Welcome to Coral Computer Services Looker!, a database viewer, editor and report generator. Looker! can open any standard *.dbf file such as Foxpro™, dBase™ and Clipper™ files. Need reports on your current system and don't have the capability of creating new ones? Use Looker! to open your database and create a new report, then send to a file, screen or printer. Need to make a "quick" change to a database? Open in the "Edit" mode and view your data in tables and change any information at will. Need to find some data in your database and don't have search capability? Open your database and use the search command to quickly locate data. Pull down-menus, on line help, mouse or keyboard access, and user-friendly screens are just part of the reason to register your copy of Looker! by Coral Computer Services, an Association of Shareware Professionals member. LOOKER! Entering the Looker! Shareware version will display a registration screen. This screen only displays upon entering the system and is not part of the registered system. Note that you may freely copy and distribute this version and use for a trial period of 30 days. The system contains pull-down menus that are at the top of the screen. The menus are selected with the mouse or you can hold down the ALT key and press the highlighted letter of the menu you want. You can move through the menus with the arrow keys, up/down/left/right; then select the highlighted letter or click with the mouse. An alternate way of selecting an item on a menu is with the shortcut keys that are listed to the right of any command so assigned. This means you do not have to use the pull-down menus at all, just press the key or combination of keys listed. The Carat '^' symbol stands for the CTRL key. Hold down this key and press the other. Then release both. When you enter the system, a screen will appear asking for the path and data name (filename) you wish to open. If you do not know the name or path, leave blank. You can open the system in the default mode which is VIEW ONLY. This mode allows you to see your data without worrying about changes you may accidentally make. This is recommended until you get used to the system. The EDIT mode allows you to open your database and make changes. These changes are saved AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THE FIELD. Be careful of changing your data. It cannot be returned to its previous unedited state. Selecting to open brings the database to screen in table format. If not found, a dialog box with Drive, Directory and Select database list. Scroll through the list until the database you want is found. The "All Files" option allows you to see the name of other files in your system. This utility can only read standard database files, with an extension of *.dbf. MENU DEFINITIONS Menus: Access Records, Edit, Utilities, System, Help and Browse Sub menus: Reports Looker! Access Records menu option: Top - Go to the first record in the database. Bottom - Go to the last record. Next - Go to the next record. Prior - Go to the previous record. Copy record - Make an exact duplicate of the current record including all data. Search - If your database does not have any indexes open, you can get a red dialog box saying "Database is not ordered". Ignore the error and a list of available fields to search on will appear. Cancel at this point will leave the Looker! utility. When using the search option, a dialog box will appear titled "Search for:" There will be a "Find" command with a blank line behind it. Type the desired data to be searched for. Example: Search for "B5632", a client identification number. Do not type the quotes. Next, beside the "In Field:" command there is a box with the available fields listed. Use your mouse to open the box by clicking on it, or tab to the box and press enter. Use your mouse or arrow keys to move through the available fields. Double-click or press enter on the field you want to search in. Example: CLIENT_ID. Select "OK" to continue the search or "Cancel" to quit the search. Looker! will search through all records in the database. A message will appear that it was found or not found. If a record match is found, the system will position the cursor on that record. Order - Change the sort order of any indexes that are available for your database. If your database does not have any indexes open, you can get a red dialog box saying "Database is not ordered". Ignore the error and a list of available fields to index on will appear. Cancel at this point will leave the Looker! utility. When using the index option, a dialog box will appear titled "Index Order" There will be a "Index Order:" command a box with the available fields to sort on (order on) listed. Use your mouse to open the box by clicking on it, or tab to the box and press enter. Use your mouse or arrow keys to move through the available fields. Double-click or press enter on the field you want to search in. Example: CLIENT_ID. Select "OK" to continue the search or "Cancel" to quit the index. Looker! will sort all records in the database. When you return to your table, the data will be sorted if the order specified. The order option will not permanently change the order of the records in your database. This is a temporary sort. Use this option when you want to