In article <Marcel-1.53-0214101405-b49tRkF@...>,
    Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:

> Simon wrote S-Base isn't a dead product! It is just moving slow. 2.5 is
> still worked upon for RISCOS and QT (Linus/Windows.)

That is the best news - I was beginning to despair, as I have tried to
contact Simon several times over the past 6 months and had no reply.

> I'm still hoping Bleuwater will find an excuse to start working on it
> with more energy.

Amen to that.


Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Hi Folks!

Since my last posting friday, I have had contact my Simon.

He solved my long standing problems with S-Net.

It worked out to be a version-problem.

Somehow all my client computers had the newest version S-Exec 2.4i,
while my own computer, which I use for the development had S-Base 2.4h1!

Somewhere in the proces of rearranging my computer I obviously replaced
S-Base with the older version.

I have checked this some while ago, but must have assumed that my own
computer was right.

I'm now updating my applications again!

Simon wrote S-Base isn't a dead product!
It is just moving slow. 2.5 is still worked upon for RISCOS and
QT (Linus/Windows.)

I'm still hoping Bleuwater will find an excuse to start working on it
with more energy.

Best to you all!

     
Wim Ekels - Sales
--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

Hi All,

Don't know when this started to happen, maybe I missed an annoucement,
but before anyone else stumbles over it:

Checking some links from Paul Vigays Software links list i tried to
visit the Bluewater site @ http://www.bluewaternz.com

The site is down. It is expired 01/16/2005, (I guess January, 16th) and
'pending renewal or deletion'.

The site can now be found at http://bluewatersys.com the S-base site
is there and the ftp site is active!

Change your links! I'll do mine  ;-)

Regards

     
Wim Ekels - Sales
--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In message <4d20b0b73crobin@...> you wrote:

>
> Many thanks to Wim for publishing details of one of my S-Base apps on his
> site. You can see it at
>
> http://www.ekels.biz/Robin/
>
> It is one of the cards/windows to control my home - central heating,
> kitchen garden watering, central locking of all outside doors (12 of
> them), weather monitoring and more  - a system which I first planned
> several years ago and then implemented over the two years when I fully
> renovated my medieval Devon farmhouse (catching up on 500 years deferred
> maintenance - I am not exaggerating).
>
> As I designed and built all of the hardware and software, after teaching
> myself just enough electronics to do so, I could probably drone on about
> this project for reams and reams, so I'll just shut up at this point.
>
> If anyone wants any more info on it I would be pleased to elaborate.
>
> Regards,
>

Many thanks to Wim for publishing details of one of my S-Base apps on his
site. You can see it at

http://www.ekels.biz/Robin/

It is one of the cards/windows to control my home - central heating,
kitchen garden watering, central locking of all outside doors (12 of
them), weather monitoring and more  - a system which I first planned
several years ago and then implemented over the two years when I fully
renovated my medieval Devon farmhouse (catching up on 500 years deferred
maintenance - I am not exaggerating).

As I designed and built all of the hardware and software, after teaching
myself just enough electronics to do so, I could probably drone on about
this project for reams and reams, so I'll just shut up at this point.

If anyone wants any more info on it I would be pleased to elaborate.

Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

On Mon 20 Dec, Robin Hampshire wrote:
>
>
> In article <Marcel-1.53-1209112536-0b0tRkF@...>,
>    Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:
>
> [Snip]
>
> > You're welcom to send it to me and I will put it on our mirror site so
> > the group can see it if they would like
>
> > Regards
> > Wim
>
> Wim,
>
> I've tried sending it to wim@... but it bounced:

Thats' odd.

Please try again.

We had some trouble last friday.
A message to someone in the riscos scene eneded in his spambox with an
automatic warning to spamcop. He found out, but too late. result was us
denied use of outgoing mail. We finally could persuade the provide to
stop the blocking of our mail.
But receiving mail was never a problem.

