Q&A Databases (Click Back to return to main downloadables page) Disk from Tom Marcellus' Q&A 4.0 Bible Zip file containing all the files on the disk that came with Tom Marcellus' 1992 Q&A Bible (IDG Books, now out of print). Includes complete order entry/invoicing application plus other databases, macros, etc.All databases can be modified. (Should an electronic version of The Q&A Bible be published, perhaps updated to include Q&A 5.0 features? Cast your vote!)
	The Quick Answer Cumulative Index Database (Q&A 5.0) Zip file containing the Q&A database (by TJ Shuflin) we use to compile The Quick Answer Topic Index on this Web site. Contains records referencing virtually every article, QuickTip, and @Help topic ever published in the newsletter. Keyword field lets you search for any topic. Updated after each issue is published. Search this database online.
	The Quick Answer Cumulative Index Database (Q&A 4.0) Same as above but in a Q&A 4.0 database. (Link is to the Q&A User Group's Web site where you can download this Q&A 4.0 version of the index database.)
	Handy Area Codes Database Tells You Where They Are Type in the telephone area code and you'll get the state or province and time zone. (Or type in the state abbreviation to find its area codes.) Use it as a lookup file for a contacts database or a way to validate a state against an area code or vice versa. Download file contains two databases - ACODES.DTF is for Q&A 5.0 and AREACODE.DTF is for Q&A 4.0. Both are courtesy of Professional Computer Technology Associates and up-to-date as of February 1999.
	ZipCodes Database with 42,713 Zips Also Tells You Where They Are This USPS-supplied ZipCodes file (supplied here in a Q&A 4.0 for DOS database)  is current as of 1-19-01 and is ready to use as an XLookup file for your address, invoice or other database.You can set it up so all you have to do is type in the Zip, and the XLookup will auto-fill the City and State fields for you.
	Handy Gender Database Tells You What They Are (Q&A 5.0) Why waste time typing "Mr." or "Ms." in that Salutation field when an XLookup to GENDER.DTF can do it for you? This database contains more than 4,000 first-names compiled from an original source list of 30,000. From Aaron and Abigail to Zoltan and Zylpha, all you need is a first name to auto-fill your Salutation field with the appropriate "Mr." or "Ms." Includes for the curious a Count field that tells you how many times the first name occured in the original 30,000-name list. Thanks to John Horn of Chichester, NY. Q&A 5.0 only.
	The Q&A 5.0 QuikStart Database (Q&A 5.0) The smart way to get up to speed fast on the many new programming commands in Q&A 5.0. The database contains one record for each new command, with realistic sample programming statements you can copy (F11) and paste (F12) into your own databases.
	The 20-Second Sales Order (Q&A 5.0) Got lots of invoices or sales orders to do? If so, you'll appreciate how fast you can fly through your work using this sample order-entry application to build on. The invoice is totally point-and-click.You fill every field—even choose posting and printing options—from handy pop-up lists. What's more, it posts to the customer and inventory databases. Application includes Inv1.dtf, Custs1.dtf, and Items1.dtf, and a small macro (Tab.asc) to insert in your macro file. Be sure to check out Inv1.dtf's Nav Spec programming.
	Split-Em.dtf Splits Whole Name Fields & City, State, Zip Fields (Q&A 4.0) Need a program that splits whole names into separate First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and Suffix fields? (created by PCTA) Or a program that splits a combined city, state, zipcode field into separate City, State and Zip fields? (created by Tom Marcellus) This little database does both. Copy and use these programs wherever you need them. As featured in the August 1998 Quick Answer.
	CCValid.dtf - Credit Card Validator Q&A 4.0/5.0 utility database validates MasterCard, Visa, and AMX card numbers and expiration dates. Updated March '98 by Bill Halpern to handle 21st century credit card expiration dates. Plug the fields and programming from this mini-application into your orders or sales database to validate credit card numbers and expiration dates while you've got the customer on the phone—before you find out during authorization that the card number is no good.
