| 1. |
Can I
terminate a long drun on either my
Network or in DOS and how do I do
it? |
| A. |
On the
Network and DOS based versions of
Unibase by DMAC, a long drun may be
gracefully terminated by pressing the
{SCROLL LOCK} key. If you forget to
turn off the {SCROLL LOCK} key, the
next time you execute a drun, you will
get the message 'Terminating at
Operator Request'.
Return to
Questions
|
| 2. |
Is
there a way to mark the files on the
primary and backup server as "have been
output"? |
| A. |
Yes, if
output is done by the backup server.
The environment variable ETDUAL2 has
been added. When ETDUAL2 points to the
location of the files on the other
server, then Unibase by DMAC will
simultaneously mark files on the
primary and backup as having been
output. On a Novell network, it
usually requires attaching to the other
server and mapping a drive letter to
the other system.
Example:
map
p:=server1_name\sys:\unibase\files
Then set ETDUAL2=p:
On a
UNIX system, doing this will usually
require setting ETDUAL2 to the full
path of the files on the other server
including the server
name.
Set
ETDUAL2=server_name:user/unibase/files
Return to
Questions
|
| 3. |
How
can I set the tab stops in
ez_edit? |
| A. |
The
environment variable TABSZ may be used
to set the width of the tab stops in
ez_edit.
Return to
Questions
|
| 4. |
Will
ez_edit handle large files? |
| A. |
Yes,
ez_edit will now handle very large
files and a counter has been added to
show that it is reading in a large
file.
Return to
Questions
|
| 5. |
Under
check box edit, can I put negative
numbers in the high and low
ranges? |
| A. |
Yes, the
high and low ranges in the check box
edit portion of the record format
generator will now accept negative
numbers provided the field type is
numeric.
Return to
Questions
|
| 6. |
How do
I set the default tag screen attributes
used in "paint the screen"? |
| A. |
The
environment variable TATT (Tag Screen
ATTribute) is used to set the non-gui
default tag screen attribute used in
the "paint the screen" portion of the
record format generator. TATT=A, B, C,
D, or E respectively gives normal
characters, highlighted characters,
underlined characters, blinking
characters, or reverse characters for
the tag display.
Return to
Questions
|
| 7. |
How do
I set the field screen attributes used in
"paint the screen"? |
| A. |
The
environment variable FATT (Field Screen
ATTribute) is used to set the default
field screen attribute used in the
"paint the screen" portion of the
record format generator. FATT=A, B, C,
D, or E respectively gives a normal
underline, a highlighted underline, an
"underlined" underline (which looks
like a solid line), a blinking
underline, or a reverse underline for
the field display.
Return to
Questions
|
| 8. |
Can I
change the way the date is
printed? |
| A. |
Yes.
Environment variable UBDATE alters the
order of the month, day, and year on
the login menu, when displaying file
information, when displaying status
information and when displaying the
system date. UBDATE set to 0 gives
mmddyy. UBDATE set to 1 gives ddmmyy.
UBDATE set to 2 gives
yymmdd.
Return to
Questions
|
| 9. |
Is
there a way I can change the location of
a device without using spooler
maintenance? |
| A. |
Yes. The
path description for devices in the
device table may now include the
control function <OPID>, any
global variable ($var01-$var99), or any
environment variable (%variable%). If
global variables are going to be used,
the environment variable UBPARENT=Y
should be set to ensure that global
variables retain their values. CAUTION.
Any programs that use global variables
should be SURE to initialize them
properly as global variables retain
values unless erased by a parent
program.
Return to
Questions
|
| 10. |
Can I
abort my color choices? |
| A. |
Yes.
Color choices from the Operator Log-In
can now be aborted by keying 1 space 1
space 1 space 1 space 1 space {FLD
REL}.
Return to
Questions
|
| 11. |
Is
there a way to output hex characters with
Unibase? |
| A. |
All hex
characters in the range of 00 to fd may
be output using the control functions
<hex nn> when nn is the hex
character you wish to output. The hex
characters in the range of fc to ff may
be output by setting the environment
variable ALLHEX=Y in the Unibase.ini
file in the Unibase\bin directory.
However, fc through ff may not be used
with spooled devices.
