Contents of README.TXT in the FPW26 (2.6a) Subdirectory

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, version 2.6a

SUMMARY

Below is the complete FoxPro 2.6a for Windows README.TXT file found in the main FoxPro directory (usually FPW26).

MORE INFORMATION

                     README.TXT

                   Release Notes for

    Microsoft(R) FoxPro(R) for Windows(TM) Version 2.6a

    (C)1994 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

CONTENTS

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

 1     New Features in FoxPro 2.6
 2     New and Enhanced Commands and Functions
 3     Notes about the Catalog Manager
 4     Notes about Wizards
 5     Macro Key Support in FoxPro 2.6
 6     Differences Between FoxPro and dBASE Format Files
 7     Importing Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets to FoxPro
 8     International and Cross-Platform Recommendations
 9     Installation Questions and Answers
 10    Product Support Questions and Answers
 11    Note about the OBJVAR() Function

Part 1: New Features in FoxPro 2.6

Microsoft FoxPro version 2.6 includes the following new features:

   *  A Catalog Manager interface that provides convenient
      access to database files and functions, and enables you
      to convert dBASE(R) files easily.

      For more information on converting dBASE file:

      * Choose dBASE Help... from the Help menu.
      -OR-
      * Search for Switching from dBASE in online Help.

   *  A collection of wizards that simplify common database
      tasks.

   *  Language additions that provide dBASE IV(R) language
      compatibility.

Part 2: New and Enhanced Commands and Functions Several commands and functions are new to FoxPro 2.6, and some have been enhanced to provide additional compatibility with dBASE IV(R). For additional information about these commands and functions, see the New and Enhanced Commands and Functions Help topic.

New/Enhanced Commands

New/Enhanced Functions

New/Enhanced System Memory Variables

Part 3: Notes about the Catalog Manager

Reserved Names in the Catalog Manager

When you execute a program or procedure, FoxPro searches for the program or procedure in a specific order. This order includes the current file as well as programs that were executed prior to the current one, including the Catalog Manager itself.

Below is a list of procedure and program names that can cause errors if run from within the Catalog Manager.

ABORT ACTTHERM ADDALIAS ADDBS ADDFILE ADDTASK ANALYZE CLEANUP CONTROL DELUSER DUMMY ERRHAND ESCHAND EXECUTE EXPORT FILEEXT FINDFILE FORCEEXT GETSQL GETSTAMP GETWPARM IMPORT INDEX ISMAC ISSPR JUSTEXT JUSTFNAME JUSTPATH MENUPROC MIGRATE MODIFY MSGBOX ORDER PARSFIL PRINT REMOVE SAVEPREF SETTINGS SETTOPIC SHUTDOWN TOUCHED TRASHCAN UPDTHERM VRUN

API Library Routines and the Catalog Manager

The Catalog Manager opens and closes API libraries on these occasions:

* When the Catalog Manager is started, all API

  libraries are closed.

  Manager, all API libraries that were open before
  the Catalog Manager started are opened.  When the program
  ends the API libraries are closed.

  libraries that were open before the Catalog
  Manager started are opened.

Part 4: Notes about Wizards

Printing with the Report and Label Wizards

Printing Labels with a Laser Printer

1. Modify your label using the Report Writer.

   select the Printable Page radio button.

Memo and General Fields and the Label Wizard

Modifying Wizard-Created Items in Microsoft Windows NT(TM)

Part 5: Macro Key Support in FoxPro 2.6 In FoxPro 2.6, the key combinations Alt+1 to Alt+9 cannot be used to define macros. For a list of key combinations supported in FoxPro 2.6 see the ON KEY LABEL topic in Help.

Part 6: Differences Between FoxPro and dBASE Format Files

Please note these differences between dBASE and FoxPro 2.6 format files:

SET STATUS - A dBASE format file automatically contains a SET STATUS ON command. The FoxPro 2.6 BROWSE FORMAT command ignores it. Therefore, in order for messages to display in the FoxPro status bar after you issue an APPEND command, you should remove SET STATUS ON. Messages will then appear in the status bar or, if the status bar is turned off, in the WAIT window.

BROWSE FORMAT - In FoxPro 2.6, BROWSE FORMAT does not wait for a <space> before allowing the user to re-enter data. (In dBASE, after a user enters invalid information, both APPEND and BROWSE FORMAT require the user to press the Spacebar before re-entering data.)

In FoxPro 2.6, SAY output is displayed individually in its own column.

RANGE Clause - FoxPro 2.6 doesn't support RANGE clauses of Character type. If you have a RANGE clause on a Character field in your dBASE format file, you should remove it. Otherwise, FoxPro displays a syntax error when you issue a SET FORMAT TO command.

