HP Forum Archive 14

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Database for HP-41 modules Message #1 Posted by Matthias on 22 June 2004, 3:50 p.m. Hi I´m working hard on my promised database for HP-41 modules. Up to now I programmed a database including the following informations: - Name of the module (finished) - Number of the module (finished) - Distributor of the module (finished) - ROM versions of the module (finished) - Description of the module (not even realised) - Scan of all overlays of the module (not even realised, will be done next days) - Scan of the Quick reference Card of the module (not even realised) Now, before I finish the database I would like to know, that information you also want to get in the database. Please let me know fast, as you can see I´m working fast on this project. Matthias

Database for HP-41 modules Message #2 Posted by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen on 22 June 2004, 3:55 p.m., in response to message #1 by Matthias Size and special port/ROM page needs (if any) (VPN)

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #3 Posted by Wilson (Bill) Holes on 22 June 2004, 6:43 p.m., in response to message #1 by Matthias Hi Matthias, FWIW, I believe John's (John Panagotopulos) original message (41 Accessories) eluded to wanting a list of everything that was "included in the box" of each accessory. To be complete your database should include manuals (Title, version, and date), manual addendums (same), and anything else that may have been included. Maybe also a scan or photo of the box itself - just to make it really complete. I also interpreted John's message to include accessories other than modules as well (i.e., wand, card reader, printers, etc. etc.). That all for now... keep up the good work!!! Best, Wilson

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #4 Posted by John Panagotopulos on 22 June 2004, 8:25 p.m., in response to message #3 by Wilson (Bill) Holes Wilson, Your interpretation was correct, but I must say, the database Matthias is working on looks like it will be quite good. I think he will more than meet the need in this area.

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #5 Posted by Wilson (Bill) Holes on 22 June 2004, 10:40 p.m., in response to message #4 by John Panagotopulos John, Thanks for confirming my interpretation. I agree that the database looks quite good and will surely prove to be a great resource for everyone. I also know that Matthias wants the database to be done right (his words) so I've been trying to help ensure it becomes the best it can be. I'm also trying to help ensure nothing gets missed or lost in the translation. Best, Wilson

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #6 Posted by Matthias on 23 June 2004, 12:42 a.m., in response to message #5 by Wilson (Bill) Holes Last night I scaned all my overlays I have, so today I will work on the scans and then I will include them into the database. I´m having a small fight wiht my MS Access someone can probably help me, so that I can go forward faster: I reserved a (one!) so called OLE-Object for displaying the scans directly in Access. This field has a fix size (let´s say 800x600). I do not know, how to handle modules with more than one overlay. I would like to programm is so that you can switch between the overlays in your database mask. Otherwhise I will have to downsize these overlays, so that they fit into the OLE field, but then you will get a image that is a little bit small... How can I manage this? Matthias

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #7 Posted by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen on 23 June 2004, 2:06 a.m., in response to message #6 by Matthias Do you mean that you want to have a separate table for many pictures of the same product? You need a primary-secondary key pair -table, too. You may e-mail me the current database and I see what I can do (if anything) DROP LETTER to vpn

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #8 Posted by Matthias on 24 June 2004, 1:57 p.m., in response to message #7 by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen Veli-Pekka, I wanted to send you a mail with a demo database, but it can not reach you. Please send me a mail with the correct address. Matthias

VPN's real cyber-address Message #9 Posted by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen on 24 June 2004, 6:16 p.m., in response to message #8 by Matthias remove LETTER. and DROP_

Re: Database for HP-41 modules Message #10 Posted by Ángel Martin on 23 June 2004, 2:13 a.m., in response to message #1 by Matthias I'd suggest to add a field for the XROM id# number(s). Best, ÁM

Relational Database for HP-41 modules Message #11 Posted by Raymond Del Tondo on 23 June 2004, 5:26 a.m., in response to message #10 by Ángel Martin I'd vote for a table for the XROM entries. Following is an excerpt of two tables which could form the basis for a relational database of ROM pacs. Since there are more than one module with the same XROM number (XR_ID1), you'll need a three-fold primary key for the table XROM. Note that there are pacs with more than one customer order number, like the X-Functions module. Each of these has it's own record in the PRODUCT table. Like this: CREATE TABLE PRODUCT PROD_ID1 VARCHAR (12) PK ; This field is the customer order# PROD_ID2 VARCHAR (12) AK ; HP internal reorder number ---- TITLE VARCHAR (80) ; The product title ... ... XR_ID1 FK ; These both fields together relate to all XROM XR_ID3 FK ; entires for this ROM pac PRIMARY KEY (PROD_ID1) FOREIGN KEY (XR_ID1,XR_ID3) REFERENCES TABLE XROM ; CREATE TABLE XROM XR_ID1 SMALLINT PK ; (0-31) XR_ID2 SMALLINT PK ; (0-63) XR_ID3 SMALLINT PK ; (0-n) This holds a counter ---- FcnName VARCHAR (12) ; Fcn names can be more than 7 chars Description VARCHAR (80) PRIMARY KEY (XR_ID1,XR_ID2,XR_ID3) ; Note this is not real creation code, it only shouldd give an idea where to start, and where to go. It has to be refined, and syntax has to be adjusted for a real world SQL database, like ORACLE, or SQLBase... Any questions? Feel free to ask;-) Raymond Edited: 23 June 2004, 8:29 a.m.

Re: Relational Database for HP-41 modules Message #12 Posted by Chris Catotti (Florida) on 30 June 2004, 1:01 a.m., in response to message #11 by Raymond Del Tondo Good job Matthias! I had hoped to do a project like this, but have become overwhelmed with other projects, and would love to help in any way I can. I had originally hoped to build a database that included each module's functions and programs, with XROM numbers and names of the FUNCTIONS or PROGRAMS associated with each XROM number. This has changed with various modules, such as MATH A, B, C and D revisions. Also possibly listing the lower three digits (hex) where the functions are located. This is a LARGE TASK, with perhapslittle use or interest. An elusive item I have yet to positively identify is two slightly different versions of software that did not actually get assigned different ROM versions, such as mentioned in "Extend Your HP-41" by W Mier-Jedrzejowicz, pages 639 - 642. If you are listing accessories in a boxed module, you may want to include the numbers for various languages (English, Spanish, German, French, etc.). Most boxes included an errata card that went with the owners manual. Sometimes overlays had a stock number prined on them. I do not know if it will be of much use, but i will try and clean up my document part number list (MS Excel) that I have been using for a few years. Best Wishes, Chris.

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