Contents of the FoxPro Ver 2.6 for UNIX readme File

• Microsoft FoxPro for UNIX, version 2.6

SUMMARY

Below are the contents of the readme file installed with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX.

MORE INFORMATION

************************************************************************

                   Release Notes for

          Microsoft(R) FoxPro(R) 2.6 for UNIX(R)

    (C)1994 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

CONTENTS

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

  1    FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX Notes
  2    Installation Notes
  3    Macro Key Support in FoxPro version 2.6
  4    Running on Non-SCO Systems
  5    scoterm Resources
  6    New and Enhanced Commands and Functions
  7    Question and Answers

Part 1: FoxPro Version 2.6 for UNIX Notes

Documentation

Correction

New Key Sequence

terminfo Entries

Part 2: Installation Notes

FoxPro is normally installed in the directory /usr/lib/foxpro by the installation utility custom. Instructions on how to install using custom can be found in the Installation and Configuration manual. If you do not want to install FoxPro in the default directory or if you do not have the custom utility, you can install FoxPro using the shell script extract located on the first installation disk.

To use the script extract, follow these steps:

1 Change your current directory to the directory you wish to install

   in (the default is /usr/lib/foxpro). For example, type the
   following at the system prompt and press Enter:

       cd /other/FoxPro

   off the installation disk type the following at the system prompt and
   press Enter:

       tar xvf /dev/install ./tmp/extract

   If your 3.5-inch drive is your B: drive, use /dev/install1:

       tar xvf /dev/install1 ./tmp/extract

   For drive A:  ./tmp/extract /dev/install

   -Or-

   For drive B:  ./tmp/extract /dev/install1

Note that some systems may use device names other than /dev/install and /dev/install1. If you get an extraction error, consult your system documentation for the name of your floppy device.

If you have the directory /etc/perms, a permissions file is added to it. This file contains the new location of the FoxPro files so that the custom utility will work as expected when removing FoxPro.

Part 3: Macro Key Support in FoxPro Version 2.6

In FoxPro version 2.6, the key combinations ALT+1 to ALT+9 cannot be used to define macros because these sequences are used by the UNIX operating system to switch console multiscreens. For a list of key combinations that are supported see the ON KEY LABEL topic in Help.

Part 4: Running on Non-SCO Systems

Some FoxPro for UNIX features are not completely supported on platforms other than SCO UNIX. These features include direct video memory writes, the SCO event queue management system, scancode support on terminals, and compression technology. Below is a description of how to work around these features. For more information on the command line switches described see the "Customizing FoxPro" chapter in the Installation and Configuration manual.

Direct Video Memory Writes

SCO Event Queue Management

Scan Code Support

Compression Utility

Part 5: scoterm Resources

The resource file that SCO ships for scoterm (/usr/lib/X11/app- defaults/ScoTerm) may not provide all of the resources necessary to run FoxPro effectively in a scoterm window. scoterm will not run in scancode mode unless the *keyboard resource is set to a value (for example, us). Also, the default colors need to be set up to match the console's colors.

See the file goodies/scoterm.res for the correct resources.

Part 6: New and Enhanced Commands and Functions

Several commands and functions are new to FoxPro version 2.6, and some have been enhanced to provide additional compatibility with dBASE(R) IV. For additional information about these commands and functions, see the following topics in the Help file: Doc Changes Since Printing, dBASE Compatibility Issues, International/X-Platform, or the name of the specific command or function.

New/Enhanced Commands

New/Enhanced Functions

New/Enhanced System Memory Variables

Part 7: Question and Answers

Topic   Description
-----   -----------
  1     Installation Issues
  2     Multiuser Issues
  3     Converting from FoxPro for MS-DOS, Windows, or Macintosh
  4     Printing Issues
  5     Screens
  6     Importing Data
  7     BROWSE Command
  8     Creating Applications

Topic 1: Installation Issues

Overview of Questions

   to open a file. No one else has the file open. How can I solve
   this?

