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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #1947)
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Information about “EZWIN”
EZWIN is a unique WYSIWYG dBase III window generator, allowing the user
to create windows (with text) and move them anywhere on the
screen. Change border designs and colors, and generate ready-to-run
dBase code.
EZWIN was designed to be intuitive, easy, and fast. The edit feature
is a simple line-editor for correcting mistakes and centering lines of
text within your window. The ability to move windows without retyping
all the SAY lines is one of the options that makes EZWIN a delight to
use. Reload your window in any position on the screen. The windows
generated can be called by, or merged into, any dBase III or dBase III
clone program you create.
EZHELP.TXT
EZWIN Version 1.2
E Z W I N
Version 1.2
(C) 1989 by Paul Jordan
EZWIN is a shareware product. You may feel free to make copies,
and pass them on to friends for their evaluation. If you make
use of this software, you are expected to pay a registration fee
of $20 to:
Paul Jordan
909 Marina Village Parkway (#112)
Alameda, CA 94501
*====================================================================*
OVERVIEW
*====================================================================*
EZWIN is a Window Generator for dBASEIII and dBASEIII clones.
Most Window Generators, or procedures, I have seen are too
complicated, too cumbersome, or too expensive. EZWIN was
designed to be intuitive, easy, and fast. The Windows generated
can be called by, or merged into, any dBASEIII or dBASEIII clone
program you create.
The 7 files that make up EZWIN are:
EZWIN.BAT, EZMAIN.EXE, EZWIN.DBF, EZCLEAN.BAT, DBFAST.EXE,
DBCLEAR.EXE and this help file, EZHELP.TXT
EZWIN can be operated from the distribution diskette or copied to
its own directory on your hard drive. To save typing path names, I
keep the EZWIN files in my dBASE directory. This allows running
EZWIN directly from the dot prompt, and seeing the results immediately.
In either case, as with all programs, it is prudent to make a backup
copy of the distribution diskette before doing anything else.
The instructions on the help screens included within the program
should get you started. As a matter of fact, I suggest you start
EZWIN and 'play around' with it for awhile before reading any
further. Just type: EZWIN.
*====================================================================*
MAIN MENU COMMANDS
*====================================================================*
The main menu contains the following options:
(H)elp (N)ew (E)dit (D)isplay (M)ove (C)lear (A)lter (S)ave
(L)oad (Q)uit
Detailed Instructions on each Menu Option follows:
-1-
EZWIN Version 1.2
(H)elp - Help presents instructions for each major menu
section.
(N)ew - New is the first option you will use. It creates your
Window. Windows are used to display instructions, warnings and
menus. A window, should be smaller than your overall screen.
How small, or large, is up to you. Experimentation is the key.
When you press (N)ew, a numbered inverse video line will be
displayed on the screen. Start typing your text. Anything will
do for a sample. When you have typed a few words, press <ENTER>
and start your next line. When you are finished, Type the '@'
symbol on the next blank line. It is located on the upper half of
the number 2 key. To type it, hold down your shift key, and
press the number 2. This signals EZWIN that you are finished with
the text part of your window and exits (N)ew.
EZWIN determines the width of your window by the longest line you
typed, and the length by the amount of lines. When you exit
(N)ew by typing the '@' symbol on a blank line, the window is
generated and automatically displayed in the center of the
screen. The default colors are Black Text on a White background.
The colors, and position of the screen can be changed quickly and
easily.
(E)dit - This feature is a simple Line-Editor, that allows you
to correct mistakes, and center lines of text within your window.
When you first enter the editor, you are in TYPEOVER mode, which
means that anything you type, will overwrite what is on the
screen. To enter the INSERT mode, press the Insert Key (Ins) on
your keyboard. In insert mode, anything you type (including
spaces), will push whatever is on the line to the right.
REMEMBER, that this is a line editor, and if you push characters
off the edge of the window, they are gone. Not to worry though,
EZWIN is so simple to operate, you can just re-edit and fix any
minor goofs. If you really get into a bind and want to add more
words than will fit, simply recreate the window.
