Shareware Super Platinum 8

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Shareware Super Platinum 8 / Shareware Super Platinum 8.iso / mac / DATABASE / MAL38.ZIP;1 / FOXPRO.ZIP / MAL.MAN < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1994-06-14 | 122.4 KB | 3,763 lines

Preface The dMAIL4 System is a set of programs designed to record and track a simple mailing list database. dMAIL4 is written in a dBASE IV compatible language called Foxpro. Among the dMAIL4 System features is the ability to run in a Multi- user environment. It can access a customer record by either Last Name or Zip Code. dMAIL4 also can save/restore a range of customer records to/from a floppy disk. An IBM personal computer (80386 or better) is recommended. For improved performance, it is highly recommended that the user obtain at least three megabytes of extended memory. A color monitor and a mouse are also recommended. Considerable effort was expended to make the user reference manual as complete as possible. However, this documentation is in no way to be considered an instructive guide to MS-DOS or Foxpro. Many reference texts are available on the market that explain the MS-DOS operating system and Foxpro programming. If you need more information, your reference materials should include one of these texts. My advice is to read the contents of this user manual. Familiarize yourself with its information. If you have any questions concerning this application, feel free to write or call. - Page 1 - Copyright/License/Warranty This document and the program dMAIL4 ("the software") are copyrighted by the author. The copyright owner hereby licenses you to use the software given these restrictions: o the program shall be supplied in its original, unmodified form, which includes this documentation; o for-profit use without a license is prohibited; o the program may not be included - or bundled - with other goods or services. Exceptions may be granted upon written request only. o no fee is charged beyond a reasonable amount for the media and handling ($10 maximum suggested); There is no warranty of any kind. The copyright owner may not be held liable for any damages, including any lost profits or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of or inability to use the software. By using the software, you agree to this. Shareware dMAIL4 is distributed as Shareware. It is not free software. You are free to try it and make copies for others. If you continue to use this application beyond a reasonable trial period, you are required to register it with the distributor and author. ASP Ombudsman This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. Copyright (C) 1987 Dennis Allen. All rights reserved. All trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. - Page 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface 1 Copyright/License/Warranty 2 Introduction 5 Manual Content 5 Notation Convention 6 Invoking dMAIL4 7 Creating a dMAIL4 Record 8 Adding a Customer Record 11 Creating a User Record 13 Quit 13 Printing Mailing List 14 Printing Mailing Labels 14 Quit 16 System Setup 17 Expression Builder 18 Printer Control Codes 18 Change Color Set 21 Customizing Color Sets 21 Problems & Suggestions 22 All About... 22 Edit User Descriptions 22 Display/Print Manual 22 Quit 22 Utilities 23 Export Mailing List 23 Exporting Different Data Structures 24 Import Mailing List 25 Importing Different Data Structures 26 Importing SBT records 26 Rebuilding Indices 27 Initializing Databases 27 Purging Mailing List 27 Quit to DOS 28 - Page 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Appendices 29 Appendix A/ Generic Editor 29 Appendix A-1/ System Menu 36 Sysmenu edit 36 Foxpro Calculator 36 Foxpro Calendar 36 Foxpro DOS Shell 37 Printer Eject 37 Video Mode 37 Print Mode 37 Appendix B/ Data Files 38 Backup/Restore Data files 39 Appendix C/ Error Handling 40 Disk Space 40 Printer not Ready 40 Multi-User Errors 41 Syntax Error 41 Appendix D/ Configuring Application 42 Foxpro Runtime Unit 42 FOXR.EXE 42 FOXRW.EXE 43 CONFIG.FP 43 EMS 44 MEMLIMIT 44 PROGWORK 44 RESOURCE 45 TIME 45 FOXPRO.INI 46 DATA 46 FONTNAME 47 FONTSIZE 47 FONTSTYLE 47 INIT 48 LAST 48 MULT 48 PROG 49 RECALL 49 SYSMENU 49 TEMP 50 TERM 50 FOXUSER.DBF 51 FOXUSER2.DBF 51 Printer Codes 52 Record Filters 52 Configuring Sideways 52 Glossary 53 Index 56 - Page 4 - Introduction The dMAIL4 System is a set of programs designed to record and track a simple mailing list database. dMAIL4 is written in a dBASE IV compatible language called Foxpro. Before continuing, we should explain a couple of terms. When we refer to an "editor", it is a program module that allows us to add, delete, or change database records. The word "edit" means to update, maintain, or change a database record. When we refer to a "window", it is a section of the screen that is receiving output. Windows may overlap each other on the screen. They are characterized by a double line border and usually have some sort of title. A "record filter" determines the access allowed to a database. Only those records, defined by a record filter, may be viewed, edited, or printed. Record filters are created/selected using an "expression builder". Finally, when we say "DOS", we refer to the disk operating system. It's usually MS-DOS, but could be Microsoft windows, UNIX, or even the Macintosh OS. The following sections of this manual will describe all available menu options, one at a time. Each menu option will be illustrated. Appendices are included to describe all the files in the dMAIL4 system, the generic operations of editors, error handling, optimizing dMAIL4, and establishing a backup procedure. - Page 5 - Introduction Notation Conventions CAPITAL LETTERS Capital letters indicates a command. During command entry, this text should be entered exactly as it appears. Unless specified, any command may be in upper or lower-case letters. lower case Parameters to commands are usually typed in lower-case characters. Ellipsis "..." The ellipsis represent repetition of a previous item. Single Key "[ ]" The single key command is represented by the characters "[" and "]". Control keys Control keys are designated with a "[Ctrl]-" followed by the name of another key (for example: [Ctrl]-[S]). To enter a control key, press [Ctrl] on your keyboard and, while holding it down, press the additional key. On some Foxpro menus, control keys are designated with a "^" followed by the name of another key (for example: ^[End] for [Ctrl]-[End]). Carriage Return Depending on your keyboard, the same key may be represented by different descriptions. For example, the carriage return may be represented as [Enter], [Return], or [Bent arrow symbol]. For the most part, this should not be a problem. Make sure, however, that you understand the function of each key so that you understand how they appear in this manual. Alternate key On an IBM PC keyboard, alternate keys are designated with a "[Alt]-" followed by the name of another key (for example: [Alt]-[V]). To enter a control key, press [Alt] on your keyboard and, while holding it down, press the additional key. On a Macintosh keyboard, [Alt] is produced by holding down both the [Ctrl] key and the [Option] key. To produce [Alt]-[V], for example, you must press [Ctrl], [Option], and [V] at the same time. - Page 6 - Invoking dMAIL4 System The purpose of this section is to help you get started using dMAIL4. Your computer should be running and you should be at the DOS prompt. You should have already installed the dMAIL4 application and the Foxpro runtime unit. You should also have a functional backup procedure (See Appendix B). To invoke dMAIL4, at the DOS prompt, type: MAL and press [Enter]. You should see is the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ----------------------- M A I N M E N U ----------------------- | | E - Create/Edit Mailing List | | P - Print Mailing List | | S - System Setup | | U - Utilities | | M - Change Status (Single-User) | | Q - Quit this program | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Make a selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ This is our initial screen. Option 'E' allows you to create and maintain all mailing list records. Option 'P' will print mailing list labels or reports. Option 'S' allows you to change label heights and widths. Option 'U' contain miscellaneous options that allow the user to maintain dMAIL4. Option 'Q' will return you to the DOS prompt. By default, dMAIL4 runs in a single-user mode. Option 'M' is available only in multi-user mode. If you are running in a Multi- user environment, you will need to configure dMAIL4 to run Multi-user mode. Please refer to Appendix D for more information. There are a couple of ways to select an option. One way is to simply press the highlighted key, (example: press [S] for system setup). Another way is to press the up and down cursor keys to highlight the desired option. Then, by pressing [Enter], the highlighted option is selected. - Page 7 - Invoking dMAIL4 System Note: If you have a mouse, you can move the mouse cursor to the desired option. Pressing the left mouse button will then select the option. Creating Sample Records First, we need to create sample data. At the main menu, press [E]. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ---------------------- E D I T M E N U ------------------------ | | 1 - Edit Mailing List 2 - Edit User ID | | Q - Return to main menu | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ This is the edit menu. Here, all components of the mailing list system can be maintained. Option '1' will allow you to maintain each mailing list record. Option '2' will allow you to maintain the user IDs. Option 'Q' will return you to the main menu. Before continuing, notice that the edit window is slightly smaller than the main menu window. This is a built-in feature. This feature allows the user to see how far he/she is into the program. It is intended to give the user a sense of depth. - Page 8 - Creating a Mailing List Record Creating Mailing List records is simple. At the edit menu, press [1]. The following screen will appear: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | --------------------------- Mailing List -------------------------- User ID: First Name: Last: Billing Shipping Address 1 : Address 2 : City/State: Zip Code : Sex: Status: Head of HouseHold: Home: ( ) - Birth: Work: ( ) - Wedding: Soc.Sec. #: - - Active Date: [ ] MS-DOS +------------ Message Memo -------------+ [ ] CP/M | | [ ] TRSDOS | | +---------------------------------------+ |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Toggle Index (Last Name) Toggle Order (Ascending) Add Browse Delete Find Goto Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ This screen is typical of a generic editor used with Foxpro. At the bottom of the screen are all the one-character options available to the user. Like the main menu, there are three ways of selecting a function. By direct keystroke, by the cursor keys and [Enter], or by the mouse. Before continuing, we will briefly describe each function. Add Function Pressing [A] will allow you to add a record to the current database. The cursor will be positioned on the first field in the record. Whether adding or updating a record, there only a few keystrokes you need to know. You can move the cursor from field to field using the arrow keys. For instance, the Right arrow, the Down arrow, and the Enter key, moves the cursor forward one field at a time. The up arrow moves the cursor back one field. Note: If you have a mouse, you also can move from field to field. Simply move the mouse cursor to the desired field and press the left mouse button. - Page 9 - Creating a Mailing List Record The [Home] key will move the cursor to the beginning of a field. If it is already there, [Home] will move the cursor to the first field in the screen. [End] will move the cursor to the end of the field. If it is already there, [End] will move the cursor to the last field in the screen. If you need more information on any field, press [F1]. If there is help information, a help window will be displayed. The help window will remain until you press either [Esc] or [F10]. Note: If you have a mouse, move the mouse cursor to the desired field. Press the right mouse button, once to move to the field, and once for the help text. After you have entered your data, moving the cursor beyond the last input field on the screen tells the editor to accept the record. You can either use the arrow keys to move the cursor, or press [F10]. [Esc] will abort any updating, returning the screen to its original condition. Browse Function Pressing [B] will invoke the Foxpro browse function. The browse function will display as many database records as will fit on one screen. You use the arrow keys to move from record to record. Pressing [F10] will return you to the edit screen. The browse function is explained in more detail in Appendix A. Delete Function Pressing [D] will allow you to delete the currently displayed record. You will be prompted whether you are sure. Pressing [Y] deletes the record from the database. Find Function Pressing [F] will invoke the find function. This option is a quick way of finding a desired record. Since the current database is indexed by last name, this option will prompt you for the last name, then the first name. Type the desired customer name, and press [Enter]. If found, the desired customer will be displayed. You could then delete it, or update it. Goto Function Pressing [G] will create a pop-up menu. This popup menu allows the user to display different records in the current database. Press [F] for the first record in the database. Press [L] for the last record. Press [N] for the next record. Press [P] for the previous record. The goto window remains active until you press [Esc] or [Q] to quit. The goto function is explained in more detail in Appendix A. - Page 10 - Creating a Mailing List Record Help Function Pressing [H] will display a summary of commands used in the edit menu. Pressing any key after that returns you to the edit menu. Toggle Index Function For a database with multiple indices, the toggle option will be displayed. The toggle option allows the user to change what index will be used with the [F]ind option. The current index is displayed in parenthesis. For example, if the current index is by last name, pressing [T] will change the current index to zip code. Upon pressing [F], the user will be prompted for the zip code. Pressing [T], repeatedly, will eventually return you to the last name index. Toggle Order Function This option toggles the order of the current index. The current order is displayed in parenthesis. For example, if the current order is ascending, pressing [O] will toggle the order to descending. If the current index is by last name, then 'ALPHA' will come after 'BETA'. Pressing [O] again will change the current index back to ascending. Update Function Pressing [U] allows you to update the currently displayed record. Like the add function, pressing [F10] will complete the update. Pressing [Esc] will abort the update. Quit Function Finally, pressing [Q] will return you the menu that invoked the editor. For more information on the capabilities of this type of editor, see Appendix A. Adding a Customer Record Now that you have an idea how the editor works, you can add a customer record. Press [A] at the option prompt. A customer record has a user id, first name, last name, a billing address, and a shipping address. There is a date of birth and an active date field. The user id can define a family clan. The last name, first name, and date of birth determine a unique record. The active date field is updated every time you update the current record. - Page 11 - Creating a Mailing List Record For our example, press [Enter] for the user id. Type "DENNIS" and press [Enter] for the first name. Type "ALLEN" and press [Enter] for the last name. For billing address, type: P.O Box 1 123 Main St Big City , MI 48000 ...pressing [Enter] on each address field. When you get to the service address, press [Ctrl]-[Home] on each address field. For each service address field, the corresponding billing address field will be displayed. This "repeat" feature should save you a lot of typing. For more information about it, see Appendix A. Press [Enter] until you see the window titled "Message Memo". This is a memo field. A memo field may contain any amount of text. Type text as desired. Then, press [F10] to complete the memo (not the record). Notice the three check boxes. These are user-definable boxes. Press [Space] to toggle a check box. Press [F10], or press [Enter] until the cursor moves past the last input field, to complete the record. You will be prompted for another customer record. Note: If you need to change the description of these boxes, use option 'S' of the main menu. See System Setup. Add other customers, if you wish. Afterward, press [Esc] to abort the add function. Since we do not need to update any more customers, press [Q] to return to the edit menu. - Page 12 - Creating a User Record At the edit menu, we also can edit the user database. The user database ensures that only valid user IDs are typed in the customer editor. At the edit menu, press [2]. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------------ User ID Editor --------------------------- | | User ID: | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Toggle Order (Ascending) Add Browse Delete Find Goto Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ The edit functions are exactly the same as in the mailing list editor. Use this editor to add a user id. Since we do not, press [Q] to return to the edit menu. Quit Well, that's all you need to know about the edit menu. Later, you can experiment with finding, deleting, and updating records. For now, simply press [Q] to return to the main menu. - Page 13 - Print Mailing List In the first half of this manual we learned how to create a mailing list record. Now we are going to learn how to print mailing labels. From the previous examples, you should now be at the main menu. We will be printing a record, so make sure your printer is connected and on-line. If not, you may wish to skip this section. If your printer is ready, press [P]. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------------- P R I N T M E N U -------------------- | | 1 - Print Mailing Labels 2 - Print 132 Column Report 3 - Print Phone Listing | | Q - Return to main menu | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ The menu is simple and self-explanatory. Option '1' allows you to print mailing labels up to 5 addresses across. Option '2' will print a standard 132 column report. Option '3' will print a standard 80 column report. Option 'Q' will return you to the main menu. Printing Mailing Labels Option '1', of the print menu, introduces the concept of the option grid. At the print menu, press [1]. You should see the following screen: - Page 14 - Print Mailing List +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ---------------------- Mailing Labels -------------------------- | | User ID: First Name: Last: | | Address 1 : Address Type: Address 2 : City/State: Zip Code : Sex: Status: Head of HouseHold: Home: ( ) - Birth : / / / / Work: ( ) - Wedding : / / / / Soc.Sec. #: - - Active Date: / / / / [ ] MS-DOS +------------ Message Memo -------------+ [ ] CP/M | | [ ] TRSDOS | | +---------------------------------------+ Index File: Order: |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Print Screen Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ You are given an option grid. The option grid will look like the dMAIL4 edit window. The option grid prompts will determine what records will be printed and in what order. For example, specifying "MI" for state will print all customers within the state of Michigan. Most fields provide this wild-carding technique. Exceptions are the date fields. The date fields provide beginning and/or ending dates. For example: An active date of "01/01/91" will print only those customers that have been active since January 1, 1991. An active date range of "01/01/91" to "12/31/93" will print those customers that have been active in the years 1991, 1992, and 1993. The address type field is useful for those reports that can print either the billing or the shipping addres, but not both. Specifying an address type of "S", for example, prints only shipping addresses. The message window can be very useful. This is not a memo window, but allows you to search the memo window. For example, typing "Hi there" and pressing [Enter] will search all records for a memo that contains "Hi there". To continue, typing "Hello" and pressing [Enter] will include "hi there" or "hello" in the search. Note: In a text window, you need to use [Tab] or [Shift]-[Tab] to exit. - Page 15 - Print Mailing List From this option grid, you are also allowed to select the index file and index order. These field are the push button equivalent to the toggle index/toggle order found in the mailing list editor. Press [F10] to complete the option grid. You will be given a menu of choices, depending on the report. You can press [U] to update the option grid. You can press [H] for help, or press [Q] to quit to the print menu. Pressing [S] for screen mode, or [P] for print mode, will start creating a print file. During this operation, you can abort by pressing [Esc]. If you pressed [S], you will see the report displayed upon the screen. Press [Pgup] or [Pgdn] to view the report. Press [Esc] or [F10] to return to the option grid. Pressing [P] will copy the report to the printer. When you are finished, press [Q] to return to the print menu. Note: If you need to adjust the printer device, printer controls, label widths, or label lengths, use option S of the main menu. See System setup. Quit Options '2' and '3' of the print menu all provide the same prompts as option '1'. When you have experimented enough, press [Q] at the print menu to return to the main menu. - Page 16 - System Setup Option 'S' of the main menu offers several facilities. Among them, the ability to change printer control codes. Upon pressing [S] at the main menu, you should see the following: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------- S Y S T E M S E T U P --------------------- | | 1 - Edit Expression Builder 2 - Edit Printer Control Codes 3 - Change Color Set 4 - Problems & Suggestions 5 - All about... 