What is OTIS

Version 1.50 b01 (26/02/2024)

Otis stands for 'Open Table InSpector' and is a database table inspection tool for Dbase, Clipper, Harbour, xHarbour, FoxPro, ..., files.

Otis has a integrated DATASET manager. This need some explanations.

A DATASET is a set of ONE or MORE tables and index files. You can save this SET of files with a name and load it back again later on with only one click. You can anytime when you want add or delete tables and index files to a existing dataset and save it again with the same or another name.

The dataset manager permits you to inspect tables when you are developing and testing a program without cycling through the classic operations like :

• open table, open index file, inspect, modify, update, close
• open another table, open index file, inspect, close
• ...etc.

Create simply a dataset with tables and index files that you want to inspect on a regular base, save it, and reload all tables and index files with only one click. I can assure you, you will save a lot of time and many mouse clicks.

Why did i create this tool (or rather rewrote)

This is in reality a implementation of a old clipper tool that i wrote, i think, more than 20 years ago. But with far fewer possibilities as this new tool that i called Otis. We integrated this module (the old tool) in all our programs and protect it, if necessary, with a password.

Otis() helped me a lot of times for many many years already because it permits me, on site, to inspect, modify or repair data in a table at runtime on the fly in a simple and fast way. This without the necessity to install other external dbf viewer programs.

In 'Plugin mode', you can use it also for runtime debugging inspection of a table. Thus see 'almost' life updates from the running program. No 'modal' windows are used. By using this method, it permits you to switch between the running program and this tool when you want. You can even open multiple tables at the same time. Each table has its own dbfviewer, called 'Inspector' and all tools. Special precautions are taken for this mode to prevent data corruption when you try to modify a table at the same time as the running program. More details for the 'Plugin mode' in another chapter.

You ask me "Why rewrite yet another dbfviewer" ?
My answer, i found that there was always a thing missing in all other, very known, existing programs like dbu, dba, dbfview, mgdbu, ...etc. So i had to use one or more of them to view and or manipulate a dbf file. I don't want to say that those programs were bad, rather the contrary. I used them often, but i tried to regroup and integrate all possibilities of all those separated tools in a single program. It is certainly not perfect for everybody but i am open for suggestions.

I borrowed some code from other dbfviewer programs that are in the sample folders of hmgextended. All concerned parts of the program contains a remark and reference to the original source and author.

Another reason.
I wanted to update / upgrade the visual design to a new level, like the win10 flat design. I don't like toolbars with a lot of pull-down menus. You have to click, click and click endless everywhere to discover what is possible. My opinion is that a userinterface should be clear and eye-catching. At first look all "bells and whistles" should be visible and my experience ( >30 years ) showed me that the first user experience is very important for a program to be succesfull.

And not to forget, i could always count on the clipper harbour community if i had a question.

So this is my way to contribute. It would be a pleasure if you do give me some feedback.

ENJOY, i hope OTIS is of any use for you. Let me know ...

What can you do with Otis :

Support all Codepages known in Harbour.

Support for the following RDD drivers :

DBFCDX
DBFNTX
DBFNSX
SIXCDX
LETODBF

You can use a mix of rdd drivers in the same dataset.

Dataset manager (main screen) :

• Open tables, multiselect with index AutoOpen (cdx) support.
• Attach index files to a table, multiselect support.
• Save multiple tables and index files in a Dataset.
• Load a Dataset.

Table viewer tool called the 'Inspector' :

• Select a index / order. ( Other options see index manager below. )
• Set a filter.
• Show / Hide deleted() records.
• Set / Clear a filelock.
• Lock (freeze) columns on screen.
• Show / Hide columns.
• Search and replace data, file wide or fields only, with SCOPE, FOR and WHILE expressions.
• Seek wizard :
  Presents a form with all fields used in the index KEY expression and autofills the seek expression.
  Seek first, Seek last and Set Exact on/off.
  Copy the 'seek expression' to the 'filter expression' textbox so that you can use the same expression to filter a table. Example, seek the first record and then show only records with the same field contents.
• Copy / paste a record :
  Paste a record to another record in the same table or
  Paste to another table.
  All fields or only a selection of fields in function of there visibility.
• Clear a record.
• Duplicate a record.
  Otis keeps into account the visibility of the columns/fields.
• Add / Insert records, one or more records at once.
• Up / Down, moves a record physically.
• Delete / Recall records with SCOPE, FOR and WHILE expressions.
• Pack / Zap a table.
• Append a file.
• Structure Editor, to modify the structure of open table if the one that is opened in the Inspector.
• Save a table to another table with the possibility to create a sub table.
  When a table is saved Otis takes into account active filters, index/orders and saves only visible fields.
  This permits to create a sub table with only the fields and data that you want.
• Export to a ';' delimited csv file.
  When a table is saved Otis takes into account active filters, index/orders and saves only visible fields.
  This permits to create a sub table with only the fields and data that you want.\
• When you set Otis.exe as the default windows program to open dbf files and double click on it, the main screen 'Dataset manager' of Otis will not be opened.

Index manager :

• Create a new index, single or compound index files.
• Modify a existing index, tag.
• Delete a index, tag.
• Reindex all orders.
• View detailed index info with the possibility to copy this info to the clipboard.

Table and index properties viewer :

• Export to a .prg file.
  This prg contains a comment section and all statements to create the table and all index files.
• Export structure to a .csv file. Idem.
• Export structure to the clipboard.
• View table info : filename, date, reccount, used rdd, used codepage, ...etc.
• View index info : list of all orders, filenames, tags, KEY, FOR expressions.

Table structure editor :

• Create a new structure.
• Modify the structure in the 'Inspector' of the current opened file.
• Import a existing table structure to create a new table.
• Support for all field types included Extended field types.