French relational database manager that succeeded the office suite [CX
MacBase ("Ensemble" in America)][1].

DL #1 is version 1.1, with copy protection removed. All files can be
copied to a hard drive and run from System 6 or 7.

DL #2 is version 1.1, nonfunctional due to copy protection.

<< translated text below for article images provided above >>

> << Page 126 >>
>
> << top right illustration >>
>  In general, you should use the decor of the records to improve the
> readability of the headings!
>
> << middle column footnote >>
>  TESTED SOFTWARE: Commercial program with screens and manual in
> French.
>
> PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE Controle X abandons CX Mac Base, which had
> been one of the very first integrated software programs for the
> Macintosh, and replaces it with a powerful relational database
> manager, CX Base 500, at the price of 5,000 francs excluding tax. If
> it does not have all the possibilities of its main competitor
> Quatri�me Dimension, it can be taken in hand by a beginner but also
> serve as an application generator. In addition, it has a graphic
> module to visualize series of figures.
>
> A RELATIONAL DATABASE MANAGER, this allows you to work on several
> files at the same time: in a classic file manager, there is no
> question of opening both your inventory file and your customer file.
> A database, not only will put them in relation to you, but will be
> able to subtract all by itself from the stocks (file 1) the items
> listed on the customer file (file 2). It can even send a
> personalized circular to bad payers. Practically, there is no limit
> to the automation of information processing by this type of program
> but, you guessed it, it is not him who is intelligent, it is you. CX
> Base 500, like its competitors, accepts your orders in a language
> that is specific to it and which would be closest to your mother
> tongue, far from that of computer scientists. The multi-file Mac
> Lion software is a bad example: it requires the use of a language
> close to Forth and does not obey your mouse. The Omnis 3 language is
> more affordable; as for Fourth Dimension (which we will call 4D),
> explain to him the progress of your thought with a small drawing: it
> can be programmed by flowchart. CX Base 500, although less
> graphical, is also tailor-made for the Macintosh. It wants to be the
> simplest to program, we will come back to this.
>
> CX Base 500 is the result of a difficult compromise between your
> freedom of action and its ease of use. With software like 4D, which
> imposes no limitation on you, either in the number of files, items,
> indexes, or in the presentation of forms and reports, it's your
> creativity that takes precedence. But you risk getting lost in the
> maze of your perfectionism: it's up to you to set your own barriers.
> With CX Base 500 on the other hand, no more than 24 files in a base,
> but you are not limited in number of items per file. Current
> searches will only be carried out on 8 of them, previously indexed
> (but you can de-index one section to index another, and searches are
> possible on the other sections, by programming). For the sake of
> simplicity, a file only allows one form presentation, which is used
> both for input and for consultation. It is the creation of this form
> template (which some will call an input mask) that constitutes the
> first operation for opening a file. Set once and for all, at the
> start, the size of the form (a screen, an A4 sheet, etc.) and give
> free rein to your inspiration to create a decor with simplified Mac
> Paint tools. Do not be afraid, there is an eraser and you will be
> able to evolve your work over the months. In your frenzy of graphic
> creativity, do not forget the essential: place your headings (entry
> areas and titles) specifying whether you want them numeric,
> alphanumeric, dates, text or images. Again, this does not commit you
> to anything: we leave you free to add and delete sections whenever
> you want. Speaking of freedom, did you notice that you weren't asked
> what kind of structure you wanted to give to your database?
>
> << third column illustration >>
>  The calculator displays headings, programming instructions and the
> program name.
>
> With Omnis 3 or 4D, you must structure your database by establishing
> connections between files. In 4D, for example, you graphically link
> the item - call number - in a library's book file with the
> corresponding item in the borrowers' file. If these links can be
> modified as you wish, they seem no less constraining to the creators
> of CX Base 500. They know that you are not a professional in
>
> << Page 127 >>
>
> organization and they want to spare you the establishment of real
> specifications. So go ahead, create your files one after the other.
> You will not have to integrate them into a structure but you will
> only draw data from them when you program a search or an
