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Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

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    Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

    After moving my applications from V5 to V9, I'm experiencing some odd behavior with calculated fields on forms. Suppose I have a layout variable on the form labeled "vHours". This variable name is not found anywhere else, thereby eliminating a scope problem.

    The problem: If I run the form, all goes well. But upon putting it in design mode and bringing up the calculated fields screen, a red message appears on the lower left reading Field 'var->vHours' not found. One calculated field does use "var->vHours" in its expression.

    I have tried editing the expression and replacing "var->vHours" with expressions generated by pressing V6 and selecting vHours from the list of layout variables. That doesn't change things. Oddly, if I move vHours from being a layout variable to being a session variable, all works fine.

    Thanks in advance for any ideas on the matter.

    Steve
    Last edited by Steve Andrews; 02-10-2010, 12:30 PM.

    #2
    Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Layout Variables

    I have verified this possible bug using Alpha Sports. Follow these steps and see if you experience what I experience.

    1. Bring up the "Vendor Information" form in design mode.
    2. Add a LAYOUT variable to the form labeled "vVndr".
    3. Go to the Calculated Fields screen and add the field:
    VENDOR_NAME = ""
    4. With the cursor on this field, press the "Expression Builder" button.
    5. Highlight the double quotes.
    6. Select "V6 - Variables".
    7. Insert the layout variable "vVndr".
    8. See if you get the message Field 'Var->vVndr' not found.

    If you do get the message, try cancelling out of the Calculated Fields screen, changing vVndr from a layout variable to a session variable, and then reattempt the Calculated Field (Steps 3-8 above).

    I will be curious as to what other people find. Thank you.

    Steve
    Last edited by Steve Andrews; 02-10-2010, 12:30 PM.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

      Steve
      If the variable is created as Layout variable I get the "Variable not found" error.
      If the variable is created as Session variable, I do not get the error message. Not sure why.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

        Then it must be true that when Alpha evaluates all of the expressions (not allowing you to save until errors are resolved), it fails to look at layout variables. I'm surprised.

        If this is the case (and there will be no more V9 patches :(), then I will have to go through many forms to change layout variables to session variables.

        Steve

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

          Bump!

          Has anyone else tried this? Also, has anyone tried this on V10? I cannot submit a bug report on V9 and I don't want to download a 30-day trial version just for the sake of submitting the report.

          Having searched the messageboard for this, I'm surprised that other people haven't run into this problem. I guess layout variables are not very popular. As I said in my previous posting, I guess I will have to live with it and use session variables from now on.

          Steve

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

            Steve, I took a look and vers 10 has the same behavior. I've submitted a formal bug report.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

              Thank you, Tom!

              I'm relieved to know that it's not just something I am doing wrong and that Alpha is now fully aware.

              Steve

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

                It's wierd because the "Expression Builder" dialog sees the layout var just fine, but the "Calculated Field" dialog does not. If there was going to be an issue like this I would have expected it the other way round.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Calculated Fields Will Not Access Local Variables

                  I have seen this behavior since I started with Alpha and just figured it to be the way it was....that a calculated field was "outside" of the form and so a minimum of a session (shared) variable was needed. I will be interested in the outcome of this for sure.

                  Another variance I have noticed at times is that the order within the calculated dialog box (the XY icon) plays a part lately while I did not notice this prior to version 9 ....that for calculations that depend upon prior calculations they sometimes have to be placed after them (but not always). If not, then errors occur and relocating them "fixes" them.
                  Mike
                  __________________________________________
                  It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
                  It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
                  Henry David Thoreau
                  __________________________________________



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