Opinion on spaces

[russ Boehle]

I would like to get others' opinions on whether it is OK to use spaces in form names or if spaces should never be used in any names? I don't use them in table names but have some forms with spaces. Now is the time to change them if I need to, before things get too complex.

Thanks

Russ

[tlyon]

RE: Opinion on spaces

I never use spaces. Rather, I use capital letters such as ThisFormName.

Tom Lyon

[JohnZaleski]

RE: Opinion on spaces

It's a very good idea not to use them. I've seen instances when Alpha got confused when referencing forms with spaces.
John

[whanigsberg]

RE: Opinion on spaces

Never use spaces. As John says Alpha sometimes gets confused. The reason for this is that sometimes Alpha replaces spaces with underscores as a result of which things which are supposed to have the same name may have different names.

Never, never use spaces.

Bill

PS Want to know what I really think?

[russ Boehle]

RE: Opinion on spaces

So, I guess that to some extent you think that maybe sometimes spaces may not be really the best choices for some form names?

Russ

[russ Boehle]

RE: Opinion on spaces

Thanks all, I guess that decides the issue. You would think that spaces in names would be prohibited by default.

Russ

[Peter.Wayne]

RE: Opinion on spaces

i use spaces all the time in form and report names and never have experienced a problem.

[CraigSchumacker]

RE: Opinion on spaces

Peter:

Me too, even in browses. Never a single problem...

I can understand the priciple in not using spaces, but would attribute any errors to the users, not Alpha. After all, to the human eye, two spaces can look like one.

I've always been careful to use one space.

Can someone please illustrate Alpha getting "confused" with a small example?

Craig

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Opinion on spaces


Confession time.

In my own work I've occasionally had trouble with blank spaces used within various names I've dreamed up. Since I'm lazy, and increasingly forgetful, I don't try to keep track of when it's ok to use blanks, and when it's not. It's easier for me just to forego them altogether.

-- tom

[Rich Drabik]

RE: Opinion on spaces

Always had problems with spaces in the names of calculated fields and in index names. Also in field names, where problems can be compounded if they exceed 10 characters.

[russ Boehle]

RE: Opinion on spaces

The mystery deepens! I can understand not using spaces in tablenames and field names but now I'm not sure on forms and browses. Is there an official position on this? (I suppose what Peter says is pretty close to an official position)

Russ

[Bill Warner]

RE: Opinion on spaces

Here's my opinion (worth every cent you're paying for it!):

Spaces in table names can cause problems (i.e., with a scripted append, because Alpha renames the table with an underscore). When used in a field name, this renaming can also happen at times.

I don't dispute that many users have had no problems. My thinking is this: If it might cause a problem (even infrequently), why use it?? And, since I'm not going to use spaces in field or table names, I'm not going to use them for ANYTHING. I'm too senile to try to remember when they can and cannot be used. And, using an underscore (or other non-space character) doesn't cause problems.

So, I never use them.

[forskare]

RE: Opinion on spaces

Tom,

You, Lazy?

Surely you jest!!

Unless you consider a 5 minute break every now and than as lazy?

You provide too much assistance to even be considered anywheres near the lazy catagory.

kenn

[Peter.Wayne]

RE: Opinion on spaces

you should be aware, when you use spaces in form names, that a5 will then add underscores internally.
e.g.

f=form.load("Tabbed WDD Entry")
? f.name()
= "Tabbed_WDD_Entry"

so, if you want to refer to the form using the full name,
you would have to write
Tabbed_WDD_Entry.show()
Tabbed_WDD_Entry.activate()

usually, however, you would write

f.show()
f.activate()
so you don't have to keep track of blank spaces in form names.

[russ Boehle]

RE: Opinion on spaces

That is very interesting. I think in looking at this, it would be possible to get some odd errors if one were to do odd coding (not that I would ever do such a thing). This also is a good reason why one should use pointer vbls rather than directly calling an object. Alpha seems set up to correct some of the errors that some of us that are less knowledgeable might make.
It's odd though because the behaviour on form names is different than the bahaviour on field names. On a field name is saved, it saves the name with underscores to prevent these errors. Elsewhere it does not. I wonder if there is a reason for this to be done differently in the case of form names where the pointer is actually putting in the underscores.

(I am also amazed that you actually noticed the way the pointer references the form)

Thanks
Russ