DBFS.PRG Documentation
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Many times I have wanted to give a Clipper application the
ability to create any missing data files when the program starts. I
have resisted the temptation of "wasting" valuable code space to
solve a problem that would be necessary to worry about every
couple of years or so.

A fellow Clipper programmer voiced his similar sentiments, prompting 
me to share my solution. A "master" structure dbf contains all the 
file definitions which are needed by the system.  These definitions 
are read, when needed, into arrays which in turn are used to create 
the missing data base file.  It's the old 'data dictionary' turned 
on its side trick.


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Two prg files are included.  

   MAKEDBFS.PRG creates DBFS.dbf if it does not exist already.

   If DBFS.dbf already exists, the user is given the opportunity
   to zap it before scanning the directory or adding to the
   descriptions already found in DBFS.

       NOTE:  If you scan a directory twice without zapping
              DBFS.DBF, two definitions for a file will exist. 
              This will cause the CREATER function to mis-fire. 
              The runtime error you get will be caused by
              Clipper's attempt to make a dbf with duplicate
              field names.  (Mother nature can be fooled easier.)

              So unless you are scanning serveral directories of
              dbf files, it will be a good practice to Zap DBFS
              each time you use this utility.

   TESTDBFS.PRG contains the CREATER function and a demo program
   that calls the CREATER.

   Make sure your link and run TESTDBFS first, as it is meant to
   interface with the sample DBFS.DBF in this ARC file.