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Automated complex query

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    #1

    Automated complex query

    I have 3 interrelated tables which include a master table, a one to many link to another table and three- one to one links to the third table which may be a shadow table (trying to get A5 to use an ACT! contact database. So far, except for minor manicuring and formatting, so good.

    What I'd like to do is automate a button to,
    first access an input form so I can input some variables (text and numeric),
    then apply the input data to a complicated boolean query that looks up on a variety of fields in both the master table and the one to many link table.
    Once that is done, I'd like to
    first have a preliminary browse to either refine the search and/or make specific record selections and
    then finally a dialogue to offer either a screeen preview or a choice of reports to print.

    Please help if you can. Thank you.
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Automated complex query

    Michael,

    It sounds to me as though you're tryig to replicate the query by form functionality that's already built-in. The QBF operators are quite powerful and flexible. If you haven't explored them all take a look at the User's Guide, pp 37, 38.

    If you need to base search criteria on values in the linked child tables, try inverting the set. That's often the quickest solution.

    -- tom

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Automated complex query

      Whew!!! Let's see if I can understand this.

      1. The parent table that is 1:Many to one child table.
      2. The parent table is linked 1:1 to another child table, not once, but 3 times. QUESTION: What is the purpose for 3 - 1:1 links?
      3. 'which may be a shadow table' QUESTION: What do you mean by this?
      4. '(trying to get A5 to use an ACT! contact database' QUESTION: Does this mean you are trying to read the ACT! database via ODBC?
      5. 'What I'd like to do is automate a button to,
      first access an input form' Question: Are you accessing the Act! database and using A5 to manipulate the data and perform all it's wizardry?

      I take it ACT! can't perform the queries. Be more specific about how you're setting this up. Wouldn't it be less complicated to import the data directly to A5 and then do the queries?

      kenn
      TYVM :) kenn

      Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Automated complex query



        Tom,


        Tom Cone Jr wrote:
        -------------------------------
        Michael,

        It sounds to me as though you're tryig to replicate the query by form functionality that's already built-in. The QBF operators are quite powerful and flexible. If you haven't explored them all take a look at the User's Guide, pp 37, 38.

        The QBF for some reason does not show the one-to-many database which is the majority, but not all, of the lookup criteria. Also, I need to get variable filled on the way to the query to make it applicable.

        If you need to base search criteria on values in the linked child tables, try inverting the set. That's often the quickest solution.

        Don't know what that means.


        -- tom

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Automated complex query

          Ken, (see below)

          Ken Nordin wrote:
          -------------------------------
          Whew!!! Let's see if I can understand this.

          1. The parent table that is 1:Many to one child table.
          Yes

          2. The parent table is linked 1:1 to another child table, not once, but 3 times. QUESTION: What is the purpose for 3 - 1:1 links?
          Because the child database is an ACT! contact file and the relationships can be three types.


          3. 'which may be a shadow table' QUESTION: What do you mean by this?
          Little documented, the shadow function allows the attachment of an outside database without modification.

          4. '(trying to get A5 to use an ACT! contact database' QUESTION: Does this mean you are trying to read the ACT! database via ODBC?
          No, through the shadow table, I am able to treat the main contact database in ACT! much like an attached active table in A5.

          5. 'What I'd like to do is automate a button to,
          first access an input form' Question: Are you accessing the Act! database and using A5 to manipulate the data and perform all it's wizardry?
          No, for now all I want to do is use the related contacts in ACT! for my other data. There may be a point in time where I might want a little more interaction and functionality. But I would not look to re-invent the wheel. ACT! features are sufficient for that.

          I take it ACT! can't perform the queries. Be more specific about how you're setting this up. Wouldn't it be less complicated to import the data directly to A5 and then do the queries?

          See previous para.


          kenn



          thanks for your interest.
          Mike.

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Automated complex query

            Michael,

            Alpha Five's query functionality (in the context of a form or browse) is based on fields in the parent table of your set, or those child tables linked one to one with the parent table.

            To invert a set, just create a new Alpha Five set making the original parent or primary table the child, and making the original child the parent or primary table, linked one to one. Base your form and your query on the new set. Piece of cake.

            -- tom

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Automated complex query

              Mike,

              Forgive my lack of knowledge here (not to mention confusion) but are you saying, that with A5, you can open ACT! to a specific form or table, treat it as if it werre A5 and then apply A5's queries, etc. to ACT!?

              Just trying to clear the fog.

              Thanks,

              kenn
              TYVM :) kenn

              Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

              Comment

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