[Lantica Software Support Center] Most Popular Articles

Using Sesame For The First Time

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:06:31 GMT

1. The installation puts two icons on the desktop. One for Sesame and a second one for Sdesigner. The Sesame icon will access your databases. Sdesigner is for designing screen layouts, programming applications and designing reports.

To open and use Sesame, double-click on the Sesame icon. The Sesame Database Manager will open displaying the opening screen and menu bar. File, Edit, Macro, View, Help and Quick Start Menu.

2. To open a database, select File then Open Application from the Sesame menu bar at the top of the window or click on the Open Button.

3. With the default installation, a file dialogue will appear showing the data folder - which is initially empty - and the Samples folder beneath it. Click on the Samples folder to display the Sesame sample applications. Each seperate application ends with the extension .db.

4. Click on an application to open it in the Sesame program. When the application opens, you will see the Sesame menu button system from which you can select which form you would like to load.

The menu buttons present your choices in an organized manner. The application name "Sample Customers Application" is at the top. The next level shows the Forms in the application.

Once your records are displayed in Update mode, F10 will save the record & move forward to the next one, F9 saves & moves back a record, Shift-F6 opens the records in table view, F6 expands any field on the record, F7 returns to search mode, F3 deletes a record, Shift-F10 saves the record and returns to the application menu.

5. To Search a database (Customers.db), click on the name of the form (Main Form) on the Application Menu. The form will open in Search mode (where you specify what records you want to see) with a new set of menu buttons displaying search options. To see all of the records, press F10. To select a specific set of record (e.g. all people whose last name is Jones), type the restriction directly in the element on the form and press F10.

6. To add new records, click on the name on the Add New Records button on the menu. You will be put in a new form. Enter your data in the applicable element and press F10 to save and add another or Shift-F10 to save your record and go back to the application menu.

Opening A File In Sesame

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:06:42 GMT

1. From the File Menu, select Open Application.

2. The Select an Application dialog opens. In this dialog, the Database Root Directories dropdown lists the directories Sesame has permission to read. The large window shows the application (.db) files and subdirectories in the selected directory.

3. Select a starting directory from the Database Root Directories dropdown.

4. In the large window where the files are listed, browse until you see the application file you want to open. Left-click on a subdirectory to see the files in that directory.

5. Left-click on the application file you want to open.

6. Sesame opens your application. The Application Menu Buttons which list your forms appear in the main Sesame window.

Adding New Records To A Sesame Database

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:05:51 GMT

Sesame is form-based. To add a record to your database, you type values into a Form.
When you open your application, Sesame shows you the Application Menu, which lists your Forms.
To add a new record to a database, open a Form for that database in Add Mode.

1. Find your form on the Application Menu. The first section on the Application Menu displays the names of the forms in your application.

2. Open your form by left-clicking its name on the Application Menu. Sesame will open a new tab showing your form in Search Mode, ready for you to find existing records.

3. Select Add New Records from the Essential Commands button panel on the left side of your screen.

4. Type your information into the new record.

5. When the form is filled out the way you want it, save your record by pressing the F10 key. Sesame will save the record and offer you a new blank record to fill out. Continue filling out and saving records until you are finished.

6. When you are finished, press the Escape key to leave Add Mode and return to the Application Menu.

Searching For Records In A Sesame Database

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:05:43 GMT

Sesame is form-based. To retrieve and view records from your database, you use a Form like the one you used to enter the records in the first place.

When you open your application, Sesame shows you the Application Menu, which lists your Forms.

To retrieve records from a database, open a Form for that database in Search/Update Mode.

1. Find your form on the Application Menu. The first section on the Application Menu displays the names of the forms in your application.

2. Open your form by left-clicking its name on the Application Menu. Sesame will open a new tab showing your form in Search Mode, ready for you to find existing records.

3. Specify which records you want by typing retrieve criteria into the form, which in this mode is called a Retrieve Spec. To get all your records, leave the form blank. If you enter criteria, you will get only the records that match the criteria. The example below shows a Retrieve Spec that will get only those records where the Last Name is "Anderson".

4. When the Retrieve Spec is filled out the way you want it, retrieve your records by pressing the F10 key. Sesame will find all the matching records in your database and show them to you. You can step forwards and backwards through them by pressing F10 and F9.

5. When you are finished, either press the Escape key to leave Update Mode and return to the Application Menu, or press F7 to start a new search.

Sorting Records In Sesame

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:58:19 GMT

Records are not stored in a database in any particular order. If you want to see your records in a specific order, you need to sort them.

