PsL Monthly 1993 December

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DB-03: Structured Database Programs -------------------------- 0050 Specific Applications Small Programs Disk -------------------------- Article 1.0 Roberts, Waldo A. III $0 is a database program for keeping track of magazine articles. It stores the title, magazine name, date, page, keywords, and a code of the user's choice. Magazine Article Library 1.0 (MAL) Castle, Paul E. II $0 is a menu driven magazine article tracking system. It is very fast and professional looking and is extremely easy to use. Quick & Dirty Report/Summary 3.0 (QDRSUM) Strong, Archie $0 will produce detailed or summary reports for PC-FILE+ data files. (Not on this Disk. Ask for August 1990 #5) RefBase C & J Consultants and J. R. Connolly $15 is a database template for working with scientific references using PC-File+. This set lets you keep track of articles or reprints and retrieve entries by searching anything in your database (including author, title, year, journal or keywords which you choose). You can also output to a disk file groups of reference in formats required by many professional journals. This file could then be imported into your word processor. News Video Archive Facility (NEWSVID) Barrett, Mike $15 is a database program for keeping track of television News Tapes. FRM Csontos, Michael $? generates form filecards (3x5 index cards) for the collection and filing of club membership or other name and address information. 0050 Freeform DB ---------------- Findex is a free-form, full-screen database program, which means that unlike structured database programs such as PC-File, you do not have to define fields first. Flexifil (FLEXIFI) Mires, Dean $? is a very simple and easy to use database program. Field lengths do not have to be defined in advance. ------------------------------- END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #050 ------------------------------- -------------------- 1994 General Purpose Small Programs Disk -------------------- Answers 4.0 Corll, Brian $25 allows you to index large text files in such a way as to enable you to retrieve information on any topic in the file very quickly. Note that Answers will only index a single file at a time, as opposed to other programs in the PsL that will index multiple files. BSupport (BSUPPRT) Information Architects $? is a utility for use with Btrieve data files. Btrieve is a file manager that is used by programmers to take care of all the file I/O in their programs. For example, Datacat and a couple of other mailing list programs use Btrieve, and Bsupport provides another means for working with data files created by these other programs. It has the ability to work with Btrieve records stored in binary and to view and search for binary keys. It also lets you copy data between Btrieve files or to ASCII files. AREACODE.BTR is a sample data file for Bsupport. DataFix 1.4 Roper, T. D. $10 will fix errors in PC-File+ compatible data files. Despite PC-File+'s data entry mask capability, it is possible to incorrectly enter data and DataFix makes it easy for you to clean up the whole file at once. The options are to remove specified words, such as "Dr." at the start of a name field or commas in a number field; to remove spaces from the beginning of fields; to change a character (eg: from "," to "~"); and to change "FirstName LastName" to "LastName~Firstname". Logger Generic 1.02 (LOGGERG) Rolland, Lonnie J. $0 is an information logging program. It is supplied in two forms, a 6K TSR and a non-TSR program. It uses a dBase III+ compatible dbf and dbt files. Med-2-Go 1.02 (MED2GO) Miranda, Louis M. $0 is a Medline file conversion utility for clinicians and biomedical researchers who use Medline-type files. Med-2-Go will convert Medline, comma-delimited, BRS/Colleague, ERIC, Psyclit into a Medline or comma-delimited export file. This file can then be imported into a reference database program. Rolodex (ROLODX1) is very limited and was created simply to be a computerized Rolodex. It only keeps track of names, addresses, zip codes, and phone numbers. SDF 1.4 Avery, Alan J. ASP $20 aids in working with comma/quote-delimited files. You can specify which field and the length of fields to be imported into another program and SDF will generate the new file accordingly. -------------------------------- END OF SMALL PROGRAMS DISK #1994 -------------------------------- ASCII Reporter GLW Consulting $47 #7652/1806 allows you to print reports from files that have been saved in either comma delimited or fixed field form. These kinds of files, especially comma delimited files, may be created with many types of programs, from spreadsheet to database. The data can be sorted into any order and output to a file. A tutorial shows you how to create report files. Topp's Report Program Topp, Michael W. $15 #7652/3509 is fast and simple way to manage your reports. You can create and merge any number of databases, import and export ASCII files and print presentation cards as well as reports. Reports can be sorted at four levels and filtered to your specifications. BTRV 1.0 Hansen, Richard W. $50 #4800 is a Btrieve file management utility. Features include