DATAMASTER

 

User Manual

 

 


 


                                                                            Table of contents

 

1.           Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................................   4

1.1.         Systemflow.....................................................................................................................................................................................   4

1.2.         DATAMASTERs selector function...........................................................................................................................................   5

1.3.         Principles and structure................................................................................................................................................................   5

1.3.1.       Extension of the definitions........................................................................................................................................................   6

1.3.2.       Redefining files.............................................................................................................................................................................   6

1.3.3.       Integration to other systems.......................................................................................................................................................   6

1.4.         Calculation of the capacity...........................................................................................................................................................   7

 

2.           Defining a file..................................................................................................................................................................................   8

2.1.         File shortname................................................................................................................................................................................   8

2.2.         Disc number (lu).............................................................................................................................................................................   8

2.3.         File name (description)..................................................................................................................................................................   9

2.4.         Number of records in the file........................................................................................................................................................   9

2.5.         Definition of the individual fields................................................................................................................................................   9

2.5.1.       Fieldnumber.................................................................................................................................................................................   10

2.5.2.       Fieldname.....................................................................................................................................................................................   10

2.5.3.       Fieldformat...................................................................................................................................................................................   11

2.6.         Next field.......................................................................................................................................................................................   11

2.7.         Selecting a certain field...............................................................................................................................................................   11

2.8.         Amending a field definition........................................................................................................................................................   11

2.9.         Listing the fields on the screen.................................................................................................................................................   12

2.10.        Deleting and inserting of fields................................................................................................................................................   12

2.10.1.      Deleting fields............................................................................................................................................................................   12

2.10.2.      Inserting fields...........................................................................................................................................................................   12

2.11.        Definition of the key‑fields (index)...........................................................................................................................................   12

2.11.1.      Unique and 'duplicate' keys.....................................................................................................................................................   12

2.11.2.      Definition of a key‑field............................................................................................................................................................   13

2.11.3.      Amending a key‑field................................................................................................................................................................   13

2.11.4.      Deleting key‑fields.....................................................................................................................................................................   13

2.11.5.      Other types of keys...................................................................................................................................................................   13

2.12.        Terminating the fielddefinition.................................................................................................................................................   14

2.12.1.      Definition of special keys.........................................................................................................................................................   14

2.12.2.      Creating the file..........................................................................................................................................................................   14

2.13.        Syntax at the definition of special keys...................................................................................................................................   15

2.13.1.      Fields...........................................................................................................................................................................................   15

2.13.2.      Functions....................................................................................................................................................................................   15

2.13.3.      Grouping fields and functions.................................................................................................................................................   15

2.13.4.      Examples of key‑constructions................................................................................................................................................   15

 

3.           Entering data into the file............................................................................................................................................................   16

3.1.         Examples of screen images.........................................................................................................................................................   16

3.2.         The basic functions in the file maintenance‑pro­gram............................................................................................................   17

3.2.1.       Special functions in the status‑field........................................................................................................................................   17

3.2.2.       Key 1 (cr‑) Termination of the program (END).......................................................................................................................   17

3.2.3.       Lamp‑4 (R4) Lock status............................................................................................................................................................   17

3.3.         Function 1 ‑ Creating a new record...........................................................................................................................................   17

3.3.1.       Special functions during dataentering....................................................................................................................................   18

3.3.2.       Key 3 ‑ Backspace after entering wrong data (......................................................................................................................   18

3.3.3.       Key 2 ‑ Hold field value (@)......................................................................................................................................................   18

3.3.4.       Key 1 (cr‑) Termination of the dataentering...........................................................................................................................   18

3.3.5.       Key 13 ‑ The help‑key................................................................................................................................................................   19

3.3.6.       Lamp‑1 (R1) Permanent help.....................................................................................................................................................   19

3.4.         Function 2‑ Inquiry......................................................................................................................................................................   19

3.4.1.       Next record...................................................................................................................................................................................   19

3.4.2.       Searching secondaty index‑keys..............................................................................................................................................   20

3.5.         Function 3 ‑ amending a record.................................................................................................................................................   20

3.5.1.       Key 4‑8 Increase/decrease the fieldvalues.............................................................................................................................   20

3.6.         Function 4 ‑ Deleting a record...................................................................................................................................................   21

3.7.         Function 5 ‑ Defining the fieldnumber‑sequence...................................................................................................................   21

3.8.         Check‑functions...........................................................................................................................................................................   21

3.8.1.       Index‑key fields...........................................................................................................................................................................   21

3.8.2.       Date‑fields....................................................................................................................................................................................   22

3.8.3.       Check‑code fields.......................................................................................................................................................................   22

3.9.         Keyboard layout for the maintenance‑programs....................................................................................................................   23

 

4.           Searching with Superindex..........................................................................................................................................................   24

4.1.         Searching using Superindex.......................................................................................................................................................   24

4.1.1.       Technique when searching.......................................................................................................................................................   24

4.1.2.       Searching using several criteria................................................................................................................................................   24

4.1.3.       Interrupting the search..............................................................................................................................................................   25

4.1.4.       Selecting the fields to be shown..............................................................................................................................................   25

 

5.           Printing the files............................................................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.         Print with automatic screen image.............................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.1.       Printer...........................................................................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.1.1.     Lines per page............................................................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.2.       Printing type................................................................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.2.1.     1 record per page.......................................................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.2.2.     As many as possible on each page........................................................................................................................................   26

5.1.2.3.     List (1 record per line)...............................................................................................................................................................   27

5.1.3.       Fields............................................................................................................................................................................................   27

5.1.4.       Index (printing‑order).................................................................................................................................................................   27

5.1.5.       Start from and Stop at................................................................................................................................................................   27

5.1.6.       Examples of prints.......................................................................................................................................................................   27

5.2.         Print with user‑defined screen image........................................................................................................................................   28

5.3.         Print using the reportgenerator.................................................................................................................................................   28

5.4.         Updating files using the reportgenerator.................................................................................................................................   29

 

6.           Definition of checks on code‑fields...........................................................................................................................................   30

6.1.         Principle.........................................................................................................................................................................................   30

6.2.         Using function 7 ‑ define check.................................................................................................................................................   30

6.2.1.       Choosing file to check...............................................................................................................................................................   31

6.2.2.       Selecting field to check..............................................................................................................................................................   31

6.2.3.       Text length...................................................................................................................................................................................   32

6.2.4.       Minimum and maximum allowed value....................................................................................................................................   32

6.2.5.       Text...............................................................................................................................................................................................   32

6.3.         Inquiry on the check‑codes.......................................................................................................................................................   33

6.4.         Amending the check‑codes.......................................................................................................................................................   33

6.5.         Deleting check‑codes..................................................................................................................................................................   33

6.6.         Amending the text length...........................................................................................................................................................   33

6.7.         Printing the check‑codes............................................................................................................................................................   33

6.8.         Help‑function by file maintenance............................................................................................................................................   33

6.9.         Amending the file‑definitions....................................................................................................................................................   34

6.10.        Conflicts when creating legal ranges.......................................................................................................................................   34

6.11.        Internal storage of the check‑codes........................................................................................................................................   34

 

7.           Integration to other files..............................................................................................................................................................   35

7.1.         The principle of integration to other files................................................................................................................................   35

7.2.         Definition of reference to a file..................................................................................................................................................   35

7.2.1.       Minimum/maximum range..........................................................................................................................................................   35

7.2.2.       Structure of the textfield............................................................................................................................................................   35

7.2.2.1.     File‑shortname............................................................................................................................................................................   35

7.2.2.2.     Index‑number..............................................................................................................................................................................   35

7.2.2.3.     Transferring fields.....................................................................................................................................................................   36

7.2.2.4.     Key definitions...........................................................................................................................................................................   36

7.2.3.       Various values without references in the file.........................................................................................................................   36

7.2.4.       Limitations...................................................................................................................................................................................   36

 

8.           Definition of individual screen images......................................................................................................................................   37

8.1.         Maintaining the screen images..................................................................................................................................................   37

8.2.         Using functions 12 and 13..........................................................................................................................................................   38

8.3.         Selecting fields and fieldnumber‑sequence.............................................................................................................................   38

8.4.         Commands in functions 12 and 13............................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.1.       Lineno...........................................................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.2.        position.......................................................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.3.       CR..................................................................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.4.       End or CR‑....................................................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.5.       PRINT‑printout on printer.........................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.6.       F ‑ Top of form............................................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.7.       ? or the help‑key.........................................................................................................................................................................   39

8.4.8.       IL or LI insert one line................................................................................................................................................................   40

8.4.9.       DL or LD delete a line.................................................................................................................................................................   40

8.4.10.      MODE show the field formats/numbers or names................................................................................................................   40

8.5.         Copying a screen‑image.............................................................................................................................................................   41

8.6.         Deletion of a screen image.........................................................................................................................................................   41

 

9.           Redefining files.............................................................................................................................................................................   42

9.1.         Redefining an empty file.............................................................................................................................................................   42

9.2.         Redefining an existing file..........................................................................................................................................................   42

9.2.1.       Expansion/reduction of the fields............................................................................................................................................   43

9.2.2.       Redefining/adding to the index................................................................................................................................................   43

9.2.3.       Expansion/reduction of the number of records......................................................................................................................   43

9.2.4.       Moving a file to another disk....................................................................................................................................................   43

9.3.         Amending a file without redefining it.......................................................................................................................................   44

9.4.         Consequences of the redefinition.............................................................................................................................................   44

9.4.1.       Check on code‑fields..................................................................................................................................................................   44

9.4.2.       Reportgenerator‑programs........................................................................................................................................................   44

 

10.          Printing and deleting the definitions........................................................................................................................................   45

10.1.        Printing the file‑definitions........................................................................................................................................................   45

10.1.1.      Remarks on the printout...........................................................................................................................................................   45

10.2.        Deleting a file and its definition................................................................................................................................................   46

 

Figures..........................................................................................................................................................................................................   47

 

Keyword index............................................................................................................................................................................................   48

 


1.           Introduction.

 

   DMS.DATAMASTER is a piece of advanced software which allows the user ‑ without any previous experience in programming ‑ to define files, maintain them and expand their contents and size.

 

   This of cause is done with the greatest consideration of the security for the sake of files used by other applications.

 

   When the user has defined a file this is automaticly defined in a way that our reportgenerator may be used for production of prints and requests as well as ‑ and this is only in datamaster files ‑ for production of printingprograms that at the same time updates/computes the fields according to the user's definition (e.g. MONTH‑END PROGRAMS or like).

 

2.1.         Systemflow

 

   The illustration mentioned below shows how data are being entered into the machine, the handling and the output:

 

                              

                                

 

Figure 1  Systemübersicht.

 

 

                                            

                                

 Filename and   ®                        ® File definitions (DRN)

 no.of records                               

                           

                                            

                 

 Fieldnames             New file        ® Screen images         

 Fielddefinition®                        

              

                               ­               

                           ® File maintenance/inq. 

 Index-keys     ®                         

              ¯            

                                 

    ® DATAMASTER ®® File documentation    

 Screen images  ®            

                             ¯            

              

         Old file       

 Filename and                                          

 new no.of      ®                       

 records                                                         

                           

                              

 New fieldnames/                           ® Output print (report) 

 definitions    ®                           

                            

                                             

                                

 

 


2.3.         DATAMASTERs selector function.

 

   When the DATAMASTER is activated the following menu is shown:

   

 

Figure 2  DATAMASTERS selector

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *        VERSION 01/01‑1987                

                                                                                 

           CODE  FUNCTION                                                        

           1.....DEFINE NEW FILE                                                 

           2.....REDEFINE EMPTY FILE                                             

           3.....REDEFINE FILE CONTAINING DATA                                   

           4.....REDEFINE FILE WITHOUT CHANGE OF FIELD‑TYPES                     

           5.....PRINT OF FILE DEFINITIONS                                       

           6.....DELETION OF A FILES DEFINITIONS AND ALL DATA IN THE FILE        

           7.....DELETION CHECK OF CODE‑FIELDS                                   

                                                                                 

           9.....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH USER‑DEFINED SCREEN LAYOUT                

           10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC SCREEN LAYOUT                   

                                                                                  

           12....DEFINE NEW SCREEN LAYOUT                                        

           13....AMEND SCREEN LAYOUT                                             

           14....COPY SCREEN LAYOUT                                              

           15....DELETE SCREEN LAYOUT                                            

                                                                                 

           17....PRINT OF FILE DATA USING USER‑DEFINED SCREEN LAYOUT             

           18....PRINT OF FILE DATA USING AUTOMATIC SCREEN LAYOUT                

           19....SUPERINDEX (SEARCH ALPHANUMERIC IN FILE)                        

           20....reportgenerator                                                 

           ENTER CODE:                                                           

                                                                                 

 

 

 

    

DATAMASTER can be devided into 4 logic sections:

   

            1.  Definition of files (functions 1‑7)

            2.  Maintenance of data in the files (functions 9‑10)

            3.  Definition of individual screen images (functions 12‑15)

            4.  Printing and searching in files (functions 17‑20)

 

2.5.         Principles and structure.

 

   When you define a file it is done in an extreemly simple way, as you only have to enter the field name and the number of characters/digits of each field. One or several fields may also be marked as keyfields in the file.

