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AA-CL61A-XV

1984

26 pages

Original

2.7MB

Document:	Rainbow dBASE II Command and Reference Pocket Guide
Order Number:	AA-CL61A-XV
Revision:	0
Pages:	26
Original Filename:	http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/rainbow/AA-CL61A-XV_dBase_II_Pocket_Guide_1984.pdf

OCR Text

softWare

dBASE U!f.

An MS1 "'-DOS Application
for the Rainbow™
Command and Reference
Pocket Guide
Developed by:
Ashton-Tate, Inc.
10150 West Jefferson Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230

Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, MA 01754

First Printing

The software described in this manual is distributed
as part of Digital Equipment Corporation's Digital
Classified Software (DCS) Program. This program
enables software developers to submit their software
products to Digital for testing according to Digital
quality standards for third party software. This software product has met the DCS standard specified in
the software product rlescripfion (SPD) for this product. You should refer to the SPD for information about
these standards, the hardware and software required
to run this product, and warranties (if any warranty is
available).
The software described in this-manual is furnished
under a license and may only he used or copied in
accordance >¥ith the terms of that license. This manual is reproduced with the permission of Ashton-Tate,
Inc
Copyright@ 1984, by Ashton-Tate, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Except as may be stated in the SPD for this·product,
no responsibility is assumed by Digital or its affiliated
companies for use or reliability oft.his software, or for
errors in this manual or in the software. Additional
support and/or warranty services may be available
from the developer of this software product. Digit.al
has no connection with, and assumes no responsibility or liabilities in connection with these services.
This manual is subject to change without notice and
does not constitute a commitment by Digital.
dBASE II is a registered trademark o:f Ashton-Tate, Inc.
MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment
Corporation:

DIBOL

DEC
DECmate
DECnet
DECsystem-10
DECSYSTEM-20

PDP

DECwriter

RSTS

DEC US

MASSBUS

P/OS
Professional
Rainbow

RSX

VAX
VMS
VT
Work Processor
UNIBUS

EIMlll

Contents

Introductory Note . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . . . .

Conventions . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .

Typographical Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fiie Naming Conventions . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Field Naming Conventions . . . .. .. . . . . . .. .. . . .

1
1

Limitations • . . . .. . .. • .. .. . . .. . . • . • . . . . .. .. .
dBASE Doto Types • . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . • .

Cursor Movement and Control Keys . . . . . .

Full Screen Operation • . . . . • . • . . . . . • • . • . . . . . .
dBASE ff File Types • . • . • . • . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . •

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operotors Used for Data Manipulation • . . . . . • . •

Functions . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .

dBASE II Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Set Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Structured Programming Commands. . . . . .

l!!

Introductory Note
This Pocket Guide is designed to supplement the
dBASE II User's Guide and dBASE II Reference
Manual as well as the HELP file. The Guide has been
created to give you immediate access to information
vital to the operation of the dB ASE II program. Where
necessary, references to the dBASE II User's Guide
and Reference Manual have been placed in parenthe·
sis. 'G' (for Guide} indicates a reference to the User's
Guide; 'R' (for Reference) indicates a reference to the
Reference Manual. (Because the Reference Manual is
alphabetically ordered, page referrals for dBASE II
commands have been omitted.)

Conventions
Typographical Conventions
Lowercase

user-supplied information

UPPIHtCASF~

ex.plicit portions of dBASE II commands

[

... ]

optional portions of dBASE II
comrnands

user-supplied portions of dB ASE II
commands

File Naming Conventions
File names may be up to 8 characters lno spares)
long (See G2-2)

Field Naming Conventions
Field names may be up to 10 character;; \no spaces) long,
must stmt with a letter, hut can include digits and embed,
<led colons (see

Limitations
(See RB·l)

dBASE H Data Types

(See G2-3, Rl-5)
C

Chari:tcter data. Includes any printable console
(ASCII) character.

Numeric data !br calculation. Includes numbers.

Logical data. Includes Ys,T,t for True, or N,n,F,f
for Fabe

Cursor Movement and Control Keys
Full-Screen Operation (all modes):
For special controls used in conjunction with Edit,
Modify, Append, Create or Insen, see G2-:.l4, 2.;15
or fUS-1 5-fi.

dBASE II File Types
.PRG

command file

{See Rl-9,
G4-1)

.DBF

database file

(See Rl-7,
G2-2)

.FMT

format file

(See RJ-10,
G5-16)

.FRM

report form file

(See Rl·IO,
GS-44)

.MEM

memory file

.NDX

index file

(See R1-10,

.TXT

text mitput

(See Hl-10 .

