C for clear forms overlay. This will ensure only
- the unprotected area (the text you just typed in) will be printed. The
- form outline is protected, so it doesn't print! Use the Add CFO Grid
- command (Alt Y) for a template.
-
- Tips for CFO:
-
- 1. Use the 6 lpi/8 lpi option along with the normal/small text options to
- adjust the vertical and horizontal spacing to match your field areas.
- 2. Make sure your form is sized large enough to generate a grid to cover
- your entire preprinted form. Use F2 to resize your form prior to
- generating the CFO grid.
- #1430#
-
- Usage for all printer drivers except for the HP LaserJet types E, J & K.
-
- Greek characters are user defined commands to direct the printer to do
- something. They are defaulted to spaces to maintain correct form spacing.
- Add any printer commands you want for these special characters. The first
- time EZ-Forms encounters the symbol in a form it will send the on
- sequence. The second time it will send the off sequence (they toggle
- states each time used).
-
- #1431#
-
- Usage for HP LaserJet with printer type E, J or K selected.
-
- The Greek characters are used to select print macros. These are predefined
- sequences of commands for your printer that can be triggered by sending a
- simple escape sequence (see your HP LaserJet technical reference manual
- for more info). These are used for printing things like logos for
- letterhead and for printing someone's signature. Unlike soft fonts, print
- macros have to be completely designed and defined with a macro ID (01-15)
- prior to you being able to reference them within a form.
-
- Print macros are selected within a form thru the use of the Greek
- characters. The first Greek character triggers print macro 01, the second
- Greek character print macro 02, etc. Use the Alt Z command to access them.
- #1440#
-
- The notepad is basically an enhanced block copy. You can copy any section
- of text from your form into the notepad. The text can be pasted into the
- same form at a different location or to another form.
-
- The cursor location defines where the text will be copied to.
-
- Use of this command with large blocks of text requires a lot of memory (up
- to 64K). Your computer may not have enough memory to allow this operation.
- If that occurs, you will be given an out of memory message. This in no
- way alters the functionality of any other portion of EZ-Forms DataBase.
- However, the amount of free memory shown on the bottom of the context
- sensitive help screens and the on-line manual may show 0K free. This means
- EZ-Forms DataBase at one point tried to use all of your RAM. If this
- occurs, try removing some of your memory resident software. Yes, memory
- resident programs really do decrease your computer's available RAM.
- #1450#
-
-
- This option gives you an easy way to draw a border around the outer edge
- of your form. The line will be solid, adding the correct characters at
- the corners of the form. Whatever was in the first character space around
- the outer edge of the form WILL be overwritten. The default line drawing
- palette will be used. Use Alt L to alter the default palette.
- #1460#
-
-
- This option allows you to remove the entire border from your form with a
- single keystroke. The first character position around the entire outer
- edge of the form will be erased.
- #1470#
-
- The delete block command deletes all text in the marked block. Please be
- careful with this command.
-
- Use the Ctrl V command if you want to alter the default help/message level
- and get rid of these prompts.
-
- See the copy block (Alt C) and move block (Alt M) commands for other
- options.
- #1480#
-
- The block move command moves the text from the marked block to your current
- cursor location. Your cursor location will be the upper left corner of
- where the text will be moved. This is a move (displace -- from one point
- to another) so all the text in the marked block will move.
-
- See the copy block (Alt C) and delete block (Alt D) commands for other
- options.
- #1490#
-
- The copy block command copies the text from the marked block to your
- current cursor location. Your cursor will be in the upper left of where
- the text will be copied. This is a copy (duplicate), so none of the text
- in the marked "source" block will be modified unless the blocks overlap.
-
- See the move block (Alt M) and delete block (Alt D) commands for other
- options.
- #1500#
-
- The patch function will try to connect any adjoining character graphics
- symbols. The symbols will be joined with one of the other character
- graphics symbols that best completes the form. ONLY the immediate four
- characters are scanned (characters left, above, right, and below). Based
- on these, a character out of ≥ ƒ ⁄ ¿ ø Ÿ √ ¥ ¬ ¡ ≈ is picked. You MUST have
- already placed a character graphics symbol of some type in the scanned
- character space for it to be considered for patching. Example:
-
- ≥ ≥
- ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ will be patched to ƒƒƒƒƒ≈ƒ
- ≥ ≥
-
- Please note the first example had a character graphics symbol in the area
- and needed to be patched. If it had not been there, EZ-Forms would
- have left the space blank instead of substituting the intersection symbol.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase has to make a lot of assumptions when it is patching a
- form. Sometimes it won't choose the character you think it should. This
- command gives you a good start on the patching. You will sometimes have
- to add the final touches.
- #1510#
-
- EZ-Forms is not a wordprocessor. It is a forms manager. Forms are a
- fixed length unlike word-processor files. If you want to insert a line
- something has to disappear (unless you use F2 to resize and lengthen the
- form first). EZ-Forms inserts lines by moving the line the cursor is on
- and every line below down by one. Where does the line go? It disappears.
- #1520#
-
- Your form size will not decrease when you delete a line. The text is just
- moved up one line, overwriting any text on the cursor line.
-
- If you get tired of seeing these messages, set the default help/message
- level to zero (command is Ctrl V).
- #1600#
-
- The Form Pick List function allows you to specify multiple choice tables
- for specific areas of a form. While editing a record, Alt F2 brings up
- a list of items. Select an item, then press Enter to place the item into
- the current field.
-
- Form Pick List design: First mark a block in the form using the block
- operation commands, Alt S/Alt E. Press Alt F2 to display the Form Pick
- List menu. Now you can use the Insert key (Ins) to add more items to this
- Pick List. The order doesn't matter. The Pick List is sorted by starting
- line number and starting column number. When the user displays the Pick
- List, he will only see the items that were defined for the current block.
-
- Form Pick List items are saved as part of the master form. There is
- basically no limit to the number of Pick List items you can have. The
- maximum number is 65,536, assuming sufficient memory exists.
-
- Initially all Pick List items MUST be entered by marking a block in the
- form. We chose this method to provide you with a visually-oriented
- Pick List design process.
- #1610#
-
- You are editing one of the Pick List items. You will see two edit lines.
