Heads Square Thru
    Swing Thru
    Boys Run
    Ferris Wheel
    Centers Pass Thru
    Allemande Left

1. From the CSDS Main Menu, select 'Sequence' followed by 'New [Graphics]'.
   
    
2. If this is the first time that you've tried writing a sequence, a dialog box prompts for the name of a new sequence database.
   We are going to write a Mainstream-level sequence.
   Enter a database name, such as MAINSTRM, then press the 'OK' button.
   
   • A database name is limited to 8 characters. However, in a later step, a more lengthly description can be added.
   • Sequences within CSDS are stored in a sequence databases.
   • A sequence database may contain many sequences.
   • All sequences within a given database should be the same type. For example,
     • one sequence database for your mainstream static set to resolve sequences
     • another sequence database for your plus singing call corner progressions
     • another sequence database for your SSD zero line to zero box modules
     • etc...
    
3. The 'Sequence Database Properties' dialog box appears, which allows you to specify the type of sequences to be stored in the database.
   The following fields should always be specified:
   • Dancers - the number of dancers for the type of sequences (2,4,6,8,12,16).
   • Maximum level - the maximum level (e.g., Basic, Mainstream, Plus) for the sequences. If the sequence contains a call that is outside the maximum level, a warning message appears.
   • Type - the type of sequences (normal, singer, module, progressive, hex, etc).
   Click the down button of the 'Maximum level' field and select 'MS' or 'MSV' for Mainstream.
   This tells that program that you intend to use this database for Mainstream-level sequences. (MSV means Mainstream with a few extra variations).
   
   Press 'OK' to save the changes and exit the window.
   To write sequences for something other than static set to resolve, set the 'Type' field to the appropriate value.
    
4. The 'Edit Sequence [Graphics]' window appears with a caption of 'MAINSTRM-1 -- Edit sequence [Graphics]'. This means you are writing sequence #1 in database MAINSTRM.
   

   There are 4 sections shown on this window

   1. The menu section (at top)

      
      See Sequence - Edit [Graphics] for an explanation of this section.
       

   2. The dancer section (at right)

      
      This section shows the dancer icons.
      • The before picture is shown in the upper left with smaller dancer icons (not shown yet since no calls have been entered)
      • The after picture (the current position of the dancers) is shown in the center with larger icons.
       

   3. The Calls Executed section (left, center)

      
      This section shows the calls that have been executed so far.
       

   4. The Edit Buffer section (left, bottom)

      
      Calls to be executed are typed in here.
      After entering a call, press the 'Enter' key. The program will then attempt to execute the call.
    
5. In the Edit Buffer, enter 'Heads Square Thru' (without the quotes) and press the 'Enter' key.
   The window should now look like this:
   
   • The entered call, Heads Square Thru has been moved from the Edit Buffer to the Calls Executed section.
   • The after picture (large icons) now shows the position of the dancers after the executed call.
   • The before picture (smaller icons) now shows the position of the dancers before the executed call.
   • The Edit Buffer is now cleared, and is ready for the next call.
    
6. Now type the abbreviation 'SWTH' into the edit buffer and press the 'Enter' key.
   The program translates the abbreviation 'SWTH' into 'Swing Thru' and executes the call.
   There's a large set of abbreviations that can be used in CSDS, and you can define your own.
   See Abbreviation Database - Edit for more information.
    
7. Now type 'Boys Run' into the edit buffer and press the 'Enter' key.
   The window now looks like this:
   
    
8. At this point, we could continue in the above manner, typing in each call or abbreviation followed the 'Enter' key until the sequence is complete.
   However... let's search for a resolve!
   Press Ctrl+G, or press the button, or from the menu select 'Find | Getout'.
   The following window is displayed, showing getouts from the current position:
   
   Double-click on the line with 'Ferris Wheel .. Centers Pass Thru .. L.A.', or select that line and press the button.
   The calls from the selected getout are executed, and the window now looks like this:
   
    
9. Close the window via Ctrl+Q or menu option 'File | Close'.
   Or, you can create another sequence in the same database via Ctrl+N or via menu option 'Navigate | New sequence - same database'.

Notes:

In particular, you should be aware of the the following:

• To search for a getout (resolve) from the current formation, press 'Ctrl+G', or, from the menu, select 'Find | Getout'. A list of possible getouts is displayed.
   
• You can move calls back and forth between the executed calls and the edit buffer. Use the navigation buttons, or...
  • Ctrl+F11 - moves all calls from the executed calls back into the edit buffer.
  • F11 - undoes the last call, moving it from the executed calls into the edit buffer.
  • F12 - executes the first call shown in the edit buffer.
  • Ctrl+F12 - executes all remaining calls in the edit buffer.
   
• There are two ways to search for potential calls from the current formation:
  1. via Prefix+Call  (Ctrl+F):
     Allow you to enter an optional prefix (such as Boys, Centers, As Couples) and/or an optional suffix (such as Roll, Spread) and then searches for calls from the given position that match the search criteria. A list of calls is presented, and a double-click on a row will add that call to the currrent sequence.
      
  2. via Snapshot Database  (Ctrl+D):
     Searches the snapshot database for calls that can be done from the current position. Double-clicking on a result row will add that call to the current sequence.
   
• To insert a formation picture into the sequence...
  Press the button or type Ctrl+I.
  You can also:

  • Add a formation picture after each line in the sequence via menu option 'Edit | Add formation pictures'.
  • Remove all formation pictures from the sequence via menu option 'Edit | Remove formation pictures'.
   
• Insert a new line into the edit buffer...
  Since pressing the 'Enter' key executes the calls in the edit buffer, if you want to actually insert a new line, place the cursor at the desired location then press the button or type Ctrl+W.

   
• An indented line is considered part of the previous line.
   
• See Sequence - Special Characters to add highlighting, comments, modify call execution, change the displayed text to how you want to see it within the sequence, etc.
   
• As computer programs don't deal well with directional calling, there's a set of special calls that for using stars. See Sequence - Special Stars.
   
• if the program doesn't know how to do the entered call, you will be prompted to add it. See Call Not Found - Add It?.