Rl-9)

5-11)

Terminology
(See R6-1)
<commands> or
<statements>

auy valid dBASE command or
function

character string(s) In most
instances must be delimited with
single quotes (' '), double quotes
C'
or brackets ([ D

an <exp> whose contents is
defined as Character in type. May
be a
a memvar or field
with character content, or any
combination of thei,;e items and
operators.

any non--alphanumeric character
used i•OI deinarcat.e
e.g., single
quotes (' '), double quotes (" "),
brackets (f J), colons (: :), commas
{, ,), ek.

an item or group of items and
operators whose value can be
determined by dBASE IL <exp>s
may be defined as C, N, or L
depending upon the "type" of data
they contain.

a list of expmssions delimited with
commas.

<fie1d>

a record field name,

a list of field names delimited with
comma.A.
name of file you wish to create or

<file>

access.

name of index file you wish to
create or access.

<key>

the portion(s) of a databaRe file
used to create an index file.

the name of a memory variable.

list of memory variables delimited
with commas.
a number which cl.HASE II regards

<n>

as a literal value.
<numeric exp>

an <exp> whose content is defined
as Numeric.

<scope>

command option specifies range of

records dBASE II must treat in
executing command. <scope> has
three possible values: ALL records
in file; NEXT n records in iile;

and Rf<X'.ORD n. Default value
varies from command to command.
<skeleton>

allowi;; hat.ch manipulation of files

of same type and/or with matching
cstring in filename; allows batch
manipulation of groups of
<memvars> with matching cstring
in name.

Operators Used for Data Manipulation
(See G3-8, R2-10)

Logical Operators (listed in order of
precedence)
( )
.NOT.

parentheses fr1r grouping
not (unary operator)

.AND.

logical and

.on.

logical or

subsrr!ng logical op1m1tor

Adthmetic Operators (listed in order of
precedence)
parentheses for grouping

()

multiplication

division

addition
subtraction

Relational Operators
less than

greater than

equal to

<>or#

not f•qual to

Jes:; than or equal

than or equal to

String Operators

string concatenation

string concatenation blanks movc!d to fo.r
right

Functions
R2·1 ··· 2-9, G5·1 - 5-7)

deleted record function evaluates as a logiuil True if
current record is marked for deletion.

#
record pointer (a system menwry variable) stores the
number of the current record.
&
macro fonction permits the use of a <memvar> 's stored
value in a command lme. (<memvar>'s value must be a
'cs iring')

!(<cstring exp>)
upper case function converts all lower case characters to
upper case.

$(<exp>, <start>,. <length>)
function extracts the specified part of <exp>
from the given sl.arting position for the given length.
@(<cstring exp l>, <cstring exp 2>)
substring search function yields an integer value indicating
where the first string appears in the second.

CHR (<numeric exp>)
yields the ASCH charact(:r equivahmt of a. numeric
expression.
DATE ()
name of system variable containing the system dat.e
EOF
End.()f.f'ile function evaluates as a logical True when last
record of USE file has been surpassed.

FILE (<file>)
file function evaluates as a logical True if named file exists
on disk in use.

INT (<numeric exp>)
integer function truncates everything to the right of the
decimal to form an integer.
LEN (<cstring exp>)
length function returns the number of characters in the
specified
exp>.

RANK (<cstring exp>)
returns th~-i (ASCII numeric) value of the leftmost
character of <cstring exp>.

STR (<numeric exp>, <length>, [<decimals> J)
string function converts specified portion of <numeric
exp> into a c8tring.

TEST (<exp>)
test can be used to determine if an expression is valid.
TRIM (<cstring exp>)
trim function removes trailing blanks from spedfied
est ring .

TYPE (<exp>)
type function indicates data "type" of indicated <exp>.

VAL (<cstring exp>)
value function converts a cstring (composed of numerals)
into a numeric expres.<;ion.

dBASE fl Commands
?<ex.p>

evaluates and displays value of <exp>.

(See G2·23)

@<coord> [SAY <exp> [USING 'picture' JUG.ET
<var> [PICTURE 'picture']]
format console screen or print.er output.
(See 04-11, 5-13)

ACCEPT ['prompt'} TO <memvar>
prompts user to input cstring into specified <:memvar>.
Input requires no quotes. (See G4-10}
APPEND {BLANK]
add record(s) or blank, formatted record to database
file. (Sec G2-26)

APPEND FROM<file> fSDFl or
[DELIMITED ][FOR<exp>]
appends data from a database or system data format file
into database file in wie. (See G;~.26)

BROWSE [FIELI>S<field list>J
allows full screen "window" viewing and editing of
database file in use. (See G2·8)

CANCEL
aborts command file exerution.