- The top line allows you to specify the block within the form. The
- bottom edit line contains the text for the Pick List item. The two sets
- of numbers for the block are:
-
- xx,xx - This defines the upper left corner of the rectangle in a line
- column format.
-
- xx,xx - This is the lower right corner of the rectangle you defined as a
- block. This like the other number pairs are in line,column format.
-
- After you edit the string and press enter, EZFDB will try to convert
- your input into four numbers. These two line,column pairs are all that
- is of importance in your input; the rest of the text will be ignored.
-
- Notes: You must enter Pick List items through the use of the block
- operation commands. That way you clearly see where the Pick List
- block is located. Once you have entered the Pick List item, the
- entry can be edited by pressing Enter and modifying it.
-
- All text after a ~ is treated as a comment.
- #1611#
-
- Please double check to ensure the block falls within the boundaries of
- your form. Since you can easily resize a form smaller, we have no way to
- strictly enforce the numbers.
-
- Any lines or columns which are outside of the form boundaries will be
- ignored when you are filling out the form. No damage will be done.
- However, the Pick List may not work exactly as you had planned.
-
- Notes: We have intentionally set up the Pick List so as to make the
- design process as visual as possible. Once you become comfortable
- with the Pick List design process, you can take shortcuts. For
- example, mark a block and go to the edit screen. Press Ins
- several times. You have just entered Pick List items that can
- easily be edited to provide a Pick List for the area you desire
- without going through the "mark a block" routine.
-
- All text after a ~ is treated as a comment.
- #1620#
-
- You can enter up to 70 characters to be available while filling out a
- form. All blocks that overlap the cursor position when the user presses
- Alt F2 in data entry, will be shown in a list box. The user will be
- able to select the desired Pick List item and press Enter to have it
- inserted into the form at the current cursor location.
-
- If you would like to have part of the entry be a comment, add a tilde (~)
- at any point in the entry. Only the portion to the left of the ~ will be
- inserted into the form. You can also use this to create a comment-only
- Pick List item.
-
- If you have a fixed length field and would like to have the inserted
- choice clear the entire field, pad the end of your input with spaces.
- This will make all Pick List items the same length.
- #1630#
-
- Highlight one of the displayed items and press Enter. The highlighted
- item will be inserted into the form at the current cursor location. You
- can also press the first character to select an item. Using this
- technique, EZFDB will first search for a case sensitive match then try for
- a case insensitive match. For example, if you press b for Bob - EZFDB will
- first look for a b then try for a match on either b or B.
-
- Use the Alt F2 command to see the Pick List items defined for the
- current field. Note that the list can only be modified when editing the
- master form with Form - Edit.
-
- All character attributes are left unchanged. For example, if you had an
- area of the form that was underlined and then inserted an entry from a
- Pick List, the inserted item will also be underlined.
-
- In a Pick List item, all text after a ~ is considered a comment, and is
- not placed into the form.
- #1700#
- The Form Help function allows you to specify up to ten lines of help for
- specific areas of a form. During data entry, the Alt F1 key brings up a
- help screen, which was designed during form creation/edit.
-
- Form Help design: First mark a block in the master form using the
- block operation commands, Alt S/Alt E. Press Alt F1 to bring up the
- help design menu. Now you can use the Insert key (Ins) to add the
- help entry. The order doesn't matter. The Form Help list is sorted by
- starting line number and starting column number. When you bring up the
- Form Help function, you will see only the first Form Help entry for the
- block that this current cursor location falls within.
-
- Form Help entries are saved as part of the master form. There is
- basically no limit to the number of Form Help entries you can have. The
- maximum number is 65,536 or when your computer runs out of memory.
-
- Form Help can be up to 10 lines long. However, during design, only the
- first line is displayed on the screen design list to show more entries.
- Initially all Form Help entries MUST be entered by marking a block in the
- form. We chose this method to provide you with a visually-oriented
- Form Help design process.
- #1701#
-
- Please double-check to ensure the block falls within the boundaries of
- your form. Since you can easily resize a form smaller, we have no way to
- strictly enforce the numbers.
-
- Any lines or columns which are outside of the form boundaries will be
- ignored when you are filling out the form. No damage will be done.
- However, the Form Help may not work exactly as you had planned.
-
- Notes: We have intentionally set up the Form Help so as to make the
- design process as visual as possible. Once you become comfortable
- with the Form Help design process you can take shortcuts.
- For example, mark a block and go to the edit screen. Press Ins
- several times. You have just entered Form Help entries that can
- easily be edited to provide a Form Help for the area you desire
- without going through the "mark a block" routine.
- #1710#
-
- You are editing one of the Form Help entries. You will see two sets
- of edit lines. The top line allows you to specify the block within the
- form. The bottom edit lines contain the text for the Form Help. The two
- sets of numbers for the block are:
-
- xx,xx - This defines the upper left corner of the rectangle in a line
- column format.
-
- xx,xx - This is the lower right corner of the rectangle you defined as a
- block. This like the other number pairs are in line,column format.
-
- After you edit the string and press enter, EZFDB will try to convert
- your input into four numbers. These two line,column pairs are all that
- is of importance in your input; the rest of the text will be ignored.
-
- Notes: You must enter Form Help entries through the use of the block
- operation commands. That way you clearly see where the field
- help block is located. Once you have entered the Form Help entry,
- the entry can be edited by pressing enter and modifying it. Press
- F10 when done editing. If you exit by pressing escape without
- pressing enter on the line you are editing, changes will be lost.
- #20050#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase provides relational database capabilities using forms
- for data entry, printing and report formats. It can create and edit its
- own forms, as well as use forms created by other EZ-Forms programs. A
- form field is any horizontally contiguous, non-protected area of a form.
- A database field is one item of data that is part of a larger whole -
- the record.
-
- An analogy to a database is a file cabinet. The file cabinet represents
- the database, a file folder represents a database record, and items in the
- file folder represent database fields. The form represents how these
- items are placed and presented in the file folder.
-
- Form and database fields are named to provide documentation and placement
- capabilities. Every field in the form can be named separately from every
- field in the database. This is the key to flexible forms usage. The
- first field in the database can be displayed in the fourth field on the
- form by simply naming them the same. Database fields can be excluded by
- simply not having a form field name that matches that database field.
