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A question about the clock.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

21 Apr 21 14:09

Hello,
I am translating a book for my class "How programming started ..." from English to Spanish. However, I did not answer a question from a student.

A week ago, during a dBase brush up; while we were examining ASSIST, he asked me: "how does the clock works continuously" referring to a clock put at the beginning of the page which, with the program not working, showed the actual time running the hour, minutes and seconds.
I was afraid of this question; I had already examined the code, but without results and the book I had was very frugally with the matter.
I couldn't answer the question. sad

Is there someone who can help me with the dBase code for this watch?

Thanks very much.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 1 · 2021-04-22 14:33:47

RE: A question about the clock.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

22 Apr 21 14:33

Nobody?

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 2 · 2021-04-22 15:41:01

Hi Rosciano,
When you say Clock, I assume you are referring to the time function.
At the dot prompt type ? TIME()
or as follows:-

. ? time()
you will then see the time displayed.

Phil Thoms

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 3 · 2021-04-23 12:34:58

I knew the funtion TIME(), it returns the system time in a string of characters: "hh: mm: ss", but it is static, it does not move.
I would like to continue giving the time without having to ask again.

Example:
"hh: mm: 01"
"hh: mm: 02"
"hh: mm: 03"
...and so on

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 4 · 2021-04-23 14:21:19

Hi,
I think you have to get the time from the server, but I need to look into this further.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 5 · 2021-04-23 15:00:02

I tried with different dBase codes, but none worked:

One example:

do while .not. eof()
store substr(time(),1,8) to waa
@ 24,70 say waa
enddo

I hope you find the correct code...

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 6 · 2021-04-23 17:20:37

This code also works, but it doesn't let me go further...

ct=0
do while ct<>1
store substr(time(),1,8) to waa
@ 24,70 say waa
enddo

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 7 · 2021-04-24 07:49:31

Your coding won't work as a continuous time because it will only be activated once when you run your program.
I assume you are using Dbase III plus. If so the time always appears in the top right hand corner of the screen in the assistant menu as it used to be called.

Dbase III plus therefore uses the system settings for this purpose.

Phil T

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 8 · 2021-04-24 12:20:59

Yes, I am using dBase III Plus v1.1. The time indeed appears in the top right hand corner of the screen in the Assistant Menu.
I tried to convert TIME()in a normal variable, but nothing, same thing.

Since time() is a function whose result is a string of characters ("hh:mm:ss"), why not take advantage of this condition and use the string?

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 9 · 2021-04-25 10:01:35

Hi,
Set Clock on and set clock to (position on screen) was introduced in the first windows version of dBase. I used dBase III plus for a short time only and thereafter migrated to FoxPro 2 for DOS and shortly after to FoxPro 2.6 Windows. I currently use Visual FoxPro 6. The FoxPro language is the same as dBase but the updates were far more frequent. I will try to find any useful time() function programs which may be of interest.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 10 · 2021-04-25 12:19:06

I hope they haven't mixed FoxPro and dBase with the clock...

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 11 · 2021-04-26 07:25:25

Hi,
The FoxPro updates were more frequent than dBase and the clock settings appeared in the first windows version Dbase 5.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 12 · 2021-04-26 08:56:23

RE: A question about the clock.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

26 Apr 21 08:56

dBase 5??

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 13 · 2021-04-27 06:41:13

Yes, dBase 5 or to be more accurate dBase V.

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 14 · 2021-04-27 10:24:06

To add to my previous post; dBase V was first released in 1994 followed soon after by a Windows version. I think version 8.1 is the latest.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 15 · 2021-05-02 07:23:20

RE: A question about the clock.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

2 May 21 07:23

So, I would better forget it...

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 16 · 2021-05-02 08:01:57

Hi,
Yes, I think it wise to forget it for now. You could try to get a copy of dBase V.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 17 · 2021-05-02 08:33:03

You mean that whit dBase V I could find an answer?

I don't explain how they could put a code of dBase V when this didn't exist yet...

ponder

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 18 · 2021-05-02 08:42:08

A lot of updates were put into dBase V and there was also a Windows version, so yes I think the clock/time parameters were more flexible.

I don't understand your last sentence, please clarify.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 19 · 2021-05-02 09:37:35

I do not understand how they could put a dBase V code when it (dBase V) did not exist yet ...
Is clear enough?

