The PC-SIG Library 10/The PC-Sig Library - Shareware for the IBM PC and Compatibles (PC-SIG)(Tenth Edition Disks 1-2804)(1991).iso/PC_SIGCD/19/9/DISK1992.ZIP/GB11-2.EXE/MGHELP.DAT

Text File | 1989-06-01 | 88KB | 2,644 lines

@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    1

 ENTRY SCREEN

 This is Magic PC's Entry Screen. The name of the
 owner  of  the  software  appears  in  the upper
 left-hand  corner.  The  Date  field  will  show
 either  the  date  given  by the user at the DOS
 level,  or,  in  the event that no date has been
 supplied,  the date entered in the last Magic PC
 session.  The  default date can be overridden by
 typing  a  different  date  in 6 digits, with no
 intervening  slashes.  You can use the Backspace
 key   to  correct  errors  before  pressing  the
 <Enter> to accept the date and enter Magic PC.

 F1 - (Opt): Installation Menu

 F9 - (End): Exit to DOS.

 F10 - (?):  How to use Help.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    2

 USER MENUS

 Magic  PC  has  three  User  Menu levels: System
 Menu, Sub-System Menus, and Program Menus. These
 menus are nested. Making a selection from any of
 the menus is consistent throughout Magic PC:

 Either  type  the  number  of your choice and an
 <Enter>, or use the arrow keys to highlight your
 selection,  then  press <Enter>. In a two column
 menu,  the  Right  and  Left Arrow Keys are also
 operative.

 You  can use the Home Key to highlight the first
 menu  entry  and  the  End  Key to highlight the
 last.  To  leave  a  menu  and  go  back  to the
 previous  level,  press  F9 (End). Note that the
 selection   you   originally  made  will  remain
 highlighted when returning to that level.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   17

 SORT TABLE

 In  the  Sort  Table,  you  choose the fields by
 which  the records will be sorted, determine the
 size of the segment if the field is alphanumeric
 and  whether  the  Sort  is done in Ascending or
 Descending  order. You can sort by a combination
 of  up  to 10 different fields. Press F4 to open
 new  lines  in  the  table.  When you are ready,
 press F9 to accept your selections.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   39

 HOW TO USE HELP

 Magic  PC  provides  you  with context-sensitive
 help  screens. There are 2 levels of help in the
 Design Module, and 4 levels of help at Runtime.

 Design Module:

 Press F10 whenever a new window is displayed and
 you  will  see  the help information relevant to
 that  subject. If it is a selection menu, choose
 the  entry  you need and then press F10 for help
 on  that  entry.  From  any  help screen you can
 press  F10  again  to  display  this "HOW TO USE
 HELP"  screen. To exit, press F9 (End) for every
 F10 you have entered.

 At Runtime:

 The  designer can prepare a field-sensitive help
 screen for the end-user and also one common help
 screen  for  the  entire  Task. The end-user can
 invoke  4  levels  of  help by pressing F10 four
 times:  The  field  level  help,  the Task level
 help,  the  User  Options Help, and finally this
 "HOW  TO  USE  HELP"  The  first  two levels are
 prepared  by  the  designer  and  stored  in the
 XXCTL.DAT  file  as part of the application, and
 the  last  2 levels are stored in the MGHELP.DAT
 file.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   44

 USER OPTIONS

 The  User  Options menu is available by pressing
 F1  from  within a Magic PC program. It offers a
 selection  of different modes to run the program
 (Modify,  Create  and  Query), and also provides
 for   a   comprehensive  set  of  operations  to
 manipulate   the  data  (Locate  records,  limit
 ranges  of records, sort, dynamically change the
 current   key,   and  control  the  input/output
 destination).

 At  times,  the  system  designer  may decide to
 disable  some  of  the  modes and operations, or
 even  eliminate  the  access to the User Options
 menu  altogether,  in which case the F1 will not
 be highlighted at the bottom of the screen.

 Within  the  User  Options  menu  you  have  the
 following methods of making your selection:

 1.  Use  the  directional keys to highlight your
 selection, then <Enter> to accept it.

 2.  Type in the number of the option you wish to
 select, then <Enter>.

 3.  Press  the Function key with the same number
 as the option you want to select.

 Once  you are familiar with the options, you can
 press  F1 and the respective F key consecutively
 to get quickly to the requested option. The User
 Options  window  will  not open. For example, if
 you  press  F1 F4 from any point in the program,
 Magic  PC  will automatically display the Locate
 screen   and   you  can  enter  the  information
 required   to   locate   the   specific   record
 immediately.

 The  User  Options menu is split into two parts:
 the first three selections are the
 available  modes of operation. The remainder are
 special requests which can be made to manipulate
 the Data View. The Modes of Operation are:

 Modify (F1):

 In  this  mode,  you can change data in existing
 records.

 Create (F2):

 In  this  mode,  you  can  create  new  records.
 Pressing  Down Arrow will confirm the record and
 present  a  new screen or line for input. The Up
 Arrow  will go to previously entered records and
 allow you to change your data.

 Note,   however,   that  the  range  of  records
 available  for modification while in Create mode
 is  limited  to  those records created since you
 last  entered  this  mode.  In this way, you can
 refer  to  the "family" of records entered while
 in the same Create session.

 Query (F3):

 The  only  operation  allowed  in  this  mode is
 scanning  through  the  records and fields using
 the  Directional  Keys.  An  attempt to change a
 data field will result in a beep.

 Note:
 -----
 In   Batch   type  programs  (reports,  vertical
 updates,  etc.)  the  F1  through  F3  above are
 replaced  by  "F1:  Run"  only,  since the above
 modes  are irrelevant in this case. Select F1 to
 run   the   program   after   you  employed  the
 operations described below.

 Locate (F4):

 When choosing the Locate option, the Task screen
 will appear with "Masks" covering all fields.

 The cursor rests on the current Key Field making
 it  easy  to  ask  for  the  most  common search
 request  -  by key. Enter your requested key and
 press  F9  to  execute the search. Magic PC will
 search for the requested record from the current
 record  on,  up  to  the end of the file (or the
 current  Data  View).  If  found,  the requested
 record  will  show immediately. If not, the next
 record will be shown and the appropriate message
 will  be  displayed. Note that if you would like
 the  search  to  start from the beginning of the
 file,  you must position your cursor at the very
 first  record,  simply  by pressing the Home key
 prior  to entering the Options Menu. (for a line
 mode  window,  press  Home twice: the first will
 move the cursor to the first line in the screen,
 and the second to the top of the file.)

 If  the  field(s)  participating  in  the search
 request  are  the current key fields, the result
 will  be almost immediate. If not, the file will
 be  scanned sequentially. Also note that the key
 search  will  be  made  on  the  current key. To
 change  the current key, use the Key (F6) option
 before executing the search.

 While  the  simplest  type  of  Locate operation
 would  be  to search for a record by its key, it
 is  also  possible  to  search  using  a From/To
 Range. In this case, you would first type in the
 data  relating  to  where  you want to start the
 search  (From),  then press F8 to switch over to
 the  To:  prompt. The masking will appear again,
 and  you can then type in the data pertaining to
 the point where you want to stop the search over
 the previous entry. The first record within that
 set   which   matches  your  criteria,  will  be
 displayed.  If  no  such  record  is  found, the
 cursor  will be positioned on the next record by
 key.

 The  F7  and  F8  keys  will  work  as a toggle,
 alternately  displaying  your  first (From:) and
 second  (To:) entries. As usual, F9 will execute
 the search.

 The  third  method of using the Locate option is
 with  an  expression.  Press F6 (Expr) and enter
 the  Expression table. You can enter any logical
 expression,  and  the system will search for the
 first record which fits that expression.

 Within a search screen, the Delete key (F3) will
 delete all selection criteria, while the Nullify
 key (F4) will only delete a single entry.

 Range (F5):

 You   can   set   the  Range  of  records  which
 participate  in the task (called the Data View),
 overriding the range predetermined by the system
 designer. This Range stays active as long as you
 remain  in  the  Task  or  until the entries are
 deleted or changed.

 The  Range  Option  has  the  same levels as the
 Locate  option (see above). You can give a Range
 From  a field To a field, using F7 and F8 (From:
 To:),  or  by  expression.  The Range operation,
 however,  will  display  not  one  record, but a
 group of records which fit the Range criteria.

 As  usual,  you  exit from the definition screen
 with  F9,  thereby  accepting  the current Range
 definition, and starting the Range operation.

 Key (F6):

 Using this option you can change the Main Key of
 the  task  and  display the records according to
 the  new  key. To do that you must Zoom into the
 Key Table and define the new key.

 The  new key will remain active until changed or
 the  user  leaves  the task. As mentioned above,
 before initiating a search, you can redefine the
 key of the Data View.

 You  can  choose Key 0 (no key at all), by going
 to  the  top  of  the  Key name Table (above the
 first  key),  and  leaving  with  F9.  This will
 display  the  records in the physical order they
 appear in the data file.

 Sort (F7):

 The  Sort  Option  allows  a  User to perform an
 online sort by up to ten Ascending or Descending
 Keys.

 A  Sort  Operation will override the active key.
 The  new  sort remains active until the User has
 either  left  the  task,  or  canceled  the sort
 definition.

 Files (F8):

 This option refers to Input/Output Files. In the
 program,  the  designer  gives a name to the I/O
 files.  This  is especially useful in Batch type
 tasks printing reports. If no name is given, the
 file  is  sent  to  the Printer with the default
 name  PRN:  The  User can, at this point, change
 the  name of the Output file, sending the Output
 to disk file or to the console.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   45

 EXPRESSION TABLE

 You  can enter any legal mathematical or logical
 expression  following the conventional algebraic
 rules, using the Magic PC Functions.

 Use  the  letters  assigned  to all the selected
 fields,  in the list on the left of your screen.
 Zoom if the list is too long to be displayed all
 at  once  on  the screen, and scroll to view the
 entire list. Return with F9.

