UPDATED August 27 1997 LIB 3 - Superbase 1.x 4001.TXT/Text Bytes: 4215, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Including text from an external file in a report KeyWords: TECHNOTE EXTERNAL FILE Comments: Including external text in reports requires you to modify the DML code generated by the Report Generator. Specifically, you add an AFTER SELECT statement to the DML code created by the Report Generator. The AFTER SELECT statement opens the external text file and formats each line for the report output. By reviewing the following steps, you'll learn how to handle external text output in reports. You can then modify the procedure to suit your application. 4002.TXT/Text Bytes: 4792, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Hotlink to merge records into MSWord via DDE KeyWords: TECHNOTE DDE MSWORD MERGE Comments: This technote explains how to merge records into a Microsoft Word document while under Superbase program control. To accomplish this task, the process is separated into two steps. First, you create a document in Word for Windows 2.0. Next, you write a DML subroutine that calls up Word and executes the merge. The following steps build a Superbase program that lets you merge the current record into a Word document and print it. 4003.TXT/Text Bytes: 2729, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Extracting text strings from a text field KeyWords: TECHNOTE EXTRACT TEXT STRING Comments: This technote explains how to extract text strings from a text field. In this example, you extract the last name, first name, and middle initial from a single field called fullname.file in the format "Lastname, Firstname MI.". The process is broken into three steps. 4004.TXT/Text Bytes: 4034, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Running an instance of Superbase as print server KeyWords: TECHNOTE PRINT SERVER Comments: This technote explains how to create a DDE link to another instance of Superbase that functions as a background print server. There are two DML programs required: the first program sends a DDE call to start an instance of Superbase and creates a database of the records you want to print; the second program is the actual printing program which can be modified to suit individual needs. The initial instance of Superbase remains active through this entire process so that you can work on other tasks as it is printing in the background. 4005.TXT/Text Bytes: 3305, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Avoiding the message "File in use by another fil KeyWords: TECHNOTE ERROR MESSAGE FILE IN USE Comments: Queries are often used to produce a new Superbase file because the fields you include in the query retain the same attributes as the fields in the original file. However, if you include a calculated field in the query, you might get the error message "File in use by another file" when attempting to close the original file. The message occurs when the calculated field includes field references that are not qualified with the file name. This technote explains what causes the error, how to avoid it, and how to remedy it. 4006.TXT/Text Bytes: 2610, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Suppressing blank lines in reports caused by emp KeyWords: TECHNOTE BLANK LINES REPORTS Comments: This tech note explains how to suppress blank lines in reports caused by empty text fields. This typically happens when there are optional fields that may or may not have data. To suppress the blank lines, you use a BEFORE SELECT statement in the report that combines the fields' data together in a variable and formats it for the report output. 4007.TXT/Text Bytes: 2819, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Using FN numeric function to format text string KeyWords: TECHNOTE FN NUMERIC TEXT STRING Comments: Using FN numeric function with string functions, you can force Superbase to store data in a specific format even if the data is not entered in that format. This is useful for formatting social security number fields. This technote explains what the FN numeric function does and how to create a calculation to format social security numbers. 4008.TXT/Text Bytes: 3420, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Calling .WAV files from a DML program KeyWords: TECHNOTE WAV SOUND PROGRAM Comments: This technote describes a way to call .WAV files from a Superbase program and have them play at approximately the same time as a dialog is displayed. This process involves registering the multi media dynamic link library (DLL) and positioning the CALL command in the correct location to synchronize the sound with the dialog. 4009.TXT/Text Bytes: 5139, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Using validations and commands in forms KeyWords: TECHNOTE VALIDATION COMMAND Comments: This technote provides a brief description of using Validations and Commands in Forms. Validations and Commands are described and their functionality in forms is contrasted and compared. 4010.TXT/Text Bytes: 10250, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Setting files and buffers in Windows and Superba KeyWords: TECHNOTE FILES BUFFERS Comments: This technote discusses how DOS file and buffer settings as well as Superbase file and buffer settings interrelate and affect application performance. 4011.TXT/Text Bytes: 1717, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Creating a date/time index KeyWords: TECHNOTE DATE TIME INDEX Comments: Creating an index based on both a date and a time field requires a calculated text field. The calculated text field concatenates the Julian values of the date and time fields. The date/time index is based on the text field. 4012.TXT/Text Bytes: 1960, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Ordering by the day of the week. KeyWords: TECHNOTE ORDER DAY WEEK Comments: Superbase 1.3 can't order by the day of the week because it stores the day of the week as a text string which results in the order Friday, Monday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday. To order from Sunday to Saturday, add two calculations that assign a number to each day of the week. 4013.TXT/Text Bytes: 1767, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Using EXECUTE to insert variables in command stg KeyWords: TECHNOTE EXECUTE VARIABLES COMMANDS STRING Comments: The EXECUTE command executes a text string as though it were a command. This lets you use variables in DML commands that normally don't support variables, create self modifying code, and optimize some SELECT statements. The maximum length of a text string for this command is 255 characters. 