CHANGE [<scope>} FIELD <list> [l<'OR <exp>j
permits selective editing of records by field.

(See G8·34)

CLEAR
"rest~ts" dBASE.

G4·20)

CONTINUE
continues a LOCATE command. (See G:3·42)
COPY TO <file> STRUCTURI•~ [FlF~LD <list> J
copies structure of file in use to dei:iignated file.
(;::j . 21)
COPY TO <file> [<scope> ]{FIELD <list>]
[FOR <exp>!
copie:; file in use to designated database file.

COPY TO <file> (·<scope>] [FlELD<:list>]
[SDFJ [DELIMITED [WITH <delimiter>]]
IFOR<exp>J
copies data from tile in use to file with designated name
and f()rmat.

G'.1-29}

COPY TO <file> STRUCTURE EXTENDED
creates a database file whose records represent the
structure of the file in use.
G:i.2:.l)

COUNT [<scope>J[Jt'OR <exp>JfTO <memvar>J
counts records that satisf~r' some condition. Default value
is all wcords. (See G:l-49)
CREATE [<file> j
initiates creation of database file.

(See G2-2)

CREATE <newfile> Jt'ROM <oldfile> l!~XTENDF~D
creates database file whose 5trudure is determined by the
data containl:'d in the records of the <okl!ile>. ltlse<l with
COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED.)
G:l-25)

DBJ_,ETF: I <scope> ![FOR <exp> I
G2-28)

marks specified records for deletion.
DEL~TE FILE <fHe>

deletes specified file.

(See G2-28

IHSPl,AY [<scope> !!<field list> J[J:i'OR <exp> ][OFF]
displays records of database file in use. (SeE~ G2- l 8)

DISPJ,A Y FILI~S [ON <disk drive>]
11,IKE <skeleton> l
diBplays files on disk. Default values: database files, lugged
drive,

G2-20}

DISPLAY MEMORY
displays current <memvars.>s.

G~l-71

DISPLAY STATUS
displays system information: e.g., system date, files open,
index fileti and keys, und all SET parameters.

DISPLAY STRUCTURE
displays structure of file in use.

(See G2-20)

EDIT [uj
initiates selective editing of datab~rne file in use.
(See G2· 7)

J<~.JECT

command!:> 1ninler to perform a form feed (eject page)

ERASE
dears console screen.

(See G4-17)

FIND <cstring>
locates first. record in indexed database file whose <key">
matches the specified <cstring>. (See G3-41)

GO or GOTO <n> or <TOP>, or <BOTTOM.>
positions to specific record or place in the database file in
use.
G4-20)

HELP [<command verb or other entry>]
aecesses Help File overview or specific Help File entry for
brief explanation of specified command mode, function,
etc.

INDEX ON <key> TO <file>
creates an index file for the database in use.

(See G;J<38)

INPUT ['prompt'] TO <memvar>
prompts user to enter <exp> into already named
<memvar>. (See G4-11)
INSERT [BEFORE][BLANK]
inserts a new record anywhere in database file.
(See G2- 26)

.JOIN TO <file> l''OR <exp> [FIELDS ·dist>t
creates new database file by merging records of files in use
in Primary and Secondary areas for which FOR <ex.p>
evaluates as logical True. (See G5-12)

LIST [<scope>J[<field list>][FOR <exp>J[OFF'J
lists records of file in use. (See G2-1:3)
LIST .FILES fON <disk drive> J[LlKE <skeleton>]
lists files on disk. Default values: Jogged drive, database files. (See G2-17)

LIST MEMORY
lists current <memvarR:>.

(See G::\-7}

LIST STATUS
lists system information e.g., system date, files open, index
files and keys, and all SBT parameters.

UST STRUCTUUE
displays structure of file in use.

(See G2-17)

LOCA'l'J<: (<scope>J[F'OR <exp>}
finds first record which satisfies specified condition. Use
Continue to reach next such record.
G;i.4:{)

MODIFY COMMAND <file>
calls <IBASE H's text edittir and bring1> up designated file
for modification. (See G4·2)
MODlFY STRUCTURE
allows structural modification of database file in

use.