I'll ask the inward provider (that is another)

Thanks for the meaasge.

regards
Wim



>
> *******************
> A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its
> recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:
>
>   wim@...
>     SMTP error from remote mailer after RCPT TO:<wim@...>:
>     host mx2.netsystem.nl [81.17.50.3]: 550 5.7.1 <wim@...>...
> Relaying denied
>
> ********************
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Robin Hampshire
> robin@...
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In article <Marcel-1.53-1209112536-0b0tRkF@...>,
    Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:

[Snip]

> You're welcom to send it to me and I will put it on our mirror site so
> the group can see it if they would like

> Regards
> Wim

Wim,

I've tried sending it to wim@... but it bounced:

*******************
A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its
recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:

   wim@...
     SMTP error from remote mailer after RCPT TO:<wim@...>:
     host mx2.netsystem.nl [81.17.50.3]: 550 5.7.1 <wim@...>...
Relaying denied

********************

Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

On Wed 08 Dec, Robin Hampshire wrote:
>
>
> In article <Marcel-1.53-1208115445-bc8xSBG@...>,
>    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:
> > Is this window a card in S-Base jargon?
>
> Yes, it is.
>
> > Are you updating the card as a whole, or do you do it for the element
> > only that has the change?
>
> I've tried doing a card update box <handle> and
>
> card update <handle>, <element>
>
> but neither seems to save much time. Now I only do it if the card is
> actually on show (ie the handle <> -1), so if I'm not playing with it I
> close it.
>
> I could send you a screen shot jpeg if you like (132KB file), but it would
> have to go by email as I don't have a website to put it on.

You're welcom to send it to me and I will put it on our mirror site so
the group can see it if they would like

Regards
Wim

>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Robin Hampshire
> robin@...

--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In article <Marcel-1.53-1208115445-bc8xSBG@...>,
    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:
> Is this window a card in S-Base jargon?

Yes, it is.

> Are you updating the card as a whole, or do you do it for the element
> only that has the change?

I've tried doing a card update box <handle> and

card update <handle>, <element>

but neither seems to save much time. Now I only do it if the card is
actually on show (ie the handle <> -1), so if I'm not playing with it I
close it.

I could send you a screen shot jpeg if you like (132KB file), but it would
have to go by email as I don't have a website to put it on.

Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Hi Robin,

On Wed 24 Nov, Robin Hampshire wrote:

[snip]

> My "bulkiest" application is my home control system which runs in S-Base
> 'cos that's what I know how to program. It has been working flawlessly for
> 12 months now but the main window has over 100 icons of valves, sensor
> readouts, etc.
>
> If a valve changes from open/closed either automatically or if I tell it
> to manually from the keyboard, the element changes its sprite to reflect
> this. Each of 26 valves and pumps have four sprites associated with it,
> using "card element select", for auto-on, auto-off, manual-on, manual-off
> so sometimes the redrawing takes a bit of time (SARPC OS4.37).
>
> Any technique to improve window redrawing is worth a go.

Is this window a card in S-Base jargon?
Are you updating the card as a whole, or do you do it for the element
only that has the change?

greetings,
Johan

--
Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...>
   aka  waarland

   The best place is a Riscy place

Speak when you're angry, and you'll make
the best speech you'll ever regret.

In article <Marcel-1.53-1124102250-bc8tRkF@...>,
    Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:
> Hmmm,
> Have to wait before trying, as I still cannot do anything with my main
> application because the S-Net application refuses newer execres files
> since upgrading all computers to strongarm and new toolbox-modules :-(

> Regards
> Wim

My "bulkiest" application is my home control system which runs in S-Base
'cos that's what I know how to program. It has been working flawlessly for
12 months now but the main window has over 100 icons of valves, sensor
readouts, etc.

If a valve changes from open/closed either automatically or if I tell it
to manually from the keyboard, the element changes its sprite to reflect
this. Each of 26 valves and pumps have four sprites associated with it,
using "card element select", for auto-on, auto-off, manual-on, manual-off
so sometimes the redrawing takes a bit of time (SARPC OS4.37).

Any technique to improve window redrawing is worth a go.

Cheers,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

On Wed 24 Nov, Steve Turnbull wrote:
>
>
> In message <Marcel-1.53-1124091924-b49tRkF@...>
>           Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:
>
> >
> > On Tue 23 Nov, Robin Hampshire wrote:
> > >
> > > Good idea Steve. I'll try it out when I get a minute.
> >
> > Like the idea too, but it'll take more than a minute  ;-)
>
> ... just a complete rewrite of the entire application, mere seconds ;)

Hmmm,
Have to wait before trying, as I still cannot do anything with my main
application because the S-Net application refuses newer execres files
since upgrading all computers to strongarm and new toolbox-modules :-(

Regards
Wim

>
> --
> Steve Turnbull (steve@theturnbulls(dot)fsworld(dot)co(dot)uk)
>
> ... "I'll be back ;-)"

Where?