(Meanwhile, they came to my house to vaccinate me against Covid (I am in a wheelchair))
wink

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 20 · 2021-05-03 06:49:37

In dBase V it was possible for the user to add the clock to a to an individual program and specify its location on the screen.
The commands for this; Set Clock on or off) and Set Clock to [row, column].
New versions of dBase contained improvements on the previous version; dBase III plus contained commands that dBase III dis not have and dBase III had commands that dBase II did not have, etc. dBase is now up to version 8.1

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 21 · 2021-05-03 15:02:05

Here I have a couple of old (used) books from the "Qsborne / McGraw-Hill", both original from 1977, and in any of them, specifically in Using dBase III Plus, the famous clock already appears on the ASSIST page.

In 1977?

I have no idea when dBase V came out, but surely AFTER dBase III, dBase IV and before they wrote it in these old books, let alone dBase III.
I agree with you that a piece of other software was included, that explains how there is no way to do it with dBase III, but it is not a piece of dBase V.

Come to think of it, I don't think they have mixed software, the code is written in dBase III !, but how?

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 22 · 2021-05-04 08:21:07

Hi,
You should look into the history of dBase under Ashton Tate (owners).
The following shows approximate dates of new releases for dBase:-
1983 dBase II
1984 dBase III
1986 dBase III plus
1988 dBase IV (versions 1 and 2)
1994 dBase V

All new releases introduced new commands and functions.
I am not sure what you are not understanding about new releases or updates.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 23 · 2021-05-04 10:17:56

Thank you for the dates.
Anyway, the books I have were printed BEFORE any of those occasions (1977).
How can you be so sure a piece of dBase V was added if you don't even know the code? Do you imagine?
Can you prove it?

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 24 · 2021-05-04 10:32:30

When the updates were released Ashton Tate would list the new commands/functions with descriptions and examples.
This is what normally happens when updates are released for any software.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 25 · 2021-05-04 13:32:53

"When the updates were released Ashton Tate would list the new commands/functions with descriptions and examples.
This is what normally happens when updates are released for any software."

OK this is known, but this does not answer my concerns, nor the fact of the dates.
Ashton Tate knew beforehand dBase V ...

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 26 · 2021-05-04 14:06:31

I do not know what your concerns are. It is a fact that the user cannot move or set the clock on or off in dBase III plus!
What do you mean by Ashton Tate knew beforehand dBase V ... ???

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 27 · 2021-05-04 16:47:19

Thank you very much.
smile

beforehand = at an earlier time
These words mean at an earlier time.

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 28 · 2021-05-05 07:07:09

I know what beforehand means. How could they know about dBase 5 when dBase III plus was the latest version ??
Just to clarify; many amendments/additions were introduced in dBase 4 and 5 that were not available in 3 plus.
Ask Joe, as he already knows about some of the dBase history.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 29 · 2021-05-05 10:29:11

Pardon!!
I misread the book's date. The correct date is 1987
I'am sorry... sad

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 30 · 2021-05-05 15:19:29

Hi Rosciano,
No problem,
we can all misread dates and times etc.

Answer 31

[Post Deleted]

Answer 32

[Post Deleted]

Answer 33

[Post Deleted]

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 34 · 2021-05-09 13:53:39

I did it (without dBase V), of corse, with adding some stuff (how to stop)

CODE -->

*DO.PRG
*
store 0 to ab,ad,ac,cd          && preparing the varibles to be used
waa=' '
*
clear
DO WHILE .T.
    if ad=0
        do while ac=ab
            ab=ab+1
        enddo
        if ac=ab-1
            store substr(time(),1,8) to waa
        endif
        @ 14,36 say WAA 
        cd = inkey()
        if cd <> 0                 && the program stops with any key pressed
            exit
        endif
    endif
ENDDO

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 35 · 2021-05-10 06:43:59

Hi Rosciano,
Have you tried this? At first glance it looks okay but I will try it in Visual FoxPro because it uses the same language as dBase and will let you know.

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 36 · 2021-05-10 08:14:52

Hi Rosciano,
Yes your program works perfectly. It probably needs a clear command before exit, but you may not want to clear the screen for some reason.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 37 · 2021-05-10 08:41:49

Tried!
It's has worked for two and a half days on one of my applications that I use frequently.

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 38 · 2021-05-10 09:19:41

Hi Rosciano,
Instead of cd=inkey() etc. you could put the following

If inkey()=27 && user presses escape key
EXIT
endif

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 39 · 2021-05-10 09:31:18

RE: A question about the clock.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

10 May 21 09:31

OK thanks, I'll keep it in mind.

