Hi, does anyone have a copy of this software and/or info enough to contact the original company? There is a same named company in Linked In with 4 people - but it is not related.
https://cpcrulez.fr/applications_bureau-random_accesss_database.htm
Seems Instant Access by the same company provides RSXs for Locomotive BASIC for Random Access - likely their Random Access Database application uses Instant Access - anyone have a copy of this? https://cpcrulez.fr/applications_RSX-instant_access.htm
From the RSX list, it is obvious that it uses sector reads and writes - I wonder how well that will work on mass storage devices?
More info about the company... http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_story/story_7.php
They moved to Baring Cresent, perhaps they still exist now?
https://www.alladdress.co.uk/company-address-phone-email-UK-online/computer-systems-software/276328/minerva-software-11-baring-crescent-devon-exeter
Hello,
Yes, I'd be interested in seeing this system - I've not heard of it before.
The basic idea is just like the old-style FORTH system, going back to before computers had any OS to speak of. The computer needed to save a 'screen' of data/definitions, and a screen was 1k. Each screen was numbered, 1 to however many 1k screens would fit on the disk. A simple calculation would determine that screen xx would be stored at n sectors starting at Tr y sector z. I'd assume that even a simple computer could manage that.
Sounds like the system you're asking about is starting somewhere very similar, maybe with added extras like being able to store blocks of 'code' mixed in with the data. This saves on space, no directory needed, no system tracks, as the article says, use 100% of the disk for 'records', prob with a very simple 'index' of sorts and pretty much total 'random access'.
If that French site has a manual, could prob reverse engineer the system if the original code can't be found.
Really - don't need to be bound by the size of a disk. The calculation noted above could add a disk number, and prompt you to insert the correct disk?
Geoff
I notice by-the-way that the CPC Wiki has pages for both the Minerva titles, but the pages are, so far, empty. The French site CPCRulez seems to be the only source of info just now. But no manual/docs, and no download.
Geoff
I was wondering if there was any sign that these systems were ever done for the PCW. Looked via the PCW Wiki, and there's no sign of anything. I would also guess that the CPCRulez would have mentioned this, but it doesn't.
Maybe this was because there were already too many other database systems for the PCW, as the door is open to full CP/M systems (like dBase II, and others). Also the BASIC supplied with the PCW had various extras (Jetsam) built in? And with the possibility of the larger floppy, not so much need to squeeze a bit more data space onto a floppy?
The logic of the system though could still be applicable to the PCW?
Geoff