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Preface The Foxpro SAC System is a set of programs designed to record and track the Saguaro Astronomy Club Database. The SAC System is written in a dBASE IV compatible language called Foxpro. Among the SAC System features is the ability to run in a Multi-user environment. It can access records by either object name or by memo notes. The SAC system also will let you keep user logs. SunShow utilities are included in the SAC system. These utilities allow the SAC system to display and print graphic pictures stored in the SAC database or on file. 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, the Saguaro Astronomy Club Database, Astronomy, or Foxpro. Many reference texts are available on the market that explain the MS-DOS operating system and dBASE 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 Foxpro SAC ("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 SAC 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 - SunShow Image Toolkit The SAC System does include utilities from the SunShow Image Toolkit. These utilities gives us the ability to display and print GIF files. There are, however, limitations you MUST be aware of: 1) If the SHOWGIF utility attempts to display a GIF picture having a pixel resolution larger than your best video mode, a computer lock-up is possible. There are many 1024x768 pixel resolution GIF files in the SAC System. If you video card cannot handle 1024x768 pixels, you can prevent a lockup by removing all SHOWGIF.* files from your system. Note: The SunShow Image Toolkit does include a utility called VIEWGIF.EXE. This utility, while capable of displaying any size GIF file, cannot presently work within Foxpro. 2) The SunShow utilities can only display and print GIF files containing a global color map. If SHOWGIF tries to display a GIF with no global color map, a blank screen is displayed. 3) The current version of SunShow cannot print interlaced GIF files. About a third of the SAC System GIF files are interlaced. We are hoping the next release of SunShow will solve this problem. 4) The SunShow utilities does NOT give a progress report in loading a graphic file for display. Just a blank screen. The speed that graphic file will load and display depends on your machine. 5) If you are running in multi-user mode, use the same video driver (VESA for example), for each user. The current version of Sunshow cannot assign different video drivers to different users. I've tried to check all the GIF files in the SAC System to ensure they're within 1024x768 pixel resolutions and contain a global color map. If you do a find bad GIF file, however, please write or call. - Page 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface 1 Copyright/License/Warranty 2 SunShow Image Toolkit 3 Introduction 6 Manual Content 6 Notation Convention 7 Invoking SAC 8 Maintaining SAC Deep Sky Database 11 Updating a SAC Deep Sky Record 15 Creating a Log Record 16 Maintaining SAC Double Star Database 17 Quit 17 Printing SAC Database 18 Printing SAC Database 19 Quit 20 System Setup 21 Expression Builder 22 Printer Control Codes 22 Change Color Set 25 Customizing Color Sets 25 Problems & Suggestions 25 Default Settings 26 SunShow Video Setup 26 SunShow Print Setup 26 Display/Print Manual 28 Quit 28 Utilities 29 Access GIF's to .\GIF 30 Convert RA/Dec <-> Alt/Az 30 Burham Coordinates 30 Epoch Coordinates 31 Double Star Separation 31 Rebuilding Indices 32 Initializing Databases 32 Sorting Databases 32 Quit to DOS 33 - Page 4 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Appendices 34 Appendix A/ Generic Editor 34 Appendix A-1/ System Menu 41 Sysmenu edit 41 Foxpro Calculator 41 Foxpro Calendar 41 Foxpro DOS Shell 42 Printer Eject 42 Video Mode 42 Print Mode 42 Appendix B/ Data Files 43 Import Files 45 Backup/Restore Data files 46 Appendix C/ Error Handling 47 Disk Space 47 Printer not Ready 47 Multi-User Errors 48 Syntax Error 48 Appendix D/ Configuring Application 49 Foxpro Runtime Unit 49 FOXR.EXE 49 FOXRW.EXE 50 CONFIG.FP 50 EMS 51 MEMLIMIT 51 PROGWORK 51 RESOURCE 52 TIME 52 FOXPRO.INI 53 DATA 53 FONTNAME 54 FONTSIZE 54 FONTSTYLE 54 GIF 55 INIT 55 LAST 55 MULT 55 PROG 56 RECALL 56 SYSMENU 56 TEMP 57 TERM 57 FOXUSER.DBF 58 FOXUSER2.DBF 58 Printer Codes 59 Record Filters 59 Configuring Sideways 59 Glossary 60 Index 63 - Page 5 - Introduction The Foxpro SAC System is a set of programs designed to record and track the Saguaro Astronomy Club Database. The Foxpro SAC System is written in a dBASE IV compatible language called Foxpro. Before continuing, we should explain a couple of terms. We refer to the Saguaro Astronomy Club database as the SAC database. We will be refering to the Foxpro SAC System as the SAC System, or simply as "SAC". 