[comp.sys.ibm.pc] How to set default function key in DBASEIII+?

sun@venus.ycc.yale.edu (08/25/88)

I don't know if this is a proper group for this question. However, it is 
about DBASEIII+ on IBMPC. I'd like to re-set the default function key
assignment in DBASE but cannot figure out how. The manual said that I can
use the command SET and get into the SET menu and change the function key 
assignment anyway I want. However, after I exit DBASE, my assignments of 
the keys are gone. The manual also says that I can change the default 
assignement by modifying the Config.db file. However, I found that the file 
Config.db only contains the default value for the default color and 
background. No assignment for keys. Could someone help me out please? 
Thank you.

			-- Kang Sun
	Bitnet:	Sun@yalevms
	Internet: Sun@venus.ycc.yale.edu

ward@chinet.UUCP (Ward Christensen) (08/28/88)

How to set default function keys in Dbase III +:  In the config.db file,
place a line "command = do initial", then have "initial.prg" do the
function key sets: "set function 2 to "select 1;"".  (you can't reprogram
F1, the help key).

syrbz@warwick.ac.uk (J D Mulberg) (09/07/88)

  In article <455@yale-bulldog.yale.UUCP> sun@venus.ycc.yale.edu writes:
  >... I'd like to re-set the default function key
  >assignment in DBASE but cannot figure out how...

The idea is that you have to edit the config.db file. Use an editor to add

COMMAND = SET FUNCTION n TO "command;"

where n is the number of the function key and command is the instruction
you want dBase to do. For example:

COMMAND = SET FUNCTION 2 TO "use myfile;"

will obtain a database called myfile whenever the f2 key is pressed. Note the
quotes and the semicolon- the quotes are (in this example) mandatory, and the
semi-colon is the same as a <return>.
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syrbz@warwick.ac.uk                            ...mcvax!ukc!warwick!syrbz

alvidrez@heathcliff (Jeff Alvidrez) (09/08/88)

In article <455@yale-bulldog.yale.UUCP> sun@venus.ycc.yale.edu writes:
>... I'd like to re-set the default function key
>assignment in DBASE but cannot figure out how...

I have seen a few responses go by, but none have suggested the best
way.  Perhaps this is not documented (don't have the docs on hand):

	F10="MODIFY COMMAND;src\"

This line in my config.db sets F10 to be the keystroke sequence in quotes.
The semicolon denotes a carriage return.

To set an environment option, you must similarly invert the syntax of
the usual SET commands:

	HELP=OFF

I wish I knew why Ashton-Tate decided not to make config.db a regular
dBase command file.

Another useful option is the TEDIT variable, which sets the editor called
up by MODIFY COMMAND.  So

	TEDIT=BRIEF

will set brief to be the default editor.

Setting up the environment in config.db this way has the advantage of
concentrating all the config information in one place, and saves the
COMMAND= option for starting turnkey systems.

Happy dBugging,

/jra

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Jeff Alvidrez                               alvidrez@heathcliff.cs.columbia.edu

The opinions expressed in this article are fictional.  Any resemblence they
may bear to real opinions is purely coincidental.
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