1. Open your Form in Search/Update.

2. In the lower left corner of your screen is the Sort Spec. The Sort Spec lists each element on your Form.

3. Click the sort button for each element you want to sort by. An S will appear in the sort button each element you click, indicating that it will be sorted. A second button will also appear with an Ascend. The second button indicates sort direction. The Ascend means ascending sort (A-Z).

4. Run your retrieve. Your records will appear in the order you specified in the Sort Spec. In this case, your records will be in order by Company, Last and First.

NOTE: You can click the sort direction button to toggle between ascending and descending sort.

Exporting Your Data To A CSV File

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:24:52 GMT

1. Open your application and open your form in Search Update mode. Retrieve the records you want to export.

2. If the Spec Window title bar at the bottom left of your screen does not display Export followed by the name of your form, click on the large arrow to the right of the title until Export is the displayed spec.

3. In the Spec Window, click the grey box next to the fields that you want to export. An arrow appears in the box to inform you that the field is selected for export. The number displayed next to the arrow indicates the order of the elements you have selected.

4. In the Spec Window, click on the title bar which should say Export followed by your form name. Select Run from the list of options that appears.

5. The Ascii Export window appears on your screen asking you to enter a filename for the export. The default options will work under most circumstances. Enter the filename you want to use in the Ascii Export Filename box and click Accept.

6. Sesame exports your data to the specified file.

More Information:
Information about Exporting data from Sesame is located on page 343 of the 2.0 Sesame User Guide.

Configuring Sesame Server to Run As a Service or Scheduled Task

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:52:47 GMT

Configuring Sesame Server to Run As a Service or Scheduled Task

Description:

Some users find it beneficial to setup Sesame Server to run automatically when their Server machine starts up. This allows Sesame Server to start back up automatically after a power-failure or reboot of the Server machine.

Solutions:

Use a third-party utility such as FireDaemon to launch Sesame Server as a Windows Service.
Use Windows Scheduled Tasks. The steps for setting up Scheduled Tasks appear below.

Windows XP

1: Open the Windows Control Panel

2: For Default View(Category View)

Click on Performance and Maintenance

Click on Scheduled Tasks

2: For Classic View

Click on Scheduled Tasks

3: Click Add Scheduled Tasks

4: Click Next

5: Click Browse

6: Browse to C:\Sesame2\Program

7: Double Click on Sesame.exe

8: In Name enter Sesame Server

9: Select "When my computer starts"

10: Click Next

11: Enter a Windows Login and Password

12: Click Next

13: Check the "Open advanced Properties for this task when I click Finish" checkbox

14: Click Finish

15: On the Task Tab

16: In the Run box after "C:\Sesame2\Program\sesame.exe" add "-Server ComputerName -daemon"

*Note* ComputerName needs to be replaced with the Computer name of this Server Computer

17: Change the Start in field to be C:\Sesame2\

18: Click the Settings Tab

19: Uncheck the "Stop the task if it runs for" check box

20: Click Apply

21: Click OK

The next time you restart your machine, Sesame Server will start automatically.

Vista

1: Open the Windows Control Panel

2: For Default View(Control Panel Home)

Click on System and Maintenance

Click on Administrative Tools

Click on Task Scheduler

2: For Classic View

Click on Administrative Tools

Click on Task Scheduler

3: In the Task Scheduler Click on "Create Basic Task"

4: In Name Enter Sesame Server

5: Click Next

6: Select "When the computer starts"

7: Click Next

8: Select "Start a Program"

9: Click Next

10: In the Program/Script box enter: C:\Sesame2\Program\Sesame.exe

11: In the Add Arguments box enter: "-Server ComputerName -daemon

*Note* ComputerName needs to be replaced with the Computer name of this Server Computer

12: In the Start In box enter: C:\Sesame2

13: Click Next

14: Check the Box that says "Open the Properties dialog for this task when I click Finish"

15: Click Finish

16: Uncheck the "Stop this task if it runs longer than:" checkbox.

17: Click OK and close the Windows Task Scheduler.

The next time you restart your machine, Sesame Server will start automatically.

Can I run Sesame on the internet?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:32:25 GMT

Yes. Sesame uses the same network protocol as the internet (TCP/IP) and works well through an internet connection. There is no change in syntax, installation, or licensing for use of Sesame on the internet.

Will Sesame run on my operating system?

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:15:16 GMT

Sesame is a 32 bit application that runs on the following operating systems:

Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows ME
Windows XP
Windows Vista (32 bit)
Windows Vista (64 bit as a 32 bit application)
Windows 7 (32 bit)
Windows 7 (64 bit as a 32 bit application)

As well as:

Linux (for Intel)

Programmed Retrieve Specs

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:26:49 GMT

What is a Programmed Retrieve?