Return to
Questions
|
| 12. |
How
many files can I output? |
| A. |
Unibase
by DMAC can output an unlimited number
of files in the DOS/Novell
version.
Return to
Questions
|
| 13. |
Can I
run Unibase with Windows? |
| A. |
Yes,
starting with Unibase version 7.4, it
is compatible with all Windows versions
up to Windows 98, Release 2.
Return to
Questions
|
| 14. |
Is
there a way to keep track of the amount
of Unibase sessions open? |
| A. |
Yes, by
setting the environment variable
UBSESN. Each session of Unibase will
require a DIFFERENT (UBSESN) session
number. Bat files should be created
with different session numbers (up to
50). The format is UBSESN=n where n is
a number from 1 to 50. The config.sys
file needs to be modified to increase
the number of files and buffers allowed
so that it will accommodate multiple
sessions of Unibase.
Return to
Questions
|
| 15. |
Are
there any special instructions needed to
run environment variable
UBSESN? |
| A. |
If you
are going to use sessions, then
operators in data entry should be
instructed to key {RCD} {S} before
switching to another session. This
command, which is normally used to
suspend the clock, also tells Unibase
to close any files that data entry
might have open/locked. When the
operator returns to the session, simply
pressing any key will resume operations
for the session.
Return to
Questions
|
16.
|
I am
using an old keyboard and it's not
working with Unibase. How can I make it
work with Unibase by DMAC? |
| A. |
Beginning with version 7.2, the
keyboard program defaults to the newer
extended keyboards and expects KBEXT=Y
to be set in the Unibase.ini file in
the Unibase\bin directory. To use an
old keyboard, you must remove KBEXT=Y
from the setup.bat file in the
Unibase\bin directory and map the arrow
keys on the numeric keypad accordingly.
Even if you have a separate arrow
keypad, it will be inoperable unless
you have an extended
keyboard.
Return to
Questions
|
| 17. |
Is
there a way I can make Unibase NOT reset
an error message if I press the {FIELD
REL} key? |
| A. |
Yes, if
UBRSET=Y is in the Unibase.ini file in
the Unibase\bin directory, then the
{FIELD REL} key no longer resets an
error message. Only the designated
{RESET} key will do so.
Return to
Questions
|
| 18. |
I live
in the UK and would like to evaluate
Unibase, but I am concerned about the
differences in the keyboards. Is Unibase
capable of recognizing the special
characters located on a UK
keyboard? |
| A. |
Yes. If
KEYBUK=Y is set in the Unibase.ini file
in the Unibase\bin directory, then
Unibase accesses SHOWKEYU instead of
SHOWKEY and CHNGKEYU instead of
CHANGKEY. These display the keyboard
layout from the United Kingdom. Also,
there is a file KEYBOARD.UK in the misc
directory, which when renamed to
KEYBOARD, displays the characters on a
UK keyboard for the typewriter
overlay.
Return to
Questions
|
| 19. |
I have
a Computer Logics Nine Track tape drive.
Does Unibase support this type of tape
drive controller? |
| A. |
Yes,
Unibase will support a Computer Logics
Nine Track tape drive controller. The
environment variable UBTPCL=Y must be
set in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory to use this
controller and TDRIVER.EXE,
OUTRIGHT.CFG, LCA.BMD, and LCA.SGL
files from the Computer Logics programs
must be in the Unibase bin directory.
Unibase by DMAC will load TDRIVER as
needed. (Computer Logic now calls its
program API.EXE and this program must
be renamed to TDRIVER.EXE before
Unibase can use it. This works in DOS
only.
Return to
Questions
|
| 20. |
Can I
do packed decimal output to
tape? |
| A. |
Yes,
packed decimal output to tape is
available. You MUST use the EBCDIC
codeset when you output and then you
MUST use the ASCII mode when making the
tape. Also, for every packed decimal
field, you must allow two extra bytes
in the record length in the standard
job. The two extra bytes are used by
Unibase and are not output.
Return to
Questions
|
| 21. |
Is
there a way to restrict an operator from
backspacing into the previous
field? |
| A. |
Yes. If
NOCHBKFL=Y is set in the Unibase.ini
file in the Unibase\bin directory, then
a keyer cannot character back into
another field. Once character back
reaches the beginning of a field, then
it no longer has an effect. The keyer
MUST use field back to get to the prior
field.
