AMIGABASE V 2.6 (c) 1989-2002 Steffen Gutmann
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AmigaBase is a programmable hierarchical database.
AmigaBase is freeware. This means that the program can be freely
copied and used. However, redistribution of AmigaBase is only allowed
if the package is redistributed as a whole and no no more than a nominal
fee is charged to cover time and copying costs. All rights reserved.
A complete documentation of AmigaBase including all programming
possibilities can be found as Postscript and pdf files on aminet
(see biz/dbase/AmigaBaseDoxE.ps.gz and biz/dbase/AmigaBaseDocE.pdf
for the English manual and biz/dbase/AmigaBaseDocD.ps.gz and
biz/dbase/AmigaBaseDocD.pdf for a German translation).
If you like the concepts behind AmigaBase then please have a look
at its successor called MUIbase. MUIbase is a complete rewrite of
the concepts of AmigBase using a relational database concept, MUI
as the user interface, and a lisp like language for programming.
You find MUIbase on the MUIbase home page http://www.muibase.de.
What does AmigaBase offer:
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AmigaBase is not a relational database with SQL interface or something
like this. AmigaBase is a hierarchical programmable database.
Nevertheless, or just because, AmigaBase is ideal for managing
music cassettes, videos, addresses, etc. Complex applications like
a finance manager with automatic printing of transfer forms
and writing client accounts is also no problem with AmigaBase.
A project consists of one or several records. A record is displayed
by a rectangle with a colored border and a titlebar. The record
name is displayed in the title bar. A record can be placed beside or
within annother one (to build a hierarchy).
In records you can place variables which are used for entering data
and for the display of record contents.
Data is organized in datasets. For each record you can allocate
any number of datasets (only limited by available memory).
The datasets can be ordered by a user-definable order. With a filter
a specific set of datasets can be selected. The filter can be a very
complex expression, nearly every function of the built-in database
language can be used here. A print menu allows a customized printing
of record contents. And last but not least it is quite easy to find
a specific dataset by using AmigaBase search facility.
AmigaBase offers two display modes: form and listing.
In form display all records are displayed in several windows. In
each record exactly one dataset is shown.
In listing display all dataset of a specific record are displayed
in a scrolling list inside a window.
AmigaBase has two operating modes: working mode and installing mode.
In working mode you enter data, start programs, etc.
In installing mode you build your data structure. You can define
new variables, change and delete them. Variables can be of type
BOOLEAN, CHOICE (one item out of many items), INTEGER, REAL (floating
point values), STRING (single line text), DATE, TIME, or MEMO (multi
line text). An additional (pseudo) type called BUTTON enables to start
AmigaBase programs.
Furthermore, you can define, change and delete texts. Texts are only
used for decoration in records.
You can also define, change and delete records and windows.
You must give each variable, record and window a name. This name
must begin with an uppercase letter followed by up to nine letters,
digits or underscores. There are some reserved words which are
mainly used in AmigaBase programs that cannot be used for names.
A special feature of AmigaBase is the programming of it. For each
variable (except MEMO variables) you can write a program which
is called whenever you change the contents of this variable or press
RETURN while the cursor is on a BUTTON variable.
If you want to have a view into programming AmigaBase, I recommend
to have a look at the label print program of the cassette project
(included in the distribution).
A complete description of all functions and abilities of AmigaBase
can be found in the user manual of AmigaBase.
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