Q&As database search options are extensive. When these run out you can always use a programmed Retrieve Spec. This more recent capability programmable Retrieves, added in Q&A version 4.0is not used nearly as much as it ought to be. The good news is that Sesame supports Retrieve Spec programming just like Q&A. There are some relatively minor differences between the two, however. I want to tell you what these are, and in the process show you how you can use Retrieve Spec programming to good effect.

Retrieve Programming: two methods

Retrieve programming must be enclosed by what are called French braces { }. They contain the programming expression you want Q&A to evaluate, which will determine which record or records Q&A returns to your desktop, or to a mail merge, Mass Update, Report or other task that includes record selection as part of it. Your expression can take one of two forms: Either a value, such as a number, a date or a text string, or a Boolean expression that evaluates to either True or False. (Q&A's "Yes/No" fields are Boolean). As an example of a value expression, lets take a search for dates falling due within the next seven days, where the due date will always be in the future. At the Retrieve Spec, you could type the following into the Due Date or similarly named field, as long as its a proper date type field:

< { @Date + 7 }

Notice that the less-than operator (<) is outside the main expression enclosed by the French braces. In this case, the expression is evaluated by Q&A and returns a date seven days in the future from the current date. When coupled with the <, this tells Q&A to find all the records where the Due Date field contains a date that is earlier than the date that is seven days from today. Another example would be to find people with four-character surnames:

Surname: ={@Len(Surname) = 4}

This would produce records containing surnames such as Bird and Shaw.

This is the first way to use Retrieve programming. You could call it implied comparison, since the expression directly relates to the contents of the Retrieve Spec field in which youve typed it.

The second methodcall it truth-of-expressionis independent of the field into which it is typed. It can be considered universal to all the fields on the form. It starts with the French braces:

Surname: {@Len(Surname) = 4}

When the expression inside the French braces is evaluated and then tested against a particular record, it will result in either a True or a False. If true, the record is included; if false it is not. A programming expression used in this way does not relate to the field it happens to be put in. Place it in a different field and the result will be the same.

About Sesame

Q&A and Sesame support both these methods. But there is a difference you need to know.

We all know that Q&A is a very forgiving product. You can put Dont Know in a date field. You can name a field 150 and have a programming statement that says:

Total = #200 + 150

Q&A will use the value thats in field 150 rather than add the number 150. Thats neat. But its extremely difficult to replicate in a modern program that has a wider scope than Q&A.

Q&As forgiving nature extends to Retrieve Spec programming as well. Youve seen these two methods. If you use the first method, your programming expression produces a value. If you want that value to be compared to a field, you can put it in that field and put an equal sign in front of the French braces. In Q&A, if you omit the equal sign, Q&A will handle it anyway. Likewise if you do the opposite, and put an equal sign in front of the French braces when using method two, Q&A accommodates these errors. Sesame doesn't.

The following are valid in Sesame:

Rating: ={Key - 14}

Any Field: {Rating = Key - 14}

However, if you swap the equal sign to the second example, it is incorrect syntax and wont work in Sesame, even though this improper practice is tolerated in Q&A.

One thing you wont be able to carry forward to Sesame is the use of logical field numbers in programming. You have to use field names, plain and simple. Logical field numbers are actually a carryover from Q&A 3.0, where you couldnt use field names in programming and were forced to assign a logical field number to any field you wanted to reference in programming.

Again, this can be justified by stating that Q&A is extravagantly accommodating regarding such numbering. The numbers used are just for the Program Spec. So, you can have a numbering scheme in the Program Spec, another in the Navigation Spec, another in each of many saved Mass Update Specs, more yet in saved Retrieve Specs, and so on.

Using field names is ultimately just simpler

Why would you want Retrieve Spec programming?

Being able to use Retrieval expressions can come in handy in various situations. They come into their own when you use them as Saved Retrieves. This can be as standalone Retrieve Specs, or as the Retrieve Spec saved as part of Reports or Print Specs.

Compare to current date

As you saw in the first example, you can compare a date field to the current date. This is invaluable for finding records for the next week, for the last 14 days, for next month, for this month, for the past 90 days, and so forth. You dont have to type in a new range of dates every time you perform the task, such as:

Date Due: >=8/14/2003..<= 8/21/2003

or simply this:

Date Due: 8/14/2003..8/21/2003

Here are a few more examples of using Retrieve Spec expressions with date ranges:

{JobDate >= @Date - 7 And JobDate <=@Date + 7}

(JobDate 1 week either side of today.)

{@Month(JobDate) = @Month(@Date) And @Yr(JobDate) = @Yr(@Date)}

(JobDate this month.)

{@Replace(DOB, @Yr(DOB), @Yr(@Date)) >= @Date and @Replace(DOB, @Yr(DOB), @Yr(@Date)) < @Date + 7}

(Birthday (DOB) within the next week.)

