UTILITIES

A collection of programs, applications and demos for you to download and try out. Many are free and unrestricted.

This page has been adapted from the original version copied from the former website of the Masterfile Pro User Group (MPUG).
Owing to prolonged illness the author of that site was unable to keep it up to date, and he kindly gave permission to copy material here.

UNDER DEVELOPMENT

CALC.DPLs features include

• Full mouse, keyboard and / or numeric keypad control
  

• Add, subtract, divide, multiply
  
• Percentage key
  
• Square root
  
• Memory function
  
• Specify and add / subtract tax (VAT)
  
• Specify and subtract discount
  
• Integral 'tillroll'
  
• Print 'tillroll'
  
• Save calculations to disk with description and date / time stamp

CALC.DPL requires an M-Pro version of 28 Feb 98 or later plus VIEWPRT.DPL to run.

DPL.DAT DPL.DAT J.Campbell Download size 35 kB Released Feb 98

DPL.DAT is a data file containing all (E)DPL programming statements and keywords with examples of use. UPDATED Feb '98

Originally from the author of M-PRO, DPL.DAT contains all (E)DPL programming statements, keywords as well as examples of use. Using the familiar data file navigation keys you can easily find and display details on a particular programming statement making it a useful alternative to the OLM.

Also included in the zip file is DPL.DPL, a compiled 'front-end' programme by Ian Simpson through which to view the data file. The programme offers easier navigation around the file and also allows you to send the example code straight to the clipboard for inclusion in your project. DPL.DPL also allows EDITOR.DPL (see the beta-test list) to use the data file for on-line help.

FONEBOOK.DAT Author Download size 106 kB Released Mar 98

A handy look-up data file for anyone who deals with addresses or telephone numbers.

FONEBOOK.DAT is a data file of over 7000 records containing details on...

• U.K. towns with county, STD and postcodes
  

• International dialing codes
  
• British Telecom sales and service numbers
  
• Orange mobile network sales and service numbers

BT and Orange numbers kindly supplied by Mike Fletcher.

The ZIP file does not contain any index files, just regenerate them via <Alt-I><A> once you have unzipped it.

FRONTEND.DPL Author Ian Simpson Download size 29 kB Released Apr 97

NEW v2.4 ! Create your own customised menu-driven front-end "RES.DPL". No coding skills required, even the setup is menu driven !

FRONTEND.DPL is a compiled programme designed to be loaded inplace of the default RES.DPL allowing you to create your own customised 'desktop' and navigate round your application(s) with ease.

Help is supplied via FRONTEND.TXT, (included in the ZIP file) which can be viewed as a simple text file or whilst the programme is running, although this does require VIEWPRT.DPL (supplied with M-Pro).

STANDARD FEATURES:

Define your own

• Caption to over-write the usual M-Pro signature
  

• Welcome panel - a window displayed mid-screen with your personalised message.
  
• Topic line
  
• Menu options with menu help text. The options can be anything; open a file, switch to another drive or directory, show a directory listing, even run a macro or compiled EDPL programme.
  
• 'Exit' library - Upto 18 user defined '$.BAT' options allowing you to launch straight into another programme when you finish your M-pro session or even adjourn M-Pro, run a DOS batch file and return to M-Pro where you left off.

ADVANCED FEATURES:

• Password protect the programme against unauthorised access.
  

• Lock your setup to prevent unauthorised alteration.
  
• Specify alternative backdrop text e.g. your company name.
  
• Specify an opening sequence e.g. go straight to a specific file on start-up.
  
• Toggle the use of <Alt-Letter> to access the topic line.
  
• Customise the menu style and colours.
  
• Prevent menu bar 'roll-over'

NEW IN v2.4:

• All function keys now accessible whilst a menu is showing.
  

• New advanced option to inhibit programme running on startup if previously adjourned. (i.e. boot straight to last task)
  
• 'Task' menu now via <F9> - <F8> used for quick access to CALC.DPL

The version offered here is the latest version although the advanced features are inhibited and there is a nag screen that will drive you crazy.

MUG members can get the same features although the nag screen will only appear once, on initial start-up. The full unrestricted version is aimed at the commercial user/developer.

MUG members should contact the author with their M-Pro serial number for their copy.

SMARTCAL.DPL Author Ian Simpson Download size 12 kB Released Mar 98

Alternative pop-up calendar with a host of features.

