Changes

Database 500 stores about 500records on a double-sided floppy.Database 300 stores, about 300records on a single-sided disk.Database 500 permjts permits users tocreate records that consist of up to 16fields containing a total of eightscreen lines of data. The files can besorted along any field or in combination,which makes it very useful forcataloging. Printing, too, is veryflexible. The user can decide not onlywhich fields to print, but where toprint them. ===Performance: === Database 500 doesexactly what IUG says it will do.Because it uses relative files to writedirectly to disk, users, may store agreat deal more data: than can bestored by programs such as TexasInstruments' Personal Record Keepingcartridge, whose capacity is thatof memory available in the 99/4Aconsole. The program loads automaticallyout of the disk when' you go intoExtended BASIC. After initializing afile disk-Database 500 uses all 716sectors of a double-sided disk-youload the main program. This is theworkhorse part of Database 500. ThispartThis part of the program ine;ludes includes the followingsix functions: ::1. Enter Records::2. Update Records::3. Display Records::4. Scan Records::5. Repair Files::6. Create Record Files. You must choose function six at thevery beginning. After loading a blankdisk that must be named "DBF," you will be asked to enter a master file name. The program will then prepare the disk for use as a data file.  After initialization, you may begin entering records. The data entry screen includes eight lines of 28 spaces with the caret symbol appearing at the beginning of each field. Each 28 space line includes two fields that may be used. Also displayed are thecurrent record number and the name of the file you are working on. After finishing a record, you have a choice of either saving it or redoing it. You may return to the menu by typing"END." You may also update, display and scan records by record number of by a field identifier if the file has been sorted. For example, if you identified and sorted a field by a person's name, such as Johnson, you could enter "Joh" and thereby locate the record. Scanning may be done sequentially, alphabetically if sorted or by the use of a subfile name that you may have created. Records may be changed or deleted via the update mode. Deletions occur when the file is sorted. The repair file function allows you to replace deleted files in the exact sequential position they were originally entered. The sort program arranges data in alphanumeric order. It can sort 500 records in seven minutes, according to the IUG. Getting back to the main program, the printer routine is very flexible, giving the user complete control over what parts of a record to print as well as where to print it on the page. You may also insert spaces and blanklines to make the printout morereadable.Among the most useful aspects ofthis program is the abiity to createsubfiles within the main record file.This may. be done in several ways.including basing the subfile on akeyword that is in the field or a keywordnot present in the field. or bynumerical relationship, such a·sgreater than or less than otherrecords in the field. You may also usetwo keywords on which to base asubfile.Ease of Use: It will take severalhours for the new user to get used tohow the system works, but that is tobe expected for any applicationsprogram. Perhaps the most frustratingproblem I ran into is the fact thatthe data disk must be separate fromthe program disk because of themanner in which the two areaccessed. For someone with only onedisk drive, it means a lot of diskswitching. But that's the price youpay to have 500 records on file.Documentation: IUG provides a12-page manual to guide the userthrough the program.Value: There is only one problemwith Database 500, and in my mind itrenders the program inappropriatefor business use. Namely, data inputproceeds at a snail's pace. You cannotsimply type away; enteringwords as quickly as your fingers hitthe keys. There is a pause between