Summary of New Features

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This manual describes the FOCUS new features for Version 7.6. This document is intended for all levels of users, including application developers, administrators, and end users.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Appendix		Contents
1	Performance Enhancements	Describes features that enhance FOCUS performance.
2	Reporting Enhancements	Describes enhancements to the reporting lanugage.
3	Output Format Enhancements	Describes enhancements in saving or holding report output.
4	General Enhancements	Describes features that work in multiple FOCUS environments.
5	Database Enhancements	Describes enhancements that affect databases and Master Files.
6	MODIFY Enhancements	Describes enhancements to the MODIFY facility.
7	Adapter Enhancements	Describes new features that affect FOCUS adapters.
8	Raised Limits	Describes limits that have been increased.
9	FOCREPLAY: Recording and Playing Back a FOCUS Session	Describes FOCREPLAY, a tool for recording and playing back a FOCUS session.
10	Logging FOCUS Usage: FOCLOG	Describes FOCLOG, a tool for recording and analyzing the use of FOCUS for your entire site. FOCLOG was incorporated into the FOCUS product starting with FOCUS Release 7.6.3.

Documentation Conventions

The following table lists and describes the conventions that apply in this manual.

Convention	Description
THIS TYPEFACE or this typeface	Denotes syntax that you must enter exactly as shown.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable) in syntax for a value that you or the system must supply.
underscore	Indicates a default setting.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable), a cross-reference, or an important term. It may also indicate a button, menu item, or dialog box option you can click or select.
this typeface	Highlights a file name or command.
Key + Key	Indicates keys that you must press simultaneously.
{ }	Indicates two or three choices; type one of them, not the braces.
[ ]	Indicates a group of optional parameters. None are required, but you may select one of them. Type only the parameter in the brackets, not the brackets.
\|	Separates mutually exclusive choices in syntax. Type one of them, not the symbol.
...	Indicates that you can enter a parameter multiple times. Type only the parameter, not the ellipsis points (...).
. . .	Indicates that there are (or could be) intervening or additional commands.

Related Publications

To view a current listing of our publications and to place an order, visit our Technical Documentation Library, http://documentation.informationbuilders.com. You can also contact the Publications Order Department at (800) 969-4636.

Customer Support

Do you have questions about FOCUS?

Call Information Builders Customer Support Services (CSS) at (800) 736-6130 or (212) 736-6130. Customer Support Consultants are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. EST to address all your questions. Information Builders consultants can also give you general guidance regarding product capabilities and documentation. Be prepared to provide your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx) when you call.

You can also access support services electronically, 24 hours a day, with InfoResponse Online. InfoResponse Online is accessible through our World Wide Web site, http://www.informationbuilders.com. It connects you to the tracking system and known-problem database at the Information Builders support center. Registered users can open, update, and view the status of cases in the tracking system and read descriptions of reported software issues. New users can register immediately for this service. The technical support section of www.informationbuilders.com also provides usage techniques, diagnostic tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

To learn about the full range of available support services, ask your Information Builders representative about InfoResponse Online, or call (800) 969-INFO.

Information You Should Have

To help our consultants answer your questions effectively, be prepared to provide the following information when you call:

Your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx).
The stored procedure (preferably with line numbers) or FOCUS commands being used.
The Master File and Access File.
The exact nature of the problem:
- Are the results or the format incorrect? Are the text or calculations missing or misplaced?
- The error message and return code, if applicable.
- Is this related to any other problem?
Has the procedure or query ever worked in its present form? Has it been changed recently? How often does the problem occur?
What release of the operating system are you using? Has it, FOCUS, your security system, communications protocol, or front-end software changed?
Is this problem reproducible? If so, how?
Have you tried to reproduce your problem in the simplest form possible? For example, if you are having problems joining two data sources, have you tried executing a query containing just the code to access the data source?
Do you have a trace file?
How is the problem affecting your business? Is it halting development or production? Do you just have questions about functionality or documentation?

User Feedback

In an effort to produce effective documentation, the Documentation Services staff welcomes your opinions regarding this manual. Please use the Reader Comments form at the end of this manual to communicate suggestions for improving this publication or to alert us to corrections. You can also use the Documentation Feedback form on our Web site, http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/feedback.asp.

Thank you, in advance, for your comments.

Information Builders Consulting and Training

Interested in training? Information Builders Education Department offers a wide variety of training courses for this and other Information Builders products.

For information on course descriptions, locations, and dates, or to register for classes, visit our World Wide Web site (http://www.informationbuilders.com) or call (800) 969-INFO to speak to an Education Representative.