4014.TXT/Text Bytes: 5224, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Establishing record locks on forms KeyWords: TECHNOTE RECORD LOCK FORM NETWORK Comments: The Superbase record-locking scheme has changed greatly from version 1.2 to 1.3. This technote explains the differences between the two schemes and suggests how to build forms and applications for network use. 4015.TXT/Text Bytes: 3135, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Running Superbase on LANtastic KeyWords: TECHNOTE LANTASTIC NETWORK Comments: Superbase can run on any Microsoft Windows compatible network. To run Superbase on a LANtastic network, some additional setup is required. This is because LANtastic relies on the DOS SHARE.EXE program to handle file locking. This technote explains how to setup LANtastic servers, workstations and users for Superbase in a typical LANtastic environment 4016.TXT/Text Bytes: 1788, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Master records that don't have matching children KeyWords: TECHNOTE MASTER CHILD MISSING RECORDS Comments: Identifying records in a master file that does not have corresponding records in the transaction file is a two step process. The first step is to build a query with an outer join that produces a third file. The second step is to remove the records that have matches in the tranaction file from the new file. 4017.TXT/Text Bytes: 2472, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Assigning a unique serial number to a record KeyWords: TECHNOTE SERIAL NUMBER Comments: The SER function assigns a unique serial number to each record in a file. A serial number can be added to the file definition when a file is created or after a file contains records. This technote explains how to add a field that generates a unique serial number to a new file and to a file with existing records. 4018.TXT/Text Bytes: 2032, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Optimizing filters in queries KeyWords: TECHNOTE OPTIMIZE FILTER QUERY Comments: Filters in queries can be considerably optimized. There are two levels of optimization: basic optimization and the use of SET QUERY ON to switch on full/advanced optimization. Basic Optimization accepts the filter as is, and it analyses the filter from left to right, looking for any point in the filter where optimization will be BROKEN. If such a break occurs, further optimization attempts cease. In Advanced Optimization, Superbase does not necessarily reject a filter instruction line at the first point optimization is broken. 4019.TXT/Text Bytes: 5838, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Outer joins in Superbase KeyWords: TECHNOTE OUTER JOINS Comments: This technote explains the concept of outer joins and its use in Superbase. 4020.TXT/Text Bytes: 2379, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Setting up a form with a calculated default valu KeyWords: TECHNOTE FORM CALCULATED DEFAULT VALUE Comments: This technote explains how to set up a form that shows a calculated default value that appears when the cursor first enters the field. This value can be modified and written to a field. This process is separated into the following steps: setting up the data file, initially setting up the form, and calculating the value. 4021.TXT/Text Bytes: 1877, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : How to remove duplicate entries KeyWords: TECHNOTE REMOVE DUPLICATE Comments: The following program removes duplicate entries based on the index field. For example, if two different people had the same serial number in your database, the program removes one of the entries because the program checks the index field, not the entire record. The lines starting with REM are remarks. The remarks explain what the commands do, and are ignored by the program. 4022.TXT/Text Bytes: 1934, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Opening a database that no longer has an index KeyWords: TECHNOTE DATABASE INDEX Comments: Superbase version 1.x database files require at least one index. If the index is corrupt or missing, you can't open the database. Instead, you get the error message "filename DOS cannot open file:". The filename has an index extension (the number of the indexed field's data entry order). To open the file and recreate the file's indexes, you have to modify the file definition and create a phony index file. 4023.TXT/Text Bytes: 1430, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Using RUN and CHAIN to execute DML programs. KeyWords: TECHNOTE RUN CHAIN Comments: Because only one Superbase program can be loaded into memory at a time, the commands RUN and CHAIN are necessary to switch between current program files. Specifically, RUN and CHAIN both execute a program from within a program. The difference between the two commands is RUN clears all memory variables before running the other program; CHAIN retains the memory variables. 4024.TXT/Text Bytes: 2029, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Commands that manipulate the Superbase window. KeyWords: TECHNOTE COMMAND WINDOW Comments: When you design forms or custom applications, you can modify the Superbase window to provide additional screen space or remove options from end-users. This technote addresses the Superbase menus, scroll bars, status line, control panel, window title, and mouse pointer. 4025.TXT/Text Bytes: 6391, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : All About Dates KeyWords: TECHNOTE DATES Comments: Superbase supports date fields, but does not have dedicated date variables. Dates are held internally as numeric values (stored as a serial number starting with 1/1/1001), and hence can be assigned to a numeric variable. Note that such an assignment assigns a long integer (the Julian Date Number for that date) to the variable. When you have a need to display the numeric variable as a date, you must use one of the Superbase functions to convert a date serial number back into formatted text. 4026.TXT/Text Bytes: 1836, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Images as Buttons KeyWords: TECHNOTE IMAGES COMMAND BUTTON Comments: This technote explains how to create a push button with an image on it. It addresses how to put an external image or an image from an external field onto a push button. 4027.TXT/Text Bytes: 2814, 07-Jan-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Summation of Transaction Fields on a Form KeyWords: TECHNOTE SUM FIELDS TRANSACTION Comments: This technote explains how to total all records, or a filtered subset, of a transaction field in a file, when all of the records don't fit in the transaction block defined on the form. [This example does this by creating two example files and a form.] ERRTRA.ZIP/Binary Bytes: 1731, 07-Oct-91 Uploaded by: [73020,465] Title : Errortrap and log KeyWords: SUPERBASE DML ERRORS LOG Comments: Short errortrap and routine to log important erros occuring during execution of a DML program. Good for 1.2 up. No money, but I would love a credit for the fame!! Short documentation notes included LIB3.TXT/Text Bytes: 14924, 05-Mar-97 Uploaded by: [74774,561] Title : Text file listing of all files in library 3. KeyWords: LIBRARY FILE LIST Comments: This is an ASCII listing of all the files available in this library. It contains information about each file including Filename, Title, Keywords, Uploader, and Abstract. SBHLP.ZIP/Binary Bytes: 28448, 20-Oct-92 Uploaded by: [70244,3142] Title : Superbase Tips KeyWords: SBTIPS TECHTIPS Comments: Windows Help System of the 17 tech tips files located in this library.