CMDGEN.DOC

     This  is the documentation for CMDGEN.PAS and CMDGEN.BAS.  I 
wrote  the original program in Microsoft basic over 3  years  ago 
using  CP/M-80.  The pascal version was done on Leading Edge  IBM 
clone  using  Turbo  Pascal.  This program  will  generate  dBASE 
command  files  for simple data entry,  with  several  additional 
features  that I think every command file ought  to  have.  These 
include  being  able  to edit the current  record,  skip  to  the 
previous record and edit it,  or skip to the next record and edit 
it.  If you use the pascal version,  just be sure to take out all 
the  MS-DOS specific statements.  I have labeled them all with an 
(*-- MS-DOS  --*) warning.  One of the  procedures,  the  GETCRSR 
procedure  MIGHT  work under CP/M-86.  This is because it uses  a 
hardware interupt - 10H.  This interupt should be implemented  on 
all IBM compatible cpu's, but since I don't have CP/M-86, I can't 
test  it.  It would be interesting to know if it would  work,  so 
anyone who has cpm-86 Turbo,  feel free to try it and let me know 
if  it  works.  The Basic version of this program has a few  more 
features then the pascal version.  I took them out for simplicity 
and speed's sake. These are:

1)  The ability to edit the fields and pics after they have  been 
entered. 
2)   The  ability to choose the exit procedure for the  generated 
command file. 

You  can  either  have  the program generate code   to  stop  the 
command  file if the first field in the database is  all  spaces, 
enter  an  exit code ("X") after the fields have  been  read,  or 
enter an exit code before the fields have been read. This version 
also will only show the last record printed if the name fields is 
the  FIRST field entered.  This is not true in the Turbo version. 
The name can be anywhere and it will work properly.  I didn't add 
the  exit procedure coding to the turbo version because I am  the 
only one at work who uses this program,  and I always use a  code 
entered  after all the records have been read.  I didn't add  the 
edit  ablility  because I think it's easier to just  reenter  the 
whole  thing  again,  then  waste the time  having  it  list  out 
everything  again  a second time.  It makes things  a  whole  lot 
faster.  If  you  have any comments you have about this  program, 
just  leave me E-Mail on the West La RBBS @ (213) 838-9229 and  I 
will  be more than happy to answer any questions or comments  you 
have.

                    Scott Sutcliffe