   "No file". How can I correct this?

   this problem?

   keyboard. How can I fix this?

   combination.

   How can I correct this problem?

   from happening?

   I correct this?

   beyond a certain size. How can I correct this?

Question 1

I receive the error message "File is in use by another" when I try to open a file. No one else has the file open. How can I solve this?

Answer 1

The UNIX kernel grants a limited number of file locks to all applications. The number of locks available can be selected by running the configure command in /etc/conf/cf.d.

Question 2

I receive the error message "NOTICE: File table overflow" or "No file". How can I correct this?

Answer 2

The UNIX kernel grants a limited number of open files to each application. The number of open files available can be selected by running the configure command in /etc/conf/cf.d.

Question 3

The message "Position is off the screen" appears. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 3

Your terminal is trying to access a line that is off the screen. FoxPro expects there to be at least 25 lines. If possible, your terminal should be configured to be at least 25 lines.

Question 4

Certain keystrokes do not work as intended or do not exist on my keyboard. How can I fix this?

Answer 4

Refer to "Special Terminal Considerations for UNIX" in Chapter 2 of the Installation and Configuration manual or "Keystrokes for Terminals" in the Help file.

Question 5

My terminal locks up or freezes when I use a control keystroke combination.

Answer 5

Some terminals have key press sequences that lock the terminal. In most cases you can choose an alternate key sequence. For more information about key sequences, refer to "Special Terminal Considerations for UNIX" in Chapter 2 of the Installation and Configuration manual or "Keystrokes for Terminals" in the Help file.

Question 6

One or more characters seem to disappear for no apparent reason. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 6

Your terminal may be experiencing standout glitch. Some terminals need to use one character position on the screen when changing in and out of reverse video. You may be able to turn off this attribute byte or choose another emulation that does not need it. See your system documentation for more information.

Question 7

Pressing the left arrow key deletes characters. How can I stop this from happening?

Answer 7

Your terminal may emit the same sequence for the left arrow as it does for the backspace key. Refer to your system documentation to find out if your terminal has an emulation that generates different sequences for the arrow keys. You may also define the "kbs" string in your terminfo entry to something other than CTRL-H (such as CTRL-B).

Question 8

I cannot access a file for which I should have permission. How can I correct this?

Answer 8

To determine the file's permission, type the following at the UNIX prompt:

       ls -l <filename>

       chmod +w <filename>

Question 9

I get the message "File too large" or files can not be written beyond a certain size. How can I correct this?

Answer 9

UNIX has a configuration option named ulimit that can be set to limit a file's size. Each process can set its own ulimit, but it must be less than or equal to the system's ulimit. The system wide ulimit can be set by running the configure command in /etc/conf/cf.d.

Topic 2: Multiuser Issues

Overview of Questions

   receives the error message "File in use by another."  How can I
   correct this problem?

   this possible?

Question 1

When a second user loads Microsoft FoxPro for UNIX, the user receives the error message "File in use by another." How can I correct this problem?

Answer 1

Several solutions exist. Verify that the user has read permission to all necessary FoxPro files, including foxuser.dbf, foxuser.fpt, and config.fpu (where applicable). Also, all users must have execute permission for foxpro.pr. See your system administrator to change permissions.

Check the permissions on the resource file in FoxPro called foxuser.dbf. This file stores information about windows, color sets, and other FoxPro objects. The foxuser database can be used by multiple users by removing write permissions and granting read permissions.

If you receive the "File in use by another" error message when you try to open a database file, make sure that all users have the SET EXCLUSIVE setting OFF.

Question 2

Where does FoxPro create temporary files?

Answer 2

FoxPro creates temporary files in the /tmp directory unless you specifically designate an different location. For more information, see Chapter 5, "Optimizing Your UNIX System," in the Installation and Configuration manual.

Question 3

I'd like to refer to a directory with a single drive letter. Is this possible?

