64x64base

Getting Started: Overview

What DotTalk++ / x64base is today, what is active, and where to begin.

DotTalk++ / x64base is a working educational and research runtime for xBase-style database ideas.

It is not currently positioned as a finished commercial database product. It is an active beta system that exposes database layers directly: table files, records, fields, work areas, indexes, relations, metadata, HELP, validation, scripts, browsers, and simple UI surfaces.

The system is being built in co-development with its documentation. SelfDoc and the Master Documentation Organizer are part of the working system: the database engine develops and documents the same structures it is building. The goal is an open, cross-platform architecture that can be studied, extended, validated, and rebuilt across Windows, WSL/Linux, Ubuntu, and macOS.

What the local project contains

  • DotTalk++ command shell - the canonical runtime surface for commands, scripts, HELP, browsing, validation, and workspace state.
  • DotScript - the repeatable script-language product for command files, loops, variables, line continuation, comments, scans, and automation.
  • x64base / DBF runtime - DBF-style table handling, x32 and x64-family work, cursor movement, record mutation, work areas, and table inspection.
  • xindex - INX, CNX, CDX, and LMDB-backed indexing work.
  • Workspaces and areas - workspace wrappers over active DbArea-style objects, including table state, cursor state, indexes, relations, memos, and metadata.
  • Memo subsystem - object-oriented memo architecture with active canary coverage.
  • Extension hooks - student code hooks plus custom field type hooks for validators, display behavior, import/export semantics, and documentation metadata.
  • Metadata and self-documentation - command reflection, CMDHELPCHK, SYS* metadata work, data dictionary readers, and congruence validation.
  • Browser surfaces - ERSATZ, RBROWSE, SMARTBROWSE, ARTBROWSE, SIMPLEBROWSE, and SB.
  • UI lanes - Turbo Vision-style TUI, wxWidgets workbench work, and Python/Tk preview tools.
  • Python integration - pydottalk binding experiments and smoke scripts.

Current truth source

This site is aligned to the local checkout at D:\code\ccode, branch homegrown-cnx-20251112-branch, commit bed0828e.

See Current Project Truth for the scan snapshot.

Next steps

  1. Read the Quickstart.
  2. Review Engine Architecture.
  3. Browse DotTalk++ Language Guide.
  4. Check Developer Handbook before changing source or docs.
Installation →