Fig. 3: Edit Field Screen

When you choose a field from the Edit Fields list box, you will be taken to the Edit Field Screen (see Figure 3). This screen allows you to name your fields, designate their type, and choose between different variations of field types. The Edit Field screen is a dynamic screen where options will come and go as you switch among field types. The following options are always present:

• Field Name - Select a name for this field. A field name can have a maximum of 20 characters.
• Field Type - Selects what type of field this will be.

Depending on this setting, the rest of the screen will contain various options. HanDBase offers an extensive amount of field types. Each is explained below. Because there are so many, we would suggest that you decide which field types you wish to use, then click on the links below to be taken to the appropriate field information.

Field Types

• Not-Used
• Text Fields
• Integer Fields
• Float Fields
• Date Field
• Time Fields
• Popup Fields
• CheckBox Fields
• Note Fields
• Image Fields
• Calculated Fields
• Unique Fields
• Heading Fields
• Link Fields
• DB Popup Fields

Field Type Definitions

Not-Used - Set to Not-Used if you do not wish for any data to be stored in this field. It will not be visible in either the Main Screen, or the Edit Record screen.

Text Fields - Multi-line text input fields with popups for your most common values. This is probably the most common type of field. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Max Characters: Choose the maximum number of characters allowed for this field. The range is from 1 to 255. This will limit the size of the string allocated for this string when editing it in the [Edit Record] screen. NOTE: This can be changed at a later time if you feel you need more room. It only affects the RAM requirements during the editing of a field.
• Edit Popup List: Tapping on this icon will bring you to the Edit Popup List screen where you can choose the possible values for this field. NOTE: You cannot edit the popup list until the database has been created (by hitting the OK button on the New Database screen.
• Popups Append: Check this box if you'd like for the values selected from the popup list for this field to append to the end of any existing value. Uncheck this box if you'd rather the popup value replace the current text value. Checking this option is useful if you'd like to allow multiple popup values in a text field. An example of this may be a link to a web site, where you could have http://, www., and .com as popup values, and you would be able to add these on, one by one to the existing field

Integer Fields - Numeral values with popups for your most common values. This is different from the Text field mainly in the sorting of entries, and that it's popups can be numerically sorted. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Edit Popup List: Tapping on this icon will bring you to the Edit Popup List screen where you can choose the possible values for this field. NOTE: You cannot edit the popup list until the database has been created (by hitting the OK button on the New Database screen.
• Popups Append: Check this box if you'd like for the values selected from the popup list for this field to append to the end of any existing value. Uncheck this box if you'd rather the popup value replace the current value.

Float Fields - Floating point values with popups for your most common values. This is different from the Integer field in that the numbers can have a decimal point or comma in them. This depends on the Numbers setting in the PalmPilot system Prefs, under Formats.This field is commonly used for money amounts. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Places after decimal: Choose the number of places after the decimal point to show. For example, a monetary amount may use 2 places, whereas for a low-level calculation you may want to use all 4 decimal places available.
• Edit Popup List: Tapping on this icon will bring you to the Edit Popup List screen where you can choose the possible values for this field. NOTE: You cannot edit the popup list until the database has been created (by hitting the OK button on the New Database screen.
• Popups Append: Check this box if you'd like for the values selected from the popup list for this field to append to the end of any existing value. Uncheck this box if you'd rather the popup value replace the current value.

Date Fields - Pops up calendar for choosing date. In addition, pressing the field name will give choices such as 'tomorrow', 'today', 'no date', and 'choose date'. The 'choose date' option under the field name now gives a new edit date screen which makes it easier to enter years by letting you write the year or use - and + buttons. The format of the date is specified in the PalmPilot system Prefs, under Formats, Date. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Date Behavior: Choose whether this field will default to one of the following:

1. Ask User for Date: This field will default to No Date and require the user to change it to the date desired.
2. Date Record Added: This field will default the date to be the date when the record was created. Further modifications to the record will not affect the value, unless set manually by the user.
3. Date Record Modified: This field will set the date to be the date when the record was last modified. Each time the record is modified or saved, the date will adjust accordingly.

Time Fields - Pops up time picker for choosing a time. The format of the time is specified in the PalmPilot system Prefs, under Formats, Time. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Time Behavior: Choose whether this field will default to one of the following:

1. Ask User for Time: This field will default to 'NO TIME', and require the user to change it to the time desired.
2. Time Record Added This field will default the time to be the time when the record was created. Further modifications to the record will not affect the value, unless set manually by the user.
3. Time Record Modified This field will set the time to be the time when the record was last modified. Each time the record is modified or saved, the time will adjust accordingly.

Popup Fields - This field type will pop up a list of choices when selected. This differs from the other fields that have popup lists in that the value can only be one of the popup choices (ie, the user cannot write in any value). When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print Check: if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Default Value: Select the default value for this popup. New records will default this field to the value you select here.
• Edit Popup List: Tapping on this icon will bring you to the Edit Popup List screen where you can choose the possible values for this field. NOTE: You cannot edit the popup list until the database has been created (by hitting the OK button on the New Database screen.

CheckBox Fields - Has a checkbox for it value, which can be checked or unchecked. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.

Note Fields - Allows for memopad-type notes (up to 2000 characters in length) and a Popup to insert common phrases, words, etc. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Popups Append: Check this box if you'd like for the values selected from the popup list for this field to append to the end of any existing value. Uncheck this box if you'd rather the popup value replace the current value.

Image Fields - Capture a pen-drawn image, or handwritten signatures using this field type. When selected, the user is taken into a canvas type Edit Image screen where they may sketch out their image with the stylus. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.