- Fields are limited to 1000 in count and 256 in width, and total record
- width cannot exceed 32000, depending on available memory.
- #20051#
-
- The first step to filling out forms and working with databases is to
- create a new form or select an existing one. The Form - Create command
- will guide you through making a new form. This leads into the form editor,
- which is very similar to the EZ-Forms Executive editor. The form editor
- is similar to a word processing editor, but with important differences
- which make forms creation a breeze.
-
- The next step is to create a database from the form you select. The
- Database - New command will guide you through creation of a new database.
- You can choose an existing form, or even have it create one for you.
-
- Once created, you can enter records into the database by using the 'Add'
- command in the 'Revise' pull-down menu.
-
- Refer to other sections of the On-Line Manual for additional information.
- F1 is available to call up help while you are using EZ-Forms DataBase.
- #20052#
-
- …ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ EZ-Forms DataBase v4.0 ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕª
- ∫ Manual Database Form Revise View Index Print Config ∫
- »ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕº
-
- The Main Menu options with descriptions are below.
-
- M On-Line Manual: This is a manual for EZ-Forms DataBase that you can
- view right on your screen, without leaving the program.
-
- D Database: This option allows you to select from various databases for
- use with EZ-Forms DataBase. You can choose field characteristics,
- create databases and rebuild databases to a new format.
-
- F Form: This option allows you to select from various form files for
- use with EZ-Forms DataBase. You can create, edit, set up, view,
- print and describe forms to use with databases.
-
- R Revise: The Revise option allows you to alter the contents of the
- currently selected database. You can add or edit records directly,
- or add records from another database.
- #20053#
-
- V View: With this option, you can look at database records in
- various ways, look at field definitions and status information, find
- records and change what records will display.
-
- I Index: Here you can alter the display order of the records.
- Create and manage multiple indexes for accessing your data in various
- ways.
-
- P Print: This option lets you print a single form or multiple forms.
- When printing multiple forms, you can specify a subset of records to
- print.
-
- C Config: Configuration of the EZ-Forms DataBase program. Select
- printer, colors and other parameters. Also allows you to save
- alternate configuration files for later restore.
- #20100#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase provides relational database capabilities using forms
- for data entry, printing and report formats. It can create and edit its
- own forms, as well as use forms created by other EZ-Forms programs.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase allows you to create and maintain a database, order its
- records, display the records in various ways, and do a multitude of other
- things while providing on-line help every step of the way. Here are some
- of its possible uses at home or at the office:
-
- Address Book Sales Leads Asset Management
- Invoices Expenses Disk Cataloging
- Inventory Time Logging Customer List
- Mailing List Bibliography Billing
-
- Example forms and databases for some of the above applications are
- provided on the system diskette. Feel free to use them as is, learn
- from them, or alter them to better suit your needs.
- #20101#
-
- If you already have a dBASE compatible database, you can use it as-is
- with EZ-Forms DataBase. You can even have it generate a form for you that
- will match the database. You can then alter this form to make it more
- suitable. If your data exists in another format, EZFDB supports 6 file
- types for importing data to an existing database. These same 6 file types
- are available for export too.
-
- For data entry by several different departments, you can define alternate
- forms that present the same database fields in different formats better
- suited to the needs of each department.
-
- For reporting, you can use the same form used for data entry, or you can
- use an alternate form. EZFDB allows you to print any subset of records
- easily, one record per form. Forms can be combined on a page or printed
- separately, one per page. There is even an Alternate Form command that
- will print the current record using a different form without changing the
- installed form. The label printing command works similarly, but can also
- suppress horizontal and vertical blank spaces for professional looking
- labels. You can even print labels that use any of the supported print
- attributes like bold, underline, superscript, etc.
- #20102#
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase requires an IBM PC (tm) or compatible with at least
- 640K of RAM. Direct screen memory access is used to provide high speed
- screen updates. This may make EZ-Forms DataBase unusable on some "not too
- close" IBM PC compatibles. IBM monochrome, CGA, EGA and VGA graphics
- adapters are known to work with EZ-Forms DataBase. If you are using an
- IBM color graphics card with a "green screen", then you must use the DOS
- MODE command on your DOS diskette to default to black and white (type MODE
- BW80 and then run EZ-Forms DataBase). If you are using a serial printer,
- use the DOS MODE command to route the serial printer to LPT1 (see your DOS
- manual for details).
-
- To be able to use all of the 12 maximum indexes, the DOS config.sys file
- must specify that at least 20 files can be open at a time. The config.sys
- command line for 20 files would be: 'FILES = 20'
-
- It is assumed that you understand DOS and how it deals with files, file
- names and directories. If you are confused, consult your computer manual
- or your local PC "guru" first, as we can only help you with EZFDB.
- #20200#
- ⁄ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒø
- ≥ EZ-Forms DataBase Features ≥
- ≥ and Command Cross-Reference ≥
- ¿ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒƒŸ
-
- This is a list of major features, each followed by one or more commands,
- indicating what commands control which features. Many features are also
- apparent in data entry (Revise - Add, Revise - Edit) but for brevity
- are not listed as such.
-
- - Unlimited relational lookups/updates (auto fill-in from/to other
- databases) (Revise - Fields)
- - dBASE III, III+ and IV .dbf, .ndx and .dbt file compatibility
- - For network version, network administration features including
- user/password entry, db file/record contention showing user name,
- create/revise function lockout control, network license management
- (ADMIN.EXE)
- - Automatic form creation from existing .dbf files (Database - Open)
- - Quickly create a database from an existing form (Database - New)
- - Full-featured Form Editor, complete with block and character functions,
- and graphics (Form - New, Form - Edit)
- #20201#
-
- - Easily match a database to any existing form (Form - Setup)
- - Fill in pre-printed forms
- - On-line manual and context sensitive help (Manual and F1)
- - Up to 12 indexes per database, continuously updated (Index)
- - Index on any field portion and/or combination (Index - Create)
- - Field Calculations (Revise - Fields)
- - Browse mode for viewing multiple records per screen (View - Browse)
- - Easily modify database format to add/delete fields and change field
- sizes and characteristics (Database - Build)
- - Print stylish reports with headers, footers, page numbers, etc.
