View source for PC-File

{{Short description|Software}}
'''PC-File''' was a [[flat-file database]] [[computer application]] most often run under [[MS-DOS]]. 

==Software==
It was one of the first of three widely popular [[software]] products sold via the [[marketing]] method that became known as [[shareware]].<ref name = "InfoWorld Jan 1985">{{Cite magazine | last = Watt | first = Peggy | title = 'Shareware' Makers Expanding |magazine= InfoWorld | volume = 7 | issue = 2 | page =18 | date = January 14, 1985 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-i4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18 | issn = 0199-6649}}</ref> It was originally written by [[Jim Knopf|Jim "Button" Knopf]] in late 1982, and he formed the company [[Buttonware]] to develop, market, and support it.

The program was usually distributed for the cost of [[diskette]]s by local [[users' group|user groups]]. There was no [[copy protection]] and a manual was distributed as a file on the same diskettes as the program. It was extremely simple to use and extremely stable. It ran on just about any PC, while competing commercial products costing hundreds of [[United States dollar|dollars]] were often picky and full of [[software bug|bugs]].

Knopf originally wrote the software for his own use to manage a church mailing list, on an [[Apple II]]. Later, he ported it to [[CP/M]], and then to MS-DOS. Other people heard about it, and started requesting copies. Eventually, the cost of sending out update disks inspired Knopf to include a note requesting a small cash donation to offset the expenses. The response was overwhelming, and when his income from PC-File exceeded "ten times" what he was making from his job at IBM, he decided to turn [[Buttonware]] into a full-time business.

By June 1984 Knopf estimated that he had released 15 versions of PC-File, incorporating many user suggestions. He said that 50,000 copies were being used, and that about $1,000 in $45 checks arrived daily.<ref name = "InfoWorld Jun 1984">{{cite magazine |last= Watt |first= Peggy |title= Software for a Donation |magazine= InfoWorld |volume= 6 |issue= 24 |page=36 |date= June 11, 1984 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wy4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36 |issn= 0199-6649}}</ref> After PC-File version 3.0, Buttonware released PC-File/R, which had limited "relational" capabilities. In 1987, PC-File+ was rewritten to use the popular [[dBASE]] III file format.

PC-File for [[Microsoft Windows]] v8 was published by Outlook Software / Ace Software (previously Good Software) in 1994. This version works on Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and XP, but uses the [[8.3 filename|8.3 file naming]] convention. PC File will not run on Windows 7 64 bit, even in the XP compatibility mode, but will run in 'XP Mode'.<ref>''[http://www.gurus.org/margy/pc-file.htm The Complete Guide to PC-File, Version 5.01]''</ref>

==Reception==
In a 1984 review of databases, ''[[PC Magazine]]'' found that "quite a few ... rough edges" existed, but concluded that "on a performance/price basis, [PC-File III] may be the best money you'll ever spend".{{r|obrien19840612}}

==See also==
*[[PC-Write]]
*[[Bob Wallace (computer scientist)|Bob Wallace]]
*[[PC-Talk]]
*[[Andrew Fluegelman]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="obrien19840612">{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=amQldGdl9LkC&pg=RA1-PA177 | title=PC-File III: Best Performance for Price |magazine=PC Magazine | date=1984-06-12 | accessdate=24 October 2013 | author=O'Brien, Bill |page=177}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
*''[http://www.ddj.com/184403976?pgno=2 Article about Jim "Button" Knopf]'', from Dr. Dobb's Journal

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pc-File}}
[[Category:Shareware]]
[[Category:1980s software]]