Re: TZF - File Browser

You should be able to display the text in a TMemo or TRichEdit just as Bob suggests. With those objects you can display the records "as is". If you want to manipulate the records so they are easier to browse, there are several ways that come immediately to mind. 

1: create a Record Type that defines the fields so they can be displayed in individual fields in TEdit controls, or in a TStringGrid. 
2: The other method would be to use ADO, which can open a text file. Then you can display the data in data-aware controls (read only). 
3: You could create a Topaz Virtual Table in code that matches the record layout of your ASCII delimited files. Then populate the table and display it in a grid.

Just a few ideas.




Agency Business Systems, Inc.
(503) 659 6752
www.AgencyBusinessSystems.com
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"If you want a better answer, 
  ask a better question." -- Unknown.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Philip Kidder 
  To: [email protected] 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 5:17 AM
  Subject: Re: TZF - File Browser


  Bob,

  I'm not offended but you misunderstood my question. I don't want to browse a database but an ASCII text file. 

  The basic problem is that I have a old DOS program that I am converting to Windows. The programs that generate all the reports are really complicated and use features of Borland Pascal 7.0 that I don't see in Delphi. Anyhow even if the features I used were in Delphi I don't want to rewrite them because 1) they work great in DOS 2) some are very complicated and I don't relish the idea of redoing them.

   The reports do have an option to output to an ASCII text file. So what I want to do is write a front end in Delphi that will get the parameters such as date range, distributor and type of report for example and start the DOS program and pass the parameter in a file or as command line parameters. 

  I then want to load the ASCII file into a text browser where the user can view or print the file. I need a browse that will allow me to set the font to a fixed font to keep the column aligned, do a copy and paste, print and simple things like that. No editing allowed!

  Phil
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: [email protected] 
    To: [email protected] 
    Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 8:28 PM
    Subject: Re: TZF - File Browser


    Hi,

    Does anyone know of a good component to browse files with? 

    Phil Kidder
    _______________________________________________________

    Are you kidding me??   :)  Sorry, could not help myself Phil ... the
    devil made me do it.

    Maybe I am missing something Phil, but what about the TzGrid?
    Just point the TzGrid at the correct file( with a TzDBF.DBFFileName).  What
    am I missing??  You can AppendFromSDF ... let them browse ... index
    the file and allow searches and print, if they like.

    Bob Watson
    ______________________________________________________



      Hi,

      Does anyone know of a good component to browse files with? 

      My program creates ASCII text files that I want the user to browse, search and if they want print. I need to be able to specify a fixed font like Courier since the file is a report that depends on having columns line up.

      All I want to do is specify a file name and call a routine and the file is displayed.

      Phil Kidder




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