Searching for non-standard characters

Retrieve Spec programming can help you find characters that shouldn't be in a field. For example, to search for ñ in a field name Reading1:

{@Instr(Reading1, @Chr(241)) > 0}

Complex string manipulation

To find records where the third-from-last character in the Item field is a backslash:

{@Mid(Item, @Len(Item)-2, 1) = \}

To find field values of a certain length

Short, or especially, long values, which might cause problems with mailing labels, merge documents or exports:

{@Len(Comments) > 255}

Although the @Len function is commonly used to determine the length of a text string, it can also be used though to find the length of a number field. An integer from 0 to 9 will have a length of 1, an integer from 10 to 99 will have a length of 2, and so forth. A definite case of a solution in search of a problem!

Mixed search logic

Where Retrieve Spec programming really comes into its own, is where you have mixed And and Or conditions across fields. Such retrieves are impossible to do without programming.

The best example is the Chase Creditors situation. You want to print out a list of, or send letters to, all those people who are overdue on their payments. Who do you the send the letters to?

You want those who are overdue a long time who owe a moderate amount, and you also want those who owe you a lot even if they are less severely overdue. In Retrieve Spec terms you want:

Overdue moderate time AND amount due is large

or...

Overdue long time AND amount due is moderate

You need criteria in two fields, and you need a mixed And and Or across them. Assuming theres a Date Paid which is blank if not paid, and fields for Invoice Date and Amount, the programmed Retrieve would look like this:

Date Paid:

Any Field: { (Invoice Date < @Date-30 AND Amount > 5000 ) OR (Invoice Date < @Date - 60 AND Amount > 2000 ) }

To repeatyou create and then save these Retrieve Spec programs, either with Reports or as standalone Saved Retrieve Specs. The example above will produce different records each day because the dates are being compared to the current date, no matter what date that is.

Furthermore, all these programmed Retrievesif they dont start with an equals sign, and if they use Field Nameswill not only translate into Sesame from your Q&A database, but will work in Sesame to give you the same consistent results.

New simple case-sensitive search support

Q&A offers you a way to perform a case-sensitive search: but it's pretty clumsy and hardly anyone knows it. Sesame does very much better. In Sesame, all you have to do is to prefix your retrieve parameter with the ' symbol (called an apostrophe), and the whole text string is searched case sensitive. So, to find "BBC" in lower case:

Company: 'bbc

You'll get a match on bbc but not BBC or Bbc

This article by Alec Mulvey is adapted from one published in the August 2003 issue of The Quick Answer.

Does Sesame support "remote access"?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:33:28 GMT

Yes. By running a Sesame Server on the remote computer, Sesame clients can then connect through an internet connection. This can be any kind of internet connection, on either computer - including a simple "dial-up" connection

I get a message that says my application is locked and may be in use. What should I do? (For Sesame v.2)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:49:33 GMT

If an application has been closed incorrectly, the next time you open the application it will be locked. When attempting to open a locked Sesame application, a warning message similar to the following will appear. "Database C:\Sesame 2\Data\MyData.db failed to open. The application is locked and may currently be in use." To unlock your application so it can be opened follow the steps below: 1. Select File > Server Administration. 2. The Administrator Login dialog appears. Enter the correct administrator login information. By default, the login name is "admin" and the password is "hello". Click on the Accept button. 3. Select the Unlock Application tab at the bottom of the Server Administration window. 4. In the area to the left where files are listed browse until you see the application file that is locked. 5. Left-click on the application file you want to unlock. Sesame displays a confirmation message in the status box at the lower right of the window. Above the confirmation message there is a command button labeled 'Unlock Selected Application'. Click on the command button. 6. Once you have unlocked your application you can exit the server administration window and open your application. Note: Please be certain that the application is not in use by any user or server before selecting that application to be unlocked.

Importing Data From A CSV File

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:13:30 GMT

1. Open your application and open your form in Add Data Mode.

2. If the Spec Window title bar at the bottom left of your screen does not display Import followed by your form name, click on the large arrow to the right of the title until Import is the displayed spec.

3. In the Spec Window at the bottom left of your screen, click the grey box next to each field that you want to import.

4. In the Spec Window, click on the title bar which should say Import followed by your form name. Select Run from the list of options that appears.

5. A window appears on your screen asking you to select the file you want to import. Select your import file and click Accept.

6. Sesame imports your data to the specified fields.

More Information:
It is important that you import your data in the same order as the data that is stored in your import file.
Information about Importing data into Sesame is located on page 337 of the 2.0 Sesame User Guide.

