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overhead calculated vs conditional fields

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    overhead calculated vs conditional fields

    I am wondering if anyone has an idea if there is a difference between the overhead of having a calculated field versus a conditional field. Normally I have not had to worry about this but am creating a multi-use report that uses both currently and can see where it can get out of hand rather quickly. I know a form's browse can come to almost a stand-still with too many calculated fields so am wary of them....but have not the experience with having a lot of conditional fields. They seem so similar that it may very well be the same overhead but thought I'd ask!! :-)
    Mike
    __________________________________________
    It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
    It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
    Henry David Thoreau
    __________________________________________




    #2
    Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

    I'm not familiar with the term conditional field. Could you direct me to some explanation?
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

      Sorry Stan. I am talking about a conditional object in which you can place a field.
      Mike
      __________________________________________
      It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
      It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
      Henry David Thoreau
      __________________________________________



      Comment


        #4
        Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

        Hi Mike,
        I would think having 'a' calc field vs 'a' condition would not make much difference. But you said 'many' without qualifying how many that is, or how complex your conditions are. More info please!
        Robin

        Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

        Comment


          #5
          Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

          On the previous Browse I mentioned that slowed down to a crawl where there was about a 2 second time lapse between row selections I had maybe 30 calculations

          What I am currently working on is a report that right now has over 100 calculated fields, and about 30 conditional objects (each with an average of 4 conditions within--so about 120 conditions).

          There are about 30 more conditional objects to put in....this is where my question originates.
          The choice is to have more conditions within each condition with less calculated fields or less conditions with more calculated fields.

          In addition, I have added more fields in the report table that utilizes field rule calculations which eliminated quite a few calculated fields....but have about 600 fields now and although the limit is over a 1000, I really don't want to go there! :-)

          If there is no difference in overhead, I will do the most simple...if there is I will do whatever is best. My goal always is to make something as bulletproof as possible and the more overhead you have the more tendency it may break and at the very least cause time lag.


          EDIT: I try not to make the calcs complex in that I avoid placing a calc within a calc as I have seen that have issues. The most complex is a simple if(,if(,if,,))) statement.

          Also, whether on a form, browse, report or whatever my concern is the overhead. Each layout seems to have a different amount of calculations that cause issue...a report seems the most forgiving.

          EDIT: I have not dealt with this many conditions and do not know if they will cause the same problems too many calculations can.
          Last edited by MikeC; 04-11-2017, 06:49 PM.
          Mike
          __________________________________________
          It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
          It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
          Henry David Thoreau
          __________________________________________



          Comment


            #6
            Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

            reports with 40+ calc fields,50+ objects, hundreds of fields on the reports, tons of color equations, and no lag here, but that also has to do with how complex everything is.
            Dave Mason
            [email protected]
            Skype is dave.mason46

            Comment


              #7
              Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

              Thanks for the input. Conditional objects seem to be more or less a filter as I now see it and so am inclined now to think that they won't be an issue. Except as is said, anything taken to the extreme can cause problems. I may be able to call another report instead of having to deal with all of Conditional Objects and Calculations that would be required on this single one. Regardless I will post back with any issues I find regarding this.
              Mike
              __________________________________________
              It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
              It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
              Henry David Thoreau
              __________________________________________



              Comment


                #8
                Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                Hi Mike,

                I will try to avoid conditional objects if possible. In addition, I will to try to avoid calculated fields in reports as well. Do all your calculations in the Stored Procedure level and placed them in the report or use Computed fields in table as well. It is much faster this way. I will assume that you are using database like MS SQL Or MySQL.

                Here is an example of code that can avoid 4 conditions in the conditional object. You basically place this field: ItemDesc instead of the conditional object with 4 fields.

                Code:
                ItemDesc = IIF(VendorNotesFlag=1,VendorNotes,IIF(SortOrderAcct=2,ppItemDescription,IIF(SortOrderAcct=3,AccountsDesc,IIF(SortOrderAcct=4,PoDescrpToVendor,""))))
                Regards,

                Doron
                The Farber Consulting Group, Inc.

                Main Web Site: http://www.dFarber.com
                Avis Car Rental Software
                See additional Videos : http://dfarber.com/custom-software-d...ulting-videos/

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                  Mike,
                  Could any of these calcs/ conditions be resolved by using temp tables for your report? Do you have a screenshot of what you have so far?
                  Robin

                  Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                    The way I create reports is to have a table that has all the records the report requires(call it a "Collection table)...generally no sets and such. A few reasons for doing so. To export to Excel is one as the Amyuni print driver will not export to Excel from the report and be able to format it correctly(not easily at least!) but exporting a table will. Also I use a table such as this to create files for EDI files which can be CSV or any other text format determined by whatever the Reporting agency requires. For a report it makes it unnecessary to have a set as summary, append, post, or update operations use the Collection table as the destination which works for even totally unrelated tables(so no creation of creative links). I also store the data for each year in its own table for future use....you see, much of my reporting is done by getting information from QuickBooks and a Refresh of data can be very time consuming and storing the data eliminates this issue even on the current year.

                    So far I have not had any issues with the report....the reason for posting was to see if anyone knew of any inherent issues with having a lot of conditional objects and calculations in a layout especially as it pertains to a report as I am not done adding them.

                    So I don't have a problem (YET !) that needs fixing....just trying to avoid that if possible is all.
                    Mike
                    __________________________________________
                    It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
                    It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
                    Henry David Thoreau
                    __________________________________________



                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                      Like Mike
                      Been using the temp table for years with my upslogs app. I have to print very long bank contracts and use Crystal reports to do that due to AA's report writer limitations. This works really great.
                      The temp table is actually named and is constant, but is emptied after a print and populated just prior to print. Other reports needed are built on the print table so I can keep the reports current.
                      Dave Mason
                      [email protected]
                      Skype is dave.mason46

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                        Dave,
                        I don't think Mike is using a temp table but something along the lines of his own 'mapped' table to make a flattened version of his set tables.
                        Robin

                        Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                          Robin,
                          What Dave is doing is exactly how I use the table...He calls it a Temp table, I call it a Collection table, and others may call it a Report table, etc. No sets are used for my reports for the most part--just for forms mainly.


                          Dave,
                          Off topic but am curious on your statement of "...report writer limitations...". The main limitation I have found is the charting ease and capabilities which is the only thing I can see Crystal Reports being much better at. I have yet to have a client ask for a report that I cannot do with Alpha.
                          Mike
                          __________________________________________
                          It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
                          It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
                          Henry David Thoreau
                          __________________________________________



                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                            I can easily print a 40 inch contract with no breaks using CR, but not with AA"s writer.
                            I have one that is extra wide and 48" long I have to print. All of these are 90% numbers with a little bit of text and are pre-printed contracts and 9 layers thick. I use a dot matrix printer for these
                            (Okidata 320 or 321)
                            Dave Mason
                            [email protected]
                            Skype is dave.mason46

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: overhead calculated vs conditional fields

                              Makes sense Dave. So not entirely a report writer issue though as pdf can be have multiple pages printed as one sheet (not the Amyuni pdf print driver though)...even my old HP 5100 Deskjet can print up to 30 inches long as one page (but only 8.5 inches wide). I have not tried it and there may be other issues involved such as a gap between pages even with using zero margins.
                              Mike
                              __________________________________________
                              It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
                              It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
                              Henry David Thoreau
                              __________________________________________



                              Comment

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