Return to
Questions
|
| 22. |
Is
there a quick way to go to the beginning
of either the field or the
record? |
| A. |
Yes.
When FLDCORBG=Y and RCDCORBG=Y are set
in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory, doing a {FLD}
{CORR} / {RCD} {CORR} will always go to
the beginning of the
field/record.
Return to
Questions
|
| 23. |
Is it
possible to flag an error and go to the
next field while doing data
entry? |
| A. |
Yes,
this is done by pressing {RCD}{G} or by
mapping a key to "BE " which stands for
bypass error. {RCD}{F} also works as a
way to flag an error.
Return to
Questions
|
| 24. |
Does
Unibase accept oversign
characters? |
| A. |
Yes. See
Manual 4, Appendix D, Page
23.
Return to
Questions
|
| 25. |
Can I
locate my swap files
anywhere? |
| A. |
Yes.
With ETSWAP you can specify any
pathname (not over 21 characters) in
the Unibase.ini file in the Unibase\bin
directory.
Return to
Questions
|
| 26. |
Is
there a way to get the numeric characters
and symbols (i.e. 1, !) to stay without
changing the data type? |
| A. |
Yes, as
long as UBKEYR1=Y is set in the
Unibase.ini file in the Unibase\bin
directory. This allows the top row of
keys to function independently of the
data type (A,N,L,U,M,B,T) when the
operator is in TYP (non 029)
mode.
Return to
Questions
|
| 27. |
Is
there a way to NOT create summary records
in opst.aid when going in and out of menu
and de? |
| A. |
Yes, by
setting the environment variable
UBNMULG=Y in the Unibase.ini file in
the Unibase\bin directory.
Return to
Questions
|
| 28. |
Can I
use a wild card to purge deleted records
in multiple files? |
| A. |
Yes, the
"Purge Deleted Records" function under
Utilities will handle files specified
with a wild card.
Return to
Questions
|
| 29. |
Is
there some way I can control the case of
the output program? |
| A. |
Yes. The
verbs "setupper", "setnormal",
"setlower" and "setuplower" (sentence
case), control the case of records
output from an output
program.
Return to
Questions
|
| 30. |
Can
global variables be used to define file
statements? |
| A. |
Yes,
global variables may be used in the
define file statements.
Return to
Questions
|
| 31. |
Can
global variables be used in open
statements? |
| A. |
Yes,
global variables may be used as
datafile and index names in open
statements.
Return to
Questions
|
| 32. |
Is
there an easy way to use variables
instead of field numbers to refer to data
in the workfile when I write an AID
program? |
| A. |
Yes. The
"equate" verb tells Unibase to declare
a variable ("variable") so that every
time it appears in this program, it is
read as the source. It can also be used
for constants in the program. For
instance, it is useful for equating
names to field numbers or foreign names
to Unibase verbs.
Return to
Questions
|
| 33. |
Is
there a way to NOT release the field when
the oversign key is used? |
| A. |
Yes, if
you set environment variable UBOVNR=Y
in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory, it will NOT
release the field in data entry when
the oversign key is used.
Return to
Questions
|
| 34. |
How
can I change the resolution of an
image? |
| A. |
The
environment variable DMACI (which must
be set in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory) for image entry
has a sub-variable V:, which refers to
the VGA mode to be used. V:LOW is mode:
12h, displays 640 pixels x 480 pixels x
16 colors for an image. V:HIGH is mode:
102h, displays 800 x 600 pixels x 16
colors. V:HIGH1 is mode 104h, displays
1024 x 768 pixels x 16 colors. V:SUPER
is mode 106h, displays 1280 x 1024
pixels x 16 colors. Remember that as
more of the image is displayed, the
smaller the text/picture becomes. If
the monitor cannot display the
specified resolution, Unibase by DMAC
will drop back to a display that the
monitor can handle.
Return to
Questions
|
| 35. |
Can an
image be written into a rescue
file? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the code {0}|af, where {0} refers
to the image in the work file record
and |af indicates to convert it to an
ASCII file that represents a binary
file.
Return to
Questions
|
| 36. |
Can
you find out what the names of the images
associated with a particular file
are? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <ilist
0,cntr>.
