QBF: QUERY-BY-FORMS

Query-By-Form is a Forms based facility that interactively allows the user to manipulate data in a database in the following ways:-

APPEND

Adds data(rows) to a table

RETRIEVE

Select & examine data from a table(s)

UPDATE

Change values of data in a table

DELETE

Remove data (rows) from a table

QBF operates on objects known as 'query targets'. These are of the following types:-

Tables/Views

As defined in the Tables Catalog

JoinDefs

Predefined joins held in the JoinDefs Catalog

QBFnames

User designed Form created in VIFRED and held in the Forms Catalog

The default Forms available in QBF may contain Simple-fields or Table-fields. A Simple-field displays/allows data entry on ONE row from a database table. Table-fields manipulate SEVERAL rows at a time.

Whilst working through the QBF facility you may need to REF texts:

• "Ingres Thru Forms & Menus" Part 1, chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

The QUERY facility can be invoked by a number of different ways(all explained in "Ingres Thru Forms & Menus" chapter 7); the method described below should be followed whilst you are learning about the package, although in time you may choose to use one of the alternatives.

QBF Exercise - Do this now.

Continue with trainer.