Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

[Dimitri Yazbek]

Hi:

While reading the board messages, I find that some of you advise the use of the Autoexec and other advise the use of the Auto load or maybe On Load.

Would you be kind enough to explain the following:
How to create an Autoexec?
How to create or call Auto load or on load?

I'm interested in making sure that the screen of the form always centered, hold some variables and activate the password form and check the user privliges before sending him to a menu.

It would be great if some already done something like this and don't mind sharing it.

Thanks

[Peter.Greulich]

RE: Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

To create an Autoexec script, from the controlpanel click on the Codes tab, select New/Script and name it Autoexec.

The other apparently refers to a Form which Alpha can automatically load at start up. From the controlpanel click on File/Database properties, select your form and click the "Run on load" check box. You can attach a script to the OnInit event of that form that will then "run on load".

[whanigsberg]

RE: Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

Peter's response tells you what the two methods are. You also asked why you would use one or the other.

If you only need your database to open a specific form when it starts, no reason why you wouldn't use run on load. Totally simple.

However, if you want to make several things happen and especially control their order, because some things won't work unless other things have already been done, then create an autoexec script. You will be able to control everything from there and make sure they happen the way you want. This includes loading and showing forms.

Bill

[Dimitri Yazbek]

RE: Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

Bill, Peter THANK YOU!

[Pat Bremkamp]

RE: Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

Dimitri,

Here is a sample autoexec script that i use:

:A5.window_title="TCA Quality Data Collection System"
:controlpanel.hide()

dim filepntr as p
dim lastver as c
dim thisver as c
dim uptable as p
dim ansr as n
constant dbtype="c:isreal.jpb"
constant flname="shadowdt.txt"

on error goto update_error

if file.exists(dbtype) 'a trick to bypass the shadow update
goto show_menu
end if

uptable=table.open("qdcs_update",file_ro_shared)
lastver=uptable.last_revised
uptable.close()

if .not.file.exists(flname)
filepntr=file.create(flname,file_rw_exclusive)
filepntr.write_line("20001201.00001")
filepntr.flush()
filepntr.close()
end if

filepntr=file.open(flname,file_ro_exclusive)
thisver=filepntr.read_line()
filepntr.close()
if thisver=scrnhigh,10,(scrnhigh - menuhigh)/2)
menupntr.left =if(menuwide>=scrnwide,0,(scrnwide - menuwide)/2)
menupntr.show()
on error goto 0
menupntr:button2.activate()
END

update_it:
ansr=ui_msg_box("UPDATES FOUND","The QDCS needs updating. Please wait while updates are made.",48)
filepntr=file.open(flname,file_rw_exclusive)
filepntr.seek(0)
filepntr.write_line(lastver)
filepntr.flush()
filepntr.close()
refresh_shadow()
on error goto 0
ansr=ui_msg_box("UPDATE COMPLETE","A5 will now shut down. You must restart for the updates to work.",48)
:controlpanel.show()
:A5.close()
END

update_error:
on error goto 0
ansr=ui_msg_box("UPDATE ERROR","The update failed. A5 will now shut down. Please try again.",16)
:controlpanel.show()
:A5.close()
END


Here is a user defined function for loading and centering forms. The only reservation is that i would not use it in an autoexec script:

function displayfrm as L(formname as C,formindx as C)
' 08/31/99 Useage: centers & displays a form and sets the index. Return has no meaning.
' use "" for record number index or "none" for no index change
dim formpntr as p
dim scrnhigh as n
dim scrnwide as n
dim formhigh as n
dim formwide as n
scrnhigh = ui_info(1) ' height of screen in pixels
scrnwide = ui_info(0) ' width of screen in pixels
formpntr = obj(":"+formname)
if is_object(formpntr)
formpntr.restore()
else
formpntr = :form.load(formname)
end if
formwide = formpntr.width
formhigh = formpntr.height
' if the form is taller or wider than the screen, set to 10,0
formpntr.top=if(formhigh>=scrnhigh,10,(scrnhigh-formhigh)/2)
formpntr.left=if(formwide>=scrnwide,0,(scrnwide-formwide)/2)
if ut(formindx)="NONE"
goto show_it
else
formpntr.index_set(formindx)
end if
show_it:
displayfrm=.t. ' does nothing
formpntr.show() ' show the form
formpntr.activate() ' activate it
end function

[Dimitri Yazbek]

RE: Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

WOW!

Thank you!

[CALocklin]

RE: Autoexec and Auto Load Question.

I suggest you also do a search on "re: security issues" (include the quotes in your search) and note the first sentence in Peter Gruelich's reply (3rd msg). This could be significant if you plan to distribute any applications.