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dBase III-Plus - Can Anybody Help Me with this Program?

W

World Changer

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2023
Messages
40
Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your consideration.

I'm trying to use the "Query" function of dBase III-Plus in DOSBox. There seems to be a missing program file that I need to create Queries. I though I had all program components, but seems like I don't. For example, when I want to query my database to retrieve all records with 2 or more of the same, shared characteristics, I can't create that query chain.

I used to be able to query for all the cases that share Attribute 1, Attribute 2, Attribute 3, etc., etc., but I can't even query for cases sharing only one attribute.

Is my lack of a dBase program file causing this, is it caused by something else, or can I create query chains in another way??

Thanks for any help you can give. If the problem is a missing dBase program file, if you can send it to me, that would be great!!

Sincerely,

Paul
 
You'll get better responses if you show exactly the error/problem.
 
konc said:
You'll get better responses if you show exactly the error/problem.
Click to expand...
Hi konc,

Thank you very much for your response! I will get you more technical details a little later this AM or in the early PM, Chicago time. Thanks again, you will hear from me.

Sincerely,

Paul
 
Hi konc,

I used dBase III-Plus 35 years ago, and remember that whenever I wanted to Query for files with certain traits I coded in fields of various characteristics, I went to the "Setup" menu, scrolled down, hit "Query" and went from there, choosing the traits by which I wanted my 20,000 cases screened or filtered. It was so intuitively easy to do!!

For example, in "Query" I would ask for all the cases with, let's say, Trait = 1, Location = 23, and Name = Johnson. dBase would then get me all of the cases that had the code "1" trait (whatever that was), occurred in Location "23" (wherever that was), to anybody with the last Name, "Johnson".

I cannot do this anymore with the dBase III-Plus program I had stored away for 35 years. Even multiple separate copies of it don't allow me to Query this way, from the Setup menu - or from any dBase menu. Did I forget to copy a program file 35 years ago? Is there somewhere I can get that file, if I am missing one? Can you send this file, or a bonafide complete dBase III-Plus program to me?

Or is there something I created from that file, which allows me to Query that way, which I don't have?

I'd appreciate any help or advice you can give me. If you need more info, just ask and you will get it. Thanks so much for your consideration!!

Sincerely,

Paul
 
Explain "I cannot do this anymore". Do you get an error? Maybe you just remember wrongly how you did it back then and the query you try is invalid..?
 
World Changer said:
Hi konc,

Thank you very much for your response! I will get you more technical details a little later this AM or in the early PM, Chicago time. Thanks again, you will hear from me.

Sincerely,

Paul
Click to expand...
Hi konc,

I used dBase III-Plus 35 years ago, and remember that whenever I wanted to Query for files with certain traits I coded in fields of various characteristics, I went to the "Setup" menu, scrolled down, hit "Query" and went from there, choosing the traits by which I wanted my 20,000 cases screened or filtered. It was so intuitively easy to do!!

For example, in "Query" I would ask for all the cases with, let's say, Trait = 1, Location = 23, and Name = Johnson. dBase would then get me all of the cases that had the code "1" trait (whatever that was), occurred in Location "23" (wherever that was), to anybody with the last Name, "Johnson".

I cannot do this anymore with the dBase III-Plus program I had stored away for 35 years. Even multiple separate copies of it don't allow me to Query this way, from the Setup menu - or from any dBase menu. Did I forget to copy a program file 35 years ago? Is there somewhere I can get that file, if I am missing one? Can you send this file, or a bonafide complete dBase III-Plus program to me?

Or is there something I created from that file, which allows me to Query that way, which I don't have?

I'd appreciate any help or advice you can give me. If you need more info, just ask and you will get it. Thanks so much for your consideration!!

Sincerely,

Paul
 
Timo W. said:
Explain "I cannot do this anymore". Do you get an error? Maybe you just remember wrongly how you did it back then and the query you try is invalid..?
Click to expand...
Timo W. said:
Explain "I cannot do this anymore". Do you get an error? Maybe you just remember wrongly how you did it back then and the query you try is invalid..?
Click to expand...
Hi Timo W.,

What I mean is I cannot use the Query command in the Setup menu, to retrieve cases that have/share all the traits I want. For example, out of the 20,000 cases I have, I want to be able to search for all the cases that share certain types of traits, all of which are coded. I cannot create a Query chain that asks for cases that share the traits I list.

If you go into dBase III-Plus, with a database, if you go into the Setup menu, choose Query. What do you get? Can you string several traits by which you want to filter or retrieve cases? For example, if your database has 20,000 dogs listed as separate cases, can you tell dBase to retrieve only dogs with the traits "blacks spots", "less than 10 pounds", and with "short hair" - all of which would be coded traits or characteristics?

If I'm unclear, I'm sorry, please let me know, I will give another example. But the key is being able to use the Query function listed in the Setup menu at the top of the dBase screen. I can't do that with the dBase programs I have at this point, but I used to be able to do that 35 years ago. Can you do that with your dBase III-Plus program, using a database with many cases or records?

Paul
 
You are still telling us what you want to achieve - not what error(s) you are getting when you try to perform the query - or are you not able to perform the query at all because you can't find the menu item to do it? Or is there a query menu item available but nothing happens when you try to select it? Or do you get an error reported when you try to use it?

So I assume you are getting a menu item similar to this?

1700156470962.png

What happens if you try to select the Query menu item?

Dave
 
A dumb question, but did you open (or connect) dBase to your actual data?

