Xdialog problem

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Ted

am trying to run a query ie BHS and use just those records in the room_inventory script that you helped me with. I tried adding to the room_inventory script another script that calls a saved query (BHS) but it is not working. Advise?

Here is a revised script. Open TextbookS form - there is a new button "Run BHS Report" - that button contains a script "Script_play("Run_bhs_rpt") from the code tab. On the code tab you can open the "Run_bhs_rpt" in design mode to check out the code there which is "Run a saved Query (BHS)" then "Preview the report". I also changed the BHS query's order to Room_number+Grade_level+subject.

When you push that button, the query is run to show only Basile High School records and the report is room number order.

Just wanted to show you how you can use the query.

Tom Baker

[csda1]

Re: Xdialog problem

Hi Cal,

2. Script in the Code tab.
- Click the Code tab in the Window Bar and edit the script.
- Click on the form name in the Window Bar and test your changes.

I know you meant this:

2. Script in the Code tab.
- Click the Code tab in the Window Bar and edit the script.
- Save the script (leaving it open though)
- Click on the form name in the Window Bar and test your changes.

As Mike states and has learned, UDFs simplify even more as there is no parameters that have to be set prior to using it vs a script_play() and with the side benefit of making debugging easier by compartmentalizing code.

[tsoileau]

Re: Xdialog problem

Tom,

I am trying to develop a database which will help me and the schools in our district keep track of all textbooks both at the school level and the district level. What I need is for each school to keep track of their textbooks and their location as well as new books coming in and books that are transfered to another school. As the person who is in charge of textbooks at the district level, I need to have access to all the schools as well as have reports district wide. I figured what I would do is have a central database with each school logining in--ie. Basile High School, which will query the whole database and bring up only those records that belong to Basile High. I need the query to stay until Basile closes the database. At the sametime, every school should be able to login in and see their infor without seeing anyone elses. I hope this helps you see what I am trying to do.

Thanks,

ted

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Ted

I just got home from work - and looked at the forum and found your post - evidently the board was down from 2:48 PM EST yesterday to sometime this morning.

Question: I looked at the BHS query - it is based on school which is Baslie High School and the order is school+grade_level+subject.

The report for room inventory doesn't list the grade level or the subject but lists category etc.

What are you trying to get in the report?

I have to go out for awhile, so I might not get back to you until later this
evening.

But I will get back to you.

Tom Baker

[tsoileau]

Re: Xdialog problem

Tom,

Thanks for the help. I tried getting back to you yesterday but the message board would not load. I believe I understand what you and Cal were saying in that I should create a script in the code editor then use a button on the form to call up that particular script? You also mentioned that it appears that the application was first created in Alpha 4. That is correct and boy I am finding that Alphafive is different than 4. Should I just recreate the application in five--would this help avoid other problems? I am trying to run a query ie BHS and use just those records in the room_inventory script that you helped me with. I tried adding to the room_inventory script another script that calls a saved query (BHS) but it is not working. Advise?
I do appreciate you help and patience.
Thanks,

ted

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Xdialog problem

Cal,
I am glad that you have written up what I have tried to explain to several folks about the efficiency of scripts off buttons. I have gone one step further in making them user defined functions (UDFs), which is even easier to type.

Let me also add this. Form Curruption. There have been occassions where a form gets corrupted and whatever is on the form is LOST! Hours work on a form with lots of coding on buttons...not yet backed up...lost. That only needs to happen once to adopt this approach.

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Cal

Good advice


Tom Baker

[CALocklin]

Re: Xdialog problem

You could also just copy your code to that button and it will do the same thing.

Absolutely true BUT it's often easier to develop when the code is in the Code tab and use Script_play("<ScriptName>") to call it from the button/event.

Consider these two editing scenarios. You've just finished testing your first attempt at fixing a problem and find you need to change something else. (I know, a truly good developer would get it on the first attempt but not me.):

1. Code on the button:
- Switch the form to Design mode. (a short wait)
- Right click the button to be edited.
- Select Events / On Push.
- Another short wait for the script to open then edit the script.
- Save and close the script.
- Save the form and switch back to View mode (another short wait) to test your changes.

2. Script in the Code tab.
- Click the Code tab in the Window Bar and edit the script.
- Click on the form name in the Window Bar and test your changes.

I don't know about other developers but I like #2 much better.

Even if you're just starting the first edit in option #2, you don't have to close the form. Just go to the Control Panel, select the Code tab, and open the script. After that you can just switch back and forth.

That's not to say I don't have quite a few scripts directly in my buttons/events but those are only the very simple ones that shouldn't need to be edited unless I decide to make a change to the functionality. (i.e., a simple script like parentform.commit() probably won't need to be edited unless I decide to add some other feature.) If the script is complex or longer than what fits on about 1 screen, I usually put it in the Code tab for ease of development.

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Ted

Just to keep this thread in order, I have attached a zip file based upon the edit from my last post.

I put a button on the "TextbookS" form called "Run the room inventory Report" which just has the code

 script_play("room inventory")

You could also just copy your code to that button and it will do the same thing.

I changed the code back to your original code and deleted the filter from "select records" in the reports properties.

Tom

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Ted

It seems that this app was converted from Version4. There also seems to be one corrupted form (room number).

Anyway, I have attached your zip file revised. Put the filter for the report in the report itself (in design mode, select report, then select "select Records" and in the box at the top I put the filter (room_number=var->room_number).

Then in action scripting for "print the layout" in your code, I changed the select records to print from "records selected by a filter expression" to "no additional selection criteria".

Now when you run the report, you put in a room number in the dialog box and then the report runs showing just the room number you want.

There seems to be some trouble using the filter from the code - I don't know why right now, but I will keep on checking a get back to you. But by putting the filter directly into the select records of the report - it will work just fine.

Tom Baker


Edit -

I wasn't seeing the forest for the trees.

If you put a button a form which is based on the testbook_orders.dbf which calls the script (code), it will run the report the way you want it from you original code.

I was trying to run the code from the code editor which was not relating properly to the correct table when running the report.

Again just place a button on a form associated with textbook_order table and run the room inventory script from that button.

[tsoileau]

Re: Xdialog problem

Tom,

I do appreciate you patience. I created the code--it is room inventory--it should be the only code. The report is room inventory.

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Ted

I see a lot of forms - can you tell me which one I should be looking at for the dialog and then the report?

Tom

[tsoileau]

Re: Xdialog problem

Let me try it again.

[Tbaker]

Re: Xdialog problem

Ted

There was nothing in the zip file except folders

Tom

[tsoileau]

Re: Xdialog problem

Here is the folder with the start of the application. Any suggestions is appreciated.