                               WELCOME TO C-BASE
                               -----------------
                               
This README file contains important, last minute information about C-BASE.

 - Installing C-BASE
   -----------------
   It no longer necessary to create a directory for C-BASE using the DOS CD 
   (Create Directory) command.  The install program will now do it.  So to 
   install or update C-BASE, just insert the C-BASE diskette in drive A: 
   (normally your default floppy drive) and type a:install.

 - Starting C-BASE
   ---------------
   You can bypass the Opening Screen, sending C-BASE directly into the Main 
   Menu Screen when C-BASE is started by typing: cbase DBName, where DBName is
   the database name you wish to start C-BASE with; or type: cbase D, to start 
   C-BASE with the default database name defined in the Change Default 
   Parameters screen.
   
 - EntryDate
   ---------
   You can now change the EntryDate of records (the EntryDate appears in the
   YYYY/MM/DD format).  When you Add a record to the database, the default
   EntryDate is the current system date.  Hitting CTRL-END on any date field
   will set this date; CTRL-HOME will set the date back to the original date 
   in the field.  Also the PGUP key will decrement the date by one day and 
   PGDN will increment it by one day.  You may also search for records in the 
   Special Search Screen using digits entered in the EntryDate field.  
   
 - List Records
   ------------
   Now when you list records to screen, file or printer, the total number of 
   records listed will be displayed on the screen at the end of the list.
   
 - Screen Display
   --------------
   The top of the screen will now display the following information:
   
   Sort=SortField MinDate=date RefNo: min to max Recs: Usd=usedrecs Tot=totrecs
   
   where:
     SortField is Name, RefNo, EntryDate or Deleted depending on the current 
               value (unchanged);
     
*    MinDate   is the EntryDate of the first record entered into the database;
     
*    RefNo     displays the minimum and the maximum reference numbers in the 
               database;
     
     Recs Usd  is the total number of records used in the database (unchanged)
          Tot  is the total number of records (including deleted records) in 
               the database (unchanged).
     
   Note: The asterix signifies new information not documented in the manual.
         If the database does not contain any records, MinDate will be blank 
         and the minimum and maximum RefNos will be zero.


 - List Records and Change Program Parameters Screen
   --------------------------------------------------------
   To change a program or list parameter you may now use the UPARROW and 
   DOWNARROW keys or type the corresponding number of the parameter you wish 
   to change.
         
 - List Records Screen
   -------------------
   The List Records Screen now displays the Name range, RefNo range and the
   Date range under the Sort field.  The default Date range is any dates.
   When setting both min date and max date to blank, records with any entry
   dates will be listed.  When setting the max list name or date to blank, 
   C-BASE will not check for a maximum name or date.  For example: if you set 
   the min name to 'M' and the max name to blank, C-BASE will list all records
   where the Customer name field starts with 'M' or greater.  When listing
   records, the records listed will be all records which are in the Name range,
   RefNo range and the Date range and will be sorted by the Sort field value 
   selected.

 - Define List Format
   ------------------
   Defining a list format (DefFmt) can only be done from the List Records 
   Screen.  You can no longer define a list format from Utility Menu item 3 
   (Change Default Parameters).
   
 - RefNo field
   -----------
   When entering a RefNo you need not memorize 65535 as the maximum RefNo; 
   pressing CTRL-END on a RefNo field will put this number in the field.
   PGDN will increment the RefNo value by 1 and PGUP will decrement it by 1.
   CTRL-HOME will restore the original reference number in the field.   

 - The CTRL-HOME key 
   -------------
   Pressing CTRL-HOME on any field will set the field back to the original
   value.
   
 - Special Search
   --------------
   The Special Search Screen now allows you the option to continue searching 
   from the previous time Special Search was run.  If you have made a prior
   successful search and exited from the Special Search Screen, the message
   "(C)ontinue, (N)ew, ESC to exit? " will appear at the bottom of the screen.
   Select "C" if you wish to continue the search from the last record or select
   "N" to reset the record pointer to 0 and begin a new search.  Note the start
   record number displayed on the screen.  The search will start from this 
   record.
   
   A question mark ("?") used in the Special Search Screen will match any non-
   blank character.  This can be used to find any fields which are not blank.  
   The at sign ("@") character used in the Special Search Screen will match 
   any blank character. The asterix ("*") will match any number of characters.  
   These templates may be used in combination with each other.  Please note
   that use of the asterix ("*") wildcard can take a considerable time 
   especially in slower processors such as the XT.

   
   Summary:
    '?' matches any non-blank character
    '@' matches any blank character
    '*' matches any number of characters 
   
- Database Menu
  -------------
  All database menus will now display the total number of records of each 
  C-BASE database to the right of its name.
     
- Field Column Displayed
  ----------------------
  When editing any field, the current column number is now displayed at bottom
  right-hand corner of the screen.
  
- Define List Output Text screen
  ------------------------------
  When selecting the output date format (first row), the following date formats
  are available by pressing the space bar:
  
  1) day mmm dd, yyyy
  2) mmddyyyy
  3) yyyymmdd
  4) MM-DD-YY or DD-MM-YY or YY-MM-DD 
  
  Format number 4 depends on the value set in item 4 (Date format) of the 
  Change Default Program Parameters screen.  Previously it was set to MM-DD-YY.
  
- New File Names and Extensions
  -----------------------------
  All client database files now have extension .DBC (Database Clients) instead 
  of .DAT.  The defined list format files 0-9 (DefFmt) now are in the form 
  LSTCFMT(0-9) (instead of LSTFMT(0-9)).
  
  
