Checklist of "a99" and "alcarta" files ====================================== This list describes all files necessary to run "a99" and/or "alcarta", where to locate them, and what purposes they serve. (More Help: INSTENG.RTF for necessary adaptations) You CAN start "a99" or "alcarta" and see how far you get. But if you need to economize on your time, you better consult this list. (We'd like to make everything as simple as possible. Databases, however, happen to be a complex world. Some knowledge and some configuring will therefore always be necessary.) "a99" works if all files are on the directory from where it is started. In networks, one usually has a single ProgDir whose name has to be set in the INI file of a database. Or : start a99.exe with its complete path name. Most files will first be looked for in the data directory (DbDir); that's because there may be database specific versions of them. We use these names for the possible locations of files: PATH : directories registered in the DOS PATH variable DbDir : Name of the database directory For the demobase: C:\ALLEGRO\DEMO2 Local : User's work directory. Files sitting here are user-specific. (Local is always a possible location, but not always the default) Single-user: normally Local=C:\ALLEGRO Multi-user: Local = TEMP directory of Windows ProgDir : Default = C:\ALLEGRO Files not found on either DbDir or Local will be searched here. (see list below) MULTI-USER ENVIRONMENT Every user has to have a home directory, Local, and start from there! No specific files have to be on Local but it will be used for temporary files. This means the user has to have write permission on Local. Which files have to be adapted or may be changed? An [X] marks those files that have to be adapted or created for every database. (Only these HAVE TO be changed, all others can remain unchanged, at least until changes become desirable) [v] means this file may be changed but can remain as it is [o] means "optional" - these files are dispensable Name Location (in the order of searching) and meaning ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The order of searching is not the same for all files! This has reasons. 1. General (independent of CFG and Database, no changes needed) ---------- ENG works if there is the command Language=ENG in *.INI A99.EXE PATH ALCARTA.EXE The programs FLEX.EXE Starts FLEXes from outside the program. This way, a99 can work as a server program A9.BAT [v] PATH ALC.BAT Batches for easy launching Tu use these, attach your DbDir XYZ to Local and have XYZ.INI on XYZ Then start with a9 xyz (for a99) or alc xyz (for alcarta) Else: make your own batch file after the same pattern! Or: start with a99 0 and then select your INI file CGI.EXE Auxiliary program for RuckZuck. Belongs on the CGI directory of the Webserver A99.INI Commented list of all INI Commands (Use as a template for new INI files) UIF0ENG Local / ProgDir. (not dbDir!) Default = GER (not ENG) UIF0GER User Interface Files. (Button and menu captions et al.) UIFEENG [v] (Hotkeys may be changed here!) UIFEGER [v] For users of the conventional "allegro" programs: RS.BAT [v] PATH (Batch and parameters for PRESTO call) AS.BAT RS for "a99" , AS for "alcarta" (APAC call) RS.cPR [v] Local / ProgDir If PRESTO/APAC are started from a99/alcarta, they produce RS.SET as their export file. a99 reads it D-W0.APR DbDir / Local / ProgDir Default, if D-W.APR missing E-W0.APR Local / ProgDir Default, if E-W.APR missing wenn E-W.APR fehlt DOOR.BAT [v] PATH External program, called when the door button is pressed. If DOOR.FLX exists, it will supersede DOOR.BAT. You can install any program call here. If the external prog produces a file EXTERN.DAT in the "allegro" external format, this can be loaded as "external result set" after returning to "a99". ("File" menu) See comment in DOOR.BAT! NSC.BAT [v] To launch Netscape. Modify if Netscape is in a different directory or if you want to use other browsers (called from appropriate flips, see CoOL database: flips are defined in the display parameters D-WRTF.APR) Alternative: if a flip contains a command like start then NSC.BAT is not needed. PHRASE.A99 [v] Local Contains codes for special character input. Some can be activated by Ctrl+x , others with \ und subsequent letter. Instead of \ a different character can be used as defined in your INI file (e.g., ESC=43 for + ) If \ (or +) itself is to be entered: \\ (bzw. ++) (No comments or empty lines in PHRASE.A99 ! ) Per phrase 2 lines: Character or ASCII Number Phrase text or ASCII code of replacement Preferably edited from DOS and using OSTWEST.FON (and in full screen mode, to see the special characters.) [v] In .INI, a different name of phrase file can be set using the Phrase= key. PHRASEN Contains a basic set of phrases, mostly special characters. Will be loaded when there is no PHRASE.A99. 