Contents of PSSKB.TXT in the FOXPROW Directory

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5a, 2.5b

SUMMARY

Below is the complete FoxPro for Windows PSSKB.TXT file found in the main FoxPro directory (usually FOXPROW).

MORE INFORMATION

                        PSSKB.TXT

          Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About

    Microsoft(R) FoxPro(R) for Windows(TM) Version 2.5a

    (C)1993 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

CONTENTS

Part Description ---- -----------

1 Cross-Platform 2 Interface Features 3 Report Writer 4 Screen Builder 5 Product Support

Part 1: Cross-Platform

Overview of Questions

1 Can I create a FoxPro for Windows application using

    FoxPro for MS-DOS?

    enable it to run in FoxPro version 2.5?

    FoxPro version 2.5?

Question 1

Can I create a FoxPro for Windows application using FoxPro for MS-DOS?

Answer 1

FoxPro for Windows can execute applications you create with FoxPro for MS-DOS without you making any changes to the applications. The FoxPro for MS-DOS power tools, however, don't support features that are specific to the Windows environment. You can write your own code to add these Windows features, but we don't recommend this approach to cross-platform application development.

Question 2

I have an existing FoxPro 2.0 project. How do I enable it to run in FoxPro version 2.5?

Answer 2

You open the project in FoxPro version 2.5 and rebuild your application. You must convert screens and reports only if you decide to modify them.

Question 3

Will I be able to create executable files for FoxPro version 2.5?

Answer 3

Yes. The options for building .EXE files in FoxPro 2.5 for MS-DOS are the same as in FoxPro 2.0. You can build compact and stand-alone .EXE files. Compact .EXE files are distributed with library files that are included in the FoxPro Distribution Kit. Stand-alone .EXE files don't require the FoxPro library files. The information from the libraries is built into a stand-alone .EXE.

In FoxPro for Windows, you can create the equivalent of the compact .EXE file. These files are distributed with the library files included in the FoxPro for Windows Distribution Kit.

Part 2: Interface Features

Overview of Questions

1 Why do the windows created in FoxPro for Windows have

    different style controls when compared with the
    windows in FoxPro for MS-DOS?

    top left of FoxPro windows?

    and others can't?

    been changed? Is there a way to restore the FoxPro for
    MS-DOS style keystrokes?

    field I find that the dialog unexpectedly closes. Why
    is this?

    located at the bottom of the main window. Is it
    possible to remove this status bar? Is the DOS-style
    status bar available?

    issue the command SET DISPLAY TO VGA25 to restore the
    previous setting, the status bar disappears. How do I
    restore the status bar?

    Is the MS-DOS version of the menu available?

    Paste Special... and Change Link.... How do I use
    these options?

    does it do?

    does this menu offer?

    why is it displayed?

    there any way to access the .DBF-style help I used in
    Fox 2.0?

    the drive letter when I issue the following command
    in the Command window?

         ? SET("DEFAULT")

Question 1

Why do the windows created in FoxPro for Windows have different style controls when compared with the windows in FoxPro for MS-DOS?

Answer 1

FoxPro for Windows is designed to conform to the Windows 3.1 interface guidelines for applications. These guidelines enable you to use the same methods of moving, selecting, and changing windows with all Windows applications. FoxPro windows now include Control-menu boxes and Minimize, Maximize, and Restore buttons. For a complete discussion of window styles and terminology, refer to the Getting Started manual.

Question 2

What is the purpose of the Control-menu box at the top left of FoxPro windows?

Answer 2

A single click in the Control-menu box displays the Control menu, with which you can move, size, close, and select windows. A double-click in the Control-menu box closes the window.

Question 3

Why is it that I can resize some windows in FoxPro and not others?

Answer 3

FoxPro for Windows contains both windows you can size and windows you can't size. Windows that contain a text- editing region are sizable. Examples of sizable windows are the Command window, Screen Design window and the Calendar. These windows may contain scroll bars and a sizing box in the bottom right corner of the window. Examples of windows you can't size include the View and RQBE windows. Windows you can't size have only the Control-menu box and the Minimize button.