 Enter  your expression in the table and <Enter>.
 It  is  translated  automatically to display the
 field names instead of the letter codes.

 If  an error is detected in the expression, only
 the  part  up to the error is displayed. Use the
 Edit mode (Esc) to correct your error.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   46

 I/O TABLE

 In   this   Table  you  can  redefine  the  file
 destination.

 The  default  destination  for an Output file is
 PRN: or the Printer. To see the report displayed
 on  the screen, enter CON: or "console" (without
 the  quotes). To send the report to a disk file,
 enter  the  DOS file name. Then press F9, and F1
 to run the program.

 Another  parameter  you can change is the number
 of lines per page. The default is 60.

 As  always,  the output file definition you make
 will  remain  in effect until it is changed back
 or you have left this task.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   53

 LOGON WINDOW

 Enter  your User ID and press <Enter>. Now enter
 your  password  and press <Enter>. Magic PC will
 not display the password on the screen, and will
 always  proceed to the next screen. Your User ID
 and  password  will  be  validated only when you
 enter a specific system in the System Menu.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    3

 CONVERT UTILITY

 This  important  utility  is  used to reorganize
 data  files and/or perform conversion of data in
 the process.

 It  is  strongly recommended that you backup the
 original   data   file   before   starting  this
 procedure since, at its conclusion, the original
 file will be replaced with the new one.

 You should have enough room on your disk for the
 new  file,  since the old one will remain on the
 disk until the process is completed.

 The  Convert  utility  must  be run any time you
 change  the  definition of fields or keys in the
 Data Dictionary, for existing data files.

 To  convert, enter the Data Dictionary, make the
 requested  change  to the field definitions, and
 any changes to the keys. Before leaving the file
 line  in  the  Data  Dictionary  Table, you must
 press  the  F7  (Convert)  key.  This  timing is
 critical  because,  as long as you remain on the
 file line, Magic PC remembers the old definition
 of  the file and its keys and is able to perform
 the  conversion.  Once you leave the line, it is
 no longer possible to run the utility!!

 Since  it  is  so  crucial to run the Convert on
 time,   Magic  PC  displays  a  warning  message
 anytime   you   change   anything  in  the  Data
 Dictionary.  If data files exist at the time the
 change  is  made  you  must run the convert. You
 should,  however,  make  all  the changes to the
 file  before  you  convert.  This  includes  the
 changes to the Fields and the Keys.

 You  can  alter  anything  in  the  file and key
 definitions:

     Add a field anywhere in the file.
     Delete records.
     Change attributes.
     Add or delete keys.
     Switch between Unique and Non-unique.
     Add or delete segments.

 If  changing  attributes  of  fields,  Magic  PC
 attempts to convert the Data types. If inserting
 new  fields,  they  will  be  assigned  zero  or
 blanks.

 You  can zoom on the Scan key to get the list of
 the  file's  keys. Choosing the key will cause a
 scan of the existing file in that key order, and
 the  creation  of the new file by that key. This
 ensures  that  the physical order of the records
 in  the new file will equal the logical order by
 the  selected key, thereby guaranteeing the best
 performance  in  scanning  the  file  or any I/O
 operation.

 If  you  choose  Key 0, the current file will be
 scanned  sequentially.  Use  Key  0  to  recover
 damaged  files,  since Magic PC will reconstruct
 the keys and data automatically.

 Another benefit of the reorganization process is
 the  fact  that  records  which  were  marked as
 deleted  and  have  not yet been reused, are not
 copied  to  the  new file. This is the "packing"
 operation  of  Magic PC, which will decrease the
 physical size of the file.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    4

 DISPLAY FIELD SCREEN

 This  screen  is  used  to  select a field to be
 displayed on the screen. Zoom to the left column
 and  highlight the field you want to display and
 return  with  F9.  The  description  will appear
 automatically  on the screen. If you skip to the
 EXPression   column,   you   can   Zoom  to  the
 Expression  Table and select an expression whose
 result will be displayed on the screen.

 Auto Skip: If Y, the field will be automatically
 skipped when filled with data.

 Commas:  If  Y,  numeric  fields  will show with
 commas separating the thousands.

 Negative: If Y, negative values are allowed.

 Blank  When  Zero:  If Y, numeric fields will be
 displayed as blanks when their value is zero.

 Leading  Zeros: If Y, displays leading zeros for
 numeric fields.

 Uppercase:  If Y, converts all lowercase letters
 to uppercase.

 Pos:  You  can  override the default position of
 the displayed field.

 Size: Allows override of the default size of the
 field.  Note  that you can split an alphanumeric
 field  into  multiple lines. Enter, for example,
 (2,15) for a field of length [30].

 Decs: Allows override of the number of displayed
 decimal places.

 Help:  Zoom  to  the  Help  Table  to define and
 select the help screen for this field.

 You can leave this screen in one of three modes:

 1.  Press  F9 to display the field on the screen
 at the specified position.

 2.  Press  F7 to display the field and its title
 next to it in Screen Mode.

 3.  Press  F8 to display the field and its title
 above it in Line Mode.

 As  always, pressing F2 leaves the screen making
 no field selection.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    5

 DESIGNER OPTIONS MENU

 This  menu  gives  you  access  to  all  of  the
 designing  capabilities  of  Magic  PC  once you
 enter a specific application. On the System Menu
 level,  only  the  Menu  maintenance  option  is
 available.

 Use  the  Directional  Keys  and <Enter> to make
 your   selection,   or   press  the  appropriate
 Function Key.

 This   is  a  general  description  of  all  the
 options.  For  more specific help, choose one of
 the options and request help on that level.

 Designing Options:

 Choose  options  F1  through  F5  to  design the
 Menus,  Data  Dictionary, Programs, Help Screens
 and User IDs of your application.

 Print/Export/Import Options:

 F6  will  print or export Menus, Data Dictionary
 Programs,  Help  Screens  and  User  ID.  If you
 choose  the Document options Magic PC will print
 a  detail document of all the application system
 elements.

 If you choose Internal format printing, Magic PC
 will  export  the  system's elements in internal
 format.  Then  you can import it back using F7 -
 the Dictionary Import utility. This feature will
 help you to achieve the following:

 1.  To  copy and modify existing programs, using
 them  as  templates  or as the basis for similar
 systems.

 2.  If  a  few designers implement the system in
 parallel,  you  can  export  all  their  Control
 Files,  and  merge all of them by importing them
 into one consolidated file.

 3.  If  your  XXCTL.DAT file is damaged, you can
 dump all 5 system element using Internal format,
 then  open a new system and import all the files
 back in. Importing should be done in this order:
 Data Dictionary, Help Screens, User ID, Programs
 and Menus.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    6

 SYSTEM MENU MAINTENANCE

 System Description:

 The system name as it shows in the System Menu.

 Control:

 Enter  two  alpha  characters  to  identify  the
 Control  File.  If  XX is entered, Magic PC will
 use XXCTL.DAT as the Control File. You can press
 F6  to widen the input area and then enter a DOS
 path  name.  D:\MAGIC\XX  will cause Magic PC to
 look  for  the  XXCTL.DAT  file  in the D:\MAGIC
 directory.  Press  F6 again or <Enter> to shrink
 the input area.

 Data:

 Enter  two alpha characters to identify the data
 files.  If  XX  is  entered,  Magic  PC will use
 XXFILYYY.DAT  for  the  data  file. Enter a path
 name  in  a  similar  way  to the Programs entry
 explained above.

 Sub-System, Program:

 Enter  the  Sub-System number and/or the Program
 number  you  would  like  the  end user to go to
 directly from the Entry Screen. In this case the
 System Menu will be skipped (only when using the
 stand    alone    Runtime    module)   and   the
 corresponding  Sub-System  or  Program  will  be
 displayed.  See  chapter  5 in the documentation
 for details.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    7

 SUB-SYSTEM MENU

 This  table  is  used  to describe the different
 Sub-systems.  The break-down into Sub-systems is
 a  logical  split  of the different parts of the
 system   for   the   user's   convenience.   All
 Sub-Systems  use  the  same System Control File,
 containing the Data and Program Dictionaries.

 As in all tables, the F4 key is used to create a
 new  line, F2 to cancel the operation, and F3 to
 delete a line.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    8

 PROGRAM MENU

 Program Description:

 The program name is automatically copied to this
 column  from  the Program Table when you zoom on
 the No. column to select a program. You can then
 override  the name in those cases that you would
 like  to display a different name in the Program
 Menu.

 No. :

 Zoom to select a program from the Program Table,
 or type in the program number.

 Parameter:

 If  the  No. column is 0, and this column is not
 blank,   then   Magic  PC  invokes  the  command
 processor   (as  specified  in  the  Environment
 Screen), and passes to it the Parameter line for
 execution.     Upon     termination,     control
 automatically   returns  to  Magic  PC.  If  the
 Parameter is DOS, then control is transferred to
 DOS,  until  the  user types EXIT at which point
 control returns to Magic PC.

 Cls:

 If  Yes,  the  Magic PC screen is cleared before
 leaving  to  DOS.  If  No,  the  screen  is  not
 cleared.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    9

 DATA DICTIONARY

 The  Data  Dictionary  is  part  of  the  System
 Control  File  and is made up of all File, Field
 and Key Definitions.

 All  Database  Files  are defined in this table.
 The only information you can enter on this table
 is  the  File  Name.  All  other columns are for
 display  only and should be Zoomed on. The files
 are  automatically  numbered  as you create them
 (F4).  The  File  number  (YYY)  in  this  table
 corresponds    to   the   physical   file   name
 (XXFILYYY.DAT).

 F7  -  Convert:  Run  the  Convert Utility after
 changing  the Data Dictionary and before leaving
 the file line.

 F8  -  Checker:  Run  the  Checker  to check the
 file's definitions.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   10

 FIELDS

 Field Types:

 (A)  Alphanumeric  - Where the size of the field
 is  specified in bytes, up to the maximum record
 size (2K).

 (I)  Integer  -  A  2  byte signed (+/-) Numeric
 field of up to 4 digits.

