*NEW > New commands and changes to dBASE II version 2.31 New commands: HELP - user aid command REINDEX - rebuild index file TEXT - display multiple lines of text, terminated by ENDTEXT Supplemented Commands: APPEND, INSERT, EDIT, CREATE - can use a format file for screen control BROWSE - can be given a list of fields to work with DISPLAY STATUS - shows databases/indexes in use and SET settings READ & REPLACE - can be directed to NOT update indexes via NOUPDATE RELEASE - can release subsets of memory variables RESTORE - can restore additively to existing memory variables SAVE - can save subsets of memory variables SET RAW ON - eliminates extra spaces in DISPLAY and ? commands UPDATE - replace clause can have WITH phrases *END *? *?? > ? - displays an expression list ? [,] > ?? - display an expression list without a preceeding line eject *END *@ > @ - displays user formated data on CRT or printer @ [SAY [USING '']] [GET [PICTURE '']] can be numeric expressions or $+ for relative addressing e.g. @ $,$+5 say 'HI' Possible error messages: SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *ACCEPT > ACCEPT - allows input of character strings into memory variables ACCEPT [""] TO Possible error messages: SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND *END *APPEND > APPEND - append dBASE files or files in System Data Format (SDF) or delimited files APPEND [FROM [SDF] [DELIMITED [WITH ]] [FOR ]] or [BLANK] Possible error messages: VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *BROWSE > BROWSE - full screen window viewing and editing BROWSE [] *END *CANCEL > CANCEL - cancels command file execution CANCEL *END *CASE > CASE - one possible execution path in a DO CASE structure CASE e.g. DO CASE CASE X=1 . any statements . CASE X=" . any statements . OTHERWISE . any statements . ENDCASE *END *CHANGE > CHANGE - edit columns of fields CHANGE FIELD [] [FOR ] Possible error messages: "FIELD" PHRASE NOT FOUND VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *CLEAR > Clear out database files in use OR screen variables CLEAR [GETS] *END *CONTINUE > Continue the action of a LOCATE command CONTINUE *END *COPY > COPY - copy existing databases to create copies COPY TO [] [FIELD ] [FOR ] [SDF] [DELIMITED [WITH ]] or [STRUCTURE] NOTE: COPY always destroys the previous contents of the TO file Possible error messages: BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *COUNT > COUNT - count the number of records that meet some conditional expression COUNT [] [FOR ] [TO ] Possible error messages: OUT OF MEMORY FOR MEMORY VARIABLES Reduce the number or size of memory variables. *END *CREATE > CREATE - create new structured database files CREATE [] Possible error messages: BAD DECIMAL WIDTH FIELD BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. BAD NAME FIELD BAD TYPE FIELD Must be C, N, or L. BAD WIDTH FIELD RECORD LENGTH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM SIZE (OF 1000) SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *DELETE > DELETE - delete files and mark records for deletion DELETE [] [FOR ] DELETE FILE *END *DISPLAY > DISPLAY - displays records, fields, and expressions DISPLAY [] [FOR ] [] [OFF] DISPLAY STRUCTURE DISPLAY MEMORY DISPLAY FILES [ON ] [LIKE ] DISPLAY STATUS *END *DO > DO - causes command files to be executed and allows structured loops in command files DO DO WHILE DO CASE Possible error messages: COMMAND FILE CANNOT BE FOUND Check spelling. NESTING LIMIT VIOLATION EXCEEDED *END *EDIT > EDIT - alter specific data fields in a database EDIT [] Possible error messages: RECORD OUT OF RANGE Record number greater than number of records in database. The Record doesn't exist. SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *EJECT > EJECT - ejects a page on the list device EJECT *END *ELSE > ELSE - alternate path of command execution within IF ELSE *END *ENDCASE > ENDCASE - terminate a CASE structure ENDCASE *END *ENDDO > ENDDO - terminator for DO WHILE command ENDDO *END *ENDIF > ENDIF - terminator for IF command ENDIF *END *ERASE > ERASE - clears the CRT ERASE *END *FIND > FIND - positions to record corresponding to a key on indexed files FIND or FIND '' Possible error messages: DATABASE IN USE IS NOT INDEXED FIND is only permitted on indexed databases. NO FIND More a diagnostic type message than an error message. dBASE couldn't find the key. *END *GO *GOTO > GOTO - position to a specific record GO or GOTO [RECORD], or [TOP], or [BOTTOM], Possible error messages: RECORD NOT IN INDEX Index file was not updated after a record was added. Reindex. RECORD OUT OF RANGE Record number greater than number of records in database. The Record doesn't exist. *END *HELP > ? - displays an expression list > ?? - display an expression list without a preceeding line eject > @ - displays user formated data on CRT or printer > ACCEPT - allows input of character strings into memory variables > APPEND - append dBASE files or files in System Data Format (SDF) or delimited files > BROWSE - full screen window viewing and editing > CANCEL - cancels command file execution > CASE - one possible execution path in a DO CASE structure > CHANGE - edit columns of fields > CLEAR - Clear out database files in use OR screen variables > CONTINUE - Continue the action of a LOCATE command > COPY - copy existing databases to create copies > COUNT - count the number of records that meet some > CREATE - create new structured database files > DELETE - delete files and mark records for deletion > DISPLAY - displays records, fields, and expressions > DO - causes command files to be executed and allows structured loops in command files > EDIT - alter specific data fields in a database > EJECT - ejects a page on the list device > ELSE - alternate path of command execution within IF > ENDCASE - terminate a CASE structure > ENDDO - terminator for DO WHILE command > ENDIF - terminator for IF command > ERASE - clears the CRT > FIND - positions to record corresponding to a key on indexed files > GOTO - position to a specific record > IF - allows conditional execution of commands > INDEX - creates an index file > INPUT - allows input of expressions into memory variables > INSERT - insert data into a file > JOIN - outputs the JOIN of two databases > LIST - identical to the DISPLAY command except that the default scope > LOCATE - find a record that fits a condition > LOOP - skips to beginning of DO WHILE > MODIFY - allows editing of command files and database structures > PACK - removes records marked for deletion > QUIT - terminate dBASE and return to the system optionally > READ - displays data and prompting information in full-screen mode > RECALL - erases mark for deletion > REINDEX - realigns an old index file > RELEASE - eliminates unwanted memory variables and returns space to dBASE > RENAME - rename a file > REPLACE - replaces data fields with values > REPORT - format and display a report of data > RESET - Reset system to allow diskette swapping > RESTORE - retrieves sets of stored memory variables > RETURN - ends a command file > SAVE - copy the memory variables to mass storage > SELECT - switches between USE file > SET - sets dBASE control parameters > SKIP - position forwards or backwards > SORT - create a copy of a database which is sorted on one of the data fields > STORE - stores expressions into memory variables > SUM - compute and display the sum of an expression > TEXT - heads a block of information for output only > TOTAL - outputs a database of totalled records > UPDATE - allows batch updates of a database > USE - specifies the database file to be used for all operations until another USE is issued > WAIT - suspends command file processing OTHER TOPICS > NEW (FEATURES) > LIMITATIONS (AND CONSTRAINTS) > ERROR (MESSAGES) *END *IF > IF - allows conditional execution of commands IF . . (any statements) . ELSE ] ELSE is optional . ] . (any statements) ] . ] ENDIF *END *INDEX > INDEX - creates an index file INDEX ON TO Possible error messages: BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. "ON" PHRASE NOT FOUND "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND *END *INPUT > INPUT - allows input of expressions into memory variables INPUT [""] TO Possible error messages: "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND *END *INSERT > INSERT - insert data into a file INSERT [BEFORE], or [BLANK] Possible error messages: CANNOT INSERT - THERE ARE NO RECORDS IN DATABASE FILE Use the APPEND command instead. SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *JOIN > JOIN - outputs the JOIN of two databases JOIN TO FOR [FIELDS ] Possible error messages: JOIN ATTEMPTED TO GENERATE MORE THAN 65,534 RECORDS The FOR clause allows too many joined output records, make it more stringent. NO "FOR" PHRASE *END *LIST > LIST - identical to the DISPLAY command except that the default scope is ALL records LIST *END *LOCATE > LOCATE - find a record that fits a condition LOCATE [] [FOR ] Possible error messages: NO "FOR" PHRASE *END *LOOP > LOOP - skips to beginning of DO WHILE LOOP *END *MODIFY > MODIFY - allows editing of command files and database structures MODIFY STRUCTURE MODIFY COMMAND Possible error messages: BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. RECORD LENGTH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM SIZE (OF 1000) *END *NOTE NOTE or * *END *PACK > PACK - removes records marked for deletion PACK *END *QUIT > QUIT - terminate dBASE and return to the system optionally starts up other programs QUIT [TO ] *END *READ > READ - displays data and prompting information in full-screen mode READ Possible error messages: SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END *RECALL > RECALL - erases mark for deletion RECALL [] [FOR ] *END *REINDEX > REINDEX realigns an old index file REINDEX *END *RELEASE > RELEASE - eliminates unwanted memory variables and returns space to dBASE RELEASE [], or [ALL] RELEASE ALL LIKE RELEASE ALL EXCEPT *END *REMARK REMARK *END *RENAME > RENAME - rename a file RENAME TO *END *REPLACE > REPLACE - replaces data fields with values REPLACE [] WITH [AND WITH ] Possible error messages: DATA ITEM NOT FOUND SOURCE AND DESTINATION DATA TYPES ARE DIFFERENT *END *REPORT > REPORT - format and display a report of data REPORT [] [FORM
] [TO PRINT] [FOR ] [PLAIN] Possible error messages: SYNTAX ERROR, RE-ENTER *END *RESET > Reset system to allow diskette swapping RESET [] *END *RESTORE > RESTORE - retrieves sets of stored memory variables RESTORE [ADDITIVE] Possible error messages: CANNOT OPEN FILE *END *RETURN > RETURN - ends a command file RETURN *END *SAVE > SAVE - copy the memory variables to mass storage SAVE TO [ALL LIKE ] Possible error messages: BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND *END *SELECT > SELECT - switches between USE file SELECT [PRIMARY or SECONDARY] *END *SET > SET - sets dBASE control parameters SET [ON], or [OFF] SET ALTERNATE TO SET DEFAULT TO SET DATE TO SET FORMAT TO SET HEADING TO SET INDEX TO SET MARGIN TO *END *SKIP > SKIP - position forwards or backwards SKIP <+/-> [] *END *SORT > SORT - create a copy of a database which is sorted on one of the data fields SORT ON TO [ASCENDING], or [DESCENDING] *END *STORE > STORE - stores expressions into memory variables STORE TO Possible error messages: OUT OF MEMORY FOR MEMORY VARIABLES Reduce the number or size of memory variables. "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND *END *SUM > SUM - compute and display the sum of an expression over a group of database records SUM [] [TO ] [FOR ] Possible error messages: MORE THAN 5 FIELDS TO SUM NO EXPRESSION TO SUM NON-NUMERIC EXPRESSION *END *TOTAL > TOTAL - outputs a database of totalled records TOTAL TO ON [FIELDS ] *END *UPDATE > UPDATE - allows batch updates of a database UPDATE FROM ON [ADD ] [REPLACE [ ] ] [ WITH ] Possible error messages: NO "FROM" PHRASE "ON" PHRASE NOT FOUND *END *USE > USE - specifies the database file to be used for all operations until another USE is issued USE [INDEX ] Possible error messages: BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. END OF FILE FOUND UNEXPECTEDLY The database in USE is not in the correct format. If all records are correct and present, then PACK and re-INDEX the database. INDEX DOES NOT MATCH DATABASE dBASE cannot match the key with the database. Try another index file. INDEX FILE CANNOT BE OPENED Check spelling or INDEX the database. *END *WAIT > WAIT - suspends command file processing WAIT [TO ] *END *@ @(,) - AT function *END ** * - deleted record function *END *# # - record number function *END *! !