	Attrib.dtf Lets You Privatize Your Files Handy little Q&A 5.0 database  lets you change any file's attribute to read-only or hidden.You simply enter the path and filename. If the file exists, a pick-list lets you select the attribute to assign (or remove). Keeps a record of each assignment. Great for making documents read-only or hiding documents or databases from prying eyes. Be sure to password protect this database. (See The Quick Answer, July 1997, p. 12.)
	Exists.dtf Tells You If that File is on Your Hard Drive Small Q&A 5.0 database accepts a path and filename, then tells you whether or not the file exists. Copy its program to any application where you need to see if the file is there before your program or macro sets out to do something with it.
	Snoop.dtf Reveals Who's Doing What (Wanda raised her uncle's credit limit again!) Little Q&A 5.0 database has programming that demonstrates how to maintain an audit trail of changes to sensitive fields without requiring another database or storing the audit information in the current record. Tells you whodunit, when, the previous value, and what it was changed to. Creates a running record of changes to the field by posting them to an ASCII text file whose name and location you specify. Port the program to any database that contains sensitive fields you want to keep an eye on. (See the November 1997 Quick Answer, p.7.)
	Two Handy Dates Databases Two Q&A 5.0 databases in one zip file. Y2K.dtf demonstrates how you can simplify data entry by programming Q&A to return a 21st century year when you enter an abbreviated date such as 5-12-03 or 5-12-3 (either one returns May 12, 2003). When you enter a date in DOM.dtf, its program gives you all kinds of interesting date calculation info, such as the number of days in the month, the name of the month and day of the week, the date of the last day in the month and the previous month, and the number of days left in the month—all without hard-coded months or a lookup table.
	Hi-Lo.dtf Makes Finding the Highest and Lowest Records Easy In some applications you need to know the highest or lowest records (or both) in the current or external database. This little Q&A 5.0 database offers a way to eliminate having to run an XLookupR to find the highest record, then iterate down through the rest of the records to find the lowest one. Includes two macros to add to your macro file. Radical technique, not for the faint-hearted.
	Database Posts to Next Available Field in Matching Record In this sample Q&A 5.0 application, the Post.dtf database doesn't just XPost to the matching record in Posted.dtf, it first finds the next available field in that record, then posts the value to it along with the current date. Use this technique when you want one record in "Database B" to show, for example, all the transactions from the matching records in "Database A" in a running ledger-like format.
	Postfrom.dtf Auto-Adds New Postable Records In this sample Q&A 5.0 application, Postfrom.dtf displays a picklist of customers in the Postto.dtf database. Normally, you pick a customer, enter a transaction for them, then post it to their Cumulative Purchases field. However, if the customer is new, you have a very cool option here. You can add them to Postfrom, and the programming will create a new record for them in Postto, then post the transaction—all in the blink of an eye!
	DIALER.ZIP -  Phone Log with Auto-Dialer Handy little Q&A 5.0 application from Jeff Nitka lets you select the person to call from a pop-up list. The built-in auto-dialer then takes over and dials the number (assuming you have a modem), and you simply pick up the receiver to talk. When you complete the call, you can type some notes about it for future reference. Each record serves as a complete call record, which you can search (or include in a report) by date, contact name, or whatever.Application includes the phone log database (with dialer), a lookup database of people's names and phone numbers (you can substitute your own contacts database) and two DOS batch files. Featured in the July 1998 Quick Answer.
	Checks.dtf Converts Dollars to Text This handy little Q&A 4.0 database converts money values to their longhand text equivalents for check-writing applications. For example, it converts "$423.55" to "Four Hundred Twenty Three and 55/00." Special thanks to Erika Yoxall http://www.hammerdata.com hammer@apk.net.
	Query Builder Makes Record Searching Easier Too bad you can't display selection lists at Q&A 5.0 Retrieve Specs. You have to type in your record retrieval parameters from memory.This little application demonstrates how you can use a database as a "Retrieve Spec." It lets you choose retrieval criteria from picklists. You then click a "button" and the Query Builder builds the query expression, drops it into the Retrieve Spec of the target database, and you've got your record(s)! A good tool for users who can't fill out a Retrieve Spec. As featured in the Feb 1998 Quick Answer. Special thanks to Erika Yoxall http://www.hammer@apk.net.

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Last modified: December 11, 2006