--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In message <Marcel-1.53-1124091924-b49tRkF@...>
           Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:

>
> On Tue 23 Nov, Robin Hampshire wrote:
> >
> > Good idea Steve. I'll try it out when I get a minute.
>
> Like the idea too, but it'll take more than a minute  ;-)

... just a complete rewrite of the entire application, mere seconds ;)

--
Steve Turnbull (steve@theturnbulls(dot)fsworld(dot)co(dot)uk)

... "I'll be back ;-)"

On Tue 23 Nov, Robin Hampshire wrote:
>
>
> In article <5a7f45124d.steve@...>,
>    Steve Turnbull <steve@...> wrote:
>
> > Hi
>
> > Just thought I'd pass on this idea, I don't know if any one else does
> > this but in case it might be useful...
>
> [Snip]
>
> > Thought you might be interested.
>
> Good idea Steve. I'll try it out when I get a minute.

Like the idea too, but it'll take more than a minute  ;-)

>
> Cheers,
>
> --
> Robin Hampshire
> robin@...

regards
Wim
--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In article <5a7f45124d.steve@...>,
    Steve Turnbull <steve@...> wrote:

> Hi

> Just thought I'd pass on this idea, I don't know if any one else does
> this but in case it might be useful...

[Snip]

> Thought you might be interested.

Good idea Steve. I'll try it out when I get a minute.

Cheers,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Hi

Just thought I'd pass on this idea, I don't know if any one else does this
but in case it might be useful...

In my S-Base applications I often have lists of records in selectors on cards
being displayed. And sometimes these also affect other lists also on-screen.

Deciding how to update these lists (if a record is added, modified or
deleted) can be a nightmare. Particularly if a lot of changes have been made
in one go.

Those who read my AU articles know that I use a modular approach and actually
have procedure files "registering" with a kernel that then dishes out
initialisation instructions and so on.

One thing that's not so obvious is that I don't update on-screen displays at
the moment that a change occurs. Instead I keep an array of flags (one for
each 'module') and when a change has occurred a flag is set saying,
basically, "this module's displays need updating". I also have one global
flag which is set when anything needs updating.

Then I use the "null" event to keep a check:

Whenever the system is idle the "null" event is called, this checks to see if
the global "something needs updating" flag is set. If it does then it calls
the main "find out what needs updating and call the appropriate module to
tell it to update its displays" routine.

Keeping a single global flag ensures that a minimum amount of time is spent
in the "null" event routine.

Thought you might be interested.

Steve

--
Steve Turnbull (steve@theturnbulls(dot)fsworld(dot)co(dot)uk)

... It's dangerous to be right when the government is wrong. -Voltaire-

In article <Marcel-1.53-1030141308-0b0xSBG@...>,
    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:

> Hi Robin,

> Thanks for your response. Much apreciated!

> On Sat 30 Oct, Robin Hampshire wrote:
> > In article <Marcel-1.53-1029225204-bc8xSBG@...>,
> >    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:
> >
> > Have you generated the procedure mycard_open in SAM? If so, does it take
> > the form of <datafile>_card_open(q)?

> No, I've used it from the programme menu 'main'. Normally this has a
> single entry 'example' with "Example menu item" with no action. Apart
> from the obvious to put there, there are the Action field and its
> associate.

That comment suggests to me that you have generated part of your
application "automatically". SAM is the part of S-Base which generates
code automatically for you (see below).

[Snip]

> Yes it does, well I think so. :-) The SAM resources are very
> economiccaly written with its standard procedures and things like
> '##_...' and '#.....#'.

When you start a brand-new vanilla-pure S-Base application, and then open
the Proc list: resource, there is a procedure file called system and four
additional files, each wrapped by curly brackets - {card}, {table},
{query} and {report}.

On their own, these last four do not do anything - indeed they are not
loaded into memory (ie their def proc/enddef definitions are not read)
when the application is run. However, they are vitally inportant to SAM,
as SAM uses them as 'template' files whenever you invoke SAM to generate
code for you.

This description applies equally to the other files enclosed in curly
brackets in all of the other resources - they are only used by SAM as
templates whenever you generate code automatically.

For example, within the procedures templates, SAM substitues the double
hashes (##) with the <datafilename> to create r_address_card,
q_address_card, r_address_query, etc. It then puts procedure files called

"address card", "address query", etc

  into the procedure resource which does get read in when the application
runs. If you examine (for example) the proc files {card} and "address
card" you will see the provenance of one from the other. All of these
(still generic) newly created procedures make extensive use of the system
procedure to do alot of their standard or routine calls (like clicking on
most icons, loading standard file-types, etc).