6 - Edit User Descriptions | | M - Display/Print Manual | | Q - Quit this Menu | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Option '1' will invoke the expression builder. The expression builder creates a record filter. A record filter defines those records that can be viewed, edited, and printed. Option '2' allows you to change printer control codes. It also allows you to change mailing label dimensions. Option '3' will allow you to change the current color set. If you don't like the colors used by dMAIL4, this option lets you change them. Option '4' will allow you to leave a message to the application author. Messages can point out a problem or can offer a suggestion. Option '5' will display status information about this application. What version of Foxpro is running and about much memory is available. Option '6' allows you to define the check boxes used in the mailing list editor. Option 'M' allows you to display and/or print the user manual. Option 'Q' returns you to the main menu. - Page 17 - System Setup Expression Builder The expression builder allows you to select a record filter from a list of record filters. A record filter defines those records in a database that can be viewed, edited, or printed. The record filter is in effect only while your application is running. Filters can be redefined as often as desired. At the system setup menu, press [1]. Upon entry, you are given a list of existing record filters. Chose an existing filter. For example, move the cursor to the filter named "Head of Household". Press [Enter]. The filter "Head of Household" is now active and will allow you to view only people having been marked "Y" as head of household. You also might want to create a record filter. At the system setup menu, press [1]. Press [F10] for the menu and press "N" to create an expression. Enter "Singles" for the name of your expression. You will be given a choice of the custom expression builder, or the Foxpro expression builder. Unless you know how to use the Foxpro expression builder, select the custom builder. You will be given a popup list of available field names. Select the field "Status". The next popup will display the action that can be taken on "Status". Select the popup "Contains". Now you will be prompted for a character string. Type "S" and press [Enter]. The record filter is displayed. You may add, delete, or edit phrases in the expression. But just press [F10] to accept the current one. That's all there is to it! You've created a filter that views only single people. Press [Enter] to select the filter. You will be returned to the system setup menu. If you don't want to use this filter, simply return to the expression builder and press [Esc] to abort. Note: If you are running on a network, see Appendix D: Record filters. Printer Control Codes At the setup menu, press [2]. The following screen will be displayed: - Page 18 - System Setup +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | --------------------- S Y S T E M S E T U P --------------------- | | Printer Name : Default Printer Device : PRN Printer Default : CHR(27)+"@" Printer 10 cpi : Printer 12 cpi : Printer Condense On : Printer Bold On : Printer Bold Off: Printer Underline On : Printer Underline Off: | | Number of Straight Lines/Page: Number of Sideways Lines/Page: | | Print in Draft mode? |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Press [ESC] to abort and return to main menu... +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Printer Name The printer name is simply identifies the current configuration. If the database P_CODES.DBF is available, you may press [F1] for a list of all available printers. A selection changes all printer codes to the selected printer. Press [F10] to complete the screen. Printer Device The printer device defines where output is to be sent. Typically, you would use LPT1 or LPT2. In the Multi-user environment, this option also allows you to define the network spooler. - Page 19 - System Setup Printer Codes If you have an 80 column printer, define the control codes required by your printer to invoke compressed printing. These control codes are sometimes referred to as 16.7 or 17 characters per inch. Also define the control codes required to cancel condensed printing. These control codes are sometimes referred to as the default. dMAIL4 will use these codes for reports normally requiring a 132 column printer. Printer control codes are specified with dBASE expressions such as: CHR(27) + CHR(64) or: CHR(27) + '@' In general, most printer manuals give printer control strings as BASIC programming statements using the BASIC function CHR$(). The dBASE CHR() function is identical, so simply removing the "$" sign from the examples in your printer manual should do the job. Note: If you press [F1], you will see a browse popup of available printers. Simply select your printer and press [Enter]. All printer codes will be converted to the selected printer. Straight lines per page To this day, there are some printers that do not accept form feeds. So rather than asking for form feed code, dMAIL4 asks for the number of lines per page. Most printers use 66 lines. Laser printers usually need 57 lines. Sideways It is sometimes necessary to print large reports using a sideways print utility. So in case it is ever needed, the system setup prompts for the number of lines to print sideways. For an 80 column printer, use 53 lines. For a 132 column printer, use 90 lines. Draft mode A report option grid creates a report file. From the option grid, there are two ways to print this file: Regular mode and draft mode. In regular mode the report file is read and printed, one line at a time. The user may press [Esc] to abort. If the printer becomes off-line, the user can usually restart at the point of interruption. In draft mode, the report file is copied directly to the print device. In MS-DOS windows, draft mode will bypass the print spooler. Draft mode, however, does not allow the user to press [Esc] or nor does it allow the user to restart a print job. - Page 20 - System Setup The mode you use depend on your needs. Regular mode is the most reliable method. Under MS-DOS windows, draft mode is the quickest. Mailing Labels Press [F10]. After the initial setup screen, you are prompted for Mailing Label information. That is, label width, number of columns between labels, and number of rows between labels. The column width determines the number of characters allowed for each label. Pressing [F10] completes the screen and returns you to the system menu. Change Color Set A Foxpro color set defines all color attributes used by this application. Upon pressing [3] at the system setup, a popup menu will display all the different color sets available. These color sets reside within the Foxpro resource file (FOXUSER.DBF). Use the cursor keys to highlight the desired color set. Then, select by pressing [Enter]. Customizing Color Sets A new feature has been added to the color selector. The user now has the ability to customize colors. Once a color has been selected, the color selector will search for a second Foxpro resource file (FOXUSER2.DBF). In this file, color sets are stored in ASCII text format. If you are a system administrator, you will be prompted whether to edit the ASCII text of your selected color set. The text layout is simple. Twelve lines for the twelve color schemes used by this application. Each line contain ten color pairs. A color pair "W*/B+", for example, would denote a white foreground, blue background ("*" denotes blinking and "+" denotes intensity). For a description of color pairs used within a scheme, check the color picker portion of the Foxpro manual. Experiment with different color sets. Note that the top of the screen may not change color until you exit and reenter the application. Be warned, however. The color set becomes permanent until the next time you select a different color. Note: The second Foxpro resource file can only be created and edited by the system administrator. - Page 21 - System Setup Problems & Suggestions Upon pressing [4], you will be presented with a memo window. Type any message you wish to leave the application programmer. Press [F10] to complete the message, or [Esc] to abort. Your message will be placed in the Foxpro error file (FOXERR.DBF). If you have already created messages, you may wish to modify them. A browse, indicating the date and time of each message, will be displayed. Select the desired message record. Then, press [Ctrl]- [Pgdn] to expand the message window. All About... Option '5', of the system menu, will display status information about this application. What version of Foxpro is running, about much memory is available, and the different kinds of application modes (Multi-user, debug, system administration). This option will also tell you how the various data paths are defined. Edit User Descriptions Option '6', of the system menu, allows you to define the check boxes that appear in the mailing list editor and the mailing list option grids. You may also define the message text that appears when you update a check box. Display/Print Manual Option 'M', of the system menu, will display the user manual. You may use [PgUp] or [PgDn] to view various pages. You may print the entire user manual by pressing [Alt]-P]. Press [Esc] to return to the system setup menu. Quit Before leaving the system setup menu, a reminder. Record filters remain in effect only for the duration of the application. Color sets and printer control codes, on the other hand, are permanent. When you have experimented enough, press [Q] at the system setup menu to return to the main menu. - Page 22 - Utilities Option 'U' of