1 December 1995
FCM-I5-1995
Washington, DC
December 1995
This Manual constitutes the WWW HTML equivalent version of the MANUAL.TXT included with The Floppy Disk Supplement
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Objectives 1-1
1.3 Changes and Additions 1-1
CHAPTER 2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 General 2-1
2.2 Mobile Meteorological Equipment 2-1
2.3 Software 2-1
2.4 Ancillary/Communication 2-2
CHAPTER 3. ORGANIZATION OF THE DATABASE
3.1 General 3-1
3.2 Description 3-1
3.3 Floppy Disk Version of the Directory 3-1
CHAPTER 4.BUILDING and USING THE FLOPPY DISK
4.1 Introduction 4-1
4.2 User Level 4-1
4.3 Typical Applications 4-1
4.4 Files 4-2
4.5 Setting Up The Floppy Directory 4-2
4.6 Manipulation of Records 4-6
4.7 Use of dBASE Files With Alternative Commercial Software 4-10
APPENDIX A. EXPLANATION OF DATABASE ENTRY
INFORMATION
A.1 Introduction A-1
A.2 Glossary A-1
A.3 Data Entry Sheets A-2
APPENDIX B. OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENT MOBILE
METEOROLOGICAL
EQUIPMENT AND CAPABILITIES B-1
B.1 General B-1
B.2 Department of Commerce B-1
B.3 Department of Defense B-2
B.4 Department of Energy B-7
B.5 Department of the Interior B-7
B.6 Department of State B-8
B.7 Department of Transportation B-8
B.8 Environmental Protection Agency B-8
B.9 National Aeronautics and Space Administration B-9
B.10 Nuclear Regulatory Commission B-9
B.11 National Science Foundation B-9
B.12 Department of Agriculture B-9
APPENDIX C. ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose.
The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM), through the Ad Hoc Group for Mobile Meteorological Equipment (AHG/MME), prepared The Federal Directory of Mobile Meteorological Equipment and Capabilities (FCM-I5-1993). The AHG/MME developed the Directory to assist agencies in their individual responsibilities and planning activities in response to requirements and emergencies. This revision updates both administrative and technical aspects of the original Directory listings, and includes many newly developed capabilities of Federal Departments and agencies. In addition to the validation of FCM-I5-1993 listings, three new data fields were added to more completely describe equipment and software. The Directory is also available in hard copy from OFCM. That version includes printouts of all Directory listings.
The Directory objectively catalogs mobile meteorological equipment, software, and capabilities possessed by Federal departments and agencies for the express purpose of facilitating interagency cooperation in the use and acquisition of these capabilities. Of particular interest are the extensive efforts in the development and deployment of mobile systems by the Department of Defense (DOD). The nature of the military requires emphasis on the mobility of systems. Previous OFCM studies have concluded that many investigators in other Federal agencies are not cognizant of the numerous DOD research and development (R&D) and operational mobile systems.
1.2 Objectives.
This Directory is intended to enable Federal agencies to:
1.3 Changes.
OFCM is the focal point for consolidating and making changes to this Directory. All recommended corrections, deletions, and additions should be forwarded to OFCM.
DEFINITIONS
2.1 General.
Definition of terms related to mobile meteorological equipment and capabilities is essential to the process of bounding the scope of the Directory. Overall, the AHG/MME elected to include both operational and research systems and capabilities, and that premise is also assumed in this update. Systems in development status that will be in service within 5 years are also included. The following sections discuss guidelines for definition of each of the Directory categories.
2.2 Mobile Meteorological Equipment.
2.2.1 Portable Hardware. This includes subcategories of portable systems with a total weight equal to or less than 50 pounds that can be transported by one person (man-portable). The AN/TMQ-34 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS) is a typical example of a portable system. TMOS is a man portable, field observing system that measures temperature, dewpoint, pressure, wind, rain and snow and is used by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). It is battery powered, and can be contained in a one cubic foot space.
2.2.2 Transportable. Transportable mobile meteorological hardware are those easy to set up systems/equipment requiring mechanized transportation. In 1992 the AHG/MME originally established the upper limit of transportable systems to be the size of the van-contained Mark IV-B Tactical Satellite Receiver Terminal (13 tons). The Mark IV-B has been converted to a fixed installation system, however, 13 tons is still used as the upper limit for transportable systems.
2.3 Software.
This category includes information concerning either integrated or transferable software directly related to mobile hardware systems.
