Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

gposil · Posted: Tue 16 Jun 2009, 01:43 Post subject:

Version 0.6a should be up tomorrow with custom database creation/viewing and editing...all going well... Smile

Lobster · Posted: Tue 16 Jun 2009, 02:43 Post subject:

[faints]

Why oh why is my tmxxine time machine not ready?
Looking forward to tomorrow Smile

I hope to use the database
to create a time travel database - thereby making tomorrow nearer
for the more distant tomorrow Smile

gposil · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 03:48 Post subject: Version 0.6a

Ok...version 0.6a is up...it works but has not been tested thoroughly...so go to it

A few notes on the new version

The custom database creation tool is under tools menu, as is the viewer/editor. The viewer/editor is capable of opening any dBase or Foxpro database, not just the ones created in ppdb.

In the viewer/editor, if your database has a BLOB(Image) field, you can click on the [Blob] in the grid and the image viewer will pop up(hopefully).

Can't think of anything else at the moment...other things will probably come to me... Smile

Remember you can always get the latest versions here http://www.gposil.com/pets

Lobster · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 05:51 Post subject:

Many thanks
downloaded, started from menu / personal etc
great startup logo [ahem] Smile

Created a new database
initially in a directory of my choice and then in /opt/ppdb/bin/
When I try and load it i get the following message (see image) which closes the program or does not open my database Confused

the database has 3 fields - desc, url, details
- no last name . . . so not sure of relevance of error message . . .
Created one database without index - one with - same result

. . . not quite sure how to proceed?

Minnesota · Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 312

First: GOOD to see you back! Cool

Second: Moving forward.. looking good.

On menu items across top of screen.. Prior, Next, Last and Refresh are missing tool tips... the control keys are on the file menu item.

Not sure the purpose of the edit button? Simply enter data into the bottom of the screen... default is EDIT?

I am sure Insert is the same as ADD a new record... matter of semantics...but a bit confusing. Add new record implies the addition of a new record.... insert has very different connotations... usually insert between something? Such as a new field in a record....

Save button Needed? If you go the next or previous record after editing data or INSERTING a new record... it will automatically save. Save is fine, other method is Feature Smile

Several items are not obvious:
Select search.. search for something not in the data base.. and you receive a totally blank screen... it appears the database is missing. Refresh does not do a thing. Turns out YOU must go back to the menu item, to turn off the filter. Or open the database again. Turn off the filter should be new pop up button or in some way let the operator know what is next..... NOT obvious what to do... restore the file? Or what? Did I destroy the database?

What is the purpose of the refresh option (alt r)?

Why only selected fields to search? Can we search in all fields such as the comments field... which brings up a question.. will the search fields automatically adjust if the database is self created and the field names are very different?

Not obvious, but it appears wild cards work in the search field.. GOOD. *d* worked. Did not try case sensitive? Did not try "?"

Why must we enter twice to get print a report to work? File menu print.. then second question... double work for the operator.

Not totally obvious at first between NEW and Data Base Creator.. becomes obvious when you try to use the creator. Speaking there of... created a database. Did not enter the designation folder.. it said it saved it.. but don't have a clue where... that field should have a default.. the main location. Once I set the default... it saved the new TWO field database. OK, how do I use it... Didn't seem to go directly to new database for data entry... so I went to file to open the newly defined data base... BLEW up.... with error... "Index based on unknown filed LASTNAME" I did not have a last name in my self defined database.... only two fields..

Speaking of field definition.. first field was name... sixty characters. Second filed Number of disks... INTEGER.... gave it 60 characters is that right?

Printing: Not obvious that if you filter.. select specific records, those will be the only records that will print. Not obvious that you can SORT the data in the report by clicking on column headers on the database screen. As there are not any sort or selection criteria once you select print...

What does the ? Help do?????

In help, what is the INTERFACE screen? Currently it is blank.

Will keep testing... keep at it Smile

.

G

gposil · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 06:06 Post subject:

Sorry Lobster,

I didn't make it very clear.
Did you use puppybase creator in the tools menu...as below

All the custom database features...creation viewing editing are in the tools menu

Lobster · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 06:45 Post subject:

gposil · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 06:50 Post subject:

No, certainly not Lobster, did you try to view the database in main Program or PuppyBase viewer in tools menu.

What I am going to have to do is make it more intuitive and straight forward...the difference between a 'Puppy Personal Database' file and a custom created file or .dbf from somewhere else.

Thanks Greg for the testing, all the feedback helps, I will address the issues you've raised as soon as I get some sleep.... Laughing

tlchost · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 08:46 Post subject:

smokey01 · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 1795 Location: South Australia

Is there a way to modify a database?

Supposing I create a database with three fields and want to add one more later. Is it possible?

Very exciting stuff.

Thanks

Lobster · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 11:01 Post subject:

gposil · Posted: Wed 17 Jun 2009, 22:22 Post subject:

Thanks for all the feedback...working through it...
If it's possible could you report bugs on the PPDB Bug Report forum here

Lobster, yes .csv import will be a feature...

smokey01, yes database restructuring will be available in next point release.

The first update to 0.6 will do the following...when you create a custom database in PuppyBase Creator the database will open immediately in PuppyBase Viewer , so you can check structure and start adding entries...