 (L) Long Integer - A 4 byte signed (+/-) Numeric
 field of up to 9 digits.

 (R)  Real  - A 4 byte signed (+/-) Numeric field
 with  a  decimal  point,  in  a combination of 6
 digits, from (-0.000001 to 999999).

 (E)  Extended  -  An 8 byte signed (+/-) Numeric
 field  with a decimal point, in a combination of
 14 digits.

 (D)  Date  -  Stored  internally  as  a  4  byte
 integer,   where   01/01/1901  is  equal  to  1.
 Therefore,   it   is   possible   to  carry  out
 arithmetic operations on the data.

 (T)  Time  -  Stored  internally  as  a  4  byte
 integer,   counting   seconds   from   midnight.
 Therefore,   it   is   possible   to  carry  out
 arithmetic operations on the data.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   11

 KEYS

 Any field or combination of fields in a file can
 be  defined  as a key, which is either Unique or
 Non-Unique.  One file can have multiple keys. In
 this case, the file will be pre-sorted according
 to  all  keys.  The  User can switch immediately
 from  one  sort  order  to another, and will not
 have to wait for an external sort.

 A key is made up of segments. A segment of a key
 can  be  either an entire field or a part of it,
 if   alphanumeric.   The  order  can  be  either
 Ascending  or  Descending, unless the Type is I,
 L,  or D, in which case the key can be Ascending
 only.

 The Key definition screen is actually made up of
 two   tables.   The   upper  section  lists  the
 different  keys  in  the  file. When the key you
 wish  to  handle is highlighted, the segments of
 that  key  will appear in the table at the lower
 right.  Indeed,  you  need  only  Zoom  on  your
 selection  in  the  upper  table  to  get to the
 details  in  the lower. This is where you choose
 the  fields  which  will make up the segments of
 your  key.  The  size is computed automatically,
 unless you have chosen an alphanumeric field, in
 which  case,  the  cursor  will stop on the Size
 column  and  await  your  input.  You  must also
 decide   whether   the   segment  is  sorted  in
 Ascending  or  Descending  order (A or D). After
 specifying  the  details  of the key, the F9 key
 will bring you back to the upper table.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   12

 PROGRAM TABLE

 This  is  the  Program  Description  Table.  The
 column   on  the  left  represents  the  program
 numbers, which are automatically assigned by the
 system.  The  programs  can  be  called by these
 numbers  either within another program or on the
 Menu  Maintenance screen. To create a new entry,
 press  the F4 (Add) key, which will insert a new
 line  wherever  you  are  in the table. If a new
 program  is  inserted in the middle of the list,
 the   other   programs   will  be  automatically
 renumbered throughout the System.

 A  Program  is  made up of a series of Tasks and
 Sub-Tasks   which  can  be  nested.  A  Task  is
 comprised  of  a  Task  Header and the Execution
 Definition  of  that  Task. To enter a Program's
 first  Task  Header,  ZOOM  (F5)  on the Program
 Name.

 F8:  -  Run  the  Checker  to check your program
 before you run it.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   13

 TASK HEADER

 The  Task  Header has two major purposes. First,
 it  defines  the  general Data View, by choosing
 the Main File for the Task along with one of its
 keys   which   is  used  to  define  the  record
 sequence.   Second,   it   provides  information
 pertaining  to  the  Task,  such as, the Mode of
 Operation,   the   Task   Type,  etc.  Essential
 information  is  provided  on  the first screen.
 Less  frequently  used parameters are entered on
 the More Information screen, which is reached by
 Zooming  (F5)  on the More Information parameter
 at the bottom of the screen.

 Task Description:

 This  description  is  copied automatically from
 the Program Description Table.

 Main File:

 The  major file of this Task. All other Database
 files  used  by  the  Task are Linked Files. The
 Zoom  key  (F5) is active on this field, and you
 can  choose  the  file  you  need  from the File
 Description Table.

 Key:

 The  default key for this Task selected from the
 Key window. Use the Zoom to make this selection,
 returning with F9. If the Key is defined here as
 zero  (0),  then  you can Zoom to the Expression
 Table and write an expression which results in a
 number.  This  will be the Key number to be used
 by the Task.

 Mode:

 The  default  mode  in which the Task will start
 when  first  run  by  the User. This mode can be
 changed  by  the  User in the User Options Menu.
 Press  the  ?  key  to see a list of the various
 Modes available for this parameter.

 If Options (O) is given as the Mode of Operation
 default,  the User will see the Option Menu upon
 entering  the  Task,  and will then choose which
 Mode he wants to use.

 Entering   a  blank  will  give  access  to  the
 Expression  Table.  This expression should yield
 one of the characters above.

 Task Type:

 This  parameter  is  a  major branching point in
 Task  definitions.  This  is  where  you  define
 whether   a   Task  is  On-line  or  Batch.  All
 following  definitions  and Execution Operations
 will depend on this parameter.

 Task Size:

 This parameter automatically displays the amount
 of memory used by the Task.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   14

 TABLE SELECTION

 To select from a table, use the directional keys
 to  highlight  your choice and press F9 to leave
 the  table. If you press F2, you leave the table
 making  no  selection  and  the  previous  entry
 remains.

 Note  that the cursor might show above the first
 entry of the table, when the selection is zero.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   15

 MORE INFO

 Open Files
 ----------

 DB:

 Describes     Magic    PC's    Database    Files
 participating  in the Task. ZOOM to the DB Table
 to display the Help for this entry.

 I/O:

 Zoom  on  this  field  to define Input or Output
 Files  to  correspond respectively with the Read
 and  Write File Operations in the Task Execution
 Table.  Zoom  to  the  I/O  Table to display its
 Help.

 Modifiable (Y/N)
 ----------------

 The various "Modifiable" parameters will be used
 by  the  designer to limit the options available
 to the user at Runtime:

 Options (Y/N):

 When  set  to  N,  the  User Options Menu is not
 accessible  to  the user (F1 is not highlighted)
 both  in  Batch  and Online Task. This overrides
 all the other Modifiable entries below.

 Modify/Create/Delete (Y/N):

 Whether  or not the user can use these modes for
 this Task.

 Locate/Range (Y/N):

 Whether or not the user can change the Locate or
 Range expression in the More Info screen.

 Key (Y/N):

 Whether or not the user can change the Key which
 was specified in the Task Header.

 Sort (Y/N):

 Whether the user has a Sort option. In addition,
 if  you  ZOOM  in  on  this  parameter,  you can
 predetermine  the  sort sequence for the Task in
 the Sort Table.

 I/O Files:

 Whether  or  not  the  user can change the Input
 Output  files  defined  in  the I/O Table in the
 More Info Screen.

 Expression for
 --------------

 Expression for Locate:

 Positions  the  cursor  on the first record that
 qualifies  for this expression. The range is not
 limited.

 Expression for Range:

 Predetermines the range of records participating
 in  the  Task, to those which give a True result
 to the expression.

 Expression for End:

 An expression which will define an End Condition
 for  the  Task.  Typically, an On-line Task ends
 when  the  User presses the F9 key. A Batch Task
 ends  when  all  records have been processed. If
 you want to set a different criterion for ending
 a  Task,  you  can specify an expression at this
 parameter.

 Expression for Delete:

 This  Expression is only used in Batch Tasks and
 serves as a criterion to delete records from the
 File.  In  this  case,  every  record  that  the
 expression  evaluates to 'TRUE'L will be deleted
 from the File.

 Form Lines:

 Used   for   Pre-Printed  Form  processing.  For
 example,  if there is only room for 6 Item Lines
 in  an  Order  Entry  Form,  choose  6  for this
 parameter.

 Task Help:

 Zoom  to  define  the global Help Screen for the
 Task.  This Number can also be set from the Main
 Screen for the Task.

 Conditions (Y/N)
 ----------------

 Open Window:

 This parameter will determine whether or not the
 Task  has  its  own  window. If No (N), the Task
 uses  the  Father Task's window and special care
 must be taken.

 Close Window:

 If Open Window=N (above) then if Close Window is
 set  to  N,  the  Window Area on the Father Task
 which  belongs to this Task - is not erased when
 leaving the Task.

 Record Cycle:

 If  Y, after entering the last field of a record
 the  cursor  comes  back  to  the  first  field,
 cycling on the same record. To go on to the next
 record  automatically  after  accepting the last
 field of the record, change this parameter to N.

 Repaint Screen:

 If  Y, the screen is painted every time a Record
 Suffix  is  completed.  This should be used only
 when  necessary,  since  in  most  cases (in the
 default  N setting) the screen is only repainted
 when needed.

 Resident Task:

 If Y, then the Task is loaded to memory when its
 Father  is loaded, and is only released when the
 Father  Task  is  terminated. This is especially
 useful for sub-tasks which are called frequently
 from  Father  tasks,  since the disk I/O time is
 eliminated.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   16

 EXPRESSION TABLE

 F4 opens a new line in this table. Press the End
 key  first  if  you want to add an expression to
 the bottom of the table.

 Each  entry in the table evaluates to one of the
 following:  String, Numeric, or Logical (True or
 False).

 You  can enter any legal mathematical or logical
 expression  following the conventional algebraic
 rules,  using  the  Magic  PC Functions. Use the
 letters  assigned  to  all  the selected fields,
 from  the top task down to the current one. Zoom
 if  the  list is too long to be displayed all at
 once  on  the  screen,  and  scroll  to view the
 entire  list.  Return with F9. The expression is
 translated  automatically  to  display the field
 names instead of the letter codes.

 If  an error is detected in the expression, only
 the  part  up to the error is displayed. Use the
 Edit mode (Esc) to correct your error.

 If  the  expression  is  longer  than  the space
 allowed  in  the  table,  press  F6 (Wide). Nine
 lines  of  25  characters each are given for the
 expression.  Press  F6  again  to  return to the
 table. Other Available Function Keys:

 (F2) Undo: Leaves the table without changing the
 entry in the task.

 (F3) Delete: Deletes an entry from the table.

