***********************************************************************
Databases and database directories created by previous versions are
completely compatible with this new version.
Caution:
If you use a previous version of dBase after using this new
version, the old version may crash. The new version modifies a
hidden variable called DBINFO in the database directory. Note
that this software creates a directory in your hidden directory.
# 15781h SYSEVAL should get you into the hidden directory
-- Careless use of SYSEVAL may corrupt memory.
Subject: Database Application for HP48 S/SX/G/GX (DBASE), Version 3.1
Author: Todd Eckrich ( mte@delphi.com )
BYTES: # DAD7h, 9073
VERSION HISTORY
1.1 Sped up the full-screen display of individual records.
The medium-fonts for the HP48G Series are not hidden, as
in the HP48SX Series, allowing for very fast text display.
2.0 Wrote new title browser into library ( previously used internal
browser that EQNLIB uses ). Defined null-named local variables
instead of explicitly named variables. Better management of the
return stack for cleaner exit. Fully supported calling from
within the command line and, upon exit, returning to the
original command line. Allowed cancellation of record adding
and editing from input prompt. Marked stack prior to input
prompts for data input so that the interactive stack would be
more usable and reliable. Wrote machine code search routines.
Allowed searches of all databases. Replaced ABOUT command.
3.0 Added machine code sort routine to sort database records on
selected field. Moved selection of field shown for records
browser from menu to left and right-arrow keys. Reorganized
find utilities and added next feature (instead of prompting for
search string every time). Added feature to place database and
its global name onto the stack. Added command to take list and
global from stack and store as database, testing list. Made
compatible to the S series. Added option to select String
Writer or other user-specified editor for records. Added
feature to add or delete fields.
3.1 Added external commands to search database, recall database
names, and recall database.
The following are prominent features of this database application:
* Written in System RPL and Machine Language.
* Allows multiple databases with variable numbers of fields.
* High-speed browser to browse database names and records
(by any field).
* Records exceeding the display boundaries can be scrolled.
* Case-insensitive string searches of current or all databases.
* Linefeeds in strings split text into separate display rows.
* Repeat key features.
* Sorts database records by selected field using ml sort routine.
* Databases accessible from any directory.
* Allows using String Writer or other editor for records.
* Commands available to be used in programs to access databases.
* Fully supports calling from within the command line and,
upon exit, returning to the original command line.
OVERVIEW
Each database consists of a number of records. Each record contains
a number of fields. The physical structure of each database is a list of
list(s) of string(s). The databases are stored in the hidden directory
(#640BEh SYSEVAL to enter -- caution: careless use of SYSEVAL may corrupt
memory).
As depicted below, there are three main environments. The arrows
indicate the access paths between the different environments.
Record Viewer <---> Records Browser <---> Database Browser
Record Viewer:
-Displays one record at a time. Each field is displayed starting on a
new row. If a field contains linefeed characters, then the next
character after the linefeed is displayed on a new row. If the record
displayed extends beyond the display boundaries, then the display can
be scrolled to view the entire record. Records can be searched,
pushed to the stack, copied, added, deleted, and edited.
Record Browser (Title Browser):
-Browses records by any field. Records can be searched, added,
deleted, edited, and sorted.
Database Browser:
-Browses database names. Databases can be added, deleted, renamed,
pushed to the stack, and have fields added or deleted.
INSTALLATION
To install the DBASE library, follow the instructions for an auto-
attaching library in the HP User's Guide. As always, backup memory before
using. DBASE can be called from within the command line if in a user menu
or assigned to a user key in the System RPL form :: TakeOver DBASE ;.
INSTALL.REF
Use INSTALL.REF to install eight sample databases including: Airlines,
Hotels, and Rental_Cars which contain various 800 numbers. INSTALL.REF
can be used when other databases have already been created by this
version of DBASE or previous versions.
MOVING BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTS
The following shows the keys used to move between the main three
environments:
Record_Viewer <-ENTER-> Records_Browser <-ENTER Database_Browser
DB->
DEFINING A DATABASE
If no database exists or the user chooses to add a new database,
the user will be prompted to define a new database name (such as
Phone_Personal, To_Do...) and then specify the number of fields in each
record. The user is then prompted to name the fields of each record
(such as Name, Phone, Misc,...). The field names are stored as the first
record in each database. This first record describing the fields cannot
be deleted or sorted but can be edited. A database name can be any
sequence of characters. Thus, permissible database names can start with a
number or contain spaces. Database names cannot be null, but fields can
be.
SEARCHING RECORDS AND DATABASES NAMES
There are two types of searches:
Alpha Search: Case-sensitive search by first character of first
field of database records. Press "alpha" key and then
unshifted or shifted key for any valid character
(including lower-case letters, numbers, and special
characters). Search starts at first data entry. In
record browser or viewer, searches current database for
record starting with specified character. In database
browser, searches for database name starting with
specified character.
String Search: Case-insensitive search by string of one to fifteen
characters. LOCAL searches the current database
starting at the next record. GLOBAL searches the
current database and following databases starting at
the next record. An search string of upper-case
characters will match both upper and lower-case
characters. The first records (field names) of
databases are not searched.
EDITING AND ADDING RECORDS WITH INTERNAL HP48 EDITOR
When using the internal editor if the command line contains any
characters, pressing the "ON" key erases the contents of command line.
If the command line contains no characters, then pressing the "ON" key
cancels the edit or add procedure. If a character string from the stack
is placed into an empty command line, the leading quotation mark and
trailing quotation mark and space will automatically be stripped when
entered.
