Run Time Input

[Ron Shields]

I like to be able to have a user enter query information when a query (browse) is run. I am use to using the Access paraneter query with the [ ] feature. With this Access feature you can prompt the user and accept input. Does Alpha have a similar command and/or how would accomplish a task like this?

Thanks for your help!

[Bill Warner]

RE: Run Time Input

As one example, you could create a button to which you would attach a script. This script could prompt for info (using ui_get_text, for example) which would generate values for variables. These variables could then be used in the script that would run a query.

This is quite a common procedure in many applications. For example, to run a report showing sales for a given date range, you would prompt the user for start and end dates, plus perhaps the company ID. The resulting variable would then be used in a query, or in the filter for the report.

You're really only limited by your imagination!

[forskare]

RE: Run Time Input

Hi Ron,

I have/am been/going down your road. Trying to grasp the various ways in A5 to do this can be confusing but they are relatively easy. And, it depends on how you want to use it. If it's to generate a report, then Bill's suggestion works as well as this suggestion. (These can be placed on the button which opens the report or on the repoort's Detail Properties)

When you create a Query By Table, you can use the Ask_Var. Say you want to prompt for a range of dates. After draging the date field, go to the Var column (it's to the right of the tables) and drag the to the condition column. Enter the text you want the user to see, such as "Enter Begin Date" (" not needed). Drag the date field to the 2nd line and do the same with the , this time enter, "Enter End Date". Make sure you select "Date" for the Type. This will do what you want and is the easiest and quickiest to set up (for new learners). It can't be customized as Bill's suggestion but it's quick and easy.

Note: If you run a specific query a lot even though it's not a report, these methods can be placed on a button.

A 3rd way is very useful for creating queries to view data but not via a report. Use Query By Form and in the date field enter the search dates as follows: 1/1/01..9/1/01 Click the lighting bolt and walla. This will give you all records which fall between that range of dates. A5's QBF is much more flexible that Access QBF.

TIP: When doing something in A5, FORGET how it's done in Access. Alough there are similar procedures, I found that focusing on A5 and not trying to do it the way Access does, causes a lot less confusion.

Hope this gets you started.

kenn

[martinwcole]

RE: Run Time Input

Here's a pictiure of a form opened as a dialog, that lets the user select several possibilities. When the form loads, I definbe a group of global variables. When the user selects continue, I use the variables to find clients that meet the desired query from several tables - then I delete the variables. Hope this gives you some ideas.

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Run Time Input

Ron,

Just as Kenn suggested as an option, I use a query by form with a special form to create query filter and order expressions. I then use the developed expressions to run a report with the filter and order expression. (Tom Cone posted a sample form that shows how to trap the filter and order expressions on 9-4-2001). Also check out ui_get_expr() as a simple way to get a simple expression.

Jerry