Ot; Old Wish list requests
Richard Kreiss
rkreiss at verizon.net
Sun Mar 25 20:20:11 PDT 2018
Mark,
What I posted was written in 1993 well before PCL6.
I think that the new PDF printing option is their way of compensating for
the inability of their output program to handle anything but PCL 3 or 5 on
the Windows platform.
It is not a perfect answer but it does work. I think that PrintWizard is a
much better solution as it doesn't need a lot of rewriting and can be made
transparent to the user. It also has a lot for flexibility once one learns
how to use it.
Again, PDF etc. were not options in 1993.
Also, keep in mind that some of the functions which were added may be
functions that FP Tech needed to maintain their primary client. I have
discussed the implementing the Spell Checker with a few of my clients who
are running versions that have it. None of them wanted it implemented.
However, I did implement the PDF printing for one client who is also using
PrintWizard. They want to be able to have some form letters (with logo)
either printed or a PDF created from input processing with the ability to
select the printer. This seemed to be a good place to use filePro's PDF
creation option.
I know that filePro is not perfect as it is missing a lot of functionality
that other databases have but it is still a programming language that can be
learned fairly quickly, for doing basic applications. But is capable of
handling a lot of sophisticated programming. The tools are there, one just
needs to work out how to use them properly and when necessary make use of
other programming languages to fill the gaps.
Richard Kreiss
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Filepro-list [mailto:filepro-list-
> bounces+rkreiss=verizon.net at lists.celestial.com] On Behalf Of Fairlight
via
> Filepro-list
> Sent: Friday, March 23, 2018 12:42 PM
> To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> Subject: Re: Ot; Old Wish list requests
>
> Hell, how about emulation of PCL5 -> PCL6, so people can buy any old
printer
> they want. Finding affordable PCL5 printers has become a challenge in the
last
> decade or so.
>
> You'd think that would take precedence over things like...spell checkers.
>
> Also...regex implementation for processing.
>
> Of course, most of this is moot except for a few select clients who
upgraded.
> The majority of of my clients haven't moved past 5.0.14, nor do they plan
to.
>
> m->
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 22, 2018 at 06:22:19PM +0000, Richard Kreiss via Filepro-list
thus
> spoke:
> > I came across this letter to Small Computer from 1993. I think that
some of
> the items are still viable requests.
> >
> > Although some of these have been addressed or are obsolete such as using
> WordPerfect print drivers.
> >
> > One Item - having one key and many data records making header and detail
> files easier to handle. I was asked, if memory serves, by Howie how do
this. My
> answer was, "you're the programmers".
> >
> > It might be convenient to have a way of linking a header file to a data
file
> through filePro rather than linking them in programming and using an
index.
> Also, it would be convenient to be able to define an output by assigning
the each
> section to a file. As an example the header could be linked directly to
the
> necessary fields in the header file. The detail section could be linked
to the data
> file thereby allow real fields to be used rather than using temporary
fields or
> vice-versa.
> >
> > Most of us would like to have the ability to update records from a
browse
> lookup. Yes, I have done this through programming but is a pain to do
especially
> getting the popup screen to overlay the browse line properly.
> >
> > I still would like to have the ability to define a multi-level array
similar to what
> one can do in Basic.
> >
> > Most of these Wishlist items have not been added.
> >
> > See letter below:
> >
> > Richard Kreiss
> > 539 Fairway Drive
> > Woodmere, New York 11598
> >
> >
> >
> > March 24, 1993
> >
> > Small Computer Company
> > 41 Saw Mill River Road.
> >
> > Hawthorne, New York 10532
> >
> > Attention: filePro Wish List
> >
> > PRODUCE A MORE COHESIVE MANUAL.
> > Print one index for all versions 3, 4 and 4.1. It is almost
impossible to
> find anything if you don't recall what version it comes from.
> >
> > When new commands are added, give more examples of how to
use
> the command.