 

   DATAMASTER stores this information on the disk in a so‑called DATA‑DICTIONARY, i.e. an index of the files. After this the definitions are automaticly computed and a files is build. A filemaintenanceprogram is formed and the file is installed in the reportgenerator.

 

   The file is now ready for use and you may enter data into it, search in all fields marked as keyfields and print data using all the facilities of the reportgenerator for selection/sorting/totalisation and grouping. Furthermore you ‑ by the use of DATAMASTERs own printingfunctions ‑ may print creation checklists and other lists from the file.

 

   It is not necessary to have the reportgenerator installed on the system to be able to use DATAMASTER, but the purpose of building files may eventually mostly be output in the form of letters or lists, criss‑crossing the system, which is what the reportgenerator enables the user to do.

 

   By the use of the search functions in DATAMASTER (named SUPERINDEX) you may also preform "wide" searching for names in the files, e.g. search for everybody called PETER, and all occurences of     this name ‑ JOHN‑PETER as well as PETERSON ‑ will be located, no matter how the search‑criterion is placed in the name‑fields.


2.6.1.       Extension of the definitions.

 

   All the above mentioned functions were obtained by simply entering the fieldnames and the number of characters/digits in the fields (format).

 

   Based on this information DATAMASTER is able to create a screen image for entering data in the files, but of cause it is also possible for you to define your own screens with exactly the fields you want and in the order you want them.

 

   You may define field‑checks so a certain field has a set of allowed values, and each value may even be attached to a explaining text. In this case the text will show on the screen with the fields.

 

   It is also possible to define that a field is key to another file and that one or more fields from this file, e.g. names and adresses, should be transferred to this file and shown on the screen or copied to certain fields in this file. 

 

2.6.3.       Redefining files.

 

   When you perhaps discovers that you have forgotten one or more fields in the file when you created it, or if the fields turn out to be too small, or when you want new index‑keys, or when you want to remove already existing keys, all you have to do is to choose DATAMASTERs function for redefining files.

 

   In this function you may amend/extend the file‑definition in any way you please and DATAMASTER will take care of reconstructing the file   as the new file‑layout is being compared to the existing. DATAMASTER automatic builds a new file and a special copying/converting‑program for changing the old file.

 

   When this is done you can go on working with the new file as if nothing had ever happened.

 

   A particularly simple redefintion is an extension of the number of records in the file or for instance moving the file to another disk. 

 

2.6.5.       Integration to other systems.

 

   DATAMASTER can pick up information from existing files, e.g. from customer‑files, but these must be defined by installation of the system in the same way as a file is defined for the reportgenerator.

 

   In the reportgenerator you may mix the existing files and DATAMASTER‑files just as you need.

 

   Existing programs may look up information in DATAMASTER‑files, but normally it takes assistance from a skilled programmer to make amendments like this. DATAMASTER‑files are completely normal files build in the same way a programmer usually would build them and they may be used in other programs straight away.  


2.7.         Calculation of the capacity.

 

   DATAMASTER at present takes minimum 20KB partition and 18 datafiles open in SYSMOD, operating system NIROS from 3.3.4 to 7.0.1, screen RAP or DAP.

 

   Generally it is not possible to calculate the diskspace needed for DATAMASTER, as this depends on the size of the files the customer wants to define. However, the below mentioned diagram may be used as a help during the calculation of the capacity; the system may be divided onto several discs if necessary.

 

                                                            

 

Figure 3  Creation of a new file.

 

No.                                            Sectors  Total sec LU

 1 Datamaster programs.                           600       600      

 2 Reportgenerator programs.                      600                

 3 Workfiles for datamaster and reportgene‑                          

   tor, normal installation.                      250       250      

 4 Datamaster file definitions:                                      

   10 files                                       150                

   20 file                                        300                

   30 files                                       450                

 5 Datamaster screen programs:                                       

   22 programs                                    100                

   44 programs                                    200                

   66 programs                                    300                

   88 programs                                    400                

 6 Datamaster field check‑code validations:                          

   100  field check‑code combinations              40                

   500  field check‑code combinations             200                

   1000 field check‑code combinations             400                

 7 Reportgeneratorprograms:                                          

   22 reports   (saved)                           600                

   44 reports   (saved)                          1200               

   66 reports   (saved)                          1800                

   88 reports   (saved)                          2400                

   (not saved: as point 5).                                          

 8 Reportgenerator sortwork:                                         

   1000 records                                   100                

   5000 records                                   500                

   10.000 records                                1000                

 9 Datamaster files according to user                                

   definitions:                                     ?                

   total                                                             

 

 A. Eg: 10 files, 22 programs,                                       

        22 reports, 100 checks, 100 sortwork:    2500+?              

                                                                     

 B. Eg: 20 files, 44 programs,                                       

        44 reports, 500 checks, 5000 sortwork:   4000+?              

                                                                     

 C. Eg: 10 files, 22 programs,                                       

        100 checks, no reportgenerator:          1200+?              

                                                                     

 D. Eg: as A., report programs not saved:        2000+?              

                                                         

                                                         

                                                         

                                                                     


3.           Defining a file.

 

   When you want to define a new file you select function 1 and the following screen appears:

 

 

Figure 4  Creation of a new file.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  1.....DEFINE NEW FILE                   

                                                                                 

 GR 9/DA.GRKA#       DEM‑ART.GROUP FILE                                          

 KU 9/DA.KUKA#       DEM‑CURRENCY FILE                                           

 LE 9/DA.LEKA#       DEM‑SUPPLIER FILE                                           

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 FILE SHORTNAME ?  VA                                                            

                                                                                  

 

 

 

       

4.1.         File shortname.   

 

   Each file is identified by a 2‑letter shortname and there cannot be 2 files with the same shortname. CAPITAL letters must be used. [1]  When you define a new file an overview of all the DATAMASTER files that have been defined on the system will appear on the screen. Other non‑datamaster files (defined by a programmer) may easily exist but they will not be shown on the screen nor be accessible for the user, due to security reasons.

 

    Now you enter a new file shortname and it is checked that this shortname   does not already exist as a DATAMASTER file or a programmer defined file   and you will continue with: 

 

Figure 5  Disc number (lu) and no. of records.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  1.....DEFINE NEW FILE                   

                                                                                 

 FILE SHORTNAME ? VA                                                             

                                                                                 

 DISKNO. (LU)  (0/1/2/9) ? 9                                                     

                                                                                  

 TEXT:ARTICLE FILE                                                               

                                                                                 

 NO.OF RECORDS ? 100                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

4.3.         Disc number (lu)

 

   Here you desides which disc the file should be placed on, you may select the disc that has the largest amount of free space.

 

    DATAMASTER will always propose a certain disc chosen by the programmer during  installation and you may just accept by pressing cr if you agree to the choice.


    If the programmer has only activated one disc at the installation the  question will not be asked. You will only be able to use the discs the programmer has permitted.[2][3]

 

4.5.         File name (description).

 

   Now you enter a text containing up till 25 characters. This will be the file name. You cannot leave this text blank. 

 

4.7.         Number of records in the file.

 

   Hereafter you indicate how many records you want the file to be created with.

 

   It will only be possible to create the number of records in the file which  you indicate here. If you try to create more records than this, you will see the message: "FILE IS FULL".

 

   By the use of function 3 ‑ redefining an existing file ‑ you are always able to amend (contract/expand) the number of records and even to move the file to another disk if there is not enough space on the chosen disk.

 

   At this moment DATAMASTER does not check if there is actually space for the file, as this is dependent on the number of fields and the indexes that we have to define now. The checking is not done until all the information has been entered and saved.

 

   If it turns out that there is not enough space for the defined file all the procedures with the exception of the creation of the file itself will be accomplished. In this case you must ‑ by the use of function 2: redefining an empty file ‑ either reduce the number of records or move the file to another disk.[4]

  

 

4.9.         Definition of the individual fields.

 

   When you have entered the basic information of the file, i.e. shortname, disc, name and number of records you continue with the detail‑specifications of the individual fields in the file.

 

   A file must contain at least 1 field and maximum 99 fields.

 

   When the fielddefinition is started a helpscreen is shown that shortly explains the different functions at your disposal:

 

 

Figure 6  First page with help information.

 

 DATAMASTER VERSION 01/01‑1987   SYSTEM 61,9  DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 

  1  ARTICLE FILE                                         FIELDS:  1 BYTES:   0  

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                  

 The fields can be defined by giving a name and a field format.                  

 The field format defines if the field is alphanumeric or numeric                

 and how many digits/decimals should be reserved for the field.                   

    Format  Definition                                                           

     32     32 characters alphanumeric field                                     

      2,    2 digit code without decimal places                                  

      8,2   numeric field with 8 digits and 2 decimal places (no sign)           

     ‑8,2   as above, but a sign is allowed (amounts)                            

     ,8,2   as above, comma editing at each 3rd digit (ie.12,345,678.90)         

     ,6,    (,8,) data‑field ie: .6. gives 31.03.86  .8. gives 1986.03.31        

 in addition it is possible to specify with the field format, that               

 the field should be a key‑field, ie. an index should be set up on this field.   

 The letter K after the field format defines a key field (eg. 4.K).              

 K gives a keyfield, D defines a keyfield which might not be unique.             

 'L' can be used to list the fields on the screen from the current field no.     

  1                                                                              

                                                                                 

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

    Your cursor is placed at the bottom of the screen‑image, in the column fieldnumber, and right above the cursor the number 1 is written at the beginning of a blank line.

 

    Each field corresponds to one line on this screen image and is identified by a fieldnumber written at the start of the line.  The fields are described in ascending order and once you have created a file with data in the  field it is no longer possible to change the number of a field and still preserve these data, as the number at the start of the line is telling the system where the field is stored etc.

 

    Later on you may create reports, screen images ect. by referring to this fieldnumber.

 

   

 

Figure 7  Definition of the fields.

 

 DATAMASTER VERSION 01/01‑1987   SYSTEM 61,9  DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 

  1  ARTICLE FILE                                         FIELDS: 10 BYTES:  57  

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

  1 ARTICLE NO.                  4    AAAA                                       

  2 DESCRIPTION                 20    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA                       

  3 SELLING PRICE                6,2  ######.##                                  

  4 COST PRICE                   6,2  ######.##                                  

  5 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE      , 6,   ##,##,##                                   

  6 SUPPLIER NO.                 3    AAA                                        

  7 ARTICLE GROUP NO.            2,   ##                                         

  8 STOCK BALANCE              ‑ 6,   ‑‑‑‑‑‑#                                    

  9 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.     3,   ###                                        

 10 FREE                       ‑ 6,2  ‑‑‑‑‑‑#.##                                 

 11                                                                               

                                                                                 

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                  

 

 

 

    

 

 

    Now you enter the individual fields with the following information: 

 

4.10.1.       Fieldnumber.

 

   To define a new field (or amend an existing) you just press cr at the fieldnumber, at which you  jump to the next column, i.e. the fieldname of the field shown just above.

 

    First time you define a new file and press cr you accordingly proceed to the blank line of field number 1. You see the number of the field you are defining right now at the start of the present line.

 

    The line above will always show the previous definition of the field, the  current line will show the definition you enter.   

 

4.10.3.       Fieldname.

 

   You enter a text of 1 to 24 characters that concisely describes the field.

 

    As this text later on may be used as headline of the field in reports, you shouldn't make the name any longer than absolutely necessary. A headline containing 24 characters for a code of one digit does take up a lot of space on the paper.

 

    Naturally you may amend this headline when defining the report, but it is of cause a lot easier if you can use the fieldname without any further amendments. 


4.10.5.       Fieldformat.

 

   Here you in a very simple way define the layout of your field, i.e. the number of characters or digits (decimals) you want this particular field to contain.

 

    If you for instance enter 20 you will get a textfield that contains 20 characters.

 

    If you enter a point after the figure you get a numerical field that may be used for calculations, e.g. 6, defines a numeric field containing a maximum of 6 digits.

 

    If you want decimals you must indicate this after the point, e.g. 6,2  gives you 2 decimals after the point and 6 digits in front of the print.

 

    Based on this fieldformat the system will calculate how much space should be reserved for this field in the file and thus how the field should be stored in the smallest possible BASIC‑variable.

 

    If the fieldformat is amended later on DATAMASTER will automatically perform the calculation again for this and any following fields and thus you don't have to worry about this at all.

 

    The following formats may be used:

 

   

    1.  xx,     indicates a figure of xx digits without sign

    2.  xx,y    indicates a figure with xx digits before the point y decimals, no sign

    3.  ‑xx     like 1, with sign

    4.  ‑xx,y   like 2, with sign

    5.  ,xx,    like 1, with comma‑editing for each 1000, e.g. 999,999,999

        ,6,     date‑field with comma‑editing:   99,99,99 and validation         

        ,8,     date‑field with comma‑editing: YYYY,MM,DD and validation

    6.  ,xx,y   like 2, with comma‑editing for each 1000, e.g. 999,999,999.99    

    7.  xx      Omission of a point defines a textfield of xx characters are created (maximum 80 characters)

4.11.         Next field.

 

   When you have defined a field the format will be shown on the outermost right as a number of X's meaning alphanumerical textfields and a number of 9's meaning numerical digit‑fields.