Reconfiguring Norton Security Suite To Allow Client/Server Connections

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:28:35 GMT

Reconfiguring Norton Security Suite To Allow Client/Server Connections

Description of Issue:

A recent update to the version of Norton Security Suite that is provided by Comcast to its subscribers may reset all firewall settings and remove exceptions for Sesame.
This can result in network connecivity issues when running Sesame in a Client/Server environment.

Affected Users:

Individuals using the Norton Security Suite utility provided by Comcast who use Sesame in a Client/Server environment.

Symptoms:

Sesame Client connections are dropped and the Sesame Client closes within 1-5 minutes starting Sesame.
Clients may recieve a message that states "Error Communicating With Server".

Quick Navigation:

Jump To Configuring Exceptions For Executables
Jump To Configuring Port Exceptions
Jump To Related Knowledgebase Articles

Steps to reconfigure exceptions for the Sesame exectuable in Norton Security Suite

Open the control panel for Norton Security Suite.
You can do this by double-clicking on the Norton icon in your Windows taskbar or via the Start Menu.
Left click on the option for 'Settings' located in the top right corner of the Norton window.
In the Settings panel, left-click on the option labeled 'Firewall'
In the Firewall panel, left-click on the tab labeled 'Program Rules'
On the Program Rules tab, left-click on the command button labeled 'Add'
A file dialogue box will open and prompt you to select a program
Navigate to 'C:/Sesame2/Program' (or your machine's Sesame directory) and select 'Sesame.exe'
A Norton Security Suite message will appear and ask what you want to do with the executable file
Select 'Allow' and left-click the command button labeled 'OK'
On the Program Rules tab, left-click on the command button labeled 'Add'
A file dialogue box will open and prompt you to select a program
Navigate to 'C:/Sesame2/Program' (or your machine's Sesame directory) and select 'SDesigner.exe'
A Norton Security Suite message will appear and ask what you want to do with the executable file
Select 'Allow'
On the Program Rules tab, left-click on the command button labeled 'Apply' at the bottom of the window

Steps to reconfigure port exceptions in Norton Security Suite

Open the control panel for Norton Security Suite.
You can do this by double-clicking on the Norton icon in your Windows taskbar or via the Start Menu.
Left click on the option for 'Settings' located in the top right corner of the Norton window.
In the Settings panel, left-click on the option labeled 'Firewall'
In the Firewall panel, left-click on the tab labeled 'Traffic Rules'
On the Traffic Rules tab, left-click on the command button at the bottom of the window labeled 'Add'
This will take you to the 'Add Rule' wizard.
In the 'Add Rule' wizard, select the option labeled 'Allow: Allow connections that match this rule'
Left-click on the command button labeled 'Next' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard you will be asked, "What type of connection do you want to allow?"
Select the option labeled 'Connections to and from other computers'
Left-click on the command button labeled 'Next' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard you will be asked, "What computer or sites do you want to allow access to?"
Select the option labeled 'Any computer'
Left-click on the command button labeled 'Next' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard you will be prompted for the type of protocol to allow, leave the combo box set to 'TCP and UDP'
You will also be asked, "What types of communication or ports do you want to allow?", select the option labeled 'Only communications that match all types and ports listed below'
Left-click on the command button labeled 'Add' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Specify Ports' window, make the following settings:
     - Set "Filter By:" to 'Port Range'
     - Set "Locality:" to 'Local'
     - Set "Enter the starting point" to '20000' (or to the first port of the two you use)
     - Set "Enter the ending point" to '20001' (or to the second port of the two you use)
Left-click on the command button labeled 'OK' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard, Left-click on the command button labeled 'Add' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Specify Ports' window, make the following settings:
     - Set "Filter By:" to 'Port Range'
     - Set "Locality:" to 'Remote'
     - Set "Enter the starting point" to '20000' (or to the first port of the two you use)
     - Set "Enter the ending point" to '20001' (or to the second port of the two you use)
Left-click on the command button labeled 'OK' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard, Left-click on the command button labeled 'Next' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard, you can leave both options unchecked
Left-click on the command button labeled 'Next' at the bottom of the window
In the 'Add Rule' wizard, you can name the rule you have just created
We recommend a name like "Firewall Rule - Sesame Ports
Left-click on the command button labeled 'Next' at the bottom of the window
You can left-click on the command button labeled 'Finish' to complete the wizard
Exit the Norton Security Suite control panel and reboot your machine

Related Knowledgebase Articles:

Troubleshooting Client/Server Connection Issues

Can I use my Sesame database from within Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, etc...)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:23:09 GMT

Yes. Using ODBC.

Why don't the numbers in my translated database look like they did in Q&A?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:23:56 GMT

I have translated my Q&A 4.0 database in Sesame. I had used two fields to define an address, Street Number and Street Name.