support for all key and file types, support for variable length records, file browsing and editing, cloning, and file recovery. You can load and save files in Butil format, calculate optimum page sizes, test record locking and transaction processing, view file statistics and read records by position. FastFile Benham, R.D. ASP $35-$70 #2866 is a small database program that keeps all data in memory for speed of access. In contrast, most other database programs access the disk each time a record is added, deleted, viewed, etc. This makes an in-memory database program particularly good for machines with no hard disk. Capacities are 32 files per directory, 2000 records per file, and 32 fields per record. The same screen is used to enter, edit, and search for data which makes the program easy to learn. Other features that increase efficiency include record duplication, field blanking, and pop-up tables for reference during data entry. Six sample files are provided for immediate use and as a way to learn the program. It comes with predefined database applications: Billing, Checkbook, General Ledger, Invoicer, Client List, Inventory, Teacher's Gradebook, and FASTquiz. The latter makes it easy for teachers to create matching and multiple-choice tests. FileMaster #610 is a program to help you manage your PAPER files. Instead of trying to remember the logic you used in filing away a letter so that you can find the file it is in, you give each document a serial number. Then you record the serial number with Filemaster and fill in the Subject, From, To and Category fields. Later when you want to find that document, you can search on any of those fields, get the serial number and find the document filed in numerical order. Home Team 1.8 [HOMETEAM] Texsys Software $15 #7546/3622 [2 disks] (11-93 CD) is a data management system designed for the home office. It uses a home-office graphical (done with ASCII graphics) interface. The program consists of a relational database and a multi-featured page editor that can be used to do simple newsletters, brochures, etc. The page editor features downloadable fonts, window frames, shading, cut- and-paste, two columns and more. It does not handle true graphics, but can handle ASCII character graphics. DeskJet/LaserJet printers are supported. The database include a macro compiler, application programming language and the ability to merge data with the page editor to create personalized letters. Requires a hard disk or high density floppy. ImageAccess Wierenga Software $49 #3623 associates a graphics image file with a text record and creates a database of pictures. It can organize an inventory of any collection or group of people, places, or things. The database can be searched and images displayed or reports printed which include the data and images. Requires 512K and EGA/VGA. A source that produces image files in either PCX, MSP or TIF file format is needed. Printers supported include 24-pin Epsons and Proprinters and HPLJ's. IRRS Bolder Financial Micros $50-$65 #7301/2703 [2 disks] is a structured database program that allows relational connection of data files. It will do mail merges with documents in a document database or with external documents. Data can be plotted in six different graph formats. EFMS Kingston, C. $49 #7153/1339 is a database manager that uses a screen oriented approach that permits you to design the form that will be used for entering and viewing your data. Program capacities are 32,700 records, 999 fields, and up to 1,580 characters per field. The screen form for the records can be prepared with up to 999 pages (screens), with each screen containing up to 1580 characters. Each screen can contain from 1 to as many fields as will fit on it (up to a total of 999 fields for the file). An optional overlay form can be made for each of the first nine pages of a screen form. The overlay form allows the inclusion of explanatory text and boxes to partition the fields into areas. Field names and the associated data areas can be placed anywhere on the screen page. It is possible to overlap field names and/or data areas for special screen formatting. Each field can have a help message associated with it (up to 58 characters) that can be displayed for guidance when entering data into the field. Records are fixed length, and contain fixed length fields. Any field in a record can be indexed, and multiple indexes can be created for a file. Three types of fields are allowed: alphanumeric, numerical, and calculated. String searches can be made within an alphanumeric field. Soundex search capability is provided to find names or words for which the spelling is uncertain. Numerical and calculated fields can be summed, and statistics generated, in line reports. Data can be exported to other programs. FreeFile Stilwell Software Products $45 #7153/1319 is a database program. Features include computed fields which contain formulae based on other fields; the ability to import and export data; on-line help; and a menu-driven interface. Capacities include up to 10 indexes for a database, up to 2 billion records in a database, up to 1,000 characters in a record, up to 100 fields in a record, up to 65 characters in a