 

    Hereafter the fieldnumber is added one and the screen image is moved up one line. Once again you are now placed in the fieldnumber column and you may define the next field in exactly the same way you did the first. 

 

4.13.         Selecting a certain field.

 

   If you in the fieldnumber column don't press cr. but instead the number of a certain field this field will be shown on the line just above. 

 

4.15.         Amending a field definition.

 

   When you have selected a field you may press cr. in the fieldnumber coloumn and get into the line and enter fieldname and ‑format once again.

 

   If you only press cr in the fieldnumber column the previous value will be kept, i.e. you will get either the same fieldname or the same fieldformat.

 

   Single characters of a fieldname may be kept by the use of the "­"‑key. If the cursor for instance is positioned below:

 

   

       BALANCE NEXT YEAR   you may enter:

       ­­­­­­­ THIS ­­­­   and the new name of the field will be:   

       BALANCE THIS YEAR  


4.17.         Listing the fields on the screen.

 

   If you enter "L" in the fieldnumber column you will see as many fields as possible listed on the screen, starting with the fieldnumber in which you are positioned at the time you enter "L".

 

   This means that if you want a list of the fields starting at the very first you enter "1" and in this way field number one is shown. Then you enter "L" and the following fields are shown. If you have defined more than 17 fields you just enter "L" once again and see a list of the next 17 fields listed on the screen. 

 

4.19.        Deleting and inserting of fields.

 

   As long as you are working with an EMPTY file, i.e. the first time you define a file you may delete and insert fields totally freely.

 

   When you have entered data into the file you should avoid using these functions as the data is identified by the field numbers and thus data will not be moved when you delete/insert fields!!!    

 

4.20.1.

2.10.1.      Deleting fields.

 

   By entering "D" in the fieldnumber column you will be asked how many fields you want to delete, starting from the current field.

 

   If you enter "47" for field number, field 47 will appear on the screen. If you then enter "D" and answer 2 fields, field numbers 47 and 48 will be deleted. 

 

4.20.3.

2.10.2.      Inserting fields.

 

   By entering "I" in the field number column you may insert a number of fields BEFORE the current field.

 

   If you enter "47" for field number, field 47 will appear on the screen. If you then enter "I" you will be asked how many fields you want to insert BEFORE field number 47. Answering 2 fields, field numbers 47 and onward will now be moved 2 numbers down and field numbers 47 and 48 will be empty.

 

   NB: If the file after the insert exeeds 99 fields the fields in the end will dissapear without any further warning! This means that you have to make sure not to exceed the limit of 99 fields. 

 

4.21.

page \* arabic122.11.        Definition of the key‑fields (index).

 

   Any file in DATAMASTER is built as a 'indexed' file, which means that one or more of the fields in the file is used as access‑key to one particular record, e.g. name, adress or phonenumber.

 

   If you don't indicate otherwise, the first field in the file will be created as a key‑field which normally will be suitable, e.g. a customer‑file should always contain the customer‑number in the first field. 

 

4.22.1.      Unique and 'duplicate' keys.

 

   A unique key is a key in which only one value of the field can appear. A key defined as 'duplicate' allows the appearance of several fields with the same value.

 

    For instance a customer‑number will always be unique, as only one customer can have this number. Opposite a key defined as customer‑name normally will be 'duplicate' as several customers with the same name may easily appear.

 

    At least one unique key is required in any file or you will not be able to find a particular record when entering a key. 


           

4.22.3.      Definition of a key‑field.

 

   A field may be defined as a key‑field by entering a letter at the same time as you indicate the fieldformat, for instance the letters "K" and "D" indicate two different kinds of keys, namely:   

 

Figure 8  Key‑definition.

 

 DATAMASTER VERSION 01/01‑1987   SYSTEM 61,9  DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 

  1  ARTICLE FILE                                         FIELDS: 10 BYTES:  57  

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

  1 ARTICLE NO.                  4    AAAA                                       

  2 DESCRIPTION                 20  D AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA                       

  3 SELLING PRICE                6,2  ######.##                                  

  4 COST PRICE                   6,2  ######.##                                  

  5 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE      , 6,   ##,##,##                                   

  6 SUPPLIER NO.                 3  D AAA                                        

  7 ARTICLE GROUP NO.            2, D ##                                         

  8 STOCK BALANCE.             ‑ 6,   ‑‑‑‑‑‑#                                    

  9 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.     3, D ###                                        

 10 FREE                       ‑ 6,2  ‑‑‑‑‑‑#.##                                 

                                                                                 

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                 

 

 

   

    K   defines a unique key (e.g. customer‑number)

    D   defines a 'duplicate' key (e.g. name)

 

4.22.5.      Amending a key‑field.

 

   You are always able to define a field as a key‑field at a later point. All you have to do is to enter the requested letter in the fieldformat.

 

   You have to notice, however, that if you have already created records in the file, it may be dangerous to define a field as a 'unique' key, as identical values of this field in the file may appear, which means that all the records cannot be copied to the new file. Unique keys should be defined only at the very first definition of the file. 

 

4.22.7.      Deleting key‑fields.

 

   Deleting a key‑definition from a field is done by entering a blank (space) in the fieldformat. 

 

4.22.9.      Other types of keys.

 

   Apart from "K" and "D" you may use the letters "E", "Z", "V", "I" and "X" in the fieldformat to define keys with the following functions:

   

    K = Key, unique key.

        Several records with the same value of this field are not permitted.

 

    D = Duplicates allowed.

        More than one record with the same field‑content, e.g. name.

 

    E = Unique key without zero‑keys.

        Like K, but if the field is zero or blank the key is left out from the index.

 

    Z = Duplicates allowed without zero‑keys.

        Like D, but if the field is zero or blank the key is left out from the index.

 

    V = Field with turned date, duplicates allowed.

        A date‑field with the form DDMMYY must be turned before it may be used as a key.

 

    I = Inverted field, duplicates allowed.

        Inverted means that instead of the index being sorted in ascending order the records will appear

        in descending order. This function can be used only for numeric fields.

 

    X = Inverted field with turned date, duplicates allowed.

 

Blank = Any index‑mark is deleted.


4.23.        Terminating the fielddefinition.

 

   When all the fields have been defined you enter END instead of a fieldnumber and the following screen will appear: 

 

4.24.1.

2.12.1.      Definition of special keys.

 

 

Figure 9  Definition of special‑keys.

 

 DATAMASTER VERSION 01/01‑1987   SYSTEM 61,9  DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 

  1  DEM‑ARTICLE FILE                                                            

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                 

 INDEXNO.  KEY‑DEFINITION                 NAME                                   

  1        1,S                            ARTICLE NO.                            

  2        2,NP,S                         NAME                                   

  3        6,NP,S                         SUPPLIER NO.                           

  4        7,NP,S                         ARTICLE GROUP NO.                      

  5        9,NP,S                         ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.               

  6                                                                              

                                                                                 

 You can normally just press CR. here.                                           

                                                                                 

 All the indexes will be defined by giving K/D etc. in the field formats.        

 These definitions can be used in special (advanced) cases, where you need to    

 combine several fields into one index key; take single characters from fields.  

 Very complex keys can therefore be defined, eg: 1,2(5,12),3P                    

                                                                                 

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                  

 

 

  

At this point you may define additional keys, e.g. compounded and/or packed keys.

   

   USUALLY YOU SHOULD JUST PRESS CR. AT THIS POINT.

 

and you will continue with the next screen.

 

   The definition of special keys is only necessary in few files but in order to enable the advanced user to get the full benefit of DATAMASTER we have chosen to support this function.

 

   If you want to define only special keys for a file, all previous defined keys may be cancelled by entering "‑" (minus) in the text‑field. In this way you must do the index‑definitions your self. 

 

4.24.3.

2.12.2.      Creating the file.

 

   After termination of the definition of the special keys the following screen appears:

   

 

Figure 10 Generation of read/write for the reportgenerator.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *        VERSION 01/01‑1987                

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 GENERATING READ/WRITE‑STATEMENTS ‑ PLEASE WAIT....                              

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABEL   BYTE REF. W

                                                                                 

 

 

 

   During this procedure you just have to wait. DATAMASTER is now automaticly building a file that corresponds the field‑ and index‑definitions you have entered and with the number of records that were indicated from the start.

 

   Furthermore the reportgenerator will be installed with access to this file as read‑ (and write‑) statements for this will be generated.

 

    When DATAMASTER has finished this procedure it returns to the main menu. Depending on how large file that has been defined this will take somewhere between a couple of seconds and several hours, the latter if you for instance are creating a file with 100.000 records.


4.25.

page \* arabic212.13.        Syntax at the definition of special keys.

 

   Fieldnumbers are indicated without # in front and the text constant must be entered in quotation marks (").

 

   By the use of the letters you may specify the special functions such as Packing, Date turnaround and Zero. Parts of fields may be indicated in the normal way, e.g. 10(5,6) means characters 5 to 6 in field number 10.

 

   A key always contain an even number of characters, if you have defined 5‑digit customernumber it will always be stored in the system with 6 characters in the key. This extra character may be a zero‑character, i.e. a zero or a blank.

 

   With the Space function you may fill out the key with blanks. In the following the full syntax for this keydefinition will be described, followed by a few examples. 

 

4.26.1.      Fields.

 

   The fields are entered as fieldnumber without the # at the start:

 

            10       = Fieldnumber 10

            10(5,6)  = Characters 5‑6 out of fieldnumber 10

            R        = Recordnumber (exact)

            N        = Recordnumber (relative to the first datarecord)

            "XX"     = Text‑constant

4.26.3.      Functions.

 

   Functions are indicated with a letter right after the field:

 

            D        = Date turnaround (DDMMYY ==> YYMMDD as FND)

            P        = Packing

            Z        = Zero, surpression of zeros

            S        = Space, padding with a sequence of blanks.

 

4.26.5.      Grouping fields and functions.

 

   Various fields may be combined by separating these with commas. The P‑function may be used at each individual field or alone without the fieldnumber, in which case the entire key defined up till now will be packed. The S‑function may only be used at the end and alone. 

 

4.26.7.      Examples of key‑constructions.

 

            1.  1          Field 1

            2.  1,2        Field 1 followed by field 2

            3.  1,2,P      Like above, but the entire key packed

            4.  1P,2       Field 1 packed followed by field 2, unpacked.

            5.  1(3,4),2   Character 3 to 4 out of field 1 followed by field 2.

            6.  "01",1     The constant 01 followed by field 1

            7.  1,S        Field followed by possible blanks

            8.  2,NP,S     Field 2, relative record‑number packed, blanks.

 

    The two latter key‑constructions are usually used by DATAMASTER, the first one when creating the definition of a unique key, the second one when creating a 'duplicate' key.


5.           Entering data into the file.

 

    Entering data into the file may be done by the use of two different functions:

   

            9   File‑maintenance with user‑defined screen image.

           10   File‑maintenance with automaticly defined screen image.

 

   The programs 9 and 10 work alike, but when using function 10 DATAMASTER will create a screen image based on the fieldnames given in the filedefinition and place all the fields of the file in succession on the screen image to make it look as nice as possible.

 

   Function 10 may be used immediately after having defined a file, whereas function 9 requires definition of a screen image first by use of function 12; define new screen image.

 

   Choosing function 10 you have to enter a file‑shortname, choosing function 9 you enter a program‑ or screen image‑number and from this DATAMASTER will know the file in question.

 

   Defining your own screen image also gives you the possibility of placing the relevant fields only in the screen image and by entirely leaving out fields, you may prevent the user from entering data into these.

 

   Furthermore, when creating your own screen image you may set up a fixed sequence of entering the fields and also decide in which fields you are allowed to enter/amend/display data.

 

   Finally function 10 is limited in the sence that only the first 44 fields of the file can be shown on the screen. Consequently, having more than 44 fields, you always have to create your own screen image  in order to get access to all fields.

 

   There is of cause the possibility of defining several screen images connected to the same file but you will not be able to use more than one screen image at the time. 

 

6.1.         Examples of screen images.

 

 

Figure 11 Creation of the file using automatic screen image.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE.   

 01 ARTICLE NO.          02 DESCRIPTION                                          

                                                                                 

                         03 SELLING PRICE                                        

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                                           

                                                                                  

                          05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE                                

                                                                                 

                         06 SUPPLIER NO.                                         

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.                                    

                                                                                  

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                                        

                                                                                 

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.                             

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 FUNCTION:                                                                       

 1=CREATE  2=READ    3=AMEND   4=DELETE  5=SEQUENCE                              

 

 

 

     


 

Figure 12 File maintenance with user defined screen image.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  9.....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.     02 DESCRIPTION:               07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.           