SMARTCAL.DPL requires an M-Pro version of 30 Jul 97 or later to run.

Also included in the zip file is SMARTCAL.TXT, a simple text help file which can be viewed on its own or via <F1> when the programme is running.

Features include:

• Full mouse control.
  

• Specify the date you want the calendar to start at.
  
• Jump backwards or forwards to any date.
  
• Jump backwards or forwards by any period of days, weeks, months or years.
  
• Display the time elapsed between any two dates.
  
• Save the time elapsed between any two dates.
  
• Save the date under the cursor.
  
• Temporarily hide the display and view the original screen .
  
• Edit/display notable dates and associated messages.
  
• Display alarm clock entries.
  
• View/alter alarm clock entries.
  
• Customise display settings.
  
• Toggle alternative paper colour to highlight current month.

SMARTCAL.DPL is FREEWARE.

No inhibited functions and no nag screens. !

Beta testers were wanted

The following programmes were under development. Try them if you wish. A volunteer is needed to continue their development.

EDITOR.DPL Author Ian Simpson Download size 16 kB Released Sep 97

A compiled programme to help write... DREC and WDEF statements MENUs Complete source code for viewing DAT files.

EDITOR.DPL is a compiled programme to help write common EDPL routines. No coding skills are required, just follow the prompts and the code is sent to the clipboard ready for inclusion in your latest project ! When used in conjunction with DPL.DPL you can go straight to a problem statement in DPL.DAT (see working demos list) to remind yourself of any relevent keywords etc.

The generated code is well laid out and easy to follow and includes notes to warn you of any potential problems e.g. specified index not active.

In its present form EDITOR.DPL can write....

• DRECs - Select the target data file off a menu, pick the fields you want to include, the index you want to use and it's done. No more getting the number of skipped fields wrong or specifying an incorrect data type !
  

• WDEF statements - drag a window to the size and location on screen you want, set your prefered colour scheme and window style, add text if required and then hit <Enter>. Forget the 'Well maybe a bit up and to the left...' See what the result looks like BEFORE you write it down.
  
• MENUs - Just type in your heading and option lines then drag the resultant menu to the desired size and location on screen and set the colour scheme and style.
  
• COMPLETE SOURCE CODE FOR VIEWING DATA FILES. - You just pick an existing data file off a menu, highlight the formats you want the end-user to be able to use, select the index you want to display the records in and that's it. About 1.5kB of easy-to-follow custom code for around a dozen keystrokes !

The zip file also includes EDITOR.TXT, a simple text file with details on how to use the programme.

MODULE.DPL v2.0 Author Ian Simpson Download size 60kB Released Feb 98

A compiled programme stuffed full of routines you can use to enhance your existing applications or use to take the strain out of developing new ones. It comes complete with its own OLM describing each feature including sample code for you to try out.

MODULE.DPL offers the following features...

• Run a pre-start check for an applications system files.

  •   - Create a list of missing files.
    
  •   - Automatically regenerate missing data index files.
• Generate and display a 'fancy logo' style backdrop.
  
• Generate and display a 'No Task' style screen.
  •   - Display 'FRONTPAN.TXT' or define your own file.
• Check DPL programmes for possible conflict with current task.
  
• Rebuild and re-organise a datafile.
  
• Display messages for your own DPL programmes.
  
• Create dynamic structured menus with dimmable options and menuhelp text for your own DPL programmes.
  
• Browse a datafile as a menu. - Does just about everything BRMENU does plus a whole lot more.
  
• Load data into the M-Pro clipboard.
  
• Locate a word in a text file or variable
  
• Define and use a narrow edit box. - Great for user changeable variables embedded in menus etc.
  
• Customise M-Pro and your application
  
• Display a menu of printers and change driver
  
• Extract current printer system settings
  
• Convert a table into a menu
  
• Two-way translation of a table
  
• Display a confirmation panel with option help text.
  
• Display a multi-choice response panel with option help text
  
• Offer the contents of a DREC as a menu

MODULE.DPL has been designed to be as 'MPro-ish' as possible. You simply specify the feature you want in much the same way as you would any M-Pro EDPL statement, CALL the programme and that's it !

Although some of the features included in MODULE.DPL have since been incorporated into M-Pro a lot of them are not. Whether you are a serious developer or just a casual user, you will find it useful.

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