Question 4

Why have the keyboard shortcuts in FoxPro for Windows changed? Is there a way to restore the FoxPro for MS-DOS style keystrokes?

Answer 4

FoxPro for Windows supports Windows-style keystrokes, such as using Enter to choose a focused selection. FoxPro for Windows supports both an MS-DOS keystroke mode and Windows keystroke mode. Refer to the FoxPro online help for details on the keystroke differences. You were asked at installation time which mode to select. However, you can change the mode interactively at any time in FoxPro by issuing the command:

   SET KEYCOMP TO DOS

   SET KEYCOMP TO WINDOWS

   KEYCOMP=DOS

   KEYCOMP=WINDOWS

Question 5

When I create a table and press Enter to add a new field I find that the dialog unexpectedly closes. Why is this?

Answer 5

The keystroke navigation is different in Windows and MS-DOS. In FoxPro for MS-DOS, the keystroke equivalent of clicking the focus button is CTRL+ENTER. In Windows, it is Enter. So pressing Enter in the Table Structure dialog tells FoxPro you have chosen the OK button. To establish the MS-DOS keystroke mode in Windows, issue the command SET KEYCOMP TO DOS.

Question 6

FoxPro for Windows automatically displays a status bar located at the bottom of the main window. Is it possible to remove this status bar? Is the MS-DOS style status bar available?

Answer 6

The Windows-style status bar displays the same information as the MS-DOS-style status bar, plus information about the currently selected menu name or command and messages you create using FoxPro commands. It can also display the system time.

The Windows-style status bar is displayed by default. To remove the status bar, in the Command window issue the command:

   SET STATUS BAR OFF

   STATUS BAR = OFF

The SET MESSAGE TO command you use to specify a message location is ignored when the Windows style status bar is active. When the Windows-style status bar is active, messages you create with commands such as DEFINE MENU, DEFINE POPUP, DEFINE BAR, and @...PROMPT, appear in the Windows-style status bar.

When the Windows-style status bar is active, to display the time on the right hand side of the status bar issue the following command:

   SET CLOCK STATUS

   CLOCK = STATUS

Question 7

When I issue the command SET DISPLAY TO VGA50 and then issue the command SET DISPLAY TO VGA25 to restore the previous setting, the status bar disappears. How do I restore the status bar?

Answer 7

Issue the SET STATUS BAR ON command.

Question 8

Why has the menu for FoxPro for Windows changed? Is the MS-DOS version of the menu available?

Answer 8

The menu in FoxPro for Windows has been modified for consistency with the standard Windows interface. The System menu on the FoxPro 2.0 menu bar has been removed and a number of specific menu items have been moved.

Take a moment to explore the new menu structure. Note that a brief message describing each menu item is displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the main FoxPro window.

If you are more comfortable with the menu bar layout of FoxPro 2.0, you can run a distributed FoxPro menu program that recreates it. Simply execute the DOS.MPR file located in the GOODIES subdirectory with the DO command. Running this menu program replaces the FoxPro for Windows menu bar layout with the FoxPro for MS-DOS menu bar layout while retaining the Text menu for multiple font support.

To automatically display the FoxPro for MS-DOS menu bar when you load FoxPro for Windows, place the following item in the CONFIG.FPW file to execute the DOS.MPR program:

   COMMAND = DO C:\FOXPROW\GOODIES\DOS\DOS.MPR

Question 9

The Edit menu contains a number of new options such as Paste Special... and Change Link... . How do I use these options?

Answer 9

The new Edit menu options support Object Linking and Embedding (OLE). The items include Paste Special, Insert Object, Object, Change Link, and Convert to Static. For a detailed discussion of OLE consult the FoxPro documentation.

Question 10

The Program menu contains the new option, Beautify. What does it do?

