Reader Feedback and Insights: Green-Screen SQL Alternatives

Hey, Ted:

I would like to add to the list of SQL alternatives that Mike Sansoterra presented in the August 27 issue of Midrange Guru.

I recommend a utility called Work with Database File (WRKDBF). It is a free download from www.wrkdbf.com. While editing a file under WRKDBF, press the F18 key. A window will open, allowing you to choose an SQL command to run. Choose a command and press Enter. WRKDBF will open subsequent windows to let you enter the additional information it needs, such as update values and record-selection criteria. You may press F15 to modify the generated SQL command. You can display or print the retrieved data or save it to disk. You may save the generated SQL to a source physical file member.

WRKDBF also includes a nice record format layout utility. Press F14, then F21.

Here are some other features I like:

• Multiple format logical files are fully supported.
  
  
• File member to be used can be selected by entering *select into the member field, either from the command line or from the Main panel. After execution, all members of the file are listed, at which time you can select a member from the list.
  
  
• Undelete of individual records is available through the Main panel. There is also a Global Undelete command (WRKDBFUNDL), which can be used to undelete all records in a file.
  
  
• Copying a record is very easy in WRKDBF. For instance, when setting up a small set of data for testing purposes, you can first enter a full record and then copy that record to other records, changing the values that need to change.

I should also probably mention that there's no online help defined for WRKDBF, so the accompanying manual must be used for documentation.

--Bo

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