Usps_city_from_zip() ?

[CALocklin]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

This thread has enhanced my knowledge also.

I wish I could give you a better answer. The only definitive answer I can give you is, "I'm not sure." So, all I can do is explain where I'm coming from...

I have never used "form." because I didn't even know it was valid. I remember when .refresh() was first available and that it didn't always work the way I thought it would. Apparently it didn't work the way others expected either and eventually Alpha came out with the .Refresh_layout() command which seems to work in more situations. However, I don't have any idea why.

All I can say is that I've had better luck with .Refresh_layout(). If form.refresh_fields() works then I see no problem with using it. (I'm kinda curious whether or not parentform.refresh() would work.)

I have used .refresh() to refresh specific objects on a form and that generally seems to work well. (e.g., parentform:invc_ttlf.refresh())

[Tbaker]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Cal

I tried Parentform.refresh() and got the same error message.

Parentform.refresh_fields() works as does Parentform.refresh_layout().

I just can't get form.refresh() to work. But then I don't really need to with the other options.

Again Cal thanks for the down to earth explanation.

Tom Baker

[Rayr]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Cal

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse since Ray has gotten his app working with your help.

But when I used form.refresh() in the onwrotefield for zipcode and then opened the form, I get an error message (see attached thumbnail).

I also attached a thumbnail of the onwrotefield event.

That is why I didn't think that would work and suggested form.refresh_fields() which does work.

I guess this is just to enhance my knowledge.

Thanks

Tom Baker

Hi Tom,

I am not sure y you are getting the error you are, I tried putting the form.refresh() in your sample table and I am NOT getting the error you are, it works fine however when I first opened you database I did get a startup form error because the form that was set was not in the database. This is just a hunch try resetting the startup form to form_zip and see what happens.

What version of Windows are you running? I am running Windows Vista, I have sen in some cases the different version of windows will make programs act different.

FYI Tom,
I just went into your form and see you have a OnDeport event of- parentform.Repaint()

My form does NOT have that.

[smrogers]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Just a thought, but couldn't this also be done without using a field rule? Instead, on the 'OnDepart' event for the zip code field, create a simple action script that sets the values for the city and state fields using the USPS functions? I tried it and it seemed to work fine. I would be curious to any other reasons for/against this... thanks.

[Rayr]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Just a thought, but couldn't this also be done without using a field rule? Instead, on the 'OnDepart' event for the zip code field, create a simple action script that sets the values for the city and state fields using the USPS functions? I tried it and it seemed to work fine. I would be curious to any other reasons for/against this... thanks.

Hi Shawn,

Sure you could use the 'OnDepart' event but that is at the form level, what I wanted is at the table level so I would NOT have to stick the code on every single layout I make, forms, browse, ect. Form level actions are good if it is only based on that form but if you want something to happen every time no matter what form, report, browse, ect. is used I find it better to use the events in the field rules. I am no export in Alpha Five but I was considered an export with the DOS versions of Alpha but I am only now getting back into programing and the Window environment is a whole new game so if someone disagree with my way of thinking please let us all know.

[Tbaker]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Ray

I'm running Windows XP Service Pack 2.

I can get form. to work with refresh_fields() and refresh_layout() as well as
parentform.refresh_fields(), parentform.refresh_layout().

I guess I asked and continued just to increase my own knowledge of these quirky code snipets.

Oh by the way, the reason you got the error when you loaded the zip file was because I use that file for a lot my own testing - I add and subtract fields as I need them to tese different functions and to test replies that I'm going to post to make sure they work. I had an original form test_time that was a startup form and I dropped it from the table to zip the test_zip app. It had nothing to do with the test app that I sent.

Ray thanks for coming back to me - with this forum you learn something new everytime you log on. Your post is an excellent training ground for beginner alpha's.

I glad you got your app to work the way you needed it - that in itself is satisfying.

Tom Baker

[MikeC]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Tom,
regarding the .refresh() function. From what I can gather it is to be used for an object as the example suggests in the help file (although the first part of the documentation states otherwise! ).
http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp....REFRESH().htm

:invoices:sales_tax.refresh()

Another part of the documentation states it a bit different:
http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp...nd_Methods.htm

Forces a control to re-fetch data from its data source, and then to repaint itself. Works with all controls.

I think the second explanation seems to be the more likely one as it does agree with what your findings were.

Least that is my take on it--somewhat contradictory as I have never heard of a form or browse called a control before.

Boy does Alpha need someone to go through these files--actually more like a multiple person job considering how it continues to grow--one to keep up with new functions/features, one or more to try and catch up with the backlog of corrections and absences of documentation.

[Tbaker]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Thanks Mike.

This has been a very interesting thread. As I said before and we all acknowledge - "You learn something new everytime you open the forum"

Tom Baker

[hsl9999]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

I have just finished using this code in my own address book database. The problem that I am facing is that after entering the zipcode the city and state fields remain unchanged until I enter each of those fields. I would like it to change the city and state fields as soon as I exit the zipcode field. What do I need to do to get this to work?

[MikeC]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Have you tried refreshing the other two fields using the OnDepart of the field you are leaving?

[hsl9999]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

THis is what I have put in both the ondepart and onchange events in the zip_code field:

IF eval_valid( "parentform.this" )
parentform.Repaint()
parentform.Refresh_fields()
END IF

I have also tried the following two with no difference in results.

IF eval_valid( "parentform.this" )
parentform.Refresh_fields()
END IF

and

IF eval_valid( "parentform.this" )
parentform.Repaint()
END IF

[Tbaker]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Have you tried the simple

 parentform.refresh_layout()

Tom

[Tbaker]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Here is a sample

I think this is what you want

All the code for the lookup and entering city and state into the form is in the onDepart event for the zipcode field using usps_citystate_from_zip().

Tom Baker

[Tbaker]

Re: Usps_city_from_zip() ?

Harold

I had some time so I put another zip file together. It has two tables Contacts and contacts_two - and two forms form1 based on contacts and form2 based on contacts_two.

Contacts and form1 were in the first zip I sent in the last post and all the code for the zip code lookup is in the OnDepart event for the zipcode field.

In contacts_two and form2 , all the code for the zipcode lookup is in the zipcode field rules event OnWroteField. There is no OnDepart event for the field zipcode on the form. The code has changed a little since I first put this in this post in 2008.

Here is the new code for the OnWroteField Event for zipcode in field rules.

dim tbl as p
dim cityst as p
tbl=table.current()

cityst=usps_citystate_from_zip(tbl.zipcode)

tbl.city=cityst.city
tbl.st=cityst.state

topparent.refresh_layout()

This handles both scenarios - for those who do not want it as a form level event you have form2 and the OnWroteField field rules field event for zipcode and nothing in the events at the form level. Form1 has all the code for the lookup and form fill in the OnDepart event for zipcode and nothing in the field rules at the table level.

I re-read the post and we were discussing field rule events not form events - I posted the first zip based on the current discussion as to ondepart and onchange form events, but then decided to redo the table level event in field rules.

Both of the forms and the underlying rules whether at the form level or at the field rules table level work and refresh the form immediately upon leaving the zipcode field.

Hope one of these scenarios are what you want.

Tom Baker