Welcome to EZ DB, the database for the rest of us. Until now databases have been intimidatingly huge programs with phone book size manuals and corresponding prices. EZ DB has taken the strength of databases — their ability to store records in ways you define, and sort through them for the information you need — and simplified it. EZ DB is a lean, mean program with surprising power. You will be surprised at the power and efficiency of this program with the tiny amount of resources it uses! This program is perfect for powerbook users and minimum configurations!!
EZ DB is shareware. Many talented and dedicated people have put their efforts into creating this program. If you use it and decide to keep it please send in your shareware fee. The fee is $20 U.S. funds with printed documentation available for an additional $5. The complete source code is available for $100 (source code includes programmer documentation as well as a generic db engine suitable to numerous projects). Make checks and money orders payable to:
Virtual Fusion
5160 Calle Bonita
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Send all bug reports and critiques to the above address or contact us via modem:
Select "New Database" from the File Menu or press Cmmd-N. Enter a name for your new database. (i.e. Bill's Addresses or Jill's Record Collection) Click on enter or press return.
DEFINING THE DATA FIELDS
You will enter information into separate fields. For example, an address database might consist of fields for a Name, an Address, a Phone Number and a Birthdate. You will need to create these four fields and define the type of information that will go into them.
First type in the field name, such as "Address". The in the space below select the type of data that will be stored in this field and click on the appropriate radio button. In this case the choice would be text.
Other Data Types are: Integer, Decimal, Money, Time and Date. Understanding the differences between these types is important. For example, a phone number, even though it is composed of numbers, is not a integer. An integer would be a string of numbers that represents a value. The phone number 555-4438 does not represent 5,554,438. So a phone should be stored in a Text Data Field.
Similary, Times and Dates are not Integers either and have their own Data Types.
Also, an integer is a whole number. If you will need to use decimal points (fractional amounts) you should choose Decimal as the Data Type.
I recommend taking advantage of the memo field. This will allow more
lengthy descriptions in your database.
ENTERING NEW RECORDS
After you have finished defining a database click on Done. You will be presented with your first blank record, ready for data to be entered. To create a second new record type Command A, select Add Record from the Records Menu, or simple type RETURN (in a non-memo field). You can press the TAB key to move among the fields in a record.
DELETING RECORDS
Individual records may be deleted. Go to the record you wish to delete and type Command-D or select Delete Record from the Records Menu.
VIEWING RECORDS
After you have opened a database you can go through the records individually. To view the next record type Cmmd + or select Next Record from the Records Menu. To view the previous record type Cmmd - or select Previous Record from the Records Menu. An even easier method to page through your records is by clicking on the dog ear at the corner of the records window. Click on the upper right corner to view the next record. Click on the lower left to view the previous record.
FIND
Select Find from the Records menu or type CommandF, and you will be presented with the Find dialog. Select the field you want to search from the scrolling list, and type in the entry you wish to find. The record with that entry will then be displayed for you.
EDITING RECORDS
While viewing a record you may make changes to the entries. Simply click in the field you wish to edit or use the Tab key to navigate the fields. Be sure to ssve your changes often.
SORTING RECORDS
Select Sort from the Commands menu and you will be presented with the Sort dialog. Select the field you want to sort on from the scrolling list. Hit return to sort the database. The first record of the newly sorted database will be displayed.
In the future Virtual Fusion will provide users with “Data Packs”. These will be Database Templates into which you can immediately start entering your data. They will come with suggestions and tips for using them effectively.
THANKS FOR CHOOSING EZDB
Our continued thanks, oh valued user! We here at Virtual Fusion hope EZ DB becomes an integral part of your computing life. While other programs’ menu bars grow out of control and command ribbons encroach on your desktop, we’ve reigned it all in. Consider this the lean database with all the power and one third the complexity! However, we want to hear your comments and suggestions. Write or send us some e-mail to the addresses at the top of this documetation. And please register EZ DB; once you do we will provide you with technical support and upgrades, as needed.