the main menu provides the miscellaneous options needed to maintain the mailing list system. Upon pressing [U] at the main menu, you should see the following: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------- U T I L I T Y M E N U --------------------- | | 1 - Export Mailing List 2 - Import Mailing List | | A - Rebuild indices B - Initialize Databases C - Purging Mailing List | | Q - Quit this Menu | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Option '1' will export mailing list records to a variety of file formats. Option '2' will import mailing list records from a variety of file formats, including any created by option '1'. Option 'A' reconstructs all system indices in the event of a crash or other strange system behavior. Option 'A' also removes deleted records, thereby reclaiming disk space. Option 'B' will allow you to reset any or all database files in the dMAIL4 system. Option 'C' will allow you to delete specified records from the mailing list database. Option 'Q' will return you to the main menu. Note: Options 'A', 'B', and 'C' are available only in single-user mode. Options 'B' and 'C' are only available to the system administrator. See Appendix D. Export Mailing List We will discuss how to transfer records between two single-user computers. Once you understand it, the process is simple. Say, for example, we wish to transfer our mailing list to another computer. Assuming the other computer is also running the dMAIL4 system, press [1] at the utility menu. You will be given a selection of file formats. For our example, select '1' for the foxbase plus format. - Page 23 - Utilities You will be given the option grid. The same option grid available in option "1" of the print menu. Complete the grid and press [F10]. You will be given several choices. You can press [U] to update the option grid, [Q] to quit, or [C] to continue. For our sample, press [C] to continue. A temporary file is created, containing our selected records. You will then be prompted for the export file name. Type 'A:TEMP.DBF' and press [Enter]. Since the file name contains 'A:' (or 'B:'), you will be prompted whether to format the floppy. Insert your disk into 'A' drive, and press 'Y'. It takes a few moments to format the floppy and transfer the mailing list records onto it. You will be returned to the utility menu. Note: Be careful. The size of the floppy disk limits us to how many records can be transferred at one time. Exporting Different Data Structures Recently, I've added the ability to export files with different data structures. Select 'Foxpro DBF File' from the list of export file formats. After entering the option grid and the export file name, you will be given a popup of all the field names in the export database. Select the one you need and press [Enter]. You may then enter the correct field or field phrase from the mailing list file. You may repeat these prompts as often as desired, until you select the empty field. For example, I used the following to convert the mailing list to my local astronomy club database: REPLACE: FIRST_NAME WITH: FIRST REPLACE: LAST_NAME WITH: LAST REPLACE: ADDRESS WITH: ADDR_1 REPLACE: PHONE WITH: SUBSTR(HOME,7) REPLACE: COMMENTS WITH: MESS REPLACE: STATUS WITH: IIF(BOL_1,'m','')+IIF(BOL_2,'i','') Please note that all common field names, such as 'CITY' or 'ZIP', did not need to be specified. - Page 24 - Utilities Import Mailing List Once the diskette is made, remove it from 'A' drive and take it to the other computer. Insert the floppy in the other computer's drive A and close the door. Make sure the dMAIL4 system is running on that machine and that you are at the utility menu. To read that database off the diskette, simply press [2] at the utility menu. You will be given a selection of file formats. For our example, select '1' for the Foxbase Plus. You will be prompted for the file name. Type 'A:TEMP.DBF' and press [Enter]. A temporary file is created. It takes a few moments to transfer records from the floppy to the temporary file. You will be given the option grid. The same option grid available in option "1" of the print menu. Complete the grid and press [F10]. You will be given several choices. You can press [U] to update the option grid, [Q] to quit, or [C] to continue. For our sample, press [C] to continue. Only those records, meeting the option grid, will be transferred from the temporary file. If there are any duplicate records, only the most recent records will be appended. You will be returned to the utility menu. Note: When all records have been transferred, remove the floppy disk. It is always a good practice to remove the floppy diskette when not in use. - Page 25 - Utilities Importing Different Data Structures Recently, I've added the ability to import files with different data structures. Select 'Foxpro DBF File' from the list of import file formats. After entering the import file name, you will be given a popup of all the field names in the mailing list database. Select the one you need and press [Enter]. You may then enter the correct field or field phrase from the import file. You may repeat these prompts as often as desired, until you select the empty field. For example, the import file may have a first name field called 'FNAME'. You would, therefore, select the dMAIL4 field 'FIRST'. Then you type the field phrase 'FNAME'. The field phrase can be a combination of field names or dbase expressions. I, myself, used the following to convert my local astronomy club database to dMAIL4: REPLACE: FIRST WITH: FIRST_NAME REPLACE: LAST WITH: LAST_NAME REPLACE: ADDR_1 WITH: ADDRESS REPLACE: MESS WITH: COMMENTS REPLACE: HOME WITH: '(616) '+PHONE REPLACE ACT_DATE WITH: DATE() REPLACE BOL_1 WITH: 'm'$STATUS REPLACE BOL_2 WITH: 'i'$STATUS REPLACE: STATUS WITH: '' Please note that all common field names, such as 'CITY' or 'ZIP', did not need to be specified. Also note that I converted the import field 'STATUS' to the dMAIL4 check boxes. Yet, I kept the dMAIL4 'STATUS' field from obtaining values from the import field 'STATUS'. Importing SBT Records The import procedure now has the ability to import customer records from SBT Receivables. If any check boxes are defined as 'Employee', then any imported employee record will have it's check box marked. The import procedure has the ability to import vendor records from SBT Payables. If any check boxes are defined as 'Vendor', then any imported vendor record will have it's check box marked. This procedure also has the ability to import employee records from SBT Payroll. If any check boxes are defined as 'Employee', then any imported employee record will have it's check box marked. Only active employees are imported. - Page 26 - Utilities Rebuilding Indices Option 'A' of the utility menu will reconstruct all system indices in the event of a crash or other strange system behavior. You will be prompted whether to continue. Upon pressing [Y], all indices will be rebuilt. Option 'A' also removes deleted records, thereby reclaiming disk space. You will then be returned to the utility menu1. Initializing Databases Option 'B' of the utility menu will allow you to "reset" any or all database files in the dMAIL4 system by removing all data from them. You probably will want to use this option after completing the sample entries and exercises in this manual, so you can begin fresh with "real" data. Upon press [B] at the utility menu, you will be prompted whether to reset each database file, one at a time. You will then be returned to the utility menu2. Purging Mailing List Option 'C' of the utility menu allows you to delete specified mailing list records. You will be given the option grid. The same option grid available in option "1" of the utility menu. Complete the grid and press [F10]. You will be given several choices. You can press [U] to update the option grid, [Q] to quit, or [C] to continue. If you were to press [C], then all specified records will be deleted from the mailing list database. You would be returned to the utility menu3. Since, however, we do not wish to delete any records, press [Q] to return to the utility menu. When you have experimented enough, press [Q] at the utility menu to return to the main menu. ____________________ 1 Not available in Multi-user mode. See Appendix D. 2 System Administration function only. See Appendix D. 3 System Administration function only. See Appendix D. - Page 27 - Quit to DOS Once you have returned to the main menu, press [Q] to return to the DOS ready. It is VERY important that you do not leave the dMAIL4 System without returning to DOS. NEVER turn off the machine while in the dMAIL4 system. Doing so may result in file corruption and lots of headaches to us developers. This concludes the system overview. If you wish to know more about the mailing list editor, or any other editor in the dMAIL4 system, see Appendix A. If you wish to know about the file layouts, see Appendix B. If you ever see the infamous error message "Ignore, Retry, Suspend, or Quit", see Appendix C. If you wish to install the multi-user mode, see Appendix D. - Page 28 - Appendix A This section describes all characteristics, in detail, of the generic editor used in this type of Foxpro application. While this editor may be customized for many applications, all share common functions. Thus, to learn one version is to know another version. This type of Foxpro application usually has an edit menu. This menu allows the user to invoke one or more editors. The following is an example of the edit menu used in the dMAIL4 System: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ---------------------- E D I T M E N U ------------------------ | | 1 - Edit Mailing List 2 - Edit User IDs | | Q - Return to main menu | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ In this edit menu, the user has the option to use two editors. Each editor allows the user to maintain separate, but related, databases in the dMAIL4 System. While we really don't need to go any further, but it is good to know where most editors are invoked. Once a generic editor is invoked, its window will be displayed. The window consists of a window title, field descriptions, and all fields of the database record that happens to be current. A menu window is also displayed. The menu window contains all the one-character options available to the user. The following is a sample screen of the mailing list editor used in the dMAIL4 System: - Page 29 - Appendix A +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Mailing List, Version 03.05.