tbl.record_content_get() and child table

[john michaels]

I have looked for this and have not found something to confirm my suspicion.

I am trying to convert to using <tbl>.record_content_get() when I believe it can be used. The docs state this is usable for when a table is open. I am calling a script from a form based on a parent-child set trying to acquire a crlf() list of one of the child table fields.

'get pointer to art_lbr table and acquire the description into crlf() list
	dim tbl as p
	tbl=table.get("art_lbr")
	
	dim v_list as C=""
	v_list=tbl.record_content_get("art_descr","art_id",".t.")

I get an "Invalid relation type" error (attached). I am going to assume this means that the docs are not quite accurate and only a parent table is available. If this is correct, if anyone has Alpha's ear, maybe a word to them to clarify their documentations might be helpful.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

John,

I don't have first hand experience with this method, but your code establishes a pointer to the filtered view of the child table in your set based form. However, you're using a method that is expecting the pointer to reference an unfiltered view of the child table. I'm guessing this causes the conflict.

Stated differently, the field values you are seeking are not in scope, since the entire list would include field values from records NOT linked to the current parent table record. Your table pointer references the specific instance of the child table supporting the form, so only the linked records displayed in your form are available to that pointer.

[john michaels]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

Thanks Tom,
Great explanation. Now how do we get that in the Alpha docs! I know you have a fabulous entry which I reference ALL THE TIME! with the tablecount() documentation.

Secondly, I experience another .... oddity... I didn't expect. When I made a new set reversed so the child became the parent and ran the script, I got output, but it has one parent listing for every linked child record. So if I place only to look at recno(), I get as many lines for that parent recno() as there are child links. Who would have guessed? The documents need help. I'm shying away from this call from sets.

[G Gabriel]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

I have looked for this and have not found something to confirm my suspicion.

I am trying to convert to using <tbl>.record_content_get() when I believe it can be used. The docs state this is usable for when a table is open. I am calling a script from a form based on a parent-child set trying to acquire a crlf() list of one of the child table fields.

'get pointer to art_lbr table and acquire the description into crlf() list
	dim tbl as p
	tbl=table.get("art_lbr")
	
	dim v_list as C=""
	v_list=tbl.record_content_get("art_descr","art_id",".t.")

I get an "Invalid relation type" error (attached). .

There are couple of errors in your code:
1-The first one, is not really an error, but rather a waste of bits and bites:
You dimmed tbl as p and used it as a pointer to the table but did nothing with it, at least in the code you provided.
If you wanted to use it, then you would say:

dim tbl as p
	tbl=table.get("art_lbr") 'better use table.open()	
	dim v_list as C=""
	v_list=tbl.record_content_get([B][COLOR="#B22222"][SIZE=3]tbl[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B],"art_id",".t.")

2-The second, and the reason why you received an error from alpha, is you omitted one of the parameter of the table.record_content_get() method.
and that parameter is the order. alpha will read the order as ".t." when you meant that for the filter.
The proper syntax would be:
v_list=tbl.record_content_get("art_descr","art_id","put the field you want to order with here",".t.")
If you want to use recno() for order, just put "" for order.
Incidentally, this method is superior to any other means of getting filtered record from a table. I use it as a matter of routine.

[milesjg]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

Record_List as C = <TBL>.RECORD_CONTENT_GET( Expression as C [, Order as C [, Filter as C ]]] )

String as C = TABLE.EXTERNAL_RECORD_CONTENT_GET( Table_Name as C, Content_Expn as C [, Order_Expn as C [, Filter_Expn as C ]] )

[john michaels]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

Gabriel,
Yes I see what you mean. except the pointer is not supposed to be a parameter as James points out. And this is supposed to be faster for already open tables, such the use of table.get() to point to the open table. Otherwise I'd just use the tried and true, no problems, tercg(), among my most used method. I've played with this a bit, with correct parameters. It's a problematic method. Not going to use it.

[milesjg]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

John,

I can run the trcg() on many a child table and I do not get the error message you're getting. I do however get some very peculiar results in
some cases. (One is where the child table has 14 records in it and the trcg() returns a line_count of 101. The linked browse shows 1 record) In any case if a table open is issued before the trcg() the correct results are returned. Every time... Problematic is a mild term here.

[G Gabriel]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

Contrary to common belief and contrary to logic, table.open() is faster than table.get().
The child table here is not open as a child table but both the parent and the child are open as a composite table, that you do not see. Hence the difference in the number of records returned when this method is used vs using tercg().

[milesjg]

Re: tbl.record_content_get() and child table

Interesting. Especially when the parent has 8 records and the child has 14 and the line_count gives 101. All of which are the same value. Only the first one even being the correct value, all other being repeats of the first value, but then you didn't bother to ask any specifics before you offered your 'explanation'....just as in your extraneous 'pre-edited,' rambling post you failed to notice in John's first and second post (and what was implied by posting the exerts from the help manual) that trcg() <> tercg(). "that you do not see."
Out of curiosity, and for the sake of brevity could you post just the code that shows "table.open() is faster than table.get()." I realize that there is almost a unlimited number of "scenarios" (forms open, field rules, table size, etc.) that could exist, and possibly affect timing but I would be interested in your particular analysis.