*DBASE 
    HELP TEXT FILE DBASEMSG.TXT SHORT FORM VERSION 1.13 FOR dBASE II v2.4
                Copyright 1983 Ashton-Tate and RSP, Inc.

        written by Wayne Ratliff, Jim Taylor, and Howard Dickler

                         INTRODUCTION
     
     This entry is intended to give you on-line information about your dBASE 
II  Database  Management  System.   It  explains the  disk  files  you  have 
received,  and  gives suggestions on tapping the power now available to  you 
for  data  management.   Using  the on-line HELP in  conjunction  with  your 
Manual,   you will soon be creating databases and writing command procedures 
to do your work. 

THIS  FILE IS A SHORT VERSION DESIGNED TO FIT ON DISK FORMAT WITH 
LIMITED  SPACE  AVAILABLE.   THE  FULL FILE  HELP.TXT  SHOULD  BE 
RENAMED  TO DBASEMSG.TXT IF YOU MOVE YUOR DBASE SYSTEM TO A  DISK 
DRIVE WITH GREATER CAPACITY.



                    >>>>> type any key to continue <<<<<


                       HOW TO USE THE 'HELP' FACILITY

     Information about your dBASE  II  system can be obtained by typing 
HELP and any of the following key words: (e.g. HELP NEW )

          UTILITIES      FULL-SCREEN    LIMITS    BACKUP  
          INSTALL        NEW            ERRORS    CP/M
          EXAMPLES       FUNCTIONS      DBASE     HELP       RUNTIME
               (or any dBASE II command)

     dBASE will then look up the entry for the key word and display it.   If 
there is no information on the subject then dBASE will say "NO HELP MESSAGES 
FOUND".   When there is more text to display beyond what's shown,  then  you 
will see the word 

WAITING  (like this)
                   >>>>>  type any key to continue. <<<<<


       The essential dBASE II files on this disk are these:

               DBASE.COM      --main system program file
               DBASEOVR.COM   --all overlays and system messages
               DBASEMSG.TXT   --this HELP file (not necessary if you never 
                                use HELP)
               INSTALL.COM    --terminal installation program (not necessary 
                                after terminal is installed).
*EXIT
*HELP
               dBASE II ON-LINE HELP FACILITY

Below you will find a list of all dBASE commands.  This HELP file contains a 
brief  synopsis  of  each command,  as well as a picture of  that  command's 
correct syntax.   Please remember,  however,  that HELP file information  is 
limited,  and is only meant to cut down on the number of trips you will have 
to make to the dBASE II Manual.  

To  access  the entry for the dBASE command (or other Help File  entry)  you 
wish  to  review,  merely respond to the dBASE "." prompt by  entering  HELP 
<name  of  command>  and a return (e.g.  HELP  CREATE  <cr>).   The  desired 
information  will appear and then return you to the  "." prompt,  so you can 
go right back to work.  In some cases the entry will take up more space than 
is  provided by a single screen.   (This is one of them.)  To bring  up  the 
next screen of information,  just enter any character at the "WAITING".  You 
may end the help message by typing ESC twice.

     >>>>>>>>Type 'HELP dBASE ' for other important information.


> ?     -- displays an expression, variable, or field. 
> ??    -- displays an expression list without a preceeding line feed. 
> @     -- displays user formatted data on screen or printer.
> ACCEPT -- allows input of character strings into memory variables.
> APPEND -- append information from another dBASE II database or  files  in 
          Delimited or System Data format. 
> BROWSE -- full screen window viewing and editing of database.
> CANCEL -- cancels command file execution.
> CHANGE -- Non-Full-Screen edit of fields of database. 
> CLEAR -- close databases in use and releases all current memory variables.
> CONTINUE -- continue the searching action of a LOCATE command.
> COPY -- creates a copy of an existing database. 
> COUNT -- counts the number of records in database which meet some criteria.
> CREATE -- creates new structured database.
> DELETE -- deletes a file or marks records for deletion.
> DISPLAY -- displays files, database records or structure, memory 
       variables, or status. 
> DO -- executes command files or structured loops in command files.
> EDIT -- allows edit of records in database.
> EJECT -- ejects a page on the printer.
> ELSE -- alternate path of command execution within IF.
> ENDCASE -- terminates a CASE command.
> ENDDO -- terminates a DO WHILE command.
> ENDIF -- terminates an IF command.
> ENDTEXT -- terminates a TEXT command.
> ERASE -- clears the screen.
> FIND -- positions to record corresponding to a key on indexed files.
> GO or GOTO -- positions to a specific record in database.
> HELP -- accesses help file list or entry. 
> IF -- allows conditional execution of commands.
> INDEX -- creates an index file.
> INPUT -- allows input of expressions into memory variables.
> INSERT - insert new record within a database.
> JOIN -- joins output of two databases.
> LIST -- lists files, database records or structure, memory variables, and 
          status.
> LOCATE -- find a record that fits a condition.
> LOOP -- skips to beginning of DO WHILE command.
>  MODIFY  -- used  for creating and editing  command  files  and 
          modifying structure of existing database.
> NOTE or * -- allows insertion of comments in command file. 
> PACK -- erases records marked for deletion.
> QUIT -- exits dBASE and returns to CP/M.
> READ -- displays data and prompting information in full-screen mode.
> RECALL -- erases mark for deletion.
> REINDEX -- updates an existing index file.
> RELEASE -- eliminates unwanted memory variables and releases memory space.
> REMARK -- permits display of any characters.
> RENAME -- rename a file.
> REPLACE -- change information in a record field by field.
> REPORT -- format and display a report of information.
> RESET -- let operating system know that disk has been swapped.
> RESTORE -- retrieves memory variables stored in files.
> RETURN -- ends a command file.
> SAVE -- copies current memory variables to disk file. 
> SELECT -- switches between USE files in PRIMARY and SECONDARY areas.
> SET -- sets dBASE control parameters.
> SKIP -- position forwards or backwards in database.
> SORT -- write copy of database sorted on one of the data fields.
> STORE --creates  memory variables.
> SUM -- compute and display the sum of field.
> TEXT -- allows output of block of text from a command file.
> TOTAL -- creates summarized copy of database combining information from 
       specified fields meeting some criteria.
> UPDATE -- allows batch updates of a database.
> USE -- specifies database to USE until next USE command is issued.
> WAIT -- suspends command file processing until user input received.

*EXIT
*
MORE HELP IS AVAILABLE FROM THE HELP.TXT FILE ON ANOTHER DISK.
YOU WILL NEED TO PUT DBASE AND THE HELP FILE ON A DISK DRIVE WITH 
GREATER   DENSITY,   AND  THEN  RENAME  THE  HELP.TXT   FILE   TO 
DBASEMSG.TXT.
*EXIT