File Action Category

DM2003 can handle several types of files. The most important are data files. Data files may have any extension, default is *.dat. These files contain only numbers separated by spaces and, in fact, are simple ASCII texts. Lines below is an example of such file:

2657.6633 1.0002 0.0045775531 100 296 
2663.0703 1.0002024 0.0050046856 100 294 
2668.2281 1.0002 0.0054910084 100 292 
2673.244 1.0002419 0.0060325396 100 290 
2678.1813 1.0003001 0.0064681307 100 288 
2683.0256 1.0002382 0.0067814124 100 286

Values also may be separated by commas and tabstops. Decimal point character always assumed to be period (.) independent on system locales, otherwise fractional part will be interpreted as separate value. Note that CSV file format may be interpreted incorrectly because CSV file may contain several adjacent commas.

Warning: it is strongly recommended that you set "dot" character as the global (system-wide) decimal point separator. Some localized versions of Windows by default may use another character, a comma, for example. As a result, many mathematical applications (not only Data Master) may fall into troubles since it's become impossible to distinguish between two separate numbers divided by comma and integer and fractional parts of the same number. Use Windows Control Panel to set correct value.

Another file type (specific for Data Master software) is desktop files (*.dmw). This is a binary copy of memory allocated for internal DM2003 objects. Use this format if you wish to save all attributes of all opened data windows. DM2003 may import desktop files saved by DM2000.

DM2003 also can open text files (*.txt) in the Notes and hypertext documents in the Browser window. Keep in mind that default extension for Notes files may be changed in the MetaBase configuration dialog.

Actions:
Title Description
ExitQuits the application
NewCreate new data window
Open Open disk file
Save Save disk file
Save AsSave disk file under selected name
Save DesktopSave Desktop file under selected name
PropertiesDisplay file properties
Print Print contents of active data window
Print Set&up...Print Setup
Page Set&up...Show Page Setup dialog

Open Action Details:

Open command allows you to open disk file in DM2003. However, the result depends on file extension:

Files with other extensions are treated as data files. This feature allows you to process your own extensions as well as "native" *.dat extension. Keep in mind that you can associate any file type with DM2003 using Application Properties dialog box so that these files may be easily opened from the file managers.

Another cool feature supported by DM2003 is drag-n-drop. Notice: unlike Open command, the action depends not on file extension, but on the drop target.

Save Action Details:

Save (and Save As) commands, like editing operations, are polymorphic: the action depends on active object. If file name associated with data window or Notes is valid, Save command will overwrite appropriate file. Otherwise (for example, when file was downloaded from the Web) Save command will automatically invoke Save As.

Look at the Save File dialog caption to know what object about to be saved. Keep in mind that DM2003 doesn't add extension automatically!

Print Action Details:

You can print the contents of data windows as plot and worksheet (depends on what control is active). In the latter case however, DM2003 first will export worksheet as HTML document loaded into the Browser window and the printing job itself implemented by means of MSHTML engine.