updating the foreign keys in DBF tables without repeating sections

[bustamorg]

Is there a way to to have the foreign keys in the child dbf update at the same time as the primary keys in the parent dbf when there is not any repeating sections? For example we have a complaint database that has a customer dbf with a PK of cust_ID that is auto generated and then there is the complaint dbf that has the foreign key from the customer dbf. I need them to match so I can link the dbf's together, unless there is a better way of setting up the table structures.

any help would be appreciated

[MoGrace]

Re: updating the foreign keys in DBF tables without repeating sections

Could you give an example of the values of these keys?

In my customer table the auto generated cust_id is D0023 but the foreign key the user sees is 'Lorber'. I put both these keys in the tables that link to the customer table. Is this close to what you want to do? In my case the primary key is never seen and cannot be changed, and is the actual key used to link sets. If the user needs to change the foreign key at least updates can be done to the other tables.

If you add a cust_id field to the complaint table you can keep the foreign key.

[bustamorg]

Re: updating the foreign keys in DBF tables without repeating sections

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the reply, in my customer table I have the auto generated primary key cust_id that is just a numeric entry 1, 2, 3... I was hoping to use the PK as the linking fields between my customer table and the complaint table. I was using the cust_id as the foreign key in the complaint table. By looking at your example it looks like you have the primary key and a linking field, if that is the case is 'Lorber' user entered each time an entry is made?

[GGandhi]

Re: updating the foreign keys in DBF tables without repeating sections

Your idea and set up are correct, when an entry is being made to the complaint table the drop-down for the customer can show the name of the customer, but behind the scene the id is what get stored.
Define the lookup field rule and you will see how this is enabled(in desktop)
For web define either auto suggest or edit combo lookup and you will see.

[bustamorg]

Re: updating the foreign keys in DBF tables without repeating sections

Thanks Govindan, where do I look to setup the edit combo lookup? I am very new to Alpha, this is my first attempt at setting up the database with this software. The company has been using alpha four for years and is now wanting to go to alpha 5, with new table structures and normalization rules.

[GGandhi]

Re: updating the foreign keys in DBF tables without repeating sections

edit combo comes up if you are building a web component ( your question is on the web side )
the field rule comes up in the table structure definition.
when setting up table select field rules, then select the field customer_id then click on the lookup tab on the top then fill in the necessary info
on the second half you will see what needs to be seen and what needs to be filled in.
if you are designing desktop then the best place to ask question is then on the desktop side. you will get lot of help pertaining to that area.