Answer 3

Yes, you can use the SET VOLUME command to do this. For example, to associate the /usr/main directory to C, type SET VOLUME C TO /usr/main at the system prompt, or type VOLUME C = /usr/main in config.fpu. NOTE: The volume specified in the SET VOLUME command must exist on the computer system.

Topic 3: Converting from FoxPro for MS-DOS, Windows, or Macintosh

Overview of questions

   screens and reports compatible with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX?

   compatible with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX?

Question 1

Are my existing FoxPro for MS-DOS, Windows and Macintosh 2.6 screens and reports compatible with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX?

Answer 1

The structures of the databases created by the power tools from other platforms are compatible with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX. When you first open screen and report files created on other platforms, FoxPro asks if you want to transport them to FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX format. For more information about specific FoxPro version 2.6 file formats, see the Update manual.

Question 2

Can I use my existing library files in FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX?

Answer 2

Library files cannot be used with FoxPro for UNIX. FoxPro for UNIX has

no Library Construction Kit and does not support LOAD or CALL functions.

Question 3

Are my existing programs compiled under FoxPro version 2.6 for MS-DOS compatible with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX?

Answer 3

Programs compiled under FoxPro version 2.6 for MS-DOS, such as .APP and .FXP files, are compatible with FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX. To run applications or programs from platforms other than MS-DOS, you should rebuild or recompile them.

Question 4

Can I distribute my FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX applications?

Answer 4

To distribute your application or executable file, you must purchase the Microsoft FoxPro Runtime and install it in your FoxPro directory. Each copy of the application distributed must have its own copy of the Runtime.

Topic 4: Printing Issues

Overview of Questions

   boxes. How can I correct this problem?

   to a report. The data in the report is incorrect; the report prints
   the same record over and over. How can I correct this problem?

   Setup Dialog box?

   I correct this problem?

   printing a report. How can I correct this problem?

   this problem?

   numbering is not reset to 1. How can I correct this problem?

Question 1

When I try to print boxes, ASCII characters are printed instead of boxes. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 1

If you are using an HP LaserJet printer, the default character set does not include line drawing characters. You can change the default character set by using the controls on the front panel of the printer. You will want to set your default to the PC-8 character set.

If you are not using an HP LaserJet printer and are using printer drivers, in the Printer Setup dialog, specify a printer setup appropriate for your printer. If you are already using a printer driver, modify the P_CODES database in order to send the proper code for your printer, and rebuild the genpd.app file. If you aren't using a printer driver, send the proper escape codes to the printer before you print using the ??? command.

Question 2

I'm using the Relational Query By Example (RQBE) window to send data to a report. The data in the report is incorrect; the report prints the same record over and over. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 2

When you created the report, you used alias names in your field definitions. To correct the report, simply remove the alias names. For example, a field containing CUSTOMER.NAME should be modified to contain only NAME.

Question 3

Why can't I select the printer driver check box in the Printer Setup dialog box?

Answer 3

This problem occurs if you are missing the genpd.app file, if the _GENPD memory variable is set incorrectly, if the resource file is turned off, or if the foxuser file is missing, damaged, or marked as read-only.

Question 4

I can't make the printer drivers work in an executable file. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 4

Open the project to make sure that the genpd.app file is included in the project as an application. If it isn't included, add genpd.app to the project as an application.

To add genpd.app as an application, choose the Add push button. In the dialog that appears, choose Application from the Type popup, select genpd.app and then choose the Add push button.

NOTE: genpd.app is automatically marked as an excluded project element.

Rebuild the project and your executable file. Make sure that you distribute the genpd.app, foxuser.dbf, and foxuser.fpt with your executable file.

Question 5

How do I start a print job from a page other than page 1?

Answer 5

To start a print job at a location other than page 1, set _PBPAGE to the number of the page at which printing should start and create a program that uses the PRINTJOB...ENDPRINTJOB commands.

Using the _PBPAGE variable to specify the page number where a print job starts does not work outside of PRINTJOB...ENDPRINTJOB.

