Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

[reynolditpi]

Is it possible to add a field to an embedded browse using xbasic?

I cannot seem to find anything in the help files (or this forum) indicating how to do so if it is possible.

Thanks
Tony

[Clunes]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

I take it you want to add an remove fields dynamically based on a set of circumstances?

Not sure if that can be done, however you may be able to do it using teh xdialog. If you go to learn xdialog -> what's new in v9 -> xdialog with an embedded browse. You might be able to manipulate this process

[Clunes]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Until you asked this question, I had not really looked at the browse in xdialog. This is really a great tool

[MikeC]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Like buttons and other objects, this is something that would be nice to have...to be able to create the object ourselves when wanted. The closest functions I can find for a browse only brings up dialog boxes in which a new browse can be created from the field list presented...

ADHOCVIEW("Table/set name")
A5_BROWSE_CREATE("Table/set name")

[G Gabriel]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Haven't played around with this and it may or may not be possible, however you could put a browse with all the fields (columns) and make any column appear/disappear by changing its width from zero to desired width and that you could do with xbasic.

[reynolditpi]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think it would be nice to be able to add a field to a browse (embedded or stand alone) using xbasic. You can add a new field to a table this way...now if we could do the same to the front end of the app it would be great.

Gabriel, I did think about what you suggested. However, I would like my users (my assistant coaches) to be able to add new fields to a specific table without having to physically edit and change the table. (this part I figured out) . I would also like those new fields to then be added to the embedded browse on the data entry form for that table. This would be great if it were possible:)

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Tony,
If you could get yourself to switch from data entry through browses (which I don't recommend to begin with), to data entry through xdialogs (which is far more robust and can be dynamic as you are wishing), then having available a new field added to a table in the xdialog entry form would be a piece of cake (using table.external_field_name_get() and some coding). Otherwise, I don't see your going to get what you came for. I could muster up an example if you are seriously interested.

[reynolditpi]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Mike,
I am seriously interested and very grateful for any help you can provide. However, before you spend the time, maybe I should tell you exactly what I am trying to do. It might lend itself to alternative solutions.

I am the director of sports performance at Waldorf College. I have used Alpha Five to create a database that we use to manage almost every aspect of our program...from inventory of the weight room, to logging injuries, to creating workouts (still under construction) and storing testing and assessment values for our 400+ athletes.

The heart of the db really revolves around our testing/assessment data. We do have common tests that we perform on all athletes. However, we also administer some sport and even position specific testing. This means that we really utilize a lot of different tests..and we often add/remove tests.

I have tinkered with A5 long enough that I can go in and add/remove fields (I have a table that has a field for each test/assessment) to tables and embedded browses quickly. However, my assistants are quite different. Honestly, I would rather them never see the back end of the software if it can be avoided. I would also eventually like to NOT have to make the changes myself. It takes time...although not much...its enough.

Furthermore, As I continually develop the DB to address our needs, I have began to think that I might eventually have a marketable product. Yet another reason to try to streamline and automate as much as possible.

Now...The reasons I have used embedded browses are numerous. 1) my xbasic skills are poor to say the least. and 2) I have found it to be a great way to view data. For instance: I have a form that we use to view/enter/edit testing values on our athletes. There is a browse along the left side of the form that lists all of the athletes. This list can be filtered to a specific team if needed. When you select an athlete, their testing history is listed in another browse on the right side of the form.

With it set up this way, I can quickly switch between teams; browse through my athletes to compare testing values from athlete to athlete, and quickly see a testing history for a single athlete (which is important)

Now the problems I have are:
1) I have a separate testing entry form for each team...but once again, adding a new team requires A5 knowledge. I can do it...but what happens when I am not there to do so. I have included a screen cap for an example
2) You have to manually edit a form to add a field to the browse. Once again this requires me...and I would rather it not.

What I would like to be able to do is
1) create new tests...which currently would meaning adding fields to my "Testing" table
2) Assign or deassign tests to teams.
3) When I view a team, only see the tests (and testing data history for each athlete) that have been assigned to that team.


I think I can figure out 1 and 2. No. 3 however is the problem.

I hope hope I have not made this more confusing than it needs to be.

Thanks
Tony

[Ted Giles]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

As for item 1) (if I read you correctly) there is no need to add fields when things change.
If you have a simple table with the important bits, you can link the test to the team.
Example Test Table.

Test ID
Descrption
Metrics 1
Metrics 2
Current Flag (Turn this one on or off so it can be viewed and used or not)

Example Athlete Table

Athlete ID
Team ID
Test ID

Example Set

Athlete
1:M ---------> Test


or similar. This might make life easier viewing Teams as well as individuals.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

I agree with Ted. But the whole process of having fields in the table be one for each test, and having the need to constantly amend these fields dynamic so they can be added and subtracted, and having a browse presentation of a dynamically changing table, seems to require some coding to accommodate for this changing nature of the table(s). It is some degree of complex coding, but a fun challenge. I used the approach of having a reference table (test_list) to hold the list of (current) tests which is added to (and subtracted from if wished), a table (testing) to hold the tests and the measurement values of those tests for athletes on a given day (through a dynamic xdialog), and presenting the tests and measurement values from the testing table through a temporary table that is created and deleted dynamically and presentation through a default browse. It's the only way I could get to achieve the dynamics that was desired through "fixed" forms and code. See attached.

[reynolditpi]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Mike,
I have just realized that I did not thank you for your help on this. My sincerest appologies.

Therefore...thank you for your help.

Tony

[Ted Giles]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Mike, what purpose is the Dummy table in the Teams app?
I've used a Dummy field Char 1 for inexact linking before but not a Table.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Many developers use a dummy table as the background for a form upon which they place buttons. Sort of a menu form. Those buttons kick off scripts and operations that require exclusive use of the table upon which they operate. Since the dummy table is never affected by these scripts and operations, no conflicts arise.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Aaaah! I've been busily attaching a Form to a not so important Table, like a User maintainable Lookup Table of Values.
Never thought of doing it that way, although I have a few Forms with all of the buttons I'm likely to need in the right size, shape and colour.
That's today's "learn something new" resolved then.
Ta Stan.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Add field to emb. browse using xbasic

Ted,
What Stan said so eloquently.

Tony,
You are welcome. I hope it did help and not too many points of confusion/misunderstandings. I didn't make as many notes in the code as I should have. I must have been presed for time.