- (Print - Report)
- - User defineable Form Help (Form - New, Form - Edit)
- - Form Pick List, provides simple multiple choice during data entry
- (Form - New, Form - Edit)
- - Field Sequence control, for data entry that doesn't follow normal left
- to right, top to bottom order (Form - Setup)
- - Relational Pick List, provides multiple choice selections from another
- database (Revise - Fields)
- - Word Wrap on any set of fields (Form - Setup)
- #20202#
-
- - Quick report feature for on-the-fly record counting, summing and
- averaging (View - Report)
- - Choose which fields show up on a form, and where (Form - Setup)
- - Duplicate record search (Index - Find Dup)
- - Create/revise function lockout for end-user applications
- (Config - Lock for single-user, ADMIN.EXE for network)
- - Unlimited databases per form (Form - Open)
- - Unlimited forms per database (Form - Open)
- - Append records from other .dbf database files (Revise - Merge)
- - Import records from other database file formats (Revise - Import)
- - Export records to other database file formats (Database - Xport)
- - Keyboard (100+) macros, each up to 1000 keystrokes long (Alt =)
- - Memo fields that allow meaningful comments of up to 5K characters
- (Database - New)
- - Field validations: Character, Numeric, Date and Logical
- (Database - New, Revise - Fields)
- - Repeat keys for repetitive data copy, date, time, etc.
- (Revise - Add, Revise - Edit)
- - Window fields for extra-long fields that fit anywhere
- (Form - New, Form - Edit)
- #20203#
-
- - Printing in "single-up" or "multi-up" label mode, with blank line and
- extra horizontal space suppression (Print - Labels)
- - Configurable screen colors (Config - Colors)
- - Supports over 500 dot matrix, ink jet, daisy wheel and laser printers
- (Config - Printer)
- #20300#
-
- DATABASES
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Data is entered into fields on a form, and the fields are stored as a
- record into a database file. EZ-Forms DataBase (EZFDB) works with dBASE
- compatible (III, III+ and IV) database and Memo files.
-
- The database file has an extension of '.dbf' and is where the records are
- stored. Each record can have one or more Memo fields and when it does,
- there is an associated Memo file that has an extension of '.dbt'. All Memo
- fields for the database are stored in this file. Whenever a database
- is selected for use with EZFDB, a form (.frm) file, a form/database (.fdb)
- file and a database definitions (.dbr) file is read in by default. The
- database file has field information in its header so if a form doesn't
- exist, EZFDB can create one for you. If no database exists, a form is
- required to create a database. For database selection, all these types of
- files must have the same name, with different extensions. For example,
- 'data' would have:
- #20301#
-
- - database file (data.dbf) Stores the actual data
- - memo file (data.dbt) Where memo fields are stored
- - database defs (data.dbr) Contains Index List, Field Calculations
- and Relational Pick Lists
- - form file (data.frm) EZ-Forms form for data entry,reports,labels
- - form/db file (data.fdb) Contains form field names and options
- - index files (data.ndx) Record ordering data (optional)
-
- Each field of a record has all of the following characteristics:
-
- Characteristic Description
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Name . . . . . . Can be up to 10 alphabetic, numeric or '_' characters.
- Type . . . . . . Character, Numeric, Date, Logical or Memo.
- Width . . . . . 1 through 256, depending on type.
- Decimals . . . . For Numeric fields only. Number of digits after decimal
- pt., 0 - 15. Must be at least 2 less than field width.
- Calculation . . Any expression that evaluates to the field's type.
- #20302#
-
- The field name is defined by the database creator for documentation and
- data placement purposes. The name is relatively short, but it should
- always reflect the meaning of the field. The database field name is
- matched up to a form field name to decide where to place its data on the
- form.
-
- During data entry, the field name and type is displayed on the bottom
- line. A help screen is available to explain the permissable entries for
- each field type.
-
- Examples
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- FIRST_NAME
- LAST_NAME
- TOTAL
- YR_TO_DATE
- SERIAL_1
- #20303#
-
- The field type indicates what kind of data the field contains.
-
- Type Can Contain Width
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
- Character any ASCII character 1 - 256
- (letters, numbers, symbols and spaces)
-
- Numeric '0' - '9', '.', '-' 0 - 19
- Decimals 0 - 15
-
- Date '0' - '9', '/' in MM/DD/YY format 8
-
- Logical 'T','t','Y' or 'y' for logical true (.T.), 1
- 'F','f','N' or 'n' for logical false (.F.)
-
- Memo any ASCII character 10
- (letters, numbers, symbols and spaces) (5000 in Memo file)
- #20304#
-
- Memo Fields
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- A Memo field is very similar to a Character field, except that its data
- is stored in a separate Memo (.dbt) file and each Memo field's length
- can be variable and relatively long. The advantage is when an occasional
- elaboration is required for a certain record, there are no limits as to how
- long or short the elaboration can be. Only 10 bytes are used for each Memo
- field in a record to point to the corresponding data in the Memo file.
- When there is data in a Memo field, it is written to the Memo file in 512
- byte blocks. When there is no data, nothing is written to the Memo file.
-
- Record and Field Sizes
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The field width defines how many characters can be in the field. The
- field decimals is for Numeric-type fields only, and specifies how many
- digits can appear after the decimal point.
- #20305#
-
- The sum of the widths of all fields (10 for Memo fields) is the record
- length. The maximum width for a field is 256 characters. The maximum
- record length is 32000 characters. The total number of fields in the form
- or database cannot exceed 1000. Maximums are subject to available
- memory restrictions.
-
- Field Calculations
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Field Calculations are simply expressions which can be defined for any
- field. The expression is calculated at data entry time if the Auto
- Recalc option is turned on in the Config - Other menu. Field
- Calculations can include math, alphabetic case conversions, relations,
- conditional relations, and character manipulation.
-
- Field Calculations are directly associated to a database field, so even
- when multiple forms are used with a single database, all Field Calculations
- will apply even if some database fields are not present on the form. This
- allows you to use non-displayed fields in your Field Calculations.