2.3.1 Integrated. Mobile hardware systems most often have software programs or sub-routines as an integral part of their overall configuration. Such software is termed "integrated" in the Directory. Although it may not be readily transferable to other systems, the source code may be of value to activities developing new capabilities.
2.3.2 Transferable. "Transferable" is defined as software that can be readily transported to a mobile system by use of magnetic media such as floppy disks. Use of transferable software may also be part of the system design in order to expedite software updates or releases of new capabilities.
An example of transferable software would be the National Weather Service (NWS) Fire Weather System, which includes applications software. A series of International Business Machine (IBM) compatible programs are available on floppy disks to accomplish several analysis, plotting and display applications for that system. Transferable software would also include software programs that could be processed on users' computer systems, even though their computer system may not be dedicated to mobile meteorological activities. An example is the Geophysics Fleet Mission Program Library (GFMPL). GFMPL is a library of meteorological and oceanographic programs that can be used on an IBM compatible or other personal computer systems. Software programs included on a magnetic tape cartridge intended to be run solely on a large, non-mobile mainframe computer would not be considered transferable software. If, however, that cartridge could be used in a designated portable/transportable system, or a user system that is truly portable, such as an IBM compatible desktop or laptop personal computer (PC), then it is included.
2.4 Ancillary/Communications.
This category is broad, and potentially includes a host of commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) printers, data loggers, modems, as well as other equipment and specific sensors to record meteorological elements. The general Directory guidelines for inclusion of information in this category is that equipment and capabilities must directly relate to mobile meteorological hardware or software. Only a small sampling of capabilities are listed, because of the broad nature of many of the items in the Ancillary/Communication category.
ORGANIZATION OF THE DATABASE
3.1 General.
The Federal Directory of Mobile Meteorological Equipment and Capabilities includes a great volume of information that must be factual, concise, and easily updated. To store this volume of data efficiently, and enable its rapid and effective retrieval, the commercial database software dBASE III Plus was used.
3.2 Description.
Three databases were established in view of the diversity of mobile meteorological equipment and capabilities. They are:
An explanation of these three databases is included in Chapter 2, Definitions. Each database entry included on the server, which is termed a file, comprises a series of fields that describe specific information about the mobile meteorological capability. Appendix A, Explanation of Database Entry Information, contains a list of fields for all three databases as well as their size.
3.3 Server Version of the Subdirectory.
3.3.1 Description. One of the major advantages of a comprehensive database software program is its ability to relate one field to another. Through use of the List, Retrieve and Organize menus, a variety of techniques are available to relate records. To take advantage of this capability, this companion version of the Directory has been prepared. Users can perform sort, retrieve, list, and many other relational and organizational features of the database program.
The off-the-shelf commercial IBM compatible software program dBASE III Plus (Boreland International, Inc.), which was selected by OFCM as the database program for FCM-I5-1993, continues as the software for this update. The rationale for using dBASE III Plus as the database software was primarily based on continuity factors as well as the power of the program. In recent years, there has been considerable database software development, and agencies may no longer use, or have available, dBASE III Plus. Many off-the-shelf database, and other software programs, can import dBASE III Plus database files. Once imported, many data manipulations possible with dBASE III Plus can be accomplished. Chapter 4 reviews, in summary, methods to import dBASE files to selected commercial software.
NOTE: This Manual is formatted as HTML 2.0+ hypertext for Internet browser viewing, and can be printed using the [PRINT] command in the browser. It may also be imported to a wordprocessor as ASCII for viewing or printing.
BUILDING and USING THE FLOPPY DISK
4.1 Introduction.
Chapter 3 reviewed the organization of the three Directory databases. This Chapter will outline specific procedures to set up and utilize the Floppy Disk version that you will download from this server. The comprehensive manual: "Learning and Using dBASE III Plus" Ashton-Tate, 1987, is the overall reference for this Chapter. Commands or selections that users should enter are enclosed with brackets and are in upper case. For example, if the required menu selection is "database file", it will be shown as [DATABASE FILE] in the text.
4.2 User Level.
These instructions are tailored for users with some basic knowledge of dBASE III Plus, but who may not be well versed in the program. dBASE is a sophisticated database tool, and many options are available to accomplish desired functions. Over simplification of steps has been made, in some cases, for sake of clarity for those with minimal experience.
