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Field Rules Calculated

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    Field Rules Calculated

    I have a table “table.dbf” with circulator names like “Mary Jones-Davis or Mary Ann Jones-Davis”. Would like to separate first, middle and last names. I would assume to use the function Word(). If this is true will I have the chance to preview the results before Execution?
    Dick
    Last edited by Dick Anderson; 09-10-2013, 01:18 PM.

    #2
    Re: Field Rules Calculated

    Just dump the SQL statements you plan to create to the screen first instead of running them through execute, or whatever you're using to commit them to the database.
    Alpha Anywhere latest pre-release

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Field Rules Calculated

      I don't use SQL. I was planning to use xbasic. Hoping to use an immediate function to preview results. I am just transforming a table.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Field Rules Calculated

        First backup your table than add new fields to the end of the table & use an update operation to update the new fields. There is a genie to help you however hyphenated name's & name's like Mac Donald & the like will trip you up.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Field Rules Calculated

          Or write a function to open the table, and loop through each record.
          Then split the name on space character.
          if length==2 then you probably have firstname lastname
          if length==3 then you probably have first middle lastname
          There are exceptions to the rule above - you will have to handle these manually

          You can always have your function write to a csv file so you can preview all the names.
          When your happy with the csv output.
          Backup your table and add the code to actually record_update() or w/e youre using
          Then execute that code
          Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
          REA Inc.
          http://reainc.net
          (416)-533-3777
          [email protected]

          REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
          If you need custom code, or 1-to-1 mentoring in any facet of your database/web application design,
          contact us to discuss options.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Field Rules Calculated

            Allen.....I have more problems then that. Some names have Jr, III, 2nd, 3rd and etc. as well as Van Holland. Some names have 3 middle names. This is going to be a problem because I have hundreds of thousands of names to convert. Don't know how to access genie..........Dick

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Field Rules Calculated

              Scott......What language is "if length=="..........Dick

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Field Rules Calculated

                Originally posted by Dick Anderson View Post
                Scott......What language is "if length=="..........Dick
                It was Alpha - it would be the array length e.g dim length as N=arrayVar.size() , or see example below

                Splitting the name on space would ideally return an array

                Something like:
                Code:
                LOOP THROUGH USERS:
                
                dim firstname as C
                dim lastname as C
                dim middlename as C
                dim names_for_person[1] as C = split_name_on_space(namefield) 'this function does not exist, you will have to write it yourself 
                'other languages have a string.split(strVar," ") <<split on space or 
                'string.split(strVar,",") <<split string on comma - but alpha doesnt have this funciton (youll need to write it urself)
                if names_for_person.size()==2 then
                    firstname=names_for_person[1]
                    lastname=names_for_person[2]
                else if names_for_person.size()==3 '3 names
                     firstname=names_for_person[1]
                     middlename=names_for_person[2]
                     lastname=names_for_person[3]
                end if
                
                'write the record update down here 
                'UPDATE RECORD 
                
                'GO TO NEXT USER
                Something like this is probably the closest youre gonna get.
                There are names that it will fail to convert (computers are stupid machines)
                Example: Mary Ann Davis (Mary wil be first, ann will be middlename, davis will be lastname) where as her first name really could be Mary Ann and her lastname Davis and she has no middle name - Youre going to have to handle these yourself unfortunately. And herein lies the issue with compound fields - if the database was designed as firstname, middlename, lastname from day1 - you wouldnt be stuck doing this :( Well,Gluck!
                Last edited by aburningflame; 09-11-2013, 12:43 PM.
                Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
                REA Inc.
                http://reainc.net
                (416)-533-3777
                [email protected]

                REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
                If you need custom code, or 1-to-1 mentoring in any facet of your database/web application design,
                contact us to discuss options.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Field Rules Calculated

                  Can't I write a expression in an immediate window where it will display the results for each record in a given table such as below? How do I access an immediate window?

                  ? word("This is a test", 4)
                  = "test"

                  dim FULLNAME as C = "Di King"
                  ? word(FULLNAME, 1)
                  = "Di"

                  dim FULLNAME as C = "John J. Smith"
                  ? word(FULLNAME, w_count(FULLNAME))
                  = "Smith"

                  ? word("the quick brown fox", -1)
                  = "fox"

                  ? word("John Smith, Alpha Software, BurlingtonMA01803", 3, ",")
                  = "BurlingtonMA01803"

                  ? word("now is the time", 2, " ", 3)
                  = "is the time"

                  Thank you ..............Dick
                  Last edited by Dick Anderson; 09-11-2013, 12:58 PM.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Field Rules Calculated

                    Not too familiar with DBF (I would really recommend using MySQL when starting a new application) - However...

