FrontSix a front end program for Sixtests

FrontSix is a Windows program that acts as a front end for Jim Burrows' program Sixtests. FrontSix takes multiple reading Foucault test data and outputs a file in Sixtests input format. FrontSix will zero zone 1 readings, reverse zone readings and calculate the averages and standard deviation. FrontSix can convert data in inch, millimeter or centimeter units. FrontSix can save a data set for later additions or editing. FrontSix does not process data for the other tests Sixtests can analyze.

FrontSix should make it easier to preprocess and store multiple Foucault test results. The need for a calculator or a spreadsheet program to aid with these tasks should be eliminated.

FrontSix is written in Visual Basic 5. The installation package installs standard Visual Basic 5 runtime files. I have not modified these in any way from the Microsoft originals. The systems on which the program was written and uploaded have been scanned with recently updated copies of either Macfee Viruscan or Norton Antivirus. Both systems are behind both hardware and software firewalls.

This is version 1.0.13 of FrontSix. The .zip file is 1,910,096 bytes long and contains 20 files.

frontsix1013.zip

If you have already installed any of version 1.0.2 to 1.0.12, you may be able to simply replace FrontSix.exe with the new version, avoiding the longer download and setup associated with the complete setup package. FrontSix.exe version 1.0.13 is here: frontsixexe1013.zip This .zip file is 95,092 bytes long and contains two files. The file About.txt has changed slightly from earlier versions. It is included with frontsixexe1013.zip. Use it to replace the existing About.txt file in the same directory with FrontSix.exe.

Version History

Version 1.0.4 is intended to correct some problems that occured when starting Sixtests from within FrontSix and to improve the user interface. The major improvement to the interface is in-cell editing in the main data grid. The smaller zone radii and measurement set label grids do not yet allow in-cell editing. Now that I have a method worked out, I plan to convert those too, but am too worn out to do it right now.

Version 1.0.5 fixes a calculation bug. If you disabled all of the readings for a zone, the program would experience a divide by zero error (overflow). Now that is trapped. Also, If you disable all the readings for a zone, that zone is not passed on to Sixtests.

Version 1.0.6 fixes another calculation bug. The pooled standard deviations were all too small. (I divided by k² when I should have divided by k.) Also, the behavior of the editing in the main data grid is improved. Now when you enter a cell, the contents of the cell are selected so that you can replace them simply by starting to type. The two smaller grids, for zone radii and measurement set labels, is still in the primitive form where you have to edit in a separate box. Perhaps I will get the time and energy to improve them for version 1.0.7.

Version 1.0.7 fixes a bug which sometimes caused Sixtests to start without any data when started from FrontSix. Thanks to Aditya Munshi who identified this problem and tested the modified program.

Version 1.0.8 finally extends in cell editing to all of the data grids, and gets the tab key to function correctly in two modes. If you enable tabbing, the tab key will move you from cell to cell inside the grids. If you disable tabbing, the tab key will move you from control to control on each from, the standard Visual Basic behavior.

Version 1.0.9 adds a calculator function. If your tester needs extra calculations to produce zone readings, now you have a calculator right in FrontSix. The advantage of this one is that there is a function to paste directly from the calculator display into the active control of FrontSix. Several clicks or keystrokes are potentially eliminated for each entry.

A slightly unusual feature of the calculator is that memory entries are stored across program invocations. If you have a constant you use a lot, put it in one of the two memories, and it will be there when you need it.

Version 1.0.10 fixes some bugs that occasionally caused incorrect values to appear in the data editing grids and caused incorrect standard deviations in some instances. Thanks to Stephen Kohler and Ulhas Deshpande for identifying some of these bugs.

Version 1.0.11 fixes a few more bugs. These fixes may eliminate type mismatch errors that may have occured on initial startup, both of the main program and the calculator screen. Thanks to John Murray for alerting me to this class of error.

Version 1.0.12 adds the ability to write files in the format used by the Figure and FigureXP programs. These programs can be started from within FrontSix.

Version 1.0.13 fixes a bug. This bug caused incorrect results in Figure and FigureXP if the FrontSix data contained 5 measurement sets. 4 or less, or 6 or more were OK. Waldo Kitty identified this bug.