
                    Welcome to dBASE Compiler for DOS 
                    ---------------------------------

This file contains important, late-breaking information about dBASE 
Compiler for DOS, including revisions to the documentation.  Information 
in this file supersedes information in the documentation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
1.  How to Contact Borland
2.  Configuring dBASE's Virtual Memory Manager (VMM)
3.  Error Messages
4.  Compiling and Linking in One Step
5.  Running an Executable File in Multiple Sessions
6.  Documentation Changes

1. HOW TO CONTACT BORLAND
-------------------------
If you have any problems with the product, please read this file and 
the manuals first.  If you still need assistance, you can get help from 
the following sources:

  1. CompuServe bulletin board: GO BORLAND
     - Provides access to the Borland forums where you can ask technical
       questions, and get the latest technical information, sample 
       files, utilities, and ideas.

  2. File Download BBS: 1-408-439-9096 (8, N, 1)
     - Contains sample files, applications, and technical information
       that you can download.

  3. Automated Support: 
       800 Automated Support (phone): 1-800-524-8420
       Online Automated Support (via modem): 1-408-431-5250 (8, N, 1) 
       - Provides up-to-date technical information 24 hours a day, seven
         days a week.  Also provides product information, usage tips,
         troubleshooting information, and answers to commonly-asked
         questions.

  4. TECHFAX service: 1-800-822-4269 
     - A 24-hours a day service that provides technical information
       on all Borland products and delivers it to your fax machine.

  5. dBASE Advisor Line: 1-900-555-1003.
     - A faster, more comprehensive level of technical support.  Each
       call is $2.00 per minute (the first minute is free).

  6. Borland Express Support Line: 1-800-524-8420
     - Provides recorded answers to common questions. 

  7. dBASE Technical Support: 1-408-431-9060

For more information about all of the Borland Technical Support programs, 
read the brochure, "Borland introduces a New Class of Technical Support," 
included with this product.

Information You Need When You Call Technical Support
----------------------------------------------------
When you call Technical Support, please have the following information 
ready:

  a. Product name and serial number on your original distribution disk.  
     Please have your serial number ready or we will be unable to process 
     your call.

  b. Product version number. 

  c. Computer brand, model, and the brands and model numbers of any 
     additional hardware.

  d. Operating system and version number. (The version number can be 
     determined by typing VER at the DOS prompt.)

  e. Contents of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

  f. Contents of your CONFIG.SYS file.


2. CONFIGURING dBASE'S VIRTUAL MEMORY MANAGER (VMM)
---------------------------------------------------
When you run BDC or a dBASE executable file on a system with less than 
4.5MB extended memory, dBASE's VMM runs automatically and manages your 
system's memory and disk space for the best performance.

You can customize VMM's settings by modifying its configuration file,
DBASE.VMC, located in the Compiler home directory.  If you want to
customize the environment that your executable file is running in, you
must rename DBASE.VMC to the name of your executable file.  For example,
if the name of your executable file is TEST.EXE, rename DBASE.VMC to
TEST.VMC.  Then, when you run TEST.EXE, VMM will use the memory settings
you specified in TEST.VMC. 

If you want to limit the amount of memory that dBASE Compiler for DOS 
or your executable file uses without modifying the .VMC file, you can 
use the DOS environmental variable, DOS16M.  For example, SET DOS16M=:4M 
limits the Compiler or your executable file to 4MB of memory.

For more information about configuring VMM, read "Optimizing dBASE IV"
in the dBASE IV 2.0 "Programming in dBASE IV" manual.  


3. ERROR MESSAGES
-----------------
The dBASE Compiler for DOS error messages are documented in ERRORMSG.TXT,
a text file that is copied to your Compiler home directory during
installation.  


4. COMPILING AND LINKING IN ONE STEP 
------------------------------------
You can specify source files (.PRG, .FRG, .LBG, etc.) as well as
object files (.DBO, .FRO, .LBO, etc.) in the BDC command line, or
in a @filelist to compile and link files in one step.  

BDC ignores the specified object files during compilation, generates
object files from the specified source files, then invokes BDL which
links all the object files.

For example, you can list all the files you want to compile and link
in a @filelist as follows:

MAIN.PRG
MYSQL.DBO
MYBIN.BIN
MYQBE.QBE
MYFRG.FRG
MYFMT.FMO

Then, to compile the source files and link the object files in one
step, use the BDC command as follows:

BDC @filelist


5. RUNNING AN EXECUTABLE FILE IN MULTIPLE SESSIONS
--------------------------------------------------
If you run your executable (.EXE) file in multiple sessions under
Windows, you must set the file as read-only to avoid share violations.


6. DOCUMENTATION CHANGES
------------------------
- p. 23:  The explicit rule example in the "Writing Rules" section
  should be as follows:

     myprog.dbo: myprog.prg
        BDC -c myprog.prg