- #20400#
-
- FORMS
- ÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- A form (.frm) file defines the data entry screen and/or the report format.
- You can read a form with or without prior selection of a database.
- Before a form can work with a database, a form/database (.fdb) file is
- required. This file defines the form field names and tells EZFDB where to
- place data on the form for printing or screen display. Reading a different
- form after a database is selected provides an alternate view to that
- database, assuming the form fields are named appropriately. Various
- commands can create this file.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase can create and edit its own forms, as well as use
- forms created by other EZ-Forms programs. However, math formulas from
- EZ-Forms Lite, Plus and Executive are not supported. Math formulas are
- instead handled by database Field Calculations.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase also supports the use of the HP LaserJet Font and
- Graphics Support Pack (HPLJFGSP) for printing.
- #20401#
-
- Form Field Names
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The Form - Setup command allows you to enter field names directly
- into the form, so that you can see the form while you're deciding on names.
- If necessary, the Database - New command will automatically create form
- field names from the database field names.
-
- Field names consist of up to 10 characters with only alphabetic, numeric
- and '_' characters allowed. Alphabetic case is insignificant. When
- entering field names in the form, field windowing is used if the field
- is smaller than 10 characters.
-
- Until the database is created or attached, these field names only apply
- to the form. When a new database is created from a form that already
- has field names, the database field names are made identical to the form
- field names. When opening an existing database or loading an alternate
- form while a database is already open (active), the form field names are
- matched up to the database field names, in order to find out where to place
- data on the form. Any fields without a match always displays blanks, and
- any data entered into these fields will be lost, once the record is saved.
- #20402#
-
- Window Fields and Memo Fields
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- EZFDB will only place data into a form field when that field's name
- matches a database field name. Even so, the form field can be longer
- or shorter than the corresponding database field. When the form field
- is longer, all the data appears but data entry will be limited to the
- length of the database field. When the form field is shorter, the field
- is automatically windowed.
-
- A window field is a form field whose data is longer than its field length.
- All data is accessible, it's just not all shown in the form at the same
- time. During data entry, when the cursor approaches the end of the field,
- the remaining data will automatically scroll leftward into view, and the
- cursor will remain in the field until it reaches the end of the data.
- Similarly, when the cursor approaches the beginning of the field, the
- remaining data will automatically scroll rightward into view, and the
- cursor will remain in the field until it reaches the end of the data.
- #20403#
-
- All Memo fields are automatically Windowed fields since the permissable
- Memo field length (5000) is much longer than the longest possible form
- field. However, there is one exception: Memo fields cannot be changed
- within the form but the first part is displayed in the form. An external
- memo editor (MEMO.COM) must be invoked (with Alt E) during data entry to
- edit Memo fields. This allows for use of the full screen for editing.
- When you exit the editor, the Memo field will be updated. An intermediate
- file is used for the editing: MMxxxxxx, where xxxxxx is a random number.
-
- Alternate Forms
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The main form is the form that was used to create the database, and/or
- has the same filename as the database. An alternate form has a different
- filename, and provides an alternate view to a database. It can contain any
- subset of database fields, in any order. You can create an unlimited
- number of alternate forms, to use with even more than one database.
- Alternate forms can be used for reports, labels, or even for an alternative
- data entry screen.
- #20404#
-
- Alternate Forms as Reports
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- A report differs from a form because more than one instance (record) of
- information can be presented on a single page. For example, with a
- database of customers, the data entry form shows only one customer. To
- print a report that lists customers by name, with many customers per
- page, you will need to create an alternate form that will lay out the
- data for one customer on that page. When printing a report, each page is
- filled with as many forms as will fit, one per customer. The report form
- might be 2 lines by 80 columns, and contain the customer's name and phone
- number on the first line, and nothing on the second line. The blank
- second line provides a blank line between customers on the printout, to
- improve readability.
- #20405#
-
-
- Alternate Forms as Labels
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Labels are very similar to reports. The only differences pertain to
- creating professional looking labels. The label printing commands are
- able to respace information on a label, thereby removing extraneous blanks
- and creating a natural appearance. In addition, the Print - Labels
- command can print labels 1, 2, or 3, etc. accross, for use with Cheshire
- or other similar labelling systems.
- #20500#
-
- INDEXES
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- An index defines the record access order. Indexes can be defined with
- any combination or parts of fields. Up to 12 indexes can be retained
- in the database's Index List, assuming the DOS config.sys file contains a
- 'FILES=20' command. The Index List defines all indexes to be used with a
- database. Only 1 index can be active at any time, but all indexes in
- the Index List are updated whenever records are added or modified. The
- Index List is stored in the .dbr (database definitions) file. The index
- that automatically becomes active whenever the database is selected, is
- called the Default Index, and is delineated by an 'D' in the selection box.
-
- Index Creation
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The Index - Create command will create a new index file from a given
- expression. When complete, the index's file name will be added to the
- Index List.
- #20501#
-
- The expression must be the kind that evaluates to a Character or Numeric
- type. Logical expressions are only used for selection criteria. Memo
- fields cannot be used in an index expression. The result of the expression
- on a given record is the index key for that record. The result must be of
- proper type and cannot be longer than 100 characters.
-
- A filename for the index file is required. If the filename already exists
- in the Index List or in the specified directory, a warning is given before
- the file is overwritten.
-
- Index files can be setup to allow only unique keys. In this case, any
- duplicate keys encountered during index creation will halt the creation
- process, with an error, indicating what record contains the duplicate key.
- In addition, duplicate key values will cause an error after adding or
- revising a record. Records with key values already in the index file
- cannot be entered.
-
- For example, to create an index that will display records in the order
- indicated by the contents of a field named LAST_NAME, the expression
- would simply be: LAST_NAME
- #20502#
-
- Index Maintenance
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- Index - Select allows you to select a new current index from the index
- list. The current index is the index that controls the order in which
- records are displayed.
-
- Index files can be added to the Index List by using the Index - Create
- or the Index - Include command. Index files can be deleted from the list
- by using the Index - Erase command. The Index - Default command will
- mark a new default index. If there is an error when initially accessing
- the default index file, no index is automatically active.
