I wish to create a database that has a field that references a filename. Should this be a character field? I prefer that when a user enter a filename that they could select a browse tool to search their system for the file for which they would like to reference. Upon selection of the file the proper file name would show up in the field with the correct path syntax. If the user selects to type in the path, then validation should take place to ensure that the syntax is correct.
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Community members are encouraged to click the "Report Post" icon in the lower left of a given post if they feel the post is in violation of the rules. This will alert the Moderators to take a look.
Alpha Software Corporation may amend the guidelines from time to time and may also vary the procedures it sets out where appropriate in a particular case. Your agreement to comply with the guidelines will be deemed agreement to any changes to it.
Bonus TIPS for Successful Posting
Try a Search First
It is highly recommended that a Search be done on your topic before posting, as many questions have been answered in prior posts. As with any search engine, the shorter the search term, the more "hits" will be returned, but the more specific the search term is, the greater the relevance of those "hits". Searching for "table" might well return every message on the board while "tablesum" would greatly restrict the number of messages returned.
When you do post
First, make sure you are posting your question in the correct forum. For example, if you post an issue regarding Desktop applications on the Mobile & Browser Applications board , not only will your question not be seen by the appropriate audience, it may also be removed or relocated.
The more detail you provide about your problem or question, the more likely someone is to understand your request and be able to help. A sample database with a minimum of records (and its support files, zipped together) will make it much easier to diagnose issues with your application. Screen shots of error messages are especially helpful.
When explaining how to reproduce your problem, please be as detailed as possible. Describe every step, click-by-click and keypress-by-keypress. Otherwise when others try to duplicate your problem, they may do something slightly different and end up with different results.
A note about attachments
You may only attach one file to each message. Attachment file size is limited to 2MB. If you need to include several files, you may do so by zipping them into a single archive.
If you forgot to attach your files to your post, please do NOT create a new thread. Instead, reply to your original message and attach the file there.
When attaching screen shots, it is best to attach an image file (.BMP, .JPG, .GIF, .PNG, etc.) or a zip file of several images, as opposed to a Word document containing the screen shots. Because Word documents are prone to viruses, many message board users will not open your Word file, therefore limiting their ability to help you.
Similarly, if you are uploading a zipped archive, you should simply create a .ZIP file and not a self-extracting .EXE as many users will not run your EXE file.
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File references
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Re: File references
My question is for desktop applications. I have the need for users to browse and select a file and then for the database to store the file in a safe location for the user to retrieve and view it later. The file may or may not be a .pdf, xls, doc, or image file. The database application would have to open the application associated with the file that is stored in order to view the file contents.
I thought this would be simple but I'm challenged to find sample or template applications or information in HELP for information on file handling. I suspect I'm just looking in the wrong place.
Any help appreciated!
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Re: File references
I'm not sure if I'm clear here, so I will elaborate. I'm trying to create a file management database for some cad files that get created by my associates. The user would use the application to select a file on their system and the database application would take the file and move it to an archive location and associate it with various data. I expected this to be a simple thing but apparently I'm looking in the wrong place for examples of how to deal with simple file processing. I assume that the record in the database would identify the location for which the file gets stored.
I have little experience using a database program like this. My experience has been with Webex Office databases where there are data types called "file attachments" which keeps this very simple. I suspect that this will be a bit harder for me in Alpha5. I hope not!
Thanks to any helpers!!
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Re: File references
So where in Wisconsin r u?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
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Re: File references
so I will elaborate
I have the need for users to browse and select a file
then for the database to store the file in a safe location
associate it with various data
All relatively simple.There can be only one.
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Re: File references
Originally posted by Stan Mathews View PostBit more here to record the archived file to the current record and allow the user to choose one to open.
I think what I want is this:
1. The user would navigate to the field (ref) in the form and upon clicking into the field a "file open" dialog box would pop up.
2. The user could navigate to find the file they wish to store and then they would press the open button.
3. The file would save to the archive folder as you defined ("C:\temp\archive").
4. The filename would appear in the field (ref) without any reference to its path.
5. If the filename is not unique, the database would define it uniquely but this would be hidden from the user (only the filename for which the user originally entered would be displayed in the field).
6. Whenever the user returns to this particular field in the record they could open and view the file (perhaps this can only be done in a form with a button rather than a browse). If the file-type is associated in windows components, then the program would start and open the file. If the file-type is not associated, then the user could select the "open with" dialog if they wanted.
I don't know if this is the best approach but it seems practical to me. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your awesome examples!Last edited by tklusmeyer; 05-21-2010, 06:40 PM.
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Re: File references
Originally posted by tklusmeyer View PostI'm in Sun Praire, northeast of Madison. Regards!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
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Re: File references
Originally posted by tklusmeyer View PostI don't know if this is the best approach but it seems practical to me. Any thoughts?
If the filename is not uniqueThere can be only one.
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Re: File references
Originally posted by Stan Mathews View PostI don't see anything in your outline that seems troublesome but it will be Monday before I have a chance to revisit the issue.
I assume you mean filename and extension. One might save this_customer.pdf, this_customer.dat, this_customer.xls, etc.
Thanks for your input. I'm looking forward to your thoughts.
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