Part 7: Importing Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets to FoxPro

FoxPro can import spreadsheet files from Microsoft Excel version 4.0. To import spreadsheets from Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you must first save them as version 4.0 files. Columns from the spreadsheet become fields in the table, and rows from the spreadsheet become records in the table.

Part 8: International and Cross-Platform Recommendations See the International and Cross-Platform Features topic in Help for the latest information on code pages and collation sequences.

Tagging Codepages to Tables in the Catalog Manager

To ensure that accented characters in a table are displayed correctly on the current platform, the table must be tagged with a code page. In Catalog Manager, to tag a code page to a table that does not have one, make sure the following are true:

1. SET EXCLUSIVE is ON. The exclusive setting can

       be set in the Catalog Manager Settings dialog.
   

    line CODEPAGE = AUTO

Part 9: Installation Questions and Answers

Overview of Questions

1 What is the easiest way to install FoxPro on a network? 2 What kind of user rights do I need to install FoxPro

    on the network?

    the graphing and spell checker features in FoxPro?

    DOS-style keystrokes or Windows-style keystrokes.
    Which should I choose?

    Windows?

    Libraries (DLLs) in the Windows subdirectory where
    system files are kept?

    Can I reinstall these files without reinstalling
    FoxPro?

    disks because of an alignment problem with the floppy
    drives. Is there another option for installation?

    and I'm getting the message "Cannot write VER.DLL."
    Any suggestions?

    streamlining both my CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT and I
    still can't install FoxPro for Windows. What should I
    do?

    restart Windows?

    swap file do I need?

    get a memory conflict when loading FoxPro for Windows?

    when trying to load FoxPro for Windows. What should I
    do?

    Windows, I get a memory conflict. What should I do?

    I get a General Protection Fault in module MACH32.DRV
    at 0003:0E22. What should I do?

    properly with FoxPro for Windows. Why is this and what
    steps should I take to resolve the situation?

    more than 15 tables at one time. What could be wrong?

    the MS-DOS SHARE program?

    directories within an application. Why isn't this
    working in FoxPro for Windows?

    FILES setting in the CONFIG.SYS file?

    Windows PIF Editor settings?

Question 1

What is the easiest way to install FoxPro on a network?

Answer 1

In a network environment you must first install FoxPro on the server and then set up each workstation. Installation on the server is called an Administrative Setup, for which you use the /A installation switch. This option decompresses all FoxPro for Windows files and Setup files. FoxPro for Windows files will be read-only on the network drive.

To perform an Administrative Setup, choose Run... from the Windows Program Manager File menu. When the Run dialog appears, type A:\SETUP /A or B:\SETUP /A (depending on the floppy drive you are using) in the Command Line box. Press Enter and proceed with the installation. You will be prompted for your user information and an installation directory, default drive, path name, and so on. For more detailed information refer to "Instructions for Administrative Setup" in the FoxPro for Windows Installation and Configuration manual.

Installation on individual workstations is called Workstation Setup, for which you use the /N installation switch. Workstation Setup requires a previous Administrative Setup. The Workstation Setup copies FoxPro initialization files, updates some common .DLL files, and creates a Program Manager group and an icon on each workstation to run a shared network version of FoxPro for Windows.

You can perform the workstation setup in two ways: from the network or from disk. To install from a network drive, open the Windows File Manager and then open a window with the correct network path for FoxPro for Windows and double- click SETUP.EXE. Choose the Workstation Installation button in the Installation Type dialog box. To install from disk, type A:\SETUP /N or B:\SETUP /N in the Run dialog Command Line box, then press Enter. For more detailed information refer to "Instructions for Workstation Setup" in the FoxPro for Windows Installation and Configuration manual.

Question 2

What kind of user rights do I need to install FoxPro on the network?

Answer 2

You need full system rights to install on the network. Contact your system administrator for further information about your specific installation.

Question 3

Why are workstation users on our network unable to use the graphing and spell checker features in FoxPro?

Answer 3

Workstation users need access to the MSGRAPH and PROOF subdirectories in order to use these features. Contact your system administrator regarding user access to these subdirectories.

Question 4

During installation I was asked to select either DOS-style keystrokes or Windows-style keystrokes. Which should I choose?

Answer 4

If you aren't sure which style to use, select Windows- style keystrokes. Windows-style keystrokes correspond to standard Windows keystrokes. MS-DOS-style keystrokes cause FoxPro for Windows to behave like FoxPro for MS-DOS. Later, if you want to use MS-DOS-style keystrokes, add the line KEYCOMP = DOS to your CONFIG.FPW file. For more information about the styles of keystrokes, see the SET KEYCOMP command in the FoxPro Language Reference manual or Help.

