Interface

Communicating with FirstBase can be done in many different ways. One method is to use the FirstBase menu shell tool, dbshell, with the provided system menus.

All data screens, menus, and formatted output can be completely customized. New forms and sub-menus, modifications to existing reports, rapid prototypes, and evolving data structures are all handled easily by FirstBase.

Additionally, all FirstBase tools can be invoked from any Unix/Linux shell. Tools can be run interactively, or in batch mode. Output of many FirstBase tools can even be piped into other Unix/Linux software tools.

Here is a sample FirstBase menu screen, and here is a sample FirstBase data screen.

FirstBase Toolkit Architecture

FirstBase uses an open architecture approach of data dictionaries to describe all database objects. This means that data dictionaries can be created using the provided dictionary editor tools, or they can be modified using any other means available in the Unix/Linux environment.

FirstBase takes full advantage of the Unix/Linux file structure and protection mechanisms. However, related data objects do not need to be stored in the same directory. Furthermore, FirstBase works transparently with networks like NFS.

FirstBase is multi-user on a record locking basis. So, only one process at a time can have a particular record open for updating, though other processes can scan the locked record.

Data Types

• data
• dollar
• float (double)
• alphanumeric
• strictly alpha
• numeric
• positive numeric
• choice (enumerated)
• nested choice
• extended choice
• uppercase
• dynamic link
• binary
• computed, macro, formula, trigger
• range
• auto increment
• auto default

Reorganization Methods

A sophisticated, highly selectable index generator provides a method of capturing and organizing groups of records. Using either a fill in the blank method or SQL constructs, selection criteria can be chained together with logical operators to index some or all database records.

A FirstBase index imposes a logical structure on the physical database without actually reordering the records. Any number of indexes can be used. Self updating indices can also be defined.

Once generated, a FirstBase index can be used with any other database tool or editor to focus on a sort/selected set of records. By using this generic index approach, common printouts and views can be shared among varying sets of sort/selected records.

FirstBase Database Capacity

• Unlimited key fields
• Unlimited characters per field
• Unlimited fields per record
• Unlimited records per database
• Dynamic record creation
• Variable length records

Data Access Methods

There are quite a few methods for accessing data within FirstBase including database editors, printout generators, SQL requests, macro language queries, and a very powerful Query By Example tool.

FirstBase has two database editors. One uses fixed screen locations, the other allows full custom screen design. Both provide random access to any database records. And, the behavior of the editor is extensible using simple macro code.

FirstBase also contains printout generators. Reports, letters, lists, mailing labels, and sub-totaled printouts are readily available. The merge tool can be used as a troff preprocessor.

Although FirstBase is not based on SQL, and there are probably better methods of database access, we do provide an SQL interface, dbsql . This SQL tool features standard data manipulation language features, plus additional features. For example, dbsql can use standard Unix/Linux general regular expression pattern (grep) matching with the LIKE construct, and offers full even/odd header/footer page specifications.

System Features

• Variable length records
• Fully integrated (linked fields)
• Field editing with any editor
• Programmable Intraline Editing
• Computed (formula) fields
• Trigger fields and complex defaults
• On-line help
• Multi-user
• Audit Trail
• Query by example or with SQL
• Multi-Level Security
• Written in C
• HTML and CGI tools
• Runs on any Unix/Linux/Xenix OS
• Ready to use applications included

FirstBase provides two different database editors, each allowing random access searches, editing, browsing and scanning of records, plus the ability to edit very large fields using any ASCII editor, like vi or emacs. This ASCII display screen is from the FirstBase visual database editor.

Generators

• simple printout generator
• label generator
• filter one index into another

• emit database values
• load database values

• dbmacro
• dbsql

Menu and Shell Control

C Library Interface

• open/close a FirstBase database
• read a logical record from a database
• read an indexed record
• write the current record to the database
• function processing of database
• Section 3 - C Library Functions

FirstBase supports an easy interface between HTML forms/CGI requests and database information. See Web Ready Software for more on these web features.

Summary of FirstBase Tools

• Menu Generator
• Various Report Generators
• Mailing Label Generator
• Database Editors
• Download and Upload Tools
• SQL DML Interface (w/HTML extensions)
• Macro Language (w/HTML extensions) (C-like)
• Tools to connect to tbl/troff
• Database Administration Tools
• Complete Screen Control
• Database Integrity Tool
• Crash Recovery via Roll Forward
• Database Cut and Database Paste Tools
• Index Generator
• Global Field Update
• Replacement Load Tool
• Document Merge Facility

Complete Set of FirstBase Manual Pages

• Section 1 - User Commands
• Section 3 - C Library Functions
• Section 4 - Structures and Dictionaries
• Section 5 - File formats and interface mechanisms
• Section 8 - Maintenance and operation commands

• Firstbase User's Manual A postscript version of the User's Manual
• Firstbase User's Manual A PDF version of the User's Manual
• Installation README file
• AUTHORS file