Without the use of SAM to do this initial creation for you, then you have
to create each and every resource yourself from scratch, including
templates, formats, menus, handler sets, etc, etc.

That is why I suspect you have made at least some use of SAM - without SAM
the procedure mycard_open(q) would have been written entirely by you and
you would then know exactly what q represented.

> In that respect I keep it simple, and use seperate procedures for every
> card, as I don't know how SAM does it, apart from (just guessing) using the
> '@exec' somehow, internally.

The way SAM works is extremely clever, and it pays to work through the
seemingly tortuous paths it takes, as there is much to learn from it.

I first used S-Base from version 1, before the inclusion of SAM. In those
days there was no option but to write every bit of code from start to
finish. Paradoxically, when version 2 came out (along with SAM), I was
nowhere near competent enough to use it in the applications I had already
created - whenever I tried to change anything it would break code further
down the line which I didn't have a clear understanding of.

Therefore for many years I steered clear of it, writing everything I
needed from scratch, which was undoubtedly much more inefficient but at
least gave me the required results. It is only recently, as my experience
of S-Base has grown, developing many different types of application with
it (not only databases), and following Steve Turnbull's series in AU
recently, that I have had the confidence and knowledge to delve into SAM a
bit more. More than anything else, Steve's series showed how versatile the
@exec and @eval commands can be in developing generic code. Now if I'm
starting a database, I let SAM do the donkey-work and then change it to
suit.

Let me know if I can help any further. I have a fairly extensive library
of procedures which I have developed over the years, partly to plug the
gaps in the @functions and also to use other bits and bobs. If you use the
!Addressit database from R-Comp, which looks up the (almost) full address
from a postcode, I can let you have a set of procs which will automate
that process in S-Base (exactly like the way it is used in Organizer - in
fact I have used the protocol created by Chris Morison for that purpose).

Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Hi Robin,

On Sat 30 Oct, Johan Heuseveldt wrote:
> On Sat 30 Oct, Robin Hampshire wrote:
> > In article <Marcel-1.53-1029225204-bc8xSBG@...>,
> >    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:

> Thanks for your response. Much apreciated!

Sorry to follow up on my own post, but I've found the answer on my
question. I was a bit too enthousiastic about your answer. But it was
important as I went along writing some code, looking at other apps
investigating their resources. Then I stumbled onto '!Supplier': an
relational example of suppliers and parts. In there I found a good
description which I had forgotten completely.

[snip the lot as it now seems hitting air only]

That resource says:

     proc ff_open (q)
     ----------------

     Opens the format as a card, table, report or query. If it is
     already open, then it is brought to the front so the user can
     see it. 'q' is the query to use for figuring out the records
     to display. Normally this is -1, meaning use the query by the
     same name ('fyle query').


It's only 3085 bytes, but very informative.

I can't find it anymore at the S-Base site (which seems to be down sized
condiderably), and a lot is disappeared.

If anybody is interested, please say so and I'll send you the text, or put
the complete app '!Supplier' somewhere for download.

Sorry faulks, I seem to have asked the known way. But I'm pretty sure that
if I didn't, I wouldn't have found it. :-)

So it still applies: Thanks Robin, for getting me going: I'm not
sure /where/ I'm going, but I /am/ going! :-)


greetings from a S-happy
Johan

--
Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...>
   aka  waarland

   The best place is a Riscy place

The slowest checker is always at the quick check-out lane.

In article <4cfb6e1e55pdowson@...>, Peter Dowson
<pdowson@...> wrote:

> Hi,

> Running Developer version on Iyonix + Aemulor Pro I am getting a
> complete lockup of the machine whenever one particular menu is
> selected, which has not given any trouble on the RiscPC, so the
> question is any body else using an Iyonix with s-base and if so are
> they experiencing any problems.

Yes - I'm afraid so. The Aemulor web site claims that S-base works,
but it's a bit optimistic.

I have a database for an amateur orchestra, so there is a main file
with name, address and so on for each individual and related files
(the relationships set up by hand of course as the built-in facility
never got finished as far as I know) for instruments, payments,
tickets and so on.