Return to
Questions
|
| 37. |
Is
there a way to find the original idc file
name of a batch? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <isource
0>.
Return to
Questions
|
| 38. |
How
can I find the number of the path
definition for the imgpath
file? |
| A. |
By using
control function <ipathidx 0>. It
gives the number of the path definition
in the imgpath.idx file used with the
current record of the current work
file.
Return to
Questions
|
| 39. |
How
can I find the path of the current
record's image? |
| A. |
By using
control function <ipath 0>. It
gives the current record's image
path.
Return to
Questions
|
| 40. |
How do
I find out the name of the current
record's image? |
| A. |
By using
control function <iname 0>. It
gives the name of the image being used
with the current record of the current
work file, including the first
directory.
Return to
Questions
|
| 41. |
I need
to find out if my current workfile has
images or not. How can I do
this? |
|
A.
|
You need
to use the control function <ientry
0>. It tells if images are used in
the current workfile. If <ientry
0> is 0, then the workfile does NOT
use images. If it is 1, then the
workfile USES images.
Return to
Questions
|
| 42. |
Can I
find out how many images are in the
current work file? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <icount
0>. It gives the number of images in
the current work file.
Return to
Questions
|
| 43. |
How
can I find out how much time I have spent
on verifying? |
| A. |
By using
the control function <vtime 0>,
it displays the elapsed verify time as
hhmmss.
Return to
Questions
|
| 44. |
How
can I find out the most recent verifier
of a workfile? |
| A. |
The
control function <voper 0>
contains the name of the most recent
operator to access the current workfile
in verify mode.
Return to
Questions
|
| 45. |
I need
to know the number of record formats in
the standard job. How can I find
this? |
| A. |
The
control function <recfmts 0>
returns a 2 digit number of the record
formats in the Standard Job used to
create the file. Also, you can open the
Standard Job and view the Record Format
list.
Return to
Questions
|
| 46. |
Can I
find out what output device was last used
for a particular batch? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <outdev
0;1>. If the current workfile has
been output, this is the name of the
output device where n=1 is the most
recent outdev. Also found under file
function in display file
info.
Return to
Questions
|
| 47. |
Does
Unibase by DMAC offer a way to find out
how a batch was last
accessed? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <lmode
0>. It is a one letter code for last
mode of access. The codes are 0-entry,
resume or update; 1-verify; 2-examine;
3-correct. Another way is to use a file
edit, using the control function
<mode>.
Return to
Questions
|
| 48. |
Can I
find out the elapsed entry time for a
particular file? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <etime
0>. It displays the elapsed entry
time as hhmmss.
Return to
Questions
|
| 49. |
Is
there a way to find out which operator
has accessed the current file in data
entry mode? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the control function <eoper
0>. It contains the name of the most
recent operator to access the current
work file in entry mode.
Return to
Questions
|
| 50. |
I need
to find out when the current workfile was
created. Does Unibase allow
this? |
| A. |
Yes, the
control function <cdate 0> gives
the creation date for the current
workfile.
Return to
Questions
|
| 51. |
I want
to find the value of the accumulator for
my current workfile. How can I do
this? |
| A. |
The
control function <accum 0;xx>
gives the current value of accumulator
xx for the current workfile.
Return to
Questions
|
| 52. |
Does
Unibase do accept statements in
typewriter mode? |
| A. |
Yes, if
the environment variable UBTYPW=Y is
set in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory, and only if the
operator is also in typewriter
mode.
Return to
Questions
|
| 53. |
Will
Unibase allow me to move data into a
global variable other than by using AID
programs? |
| A. |
Yes, but
it must be done from the DOS prompt.
The syntax is: ubupgvar nn "data"nn is
the global variable number and the data
to be moved into it is in DOUBLE
quotes. This program allows you to
initialize or change global variables
by system calls to a .bat
file.
Return to
Questions
|
| 54. |
Can I
change the font attributes for my screen
in image entry? |
| A. |
Yes,
using the F: parameter in the
environment variable DMACI (which is
used for imaging data entry only and
must be set in the Unibase.ini file in
the Unibase\bin directory). F:SMALL
will use 8x8 pixel characters in the
Unibase screen in image entry. F:MED
will use 8x14 pixel characters. F:BIG
will use 8x16 pixel characters. F:BIG1
will use 10x18 pixel characters. F:BIG2
will use 12x30 pixel characters. This
parameter does NOT affect the image
display portion of image entry. In
order to avoid wrapping the screen
display around on top of itself,
parameter F:BIG1 is meant to be used
with V:HIGH1 or SUPER and parameter
F:BIG2 is meant to be used with
V:SUPER.