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". The term "GIF" refers to the Compu-Serve Graphic Information Format. A graphic picture file format. The graphic file extension (GIF, PCX, TIF, etc.) actually used depends on the graphic file viewer. The SAC system, however, will use GIF files exclusively. A "memo field" is a field that can store text or files. All databases in the SAC System contain two memo fields. One for notes and one for GIF files. Note memo fields may be edited by the user. GIF memo fields must first be copied to disk before they can be viewed. 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 SAC system, the generic operations of editors, error handling, optimizing SAC, and establishing a backup procedure. - Page 6 - 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 7 - Invoking SAC System The purpose of this section is to help you get started using SAC. Your computer should be running and you should be at the DOS prompt. You should have already installed the SAC application and the Foxpro runtime unit. You should also have a functional backup procedure (See Appendix B). Note: If you are importing the SAC deep sky and/or double star databases, see Appendix B/Import files. To invoke SAC, at the DOS prompt, type: SAC and press [Enter]. Since this is the first time you invoked SAC, you should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | ------------------------- Default Settings ------------------------ | | SAC Word for Windows (Form Data File) : | | Longitude (DDD.MMSS): Latitude (DDD.MMSS): Time Zone : Daylight Saving Time: Epoch Year : | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Press [ESC] to abort and return to main menu... +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ This screen defines the default SAC settings and can be found in the system setup menu. For now, press [Enter] to ignore the first line. The next five input fields are needed to configure SAC to your location. The time zone is the number of hours from UT (example: 5 for EST). Specifying Daylight Saving will subtract one hour from the time zone. Press [F10] when done. The next screen you see will be the SunShow Video Setup. This screen is available in the system setup menu. Simply type in the number of your video card and press [Enter]. Warning: If you are running in multi-user mode, use the same video driver (VESA for example), for each user. The current version of Sunshow cannot assign different video drivers to different users. - Page 8 - Invoking SAC System The final setup screen will configure the SunShow printer utility. This screen is also found in the system setup menu. Select your printer and press [Enter]. There are other options, but just press [F10] to complete the screen. After all setup screens are completed, you should see is the following: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ----------------------- M A I N M E N U ----------------------- | | E - Edit SAC Databases | | P - Print SAC Databases | | S - System Setup | | U - Utilities | | Q - Quit this program | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ This is our normal initial screen. Option 'E' allows you to create and maintain all SAC deep sky and double star records. Option 'P' will print SAC deep sky and double star reports. Option 'S' allows you to change printer control codes and system default settings. Option 'U' contain miscellaneous options that allow the user to maintain SAC. Option 'Q' will return you to the DOS prompt. By default, SAC runs in a single-user mode. If you are running in a Multi-user environment, you will need to configure SAC to run Multi- user mode. Please refer to Appendix D for more information. There are three ways to select an option. One way is simply to 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. 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. - Page 9 - Invoking SAC System Maintaining Sample Records Editing SAC records is simple. At the main menu, press [E]. The following screen will appear: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ---------------------- E D I T M E N U ------------------------ | | 1 - Edit SAC Deep Sky Database 2 - Edit SAC Double Star Database 3 - Edit SAC Variable Star Database 4 - Edit Lunar Object Database 5 - Edit Celestial Object Database | | Q - Return to main menu | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ This is the edit menu. Here, all components of the SAC system can be maintained. Option '1' will allow you to maintain the SAC deep sky database. Option '2' will allow you to maintain the SAC double star database. Option '3' will allow you to maintain the SAC variable star database. Option '4' will allow you to maintain the Lunar object database. Option '5' will allow you to maintain the planetary object database. 