-
- Index - Off turns off all indexed record access. This allows the records
- to be displayed in chronological order. When a database is first created,
- no indexes exist for it and the Index List is empty. All displays show the
- records in chronological order, i.e., the order in which the records were
- entered. Once the first index is created, it becomes the default index.
- Whenever the database is selected via the Database - Open command, the
- default index is active. The only way to go back to a chronological index
- is either by using the Index - Erase command to erase the index or by using
- #20503#
-
- the Index - Off command to turn off all indexes.
-
- Turning off indexed record access is a way to speed up the Find command,
- since it normally searches using the active index.
-
- Index Integrity
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- If all indexes were created with EZFDB, files were never moved or deleted,
- and no disk errors occured during file updates, all would be fine.
- Dream on. Errors and mistakes will occur. EZFDB cannot always determine
- when an index file is invalid. Occasional checks are made where possible.
- Here are some examples of when the index file is partially checked for
- validity:
-
- 1) When a database is initially selected, the database file and all its
- Index List indexes are opened. When an index file is opened, the
- expression that was used to create the index file is checked against
- the database for valid field names and field types.
- #20504#
-
- 2) When an index is active, the index helps determine which record to
- display. A particular entry in the index file corresponds to a
- record in its database. If the corresponding record no longer exists
- or it has a different key value, an error will occur.
- 3) When a record is accessed by number, the index file is not needed.
- After the record is retreived however, the key is determined and
- found in the index file to setup the next indexed access. An error
- will occur when the key is not found in the index file, or when the
- key points to a different database record.
-
- The Index - Rebuild command will rebuild one or all of the index files that
- are in the Index List. Rebuilding the index files is usually only
- necessary when one of the files has been damaged or the database has been
- modified without the corresponding modification made to the index files.
- #20700#
-
- PRINTING
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase supports various laser, dot matrix, and daisy wheel
- printers such as the HP LaserJet, Epson, IBM, and compatibles. This
- support includes graphics and print attributes such as bold and underline.
- Most other printers can be used with the Generic printer driver, which
- uses plain ASCII instead of graphics characters. If EZFDB doesn't support
- your printer well-enough, you can edit the codes in one of the built-in
- drivers, and create a customized driver.
-
- You can print a form from the main menu by using one of the Print options,
- or by pressing Alt P while in a form display mode.
-
- EZ-Forms DataBase does not require you to define your printer type before
- you can print. The Generic printer driver is the automatic default.
-
- Here are some notes to help keep your association with EZ-Forms DataBase
- forms printing on a friendly basis.
- #20701#
-
- 1. Most printers can print 66 lines per page. To print a full-page form,
- we recommend using 64 lines x 80 columns, which allows a couple of
- extra lines at the end to compensate for paper alignment. Adjust your
- printer so the first line prints at the VERY top of the page. If you
- don't, some of the forms may spill over onto the next page.
-
- 2. Some printers have micro-justification (usually controlled by a switch
- inside the printer). Make sure this switch is off before using
- EZ-Forms DataBase (usually this means turning off the switch AND
- turning the printer off and back on). If your printer uses micro-
- justification, then the right border of the printed form will NOT line
- up vertically.
-
- 3. If you do not have an Epson, IBM, or LaserJet or compatible, then you
- can't use the compressed print mode. See the printer configuration
- area (Config-Printer) for a current list of printers.
-
- 4. The Config-Printer command will allow you to set up the codes needed
- for almost any printer.
-
- 5. Some laser printers may require you to first print the form to a file
- #20702#
-
- via the 'T' option in the Print Setup menu. Then after proper printer
- initialization, you can print the ASCII file from DOS with the command:
- COPY "filename" PRN: (or LPT1:, COM1:, ETC.).
-
- 6. EZ-Forms DataBase directly supports the HP LaserJet and compatible
- printers. Solid vertical and horizontal lines are printed. Multiple
- fonts and graphic images on form are available with the optional HP
- LaserJet Fonts and Graphics Support Pack (HPLJFGSP), explained on the
- next few screens. This pack also allows use of the Print - Preload
- command, which speeds up the printing process by loading the fonts,
- graphics and form to the printer only once.
-
- 7. Using preprinted forms: EZ-Forms DataBase has a Clear Forms Overlay
- (CFO) selection on the Print Setup menu, which allows you to easily
- use preprinted forms. To use this feature, first create a form to act
- as the template. Make sure that all of the fields match or align with
- those on your preprinted form. Create a new database with this form
- and enter a test record. When printing the test record, select C for
- Clear Forms Overlay. This will ensure only the unprotected area (text
- you just typed in) will be printed. The form outline is protected, so
- it doesn't print!
- #20703#
-
- HP LaserJet Fonts and Graphics Support Pack
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- EZX Publishing now offers fully integrated Soft Fonts for use with the HP
- LaserJet+, II, III and 4 series of laser printers. With this optional
- support package, EZ-Forms DataBase supports 16 groups of downloadable soft
- fonts. Though not necessary, the Print - Preload command will download all
- used soft fonts, graphics, and the form, in order to speed up subsequent
- printing. Each of the 16 groups is based on normal/small text, 6/8 lines
- per inch, normal/very dark text, and portrait/landscape orientation.
- Within each group you can have 10 fonts, 00 being the default font and
- 01-09 being additional fonts you can access within any given form. The
- naming convention is:
-
- Fnt00N6N.SFP
- ≥≥≥≥≥ ≥ ≥
- ‘µ≥≥≥ ‘ÕœÕ Soft font portrait (SFP) or soft font landscape (SFL)
- ≥≥≥‘ÕÕÕÕÕ Normal (N) or very dark (V) text/graphics
- ≥≥‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕ 6 or 8 lines per inch
- ≥‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ Normal (N) 10 cpi or small (S) 17 cpi text/graphics
- ‘ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ Font number (00 is default), range 00-09
- #20704#
-
- This provides 16 possible font groups:
-
- Fnt00n6n.SFP 10 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
- Fnt00s6n.SFP 17 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
- Fnt00n6v.SFP 10 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
- Fnt00s6v.SFP 17 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
- Fnt00n8n.SFP 10 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
- Fnt00s8n.SFP 17 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, portrait
- Fnt00n8v.SFP 10 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
- Fnt00s8v.SFP 17 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, portrait
- Fnt00n6n.SFL 10 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
- Fnt00s6n.SFL 17 cpi, 6 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
- Fnt00n6v.SFL 10 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
- Fnt00s6v.SFL 17 cpi, 6 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
- Fnt00n8n.SFL 10 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
- Fnt00s8n.SFL 17 cpi, 8 lpi, normal darkness, landscape
- Fnt00n8v.SFL 10 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
- Fnt00s8v.SFL 17 cpi, 8 lpi, very dark text/graphics, landscape
-
- Note: Each font group can have up to 10 fonts, 00-09.