                                                                                 

            PRICES: 03 SELLING:         04 COST:                                 

                                                                                  

      SUPPLIER NO:  06 NORMAL:                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 FUNKTION:                                                                       

 1=CREATE  2=READ    3=AMEND   4=DELETE  5=SEQUENCE                              

 

 

 

  

6.3.         The basic functions in the file maintenance‑program.

 

   Having selected a file‑maintenance‑program the screen image is appearing and you are asked to enter:

   

           FUNCTION:

           1=CREATE, 2=READ, 3=AMEND, 4=DELETE, 5=SEQUENCE.

 

This means that, by the use of this status‑ and function‑code, you are able to deside the function of the program.

 

   In an user‑defined screen image this status might be locked, so that you are only able to make requests or amendments in this program. 

 

6.4.1.       Special functions in the status‑field.

 

   The following functions may be used in STATUS: 

 

6.4.3.       Key 1 (cr‑) Termination of the program (END).

 

   If you press cr‑ you will return to the menu. 

 

6.4.5.       Lamp‑4 (R4) Lock status.

 

   When lamp‑4 (R4) is switched on you will avoid repeatingly being asked for the status, the previous status will be used. 

6.5.         Function 1 ‑ Creating a new record.

 

   When you select function 1 you will be asked to enter the main‑keyfield. This will normally be fieldnumber 1.

 

   The system checks that this number does not already exist in the file. If it doesn't you will on the bottom line see the number of free records left in the file and you may go on entering the rest of the fields.

 

    If the number already exists the creation will be refused and you return to the status‑field.

 

    The sequence in which the data is entered will normally be ascending according to the fieldnumbers, but may also be in any sequence decided by you, by the use of function 5; SEQUENCE. Furthermore, the user‑defined screen images has a possibility of defining a specific sequence to the screen image.

 

    After having entered the data into the different fields the cursor will be placed at the bottom of the screen with the text FIELDNO:


 

Figure 13 Entering the fields.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.    1001  02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑WHEEL                              

                                                                                  

                         03 SELLING PRICE                1000,00                 

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                    500,00                 

                                                                                 

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    31.12.86                    

                                                                                  

                         06 SUPPLIER NO. 205                                     

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.               0                    

                                                                                 

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                 100                    

                                                                                  

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.      102                    

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                            0,00                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 FUNCTION:1=CREATE            FIELDNO.? 8  DATA:                                 

  9 FREE RECORDS.                                                                

 

 

 

    

   Now you may enter the number of one of the fields shown on the screen and the text DATA: appears. Here you may enter the new of the field in question. After this you return to the fieldnumber and are ready to amend the next field.

 

   When you finally press cr without entering a fieldnumber you return to STATUS and are ready to choose a new function.

 

   If you, by the use of FIELDNUMBER, amendments the mainkey of the file, or if more than one unique key are defined in this file, it is possible that a message telling you that this record already exists will appear when you press cr. If this happens you will return to the FIELDNUMBER.

 

   In this case you have to amend the unique key(s) or cancel the amendment completely by pressing the key cr.‑ and answer no when asked if the writing of this record should be performed. 

 

6.6.1.       Special functions during dataentering.

 

   It is possible to use a number of keys to perform special functions during the dataentering, please refer to the keyboard layout at the end of this chapter.

 

   The keys are called key‑x and the x refers to this layout as it unfortunately is different texts written on the keys depending on what kind of screen you have at your availability. 

 

6.6.3.       Key 3 ‑ Backspace after entering wrong data ().;   

 

   Key 3 may be used to backspace one field. 

 

6.6.5.       Key 2 ‑ Hold field value (@).         

 

   Key 2 may be used to move one field forward without erasing the contains of this field.

 

   Furthermore the key 2 may be used if you accidently enter a wrong fieldnumber and are placed in the DATA field at the bottom. In this case the present value of the field is kept.      

 

6.6.7.       Key 1 (cr‑) Termination of the dataentering.

 

   Key 1 (cr‑) may be used to interrupt the dataentering in an arbitrary field and this way you go directly to the FIELDNO. without having to enter any of the other fields.

 

   When using key 1 in FIELDNO. you will be asked if this record is to be written and if you answer No this creation will be cancelled.


6.6.9.       Key 13 ‑ The help‑key.

 

   If you press key 13 in an arbitrary field you will, on the bottom line of the screen, be informed which file and which fieldnumber you are in, just as thus fieldformats will be shown.

   

 

Figure 14 Activating the help‑function.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.    1001  02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑WHEEL                              

                                                                                 

                         03 SELLING PRICE                1000,00                 

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                    500,00                 

                                                                                  

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    31.12.86                    

                                                                                 

                         06 SUPPLIER NO. 205                                     

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.               0                    

                                                                                  

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                 100                    

                                                                                 

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.      102                    

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                            0,00                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 FUNCTION:3=AMEND   FIELDNO.?  7   DATA:                                         

  7:VA# 7:##: 0=UNSPEC., 1=SPECIAL, 2=CASH   , 3=CARS    , CR:                   

 

 

 

  

   If this field in addition has some check‑codes attached (by the use of DATAMASTER's function 7) these will be shown (as many as possible on each line) and you may press cr. to get the next line or cr‑ to return to the field. 

 

6.6.11.       Lamp‑1 (R1) Permanent help.

 

   If you switch on lamp‑1 (R1) the help‑line at the bottom will all the time follow the field you are currently entering. 

 

6.7.         Function 2‑ Inquiry.

 

   By the use of this function you may inquire a record in the file.

 

   When you have selected this function you will be asked to enter the access     key of the file and the record in question will be shown on the screen. 

 

6.8.1.       Next record.

 

   If you just press cr. for a key you will automatically get the next record in the file. 


6.8.3.       Searching secondaty index‑keys.

 

   In connnection with the STATUS‑code you may enter the key number by    which you want to find the record.

 

Figure 15 Searching using secondaty index.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.          02 DESCRIPTION MONEY                                    

                                                                                 

                         03 SELLING PRICE                                        

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                                           

                                                                                  

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE                                

                                                                                 

                         06 SUPPLIER NO. 205                                     

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.                                    

                                                                                  

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                                        

                                                                                 

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.                             

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 FUNCTION:2,3                                                                    

                                                                               

 

 

   You have to enter the status‑code, as two digits separated by a comma.

 

   The first digit is the status‑code itself, in the present example 2 for reading.

 

   The second digit is the INDEX‑number (not the fieldnumber) that you want to search so if you enter 2,3 the search will be carried out according to index no. 3 in the current file.

 

   If this index‑key is not unique you just have to enter a part of the field in question and the next record with the key larger than or equal to will be found and shown on the screen.

 

   This choise of index will be valid until you choose a new index for searching, i.e. you just enter 2 for status the next time you want to search in index no. 3, but if you want to find an article on the basis of the article‑number you have to enter 2,1 for status. 

 

6.9.         Function 3 ‑ amending a record.

 

   Function 3 is actually a combination of function 2; inquiry and the last part of function 1; creation, where you may amend the record by the use of the fieldnumbers.

 

   This means that you may use the searching‑possibilities from function 2 and the function‑keys in FIELDNO. from function 1.

 

   You may amend all the fields, among these the key‑fields including the main‑key for files (normally field number 1).

 

   If you amend any unique key it is possible that a message informing you that this record already exists will appear when you press cr. in the fieldnumber. After this you return to FIELDNO.

 

   In this case you have to amend the unique key(s) or cancel the amendment completely by entering cr‑ and answer No when asked if this record is to be written. 

 

6.10.1.       Key 4‑8 Increase/decrease the fieldvalues.

 

   In numeric fields you may use the keys 4‑8 to increase/decrease the chosen field with the entered value instead of putting the entered value directly into the chosen field. If necessary, this may  be done by percentage.

 

   If the value of a field is for instance 100000,00 and for DATA you enter 15 followed by key 7 the new value will be 85000,00 as key 7 means %‑. It is 15 per cent of the field's original value will be subtracted from the value.

 

    Please also see the keyboard layout at the end of this chapter.


6.11.         Function 4 ‑ Deleting a record.

 

   By the use of this function you may delete a record from the file.

 

   First the function works as a inquiry, i.e. you may search for a record from a chosen index, after this you will be asked to confirm the deletion with Yes or No.

 

   If you answer Yes the record is deleted, if you answer No no damage is done. 

 

6.13.         Function 5 ‑ Defining the fieldnumber‑sequence.

 

   By the use of this function you may attach a temporary creation‑sequence to this screen image. The sequence is only valid until you leave the program.

 

   With an user‑define screen image you may define a fixed sequence, see this chapter.

   

 

Figure 16 Specification of a fieldnumber sequence.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.          02 DESCRIPTION                                          

                                                                                 

                         03 SELLING PRICE                                        

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                                           

                                                                                  

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE                                

                                                                                 

                         06 SUPPLIER NO.                                         

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.                                    

                                                                                  

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                                        

                                                                                 

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.                             

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 FUNCTION:5=SEQUENCE                                                             

 FIELDNO.SEQUENCE ? 2,6‑7,3‑4                                                             

 

 

 

 

   If you enter a fieldnumbersequence like shown above creating a new record in the file by the use of function 1, you hhave to fill in the fields, first the main‑key (always) and then the fields 2,6,7,3 and 4 in the mentioned order.

 

   The rest of the fields will be skipped but you may amend them during creation by the use of FIELDNO‑DATA.

 

   The sequence is only of consequence by the creation, not by any other functions. 

 

6.15.         Check‑functions.

 

   Different forms of checks may be attached to a field: 

 

6.16.1.       Index‑key fields.

 

   During the creation you can see if a field is part of a key as the field will be marked with a number of æsteriks (*******).

 

   If the key has been defined as a unique key it will not be possible to create two records with the same value of the field. This is being checked by the time you confirm the dataentering by pressing cr. in the field‑number. 


6.16.3.       Date‑fields.

 

   If you have defined a field as a date‑field by giving the format as either ,6, or ,8, it will be checked that this field contains a correct date or a zero.

 

   If you just enter cr. in such a field the date will be taken from the system date.

 

   If the field is defined as ,6, it will be turned as YY,MM,DD or DD,MM,YY depending on how the programmer set this up by the installation [5]

 

   Is the field defined as ,8, it will always be turned as YYYY,MM,DD.

 

   NB: No matter how the date‑field is turned, you may enter YYMMDD, DDMMYY, DDMM or just DD in the field.

 

   DATAMASTER will turn the date correctly when you have entered it and it is possible just to enter 2 or 4 digits if you want to amend the date‑field. 

 

6.16.5.       Check‑code fields.

 

   If you by the use of function 7 have defined checks on fields it will only be the value‑domains defined here that may be entered into the field in question.

 

   DATAMASTER will sign for this value by showing the text attached to the value to the right of the field, e.g. a name fetched from another file.

   

 

Figure 17 Screen image with field‑checks.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.    0102  02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑WHEEL                               

                                                                                 

                         03 SELLING PRICE               20000,00                 

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                  10000,00                 

                                                                                 

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE     1.01.85                    

                                                                                 

                         06 SUPPLIER NO. 100 SORENCO A/S                         

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.               1 DIVERSE            

                                                                                 

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                   0                    

                                                                                  

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.        0                    

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                            0,00                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 FUNCTION:3=AMEND   FIELDNO.?                                                    

                                                                                  

 

 

 

     

   If you do not remember the check‑code values in question for this field you may always use the HELP‑key and get a list of the values at the bottom of the screen, please see the previous paragraph. 


6.17.         Keyboard layout for the maintenance‑programs.

 

 

Figure 18 Tastaturbelegung DATAMASTER.

 
    

             

           

                                                              

     _    L4 _     L3 _    L2 _     L1 _       _        

                                                              

    

                                                              

     _    R4 _     R3 _    R2 _     R1 _   S   _ ON/OFF 

     HOLD FUNC                   HELP                        

    

                                    @                       

       BS      Y      N         HOLD  %+ xx              

                                       2      7     12     17

    

                                                            

        C      7      8      9          %- xx              

                                              6     11     16

       CR- 

                                                            

               4      5      6     END  - xxx              

                                       1      5     10     15

    

                                                            

               1      2      3          + xxx              

                                              4      9     14

       CR  

                                             ­                

                0              ,          BACK  % xx  HELP 

                                                3     8      13

    

 

 

 

 

 0:  CR           Ordinary CR.

 1:  CR‑          Credit‑key

                  If the key is activated alone without any further entering: END.

 2:  HOLD         The value of the field is kept and you continue with the next field.

 3:  BACKSPACE    The value of the field is kept and you continue with the previous field.

 4:  +            The entered value is added to the value of field.

 5:              The entered value is subtracted from the value of the field.

 6:  %+           The entered percentage of the field is added to the field.

 7:  %‑           The entered percentage of the field is subtracted from the field.

 8:  %            The entered percentage of the field is entered into the field.

13:  HELP         The fieldnumber, the format and the legal codes for this field is shown at the bottom line.

                  If more than one code has been defined you must press cr. to look through the lines.

                  The showing is interrupted if you press any other key.

R1:  HELP         If lamp R1 is switched on the help‑function automatically appears each time you go to a field.

R4:  LOCK STATUS  If this lamp is switched on you no longer have to enter status.

                  Instead the status you previous selected will be used.


