
DataDes 
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DataDes is a database design and management program. Its main
disadvantage is that it is pre-WIMP, but however that does make it
easier for kids especially to use.             

DataDes can be used to create almost any kind of database, as long as it 
isn't too involved. An example file, "Addresses", is supplied, but you
can easily create anything from "Frogspawn Sightings" to "My Music
Collection".  To create a new one, just type in a name of a file which
does NOT exist when the program starts up, and it will create it for
you.

If you have loaded in "Addresses" you can choose whether to edit its
layout  or not. Bear in mind that you can only alter a file's layout
when there are  no records entered (well, that's fairly logical really).

When you have finished editing the layout, press F2 and the computer
will  scan through all the fields and ask you what type you want them to
be  (Normal/Numbers only/Date). It will only offer the Date option if
the field  is 6 or 8 strokes long, so remember this when you are
creating your fields.  (The date is in the form 100289 or 10/02/89)

On reaching the main menu you can choose to add records. There is an
upper limit of 250 but as this is primarily an educational database this
shouldn't cause too many problems.

There is a secondary sort available in DataDes, which basically means
that you can sort first on one field (eg the surname) and then on
another (eg the first name) so that Amy Smith will come before John
Smith. Once you have  sorted the file you cannot add any more entries or
save the file's sorted order. Sorry about this but I thought that
children might get a bit confused about all the record numbers if this
was possible. If you need to add  something to a sorted file, save the
file then reload, and you will find  that it has become unsorted again.

The print option is fairly basic so should work on a variety of
printers.  Again, because it isn't RISC-OS, it doesn't use the RISC-OS
printer drivers. Carry out any necessary * commands, such as selecting a
network printer,  before entering the program.
                              
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This program and the contents of this application directory are PUBLIC
DOMAIN, copyright X.I.S.I. 1990. Please make copies to give to your
friends, but include the "Address" sample file as you found it.             
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