TDataFile version 1.0 (March 15th 1998)
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Copyright (C) 1998 by Jan Derk Stegeman.
Look for more information and updates at:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~wvisser/jd/tdatafile.htm
e-mail: janderk@hotmail.com

Contents
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- Description
- Installation
- Demo application
- How to order
- Requirements
- Disclaimer stuff


Description
-----------
TDataFile enables applications to save and load database data from multiple tables in a single DataFile.

* Easy implementation
* Saves
  - single or multiple records from
  - multiple tables and
  - multiple databases
* Load command adds, replaces or deletes records
* Events and methods provide full save and load control
* Version control
* Extensive on-line help with many examples
* Gives your users the possibility to save data in a single file

Use a TDataFile object to store database data from multiple tables in a single DataFile. Most database applications lack the possibility to save data in a single file. Generally users want to store a document, customer data or any other data that the application uses in a single file. TDataFile makes it very easy to add this ability to database applications. This way data can be stored on a floppy disk, given to a colleague who uses the same application or send over the internet. 


Installation
------------
1) Copy the datafile.dcu and datafile.dcr files to 'Delphi 3\lib' folder or any other folder were you keep your components.

2) Select install component in Delphi and select the datafile.dcu file. The component will show-up on the Data Access tab.

To install the context sensitive on-line help:
3) Copy the datafile.hlp, and datafile.cnt files to the 'Delphi 3\help' folder.

4) Add the following line to the 'third party help' section in the Delphi3.cfg file in the 'Delphi 3\help' folder:
:Link datafile.hlp

troubleshooting:
When the help is not working it might be that the datafile.hlp line is added in the delphi3.cfg after a line pointing to a non-existing help file. If this happens Delphi will not find the datafile.hlp.
A solution is to remove links pointing to non-existing help files from delphi3.cpg or to move the datafile.hlp line before the lines pointing to non-existing files by placing it at the beginning of the 3rd party help section.

5) Optionally, if you want to see the datafile help contents in the delphi3 help contents add the following line to the delphi3.cnt file:
:Include datafile.cnt


Demo application
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A demonstration application is added to show some features of the TDataFile component. It makes use of the Biolife database which is available in the delphi 3 database demo directory. Try to save some records or a complete table in a DataFile. Then change and remove some records. When using the load function you will notice that the records are updated and/or appended depending on the settings of the TDataFile component.

This example only uses 1 table, but off course you can add records from multiple tables to 1 DataFile.

Be sure that you make a back up of the biolife table first before you delete or change anything. You can use the save table button to make a back up.


How to order
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For information about ordering and registering the TDataFile component go to: http://www.xs4all.nl/~wvisser/jd/tdatafile.htm


Requirements
------------
Delphi version 3.0 is required for the demo version.


Disclaimer stuff
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Anything not explicitly allowed below, is prohibited.

This software is provided "as is". In no event shall I, the author, be liable for any consequential, special, incidental or indirect damages of any kind arising out of the delivery, performance or use of this software. This software has been written with great care but I do not warrant that the software is error free. You may not attempt to reverse compile, modify, translate or disassemble the software in whole or in part.

You may freely distribute the unregistered version of the TDataFile component, provided that all the files are included and are nmodified and that no files have been added to the package. Please distribute it by copying the original zip file. You may not ask any money for the distribution.

If you want to put this component on a freeware/shareware CD-ROM or other compilation, please contact me before doing so, to be sure that you are not including old or incomplete stuff in the compilation. I would also appreciate it if I'd get a free copy of the CD-ROM.

You may try out the unregistered version of the TDataFile component without any charge for the period of one month. After that period, you have to register it with the author or completely remove it from your computer, even if the software contains no "time bombs", i.e. that it will not stop functioning after one month.

The unregistered version of the TDataFile components show messages when you save and load data to a DataFile. The registered version of the TDataFile component does not show this message.