> >
> > 1. FilePro's Menu: (@once appears to answer this request)
> > Allow for passing parameters to @pm field by prompting the
> > user for a response. This would be similar to prompting for a
> > qualifier using the -qm option. You might define this a -rm. (I
> > realize this may conflict with -rm command on Unix/Xenix systems)
> >
> > 2. Define output:
> > A. Allow for "Delete Blank Line" control for each section
of an output
> (ie. Header, and each break section).
> >
> > B. Allow for the defining an absolute line(s) for a break
field(s) to begin
> printing when defining the output rather the in output processing. This
is
> especially true when creating a multi-lines form, such as an invoice, from
a
> header file and a detail files or printing checks.
> >
> > C. Allow for break fields to be defined in sort/select
processing.
> >
> > D. Better control of printers when printing boxes and
lines on a report
> or form.
> >
> > E. Allow for the importing of graphics when printing
reports and
> forms. (can be done using print codes)
> > i.e. Logo's etc
> >
> > 3. Processing
> > A. Allow for the defining a specific line for data to be
printed at using a
> print command - @print("47") which would advance the printer to line 47
and
> print out the information to be printed. (This command would be instead of
or in
> addition to 2.B).
> >
> > B. With filePro 4.X's ability to enter 121 character per
line, need the
> ability to send print control code(s) to the printer when printing
processing
> tables. This is especially true if one wants to continue to print
processing tables
> using 8½x11 paper by using condensed type. Yes, many new printers will
allow
> for controlling this function at the printer. However, older printers
don't make
> this that easy and some of us are not necessarily sitting at or near our
printer.
> (Without going to the Printer Definition and initialize in condensed mode
each
> time)
> >
> >
> > 4. Define Files:
> > A. Allow for the creation of a file which allows for 1
KEY RECORD to
> have multiple DATA RECORDS associated with it. This would make it much
> simpler to handle programs which now require a header file and a detail
file,
> which contains multiple records associated with a key field in the header
file.
> > Such programs as order entry and/or invoicing, which
may have a
> large number of line items associated with them would be easier to work
with.
> >
> > B. Have a memo field edit which can be used to add
comments to a
> record. (Finally available)
> >
> > C. Add binary field type for graphics display on screen
(and outputs).
> (available but doesn't allow for display)
> >
> > 5. Updating Records:
> > A. Allow for the updating of multiple records while using
browse. This
> function is available in dBase and some other data base managers and makes
it
> very simple to handle the updating of multiple line items such as during
Accounts
> Payable or Accounts Receivable data payment entry. This would include
doing
> processing on each record updated.
> >
> > B. Allow for full program control of function keys at the
field level
> when using when processing.
> >
> > C. Allow for the redefining of the function keys when in
input processing
> so that when a specific function key is pressed, no matter what field the
cursor is
> in, the action takes place.
> >
> > D. Allow for multi-level arrays
> > i.e. dim array ("1","50") = array(1) to array(50)
defined once or dim
> array ("1", ct) = array(1) to whatever variable "ct" equals, allowing for
variable
> number of array elements depending on requirements. This would be very
useful
> when a header an detail files have been defined and the details are
entered from
> the header file and posted to the detail file after all details are
entered as on
> order entry.
> >
> > 6. DEFINE PRINTERS
> > Allow for the entry in the printer definition table, the
number of
> characters/inch for the defined font. This information would be used when
> "RESOLVING" fields. this would allow for easier alignment of fields when
using
> other than a 10 pitch font.
> >
> > Make a deal with WordPerfect Corporation to use their
Printer Drivers.
> > Modify output programs to use WordPerfect printer drivers. This is
possible as
> they have drivers for their programs running all the platforms that
filePro runs
> on.
> >
> > This will allow for the most flexible report generator for
any database
> program. Full use of all printer functions including printing graphics
would be
> possible. This is especially true of laser and inkjet printers which are
awkward to
> handle now.
> >
> > 7. Create a "PACK" command option which would look through a
file and
> remove blank records. This would be much easier the present multiple
steps and
> large amount of disk space which may be necessary currently.
> >
> >
> >
> > Very truly yours,
> >
> >
> >
> > Richard Kreiss
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