MicroStation V8i: the Key-in syntax of "db="

Sui Huang said:

For the "(DB=)" note beside the title: does it mean I can use "DB=" instead of "ACTIVE DATABASE"

Many MicroStation key-ins have a short and a long form.  The two-character abbreviations date from a time long ago (see the History of MicroStation) when MicroStation's forerunner IGDS didn't have a graphical user interface, computer memory was small, and CAD operators used only their thumbs to interact with the keyboard.

Two-character commands are cryptic.  For future maintenance, prefer the verbose key-in because it better documents what your menu, function key or macro is intended to achieve.  Those who follow you will appreciate your kindness in letting them read ACTIVE DATABASE rather than DB=.

Sui Huang said:

For the "(DB=)" note beside the title: does it mean I can use "DB=" instead of "ACTIVE DATABASE"

Many MicroStation key-ins have a short and a long form.  The two-character abbreviations date from a time long ago (see the History of MicroStation) when MicroStation's forerunner IGDS didn't have a graphical user interface, computer memory was small, and CAD operators used only their thumbs to interact with the keyboard.

Two-character commands are cryptic.  For future maintenance, prefer the verbose key-in because it better documents what your menu, function key or macro is intended to achieve.  Those who follow you will appreciate your kindness in letting them read ACTIVE DATABASE rather than DB=.

Hi Jon, thank you for you confirmation!