The dBASE III Plus has two general modes of operation; (1) a menu system whereby commands are entered through a series of preprogramed choices (the ASSISTANT), and (2) the dot prompt, whereby typed commands are entered on the computer screen at the dot (.). Single commands or commands to invoke prewritten dBASE programs are possible through use of the dot prompt. Although the dot prompt mode offers a much greater latitude of operations, only the menu-driven ASSISTANT will be discussed for simplicity of Directory use. If the dot prompt screen is displayed inadvertently (the clear dot prompt screen is accessed by pressing the ESCAPE key one or more times), simply type in the command: [ASSIST], and press [ENTER], or press the [F2] key. The menu screen will reappear.
4.3. Typical Applications.
The following are selected examples of listings that can be obtained by appropriate interrogation of the Directory databases:
These applications are relatively simple. It is possible, however, to invoke an extensive list of discriminators to the processes that will be described in Sections to follow.
4.4 Files.
The Floppy Directory files you will download are identified by their dBASE extension as follows:
File dBASE Extension Database (contain all Directory data) .dbf Format (provide data entry and viewing forms) .fmt Screen (companion to format files) .scr Report (tailored report form) .frm Query (special method to filter records) .qry
As indicated in Chapter 3, three database files are available on the Server:
Database File dBASE name assigned Mobile Meteorological Equipment PORT_TRA.DBF Software SOFTWARE.DBF Ancillary/Communication ANC_COMM.DBF
A DOS user may download a complete set of
the files in self-extracting ZIP form.
After copying the file to your disk
(either to a floppy or hard drive sub-directory name of your choice) just run
the filename.exe to expand it into the various needed files.
You can seperately obtain the necessary files below in expanded form.
[ Mobile Met Equip | Software | Ancillary/communiations]
Associated Format and Screen files have the same database name, but have .fmt and .scr DOS file extensions.
[ Mobile Met Equip Format| Software Format | Ancillary/communications Format ]
[ Mobile Met Equip Screen| Software Screen | Ancillary/communications Screen ]
Two other files are also included on this server: SUMM_PT.FRM, a program to print a sample Report, SOLAR.QRY, a program to filter or discriminate Directory listings that are capable of using solar power.
4.5 Setting Up the Floppy Directory.
4.5.1 Introduction.
Before using the Floppy disk you have constructed by downloading the required files listed above, it is advisable to make a backup copy of the diskette, store the original, and use the copy for all operations. This procedure is particularly advisable if data manipulations are planned. A minor error in a command entry could alter structure and invalidate the files. If the Directory was downloaded from the Internet or a Bulletin Board (BBS), it is also prudent to copy the files.
4.5.2 Selecting a Database.
Change to the computer floppy drive or hard disk directory containing the dBASE software and enter the command [DBASE] to start the program. Press [ENTER] to clear the opening screen, and the ASSISTANT screen and associated menus will be shown.
Move to the [SET UP] menu, and using the arrow keys, highlight the [DATABASE FILE] option and press [ENTER].
A small window will open to the right with a data drive selection submenu. Select the letter of the drive in which the Directory floppy disk is located. If the Directory is to be used often, it is advisable to copy the contents of the diskette to the system's fixed disk.
A window with the three Directory database files will replace the drive selection menu. Using the arrow keys, move to the desired file and press [ENTER]. A prompt will ask "IS THE FILE INDEXED?". Enter [N] and press [ENTER]. If [PORT_TRA] (Portable/Transportable Equipment database) had been selected, the position selection bar at the bottom of the screen would indicate PORT-TRA.DBF Rec: 1/111 which confirms that the PORT_TRA.DBF is loaded in memory, and that the record pointer is set to display the first of 111 records in the file. The word ASSIST at the left end of the position selection bar located across the bottom of the screen indicates that the dBASE ASSISTANT mode of operation is being used. The letter to the right of the word ASSISTANT is the computer data drive in use. Throughout the dBASE menus, if a menu option is dimmed, it can not be selected.
4.5.3 Setting up the Screen Format.
Now that the data file is loaded, the screen format can be loaded in a similar manner. Screen formats were prepared to optimize and simplify display of data contained in the dBASE records. dBASE records are composed of a series of fields. The PORT_TRA.DBF contains 95 fields, SOFTWARE.DBF contains 44 fields, and the ANC_COMM.DBF has 55 fields. Field names may contain up to 10 characters but must follow DOS-like rules (no spaces, some characters not allowed, etc). If a screen format is not used, records will be displayed in the default dBASE format which lists fields in the order they were established, displays the dBASE field name, or label, at the beginning of a line, and assigns a separate line for each field. The screen formats developed for the Directory show data in a more readable manner, i.e. FIELD names were made more descriptive than the dBASE III Plus default names, names were often longer than 10 characters, all keyboard characters were able to be used, and FIELD information was arranged where desired on the screen. The screen formats are identical to records reproduced in the hard copy Directory of Mobile Meteorological Equipment and Capabilities.