In Q&A I got:

1234	Main Street

In Sesame I get:

1234.000000 Main Street

You have the Street Number field in Q&A set to be a Number field (N). When Sesame translates that data, it has no idea that you don't want it to truly display the entire number with all of its internal decimal places, so it displays the whole thing. There are a few ways to correct this issue.

In Q&A, before translation set the field to be N0 rather than N (zero decimal places).
In Q&A, before translation set the field to be T rather than N (text field).
In Sesame, after translation set the field to display zero decimal places using the Property Editor, Format Tab, Custom Format, Decimal Places setting.

Is Sesame a "relational" database?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:16:00 GMT

Yes. Sesame supports two kinds of relational data. By default, and with very little effort on the part of the developer, Sesame supports a one-to-many hierarchial relationship. That means, that without much effort you can set up an invoice form that has a line item table, with entries unique to the customer on each invoice. Sesame also supports (without much more effort) a "keyed" relationship between a form and subform, where one field on the subform must match a field on the parent form. Forms can be nested as deeply as necessary. Sesame also supports the same kinds of relationships as Q&A, through the use of XLookup and related SBasic functions.

Can Sesame be run behind a firewall?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:30:53 GMT

Yes. Sesame can be set up so that only computers behind the firewall can gain access to the Sesame server. With most firewalls, this will be the default (and desired) behavior. See your firewall's user manual for details on how to allow a program to operate through the firewall, if you want to make your Sesame server available to the public. Some firewalls will produce a warning when Sesame is first launched indicating that a program has "opened ports". Your firewall may need to be informed that Sesame is going to open two ports. Again see your firewall's user manual for details.

What Q&A features are not supported/will not be translated by Sesame?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:12:52 GMT

Sesame cannot translate Q&A's macros. Sesame does not have a full featured Word Processor, but does support many of the operations performed by Q&A Write, including mail merges.

Print Preview Reports in Internet Explorer 7

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:58:13 GMT

From the Inside Sesame Help Desk

I'm using Windows Vista and IE7 with Sesame. I read all the articles telling me how to take my Sesame reports and use the options in IE7 to change the way they print, send them by email, add headers and footers, and so on. I know that this is not really a Sesame question, but can you give me a tip on where to look. I can't find any of these options in my copy of IE7.
Frank

There are lots of places you can find these things by clicking around on the few icons IE7 offers as a default, but the easiest way is to put the old Menu Bar back. To do this, right click on the Status Bar or click on Tools and make sure that the Menu Bar selection is checked.

Once you do this, you'll have the familiar File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools, and Help choices at the top of your screen. Clicking on File will give you the options for Print Preview or Send (To).

Running A Mass Update In Sesame

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:05:14 GMT

1. Open your application and open your form in Search Update mode. Retrieve the records you want to Mass Update.

2. If the Spec Window at the bottom left of your screen does not display Mass Update followed by your form name, click on the large arrow to the right of the title until Mass Update is the displayed spec.

3. Double click on the element name on which you want to perform the mass update. Sesame will mark that element with an arrow, and open it in the Programming Editor.

4. In the Program Editor, write the programming statement that you want the mass update to perform, then test it using the Test menu in the editor. Close the Program Editor.

5. Click on the title bar which should say Mass Update followed by your form name. Select Run from the list of options that appears.

6. Sesame will ask you if you want to review each record before it is updated (Interactive), or if you want to run the mass update with no further interaction (Continue).

More Information:

It is recommended that you backup your application prior to running a mass update on any database. There is no 'undo' for a mass update.

Information about Mass Updating is located on page 299 of the 2.0 Sesame User Guide.

Troubleshooting Client/Server Connection Issues

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:55:07 GMT

Problems during initial setup:

Before beginning this troubleshooting guide, double check that server and client versions of Sesame are the exact same version. Version mismatching can lead to many problems, not just communication problems, so always be sure you are running same version on the server and all client computers.

1: I get an Error message saying "One or more of the files may be set to read-only" then I get another error saying that the files failed to open.

Check that there is no space in between the hyphen and the word client (or server) in the target of the Sesame icon.
Check the spelling on the "Client"(or "Server") switch after sesame.exe
Check that the Sesame version string at the top of the Sesame window says Sesame Plus not Sesame Personal. Sesame Personal does not have Client/Server capabilities.

2: I get an Error message saying "Error failed to connect to server"

Check that the Server name used in the target of the Client icon is the computer name of the computer running Sesame Server
Check that the Sesame Server is running on the Server computer
Check Firewall on both Server and Client computers.(See Firewall section below)
Verify network connection to the Server computer using the Ping command
If Ports have been specified in the Server's target path, those same ports need to be specified in the Client's target path
If Ports are specified on the Target path check that there is no spaces in between the Server Name, the colons and the ports
If you're trying to connect Sesame Client/Server over the Internet, verify that the TCP Ports for Sesame, 20000 and 20001 by default, are forwarded to the Server computer in the Port Forwarding section of the Router's configuration.