(D)isplay - The display option will display, or re-display the
window after clearing the screen, or repositioning
(moving).
(M)ove - is one of the options that make EZWIN a delight to use.
How many times have you created a window by typing in all those
nasty little @..SAY statements, and then decided that you didn't
like the position it is in. With EZWIN you can re-load your
window and (M)ove it wherever you want. EZWIN will take care of
re-writing the @..SAY statements.
To (M)ove your window, use the Up, Down, Left, and Right Arrow
Keys. As the window moves, it will leave the original window
position displayed on the screen. This provides you with an aid
to line up, or overlap other windows in a series, such as in
several 'instruction' windows. As you become experienced with
EZWIN you will appreciate this feature. When you are want to
clean up the screen, simply press (C)lear and everything around
-2-
EZWIN Version 1.2
the window will disappear. When you have the window positioned
where you like it, Press (Q)uit and you will be returned to the
Main Menu.
(C)lear - clears the working area of the screen.
*====================================================================*
ALTER MENU
*====================================================================*
(A)lter - is one of the key features of EZWIN. It allows you to
Alter (change), the border style, and colors of your text and
background.
The options on the (A)lter menu are:
(H)elp - a quick on line help menu
(S)tyle of Border - allows you to change the border
style. For no border press 0, for a singleline border
press 1, and for a doubleline border press 2. Try them
all, and when your are finished press (Q)uit to return
to the ALTER menu.
(T)ext - This option allows you to change the color of
the Text in your window. Just press the letter (or
number) of the color you want. What you see is what
you get!. For those of you with Color Cards and
Monitors, the combinations are endless. If you have a
Monochrome system, your choices will be limited.
However, by utilizing regular and High Intensity White,
you will be able to produce a variety of Window
designs.
(B)ackground - allows you to change the background
color of your window. The menu is similar to the text
menu, except the color yellow is not represented. DOS
presents yellow as a RED when used as a background
color, and is therefore not used.
*====================================================================*
SAVE
*====================================================================*
(S)ave - When you press (S)ave, EZWIN asks if you would like to
add Menu Choices. If you answer (Y)es, EZWIN will ask you to
type in the numbers (or letters) you will use for Menu Choices.
When EZWIN generates your program it will generate an INKEY()
routine, fully error-trapped, to allow only your choices to pass.
Then all you have to do is write your IF..THEN, or DO CASE
statements to branch to other segments of your program.
If you answer (N) to Menu Choices, EZWIN will ask if you would
like a Pause generated. A Pause is useful when you are
presenting a series of Windows, and want the user to 'Press
AnyKey' to move on to the next one. If you answer (Y)es, EZWIN
-3-
EZWIN Version 1.2
will generate an INKEY() statement that will allow the pressing
of any key to continue in your final window.
If you do not want Menu Choices, or a Pause, EZWIN will just
generate a plain vanilla window, and it is up to your program to
decide what to do next.
EZWIN will then ask you for the filename you wish to save your
window under. Simply type a standard DOS filename (up to eight
characters) and press <ENTER>. You can also type in a question
mark (?) to list the directory of window files already on disk,
or just press <ENTER> to quit. EZWIN will warn you if you try to
save a filename that is already on disk and present you with the
following options:
(O)verwrite - Overwrites (erases) the old file with
the same name.
(L)ist the Directory to see what other windows are
present. This gives you the chance to rename your file.
(Q)uit - to return to the Main Menu.
(L)oad - EZWIN allows you to re-load any window files you have
already saved. This will allow you to change the borders,
colors, or move your window to a new position
(Q)uit - From the Main Menu Returns you to DOS. From other menus,
you are returned to the previous menu.
*====================================================================*
DESIGN TIP
*====================================================================*
If you wish to present several windows on the screen at the same
time, you can see what the final lay-out will look like by doing
the following. As you work on your first Window, move it to the
location desired and save it as A1. Now create your second
window, move it and save it as A2 or whatever. Do the same with
your third window, etc...etc...
To see what they will look on the same screen, simply (L)oad them
back in the same order. Then, if you are not satisfied with
the screen layout, load back the offending Window and
reposition it.
