zBASE
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The main body of the text is here, but links have not been completed. There are two versions of the Manual as well as the 'on-line' version.
About Wordmongers Limited
WORDMONGERS LIMITED 1989
| The original Wordmongers 32K EPROM had a S/No label that covered the erasing window. |
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Wordmongers zBASE
Database suite for Z88
Manual zbman1 v0.02 190888
zBASE v1
A Microsoft Word version with thanks to Detlef Obermann,
This application need 32K of either EPROM or Flash space.
Introduction
zBASE is a ROM based application package for the Cambridge Computer Z88 portable. It is a database that allows users store information easily.
Selecting zBASE
zBASE can be started from the INDEX using the cursor bar or can be selected at any time using W. If zBASE has already been used it will appear in the SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES area of the index from which it can be re-selected using the cursor bar.
When it is running, when in the INDEX it will be shown as a suspended activity with the file name used as YOUR REF. There can only be one zBASE application running.
Menu
Pressing the MENU key reveals 'no topics.' The Menus are in the main program itself.
Help
The same is true of the Help screen.
WORDMONGERS LIMITED
Foreword
Congratulations on choosing zBASE. The Z88 Portable offers a wide range of built-in facilities. With the addition of zBASE, the Z88 comes of age.
zBASE operates in two modes. Interactively, data may be manipulated with a minimum of effort. For those who need specific input / output routines and screens, zBASE is also a programming language.
Complete application systems can now be written for the Z88 by people other than professional programmers.
Acknowledgement & Thanks
An essential part of the development of zBASE has been the participation of a large number of users in the testing of the beta version.
These brave souls risked all their Z88 data with a new and untested product. The first beta test version was subjected to some 400 hours of use and abuse with numerous undocumented features discovered in the process. Without the help of these testers zBASE could not have moved forward.
Their contribution assisted not only the production of the software, but also in many changes to the original draft of the manual.
Clive, Derek and Tony at Wordmongers would like to acknowledge the work done by the beta testers. Wordmongers accepts that the beta testers carry no responsibility for the final version of zBASE as published.
The beta testers were:
R.Beddard, Ian Braby, Mike Case, Tony Cox, G.C.Denney, John Dobson, R.C.Dorrance, Steve Drain, John Driver, Vic Gerhardi, C.M.Glover, S.P.Gray, F. W. Halliday, Gerald Hughes, B. P. James, Robin Jarvis, Charles Jenkins, N. A. Joseph, Dr Warren Kovach, Chris Lewis, Thomas Malinowski, M. Meijeraan, Francis Musgrave, M. Parker, Dr. L. Ratnasabapathy, C. M. Robinson, S.Fraas, K.G.Woolf, Roy Woodward, Matthew Soar, H.E.Shaw and John Hudson.
zBASE Quick start guide
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.
For those familiar with the dBASE family of products, and for those experienced in writing programs in any language, this guide is intended as a summary of the introduction section of the manual. For such experienced programmers, the guide plus the reference section may be all that is needed. The initial sections of the Introduction sections should still be read especially concerning the warranty and disclaimer sections.
This guide is no substitute for reading the manual. Indeed, this guide will merely scratch the surface of zBASE capabilities. However, since zBASE needs liveware to make use of those capabilities, it is important to the authors that the liveware should feel some early reward for the effort of getting familiar with zBASE. Those rewards are plentiful in this guide.
QSG1
With the INDEX on display on the Z88, open the clear perspex cover labelled '1 2 3', and insert the zBASE Application ROM in slot 2. Close the perspex cover. (See the Fitting & Using the ROM.)
The menu bar should be moved on the APPLICATIONS INDEX until it is highlighting the zBASE application.
Press to run zBASE.
QSG2
When the } symbol, known as the curly prompt appears, type the word QUIT followed by . 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 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 . 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 FS, followed by the file name, PHBOOK.DEF. Then move the cursor down 4 lines using the ò, to the question, 'Save plain text'. Enter a Y for YES and hit .
QSG5
That has created the definition file for a phone book database. Now return to zBASE by pressing W.
At the curly prompt (}), type in the command line
}CREATE PH.DBF FROM PHBOOK.DEF
When the } returns, the database file has been created and is open. Check its structure by typing
}DISPLAY STRUCTURE
The screen will appear as follows:
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.
At the curly prompt, enter the following
}INDEX ON KEYFIELD$ TO PH.NDX
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
}LET 1:COMP$="Wordmongers Ltd"
}LET 1:PHONE$="01296 - 43 78 78"
}LET 1:NAME$="Henry Webster"
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Wordm"
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
}LET 1:COMP$=" "
}LET 1:PHONE$="020-7833-1212"
}LET 1:NAME$="Insp Bond"
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Bond"
}APPEND BLANK
}LET 1:COMP$="Short Brothers"
}LET 1:PHONE$="01494 885555"
}LET 1:NAME$="Morris Short"
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Short"
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"
With a small file, the next curly prompt will appear very quickly. As soon as it does, type
}DISPLAY
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
}LET 1:COMP$="Wordmongers"
and do not forget the keyfield..
}LET 1:KEYFIELD$="Wordm"
If the next record is the one to be examined, type the command -
}SKIP
then at the next } type DISP to display the next record.
Note that only the first FOUR characters of any command need be used.
QSG9
Looking for matches in an UNINDEXED file.
This can be done in a number of ways. 'LOCATE' finds the first occurrence of the required match in a search from the beginning of the file, e.g.
}LOCATE FOR 1:PHONE$="01"
This command causes zBASE to start at the beginning of the file and search through the file, sequentially, checking each phone$ field to see if it starts with "01". When a match is found, the curly prompt returns. The DISP command will then display the record found.
As much of the field, or as little may be entered. The comparison always starts at the beginning of the field. The above locate command would stop at the first record starting with '01', whatever followed.
If 0 is displayed, no match has been found.
The second way to find records that match a particular criterion is to use the command DISPLAY ALL. This starts at the current record and then displays records that match the criterion set, 7 at a time. The operator must press any key to get the next 7 records, e.g.
}DISPLAY FOR 1:PHONE$="01"
While records are actually scrolling onto the screen, an 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 was pressed.
NB. will not work at all if =Off in v1.3 and when the 'Press to continue' prompt is on screen. A nifty piece of finger work of a followed quickly by 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 and t keys together will pause the scrolling when using the LIST command.
NB. 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
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 leaving zBASE as a suspended application. From the Z88 APPLICATIONS INDEX, go into PipeDream by positioning the cursor over the PipeDream application and pressing .
Type or load the program labelled PHENT.PRG. Do not use 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 FS, enter the filename PHENT.PRG, 4 lines and enter Y to save the file as PLAIN TEXT.
Back in PipeDream, after the file save, enter W to return to zBASE. When back at the } prompt, type the following
}DO PHENT.PRG
[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 .