view or report on your table in different order. Reports - Create, modify, print reports for your open database. You cannot create a report until a database is open. A message will appear so stating. When choosing Reports from the Access Records menu option, you will get a dialog box titled "Print Options". You will have four major selections within this option; i.e. Create report, Modify report, Printer setup and Print report. Create report - The option to create a new report from the currently opened database has two sub options. A report can be created in a form layout or a columnar layout. The form layout sets up the fields in your table from top to bottom, one wide. The columnar layout sets up the fields from left to right across the page with one record to a line and as many lines as you have. Choose which layout you want before selecting "OK". A dialog box will appear with a listing of reports already created identified by the ".FRX" extension. The Drive and Directory boxes also appear. You can create your report on any available drive and in any directory. The default is the current drive and directory. Tab to the popup box and open with enter or mouse double-click to change the defaults. The "All Files" box changes the listing in the Report form box to view all available files, not just reports. When you create a report, it will overwrite a report of the same name. If you do use the same name, a message will appear asking if you want to write over the old one. You can choose to do so or say no and return to enter a new name. You will have eight (8) characters to name your report following DOS standards. Do not use any extension. The system will automatically add the ".FRX" it needs to identify a report created through it. If you wish to write over a report with the same name, choose from the Report form box by tabbing to it or double click with the mouse or type the exact report name. To use a new name, type the name in the empty box without any extension. The system will create a "Quick Report" in the layout chosen and a new Report menu will appear. You can use this report as is or make changes. See the section on Creating Reports at the end of this manual. ESC or click on the small box to the left of the report layout window will take you out save the report for you. If you have made any changes to the report, you will get a message "Discard changes?" If you say no you will be returned to the report layout window. In order to save changes you must click on the box to the upper left of the report layout window or press 'CTRL W' (hold down the CTRL key and press the W while holding it down.). Modify report - The option to modify a report is similar to Create report. A dialog box will appear with a listing of reports already created identified by the ".FRX" extension. The Drive and Directory boxes also appear. You can modify any report on any available drive and in any directory. The default is the current drive and directory. Tab to the popup box and open with enter or mouse double-click to change the defaults. The "All Files" box changes the listing in the Report form box to view all available files, not just reports. When you modify a report the report will appear in the editing window. The Report menu option will appear. After making your changes you can ESC to cancel your changes. In order to save changes you must click on the box to the upper left of the report layout window or press 'CTRL W' (hold down the CTRL key and press the W while holding it down.). Printer setup - A default, generic printer driver is included with this system. More drivers are available in the Registered version and you can then setup fonts, sizes, etc. Print report - Use current, report or no printer driver. In conjunction with the Printer setup, reports can be printed with different drivers. Using the current or no driver uses the default printer driver included with your system. Quit - Leave the Looker! system. Looker! Edit menu option: Cut - Remove the data in the currently selected field. Copy - Copy the data from the currently selected field into a temporary buffer. Paste - Copy the data in the temporary buffer to the currently selected field. Clear - Remove data without saving. Select All - Highlight all the data in the current field for selection. Especially useful for "memo" fields that contain a large amount of data. Quit - Leave the Looker! system. Looker! Utilities menu option: Construct Index - Rebuild the indexes that are open for the current file (if any). Pack - Remove deleted records and rebuild the indexes that are open for the current file (if any). Quit - Leave the Looker! system. Looker! System menu option: Registration - View and/or print the registration form for the Looker! package. Calculator - A utility for mathematical calculations. The Calculator selection on the menu is used like a standard pocket calculator. Calculations are performed using the keyboard or the mouse. Calculator keyboard equivalents: Keystroke Equivalent ----------------------------------- Q _ R MR N ± A M+ Z MC S M- C Press once to erase current value, twice to erase current calculated value and operator. MC Clears stored number from memory. MR Restores number from memory. M+ Stores a number in memory or adds to number in memory. M- Subtracts