3: I get an Error message saying "Failed to connect to the Server - too many clients" followed by an Error message saying "Failed to connect to the Server" but there is only one Client connected to the Server

Check the Sesame Server dialog on the Server computer, and see if the "Connections" field at the top of the window says 1 out of 1. If it does the license file may not be in the right place. Start by checking the "Start In:" property of the Sesame Server icon and make a note of the path displayed in it, by default the path is C:\Sesame2\. You will need to place the s_license2.lic file into that directory. Then shut down the Sesame Server program using the shutdown commands under Server Administration from the open client and then restart it. The "Connections" field should now show the correct number of allowed clients. If it does not, contact Technical Support for additional assistance.

Problems after initial setup/connection:

The first thing you are going to want to try if you've just started having issues with Client/Server not working properly is to try a re-boot of the Server computer. Sometimes certain network problems can be solved with a simple reboot of the Server machine. If the problem just started happening and Client/Server was running correctly before and nothing has changed with the network configuration itself, try a reboot.

1: Sesame Client closes after being open for a short period of time

Check Firewall on both Server and Client computers.(See Firewall section below)
Update to Sesame version 2.5.2 or newer, if you're currently on an older version
If you are connected to the Server computer via a Wireless connection, try connecting with a patch cable and see if problem persists
Check for Port conflicts with other programs(See Port Conflcts section below)

2: Sesame Client closes after being open for roughly two hours.

Check Firewall on both Server and Client computers.(See Firewall section below)
Check Power Saving Settings on the Network Card of both the Client and the Server computers(See Power Saving Setting on the Network Card section below)
Check Router settings for port timeouts and connection timeouts or try substituting a different router as certain routers have internal timeouts built into them that can not be changed.
Check to see if the Server computer has been assigned a different IP address from when Client first connected to the Server computer(See DHCP section below)
Check to see if the Client computer has been assigned a different IP address from when it first connected to the Server computer(See DHCP section below)
If you are connected to the Server computer via a Wireless connection, try connecting with a patch cable and see if problem persists
It could be that the problem you are experiencing is a hardware issue. Try substituting in a new network card, different cable, switch, etc.

Firewall

Certain firewall programs will allow the initial connection, but will time out the connection after a few minutes and close the ports that Sesame is using. To get firewalls to not only allow the initial connection, but to also allow the ports to remain open, you need to tell the firewall not to mess with the ports that Sesame is using.

On the Windows Firewall be sure that both the program sesame.exe and the communication ports(Default: TCP 20000 and 20001) are on the allowed exceptions list.

For other Firewalls add exceptions for either the program or the ports or both depending on what it allows you to add for exceptions.

If you already added these exceptions to your Firewall when you first set up Sesame in Client/Server, but are now experiencing problems, double check that the exceptions are still there. Some software updates to Firewall programs have been known to delete exceptions that have been added by the user.

Different firewall programs have different settings for timeouts. If your connections are timing out after some number of minutes, check the manual for your firewall program to see where they set timeouts.

Power Saving Setting on the Network Card

In Windows Control Panel open the System properties. Switch to the Hardware tab and click Device Manager. Under Network Adapters check the properties of all the items listed. If they have a Power Management tab, make sure that the option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." is unchecked.

Port Conflicts

Sesame by default runs on TCP Ports 20000 and 20001. If you have another program that is using either of these ports, or suspect you have another program on either of those ports, you will want to assign a different set of ports for Sesame to use. The port numbers must be sequential with the second port being 1 number higher than the first port number.

DHCP

Since Sesame requires a constant network connection between the Client and Server computers if either one of the IP addresses was to change, the connection would be broken. If you are using DHCP, to assign IP addresses to the computers, check that the Client Lease Time is set to 24 Hours. In some cases it may be necessary to assign a static IP address to the Server, Client, or both computers.

@SendMail() Error Codes.

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:42:28 GMT

@Sendmail is an SBasic programming command that sends an email message using the information in your database. @SendMail returns 0 if the function succeeded (the email was sent). A non-zero return value indicates a failure. The list of these return values are below.

