Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

[MoGrace]

In running the script recorder window from the controlpanel, I see that there are :append_builder.activate() and :append_builder.close() methods.

Also there is this function in the XB explorer without documentation:

Append.Load(c layoutname,[c style],[c windowname],[p arguments])

I am trying to bring up the append builder loaded with a saved append operation, but all the docs speak about is creating a new operation with the various builders. So far the append.load() seems to work like form.load() in that the builder is not displayed just with this command.

Anybody know how to do this?

[DaveM]

Re: Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

Having done it the hard way.
I just have finished creating 60+ append operations for an install.
I created the appends in operations, copied the xbasic, created functions for each, created a script to call each function in order.
It would be nice to know if there is an easier way.

[MoGrace]

Re: Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

It would be nice to know if there is an easier way.

My thought exactly...check this out:

my_opname = "Add Menu Cats"
append.Load(my_opname)
:Append_Builder.show()
:Append_Builder.activate()

sometimes the simple stuff is harder than it looks!

Now wrap it in a function

FUNCTION Edit_OP AS L (op_type AS C, op_name AS C )
'DESCRIPTION: Load a saved operation to edit into the appropriate builder	
	dim cmd[3] as c
	dim cnt as n = 1
	cmd[1] = convert_expression(op_type+".Load("+quote(op_name)+")","V")	
	cmd[2] = convert_expression(op_type+"_Builder.show()","V")	
	cmd[3] = convert_expression(op_type+"_Builder.activate()","V")
	for cnt = 1 to 3	
		'Tln("CMD",cmd[cnt])	'my wrapper for trace.writeln()
		evaluate_template(cmd[cnt])
	next cnt
	edit_op = .t.		
END FUNCTION

Then there are these functions that will return a result box of some sort when the op is run:
a5_append_op_result(* a_records_processed ,* a_records_total ,* a_records_violated ,c table_set_name [,c append_dlg_title [,* arguments ]])

when I figure out how to use the a5_*_op_result() functions, I'll be back!

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

when I figure out how to use the a5_*_op_result() functions, I'll be back!

Take a look at the xbasic for a saved append operation, not run silently. Seems all you need to supply are the table name, tbl_pointer.Name_Real_Get() and the type of operation.

And of course the args need to be established as you will find. The a_records_processed,a_records_total,a_records_violated variables seem to be system variables.

[MoGrace]

Re: Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

Thanks Stan, I'll take a look there.

[DaveM]

Re: Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

Thanks both of you.

Unfortunately, the reason for my 60 + appends was due to changed field names, filed types, updates, etc., so I would still have been stuck doing it the way I just did.

I want to save this idea for other reasons though.

[MoGrace]

Re: Accessing the Append Builder and using Append.load()

Hi Dave,
I posted a function in the code archive that uses an XD to enumerate a list of controlpanel elements. My new Edit_OP() will go nicely in there to select which ops I want to edit. See CP_List()