Return to
Questions
|
| 55. |
I have
a large image and some of it seems to be
missing. How can I make a large image
fit? |
| A. |
Set the
environment variables UBMXX and UBMXY
in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory. Unibase Image
Entry allocates memory to handle
approximately an 8 1/2" x 11" page
image. This is an image width and
length of about 2550 by 3300. If your
image width and/or length exceed these
defaults, use UBMXX and UBMXY to set
larger sizes so Unibase knows to
allocate more memory for the
image.
Return to
Questions
|
| 56. |
If I
have a zero length file, will it stop my
processing of the other files in the
batch? |
| A. |
No, if
environment variable UBDZF=Y is set in
the Unibase.ini file in the Unibase\bin
directory, zero length files will not
stop with an error message if they are
being processed, they will simply be
bypassed. They will also be deleted
like regular files.
Return to
Questions
|
| 57. |
Can I
set the default record size to be more
than 80 characters? |
| A. |
Yes, by
setting environment variable UBDRSZ in
the Unibase.ini file in the Unibase\bin
directory. If the environment variable
is set to a number such as UBDRSZ=4096,
then that number is used as the default
size. If that number is NOT set, then
the default is 80
characters.
Return to
Questions
|
| 58. |
Is
there a way to refresh the screen in
image entry, as well as data entry,
whenever I want? |
| A. |
Yes, set
the environment variable UBPOS1=Y in
the Unibase.ini file in the Unibase\bin
directory. It will refresh the screen
when a position statement is executed
in both image entry, as well as data
entry as long as there is not a program
that uses 'show' statements to display
information. If there is a 'show'
statement, this data will not be erased
whenever a position statement is
executed.
Return to
Questions
|
| 59. |
Does
Unibase allow me to search all of a
record, or a specified portion of a
record for a string of
characters? |
| A. |
Yes, by
using the verbs "search" and "searchf".
The verb "search" will report
occurrences of the string across field
boundaries. The verb "searchf"
restricts the search to occurrences
within a field.
Return to
Questions
|
| 60. |
Can I
change the date to the format
mmddyyyy? |
| A. |
Yes,
with the <date4> control
function. It returns an eight digit
result in the form mmddyyyy. The
environment variable UBDATE also
affects <date4>.
Return to
Questions
|
| 61. |
Can I
refer to formats by a name rather than by
consecutive numbers? |
| A. |
Yes. Put
UBFMTL=Y in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory. You must also
assign the format name in every field
edit program.
Return to
Questions
|
| 62. |
How
can I NOT perform a top of form at the
end of the output when I send it to a
printer? |
| A. |
Put
UBNOFF=Y in the Unibase.ini file in the
Unibase\bin directory. When it is set
to Y, output sent to LANPRx devices
will NOT perform a top of form at the
end of the output.
Return to
Questions
|
| 63. |
Can I
make the cursor stay at the bottom of the
screen in data entry when I tab to a
field that is NOT on the
screen? |
| A. |
Yes, by
placing the environment variable UBTAB
in the Unibase.ini in the Unibase\bin
directory. When it is set to Y, tabbing
to a field NOT on the screen in data
entry will position the "tabbed to"
field on the last line of the screen
instead of the first line of the
screen.
Return to
Questions
|
| 64. |
If I
change a record-to-record duplicating
field while in verify, will it make the
same change to all succeeding
fields? |
| A. |
Yes. You
need to change your Unibase.ini in your
Unibase\bin directory to reflect
UBDD=Y. When it is set to that, a
change made to a duplicating field
while in verify will be carried forward
through all succeeding records, even
those with a different format number,
where the field has been marked as
record-to-record dupe and the contents
of the succeeding fields were the same
as the original field that was
changed.
Return to
Questions
|
| 65. |
Can I
store my indices on my local drive rather
than the network? |
| A. |
Yes, by
setting the environment variable UBIDX
|