Copyright: Copyright 1993, Phoenix Systems, Inc.


Help Contents
Contents

Overview

Introduction to ROMVIEW

Definitions

Menu System

File

Edit

Select

View

Window

Help

Keyboard

Functions and Their Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Keys and Their Functions


Introduction to ROMVIEW

ROMVIEW is the generic Windows interface for ROMWARE generated databases.  ROMVIEW was developed to provide a Windows search and retrieval capability that parallels the DOS-based RW20 and RW30 interfaces.  It supports both text and graphics, and is fully compatible with any ROMWARE generated database accessed via RW20 or RW30.

ROMVIEW features include:

•	Full Boolean search and retrieval

•	Capability to create, save and recall search strategies

•	ROMWARE help accessed via the standard Windows HELP facility

•	Capability to interface to the Windows Clipboard

•	Output options to include formatted hard copy and ASCII files

•	Straightforward Windows installation procedure to include publication specific Icons

•	Support for customized graphics viewers.


Definitions

Searching a ROMWARE database is similar to searching a book or journal for information.  When you search a book or journal, you go to the index and look up topics of interest.  The index directs you to pages or journal articles which contain the topic.

A ROMWARE database may contain several indexes.  Each index may have information about different kinds of topics.  An index topic directs you to a group of records which contain the topic.  These index topics may be combined using Boolean operators to narrow down a search to a group of records satisfying a set of criteria.

The following are definitions of some useful terms.

Field	An individual item of data.

Record	A collection of related fields.

Data Set	A collection of related records often referred to as a data table.

Database	An organized collection of related data sets that facilitates the structured search and retrieval of records.

Index	An ordered (or alphabetical) list of the contents of a field or group of fields that can be used to rapidly locate record(s) containing specific topic instances.

Record Set	A group of records which satisfies some criteria.

Boolean	An operator which combines record sets in a way to produce a new record set.  Booleans are used when building a set of search criteria to limit or expand a record set.

OR	Combines two record sets so the result is a combination of both sets.

AND	Combines two record sets so the result contains only records common to both sets.

NOT	Combines two record sets so the result contains records in the first set which are NOT in the second set.

XOR	Combines two record sets so the result contains records in either set but not both.


File

This menu provides options for clearing your search criteria, managing all file and printer operations as well as exiting ROMVIEW.

Related Topics:

New Search

Open Search

Save Search

Save Search As

Print

Page Setup

Printer Setup

Quit


New Search

This function erases the current search criteria.  A prompt will appear to confirm the function.


Open Search

This function allows you to retrieve a search saved using either Save Search or Save Search As.  Search criteria which was previously saved will replace the current search criteria.  A prompt will appear to confirm the loss of the current criteria followed.

A window is presented displaying a list of saved searches in the selected drive/directory (the default DOS extension for saved searches is QRY).  You may type in the name of the saved search or double-click on the desired file name with the left mouse button.

Other drives/directories may also contain saved searches.  You may change the selected drive and/or directory if the desired search is not listed by making selections in the Drives: and/or Directories: list boxes as appropriate.

Pressing Cancel will abort the process and leave the current search criteria intact.


Save Search

This function saves the current search criteria if it has already been assigned a file name (via Open Search or Save Search As).  No prompts are provided.  You must have write access to the file in order to save a search.

The search may later be retrieved via Open Search.


Save Search As

This function is the same as the Save Search function except it allows you to change the name before saving.  You may type the name of the search or double-click on an existing one with the left mouse button to replace its contents with the current search criteria.  You must have write access to the selected drive and directory in order to save a search.

You may change the selected drive and/or directory by making selections in the Drives: and/or Directories: list boxes as appropriate.

The search may later be retrieved via Open Search.

Pressing Cancel will abort the operation and the search will NOT be saved.


Print

This functions allows you to print various data to the printer or to an ASCII text file.

Send Output To:

Select one of these options to specify whether the output is to be directed to a disk file or to the selected printer.

Disk File

Prompts for the file to which the contents are to be printed.  You may type in the name of the file or double-click on the desired file with the left mouse button.  If the file exists, a prompt will be presented to determine whether its contents are to be replaced or retained with new data being appended.

You may change the selected drive and/or directory by making selections in the Drives: and/or Directories: list boxes as appropriate.