from number in memory. Calendar/Diary - A utility that displays the current date and allows entries into a diary for calls, meetings, etc. You can move forward or backward through the days, months and years. The Calendar / Diary appears with the current month displayed and today's date selected. You can click on or tab to the Diary and write notes or appointments for the currently selected date. This dialog contains these options: <  M > < M  > Changes month backward and forward. <  Y > < Y  > Changes year backward and forward. < Today > Selects today's date. Diary panel is a text region—use standard text editing techniques. Delete menu option Displays Delete Diary dialog to clear entries. Puzzle - A tool to help you learn to use your mouse and have fun while doing it. The Puzzle included with the system will help you become familiar with the movement of the mouse. Shuffle the numbers, then click to move to an empty square to put the numbers in order. The arrow keys can also be used to play the game. Relax and unwind, but don't let the boss catch you! Choose the Shuffle push button to scramble the numbers, then click on one number at a time to move it to the adjacent empty square. You're a winner when the numbers are in order. To cheat, press Ctrl+End. The puzzle is solved. About - Information about Coral Computer Services and the Association of Shareware Professionals. Quit - Leave the Looker! system. Looker! Help menu option: Help - Information about the Looker! utility and its uses. Select a topic and receive helpful information about the topic. The Help window consists of two panels—one lists help topics and the other displays details about each topic. To select a topic in the Help window:  Scroll through the topics to find the one you want, or  Type a letter or series of letters to select the first topic beginning with those letter(s). To see details about a topic:  Select the topic and choose the Help push button, or  Select the topic and press Enter, or  Double-click on the topic with the mouse or the Spacebar. To return to help topics list, choose the Topics push button. To see information about the next topic, choose the Next push button. To see information about the previous topic, choose the Previous push button. Online Manual - This helpful information about the Looker! utility. Looker! Browse menu option: Change - View your database in another format. The two formats are table view and record view. Table view is a listing of many records with fields from left to right. Record view shows one record at a time with the fields displayed top to bottom. Grid Off/On - Eliminate the visual lines between fields. Data is still separated but appears continuous. Unlink Partitions - If partitions are linked - unlink. Change Partition - Change the division of records. Size Field - (Table view) Use this option to display more or less of any field by moving the size with the arrow keys after selection. Can also be accomplished with the mouse by click and drag on the vertical grid line that separates fields at the top of the screen. Does not alter data in any way, only the appearance of the data. Move Field - Use this option to move the selected field by using the arrow keys. Can also be accomplished with the mouse by click and drag on the selected field. Reissue Partition - Same as size field. Goto - Quickly move to any record in the database as well as top, bottom, next and prior. Seek - Locate a record. Toggle Delete - Mark record for deletion. In a database, a record remains within the table until the "PACK" command permanently removes it. Toggle delete a second time to recover the marked record. Note the appearance of a "." to the left of the deleted record. Can also be accomplished with a mouse by clicking at the left most of any record. Append Record - Add a blank record to the current database. Will always be added to the bottom (end) of the database. You can then type into any field. REGISTRATION: The registration fee for this utility is $25. There is no charge for shipping or handling. Pennsylvania residents must add state tax. A registered copy of the program will be sent upon receipt of the registration form and your check or money order. A registered copy gives you access to all future versions, telephone support, printed manual and more. EMail Coral Computer Services at CompuServe @73551,3066 with any questions or call (717) 852-8021. SHAREWARE STATEMENT DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details—some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee—if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of LOOKER! must accept this disclaimer of warranty: LOOKER! is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of LOOKER!." LOOKER! is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using LOOKER! and continue to use LOOKER! after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $25.00 to Coral Computer Services. The $25.