field; up to 100 sort keys for a printout. Latchkey! Brownson, Edward J. $35-$50 #7153/1808 is a personal information organizer. It can be used for any job requiring organization of related pieces of information, such as research, reference manuals, bibliographies, glossaries, etc. The program organizes information in the form of items, keys, notes, and references. Because items and keys change roles - each item can be a key to any other item and every key is an item in its own right - useful connections and hierarchies are created while entering data. Requires 320k RAM, with more preferred, as is a hard disk. NewBase II 5.9 Star Data Systems $49 #7153/0068 is a menu-driven database manager for mailing lists, name and address lists, sales reports, expense account maintenance, budget preparation and maintenance. Data types supported include character, numeric, date, long text and fixed decimal. Data entry features include input validation, lookup to external data table, carry over from previous record, calculated fields, data entry macro keys, protected and invisible fields. Data manipulation features include B-tree indexing, multi-key sorting, and global updating. Printing features include multiple labels across, stored report and form formats, and much more. Special features include the ability to merge data files, repair damaged data files, set up multi-level passwords, generate form letters and mail-merge files and to import and export data. Advanced users can program it to create customized menu-driven applications. Slick interface features include pop-up, cascading menus, dialog boxes, and macro keys. Other features include support for up to 6 million records, international date format support, screen blanker, calendar, and more. File Express Expressware Corporation ASP $99 #7026/0064 [3 disks] is a very powerful, yet easy-to-use general database program. It features a report writer that lets you define large reports with expanded Title, Header, and Footer sections. Fields can be easily easily lengthened, shortened, added, deleted and moved without cloning the database. You can have up to ten different screens for data entry per database, with up to 36 macro keys to make input easier. Multiple indexes (up to five) are automatically updated as new records are added. Support for more than 250 printers is provided. Import and export sections include dBASE and Lotus 1-2-3 file support. 512K and a hard disk or high density floppy system is required. As we have mentioned in past articles on general database programs, if you need a customized mailing list program or inventory program or any other kind of simple record keeping job done, this is the kind of program to use - more flexible than a specialty program, such as a mailing list manager, but much easier than writing your own application. John Evans, Portland, OR: "Neither the FE.DOC file nor the Tutorial will print right..." File Express author David Berdan responds that the FE.DOC file is a compressed file and can only be printed by using the PRINTDOC.EXE program that comes on the disk. The Tutorial file has an extension of DTA. This indicates that it is a data file for use by the program, not a text file to be printed. A2Z Mono Systems Tech. & Research $25 #7452/3082 [2 disks] is a data base management program with a graphical office interface and multi-file access. This version is for monochrome video (and will run on color monitors as well, but in black and white only). A2Z Color 1.8 [A2Z] Systems Tech. & Research $25 #7154/1509 [2 disks] (11-93 CD) is a data base management program with a graphical office interface and multi-file access. It will sort on up to nine fields; maximum fields per record is 99; maximum field size is 99 characters and record size, 999 characters and file size, 32,767 records. There is a fully relational data files with data relationships of One to One, One to Many, and Many to One possible. A macro compiler automatically compiles editor-created free-form macro files. A full featured editor is supplied to facilitate fast coding of macros using the A2Z application language and compiler. DeskJet/LaserJet printers are supported. Omaha Database Program Gonderinger, Gerald E. $? #7154/0447 will help fulfill the need for a general data base program that would be suitable for maintaining census information. However this program is flexible enough to be used for many other kinds of applications. The main advantage of Omaha DataBase is that it allows you to have a master file with up to five linked sub-files. If there is more than one record in a sub-file for a master file record, the sub-file records are cross-indexed with each other. This allows you to save a lot of data for those records that need it without having to waste space in the main database for those that don't need it. Sidefile #7154/0791 is a database program that lets you access data very quickly by keeping all of the records in memory, as opposed to other database programs that keep only one record at a time in memory and must read to or write from disk for each record. A disadvantage is that this approach limits the number of records you can save in one database to 999. The advantages are that screens