Answer 10

The Beautify option alters the appearance of program files so they are easier to read. For example, you can choose to alter the case of key words and variables, and to add indentation within procedures and DO CASE statements. You can also highlight program organization by bracketing specific control statements such as:

   IF
     DO something
   ELSE
     DO something
   ENDIF

Question 11

The Text menu is completely new. What new features does this menu offer?

Answer 11

The Text Menu adds support for multiple fonts and text formatting. The Font option makes all of your installed Windows fonts available within FoxPro. A Font option is also available in the Browse menu for Browse windows.

To change the main FoxPro window font, hold down the Shift key when you choose the Text menu pad. Then choose the Screen Font... option.

The Enlarge Font and Reduce Font options change all text to the next available point size in the current font. To alter the spacing of the text, select the Single Space, 1 1/2 Space, or Double Space option.

The Indent option indents the selected group of lines one tab stop. Undent does the opposite by moving a selected group of lines out one tab stop.

Question 12

Occasionally the Object menu is available. When does it display and why?

Answer 12

The Object menu is available when either the Screen Builder or the Report Writer window is open. As with the Text and Browse menus, the Object menu provides access to fonts. Specific items on the Object menu are enabled and disabled based on the currently selected object.

For example, a rectangle drawn in the Screen Design window may have an outline or pen color, a background or fill color, and a fill pattern.

Question 13

FoxPro for Windows includes Windows-style help. Is there any way to access the .DBF-style help I used in Fox 2.0?

Answer 13

By default, FoxPro for Windows uses Windows-style help. To access the .DBF-style help, issue the following command:

   SET HELP TO FOXHELP.DBF

To return to the Windows-style help, issue the following command:

   SET HELP TO FOXHELP.HLP

   HELP = FOXHELP.DBF

Question 14

Shouldn't a full path rather than just the drive letter display when I issue the following command in the command window?

       ? SET("DEFAULT")

No. This is consistent with FoxPro 2.0 for MS-DOS.

Part 3: Report Writer

Overview of Questions

1 Should I convert all of my FoxPro 2.0 reports to

    FoxPro for Windows format?

    report. Now I want to add another field. In FoxPro
    for MS-DOS, the Report menu popup contained an option
    called Field... which allowed me to add a single
    field. What do I do in FoxPro for Windows?

    only the first line prints. How can I fix this?

    band, I find that the fields which display below the
    memo field are being overwritten by some of the longer
    memo fields. How do I avoid this?

    report. One of these fields is a memo field. How do I
    make the box stretch to fit the memo field?

    location in the Report Design window, the field keeps
    aligning itself with the nearest grid line. Why is
    this happening?

    FoxPro 2.5 for Windows?

    print it, some of the information in the fields is
    obscured. How can I fix this?

Question 1

Should I convert all of my FoxPro 2.0 reports to FoxPro for Windows format?

Answer 1

You may not need to. Your existing character reports will run, preview, and print unchanged in FoxPro for Windows. The engine for printing character reports is included in FoxPro for Windows. If you want to include graphical elements such as fonts and pictures in a report, then you can convert the reports to FoxPro for Windows format, or create new graphical reports from scratch.

Question 2

I used the Quick Report option to create my initial report. Now I want to add another field. In FoxPro for MS-DOS, the Report menu contained an option called Field... which allowed me to add a single field. What do I do in FoxPro for Windows?

Answer 2

You can add new fields by using the field tool located in the toolbox on the left side of the Report Design window. See the FoxPro for Windows User's Guide for additional information on the Report Writer toolbox.

Question 3

I have included a memo-type field in my report but only the first line prints. How can I fix this?

Answer 3

To display the entire contents of the memo field, you must make the field stretch vertically to fit its contents. Double-click the report field and select the Top - Field Can Stretch option from the Position Relative To item. This field will now enlarge depending on the length of the memo field contents. Select the Page Preview option to view the result.

Question 4

When I place a "stretched" memo field in the detail band, I find that the fields which display below the memo field are being overwritten by some of the longer memo fields. How do I avoid this?