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | --------------------------- Mailing List -------------------------- User ID: First Name: Last: Billing Shipping Address 1 : Address 2 : City/State: Zip Code : Sex: Status: Head of HouseHold: Home: ( ) - Birth: Work: ( ) - Wedding: Soc.Sec. #: - - Active Date: [ ] MS-DOS +------------ Message Memo -------------+ [ ] CP/M | | [ ] TRSDOS | | +---------------------------------------+ |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Toggle Index (Last Name) Toggle Order (Ascending) Add Browse Delete Find Goto Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ All editors have the same basic functions. Before continuing, we will describe each function in detail. Add Function Pressing [A] will allow you to add a record to the current database. The cursor will be positioned on the first field in the record. Now whether adding or updating a record, there only a few keystrokes you need to know. You can move the cursor from field to field using the arrow keys. For instance, the Right arrow, the Down arrow, and the [Enter] key, moves the cursor forward one field at a time. The left arrow and up arrow will move the cursor back one field. Note: If you have a mouse, you also can move from field to field. Simply move the mouse cursor to the desired field and press the left mouse button. The [Home] key will move the cursor to the beginning of a field. If the cursor is already there, [Home] will move the cursor to the first field in the screen. The [End] key will move the cursor to the end of the field. If the cursor is already there, [End] will move the cursor to the last field in the screen. If you need more information on any field, press [F1]. If there is help information, a help window will be displayed. The help window will remain until you press either [Esc] or [F10]. - Page 30 - Appendix A Note: By pressing [F1] (then [F10] if there is help text), you may invoke another Foxpro editor. If the current input field is validated against another file, the editor of that file will appear. Use the Goto option to display the desired record. Then press [Q] to quit. Your input field will be filled with the corresponding field in the chosen record. Pressing [Ctrl]-[Home] will repeat the last text that was displayed in the current field. This function provides a convenient means of adding many records with similar field descriptions. Once you have entered your data, moving the cursor beyond the last field on the screen tells the editor to accept the record. Pressing [F10] also will tell the editor to accept the record. You would then be prompted to add another record. The [Esc] key will abort the add function, returning the screen to its original condition. Browse Function Pressing [B] will invoke the Foxpro browse function. The browse function will display as many database records as will fit in one window. You can use the left arrow, right arrow, [Tab], and [Shift]- [Tab] keys to move the cursor from field to field. You can move from record to record with the up and down arrow keys. You use the page up/down keys to display the next/previous window of records in the current database. If you have a mouse, you also can use the characters located on the right side of the window. Place the mouse cursor on the up/down arrow characters and press the left button to move one record at a time. The diamond character show where you're located in relation to the rest of the database. Place the mouse cursor on the diamond and press the left button. Dragging the diamond will re-position you in the database. Mouse Note: After you found the record you want, place the mouse cursor on the record and press the left button. Otherwise, the first time you try to update a record will put you back to the last record displayed before using the mouse. If there are more fields than can be displayed in one window, pressing [TAB] will scroll to the next field. Pressing [Shift]-[TAB] will scroll back one field. If you have a mouse, you also may use the characters located across the bottom of the window. Place the mouse cursor on the left/right arrow characters and press the left button to move one field at a time. The diamond character show where you're located in relation to the rest of the database. Place the mouse cursor on the diamond and press the left button. Dragging the diamond will re-position the fields displayed in the database. - Page 31 - Appendix A Mouse Note: After you found the field you want, place the mouse cursor on the field and press the left button. Otherwise, the first time you try to update a field will put you back to the last field displayed before using the mouse. In the browse function you may edit any field as desired. Press [Ctrl]-[N] to add a record from the browse. Press [Ctrl]-[T] to delete the current record from the browse. When finished, press [F10] to return to the edit menu. Pressing [Esc] also will return you to the edit menu, but it will abort any change to the current record. Note: The JKEY incremental search has recently been added to the browse command. When performing a browse, press [Ctrl]-[J] to activate JKEY. A search will begin on the current index. Each new keystroke will be added to the search string and the record, closest matching to the current string, will be displayed. You may press [BackSpace] to revise the search string, or press [Ctrl]-[Y] to clear it. To abort JKEY, simply press [Ctrl]-[J] once again (or [Esc] to abort the browse). Delete Function Pressing [D] will allow you to delete the currently displayed record. You will be prompted whether you are sure. Pressing [Y] deletes the record from the database. Find Function Pressing [F] will invoke the find function. This option is only available if a database is indexed. If invoked, you would type the key of the desired record, and press [Enter]. If found, the record would be displayed. You could then delete it, or update it. Note: The key doesn't have to be a complete description. For incomplete keys, the find function will try to find the record with the closet matching key. Recently, wild-carding has been introduced into the [F]ind function. For example, suppose we have a customer file. It has an index by last name. When the find function prompts us, we could type: Last Name: ..ll.. In this example, we are searching for a customer whose last name contain a "ll". In another example: Last Name: ..en We are searching for a customer whose last name ends with "en". In one more example: - Page 32 - Appendix A Last Name: al.. We are searching for a customer whose last name begins with "al". Here's where wild-carding get interesting. Let's use the first example. Say we find a customer whose last name contains a "ll". If we use the [G]oto function, we get an extra option. This option, called [C]ontinue, will allow us to find the next customer whose last name contains a "ll". The continue option will remain in effect until you perform another find. It will search for the next wild-card occurrence no matter where you are in the database. In that sense, think of wild-carding as an implicit record filter. Oh, a new feature has been added to wild-carding: The triple period "...". Like the double period "..", the triple period denotes wild- carding. Using the triple, however, will also disable the current index during the search. You see, wild-card searches are a LOT faster when done on an unordered database. So if you are looking for just one record or two records, don't care about viewing order, and are using a huge database, the triple period might save you valuable time. Goto Function Pressing [G] will create a pop-up menu. This popup menu allows the user to display different records in the current database. Press [F] for the first record in the database. Press [L] for the last record. Press [N] for the next record. Press [P] for the previous record. The goto window remains active until you press [Esc] or [Q] to quit. If the current database is indexed, order is defined by the toggle order function. For example, if the current record is customer 5, pressing [N] will display customer 6. If the index order is descending, however, pressing [N] will display customer 4. See toggle index order. A new option, [W] for window, has been added. Pressing [W] activates the goto window. The user may then move the goto window to any location on the screen. That location remains in effect for the duration of the editor. To move the window, press [Ctrl]-[F7]. The goto window border will flash. Press any cursor key to move the window. Press [Ctrl]-[F7] to stop the window from flashing. Then press [Esc] to resume the normal goto prompts. Note: You also may use a mouse to move the goto window. Press [W]. Place the mouse cursor on the border of the goto window. Press the left button. Drag the mouse cursor (and window) to the desired location. Then, press the right button to resume the goto prompts. - Page 33 - Appendix A Help Function Pressing [H] will display a summary of commands used in the edit menu as in the following screen. Pressing any key after that returns you to the edit menu. Command prompt [T]oggle Index - Change Index used by [F]ind command Toggle [O]rder - Current Index in Ascending/Descending Order [A]dd - Add a record to the current database [B]rowse - List all records a page at a time [D]elete - Delete the currently displayed record [F]ind - Search database for record with specified key [G]oto - Display the First, Last, Next, or Previous record [H]elp - Display help information [R]ecall - Recall Deleted Records [U]pdate - Update the currently displayed record [Q]uit - Return to calling program Common full screen keystrokes [ESC] - Abort operation, return to prompt/menu [HOME] - move cursor to beginning field [END] - move cursor to ending field [CTRL][HOME] - repeat last input field completed [CTRL][END] - Complete operation, return to prompt/menu [F1] - Display Help text/call another editor [F10] - Complete operation, return to prompt/menu - Page 34 - Appendix A Recall Function Pressing [R] allows you to recall a deleted record. You will be presented with a browse window of all deleted records. Simply locate the record to be recalled and press [Enter]. Note: If the current database has no deleted() index, you will be prompted for the record key (just like the find function). Type the key of the record to be recalled and press [Enter]. If the deleted record is found, it is made active again. Toggle Index Function For databases with multiple indices, the toggle option will be displayed. The toggle option allows the user to change what index will be used with the [F]ind option. The current index is displayed in parenthesis. Toggle Order Function This option toggles the order of the current index. The current order is displayed in parenthesis. For example, if the current order is ascending, pressing [O] will toggle the order to descending. If the current