Layout variables

[Alan Floyd]

Quick question: I thought I knew how layout vars were supposed to work but I guess I don't. I declared a layout variable on a form why doesn't my script recognize it? I have tried refering to it with "var->" and without. Do I need to DIM the var in each individual script or what? Any help?

[Bill Warner]

RE: Layout variables

If you change the variable type from Layout to Global, you'll be able to use it throughout your app, and your scripts should recognize it.

[Alan Floyd]

RE: Layout variables

I can't do that because their are multiple forms running at the same time (which were called from each other) all having OnTimer scripts. The OnTimer scripts do the same function for each of their forms and have common variable names. However, they depend on their values being unique per form.

[martinwcole]

RE: Layout variables

Bill, I was at a client's last night, and had a horrible shiver - I use a lot of global variables - like cnum(customer number) to keep track of which customer I am working with as I jump around between forms. The shiver was the realization that if I go to a net worked version, which it looks like I am going to have to do at two locations, if both users are using the same app, and both are using cnum - then cnum won't stay put for each user - as second user has a form assign its current customer to it, I presume that will wipe out the other users value - thus having him go back to or write to the wrong customer. Am I correct?

[Finian Lennon]

RE: Layout variables

Alan:

If you have placed the layout variable on the form (whether visible or not) you can refer to it in the script in various ways e.g.

parentform:layout_variable.text
or
parentform:layout_variable.value

where layout_variable refers to the object name (which defaults to the variable name but which can be changed. I usually use the .text method for character variables and .value for numeric and date variables. So there's no need to use a global varaible unless you want to. Passing a value into a report would be a good reason, but there aren't too many other good ones.

Finian

[martinwcole]

RE: Layout variables

Question - I will have a maximum of two total users at each of the two big offices. Given that - if I only put the dbf's and fpts on the server, and don't optimize, thus each computer having the complete application less the dbfs and fpts - maybe it would still work. Because the globals would exist at each of the two "work stations" separately. Do you agree? This would give me some time to rewrite and experiment with the app - I never even dreamed that any one office would be too big for one user to handle it.

[Alan Floyd]

RE: Layout variables

So really to be able to make use of it I need to create an object based on the variable?

[Finian Lennon]

RE: Layout variables

Martin:

Relax ... this should not be a problem. Remember each user is running her or his own "session" which Alpha keeps separate from each other. Each users' variables, global or otherwise, are their own. If you write records or values for later retrieval by the user from a shared table then you have to mark the records as belonging to that user and use queries and delete_range to keep each users' values separate from each other.

Finian

[JohnZaleski]

RE: Layout variables

Martin,
I'm not sure if this is your concern, but a global variable is global to a user on an individual network PC running a session of Alpha. Another user on another machine running the same application at the same time will have their own values in the global variables. Whether the application is optimized or not has nothing to do with it.
John

[martinwcole]

RE: Layout variables

John & Finnian - whew! thank's! is sounding better. sorry i sound so ignorant, but i haven't worked with a network since the 80's. i need to set up a network in my own office for the app as soon as possible!

[Finian Lennon]

RE: Layout variables

That is what I generally do. Being able to see variable values helps me to debug scripts and, if the variable is not one that the user enters or changes, I'll hide it when I'm sure everything is working as I wish.

Finian