As an example, to load the PORT_TRA screen format, move to the [SET UP] menu, select [FORMAT FOR SCREEN], and press [ENTER]. A window will appear on the right for drive selection. Select the drive in which the Directory disk is located and press [ENTER]. A menu of three screen formats will appear, select [PORT_TRA.FMT] and press [ENTER]. The database file and its associated screen format are now loaded.
4.5.4 Viewing Records.
To view the first record, use the arrow keys and move to the [UPDATE] menu, select [EDIT], and press [ENTER]. The first screen of the record, DOPPLER ACOUSTIC SOUNDER will be displayed. A complete record requires three screens, so press [PGDN] to view the other two screens. The page number shown on the bottom center of the third screen is applicable to the hard copy version of the Directory. The hard copy version, however, combines the three screens on one printed page.
Pressing [PGDN] a fourth time will show the first screen of the second record, the C BAND WEATHER RADAR. Note that the position selection bar at the bottom of the screen will read "Rec 2/111. dBASE has an internal record pointer system that indicates the position of records in the manner in which they were entered or sorted. Since the three databases are sorted by DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, CATEGORY OF APPLICATION, AND POINT OF CONTACT (POC), record numbers are in that order. Since title sheets, and entries from the other two databases are included in the hard copy version, page numbers shown on the third screen will increase as records are viewed, but some blocks of page numbers will be skipped.
A second method to view records is through use of the BROWSE function. Press [ESC] to return to the ASSISTANT menus, and access [BROWSE] from the [UPDATE] menu by moving to that choice and pressing [ENTER]. The help window at the top of the screen can be removed or recalled by pressing the [F1] key. Up to 17 records, each record appearing on a line, can be displayed. Since each record requires more horizontal space than one screen, pan across the record by depressing the [CTRL] key and using the right or left arrows to view the entire record. Scroll through the records by using the up/down arrow keys. The column labels are dBASE field names. If help is needed to interpret their meaning, refer to the data entry sheets in Appendix A where they are defined. For example, the dBASE field name SYSNAME is defined as "system name". The record number of the highlighted system is shown in the position status bar at the bottom of the screen.
The BROWSE function is useful to quickly scan specific fields to visually search for systems with desired characteristics. For example, there may be a need to scan the vendor field of the PORT_TRA.DBF to find systems fabricated by a specific organization. Another use is to quickly located records that can be viewed in their entirety. As an example, scroll down to a specific system such as the METEOROLOGICAL DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM (record number 31). Press [ESC], which returns to [UPDATE] menu of the main screen. Move to the [EDIT] selection and press [ENTER]. The first screen of the METEOROLOGICAL DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM record will be displayed. Use [PGDN] to view the other two screens.
Specific records can also be accessed by use of the POSITION menu. Move to the [POSITION] menu and select the [GOTO RECORD] choice. Press [ENTER]. A small window will open to the right with the choices: [TOP], [BOTTOM], or [RECORD] shown. Selecting [TOP] changes the dBASE record pointer to record 1. Selecting [BOTTOM] moves the pointer to the last record in the database, and [RECORD] moves the pointer to a specific record that must be entered. After selecting a choice, return to the [UPDATE] menu, select [EDIT], and press [ENTER]. The record chosen will be displayed. After viewing, press [ESC] to return to the main menu screen.
The [LOCATE] option allows organization of the procedures to select desired records. As an example, all US Army, R&D (research and development status) portable-transportable systems will be located:
The LOCATE option is executed, and the number of the first database record that meets the criteria (US ARMY, R&D) will appear in the lower left portion of the screen. That record is number 49. Press any key to continue, then open [EDIT] from the [UPDATE] menu to view that record. Press [ESC] to exit viewing record 49, move to the [POSITION] menu once again, and select [CONTINUE]; press [ENTER]. The LOCATE operation is repeated, and the second record meeting the criteria (record 50) is found. To view it, repeat the process just described. The entire process is repeated to view all records meeting the established criteria of US ARMY, R&D systems (records 49, 50, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, and 72).