index is by last name, then 'ALPHA' will come after 'BETA' Pressing [O] again will change the current index back to ascending. Update Function Pressing [U] allows you to update the currently displayed record. Like the add function, moving the cursor past the last field will complete the updating. Pressing [Esc] will abort any update. Quit Function Finally, pressing [Q] will quit the editor. You will be returned to the menu that invoked the editor. - Page 35 - Appendix A-1 If you ever been on an input field, you may have noticed that pressing [Alt] displays a menu at the very top of the screen. This is called the system menu, or sysmenu for short. The system menu displayed is a customized version of the Foxpro sysmenu. It contains a variety of functions and is available to all users. The following describes only a few features available through the sysmenu. For more information, see the Foxpro users manual. Sysmenu edit The sysmenu edit popup is very powerful. It gives any input field a variety of edit functions. For example, highlighting a section of text ([Shift] and cursor key) and pressing [Del] will delete this text. But [Ctrl]-[C] would have copied this text into the clipboard. You would then use [Ctrl]-[V] to paste this text. Note: The sysmenu edit popup provides a [Ctrl]-[U] option to undo a deletion, copy, cut, or paste. Another example: Suppose you are editing a memo field. The sysmenu edit popup provides a [Ctrl]-[F] option to find specified text. This popup also provides a [Ctrl]-[G] option to repeat the last find. There are other functions in the sysmenu edit popup. See the Foxpro users manual for details. Foxpro Calculator Simply enter a numeric value on any input field. Press [Alt]-[F4] to activate the Foxpro calculator. The Foxpro calculator will display your numeric value. When you have a new calculated value, press [Ctrl]-[F4] to deactivate the calculator. Your new numeric value will be placed into the current input field. Note: If you just want the calculator, press [F4]. But you must be on an input field to invoke [F4]. Foxpro Calendar Simply enter a date on any input field. Press [Alt]-[F5] to invoke the Foxpro calendar. The Foxpro calendar will display the year, month, and day of the specified date. - Page 36 - Appendix A-1 Select any desired date. When you have a new date, press [Ctrl]-[F5] will deactivate the calendar. Your new date will be placed into the current input field. Note: If you just want the calendar, press [F5]. But you must be on an input field to invoke [F5]. Foxpro DOS Shell In Foxpro for DOS, the system pulldown menu provides a DOS shell. If you are a system administrator, pressing [Alt]-[S] [O] brings up the DOS command window. Type any desired DOS command. Type 'EXIT' and press [Enter] to leave the DOS shell. Printer Eject Press [F7] for a page eject. A form feed will be sent to the printer device, specified in the System Setup. Very useful for people with Laser Printers. Video Mode Press [Alt]-[V] for the video mode. In Foxpro for DOS, a VGA screen will toggle between 25 and 43 line modes. All subsequent windows will conform to the specified mode. Very useful in displaying reports. In Foxpro for windows, [Alt]-[V] will display a font selector. All sub-windows, to the current window, will conform to the specified font. If you change the main menu window, the font becomes permanent to your application. Print Mode In Foxpro for windows, you can print a report with the current font. Send the report to the screen and use the 'Print' option of the 'File' popup in sysmenu. 'Print' will print the entire contents of the current window, fonts and all. Remember, however, that 'Print' will not use your printer codes. Note: 'Print' may not be available with the Foxpro for windows runtime unit. To print font reports, obtain the developers copy of Foxpro for windows. - Page 37 - Appendix B The dMAIL4 System contains the following files: BACK BAT DBFS PRG EXPRMENU PRG FOXERR DBF FOXERR FPT FOXUSER DBF FOXUSER FPT MAIL CDX MAIL DBF MAIL FPT MAL BAT MAL MAN MAL PRG MALCF PRG MALED PRG MALED1 PRG MALED2 PRG MALED3 PRG MALPR PRG MALPR1 PRG MALPRA PRG MALRF PRG MALSYS MEM MALSYS PRG MALUT PRG MALUT1 PRG MALUT2 PRG MALUTA PRG MALUTB PRG MALUTC PRG MANUAL BAT SCR CDX SCR DBF SCR FPT SCRPROC PRG UNBACK BAT USER CDX USER DBF The files with a .BAT extension are batch files. Files with a .DBF extension are database files. Files with a .CDX are Foxpro compound index files. Files with a .PRG extension are Foxpro source files. The files with a .FXP extension are Foxpro object modules. The files with a .FPT extension are Foxpro memo files. The dMAIL4 manual is stored in a file with a MAN extension. A copy can be printed simply by typing "MANUAL" at the DOS prompt. MAIL.DBF is the mailing list database. It is edited by the mailing list editor. It is indexed by MAIL.CDX. MAIL.CDX has tags by last name, zip code, and user ids. USER.DBF is the user id database. It is edited by the user id editor. It has one index, called USER.CDX and is keyed by user id. SCR.DBF is the data dictionary. It contains all the information defining the screen layouts. SCR.FPT contains all the help text provided by the [F1] key. It has one index, called SCR.CDX. See Appendix D: PROG. All Q*.* files belong, and are maintained, by the expression builder. See Appendix D: Record Filters. MALSYS.MEM is the dMAIL4 system memory file. It contains system wide variables, including printer codes. FOXUSER.DBF is the foxuser resource file. It contains all user attributes, including color. See Appendix D. FOXERR.DBF is the Foxpro error file. All major events are recorded here for debugging purposes. - Page 38 - Appendix B Backup/Restore Data Files To insure the integrity of its data files, any major database should have a standardized backup procedure. Data files should be periodically copied to a media, other than where they currently reside. There is NO excuse for not developing a proper backup procedure. As a supplement, however, this application includes its own backup procedure. To back up data, you must be in the application directory. At the DOS prompt type: BACK and press [Enter]. This command will copy all data files into a backup directory ('.\BAK'). In case of power failure, these backup files could be used to recover previous work. Restoring these backup files is simple. To restore data, you must be in the application directory. At the DOS prompt type: UNBACK and press [Enter]. This command restores all data up to the point you last invoked BACK. Note: If you decide to store data files in a separate directory (See Appendix D: DATA), make sure the data directory has a '.\BAK' backup directory. You would then execute BACK and UNBACK from your data directory. For convenience, you might consider coping BACK.BAT and UNBACK.BAT into your data directory. Warning: If you ever run into a problem with this application, NEVER invoke the "BACK" command without first resolving the problem. If a data file is corrupt, using "BACK" would only copy this corrupted file over a good backup file. - Page 39 - Appendix C In the course of normal events, you shouldn't see any error messages. But events can happen to cause an error message. The most common events are: Disk space used up, printer not ready, multi-user, or syntax error. Disk Space If ever you see data records that look like garbage, you may have bad sectors on your hard disk. Ask your system administrator to take a look at it. The usual procedure is to back up all programs/data, and reformat the hard disk. Any bad sectors found should be locked out and should no longer cause a problem. Bad data can result from lack of free space on the hard drive. While you cannot start this application without a minimum amount of free space, it's always possible you might have used a routine that filled up your hard drive. If this be the case, exit the application. If you cannot get back into the application, due to lack of free space, have your system administrator remove all unused temporary files. If you still cannot get back in, you might have to restore backup files. Printer not Ready If you're printing a report and the printer is not on, you will get a message: Printer not ready. Press anything to retry, 'Q' to quit" Simply turn on your printer, and press any key to retry. Your report should start to print. Pressing "Q" would have aborted the report and returned you to the main menu. If you retry and still get "Printer not ready", you may have to perform the following DOS command: MODE LPT1,,P This command tells DOS to perform an infinite number of retries on the print device "LPT1". Depending on you machine, you may also have to increase the Foxpro printer time-out. See Appendix D: TIME. - Page 40 - Appendix C Multi-User Errors If you running this application under the multi-user mode, you may be presented with two different type of error messages. Both types have to do with file locking. For example, you may be updating a database record. In the meantime, however, somebody else may have already updated that record. When your update is complete, you will receive the message: Current record has been altered In that case, review the updated record and try the update again. Another kind of message occurs while you are performing some kind of transaction processing. If you need a record that somebody else has locked out, you will receive the message: Waiting for access, press [ESC] to abort In this case, just wait. Most of the time, the record you need will be quickly released. Syntax Error The last kind of problem is a syntax error. You shouldn't ever see one. In case you do, however, you will be prompted: [I]gnore, [R]etry, [S]uspend, or [Q]uit to Main Menu. Unless you're a system administrator, your best bet is to press [Q] to Quit to Main menu. Pressing [Q] will automatically log the error into the Foxpro error file (FOXERR.DBF). Don't forget to tell your system administrator about the error. As the author, I'll want a copy of your FOXERR.