full of data can be displayed and scrolled through rapidly, just like you would a spreadsheet program, which brings up a point: Since Sidefile looks an awfully lot like a spreadsheet program, with each column representing a field in the record, why not just use a spreadsheet program instead? You could, but Sidefile has been optimized for the manipulation of data lists, so you should find it much more efficient and easier to use for that purpose. For example, you can sort your data on a particular field just by moving the cursor to the column for that field and pressing a key. PC-File+ 7.0 [PC_FILE] ButtonWare Inc. ASP $130 #7025/0070 [4 disks] is a very popular relational database manager. It has context-sensitive help screens, the ability to create customized data-entry screens, to embed calculations and to create mail-merge form letters, a teaching mode, a sophisticated report writer, complex search criteria (including nested and/or's and soundex), password protection, import and export abilities, duplicate record search, and more. Other features include fast deletion of duplicate records, multiple input screens, maximum of 128 fields, mouse support, automatic index switching, automatic phone dialing and call logging, up to nine different report subtotal levels, multi-field (and other user-defined types of) indexes, global find, PostScript output option for graphs, support for WordPerfect 5 merge files, and much, much more. WyndFields Wyndware $70 #7025/1809 is a general purpose database program which allows you to manage any type of structured data easily and efficiently. This is really a slick program with a rather unusual approach to data display, entry, and editing. Fields are displayed as column headings across the top of the screen with each record on a separate line down the screen. If the combined width of the fields is wider than the screen, the screen will scroll horizontally a column at a time in a circular manner. That is, when you scroll past the last field/column, the next column will be the first field again. Since the program supports the 43-line mode for EGA/VGA displays, you can see a lot of records at once, just as you would in looking at a big, paper columnar pad. We have long stated that we think this type of approach makes much more sense than only being able to see one record at a time. We have also stated that rather than having to go through a long series of menus to go from data entry to editing to searching, which programs such as nearly all other programs make you do, it would make more sense to do all of these things from the same screen. WyndFields doesn't let you edit on the Search screen, but its approach is almost as good. When you select Edit or Add, a data-entry screen pops right up - no long series of menu selections to struggle through. The program has pull-down menus and a full mouse interface. Mailing labels, detailed tabular reports, and form letters can be easily created and printed from within the program. Multiple indices with multiple key fields for each database are automatically maintained. Several powerful methods are available for searching and viewing specific data. Comprehensive context-sensitive and cross-referenced help screens are always available. Database design structures are easily changed without losing any data. Files can be imported and exported to several common formats, including mail merge files compatible with the most popular word processors. Extensive string and math functions are available for searches and for creating Calculated Fields. Wyndfield's date and time tracking abilities, from seconds to centuries, are without equal. Each database can have up to 70 different fields, each with up to 76 characters, up to a total of two billion records, and up to 10 different indices, each of which may have up to 10 key fields in either ascending or descending order. Requires DOS 3+ and 512k. By the way, Star Trek fans may want to get this disk just for one of the sample databases on the disk - a complete database of Star Trek shows, including the old shows, the movies, and the Next Generation shows. PC Data Controller Breslin, Richard $35 #7155/1962 is a flat-file database program. It allows you to easily set up a datafile, position fields anywhere on the screen, indicate field length with the cursor keys, specify default values or formulae and subtotal fields. Up to 32767 records are allowed with up to 250 fields per record. Special features include phone dialing, macro keystroke recording, the ability to do repetitive tasks through the creation of "Action files", pull down menus, the ability to modify datafiles after they have been created, and many other enhanced features. PDB1 (Personal Data Base One) #7155/0073 is a computerized filing system that enables you to enter and retrieve information in a logical and orderly manner. You design simple forms on your display screen that satisfy your information management requirements. This form is then used to enter, edit and retrieve the information. PDB1 is also a 900-line word editor for creating form letters to be sent to selected people in your database. For example, you could send a form letter to people working in construction who