                        C O N T R O L S   O V E R V I E W
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <Left Arrow>                  Move to parent item
    <Right Arrow>                 Move to top subitem
    <Up Arrow>                    Move up one group item or tree
    <Down Arrow>                  Move down one group item or tree
    <PgUp>                        Move up seven group items or trees
    <PgDn>                        Move down seven group items or trees
    <Home>                        Move to root item of current tree
    <Ctrl-Left Arrow>             Decrease view window field by one level
    <Ctrl-Right Arrow>            Increase view window field by one level
    <Spacebar>/<Tab>              Move menu highlight one right
    <Backspace>/<Shift-Tab>       Move menu highlight one left
    <Menu choice 1st letter>      Move menu highlight to desired choice
    <Enter>                       Execute highlighted menu function
    <Esc>                         Exit program or Notes menu
    <Ctrl-F> = Find               Enact a search for any item
    <Ctrl-T>                      Change view window colors
    <F1>                          Display this information
    ---------Shortcut Keys--------------------------------------------------
    <Ctrl-V>                      View any information on item (Memo)
    <Ctrl-P>                      Show current location in tree (Path)
    <Numeric keys corresponding
    to same keys as top 7 listed above>
    = w/ Num Lock on
    = <Shift+Key> w/ Num Lock off
                                  Store movement controls (top 7 above)
                                  (Bypasses screen changes in window)
    <End>                         Jump to item attained by storing controls
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------













    The  preceding  info  and  the  following  documentation are copyrighted
    works  of  the author and should not be altered in any way. Editing this
    information  (TREEBASE.TXT)  may  subsequently result in program failure
    when  trying to access the info on-line. If you haven't done so already,
    please  read  the  file  TREEBASE.INF  for  additional  information. The
    documentation consists of four parts:
                 
                     Part 1)  Introduction              P. 2
                     Part 2)  The TREEBASE Environment  P. 3
                     Part 3)  The Sample Data           P. 4
                     Part 4)  Program Operation         P. 4 - 8


                        DOCUMENTATION FOR TREEBASE 1.1B

    I. Introduction

    A  seemingly vast array of database software exists on the market today.
    Very  little  of  it  appears  to  be  concerned  with  the  creation of
    hierarchical  databases.  An exception is TREEBASE, a truly hierarchical
    database  manager.  Here, the user defines the structure of the database
    and  then  records  are  placed  at  specific  locations in the database
    according  to  that structure. This entails the assignment of records to
    a  specific rank or level, via categories. The placing of records in the
    structure  results  in  data trees, which themselves in turn signify and
    visually display the hierarchical relationships among the data.

    What  constitutes hierarchical data? Any item that can be divided into a
    grouping  of related subitems, each of which can be divided further, and
    so  on. The directory structure of DOS would be such an example. An item
    may  constitute  a name of a person, idea, thing, etc. In TREEBASE, each
    item  is an individual record in the database, no matter where it occurs
    in a data tree. Unlimited information may be kept on any item in a free-
    form  text  (memo)  field.  It  is  entirely up to the user to decide on
    which items to keep notes, since not all may be applicable.

    TREEBASE  can  hold a maximum of 32767 record items per database, spread
    over   as  many trees as required by the user. A tree consists of a root
    item  and  any optional branches and sub-branches. Data need not be kept
    in  complex  trees;  records may consist of root items only. The purpose
    is  for  the  user  to  organize  the  info as he/she desires. Items do,
    however,  require  the  assignment  to  a  category before adding to the
    database.  This  will  allow  the grouping of items in trees later on if
    desired.   Individual  items,  trees,  and  portions  of  trees  may  be
    conveniently  moved  around  and  attached  to  other  locations  in the
    database.  This  allows  for regrouping after the addition of new items,
    as  well as for the correction of misplaced items. New categories, up to
    22  in  all,  may  be  added  anytime.  Therefore, the maximum number of
    levels a tree can have is 22.