 (F4) Add: Creates a new entry in the table.

 @:  (At-sign  to  Copy):  Enter  @ as your first
 character  in  the expression, then follow it by
 existing   Expression  number  and  <Enter>,that
 Expression will be copied to the this entry.

 FUNCTION LIST
 -------------

 The following screens display a list of Magic PC
 Functions,  along with their parameters (Parms),
 the   type   they  return  (Ret),  and  a  brief
 description.  The  list is organized by Function
 type.  Use  this  list  as  a quick reference to
 verify  the  format  of a specific Function. The
 complete list sorted alphabetically is available
 in Chapter 10 of the Reference Manual.


 Literals
 --------
 Alphanumeric   'abc1234$%*'
 Numeric        -123.45
 Date           '01/01/86'D
 Time           '12:30:00'T
 Logical        'TRUE'L or 'FALSE'L


 Operators:

 Mathematical
 ------------
 +         Addition of two numbers
 -         Subtraction of two numbers
 *         Multiplication of two numbers
 /         Division of two numbers
 ^         Exponentiation
 MOD       Modulus:the remainder of a division.
 -( )      Changing the sign of an expression.


 Logical
 -------
 =         Equation
 <>        Not Equal
 <=        Less than or equal to
 <         Less than
 >=        Greater than or equal to
 >         Greater than
 NOT       Negation
 AND       And
 OR        Or


 String
 ------
 &         string concatenation.


 Date Functions:

 Name      Parms     Ret  Description
 ------------------------------------
 DATE                date System date

 DAY       date      num  Day number (1-31)
 MONTH     date      num  Month number (1-12)
 YEAR      date      num  Year (1901-up)

 DOW       date      num  Day-Of-Week (1-7)
 CDOW      date      str  'Sunday','Monday'...
 NDOW      num       str  'Sunday','Monday'...

 CMONTH    date      str  'January','February'
 NMONTH    num       str  'January','February'

 DSTR      date,mode str  date to string
 DVAL      str       date string to date


 Time Functions:

 Name      Parms     Ret  Description
 ------------------------------------
 TIME                time System time

 HOUR      time      num  Hours (0-99
 MINUTE    time      num  Minutes (0-59)
 SECOND    time      num  Seconds (0-59)

 TSTR      time,mode str  time to string
 TVAL      str       time string to time


 Mathematical Functions:

 Name      Parms          Ret  Description
 -----------------------------------------
 ABS       num            num  Absolute value
 MOD       num MOD num    num  Modulus

 FIX       num,whole,dec  num  Truncate num.
 ROUND     num,whole,dec  num  Rounds numbers

 LOG       num            num  Natural log.


 Trigonometric Functions:

 Name      Parms     Ret  Description
 ------------------------------------
 COS       rad       num  Cosine
 SIN       rad       num  Sine
 TAN       rad       num  Tangent

 ACOS      num       rad  Arc Cosine
 ASIN      num       rad  Arc Sine
 ATAN      num       rad  Arc Tangent


 String Manipulation:

 Name      Parms               Ret  Description
 ----------------------------------------------
 DEL       str,pos,len         str  Delete
 INS       str1,str2,pos,len   str  Insert
 REP       str1,str2,pos,len   str  Replace

 MID       str,pos,len         str  Substring

 LTRIM     str                 str  Left Trim
 RTRIM     str                 str  Right Trim
 LEN       str                 num  Length

 LOWER     str                 str  To Lower
 UPPER     str                 str  To Upper

 FILL      str,repeat          str  Fill
 INSTR     str1,str2           num  Locate


 Logical Functions:

 Name      Parms          Ret  Description
 -----------------------------------------
 IF        log,val1,val2  val  Logical If
 AND       log AND log    log  Logical And
 OR        log OR log     log  Logical Or
 NOT       NOT log        log  Logical Not



 Type Conversion:

 Name      Parms          Ret  Description
 -----------------------------------------
 ASC       str            num  string to ASCII
 CHR       num            str  ASCII to string

 STR       num,len,dec    str  number to str.
 VAL       str            num  str. to number


 Identification:

 Name      Parms     Ret  Description
 ------------------------------------
 SYS                 str  System's name
 MENU                str  Sub-System's name
 PROG                str  Program's name
 OWNER               str  Owner's name
 PREF                str  Data files prefix
 PATH                str  DOS path to data files

 TERM                num  Terminal number
 USER                num  User ID number
 GROUP               num  User group number


 Tests & Conditions:

 Name      Parms     Ret  Description
 ------------------------------------
 EOF       Task,file log  End-of-File
 EOP       Task,file log  End-of-Page
 LINE      Task,file num  Line number
 PAGE      Task,file num  Page number
 STAT      Task,str  log  Task mode
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   18

 DB TABLE

 This  is  the  DB  Table, where all the Database
 files opened in the task are defined.

 Mode:

 Refers  to the Mode in which the file is opened.
 In a single-user environment the default mode is
 A (Accelerated Exclusive). The other option is P
 (Pre-Image Exclusive). In this Mode, all entries
 are simultaneously written into a preimage file.
 In  the  event  of  a  crash,  when  Magic PC is
 started  up  again  all  the  lost  data will be
 automatically  re-entered  into the system. This
 mode  will, of course, slow down data entry, and
 should only be used when necessary.

 In  a Multi-user Environment, the Mode parameter
 takes on additional meanings.

 A  file  can  be  opened  in Mode A (Accelerated
 Exclusive)  or  P  (Pre-Image Exclusive) as in a
 single-user   environment,  where  the  file  is
 opened  exclusively  for this program and cannot
 be  accessed  by  any  other program at the same
 time.  Alternatively,  a  file  can be opened in
 Record  Mode  (R)  or Shared Mode (S). In Record
 Mode,  the  current  record  is locked, allowing
 other  programs  to use different records in the
 same  file,  while  in Shared mode, programs can
 share the file, and therefore should be used for
 multiple read-only cases.

 Expression:

 Allows  you  to override the default name of the
 DB  File. You can enter an expression here which
 changes  the  path,  drive name and/or file name
 for the duration of the Task.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   19

 I/O TABLE

 The  I/O  Table  must be used to define Input or
 Output Files to correspond respectively with the
 Read  and  Write  File  Operations  in  the Task
 Execution Table.

 The  first  parameter is the File Description or
 name. The next parameter defines an Input (I) or
 Output   (O)   file.  An  additional  option  is
 Sequential Output (S), where no Top of Page mark
 is generated by Magic PC in the Output file.

 The I/O file name in DOS can be given by Zooming
 to  the  Expression  Table.  If no expression is
 supplied  for  an  Output  file  name,  Magic PC
 assumes  the name to be 'PRN:' and will send the
 output to the printer.

 Lines: Refers to the number of lines per page in
 an  output file. If left as 0, Magic PC uses the
 default from the Environment Screen.

 Modify  Name:  and Modify Lines: Either allow or
 prevent  the  User  from changing a file name or
 destination  and  the number of lines on a page.
 If  Yes,  the User can reroute a report from the
 printer  to  the console, send it to a disk file
 or use different size paper.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   20

 EXECUTION TABLE

 This  level  controls  the flow of input and the
 execution of operations.

 The  screen  is  split into two parts. The upper
 table  shows  which  level  (Record  or Task) is
 being handled, and the number of operations. The
 lower  part  of  the screen shows the details of
 the upper table. More specifically, it shows the
 Operations which belong to the highlighted entry
 in  the  upper table, either the Prefix, Main or
 Suffix  operations.  To  switch  between Prefix,
 Main  and Suffix, use the Left-Right Arrow Keys.
 To scroll between the Record to Task Levels, use
 the Up and Down Arrow Keys. To enter the desired
 lower table (details), press the ZOOM key (F5).

 It  is  very  important to understand how to use
 the various levels in Batch and On-Line Tasks.

 The  main purpose of defining an On-Line Task is
 to  generate  an  input screen for the end-user.
 This  screen  consists  of input fields, display
 fields,   calculations,  windows,  branching  to
 different  tasks  under certain conditions, etc.
 This  is  called  the flow of the task and it is
 placed  in the Main section of the Record Level.
 Once  the user has finished his interaction with
 a  record, a series of operations can take place
 automatically  before  continuing  to  the  next
 record.  These  operations  are  defined  in the
 Record Suffix.

 Operations  carried out on the Task Level are to
 be   executed  either  before  the  Task  starts
 (Prefix)  or  at  its  conclusion  (Suffix). The
 Prefix  operations  are executed before the Task
 enters  the  Record  Level, and therefore before
 the first record is read. The Suffix is a set of
 operations  which are executed at the conclusion
 of the Task, after the last record is read.

 A  Task  Prefix  or  Suffix  is,  by definition,
 executed only once per Task.

 The  Batch Task differs from the On-Line Task on
 the  Record  Level  in the fact that there is no
 user  intervention.  Therefore, the functions of
 the  Main section of record level are reduced to
 selecting  the  Data  View and assigning initial
 values to fields.

 The operations to be performed on each record of
 the  Data  View  are  specified  in  the  Record
 Suffix.

 The On-Change Block

 A  major  difference  between  On-Line and Batch
 Tasks  is the ability to introduce an additional
 level  between  the  Record  and Task level. You
 define  a  field  as  the  break criterion. This
 break  criterion  will define a block of records
 which are similar in at least this aspect.

 Once  established, the On-Change criterion entry
 allows  the  definition of operations which will
 serve  as a Prefix and a Suffix to the block. In
 the  Prefix  of  an  On-Change  entry, you would
 typically   enter  operations  such  as  zeroing
 counters  and printing new headers, while in the
 Suffix  you  would, for example, enter a display
 of totals or statistical information.

 It is important to note that the moment a change
 is   recognized,   the   system   performs   the
 operations   specified  in  the  Suffix  of  the
 previous  block and then will execute the Prefix
 operations  of the next block before continuing.
 You  can enter as many On-Change Block levels as
 needed  and the system will automatically assume
 a  break  in  a  lower  level when a break takes
 place in a higher level.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   49

 OPERATION 0 - REMARK

 This  operation  is  used  to  place programming
 comments  in  the  tables,  or  as  a  separator
 between  the  logical  sections of the execution
 table.

