Task Data Base

TAP Task Data Base

Q: What is the Task data base? How do I use it?

A: TAP 4 allows you to organize your work as "tasks" that include multiple steps of various calculations. For example, a calculation of a Longley-Rice interpolated coverage contour involves several steps, such as collecting the topographic elevation data, computing the field strength at various locations along each radial path, interpolating the field values to obtain the distance to the desired contour level, and plotting the contour on a map with boundary lines, labels, etc. With TAP 4, all of these different functions are combined together as a single "task" that can be defined and executed.

The detailed parameters for the various types of studies are actually saved in an ASCII file in the Windows .INI format. Each task is assigned a unique seven-digit ID, and name of the .INI file for the task is based on that ID, such as T0000001.INI for task 0000001.

The Task Data Base (TDB) is used to manage the various tasks and the associated INI files, as well as other files associated with each task. The file (SWTASKS.DBF) is located in the \SYSTEM directory below your TAP directory. The dBase/FoxPro file includes the following fields:

Field
Type
Length
Description

TASK_ID String 7 Task ID assigned by setup programs.

TASK_DESC String 40 User-entered in setup programs.

TASK_TYPE String 20 Assigned by setup program (from the list of gsTASK* in SYSDEF.BAS).

TASK_SUMMARY String 80 Assigned by setup program to define minimal details of the task (e.g., propagation model used, type of elevation data as radial or tile, etc.)

TASK_LOCK Integer 2 TRUE locks the task so the parameters cannot be changed. Set automatically by the execution program. Necessary because the task INI file provides the details of system parameters, etc., that define the results of the task.

TASK_INCOMPLETE Integer 2 TRUE prevents the task from being executed because critical parameters have not been provided or are invalid. Set and cleared by the setup program.

TASK_AMBIGUOUS Integer 2 TRUE causes warning before task is added to the execution list, indicating that some parameter(s) have ambiguous or questionable values. Set and cleared by the setup program.

The following internal functions related to the TDB are needed:

Get new unique ID. Called by the setup program.
Procedure to ADD a record. The setup program will call this procedure and pass all of the fields to be written to the TDB.
Grid control example bound to TDB. All columns locked to prevent editing. Allow single or multiple select. This will be used (cut and paste) in routines called from the MDI menu to DELETE or COPY tasks (including all associated INI files, results files, etc.), to select a task in order to EDIT its INI file, and to select task(s) for execution.

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Field	Type	Length	Description
TASK_ID	String	7	Task ID assigned by setup programs.
TASK_DESC	String	40	User-entered in setup programs.
TASK_TYPE	String	20	Assigned by setup program (from the list of gsTASK* in SYSDEF.BAS).
TASK_SUMMARY	String	80	Assigned by setup program to define minimal details of the task (e.g., propagation model used, type of elevation data as radial or tile, etc.)
TASK_LOCK	Integer	2	TRUE locks the task so the parameters cannot be changed. Set automatically by the execution program. Necessary because the task INI file provides the details of system parameters, etc., that define the results of the task.
TASK_INCOMPLETE	Integer	2	TRUE prevents the task from being executed because critical parameters have not been provided or are invalid. Set and cleared by the setup program.
TASK_AMBIGUOUS	Integer	2	TRUE causes warning before task is added to the execution list, indicating that some parameter(s) have ambiguous or questionable values. Set and cleared by the setup program.