-
- #20705#
-
- Each font may optionally have its horizontal and vertical motion index
- adjusted. EZ-Forms DataBase uses a file with the same name as the font
- except ending with HMP (portrait)/HML (landscape) to designate an ASCII
- file that contains an ASCII number for modifying the character spacing
- for a font. If no file exists then EZ-Forms DataBase assumes no motion
- modification is required. Refer to your HP LaserJet technical reference
- manual for details on horizontal (HMI) and vertical (VMI) motion indexes.
-
- Font 00, the default font, is used for the form outline and for all text
- that doesn't have another font specified thru the EZ-Forms character
- attribute functions. It also determines the inter-line spacing for any
- other (01-09) loaded font. With driver E, this font is loaded from
- disk. Driver K uses the internal LaserJet default fault with PC-8
- symbol set for font 00 only. This symbol set is available in most
- LaserJets and compatibles, except for some of the older ones. Both E
- and K drivers load all other fonts from disk.
-
- Any font may be renamed to fit into the EZ-Forms DataBase naming
- conventions. However, most fonts don't provide the character graphics
- symbols that allow the lines in the form to be drawn. All of the EZX Soft
- Fonts in the font support package provide this capability.
- #20706#
-
- Print macros are also supported. Print macros are predefined sequences of
- commands for your printer that can be triggered by sending a simple escape
- sequence (see your HP LaserJet technical reference manual for more info).
- These are used for printing things like logos for letterhead and printing
- someone's signature. Unlike soft fonts, print macros have to be completely
- designed and defined with a macro ID (01-15) prior to you being able to
- reference them within a form.
-
- Print macros must be named MACROxxy.HPM where xx is the macro ID and y is
- either P (portrait) or L (landscape).
-
- Print macros are selected within a form thru the use of the Greek
- characters. The first Greek character triggers print macro 01, the second
- Greek character print macro 02, etc. The Alt-Z command during data entry
- allows selection of Greek characters.
-
- Print macros can't have a shaded background. This is intentional because a
- print macro is a graphic image of an item. The graphic image will already
- contain any shading desired when it is designed.
- #20707#
- BASIC OVERVIEW OF HOW TO USE THE SOFT FONTS FOR PRINTING
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- The following is an overview of printing when using the optional EZX Soft
- Fonts with driver E or K selected (HP LaserJet+, II, III, 4 or compatible).
-
- 1. EZFDB searches your form for "Greek characters"- ‡·‚„‰ÂÊÁËÈÍÎÏÌÓ - and
- then downloads to your printer the print macro referenced by the Greek
- character. The first Greek character references the first print macro,
- the second Greek character references the second print macro, etc.
- 2. EZFDB searches your form for any fonts referenced. It then downloads
- to your printer Font 00 plus any additional fonts the form references.
- 3. EZFDB is now ready to start printing. It prints the outline using Font
- 00. Any other font is used on additional passes. EZFDB selects the
- Font 00 and goes to the line and column of the next text using a
- different font (other than 00). It will then print all the contiguous
- characters/text using that font. At the next font switch EZFDB again
- switches to Font 00, goes to the proper line/column within your form,
- and starts printing using the new font. This allows you to easily
- line up text vertically using a multitude of different fonts. Unless
- you are aware of this process, you could be a little confused over how
- multiple font printing is accomplished.
- #20708#
-
- 4. The background shading is now done. EZFDB uses the lightest character
- graphic symbol to add a shaded background (characters with a Alt B)
- attached. On printer drivers other than E, the Alt B allowed you to
- bold a character. This capability is still retained but you have to
- use a different font for bold text when using this printer driver.
- 5. Print macros are now printed. EZFDB goes thru your form line by line,
- directing your printer to print any print macros it finds. Please note
- that if you direct EZFDB to use a print macro and it wasn't available
- for downloading earlier in this process, nothing will print.
-
- Warning:
-
- EZFDB makes multiple passes to produce a composite, which is the printed
- form that comes out of your printer. Your printer can handle only a
- maximum number of characters per line and a maximum number of lines per
- page based on the fonts and orientation you select. If you try to print a
- form bigger than will fit on a single page, you may get multiple pages -
- each with a portion of one of the passes.
-
- To print correctly, your form MUST fit on a single page based on the fonts
- and orientation selected. Trial and error may sometimes be necessary.
- #20800#
-
-
- Unable to run the file EZXINFO.EXE. Exit to DOS, and run EZXINFO.EXE
- directly. If EZXINFO.EXE is not in your current directory, it can be
- copied from the original Full System Disk. The following screen contains
- a list of EZX products. Run EZXINFO.EXE from DOS for more product
- details and ordering information.
-
-
- EZX Publishing
- Publishers of the EZ Series
- P.O. Box 58177
- Webster, TX 77598 USA
-
-
- Valueware/TestDrive versions of all our programs are available from our
- EZ-HOST BBS.
- #20801#
- EZX PRODUCTS
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- EZ-FORMS DATABASE v4.0 inFORMation processing at its best. $149+s/h
- EZ-FORMS EXECUTIVE v4.0 the ULTIMATE forms manager --- Only $129+s/h
- EZ-FORMS PLUS the ORIGINAL forms processor and manager --- Only $69+s/h
-
- Forms Combo Pack (Over 500 forms! Only $99 w/EZFX or $119 w/EZFL +s/h
- Laser Font Support v2.4 for HPLJ+, etc. (Requires EZFX 2.4+)--Only $99+s/h
- Laser Font Support v1.2 for HPLJ+, etc. (free w/EZFX,EZFL,EZFDB), $29 w/EZS
-
- EZ-DiskCopy PRO v3.0 copies ALL 5.25 & 3.5 disks, serializes, etc. Replaces
- dedicated duplicators. $495+s/h NCP,10 machine OR $139+s/h CP,1 machine.
