DataPage Maker(tm) : a Web DataPage creation utility. ============================================ DataPage Maker (DPM), Version 1.4.1, does the following: a. DPM transforms information, which is resident in a Microsoft(r) Access(tm) database, into text files called DataPages. These text files are formatted to function as HomePages on the World-Wide Web (WWW) and consist of HyperText Markup Language (HTML) that encapsulates the data extracted from tables in the selected database. (1). DataPages are indented lists of ordered database records (2). DataPages contain a hyperlinked record index at the top (3). DataPages have checkboxes* to highlight specific records (4). DataPages are hyperlinked to other DataPages to turn pages (5). DataPages explode foreign keys* to provide greater details * features activated in the Professional Version b. DPM operates on 386/486/Pentium class PC, using Microsoft (MS) Windows(tm), Version 3.1 or Windows 95(tm). DPM performs the best with at least 8 Megabytes of RAM. The DataPage Maker is written in Microsoft's Visual Basic(tm) 4.0 and requires Visual Basic's Run- Time executive, which is included in the distributed zip file set of DPMx.ZIP. DPM.ZIP has VB Run-Time & the MS Jet Engine(tm) (VB40016.DLL & MSAJT200.DLL), while DPM1.ZIP has just VB Run-Time (VB40016.DLL), and DPM2.ZIP which has only the minimium executable file set (DPM.EXE). Special Note ============ The Professional Version of DataPage Maker creates multiple DataPages for larger database tables (with hyperlinked push buttons on the top & bottom of each datapage) and also provides a Web Forms feedback capability (feedback to the data provider) through utilization of checkboxes, with 'Submit' and 'Reset' buttons. General Introduction ==================== DataPage Maker utilizes Microsoft's Visual Basic 4.0, Access 2.0 databases, and MS Jet Engine 2.5. Limitations of DataPage Maker Version 1.4.1 are: Twenty (20) Tables per Database -- fifteen (15) screen visible. Twenty (20) Fields per Table -- fifteen (15) can be SELECTED to be visible. (a new feature) 50,000 Records per Table (excess ignored) -- greater Record Numbers can be accommodated by custom release of the Professional Version. DataPage Maker assumes target databases follow design guidelines of Microsoft's Access 2.0/7.0 (databases with the 'MDB' file extension). Once a Database is selected, a single Table must be selected from the list of possible Tables within that Database. The Foreign Keys within that Table (keys that are Primary keys in other Tables), may be used to provide additional details to the keyed fields -- if that option is selected. Sequence of Operation ===================== 1. Select a Database. Using the Database File Selection window upon startup, select both the Disk Drive & Directory containing the database file, as well as the specific database File Name (of File Type MS Access with an 'MDB' extension). Once selected, press the "OK" button. 2. Start Section. Activate Start button and wait until the Database Table Names are displayed in the 'Select Table' section. The delay is due to the collection of Table & Field statistics. You may select a Table prior to pressing the Start button if you know the number of the Table in advance. You may also select the Fetch Key Data checkbox, as well as the Display Page Index checkbox. <> If the Database Path and Name in the boxes at the top-left of the screen are correct, begin the process by pressing the Start Button. There will be a delay, while vital database statistics are being collected. After this delay, the database Table Names will be listed and you will be required to select one of the tables. Watch the color of the lights by each of the command buttons to guide your flow sequence through this process. The Green Light near the 'Extract Data' button will indicate when it is time to proceed. <> In the Foreign Key Data section of the screen, there is a Fetch Key Data checkbox. When checked, data such as Part Number (which is a Key or Index into another Table which contains the Name of the Part, the Price, etc.) is exploded into many details about that Part Number. It is not necessary to check the Fetch Key Data button, unless there is a need to see some cross-table relationships. Fetching Key Data is expensive in terms of time to explode the data and in the number of bytes in a DataPage. <> In the Directory of Records section of the screen, there is a Display Page Index checkbox. When checked, each DataPage will contain an indexed list of the Record ID's that are to be viewed below (on that page). The Page Index is very handy because one may jump (hyperlink) into the middle of records, right to the desired record. When desired, you may jump back to the top of the Page Index to scan for the next desired data. There is a small expense in this feature, some process time and some additional amount of increase in bytes per DataPage. 3. Select Table Section. When the Green Light is illuminated by 'Extract Data' button, select the desired Table by clicking one of the radio buttons in the Select Table Section -- if you haven't already done so. Data from this selected Table will be utilized throughout the DataPage(s). <> There is a way process each Table in Database (one at a time) and eliminate some (not all) of the overhead of a complete run. Once you select a Table and let the "Extract Data" button builds the support files (Tab_xx.DAT, where xx=table number), you will not be required to press the Extract Data button for the next Table. To over-ride the non-Green Light Status of the DataPage button, one simply needs to select the radio button right on the "DataPage" button. This selected radio button authorizes you to bypass Data Extract -- assuming the data in the LAST FULL RUN of the DataPage Maker is still current data. 4. Extract Data Section. Data records are pulled from the Fields of the selected Table. Support files are built for the DPM system and remain valid for the next run, as long as the selected Database remains the same and as long as the Table Data does not change. (see <> above) << Extract Data Button>> Once the desired Table has been selected, the 'Extract Data' procedure retrieves applicable records from the database and stores the data, in preparation for the addition of HTML characters. Database information must be encapsulated in HTML in order to be displayed on the WWW. If the amount of the data is too large for one WWW DataPage, the necessary number of DataPages (max = 99) will be created (featured only in the Professional Version). 