7.           Searching with Superindex.

 

8.1.         Searching using Superindex.

 

   By the use of SUPERINDEX you may search all text‑fields in any of the DATAMASTER files:

   

 

Figure 19 SUPERINDEX search.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  19....SUPERINDEX (SEARCH ALPHANUMERIC)  

 ARTICLE NO0102                                                                   

    DESCRIPTION             TRUCK‑HOPPER                                         

    SELLING PRICE            20000,00                                            

    COST PRICE               10000,00                                             

    DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    1.01.85                                             

 ARTICLE NO0110                                                                  

    DESCRIPTION             TRUCK‑WORK                                            

    SELLING PRICE           100000,00                                            

    COST PRICE               60000,00                                            

    DATE OF LAST PURCHASE   15.12.86                                              

 ARTICLE NO1001                                                                  

    DESCRIPTION             TRUCK‑WHEEL                                          

    SELLING PRICE             1000,00                                             

    COST PRICE                 500,00                                            

    DATE OF LAST PURCHASE   31.12.86                                             

 ARTICLE NO1005                                                                  

    DESCRIPTION             TRUCK‑GEARBOX                                        

    SELLING PRICE             2000,00                                            

    COST PRICE                1500,00                                            

    DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    1.06.86                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 SEARCHTEXT:TRUCK                                                                

                                                                                 

 

 

 

   The search is not just the usual use of an index‑key but a 'wide' searching in all the records of the file, a search for any occurence of the entered text.

 

   It is if you have a customer by the name JOHN HANSON you just enter the search‑criterion JOHN or HANSON, maybe even just NSON, and all the records containing the entered data will one by one appear on the screen. 

 

8.2.1.       Technique when searching.

 

   The superindex will search through the entire file without using the index and therefore it might take some time before it comes up with the answer if it has to search through a large file.

 

   However this is done using a special technique where a buffer that contains approximately 20.000 characters (as big as possible for the given machine). As many records as possible are now read into the buffer in one go and they are searched through by a single assembler‑call from basic. This gives you a very fast searching‑possibility.

 

   For smaller files the search‑time will typically be a couple of seconds. 1.500 records per minute are searched through.

 

   The search‑time is dependent on the total number of records in the file (not just the used records) as well as the length of the records, and the partition‑size of the system, as these factors determines the utilization of the buffer. 

 

8.2.3.       Searching using several criteria.

 

   For search‑criterion you may enter several different criteria, separated by "&".

 

   If you for instance enter JOHN&HARALD&PETER all records containing either JOHN or HARALD or PETER will be found and shown on the screen in the same reading of the file.

 

   This is particularly usefull if you are in doubt of the spelling of a certain name.

 

   If there are more than one record that answer the given criterion, these will be shown in random order as you are not using the index of the file.


8.2.5.       Interrupting the search.

 

   The search may always be interrupted by pressing the ESCape‑key.

 

   When pressing END as search‑key you return to the DATAMASTER  selector.   

 

8.2.7.       Selecting the fields to be shown.

 

   Normally the first five fields will be shown on the screen. As many records as possible will be shown in one screen image. After this, the user is asked to press cr. to go to the next page.

 

   However, it it not just these fields that will be searched but the entire record, so the given criterion does not neccessarily have to be contained in the shown fields.

 

   In the search‑criterion you may indicate which fields you want to be shown by entering for instance 1‑5,7,10‑20 followed by the cr‑. After this any future search will show these fields.

 

   

 

Figure 20 Selection of fields by search.

 

 ARTICLE NO0102                                                                  

    DESCRIPTION             TRUCK‑HOPPER                                         

    SELLING PRICE            20000,00                                            

    COST PRICE               10000,00                                            

    DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    1.01.85                                             

    SUPPLIER NO.            100                                                  

    ARTICLE GROUP NO.        9                                                   

    STOCK BALANCE                 0                                              

    ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO   0                                                  

    FREE                          0,00                                           

 ARTICLE NO1005                                                                  

    DESCRIPTION             TRUCK‑GEARBOX                                        

    SELLING PRICE             2000,00                                            

    COST PRICE                1500,00                                            

    DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    1.06.86                                             

    SUPPLIER NO.            205                                                  

    ARTICLE GROUP NO.        0                                                   

    STOCK BALANCE               100                                              

    ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO 102                                                   

    FREE                          0,00                                           

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 SEARCHTEXT:HOP&BOX                                                              

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 


9.           Printing the files.

 

   DATAMASTER contains three different possibilities of printing:

                       

           1. Print using automatic screen layout.

           2. Print using user‑defined screen image.

           3. The reportgenerator.

 

   DATAMASTER's own printfunctions are relatively simple and mostly intended for documentation of the creation in the form of lists or prints of the creation‑screen image, e.g. one screen image on each page to use as checklists. There is no selection, sorting or calculating available with these prints.

 

   If you want to define more complex prints it must be done by the use of the reportgenerator DMS.RAPGEN. This is not a part of the DATAMASTER but must be purchased separatly. The reportgenerator contains the possibility of defining all types of reports from up to 9 files at the same time and the DATAMASTER files may be used directly. 

 

10.1.         Print with automatic screen image.

 

    When choosing this function the following screen image appears:

 

 

Figure 21 Selecting DATAMASTERs print functions.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  18....PRINT OF FILE DATA USING AUTOMATIC

                                                                                 

     PRINTER:$LPT                        TYPE:1   1 = 1 RECORD / PAGE            

     LINES ON FORM: 51                            2 = MORE RECORDS / PAGE        

                                                  3 = LISTE (1 RECORD PR.LINIE)  

                                                                                 

     FIELDS:                             INDEX:1  1 = ARTICLE NO.                

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

     START FROM: 1000                                                            

                                                                                 

     STOP  AT:   1005                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

and you may enter the following: 

 

10.2.1.       Printer.

 

   You can choose on which printer you want the print made. If you just press cr. the normal printer $LPT will be chosen. 

 

10.2.2.1.     Lines per page.

 

   The length of the page is decided here. If you just press cr. the  standardvalue decided by the programmer will be used. 

 

10.2.3.       Printing type.

 

   Here you may choose between three different types of print: 

 

10.2.4.1.     1 record per page.

 

   One screen image only printed is on each page, this function is usually used for checklists.  

 

10.2.4.3.     As many as possible on each page.

 

   The print looks just like the print from function 1, but the system does not throw pages for every record.


10.2.4.5.     List (1 record per line).

 

   In this function the print is turned around so that a heading is built on the basis of the field‑names and the individual records are listed with one line per record. 

 

10.2.5.       Fields.

 

   Here you may choose the fields you want printed.

 

   This is done by entering for instance 1‑7,15,9‑10 and the fields 1 to 7 followed by fields 15, 9 and 10 are printed.

 

   If you just press cr. fields 1‑99, i.e. all the fields of the file will be printed.

 

   If you have chosen print‑type 3; List, only as many fields that one line can hold will be printed no matter if you have indicated more fields than that. 

 

10.2.7.       Index (printing‑order).

 

   Now you may choose in which order you want the list to be printed in.

 

   An outline of the indexes you have defined in the file will appear and you may enter the number in question.

 

   If you just press cr. index 1 will be chosen as a standard. 

 

10.2.9.       Start from and Stop at.

 

   After this you may enter start/stop values according to the chosen index. If you have selected a customer‑number index you must enter from/to customer‑number and if you have chosen a name index you must enter from/to name.

 

   If you just press cr. in both of the fields all the records of  the file will be printed in the selected order.

 

   When having entered the start and stop the chosen records are printed by the printer and after this you may again enter start/stop. Several different ranges may be printed.

 

    You terminate the program by typing END or pressing cr.‑ when placed in the fields Start from.

 

10.2.11.       Examples of prints.

 

 

Figure 22 One record on each page.

 

 01 ARTICLE NO.  1001    02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑WHEEL                              

                         03 SELLING PRICE              1000,00                   

                         04 COST PRICE                  500,00                   

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE  31.12.86                      

                         06 SUPPLIERNO.205                                       

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.             0                      

                         08 STOCK BALANCE               100                      

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.    102                      

                         10 FREE                          0,00                   

                                                                                 

 01 ARTICLE NO.  1005    02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑GEARBOX                            

                         03 SELLING PRICE              2000,00                   

                         04 COST PRICE                 1500,00                   

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE   1.06.86                      

                         06 SUPPLIERNR.100                                       

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.             1                      

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                10                      

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.      0                      

                         10 FREE                          0,00                   

 

 

 

 


 

Figure 23 One record on each line (list).

 

 DATE 31.03.79 * DEM‑ARTICLE FILE         VA    *               PAGE:    1      

                                                                                 

 01   02                          03        04       05 06     07      08   09   

 ARTI DESCRIPTION          SELLING P  COST PRIC DATE OF SUPP ARTI STOCK B ALTE   

 0101 BOLT                      2,OO      1,50  1.01.87  271    0     100  270   

 0102 TRUCK‑HOPPER          20000,00  10000,00  1.01.85  100    9       0    0   

 0110 TRUCK‑WORK           100000,00  60000,00 15.12.86  123    2       1  100   

 1001 TRUCK‑WHEEL            1000,00    500,00 31.12.86  205    0     100  102   

 1005 TRUCK‑GEARBOX          2000,00   1500,00  1.06.86  100    1      10    0   

 2001 BOLT‑SPEC./AL            20,00     10,00  1.01.87  205    9      10  102   

 2002 BOLT‑SPEC./BR            25,00     10,00 30.07.86  205    9     200  102   

 

 

 

 

 

10.3.         Print with user‑defined screen image.

 

   When you choose this function you must at first enter which screen image you want to use. In this way DATAMASTER will also know which file that is to be printed.

 

   The function works in exactly the same way as printing with automatic screen image except from the point that you cannot choose the fields to be printed. This has been defined in the screen image itself.

 

   Likewise print‑type 3 cannot be chosen as this has no connection to the screen image. 

 

10.5.         Print using the reportgenerator.

 

   Choosing function 20 you jump directly to the reportgenerator DMS:RAPGEN, that is if it has been installed on the system. By the use of the reportgenerator you may define all kinds of lists and letters.

 

    Besides, please refer to the reportgenerator‑manual for further information on the use of the reportgenerator.

 

 

Figure 24 Definition of a new report.

 

 DMS.REPGEN     1                                     1....DEFINE NEW REPORT     

 GR.... ARTICLE GROUP FILE                                                       

 KU.... CURRENCY FILE                                                            

 LE.... SUPPLIER FILE                                                            

 VA.... ARTICLE FILE                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

 FILE SHORTNAME ? VA......ARTICLE FILE                                           

                                                                                 

 REPORT NAME (FOR SELECTOR) ?         PRICELIST                                  

                                                                                 

 LINES ON FORM         (CR=66)    ?   66                                         

                                                                                  

 MAIN HEADING (N=NONE, CR=AS NAME) ?  PRICELIST                                  

                                                                                 

 PRINT ZERO FIELDS  (Y/N) ? Y         USER NAME ? XXXXXXXXX                      

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 


 

Figure 25 Example of printout from the reportgenerator.

 

DATE:14,01,87      * WEIGHTED STOCK VALUE *     AS OF  14,01,87   PAGE:    1 

                                                                             

NO     DESCRIPTION        COST PRICE    BALANCE STOCKVALUE      WEIGHTED     

0101   BOLT                     1.50        100     150.00          0.12     

0102   TRUCK‑HOPPER         10000.00          0       0.00          0.00     

0110   TRUCK‑WORK           60000.00          1   60000.00         47.15     

                                                                             

ARTICLE GROUP 01                                  60150.00         47.27     

                                                                              

1001   TRUCK‑WHEEL            500.00        100   50000.00         39.29     

1005   TRUCK‑GEARBOX         1500.00         10   15000.00         11.79     

                                                                              

ARTICLE GROUP 10                                  65000.00         51.08     

                                                                             

2001   BOLT‑SPEC./AL           10.00         10     100.00          0.08     

2002   BOLT‑SPEC./BR           10.00        200    2000.00          1.57     

                                                                             

ARTICLE GROUP 20                                   2100.00          1.65     

                                                                              

                                                                             

GRAND TOTAL                                      127250.00        100.00     

 

 

       

 

 

10.7.         Updating files using the reportgenerator.

 

    Normally it is not possible for the user to write to any files by the use of the reportgenerator as this would be far too dangerous. The             probability of incedently destroying the installation is far too big.

 

    However, one exception is the files the user has defined himself in DMS.DATAMASTER. In these files rewriting is allowed, protected by a password however, based on the philosophy that you know suffiently about the data you have defined yourself for rewriting to be securely.

 

    When rewriting the user simply calculates the fields in the file instead of calculating the free fields, e.g. #7=#7+1 leads to field 7 (for instance a dun‑code) being increased one each time the report is run. This, is only done for the records that are printed, not for records which not fulfils the selection criterias.

 

    There is no possibility of amending index‑fields during this form of rewriting. If you calculate an index‑field the contents of the key and the data in the record will become inconsistent. After this DATAMASTER will reject any aim at amending/deleting such a key‑field. It is however possible to reconstruct the file by choosing the DATAMASTER function for expansion of a file, and the new keys will be built up on the basis of the fields in the datarecord.