In this example and others to follow, additional conditions may be added before invoking the [EXECUTE COMMAND] choice. After a specific condition is entered, choose [COMBINE WITH .AND.] option to establish additional search constraints. When all constraints are entered, choose [NO MORE CONDITIONS] and [EXECUTE THE COMMAND] to complete the operation.
Note: Character strings must be an exact replica of the data entered in that field. For example: U.S. ARMY, ARMY, US Army, entries can NOT be used as a replacement for US ARMY. Browse through the records or refer to the data entry sheets found in Appendix A to determine standard data entries.
4.6 Manipulation of Records
4.6.1 Introduction.
Records can be arranged, sorted, displayed, and organized through the many dBASE program options, and viewed on-screen or sent to a printer. Some of the more common and simple organizational methods will be presented, along with examples of their application to the Directory. In the following discussions and examples, the PORT_TRA.DBF will used, however, the procedures described apply equally as well to SOFTWARE and ANC_COMM databases.
4.6.2 Printing dBASE Outputs.
The dBASE software program has print drivers which will function with practically all types of printers. Because of the simplicity of these drivers, special effects and fonts must be set-up in advance of printing through use of a font manager program, the printer control panel, or special utility software. Whatever font or paper orientation, lines per page, or other variables that the printer is initially set to, will not be altered when using the ASSISTANT menus of dBASE. The HP Laser Jet Series II printer will be used as the selected printer in the following discussions.
4.6.3. The Retrieve Menu.
Functions possible using the RETRIEVE menu will likely satisfy most users. Data manipulation tools for most applications use procedures similar to those outlined in [LOCATE] discussed in Section 4.4.4. They are:
4.6.4. List and Display Functions.
The LIST and DISPLAY options are similar. In the ASSISTANT mode, the LIST function would be more applicable to situations were printouts are needed, and DISPLAY to on-screen viewing.
LIST enables printing selected information from database records. If information is viewed on screen, and more than one screen of information is included in the operation, it scrolls until all data is displayed. Scrolling can be halted by pressing [CTRL-S], but that command is not effective with the fast clock speed of personal computers currently available to most users.
DISPLAY conversely, stops after every screen display, and could be printed using the [SHIFT-PRT SC] function. However, if more than one screen width of data for each record occurs, data wraps to succeeding lines, and printouts are cluttered.
To use the LIST option, select that option.
To use the same example described in Section 4.5.4 to show a simple LIST procedure, the following steps would be used:
4.6.5. Reports.
Reports are essentially tables produced by creating a program from the [CREATE] menu. They have a .frm dBASE file extension. Unless modified, they will produce the same output table each time the program is executed. A simple report is included that will list fields: SYSNAME, ACRONYM DEPT, AGENCY, CATAPPL, WEIGHT, and PAGE_NO information for all PORT_TRA records. To use this file:
Reports enable labeling columns in more descriptive form than the internal dBASE names produced by [LIST], and overall, produces a more readable output than other retrieval options. The table produced by the sample report program is a simple listing, however, it could have been designed to output discriminated records by using the [BUILD A SEARCH CONDITION] procedure outlined above. Reports can also be sent to the screen for display, but that option is usually unsatisfactory because of the scrolling problem discussed previously.
4.6.6. Queries.
QUERY files are another method to filter or discriminate records. When using the dBASE ASSISTANT, they have the added advantage of enabling the search for numerical or character strings not in exact format of the record entry. For example, in discussions concerning the LOCATE function (Section 4.4.4), an exact replica of the input data is mandatory for search functions. U.S.ARMY, ARMY, ARMY FORCES could not be used to find the agency US ARMY. The QUERY function allows the word ARMY as the filter to find any record with that character string in a specified field. QUERY files are established at the CREATE menu and entail selecting fields and discriminating operators, such as MATCHES, BEGINS WITH, ENDS WITH, CONTAINS, COMES AFTER, ETC. A sample QUERY file to demonstrate the selection of systems capable of using solar power is included on the Directory floppy disk. The discriminating operator [CONTAINS] was used to isolate records that had the word SOLAR in the POWER field. To illustrate this example:
If the REPORT option were chosen instead of LIST and the example described above setup and executed, the 10 systems capable of using solar power would be printed in the report file SUMM_PT.FRM format.