Question 5

What is the minimum DOS files setting for FoxPro for Windows?

Answer 5

The DOS FILES command should be set to 40 or higher. Buffers should be set to at least 25, or to 10 if you are using a disk cache. During installation, Setup checks your CONFIG.SYS file. If your FILES setting is less than 40, a dialog gives you three choices: have Setup make the modifications for you, have Setup make the modifications after you have reviewed and edited the changes, or allow you to make the modifications later. If you allow Setup to modify your CONFIG.SYS file, your old file is saved as CONFIG.OLD or as CONFIG.001 if CONFIG.OLD already exists. For more information, see "Customizing FoxPro" in the Installation and Configuration manual.

Question 6

Does FoxPro for Windows update any Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL files) in the Windows subdirectory where system files are kept?

Answer 6

Yes. The following DLL files are updated: COMMDLG.DLL, DDEML.DLL, OLECLI.DLL, OLESVR.DLL, SHELL.DLL, TOOLHELP.DLL and VER.DLL.

The FoxPro graphing capabilities require that GRAPH.EXE and GRAPH.HLP be stored in the Windows subdirectory \MSAPPS\MSGRAPH.

FoxPro spell checking capabilities require that MSSPELL.DLL, MSSP_AM.LEX, and MSSP_BR.LEX be stored in the Windows subdirectory \MSAPPS\PROOF.

Question 7

I accidentally deleted some of the FoxPro sample files. Can I reinstall these files without reinstalling FoxPro?

Answer 7

Yes. Run Setup again and select the Custom Installation option from the Installation Type dialog. With this option box, you choose which components to install.

Question 8

My computer is having difficulty reading the FoxPro disks because of an alignment problem with the floppy drives. Is there another option for installation?

Answer 8

Try copying all the files to a directory on your hard disk and then install from the hard disk.

Question 9

I'm trying to install FoxPro for Windows under Windows 3.0 and I'm getting the message "Cannot write VER.DLL." Any suggestions?

Answer 9

Rename the VER.DLL file in the Windows System subdirectory.

Question 10

I'm having difficulty installing FoxPro. I've tried streamlining both my CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT and I still can't install FoxPro for Windows. What should I do?

Answer 10

First of all, don't try to install from within a third- party replacement shell, such as Norton Desktop. Make sure you use the Windows Program Manager shell. To specify the Program Manager shell, change the SYSTEM.INI line

SHELL = <some other shell>

to

SHELL = PROGMAN.EXE

Next, make certain you have disabled all TSRs, including anti-virus software. Check the WIN.INI file for the LOAD = and RUN = lines. Comment these lines out using a semicolon (;).

Question 11

Can I put a common WIN.INI file up on the server?

Answer 11

No. Each workstation has its own WIN.INI file.

Question 12

What is the best way to edit the WIN.INI file?

Answer 12

You can edit the WIN.INI file with Notepad or EDIT.EXE in MS-DOS 5.0 or greater.

Question 13

If I modify my WIN.INI file, is it advisable to restart Windows?

Answer 13

Yes. As a general rule, always restart Windows when you have modified the WIN.INI file. There are some exceptions, but if you are trouble-shooting you want to be certain that all changes are reflected in the current environment.

Question 14

Can I delete the ~MSSTFQF.T directory?

Answer 14

Yes. The ~MSSTFQF.T directory is created during setup. Ordinarily this directory is deleted at the end of the installation process.

Question 15

My computer is running with 4 MB of RAM. How large a swap file do I need?

Answer 15

Use a 2 MB permanent swap file for virtual memory and don't include a MEMLIMIT setting in the CONFIG.FPW file. If you are running multiple programs simultaneously, it may be necessary to specify a swap file larger than 2 MB. Let FoxPro run with the default setting. In addition, do not use a RAM drive or an expanded memory manager. Expanded memory isn't used by FoxPro for Windows. A disk cache should be no larger than 256K.

Question 16

When using my LANtastic network card, I always get a memory conflict when loading FoxPro for Windows. What should I do?

Answer 16

Try using the following line in the SYSTEM.INI file in the Windows directory:

EMMExclude = D800-DFFF

Question 17

When using a Paradise driver, I get a memory conflict when trying to load FoxPro for Windows. What should I do?

Answer 17

Try using the following line in the SYSTEM.INI file in the Windows directory:

EMMExclude = C600-C800

Question 18

When I use QEMM386 memory manager with FoxPro for Windows, I get a memory conflict. What should I do?

Answer 18

Try using the following line in the SYSTEM.INI file in the Windows directory:

EMMExclude = C0FF-C7FF

Question 19

When I use the Mach32 video card with my Gateway 2000, I get a General Protection Fault in module MACH32.DRV at 0003:0E22. What should I do?

Answer 19

You are experiencing a problem with your video driver. Contact your video card vendor for the most recent version of the driver. In the meantime, you can use the VGA.DRV or the SUPERVGA.DRV drivers that come with Windows.

Question 20

I understand that a number of video drivers don't work properly with FoxPro for Windows. Why is this and what steps should I take to resolve the situation?

Answer 20

FoxPro for Windows makes intensive use of screen I/O. If you are experiencing General Protection Faults (GPFs) or display problems (borders, status bar, fonts, unusual alignment when previewing reports) you may be experiencing a problem with your video driver. To test this situation, load either the VGA or VGA version 3.0 drivers and go through the steps to reproduce the earlier problem. If the problem no longer exists when you are using a standard Windows driver, it's very likely that the old driver was the cause of the problem. Contact the vendor for an updated version of the driver or download the Windows Driver Library (WDL) on the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL). Complete instructions for obtaining the Windows Driver Library is contained in the Product Support section of this file.

We have identified problems with the following video cards:

   ATI Ultra Graphics Pro (local bus) -- caused GPF, fixed
     with update
   AST Power Premium 486 w/VGA on Motherboard -- fixed
     with update
   Genoa 7900 MM card
   Dell 486/20 with VGA on Motherboard
   Compaq QVision
   Speed Star 24x
   Trident 8900C
   TIGA 1024 x 768 x 256 small fonts
   NEC 2A
   MACH32

Question 21

I occasionally experience problems when trying to open more than 15 tables at one time. What could be wrong?

Answer 21

Make certain you have the correct SHARE statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

   SHARE /F:4096 /L:500

Question 22

I'm running Windows for Workgroups. Do I need to load the MS-DOS SHARE program?

Answer 22

No. Windows for Workgroups automatically loads VSHARE, which takes the place of SHARE.

Question 23

Where does FoxPro create its temporary files?

Answer 23

FoxPro creates its temporary files in the same directory where Windows stores its temporary files, unless you specifically designate an alternate location by including one or more of the EDITWORK, SORTWORK, PROGWORK and/or TMPFILES statements in the CONFIG.FPW file. The location of Windows .TMP files is specified with the MS-DOS set variable TEMP. In most cases, you should let FoxPro write .TMP files to the same location. However, if this location is a RAM drive, make sure that enough space is available for both FoxPro and Windows .TMP files.

Question 24

I frequently use the RUN command to change drives and directories within an application. Why isn't this working in FoxPro for Windows?

Answer 24

Each time you issue the RUN command to change drives and directories, Windows opens a new session of MS-DOS, otherwise known as a virtual machine, and executes the command within the newly created session. When you exit from this session or shut down the virtual machine, you are right back where you started without having changed drives. You should use FoxPro's own drive and directory commands instead of using the RUN command. For example, using SET DEFAULT TO C:\NEWDIR will actually issue the MS-DOS command CHDIR.

Question 25

Why doesn't the value returned by SYS(2010) match the FILES setting in the CONFIG.SYS file?

Answer 25

Windows interacts with the MS-DOS open file tables in such a way that the value reported in the MS-DOS box and in Windows may be different.

Question 26

What memory allocation options are available with the Windows PIF Editor settings?

Answer 26

In the PIF Editor "memory requirements" section the "KB Required" and "KB Desired" may both be set to "-1". This tells Windows to give all the available memory it can to an MS-DOS application. This doesn't mean that the MS-DOS application will have more than 600K, but it will get about as much conventional memory as you had available before starting Windows (minus some conventional memory that Windows itself occupies).

Changing the "EMS Memory" and "XMS Memory" sections tells Windows to provide or not provide the MS-DOS application and EMS (Expanded Memory Services) or XMS (Extended Memory Services). This won't, however, allow an application that doesn't support accessing EMS or XMS to do so. Only applications that have the capability will be able to access the additional memory provided. It is important to note that once you tell Windows to create EMS or XMS for an application, it does so whether the application can use it or not.

In the "Execution" section, if Exclusive is selected, no other application, be it Windows or MS-DOS, will run while the application with Exclusive is the current application.