2. Database specific DbName = Database name (4 characters or less) -------------------- xyz.INI [X] Name and location arbitrary; call "a99" this way: A99 for example: A99 c:\bolero\bol.ini or A99 cat.ini (if cat.ini is Local) A99 cat (omission of .ini is OK) Use a copy of A99.INI to make a new .INI HE_??ENG [v] General Help files (List ==> HELP.TXT) ... Local / DbDir / ProgDir\HELP / ProgDir (!) HE???ENG (database specific versions possible) DbNameENG.RTF [o] Database specific general help. Location: DbDir alcarta: DbName = Name of database. Template: CATENG.RTF or HA for HE one of the other databases. Is brought up by the big Question mark button This file can contain useful Flips as well, see EJOENG.RTF. Default (if missing): HEGENENG / HAGENENG Help files are searched first with, then without language tag (ENG or GER) HE_InENG [o] DbDir (for alcarta:) n=1...9,: Index related help files; brought up by HA_InENG Button [?] of index window Default (if missing): HE_IXENG *.RTF [o] Local / DbDir / ProgDir (==> HELP.TXT, FLIP.TXT) Specific, user-developed help files (Called via Flips) Write as RTF using WinWord Location always DbDir (per definition) DbName_*.ALD, .ADX, .TBL, .STL, .RES DbName.cPI [X] DbDir. Contains the symbolic index names! (see EJO.API) O.APT has to be included, see also D-WRTF.cPR $c.CFG DbDir / ProgDir, (Local is also possible) or c.CFG Configuration file [same as for the DOS programs] DbName.FRM [o] DbDir / ProgDir / Local Data input forms. See FORM.TXT and INPUT.TXT *.FLX [o] DbDir / ProgDir\FLEX / ProgDir / Local FLEX Files (see FLEXENG.RTF) Started from a flip or from outside (EXFLEX.TXT, FLEX.EXE) *.VW [o] DbDir / ProgDir\VIEW / ProgDir / Local ViewLists (see "news" 58, Oct.2000) Display a FLEX list using command View name DbName.SGF DbDir Signal file. If beginning with '1', a99/alcarta will not start. Following the '1' there may be a message for the users telling them why they get no access. D-WRTF.cPR [X] DbDir / ProgDir (derived from D-1.cPR (DOS display)) Record display parameters (To load other suitable parameters: menu View|Display par) Include: O.cPT, D.cPT, D-RTF.cPT (There have to be these to td td-rtf lines in it. O.APT will always be loaded by default! (If that's not wanted (Chinese!) make O.APT empty) Further differences from DOS: There has to be a section #-( for the "internal display" See D-WRTF.APR for it: copy the section from there. If Flips are wanted, they have to be programmed in this file (see "news" 52 and examples in D-WRTF.APR) D-W0.APR is default for D-WRTF.APR but it provides a very plain display only. E-W.cPR [o] DbDir / ProgDir. For export and external editing E-W0.APR (command ExportParameter in .INI) if missing, default = E-W0.APR P-W.cPR [X] DbDir / Local / ProgDir. P-W0.cPR Print format. (Command PrintParameter in .INI) (e.g., modification of D-WRTF.APR, no Flips etc.) P-W0.cPR is default, if P-W.cPR is missing, it can be a copy of P-W0.APR D-RTF.cPT [v] DbDir / Local / ProgDir RTF commands (Boldface etc., colors. Copy of D-RTF.APT) (to be included in display parameters and RTF-Exports!) DISPHEAD.RTF [v] DbDir / ProgDir / Local LISTHEAD.RTF Header files for RTF displays. Used automatically. HELPHEAD.RTF Database specific versions possible (Fonts!) LONGHEAD.RTF Not editable by WinWord because no complete RTF files Changes normally not necessary, but generally for special effects or fonts in display or export. 3. Defaults (Normally need no alterations) ----------- O.APT [v] DbDir / Local / ProgDir D.APT [v] Tables for character codes ASCII -:- ANSI Included automatically if commands to and td missing O.APT for Index AND Display parameters contains only o commands, works both ways (i.e., has to be a 1:1 mapping) Needed for displays with correct column arrangement (Index, Brief browsing display) Also for data display in the listbox (left side) and for external editing. (If o.cPT is missing, o.APT will be used!) D.APT ASCII->ANSI only for display and export params, contains only p and q commands for display window (Umlauts, accented letters, special characters) This need not be an 1:1 mapping. E.ADT [o] Local Contains a skeletal record to be loaded into the current record (menu "Edit | Get"); default fields or such (for data input assistance) EBOX.ICO [o] Location anywhere. Use as desktop icon A-TIMES.TTF These fonts have to be installed! A-LETTER.TTF (Location mostly in C:\WINDOWS\FONTS) A-LETTER is for columnar displays (even spacing) A-ARIAL.TTF Optional (Alternative to A-TIMES) Just FYI: 4. Dynamic Files (exist at runtime only, do not manipulate) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- OUTPUT.ADT Default Export file (INI: OutputFile=...) EXX.XXX For external editing of current record (INI: ExEdFile=... ) RS.SET For DOS users only The following are mostly temporary (persistent only if you choose to continue a session later). They are created on the user's Local directory, mostly on the Windows TEMP path: DbName._1 Bookmarks DbName._2 History list DbName._i Result sets (Lists of internal rec numbers) DbName.$$$ Copies of records during editing sessions DbName.TAB Auxiliary table (Adresses of records in .$$$) DbName.RSS Auxiliary file (result set names) DbName.RXX Auxiliary (a99 only) All of these files may be erased if you do not want to continue the session during which they were created.