                    Create a function
                    Code:
                    FUNCTION convertFullName AS C(name as C)
                         dim newname as C=name
                         'youre gonna eventually write code in here to convert to the new name - but for now leave as is
                         '[CONVERT CODE GOES HERE]
                         convertFullName=newname
                    END FUNCTION
                    Then write:
                    ?sql_get_values("::name::conn","mytable","1=1","convertFullName(namefield)") - Currently what you should see is the actual fullname.

                    In the above function replace [CONVERT CODE GOES HERE] with newname="COUNT DRACULA" , save it, then run the sql_get_values again, everyones name should be count dracula now. Once youve confirmed that works replace newname="COUNT DRACULA" with the logic to actually split the fullname and create a new name and then you w ill have to return each namepart from the function (change the function return to P, define a P variable, define firstname,middlename,lastname in the P variable, in the convert code assign these variables) - you can then use this function in an update loop.

                    If you need assistance, you can give us a call and we can discuss rates. We can work with you and teach/show you what options you have.

                    Thanks,
                    Scott
                    Last edited by aburningflame; 09-11-2013, 01:14 PM.
                    Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
                    REA Inc.
                    http://reainc.net
                    (416)-533-3777
                    [email protected]

                    REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
                    If you need custom code, or 1-to-1 mentoring in any facet of your database/web application design,
                    contact us to discuss options.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Field Rules Calculated

                      Scott

                      How does the SQL code/function help a DBF based app?


                      Dick
                      Allen's response in post 4 of this thread is a good way to proceed...

                      http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...l=1#post655104
                      Al Buchholz
                      Bookwood Systems, LTD
                      Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                      Occam's Razor - KISS
                      Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                      Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                      When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                      "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                      Albert Einstein

                      http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Field Rules Calculated

                        I work with MySQL and limited DBF - Sometimes I get the 2 mixed up.

                        You can try using table.record_content_get or external_record_content_get
                        http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp..._GET%28%29.htm
                        http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp..._GET%28%29.htm

                        Personally I would just create a function FUNCTION ConvertNames as V() so that you can table.open() and loop through records and put a debug(1) up top so you can step through the function 1by1 - this will allow you to test cases / particular cases. Once youre happy you can write the record update call.
                        Last edited by aburningflame; 09-11-2013, 01:38 PM.
                        Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
                        REA Inc.
                        http://reainc.net
                        (416)-533-3777
                        [email protected]

                        REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
                        If you need custom code, or 1-to-1 mentoring in any facet of your database/web application design,
                        contact us to discuss options.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Field Rules Calculated

                          Scott,
                          I need to get this table right. After that I will learn SQL. I have a collaborator working with me in mySQL I will turn this table over to him to use in the application we're building after I get it right.
                          Thanks
                          Dick

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Field Rules Calculated

                            Originally posted by Al Buchholz View Post
                            Scott

                            How does the SQL code/function help a DBF based app?


                            Dick
                            Allen's response in post 4 of this thread is a good way to proceed...

                            http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...l=1#post655104
                            And if he needs more powerful logic than a 1line xbasic statement? E.g checking for a title, etc etc
                            Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
                            REA Inc.
                            http://reainc.net
                            (416)-533-3777
                            [email protected]

                            REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
                            If you need custom code, or 1-to-1 mentoring in any facet of your database/web application design,
                            contact us to discuss options.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Field Rules Calculated

                              Originally posted by Dick Anderson View Post
                              Scott,
                              I need to get this table right. After that I will learn SQL. I have a collaborator working with me in mySQL I will turn this table over to him to use in the application we're building after I get it right.
                              Thanks
                              Dick
                              I recommended you switch to MySQL for NEW apps - it was just a tip and completely unrelated.
                              See my other posts for a solution to your problem
                              Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
                              REA Inc.
                              http://reainc.net
                              (416)-533-3777
                              [email protected]

                              REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
                              If you need custom code, or 1-to-1 mentoring in any facet of your database/web application design,
                              contact us to discuss options.

                              Comment

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