I find that each succeeding version of Aemulor (now Pro) has improved
things. The compiled version of my database now runs more or less
problem free as long as I deal only with the main file, but usually
fails with an error message if I do anything a bit more complicated.
Trying the uncompiled version, it gets a bit further before failure,
but still fails. Happily, I find S-base always quits properly when
failing on Aemulor Pro, and doesn't lock up the machine.

So it's well worth having the database on the Iyonix for day-to-day
use, but I have to copy it across to the RiscPC when getting the
mailing list done, etc.

The 32-bit beta version of S-base doesn't seem to like importing my
archived database, and I certainly don't have time to write it all
again from scratch, so I await developments.

One day I'll transfer everything to Datapower......

Regards,

Richard Partridge.

--
rkpartridge@...

Hi Robin,

Thanks for your response. Much apreciated!

On Sat 30 Oct, Robin Hampshire wrote:
> In article <Marcel-1.53-1029225204-bc8xSBG@...>,
>    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:

[...]
> >   def proc mycard_open (<varname>)
>
> > or in the auto generated procedures:
>
> >   def proc ##_open (q)
[...]
> > The value passed is -1, but I can't figure out where this value come
> > from.
>
> > Can anybody enlighten me please, as I have no idea or clue how important
> > it is. It's not the query handle, as this is 'q_mycard (q_##).
>
> Have you generated the procedure mycard_open in SAM? If so, does it take
> the form of <datafile>_card_open(q)?

No, I've used it from the programme menu 'main'. Normally this has a single
entry 'example' with "Example menu item" with no action. Apart from the
obvious to put there, there are the Action field and its associate.

If I select 'Execute command' as the 'Action', its associate argument is
'Command' and I can use whatever I like, like 'proc open_mycard' or anything
else I fancy at that moment. And adjusting the proc definition of course!

If I select 'Open format' as the 'Action', then its associate argument
becomes 'Format', and only a format lable has to be put into the field. I
think this is a special convention, as used with SAM (or it /is/ SAM),
because the procedure call is something like:

   proc <format name>_open (<some integer>)

In the SAM examples, format names and file names are the same, so this
can be confusing:

> where <datafile> is the database file which contains all your data, e.g.
> address_card_open(q)

I've seen that as well, somewhere in the SAM resources. Since I couldn't
remember the actual form to use, I've found out by trial and error. The
error was clear enough to guess that the name of the procedure should be

   <format name>_open

After that a new error was (again) clear enough to get the 'Aha' feeling,
in that an integer value is passed with the procedure. So that's why I
believe it's a format name.

Then I used some print command in the procedure to find out what the passed
value is using:

   def proc mycard_open (q)
   print "var q: " + @str (q)

At that time I don't have variables set like q_mycard. In fact there are no
SAM resources available that create these variables at the bottom of their
procedures resources, so c_mycard doesn't exist!

> If so, then the value (q) (or <some value> in your example above)
> represents the handle of the card itself. If it is -1, this tells your
> procedure that the card has not yet been created (or if it has previously
> been created, then it has also been disposed), so it goes ahead and does
> what is necessary to create and then show it. Once the card already
> exists, for example if you are updating the file card from the query card,
> then q will be set to whatever the handle happens to be (which is always
> greater than 0, hence -1 can never be confused with a handle already in
> use).

If you're sure that it is the card handle, then my question has been
answered, thanks!
As there is no handle, or empty, S-Base uses -1. It's my responsibility to
store the handle value in a variable as soon as I open the format, and S-Base
returns the handle to me (card new). When I've done that the S-Base internal
value and my variable are connected.
(in my head, not in S-Base)

Now it makes sense to me. Thanks Robin!

> (This next bit assumes you're using SAM)
> Before the card exists, the handle variable that it will eventually use is
> given a value of -1. The handle is called c_<datafile>_card, and is
> declared and given this starting value during setup. Open the procedure
> resource called "<datafile> card" in the Proc List, and scroll right down
> to the end of the file. You will see the line
>
> c_<datafile>_card = -1

Yes, I remember that.

> outside any procedure definition, which means that the line itself is
> obeyed (ie the variable is created and given a starting value) whilst the
> application is loading all the def procs into memory.

and checking them and make notes about the lines with 'def proc ...', and
anything out these 'def .. enddef' are obeyed as you call it. That's exactly
my understanding when I delved into these resources very deeply, years back.

