Scripts

[dik_coleman]

Help!!!!!
Cannot get the hang of scripts..
Regular keystroke scripts that are memorized are no problem.
Let me illustrate my problem and maybe someone can help me...

I am trying to make a script that will be triggered by the entry into a field.

Field # 1 (N)is a number from 10 to 50.
Field # 2 (R)is a number from 1 to 10. (This is trigger.)
Field # 3 (displayN) is the result of first calculation.
Field # 4 (displayR) is the result of second calculation.
Field # 5 is a calculated field (displayN/displayR), the final answer....

I need to compute the combinations of N numbers taken R at a time.... Combinations ....
The formula is C(n,r)= N!
----------
R!*(N-R)!

Alpha 4 does not do factorial multiplication, so it has to be done mathematically, as follows:

set %result = N
set %counter = R

:A
%intresult = %result*%counter
%result = %intresult
%counter = %counter + 1
if %counter = N, goto :B
goto :A
:B fieldenter %result,displayN this gives N!/R!

set %result = (N-R)
set %counter = (N-R)

:C
%intresult = %result*%counter
%result = %intresult
loop :C, %counter
:D fieldenter %result,displayR

Final answer : C = displayN/displayR

Every time I try to write the script and get no errors at save, all that happens is that the screen shows all the text in the script two letters at a time in field # 2.

Every time I try to re-write the script with what I think is the proper syntax, I get "unrecognized script/macro command"....

Thanx to anyone who can help me
Dick Coleman

[Robert Picard]

RE: Scripts

Hi Richard

A few things stand out. First values in variables are always text strings. To do calculations with variables you need to use the VAL function. i.e.


%intresult = val(%result)*val(%counter).

You said...Every time I try to re-write the script with what I think is the proper syntax, I get "unrecognized script/macro command"....

If you are using a field rule trigger or variable trigger you need to use the TRIGKEYS command to execute you script. Also...."unrecognized script/macro command"...can mean missing or not enough curly brackets "{}" in your script.

You might want to attach a zip file with a small!!!! sample application for us to look at to more clearly see what you want to do.

Hope this helps

Robert

[dik_coleman]

RE: Scripts

Robert,
thanx for the nudge in the right direction.

with your help I have gotten a good start on scripts and have been able to write a script to perform the factorial multiplication required for the computation of combinations.

learned alot about goto and loop.

Now my task is to learn how to either
a: use a dialog script to pass data along for computation or
b: read the data in and use it .....

Since I can see a need/use for both formats, I'll probably start out with the dialog box and then do the same with the read....

thanx again
Dick Coleman

[Robert Picard]

RE: Scripts

Hi Richard

Glad I could help. Just a comment on reading values on a form.

If you are reading variables on a form then read is the way to go. BUT !!! if the values you are reading are contained in a table field then its usually easier to set your variable with this expression;

{set %alue, mytable->totalvalue}

Hope this helps and I am not explaining the obvious

Good Luck

Robert

[dik_coleman]

RE: Scripts

I'll keep the read thing in mind....

You probably knew that I'd be back with additional problems...didn't you??

Got the script to play OK and it plays from a dialog box..
the dialog box inputs two values (N and R in the combination formula) and the calculations are made with the correct answer resulting.

Problem..... the dialog box does not show the answer and it disappears from the screen.... the next time it is played, the correct answer from the previous entries is displayed, and then after the calculations, it's gone again..

Using in section 1 - prompt controls (2)
Using in section 2 - button control (1) (a proceed button)
Using in section 3 - display control (1)
Everything formats OK and saves OK but will not stay on screen (View Screen).
The View Screen contains three lines of text and two fields,
the current date and result. Result is where I would like the final answer to be displayed and saved.....

Probably some simple thing that I have not discovered in my wanderings thru Chapter 18 .....

thanx for any help
Dick

[Robert Picard]

RE: Scripts

Hi Richard

Without seeing the full script it would be hard to debug. But !!! after saying that I do have a question. Are you wanting to display values or get input?

For input you Play a dialog i.e. {play "mydialog"} to get input from your user. Whether it's to enter a value or to verify a value by hitting the OK button.

To display data which will reamain on the screen until the script completes, you use the Show command i.e. {show "mydialog"}

If you are seeing data from a previous session it's more than likely you have a loop or skip which does not set your variables to the new values input in your dialog.

You might try clearing the variable after the values are entered and used in your script. If the next time the variables are displayed they are blank then you know the problem is when you re run the script and the new values are not being set.

Good Luck

Robert