The FoxPro resource file FoxUser.dbf holds a variety of resource information (for example, window positions, color sets, Browse window configurations, label definitions, and so on.). FoxUser.dbf is a standard FoxPro table with an associated memo file (.FPT). If the index file does not exist, it is created when the FoxUser.dbf file is opened.

Unlike in earlier versions of Visual FoxPro, the FoxUser.dbf resource file is opened SHARED

While RESOURCE is SET ON, FoxPro handles all resource management. You can modify the data contained in this file in two ways:

1. Special window configurations or other window preferences, once established and saved in the resource file, can be protected from subsequent interactive changes by modifying the READONLY field for the specific resource (see the example in the Predefining Browse Window Configuration section).

2. Resources that are no longer needed or wanted may be deleted and the resource file may be packed.

Modifying the READONLY field and/or deleting records from the resource file are the only actions you should perform on the FoxUser.dbf file. You should make a copy of the resource file before making any modifications.

The FoxUser.dbf table has the following structure:

TYPE

Identifies the type of information the resource holds

ID

Identifies the record with the TYPE

NAME

Contains the name assigned to the resource, for instance the name assigned to color sets, BROWSE windows, and system windows

READONLY

A logical field that can be set to true (.T.) to indicate that the resource should be used for read-only access and cannot be changed

CKVAL

Used by FoxPro to verify the data (in the memo field DATA) is valid

DATA

Memo field that holds the actual data for the resource

UPDATED

The date the current resource was last changed

You can make the FoxUser.dbf resource file read-only by marking it at the MS-DOS level. The MS-DOS command ATTRIB uses the <+R> setting to mark a file as read only. Marking a file read-only is useful in multiuser situations, because the FoxUser.dbf can be shared on a network.

Modifying the FoxUser.dbf Resource File

The following SET RESOURCE commands make it possible for you to open and easily modify the FoxUser.dbf file's contents, as well as use a resource file other than FoxUser.dbf.

SET RESOURCE TO <resourcefile>

SET RESOURCE TO

SET RESOURCE ON

SET RESOURCE OFF

If you want to make changes to your resources, in the Command window, use the following commands:

	Copy Code
SET RESOURCE OFF USE FOXUSER BROWSE

With the resource file open, you can use CHANGE, EDIT, BROWSE, DELETE, REPLACE and other FoxPro commands to modify or delete data. You can even use COPY TO to create a new resource table. When you have finished modifying the resource file, pack it if you marked records for deletion, and close it. Then, set the resource feature on with the following commands:

	Copy Code
USE SET RESOURCE ON

You can open the FoxUser.dbf file in a work area without setting resource OFF by issuing the command USE SYS(2005) AGAIN. SYS(2005) returns the name of the current resource file.

Predefining Browse Window Configuration

See Also