For example, suppose your printer jammed on page 75 of a 100-page report and all output from page 75 through 100 was lost. The code to re-create the last 25 pages is as follows:

       _PBPAGE=75
       PRINTJOB
       REPORT FORM test.FRX ENVIRONMENT PDSETUP TO PRINT
       ENDPRINTJOB

Question 6

I get the following error "Cannot write to read-only file" when printing a report. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 6

Given the following circumstances, the error message "Cannot write to a read-only file" will occur when you try to print a report from within an application (.app) or an executable (.exe) program:

   - The resource file is included in the project.

   - The resource is set to the included filename.

   - The REPORT FORM <name> PDSETUP TO PRINT or LABEL FORM <name>
     PDSETUP TO PRINT command is issued.

   - Remove PDSETUP from the command.

     -Or-

   - Mark the resource file as excluded and ship it along with the .app
     or .exe file.

Question 7

I get an extra blank line when printing labels. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 7

This behavior existed in dBASE III and FoxBASE. It was changed in FoxPro version 1.02. However, to maintain compatibility with the large installed base of Xbase applications, a design decision was made to revert to the original behavior.

To work around this problem, print the label form to a file, open the file with low-level file functions, remove the carriage return/linefeed (CR/LF) characters and send the file to the printer using the UNIX cp command. For example:

   *--Set the number of lines printed per page and print to a file.
   _PLENGTH=56
   LABEL FORM <form name> ENVIRONMENT PDSETUP TO FILE temp.txt

   *--Open file and replace the CR/LF pair with null characters.
   filehand=FOPEN('temp.txt',2)
   =FGETS(filehand)
   =FSEEK(filehand,-2,1)
   =FWRITE(filehand,chr(0)+chr(0))
   =FCLOSE(filehand)

   *--Copy the file to printer and prevent the appearance of the screen.
   HIDE WINDOW SAVE ALL
   RUN lp -s -dhplaser temp.txt
   SHOW WINDOW ALL

Question 8

I have NewPage and ResetPage enabled in my data grouping but my page numbering is not reset to 1. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 8

The report has a Bottom Margin setting greater than 0 (zero).

Set Bottom Margin to 0 and add the necessary lines to the Page Footer band. For example, if Bottom Margin is set to 2, reset it to 0 and add two lines to the Page Footer band.

Topic 5: Screens

Overview of Questions

   supporting screens to the screen set. How can I avoid this problem?

   the cursor from one window to the next?

   correct this?

   screen from FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX, I don't see any UNIX objects.
   Why?

Question 1

Every time I try to generate a specific screen, I have to add my supporting screens to the screen set. How can I avoid this problem?

Answer 1

To save these options, you must create a project and include the screens as a screen set.

Question 2

When I create a screen set with more than one window, how do I move the cursor from one window to the next?

Answer 2

If all the windows in your screen set are controlled with one READ command, use the Page Up key, the Page Down key, or modify the value of the _CUROBJ system memory variable to cycle through the windows of your screen set. If any one of the windows in your screen set is not controlled by the READ command, such as a Browse window, then you must press CTRL+F1 to cycle through the screen set.

Question 3

How do I coordinate Browse windows with screens?

Answer 3

Page D2-96 of the FoxPro Developers Guide give samples for coordinating Browse windows with screens but omits the SAVE clause in the example. If the optional BROWSE parameter SAVE is omitted, the Browse window will close as soon as any other object is clicked.

The code example should be changed to read as follows:

       IF NOT WVISIBLE("Client List")
          BROWSE NORMAL NOWAIT NODELETE LAST TITLE "Client List" ;
             NOAPPEND NOMENU SAVE FIELDS company ;
             WHEN showgets()
       ENDIF

       IF NOT WVISIBLE("Account Details")
          SELECT details
             BROWSE NORMAL NOWAIT NODELETE LAST TITLE "Client List" ;
                NOAPPEND NOMENU SAVE  ;
                FIELDS ;
                Trans_type:10, ;
                Trans_date:10, ;
                Amt:7,Service
          SELECT clients
       ENDIF

Question 4

How do I page through a format file that contains a READ?