In the "Advanced Options" there is a "Multitasking Options" section. This section is very important when you are trying to get an MS-DOS application to run in the background. If the MS-DOS application is very I/O intensive (reads and writes to disk, asynchronous communication, and do on) it will be necessary to increase the "Background Priority." Unfortunately there is no rule of thumb when it comes to the exact number that should be used. It's important to note that the larger the number for "Background Priority" the slower other applications will run while the MS-DOS application with the high priority is running in the background.

The 32-bit Extended version of FoxPro for MS-DOS won't use the EMS and XMS settings specified in the PIF file. Use MEMLIMIT in your CONFIG.FP file to control the amount of memory your application uses.

Part 10: Product Support Questions and Answers

Overview of Questions

1 Where can I go for additional pre-sale information

    on Microsoft Fox products, such as pricing, upgrade
    policies, and release dates?

    Forum what information should I include?

    additional FoxPro product support?

    Microsoft Fox products. Where can I direct these
    comments?

    to Print in FP/W.

Question 1

Where can I go for additional pre-sale information on Microsoft Fox products, such as pricing, upgrade policies, and release dates?

Answer 1

Call 800-426-9400.

Question 2

How do I download the Windows Driver Library?

Answer 2

Microsoft provides the Windows Driver Library (WDL) on the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) from which users can obtain drivers and articles directly via modem.

The phone number for the MSDL is 425-936-6735. There is no connect-time charge for using this service. However, any standard connect-time fees and long-distance telephone charges do apply during downloading. After you connect to one of these services, please read the WDL.TXT file for downloading instructions and a complete list of files available on the Download Service.

If you don't have a modem, you can obtain the WDL on disk from Microsoft End-User Sales. To order the WDL on disk, call 800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Pacific time. There is a $20 fee for ordering the WDL on disk.

Question 3

Where can I go for additional FoxPro product support?

Answer 3

Call *Microsoft FastTips* to hear recorded responses to common questions about Microsoft FoxPro. You can also order technical notes that are sent to your fax machine. FastTips is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For assistance with FoxPro, dial 800-936-4300.

[Editor's note: The README.TXT file originally said to call 425-635-7190, which is the former number for this service.]

Use the *Microsoft Download Service* to access technical notes and supplementary files covering common Microsoft product support issues. This service is available via modem 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 425-936-6735.

Call *Microsoft Technical Support* between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday. For assistance with Microsoft Fox products for MS-DOS or for Windows, call 425-635-7191. For assistance with Microsoft Fox products for the Macintosh, call 425-635-7192.

Microsoft support services are subject to Microsoft prices, terms, and conditions that are in place at the time the service is used.

Question 4

If I call for support or post a message on the Fox Forum, what information should I include?

Answer 4

When you call, you should be at your computer and have the appropriate product documentation at hand. Be prepared to give the following information:

* The Product Identification Number for your product.

  You can find this number by choosing About FoxPro... from
  the Help menu.  The Product ID is displayed on the About
  FoxPro dialog. The Product ID is a serial number that will
  be used to auto-route your call to the appropriate support
  person, to meter any free support you are entitled to, and
  to display your prior support history.

  are using. This can be obtained by typing ?VERSION(1) in
  the Command window for FoxPro.

  hardware if applicable; and the operating environment
  that you are using.

  CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and any network
  configuration files.

  screen.

  when the problem occurred.

  steps?

* What steps have you already taken to solve the problem?

Question 5

If I am deaf or hard of hearing where can I go for additional FoxPro product support?

Answer 5

Microsoft Technical Support is available for the hearing impaired. Using a special TDD/TT modem, dial 425-635-4948 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

Microsoft support services are subject to Microsoft prices, terms, and conditions that are in place at the time the service is used.

Question 6

I have some specific comments and suggestions on Microsoft Fox products. Where can I direct these comments?

Answer 6

Help make future versions of Microsoft Fox products even better by calling, sending a fax, sending a note, or sending electronic mail. Your feedback will be considered in developing future versions of Microsoft FoxPro.

Call 425-936-9474 and leave your comments using a touch-tone phone 24 hours a day.

Fax 425-936-7329 and provide detailed comments 24 hours a day.

Send a note to:

Microsoft FoxPro WishLine One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052

If you have access to the Internet, send electronic mail to:

   foxwish@microsoft.com.

Part 11: Note about the OBJVAR() Function

In it's current implementation, OBJVAR() may not return correct values under the following circumstances:

* When used in conjunction with a Radio or Push button set,

    OBJVAR() will return only the variable name for the
    object number that corresponds to the first button in the
    set. OBJVAR() won't return correct values for objects
    subsequent to the button set.

    including arrays. When you use OBJVAR() to determine the
    name of an array, you must first remove the appended "m."
    before attempting to reference an array member.

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