are married and have a tendency to high blood pressure. UserBase White, R. R. $35-$40 #7155/1074 [2 disks] is a menu-driven database program. Virtually no documentation comes on the disk, but context-sensitive help screens are available throughout. A couple of interesting features of this program are the ability to combine specified types of data from up to 11 different files into one, and the ability to call up data using a 4th generation type of query language. Enterprize System Seltec Computer Products $30-$246 #7157/2262 is a database program generator. It prompts you to describe your database application needs and generates programs in BASIC code which when run, are like custom-written programs for that application. PBase 4B Associates $? #7157/0069 is a programmable relational data base management system designed for programmers. Providing facilities for querying and manipulating data as well as report writing. ProDev*Base Pro Dev Software ASP $40 #7157/0733 [2 disks] is a multi-file automatic relational data base system or you can also have stand-alone random accessed files. PDS*BASE is a BASIC program generator. This means that you define your data fields in a way similar to a database program such as PC-FILE, but then PDS*BASE writes a BASIC program to display the screens, prompt you for data, save the data, etc. Thereafter, instead of running PDS*BASE for a particular application, you run the BASIC program. The advantage of a program generator is that the standalone program is generally more efficient to run than a general database program, it can be given (or sold) to others without having to give/sell the generator itself, and the program can be modified by any BASIC programmer. The disadvantage is the generated program requires a BASIC interpreter or compiler to run. Also included is a utility program that generates BASIC language programs for doing label printing and exporting and importing data. For those that are interested in learning BASIC, a 66-page BASIC Language Primer is included on the disk. Pirouette DeMars & Tilley $69 #7076/1961 [2 disks] is a relational, dBIII-compatible, database application development environment. Unlike a "flat file" database, a relational database lets you work with multiple files at once. You can have 99 fields per database, 99 database files per subdirectory, 25 databases open simultaneously, and a maximum width of 256 for character fields. Number of entries (records) is limited by disk space. Pirouette automatically maintains B-Tree indexes for fast searches. You can customize data entry screens and reports, and tie those screens and reports together with customized menus. A personalized greeting screen and application-specific help can be designed. A sample application that is included demonstrates the power and flexibility of the program with a software library catalog/ordering program. Staff MSC - Morariu Software Consulting $73 #7076/2420 [3 disks] is a dBase III Plus compatible data file manager. Features include the ability to create new database files, modify the structure of existing database files, data entry and editing of the content of existing database files, fast find function for indexed information, find any information by means of sequential search, search and replace of character strings, build up of complex relational database structures by means of the dBLOOKUP feature, complex filtering and sorting function, export and import to and from various file formats, statistics of the numeric information stored in the database file, database statistics for the optimization of the file size, various database housekeeping functions, user defined macros, built in report and label generator, and many more. It solves the Memo fields problem by allowing the direct access of ASCII files from within a character field. Requires 640K and a hard disk. Surefire 2.0 Piaf, Inc. ASP $33-$75 #7617/3965 [3 disks] is an integrated forms manager, database manager, and spreadsheet program and more. Most forms management programs, as well as some general database programs, let you type anywhere you want on the screen, insert data-entry boxes, and even do simple calculations. Surefire lifts this basic concept to new heights. For example, while you could conceivably create a spreadsheet type form with either a database program or a forms manager by arranging input fields into a grid structure, Surefire makes it easy to do and in addition, includes over 70 spreadsheet type functions for use in cell formulas. Surefire also goes far beyond any other forms manager or database manager we have seen in the ability to design screens. You can easily create applications as diverse as organization charts, lease management, cash flow and budget analysis, a contact database, and travel reports. That is, it would be easy to create these things if they weren't already included in this package. Surefire lets you link documents and databases together; merge data into documents automatically; create mailing labels; define buttons to do specific actions (eg: print a label) or calculations; design your own context-sensitive help screens and run other applications. Other features include a pop-up calculator, import/export