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Wordmongers zBASE
Database suite for Z88
Manual zbman1 v0.02 190888
zBASE v1
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zBASE Quick start guide
| QSG1 | QSG2 QSG2 | QSG3 | QSG4 |
| QSG5 | QSG6 | QSG7 | QSG8 |
| QSG9 | QSG10 QSG10 | QSG11 QSG11 | QSG12 |
| QSG13 | QSG13.1 | QSG13.2 |
Getting familiar with a new piece of software is often tedious and sometimes daunting. To provide a Quick demonstration to those who are new to zBASE, this Quick start guide is a short tutorial aimed at providing a rapid introduction to the system.
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The menu bar should be moved on the APPLICATIONS INDEX until it is highlighting the zBASE application.
Press -ENTER- to run zBASE.
QSG2
When the } symbol, known as the curly prompt appears, type the word QUIT followed by -ENTER- . This action ends the use of zBASE. In version 1.2 you need to confirm the return to the APPLICATIONS INDEX, by pressing any key.
This is the only proper way to exit from zBASE. If the -INDEX- key is used, and the zBASE suspended application is KILLed, open database files will not be properly closed and permanent damage will occur to the data files.
QSG3
The first real job is to create a data file. To do this, the file structure must be defined. This definition is done in PipeDream. Highlight the PipeDream application and press -ENTER- . This creates a new PipeDream suspended application.
QSG4
Type in the following lines, exactly as shown.
COMP$,15
PHONE$,17
NAME$,20
KEYFIELD$,5
Now press tpress FS, followed by the file name, PHBOOK.DEF. Then move the cursor down 4 lines using the ò, to the question, 'Save plain Save plain text'. Enter a Y for YES and hit -ENTER-
.
QSG5
That has created the definition file for a phone book database. Now return to zBASE by pressing npressing W.
At the curly prompt (}), type in the command line
}CREATE PH.DBF FROM PHBOOK.DEF
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Database open in 1: is PH.DBF
COMP STRING 15
PHONE STRING 17
NAME STRING 20
KEYFIELD STRING 5
62 bytes/rec
QSG6
Now create an INDEX file for easy searches.
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That will establish an index file for use later.
QSG7
Data input
After creating the file, the next step is to enter data. To begin with, the method shown will be the simple way of storing information. QSG13 below sets out two examples of how command files can make such work easier.
You are still in zBASE with the PH.DBF open, as confirmed by DISP STRU and DISP STAT. Type in the following..
}APPEND BLANK -ENTER-
}LET 1:COMP$="Wordmongers Ltd" -ENTER-
}LET 1:PHONE$="01296 - 43 78 78" -ENTER-
}LET 1:NAME$="Henry Webster" -ENTER-
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Wordm" -ENTER-
It is worth noting that the KEYFIELD is the field to be used for indexing purposes and rapid search capabilities. Therefore it can contain the first five letters of whichever field is to be used, e.g. when a company name is included, the first five letters from the company name could be used. Equally, when it's a personal contact with no company name, the first five letters of the name could be used, e.g.
}APPEND BLANK -ENTER-
}LET 1:COMP$=" " -ENTER-
}LET 1:PHONE$="020-7833-1212" -ENTER-
}LET 1:NAME$="Insp Bond" -ENTER-
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Bond" -ENTER-
}APPEND BLANK -ENTER-
}LET 1:COMP$="Short Brothers" -ENTER-
}LET 1:PHONE$="01494 885555" -ENTER-
}LET 1:NAME$="Morris Short" -ENTER-
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Short" -ENTER-
QSG8
With at least a few records entered, a FIND process is required. This may be done directly at the curly prompt, or as for appending, by means of a command file as described in Indirect variables.
The zBASE command to use on an index file is 'FIND'.