The print contents are formatted based on the current Page Setup parameters.

Printer

Sends print contents to the selected printer.  The data is formatted based on the Printer Setup parameters.

Print:

Select one of these options to specify what is to be printed.  Options are enabled as applicable with the default option based on the current window.

Current Record

Indicates that the contents of the current record are to be printed.  This option is only available when viewing records.

Selected Text

Indicates that the selected text of the current record is to be printed.  This option is only available when text has been selected while viewing records.

Selected Records

Indicates that the records from the current record set are to be printed.

If you are viewing records via View | Display Results or Select | Table of Contents, the record set being displayed will be printed.

If you are viewing records via View | Display Database, the record set identified by the search criteria will be printed.  If the search criteria is empty, this option will not be available.

Entire Database

Indicates that all available database records are to be printed.  The number of available records will vary based on changes made via Select Data Sets.

Search Criteria

Indicates that the search criteria is to be printed.  This option is not available if the search criteria is empty.

Pressing OK will continue with the Print process; pressing Cancel will abort the operation.


Page Setup

This function allows you to set parameters for directing output to a disk file.  The parameters are:

Page Size

Indicates the number of lines to be written before a form feed (Hex 12) is written.  The default page size is 66.

Line Size

Indicates the maximum number of characters to written on each line.  If the length of any line exceeds this value, the line is truncated with the remainder presented on the following line.  The default line size is 80

Copies

Indicates the number of copies to be printed.  The default number of copies is 1.


Printer Setup

This function allows you to select and setup your Windows printer.  Note that the Page Setup parameters are not recognized when printing data to the printer.  It is the responsibility of the user to insure that the desired fonts, page size, etc. are established via Printer Setup prior to directing output to the printer.


Quit

This function terminates your ROMVIEW session.  A prompt will appear to verify your request.

Pressing Yes will terminate your ROMVIEW session; pressing No will preserve your ROMVIEW session.


Edit

This menu provides options for modifying and re-computing the current search criteria.

Unless otherwise specified, all operations are performed against the selected criteria entry.  Entries may be selected by clicking on them with the left mouse button.

With the exception of Copy Entry, Change Boolean and Toggle Boolean, all functions are available only when editing the search criteria (via Select | Edit Search).

All changes will cause the search to be re-computed immediately unless the system is in MANUAL mode (see Select | Auto Search).

Related Topics:

Delete Entry

Copy Entry

Cut Entry

Paste Entry

Add New Entry

Undo Last

Change Boolean

Toggle Boolean


Delete Entry

This function will delete the selected line in the search window.


Copy Entry

When editing search criteria (via Select | Edit Search), this function will copy the selected line in the search window to a hold buffer.  The contents of the hold buffer may then be retrieved via Paste Entry.

When viewing data records with text selected, this function will copy the selected text to the Windows Clipboard.


Cut Entry

This function will copy the selected line in the search window to the hold buffer and then delete it from the search window.  The contents of the hold buffer may then be retrieved via Paste Entry.  This function is equivalent to Copy Entry followed by Delete Entry.


Paste Entry

This function will insert the contents of the hold buffer into the search window directly above the selected line.  If no entry is selected, the contents of the hold buffer will become the last entry in the search window.

This option is unavailable if the hold buffer is empty.  The hold buffer is filled via Copy Entry or Cut Entry.


Add New Entry

This function allows you to add new entries to your search criteria directly from the search window.

The Select Index window will be presented from which you may choose the desired index.  Upon display of the index entries, a single selection may be made.  Making a selection returns control to the search window and inserts it directly above the selected entry of the search window.  If no entry is selected in the search window, the new entry becomes the last entry in the search window.

If the new entry already exists in the search window, that entry's display will contain an asterisk in the index topic list window.  Clicking on that entry in the index topic list window with the left mouse button will always remove the last occurrence of the entry from the search window.  When there is only one occurrence of the entry remaining in the search window, the asterisk will be removed from the index topic list window to indicate that clicking on it again will remove the final occurrence of that entry from the search criteria.


Undo Last

This function reverses the most recent search function performed in the search window.


Change Boolean

This function allows you to change the Boolean operator.  If an entry is selected in the search window, that entry's Boolean operator is changed.  If no entry is selected, the system Boolean operator is changed.  A dialog containing the available Boolean operators is presented with the current one selected.  To change the operator click on the desired one with the left mouse button and then select OK.


