Focus Course

Total Items: 21 Total Time: 55.00 hour(s)

Summary:

This training is designed for both FOCUS end users and application developers.

It covers basic FOCUS concepts and terminology, its file structure, and the Master File Description.

It details application developer facilities, and covers using FOCUS with TED, creating reports, graphs, and file definitions, and looks at data manipulation and screening techniques.

Additional topics include accessing file definitions, using MODIFY requests, and the Dialogue Manager, FIDEL, and MAINTAIN facilities.

Learning Segment 1 : Getting Started

Summary:

This learning segment provides an introduction to the FOCUS environment and its features and terminology.

Objectives:

• Recognize basic FOCUS concepts and terminology Define the FOCUS file structure Use the Master File Description Create reports and use facilities Use Application Developer facilities

Topics:

• General Concepts File Structures Master File Descriptions Facilities for End Users More Facilities for End Users Application Developer Facilities

Learning Segment 2 : Working with FOCUS

Summary:

This learning segment shows users how to work in FOCUS using TED.

Objectives:

• Recognize the general concepts of TED Add and delete material in TED Move and copy in TED Explain introductory material concerning the Terminal Operator Environment Describe the functions of the seven windows in TED Operate WINDOW commands in TED

Topics:

• General TED Concepts TED Commands Terminal Operator Environment Types of Windows WINDOW Commands

Learning Segment 3 : Basic Report Preparation

Summary:

This learning segment This learning segment is for anyone who is interested in learning about basic report preparation using FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Describe the various course conventions Identify the screens used by the various course databases Use the TABLE command to initiate report requests Use the PRINT and LIST verbs to print the field values in report requests Use the SUM, ADD, WRITE, and COUNT Verbs in report requests Describe the basic sorting process of data Explain the various printing techniques used for creating reports Use the IF statement and WHERE clause to screen records Explain the various uses of the WHERE clause

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Starting a Simple Report Printing Values Creating Report Requests Record Selection

Learning Segment 4 : Creating Simple Reports

Summary:

This learning segment shows users how to use FOCUS to create simple reports.

Objectives:

• Create subheadings and subfootings Use the Hot Screen option in FOCUS Explain line and page options in FOCUS Create headings and footings in FOCUS Use advanced methods to scroll Use search and locate to find repeat forms Save reports in FOCUS Understand course conventions Create course databases

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Line and Page Formatting Headings and Footings Techniques for Formatting Reports FOCUS Hot Screen Using the Hot Screen

Learning Segment 5 : Creating Complex Reports

Summary:

This learning segment shows users how to use various techniques to create sophisticated reports with FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Use the rules for coding statements in FOCUS graph requests Describe how to use advanced sorting techniques when creating reports Create headings and footings, including positioning text Rank and summarize numeric data Create totals in your reports and print them

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Advanced Sorting Techniques Creating Matrix Reports Additional Formatting Options Ranking Data Subtotaling Operations The WHEN Clause

Learning Segment 6 : Additional Reporting Techniques

Summary:

This learning segment explains what you need to know in order to perform additional reporting techniques.

Objectives:

• Identify Alternate File Views and TableF Explain the method of attaching files Distinguish betweeen the Match vs Join commands Describe the method for saving report output Distinguish between the Hold vs Save commands

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases The JOIN Command The MATCH Command HOLD and PCHOLD Files SAVE and SAVB Files Retrieving Data

Learning Segment 7 : Fundamentals of Graphs

Summary:

This learning segment provides an introduction to graphing concepts and techniques used in FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Understand FOCUS command syntax and the types of graphs you can create Use graphing verbs and sort clauses to create graphs Set parameters to affect the appearance and function of graphs Create bar charts, using parameters that affect the appearance and control the horizontal axis Create multiple bar charts Create single variable histograms and multiple variable histograms

Topics:

• Conventions and Graph Types Graph Requirements Setting Graph Parameters Bar Charts Bar Chart Parameters Histograms

Learning Segment 8 : Advanced Graph Topics

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to create and format graphs for presentation on various types of platforms.

Objectives:

• Recognize FOCUS graph types Control the format of graphs Specify the parameters of graphs Control the format of scatter diagrams Specify the parameters of scatter diagrams Using tuning techniques to adjust graphs Apply special formats to graphs Display graphs on alternate devices

Topics:

• Conventions and Graph Types Connected Point Plots Scatter Diagrams Adjusting Graphs Display Options

Learning Segment 9 : Data Manipulation for Reporting

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to create and format graphs for presentation on various types of platforms.

Objectives:

• Use expressions Use prefix operators Create new fields Use the DEFINE command Specify the parameters of scatter diagrams Explain the differences between COMPUTE and DEFINE

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Expressions Prefix Operators The COMPUTE Command The DEFINE Command Comparing COMPARE and DEFINE

Learning Segment 10 : Advanced Screening Techniques

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to create and format graphs for presentation on various types of platforms.

Objectives:

• Use the DECODE function to make reports easy to read Apply the EDIT function to manipulate fields Use INCLUDES and EXCLUDES for character string screening Use masks to retrieve specific information Use sum of value tests with statements to determine the amount and type of information screened Use compound logic to retrieve specific information Store lists of screening values as text files

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases DECODE and EDIT INCLUDES and EXCLUDES Screening on Masked Fields Screening Accumulated Data Additional Screening Procedures

Learning Segment 11 : Creating File Definitions

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to create and format graphs for presentation on various types of platforms.