Dave
 
Last edited:
daver2 said:
A dump question, but did you open (or connect) dBase to your actual data?

Dave
Click to expand...
Hi Daver2,

Yes, my database of 22,000 cases is connected to my old dBase III-Plus program. I'm going to give answers to your previous question and to Timo W's question, and hopefully, I can do better in explaining to kronc in one message, which I'll post in a few minutes. Thanks!!
 
Timo W. said:
Explain "I cannot do this anymore". Do you get an error? Maybe you just remember wrongly how you did it back then and the query you try is invalid..?
Click to expand...
Hi Timo W.:
World Changer said:
Hi konc,

I used dBase III-Plus 35 years ago, and remember that whenever I wanted to Query for files with certain traits I coded in fields of various characteristics, I went to the "Setup" menu, scrolled down, hit "Query" and went from there, choosing the traits by which I wanted my 20,000 cases screened or filtered. It was so intuitively easy to do!!

For example, in "Query" I would ask for all the cases with, let's say, Trait = 1, Location = 23, and Name = Johnson. dBase would then get me all of the cases that had the code "1" trait (whatever that was), occurred in Location "23" (wherever that was), to anybody with the last Name, "Johnson".

I cannot do this anymore with the dBase III-Plus program I had stored away for 35 years. Even multiple separate copies of it don't allow me to Query this way, from the Setup menu - or from any dBase menu. Did I forget to copy a program file 35 years ago? Is there somewhere I can get that file, if I am missing one? Can you send this file, or a bonafide complete dBase III-Plus program to me?

Or is there something I created from that file, which allows me to Query that way, which I don't have?

I'd appreciate any help or advice you can give me. If you need more info, just ask and you will get it. Thanks so much for your consideration!!

Sincerely,

Paul
Click to expand...
Timo W. said:
Explain "I cannot do this anymore". Do you get an error? Maybe you just remember wrongly how you did it back then and the query you try is invalid..?
Click to expand...
Hi kronc:

I'll hopefully make things clearer in a few minutes with a reply to you, Daver2, andTimo W. Thanks!!!
 
Hi kronc, Daver2, and Timo W.:

I hope I can better explain the problem I confront with this message. By all means, please send me your questions or doubts, I often don't write clearly!!!

Below are some screenshots of "where I'm at" so you can better understand the problem. I cannot even get to the point of "error" messages, or "invalid" commands - I cannot Query, cannot even create a Query file.

A. The first shot is from trying to Query from the Setup menu. After selecting and connecting the database this is what I get:
1700159088327.png
The pop-up boxes that allowed me to put in codes of characteristics from my data fields, by which I want to retrieve records do not appear, nor can I create a Query file.

B. The next 3 shots show an attempt to create a Query file from the Query button in the Create menu. The variables or data fields for my database are seen in the 3rd shot. No error messages, no invalid commands, just nothing that allows me to create a Query file. I can get lists of my data in their data fields, but I cannot retrieve cases with specific, shared characteristics which I coded for every separate record or case, in the data fields.

1700159125309.png

1700159367347.png

1700160435031.png

Can anybody tell me what might be wrong? A missing dBase file for creating Queries? I am using the exact same dBase III-Plus program I used 35 years ago, haven't touched it all these years, and when I stored it, ALL was working perfectly. The only difference is - I'm using a different computer, NOT the same computer I used years ago, and I'm using DOSBox. I am also using a dBase III-Plus program, downloaded from the dBase site - I have the same problems - creating a Query file.

Any questions, please feel free to ask!!!! Thanks so very much for any ideas, opinions, or questions!!

Sincerely,

Paul
 
In the first screenshot you posted I see the message "No files of the requested type are present. Press any key to continue.".

When does this message occur (i.e. what do you do to get this message displayed)?

Dave
 
I received this message after clicking the query button, then it asks for the source, and I select the same source where my DB is and that's why I receive this message. That's it.
 
So I assume, if you navigate to that specified directory via DOS, your original queries are missing?

I am guessing you are asking for a query, you give it something as a query, it is then looking for the file you specified, doesn't find it and generates the error.

Can you get a listing of what files are in the directory with your database - or the file structure (in DOS) of your database (and post the directory listing)?

Dave
 
Have you copied all the data files to a directory on a drive that matches what the original install had? IIRC, dBASE embedded links in the queries and joined tables based on path names. Moving a dBASE install to a different directory could result in not finding the required files.
 
daver2 said:
So I assume, if you navigate to that specified directory via DOS, your original queries are missing?

I am guessing you are asking for a query, you give it something as a query, it is then looking for the file you specified, doesn't find it and generates the error.

Can you get a listing of what files are in the directory with your database - or the file structure (in DOS) of your database (and post the directory listing)?

Dave
Click to expand...
 
Hi Daver2,

Yes, we cannot query for cases with specific characteristics, we have no original queries that I made 35 years ago in another computer. We are most likely missing the ***.qry file that was in my original dBase program, so we cannot create queries in the Setup menu or elsewhere.

The last shot of the Query window that opens from the Create menu is as far as we get with that Query button.

If possible, how can we create a ***.qry file for dBase III-Plus?? Can you give us the steps? If not possible, can you send us a copy of your ***.qry file to see if it will work with my database? If so, can you send it as a reply to this message, or if you prefer, this is my e-mail address: paul_yamauchi@yahoo.com

Thank you so much for your consideration Daver2!!!

Sincerely,
Paul
 
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