 

    At present it is not possible to build other files in the reportgenerator and when running with integration to several files it is only possible to rewrite the main‑file, i.e. the file the report has been defined on.

 

    Rewriting in a file built with DATAMASTER must be activated already when defining the report, when the file‑shortname is entered. For instance you enter comma W after the shortname, e.g. KU,W. This way another text‑file for read statements is loaded in the program. DMREAD.KUW will be activated instead of the usual DMREAD.KU. At the same time the report will be password‑protected, so that you have to enter this password when starting up.[6]


11.           Definition of checks on code‑fields.

 

12.1.         Principle.

 

   The principle of a check‑definition is to choose a specific field from the file and attach one or more legal values to this field, each value defined with an connected text.

 

   When having defined these checks, it is only possible to enter the defined values in the field in question and the text attached to the field will be shown at the screen to the right of the field. In this way the user is able to see the function of the code in clear text.

 

Figure 26 File maintenance with check‑codes.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.    1001  02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑WHEEL                              

                                                                                  

                         03 SELLING PRICE                1000,00                 

                                                                                 

                         04 COST PRICE                    500,00                 

                                                                                 

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    31.12.86                    

                                                                                  

                         06 SUPPLIER NO. 205   PRIVATBANKEN                      

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.               0 OTHERS             

                                                                                 

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                 100                    

                                                                                  

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.      102                    

                                                                                 

                         10 FREE                            0,00                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 FUNCTION:3=AMEND   FIELDNO.?                                                    

                                                                                  

 

 

   The appearance of this text to the right of the field is of cause dependent on how the file‑screen image in question is defined. A text too long may overwrite the next field on the screen. For this reason we have introduced the concept of text length that defines the number of characters to be shown at this particular point.

 

   The texts may be created longer than this length in consideration of the help‑function and the documentation, but if so, abbreviated on the screen image. 

 

12.3.         Using function 7 ‑ define check.

 

   When choosing function 7; definition of check on code‑fields, the following screen image appears:

 

Figure 27 Definition of check on code‑fields.

 

 SYSTEM:0/EX    DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 FEB 01, 1988   9:42:40        

 FILE                     FIELD                       TEXT LENGTH                

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

 STATUS (1=CREATE, 2=READ, 3=AMEND, 4=DELETE, 5=TEXTLENGTH, 6=PRINT) ?           

 

 

 

 

and by choosing one of the functions 1‑6 you may maintain the definitions (i.e. create/amend/delete/print).

 

If you just press cr. you return to the DATAMASTER main menu.


12.4.1.       Choosing file to check.

 

   When you choose function 1; creation, you get an outline of all the DATAMASTER files you have access to:

 

 

Figure 28 Selection of file.

 

 SYSTEM:0/EX    DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 FEB 01, 1988   9:42:40        

 FILE                     FIELD                       TEXT LENGTH                

                                                                                 

 FILES:                                                                          

    GR   ART.GROUP FILE                                                          

    KU   CURRENCY FILE                                                           

    LE   SUPPLIER FILE                                                           

    VA   ARTICLE FILE                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 STATUS (1=CREATE, 2=READ, 3=AMEND, 4=DELETE, 5=TEXTLENGTH, 6=PRINT) ? 1         

 

 

 

 

 

and you choose the file you want to work with by entering the file‑shortname. If you just press cr. the program returns to the point where you choose functions. 

 

12.4.3.       Selecting field to check.

 

   Now a outline showing the fields of the file appears:

   

 

Figure 29 Selection of a field.

 

 SYSTEM:0/EX    DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 FEB 01, 1988   9:42:40        

 FILE                     FIELD                        TEXT LENGTH               

 VA ARTICLE FILE                                                                 

 FIELDS:                                                                         

    1 ARTICLE NO                                                                 

    2 DESCRIPTION                                                                

    3 SELLING PRICE                                                              

    4 COST PRICE                                                                 

    5 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE                                                      

    6 SUPPLIER NO                                                                

    7 ARTICLE GROUP NO                                                           

    8 STOCK BALANCE                                                              

    9 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER                                                       

   10 FREE                                                                       

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 STATUS (1=CREATE, 2=READ, 3=AMEND, 4=DELETE, 5=TEXTLENGTH, 6=PRINT) ? 1         

 

 

 

 

 

   You may define checks for numeric as well as alphanumeric fields. Here     you select which field you want to define a check for.


12.4.5.       Text length.                          

 

   After this you enter the length of the text you want shown on the screen to the right of the field when creating/amending the file. This length is of cause dependent on how you build the screen image in question and 10‑16 characters will normally be adequate.

 

   Specificly you may enter 0 here and no text will be shown at all, only the defined validation will be carried out. This way you have room for more fields on the screen. 

 

12.4.7.       Minimum and maximum allowed value.

 

   Now you enters the wanted legal value‑range (from‑to) for the field.

 

 

Figure 30 Entering of the legal ranges.

 

 SYSTEM:0/EX    DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 FEB 01, 1988   9:42:40        

 FILE                     FIELD                        TEXT LENGTH  16           

 VA ARTICLE FILE          7 ARTICLE GROUP NO                                     

      MIN       MAX       TEXT                                                   

       0         0        UNSPEC                                                 

       1         1        SPECIAL                                                

       2         2        CASH                                                   

       3         3        CARS                                                   

       4        10        OTHERS                                                 

      ##                                                                          

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 STATUS (1=CREATE, 2=READ, 3=AMEND, 4=DELETE, 5=TEXTLENGTH, 6=PRINT) ? 1         

 

 

 

 

 

   It will be the codes in the given ranges only (both extreems included) that in the future will be allowed for the field.

 

   If you have already created records in the file in question the system can of cause not garantee that all previously created codes will be valid. If necessary you will have to use the reportgenerator to check up on  this.

 

   If the previously created records contains valid values they will in the future be shown with the attached text. 

 

12.4.9.       Text.

 

   Here you enter the text you want attached to the value‑range.

 

   The first x characters of this, as indicated in the text length, will be shown to the right of the field by the creation of the file.

 

   If the first character of the text is ; this indicates reading from another file and the rest of the text will contain a definition of how this file is to be read and which fields are to be transferred/shown, more on this later on.

 

   When having entered the text you will be asked to enter the next minimum/maximum allowed value of the field and this way you may specify as many legal ranges as necessary.

 

   If you just press cr. for minimum the creation is terminated and you return to the function‑field. 


12.5.         Inquiry on the check‑codes.

 

   In this function, like in the creation of the definitions, you indicate a file and a fieldnumber and the defined checks will appear. 

 

12.7.         Amending the check‑codes.

 

   If you want to amend the text in an already created range, or even want to amend the range itself, you use function 3.

 

   The amendment is made in the same way as an creation of a new check‑code, however, the interval you enter must be created already.

 

    If you want to add new ranges for a particular field that already has defined checks, this must be done by the use of function 1; creation. 

 

12.9.         Deleting check‑codes.

 

   By the use of function 4 you can delete a single interval or all validations created for a certain file.

 

   If you only indicate a file‑name and simply press cr. at the fieldnumber you wil be asked if you want to delete all checks valid for this file. 

 

12.11.         Amending the text length.          

 

   Here you may amend text length appearance that was entered at the first creation of check‑codes for the field.

 

   The created codes are shown and after this you may enter a new text   length. 

 

12.13.         Printing the check‑codes.

 

   Choosing function 6 all defined check‑codes for all files will be printed.

 

   The print will always be on the standard printer ($LPT). 

 

12.15.         Help‑function by file maintenance.

 

   The different allowed values for a code and their meaning may be shown by pressing the HELP‑key when positioned in the field in question.

   

 

Figure 31 The help‑function for check‑code fields.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  10....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.    1001  02 DESCRIPTION TRUCK‑WHEEL                              

                                                                                 

                         03 SELLING PRICE                1000,00                 

                                                                                  

                         04 COST PRICE                    500,00                 

                                                                                 

                         05 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE    31.12.86                    

                                                                                 

                         06 SUPPLIER NO. 205   PRIVATBANKEN                      

                                                                                 

                         07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.               0 OTHERS             

                                                                                 

                         08 STOCK BALANCE                 100                    

                                                                                 

                         09 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO.      102                    

                                                                                  

                         10 FREE                            0,00                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 FUNCTION:3=AMEND   FIELDNO.?                                                    

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

   You may also switch on lamp‑1 (R1) and as long as it is switched on the help‑texts will appear each time you move to a new field.


12.17.         Amending the file‑definitions.

 

   You must be aware of the fact that if you amend the length of a field that has check‑validations attached to it, these validations will not automaticly be amended!

 

   The result will normally be that you are not allowed to enter any values at all into the field in question, if for instance the field is created with check on 2 digits and the field is being extended to for instance 3 digits this means that the validation‑ranges will be displaced compared to the current field.

 

   Code‑fields like this should always be made sufficiently long when created. A code created with 3 digits may always be reduced to 1 digit by creating check‑intervals in the area 0‑9 alone, whereas an expansion from 1 to 3 digits is not possible directly.

 

   When performing an expansion like this you have to delete all validations for the field in question by the use of function 4 and after this create them again by the use of function 1. 

 

12.19.        Conflicts when creating legal ranges.

 

   When creating check‑codes you must be very careful with the intervals you specify, so that they will not overlap.

 

   If you for instance define the range 10‑20 to be allowed and after       this that code 13‑13 should also be allowed, this check act slightly odd: The codes 10‑12 will not be allowed, code 13 and 14‑20 will work correctly.

 

   This is due to the fact that DATAMASTER is always searching for the check‑code that has a maximum value higher than or equal to the entered value and after this checks that the minimum value in question is correct.

 

   This means that you instead should create checks for the ranges 10‑12, 13‑13 and 14‑20 after having deleted the ranges 10‑20. 

 

12.21.

6.11.        Internal storage of the check‑codes.

 

   The defined check‑validations are stored in an seperate file DXVIKAIX with an access‑key consisting of:

 

            xx       File shortname  

            yy       blank, free for later expansion

            zz       Fieldnumber

            Maximum  n character maximum of the range  

            Minimum  n character minimum of the range    

 

n being the length of the field.

 

   The record in this file contains the text length and the text attached to the range.

 

   n mentioned above means the length of the field, and a check for the file KU, field 7 in the range 5‑47 will (if the field is 2‑digit) accordingly have the key:

 

            "KU 074705"

 

   The programmer may have created this file with a free choice of keylength and recordlength (normally respectively 20 and 64) and in this way it is determined how many characters you have available:

 

    The largest field in which you can create checks has the length:

 

            n = (keylen‑6)/2, e.g. (20‑6)/2 = 7 digits

 

 The length of record ‑4 is the longest text that may be attached to a code.


13.           Integration to other files.

 

14.1.         The principle of integration to other files.

 

   When defining check on fields (please see the previous chapter) you may also define check against/transfering fields from one ore more other files (max. 8 files and only one file for each field).

 

   By specifying a special text starting with ­ you may create a connection to another file for the field in question. Instead of just showing the text DATAMASTER will read the given file and tranfer a number of fields from this file.

 

   You may transfer any number of fields from another file and this file does not necessarily have to be a DATAMASTER file, it may also be an existing customer‑file. However, the files must be defined by the programmer by the installation as when installing the reportgenerator.

 

   This means that files installed in the reportgenerator may by used right away.

 

14.3.         Definition of reference to a file.

 

   Reference to another file is defined as a normal input‑validation with a special text where the first character is ­.

 

   You may define up till 8 different files, which means that the program gives you the possibility of working with all in all 9 files at the same time. The files may be DATAMASTER files or other files installed in the reportgenerator.

 

 

Figure 32 Reference to a secondary file.

 

 SYSTEM:0/EX    DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH                 FEB 01, 1988   9:42:40        

 FILE                     FIELD                        TEXT LENGTH  16           

 VA ARTICLE FILE          6 SUPPLIER NO.                                         

      MIN       MAX       TEXT                                                   

      000       ZZZ      ­LE01,2;6                                               

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 STATUS (1=CREATE, 2=READ, 3=AMEND, 4=DELETE, 5=TEXTLENGTH, 6=PRINT) ? 1         

 

 

 

 

14.4.1.       Minimum/maximum range.  

 

   The range defined for the check‑code will normally be from 0‑9999... for numeric fields and from 0 to z for alphanumeric fields which means that all values of the field will execute a reference to another file. 

 

14.4.3.       Structure of the textfield.

 

    The textfield may for instance be defined as:

 

            ­KU01,2,3=4,4=5,2=17;7

 

    and this way starts with ­ and is followed by:

 

14.4.4.1.     File‑shortname.  

 

   KU indicates the 2‑letter shortname of the file to be read. 

 

14.4.4.3.     Index‑number.

 

   01 indicates the index‑number in the file KU. If this is 1 you may omit this and just write ­KU,2,.... 


14.4.4.5.     Transferring fields.

 

   This is followed by a specification of which fields you want transferred from the read file, each separated by a comma.     

