FOCUS

Basic Report Preparation

	Create simple reports using FOCUS verbs and basic sorting techniques
	Specify record selection criteria
	Customize report requests with
	Use FOCUS Hot Screen to view report output

Dialogue Manager and FIDEL

	Employ Dialogue Manager statements to control the execution of FOCEXECs
	Use Dialogue Manager to include variables in FOCEXECs and assign values to these variables when the FOCEXEC is executed
	Invoke FIDEL and create full-screen data entry forms or forms for displaying data
	Design FIDEL screens that include multiple field types
	Test for PF keys
	Use a variety of screen options
	Display screen attributes
	Control the cursor placement
	Use FIDEL in MODIFY to combine FIXFORM & CRTFORM input
	Generate automatic CRTFORMs
	Write multiple screen procedures
	Write requests with case logicOBJ@include repeating groups of fields
	Validate transaction values
	Use FIDEL with Dialogue Manager to develop a menu-driven application using multiple FOCEXECS

Data Manipulation for Reporting

	Describe the different kinds of expressions available in FOCUS
	Use prefix operators to perform calculations on individual fields
	Create new fields for reporting with COMPUTE and DEFINE commands
	Manipulate the information in a file using the DECODE and EDIT functions
	Perform advanced techniques for screening data

Accessing External Files

	Describe external files with a Master File Description
	Identify external file types
	Explain external file interfaces

File Definition

	Define FOCUS files
	Identify the parts of a Master File Description (MFD)
	Use the MFD to specify information about the structure of the file
	Explain the rules for formatting the file segment and field declarations
	Discuss how the MFD and data files are named and stored based on the operating system
	Discuss the TITLE DESCRIPTION and ACCEPT attributes
	Create temporary fields in an MFD
	Discuss a sample application of an MFD
	Describe the CHECK command

Graphics

	Use the GRAPH request to specify bar charts histograms connected point plots or scatter diagrams
	Describe parameters that specify graph type and the general appearance of the graph
	Control the scaling of the horizontal and vertical axes
	Define graphs with single or multiple variables
	Describe alternate display devices
	Add headings and footings to FOCUS graphs
	Use techniques to create graphs with special formats

Getting Started

	Explain what FOCUS is
	Identify FOCUS concepts and terminology
	Access FOCUS
	Identify the parts of a Master File Description
	Describe available FOCUS facilities
	Use the optional FOCUS text editor TED
	Use a multi-window environment with TOE

File Maintenance I

	Explain how MODIFY requests are used for database maintenance
	Identify what happens after a MODIFY request is executed
	Use the FIXFORM FREEFORM PROMPT and CRTFORM statements to read and describe the transactions
	Write MODIFY requests that add update and delete information in the root segment of FOCUS files
	Code MODIFY requests that modify unique segments and multilevel descendent segments

File Maintenance II

	Use MODIFY requests for
	Performing calculations
	Validating transaction values
	Displaying messages
	Logging transactions
	Construct a complex MODIFY request using case logic

MAINTAIN Facility

	Explain how MAINTAIN is used for database maintenance
	Identify MAINTAIN language standards and concepts
	Develop a fully functional MAINTAIN procedure that performs maintenance functions for a database
	Modify a MAINTAIN procedure to include a grid so that multiple rows of data can be updated at once
	Identify additional commands that are useful when developing MAINTAIN procedures

Report Preparation II

	Utilize ACROSS and other advanced techniques to sort data
	Customize report output with additional formatting techniques including ACROSS subtotaling operations and WHEN conditions
	Use the JOIN and MATCH commands to report from more than one file at a time
	Save report output using the HOLD PCHOLD SAVE and SAVB options
	Utilize alternate file views and TABLEF to change the way FOCUS retrieves data