Toggle Boolean

This function allows you to change the Boolean operator by toggling through the list of available operators (OR, AND, NOT and XOR, in that order).

When editing search criteria with a selected entry, that entry's Boolean operator is toggled.  The entry's Boolean operator may also be toggled by double-clicking on it with the left mouse button.

If no entry is selected, the system Boolean operator is toggled and a message box is presented indicating the new value of the system Boolean operator.


Select

This menu provides options for selecting data access methods as well as toggling between AUTO and MANUAL search modes.

Related Topics:

Auto Search

Select Index

Table of Contents

Edit Search

Select Data Sets

Select Fields


Auto Search

This function allows you to switch back and forth between AUTO and MANUAL modes.  A check mark next to Auto Search indicates the system is in AUTO mode.

When the system is in AUTO mode, all searches are re-computed as soon as the changes are made.  When the system is in MANUAL mode, the changes are recorded but not computed.

If there are extensive editing changes to make, you may wish to go into MANUAL mode first, make the changes, then go back into AUTO mode.  As soon as AUTO mode is entered, all changes are immediately re-computed.

The upper right corner of the menu reflects the mode by either indicating the number of records satisfying the search criteria (AUTO mode) or by specifying Manual Search Calculation (MANUAL mode).


Select Index

A ROMWARE database can be thought of as a book or journal.  You find items by using the index.  In an electronic database there may be multiple indexes.  Each index may be for a different type of data.  This function allows you to select the desired index.

You may select only one index at a time.  Selections may be made by:  clicking on the desired index entry with the left mouse button and pressing OK; using the arrow keys to move the cursor line to the desired one and pressing OK; or double clicking on the desired one with the left mouse button.

After an index is selected, a window containing a list of index topics is presented from which you may make Key Selections.

Pressing Cancel will abort the index selection operation.


Table of Contents

This function presents a hierarchical method of accessing related records in a database for which a Table of Contents has been defined.  Entries may be selected by using the arrow keys to move the cursor line to the desired entry or by clicking on the desired entry with the left mouse button.

The group of records associated with a selected entry may be viewed by pressing View.

The previous hierarchical level of entries may be displayed by pressing Prev when it is activated.

The next hierarchical level of entries may be displayed by pressing Next when it is activated.

Pressing Cancel will terminate the Table of Contents operations.

Double clicking on an entry with the left mouse button will proceed to the next hierarchical level of entries if one exists.  If the selected entry is the lowest level of the hierarchy, double clicking on it with the left mouse button will proceed to viewing the records associated with it.


Edit Search

This function presents the current search criteria and allows you to update the search window.  Entries in the search window may be selected by clicking on them with the left mouse button and invoking any of the Edit functions.


Select Data Sets

This function allows you select the data set(s) against which searches are performed.  The default is to perform searches against all data sets.  You may select all or some of the data sets but must select at least one.  Selections may be toggled by clicking on the desired one with the left mouse button or using the arrow keys to move the cursor line to the desired one and pressing the space bar.

Pressing OK or double clicking with the left mouse button accepts any changes made to data sets selections.  Changing data set selections will affect the number of records available via View | Display Database.  And, since changing the data set selections may affect the search results, the search is also re-computed.  Note that this function is not available when you are viewing records.

Pressing Cancel results in no change to the current data sets selected

Pressing Select All results in selection of all data sets.

Pressing Clear All results in no data sets being selected.  This option was implemented as a quick method of clearing all data sets so that a small number of data sets could be selected.


Select Fields

This function allows you to select all or some of the available fields for display.  The default is to view all fields.  You may select all or some of the fields but must select at least one.  Selections may be toggled by clicking on the desired one with the left mouse button or using the arrow keys to move the cursor line to the desired one and pressing the space bar.

Pressing OK or double clicking with the left mouse button accepts any changes made to field selections.  If you are viewing records, the window will be refreshed to reflect the changes.

Pressing Cancel results in no change to the current fields selected

Pressing Select All results in the selection of all fields for display.

Pressing Clear All results in no fields being selected for display.  This option was implemented as a quick method of clearing all fields so that a small number of fields could be selected.


View

This menu provides options for viewing data records and images as well as navigation among data records.