I lost my notes on that during moving to another house two years ago, but
luckily most things comes back now, although taking its time. :-(
But I think I never know about the 'q'.
>
> If you are using this procedure call from somewhere else in your code,
> then always use the form
>
> proc mycard_open(c_<datafile>_card)

Yes I got it now. As I'm not using SAM, it's the '_open' part which is
important, as that is used from the menu where the configuration is:

   ...
   Action:  Open format
   Format:  mycard

and of course a value is passed to the procedure. And that value turns out
to be the card handle. Thanks for your details.

> This will ensure that the correct handle number is passed to the
> procedure. You don't have to know what the actual handle number is; simply
> use this variable (c_<datafile>_card) each time you need it, and the
> correct handle will be used.

Yes.

> Hope this helps. If you're not using SAM, then the above may not be
> relevant.

Indeed about the procedure name, but the '_open' part and variable /are/
relevant. The first I already figured out (again), but for the last, your
info was absolutely necessary!

> The initial card handle declaration that I've described does depend on
> something (like SAM) actually writing the code to make that happen (if that
> makes sense).

Yes it does, well I think so. :-)
The SAM resources are very economiccaly written with its standard procedures
and things like '##_...' and '#.....#'.

In that respect I keep it simple, and use seperate procedures for every
card, as I don't know how SAM does it, apart from (just guessing) using the
'@exec' somehow, internally.

> Robin Hampshire
> robin@...

Thanks Robin, you're my hero.
Somehow I need to know these things, otherwise I cannot cope/deal with them,
let alone /using/ them.


BTW
The last few days I put myself into the subject of times and dates, and
now - at last - I understand about a 'point of time' and 'time length'.
I think there was a question about that on this list?


greetings,
Johan

--
Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...>
   aka  waarland

   The best place is a Riscy place

"Heaven and Earth were created all together in the same instant,
October 23rd, 4004 BC, at nine o'clock in the morning".
Dr. John Lightfoot.

In article <Marcel-1.53-1029225204-bc8xSBG@...>,
    Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:

> Hi all,

> The standard procedure call to open a card window is:

>   proc mycard_open (<some_value>)

> In the defenition this is:

>   def proc mycard_open (<varname>)

> or in the auto generated procedures:

>   def proc ##_open (q)


> This can used in a menu where you can configure the command 'open
> format', and can select the format of your choice.

> The value passed is -1, but I can't figure out where this value come
> from.

> Can anybody enlighten me please, as I have no idea or clue how important
> it is. It's not the query handle, as this is 'q_mycard (q_##).

Have you generated the procedure mycard_open in SAM? If so, does it take
the form of <datafile>_card_open(q)?

where <datafile> is the database file which contains all your data, e.g.
address_card_open(q)

If so, then the value (q) (or <some value> in your example above)
represents the handle of the card itself. If it is -1, this tells your
procedure that the card has not yet been created (or if it has previously
been created, then it has also been disposed), so it goes ahead and does
what is necessary to create and then show it. Once the card already
exists, for example if you are updating the file card from the query card,
then q will be set to whatever the handle happens to be (which is always
greater than 0, hence -1 can never be confused with a handle already in
use).

(This next bit assumes you're using SAM)
Before the card exists, the handle variable that it will eventually use is
given a value of -1. The handle is called c_<datafile>_card, and is
declared and given this starting value during setup. Open the procedure
resource called "<datafile> card" in the Proc List, and scroll right down
to the end of the file. You will see the line

c_<datafile>_card = -1

outside any procedure definition, which means that the line itself is
obeyed (ie the variable is created and given a starting value) whilst the
application is loading all the def procs into memory.

If you are using this procedure call from somewhere else in your code,
then always use the form

proc mycard_open(c_<datafile>_card)

This will ensure that the correct handle number is passed to the
procedure. You don't have to know what the actual handle number is; simply
use this variable (c_<datafile>_card) each time you need it, and the
correct handle will be used.

Hope this helps. If you're not using SAM, then the above may not be
relevant. The initial card handle declaration that I've described does
depend on something (like SAM) actually writing the code to make that
happen (if that makes sense).

Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Hi all,

The standard procedure call to open a card window is:

   proc mycard_open (<some_value>)

In the defenition this is:

   def proc mycard_open (<varname>)

or in the auto generated procedures:

   def proc ##_open (q)


This can used in a menu where you can configure the command 'open format',
and can select the format of your choice.

The value passed is -1, but I can't figure out where this value come from.

Can anybody enlighten me please, as I have no idea or clue how important it
is. It's not the query handle, as this is 'q_mycard (q_##).



TIA

Johan

--
Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...>
   aka  waarland

   The best place is a Riscy place

No one within an organization really knows what's going on.