5. DataPage Section. The extracted data is packaged in an HTML wrapper and placed into a DataPage. During this process Foreign Key data is exploded if the Fetch Key Data checkbox is checked and a Directory of Records is assembled if Display Page Index is checked. <> DataPage Maker creates a minimum of three (3) files within the same directory that the SOURCE database (*.MDB) file exists. The files are named dxxyyyzz, where xx = is the DataPage Page Number, yyy = the first three letters of the Database Name and zz = the sequential Table Number, within that database. The file named dxxyyyzz.htm is an HTML DataPage displayable on WWW. The companion files are named dxxyyyzz.jpg, which is the logo displayed at the top of each DataPage, and 'dp.jpg', which is the 'turn-page' graphic. Example: The 4th Page of data from the 2nd Table, of a database named 'prices.mdb', is labeled 'd04pri02.htm', and the companion files are labeled 'd04pri02.jpg' and 'dp.jpg'. 6. Stop Section. There is very little else that needs to be done when the Green Light is illuminated by the "Stop" button. Clicking this button simply closes down all files & forms in a graceful fashion. This close-down may be accomplished at any time during this process -- realizing that recovery is possible only by a re-start. <> Make note the Database Path (upper left-hand portion of the screen) and especially the DataPage Name (listed directly below the 'Stop' button). This information is required when you display the DataPage on a Web Browser. 6. Viewing Data within Selected Table. The Data Control slider bar on the right-hand side of the screen, is associated with the selected Table. Data from a maximum of fifteen (15) Fields may be viewed by use of the slider bar. Forms ===== The Professional Version of DataPage Maker has a Forms 'Submit' and 'Reset' capability with checkboxes built into each DataPage, to permit the user to select specific data records by marking the checkboxes and submitting those marks, via E-Mail, back to the owner of the database. Two things must occur in order to activate this feature: (1) the destination E-Mail address must be specified so the submitted Forms may be sent to the desired location and (2) a CGI Script should be implemented on the Web Server which is home to the database owner. HTML Specifics ============== The DataPage Maker produces a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) file, appropriate for display of WWW DataPages, representing one (1) Table (Entity) from the source Database. The maximum size of a HTML DataPage is approximately 60,000 bytes and DataPages that approach this maximum size are truncated. The number of DataPages that will be generated for each database Table is dependent upon the disk space available and less than a total of 99 DataPages. (only the Professional Version of the DataPage Maker produces more than 1 DataPage per Table). Questions, Problems, and Comments =========================== Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, non-credit card orders, etc. must be directed to Entity Master System. Another way to communicate with us, is to visit our HomePage on the WWW. Visit us at http://www.entity-master.com/e-m.htm to record problems, get the latest news, products, & advisories. You can also Register on-line and download DataPage Maker over the Internet. We encourage you to Register your DataPage Maker shareware. To insure that you get the latest version, PsL notifies us on the day of your order and we ship the product directly to you. [ Reference PsL Product #14431 ] Contact ======= You may contact Entity Master Systems by mail: c/o Dave Fashenpour, 714 Regency Court, Friendswood, TX 77546; or by phone at 713-996- 0819. You may send E-Mail to either: 76461.2413@compuserve.com or ems@entity-master.com -- but best of all, visit our HomePage at: http://www.entity-master.com/e-m.htm. Product Registration ==================== We have contracted with Public (software) Library (PsL) to process any orders that you may wish to place with your valid MC, Visa, Amex, or Discover cards. Reference PsL Product #14431. PsL may be contacted via any of the following methods: Voice: 800-242-4775 (7 a.m.- 6 p.m. CST, except Friday afternoons). FAX: 713-524-6398. E-MAIL: 71355.470@Compuserve.Com. You may also mail credit card orders to PsL, P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235. THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY. THE PROGRAM AUTHOR CANNOT BE REACHED AT THE ABOVE NUMBERS. Reasons to Register =================== When you Register with PsL, you will receive the full set of DPM diskettes, which contains the DataPage Maker Professional (PRO) Version and user documentation. As a registered member you will receive individual assistance with difficulties you may experience and you will also receive bug-fixes and features-update notifications, as they occur. E-Mail Customization ==================== To set your own E-Mail address, in order to receive comments from DataPage users, do the following: 1) Begin with a Green Lite on 'Start'. (but don't press button yet) 2) Replace 'Database Path' (at the top left of the screen) with your E-Mail address followed directly by '@@@'. (For example, if your address is 'ems@entity-master.com', then enter 'ems@entity-master.com@@@') 3) Press the Start button. (Database Path will be reset automatically & your E-Mail address will be permanently stored.) Help with Error #3356 ================ DataPage Maker Version 1.4.1, cannot open databases exclusively. If you experience 'Run-Time Error 3356' that states 'You cannot open this database exclusively', an easy fix is to change the status of the file. A file status of 'Read Only' can be corrected at the DOS level by typing 'attrib -r'. + (c) 1996 Entity Master Systems, All rights Reserved DataPage Maker(tm) -- Trademark of Entity Master Systems Microsoft(r) -- Registered Trade Name, Microsoft Corp. Access(tm) -- Trademark of Microsoft Corp. Visual Basic(tm) -- Trademark of Microsoft Corp. Jet Engine(tm) -- Trademark of Microsoft Corp.