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of LOOKER! must register and pay for their copies of LOOKER! within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Coral Computer Services. Commercial registration cost is $100.00 for a single-use license. Anyone distributing LOOKER! for any kind of remuneration must first contact Coral Computer Services at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering LOOKER! immediately (However Coral Computer Services must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of LOOKER!.) You are encouraged to pass a copy of LOOKER! along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the LOOKER! system. Non-registered users of LOOKER! may still take advantage of the reference materials in the LOOKER! system by viewing and/or printing the on-disk manual. CREATING REPORTS: To create a new report, click on the Create report option. Select either Form or Columnar layout. Columnar makes a list report. A dialog box will appear asking you to choose the Report form (name), Drive and Directory of your new report. Reports can be created in any directory by changing the selections. Enter a new name for a report and select OK to continue or cancel to quit creating a report. The system will create a "Quick Report" that is a sequential placing of the fields in the open database. Data fields will appear on the Detail line. Date and Page Number will appear on the PgFoot line. Field Titles are also placed at the PgHead level. These can be moved or deleted. If Columnar was chosen the fields will appear horizontally across the screen. Otherwise the fields will appear vertically. The report creation screen will be in "move" mode, allowing you to select any field and drag to a new position. The Report pull-down menu will appear with all report options listed. Note that Quick Report was the last option on the menu. The Page Layout command brings up a dialog box where you set the Page length, margins and other options. At any time you can quit with the cancel button or continue with OK. Choosing Options from the Page Layout dialog box allows the setting of page ejection, suppresses headers (plain page), makes a summary report (suppress detail lines), suppresses blank lines in the detail band. The Alias option is used only when multiple databases are used to create a single report. See your technical support representative if you need complex reports. Select OK or cancel when finished. Page Preview shows your report on screen. If your cursor is on the Page Preview screen and you press F1, the following help will appear: Data Grouping is used to make summary breaks within a report Groups can be added, changed or deleted. This is an advanced feature and you may need technical help on this option. When you add a group, you may choose to have the group start on a new page, swap header/footer, reprint the header at a group break, or reset the page number. Experiment with the different options and page preview to see how they affect your report. The Title/Summary command allows you to Title and/or summarize a report. You can start the Title or Summary on a new page. When chosen, a band similar to the PgHead and PgFoot band will appear. The Variables command, Bring to Front and Send to Back are advanced features not used in simple reports. Box, Add Line, Remove Line and Center are self-explanatory. Group and Ungroup allows you to select multiple fields at one time for deletion or moving. Use shift and click to select individual fields and make a group. The Text command allows you to type text directly on your report for changing Headings, etc. DO NOT CHANGE FIELD NAMES ON THE DETAIL LINE OR YOUR INFORMATION WILL NOT BE FOUND FOR THE REPORT! The Field command is the mainstay of creating reports. When your quick report is created, some fields may not appear that you want on your reports. They are selected through this command. The following screen appears: TO DELETE FIELDS FROM A REPORT: Deleting fields from a report is simply a matter of selecting by a click of the mouse and pressing the delete key. TO ADD FIELDS TO A REPORT: Note the Database box that lists the current open databases that can be used in this report. If there is more than one database open, select the database you want the field information to come from. Note the field names will change according to the database selected. Scroll through the list to find the field name you want to have appear on your report. Variables are not used in simple reports. Click OK and you will be returned to your report screen with the field selected appear at the place your cursor was. Move field to desired location. The Math, String, Logical and Date boxes are not used in simple reports. These options are used to build an Expression (computer condition) used to select records for your report. A simple expression would be: MATH EX 1: Printing the largest value contained in the Adfile of the Advertising database in the COST field in a report on the summary line: MAX(ADFILE.COST) STRING EX 2: Printing the Company name while cutting off all leading and trailing spaces and adding one space and then the Company2 name behind it in a detail line of a report would be: ALLTRIM(COMPANY) + " " + ALLTRIM(COMPANY2) LOGICAL EX 3: Printing all memberid numbers that are higher than 250 (remember that memberid is not a numeric field and must be changed to one): VAL(MEMBERID) > 250 DATE EX 4: Printing all records with a date field that matches a particular date such as June 1, 1993. Date field must first be converted to a date with the CTOD command. CTOD(DATEJOINED) = {06/01/93) Coral Computer Services Looker!