QDB README.TXT file

Welcome to QDB. QDB stands for Quick DataBase, but I'm afraid 
this means quick to write, not quick to use. Probably it should 
have been called QDDB for Quick and Dirty DataBase. However QDB 
may be attractive for the following reasons: 

1) It's free. 

2) The source code (in C++) is available, and free. 

3) The program runs under DOS, Windows and X (xview and 
hopefully xmotif, though I haven't actually tried xmotif yet). 

4) It uses standard dBase III data files (DBF files). 

Note that because QDB is freeware and written largely for my own 
purposes there is no online-help and the program cannot be used 
intuitively. I know it's 1996, but I'm afraid that in order to 
use this program you will have to read the documentation. Sorry, 
but there you are. 

QDB essentially consists of form-based facilities to edit data 
and facilities to generate reports using its own (idiosyncratic) 
language. There is provision to import and export data to and 
from text files and other DBF files. QDB basically works as a 
flat file database, but there is a facility for relational look-
ups into other DBF files which can be used to obtain data in 
reports and in automatically calculated fields. Some aspects of 
QDB are modelled on Buttonware's PC-File and in some areas there 
is near-compatibility between the programs. 

Note that at present memo fields and files (DBT files) are not 
supported, though may be shortly. Indices are not compatible 
with other database programs. 

The user interface for QDB is undeniably somewhat quirky. This 
is partly unavoidable due to the constraints of writing source 
that would compile on all three targetted platforms, but very 
largely because I wanted to get something working quickly (hence 
the Q, remember) and used a lot of pre-existing code which was 
only marginally suitable for the purpose. 

Warm acknowledgments are due to Julian Smart for producing and 
making available the wxWindows library and generously providing 
support and advice, and to Marcus Ranum for producing and making 
available the btree routines used for indexing. 


Files distributed with QDB

QDBEXE.ZIP      - zip file containing DOS and Windows 
                  executables (QDB.EXE and WQDB.EXE) 

QDBSRC.ZIP      - zip file containing C++ source code for 
                  Windows and X versions - if you unzip this on 
                  a Unix machine make sure to convert CR-LF to 
                  CR, e.g. unzip -a qdbsrc.zip

DCPPTSRC.ZIP    - zip file containing C++ used for library 
                  routines needed by QDB

DOSEXAM.ZIP     - DOS example database

UNIXEXAM.ZIP    - Unix example database - differs in that text 
                  files have lines terminated with CR rather 
                  than CR-LF, but binary files are identical

QDB.DOC         - documentation, such as it is

I would very much welcome any feedback, suggestions, problems 
and especially offers to take over development!

Dave Curtis    dcurtis@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk 
                                        January 2, 1996

   Joint Academic Department of Psychological Medicine
   London Hospital Medical College
   3rd Floor Alexandra Wing
   Turner Street
   London E1 2AD