Answer 4

Pressing the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys skips one record at a time, forward or backward, in the database and also refreshes the GETs on the screen.

Objects can be placed on different pages or different screens by placing a READ command in the format file. The READ command should be placed after the last GET that would appear on each screen. The following format file example places two objects on the first screen and two more on the second screen. To display the objects that are on the next screen, press the Page Up or Page Down key.

       @5,1 GET <var1>
       @6,1 GET <var2>
       READ
       @5,1 GET <var3>
       @6,1 GET <var4>

Question 5

The Cycle option does not work for desktop screens. How can I correct this?

Answer 5

The Cycle option on the Window menu is designed to switch between windows defined on the desktop. When a screen set contains several windows and a desktop screen, Cycle stops on the desktop screen. This is normal behavior, since the Cycle command is intended to be used with window screens, not the desktop.

To work around this behavior, define a window with no borders instead of using a desktop screen. This will produce a window that looks like the desktop.

The Cycle option is used for cycling through window screens in a screen set or windows defined on the desktop. The shortcut key CTRL+F1 can also be used to cycle through windows on the desktop.

Question 6

When I create a screen in FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX, or transport a screen from FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX, I don't see any UNIX objects. Why?

Answer 6

FoxPro version 2.6 for UNIX objects are very similar to FoxPro version 2.6 for MS-DOS objects. Therefore, an additional object type is not necessary and your UNIX objects will show up as MS-DOS objects.

Topic 6: Importing Data

Question 1

How do I import a data file into Microsoft FoxPro for UNIX?

Answer 1

To import a data file, use either the IMPORT command or the APPEND FROM command. If you're receiving the error message "String too long to fit," make sure that no "field" in the source data file exceeds the field capacity for a FoxPro table. See the System Capacities topic in Help for additional information. A wide range of file formats is supported. See the IMPORT command topic in the Language Reference manual for a complete list of the supported file formats.

Topic 7: BROWSE Command

Overview of Questions

   command to view the file, I don't see the changes. How can I correct
   this problem?

   new record in the Browse window, I get the musical note instead. How
   can I correct this problem?

Question 1

I modified the structure of my database, but when I use the BROWSE command to view the file, I don't see the changes. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 1

You are most likely using the BROWSE command from the System menu or the View panel, or you are issuing a BROWSE LAST or BROWSE PREFERENCE command from the Command window. To see these structural changes, you must first issue a plain BROWSE command from the Command window to display the new default representation of the database.

Question 2

When I press the CTRL+N key combination in my program to append a new record in the Browse window, I get the musical note instead. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 2

CTRL+N is a shortcut key combination associated with the System menu. In your program, you must issue the SET SYSMENU ON command and/or use a BROWSE command instead of the BROWSE NOMENU command.

Topic 8: Creating Applications and Executables

Overview of Questions

   database files. How can I correct this problem?

   I receive the error message "Feature not available" under the
   stand-alone version. How can I correct this problem?

Question 1

I've created an application that does not allow me to edit my database files. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 1

Including the database in the project automatically makes these files read only. Mark your database as excluded in the project, then rebuild your application. You must distribute these files to your end users.

Question 2

My executable file runs correctly under the development version, but I receive the error message "Feature not available" under the stand-alone version. How can I correct this problem?

Answer 2

First, check the "Features Not Available" list in the FoxPro for UNIX Runtime User's Guide. Certain features used for development aren't available in the applications and executables you create. If you still encounter problems, it's possible that you're using macro substitution in your program. The recommended work around is to set up a statement which causes the compiler to see the possible options for the macro-substituted commands so that they will be compiled into the .exe file. For example:

       IF .F.
              MODIFY REPORT dummy
              MODIFY LABEL dummy
       ENDIF

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                   end of readme
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