-
- EZ-SPREADSHEET "The Ultimate Spreadsheet" -- Only $49+s/h
- EZX-WORD v3.0 Great WS compatible wordprocessor. -- $49+s/h
-
- (s/h add, $6 USA/48, $12 AK, HI, PR, APO, FPO, VI, Canada, $22 foreign.)
- Pricing and terms are subject to change without notice. Code 9/92
- All product names are trademarks (tm) of EZX Corporation.
- #20900#
-
-
- Unable to run the file SUPPORT.EXE. Exit to DOS, and run SUPPORT.EXE
- directly. If SUPPORT.EXE is not in your current directory, it can be
- copied from the original Full System Disk. The following screen contains
- information about technical support. Run SUPPORT.EXE from DOS for further
- details.
-
-
- EZX Publishing
- Publishers of the EZ Series
- P.O. Box 58177
- Webster, TX 77598 USA
-
- Voice: 1-713-280-9900
- FAX: 1-713-280-0099
- Info/OrderBBS: 1-713-280-8180 (1200-14.4K N81) EZ-HOST BBS
-
- Valueware/TestDrive versions of all our programs are available from our
- EZ-HOST BBS.
- #20901#
-
- BASIC SUPPORT POLICY
- ÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕÕ
-
- We provide technical support to all registered users of our products. We
- provide the support to the INDIVIDUAL who filled out, signed, and sent in
- the original registration card. This applies even to copies of the program
- purchased by companies. Please read all of the information on the
- registration card (we provide 2 copies, 1 to send in, and 1 to keep) as to
- terms, length of support period, etc. Basically, registrations are not
- transferrable as we can only "train" one individual per program purchased.
- IF you have arranged for Extended or Priority Support, refer to the
- documents you received.
-
-
- EZX Publishing
- Publishers of the EZ Series
- P.O. Box 58177
- Webster, TX 77598 USA
-
- Voice: 1-713-280-9900
- FAX: 1-713-280-0099
- Info/OrderBBS: 1-713-280-8180 (1200-14.4K N81) EZ-HOST BBS
- #21100#
-
- Command menu:
-
- All the Form Editor commands can be entered directly within the editor.
- Many of the commands can also be entered thru this pulldown command menu.
- The pulldown command menu may be called up thru either Escape or F10.
- If you use the F10 key to call up the command menu, then the previous
- command or state of the menu is used. You will probably want a command in
- the general area of your last choice so this is saved between uses.
-
- You will notice the command menu has a help window at the bottom of the
- screen that expands on what will happen if you choose that option. Many
- of the commands can be entered without calling up the command menu.
- If there is a command sequence shown at the end of the help window, you
- could have entered it instead of calling up the command menu. Example:
- Help for BlockOps - Start block shows a (Alt S). That means you can press
- Alt S directly in the editor to mark the beginning of a block INSTEAD
- of going thru this menu.
- #21300#
-
- The block operations in the EZ-Forms DataBase Form Editor are laid out in
- four logical groups. These are:
-
- (1) Those dealing with moving text around in your form -- Alt M (move),
- Alt C (copy), and Alt D (delete)
- (2) Those dealing with attributes/fields -- Ctrl A (attribute add) and
- Ctrl E (attribute erase)
- (3) ASCII file read and write -- Ctrl R (read) and Ctrl W (write).
- (4) Block enable/disable -- make visible (Alt V) or hide a block (Alt H).
-
- These four groups allow you to work on the marked portion of the form.
- This marked portion (block) is laid out as a rectangle. You must mark
- the diagonal corners of the rectangle with the Alt S being the upper left
- corner (start) and the Alt E being the lower right corner (end). You will
- then be able to work with just this small section of the form for - Alt C,
- Alt M, Alt D, Ctrl A, etc.
- #21400#
-
- To write a form to an ASCII file, type Ctrl W (for write).
-
- With this command, you take the form you see in front of you and write it
- to a disk file, in a standard format that word processors and other
- packages can read. All special control codes that EZ-Forms uses are
- removed as the file is written.
-
- Many word processors can't handle character graphics like ≈ ≤ ± ø and ≥.
- Because of this, EZ-Forms provides a translation capability that translates
- these characters into normal characters, which somewhat look like the
- character graphics symbols. Example: ≈ becomes a + after translation.
-
- #21401#
-
- To read an ASCII file, press Ctrl R (for read).
-
- This command reads a standard text file from disk into your form. Any
- strange characters like å, ñ, etc., will be automatically translated to
- spaces before they are inserted into your form. Many word processors put
- these strange characters into the file to keep track of paragraphs, new
- lines, etc.
-
- You have the option of loading the file at the current cursor location,
- or into the marked area. An area is marked with the block operations
- (Alt S and Alt E).
-
- The starting point is either the current cursor location, or the start of
- the marked area. For example, if the starting point is at line 2, column
- 2, then the file will be read into your form starting at this location.
- The second line will be read into line 3, column 2, etc. When reading
- into the marked area, nothing will be loaded outside of it.
- #21600#
-
- Fields allow you to "jump" between data entry areas in a form, and to
- protect areas of a form that don't contain any text. A special character,
- the tilde ~, is used to allow this.
-
- In the form, use the ~ key (yes, it really is on your keyboard) to fill
- all the areas where you DON'T want to enter data. You can fill areas
- by hand with the ~ key, or use the quick and easy block operations. To
- use the block operations, first mark a block with Alt S and Alt E. Then
- use Ctrl A to add field markers, or Ctrl E to erase field markers in the
- marked area. You can use F3 and F4 to insert and delete field markers
- for the entire form.
-
- Once you have field markers set up in the form, save it, and use the
- Database - New command to create a new database with it. Then use the
- Revise - Add command to enter a new record. Note how the Enter, Tab,
- Shift Tab (backtab) and cursor keys move between data entry fields.
-
- Note: The ~s won't appear when printing, so use them freely.
- #END#