Answer 4

Fields or objects positioned below the memo field are still being displayed in a fixed position even though the memo field is now stretchable. To avoid being overwritten, all objects below the memo field should be positioned relative to the bottom of the Detail band. To accomplish this, double-click on each of the fields and select the Bottom option from the Position Relative To item. Select the Page Preview option to view the result. If your report contains side-by-side memo fields, fields with the Bottom option specified will display below the longer of the two memo fields.

Note: The previous procedure applies to non-stretching fields and other objects, such as lines and text. If you have stretching fields placed below other stretching fields, you don't want to position them "relative to bottom." Stretching fields automatically float below other stretching fields.

Question 5

I have placed boxes around several fields in my report. One of these fields is a memo field. How do I make the box stretch to fit the memo field?

Answer 5

Double-click the box and select the Stretch With Band option from the Position Relative To item. Rectangles (boxes) and vertical lines can optionally stretch according to the length of the Detail band.

Note: You won't be able to place a stretching box around a field if the field won't be positioned relative to the top or the bottom of the band. Boxes must be positioned relative to the top or bottom of the band.

Question 6

When I attempt to move a text object to a specific location in the Report Design window, the field keeps aligning itself with the nearest grid line. Why is this happening?

Answer 6

By default, objects are automatically aligned to the nearest invisible grid lines within the Report Design window. This feature is called Snap to Grid and may be disabled by deselecting the Snap to Grid option from the Report menu.

Question 7

How do I design and print multi-column reports in FoxPro 2.5 for Windows?

Answer 7

Select Page Layout... from the Report menu option and use the Columns spinner to select the number of columns. Clicking the up arrow increases the counter value, and clicking the down arrow decreases the counter value. The size of the Report Design window reflects the new column width, and you may need to modify existing field positions.

Hint: When creating a new report that will have columns, set the layout before you add any fields.

Question 8

When I enlarge the font of objects in my report and print the report, some of the information in the fields is obscured. How can I fix this?

Answer 8

You may need to stretch the detail lines and/or the objects themselves to accommodate the larger font.

Part 4: Screen Builder

Overview of Questions

1 I don't own a mouse. How can I create a screen using

    the keyboard?

    to create only an input field or an output field.
    What happened to the Edit field option in the field
    dialog?

    Design window I have a choice of three button types:
    Normal, Invisible and Picture. Were these types
    available in FoxPro 2.0?

    Design window using the Selection pointer tool. Is
    there an easy way to move objects a small distance?

    displays a number of fields. After creating the
    application, when I move the cursor from one field to
    the next the order in which the cursor moves to the
    fields isn't what I expect based on the physical
    arrangement of the fields. How can I change the field
    access order without changing the physical position of
    the fields?

    specify exactly what code to generate. Options
    included adding code to open and close files, define
    and release windows, and create modal screens. Is this
    option still available?

    do I specify colors for my screen objects?

    the contents of a general field, nothing appears. What
    am I doing wrong?

    screen and specified the appropriate .BMP file.
    Please explain in more detail how the options in
    the area called If Picture and Frame Different Size
    affect the display of the picture. The options are
    Clip Picture, Scale Picture - Retain Shape and Scale
    Picture - Fill the Frame.

    while a READ is active, of OLE objects stored in a
    general field. When I add a picture to my screen
    using the picture tool, I'm not able to edit the
    displayed .BMP file. Is there a way to do this?

    field as it appears will fit?

    independent of the size of an input field defined with
    @ ... GET ... SIZE?

    available at the client site?

Question 1

I don't own a mouse. How can I create a screen using the keyboard?

Answer 1

A mouse is required to create a screen with the Screen Builder.

Question 2

The Field dialog in the Screen Design window allows me to create only an input field or an output field. What happened to the Edit field option in the field dialog?

Answer 2

The edit field option is now part of the new Edit Region dialog. To create an edit field, click the edit region tool located on the left side of the Screen Design window. Notice that as you select the tool a brief description appears in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. In the Edit Region dialog the options Select on Entry and Initially Disable Edit Region are new. For additional information on these options see the Edit Region Dialog topic in Help.