*====================================================================*
HOW TO USE THE WINDOWS IN YOUR PROGRAMS
*====================================================================*
There are 3 ways to use Windows in your programs.
1. Leave your Window programs exactly as generated. Then, call
them, as you would any dBASE program, by issuing a DO command.
Until you are satisfied with the exact wording, and location of
-4-
EZWIN Version 1.2
your windows, this is the suggested method.
2. Using your text editor 'Merge' them into your program where
you want them.
3. Use them in PROCEDURE files. If you choose this method, you
must add the line: PROCEDURE FileName - (where FileName is the
name of your window) as the first line of the window. Once
again, call it as you would any dBASE procedure with a DO
FileName.
*====================================================================*
TECHNICAL STUFF
*====================================================================*
EZWIN was compiled using the dbFAST compiler. The batch file EZWIN.BAT
loads the compiler engine DBFAST, runs the program EZMAIN.EXE, and then
unloads the compiler from memory returning the space used to your computer.
EZWIN saves three files for each window with the extensions .PRG,
.WIN, and .EZM. The .PRG file is the actual window you will
use. The .WIN (database) and .EZM (memory) files are working files,
and provided to allow you to re-load your windows for further work.
You do not need them in order to use the .PRG files. The .WIN file
holds the textlines of the window you created, and the .EZM file holds
the window coordinates and other variables needed for re-loading your
window.
When you are satisfied with your windows, the .WIN and .EZM files
can be erased from your disk. EZCLEAN.BAT is included on the
distribution disk to allow you to do this quickly and
easily. Simply type: EZCLEAN, and away they go to computer
heaven.
The EZWIN.DBF is needed by EZWIN to hold the textlines. If you accidently
trash it, the structure can be recreated using the CREATE command of
dBASEIII or the clone version you are using. It consists of 1 character
field named TEXTLINE, with a length of 79 and should be empty.
Structure for database: C:ezwin.dbf
Number of data records: 0
Date of last update : 08/13/89
Field Field Name Type Width Dec
1 TEXTLINE Character 79
** Total ** 80
*====================================================================*
WHAT THE EZWIN GENERATED WINDOW PROGRAM FILE LOOKS LIKE
*====================================================================*
The program (.PRG) file generated by EZWIN, looks like this:
* TEST.PRG generated by EZWIN (C)opywrite 1989 by Paul Jordan
-5-
EZWIN Version 1.2
SET COLOR TO N/W
@ 9, 24 CLEAR TO 13, 54
@ 9, 24 TO 13, 54 DOUBLE
@ 10, 26 SAY "This is a Sample Program"
@ 11, 26 SAY "file created with the EZWIN"
@ 12, 26 SAY "Program. <Press AnyKey>"
SET COLOR TO W/N
* EOF TEST.PRG
NOTE: The last line of an EZWIN generated window always resets
colors to White Text on a Black background. This is so the EZWIN
colors do not get passed to your program. If you do NOT want
White Text on a Black background, you must add a line with the
colors of your choice.
*====================================================================*
USING THE MENUCHOICE ROUTINE WHEN CREATING MENUS
*====================================================================*
An EZWIN window program used as a menu, and generated with Menu
Choices selected from the (S)ave option, looks like the following:
* SAMPLE.PRG generated by EZWIN (C)opywrite 1989 by Paul Jordan
SET COLOR TO N/W
@ 6, 23 CLEAR TO 16, 55
@ 6, 23 TO 16, 55 DOUBLE
@ 7, 25 SAY "===== SAMPLE EZWIN MENU ====="
@ 8, 25 SAY ""
@ 9, 25 SAY " 1. Add New Records"
@ 10, 25 SAY " 2. Find/Edit Records"
@ 11, 25 SAY " 3. Print Invoices"
@ 12, 25 SAY " 4. H E L P ?"