On Fri 22 Oct, Robin Hampshire wrote:
>
>
> In article <Marcel-1.53-1021104511-06ctRkF@...>,
>    Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone!
>
> > I'm glad to see some growing activity on this group!
>
> > At the same time I'm afraid I've to little time to respond at the
> > problem these days, but I'm still lurking ;-)
>
> > I've just a question :
>
> > Is there someone around who uses any version of S-Base in a network?
> > I mean with the S-Net server and S-Exec as clients.
>
> > At some time long ago (during 2002-2003) i have changed something in my
> > set-up and since then I'm no longer able to update the execres file
> > inside S-Net. And thus cannot update my (for me) very important BIS
> > (Business Information Programm).
> > After each update S-Net complains 'Line end expected' at everu
> > attempt to acces it and refuses to give data.
>
> > I expect it to be a change in Toolbox modules, with which S-base cannot
> > work, but this is assumption on my behalf.
>
> Sorry Wim, I've no experience at all of S-Base on a network.

You should it's fun!
(At least it was)

>
> Have you been in touch with Simon recently? I have tried a couple of
> times, but no luck. Problem is that he's always jetting around somewhere
> with his main work.

No only contact has been through this list.
Sometimes direct after conversations on this list.

> Nowadays when I start a new project, I tend to use v2.5 but it's not
> straightforward. Although there are some very good advances in 2.5, each
> release seems to have a major bug somewhere in it. The latest I have won't
> print reports directly using "report print", you have to display the
> report on screen first using "report show". On top of that, there's no
> X-Exec for it, so I can't compile it for someone else to use.

Thats the main problem with 2.5.
It will not work on a network because there is no Server/Client. The
developer works, but I cannot import the older SAM applications without
a complete work-over, because the way formats/templates are implementes
differs.

> At the moment, I'm developing a membership administration database for a
> club which has 2000'ish members. It's quite a simple one in that there's
> really only one main file, and it's main job is to print out several
> hundred membership reminder forms each month, tailored to the particular
> member. Hence the need to print reports directly. Usually in this
> situation I would create a csv file and an automatic mailshot, bypassing
> S-Bases report system, but in this case each member has different graphic
> layout of the page, eg for a banker's order form (if applicable) etc.
>
> I've had to go back and do it all again in 2.4i, as annoyingly the archive
> produced by 2.5 won't go back into 2.4 - I suppose at least it keeps me
> off the streets :-)

I've never seen an archive go back in a former version...
Would be logic anyway because new features will give errors!

But for this kind of jobs S-Base is the ideal thing.
We make weekly payment reminders for customers in a report and read
through it and decide which to print from the report (one knowns the
customers and some you have to remind, others to squeeze same age of
invoice)

> Take care,

Same to you  ;-)
Wim

> --
> Robin Hampshire
> robin@...


--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In article <Marcel-1.53-1021104511-06ctRkF@...>,
    Wim Ekels <wim@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone!

> I'm glad to see some growing activity on this group!

> At the same time I'm afraid I've to little time to respond at the
> problem these days, but I'm still lurking ;-)

> I've just a question :

> Is there someone around who uses any version of S-Base in a network?
> I mean with the S-Net server and S-Exec as clients.

> At some time long ago (during 2002-2003) i have changed something in my
> set-up and since then I'm no longer able to update the execres file
> inside S-Net. And thus cannot update my (for me) very important BIS
> (Business Information Programm).
> After each update S-Net complains 'Line end expected' at everu
> attempt to acces it and refuses to give data.

> I expect it to be a change in Toolbox modules, with which S-base cannot
> work, but this is assumption on my behalf.

Sorry Wim, I've no experience at all of S-Base on a network.

Have you been in touch with Simon recently? I have tried a couple of
times, but no luck. Problem is that he's always jetting around somewhere
with his main work.

Nowadays when I start a new project, I tend to use v2.5 but it's not
straightforward. Although there are some very good advances in 2.5, each
release seems to have a major bug somewhere in it. The latest I have won't
print reports directly using "report print", you have to display the
report on screen first using "report show". On top of that, there's no
X-Exec for it, so I can't compile it for someone else to use.

At the moment, I'm developing a membership administration database for a
club which has 2000'ish members. It's quite a simple one in that there's
really only one main file, and it's main job is to print out several
hundred membership reminder forms each month, tailored to the particular
member. Hence the need to print reports directly. Usually in this
situation I would create a csv file and an automatic mailshot, bypassing
S-Bases report system, but in this case each member has different graphic
layout of the page, eg for a banker's order form (if applicable) etc.