Ga-JG)

NOTE or*

comroandc; dBASl<~ n not to read the rest of command
line. Used to insert programming comments in command
tiles.
G4-15}

PACK
eliminates records marked for deletion.

(See G2-29)

QUIT [TO <list MS-DOS level commands
or .COM files>}
terminates dBASE U and returns control tu operating
system. Optionally calls system level programs.
(See Gl-5)

RJ<;An
initiates full-screen editing of a formatted screen, and
accept.'> data into GET commands. (See G4-1~1)

RECAl.L f<scope>]fFOR <exp>l
reinstates records previously marked for deletion.
(See G2 29)

REINDEX
updates index files not in use during alteration of
corresponding database file.

RELEASJ<J [<memvar list> 1 or [ALLl or [ALL LIKE
<skeleton> J or ALL EXCEPT <skeleton>]
eliminates unwanted <memvat'$> from cu.rrent
memory. (See G;3·5)

R.KMARK
permits display of following characters. In command file is
u:;ed to output comment1; tn semen or print. (See G4-20)

RENAME <oldfile> TO <newfile>
permits renaming of file.

(See G4-20)

REPLACE [<scope>] <field> WITH <exp>
[,<fteld2> WITH <ex.p2> ... ][FOR <exp>]'
replaces the value of specified fields of specified records
with stat(~d values. (See G3-32)
REPORT !.FORM <filename>j[ <scope>][F'OR
<exp>J[TO PRINT]
generates or accesses existing Report Form File for output
of data in user-defined format. (See G:3·44)

RESET [<drive>]
reset MS-DOS after disk swap.

RESTORE FROM <file> [ADDITIVEJ
retrieves and activates <memvars> previously saved in
.MEM file. Deletes all current <memvars> unless Additive
option employed.

RETURN
t~rminates n command file and returns control to calling

file or interactive mode.

SA VE TO <file> [ALL LIKE <skeleton> J[ALL
EXCEPT <skeleton>]
saves all current idesignated) <memvars> to .MEM file.

SEI.ECT [PRIMARYJ or [SECONDARY]
switches between dBAsg H's primary and secondary work
areas. (See G4-191
SET
sei:: below for all SET commands.

SKIP [+/-n]
moves forward or backwards through t.lm records of the
file in use. Default value: +l, +n. (See G2-21)

SORT ON <key> TO <file> [ASCENDING] or
[DESCENDINGJ
creates a version of th<.! database file in use whose records
are arranged alphabetically or numericaHy according to the
information conudned in the field specified as the SOHT
Default value: ascending. {See G:3-36)
STORE <exp> TO <memvar>
computes the value of <exp> and stores it fA"l the
designated <memvar>. (See G:J-4)

SUM <fieJd list> [TO <memvar list> J l <scope>}
[F'OR <exp>]
computes and displays the sum nf numeric fields.

(See G3-50)

TOT AL TO <file> ON <key> [.FIELDS <field list>]
["FOR <exp>]
generates a summary version of an indexed or pre-sorted
database file which contains the totals of numeric fields
for records (in the use file) bearing the same <key>.
GCl-fi 1)

UPDATE FROM <filename> ON <key> [ADD <~field
list>} or [REPLACE <field list>]
allows batch update of file in use by drawing upon
information from designat~!d FHOM iile. (See G5-1 l)

USE <file> [INDEX <file list.>}
opens a database file and (optionally) engages desired
index fil(JS, (See G4-18)

WAIT [TO <memvar>]
suspends rlBASE II operation until a singie coni>ofo
character is entered; optionally stores the latter to a
designated <memvar>. (See G4-10)

Set Commands
(See GS-8)

The default value of each SET command of ON/OFF type
is indicated by order of presentation: 01''F/ON indicates
default value of OFF; ON/OF'F a default value of ON.

SET AL'fERNATE TO [<file>}
creates designated file (type .TX11) for saving screen
output to disk, Hepeated without !<file> J. doses .TXT file.

SET ALTERNATE OFF/ON
ON sends screen output to disc file created with previous
command; OFF shut!> off outpuL

SET BELL ON/OFF
ON rings hell when invalid data entered nr field
passed; OFF turns off bell.

SET CARRY OFF'/ON
When using APPEND (fuU.·screen), ON enters data from
last record into present record; OFF turns off function.

