Database files: If you need to reload the database files that came with your book, you can download them here. Caution: These files will overwrite any work you may have done, so install only if you have a problem with the originals. Alpha Five Made Easy V10 desktop
While every effort has been made to provide readers with a trouble free and accurate learning experience, some errors are bound to occur.
This page will publish corrections as they are discovered. We suggest you return here periodically to see if there are additional modifications.
Open the book to page ii (page immediately after the title page) to identify the print number of your copy. This will be about 1/3 down the page and will be identified by the words "First Printing," "Second Printing", etc.
Entries are recorded here listed by date. Your book may or may not require correction, as the file may be adjusted periodically.
The book and CD may have different print numbers.
Corrections are posted as noted. We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. If you locate any further errors, please email me at susan@libertyfood.com so that we may share them with other readers.
Thanks, Susan Bush
Corrections may be found for the following books (listed in order of publication, most recent first):
Alpha Five Made Easy, the Basics and More for Version 10.
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 9
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 8
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 6
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 5
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 4.5
Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10.5 Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and More for V8 & V9 Platinum.
Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10.5
First & Second Printings (as of 8/19/10)
Unless otherwise noted, the following corrections are courtesy of Mark Moss.
Page 26:
Step 30. Eliminate 4th bullet. There is no Target frame, window or DIV option for this link type.
Page 38:
At the bottom of the page, there should be an instruction to click OK to save the Style Editor change.
Page 43:
First bullet: Field Rules are actually set to WORD (capitalizes 1st word in string) so result will be Usa, not USA.
Page 50:
Step 38: Arrow down to place the cursor below the blue (not red) line.
Page 66:
Step 27: Screen shot does not show Secure Project directory. Should read same as Step 24.
Page 81:
Step 8: Should read "Click on MyLoginPage.a5w (not LoginPage).
Page 160:
Insert Step 11a: Return to Design mode without saving.
Page 162:
Step 15: Rate: 128.99 (not 128.9999).
Page 166:
Operators > Field: City should read ". . . we will not show the value in the city field if the last name is Bush or Steele (not first name = Susan or Sally.
Page 170:
Group of three graphics: The last one should be titled Tabular, not Simple Layout.
Page 171:
Insert Step 10a: Options > Pack > Pack option properties > Show Select all Tables: Reset to Yes.
Page 183:
Refresh, Step b: Delete (Hot Key = F6). Change to Then click the Working Preview tab again. At this writing, there is no hot key for Working Preview.
Page 437:
Step 5: If you have not already done so, choose the MyGridComponentDemo web project (not MyMailListProfile). (Thanks to Doug French)
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10
First Printing as of 3/8/10 Page 7:
Bullet 3. A Set is a combination of tables that is discussed in Chapter 3. (Thanks to Mike Parks & Elliot Rosa)
Page 22:
Step 10. Select the Client ID field. Click the Radio Button for Calculated. (Thanks to Elliot Rosa)
Page 41:
Spell Checking a Memo Field. The field that is supposed to have the misspelling is empty. To test, enter the text that is in the screen shot and then complete the exercise. (Thanks to Elliot Rosa)
Page 74:
Go to video: Should be "Go to Top Menu > Help > What's New in Version 10 > Desktop Videos > Debugger. (There is additional information at Xbasic > Debugger Features.)
(Thanks to Bishop)
Page 75:
Change steps e. to h. as follows:
e. Click Close.
f. Go to Form View.
g. Re-open Object Explorer.
h. Place your curstor in a text box. (Thanks to Bishop)
Page 140:
Step 1. Drag the country field onto the form. . . (Thanks to Al Lenkner)
Page 203:
Labels and Fields: The same process works for the top ruler.
Step 9a. Right click on the top Ruler to see the following choices: Align Left, Right, Center and Center of Widest. (Thanks to Al Lenkner)
Page 206:
Step 5. The expression in the library is similar to the one created in Step 4, but not exactly the same. It says Open Date instead of Starts and End Date instead of Ends. Feel free to modify it if you like. (Thanks to Al Lenkner)
Page 214:
Step 35. Fill: Originally, it was necessary to choose "white" before defining the dynamic expression in order to keep the fill color off the design window. That is no longer necessary.
Page 220:
Step 39. Fill: Same as p. 214 above.
(Thanks to Al Lenkner)
Page 218:
Step 23. Field Properties > Tab: Setup > Expression: click the Smart Button. (Thanks to Al Lenkner)
Database and Page 255:
Step 7. Import revisions due to A5 patch after release of book. Click here for PDF corrections.
