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Version 1.50 b01 (26/02/2024)

Otis stands for 'OpenTableInSpector' and is adatabase table inspection tool for Dbase, Clipper, Harbour,xHarbour, FoxPro, ..., files.

Otis has a integratedDATASETmanager. This need someexplanations.

ADATASET is a set of ONE or MORE tables and index files. You can savethis SET of files with a name and load it back again later on with onlyone click. You can anytime when you want add or delete tables and index filesto a existing dataset and save it again with the same or another name.

The dataset manager permits you to inspect tables when you are developing and testing a program without cycling through the classic operations like :

• open table, open index file, inspect, modify, update, close
• open another table, open index file, inspect, close
• ...etc.

Create simply adataset with tables and index files that you want toinspect on a regular base, save it, and reload all tables and indexfiles with only one click. I can assure you, you will save a lot oftime and many mouse clicks.

This is in reality a implementation of a old clipper tool that i wrote,i think, more than 20 years ago. But with far fewer possibilities asthis new tool that i called Otis. We integrated this module (the oldtool) in all our programs and protect it, if necessary, with a password.

Otis() helped me a lot of times for many many years already because itpermits me, on site, to inspect, modify or repair data in a table atruntime on the fly in a simple and fast way. This without the necessityto install other external dbf viewer programs.

In 'Plugin mode', you can use it also for runtime debugging inspectionof a table. Thus see 'almost' life updates from the running program.No 'modal' windows are used. By using this method, it permits you toswitch between the running program and this tool when you want. You caneven open multiple tables at the same time. Each table has its owndbfviewer, called 'Inspector' and all tools. Special precautions aretaken for this mode to prevent data corruption when you try to modify atable at the same time as the running program. More details for the'Plugin mode' in another chapter.

You ask me "Why rewrite yet another dbfviewer" ?
My answer, i found that there was always a thing missing in all other,very known, existing programs like dbu, dba, dbfview, mgdbu, ...etc. Soi had to use one or more of them to view and or manipulate a dbf file. Idon't want to say that those programs were bad, rather the contrary. Iused them often, but i tried to regroup and integrate all possibilitiesof all those separated tools in a single program. It is certainlynot perfect for everybody but i am open for suggestions.

I borrowed some code from other dbfviewer programs that are in thesample folders of hmgextended. All concerned parts of the programcontains a remark and reference to the original source and author.

Another reason.
I wanted to update / upgrade the visual design to a new level, like thewin10 flat design. I don't like toolbars with a lot of pull-down menus.You have to click, click and click endless everywhere to discover whatis possible. My opinion is that a userinterface should be clear andeye-catching. At first look all "bells and whistles" should be visibleand my experience ( >30 years ) showed me that the first userexperience is very important for a program to be succesfull.

And not to forget, i could always count on the clipper harbour communityif i had a question.

So this is my way to contribute. It would be a pleasure if you do giveme some feedback.

ENJOY, i hope OTIS is of any use for you. Let me know ...

Support all Codepages known in Harbour.

Support for the following RDD drivers :

DBFCDXDBFNTXDBFNSXSIXCDXLETODBFYou can use a mix of rdd drivers in the same dataset.

Dataset manager (main screen) :

• Open tables, multiselect with index AutoOpen (cdx) support.
• Attach index files to a table, multiselect support.
• Save multiple tables and index files in a Dataset.
• Load a Dataset.

Table viewer tool called the 'Inspector' :

• Select a index / order. ( Other options see index manager below. )
• Set a filter.
• Show / Hide deleted() records.
• Set / Clear a filelock.
• Lock (freeze) columns on screen.
• Show / Hide columns.
• Search and replace data, file wide or fields only, withSCOPE,FOR andWHILE expressions.
• Seek wizard :
  Presents a form with all fields used in the index KEY expression and autofills the seek expression.
  Seek first, Seek last and Set Exact on/off.
  Copy the 'seek expression' to the 'filter expression' textbox so that you can use the same expression to filter a table. Example, seek the first record and then show only records with the same field contents.
• Copy / paste a record :
  Paste a record to another record in the same table or
  Paste to another table.
  All fields or only a selection of fields in function of there visibility.
• Clear a record.
• Duplicate a record.
  Otis keeps into account the visibility of the columns/fields.
• Add / Insert records, one or more records at once.
• Up / Down, moves a record physically.
• Delete / Recall records withSCOPE,FOR andWHILE expressions.
• Pack / Zap a table.
• Append a file.
• Structure Editor, to modify the structure of open table if the one that is opened in the Inspector.
• Save a table to another table with the possibility to create a sub table.
  When a table is saved Otis takes into account active filters, index/orders and saves only visible fields.
  This permits to create a sub table with only the fields and data that you want.
• Export to a ';' delimited csv file.
  When a table is saved Otis takes into account active filters, index/orders and saves only visible fields.
  This permits to create a sub table with only the fields and data that you want.\
• When you set Otis.exe as the default windows program to open dbf files and double click on it, the main screen 'Dataset manager' of Otis will not be opened.

Index manager :

• Create a new index, single or compound index files.
• Modify a existing index, tag.
• Delete a index, tag.
• Reindex all orders.
• View detailed index info with the possibility to copy this info to the clipboard.

Table and index properties viewer :

• Export to a .prg file.
  This prg contains a comment section and all statements to create the table and all index files.
• Export structure to a .csv file. Idem.
• Export structure to the clipboard.
• View table info : filename, date, reccount, used rdd, used codepage, ...etc.
• View index info : list of all orders, filenames, tags,KEY,FOR expressions.

Table structure editor :

• Create a new structure.
• Modify the structure in the 'Inspector' of the current opened file.
• Import a existing table structure to create a new table.
• Support for all field types includedExtended field types.