Main Screen

Instructions

Books Database (07/09/00)

VB6 Books Application (07/09/00)

Book Librarian Main Windows

Books Librarian HELP

• Description
  BookLib simply displays the books.mdb database and allows you to add, edit, and delete records. Sorting is allowed by book name. You can select which books are displayed on the basis of the VB version they support. You can also print the diplayed list in a variety of formats and you can search the database for information found in any field.

  One of the key search features is that you're allowed to create and save your own SQL queries to maximize your ability to view the database in any way that you want!

• Database Format
  The BookLib database consists of the following fields. The exact name of the fields are given first, followed by a short description of the content of the field:
  • Name: The book title
  • Authors: All of the authors
  • Publisher: Publishing company
  • ISBN: ISBN identifier
  • Price: Cost of the book in U.S. dollars
  • PublishDate: Date book was published (not just the most recent printing)
  • Special: Items of special interest contained in the book
  • ReviewDate: Date the book was reviewed
  • Commnets: The book review
  • Code: Unique 4 letter identifer
  • VB6: Boolean identifier indicating that the book covers VB6 topics
  • VB5: Boolean identifier indicating that the book covers VB5 topics
  • VB4: Boolean identifier indicating that the book covers VB4 topics
  • VB3: Boolean identifier indicating that the book covers VB3 topics
  • VBA: Boolean identifier indicating that the book covers VBA topics
  • VBScript: Boolean identifier indicating that the book covers VBScript topics
  • Inhand: Whether I have the book in my library
  • Rating: Rating given to the book (1-10)
  • TableofContents: The complete Table of Contents
  • ExcludefromPrint: Boolean indicator use in code to skip the book during print options
  • Top10: Boolean indicate that the book has been chosen as one of the top 10 books
  • StrengthBeginner: Boolean indicator that the contents is best suited for Beginner programmers
  • StrengthIntermediate: Boolean indicator that the contents is best suited for Intermediate or Advanced programmers
  • StrengthInternet: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about Internet programming
  • StrengthSetup: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about using the Setup Wizard for distributing applications
  • StrengthDatabase: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about database programming
  • StrengthObjects: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about ActiveX Objects
  • StrengthAPI: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about API usage
  • StrengthCDROM: Boolean indicator that the book provides a CDROM with source code or other free software
  • StrengthGraphics: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about graphics
  • StrengthSerial: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about serial ports
  • StrengthParallel: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about parallel ports
  • StrengthHELP: Boolean indicator that the book contains reasonable content about HELP in VB applications

• Operation
  Once running click on the book you want to edit, then make changes in the textboxes or to the various checkbox options. There is no undo function and any changes you make are always saved.

• Searching
  You can search the database for any string (no boolean searches). Simply type in the string and press enter. You can search from the top of the recordset or from the current record.

• Options
  BookLib supports 3 options, whose values are saved in the registry for use in later sessions.
  • Confirm before delete
    Choose whether to confirm the deletion of a record. No confirmation is used for adding new records.
  • Search all fields
    Select between searching just through the site name or to include all fields in the search
  • Search from top
    You can choose to start your search from the currently selected record, or always start the search from the top record.

• Printing
  Printing is done against whatever list is showing in the listbox. Print options include:
  • Print the form image to the printer
    Uses the built-in form printing capability of VB.
  • Print the list of book names to the printer
    List includes book name, authors, price, ISBN and publisher.

• Export option
  My ISP uses UNIX machines which do not support Microsoft products. In particular the server does not provide a database server which can read Access files. To get around that I export my entire database as a text file and use that along with some Perl scripts to dynamically create my web pages. As part of the export process, I make two string substitutions. Fields are separated by ";;;" and in the Review and Table of Contents fields, line breaks are converted to ":::". This greatly simplifies how easily I can read the files with my CGI scripts. Feel free to download my CGI scripts to see how I handle the databases.

• SQL option
  The program uses SQL to select and sort the records. I've allowed you the option to input an SQL statement of your own for use in accessing the database. The most recent SQL string will be displayed as the default for the feature or you can use the dropdown listbox to see all of the SQL queries you've previously submitted. Use this, for example, to limit the display to books which support the version of VB that you're interested in seeing. Since it's SQL, you can roll your own criteria.