Calculated Fields - Lets you perform operations on other fields or constant numbers. The operation is as follows: [Value1] [Operation] [Value2] = Field in [Result Format] When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Value 1: Choose the field to use as the first operand. If No field is selected, the constant value written to the right of the words No field is used as the operand. This constant must be either an Integer or Floating point value, although if a field is selected, nearly any field type can be used.
• Prev Rec: Check if you want the value for this operand to be taken from the record previous to this record in the sorted order. This is useful for creating running totals, balances, etc. Keep this box unchecked if you wish to take the value from this very record. This option will only display if you have a field selected to the left (ie, the No field option does not apply) NOTE: New records are added to the end until they are saved.
• Operation: Choose the operation you wish to perform on the two operands. The current choices are:

1. +: Add the values.
2. -: Subtract Value2 from Value1.
3. *: Multiply the value.
4. /: Divide Value1 by Value2
5. Min: Minimum (smallest value) of Value1 and Value2.
6. Max: Maximum (largest value) of Value1 and Value2.
7. Average: Average of Value1 and Value2.

• Value 2: Choose the field to use as the second operand. If No field is selected, the constant value written to the right of the words "No field" is used as the operand. This constant must be either an Integer or Floating point value, although if a field is selected, nearly any field type can be used.
• Prev Rec: Check if you want the value for this operand to be taken from the record previous to this record in the sorted order. This is useful for creating running totals, balances, etc. Keep this box unchecked if you wish to take the value from this very record. This option will only display if you have a field selected to the left (ie, the No field option does not apply) NOTE: New records are added to the end until they are saved.
• Result Format: Choose the output format of the calculation result. The current choices are:

1. To 4 Decimal Places: The output is a floating point value, showing 4 decimal places.
2. Integer: The output is a numeral.
3. Time: The output is a time in the format HH:MM:SS. NOTE: The translation to time is the number of seconds into the day.
4. Date: The output is a time of the format MM/DD/YY. NOTE: The translation to date is the number of days since January 1st, 1904.
5. To 3 Decimal Places: The output is a floating point value, showing 3 decimal places.
6. To 2 Decimal Places: The output is a floating point value, showing 2 decimal places.
7. To 1 Decimal Place: The output is a floating point value, showing 1 decimal place.

Unique Fields - Automatically filled with a value unique to that record. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.

Heading Fields - Organize sections of your database with a bold, centered, heading. This field actually doesn't hold any value, but is used for organizational purposes only, when in the Edit Record screen. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.

Link Fields - This serves as the starting point for linking two databases together. The Link field will display a button with the field name in it. When pressed, the program will switch to the database specified below. The database, however, will only show the records that were added through the current record in the first (linking) database. This is useful to add sub-records of a different type to individual records. For example, a doctor may have a database of Patient info, which would include a link field that linked to a Visits database. When the 'Visits' link button is pressed under a patient record in the 'Patient' database, the Visits database would switched to, and would only show the visits that Patient had made. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field. NOTE: By checking this option for this field type, you are telling HanDBase to follow this link and export/print all linked records' data that has the export/print option set.
• Other Database Name: Choose the name of the database to link to, or select from the current existing databases by pressing the trigger to the right.
• Other Field Number: Choose the number of the Linked Field in the Other Database Name database to link to. This other field must be a Linked Field for the link to function correctly. This number is the number of that field ranging from 1 to 30.
• Show Value From: Select a field to show the value from inside the linked field that this relates to. Using the above example, the doctor can bring over the patient's name along with the link info, and this value will show up as part of the linked field for all records belonging to that patient. This makes it easier to remember what link record each linked record belongs to when opening the linked databases up directly.

DB Popup Fields - Similar to a Text field, except the popup choices come from a field of another database. When the user selects the Popup list for this field by pressing the field name to the left of the field, he/she will be taken to the other database, where he/she can choose a record by selecting it. Once selected, the user will return to the first database and this field will be filled with the text value of the field specified below in the second database. When selected, the following options appear:

• Visible: Check if you want this field to be visible on the Edit Record Screen. Uncheck if you wish to hide it on the Edit Record Screen.
• Export/Print: Check if you want this field to be exported to the memo pad or printed when any of these options are selected: Export Record or Records, Print Record or Records, from the Edit Record or the Main screen., respectively. Uncheck if you don't wish to export or print this field.
• Pixels Shown: Choose the number of pixels in width that will be shown on the Main Screen. There are a maximum of 160 pixels in width on the screen, so this is the maximum value this can be. Setting to 0 will hide this field on the Main screen.
• Max Characters: Choose the maximum number of characters allowed for this field. The range is from 1 to 255. This will limit the size of the string allocated for this string when editing it in the Edit Record screen. NOTE: This can be changed at a later time if you feel you need more room. It only affects the RAM requirements during the editing of a field.
• Other Database Name: Choose the name of the database to jump to when the users selects the Popup list, or select from the current existing databases by pressing the trigger to the right.
• Other Field Number: Choose the number of the field in the Other Database Name database to get the text from. This number is the number of that field ranging from 1 to 30.
• Group (0 = none): By setting this value to something other than 0 (0 disables this feature), you can assign multiple DB Popups to the same group. Then, whenever any of the DB Popups in a group are selected and a record in the other database is selected, all items in the same group will be filled out automatically with their appropriate field numbers. An example of this would be to grab a customer's name, company name, and pricing level at the same time for an order taking database. The customer's name, company name, and pricing level would all reside in the same database, and each item in the calling database would have the group value set to the same (non-zero) value. Selecting any of the three field names in the calling database will take the user to the other database where they can choose the customer. At that point, all three values would be copied over into their appropriate fields.