With the exception of Display Results, Display Image and Display Database, all functions are unavailable until you are viewing data records.

Portions of a record may be selected and then copied to a disk file or printer (see Print | Selected Text) or the Window Clipboard (see Edit | Copy Entry).  To select text, simply click the left mouse button down at the beginning of the desired block and, while holding the mouse button down, move the mouse over the desired area.  As lines are selected, they will be displayed in reverse video.  Multiple sections may be marked within a single record.

The selected portions of text remain in effect only while viewing the current record or until the Clear function is invoked.  Navigation to other records will clear any selected text as will the Select Fields function.

Related Topics:

Display Results

Display Image

Display Database

First Selected Record

Prev Selected Record

n-th Selected Record

Next Selected Record

Last Selected Record

Prev Database Record

n-th Database Record

Next Database Record

Clear


Display Results

This function will display the records meeting your search criteria one at a time starting with the first record in the set.  This option is unavailable when the search criteria is empty and when you are already viewing records via Display Results.


Display Image

This function will display an image.  It is available when a picture field is displayed while viewing records and when an index topic listing contains picture items.

To display an image, double click on the desired entry with the left mouse button.  The accelerator key, Alt-F9, may also be used to display an image.  Pressing Alt-F9 will only display the image associated with the first picture field/item in the window.


Display Database

This function will display records of the selected Data Sets one at a time starting with the first record in the first selected Data Set.  This option is unavailable when  you are already viewing records via Display Database.  Changes made via Select Data Sets will affect the records displayed.


First Selected Record

This function will display the first record in the current record set.  It is unavailable if you are currently viewing the first record of the set.


Prev Selected Record

This function will display the previous record in the current record set.  It is not available until you are viewing a record beyond the first record of the set.


n-th Selected Record

This function allows you to "jump" around the current record set by prompting you for a record set sequence number to display.  The sequence number must be between one and the number of records in the current record set.  If the number is outside this range, a message will appear indicating the valid range.  Pressing Cancel will abort the process and continue to display the current record.


Next Selected Record

This function will display the next record in the current record set.  It is not available when you viewing the last record of the set.


Last Selected Record

This function will display the last record in the current record set.  It is only available while you are viewing records preceding the last record of the set.


Prev Database Record

This function will display the previous record in the database regardless of the current record set.  It is not available when you are viewing the first record in the database.  Changes made via Select Data Sets will determine the specific record displayed.

This function is most helpful when there is a relevant sequence to the records in the database.


n-th Database Record

This function allows you to "jump" around the database by prompting you for a database sequence number to display.  The sequence number must be between one and the number of records available for display in the database.  If the sequence number is outside this range, a message will appear indicating the valid range.  Changes made via Select Data Sets will determine the number of records available as well as whether a specific record will be displayed.

Pressing Cancel will abort the process and continue to display the current record.

This function is most helpful when there is a relevant sequence to the records in the database and for quickly viewing the first and last database records.


Next Database Record

This function will display the next record in the database regardless of the current record set.  It is not available when you are viewing the last record in the database.  Changes made via Select Data Sets will determine the specific record displayed.

This function is most helpful when there is a relevant sequence to the records in the database.


Clear

This function will clear the selected text of the current record.  It is available only when viewing records AND text has been selected.  Text may be selected by clicking the left mouse button at the beginning of the desired block and, while holding the mouse button down, move the mouse over the desired area.  As lines are selected, they will be displayed in reverse video.  Multiple sections may be marked within a single record.


Window

This menu provides options for managing your ROMVIEW windows and icons as well as activating specific windows.

Related Topics:

Cascade

Tile

Arrange Icons

Close All

List of Open Windows


Cascade

This functions re-sizes and layers the open windows in the main ROMVIEW window so that the title bar of each is visible


Tile

This function re-sizes and arranges the open windows side by side in the main ROMVIEW window


Arrange Icons

This function evenly arranges all icons in the main ROMVIEW window


Close All

This function closes all open Windows


List of Open Windows

A listing of all windows is presented with a check mark next to the active one.  To activate another window, you click on it with the left mouse button or press the number associated with it in the list.


Help

Index

Keyboard

About ROMVIEW


Index

This function presents the ROMVIEW Help Index via the standard Windows HELP facility.


