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Ultrasonic Modbus Reference database

The Ultrasonic Modbus Reference database provided a data entry interface and automated ouput of ASCII text source files for producing the online reference, WinHelp document, "Ultrasonic Modbus Guide". This database application was produced in MS-Access 97, July 1998, at Daniel Industries.

Screen captures

Slide Show (opens in another window)
Screen captures of Ultrasonic Modbus Reference database and WinHelp output
From data entry screen to source code output, to finished Windows Help file

TECH NOTE: Choosing this solution

Using a database application to produce a Windows Help file (or HTML Help document, or a series of web pages), instead of using a more conventional authoring platform, such as RoboHelp, works best if the Help file is intended to be an online reference with a large number of repetitive topics. (Examples: a personnel directory, a catalog of products and specifications, a programming reference.)

Advantages
  • Best for a large quantity of repetitive topics with same format
  • Best for situations where data and content are subject to frequent change
  • Table of contents links are automatically generated
  • Index terms are automatically and consistently generated
  • Formatting of paragraphs, headers, etc. is automatically and consistently generated
Disadvantages
  • Unsuitable if ad hoc formatting or a large variety of formatting changes are anticipated
  • Overhead of application development time must be less than manual production of document
  • Requires application programming to implement major changes to document structure
 
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