Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

[ray camo]

I�m still new to alpha 5. I�m guessing there is an easy way to accomplish what I�m working on, but for the moment I�m stumped. I�m using an xdialogue to present a tree to my user. The data for the tree comes from a separate table. The xdialogue stores the choice from the tree (as character), but what I really want is to store the record�s id# (as numeric) from the tree�s table. Because I�m new, I�m still limited to doing everything by Action Scripting. Does anyone know of a way to do this?

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Hi Ray,

It is not a good idea to have an Id field as numeric.

The unwritten law is only have numeric fields which are going to be used in calculations.

As you want to store the character value as a numeric then you should look at the VAL() function.

I would recommend that you reconsider the use of your Record Id.

[ray camo]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Thanks Keith. I didn�t know about the rule of thumb of using numeric primarily for calculation fields. I�ll make that edit in my tables.

However, I�m still stumped in regards to the other part of my question: The xdialogue stores the choice from the tree into a variable, for example, �California.Sacramento.teacher�. I recently learned that I can easily save that variable to my record by using �Set Field Value.� However, what I�m trying to figure out is a little different. �California.Sacramento.teacher� comes from a separate table that has a field called �Source_Id� which is my key field for that table.

Instead of saving �California.Sacramento.teacher� to my record, I�d like to save the value from �Source_Id�. Is there a way to do this?

[Tim Kiebert]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Take a look at the {Data} command. You would get your Source_Id value at the time you you populate the tree and place it in the {Data} command. You would incorporate the command in the expression that you used in the action script genie.

There is a sample database in your A5v9 program folder in the Learning Xdialog folder. There you can find an example related to the above help link. When it opens there will be a dialog of examples. Expand 'What's new in V8' (second from bottom) then expand the 'Tree Control' item then choose the second item.

Holler if you are still stuck.

[martinwcole]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Kieth, I vaguely recall reading that moving adbs to sql would require all key fields to be numeric. I remember when I read it thinking - oh boy, we are in for a lot of changes in existing adb's. Do you recall reading that anywhere. I may be incorrect.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Hi Martin,

I have not heard that key fields in SQL should be numeric, I'm sure that Andrea can correct us on that.

Tim, thanks for reminding me to go over the Leaning Xdialog, the {Data} command is great to know about. I should give myself a refresher course.

In the example the OK button is greyed out until the user gets to the end of the tree. How do you do that when using the Genie? (without converting it to xbasic).

[Tim Kiebert]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Hi Martin,

I have not heard that key fields in SQL should be numeric, I'm sure that Andrea can correct us on that.

Tim, thanks for reminding me to go over the Leaning Xdialog, the {Data} command is great to know about. I should give myself a refresher course.

In the example the OK button is greyed out until the user gets to the end of the tree. How do you do that when using the Genie? (without converting it to xbasic).

Re sql and char v num.
I think the issue is that some sql flavours require numeric for auto increment. But then from recent reading on sql I think it handles compound primary keys better than Alpha does (or at least differently) so that often you don't need a seperate auto inc field.

Re the xdialog.
Hmmm. I took a look and it seems like you can't specify an enable condition for any of the buttons from with in the genie. Like you can when editing a toolbar. I haven't noticed cause I do them all in xbasic now a days. This might be some thing for the wish list.

[ray camo]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Hey everybody,
Thanks! Tim, I used the {data} command and it works great. This capability is HUGE for me because my user has several complicated drop down trees that may change over time (uugh). I can now hook the drop down menu to a table, and maintenance will be MUCH easier. This may be small potatoes for you veterans, but for a newbie, this is like a small miracle. Thanks!!!

I have one more question: When the user is navigating down the tree and wants to open a branch, the only way i can make that happen is by double-clicking on the menu item. My user is requesting a keystroke to substitute for the double-click. Is there a way to do that?

[ray camo]

Re: Need help storing record id from xdialogue tree

Nevermind. I just stumbled onto the solution. It's the right arrow key. Thanks all.