A good way to move data from the ProDOS version of PFS File to a Macintosh is to follow three steps:
1) Issue the PFS File "Copy Forms" command (explained in Chapter 9 of the PFS File manual) to print the file to disk as a ProDOS "delimited text" file.
2) Read this ProDOS text file into AppleWorks.
3) Print the file to disk to create a text file that he can import into the Macintosh. The resulting file is a true "TXT"-type file.
Some people want to use the PFS File "Copy Forms" command (explained in Chapter 9 of the PFS File manual) in a one-step operation. The problem with this is that Copy Forms does not create TXT-type file, but rather a "delimited text" file.
Apple File Exchange does not see such a file as a text file and translates it as "default" mode. The additional step (moving the file into and out of AppleWorks) changes the file to a true TXT-type file that AFE can accomodate.
Apple File Exchange accomplishes file translation using scripts. You can write a script that accommodates the file type that has been assigned to the PFS File.
To implement the translator, programming in the AFE environment is required (see "Apple File Exchange Technical Reference Package v1.1", available from APDA).
Software Publishing Corporation, publishers of the PFS series, recommends that the customer print the document to a disk. This assigns a TXT type to the printed document. However, this method writes the file in the screen layout format or a mailing label layout format. It does not automatically separate the fields or the records as the method described here does. For more information, search on "Software Publishing Corporation".
You can also change the file type with a file editor. However, this method is more technical and riskier than using the AppleWorks method.
This article provides information about a non-Apple product. Apple Computer, Inc. is not responsible for its content. Please contact the vendor for additional information.