   Each specification consists of:

 

            fieldnumber from this file

            =

            fieldnumber from the read file

 

   and with the shown definition 3=4,4=5,2=17 the KU fields 4,5 and 17 are moved accordingly to

this files fields 3,4 and 2.

 

   You may transfer as many fields as you like, limited only by the length of the text‑field.

 

   You may also leave out this part entirely if you don't want to tranfer any fields, e.g. ­,2;7.

 

   The field‑transfer is terminated with a semicolon and followed by: 

 

14.4.4.7.     Key definitions.

 

   7 in the example shown above defines field 7 from this file to be used as a key when reading the referenced file KU.

 

   Normally it will always be the same fieldnumber that the check‑code is defined on which appears here, as the field that executes references to the file naturally also will be used as a key.

 

   The key‑definition follows the normal syntax for index‑definitions, please see the description of this. This means that here you may pack fields, insert constants in front of the field etc., e.g.:

 

   ­KU01,2,3=4,4=5,2=17;"00",7(3,4),7(1,2),P

 

14.4.5.       Various values without references in the file.

 

   When you have defined a check‑code for a field defining another file to be read it will not be possible to enter values into this field if no corresponding record key exist in the connected file.

 

   For certain records you might want not to set a value at the time of    creation but this is not possible as a key must be found in the file referred to.

 

   In such a case you may create a 'various' record in the file referred  to and this number should then be used by creation.

 

   You may also define a normal check‑code in the range of 0 to 0 with the text 'various'. Entering of 0 will not execute any file reading.

 

   A typical example is a customer number 0000 is defined as a 'various' customer, that always may be used even if this if not present in the  customer file. 

 

14.4.7.       Limitations.

 

   You may transfer as many fields as you want from other file, limited only by the text‑length of 80 characters.

 

   You may refer up till 8 other files.

 

   A check may only refer to one file, it is registration of one field can  not read from serveral files for the same value.

 

   You may create different checks on a field so that the field, dependent on the value, causes read from different files.

 

   One file can only be referenced once, you cannot use the same file from several fields in the same program.


15.           Definition of individual screen images.

 

    By this function you may define your own screen images for the file  maintenance program.

 

 

Figure 33 File maintenance with user defined screen.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  9.....FILE MAINTENANCE WITH AUTOMATIC   

                                                                SCREENPICTURE    

 01 ARTICLE NO.0101 02 DESCRIPTION:BOLT           07 ARTICLE GROUP NO.0 UNSPEC   

                                                                                 

            PRICES: 03 SELLING: 2.00    04 COST: 1.50                            

                                                                                  

      SUPPLIER NO:  06 NORMAL: 271 UNICEF                                        

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 FUNKTION:                                                                        

 1=CREATE  2=READ    3=AMEND   4=DELETE  5=SEQUENCE                              

 

 

 

       

16.1.         Maintaining the screen images.

 

   When selecting function 12 you enter:

 

            1.  Program‑number (screen image‑number)

            2.  Name of program

            3.  File‑shortname  

 

 

Figure 34 Definition of a new screen image.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  12....DEFINE NEW SCREEN LAYOUT          

   1 PRODUCT FILE             e                                                   

   3 INVENTORY FILE                                                              

   4 CAR FILE                                                                    

   5 EMPLOYE FILE                                                                

   6 CUSTOMER MAILING                                                            

   7 ARTICLE GROUPS                                                              

   8 CUSTOMER GROUPS                                                             

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 PROGRAM NO.(CR=NEXT FREE) ? 2              PROGRAM NAME:ARTICLE CREATION        

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 


16.3.         Using functions 12 and 13.

 

   After specification of program no., name and file you will get a screen like:

   

 

Figure 35 Building the screen image.

 

 1...;....10...;....20...;....30...;....40...;....50...;....60...;....70...;....8

                                                                                1

                                                                                2

 01 NO.AAAA         02 NAME:AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA  07 GROUP:##                   3

                                                                                4

            PRICES: 03 SALE ######.##   04 COST ######.##                       5

                                                                                6

        SUPPLIERS:  06 NORMAL:AAA                                               7

                                                                                8

                                                                                9

                                                                               10

                                                                               11

                                                                               12

                                                                               13

                                                                               14

                                                                               15

                                                                               16

                                                                               17

                                                                               18

 LINE,POS:                                                                       

 50...;....60...;....70...;....80...;....90...;....100..;....110..;....120..;....

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

and the cursor will be placed in the lowerleft corner in the field, LINE,POS.

 

    The fields are shown on the screen with their formats. A row of x's indicates a textfield, and a row of #'s or ‑'s indicates a numeric field. You may select a line by entering the number of this or the linenumber, comma a position on the line.

 

    How this line and the two following lines will be shown is seen on the bottom lines of the screen, not with fieldformats but with fieldnumbers.

 

    The line may now be altered and when you press CR ‑ the line will be placed on the screen and fieldnumbers are converted to the fieldformats, and the cursor returns to LINE,POS. Only the number of characters you enter will be changed. If you wish to delete the line, you must fill the rest of the line with blanks. You may keep the same character by using the arrow‑up key.

 

    The changes are ended by typing END or just press CR‑. NB.: A screen‑image must be kept within the screen's 24 lines and 80 characters. If a field for instance exceeds a line, strange scrolling will occur when using the image.                  

 

16.5.         Selecting fields and fieldnumber‑sequence.

 

   In connection with the definition of the screen‑image you have the possibility of indicating:

   

            ‑ fields to be entered by the creation and the order of this entering

            ‑ fields allowed to be amended

            ‑ fields to be displayed on the screen

 

Default 1‑99, it is all fields may be entered/corrected/shown in the order they appear in the file.

 

    The sequence may be indicated in lines 26, 27 and 28. As screen only holds 24 lines, these lines will not appear on the screen but only serves to control the data‑entering.

 

    The lines are entered as:

   

            1‑99        all fields

            1‑5,17,2    field 1 to 5 followed by field 17 and field 2   

                        

In this way all the sequences of the fields can be indicated.

 

    In the file maintenance‑program itself (function 9) you may also define   an create‑sequence (status 5). This will overwrite the sequences defined for the screen image but for the current creation only.


The lines contain:

   

            26    creation‑sequence

            27    fields allowed to be amended

            28    fields to be displayed

 

   As mentioned all three lines will contain 1‑99 as default. It is possible to blank out lines 26 and 27 so the only information left is the information of which fields that are to be displayed. In this case the user of the program is only allowed to make inquieries on the file, he will not be able to create, amend or delete.   

 

16.7.         Commands in functions 12 and 13.

 

   You may at LINE,POS use the following special commands:

 

16.8.1.       Lineno.

 

   If a linenumber is entered, the line is shown on the screen. The screen will scroll up/down if the chosen line is not in the range of the actual linenumber interval shown on the screen.

 

16.8.3.        position.

 

   As above, the line may be corrected from the entered position.

 

16.8.5.       CR.

 

   The screen will scroll one line up.

 

16.8.7.       End or CR‑.

 

   Function ended.

 

16.8.9.       PRINT‑printout on printer.

 

   The layout of a screen is printed on the printer.

 

16.8.11.       F ‑ Top of form.

 

   Will perform a paper feed up to next form.

 

16.8.13.       ? or the help‑key.

 

   You can see the fields of this file.

 

 

Figure 36 Help‑function by screen image definition.

 

 PROGRAM NO: 2   ARTICLE CREATION                                                

    1 ARTICLE NO                                                                 

    2 DESCRIPTION                                                                 

    3 SELLING PRICE                                                              

    4 COST PRICE                                                                 

    5 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE                                                       

    6 SUPPLIER NO                                                                

    7 ARTICLE GROUP NO                                                           

    8 STOCK BALANCE                                                               

    9 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER                                                       

   10 FREE                                                                       

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 PRESS CR:                                                                        

 

 

 

 


16.8.15.       IL or LI insert one line.

 

   By the use of one of these commands you may insert a line before a particular linenumber and the rest of the lines are moved one line  down.

 

   NB.:  You have to pay attention to the fact that lines 26‑28 (containing the definition of which fields that are to be created/amended/shown on this screen) are also moved when using this command. Therefore you must always make sure to bring them back to their places after having inserted a line. 

 

16.8.17.       DL or LD delete a line.

 

   By the use of one of these commands you may delete a particular line and the rest of the lines are moved one line up.

 

   NB.:  You have to pay attention to the fact that lines 26‑28 (containing the definition of which fields that are to be created/amended/shown on this screen) are also moved when using this command. Therefore you must always make sure to bring them back to their places after having deleted a line. 

 

16.8.19.      MODE show the field formats/numbers or names.

 

   By the use of the MODE command you may define how you want the fields to be shown or printed(by the use of the PRINT command). You will be asked to enter some of the following numbers:

   

            0 = show fieldnumbers

            1 = field is not shown at all

            2 = fieldnames are shown (as long as there is room for them)

            3 = fieldformat is shown (normally)

 

 

Figure 37 MODE 0 displays the field numbers.

 

 1...;....10...;....20...;....30...;....40...;....50...;....60...;....70...;....8

                                                                                1

                                                                                2

 01 NO.#1           02 NAME:#2                    07 GROUP:#7                   3

                                                                                4

            PRICES: 03 SALE #3          04 COST:#4                              5

                                                                                6

      SUPPLIERS:    06 NORMAL:#6                                                7

                                                                                8

                                                                                9

                                                                               10

                                                                               11

                                                                               12

                                                                               13

                                                                               14

                                                                               15

                                                                               16

                                                                               17

                                                                               18

 LINE,POS:                                                                        

 50...;....60...;....70...;....80...;....90...;....100..;....110..;....120..;....

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 

 


16.9.

8.5.         Copying a screen‑image.

 

   One screen‑image may be copied to another by the use of function 14, where you enter:

   

            FROM PROGRAM NO.:

            TO   PROGRAM NO.:

            NEW  PROGRAM NAME.:

 

 and after this the screen‑image is copied. The copy‑function is especially useful when used for taking a copy of an existing screen‑image you want to amend, but certainly not ruin!, and then perform the amendments in the copy, maintaining the original.

 

Figure 38 Copy screen images.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  14....COPY SCREEN LAYOUT                

   1 PRODUCT FILE                                                                

   3 INVENTORY FILE                                                              

   4 CAR FILE                                                                    

   5 EMPLOYE FILE                                                                

   6 CUSTOMER MAILING                                                            

   7 ARTICLE GROUPS                                                              

   8 CUSTOMER GROUPS                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 PROGRAM NO.? 3    TO PROGRAM NO.? 10   NEW NAME: TESTPROGRAM                    

                                                                                 

 

 

 

             

16.11.         Deletion of a screen image.  

 

   By use of function 15 you are able to delete a screen image, you have to confirm the deletion by answering Y at the question DELETE Y/N.

 

Figure 39 Deletion of a screen image.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  15....DELETE SCREEN LAYOUT              

   1 PRODUCT FILE                                                                

   3 INVENTORY FILE                                                              

   4 CAR FILE                                                                    

   5 EMPLOYE FILE                                                                

   6 CUSTOMER MAILING                                                            

   7 ARTICLE GROUPS                                                              

   8 CUSTOMER GROUPS                                                             

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 PROGRAM NO.? 3 INVENTORY FILE                    DELETE (Y/N) ?                 

                                                                                 

 

 

 

 


17.           Redefining files.

 

   Redefining an exsisting file may be done by use of 3 different functions.

   

            2   REDEFINE AN EMPTY FILE

            3   REDEFINE AN EXISTING FILE

            4   AMENDING A FILE WITHOUT REDEFINING IT

 

Functions 2 and 3 are protected by a password [7], and you should be careful before selecting as all the data in the file is relocated together with the file‑definition when using these functions.

 

   You will always get the warning:

 

            BE CAREFUL ‑ DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP ?

 

   when selecting one of these functions. If a file has been created with 1000 records and something fails you might risk ending up without a file and without a file‑definition.

 

   Redefining files of this size should accordingly always be done right after a disk‑copying (end of run).                         

18.1.         Redefining an empty file.

 

           IN THIS FUNCTION ALL THE DATA IN THE FILE IS DELETED !!

 

   The function is used for redefining a file concerning the number of records and/or the number of fields or the length of the fields.

 

   This function should only be used when the file does not contain any data you want to keep.

 

   This function may be used for deleting the contains of a file without redefining the file as you just exit by the use of END without amending the field‑definitions.

 

   You are able to amend all field‑ and index‑definitions in the file in exactly the same way as described in the first chapters of this manual; defining a file.

 

   After having terminated with END a new empty file is built replacing the   existing. 

 

18.3.         Redefining an existing file.

 

   This function is used for redefining an existing file concering the number of records and/or the number of fields or the length of the fields.

 

   All data in the old file will be kept. Before you redefines the file DATAMASTER will take care of keeping a copy of the old definition of this file.

 

   When you have finished the redefinition the new definition will be compared to the old definition and a special program that reads the old file and builds up the new file with the new format will be generated and run. 


18.4.1.       Expansion/reduction of the fields.

 

   All information concerning the fields may be amended with this function as described in "defining a file". You may add to or reduce the number of fields in the file.

