               ODBiC (tm) - Open DataBase Internet Connector

ODBiC is a Windows NT or 95 shareware program that provides an interface
between your Web pages and your databases.  ODBiC can be used as a CGI
program to display or update your data via the Web in "real time", or it may
be used "offline" to write HTML (Web page) files containing your data.  

All features of the program are included in your free 30-day evaluation copy.
However, there will be a small ODBiC link at the bottom of generated pages;
when you register, we will send you instructions for downloading a copy of
the program that does not insert this link.


FEATURES:
---------

You can use ANSI SQL statements to SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE data in
any ODBC-accessible database.

The SQL statements and HTML output documents are fully controlled by
"template" files and Web browser forms that you design. For example, you can:

  - get data selection criteria from a Web browser form and use them in SQL
    queries;

  - write your own SQL SELECT statement or, with one command, automatically
    generate a Query By Example (QBE) SQL statement from the user's input;

  - with one command, automatically display your query results in a table with
    column name headers;

  - format your own table, or insert the data and form variables anywhere in
    the document text, including HTML commands or into subsequent SQL
    statements; 

  - use one command to automatically write the selected data back to the user
    as a database update form (i.e., input fields with current values filled
    in, a link back to ODBiC, and an SQL statement to update the database with
    the user's changes), or create your own custom update form; 

  - create a browser form to add or delete data in the database. 

You can use conditional tests on database values and form input variables to
control your SQL statements and your output.

You can easily detect when key columns change value in a sorted set of query
results, which allows formatting results as "master/detail" or "category"
groups.

You may submit multiple SQL statements to multiple databases in the same
document.

ODBiC allows ad hoc SQL statements from a browser form, so authorized users
can have full access to the databases through the Internet.  Or, you can
provide SQL statements as hidden fields in forms, then use the same
standardized reporting format for various queries.

You can define translation values to display database codes as meaningful text.

You may set default values to be used for any variables not entered by the
user or selected from the database.

You can specify output formatting for variables, similar to Basic's 
"printusing" function, to force a certain number of digits following the 
decimal point, mark thousands with commas, add a dollar sign, or add other
special characters.

You can set variables to computed values and test variables with arithmetic
expressions.

You may use one command to automatically create a form "choice list" containing
values selected from a database table.

You can have the user's browser automatically "redirect" or transfer to
another URL. You might select the new URL by using conditional testing of
input variables or by looking up the URL from your database.

You can include text from other files. This allows you to maintain just one
copy of standard HTML text or ODBiC statements and dynamically insert them
into any of your ODBiC templates.

You can execute other DOS programs from your ODBiC templates and any "console"
text output will be inserted into you document. 

To restrict access privileges, you have the option of requiring users to enter
their database-defined user IDs and passwords, or you can provide a default.
For ODBC databases that don't provide built-in access security, you can easily
provide your own by creating a password table and querying it before allowing
the user's actions.

When ODBiC is run as a CGI program on a system with a Web server, it can
output "real-time" data directly back to browsers and update databases from
browser forms.  But it can also "publish" data as HTML documents on disk.  For
example, if your database is on your PC but your Web pages are on your
Internet Service Provider's system, you can generate your pages on your PC
whenever your database changes, then upload the pages to your ISP.  Even if
you use ODBiC as a CGI program, you may want to write HTML files for data that
does not change frequently, for increased Web access speed.  ODBiC can also be
scheduled to run automatically at regular intervals by using the Windows NT
Schedule server.  (For example, you might choose to have your Web pages
updated every hour or every night instead of in "real time".)

ODBiC is ideal for rapid prototyping even if you intend to develop custom CGI
code for your application.

The ODBiC User's Guide is included, in HTML format, in the file odbic_ug.htm.
You can open this file from your Web browser.  The User's Guide is also
available on the ODBiC Web site:  http://www.odbic.com


REQUIREMENTS:
-------------

ODBiC runs on Windows NT and Windows 95 systems.

ODBiC may be used with any CGI-compliant HTTP Web server.  (A server is 
required only for "real time" database access via the Web.  It is not required
if ODBiC is run from the command line to write HTML files to disk.) 

Database access requires ODBC drivers for your databases.  (Windows NT and 95
are shipped with drivers for MS Access, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox, and text
files.  MS Office adds a driver for Excel. MS SQL Server, Sybase, Oracle, and most
other commercial database packages for the PC include ODBC drivers.)

ODBiC requires some knowledge of SQL and HTML to be used effectively.


INSTALLATION:
-------------

If you wish to use ODBiC as a CGI program then you must copy the odbic.exe
file to a directory that has been defined in your server's configuration file
to be a CGI directory.  This will be a subdirectory on the server's root
directory.  CGI directories are usually named "scripts", "cgi", or perhaps
"cgi-bin".

To use ODBiC "offline", it can be installed on any directory and run from the
MS-DOS Command Prompt or from the Windows "Run..." box.


LICENSE:
--------

ODBiC is a fully functional shareware program that may be used for a 30-day
evaluation period.  After 30 days, you must either register your copy or
remove it completely from your system.

ODBiC may be freely distributed, provided that all of the files in the 
original package are included:

              odbic.exe     - the executable program
              odbic_ug.htm  - the User's Guide in HTML format
              register.txt  - the Registration Form
              readme.txt    - this file


SHAREWARE REGISTRATION FEES:
----------------------------

One individual copy registration:  $39.00 (US)
Unlimited corporate registration:  $79.00 (US)

(Please use the form in register.txt to submit your registration.)


HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR:
--------------------------

If you have questions, comments, or have any problems, please contact:

                      Roger Harris
                      5520 Galena Drive
                      Colorado Springs, CO  80918  USA

                      E-mail: RogerHarris@odbic.com

You can also use the e-mail link on the ODBiC Web page, http://www.odbic.com
