I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

[DaveM]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Bill,

Just a question, but how many .dbf files are in the alpha4 app you are going to put into alpha5?

By the way, there is an areea on the forum that has some threads on v4 to v5 that may help you.

I did mine so many years ago, it is hard to remember.

Dave

[billperrotta]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Thanks again.
I started playing with a form today.
How do I make a field that can contain both numeric and letter values?
I am working on finishing the practice alpha movies database.

Bill

[Cheryl Lemire]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Hi Bill,

Make it a character field type and you can use any data.

[billperrotta]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Hi Bill,

Make it a character field type and you can use any data.

I am using the online help

http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp...sing_Forms.htm

I am up to the part using forms. I learned how to create tables and sets so far an to customize a browse. I created the Sample Alpha movies Database and am working through the examples with alpha sports. I kinda feel overwhelmed by all the options. How many examples should I work through before I start researching how to import my Alpha 4 Data.
I know so little about this. If it is imported will it create tables for me.
I wish I could hire someone to create the database but my company refuses to pay. That is why I am trying to force myself to learn this.
The Database we have on Alpha 4 is fine but it being in Dos format is not good because of lack of support for New hardware.

Any suggestions are appreciated,

I will continue prcticing the Examples for now,
Thanks

Bill

[Doug Page]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Bill,

To reiterate what has been said above, YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO DO ANY IMPORTING OF YOUR A4 DATABASE AS IT IS ALREADY IN USEABLE FORM!!!!!!!!!

I am not yelling, just trying to make sure that you understand the importance of that statement. If you create a new folder on your computer and COPY your .dbf files to this directory, then you can start A5 and with the Table tab selected, right mouse click anywhere in the white area and click on Add Table/Set. Now navigate to your NEW folder and select one of the .dbf files. This table will now show up and is useable. Do the rest of the .dbf's that you have and then you can start the process of creating your forms, etc.

However, do keep doing the demos as you do have a fair amount to learn to create a whole new system.

[billperrotta]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Just another question by default does alpha4 save all the .dbf files in a folder called A4. Just curious cause I thought I saw the files there.
I may come in early on friday to attempt to copy the files to my desktop before anyone starts working. I took over for a different net admin so I never really figured out how everything was set up.
But there is a mapped drive in Z:\Data\Peggy where I think there might be the .dbf files. I think there is also an application directory with dbf files. weird thing is when I find the target of the shortcut it looks like it is pointing to the alpha app on the desktop and not the actual Database.

Thanks again,
Bill

[Doug Page]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Bill,

It has been so long since I saw A4 that I don't remember where things are anymore. You might want to post a message in the A4 area and ask how to find where to see the directory that the database is in. I am sure I can remember that there was a way to do this.

It also seems to me that the desktop icon should be to the .exe but there should also be another parameter after that shows which database to load. That should have the path to the files you want.

[fddizon]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Just another question by default does alpha4 save all the .dbf files in a folder called A4. Just curious cause I thought I saw the files there.
I may come in early on friday to attempt to copy the files to my desktop before anyone starts working. I took over for a different net admin so I never really figured out how everything was set up.
But there is a mapped drive in Z:\Data\Peggy where I think there might be the .dbf files. I think there is also an application directory with dbf files. weird thing is when I find the target of the shortcut it looks like it is pointing to the alpha app on the desktop and not the actual Database.

Thanks again,
Bill

bill,

you are right, data are stored on the server with the mapped drive z. what you are seeing if you find the target of the application on workstation is a shadow copy of what you have in the server.

its like a aplitted database in access, separating tables from forms, reports etc...

hope this helps

[DaveM]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Possibly use search with *.dbf on each computer from the explorer and watch the file sizes that show up. Somewhere in there are the tables you need. The big ones are probably correct and should/probably be all in one folder.

[Ted Giles]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

This is like watching a slow motion train crash!

May I suggest that you try and find a local person who has a bit of experience with Alpha Software. What you are tring to do is really very simple if it is approached from a position of knowlede.

Problem is that all of us who earn a living with Alpha products have been through the learning pain barrier and you have a simple choice - do the same or call in a favour.

See if you can get someone to invest a bit of social responsibility (free) time. Might cost you a coffee.

Ted

[billperrotta]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

I was able to add some of my forms from Alpha 4 into a New Alpha5 Database
But I am unsure How to create a new New Main Menu or splash screen
to try to link them. Link them from the main menu similar to how Alpha 4 was.

Thanks again,
Bill

[DaveM]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Bill,

A main menu is nothing more than a form. It is usually best to create a table something like blanktble to base your mainmenu/form on. That way, it can just have one record(if by chance it gets a whole bunch of records, it doesn't matter because they are not used for anything). You can set the form to not allow more records and no fields have to show on the form itself. It is for navigation by buttons(it is easier at first with buttons) to open other forms built on tables and sets.

For instance: I have a blank table(It has 1 record) in my db with a form called mainmenu that only has buttons. One of the buttons opens a form called prospbuyer that is built on a set. I can then go from there to 12 other forms as needed to enter all the sales records with numerous places to print reports as needed by the users.

There is another button the goes to a reports menu, another that goes to utilities, and so on. It all started with one button.

Hope this helps get you started.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Once you have your "menu" form set up, while viewing the control panel, use the File menu, Database Properties, to make that form open on startup.

[billperrotta]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Ok Just to reiterate.
I have converted 6 dbfs
into Alpha5 Tables.

They are

1. Residents Database

2. Prescreen Hotline Database

3. Treatment Plan Database

4. Program Services Database

5. Case Manager Database

6. Activity codes Database

All the info I need is already here. Do I have to create forms for these tables before I create a Mainmenu form? If so is there an easy way to do this
Thanks,
Bill This is such a simple Database that hopefully this won't take long at all

[Doug Page]

Re: I want to create a Simple Database on A Fileserver

Bill,

If you think about it, what is a menu? It is a screen that LINKS to another screen - or in Alpha terms a form that links to another form. It would be pretty hard to create the links if there is no secondary form to go to. You could if you wanted, just create the menu with the buttons linking to nothing and then go back after creating each of your secondary forms and create the links later. If you already know what you want, I think it would be easier to create the secondary forms first and then create the link as you create the buttons on your Main Menu.