 

   Furthermore the length of the fields may be amended, even if this would mean that the internal type of BASIC‑variable of the field must be amended to be able to contain a larger value. The copying‑program takes hands of this.

 

   You may even change a field‑type from numeric to text or vice versa. If possible the data will be maintained and a text containing a figure will accordingly be moved correctly to a new numeric‑field.

 

YOU SHOULD NOTE:

 

    If you reduce the length of a field there is a risk that the old value of the field cannot be contained in the new field. You must especially try to avoid reducing fields with 4 or more digits to fields with 3 or less digits without being completly sure that the new field can contain all the data. If it cannot the file cannot be copied at all.[8] 

 

18.4.3.       Redefining/adding to the index.

 

   All the information regarding the index may also be amended in this function as described in "defining a file". You may add to or reduce the number of fields in the file.

 

YOU SHOULD NOTE:

    In case you define new unique keys, e.g. with K attached to a field, it MUST be possible for DATAMASTER to create a unique key on the basis of the existing data in the file; there cannot be two records with the same value in the field in question.

 

    If this is the case anyway it will only be the first of these records that will survive the copying, all others will be deleted and you will receive a message of error 109. 

 

18.4.5.       Expansion/reduction of the number of records.

 

   The most simple redefinition is to amend the number of records in the file and after this press END in the first field. In this way a file can be expanded or reduced.

 

   However, this new file will not be created if there is space for it on the disk but the old file will be maintained. This way you don't loose your data if the unfortunate should happen.

 

   Later on you may perform another redefinition after having provided the necessary amount of space. This may be done by for instance deleting other files or by the use of CLEANUP on the disk.

 

   NB.: If you try to reduce a file to fewer records than has already been created in an existing the extra records will be deleted and you will receive a message of error 113. 

 

18.4.7.       Moving a file to another disk.

 

   In connection with the redefining it is also possible to move the file to another disk. All you have to do is to specify a new disk‑number by the start of the redefinition. 


18.5.         Amending a file without redefining it.

 

   In this function an existing file may be amended in the same way as described for function 3 but ONLY in such a way that it does not require any creation of a new file and copying data.

 

   It is much faster to use this function, if possible, instead of function 3, as building a new file or creating/running a copying‑program from the old file to the new is not necessary.

 

   In return, it is not all types of amendments that may be made here. Only amending the field‑definitions is allowed; the file cannot be moved nor expanded and the index‑definitions cannot be touched.

 

   The field‑names may be amended without limitations, whereas amending the field‑formats can only be done to a limited extent as you have to maintain the BASIC variable‑types the file was built with.

 

   Accordingly the fields may be reduced since a smaller field can always be contained in a too large fieldtype, all you risk is waisting a little space at the disk.

 

   Furthermore, numeric fields may be expanded with the following limitations:

   

            1‑2 digits may be expanded to 3 digits (without decimals)

            4‑5 digits may be expanded to 6 digits

            7‑9 digits may be expanded to 10 digits

          11‑13 digits may be expanded to 14 digits

 

and if the field from the start has been defined with decimals:

 

            1‑5 digits may be expanded to 6 digits

 

Furthermore comma, and if necessary comma‑editing, may be entered quite freely.

 

18.7.         Consequences of the redefinition.

 

18.8.1.       Check on code‑fields.

 

   If you expand code‑fields on which you have defined checks by the use of function 7 you must remove these checks before expanding the field. After the expansion you have to re‑create the checks. If this is not done,  the check‑function will block the field entirely. 

 

18.8.3.       Reportgenerator‑programs.

 

   If you just have added some fields you will be able to run the existing reports without any further action. However, you  must pay attention to the fact that the 20 free‑fields automatically inserted by the reportgenerator at the end of the file will have changed fieldnumbers. It is you have to redefine the calculation‑lines etc. the first time you want to amend a report like that.

 

   If you have amended the length of the fields all reports that handles the file in question should be passed through function 4; define calculations. This way the new file‑structure will be activated.

 

   Furthermore it may be necessary to adjust the report‑layout itself. This is done by the use of function 7.


19.          Printing and deleting the definitions.

 

20.1.        Printing the file‑definitions.

 

   When you choose function 5 to print the file‑definitions, you must specify which file you want printed. After this you will get a complete documentation of the file in question.

   

 

Figure 40 Printout of a file definition.

 

 DATAMASTER SYSTEM 11,9 0/EX DMS.RAPGEN ENGLISH     (0/ENDATAFIL9)  FEB 01, 1988 

                                                                                 

 DRN NO. 1 ARTICLE FILE              , TOTAL SIZE   =  57  BYTES   ( 29 WORDS )  

                                                                                  

 NO.OF FIELDS: 10 , 1% 2 , 2% 2 , 3% 3 , 4% 0 , $ 3 , LEN S$= 28                 

                                                                                 

 #1,0/EN.VAKA#            READ                READ: 1‑10                         

                                                                                 

 THE FILE IS DEFINED WITH RECORD LENGTH = 62  BYTES (31 WORDS)                   

                                                                                 

 FILE:VA 0/EN.VAKA#       ARTICLE FILE              INDEX LENGTH:2,12,3,3,3      

                                                                                 

 INDEX:01 ARTICLE NO        1,S                                                  

 INDEX:02 DESCRIPTION       2,NP,S                                               

 INDEX:03 SUPPLIER NO       6,NP,S                                               

 INDEX:04 GROUP NO          7,NP,S                                               

 INDEX:05 ALTERNATIVE SUP.  9,NP,S                                               

                                                                                 

 NO.NAME                       FORMAT CHECK  PSEUDO TYPE   VARIABLE   BYTE REF. W

  1 ARTICLE NO                   4  K 3*****           0   S$(1,4)       4 VA#1 W

  2 DESCRIPTION                 20  D 3*****           0   S$(5,24)      8 VA#2 W

  3 SELLING PRICE                6,2                   3   S3(1)        28 VA#3 W

  4 COST PRICE                   6,2                   3   S3(2)        34 VA#4 W

  5 DATE OF LAST PURCHASE      , 6,   4 DATE           2   S2(1)        40 VA#5 W

  6 SUPPLIER NO                  3  D 3*****           0   S$(25,27)    44 VA#6 W

  7 ARTICLE GROUP NO             2, D 3*****           1   S1(1)        48 VA#7 W

  8 STOCK BALANCE              ‑ 6,                    2   S2(2)        50 VA#8 W

  9 ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER NO      3, D 3*****           1   S1(2)        54 VA#9 W

 10 FREE                       ‑ 6,2                   3   S3(3)        56 VA#10W

 

 

 

    

 

20.2.1.      Remarks on the printout.

 

   The first line contains a heading with the system‑name and an specification of which file the file‑definition is stored in.

 

   The next line contains the definition number followed by an name in clear text and the record length.

 

   Finally is a list of all the fields of the file. The left part (number, name and format) is defined by the user and the right part is DATAMASTER's own information on the fields.

 

   The column CHECK contains information on the input‑validation that must be performed for fields:

    

            3 = keyfield, marked with an * by input.

            4 = validation of date

            9 = check‑codes defined for the field

 

   The column PSEUDO is not being used.

 

   The column TYPE indicates the basic variable type in which the field is stored and the next column, VARIABEL, indicates the DATAMASTER name of this variable.

 

   The column BYTE contains the physical bytenumber in the record in which this field is stored. Together with the basic variable this gives a programmer all information of the file structure, nessesary to write special programs using this file.

 

   The columns REF and W are always filled out with the file‑abbreviation, fieldnumber and W that indicates that the user has access to write in the field in question.


20.3.        Deleting a file and its definition.

 

   By the use of function 6 you may entirely remove from the system a file and all definitions attached to it.

 

   After having entered the file‑shortname the following screen‑image will appear:

 

 

Figure 41 Deletion of a file.

 

 D.M.S.     *   D A T A M A S T E R   *  6.....DELETION OF A FILE & DEFINITIONS  

                                                                                 

 FILE SHORTNAME ? VA ARTICLE FILE                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                           u      

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

 DELETE VA 0/EN.VAKA (Y/N) ?                                                      

 

 

 

    

and you have to confirm the deleting by answering Y or regret by answering N.

 

   If you answer Y the entire definition and all data in the file and all the space that was occupied by this is now free.  


                                                                            Figures

 

Figure 1  Systemübersicht...........................................................................................................................................................................   4

Figure 2  DATAMASTERS selector..........................................................................................................................................................   5

Figure 3  Creation of a new file...................................................................................................................................................................   7

Figure 4  Creation of a new file...................................................................................................................................................................   8

Figure 5  Disc number (lu) and no. of records..........................................................................................................................................   8

Figure 6  First page with help information................................................................................................................................................   9

Figure 7  Definition of the fields...............................................................................................................................................................   10

Figure 8  Key‑definition.............................................................................................................................................................................   13

Figure 9  Definition of special‑keys.........................................................................................................................................................   14

Figure 10 Generation of read/write for the reportgenerator..................................................................................................................   14

Figure 11 Creation of the file using automatic screen image................................................................................................................   16

Figure 12 File maintenance with user defined screen image................................................................................................................   17

Figure 13 Entering the fields.....................................................................................................................................................................   18

Figure 14 Activating the help‑function...................................................................................................................................................   19

Figure 15 Searching using secondaty index...........................................................................................................................................   20

Figure 16 Specification of a fieldnumber sequence...............................................................................................................................   21

Figure 17 Screen image with field‑checks...............................................................................................................................................   22

Figure 18 Tastaturbelegung DATAMASTER.......................................................................................................................................   23

Figure 19 SUPERINDEX search................................................................................................................................................................   24

Figure 20 Selection of fields by search....................................................................................................................................................   25

Figure 21 Selecting DATAMASTERs print functions.........................................................................................................................   26

Figure 22 One record on each page.........................................................................................................................................................   27

Figure 23 One record on each line (list)...................................................................................................................................................   28

Figure 24 Definition of a new report........................................................................................................................................................   28

Figure 25 Example of printout from the reportgenerator.......................................................................................................................   29

Figure 26 File maintenance with check‑codes........................................................................................................................................   30

Figure 27 Definition of check on code‑fields..........................................................................................................................................   30

Figure 28 Selection of file..........................................................................................................................................................................   31

Figure 29 Selection of a field.....................................................................................................................................................................   31

Figure 30 Entering of the legal ranges.....................................................................................................................................................   32

Figure 31 The help‑function for check‑code fields................................................................................................................................   33

Figure 32 Reference to a secondary file..................................................................................................................................................   35

Figure 33 File maintenance with user defined screen............................................................................................................................   37

Figure 34 Definition of a new screen image............................................................................................................................................   37

Figure 35 Building the screen image........................................................................................................................................................   38

Figure 36 Help‑function by screen image definition.............................................................................................................................   39

Figure 37 MODE 0 displays the field numbers.......................................................................................................................................   40

Figure 38 Copy screen images..................................................................................................................................................................   41

Figure 39 Deletion of a screen image.......................................................................................................................................................   41

Figure 40 Printout of a file definition.......................................................................................................................................................   45

Figure 41 Deletion of a file.........................................................................................................................................................................   46

 


                                                                            Keyword index

 


Checks............................. 6, 7, 17, 21, 22, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 44

CLEANUP........................................................................... 9, 43

Cost.......................... 10, 13, 16‑22, 24, 25, 27‑31, 33, 37‑40, 45

DATAMASTER................... 1, 4‑16, 19, 22‑26, 28‑31, 34, 35,

                                                                                       42, 43, 45

DL............................................................................................. 40

DMREAD................................................................................ 29

DRN..................................................................................... 4, 45

ESCape.................................................................................... 25

FND.......................................................................................... 15

Format.......................................... 6, 9‑11, 13, 14, 22, 23, 42, 45

IL.............................................................................................. 40

Interval.............................................................................. 33, 39

Layout............................. 5, 6, 11, 18, 20, 23, 26, 37, 39, 41, 44

LD............................................................................................. 40

LEN.......................................................................................... 45

LI.............................................................................................. 40

LPT..................................................................................... 26, 33

LU........................................................................................... 7, 8

MODE...................................................................................... 40

NIROS........................................................................................ 7

NOT........................ 5, 7‑9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20‑22, 24‑26, 29, 32,

                                                                      34‑36, 38, 39, 40‑45

Partition............................................................................... 7, 24

Password........................................................................... 29, 42

POS..................................................................................... 38‑40

Search................................................................ 5, 20, 21, 24, 25

Status............................................. 17, 18, 20, 23, 30‑32, 35, 38

STOP.................................................................................. 26, 27

SYSMOD................................................................................... 7

 



     [1]DATAMASTER uses the same shortname with lower‑case letters to identify a previous version of the same file.

     [2]The permission of discs may be made in consideration of the backup procedure.

     [3]Only discs entered in the system's DLU‑table are permitted.

     [4]CLEANUP might provide you with the needed space on the disk.

     [5]According to DMS.XSYS field 27, date of installation.

     [6]The password is ECAREE , where the E is entered with ctrl.E.

     [7]Password:MASTER

     [8]Due to the BASIC limitation for 1% variable max. 7999.