CONFIGURING DBASE FOR RECORDS EDITOR
To select the editor used for editing records, select CFG from the
database browser menu. Three options are given: the Internal HP48
Editor, String Writer, or a User Specified Editor. Highlight the desired
option and press ENTER. If the user-specified option is selected, then
the user is prompted to enter the name of an editor. The name can be
a global name or a library command. If the specified editor is not
found, then the internal HP48 editor is used. Specifying something
other than an editor may crash system.
LIBRARY COMMANDS
These commands can be used in programs to access and manipulate
the database information. These commands are available from the DBASE
library menu.
DBASE ( -> )
Starts database environment.
DBfind ( 'global_dBase_name' "search_string" %start_position
-> %found_position )
Does a non-casesensitive search of dBase database specified by global
name. Returns a real number indicating found position or zero if match
not found.
DBnames ( -> { globals_of_dBase_database_names } )
Returns list of all dBase database names.
DBrcl ( 'global_dBase_name' -> { database } )
Recalls database list from dBase database name.
DBsto ( { } 'global' -> )
Stores list as a dBase database if the list is a valid list of
list(s) of string(s). The global name becomes the database name.
WARNINGS
As always, backup memory before using. I take no responsibility for
any damage resulting from use of this library. Do not alter the contents
of the database directory outside of dBase (do not purge variables in the
database directory outside of DBASE).
RECORD BROWSER ENVIRONMENT KEYS
When the browser is active to view the records in a database, the
keyboard is defined as follows:
11.1 FIND-> See SEARCHING RECORDS AND DATABASES NAMES.
12.1 DB Starts database browser highlighting the current
database.
13.1 SORT Sorts records by selected field. Highlight field on which
to sort and then press ENTER.
14.1 ADD Adds record.
15.1 DEL Deletes highlighted record.
16.1 EDIT Edits highlighted record.
24.1 VAR Displays previous or first page of records.
25.1 UPARROW Highlights previous or first record.
25.3 Highlights first record. (right-shifted UPARROW)
26.1 NXT Displays next or last page of records.
34.1 LEFTARROW Displays previous field (wraps to last field).
35.1 DOWNARROW Highlights next or last record.
35.3 Highlights last record. (right-shifted DOWNARROW)
36.1 RIGHTARROW Displays next field (wraps to first field).
51.1 ENTER Views highlighted record in record-viewer mode.
61.1 ALPHA See SEARCHING RECORDS AND DATABASES NAMES.
91.1 CANCEL Exits.
93.1 Turns calculator off.
RECORD VIEWER ENVIRONMENT KEYS
When a record is being viewed in the full-screen mode, the keyboard
is defined as follows:
11.1 FIND-> See SEARCHING RECORDS AND DATABASES NAMES.
12.1 STK-> Places fields of record onto stack.
13.1 COPY Creates duplicate of current record.
14.1 ADD Adds record.
15.1 DEL Deletes current record.
16.1 EDIT Edits current record.
25.1 UPARROW Advances to previous record.
25.3 Advances to top record. (right-shifted UPARROW)
35.1 DOWNARROW Advances to next record.
35.3 Advances to last record. (right-shifted DOWNARROW)
51.1 ENTER Starts Record Browser mode highlighting the current
record.
61.1 ALPHA See SEARCHING RECORDS AND DATABASES NAMES.
91.1 CANCEL Exits.
93.1 Turns calculator off.
If the current record exceeds the display boundaries,
24.1 VAR Scrolls display up
24.3 Jumps to top of display
26.1 NXT Scrolls display down
26.3 Jumps to bottom of display
34.1 LEFTARROW Scrolls display left
34.3 Jumps to left edge of display
36.1 RIGHTARROW Scrolls display right.
36.3 Jumps to right edge of display
DATABASE BROWSER ENVIRONMENT KEYS
When the browser is active to view the database names, the keyboard is
defined as follows:
11.1 CFG Selects editor for records. See CONFIGURING DBASE FOR
RECORDS EDITOR.
12.1 FLDS Add or delete fields from specified database. Pressing
key displays fields of highlighted database. Menu options
allow user to add or delete fields of current database.
13.1 ADD Adds database.
14.1 DEL Deletes database.
15.1 REN Renames Database.
16.1 STK-> Places current database and its name onto stack.
24.1 VAR Displays previous or first page of databases.
25.1 UPARROW Highlights previous or first database.
25.3 Highlights first database. (right-shifted UPARROW)
26.1 NXT Displays next or last page of databases.
35.1 DOWNARROW Highlights next or last database.
35.3 Highlights last database. (right-shifted DOWNARROW)
51.1 ENTER Starts record browser using highlighted database.
61.1 ALPHA See SEARCHING RECORDS AND DATABASES NAMES.
91.1 CANCEL Exits.
91.3 Turns calculator off.
CREDITS
* Thanks to Rick Grevelle for MDISPN and MLVARS.
* Thanks to Mika Heiskanen for Sorted Entries and MLDL Version 2.0.
* Thanks to Joe Horn for SORTLS.
* Thanks to Detlef Mueller & Raymond Hellstern for RPL48 Toolkit.
* Thanks to Scotty Thompson for SEDITR.
* Thanks to Jan Brittenson for MLDL Version 1.0 and STAR.
* Thanks to all the users and beta testers for their suggestions.
Todd Eckrich ( mte@delphi.com )
1428 Oaklanding Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
803 881-8781
