Contents of the Connectivity Kit CKREADME.TXT File

• Microsoft FoxPro Connectivity Kit, version 2.5
• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b
• Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b

SUMMARY

Below is the complete FoxPro Connectivity Kit for Windows and MS-DOS CKREADME.TXT file. This file is found on Disk 1 of the Connectivity Kit.

MORE INFORMATION

                     CKREADME.TXT

                   Release Notes for
        Microsoft(R) FoxPro(R) Connectivity Kit

   Microsoft(R) FoxPro(R) for MS-DOS(R) Version 2.5
   Microsoft(R) FoxPro(R) for Windows(TM) Version 2.5


   (C)1993 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

CONTENTS

Part Description ---- -----------

1 Tips and Tricks 2 Changes to Documentation Since Printing 3 Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Part 1: Tips and Tricks

*FoxPro for Windows to ORACLE(R) Connectivity*

While the Connectivity Kit includes the ORACLE ODBC driver, FoxPro for Windows to ORACLE Connectivity requires the file SQL*NET.DLL, which is available from ORACLE only. Contact your ORACLE representative.

If you're using ORACLE, make sure you read the ORACLE.TXT file on the ODBC disk. This file contains information you need to make a connection to ORACLE.

*SQL Server to FoxPro for MS-DOS Field Size Limit*

The maximum length of each data field imported from SQL Server to a FoxPro for MS-DOS cursor or table is 65530 bytes. If your available memory is less than this value, or if you are importing data that is longer than 65530 bytes, you must limit the size of the data exported by SQL Server to fit into your available memory.

You can reduce the length of the data exported from SQL Server by using the Transact-SQL command "SET TEXTSIZE n", where n is equal to the desired textsize in bytes. For example, to limit the length of data to 20K, you would use the command "SET TEXTSIZE 20480". For an explanation of the SET TEXTSIZE command, refer to your SQL Server documentation.

If the data in an exported field exceeds the available memory, DB-Library will terminate the connection.

This limit does not apply to FoxPro for Windows. If you want to import a text or binary field that exceeds 65530 bytes, you can import the data into FoxPro for Windows and then use the data in FoxPro for MS-DOS.

*Temporary File Space Requirements*

Keep in mind that when you import data into a FoxPro cursor or table, your system must have enough temporary file space to allow FoxPro to build the cursor or table.

*Viewing System Warning Messages*

Set the DBSetOpt() DispError option to "ON" if you want to be able to view system warning messages. System warning messages are displayed by FPSQL to notify you of conditions or problems encountered in processing a request.

For more information about specific messages, refer to "*Addition to the Appendix: System Warning Messages*" in Part 2, "Changes to Documentation Since Printing."

*Other Error Messages*

In addition to Connectivity Kit errors, FPSQL also displays error messages sent by ODBC, DB-Library and SQL Server. For information about ODBC error messages, refer to the ODBC Software Developer's Kit documentation and to the driver and data source documentation for the data source currently in use. For a list of DB-Library error messages, refer to the Microsoft SQL Server Programmer's Reference for C in the Microsoft SQL Server Programmer's Toolkit.

You'll find an explanation of the more common SQL Server errors in the Microsoft SQL Server Troubleshooting Guide. If you don't find information about a specific SQL Server error message in the Troubleshooting Guide, please contact your SQL Server system administrator or your SQL Server primary support provider.

*Using SQL Server Triggers to Return Error Messages*

If you're relying on SQL Server triggers to return error messages, be sure you include the Transact-SQL "RAISERROR" command in your trigger. FPSQL then recognizes the error and returns the information. For more information about the "RAISERROR" command, refer to the Microsoft SQL Server Language Reference.

Part 2: Changes to Documentation Since Printing

*Appendix, page 68, Connectivity Kit Errors by Number*

Delete error numbers 17 "Failed to set connection timeout" and 18 "Failed to set general timeout". These situations now produce system warning messages.

Add error number 36 "Cannot set transaction option while in a transaction" (MS-DOS only).

*Appendix, page 69, Connectivity Kit Errors Alphabetically*

Add: Cannot set transaction option while in a transaction" (36) (MS-DOS only).

  If you are in manual transaction mode and have made the
  first call to DBExec(), you are in an active
  transaction. In this case, you must explicitly end the
  transaction by calling DBTransact() with a Commit or
  Rollback statement before you can either call
  DBSetOpt() to change the transaction mode or call
  DBDisconnect().

In manual mode, you can end a current transaction only by calling DBTransact(), not by changing the transaction mode with DBSetOpt(). The new description for FPSQL error 33 should read:

  Before you can call DBDisconnect(), you need to end the
  current transaction by calling DBTransact().

FPSQL provides system warning messages which notify you of conditions or problems encountered during processing. In contrast to error messages, which indicate fatal problems that interrupt processing, system warning messages indicate conditions or problems that are not serious enough to interrupt processing. The following system warning messages have been added to the Connectivity Kit:

Msg   System Warning Message              Platform
No.

1     Failed to set connection timeout    (MS-DOS/Windows)
2     Failed to set general timeout       (MS-DOS/Windows)
3     Data precision lost in conversion   (MS-DOS/Windows)
4     Failed to convert memo field        (MS-DOS/Windows)
5     Failed to clear connection          (MS-DOS/Windows)

6     Failed to set transaction mode      (Windows only)

      asynchronous mode                   (Windows only)

10    Failed to set DB-LIB text limit     (MS-DOS only)

      database                            (MS-DOS only)

Data precision lost in conversion (3)

  Shows any data conversion error from whatever datasource
  type to FoxPro. This message is displayed once at the
  end of the result set conversion for one or multiple
  problems encountered during the conversion process.

  FPSQL was unable to clear the connection. The error
  could indicate corruption of FPSQL memory space or a
  problem either in the connection channel or on the
  data source.

  Indicates any error while converting data to FoxPro
  memo fields (not enough memory, temporary file error,
  etc.)  This message is displayed once at the end of the
  result set conversion for one or multiple problems
  encountered during the conversion process.

  Windows only. Indicates an error in the ODBC call for
  the current data source.

  FPSQL was unable to set the specified connection timeout
  for an attempted connection to a data source. The
  connection attempt will timeout according to the data
  source default connection timeout.

  MS-DOS only. Shows an error in setting the maximum
  DB-Library text size to 65530 bytes.

  FPSQL was unable to set the specified general timeout
  for a connection to a data source. The connection
  will use the data source default general timeout.

  MS-DOS only. Indicates an error when trying to set in
  use the database specified as the fourth parameter in
  DBConnect().

  Windows only. Indicates an error in the ODBC call for
  the current data source.

Part 3: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

*License Agreement*

Question 1

Our organization includes several FoxPro developers. Does each developer need an individual copy of the Connectivity Kit?

Answer 1

Your organization must own one licensed copy of the Connectivity Kit per developer, for each developer creating applications that use the Connectivity Kit. If five developers in your organization create applications using one or both of the Connectivity Kit libraries (FPSQL.PLB and/or FPSQL.FLL), you must own five licensed copies of the Connectivity Kit.

Question 2

I own licensed copies of both the FoxPro Distribution Kit and the FoxPro Connectivity Kit. May I distribute the FPSQL libraries with applications I develop using the Distribution Kit?

Answer 2

Yes. As a licensed user of both the FoxPro Distribution Kit and the Connectivity Kit, you are free to distribute the FPSQL.PLB and/or FPSQL.FLL library file(s) with your distributed application(s).

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