Corrects the path for Ascii and Excel Import operations in Chapter 6. The fix is in the database files in the yellow box above, but be aware that any work done to date will be overwritten.
Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and More for V8& V9 Platinum:
First Printing as of 1/10/09 Page 77:
Step 1. Should be open: MyMailListSecure. (Thanks to C.K "Cliff" Monzeglio)
Page 118:
An error message appears after Step 9. This is a bug (reported to Alpha). Click OK. Step 10: Project appears. (Thanks to Craig Hudson)
Page 130:
Step 1 (p 130) should say “Open the MyMailListSecure (or MailListSecure) web project.” The screen shot will be similar, but will not have the Directory One folder. (Thanks to Craig Hudson)
Page 132:
Step 9. Should be open: MyMailListSecure (or MailListSecure) web project. (Thanks to Craig Hudson)
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for V9 Platinum
First Printing as of 12/11/08
Special thanks to Peter M. from Sweden for all of the following notes.
Pages 4 & 16: There are 15 types of fields, not 13. All the field types are listed correctly.
Page 50:
Preparation for the Lesson: Sets: Should be seminars_browse, not seminars_rept.
Page 66 (step 47):
Parenthesis added for clarification of expression: (no_persons * rate) - amt_pd
Page 73:
There are three tabbed interfaces, not two.
Page 102 (step 9):
Add Gradiant Radial and Pattern to the listing of fills.
Page 168 (step 5), 422 (step 20), 430 (step 48):
Should be Control-Type, not Field-Type.
Page 267 (steps 25 & 26):
Existing records end with ID 00019 and new records begin with ID 00020.
Page 294 (step 1 & bullet above):
Should be RegistrationsLink report, not MyRegistrationsLink.
Page 307 (step 38):
Hover over the Notes field, not the City field.
Page 358:
The descriptions for Line 3 and Line 4 are reversed.
Page 467:
Settings for XP Themes are at View > Settings > System > Preferences.
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 8 Corrections:
First Printing as of 7/9/08
Page xi:
Step 23. Drag the following field to the empty space: Calculated Fields: Field: Amt_Due. (Thanks to David Gilbert)
Page 33. Screen shot at top of page. This screen no longer appears. You will go directly to the second screen shot,
so you can delete Step 21: Click Resume. (Thanks to Evan Vasilew)
Page 32: Step 19. Place the cursor in the Company field of CLIENT ID # 00001. (Not Record # 00002). (Thanks to Ronnie Underhill)
Page 124:
Top of page. Expression is missing a space between the first set of quotes. Should be “ ” (Thanks to Evan Vasilew)
Page 177:
Step 8. Expression has an extra parenthesis – [ ) ] - at the end. (Thanks to David Gilbert)
Chapter 12:
There is an error in terminology throughout this chapter. Firstly, the Web Application Server is now called, simply, the Application Server. More importantly, the chapter is not primarily about the server, but about “How to build web applications using Alpha Five.” The Application Serverlicense remains the essential ingredient for putting your web application on line. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused. (Susan Bush)
Page 186:
Step 23. Bullet should read Table: Calculated Field. Field: amt_due.
Step 24. Screen shot should read for the above field. (Thanks to Evan Vasilew)
Page 197
Add the following step: 13A. Remove the filter (created in step 8 on page 196) before continuing.
(Thanks to Don Edwards)
Page 201
Creating a Sub-Report. After “This segment continues…,” Add: Be sure the filter created in step 8 on page 196 has been removed. (Thanks to Don Edwards)Page 254
Important note. Should read “If the button is smaller, only a portion of it will have an image…” (Thanks to Dave Gilbert)Page 255
Step 3. Should read “choose Sedona.jpg.” (Thanks to Dave Gilbert)
Page 301-2:
Steps 8, 16, 17. File name should be ClientsDefaultForm. (Not ClientsDefaultFormCopy.) (Thanks to Evan Vasilew)
Page 305
Step 30: Should read “Click CLOSE to close the Xbasic Code window.” (Thanks to Dave Gilbert)
Page 314:
After step l: Order, add the following step: Field to return: Choose Client_id. (Thanks to Evan Vasilew)
Page 464.
Step 3 should be: ….type C:\A5_VER~1\A4_DATA\SEM_RPT.SET
Step 9 will vary depending on the Windows version.
Instructions and Figure 7 screen shot are for Windows 98.
For XP, Click on the icon in the very upper left corner of your screen.
Figure 7 screen shot will look like this.