Question 3

When I select the push button tool in the Screen Design window I have a choice of three button types: Normal, Invisible and Picture. Were these types available in FoxPro 2.0?

Answer 3

FoxPro for Windows has consolidated the Invisible Button and Push Button options into a single dialog. The Picture type push button is new. You can create a picture push button using a bitmap (.BMP) picture file to graphically depict the action the push button represents. You can also use picture files with radio buttons and check boxes in FoxPro for Windows.

Question 4

I know how to click and drag objects within the Screen Design window using the Selection pointer tool. Is there an easy way to move objects a small distance?

Answer 4

Yes. Select the object to move using the Selection pointer tool and use the arrow keys to move the object one pixel at a time.

Question 5

I created a screen for my application which displays a number of fields. After creating the application, when I move the cursor from one field to the next the order in which the cursor moves to the fields isn't what I expect based on the physical arrangement of the fields. How can I change the field access order without changing the physical position of the fields?

Answer 5

To accomplish this, return to your original screen in the Screen Design window. From the Screen menu, select the Object Order... option. This option opens the Object Order dialog, where screen objects are listed according to their keyboard access order. To change the access order for the objects, click the button to the left of the object and drag the object to its new keyboard access position. When you're done, rebuild your application to include the new field access order.

Question 6

When generating screens in FoxPro 2.0, I was able to specify what code to generate. Options included adding code to open and close files, define and release windows, and create modal screens. Is this option still available?

Answer 6

Yes. The Generate Screen dialog contains a More button. Choose this button to view the generate code options.

Question 7

The Color option is no longer on the Screen menu. How do I specify colors for my screen objects?

Answer 7

To specify colors, first select the object or a group of objects. To modify the background color of the object select Fill Color from the Object menu. To modify the outline and text of an object, select Pen Color from the Object menu.

The AUTOMATIC setting will match the Windows color sets.

To change the background of the entire screen, choose Layout... from the Screen menu and click on the Color option. You may choose a specific color or select a wallpaper pattern by clicking Wallpaper and specifying a specific .BMP file.

Question 8

When I use an @... SAY statement to display the contents of a general field, nothing appears. What am I doing wrong?

Answer 8

Use the Picture tool to display the contents of a general field. The Field tool can't display a picture.

Question 9

I used the Picture tool to add a picture field to my screen and specified the appropriate .BMP file. Please explain in more detail how the options in the area called If Picture and Frame Different Size affect the display of the picture. The options are Clip Picture, Scale Picture - Retain Shape and Scale Picture - Fill the Frame.

Answer 9

The following options only apply when the picture and frame are of a different size.

Choose Clip Picture if you want to retain the original dimensions of the picture. If the picture is larger than the frame only a portion of the image is displayed beginning with the top-left portion of the picture. Any portion of the picture that extends beyond the frame is hidden.

Choose Scale Picture - Retain Shape if you want to retain the overall shape of the picture but fill as much of the frame as possible. The picture is protected from vertical or horizontal distortion.

Choose Scale Picture - Fill the Frame if you want to fill the frame completely. The picture is horizontally or vertically distorted as needed to fill the frame.

Question 10

I want to create a screen that allows online editing, while a READ is active, of OLE objects stored in a general field. When I add a picture to my screen using the picture tool, I'm not able to edit the displayed .BMP file. Is there a way to do this?

Answer 10

Use the Field tool in the Screen Design window to create a general field in your screen. Select the WHEN clause and enter the command MODIFY GENERAL <field name> in the code snippet area. Save the screen and generate your screen and/or application. Now you will be able to edit the bitmap within the screen when the application is running.

Question 11

Why can't I type as many characters into an input field as it appears will fit?

Answer 11

In a proportional font, each character is given as much horizontal space as it needs and no more. For example, a lowercase "f" requires much less space than an uppercase "W." When an input field displays in a screen, FoxPro calculates the display width of the field by multiplying the number of characters in the table field structure by the average size of a character in the specified font. If the field is filled with characters that are wider than average, the characters don't all fit within the display width of the input field and so the characters scroll. If the field is filled with characters that are narrower than average, the characters don't fill the display width of the input field.