* files to determine the type of error that occurred and to possibly correct it. Note: If the Foxpro error file logs over 100 errors, it will remind you upon application start-up. Then, only a system administrator can purge the error file. - Page 41 - Appendix D To use this Foxpro application, each user needs a resource directory. A resource directory contains all the files needed to configure this application. On a single-user system, or a network with a local hard drive, the resource directory will usually be the Foxpro runtime unit directory. This appendix will first explain the Foxpro runtime unit. What's in it and how Foxpro determines the resource directory. From there, this appendix will explain the resource directory. What files are in this directory and how to configure them for this application. Foxpro Runtime Unit The Foxpro runtime unit contain all the files necessary to run this application. Since many Foxpro applications require the same runtime unit, these files are usually stored in their own directory (typically C:\FOXRUN). On a network, the Foxpro runtime unit should be installed on each user's local hard drive. It could, however, be shared among users with no local hard drive. The runtime unit consists of *.ESL files, *.ESO files, FOXSWAP.COM, and FOXR.EXE. Foxpro for DOS runtime comes with two versions. The standard (FOXD*.ES?) and the extended (FOXDX*.ES?). The standard version is for machines with only expanded (EMS) memory or less than three megabytes of extended memory. The extended version is for machines with three or more megabytes of extended memory. Note: FOXSWAP.COM is used only with the standard version to invoke large DOS applications. FOXR.EXE FOXR.EXE is the Foxpro for DOS startup module. It allows Foxpro to launch an application. FOXR.EXE also determines where the user resource directory is located. Example: C:\FOXRUN\FOXR.EXE -cC:\FOXRUN\CONFIG.FP -m2612 mal In this example, FOXR.EXE was called from the runtime unit directory. It executed the application startup module MAL.FXP. The -c option defined C:\FOXRUN\CONFIG.FP as the Foxpro configuration file. It is the configuration file that determines the user's resource directory. - Page 42 - Appendix D FOXR.EXE also determines which version of Foxpro, standard or extended, to run. Normally, it takes three megabytes of extended memory to invoke the extended version. In the last example, however, the -m option was used to reduce the amount of extended memory required to invoke the extended version. In this case, only 2.6 megabytes was needed. FOXRW.EXE FOXRW.EXE is the Foxpro for Windows version of FOXR.EXE. It allows the Foxpro for Windows runtime (FOXW*.ES?) to launch an application. The same rules and parameters of FOXR.EXE apply to FOXRW.EXE. Before continuing, it should be noted. All the files in the runtime unit are self contained. You need not add a C:\FOXRUN or a C:\FOXRUNW to your DOS PATH statement. CONFIG.FP As stated earlier, the CONFIG.FP file (CONFIG.FPW in Foxpro for windows) determines the user's resource directory. It can also be used to optimize Foxpro. The following is the basic CONFIG.FP file layout: _FOXDOC = '' _FOXGRAPH = '' _GENGRAPH = '' BELL = OFF DEVELOPMENT = OFF FILES = 45 INDEX = NDX MVARSIZE = 20 MVCOUNT = 512 RESOURCE = C:\FOXRUN RESOURCE = ON SAFETY = OFF STATUS = OFF TALK = OFF The following section will describe the most important commands in the CONFIG.FP. - Page 43 - Appendix D EMS The standard version of Foxpro requires expanded memory. You need at least three megabytes of extended memory to run the extended version of Foxpro. If you only have expanded memory, add the following command to CONFIG.FP: EMS = ON If your expanded memory doesn't work with Foxpro, it probably doesn't conform to the LIM 4.0 specification for EMS. In that case, replace the EMS on command with the following: EMS64 = OFF EMS = ON These commands allow Foxpro to use EMS memory, but only for file I/O. MEMLIMIT If you are unable to run Foxpro for windows, due to insufficient memory, add a MEMLIMIT statement to your CONFIG.FPW file. The syntax for this statement is MEMLIMIT=%,min,max where % is a calculated amount based on available memory and min and max represent actual minimum and maximum allocations. For example, specifying MEMLIMIT=80,1024,4096 allocates 80 percent of your system's available memory to Foxpro with a minimum allocation of 1024K and a maximum of 4096K. PROGWORK If you have at least a 450 kilobyte ramdisk, you can add the following command: PROGWORK = G:\ This command will place program cache on drive G. There are similar commands you can use to further optimize Foxpro. If you are interested, refer to the Foxpro user guide. - Page 44 - Appendix D RESOURCE This command defines the user resource directory. For single users, or network users with local hard drives, the resource directory would also be the runtime unit directory. Example: C:\FOXRUN\FOXR.EXE -CC:\FOXRUN\CONFIG.FP MAL Where C:\FOXRUN is the local copy of the runtime unit and the CONFIG.FP file. MAL would be, of course, the startup procedure to our application. The CONFIG.FP file would contain the commands: RESOURCE = C:\FOXRUN RESOURCE = ON In the case of a network with no local hard drive, a work station would be invoked as: K:\FOXRUN\FOXR.EXE -CK:\USER1\CONFIG.FP MAL Where K:\FOXRUN contains the shared copy of the runtime unit and K:\USER1 contains the CONFIG.FP. The CONFIG.FP would contain: RESOURCE = K:\USER1 RESOURCE = ON Where K:\FOXRUN is defined as the user resource directory. Note: If a runtime unit is to be shared, all *.ESL, *.ESO, FOXR.EXE and/or FOXRW.EXE must be marked as read-only. The normal installation, however, should have already done this. TIME Establishes the amount of time that Foxpro waits for the print device to accept a character. If the printer is not ready, this value dictates the number of retries that Foxpro will make to the print device. If the retry count is exhausted, Foxpro issues the error "Printer not ready. Retry? (Y/N)". The value of TIME may range from 1 to 1,000,000 retries. The default is 6,000. - Page 45 - Appendix D FOXPRO.INI Another resource directory file is FOXPRO.INI. In the past, this Foxpro application was configured using DOS environment variables. For example, the DOS command SET MULT=YES would set this application into multi-user mode. While DOS environment variables are still accepted, the preferred way is to add commands to a [GetEnv] section of the FOXPRO.INI file. The following is a basic FOXPRO.INI file layout: [FoxPro] Zoomed=0 Row=0 Column=0 Height=402 Width=648 FontName=FOXFONT FontStyle=0 FontSize=9 [GetEnv] FontName=FoxFont FontStyle=N FontSize=9 Mult=yes Recall=yes Note: The [Foxpro] section is used only by Foxpro for Windows and then, only from the FOXPRO.INI stored in the windows directory. The following is a list of FOXPRO.INI [GetEnv] commands: DATA All application data files are assumed in the current directory unless the command DATA is specified. Example: DATA=C:\DATA\ Note: Data files include *.DBF, *.CDX, and *.FPT. Q*.* are expression builder files (see Record Filters). SCR.* are data dictionary files and belong in the program directory (see PROG). - Page 46 - Appendix D FONTNAME In Foxpro for Windows, pressing [Alt]-[V] allows the user to change fonts. When a font is changed at a particular menu, all sub-menus will use that font. If the font is changed at the main menu, the new font is stored in the [GetEnv] section of FOXPRO.INI. When the application is restarted, the new font will then be used. The following command will define the name of the font: FONTNAME=FOXFONT ...where Foxfont is the name of the font. FONTSIZE In Foxpro for Windows, the following command will define the startup font size: FONTSIZE=9 ..where '9' is 9 point. FONTSTYLE In Foxpro for Windows, the following command will define the style of the startup font: FONTSTYLE=N ..where 'N' is normal, 'I' defines italic, and 'B' for bold. See the Foxpro command DEFINE WINDOW for a list of possible styles. - Page 47 - Appendix D INIT The INIT command allows the user to perform system administration functions. These functions provide a measure of system control and are not needed for day to day activities. To invoke this system administration function, add the following command to the [GetEnv] section of your FOXPRO.INI file: INIT=YES When you run application again, you will notice new options. If you are running on a network, an option M will appear on the main menu. Option 'M' allows you to toggle between Multi-user and single-user modes. Some system administration functions can only be provided in single-user mode. In addition, an option B will appear in the utility menu. This option allows you the purged out entire database files. LAST This application normally resets all browse sessions. The browse layout, however, can be saved by adding the following command to your [GetEnv] section of the FOXPRO.INI file: LAST=YES With this command, fields may be moved around or resized. Partitions may be split or separated. All these preferences will be saved and will be in effect the next time you perform the browse. MULT This application normally comes up in single user mode. To make it wake up in Multi-user mode, add the following command to your [GetEnv] section of the FOXPRO.INI file: MULT=YES - Page 48 - Appendix D PROG All application program files and all data dictionary files are assumed in the current directory unless the FOXPRO.INI command PROG is specified. Example: PROG=D:\PROG\ Note: Program files include *.PRG, *.FXP, and SCR.*. RECALL The application normally reuses deleted records. That is, deleted records are blanked out to be reused the next time you add a record. You can recall deleted records with the following FOXPRO.INI command: RECALL=YES When recall is in effect, deleted records are not blanked out. You will be provided with an extra recall option on all editors. Like the find option, recall prompts the user for a record. If the deleted record is found, it becomes active again. Note: If the current database has a deleted() index, deleted records are NEVER blanked out. When recall is in effect, you will be presented with a browse of all deleted records. Select the desired record and press [Enter]. SYSMENU In Foxpro for DOS, the system menu is normally hidden. You must press the [Alt] key to wake it up. You can have the system menu always displayed with the following FOXPRO.INI command: SYSMENU=SHOW In Foxpro for Windows, the system menu is normally displayed. You can have the system menu hidden with the following FOXPRO.INI command: SYSMENU=HIDDEN - Page 49 - Appendix D TEMP All temporary files are assumed in the current directory unless the FOXPRO.INI command TEMP is specified. Example: TEMP=C:\TEMP If you have a large enough ramdisk, setting TEMP to the ramdisk should improve performance. Note: DOS environment variables take precedent over [GetEnv] commands. That is, a DOS environment variable TEMP is used before a [GetEnv] command TEMP. TERM In the very near future, Foxpro will be available for many different systems. To remain compatible, the FOXPRO.INI command TERM was created. If TERM does not exist, or if TERM is equal to ANSI, then the system is considered 100% ANSI compatible. That is, function keys [F1]-[F10] exist, [Esc] exists, and the ability to use a mouse exists. Example: TERM=ANSI - Page 50 - Appendix D The file CONFIG.FP stores commands to configure Foxpro. The [GetEnv] section of the file FOXPRO.INI stores commands to configure this application. Other resource directory files include FOXUSER.