(Thanks to Frances Peake)
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 6 Corrections:
First Printing as of 7/9/08
Page xi:
The instructions for the installation of the companion files are for Windows 98. If you are having difficulty installing them using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, click here
(Thanks to Chris Schmink) First Printing as of 4/4/05.
Page 21:
Step 43. As of 4/4/05, there is a bug in Version 6 that requires the box "Do not store mask literals in field" be checked in order for the period to show up in the field on data entry as described in this step.
(Thanks to Bob Talbot and Tom Cone)
Pages 24:
Step 57: If a period does not appear automatically when the Middle Initial is entered, see work around for Page 21, Step 43 above. (Return to Field Rules > Middle Initial field > Data Entry. Check "Do not store mask literals in field" and then return to entering data. The period should appear.)
(Thanks to Bob Talbot and Tom Cone) Page 255: last line of Hint:
Result: Import.Run("NewClientImport) error: needs a closing quote
Should be: Import.Run("NewClientImport")
(Thanks to Jerry Duke..) Page 285:
Set-up Tab (9 lines from bottom of the page);
error is "Data" Combo Box used for the box type
Reads: Set-up Tab: Field Type: Record List-Data Combo Box
Should read: Set-up Tab: Field Type: Record List-Edit Combo Box
(Thanks to Jerry Duke..)
Page 302:
Steps 13 & 14, "Link Properties" options -
Read: Link Properties > Display what link?:
Should be: Link Properties > Display what in link?: (The "in" is missing.)
(Thanks to Jerry Duke..)
Page 328:
Deleting Temporary Files; subparagraph under para 1:
Reads: On most computers, this ... c:\Program Files\A4V6
Should be: ... c:\Program Files\A5V6
(Thanks to Jerry Duke..)
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 5 Corrections:
First Printing as of 7/9/08
Page xi – 2nd screen shot:
Please cross out “Easter Egg.” That database is not included with the Companion Files that accompany the Version 5 book. (Thanks to: George Thompson.)
Page 22 52. (Insert above “Understanding Functions and Expressions,” after step 51.) Press CTRL+S to save the Field Rules.
53. Click Table Structure on the Toolbar. If you had changes to make, you would make and save them at this time. 54. Click Field Rules to return.
(Thanks to George Thompson) Page 263: (Changes in blue)
Due to a recent software update, Step 5 of Compacting the Database should read:
5. Choose File > Database Compact.
A message box opens that says: "Please wait Alpha Five is compacting the database." Depending on the size of the database and the speed of the CPU, the compact operation may take a while. Be Patient! Numbers will appear and other movement will be noticed in the status bar.
When the process is finished a new message box will open that says: "Database compact completed."
The last part of Step 2 of Getting Rid of the $$$$$$$$$$$ was inadvertently omitted. (Changes in blue.)
2. Delete all files beginning with $$.
If you are on a Peer-to-Peer network, all users should also check their A5V5 folders for leftover $$$.
(Thanks to Barry Rochford.)
First Printing as of 11/21/2002Page xi – 2nd screen shot:
Please cross out “Easter Egg.” That database is not included with the Companion Files that accompany the Version 5 book. Page 22 52. (Insert above “Understanding Functions and Expressions,” after step 51.) Press CTRL+S to save the Field Rules.
53. Click Table Structure on the Toolbar. If you had changes to make, you would make and save them at this time. 54. Click Field Rules to return.
(Thanks to George Thompson)Page 24:
Step 1 - Open Field Rules for the seminars_practice table.
Right click on seminars_practice table and choose Field Rules.
Step 3 - Screen shot: Shows seminars.dbf. Should be seminars_practice.dbf. Otherwise illustration is ok.
(Thanks to K.W. Vondenstein)Page 24: Defining Lookups
Step 6 - Linking Field: Click the Smart Button to open the Expression Builder; click Create Order Using Genie; Sort by: Choose Venue_id. (Click OK Twice)
Step 7 - Display Order: Repeat Step 6 and choose Site_name from the Order Builder.
(Click OK Twice)
(Thanks to Fred W. Malmsheimer)Page 27: Entering Data
Step 1- Open the default browse for the Seminars table for the following exercises. Alpha Five Control Panel > Tables & Sets tab. Double click on the Seminars table.
(Thanks to George Coleman) Page 37: Creating a One-to-Many link
Step 29 - Parent Linking Field: Seminar_ID
Step 30 - Child Linking Field: Seminar_ID
(Thanks to Charlain Fondren and Fred W. Malmsheimer)Page 52:
Step 27 (c). Should read: Print, Print Preview, Print Setup.
