==========================================================
=							 =	
=	       		   EZDATA			 =
=							 =	
=	Copyright Leigh Business Enterprises Ltd.        =
=	        100444.623@compuserve.com                =
=							 =	
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"The fastest way to create your next VB database application"




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			CONTENTS
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Introduction
Files in the Demo
Features
Using EZDATA
Registering
Distributing Applications built with EZDATA
Description of forms/modules
Disclaimer
Advertisement


==========================================================
			INTRODUCTION
==========================================================
This is a complete MDI Application 'skeleton' with
an easy to implement tabbed data editor which will help you
to get your next project off the ground even quicker.  

It's called EzData because it has been designed to make the 
management of most data tables to be straightforward.  Just call
the EditDbase function with the name of the table that you
want your users to maintain and everything is done for you.
Users can search for particular data (using partial strings
if required) and the records which matches their search 
parameters are clearly displayed in a listbox - making it 
easy to select and view the required one.

Our code manages the creation of the search dialog and the
display of the data.  It also manages all updates  when the 
user makes changes, adds or deletes records AND allows 
hooks to your own validation routine before saving.

For a full description see the section entitled "Description of 
forms/modules".

Best of all - you get the source code.  So you can adapt our
routines to exactly match your requirements.  

The source code is well structured and there are plenty of 
comments to guide you through.  If you need more  information 
or have a query then we are very happy to take questions 
from registered users.

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		FILES IN THE DEMO
==========================================================
The demo consists of the following files:

ezdata.exe	 - the demo
toolbar.bmp	 - the bitmap for the toolbar icons
readme.txt	 - this text
code.zip	 - the encrypted zip file containing the source code
Demo.mdb	 - the sample database

When you register we will send you the password and instructions
needed to unlock all the forms and code that make up this demo.


==========================================================
			FEATURES
==========================================================
* Single command to edit/add/delete/search database records
* Selection of application database.
* Compact/Repair of database.
* Helptips' on toolbar items (optional).
* Support for Help files.
* MDI child forms tiling etc.
* Comprehensive error trapping and reporting
* 'Nag' screen support for shareware authors.
* Support for 3D dialogs (switched off in design mode
  to prevent GPFs)
* Memorise window position and size.




==========================================================
			USING EZDATA
==========================================================
You need VB Pro to use EZDATA, although it could be
modified to run under the standard edition.

Create your project directory, copy all the files supplied
into that directory and rename ezdata.mak to your new 
project name.

You will need to set up some information in APP.BAS (app name
etc.), particularly in SetAppInfo().  You will also need to add
your own application specific code in APP.BAS.

Alternatively you could just add fEdDbase.frm, Database.bas,
Error.bas, fDummy.frm, ListBox.bas, PerfTab.bas, String.bas, 
fValidat.bas and System.bas to your existing project.



==========================================================
			REGISTERING
==========================================================
Registration costs just US$12. When you register you get
the password to unlock the complete source code.
The simplest way to register is to do it on-line via
SWREG by typing GO SWREG. Select "Register", then select 
"Registration ID" and quote Program Id 6337.  Your account 
will be debited the registration fee.

As soon as CompuServe notifies us of your registration 
we will e-mail you the password and further instructions.


==========================================================
       DISTRIBUTING APPLICATIONS BUILT USING EZDATA
==========================================================
As a registered user there is no restriction on you
distributing executable programs which have been built
using this source code.

This application incorporates some ideas/code from
other programmers if they have not placed a limitation
on their distribution.  These are acknowledged where
appropriate.

Distribution of source code is a difficult point.
We would frown upon widespread distribution of the
source code for profit by others.  However we
recognise that some users will need to distribute
the source code of a bespoke application and would
not wish to limit you in such a case.

We hope that you will find it useful.  If you wish to
discuss it then please e-mail us on Compuserve 100444,623.


==========================================================
		DESCRIPTION OF FORMS/MODULES
==========================================================
FABOUT.FRM <No need for you to edit this>
This form is the standard About box.

FDUMMY.FRM <No need for you to edit this>
This form is used by the error handler.

FEDDBASE.FRM <No need for you to edit this>
Everything is handled for you automatically in this form.
Just specify the table and it will allow add/editing/deleting 
of records , presenting the data to the user via a
list box.

The user is presented with two tab-cards.  The first
shows a list box filled with data from the specified
column of your table.  The second card allows the
user to specify search and matching criteria which
will limit the displayed records.

Whilst data is being added to the listbox the user can
stop the process and perhaps set search criteria to
select the data they are interested in.

If the amount of retrieved data exceeds the limits of the
list box, the user is informed and can adjust the
retrieval criteria.

It will not display (or allow editing) of any auto-
incrementing fields (i.e. the Counter datatype commonly
used as a key in Access databases).

In addition, if you have set up your the table such that
instead of deleting records, they are simply marked as
deleted then it will automatically do this for you when
the user deletes a record.  To implement this the
column used to flag the record as deleted must be of type
Boolean and must have the string "DELETE" in its name (case
insensitive).

FVALIDATE.FRM <Change this for your own validation>
This form is used to hold validation routines for
database saves.

When the fEdDbase form is about to do a save, it
changes the text controls on this form:

It sets txtTable to the name of the table being
edited and txtFields to a tab-separated list of the
field values that have been entered and need to be
validated.

To validate the values, put your own code in the
changed event of the txtFields object with a
Case statement for each txtTable that your
app uses.

If you make any changes to the text in txtFields
these will automatically be reflected in the editing form.
For example if you put the following in the 
Changed event:
  txtFields.Text = UCase(txtFields.Text)
then all your data will be saved in upper case.

If you wish to CANCEL the save then just set the
txtFields.Text to ""

FUSAGE.FRM <No need for you to edit this>
This form is the standard 'nag' screen so beloved of
shareware authors.  It is displayed automatically if
you set a global flag.

MDIMAIN.FRM <You will need to change this for your app>
The main application mdi form.

APP.BAS <You will need to change this for your app>
This file should be used to implement code specific to your application.

SetAppInfo        - required global info about your app
bValidDbase       - whatever your test for a valid database is
CreateAppDbase    - code to create your app's database
ToolbarActon      - define what actions your toolbar does

CONSTANT.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Required constant declarations.


CTL3D.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Implements 3d dialogs.

Ctl3d_start	  - begin using 3d dialogs
Ctl3d_end	  - Quit using 3d dialogs
DoesCtl3DExist	  - check for Ctl3Dv2.Dll

DATABASE.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Contains functions used in database operations.

ERROR.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
This module manages error handling.

FILEXIST.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
This module contains only one function - which is
to test for the existence of a file.

FORMS.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
This module contains functions to manage forms.

HELPTIP.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Contains a single function to manage the toolbar helptips.

LISTBOX.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
This contains functions related to listboxes.

MAIN.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Manages the application framework.  Main() must be called
as the startup routine.

PERFTAB.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
This is an implementation of PerfectTAB 1.0  which is Freeware,
Copyright "bytes & letters"' hilger software technology,
postfach 16 27, 66716 Saarlouis, Germany.  No charge is made
for inclusion of this piece of code.  It is included as an
example of the many ways available of implementing tabbed
dialogs.

STRING.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Contains string handling functions.

SYSTEM.BAS <No need for you to edit this>
Contains system related functions.

==========================================================
			DISCLAIMER
==========================================================
Although we have taken every reasonable effort to ensure
the quality of the code, we cannot be held responsible for
any consequences following its use, nor warranty its fitness
for purpose.


==========================================================
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==========================================================
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