 This  is  the default where a new operation line
 is   created   (F4).   To   choose  a  different
 operation, Zoom to the Operations Table.

 To  enter  a  remark,  move  the  cursor  to the
 description column and type the comment. You can
 also press F6 to expand the comment line. Use F6
 again  or  press  <Enter>  to leave the expanded
 comment area.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   21

 OPERATION 1 - SELECT FIELD

 Purpose:

 To  select  a  Field  from  a  Database  File to
 participate  in  a  Task  and to define order of
 input in an Online Task.

 Type : (R)eal or (V)irtual

 A  (R)eal  Field  is  selected  from the current
 Database  File, either from the file selected as
 the  Main File, or from the Linked File within a
 Begin  Link.  Any  modification  of  the field's
 contents  during  the  Task will be reflected in
 the Database File.

 A  (V)irtual  Field  is  selected from a Virtual
 File  Definition, and resides in memory only for
 the duration of the Task.

 Virtual  Fields  provide  temporary  storage and
 working  variables.  Values  can  be assigned to
 Virtual  Fields, and these values are remembered
 until  either  another value is assigned or Task
 termination.

 No. :

 The  Field Number selected from the current file
 or virtual file. It is possible to Zoom into the
 current  file  definition  for selection, or, in
 the  case  of a virtual field, into a modifiable
 virtual  file  definition  which exists only for
 this particular Task.

 Assign :

 An  Expression  is evaluated and assigned into a
 field.  Assignment  takes  place either when the
 field   is   accessed,   or   as   an  automatic
 recomputing   facility   whenever   any  of  the
 participating   fields  in  the  expression  are
 modified.  If an Assign Expression exists when a
 record  is  created, the Expression is evaluated
 and assigned into the Field, otherwise the Field
 is zeroed/blanked. Fields selected from a Linked
 File  are an exception to this rule, since these
 Fields  are  read from an existing Record in the
 Link File even when creating the Main Record.

 When  reading an existing record for the purpose
 of   modifying   it,  only  Virtual  Fields  are
 assigned,  since Real Fields already have values
 from   their   files.   Virtual  Fields  without
 assignment expressions are not altered.

 Input (online) :

 An  Expression  which  is  evaluated  to True or
 False.  If  False,  the  cursor will rest on the
 field  when  its  turn  comes  up,  but input is
 disabled.  Input  is  enabled  if  there  is  no
 expression at this parameter.

 Range/Locate:

 Pressing  the F1 will flip between the Range and
 Locate heading over the Min/Max  Expressions. At
 each   mode,   the  corresponding  Min  and  Max
 Expression  numbers  and the * column options is
 displayed.

 Minimum, Maximum :

 Expressions which are evaluated only once at the
 start  of  the Task and are used to either limit
 the  records  participating  in the logical view
 (when  the  Range  title  is  displayed),  or to
 position  the  cursor on a specific record (when
 the Locate title is displayed).

 * : (Y)es or (N)o

 Specifies   whether  the  above  Minimum/Maximum
 criteria  are  modifiable during Run-Time by the
 End  User. In critical cases, where the limiting
 is  crucial to the system design, (N)o should be
 specified.

 Condition:

 If   the  expression  in  the  condition  column
 evaluates  to False, the cursor will not rest on
 the   field   when   its   turn  comes  up,  but
 assignments will be made.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   22

 OPERATION 2 - STOP !!!

 Purpose:

 To conditionally display a message at the bottom
 of the screen.

 Show :

 Message   to   be  displayed.  F6  is  a  toggle
 expanding  and  shrinking  the area, so messages
 longer than 20 characters can be typed.

 * : (E)rror or (W)arning

 If Error is specified and the Condition is True,
 then  processing  stops, the cursor parks on the
 previous  field, and the user cannot go past the
 Stop  Operation until the error is corrected. If
 Warning  is specified and the condition is True,
 the  message  is  displayed  and  the  cursor is
 positioned in the next field.

 Condition:

 If  True,  the  Error  or Warning are displayed,
 otherwise the Stop Operation is skipped, etc.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   23

 OPERATIONS 3 & 4 - BEGIN/END LINK

 Purpose:

 To switch temporarily from the Task Main File to
 an  alternate Database file, to access data, and
 include  Linked  Fields  to the logical Database
 view.

 File:

 Database File to be linked to.

 Key:

 Key from the Linked File which should be used to
 read the Linked Record.

 Return:

 Select  an  Integer  Variable.  If  a Record was
 found  in  the  Linked  File, this Variable will
 have  a  0,  otherwise  a 1. An Always type Link
 will always return a 1.

 *: (N)ormal, (R)ead, (W)rite or (A)lways

 When  the  cursor stands on this field, a window
 MUST   be  opened  into  a  table  in  which  an
 expression  must be supplied for each Segment of
 the   Link   Key.   These  expressions  will  be
 evaluated   to   construct  a  Key  Value,  when
 attempting  to  read, and a Record with this key
 will be searched for.

 (N)ormal  attempts  to  read, and will not allow
 continuation  unless  a record was found. (R)ead
 attempts to read, but will allow continuation if
 the  record  wasn't  found.  (W)rite attempts to
 read,  and  if  it  doesn't succeed, a record is
 created   in  the  Linked  File,  with  the  Key
 Segments  participating  in the Link initialized
 to  the  Expression  values, and the rest of the
 Fields  zeroed/blanked.  The  creation  is  done
 after  the  Record  Suffix  has  been  executed.
 (A)lways  doesn't  attempt  to  read,  but  will
 create  a  record  as  in  (W)rite.  (Beware  of
 duplicate key errors!)

 Condition:

 If a Begin Link is not executed, a Link is still
 attempted.  Values  are  assigned  to the Linked
 Fields  as described above. However, any failure
 to   read  is  ignored  and  Linked  Fields  are
 zeroed/blanked.  The Condition is ignored in the
 End Link Operation.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   24

 OPERATION 5 & 6 - BEGIN/END BLOCK

 Purpose:

 To  include  several  operations  in  one Block,
 which can then either be executed or not.

 *: (N)one, (B)efore or (A)fter

 If  (N)one is selected, the Block is viewed as a
 regular  operation.  As such, it can be executed
 or  not. If not, all operations in the Block are
 not  executed, each in its own way. As described
 above, even when a Link isn't executed, the Read
 is attempted.

 (B)efore  automatically  marks  the Block as not
 executable. As such, all Operations in the Block
 aren't  executed, but when standing on the first
 Select  Field Operation after the End Block, the
 F5  (Zoom)  will  be  enabled.  By  pressing F5,
 processing  jumps back to the first Operation in
 the  Block, and the Operations are executed from
 there.  Usually,  after  Zoom  was selected, the
 processing  will return to the Select Field from
 which it was originally selected.

 In an (A)fter Block, the F5 is lit when standing
 on  the  Select  Field immediately preceding the
 Begin  Block,  and if selected, jumps forward to
 the  first Operation in the Block, and continues
 from there. Otherwise, the Block isn't executed.

 Condition:

 If the condition is True, the Block is executed.
 Otherwise it is skipped.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   25

 OPERATIONS 7 & 8 - EXECUTE TASK/PROGRAM

 Purpose:

 To  execute  a new Magic PC Task or Program. The
 Task/Program  resides  within  the Current Task,
 and  recognizes  all  the  current variables, in
 addition to its own.

 No.:

 Task  Number  from  the  Task  Table, or Program
 Number from Program Table.

 Parameters:

 This   mechanism   will  usually  be  used  when
 executing  Programs.  Zoom  to  select a list of
 variables  from  the  existing  variables, to be
 passed  to  the  Program.  In  the Program being
 called  each variable passed is associated to an
 equivalent  Virtual  Field,  starting  with  the
 first  Field in the Virtual File Definition. The
 Designer  must  ensure  that  the  Type  of each
 variable  passed  is the same as the Type of the
 Virtual   Field   in  the  called  Program.  Any
 reference  to these Virtual Fields in the called
 Program  will  actually  be  redirected  to  the
 passed variables. This enables calling a Program
 to  select  a value from a table, and having the
 Program   return   the   selected   value  in  a
 parameter.

 Screen :

 To  select  a Display Block, which will override
 the  called  Task/Program's Main Window (Display
 Block  #1). Allows a Program to be executed with
 different sized windows in different positions.

 * : (N)one, (B)efore, (A)fter

 If  (B)efore,  then  the  Program/Task  will  be
 executed  only if the Condition is True, and the
 user presses F5 (Zoom) when the cursor is on the
 field  which  is  defined  in  the  Select Field
 Operation immediately following the current Exec
 Program/Task Operation.

 If  (A)fter,  then  same as (B)efore, except the
 Zoom  field  is defined immediately prior to the
 current Exec Program/Task Operation.

 If (N)one, then the Zoom option is not available
 and  the  Operation will be executed only if the
 Condition is True.


 Condition:

 If  the  condition  is True, the Task/Program is
 executed  (only  in  conjunction  with  the  B/A
 option above), otherwise it is skipped.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   26

 OPERATION 9 - UPDATE FIELD

 Purpose:

 To set the value of an Expression into a Field.

 No. :

 Field Number to Update.

 Expression :

 Update Expression.

 Mod : (N)on-Incremental or (I)ncremental

 (N)on-Incremental  means  that the Expression is
 evaluated   using  current  values  of  all  its
 variables.  The  result  is  set into the Update
 Field.

 (I)ncremental  is  actually  two updates. First,
 the  Expression  is evaluated using the original
 values  of  all its variables, and the result is
 subtracted from the Updated Field. Second, it is
 reevaluated  using  the  current  values  of its
 variables,  and  this  result  is  added  to the
 Updated  Field.  This Mode is generally used for
 updating a summation variable.

 In  (I)ncremental Mode the Expression should not
 contain  a reference to the Update Field itself.
 Update  a balance by specifying an expression of
 'amount'. If totaling in (N)on-Incremental mode,
 the Update Field must be part of the Expression,
 such as 'balance + amount'.

 * : (N)ot Abortable or (A)bortable

 Mainly  used  in nested, Father/Son Tasks, where
 the  Son  Task  updates  a Field selected in the
 Father Task. If (N)ot Abortable is selected, the
 Father  Task's current record must be completed,
 and  the  user  cannot  press  F2  to cancel it.
 Weaker  updates  should be (A)bortable, allowing
 the  user to cancel the Father's current record.
 For  example,  assigning a selected value from a
 table into a parameter should be (A)bortable.

 Condition:

 If   the   condition  is  True,  the  Update  is
 executed. Otherwise it is skipped.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   27

 OPERATION 10 - WRITE FILE

 Purpose:

 To  write  a  Display  Block  to the printer, an
 ASCII file, a disk file, or the console.

 Screen :

 Select the Display Block to be written.

 File :

 Select  an  Output  File  Number.  This File was
 previously  defined  in  the  'More Information'
 window  in  the  Task  Header,  in  the I/O File
 Table.

 * : (A)utomatic, (T)op or (S)kip

 If  (A)utomatic,  then  when  ejecting  to a new
 page,  all the Header Display Blocks in the same
 class   of   the   current   Display  Block  are
 automatically  printed before the current one is
 printed.

 If  (T)op,  then  the  current  Display Block is
 printed at the top of a new page.

 If  (S)kip,  then  the  current Display Block is
 skipped  in  case it does not fit in the current
 page.  The EOF function will return True and the
 designer  can take special actions based on this
 condition.

 Condition:

 If  the  condition  is  True,  the Write File is
 executed. Otherwise it is skipped.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   28

 OPERATION 11 - READ FILE

 Purpose:

 To  input  a line from an ASCII file, and set it
 into  the  Task's  fields according to a Display
 Block.

 Screen :

 The  Display  Block  with which parsing is to be
 done.

 File :

 An Input File Number must be selected. This File
 should   have   been   defined   in   the  'More
 Information' menu at the Task Header, in the I/O
 File Table.

 Character :

 Specifying a delimiting character.

 * : (C)olumn, (S)ingle or (D)ouble

 (C)olumn Mode parses the Input Line according to
 absolute  position,  as  defined  in the Display
 Block.  Care must be taken to match columns with
 the  ASCII file. (S)ingle mode expects the Input
 Values   to   be   separated  by  the  specified
 character,  where (D)ouble expects the values to
 be  bracketed  by  one  character before and one
 after.

 Condition:

 If  the  condition  is  True,  the  Read File is
 executed. Otherwise it is skipped.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   29

 OPERATION 12 - SCAN FILE

 Purpose:

 To browse and edit an ASCII File.

 Name:

 An Expression evaluating to the ASCII File name.

 Ln: Language. English only in North America.

 * : (S)can (E)dit

 If Scan then no changes are allowed to the ASCII
 file.  If Edit, then the end user can modify the
 file   either   by   using   Magic   PC  editing
 facilities,  or  by using a text editor that was
 defined in the Environment Screen.

 Condition:

 If  the  condition  is  True,  the  Scan File is
 executed. Otherwise it is skipped.

 Notes :

 The  File  contents  are  displayed  on the Main
 Screen. So as to avoid conflict, a separate Task
 should be used for this Operation.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   30

 OPERATION 13 - USER EXIT

 Purpose:

 To execute a DOS command from within a Task.

 Expression :

 A string Expression evaluating to a Command Line
 that  is  passed  to  DOS  for  processing. Upon
 termination,  control  automatically  returns to
 Magic  PC.  If the string is 'DOS', then control
 is transferred to DOS, until the user types EXIT
 at which point control returns to Magic PC.

 Cs :

 A  Yes  entry  will  clear  the  Magic PC screen
 before  leaving  to  DOS.  No  -  will leave the
 current screen displayed.

 Condition:

 If  the  condition  is  True,  the  User Exit is
 executed. Otherwise it is skipped.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   31

 LINK TABLE

 This Table displays all the segments of the link
 key  from  the  Linked File. In order to perform
 the   link,   it   is  necessary  to  supply  an
 expression  which  will  evaluate  to  the  data
 values  in  each  of  the segments in the target
 record.  Zoom to the Expression Table, and enter
 the required expression.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   32
 TASK TABLE

 Each  Task  has  a Task Table which displays the
 sub-tasks  that  run  under it. It is accessible
 either  from  the Execute Task operation (#7) or
 by  pressing F8 (Task). Note that by deleting an
 entry  in the Task Table, the associated task is
 deleted.  This is the only method of deleting an
 entire   task.   Deleting   the   Execute   Task
 operation,  however,  does  not  remove the task
 itself.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   33

 PARAMETER TABLE

 This  Table  is  used  to specify the parameters
 passed  to  the  called  program in this Execute
 Program  operation.  Enter as many parameters as
 are  expected  by  the  called  program  in  the
 correct  order,  type and size. The rule is that
 the  matching  of parameters is done against the
 list  of virtual fields in the Virtual File, and
 not  in  the  order  they  are  selected  in the
 Execution  Table. Therefore, the first parameter
 in  the calling program will be matched with the
 first  virtual  field  in the Virtual File list,
 the second with the second, etc.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   34

 DISPLAY BLOCKS TABLE

 The  Display  Block Table is used to control all
 the  relevant  parameters needed for the Windows
 (On-line,  Class  =  0)  and  Report  and  other
 Layouts  (Batch,  Class  >  0).  Zooming  on the
 description  column  will display the Windows or
 Layout.

 The  first  Display  Block  is always the Task's
 Window,  and is generated automatically when the
 Task  is  created  with  these defaults: Display
 Description = Task Description, Class=0, 21 Rows
 by  78  columns  (Full  screen). Sub-Tasks start
 with 0 rows by 78 columns.

 Class:

 When  you  zoom on a specific line in the table,
 all  the  Display Blocks with the same class are
 shown together on the screen.

 Class = 0 is reserved for Windows. Each task has
 one  window,  which  is always the first Display
 Block.  When  zoomed  on a Class=0 line, all the
 windows  are  displayed  together,  allowing  an
 integrated design.

 Other  Class  numbers  are assumed to be Layouts
 for Reports and therefore, are displayed without
 frames  to get the effect of the complete design
 layout.

 Typ:  (Normal/Header/Footer)

 If  the Class = 0, the Typ parameter is ignored.
 In  all  other  cases,  the  Typ is used for two
 purposes:

 1.  After zooming to the Layout screen, Magic PC
 displays  first  all  the  Header and the Normal
 Blocks  successively, and then the Footer Blocks
 in  reverse  order  of appearance in the Display
 Block Table.

 2.  At  Run-time, if an EOP (End of Page) occurs
 when an attempt is made to print a Display Block
 with  an Automatic Option (* column of Operation
 #10  is A), then all the Header Blocks preceding
 the current block are automatically displayed on
 the  next page before the block which caused the
 EOP is printed. Normal Blocks are not printed in
 this case.

 Therefore,  a  typical  usage of Normal Block is
 for  the  detail  line, the Header Block for the
 report  headers, and the Footer Block for totals
 and on-change sub-totals.

 It  is  this  feature  which dictates pairing up
 Headers  and  Footers  in  the Display Table. In
 this  way, when a Footer encounters an EOP, only
 its  own  Headers  and the ones prior to it (but
 not succeeding it) will be printed at the top of
 the next page.

 Rows/Cols:

 This   is   where   you   specify  the  physical
 dimensions  of  the  Display  Block.  The window
 frame  dimensions  could  be  smaller  than  the
 physical  dimensions,  and  the data will scroll
 within it. Expansion or reduction of the size is
 done  from  the  bottom  and the right hand side
 respectively.  If  the Block is reduced in size,
 all fields in the lost areas are lost as well.

 In  Layout  Blocks (Class = 1 or above), all Col
 parameters should be equal because the Layout is
 printed  together.  If  they  are  not the same,
 Magic PC will assign the largest value to all of
 them.

 Color:

 Zoom   to  select  the  default  background  and
 foreground  colors  for  the  text  used in this
 Display  Block. The field colors are selected in
 the Display Field Screen of each field.

 If Class > 0, the color parameter is not used.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   35

 SCREEN EDITING

 Magic  PC has a full screen editor for designing
 both Display and Report Layouts.

 On  the Display screen, text can be typed on the
 screen  at  the cursor position. In addition, to
 define  a  Data Field position, you position the
 cursor  at  the correct spot on the screen, Zoom
 into the Field definition window, and choose the
 relevant field. Exiting with F9, will insert the
 selected variable into the screen layout.

 Cursor Positioning:

 The   Cursor   positioning   functions  use  the
 Directional  keypad  in  much  the  same  way as
 within an application.

 The Arrow keys each move the cursor one position
 in  the  respective  direction. Ctrl-Right Arrow
 and   Ctrl-Left   Arrow  move  the  cursor  four
 positions to the right and left respectively.

 The  Home  key  moves  the  cursor  to the first
 column  of  the  row, while the End key moves to
 the  last  column  of  the  display screen. PgUp
 moves to the first row of the screen. PgDn moves
 to the Last row.

 Backspace deletes to the left of the cursor, and
 the Del key deletes the characters at the cursor
 position.  F3 (Delete) deletes the entire cursor
 line.  F4  (Create)  inserts  a  line  above the
 current  line,  pushing the existing lines down.
 Ins  is used to switch to Insert Mode, canceling
 overwriting.

 Alt-B     Mark Block:
 Use this function to mark the upper left and the
 lower right corners of the rectangular block you
 want to mark.  If a block is already marked, and
 you  enter  Alt-B,  a  new block is marked using
 this last entry. Use Alt-L to mark lines.

 Alt-C     Center Block:
 Centers the highlighted block within the current
 frame.

 Alt-D     Delete Block:
 Fills in the highlighted block with blanks.

 Alt-F     Fill Block:
 Prompts  for  a  fill  character  and  fills the
 highlighted block with this character.

 Alt-L     Mark Line:
 Marks  the line on which the cursor is currently
 on.  If another line is marked at this time, all
 the   lines   between   them   are   marked  and
 highlighted.  If  an  area is already marked and
 you  press  Alt-L  again,  a new area is marked,
 using your new entry.

 Alt-M     Move Block:
 Moves   the  highlighted  block  to  the  cursor
 position.  This  position will be the upper left
 corner   of  the  new  location  when  moving  a
 rectangular  block  (Alt-B).  When  moving lines
 (Alt-L),  their  new  position will start at the
 cursor line.

 Alt-P     Paint Block:
 Zooms  to  the  Color Table. When you leave with
 F9,  the  highlighted block will be painted with
 your  selection. Note that you should paint your
 Alt-T   area,  in  order  to  see  a  consistent
 highlighted  line  at  Runtime. This function is
 enabled only for Class 0 blocks.

 Alt-R     Repeat Block:
 Copies  the  highlighted  block  to  the  cursor
 position.  When  a  rectangular  block is copied
 (Alt-B),  the  cursor  position  marks  the  new
 block's upper left corner. When lines are copied
 (Alt-L), their new position will start under the
 cursor line.

 Alt-S     Show Levels:
 Displays  the  boundaries  of the Display Blocks
 within  the  entire screen area. The block names
 are    not    displayed   to   minimize   screen
 interference.  Press  Alt-S  to  toggle  out, or
 Alt-X  to  add the block names. This function is
 enabled for non-zero Class only.

 Alt-T     Mark Task Area:
 Designates  the  highlighted  marked area as the
 Task  Area  within  the  window.  This instructs
 Magic  PC to display each record within the Task
 Area and fill the window with as many records as
 possible.  In the typical case you mark a single
 line   (Alt-L),  paint  it  solid  (Alt-P),  and
 designate  it as the Task Area (Alt-T). Magic PC
 displays  this window in "Line Mode", displaying
 a line for each record. The default Task Area is
 the  entire window and if a smaller Task Area is
 not  marked,  each  record  will be displayed in
 "Screen Mode", one per screen.

 Alt-U     Unmark Block:
 Cancels   the  currently  highlighted  block  by
 removing the highlight.

 Alt-V     Verify Block:
 Marks a block at the cursor position. This block
 is the same size as the current block. This will
 verify what will happen if you move the block to
 this   position.  You  can  prevent  overwriting
 existing  text  by  using the Alt-V prior to the
 Alt-M, or Alt-R.

 Alt-W     Mark Window Area:
 Designates  the  marked  area  as the sub-Window
 Area  within the screen. Typically used when the
 Son  Task  displays  its  fields in his Father's
 window.  (Open  Window=N  in the Son's More Info
 screen).  In this case, the Alt-W marks a Window
 Area  within  the Father's window. Magic PC will
 display  the Son's records only inside the Alt-W
 area.  If  you  want to display these records in
 "Line  Mode" you must define an Alt-T within the
 Alt-W area.

 Alt-X     Show Extended Levels:
 Displays  the  boundaries  of the Display Blocks
 within  the  entire  screen  area, including the
 block names. Press Alt-X to toggle out, or Alt-S
 to  delete  the  block  names.  This function is
 available only for non-zero Class blocks.

 Some useful graphic characters for frames:

                 (Type: Alt-XXX)

      213 ╒                           ╕ 184
      214 ╓                           ╖ 183
      201 ╔  196 194 210 209 203 205  ╗ 187
      218 ┌── ─ ──┬───╥─ ═╤═══╦══ ═ ──┐ 191
                  │   ║   │   ║
      179 │       │           ║       │ 179
      195 ├─  197─┼─        ──╫─215  ─┤ 180
      198 ╞═      │           ║      ═╡ 181
                  │           ║
      186 ║       │           ║       ║ 186
      204 ╠═  216═╪═        ══╬═206  ═╣ 185
      199 ╟─      │           ║      ─╢ 182
                  │   ║   │   ║
      192 └── ─ ──┴───╨─ ═╧═══╩══ ═ ──┘ 217
      200 ╚  196 193 208 207 202 205  ╝ 188
      211 ╙                           ╜ 189
      212 ╘                           ╛ 190
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   36

 WINDOW DESIGN

 All  the  window design tools are made available
 by  pressing  the Scroll Lock (or the Alt =) key
 and F1 to open the options menu. To leave any of
 the options, press F9 or Scroll Lock.

 F1: Scroll Content

 The  default  when  Scroll is invoked. It allows
 scrolling  the data in a window that has a frame
 smaller  than  the  physical dimensions. Use the
 directional  keys  to  scroll one character at a
 time  and  Ctrl-Arrow  to scroll in fast mode (4
 characters at a time).

 F2: Frame Location

 Moves  your window to the desired location using
 the directional keys.

 F3: Frame Size

 This option will change the size of the frame up
 to  the physical size that was determined in the
 display  block parameter. The top left corner of
 the  window  is  fixed.  Moving  the Left and Up
 arrows  reduces the size of the frame, while the
 Right and Down arrows expand it.

 F4: Frame Type

 S - Single line frame.
 D - Double line frame (Default)
 N  -  No  frame (Rarely used - See chapter 11 in
 the documentation)

 F5  -  Frame  Color: Displays the color table to
 choose a color for the frame.

 F6  -  Title  Color: Displays the color table to
 choose a color for the title.

 F7  -  Define Color: Displays the color table to
 allow for color setting.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   37

 WINDOW DESIGN

 All  the  window design tools are made available
 by  pressing  the Scroll Lock key and F1 to open
 the  option  menu.  To leave any of the options,
 press F9 or Scroll Lock.

 F1: Scroll Content

 The  default  when  Scroll is invoked. It allows
 scrolling  the data in a window that has a frame
 smaller  than  the  physical dimensions. Use the
 directional  keys  to  scroll one character at a
 time  and  Ctrl-Arrow  to scroll in fast mode (4
 characters at a time).

 F2: Frame Location

 Moves  your window to the desired location using
 the directional keys.

 F3: Frame Size

 This option will change the size of the frame up
 to  the physical size that was determined in the
 display  block parameter. The top left corner of
 the  window  is  fixed.  Moving  the Left and Up
 arrows  reduces the size of the frame, while the
 Right and Down arrows expand it.

 F4: Frame Type

 S - Single line frame.
 D - Double line frame (Default)
 N - No frame (Rarely used - See Documentation)

 F5  -  Frame  Color:  Opens  the  color table to
 choose a color for the frame.

 F6  -  Title  Color:  Opens  the  color table to
 choose a color for the title.

 F7  -  Define Color: Displays the color table to
 allow for color setting.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   38

 COLOR TABLE

 The  Color  Table  can  be accessed from several
 places  in  the  task  to "paint" specific areas
 (windows,  variables,  portions  of  the screen,
 frames,   title,  etc.)  Similarly  to  all  the
 "banks",  once  the table is open you can change
 the entries in it.

 The  only  entry  point  to  the color table for
 definition  purposes, without painting anything,
 is  from  the  Environment Screen. To change the
 color  move the cursor to the Foreground (FG) or
 Background  (BG)  column  and  use  the  Up/Down
 Arrows  to  select the next combination. You can
 type  in  the  number  if  you  know it. All 256
 (16x16) combinations are available.

 There are 50 entries in this table, all of which
 can  be  changed.  It is very important to know,
 however,  that  the first 10 entries are used by
 Magic   PC   as  default  values  for  different
 subjects:

 1. Default for all Text.
 2. Default for all Data fields.
 3. Default for all Frames.
 4. Default for all Frame Titles.
 5. Default for Text in pop-up menus and tables.
 6. Default for Fields in pop-up menu or tables.
 7. Default for Frames in pop-up menu and  tables
 8. Default for Frame Titles.
 9. Function Key display.
 10. Function Key display when selected.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   40

 DOCUMENTATION

 This  utility  will  print  the  Menus (M), Data
 Dictionary  files  (F),  Programs  (P), and Help
 screens  (H) - either in Document form (D) or in
 Internal  form.  In  both cases you can elect to
 print a single element or a range of elements by
 specifying   a   From/To  range.  (Zoom  to  the
 relevant table to select the range).

 The  Document  option  provides automatic system
 documentation for all of Magic PC's elements. It
 defaults to the printer (PRN:), but you can send
 the  output to a disk file, simply by specifying
 a file name instead of the PRN:

 The  Internal  option  will  dump  the  specific
 element  into  an  ASCII file in a coded format.
 This ASCII file is useful only when it serves as
 an   input   file  to  the  "Import  Dictionary"
 utility.  Use  this  option  to  make  copies of
 existing  Programs or Data Dictionary files, for
 example, or to prepare a new XXCTL.DAT file with
 only  portions  of  the current control file. If
 you  choose a range of entries, the entire range
 will  be  sent  to the same ASCII file. Magic PC
 displays  a  default  file  name  which  you can
 change.  You have to remember this file name and
 enter  it  as the input file name to the "Import
 Dictionary" utility.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   41
 DATA DICTIONARY PRINT (OLD)
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   42
 PROGRAM PRINT (OLD)
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   43

 DICTIONARY IMPORT

 This  is the option used to import an ASCII file
 that    was    exported    previously   by   the
 "Documentation"    utility.    When    importing
 programs,  they  are  added  to  the  end of the
 corresponding Table.

 Enter  the  name of the file to be imported, and
 press F5.

 See  the  Help  screen  for  the "Documentation"
 utility   for  information  about  the  Internal
 Documentation option.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   47

 INSTALL MENU

 This menu provides you with options to customize
 your Magic PC installation.

 F1> Environment:

 This   option  is  used  to  change  the  system
 parameters.   Further   Help   is  available  by
 entering this option and pressing F10.

