Introduction to ENFORM

2 Using ENFORM—The Basics
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A session is the term that describes the period of time that you interact with ENFORM.
Basically, a conversational session (one where ENFORM specifications are entered a
line at a time) consists of the steps illustrated in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1. Example of Conversational ENFORM Session
Step You Enter
1. Start ENFORM and identify ENFORM $data.rept
the dictionary subvolume
2. Identify the data >OPEN parts, fromsup;
descriptions for the files
3.
Optionally, relate files to >LINK parts TO fromsup
form a new view >VIA partnum;
4. Specify formatting information >TITLE “Inventory” CENTER;
5. Specify information to be >LIST parts,
selected for the report >WHERE price LESS THAN 5000;
6.
Repeat versions of steps 4 and 5
until all reports are produced
7. End ENFORM session >?EXIT
The steps in Figure 2-1 are intended to give you an initial impression of how ENFORM
is used; they show that an ENFORM session consists of starting ENFORM and then
entering specifications: ENFORM statements, clauses, and commands. To illustrate
these ideas further, the following pages contain:
Description of different types of ENFORM queries.
An overview of the steps involved in producing a report.
A brief description of ENFORM specifications.
Examples of queries and reports.
This section describes only the most basic types of query specifications—those used in
the majority of queries. The “Using ENFORM to Produce Complete Reports” section
of this publication and the ENFORM Reference Manual contain more details.