(Thanks to Fernando Alvarez, Miami, FL)Page 65: Forms and Browses
Sometimes Alpha Five does not remember the new tab name unless you leave the entry box.
It is a bit like needing to leave the cell in a spreadsheet application for the entry to be recorded. Change the following step to read:
Step 17 - Add a new tab - Answers (Press UP ARROW after entering new name)
(Thanks to Al Kuntz, New Jersey)
Page 72:
Step 36: Order Expression: Click on the button with the up/down arrows in the Order Expression Smart Field. The Order Builder opens. The corrected screen shot should look like this:
Step 37: Eliminate this step.
(Thanks to George Coleman)
Sort by: Last_name
Next, sort by: First_name
Next, sort by: Middle_initial
Page 89:
Comparison Operators. Expression for is greater than or equal to 100 should read: Qty >= 100. Expression for is less than or equal to 100 should read: Qty <= 100.
(Thanks to Fernando Alvarez, Miami, FL) Page 91: Using the ALLTRIM function.
Step 30 - Field Name should read: First Name.
(Thanks to Mike Saylor)Page 95:
Step 3 - Draw a rectangle under the browse on the left side of the form.
(Thanks to Mike Saylor) Page 96:
Step 8 - In the RTO, type the following: , then $
(Thanks to Mike Saylor) Page 97: The section, Setting the Tab Order should have a note at the end that the exercise is complete and the Client Info2 form should be closed.
(Thanks to Rick Wallace)Page 98: Creating a Stylesheet
There are 2 missing steps and the numbering of steps should begin with 1.
1. (Formerly step 6) Tab: Forms; click New.
2. Create a new form for which Table or Set? Choose clients_practice. (Click Next)
3. Choose Blank Form. (Click Finish)
At this point, renumber the steps to the end of the section.
4. (Formerly step 8)
5. (Formerly step 9) - and so on to step 22 (formerly step 25).
At the end of the section, on page 98, insert a note that the exercise is complete
and the form should be closed.
(Thanks to Rick Wallace)
Page 99: Creating Smart Fields
Create a new form as indicated and follow the instructions. You may renumber the steps
from 1 - 14 if you like.
(Thanks to Rick Wallace)
Page 120
Step 17 - Eliminate this step. Go directly to Step 18.
(Thanks to Mike Saylor) Page 306: Alpha Four to Alpha Five: The Transition
Step 5 - The file name given is too long for DOS.
Type this instead: C:\A5_Ver~1\A4_DATA\SEM_RPT.SET
(Thanks to Cynthia Dobbins)
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 4.5 Corrections:
First Printing as of 7/9/08
Page 15: Step 9: Choose clients->first_name.
(Footnote added: Clients->first_name means the first_name field in the clients table. For ease in reading, sometimes future references will be to the field only, ie First Name.)
Page 97: Step 12:
Unfortunate line breaks in the expression. Should read
Cdate Seminars->End Date, for example.
Page 194:
Ending parenthesis missing in Lookup function at the bottom of the page.
It should read:
File name should read: C:\A5_BOOK\A4_DATA\SEM_REPT.SET
2nd Printing as of June 30, 2002
1. Page 7: Step 9. "You will note that this table has only 2 types of fields: Character and Memo." Should be 3 types of fields, Character, Date and Memo.
(Thanks to Alexis Cavella, Toms River, NJ)
2. Page 35: Screen shot shows SEMINAR_ID as linking field. Steps 25 and 26 mention
"Speaker_ID" The screen shot is correct. The linking field is SEMINAR_ID.
(Thanks to Werner Wallert, Germany)
3. Page 77: Step 8: "In the RTO, type the following: ,the $" Should be ",then $"
(Thanks to Peter Hackshaw, Florida)
Susan Bush
Step 1 should say “Open the MyMailListSecure (or MailListSecure) web project.” The screen shot will be similar, but will not have the Directory One folder.
(Thanks to Craig Hudson)
Page 132:
Step 9 on should also refer to the MyMailListSecure (or MailListSecure) web project.
Open the book to page ii (page immediately after the title page) to identify the print number of your copy. This will be about 1/3 down the page and will be identified by the words "First Printing," "Second Printing", etc.
Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for V9 Platinum
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 6 Corrections:
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 5 Corrections:
If you had changes to make, you would make and save them at this time. 54. Click Field Rules to return..gif)
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 4.5 Corrections:
