The cyBOSS language [a modern-day 'classic' BASIC] provides file I/O support for: text files, binary files, traditional random access files (aka TRAPs), and unique variable database files.
A variable database file (aka a "VBASE" file) is like a container ship, which is loaded with a number of individual shipping containers. Each individual container within a VBASE file contains a fixed amount of data storage space.
Any combination and number of the following types of variables may be stored into [and retrieved out of] a single VBASE container:
- INTEGER global-prefixed variables
- FLOATing point global-prefixed variables
- STRING global-prefixed variables
- INTEGER ARRAY global-prefixed variables
- FLOATing point ARRAY global-prefixed variables
- STRING ARRAY global-prefixed variables
HOW IT WORKS: When any variable is stored into a container by any application program, the name of the variable is saved together with the data held by the variable. This data may later be retrieved by one or more application program(s) by simply loading the variable from the container.
To make it easy to load or save large groups of global variables in a single command, groups of variables may be organized using global prefixes. The following two pages from the cyBOSS Technical Reference Manual explain how to use global prefixes with VBASE files:
