After completing this course, the student should be able to:
 

	Describe the different kinds of expressions available in FOCUS
	Use prefix operators to perform calculations on individual fields
	Create new fields for reporting with COMPUTE and DEFINE commands
	Manipulate the information in a file using the DECODE and EDIT functions
	Perform advanced techniques for screening data

Course Conventions and Databases
Reviews rules for coding FOCUS statements.  Covers the conventions and databases used in the course.
 

	Course Conventions Rules for coding FOCUS statements.  Standards used when showing the format of FOCUS commands, simulating FOCUS sessions, entering TABLE requests and displaying output.  Four ways to create reports in FOCUS.
	Course Databases Master File Descriptions and diagrams.

Calculations on Field Values
Covers the different types of expressions.  Shows how to perform calculations on individual fields using prefix operators.
 

	Expressions Four types of expressions: alphanumeric, arithmetic, compound and date.  Use of functions in expressions.
	Prefix Operators Field calculations using prefix operators.

Creating New Fields
Presents the use of the COMPUTE and DEFINE commands to create new fields for reporting.
 

	COMPUTE Creation of new fields with the COMPUTE command.
	DEFINE Creation of new fields with the DEFINE command.
	COMPUTE vs. DEFINE When to use COMPUTE versus DEFINE commands.

Alphanumeric Conversions
Shows how to manipulate the information in a file using the DECODE and EDIT functions.
 

	The DECODE Function Use of coded field values in database files.  Translation of coded field values using DECODE.  Storage of coded values and translations in a separate text file.
	The EDIT Function How to convert field values from one format to another.  Changing a field format using EDIT.  Use of masks to insert or extract characters.

Advanced Screening Techniques
Demonstrates advanced techniques for screening data.
 

	INCLUDES/EXCLUDES Use of INCLUDES and EXCLUDES to test a string of characters.
	Screening on Masked Fields IS and IS-NOT relations.  LIKE and NOT LIKE operators.
	Accumulated Values Data screening based on the totaled value of a field.  How to use IF TOTAL and WHERE TOTAL to screen on totals with prefix operators.  Setting an upper limit on the number of records FOCUS retrieves.
	Compound Logic with the IF Statement Use of compound logic in a screening request.
	Stored Screening Values Use of screening values stored in a text file.