JFedit 5 Documentation
Overview
JFedit 5 is a Windows 95/98/NT application to view and edit JFile 5 format databases for the Palm Computing(R) Platform.
Features
- Small, optimized application for Windows 95/98/Millenium/NT/2000/XP
- Opening, installing and saving of JFile 5.x databases
- Shows your data in a fully editable spreadsheet-like grid
- Supports nearly all options of JFile 5
- Decryption, Encryption, Calculation Fields, Multiple Popup, Advanced Filter, Load/Save of Sort and Filter setting and more
- Font setting including worldwide fonts
- Neat database printout of all or only filtered records
- Import, append and export for common desktop database programs
- Documentation and online help menu
- Updates are free of charge
- Requires only 1 meg harddrive space
Hint
Please notice, that JFile 5 uses a new database format. JFile4.xx and JFile 3.xx don't open this format, so saved /installed databases don't come up in that versions.
Installation
There are no special installation requirements. Just copy the unzipped folder in your program file folder. You can do this by 'drag and drop' on the desktop or by using the Windows Explorer. Then launch the exe-file. You may want to create an icon on your desktop to easily launch the application if you use it frequently.
Support and Suggestions
Please visit www.hugoland.de for more information or support. You may also contact info@hugoland.de.
Limitation of the free trial version
There is a unlimited trial period of 30 days.
Registration
Select "Information" from the "Register" menu. After entering the valid registration key, the application switch oneself to the unlimited full version. For getting the registration key, please visit: www.hugoland.de or www.palmgear.com or www.handango.com .
Tip! Don't worry, if you don't find the "Register" menu in your program version. In this case JFedit has found your previous registration information and switched oneself to the unlimited full version
Update
Please visit frequently www.hugoland.de for a update of JFedit 5. Download the current free trial version. If a previous registered version is installed, there is no need to re-enter the key. In this case the update switch oneself to the unlimited full version.
Distribution
The trial version of JFEdit 5 is free to distribute. A notification by email is expected for any distribution on CD-ROM, DVD and major web site.
Standard Disclaimers Apply
Although care has been taken to insure a bug-free program, we will not be help responsible for any malfunctions as a result of the use of this program, particularly in the case of lost data.
Creating a new database
Select "New" from the "File" menu. This will open a dialog box requesting the new database name and size (in columns and rows). The user will then have the ability to add data to each cell and save the information as a JFile 5 database. The obvious field type is 'String' and can be changed after in the Properties dialog. (see Properties)
Opening an existing database
Select "Open" from the "File" menu. This will open the standard "open file" dialog box. The user is required to select a .pdb (Palm(R) DataBase formatted) file to be opened by the application. Generally the initial directory of the open dialog shows exactly the directory, where databases have been backed up from your Handheld. (see: Properties) The directory may contain not only JFile5 files. Try those files with a name similar to the JFile5 database name. Note that when JFedit saves a database, it will create a backup of the old database (if it is in the same directory) with a .pd_ extension. You will need to select the file type to "All Files (*.*)" to view these files.
Save a database
Please notice, that JFEdit5 use the JFile5 database format. JFile 4.xx and 3.xx doesn't open this format, so you can't use the saved /installed databases with this versions. (see: www.hugoland.de to access these databases)
From the "File" menu, select "Save" or "Save As" to save the information in the cells as a JFile5 database. If the user has already selected the database file name by opening it as a JFile5 database or previously saving it, then "Save" will save the database with the previously selected database name and location. To select a new database filename and location, use the "Save As" menu item. When saving a database with a filename that already exists in that location, the previous database will be backed up as a ".pd_" file type. Unless you use the "Install" from the "File" menu, it is not advisable to save the database in the Handheld "backup" directory with the same filename as the original database. The file may be overwritten during the next Hotsync(R).
Install a database
Please notice, that JFedit 5 use the JFile 5 database format. JFile 4.xx and 3.xx doesn't open this format, so you can't use the saved /installed databases with this versions(see: www.hugoland.de for access these databases).
From the "File" menu, select "Install". Your database is now prepared to be send to the Handheld by the next Hotsync(R). That's saying, that after one or as well several installing you have to launch the Palm Computing(R) Desktop application and click "Install" or the Palm Computing(R) InstApp application to see the databases on your Handheld. Generally the databases will be saved at the same time in "backup" directory. (see: Properties)
Importing and exporting data to and from JFedit 5 (Converting data)
Select "Import" or "Export" from the "File" menu to import or export a comma separated (delimited) , tab separated, or semicolon separated file. These files are generally a .csv or .txt file type and are useful to import and export data to and from different database or spreadsheet applications including MS Access and MS Excel. For example, if you have an Excel spreadsheet, you can export it as a comma separated file (.csv) and "import" it into JFedit to be saved as a JFile5 database. Notice, that the export file doesn't include the field width and field type settings and none of the other options. The export shows only filtered records.