SET COLON ON/OFF
ON displays colons which delimit or bound input
variables; OFF hides colons.
Sl~T CONFIRM OFF/ON

ON waits for <return> before skipping to next field in
fulJ.screen mode; OFF skips to next field as soon as
present field is filled.

SET CONSOLE ON/OFF'
ON sends all output to screen; OFF suspends all output to
screen.

SET DATE TO <MM!DD/YY>
sets or resets system date,

SET DEBUG OPF/ON
ON sends output from SET ECHO and STEP to print;
OFF sends output to scre<m.

SET DEFAUI~T TO <drive>
commands dBASE ll to regard specified drive ag default
drive for all future operations.

SET DELETE:D OFF/ON
ON prevents dBASE; II from reading/processing any
record marked fr>r deletion following a command which
has <scope> as an option. OFF allows dBASE II to read
all records.

SET ECHO OJi'F/ON
ON allows monitoring of command fik el'.ecution by
echoing all commands to screen; OFF supprnsse11 echo.

SET E,JECT ON/OFF
ON cause!> Rf~PORT command to trigger a form-feed
(page eject) before sending report to print; OFF disables
the page eject.

SET ESCAPFi ON/OFF
ON enables user to abort command file execution by
hitting E8Cape key; OFF disabfos ESC key.

SET EXACT OFF /ON
ON requires exact match in any comparison between two
(e.g., in use of FOH <exp> or FJND command);
OFF allows matches between strings of different lengths.

SET :FORMAT TO [<file>]
accesses specified file (type .FMT) containing custom
made screen/print format for use in conjunction with
APPEND, EDIT, INSERT, etc.

SET I<'ORMA'f TO <screen/print>
directs output from format file to screen or printer.

SET HEADING TO <cstring>
saves <cstring> internally and insert:; it as REPORT
header line. (cstring limited to 60 chars.)
SET INDEX TO [<file list>J
sets up index files for use with corresponding database file.
First listed .NDX file will be engaged as the active index;
all other .NDX files will be automatically updated to
retiect any changes to the database file.
SET INTENSITY ON/OFF
ON enables inverse video or dual intensity during fullscreen operations (if hardware permits); OFF disables
these features.

SET l.INKAGE 01<'1<'/0N
ON enables simultaneous movement of record pointers in
both Primary and Secondary work areas in response to
commands whkh only permit downward movement
through a file (i.e., commands with <scope>}. OFF
susi;ends pointer linkage.

SET MARGIN TO <n>
sets left hand margin of printer to <n>.
SET PRINT Of'l_<'/ON
ON directs output to printer; OFF cuts off output to
printer.
SET RAW OFF/ON
ON LISTs and DISPLA Ys records without inserting
spaces between fields; OFF inserts an extra space
hetw1?en fields.

SET SCREEN ON/01"1''
ON enables foll-screen operation with APPEND, EDIT,
CREATE, etc. OFF disables full-screen operation.

SET STEP Ofl'F/ON
ON aids debugging of command files by halting execution
after performing each command; OFF disables STEP.

SET TALK ON/0.FF
ON displays results of commands on screen; OFF'
suppresses display of results.

Structured Programming Commands
DO <file>
accesses and executes a cr,mmand file (type .PRG).
(See G4-2)

DO CASE
CASE <expl>
<statements>
CASE <exp2>
<statements>

CASE <ex:pN>
<statements>

permits choice of one and only
one of several possible execution
paths, i.e., CASE <expl> through
CASE <expN>. \\'hen CASI<:;
<exp> evaluates as logically True,
the following statements and
commands will be performed.

OTHERWISE
<statements>

ENDCASE

OTHERWISE claust• for
alt~mat.e execution path is

optional. DO CASY.i structure
must be ttJrminated with
ENDCASE.

DO WHILE <exp>
<statements>

LOOP
<statementS>

END DO

IF <exp>
<statements>

EI.SE
<statements>

ENDHt'

opens a structured command
loop. The following commands
and statements will be executed
until <exp> evaluates as a logical
False. An optional portion of DO
WHILE, LOOP causes command
file to jump back and re-evaluate
DO WHILE <exp>. Structure
must terminate with
ENDDO. (Se.e G4-7)
permits conditional execution of
following statements and
commands. Optional ELSE
provides an alternate path of
execution. Structure must
terminate with FiNDIF.
(Sec~ G4-4)

TEXT
<any te.xt>

ENDTEXT

allows the output of text
information from a command file.
dBASE II will read everything as
text for output until it encounters
an ENDTEXT command.
(Sen G5-l3)

AA-CL61A-XV