Data Directions ( www.datadirections.com.au ) is pleased to announce the release of Data Assistant for MapInfo. Data Assistant is a multipurpose data querying and data validation extension to MapInfo. It is comprised of four categories: the Query Wizard, Quick Queries, Select Objects and Data Validation. As you are probably aware, using MapInfo SQL can be a rather cumbersome, and error-prone process unless you are meticulous when entering the SQL details. If errors do occur, they are reported back to the user as cryptic messages such as "Found ',' while searching for From" or "Variable or field Min not defined". To the non-programming user, this sort of information can be quite frustrating; hence the development of the Query Wizard in Data Assistant. Now you can easily analyse your MapInfo data. The Query Wizard presents the user with a series of dialog boxes that enables the user to create a SQL query without errors. This is accomplished by validating all entries prior to allowing the user to proceed to the next screen. You are prompted each step of the way for the appropriate information. Data can be filtered easily since there are no syntax requirements for column values. It is all done for you. When filtering a text column, the current values in the column are displayed allowing for easy selection. In addition, filters (as well as queries) can be saved, ready for use in another query. A time saving function is the filter translator which allows you to copy a filter to another table. The filter translator opens a dialog box that allows the user to select a new table (and/or field if required) while maintaining the syntax of a filter. This is valuable when similar data is stored in many tables and you wish to apply the same filter to all those tables. Quick Queries are a set of predefined queries that allow a user to easily determine a column summary, area of polygons, length of lines and polylines, and count points in an area. The filter functionality has been applied to quick queries allowing a user to easily extract records that meet a certain criteria. An example use of the Calculate Area function might be to produce a list of residential zoning according to the "R" code by council district. Select Objects allows the user to quickly select objects through the use of the filter concept. Additionally you can select objects overlying objects from a second table, or overlying various buffers created from objects in a second table. Data Validation allows attribute and spatial data to be validated. You can locate records containing duplicate data in a specified column; locate records without data (i.e. zero for numerical fields, blanks for character fields, and records without associated objects). The data content in two tables can be compared to ensure referential integrity in a specified column in the tables. You can also highlight objects overlapping within a table. A single user licence costs USD $ 195 and discounts apply for additional licences. A two week trial version is available in the download section of our website, www.datadirections.com.au The trial version installs a detailed PDF user manual in the installation directory. A comprehensive help is also installed. In the newsletter section of our web site, the July newsletter illustrates a practical example of data validation using Data Assistant. We are quite happy to answer any queries relating to Data Assistant, and welcome any suggestions for additional Quick Queries. Regards Bill Donaldson Data Directions 240 Jersey Street, Wembley, WA 6014 Australia Phone: +61 8 9284 1889 Fax: +61 8 9284 1889 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.datadirections.com.au _______________________________________________________________________ List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe MapInfo-L" in the message body.