*, *.MEM files, and Q*.* files. The following describe each of these files: FOXUSER.DBF The Foxpro resource file (FOXUSER.DBF) stores all the attributes of the user. What color sets the user desires and how to display browse windows. It also stores certain preferences required by this application. For instance, all files with a "TMP" extension should have word wrap enabled and backup disabled. All files with a "TXT" extension should have word wrap disabled and backup disabled. The Foxpro resource file stores all the color sets available to Foxpro. If you wish to improve the appearance of your menus, make sure "enabled opt." in your user menu (color set 2) is set to the same color as your "@ SAY". Note: Foxpro for windows use the default color set "FOXDEF". All other versions of Foxpro use the default color set "DEFAULT". FOXUSER2.DBF The second Foxpro resource file (FOXUSER2.DBF) has the same file structure as the Foxpro resource file (FOXUSER.DBF). Unlike FOXUSER.DBF, however, color sets stored in the memo field 'DATA' are in ASCII text. The text layout is simple. Twelve lines for the twelve color schemes used by this application. Each line contain ten color pairs. A color pair "W*/B+", for example, would denote a white foreground, blue background ("*" denotes blinking and "+" denotes intensity). For a description of color pairs used within a scheme, check the color picker portion of the Foxpro manual. Note: As long as the field 'UPDATED' has a more recent date, the color set from FOXUSER2.DBF will override the color set found in FOXUSER.DBF. - Page 51 - Appendix D Printer Codes Printer codes are maintained by the system setup menu and are stored in a ???SYS.MEM memory file. This memory file is stored in user's resource directory. On a network, each user will have his/her own set of printer codes. To retain a common set of printer codes, allow one user to maintain printer codes in the data directory (see DATA). Then, simply delete ???SYS.MEM files from each user's resource directory. Each user will get a fresh copy of printer codes, from the data directory, the next time they run the application. Record Filters Record filter files belong, and are maintained, by the expression builder. These include Q*.DBF, Q*.FPT, Q*.CDX. Record filters are stored in the user's resource directory. On a network, each user will have his/her own set of record filters. To retain a common set of record filters, allow one user to maintain record filters in the data directory (see DATA). Then, simply delete all Q*.* files from each user's resource directory. Each user will get a fresh copy of record filters, from the data directory, the next time they run the expression builder. Configuring Sideways If you are using the sideways utility from Funk software, there are a couple of steps necessary configure it. First, you can select the desired printer by running SWSETUP.COM. This utility will modify SIDEWAYS.COM. After selecting the desired printer, copy SIDEWAYS.COM to the user's resource directory. Note: If you ever want to know where your resource directory is located, select the option "all about.." in the system setup menu. If you need to modify the font proportions, go into your resource directory and run SIDEWAYS.COM (no parameters). A screen will appear, displaying all the current setup values. Adjust these values and press [F9] to create the default file, SIDEWAYS.DFT. Note: If you change your resource directory, create a new SIDEWAYS.DFT. Among other things, this file contains it's own location. Moving an DFT file can result in a "file not found" error message. - Page 52 - GLOSSARY ANSI - American National Standards Institute. A standard for both screen output and keyboard input. Arrow Keys - Equivalent to cursor keys. Those keys on the keyboard labeled with arrows. ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard 7 bit code used to represent data. Batch File - A file containing multiple DOS commands. These commands are executed by DOS, one at a time, as if typed by the user. Byte - A unit of information. In text form, equivalent to an ASCII character. Code - Program code. Another way of saying program instructions. Compiler - A program that converts program code from one form to another, usually more primitive, form. The converted code is then ready for execution. CONFIG.FP - The Foxpro configuration file. This file tells Foxpro where is find the resource file. On a network, there is a one copy for each Foxpro user. CONFIG.FPM - The Foxpro for Macintosh configuration file. CONFIG.FPW - The Foxpro for windows configuration file. Cursor - A flashing character on the screen. It indicates where typed text will be next placed. Cursor Keys - Equivalent to arrow keys. Those keys on the keyboard labeled with arrows. Data Dictionary - A database file that defines the input/output to database files in an application. dBASE - Popular database management language. The software package dBASE III+ is an interpreter for dBASE code. Disk - A unit where information is stored. There are two major types: hard disk, and floppy disk. Disk Error - An error occurring when a program is unable to read or write properly to a disk. Diskspace - A unit of how much room is available on a drive. It is usually measured in bytes. DOS - Disk Operating System. - Page 53 - GLOSSARY EMS - Refers to expanded memory. Most 80286 computers have expanded memory. 80386 computers have extended memory. There are, however, 80386 software drivers (QEMM for example), that can offer either extended or expanded memory. Extended - Extended memory. 80386 (or better) computers have extended memory. The extended version of Foxpro needs at least three megabytes of extended memory. The standard version of Foxpro requires expanded memory. Filespec - any DOS filename.ext including catalog names, passwords, etc. Floppy Disk - A self contained unit where information is stored. Depending on the type, floppy disks are easily transportable. Sometimes called a diskette. Foxbase - A dBASE III plus compatible language. Foxpro - A dBASE IV compatible language. FOXERR.DBF - The Foxpro error file. Every major error event is recorded in this file. FOXUSER.DBF - The Foxpro resource file. This file stores all the attributes of the user. It also stores all the color sets available to Foxpro. On a network, there is a one copy for each Foxpro user. Hard Disk - A self contained unit where information is stored. Usually not removable. HELP - A facility that provides on-line assistance in the use of a given program. Highlight - A form of a cursor, where an entire field is considered the cursor. Interpreter - A program that executes language code. Whereas a compiler translates program code to executable code, an interpreter translates a single line of program code before executing it. Kilobyte - One kilobyte of memory equals 1,024 bytes. Megabyte - One megabyte of memory equals 1,024,000 bytes. Multi-user - When more one than one person is capable of accessing/updating the same database at the same time. MS-DOS - Microsoft Disk Operating System. Sideways - A DOS Utility that will print text up and down instead of across the paper. - Page 54 - GLOSSARY Source Code - What a translator/compiler takes in as input. Syntax - The rules for the arrangement of statements in a programming language - Page 55 - Index *.ESL 42 Creating a Mailing List Record *.ESO 42 9 .BAT 38 Creating a User Record 13 .CDX 38 Creating Sample Records 8 .DBF 38 Cursor 30, 53 .FPT 38 Cursor Keys 53 .FXP 38 Customer 26 .PRG 38 Customizing Color Sets 21 [Alt]-[F4] 36 DATA 46 [Alt]-[F5] 36 Data dictionary 38, 49, 53 [Alt]-[V] 37 DBASE 53 [Ctrl]-[F4] 36 DBASE IV 1 [Ctrl]-[F5] 37 Delete Function 10, 32 [Ctrl]-[Home] 12, 31 Disk 53 [Ctrl]-[J] 32 Disk Error 53 [Ctrl]-[N] 32 Disk Space 40 [Ctrl]-[T] 32 Diskspace 53 [Ctrl]-[Y] 32 Display/Print Manual 22 [End] 30 DMAIL4 1, 5 [Esc] 31 DOS 5, 53 [F1] 30 Draft mode 20 [F10] 32 Edit User Descriptions 22 [F4] 36 Editor 5 [F5] 37 Employee 26 [F7] 37 EMS 42, 44, 54 [Home] 30 Expanded 44 [Shift]-[TAB] 31 Export Mailing List 23 [TAB] 31 Exporting Different Data Add Function 9, 30 Structures 24 Adding a Customer Record 11 Expression builder 5, 18 All About... 22 Extended 1, 44, 54 ANSI 50, 53 Filespec 54 Appendix A 29 Filter 17, 18 Appendix A-1 36 Find Function 10, 32 Appendix B 38 Floppy Disk 54 Appendix C 40 FONTNAME 47 Appendix D 42 FONTSIZE 47 Arrow Keys 53 FONTSTYLE 47 ASCII 53 Foxbase 54 BACK 39 FOXERR.DBF 22, 38, 41, 54 Backup/Restore Data Files 39 Foxpro 1, 5, 54 Batch File 53 Foxpro Calculator 36 Browse Function 10, 31 Foxpro Calendar 36 Byte 53 Foxpro DOS Shell 37 Change Color Set 21 Foxpro for DOS 37 Check boxes 12, 17, 22, 26 Foxpro for windows 37, 44, 46, Code 53 47 Compiler 53 Foxpro runtime unit 7, 42 CONFIG.FP 42, 43, 53 Foxpro runtime unit directory CONFIG.FPM 53 42 CONFIG.FPW 43, 44, 53 FOXPRO.INI 46 Configuring Sideways 52 FOXR.EXE 42 Copyright/License/Warranty 2 FOXRUN 42 FOXRW.EXE 43 - Page 56 - Index FOXSWAP.COM 42 PROGWORK 44 FOXUSER.DBF 21, 38, 51, 54 Purging Mailing List 27 FOXUSER2.DBF 21, 51 Q*.* 38 GLOSSARY 53 Quit 13, 16, 22 Goto Function 10, 33 Quit Function 11, 35 Hard Disk 54 Quit to DOS 28 HELP 54 Ramdisk 50 Help Function 11, 34 Rebuilding Indices 27 Highlight 54 RECALL 49 Import Mailing List 25 Recall Function 35 Importing Different Data Record filter 5, 17, 18 Structures 26 Record Filters 52 Importing SBT Records 26 Regular mode 20 Index 56 RESOURCE 45 INIT 48 Resource directory 42 Initializing Databases 27 SBT 26 Interpreter 54 SCR.DBF 38 Introduction 5 Sideways 20, 54 Invoking dMAIL4 System 7 SIDEWAYS.COM 52 JKEY 32 SIDEWAYS.DFT 52 Kilobyte 54 Source Code 55 Laser Printers 37 Straight lines per page 20 LAST 48 SWSETUP.COM 52 LIM 4.0 44 Syntax 55 Macintosh 6 Syntax Error 41 MAIL.DBF 38 Sysmenu 36, 49 Mailing Labels 21 Sysmenu edit 36 MAL 7 System administration 48 MALSYS.MEM 38 System administrator 21, 37, 40 MANUAL 38 System Setup 17 Megabyte 54 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Megabytes 1 TEMP 50 MEMLIMIT 44 TERM 50 Memo 12, 22, 38 TIME 45 MODE 40 Toggle Index Function 11, 35 MS-DOS 1, 54 Toggle Order Function 11, 35 MULT 48 UNBACK 39 Multi-user 19, 54 Update Function 11, 35 Multi-User Errors 41 USER.DBF 38 Network 19, 42, 48 Utilities 23 Notation Conventions 6 Vendor 26 P_CODES.DBF 19 Video Mode 37 Preface 1 Wild-carding 32 Print Mailing List 14 Window 5 Print Mode 37 Printer Codes 20, 38, 52 Printer Control Codes 18 Printer Device 19 Printer Eject 37 Printer Name 19 Printer not Ready 40 Printing Mailing Labels 14 Problems & Suggestions 22 PROG 49 - Page 57 -