Addendum to dBMAN Tutorial #3 Setting up a 'development' disk ------------------------------- Once you have tentatively decided on which text editor you will use for your dBMAN programming, the next step is to configure a programming disk. Format a fresh disk and set your resolution to medium for color systems. Set your icons and windows as desired. At this point you have some choices to make depending upon the type of system you have. Let's assume you have a basic 520 ST with one single-sided drive (this being the most limiting case). While things will be tight, you can still develop small to medium size database programs even with this limited disk space! Let's look at two alternate set-ups for a 'stock' ST. ST Writer set-up ---------------- First copy the following files from your dBMAN source disk, File Name Size in Bytes -------------- ------------- DBMAN.TTP 195002 (Ver. 2.00) ERR.DAT 5137 Next copy the ST Writer source program (Ver. 1.07 or later), File Name Size in Bytes -------------- ------------- STWRITER.PRG 35456 (Ver. 1.07) For a single sided disk (357,376 bytes), the above minimal configuration provides 121,781 free bytes for your programs and database files. What you are missing are the error help files (ERRHELP.DAT), general help files (HELP.DAT), and the report writer creation file (RPRTI.DBM) for dBMAN. The report writer file can be added at a cost of 2485 bytes, but you need not keep it on your disk once you have created the desired report form file if such a file is required by your program. The help files are probably not required as long as you have your manual (and these tutorials) close by. 1ST Word set-up --------------- First copy the following files from your dBMAN source disk, File Name Size in Bytes -------------- ------------- DBMAN.TTP 195002 (Ver. 2.00) ERR.DAT 5137 Next copy the following 1ST Word files, File Name Size in Bytes -------------- ------------- 1ST_WORD.PRG 84603 (Ver. 1.04) 1ST_WORD.RSC 14870 For a single sided disk, the above configuration provides 57,764 free bytes for your programs and database files. In comparison to the ST Writer set-up, it's obvious the added features of the GEM based 1ST Word comes at a price (64,017 bytes of free memory for your programs and database files). The report writer file (RPRTI.DBM) can be added at a cost of 2485 bytes, as required. Installation of a System Clock ------------------------------ If you do not have a system clock installed in your ST, you may also want to create an AUTO folder containing one of the set time/date utility programs. This will put the proper time/date stamp on your programs each time you create or revise a file. I use the following public domain files, Listing of A:\AUTO\ HIGH.PRG ;Sets display to medium resolution SETTMDAT.PRG ;Time and date utility These files are available on the May/June '86 edition of the HASTE Elektric Letter. They will require an additional 14213 bytes. Installing the text editor -------------------------- Regardless of which editor you choose, you should consider using the 'Install Application' feature of GEM to make program development more convenient. Follow these steps, STEP 1: Click on the text editor program icon. STEP 2: Move up to the desktop menu bar and select the drop down menu 'OPTIONS'. Click on the 'Install Application' item. STEP 3: When presented with the Install Application dialog box, specify a document type of 'CMD'. Next click on either the box marked GEM or TOS depending on whether your text editor is GEM based or not. In the case of 1st_word we would click on GEM, while for STWRITER we would select TOS. STEP 4: Click on the OK box to complete the installation process. STEP 5: Save the desktop using the OPTIONS menu so that your desktop setup and editor will be pre-installed next time you boot your disk. When the above procedure is completed, you can simply double click on the command file icon (or name) that you want to edit. This will automatically invoke your text editor, and open your text file for editing. For 1st Word this means that we are able to bypass the file selection box, and for STWRITER we bypass having to load our file from the main menu. Of course this convience only applies to files being revised or added to. To create a new file, double click on the text editor program icon and follow the program's normal procedure for creating a new file, being certain that the file extender is specified as 'CMD'. A variation of the above procedure would be to install dBMAN.TTP as the application rather than your text editor. To do this, click on the dBMAN.TTP file and in Step 3 select the TOS-takes parameters box. Save your desktop. Now when you double click on a command file, it is automatically executed by dBMAN. Of course editing becomes somewhat less convenient. Variations with More Disk Space ------------------------------- Those with double sided drives or a hard disk can include the dBMAN files ERRHELP.DAT, and possibly the general help file HELP.DAT to provide more convenience in your programming endeavors. For those using 1st Word, consider adding the print files 1ST_PRNT.PRG and 1ST_PRNT.DOT. These files will allow you to print out hardcopies of your programs for further study off- line. Likewise, ST Writer users might consider including the XYZZX.DAT configuration file if you want to printout your programs on paper.