To find the entry for Wordmongers, at the curly prompt type
}FIND "Wordm" -ENTER-
With a small file, the next curly prompt will appear very quickly. As soon as it does, type
}DISPLAY-ENTER-
The record which has been found will be displayed. If a 0 is displayed it means that no match has been found. Try entering a shorter version of the key field e.g. Wor. If this finds say Wortmongers it reveals a typing error easily corrected by saying
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Note that only the first FOUR characters of any command need be used.
QSG9
Looking for matches in an UNINDEXED file.
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While records are actually scrolling onto the screen, an -ESC- will abandon the search and return to the curly prompt. The record pointer will be at the record to which it was pointing when the -ESC-
was pressed.
NB. -ESC- will not work at all if -ESC-
=Off in v1.3 and when the 'Press SPACE
to continue' prompt is on screen. A nifty piece of finger work of a -SPACE-
followed quickly by an -ESC- an
will return control to the curly prompt in v1.2.
The LIST command is the same at the DISPLAY command except it simply scrolls on without stopping every seven lines. Holding down the -SHIFT- and t keys together will pause the scrolling when using the LIST command.
NB. The -SHIFT- key The key used must be the one on the left of the keyboard. (No we don't know why either.)
QSG10
To close the file, enter
}USE
To re-open the file type
}USE PH.DBF INDEX PH.NDX -ENTER-
QSG11
To check whether a file is open, type
}DISP STATUS
To check a file structure, enter
}DISP STRUCTURE
QSG12
To return to the Z88 APPLICATIONS INDEX, enter
}QUIT.
NB. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE QUIT COMMAND IS USED AS THE METHOD OF CLOSING zBASE. If zBASE is KILLed as a suspended application, loss of data will occur because the files will not be properly closed.
QSG13
zBASE programs - two startup examples.
QSG13.1
An alternative method of entering data is to write a command file that makes it all a bit easier.
From zBASE, press -INDEX- press leaving zBASE as a suspended application. From the Z88 APPLICATIONS INDEX, go into PipeDream by positioning the cursor over the PipeDream application and pressing -ENTER-
.
Type or load the program labelled PHENT.PRG. Do not use -TAB- characters. The lines that start with an ASTERISK (*) are comment lines that are ignored by zBASE. They do not have to be typed in at all.
After typing in PHENT.PRG it should now be saved. Press tPress FS, enter the filename PHENT.PRG, ò
4 lines and enter Y to save the file as PLAIN TEXT.
Back in PipeDream, after the file save, enter nW enter W to return to zBASE. When back at the } prompt, type the following
}DO PHENT.PRG -ENTER-
[If zBASE was QUIT rather than left suspended, the database file with its index must be re-opened before running PHENT.PRG. If this is the case, see QSG9 above for guidance on re-opening the file.]
Records may be added one by one as required using this command file. Note that the keyfield is automatically picking up the company name as the key, if a company name is entered. If not, the first five characters of the contact name are used. In either case, the offered key value need not be accepted. It may be overtyped with whatever content is required. If it is to be accepted, then press -ENTER-.
Input Rakewell's details.
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The Keyfield will display Rakew. Hit -ENTER- to to accept it.
A few more records should be entered to give the database something to get its teeth into.
QSG13.2
FINDing using a command file.
As before for PHENT.PRG, start a new PipeDream document and type or load in the program labelled FPROG.
Save this file using tusing FS. Use a filename of say FPROG. Remember it must be saved as PLAIN TEXT.
Return to zBASE either through the Z88 APPLICATIONS INDEX, or by simply pressing npressing W.
With the phone book file in use, with its index file, at the curly prompt, type the following
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This quick start guide has been designed to provide new users with an opportunity to get something out of zBASE quickly. It does not reveal the flexibility available in zBASE nor does it demonstrates the wide potential for this database management program. The rest of the manual does go much further into the commands and functions contained in zBASE. Please take some time to review the rest of the manual and so enjoy the further capabilities of your Z88/zBASE combination.
zBASE Manual
| Introduction | Copyright & Trademark notices | Disclaimer | Handling, ROM's & installing the software |
| Manual conventions | Important basic concepts | Database areas | Variables |
| Interactive versus Command file |
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