    TREEBASE  has  both  specific and general uses. It is ideal for items of
    information  that  fall  neatly into a hierarchical structure by ranking
    at  a  certain level (known as classifying). Other uses include grouping
    items  under common ideas as a way of organizing information and keeping
    notes  on  related  pieces  of  information together (like a common word
    processor  drawer).  Or, information may be kept in true outline form in
    the  tree  structure  and then elaborated upon using the notes. TREEBASE
    has  potential  educational  uses. Information entered beforehand can be
    subsequently  used as a learning tool to display the relationships among
    items  and  facts  on  those items (placed in the notes). Another use of
    data  trees  is  to  display a multilevel directory of a certain type or
    purpose.  The  program  is  also  an  ideal  way to display geneological
    relationships  among  families of individuals. In all cases, however, it
    is  up  to  the  user  to  define  the  category  structure  on which to
    establish the data. This often involves some forethought.


                                        2


    II. The TREEBASE Environment

    Once  understood,  TREEBASE  is  easy  to maneuver. Accomplished through
    user  interaction of key controls, desired items can be brought into the
    field  of view. This occurs in the view window, the central component of
    TREEBASE.  The  screen  on  which  the  view  window  may  be  found  is
    considered  to  be the main screen. Above the view window is the program
    menu.  Below  is  the  database key. The key indicates the categories of
    items  displayed  in  the  view  window  by  field  location  and  color
    reference.  The  triangle  in  the  upper left corner of the view window
    indicates  the  current  item,  which has a special significance. To the
    immediate  right  of  this  indicator,  the  current item is the item on
    which  you  may  perform  program  functions,  such as move, delete, and
    memo.  New  subitems are also added to the database at the current item.
    If  notes  exist  for  the  current  item,  the  current  indicator is a
    flashing green; if no notes, a flashing red.

    The  controls  summary  at  the  beginning of the documentation displays
    every valid key press which can be utilized on the main screen. Refer to
    it  as  needed (F1) to operate TREEBASE. Information is displayed in the
    view window according to the following conventions:

    **  From one to six view levels may be displayed at one time.
    **  The default number of view levels displayed is four.
    **  A view level is defined by a vertical column of data items which may
    cross various distinct trees and/or branches.
    **  A  view  level  is not necessarily confined to all items of the same
    category  or  even  related  items, just all items displayed in the same
    column.
    **  Increasing  the  view field generally spreads data out and increases
    branching; decreasing moves item closer together and lessens branching.
    **  A  tree  lies  on a horizontal, not vertical, axis and proceeds from
    left (root - general) to right (increased branching - specific).
    **  Immediately  related  items (subitems), grouped under, by attachment
    to,  a  common  item,  known as a "parent", will appear in the column to
    the right of the item and list vertically (in one view level)
    **  Every  item  in  the  database is a subitem, or "child", of a parent
    item  to the left one level, with the exception of a root item, which is
    the leftmost point (convergence) of the tree.
    **  All  listed subitems of an item may not be observed from the vantage
    point  of  the  parent if the list includes many items and/or subsequent
    branching  is  excessive.  Starting  the  program  for higher resolution
    screen  modes  (43  or  50  lines)  will  reduce this drawback somewhat.
    (Refer  to  the file TREEBASE.INF for information on how to do this.) In
    addition,  decreasing  the view field by one or more levels will usually
    bring  subitems  closer  together and therefore into view. In all cases,
    the  Find  (Ctrl-F)  feature can be utilized to bring any item into view
    by making it the current item.
    **   For  each view level, up to three distinct, non-repeatable names of
    categories  to  which  the items belong, in the same order of appearance
    as  in  the column, will appear in the same column below the view window
    in  the  database  key.  The  color  coding of items to their respective
    categories greatly enhances the utility of this feature.

