
If your FoxPro applications operate on Novell NetWare or NetBIOS networks, you need NetLib for FoxPro -- the award winning networking library from Communication Horizons. NetLib gives you a powerful set of functions you build right into your FoxPro code to add features and security to your multi-user applications.
Better multi-user features for both FoxPro in both Windows and DOS
NetLib for FoxPro is available in two versions:
- NetLib for FoxPro/Windows works with FoxPro for Windows
- NetLib for FoxPro/DOS works with FoxPro for MS-DOS
NetLib works with Novell NetWare 2.x or later, though NetWare version 2.1 or later is required for certain functions.
NetLib also works with most NetBIOS compatible networks, including NetWare Lite and LANtastic. And NetLib supports
NetWare NDS Services and VLM, NT Server and Windows 95.
Each version of NetLib offers an identical set of functions, so you can port code between operating systems seamlessly.
All you have to change is one SET LIBRARY TO call.
Network Printing Made Easy
With NetLib's powerful printing functions, printing from a network is almost as easy as printing
from a stand-alone system.
Read and set all print capture options without running the CAPTURE command.
Manage print queues -- NetLib lets you create, query, update and delete network
print jobs, making printing much more efficient and convenient. You can display queue contents, specify the date and
time to print, put jobs on hold, add jobs to queues, etc.
Get Print Status Reports directly from the print server.
You can see which jobs are printing on which printers, determine how many copies are left in a multiple-copy job,
stop a printer and put the job back into the queue, restart a print job, determine if a printer is out of paper,
and more.
Command the Network Environment and NetWare Bindery
NetLib gives you full control over the network environment from FoxPro:
- Query (and in some cases update) network settings. These include:
- server name
- physical address
- drive mapping
- device redirection
- user ID
- user access rights
- station number.
- Logins/Logouts
- Customizable APIs
- Network Neighborhood
- User count
- Detect when a server is down
- Establish network trustees
- Determine file ownership
- Log users in and out
- Query and update the NetWare Bindery:
- Supports NetWare 4 (NDS and VLM)
- Create "pick lists" of available print queues
- Produce lists of users or groups
- Create new users or groups
- and much more!
Locking Functions Go Beyond RLOCK and FLOCK
You get a standard set of advanced locking and query functions:
Semaphore Locks allow sophisticated operations requiring signaling
between stations -- for example, locking MEM files and index key values.
"Who Has It" Queries determine where a record, file
or semaphore is locked or where a DBF is in use.
A "Time-out" Function keeps trying to lock a record
or use a file for a specified period -- if the record is currently locked or the file is in use elsewhere,
the program automatically tries again at intervals.
Perform customized signaling among stations using semaphore locks.
Lock MEM and TXT files as well as DBFs.
Set limits on simultaneous users of your program.
Lock multiple records in a file with one simple command.
Keep Your Data Secure
NetLib gives you two powerful systems to ensure that only authorized users see sensitive information:
Dynamic Data Encryption lets you
encrypt your data files with a code (up to eight characters) that must be provided in order to access the file.
Since the encryption routines take place at the workstation, data is never decrypted on disk or during transmission.
It's an inexpensive, nearly foolproof way to keep your data secure -- and since you only need one function call to
read encrypted files, it's easy to add encryption to your existing programs!
With Secure Net,
a particular app can log a user in under a password the user doesn't know, then automatically log them
out when they leave the application. Since the user is automatically logged out when they quit the app
(even in the event of a fatal error), they can't use this password with any other programs -- so Secure Net
doesn't compromise network security. This is ideal when you want users to get into certain records only through
one application and restrict them the rest of the time.
You pick the security code.
Prevent users from "alt-tabbing" out of the
application using task-switch lockout.
Communicate Between Stations
NetLib 2.0 supports IPX/SPX, NetBIOS or NT Server messaging for station-to-station communication
on Novell networks. You can allow users to send messages to each other, transfer files between stations, and much more.
Capture "events" without looping
NetLib offers asynchronous event processing. You can detect and respond to idle states, time intervals, broadcasts,
and other occurrences without sitting in a loop waiting for them. With these functions, you can detect when a user leaves
a station, display a running clock, or even trap those annoying network CAST messages and display them you own way!
Track Transactions to Keep Your Data Accurate
NetLib's functions give you direct control of Novell's Transaction Tracking System (TTS), providing extra protection for your data.
In case of system failure, you can use TTS to "roll back" any data entry that was taking place at the time of the crash. This way you won't have incomplete transactions remaining in the system and causing problems.
Assembler API Gives You Total Control
The Assembler API is a set of low-level functions that let you create your own networking functions by referring to the NetWare API manual (or a DOS reference, if you're running on a NetBIOS network).
With the Assembler API, you can perform tasks unique to your application -- for example, checking the number of dirty-cache buffers on the server -- without linking a large PLB or FLL containing dozens of low-level functions you may never need.
The Help You Need at Your Fingertips
NetLib gives you all the tools you need to get up and running fast:
Documentation: NetLib's documentation has been completely revised and expanded with more examples and step-by-step explanations to help you put the features to work.
Online Help: At the stroke of a key, you can get instant help with any NetLib function or feature.
Example Code: NetLib comes with more than 60 "snippets" of example code covering a wide range of features, from the simple to the complex. Use these examples in your own programs royalty-free and save hours of coding time.
Technical Support: Communication Horizons' staff of technicians is available to registered users via phone, fax, CompuServe, and of course, through the World Wide Web. You'll get the answers you need quickly.
Return to NetLib for FoxPro
NetLib for FoxPro and Visual Foxpro FAQ
32-bit Versions
NetLib
16-bit Versions
Netlib 3.0 16-bit Encryptionzer W/ API
NetLib 2.5 for FoxPro
NetLib for Clipper