 F2> Load Help:

 This  option is used to Load the MGHELP.DAT file
 into Magic PC, for the first time. Use this only
 when the MGHELP.DAT file has been modified.

 F3> Color:

 This   option  is  used  to  control  the  color
 combinations   in  your  version  of  Magic  PC.
 Further  Help  is  available  by  entering  this
 option and pressing F10.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   48

 ENVIRONMENT

 Owner Name:

 Enter  the  Owner's  name as it should appear in
 the  upper  left corner of the screen and in the
 OWNER() Function.

 Terminal:

 Used   in   multiuser  environment  to  identify
 different  users.  The function TERM returns the
 number   stored   in  this   field.  Since  this
 identification  is  stored  in  the  MGCONST.DAT
 file,  you  can  make some application decisions
 based  on that fact. For example, send output of
 report  programs  to  different  printers on the
 network.

 Single/DOS 3.1/Novell: (S)

 Used  to  select  a  single user mode (S), or if
 working in multiuser, select between generic DOS
 3.1  LAN support (D), or Novell Advanced NetWare
 (N).  See  chapter  14  for details on multiuser
 setup.

 Input Password (Y/N):

 If  Y,  then  the LOGIN window pops up after the
 user  enter the System Date in the Entry Screen.
 The  LOGIN window is used to prompt for the User
 ID  and password for the application system that
 is  later  selected at the System Menu. It is at
 that  point  (and  not  upon  entry in the LOGIN
 window)  that  the  User  ID  and  password  are
 validated.

 If  set  to N, the LOGIN window does not pop up,
 and  the  user is therefore not prompted for the
 User  ID  and  Password  which  are  assigned to
 blanks as a result. Only if the User ID Table is
 empty,  or at least one entry was set to a Blank
 User  ID, and Blank password, - will the user be
 able to enter the application system. Otherwise,
 the  "Illegal  Password"  error  massage will be
 displayed, and entry denied.

 Command Processor:

 The  name  and  path of the DOS level processor.
 Magic  PC  looks  for this file in the specified
 directory  for  external  processing and in User
 Exit Operations.

 Editor:

 Enter  here the program name of a text editor or
 a  text  oriented  word processor. Magic PC will
 automatically  load  this program when you press
 the  F8  (Edit)  key while in the Help screen or
 Scan  File  operation.  You  may  then  use this
 editing  program to design your screen, and upon
 saving   the  temporary  file  (MGTEMP.DAT)  and
 terminating  the  editor,  the  content  will be
 transferred to the Magic PC screen.

 Lock File Directory:

 A  DOS  path  specification  to a directory that
 will  contain  Magic  PC's multiuser lock files,
 MGFLOCK.DAT  and  MGRLOCK.DAT.  (The MGRLOCK.DAT
 file  is  used  only if you are working with the
 generic   DOS   3.1  specification;  the  Novell
 environment  does not use the MGRLOCK.DAT file).
 It is best to define this directory in a Virtual
 Disk   on  the  network  server.  This  improves
 performance  due  to  the frequent access to the
 lock  files  which is much faster in memory than
 disk.

 European/American Date (A/E):

 Select American (MM/DD/Y) or European (DD/MM/YY)


 Separators: (Thousand, Date, Time):

 The  characters  used to separate the components
 of   these  fields.  The  defaults  are  ,  /  :
 respectively.


 Printer Page Size: (60)

 The  default count of lines-per-page when output
 is  sent to the printer or a disk file. It could
 be  modified within the program in the I/O table
 (More  Info Screen) or at runtime with the Files
 option.  The default setup is 60 lines per page.
 If  output is sent to the CONSOLE (or CON:), the
 default size is 24.

 Start System:

 If  you  wish to automatically select a specific
 Application System without displaying the System
 Menu  at  all,  enter  the  entry number of that
 application as it is shown in the System Menu.

 Save Screen Seconds:

 If  the current screen has not been modified for
 as  many seconds as specified in this parameter,
 the  screen  will be cleared. This helps prevent
 damaging  the  monitor.  Any keyboard entry will
 re-display  the  screen  and  will be used as an
 input  character. The default zero entry, causes
 the screen to be displayed at all times.

 Low Memory / Beep Options:  (2)

 Magic  PC warns you when the amount of available
 memory is reaching a dangerously low level which
 could  cause  a  system crash if you continue to
 request  more memory. The warning is a series of
 beeps  which  continue  as long as memory is too
 low.  At  this  point you must pop back a level,
 typically  by  leaving the current Task, and the
 beeps will stop. The options are:


 0  - Beep is off. No beeps are sounded.

 1  -  Memory  only.  The  beeps are only used to
 warn  about  low  memory.  All  other  beeps are
 disabled.

 2  -  Memory  and  Normal. Beep is used for both
 normal activities

 3  - Beep is used for normal activities only.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   50

 AUTHORIZATION

 To  control access to the application components
 you  can  assign  a group number for each of the
 possible   functions:  Create,  Modify,  Delete,
 Query,  and  Execute (for Programs only). A user
 may  execute one of these functions if his Group
 Number  is  less  than  or  equal to the entry's
 Group Number. Note that the Create authorization
 refer  to creating new entries in the table, and
 it   is   repeated  on  all  of  the  lines  for
 convenience.  A user can change group numbers of
 all  entries  which were set to  his group level
 (or above), to a higher (or equal) level only.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   51

 HELP SCREENS

 Four  levels  of  help  are available: The first
 time the user presses F10, Magic PC will display
 the  help  window  for  the  current  field. The
 second  F10  will display the global help window
 for  the  Task,  the third will display the User
 Option  help  from  the MGHELP.DAT file, and the
 fourth will display the How to Use Help section,
 also  from  the  MGHELP.DAT  file. As always, F9
 will  pop  back  one level at a time. (Note that
 Batch  Tasks have only three levels of help. The
 field level is not applicable).

 To  implement these features, you can define one
 Task Help and one help window for every selected
 field.  The help windows are defined in a table,
 much like the Display Blocks, with the exception
 that  they  are  global to the entire system and
 not  to  any particular Task. They are available
 by  selecting  F4 in the Design Options Menu, or
 within  the  Task, from any Display Block screen
 by  pressing  F8.  The  default  size  is 21X50.
 Change    the   content   size   to   fit   your
 requirements,  and  Zoom to enter the help text.
 Magic  PC  automatically displays "Page x of y".
 Max size for any help screen is 32K.

 Note  that from the help screen you can press F8
 (Edit)  and  exit  to  your  favorite  editor as
 defined  in  the  Environment  Screen.  Magic PC
 creates a temporary file (MGTEMP.DAT) and passes
 it  to  the  editor. To return to Magic PC, save
 the  file and leave the editor. All the Magic PC
 editing  facilities (except Alt-T and Alt-W) are
 available for the help screen.

 To  assign  a help screen to a particular field,
 press  F8 while the cursor is on the field mask.
 To  assign  a  global  help  screen to the Task,
 press F8 from any non-masked (text) point on the
 screen.  An alternative to the assignment of the
 Task  level  help  is  to  Zoom on the Task Help
 entry  in  the  More Info screen and pick one of
 the Help Screens from the Help  Table. If any of
 the two levels are not defined, they are skipped
 in the sequence of pressing F10 at runtime.
@XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   52

 SECURITY: USER ID, PASSWORD, AUTHORIZATION

 Magic  PC's  security  features  enable  you the
 flexibility  of deciding who can access the Data
 Dictionary, Program Dictionary and Help screens.
 You also have control over who can run (execute)
 a given program.

 Choosing  F5  from  the Design Options Menu will
 display  the  User ID Table. Here you can define
 the User ID, its Password  and its Group Number.
 The  Groups  are  hierarchical:  Group  0 is the
 "strongest"   and   999  is  the  "weakest".  In
 general, if an authorization is granted to level
 10  as  an  example, then all User IDs that have
 their group defined in this table as 10 or less,
 will  be authorized for the particular activity.
 Let's use the following table as an example:

      User ID      Password     Group
      -------      --------     -----
      OWNER        PASS1          0
      DEALER       PASS2         10
      DBA          PASS3         20
      USER1        PASS4         30
      USER2        PASS5         30

 This assumes that one User ID was allocated with
 the  strongest  authorization,  (0), one for the
 dealer,  one  for the Database Administrator and
 two for the end-users.

 If  you  set  the  Input  Password  entry in the
 Environment Screen to Yes, the LOGIN window will
 be  displayed  upon  entering  Magic PC, and the
 user   will  be  prompt  for  the  User  ID  and
 Password, which will be validated upon selecting
 a system in the System Menu (See the Environment
 Screen Help).

 Once   entered,   the   user   can  perform  any
 authorized  activity:  Create,  Modify,  Delete,
 Query   and   Execute   either   Programs,  Data
 Dictionary  files  or Help Screens - only if the
 authorized  group  number  which was assigned to
 the  given  entity  is  equal-to or greater-than
 the user's group number.

 For example: If the user is a DBA from the table
 above,  all  authorized  activities  with  group
 authority  of  20  and above - are permitted for
 this  user.  The  authorization group number was
 given using the F6 (Auth) key which is available
 at the Program Table, Data Dictionary Table, and
 the  User  Help  Screen Table. In fact, any user
 can  change  the  authorization  group number of
 entries   which  currently  have  group  numbers
 equal-to  or  greater-than his own group number,
 to  his  own  group  number, or a higher number.
 Using  the  example  above,  the  DBA  can reset
 authorization  group number of all entries which
 currently  are assigned to group 20 or above, to
 20 or a higher number.

 A  user  can  create  new entries in the User ID
 table,  and  assign them a group number at least
 one higher than his own. The user can change his
 own  password, but not his own User ID. All User
 IDs  with  group  numbers  lower than the user's
 group  number  -  are  masked  with  * to ensure
 security.

 Group 0 is unique in the respect that it has  no
 restriction   what-so-ever   with   the   entire
 application.  Make  sure  you  have at least one
 group  0 entry in the User ID table, if you want
 to  ever  change  any authorization entries that
 were assigned to group 0.