Objectives:

• Discuss file declarations Define Master File Descriptions and their purposes Explain the three types of declarations that make up an MFD List rules for coding MFDs Discuss rules for coding FOCUS commands Define segment declaration Explain the SEGNAME attribute Discuss the PARENT attribute Identify the SEGTYPE attribute Discuss the FORMAT attribute Explain how to specify field length

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Describing the File Describing Segments Field Declaration

Learning Segment 12 : Adjusting File Definitions

Summary:

This learning segment shows users how to adjust file definitions in FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Distinguish between the various segments used to track information in a database Create special temporary fields in your files and know how to name a file, including the suffix attribute Identify the various types of FORMAT values Assign TITLE, DESCRIPTION, ACCEPT and other attributes Use the CHECK command

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Field Attributes Editing Options Additional Ways to Describe Fields Creating an MFD

Learning Segment 13 : Accessing External Files

Summary:

This learning segment shows users how to describe external files to FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Create a Master File Description for general categories of external files Describe the structure of simple sequential files and multiple record type files Distinguish between the MFDs for ISAM and VSAM interfaces Code FOCUS MFD for the DB2 and SQL/DS interfaces Code Access File Description to access SQL tables from FOCUS

Topics:

• Defining External Files Fixed Format Files Variable Segment Files Other DBMS Files Optional Interfaces

Learning Segment 14 : Basic MODIFY Requests

Summary:

This learning segment provides an overview of the basic MODIFY requests in FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Add, update and delete information in a database using the MODIFY process Enter a MODIFY request and explain the results Create a FIXFORM statement to read transaction data stored on a file Create the PROMPT statement to read transaction data

Topics:

• What is MODIFY? Entering a Basic MODIFY Request Reading and Describing Data FREEFORM PROMPT and CRTFORM

Learning Segment 15 : Segment Modification

Summary:

This learning segment provides further instruction in maintaining and understanding files and databases in FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Test values Test incoming transaction values Test for existing incoming values Compare incoming transaction values Understand computations and the COMPUTE statement Change incoming transaction values Compute new values Define incoming data fields Understand course conventions in FOCUS Recognize and understand three course databases

Topics:

• The MATCH Statement Root Segments Updating Segment Instances Deleting Segment Instances Modifying Unique Segments Modifying Descendent Segments

Learning Segment 16 : Complex MODIFY Requests

Summary:

This learning segment provides an overview of the use of FOCUS and how to use it to perform complex MODIFY Requests.

Objectives:

• Understand course conventions in FOCUS Recognize and understand three course databases Compute new values Define incoming data fields Test incoming transaction values Test for existing incoming values

Topics:

• Course Conventions Course Databases The COMPUTE Statement The VALIDATE Statement

Learning Segment 17 : Additional File Maintenance

Summary:

This learning segment provides further instruction in maintaining and understanding files and databases in FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Explain course databases Code TYPE statements Use a LOG statement Use rejected transactions Use the CASE statement Manage branching with GOTO, PERFORM, and IF statements Design an application

Topics:

• Course Databases Messages The LOG Statement Case Logic Branching Designing a Sample Application

Learning Segment 18 : Dialogue Manager and FIDEL

Summary:

This learning segment provides an advanced look at the Dialogue Manager and FIDEL features found in FOCUS.

Objectives:

• Explain Dialogue Manager and FIDEL Understand the two database systems that are used for examples and exercises Use the Dialogue Manager to insert control statements in a FOCEXEC Identify three types of fields on a FIDEL screen

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases Dialogue Manager Control Statements FIDEL PF Keys Cursor Control

Learning Segment 19 : More Features of FIDEL

Summary:

This learning segment provides an overview of the additional features of FIDEL and how FIDEL is used with MODIFY and Dialogue Manager.

Objectives:

• Use automatic CRTFORMs for database maintenance Use case logic in FIDEL Read multiple occurrences of fields with a single CRTFORM Create a menu-driven application using Dialogue Manager

Topics:

• Course Conventions and Databases FIDEL in MODIFY Additional FIDEL Features FIDEL and CRTFORMs FIDEL in Dialogue Manager

Learning Segment 20 : MAINTAIN Facility

Summary:

This learning segment explains how to use the FOCUS MAINTAIN facility to maintain FOCUS files.

Objectives:

• Explain how MAINTAIN is used for database maintenance Identify MAINTAIN language standards and concepts Design a fully functional MAINTAIN procedure that performs maintenance functions for a database Prepare 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

Topics:

• Learning segment Overview Basic MAINTAIN Procedures Developing Screens The Winform Properties Dialog Box The Create Field Dialog Box Creating Buttons

Learning Segment 21 : Completing a MAINTAIN Application

Summary:

This learning segment teaches users how to build cases, create a grid, and use other commands to complete an application in MAINTAIN.

Objectives:

• Understand the sample databases and conventions used in the course Use the ADDPROD, CHGPROD, and DELPROD commands to develop Cases Use FWDPROD, BWDPROD, ENDPROD, and TOP to manipulate Cases Create a grid for your MAINTAIN application Use additional commands to manipulate your MAINTAIN application

Topics:

• Learning segment Overview Developing Cases Case Codes Using a Grid Additional Commands

Features:

• Exercises allow learners to practice in the actual application being studied.
• A Course Topics list contains active hyperlinks, permitting quick access to specific topics.
• Find-A-Word allows learners to look up an unfamiliar term in the Glossary, on the Web, or in a dictionary. In addition, it lets them find other occurrences of the term in the same course.
• Search text enables learners to rapidly search all text within a course to easily retrieve information required.
• Courses challenge the learner with a variety of question formats, including multi-step simulations, true/false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank.
• A skill assessment generates a customized learning path based on the results of a pre-test.
• A glossary provides a reference for definitions of unfamiliar terms.
• Bookmarking tracks the learner's progress in a course.

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.