> application. Admittedly, CX Base 500 avoids frightening you at the
> start and shows a great flexibility of adaptation; but on the other
> hand, it forces you to program yourself the slightest automation
> which, in other database managers, exists as a pre-programmed
> function.
>
> Here we are in the advanced functions of database software:
> calculation, automatic search for files, relationships between
> files, and even creation of a real personalized application
> (accounting, mailing. ..). All this is programmed, as for 4D, from a
> dashboard, a kind of scientific calculator which appears on the
> screen with numerous function keys: operating signs (multiply,
> divide...), predefined functions (sin , cos, log...), comparators
> (and, or, equal, greater...), conditional orders (if, then,
> else...), programming elements (the choice is complete: loops,
> subroutines , dialog windows, help or alert messages) with in
> addition, in a window, the list of headings of your different files.
> Programming is simple: select, with the mouse, a sequence of
> instructions and headings, which is entered progressively in a
> display window. You do not risk the syntax error: the selected
> instructions are transcribed with their fair dose of exclamation
> points, square brackets, sharps or spaces, signs that are
> particularly abundant in the language of CX Base 500.
>
> << middle column illustration >>
>  The checker detects a syntax error in the program.
>
> You are even offered a programming verification tool, capable of
> checking the presence of mandatory instructions (like the then after
> the if) and their content (so as not to put headings in the place of
> instructions), but which does not does not check the logic or the
> validity of the programs. To avoid having to recompose a program
> each time you need it, give it a name and save it: it will appear in
> a drop-down menu. Whatever the desired programming, its realization
> goes through the forced assimilation of the various calculator
> instructions, A pedagogical method - in a hurry -, the merit of
> which is to put the user directly in contact with the programming
> functions, to undoubtedly enable him to become acquainted with and
> take advantage of the main features of the software. However,
> mastering their use is not directly accessible to a beginner.
> Especially since the manual does not include an index and the Help
> mode, which works pleasantly for the other functions of the
> software, does not offer any explanation concerning the instructions
> of the calculator and its use.
>
> To be precise, there is has two different calculators: identical in
> principle, they correspond to two levels of automation. The so-
> called "model calculator" acts inside each form: it links several
> headings for example by a calculation (the heading including tax can
> be completed on its own as soon as you enter the heading excluding
> tax). The "processing calculator" establishes links between forms
> and between files. In particular, it carries out selections,
> classifications, the printing of direct mail and that of summary
> statements in the form of tables (simple statement) or personalized
> documents (free state). Among other conveniences, an instruction is
> used to copy the content of one or more items to the clipboard to
> integrate them into another software. To fully exploit the content
> of the database, CX Base 500 has two interesting modules: the
> graphic module is quite complete, since it allows you to represent
> your numerical data in 10 different forms (pie charts,
> histograms...); the list option provides the contents of a file in
> table form: one line per record, and one column per chosen item. In
> this form, you can quickly consult the content of a file and modify
> it: either by entering new information, or by using the statistical
> functions of CX Base 500: sum, average, standard deviation, largest
> and smallest number, search by approximation...
>
> The monofile version of CX Base 500 is called CX Base 300 and costs
> 2800 francs excluding tax. Both products are presented and used in
> the same way. But only processing one file at a time, CX Base 300
> does not include functions for linking files, nor an application
> generator.
>
> ? Guillaume VIGNOLES, Science & Vie Micro (SVM) (September 1986)
>
> << large text middle of page >>
>  A database manager for Macintosh within everyone's reach
>
> << bottom left illustration >>
>  The list allows you to view the contents of a file and quickly
> enter data,
>
> >> CX Base 500, relational database management software and
> application generator for Macintosh Plus or Macintosh 512 equipped
> with two 400 Kb or 800 Kb floppy disk drives. Price: 5,000 francs
> excl. tax. Published by Controle X.

Compatibility
Architecture: 68k

  [1]: http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/ensemble-aka-cx-macbase

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