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 10 - Maintaining SAC Deep Sky Database Maintaining SAC deep sky records is simple. At the edit menu, press [1]. The following screen will appear: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ---------------------- SAC Deep Sky Database ---------------------- Object Name: Other Names: Type of Object: Constellation: L.S.T.: Right Ascension : Azimuth (DDD.MMSS): Declination : Altitude (DDD.MMSS): Magnitude : Magnitude of Brightest Star: Description: Size : Class: Source: # of Stars : U 2000 : Clubs: Tirion 2000: ------------------------------ Notes ------------------------------ | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Edit Log 1 Create File 2 Print File 3 View File Create Memo Toggle Index (None) 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 11 - Maintaining SAC Deep Sky Database 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. If the current database is indexed by object name, this option will prompt you for the object. Type the desired object and press [Enter]. If found, the object will be displayed as well as the current azimuth/altitude location. You could then delete it, or update it. A couple of notes: If the [T]oggle option is set to (none), no index is active. You must press [T] to activate one of this SAC indices. Also, the find function is capable of wild-carding. Very useful when used with the notes index. See Appendix A for more information. - Page 12 - Maintaining SAC Deep Sky Database 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. For example, if the current record is customer 5, pressing [P] will display customer 4. The goto window remains active until you press [Esc]. 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 (none), no index is active. Pressing [T] will activate the object name index. Upon pressing [F], the user will be prompted for the object name. Pressing [T] will change the current index back to other names. Pressing [T] again will change the index to notes. Press [T] once more will return you to (none). 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 object 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. Edit Log Pressing [L] allows the user to add/maintain log reports for the current database record. This option will be explained later. - Page 13 - Maintaining SAC Deep Sky Database 1 Create GIF File If there is a GIF memo field, corresponding to the current record, the user may press [1] to create a graphic picture file from it. This option is not available if there is already an existing graphic picture file. 2 Print GIF File If there is a graphic picture file, corresponding to the current record, the user may press [2] to print it. There will be a slight delay while the file is printed. Use option [8], of the system setup menu, to configure the SunShow print utility. 3 View GIF File If there is a graphic picture file, corresponding to the current record, the user may press [3] to display it. Use option [7], of the system setup menu, to configure the SunShow video utility. Press [Esc] to exit the GIF viewer. Create GIF Memo Every record has a GIF memo field. A GIF memo field can contain a graphic picture. If the GIF memo field does not contain a graphic picture the user may press [C] to create one. The user will be prompted for the GIF file name. Pressing [Enter] accepts the file name. If the file is found in the GIF directory, it's copied into the GIF memo field. Once stored in a GIF memo field, a GIF picture becomes part of the record. Delete GIF Memo If there is already a graphic picture in the GIF memo field, the user may press [e] to delete it. The user is prompted whether he/she is sure. If the user presses [Y], the graphic picture in the GIF memo field is deleted. Modify GIF Memo If there is already a graphic picture in the GIF memo field, the user may press [M] to modify it. The user will be prompted for the GIF file name. If found, the picture is displayed. After exiting the viewer, the user will be asked if the new picture is correct. If the user presses [Y], the old picture is over-written. Print GIF Memo If there is already a graphic picture in the GIF memo field, the user may press [P] to display it. There will be a slight delay while the GIF memo field is printed. Use option [8], of the system setup menu, to configure the SunShow print utility. - Page 14 - Maintaining SAC Deep Sky Database View GIF Memo If there is already a graphic picture in the GIF memo field, the user may press [V] to display it. Use option [7], of the system setup menu, to configure the SunShow video utility. Press [Esc] to exit the GIF viewer. Note: An asterisk in the upper right hand corner of the screen indicates a GIF memo image is present. Also note that this option is only available if the GIF viewer exists. 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. Updating SAC Deep Sky Record The SAC deep sky database should already contain about 10,000 records. Pressing [U] will place you into the update mode. To understand the SAC deep sky database, move the cursor to each input field. At each input field, press [F1] for help information. Since we do not want to update, press [Esc] to abort the update function. Note: If you press [F1] on the Right Ascension field, you will see a help window. If you then press [F10], the Burham coordinate converter will be displayed. Simply type the Burham 1950 coordinates and press [Enter]. The right Ascension and declination fields will then contain the converted J2000 coordinates. - Page 15 - Creating a Log Record From the SAC deep sky editor, press [L] for the log editor. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------------- SAC LOG Editor -------------------------- Object Name: Other Names: | | Log Date: / / Log Time: : : | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Create Memo Toggle Order (Ascending) Add Browse Delete Find Goto Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ The edit functions are exactly the same as in the SAC deep sky editor. Use this editor to add or maintain log reports on the current SAC deep sky record. You may even use the Create/View GIF options to include a drawing with your log notes. To create a log, press [A] to add. You will see the current date and time. The memo window "notes" will be displayed. Type in your notes, then press [F10] to save. You will be prompted for another record. Press [Esc] to abort the add mode. If you wish to change the date and time, press [U] for the update mode. Since we don't have any more notes, press [Q] to return to the SAC editor. From the SAC editor, press [Q] to quit to the main menu. - Page 16 - Maintaining SAC Double Star Database At the edit menu, we also can edit the SAC double star database. At the edit menu, press [2]. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | -------------------- SAC Double Star Database --------------------- Name: Star: Constellation: L.S.T.: Right Ascension : Azimuth (DDD.MMSS): Declination : Altitude (DDD.MMSS): Magnitude of Primary: Magnitude of Secondary: Component: Separation: Position Angle: Spectrum: Year : ADS Catalog: U 2000 : Clubs: Tirion 2000: ------------------------------ Notes ------------------------------ | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Edit Log 1 Create File 2 Print File 3 Print File Create Memo Toggle Index (None) Toggle Order (Ascending) Add Browse Delete Find Goto Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ The edit functions are exactly the same as in the SAC Deep Sky editor. You may create/delete/view GIF pictures. You may toggle between the Name, Star, Notes, or no index at all. You also may maintain an observer's log for each record. Since we do not, press [Q] to return to the edit menu. Quit Well, that's all you need to know about the SAC editors. Later, you can experiment with finding, deleting, and updating records. For now, simply press [Q] to return to the main menu. - Page 17 - Print SAC Database From the previous examples, you should now be at the main menu. We will be printing a report, so make sure your printer is connected and on-line. If you wish to print GIF pictures, make sure your screen capture program is active. If not, you may wish to skip this section. If your printer is ready, press [P]. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------------- P R I N T M E N U -------------------- | | 1 - SAC Deep Sky Reports 2 - SAC Double Star Reports 3 - Variable Star Reports 4 - Lunar Object Reports 5 - Celestial Object Reports | | Q - Return to main menu | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Options '1' through '5' allow you to print all the reports available in the SAC database. Option 'Q' returns you to the main menu. Upon a selection, you will be given a choice of reports. For example, select option '1'. You should see the following: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ 1 - 80 Column Deep Sky Report 2 - 132 Column Deep Sky Report 3 - Word for Windows (Data file) 4 - 80 Column Deep Sky Log Report Q - Return to report menu +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Option '1' will print the SAC deep sky database, one record per page. The user may wish to print GIFs as well1. Option '2' will print a 132 column report. Option '3' will create a Word for Windows print merge File. Option '4' will print the deep sky log report. Option 'Q' will return you to the report menu. ____________________ 1 See option [8], of the system setup menu, to configure the SunShow print utility. - Page 18 - Print SAC Database Printing SAC Database Just to show you how simple it is, press [2]. You should see the following screen: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ----------------------- 132 Column Report ------------------------- Object Name: Other Names: Type of Object: Constellation: Right Ascension : Azimuth (DDD.MMSS): / / Declination : Altitude (DDD.MMSS): : : Magnitude : Magnitude of Brightest Star: Description: Size : Class: Source: # of Stars : U 2000 : Clubs: Tirion 2000: | | Starting Log Date: Ending Log Date: | | Numeric Factor: | | Index File: Index Order: |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Print Screen Help Update Quit +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ You are given an option grid. The option grid will look like the SAC edit window. The option grid prompts will determine what records will be printed and in what order. For example, specifying "NGC" for object name will print all records containing "NGC". In addition, specifying "CMA" for type will print all "NGC" records within the constellation Canis Major. You may specify the Azimuth and/or Altitude of an object. You will, of course, need to specify the date and time the object will be at the location. Which brings us to the numeric factor. On all numeric fields (i.e. Declination, Magnitude, Altitude, etc.) you may specify a numeric factor. For example, say you specified an altitude of 20 and a numeric factor of 10. That means you want all objects with an altitude between 10 and 30 degrees. Another example: Say you specified a Magnitude of 7 and a numeric factor of 2. Therefore, only objects with a magnitude between 5 and 9 will be printed. - Page 19 - Print SAC Database 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 SAC editor. For the log reports only, there are two additional fields. They allow the user to specify the starting and ending log dates. 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 device specified in the system setup. If you need to adjust the printer controls, use option S of the main menu. See System setup. When you are finished, press [Q] to return to the print menu. Note: Some popup menu options, such as the word for windows (data file) option, send output directly to a file. Instead of offering [S]creen and [P]rinter, therefore, the option grid will allow you to press [C] to continue. That is why 80 Column Reports prompt you if you're printing GIFs. If you want to print GIF's, the option grid must send output directly to the printer. It cannot, therefore, give you [S]creen or [P]rint. Quit Keep in mind, the option grid works on top of any record filter selected from the system setup. Explore the two facilities. You may find them a very powerful combination. When you have experimented enough, press [Q] at the print menu to return to the main menu. - Page 20 - 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: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (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 - System Default Settings.." 7 - SunShow Video Setup.." 8 - SunShow Printer Setup.." | | 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. Option '3' will allow you to change the current color set. If you don't like the colors used by SAC, 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, about much memory is available, and the different kinds of application modes (Multi-user, debug, system administration). Option '6' allows you to specify the longitude and latitude of your location. Such information is needed to convert Right Ascension/Declination to Azimuth/Altitude. Options '7' & '8' allow you to configure SunShow's video and printer utilities. - Page 21 - System Setup Option 'M' allows you to display and/or print the user manual. Option 'Q' allows you to return to the main menu. 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 prompted for one of the SAC databases. For our example, select the deep sky database and press [Enter]. You will be given a list of existing record filters. Chose an existing filter. For example, move the cursor to the filter named "GIF's". Press [Enter]. The filter "GIF's" is now active and will allow you to view only deep sky records containing a GIF picture. 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 "No GIF's" 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 "GIF". The next popup will display the action that can be taken on "GIF". Select the popup "Empty". 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 deep sky records that do not contain a GIF image. 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. Press "S" for the deep sky database, and then press [Esc] to abort. Note: If you are running on a network, see Appendix D: Record filters. Printer Control Codes At the system setup menu, press [2]. The following screen will be displayed: - Page 22 - System Setup +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (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 Condense On : Printer 10 cpi : Printer 12 cpi : 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 23 - 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. SAC 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, SAC 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 24 - 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. 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. 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. - Page 25 - System Setup Default Settings At the setup menu, press [6]. The following screen will be displayed: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | --------------------- S Y S T E M S E T U P --------------------- | | SAC Word for Windows (Form Data File) : | | Graphic file extension : | | Longitude (DDD.MMSS): Latitude (DDD.MMSS): Time Zone : Daylight Saving Time: Epoch Year : | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Press [ESC] to abort and return to main menu... +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Most of the reports, from the print menu, allows you create a SAC deep sky word for window print merge file. The first input field specifies the file name. The next five input fields are needed to convert RA/Dec into Azimuth/Altitude. The time zone is the number of hours from UT. Specifying Daylight Saving will subtract one hour from the time zone. SunShow Video Setup At the system setup menu, press [7]. A selection of video cards will be displayed. Type in the number of the video card and press [Enter]. You will be returned to the system setup menu. SunShow Print Setup At the system setup menu, press [8]. You will be given a popup of available printers. Selecting 'none', of course, will prevent you from printing any graphic files. - Page 26 - System Setup The following screen should then appear: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------- SunShow Printer Setup --------------------- | | Desired Printer | | Brightness (-255 to 255): | | Dots to inch (75, 100, 150 or 300): | | Left Coordinate: Top Coordinate : New Width in Inches: New Height in Inches: | | Include Form Feed ? | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Press [ESC] to abort and return to main menu... +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ You can adjust the brightness and the number of dot's per inch. Press [Enter] and [Enter] to accept the defaults. The next four fields are in inches. The left and top coordinates determines output margins. The new width and height determine picture dimension. The final prompt will throw a form feed after the picture is printed. Press [F10] to complete the screen. You will be returned to the system setup menu. - Page 27 - System Setup 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 28 - Utilities Option 'U' of the main menu provides the miscellaneous options needed to maintain the SAC Database system. Upon pressing [U] at the main menu, you should see the following: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ SAC Database, Version 01.00.00 (c) 1987 Dennis Allen, All rights reserved | | ------------------- U T I L I T Y M E N U --------------------- | | 1 - Access GIF's in .\GIF 2 - Convert RA/DEC <--> ALT/AZ 3 - Convert Burham Coordinate 4 - Convert RA/DEC Epochs 5 - Compute Double Star Separation | | A - Rebuild indices B - Initialize Databases C - Sort Databases | | Q - Quit this Menu | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| Your selection: +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Option '1' will copy graphic pictures, stored in GIF memo fields, to the hard disk for viewing by your graphic file viewer. Option '2' will allow you to convert Right Ascension/Declination coordinates to Altitude/Azimuth and visa versa. Option '3' will convert Burham coordinates, epoch 1950, to epoch 2000 coordinates. Option '4' will let you convert the coordinates of any object from one epoch to another. Option '5' provides the arc second separation of any two objects, given the right ascension/declination. 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 SAC system. Option 'Q' will return you to the main menu. Option 'C' will allow you to sort all databases, in the SAC system, by right ascension/declination. Option 'Q' will return you to the main menu. Note: Options 'A', 'B', & 'C' are available only in single-user mode. Options 'B' & 'C' are only available to the system administrator. See Appendix D. - Page 29 - Utilities Access GIF's to .\GIF Option '1' will give you a list of choices. You may: Copy, move, append, delete, or view. Copy will copy graphic files, in GIF memo fields, into the graphic directory. Move will copy graphic files, in GIF memo fields, into the graphic directory. The graphic files, however, from deleted from GIF memo fields. Append will copy graphic files, in the graphic directory, into GIF memo fields. Delete simply deletes graphic file from GIF memo fields. View simply allows you to view graphic files in the graphic directory. After selecting your option, another popup will appear. This popup allows you to select which database to perform the selected function. Press [Enter] to select the desired database, or press [Esc] to abort. Convert RA/Dec <--> Alt/Az Option '2' will allow you to convert Right Ascension/Declination coordinates to Altitude/Azimuth and visa versa. Conversion is simple. To convert RA/Dec coordinates to Altitude/Azimuth, simply type RA/Dec coordinates and press [F10]. To convert Altitude/Azimuth coordinates, simply type the Alt/Az coordinates and press [F10]. To exit, press [Esc]. Note. This option uses the same procedures that display Alt/Az locations within the SAC editor. Burham Coordinates Option '3' will prompt you for Burham coordinates, format "9999n9999". Epoch 2000 coordinates will then be displayed. Press [Esc] to return to the utility menu. - Page 30 - Utilities Epoch Coordinates Option '4' will prompt you for Right ascension/Declination coordinates, the epoch of these coordinates (old epoch), and the conversion epoch (new epoch). The coordinates will then be converted to the new epoch. Press [Esc] to return to the utility menu. Double Star Separation Option '5' will prompt you for Right ascension/Declination coordinates of your two objects. The arc second separation will then be displayed. Press [Esc] to return to the utility menu. - Page 31 - 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 SAC 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 pressing [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. Sorting Databases All SAC databases usually come sorted by right ascension/Declination. That is why you need not use an index to browse by RA/DEC. All new records, however, are appended to the bottom of a database. It may be necessary, therefore, to physically sort the various databases. Upon pressing [C] at the utility menu, you will be prompted whether to sort all database files. All databases will be sorted and all indices will be rebuilt. You will then be returned to the utility menu3. 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 32 - 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 SAC System without returning to DOS. NEVER turn off the machine while in the SAC 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 SAC Database editor, or any other editor in the SAC 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. - Page 33 - 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 34 - 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 35 - 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 36 - 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 37 - 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 38 - 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 39 - 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 40 - 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 41 - 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 42 - 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 60 - 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. GIF - Refers to the Compu-Serve Graphic Information Format. A graphic picture format. 