-1 Unable to connect to SMTP server on SMTP port. Check internet connection, spelling of SMTP server name and SMTP port number of SMTP server.
-2 Failure from SMTP server after initial connection (after HELO was sent). Possible causes are trying to access a SMTP server that requires a login and password without specifying one.
-3 Failure from SMTP server after sending from address. Check the From address to verify that it is a valid email address.
-4 Failure from SMTP server after sending recipient list. Check the To, CC and BCC addresses to verify that they are a valid email address.
-5 Failure from SMTP server after sending body and subject of email
-6 Failure to open attachment files for sending. Check file path, that the file exists and that the current user has read permission to the file
-7 Failure from SMTP server after sending end of message tag.
-8 Failure from SMTP server after sending log off command.
-9 Authorization failure. Check spelling of username and password

Merging Your Data Into Labels (Microsoft Word 2003)

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:46:53 GMT

1. Export data from Sesame with Field Name Headers

2. Open Microsoft Word

3. In the "Tools" menu select "Letters and Mailings" and then choose "Mail Merge Wizard..."

4. On the right hand side select the "Labels" radio button and then near the bottom select "Next: Starting document"

5. On the right hand side select the "Label options..." button

6. Choose the label that you will be using and select "OK"

7. On the right hand side select the "Next: Select recipients..." button

8. On the right hand side select the "Browse" button

9. In the Filed of Type: drop down at the bottom choose "All Files (*.*)" and browse to where your ASCII file is and select it

10. Set the Field Delimiter to ","

11. Set the Record Delimiter to "(enter)" and click on "OK"

12. On the window that pops up select "OK"

13. On the right hand side select the "Next: Arrange your labels" button

14. Click into the first label on your document and then on the right hand side select the "More Items..." button

15. Insert your database fields in the appropriate spots by selecting the field and then selecting the "Insert" button, when completed click on the "Close" button

16. On the right hand side click the "Update all labels" button

NOTE: Saving your document will cause Word to remember all your merge settings so you can begin from this step the next time you open your merge document.

17. On the right hand side select the "Next: Preview your labels" button

18. On the right hand side select the "Next: Complete the merge" button

19. Click "Print" to print the letters, or click "Edit individual labels" to merge to a new document

Use Mass Update For More Than Updating Records

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:37:32 GMT

From the Inside Sesame Help Desk

We've developed a PrintString routine that prints a perfect billing invoice from our multi-line invoice record. Because we're using a subform for the line items, the program includes separate subroutines to print the header, the footer and the body of the invoice. The routine that prints the body (the individual line items) does a loop through the subrecords. It all works great and we run the program from a command button labeled Print Invoice. My question is how can I print more than one invoice at a time. I'd like to print all of my monthly invoices for all of my customers without having to retrieve each record and click on Print Invoice. You guys always seem to have a way to do things. Can you help me?
-Scott

We sure can. Sesame has a method for doing things to multiple records - all the records in the currently retrieved set. It is called Mass Update. This is nothing new to most Inside Sesame readers, but most people use it to update a value in multiple records such as setting a new price multiplier or changing a tax rate field. However, mass update can be used to run any type of programming from each record as long as that programming is in the Mass Update spec. So to do what you need, follow these steps.

1. Copy the programming from your Print Invoice command button to the clipboard. (In the program editor, Ctrl-A then Ctrl-C.

2. Preview your application and retrieve some records. Open the Mass Update Spec Window and select any LE from the form (not GLOBAL CODE). Paste the program in the clipboard into the editor window.

3. Click on the Mass Update Spec button and select Save. Assign a name to this saved Mass Update - let's call it Print Invoices. Now, close preview and go back to your design. Change your command button's On-Element-Entry program as follows. At the start of your main programming section add this:

Var vInvoice as string
Var vRun as Int		

//Offer User Choice of Invoices Popup is over Print button
PopupSelectPosition(4, @XPos(Print Invoice)-25, @YPos(Print Invoice))
vInvoice = @PopupMenu("This Record Only;All Retrieved Records", "Which Invoice(s) would you like to print?")

If vInvoice = "This Record Only"
{
 	//Place your current printing routine here
}

// This is what you add that will run the Saved Mass Update on
// All of the retrieved records and print them

Else If vInvoice = "All Retrieved Records"
{
	If @Mode() = 1
	{
		vRun = @LoadMassUpdateSpec("Print Invoices")
		If vRun = 1
		{
			RunMassUpdateSpec()
		}
	}
}

There you have it. You can use Mass Update not only to update records but to cycle through them and run whatever programming you wish. In this case, ask the user and print multiple records.

This approach can be used to do other things such as special postings, program testing, data testing, selective exporting, and so forth. The thing to remember is that any programming you want Mass Update to run must be included in the Mass Update spec. A Mass Update will not run regular application programming unless you duplicate it here. You also need to remember to set the Reconcile option to replace saved specs in the target application if you've created your Mass Update spec in Designer's Preview mode.

Think of Mass Update as another tool you can use to make your applications sing.