                                        3


    III. The Sample Data

    Included  with  TREEBASE  is  data  consisting  of the world's political
    geography (1989)  grouped  arbitrarily into four regional trees: Eastern
    and  Western Hemispheres, Pacific Ocean, and Antartica. Included are the
    countries  of  the  world,  their  major dependancies, and other various
    divisions  of  importance,  both  political  and  regional.  The data is
    included  as  an  example of the possible uses of TREEBASE. For example,
    suppose  you  wanted  to  keep information on all the major geographical
    divisions  of  the  world.  You might enter and thus arrange it in a way
    meaningful  to  you, like by region as in the sample data. This way, the
    classification  scheme  you  devise  to organize your data already tells
    you  a great deal about it just by viewing in TREEBASE. In addition, you
    might  want  to  keep  notes  about the places you've visited, important
    facts  about  those  places, or anything else you want in the memo field
    notes.

    Nothing  has  been  placed in the memo notes of the sample data. You may
    add  notes to the sample data as you wish. You may also rearrange or add
    items.  It's  even possible to add more detail, for example, by defining
    a  category  called "major cities" and then adding them to the database,
    in  addition  to other possibilities. You can be as detailed as you want
    when  grouping items, as long as no more than 22 categories are desired.
    Use  the  sample  data  to  get a feel for the key controls used to move
    about  within the database (which serve to change the current item). The
    controls  which  apply  are  the  direction  keys, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and
    Ctrl-left/right  arrow.  Use Find (Ctrl-F) to search for nations of your
    choice to see where they are placed in the overall structure.

    IV. Program Operation

    The  file  TREEBASE.INF  has  important information about setting up and
    maintaining  multiple separate databases. The important fact to remember
    is  that  only one database is allowed per directory, which must contain
    all  three data files for proper operation once any records, categories,
    or  notes  have  been  added. Each time the program is run, any database
    present  is  accessed  automatically. Or, if there are none, the program
    starts  a new one automatically. If preferred, completely unrelated sets
    of  data  may  be  kept  in  the same database as long as enough defined
    categories exist to support all data items.

    Information  concerning  properties  of  the view window can be found in
    Part  2,  The  Treebase  Environment. The remainder of the program deals
    with using the menu functions. Their explanations will follow.

    ** Add **

    All  items  entered  in a database are done so through the Add function.
    Items  may  be  added to the database only after their intended category
    has  been  set  up  beforehand. Refer to the section entitled "Category"
    for  information  on  setting up (defining) categories. A category needs
    only  to  be set up once, and then it can be assigned to different items
    repeatedly.

                                        4


    After  selecting  Add on the program menu by first highlighting and then
    pressing  ENTER,  the  Add  screen  appears. New items may be entered as
    either  subitems  of  the  current  item  or  as root items to start new
    trees.  After  entering  the  name  of  an item, which can have up to 18
    characters,  the  intended category of that item is assigned by choosing
    its  number  as  displayed  in  the  table at the top of the screen. The
    restrictions  on  categories  to assign will vary according to the level
    of  the  current item as defined in the set up of categories. This means
    a  new  subitem  may  only  be assigned a category of a level lower than
    that  of  the  current  item. This ensures the preservation of hierarchy
    among  data items. No restrictions apply to categories when assigning to
    a  new root item; a root item can be of any category. The message bar at
    the bottom of the screen will serve as a guide when adding items.

    In  the  view  window, depending on the number of view levels in effect,
    anywhere  from  one  to  several end characters of items are omitted for
    display  alignment  purposes  only.  This  does  not affect the original
    length of any items as entered.

    ** Edit **

    Use  Edit to change the name and/or the category of the current item. To
    preserve   relative   hierarchy   among  items,  restrictions  on  valid
    reassignment  categories  are  based on the level of the category of the
    parent item and/or that of any subitems.

    ** Move **

    Select  Move to rearrange individual trees or branches. A branch/tree to
    be  moved  begins  with the current item and contains all items included
    in subsequent branching. Four Move types are permitted:

    1)  Move  the  entire  branch/tree  by choosing its new attachment point
    (new  parent  item).  Utilize normal key controls (direction keys, Find,
    Path,  etc.)  to  position  this destination item as a temporary current
    item.  Only  items  which do not violate the defined levels of hierarchy
    will  be named as a valid attachment item. Choose "P" for Proceed or "C"
    for  Cancel  or  SPACEBAR  to toggle between the options. Press ENTER to
    execute.