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. L.S.T. - Local Sidereal Time. 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. - Page 61 - GLOSSARY MS-DOS - Microsoft Disk Operating System. SAC - Saguaro Astronomy Club Database. A comma delimited text file containing 10,000 records. Mostly NGC objects. SHOWGIF - A SunShow utility to diaplay a GIF file. Sidereal Time - The current Right Ascension at the median. Sideways - A Utility that will print text up and down instead of across the paper. Source Code - What a translator/compiler takes in as input. Syntax - The rules for the arrangement of statements in a programming language UT - Universal Time. - Page 62 - Index *.ESL 49 Code 60 *.ESO 49 Compiler 60 .BAT 43 Compu-Serve 6, 61 .BIN 43 CONFIG.FP 49, 50, 60 .CDX 43 CONFIG.FPM 60 .DBF 43 CONFIG.FPW 50, 51, 60 .DRV 43 Configuring Sideways 59 .EXE 43 Convert RA/Dec <--> Alt/Az 30 .FPT 43 Copyright/License/Warranty 2 .FXP 43 Create GIF Memo 14 .LIB 43 Creating a Log Record 16 .PRG 43 Cursor 35, 60 [Alt]-[F4] 41 Cursor Keys 60 [Alt]-[F5] 41 Customizing Color Sets 25 [Alt]-[V] 42 DATA 53 [Ctrl]-[F4] 41 Data dictionary 44, 56, 60 [Ctrl]-[F5] 42 DBASE 60 [Ctrl]-[Home] 36 DBL.DBF 43 [Ctrl]-[J] 37 DBL.TXT 45 [Ctrl]-[N] 37 DBL20.DBF 45 [Ctrl]-[T] 37 DBLLOG.DBF 43 [Ctrl]-[Y] 37 Default Settings 26 [End] 35 Delete Function 12, 37 [Esc] 36 Delete GIF Memo 14 [F1] 35 Disk 60 [F10] 37 Disk Error 60 [F4] 41 Disk Space 47 [F5] 42 Diskspace 60 [F7] 42 Display/Print Manual 28 [Home] 35 DOS 60 [Shift]-[TAB] 36 Double Star Separation 31 [TAB] 36 Draft mode 24 1 Create GIF File 14 Edit Log 13 2 Print GIF File 14 Editor 6 3 View GIF File 14 EMS 49, 51, 61 Access GIF's to .\GIF 30 Epoch Coordinates 31 Add Function 11, 35 Expanded 51 ANSI 57, 60 Expression builder 6, 22 Appendix A 34 Extended 1, 51, 61 Appendix A-1 41 Filespec 61 Appendix B 43 Filter 21, 22 Appendix C 47 Find Function 12, 37 Appendix D 49 Floppy Disk 61 Arrow Keys 60 FONTNAME 54 ASCII 60 FONTSIZE 54 Astronomy 1 FONTSTYLE 54 BACK 46 Foxbase 61 Backup/Restore Data Files 46 FOXERR.DBF 25, 44, 48, 61 Batch File 60 Foxpro 1, 6, 61 Browse Function 12, 36 Foxpro Calculator 41 Burham 15, 30 Foxpro Calendar 41 Burham Coordinates 30 Foxpro DOS Shell 42 Byte 60 Foxpro for DOS 42 Change Color Set 25 - Page 63 - Index Foxpro for windows 42, 51, 53, OBJ.DBF 43 54 OBJLOG.DBF 44 Foxpro runtime unit 8, 49 P_CODES.DBF 23 Foxpro runtime unit directory Preface 1 49 Print GIF Memo 14 FOXPRO.INI 53 Print Mode 42 FOXR.EXE 49 Print SAC Database 18 FOXRUN 49 Printer Codes 24, 59 FOXRW.EXE 50 Printer Control Codes 22 FOXSWAP.COM 49 Printer Device 23 FOXUSER.DBF 25, 44, 58, 61 Printer Eject 42 FOXUSER2.DBF 25, 58 Printer Name 23 GIF 6, 55, 61 Printer not Ready 47 GLOSSARY 60 Printing SAC Database 19 Goto Function 13, 38 Problems & Suggestions 25 Hard Disk 61 PROG 56 HELP 61 PROGWORK 51 Help Function 13, 39 Q*.* 44 Highlight 61 Quit 17, 20, 28 Import Files 45 Quit Function 15, 40 Index 63 Quit to DOS 33 INIT 55 Ramdisk 57 Initializing Databases 32 Rebuilding Indices 32 Interpreter 61 RECALL 56 Introduction 6 Recall Function 40 Invoking SAC System 8 Record filter 6, 21, 22 JKEY 37 Record Filters 59 Kilobyte 61 Regular mode 24 L.S.T. 61 RESOURCE 52 Laser Printers 42 Resource directory 49 LAST 55 SAC 1, 6, 8, 62 LIM 4.0 51 SAC.DBF 44 LUN.DBF 43 SAC.TXT 45 LUNLOG.DBF 43 SAC60.DBF 45 Macintosh 7 SACLOG.DBF 44 Maintaining SAC Deep Sky SACSYS.MEM 44 Database 11 Saguaro Astronomy Club 1, 6 Maintaining SAC Double Star SCR.DBF 44 Database 17 SHOWGIF 62 Maintaining Sample Records 10 Sidereal Time 62 MANUAL 43 Sideways 24, 62 Megabyte 61 SIDEWAYS.COM 59 Megabytes 1 SIDEWAYS.DFT 59 MEMLIMIT 51 Sorting Databases 32 Memo 16, 25 Source Code 62 Memo field 6 Straight lines per page 24 MODE 47 SunShow 1, 8, 14, 15, 21, 27, Modify GIF Memo 14 43 MS-DOS 1, 62 SunShow Image Toolkit 3 MULT 55 SunShow Print Setup 26 Multi-user 23, 61 SunShow Video Setup 26 Multi-User Errors 48 SWSETUP.COM 59 Network 49, 55 Syntax 62 Notation Conventions 7 Syntax Error 48 - Page 64 - Index Sysmenu 41, 56 Sysmenu edit 41 System administration 55 System administrator 25, 42, 47 System Setup 21 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 TEMP 57 TERM 57 TIME 52 Toggle Index Function 13, 40 Toggle Order Function 13, 40 UNBACK 46 Update Function 13, 40 Updating SAC Deep Sky Record 15 UT 62 Utilities 29 VBL.DBF 44 VBLLOG.DBF 44 Video Mode 42 View GIF Memo 15 Wild-carding 37 Window 6 Word for Windows 18 - Page 65 -