4.6.7. Organize Menu.
The ORGANIZE menu enables indexing, sorting, and copying file information.
INDEXING and SORTING are methods to rearrange records so they are in a particular order, which speeds up performing certain operations such as finding records matching a particular character string. Directory .dbf files are currently sorted by DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, CATEGORY OF APPLICATION, and POINT OF CONTACT. If the use of SORTING and INDEXING functions are needed, refer to the dBASE Reference manual. The COPY command enables copying selected fields to form a new database file. This function is not applicable to most Directory users needs.
4.7 Use of dBASE files with Alternative Commercial Software.
The most popular category of database software programs are commonly termed xBASE. Programs in this category, which include dBASE, FoxPro, and Clipper, have a common structure and command language. dBASE was the early leader in the xBASE group because of its comprehensiveness and power. In recent years, other commercially available software has been developed that will accept dBASE files and allow extensive data manipulations. The following Section will summarize procedures to import .dbf files from the FLOPPY DISK DIRECTORY to selected alternative, off-the-self database software. Once imported, many sorting, listing and other manipulations common to dBASE can be performed as described in appropriate manuals supplied with those programs. The software noted will enable, at a minimum, listing and retrieve procedures that should be adequate for most Directory users.
4.7.1 Boreland International, Inc. Database Software. The programs dBASE IV and dBASE for Windows will accept Directory files as is, and can be opened directly from menu or dot prompt commands. Paradox requires more manipulation. First Select "Tools", and then "ExportImport" from the main menu. Select "Import" from the next menu. Click on "dBASE" as the type of file to be imported. Enter the DOS path to the Directory files, and indicate the name of the Directory data base that is to be imported, such as "SOFTWARE". Next enter a name for the new Paradox Table that will be established. The same name "SOFTWARE" can be used. RAPIDFILE is a simple database program than converts .dbf files to an .rpd extension. Field length, and types are taken from the dBASE III Plus database.
4.7.2 FoxPro (Fox Software, Inc). Since FoxPro and dBASE are compatible, simply click on the "File" menu of the opening screen, then "Open". Specify the DOS path as well as the Directory .dbf file desired.
4.7.3 Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation). Click on the "Open" command from the "File" menu. Specify the DOS path to the Directory files. Type *.dbf in the file name box and click on "OK" to see all the Directory files. When the desired Directory .dbf is selected, such as SOFTWARE, the program automatically converts the file as it is loaded. dBASE field names are placed in first row of a new Excel Worksheet, and subsequently uses them as field names in the Excel database. Each field names appear in a different worksheet column. The Directory listings appear in rows immediately under each field name.
4.7.4 R:BASE (Microrim, Inc. Microsoft). Select "FileGateway" from the menu. FileGateway allows transfer of data to and from other file formats. Select the DBF (dBASE II or III) option from the "Import" menu. Specify the DOS path and Directory filename of the database to be imported. Next, specify the database and table into which the data will be imported. Select a "New" table, and a File Conversion Editor will be presented to assist in the creation of a new table.
4.7.5 Lotus 1-2-3 (Lotus Development Corporation). Open the "Translate" utility, and specify a translation from dBASE III Plus to 1-2-3. Specify the DOS path to the Directory files, as well as the file name of the desired Directory database. Press "Enter" and the file is converted to Lotus 1-2-3. dBASE fields are assigned to columns from right to left. Each record becomes a row in the Lotus spreadsheet. Field names become column titles.
4.7.6 Q&A (Symantec Corporation). dBASE files may be directly imported to Q&A version 4.0 or later. Previous Q&A versions will accept .dbf files, but slightly different procedures are used. The programs reads the design form of the dBASE file and creates a new file with an identical design. After specifying a file to be imported, a Format Spec is displayed for review; press F10 to continue the importing process. Since the Directory contains date and numeric fields, the Global Format Spec is next shown for review. Press F10 and the data is imported.
4.7.7 Other. In addition to the software listed, dBASE III Plus .dbf files may be directly or indirectly imported to certain graphics and wordprocessing software. For example, the Corel DB Editor sub-program of Corel Draw Version 5.0 (Corel Corporation) will directly import dBASE .dbf files. WordPerfect Version 6.0 (WordPerfect Corporation) will accept .dbf files indirectly. Since Wordperfect will import both Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 files, it is possible to have the Directory .dbf files converted to either of these latter formats for application to a computer system with only WordPerfect Version 6.0 software available.