    2)  Detach  an  entire  branch  and  make  it  a  separate tree by using
    <Ctrl-B>.  The branch attached begins with the current item as indicated
    after  the  phrase  "Move  :"  and  is not influenced by any destination
    items  that  may  have  been positioned before deciding to detach. Trees
    are always placed below the last tree added or detached.

    3)  Reposition  the branch beginning with the current item to the bottom
    of  the  group (under the parent item) by positioning the parent item as
    a  destination  item.  The  phrase  "< SUBITEM AT END >" appears. Select
    Proceed to execute.



                                        5


    4)  Reposition  the  tree  beginning with the current (root) item to the
    lowest tree in the database by utilizing <Ctrl-B> as in Move #2 above.

    ** Delete **

    Use  Delete  to  remove  individual  items  or  branches/trees  from the
    database,  starting with the current item. Once deleted, items and their
    respective  note  fields cannot be recalled by the program, although the
    author may be able to help if contacted shortly thereafter.

    ** Category **

    The  Category  section  is  used  to define the set-up structure for the
    database.  This is done first by assigning a name to a category and then
    by  assigning  it  a  relative  position  in  the  hierarchy  among  all
    categories.

    After  selecting  Category  on  the  menu,  the  set-up  screen appears.
    Categories  may  be  added  by pressing F1 or be renamed/repositioned by
    entering  the  upper-case  letter  corresponding to the appropriate name
    listed  in  the category table in the upper part of the screen. Refer to
    message  bar  on  the  bottom  of screen as a guide when on the Category
    screen.  After  entering  a  category  name,  which  can  be  up  to  12
    characters  in length, the program will prompt for a "hierarchy number".
    That  is,  namely,  a  number  from 1 to 99, which serves a purpose none
    other  than  to  preserve the relative order among the categories. Using
    this  convention,  added or repositioned categories can be inserted into
    their  proper  place in the hierarchy without having to reenter them all
    in  the  proper  order. Placing an intended category  between one higher
    and  one  lower  in  the  table  simply amounts to assigning a number in
    between  the  hierarchy  levels of the one higher and the one lower. The
    categories  always  appear  in  their proper hierarchy in the order from
    highest  level (lowest number) to lowest level (highest number). This is
    the same order as depicted when adding items to the database.

    Colors  used  to  code data items to their proper categories in the view
    window  can  be  set  or  changed  by  entering  the  lower-case  letter
    corresponding  to  the  appropriate  pre-existing category in the table.
    The  colorval  number for foreground may be from 0 to 31; the number for
    background  from  0  to  7.  Numbers are used to represent the following
    standard  colors:  0,  black;  1,  blue;  2,  green; 3, cyan; 4, red; 5,
    magenta;  6,  brown/yellow;  7,  white;  8,  gray;  (1 to 7) + 8, bright
    version of color; 16, black; (1 to 15) + 16, flashing version of color.

    ** Find **

    Use  <Ctrl-F>  to execute. After the phrase "Find What :", you may enter
    all  or  part  of an item name (search expression). ENTER alone cancels.
    All  items  which  contain  the  search  expression  will  be  found. To
    restrict  the search to the beginning of words, enter a space before the
    search  expression.  If  found,  accepting  the  item  makes  it the new
    current  item, while continuing the search will find the next applicable
    item. You can use <Ctrl-F> within Find to specify a new search.

                                        6


    ** Path **

    Selecting  Path  on  the  main  screen menu or by pressing <Ctrl-P> will
    display  the  current location in the tree, beginning with the root item
    at  the  top  on  downward to the current item. Items are displayed with
    the categories to which they belong.

