Specifications

Printed Documentation
296
Since the software's database structure is compatible with dBASE III, III+ and IV
file structure, databases can handle up to 128 fields per record, over 4000 bytes
per record and more than 1 million records per file.
NOTE: When fields are displayed on the screen for purposes of editing or viewing,
only those fields that will fit in one window will be shown. Having a print out of the
structure of your dBASE fields will serve as a reminder of those fields not seen.
The data from these databases can be included in formats designed with the
software. A format field can be specified so that it contains the value from a
particular database field in a specified database. For each database that will be
used in this way, a particular field must be specified as the search field. When the
field's data is to be retrieved, the database is searched to find a record that
matches the desired value entered by the operator. A database record can also
be designed to contain a serial number value. The purpose of this, for example, is
to allow part number specific serial numbers, rather than format specific serial
numbers. To declare a field to be a serial number, you can design the structure to
have a numeric field with the desired length.
For retrieving a record in the quickest possible time, an internal database should
be used. This is an internally indexed file that allows for rapid search.
Also included under the database functions are the functions associated with
Serial Files. These files hold the data for a given format field that require unique
values for each format printed.
You will be asked to enter a new database name. An alphabetical listing of
current database files will also be displayed. Afterwards, you will be presented
with the Database Structure Creation screen. From here you need to define the
structure of the database.
The following options will allow you to define new fields for the database:
Add a New Field Sequent
Add a New Field SequentAdd a New Field Sequent
Add a New Field Sequentially
ially ially
ially - Will add the new fields in sequential order.
Insert a New Field
Insert a New FieldInsert a New Field
Insert a New Field - Will allow you to insert a new field in any order you wish.
For the above options, the database field definition screen will be presented.
Field Name
Field NameField Name
Field Name
The name of the field may be up to 10 characters long. The name must begin
with a letter but may also contain numbers and the underscore character.
Embedded blanks are not permitted. The field name can also be a Reserved
Word
Data Type
Data TypeData Type
Data Type