DB3SCN  : dBase III Screen Program or Format Generator

Title   : DB3SCN
Version : 1.4
Date    : Feb 16, 2000
Author  : J R Ferguson
Download: http://hello.to/ferguson
E-mail  : j.r.ferguson @ iname.com

This program and its source code may be copied and used  freely  without
charge, but only for non-commercial purposes. The author can not be held
responsible for any damage or loss of data that may be caused by the use
of this software.


In  dBase II there was a Screen Editor (SED) which was not included with
dBase III. As I missed the functionality, I  wrote  this  program  as  a
replacement.  Use a text editor to create a .SCN input file representing
the screen or form you want. Add your input and output  variables  using
the  symbols  "<"  and  ">"  and provide any pictures you want. It's all
pretty much 'what you see is what you get': no  more  need  for  endless
trial  and  error cycles to get the right row and column numbers. DB3SCN
will generate the .PRG or .FMT code that dBase III understands.


usage   : DB3SCN inpfile[.ext] [outfile][.ext] [/F]

  inpfile required       , default ext=SCN
  outfile default=inpfile, default ext=PRG (FMT when /F option is given)

  Recognized internal commands starting in column 1:
    * any text  : Comment line.
    [ command ] : embedded command, ending "]" is optional.
    !x pict     : define symbol x ('''',''a''..''z' to represent pict.
    /cd         : change command char c to d (punctuation only)

  Recognized internal commands starting in any column:
    <var        : generates "@r,c GET var"
    >var        : generates "@r,c SAY var"
    <var!pict   : generates "@r,c GET var PICTURE pict"
    >var!pict   : generates "@r,c SAY var PICTURE pict"
                  pict may be a predefined symbol

Files in this package:

ADRINVS  SCN  Example
ADRLISTS SCN  same
ADRMNUS  SCN  same
DB3SCN   TXT  Description (this text)
DB3SCN   EXE  Executable program (LZE compressed)
DB3SCN   PAS  Pascal source

The examples are in Dutch, I know, but you will  get  the  general  idea
anyhow,  even  if  you  don't  master  that  language.  Just try 'MNUGEN
ADRINV.SCN' and compare the generated file ADRINV.PRG with ADRINV.SCN.

DB3SCN is like SED for dBase II, with the following differences:
- ">var!pict" issues "@r,c SAY var PICTURE pict" (not USING).
- Embedded commands are supported only on separate lines, starting  with
  "[". The ending "]" is optional.
- Picture  symbol definitions must precede their use. Symbol letters are
  not case-sensitive.
- Command characters  "*",  "[",  "!"  etc.  may  be  redefined  by  any
  non-conflicting punctuation character.
- Command  lines,  comment lines, picture symbol definitions and command
  character redefinitions do not add to the current line count.
- Video attribute control is not supported.

History:
v1.4  Feb 16,2000  - Changed author's Intrnet address.
v1.3  Dec 08,1996
(no earlier history data available)