Appending database
Select "Append" the "File" menu to append a comma separated (delimited), tab separated, or semicolon separated file. The appended file doesn't change the field name and type settings and none of the other options of the existing database. Records, that doesn't fit, will be cut off.
Editing the Database Information
To edit the database information in JFedit use the following commands.
- Highlight a cell by single clicking on it. Type text into the cell to change the cell text.
- The tab, cursor and PageUp/Down keys will move the highlight from cell to cell.
- Double click the cell to "expand" it and see the full 4000-character entry and depending of the field type the time, date and popup entry.
- Modify the width of the columns by selecting and "pulling" the line between the columns in the top row.
- Right click on a cell to cut/copy/paste a cell/row or to open the edit/properties dialog.
- To sort on a column, select any item in that column and select "Sort Normal" or "Sort Reverse" from the "Tools" menu or use the sort / advanced sort panel, you can find in the Properties.
- Drag and drop row/column by "pulling" the very first field of the row/column.
- Append, Insert, or Delete a column or row by highlighting the row/column and selecting the appropriate command from the "Tools" menu.
- Select auto-width for a comfortable viewing of your database cells. The original width setting of the Handheld will be restored.
- To see the field type and the column total set the mouse pointer to the first row.
Select "Properties" in the "Edit" menu.
Tip! This is the major control centre. It's highly recommend to have a look at JFile documentation to understand all this smart features of JFile, which are fully supported by JFedit. .Printing the database
- Database: You can change the name and all settings of the database
- Field: Tip! Notice, that the last clicked and high lighted row in the grid determines the field for the changes. Beside the field name, the field type and the width of the column you may set various of additional features depending of the field type.
- Popup: Comes up, if you select the popup type. You can append a new entry, delete, cut and paste a popup item or sort the list.
- Filter: You can enter filter string, select the search fields and include or exclude the corresponding records.
- Advance Filter: You can enter filter string, select the search fields and include or exclude the corresponding records.
- Sort: You can select the secondary and tertiary sort fields and the reverse the sort order.
- Load/Save: You can save and load up to 5 Advanced Filter and 5 Sort profiles.
- Application: Select the user for installing the database by Hotsync (see above: Install). If the checkmarks "Initial directory is Handheld's backup dir" and "Backup at Install" are switched on, the open dialog first shows the Handheld's backup directory and your database will be saved with the previously name and location by installing (see Opening/Install) The Expert mode disable the confirmation dialog for deleting and resetting the column widths by saving and set the password character to * . The Automatic right justification set the align right for numerical fields.
The printout of large databases is separated in the pages 1.1, 1.2,1.3, ... for all the fields of the first set of records. Then it continues with pages 2.1, 2.2, 2.3. The printed width of the fields depends of the settings in the visible grid of JFedit5 including the font setting. It's recommend to the check this before printing. The printout shows only filtered records.
FAQ JFedit
Q: I can't see my database on the Palm.
A: There are three possible reasons. a) In any cases you have to install the JFile application on your palm. You can download a free trial version at Land-J Technologies JFile Application. b) Click on Install in the File menu of JFedit. Then launch the Palm hotsync application. c) Please notice, that JFile and JFile Pro / JFile 4 and JFile 5 use three different database format. JFedit 5 opens and installs only JFile 5 database format.
Q: I have unzipped the downloaded file. And now?A: The programs do not require any installation. Just copy the unzipped folder in your program file folder. You can do this by 'drap and drop' on the desktop or by using the Windows Explorer. Then launch the exe-file. You may want to create an icon on your desktop to easily launch the application if you use it frequently.
Q: My computer has crashed and have to reinstall all my software. But JFedit doesn't accept the registration key.
A: Please send me a mail to info@hugoland.de and , if you are faced with this problem.
Q: I wanted to evaluate JFedit, but every time I run it, it tells me that the demo has expired (I only downloaded it this morning) I was wondering if you could tell me what to do to get it running??A: Please send me a mail to info@hugoland.de , if you are faced with this problem.
Q: What Windows data base file formats can I export JFedit data into? Does it support DBF file formats? Can I use Jfile data in Lotus Approach with your program's conversion ability?
A: Please use the ASCII - text (CSV, TAB) import of your software. JFedit has both export settings.
Q: Do you have a y2k patch that will give me a 4 digit "2000" year for your date field in JFedit ?
A: Please change your Windows data format setting to MM.DD.YYYY You can do it this way: Go to Start -> Preference - > System Setting -> Location - > Date/Time
Q: I didn't see any relevant information to my problem here.A: Please note the update history and download the current version. Feel free for contact info@hugoland.de for more information or support.