Question 12

How do I control the length of a memory variable independent of the size of an input field defined with @ ... GET ... SIZE?

Answer 12

Use a picture clause to control the memory variable's length, and an @ ... GET ... SIZE clause to control the width of the input field.

Question 13

How can I be sure that a font I choose will be available at the client site?

Answer 13

The safest way is to look in your WIN.INI file for fonts that have the words "All res" on the line. These are standard Windows fonts and consequently are those most likely to be available at a client site.

Part 5: Product Support Questions

Overview of Questions

1 Where can I go for additional pre-sale information

    on Microsoft Fox products, such as pricing, upgrade
    policies, and release dates?

    Forum what information should I include?

    additional FoxPro product support?

    Microsoft Fox products. Where can I direct these
    comments?

Question 1

Where can I go for additional pre-sale information on Microsoft Fox products, such as pricing, upgrade policies, and release dates?

Answer 1

Call 800-426-9400.

Question 2

How do I download the Windows Driver Library?

Answer 2

Microsoft provides the Windows Driver Library (WDL) on the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) from which users can obtain drivers and articles directly via modem.

The phone number for the MSDL is 425-936-6735. There is no connect-time charge for using this service. However, any standard connect-time fees and long-distance telephone charges do apply during downloading. After you connect to one of these services, please read the WDL.TXT file for downloading instructions and a complete list of files available on the Download Service.

If you don't have a modem, you can obtain the WDL on disk from Microsoft End-User Sales. To order the WDL on disk, call 800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Pacific time. There is a $20 fee for ordering the WDL on disk.

Question 3

Where can I go for additional FoxPro product support?

Answer 3

Call *Microsoft FastTips* to hear recorded responses to common questions about Microsoft FoxPro. You can also order technical notes that are sent to your fax machine. FastTips is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For assistance with FoxPro, dial 425-635-7190.

Use the *Microsoft Download Service* to access technical notes and supplementary files covering common Microsoft product support issues. This service is available via modem 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 425-936-6735.

Call *Microsoft Technical Support* between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday. For assistance with Microsoft Fox products for MS-DOS or for Windows, call 425-635-7191. For assistance with Microsoft Fox products for the Macintosh, call 425-635-7192.

Microsoft support services are subject to Microsoft prices, terms, and conditions that are in place at the time the service is used.

Question 4

If I call for support or post a message on the Fox Forum, what information should I include?

Answer 4

When you call, you should be at your computer and have the appropriate product documentation at hand. Be prepared to give the following information:

* The version number of the Microsoft Fox product that you

  are using. This can be obtained by typing ?VERSION(1) in
  the Command window for FoxPro or at the dot prompt in
  FoxBASE+.

  hardware if applicable; and the operating environment
  that you are using.

  CONFIG.FPW, CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and any network
  configuration files.

  screen.

  when the problem occurred.

  steps?

Question 5

If I am deaf or hard of hearing where can I go for additional FoxPro product support?

Answer 5

Microsoft Technical Support is available for the hearing impaired. Using a special TDD/TT modem, dial 425-635-4948 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

Microsoft support services are subject to Microsoft prices, terms, and conditions that are in place at the time the service is used.

Question 6

I have some specific comments and suggestions on Microsoft Fox products. Where can I direct these comments?

Answer 6

Help make future versions of Microsoft Fox products even better by calling, sending a fax, sending a note, or sending electronic mail. Your feedback will be considered in developing future versions of Microsoft FoxPro.

Call 425-936-9474 and leave your comments using a touch-tone phone 24 hours a day.

Fax 425-936-7329 and provide detailed comments 24 hours a day.

Send a note to:

   Microsoft FoxPro WishLine
   One Microsoft Way
   Redmond, WA 98052

   foxwish@microsoft.com.

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