Answer 40

[Post Deleted]

Answer 41

[Post Deleted]

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 42 · 2021-05-10 14:16:34

If you notice any "flickers" in the time, add the following:

CODE -->

*
store 0 to ab,ad,ac,cd,CT          && preparing the varibles to be used
waa=' '
*
clear
DO WHILE .T.
    if ad=0
        do while ac=ab
            ab=ab+1
        enddo
        if ac=ab-1
            store substr(time(),1,8) to waa
        endif
        

*-----The number "30" could be "15, 20, 30, 45, 50,..." it depends on how  
*-----much time we want to give it.
        DO WHILE CT<30
            CT=CT+1
        ENDDO
        CT=0
        

        @ 14,36 say WAA 
        cd = inkey()
        if cd <> 0                 && the program stops with any key pressed
            exit
        endif
    endif
ENDDO

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 43 · 2021-05-11 06:31:15

Hi,
If I want to add the clock to a program that for example produces an input screen then the exit procedure would have to be modified?
I will try to run this with another program and let you know. Your program is a benefit to users still operating Dbase III plus.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 44 · 2021-05-11 09:51:15

Good Day,

Next, I show how I inserted it into a program that I use frequently:

CODE -->

CLEAR
    option=' '
    
    set color to n+/b
    @ 24,1 say 'Date:'
    @ 24,6 say date()
    @ 24,65 say 'Hour:'
    set color to gr+/r
    @ 24,30 say ' Press any to Start '
    store 0 to ab,ac,ad,cd,ct
    waa=' '
    DO WHILE .T.
        if ad=0
            do while ac=ab
                ab=ab+1
                set color to n+/b
            enddo
            if ac=ab-1
                store substr(time(),1,8) to waa
            endif
            ac= ab-1
            @ 24,70 say WAA 
            DO WHILE CT<30
                CT=CT+1
            ENDDO
            cd = inkey()
            if cd <> 0
                exit
            endif
        endif
    ENDDO    
    @ 24,1 clear to 24,78
    Set color to w+/b
    @ 24,29 say 'Your Option?:' get option pict '@!'	
    READ

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 45 · 2021-05-12 08:29:06

Rosciano,
I have run the above program which changed my Foxpro screen to dark blue bigsmile

- but the clock stopped working when the option question appeared.
So it would be good for Dbase III plus to keep the clock running while answering the option question was answered. CD = inkey() seems to get in the way.
However it is a very good step forward for 3 plus. bigsmile

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 46 · 2021-05-12 13:21:10

...but the clock stopped working when the option question appeared...

If the option appears, it means that, for some reason, has left the DO WHILE. I don't know, I would have to watch the program or know more about Foxpro.

You gave me the clue when you said "...be activated once when you run your program..." so this is the reason for the DO WHILE, keep the loop as long as a key is not pressed.

But the mystery of how they do it at ASSIST continues ...

Sorry for the delay answering

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 47 · 2021-05-13 14:26:13

Hi Rosciano,
Sorry about my delay in responding. The ASSIST may be written in a different language for some reason.
However, I will look into this interesting mystery as soon as possible...

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 48 · 2021-05-13 18:36:52

Good luck! thumbsup2

Get in touch if you find something interesting.

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 49 · 2021-05-14 09:42:40

Hi,
Not found anything too exciting, but I've done a simpler version of continuous time on screen:-

Do While .T.
@20,30 say time()
@20,40 say 'PRESS ESCAPE TO CLEAR'
if inkey()=27
clear
exit
endif
Enddo

In the meantime I'll keep looking bigsmile

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 50 · 2021-05-14 10:01:26

RE: A question about the clock.

Rosciano (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

14 May 21 10:01

OK

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 51 · 2021-05-14 10:54:02

Keep in mind that in ASSIST it works WITHOUT any key pressed... The watch works from the beginnig ponder

Definitely, it must be written in other language.

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 52 · 2021-05-14 11:08:40

Hi,
In the early days in dBase and FoxPro some displays like the clock were hard coded where the user was not able to make modifications.
I have seen some of the requests for certain commands/functions to be introduced in the next program update. I remember them bring discussed in various magazines of the time. Still looking 3eyes

Rosciano (TechnicalUser) · Answer 53 · 2021-05-14 15:44:40

The original version was written entirely in language assembly, while the successive version, from dBase III, was written entirely in language C.
Google

Perhaps ASSIST was written in the same language?

Phil Thoms (Programmer) · Answer 54 · 2021-05-14 16:15:01

Hi,
Yes, Foxpro was helped by the C+ language. Probably these are the answers. I have a book of user defined functions from the late 1980s which helped dBase and FoxPro users and was called 101+ FoxPro & dBase user-defined functions by Philip Steele. If you are looking for anything in particular (apart from time stuff) let me know. bigsmile

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