@ 13, 25 SAY " 5. Quit to DOS"
@ 14, 25 SAY ""
@ 15, 25 SAY " Press (1-5)"
SET COLOR TO W/N
keychoice = ' '
DO WHILE .NOT. keychoice $"12345"
keypress = INKEY()
keychoice = UPPER(CHR(keypress))
ENDDO
The characters after the $ sign in the Quotes, are those
added using the MenuChoice feature. The program will only
continue if the user presses one of those keys. It is up to
you to write your own IF..THEN or DO CASE statement to tell
your program what to do next. To use your menu Window simply
call it with a DO statement, and then write your CASE
selections. For example:
DO test
-6-
EZWIN Version 1.2
DO CASE
CASE keychoice = "1"
DO procedure1
CASE keychoice = "2"
DO procedure2
CASE keychoice = "A"
Do procedureA
etc...
(Add additional CASE statements as needed)
ENDCASE
If you decide to use the MenuChoice or Pause feature in EZWIN,
remember to SET TALK OFF and declare the variable 'keychoice'
public in your main program as follows:
SET TALK OFF
PUBLIC keychoice
*====================================================================*
USING EZWIN's PAUSE FEATURE
*====================================================================*
If you choose PAUSE when saving your EZWIN window, a simple
inkeys routine is generated at the end of your window,
which looks like this:
keypress = 0
DO WHILE keypress = 0
keypress = INKEY()
ENDDO
Any Key pressed will cause the program to continue.
*====================================================================*
FUTURE GOODIES
*====================================================================*
Plans for the next version of EZWIN include:
- Double Borders, with option to change Border Colors
- Neat looking Drop Shadows, for that 'professional' look
using the colors of your choice
- Expansion Feature to enlarge windows (or reduce them)
- Case Statement Generator which will allow EZWIN to be used
as a full-blown menu generator. (You won't have to write your
own CASE statements)
- Any other improvements suggested by users
That's All Folks! I hope you enjoy using EZWIN, and I urge you to
pass copies to your friends, associates, and favorite Bulletin
Boards. EZWIN is not a free program, and if you make use of it,
you are expected to send in your registration fee of $20.
Thank you.
Paul Jordan
-7-
EZWIN Version 1.2
----------------------------------------------------------------
I N V O I C E
Remit to: Paul Jordan
909 Marina Village Parkway, (#112)
Alameda, CA 94501
From: __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Contact: __________________________________
__________________________________
QTY UNIT PRICE TOTAL
_____ EZWIN Window Generator Vers 1.2 $20 ______
Note that EZWIN Software has been delivered and accepted by customer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
-8-
FILE1947.TXT
Disk No: 1947
Disk Title: Ezwin
PC-SIG Version: S1
Program Title: EZWIN
Author Version: 1.2
Author Registration: $20.00
Special Requirements: None.
EZWIN is a unique ``what you see is what you get'' dBase III window
generator utility that allows the user to create windows (with text) and
move them anywhere on the screen. It also allows the user to change
border designs and colors, and it generates ready-to-run dBase code.
EZWIN was designed to be intuitive, easy, and fast. The edit feature is
a simple Line-Editor, that allows you to correct mistakes, and center
lines of text within your window. The ability to move windows without
retyping all the SAY lines is one of the options that make EZWIN a
delight to use. With EZWIN you can re-load your window in any position
on the screen. The Windows generated can be called by, or merged into,
any dBASE III or dBASE III clone program you create.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk #1947 EZWIN >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To start program, type: EZWIN (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To print documentation, type: COPY EZHELP.TXT PRN ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #1947
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
DBCLEAR EXE 693 6-05-89
DBFAST EXE 83810 5-24-88
EZCLEAN BAT 85 8-14-89 8:34a
EZHELP TXT 20475 8-16-89 5:58p
EZMAIN EXE 56240 8-16-89 9:01p
EZWIN BAT 26 8-01-89
EZWIN DBF 66 8-16-89 7:03p
EZWIN12 EXE 113688 8-16-89 9:14p
FILE1947 TXT 1999 12-29-89 9:16a
GO BAT 38 1-01-80 1:37a
GO TXT 540 1-01-80 12:58a
READ ME 251 8-16-89 8:27p
12 file(s) 277911 bytes
37888 bytes free