Menu System - Help - Keyboard
Keyboard

This function presents the ROMVIEW Help section, Functions and Their Shortcut Keys, an alphabetical listing of the ROMVIEW functions and the shortcut keys which invoke them.  A related section is Shortcut Keys and Their Functions, an alphabetical listing of shortcut keys and the ROMVIEW functions invoked by them.


About ROMVIEW

This function displays the copyright information for ROMVIEW and ROMWARE.


Functions and Their Shortcut Keys

The following is an alphabetical listing of the ROMVIEW functions and the shortcut keys which invoke them.  A related section is Shortcut Keys and Their Functions, an alphabetical listing of shortcut keys and the ROMVIEW functions invoked by them.

These Functions	From These Menus	Are Invoked By These Keys
Add New Entry	Edit	Ctl + A
Auto Search	Select	Alt + A
Change Boolean	Edit	Alt + B
Clear	View	Ctl + X
Copy Entry	Edit	Ctl + Ins
Cut Entry	Edit	Shift + Delete
Delete Entry	Edit	Delete
Display Database	View	Shift + F9
Display Image	View	Ctl + F9
Display Results	View	F9
Edit Search	Select	F4
First Selected Record	View	Alt + F7
Help | Index	Help	F1
Help | Keyboard	Help	Alt + K
Last Selected Record	View	Alt + F8
n-th Database Record	View	Ctl + F7
n-th Selected Record	View	Ctl + F8
New Search	File	Alt + N
Next Database Record	View	Shift + F8
Next Selected Record	View	F8
Open Search	File	Alt + O
Paste Entry	Edit	Shift + Ins
Prev Database Record	View	Shift + F7
Prev Selected Record	View	F7
Print	File	Alt + P
Quit	File	Alt + Q
Save Search	File	Ctl + S
Save Search As	File	Alt + Z
Select Data Sets	Select	Alt + D
Select Fields	Select	Ctl + F
Select Index	Select	F3
Table of Contents	Select	Alt + F3
Toggle Boolean	Edit	Alt + T
Undo Last	Edit	Alt + BackSpace


Shortcut Keys and Their Functions

The following is an alphabetical listing of shortcut keys and the ROMVIEW functions invoked by them.  A related section is Functions and Their Shortcut Keys, an alphabetical listing of ROMVIEW functions and the shortcut keys which invoke them.

Pressing These Keys	Performs This Action
Alt + A	Toggles the Auto Search setting.
Alt + B	Invokes the Change Boolean function.
Alt + D	Invokes the Select Data Sets function.
Alt + E	Displays the Edit menu.
Alt + F	Displays the File menu.
Alt + H	Displays the Help menu.
Alt + K	Invokes the Help | Keyboard function.
Alt + N	Invokes the New Search function.
Alt + O	Invokes the Open Search function.
Alt + P	Invokes the Print function.
Alt + Q	Invokes the Quit function.
Alt + S	Displays the Select menu.
Alt + T	Invokes the Toggle Boolean function.
Alt + V	Displays the View menu.
Alt + W	Displays the Window menu.
Alt + Z	Invokes the Save Search As function.
Alt + Backspace	Invokes the Undo Last function.
Alt + F3	Invokes the Table of Contents function.
Alt + F7	Invokes the First Selected Record function.
Alt + F8	Invokes the Last Selected Record function.
Ctl + A	Invokes the Add New Entry function.
Ctl + F	Invokes the Select Fields function.
Ctl + S	Invokes the Save Search function.
Ctl + X	Invokes the Clear function.
Ctl + Insert	Invokes the Copy Entry function.
Ctl + F7	Invokes the n-th Database Record function.
Ctl + F8	Invokes the n-th Selected Record function.
Ctl + F9	Invokes the Display Image function.
Shift + Delete	Invokes the Cut Entry function.
Shift + Insert	Invokes the Paste Entry function.
Shift + F7	Invokes the Prev Database Record function.
Shift + F8	Invokes the Next Database Record function.
Shift + F9	Invokes the Display Database function.
Delete	Delete Entry function.
F1	Invokes the Help | Index function.
F3	Invokes the Select Index function.
F4	Invokes the Edit Search function.
F7	Invokes the Prev Selected Record function.
F8	Invokes the Next Selected Record function.
F9	Invokes the Display Results function.