() - upper case function *END *$ $(,,) - substring function *END *CHR CHR() - numeric to ASCII *END *DATE DATE() - system date function *END *EOF EOF - end-of-file function *END *FILE FILE() - existance function *END *INT INT() - integer function *END *LEN LEN() - length function *END *STR STR(,[,]) string function *END *VAL VAL() - value function *END *TRIM TRIM() - trims strings *END *TYPE TYPE() - supplies data type *END *LIMITATIONS number of fields per record 32 max number of characters per record 1000 max number of records per database 65535 max number of characters per character string 254 max accuracy of numeric fields 10 digits largest number 1.8 x 10**63 approx smallest number 1.0 x 10**-63 approx number of memory variables 64 max number of characters per command line 254 max number of expressions in SUM command 5 max number of characters in REPORT header 254 max number of characters in index key 100 max number of pending GETS 64 max number of files open at one time 16 max *END *ERROR BAD DECIMAL WIDTH FIELD BAD FILE NAME Syntax error in filename. BAD NAME FIELD BAD TYPE FIELD Must be C, N, or L. BAD WIDTH FIELD CANNOT INSERT - THERE ARE NO RECORDS IN DATABASE FILE Use the APPEND command instead. CANNOT OPEN FILE COMMAND FILE CANNOT BE FOUND Check spelling. DATA ITEM NOT FOUND DATABASE IN USE IS NOT INDEXED FIND is only permitted on indexed databases. DIRECTORY IS FULL The CP/M disk directory cannot hold anymore files. DISK IS FULL END OF FILE FOUND UNEXPECTEDLY The database in USE is not in the correct format. If all records are correct and present, then PACK and re-INDEX the database. "FIELD" PHRASE NOT FOUND FILE ALREADY EXISTS FILE DOES NOT EXIST FILE IS CURRENTLY OPEN Type a USE or CLEAR command to close the file. FORMAT FILE CANNOT BE OPENED FORMAT FILE HAS NOT BEEN SET ILLEGAL DATA TYPE ILLEGAL GOTO VALUE ILLEGAL VARIABLE NAME Only alphanumerics and colons are allowed in variable and field names. INDEX DOES NOT MATCH DATABASE dBASE cannot match the key with the database. Try another index file. INDEX FILE CANNOT BE OPENED Check spelling or INDEX the database. JOIN ATTEMPTED TO GENERATE MORE THAN 65,534 RECORDS The FOR clause allows too many joined output records, make it more stringent. KEYS ARE NOT THE SAME LENGTH MACRO IS NOT A CHARACTER STRING ¯os must be character strings. MORE THAN 5 FIELDS TO SUM NESTING LIMIT VIOLATION EXCEEDED NO EXPRESSION TO SUM NO "FOR" PHRASE NO "FROM" PHRASE NO FIND More a diagnostic type message than an error message. dBASE couldn't find the key. NON-NUMERIC EXPRESSION NONEXISTENT FILE "ON" PHRASE NOT FOUND OUT OF MEMORY FOR MEMORY VARIABLES Reduce the number or size of memory variables. RECORD LENGTH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM SIZE (OF 1000) RECORD NOT IN INDEX Index file was not updated after a record was added. Reindex. RECORD OUT OF RANGE Record number greater than number of records in database. The Record doesn't exist. SOURCE AND DESTINATION DATA TYPES ARE DIFFERENT *** SYNTAX ERROR *** SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMAT SPECIFICATION SYNTAX ERROR, RE-ENTER "TO" PHRASE NOT FOUND TOO MANY CHARACTERS TOO MANY FILES ARE OPEN There is a maximum of 16 files allowed to be open at one time. TOO MANY MEMORY VARIABLES There is a maximum of 64 memory variables. TOO MANY RETURNS ENCOUNTERED Probably an error in the structure of a command file. "WITH" PHRASE NOT FOUND UNASSIGNED FILE NUMBER Internal error, contact dealer for support. *** UNKNOWN COMMAND VARIABLE CANNOT BE FOUND Need to create the variable, or check the spelling. *END