    ** Notes Maintenance Functions **
    ** Memo **

    The  Memo  function  permits  the  entry  and/or viewing of notes on the
    current  item.  If  no  notes exist for the current item, executing Memo
    will  bring  up  a  memo entry field in which to begin placing notes. If
    notes  exist,  Memo brings up the memo view field. You may also view any
    notes  by  pressing  <Ctrl-V>  when  on  the  main  screen. You may page
    through  the various pages by PgUp/PgDn, Home/End, or by entering a page
    number  to  view.  Refer to the bottom of the entry and view screens for
    relevant key controls when in the Memo section.

    The  separate  screen  pages  of  notes can be edited only one page at a
    time.  Editing  keys  utilized  in  the memo entry field include Insert,
    Delete,  Home,  End,  PgUp,  PgDn,  Tab,  Backspace,  and arrow keys. Be
    careful  when  inserting  lines  in  the  memo  entry  field,  for lines
    scrolled  off  the bottom of the field do not appear elsewhere; they are
    lost.  When  on  a blank memo entry field and want to exit after nothing
    has  been  entered,  you  may  press  ENTER  to the "Save any changes ?"
    prompt.  No  blank  text  will  be  saved. You may keep as many pages as
    required on any item, which can be added to or edited at any time.

    ** Copy, Share, Transfer **

    These  three  functions  as  they apply to the notes of the current item
    permit  the  selection  of  a  destination  item chosen using normal key
    controls.  The  second  item must presently have no notes. Find <Ctrl-F>
    and  Path  <Ctrl-P>  may  also  be utilized at this time. Choose "P" for
    Proceed  or  "C"  for  Cancel or SPACEBAR to toggle between the options.
    Press ENTER to execute. When done, the current item returns.

    Use  Copy  to  duplicate  the  notes  of  the current item by copying to
    another item.

    Transfer  reassigns  the  notes  of the current item to another item. In
    effect, the current item's notes are deleted.

    Share  allows  the  notes  of the current item to be accessed by another
    item.  No limits are placed on the number of items which may share a set
    of  notes.  It  is  important  to  remember that any changes made to the
    notes  will  affect  all shared items. A good practice would be to place
    the  names  of  all items sharing a set of notes in the notes themselves
    to  serve  as  a  reference.  Use  Copy  instead  if  you can anticipate
    subsequent  additions/changes  to  notes  that  should  not apply to all
    shared items.


                                        7


    ** Delete **

    Use  this  function  to  remove  a  set  of notes from the current item.
    Deleting  notes  which  are  shared with other items will not affect the
    access  to  the  notes by the other items. If unshared, notes which have
    been  deleted  may  not  be  recalled. Choose "P" for Proceed or "C" for
    Cancel  or  SPACEBAR  to  toggle  between  the  options.  Press ENTER to
    execute.

    ** Output **

    Output  writes  the  notes  of  the  current  item  to  the  output file
    specified  by  the  user. You may include an optional drive and pathname
    with  the filename (filespec). See your DOS reference if unfamiliar with
    these terms. To cancel Output, press ENTER without specifying anything.

    You  may  place  the notes of several items in the same file by entering
    the  same  filename  for Output. Select "A" for Append, which adds notes
    to  the  file  without  overwriting  it.  Any  output  file created is a
    standard  ASCII (text) file, which may be imported to any word processor
    for  editing, formatting, and then printing. You may also print the file
    directly  by  typing  TYPE filename > LPT1  at the DOS prompt. (Entering
    LPT1  as  a  filename for Output should produce the same results, but it
    is  important  to  be  sure the printer is ready before this step or the
    computer  may  have  to  be  rebooted.)  In this case, however, the only
    formatting  will  consist  of  a  left  margin if you specify one at the
    required  step in Output. With the margin, info will print as it appears
    on  the  memo  view screen. There will, however, be no page breaks. Page
    breaks  can  be added by importing the file to a word processor. In this
    case,  it  will  probably  be  more convenient to remove the left margin
    when  sending  output  to a file, especially if the word processor to be
    used already has standard margins set.

    TREEBASE 1.1B/ Copyright(C) 1990-1992 TBX Software/ All Rights Reserved