capabilities, automatic page numbering, and powerful search capabilities, a demo/tutorial and more. Requires DOS 3.0 and 512K. The third disk of this set contains Surefire Contacts ($23). It is a business contact management system featuring a contact database, mail-merge, a daily agenda, and more. VP-Info Level 1 3.3 Sub Rosa Publishing, Inc. ASP $45-$95 #7278/2620 [2 disks] is a full-featured compiled data base language. While some other database programs in the library will work on dBase data files, this also offers a database programming environment that works along the same lines as dBase. SR-Info is not 100% dBase compatible, however. In some ways, such as speed of execution, it is actually superior. Its main drawback is that it does not support memo fields. VP-Info is also a fully relational database program. It reads and writes data files compatible with VP-Info, dBase, Clipper and Foxbase. Its report generator handles up to six related data files, up to three levels of totalling, multi-line column headings, and more. For those not familiar with database programming languages: they are command driven rather than being menu driven like PC-File and File Express. This makes them a more complex, but more flexible and powerful. Despite the added complexity, we found VP-Info to be easy to learn after working through the tutorial. The program offers extensive on-line help and 450 pages of documentation on disk. A hard disk or other high-capacity disk is recommended, but it will run on floppies. Ultra:Base Brandyware $25-$50 #7334/#2795 [3 disks] is a general database program featuring a memo pad, phone list, and amortization program. You can also sort, print reports, rename and delete folders, copy, and format. There is also pop-up help, an on-line manual and more. Requires color and a hard drive. Other features include an auto-dialer with tagged calling, and optional screen blanking. Also included is the BOSS ($20), a combination DOS menu program and system watch. Wampum 4.5 Mundy, Ward ASP $25-$55 #1017 is a fully relational, menu-driven database program compatible with dBIII. It allows up to nine data entry screens in a database. Features include a windowing interface, a context sensitive help system that can be customized for your application, relational table lookup from up to nine pop-up databases, the ability to print reports, labels and form letter by drawing data from up to five different databases, a pop-up phone dialer and DOS interface, a powerful database browse function, computational fields, and a whole lot more. Standard PCX graphics files can be added to databases. Other features include automatic generation of unique numbers (such as inventory part numbers), and a pop-up phone dialer. Network compatible. Requires 512K and a 720+K drive. Wampum Remote 4.5R Mundy, Ward ASP $55 #12101 is a multi-user, remote database manager compatible with dBASE. It provides almost all DBMS features available in the stand-alone product with the advantage of allowing remote dial in using an ANSI-compatible communications product such as ProComm or pcBOARD. Sophisticated database applications can be accessed remotely through a BBS door. Multi-user WAMPUM applications can be run unchanged with WAMPUM Remote, and NetWare is supported. Requires ANSI-compatible host BBS with door support or ANSI display driver. WhizList Arrow Connection $80 #2475 is a very different, and somewhat specialized type of list management program. It can be used for mailing lists, customer lists, etc. The goal of the program is to allow entering and manipulating data as quickly and easily as possible. Although it has a somewhat crude user interface by today's standards, it does do the things it promises within certain limitation (eg: only 15 fields are allowed). You can easily import and export data, merging up to 15 files at once; search for near duplicates; select every Nth record for sampling purposes; add, delete, reposition, split, or combine fields; find\replace up to 10 items at a time. Print labels and reports and more. The Wizard 2.7 SuperSoft $49 #20091 is a multimedia database that allows you to attach sound and image files to entries. Templates are included for collections of Books, Music, Images, and Sounds. GIF, TIF, PCX, TGA, and other image files can be displayed up to 1024x768 resolution. Sound Blaster and Covox sound files are supported. Requires 640K, hard disk, and a sound card. PhDbase Korenthal Associates, Inc. ASP $100 #7470/3808 is powerful phonetic/fuzzy search technology for FoxPro 2.0 that performs fast, accurate database searches based on incomplete, mistyped, or misspelled queries. It installs into FoxPro system menu for use with existing databases. Zephyr 4.0 Mundy, Ward ASP $50 #7470/3155 [3 disks] is a FoxPro compatible database management program. It can be loaded as a 20K pop-up TSR. Up to 25 databases can be accessed simultaneously. It performs faster than dBase III and dBase IV. It uses a Mac-like interface. Sophisticated database applications can be designed in minutes including reports, labels, lists, and form letters. There is also a pop-up calculator, calendar, appointment schedular, and puzzle. Requires 640K and a hard disk. ]]]]]