Using Locate_next function

[JAMES GRIFFIN]

I am trying to use the Onkey Event for the locate by
form function using the "L" KEY, but I want to be able to ask for the next record using the locate_next function. I need to know,what I need to add, so i don't have to use the
mouse to press the find key again on the find by form
dialog box. I want to use the keyboard only and not
the mouse.

***************** Below is my xbasic *******************

if upper(a_user.key.value) = "L" then
tbl = table.current()
if tbl.mode_get() > 0 then 'change or enter is pending so suppress the find
end
end if

if this.active() = "Name" then 'user is entering a name, suppress the find
end
end if

' script gets here only if user pressed L and form is not in change or enter mode
' and user is not entering a name

a_user.key.handled = .t.
this.LOCATE() 'begin LOCATE BY TEXT
end
end if
end

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Using Locate_next function

I see no one has responded, so I will take a crack at it. To use locate_next you would need some way to trap the values the user enters in the find text form and I don't see any way easy to do that, other that trapping every key stroke and that would be very messy. However, there are other options. One would be to design your own locate form that looks like the A5 form and use global variables for the search value and the search options selected. Then use locate_next() or locate_prev() and the trapped variable values for the search.

Another option is to message boxes to set the initial values and then use locate. The following is a script I use on a form which is a browse table of hazmat restrictions. Now most of your key strokes are the ENTER key. More key strokes, but better control over the search values. find_val is a global variable.

find_new:
if find_val ""
response = ui_msg_box("Find","Find "+find_val+" again?",UI_QUESTION_SYMBOL+UI_YES_NO)
if response = UI_YES_SELECTED
goto find_it
end if
find_val = ""
end
end if
fld = ui_get_list("Select Column to Search",1,"Material Desc & Shipping Names","UN Number")
fld = left(fld,1)
select
case fld =""
end
case fld = "M"
search_fld = "table_172_101->Proper_Ship_Name"
title = "Enter Name to Find"
case fld = "U"
search_fld = "table_172_101->Un_Number"
title = "Enter Identification Number to Find"
end select
find_val = ui_get_text("Find",title)
if find_val = ""
end
end if
dir = 1

find_it:

direction = ui_get_radio("Search Direction",dir,"Find next","Find Previous")
if direction = "Find Previous"
:Hazardous_Materials_Tbl.locate_prev(find_val,search_fld)
dir = 2
else
:Hazardous_Materials_Tbl.locate_next(find_val,search_fld)
dir = 1
end if
goto find_new
END

After you find the first match, hitting ENTER again will find the next (or previous) value and so on.

Jerry

[JAMES GRIFFIN]

RE: Using Locate_next function

JERRY

I Will try some of your ideas and I appreciate your
help. It was difficult for me to go from Alpha4 to
Alpha5, Where in Alpha4 You could assign a barscript
for my keys, for enter,find,locate,run a script,etc.I rather
use the "keyboard" than the mouse.I have work with Alpha5
now for 3 years, and I know it can do more things than Alpha4.

Tom Cone has help me assign "Onkey events" for Enter,Query by Form, and Locate By Form.

Thanks for the Help

JAMES

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Using Locate_next function

James,

The one thing I really miss from the A4 days is the ability to quickly trap key stroke sequences. I agree, that was much easier. As for using the keyboard and OnKey events for actions, I also initially thought that was easier than searching with the mouse. But, I found that many users have grown up in a GUI environment and prefer point and click. So who am I to argue with "progress"

Jerry

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Using Locate_next function

Your problem is an interesting challenge. Attached is a litle app that shows one way you can achieve what I think you want. I used the built in customer template to create a customer form. If you press L, a dialog form will popup which is a look alike to the standard locate dialog, except this one traps all of the values in global variables. After you find the first time, just use N to find the next matching record and P for the previous. This will work with the dialog opened or closed. I trapped the N and P keys in both the dialog and the main form. Every time the form is initially opened, the values are cleared. Every time L is pressed, default values are entered.

Jerry

[JAMES GRIFFIN]

RE: Using Locate_next function

JERRY

Thank you,thank you,thank you very much. I work your XBasic into my program and it works fine. I have a multilevel database set.where I might be looking maybe for a specific fastener like a screw,bolt etc.This will really help me by pressing "N" for the next item.I know a lot of people have got use to using the mouse more, put key entry is quicker to me, and If I had this message board 3 years ago,I would have advance along further than I am now.

Thanks again.

JAMES

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Using Locate_next function

Personally, I don't like trapping single key strokes, but prefer key combinations. Using mode_get() may not always trap the key appropriately, since in modeless entry, the mode only changes after a change has started. I now prefer the using function allow_editing() in v4.5 since this is only true if editing is restricted for a form or browse.

Jerry