I've had to go back and do it all again in 2.4i, as annoyingly the archive
produced by 2.5 won't go back into 2.4 - I suppose at least it keeps me
off the streets :-)

Take care,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Hi everyone!

I'm glad to see some growing activity on this group!

At the same time I'm afraid I've to little time to respond at the
problem these days, but I'm still lurking ;-)

I've just a question :

Is there someone around who uses any version of S-Base in a network?
I mean with the S-Net server and S-Exec as clients.

At some time long ago (during 2002-2003) i have changed something in my
set-up and since then I'm no longer able to update the execres file
inside S-Net. And thus cannot update my (for me) very important BIS
(Business Information Programm).
After each update S-Net complains 'Line end expected' at everu
attempt to acces it and refuses to give data.

I expect it to be a change in Toolbox modules, with which S-base cannot
work, but this is assumption on my behalf.

Any experience...

best regards
Wim
--
wim ekels   @  ekels zandvoort bv           nederland
tel +31 (0)23 5714180                     postbus 314
fax +31 (0)23 5718296           NL-2040 AH  ZANDVOORT
mailto : wim@...   on line : http://www.ekels.nl

In article <c09871004d.BryanNew@...>,
    <bryanpage1@...> wrote:

> I'm trying to set up a query to give me all records whose month is a
> certain value within a date field, for example "give me all people whose
> birthday is in March" would need to look at the 'date of birth' field and
> select those records whose month = 3.

> I have used a combination of various @functions, but none return any
> records in the query, these have been set up in the query facility.

> Any help would be appreciated.

There is a solution to this, but it depends on how you are setting up the
query.

You don't say whether this is a SAM query (ie are you generating your
query from a "search" card generated by SAM), or whether the query is part
of your own code, taking variables from different inputs.

Basically, you have to make the query go through each record in the file
looking to see if

@timemoy(filename.dob) = monthvar {Mar would be month 2, as Jan is 0}

The procedure that you add this code to depends on where your query is
running from - SAM or otherwise. If it's SAM, you add a function to the
query proc resource that was generated by SAM, to intercept the query
array and modify it before it does its stuff.

If you'd like to send me a copy of the program, without the data files
(except for a few example records to work with), I'd be happy to have a
look.

Earlier this year Hans-Juergen Barthlmehs had a very similar problem (look
for the thread "Query Problem" from about April this year, if you have
access to this list's archives) which we eventually solved for him.

Let me know if I can help.

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

I'm trying to set up a query to give me all records whose month is a
certain value within a date field, for example "give me all people whose
birthday is in March" would need to look at the 'date of birth' field and
select those records whose month = 3.

I have used a combination of various @functions, but none return any
records in the query, these have been set up in the query facility.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bryan Page

I have a report from an Association/Club membership database which takes
the form of a mail-shot, i.e. each record has a tailored block of text in
the form of a letter (its actually a renewal reminder plus other bits).
The block of text consists of standard paragraphs interspersed with record
specific words/phrases.

At the moment I store all the standard paragraphs as separate text files,
then pull them into a buffer as required, interspersed with the text which
is unique to each record.

However, in order to display the contents of the buffer, and thus to print
the report/letter, I have first to store the buffer to an external file
field of an arbitrary file set up for the purpose. I cannot find any other
way directly to display the contents of a buffer (which consists entirely
of text) in a report element.

I have tried "buffer save card" but because this is a report, not a card,
I get an error.

What's worse, the file which the buffer has to be saved to, has to be a
disk file otherwise "buffer save" generates an error.

Can anyone suggest a better method?

The way I'm doing it works ok, but is v. v. naff. Using

buffer save b, filename.large_text, 0, @ptr b

progressively increments the size of data.filename.large_text.heap.blocks
by the size of the buffer (which is approx 6 kB, so after 150
reports/letters it's a bit large), and I cannot zap it again until I quit
the program, otherwise I get yet another complaint.

Advice would be appreciated.

Regards,

--
Robin Hampshire
robin@...

Could some kind soul please tell me where to find the above so that I can
copy the widgets format from the default application.

--
-------------------------------------
emailto: pdowson@...
APANA (Australian Public Access
        Network Association)
http://www.wa.apana.org.au/
-------------------------------------