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Functions

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    Functions

    Ira Perlow has been a significant contributor of function code over the years here. I've picked up on some of it and am finding functions quite useful. This becomes increasingly handy when needing to pass variables to a script. Of course, a function is ideally suited for this purpose. I am now curious to know how many of you have used functions to any signifcant extent? If so, can you describe briefly how you have used functions in a general manner? For example, I can see where one might create a query function and save all that query.order = query.filter = etc. stuff. Is there a need for a function library around here so that we can share certain functions that everyone might be able to utilize?

    Tom Lyon

    #2
    RE: Functions

    Tom,

    Taking Ira's lead, I have converted many scripts to functions, especialy if I may use the code numerous times. This allows me to include the function in expressions and is somewhat easier to use. The only down side I have found is that an error in the function must be trapped, since any error message generated by the use of a UDF may not appear logical. I have created functions for simple things like calculating age to more complex activities like automated backup.

    Jerry

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Functions

      Hi Jerry,

      Would you consider sharing your back-up function with the phorum?
      efs

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Functions

        Actually, the function I created prompts the user for a file name and then it creates a batch file that uses pkzip command line to automatically create a backup zip file. One of the issues I have struggled with is Pkzip command line. I haven't found a way to use long names, although I suspect a little investigation should reveal a method. So, my first problem was converting long names to correct short names. This also required a function. I understand that V5 will include a backup function, so the workaround I created may not be necessary.

        Attached is a text file with both functions. They are very slightly modified from the actual versions to remove another function that shows a "wait" screen. The backup function allows setting a default backup file name and specifying what data to backup. A typical use would be

        chk = backup("backdata.zip","D*")
        if chk 0
        ui_msg_box("Error","Backup failed or canceled.")
        end if

        Jerry

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Functions

          Jerry:

          FYI, Winzip have released a command line add-on for Winzip 8.1 which should take care of the long file name concerns.

          Finian
          Finian

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Functions

            Pkzip25 supports long file names and command line switches. I use it every day to copy files back and forth between home and work.

            Bill
            Bill Hanigsberg

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Functions

              Jerry,
              The winzip command utility that Finian talks about supports a back up command option refering to a list or text file. This allows you to create a multi-line text file in which you can name mutliple files or multiple ranges of files.
              Lots of different options in there. So you could just rewrite the list file rather than the batch command.
              The following is the contents of a list file that when called by the winzip command backs up by extension:

              ;FILE EXTENSIONS TO BACKUP
              *.DBF ;ALL DATA FILES
              *.CDX ;ALL INDEXES
              *.FPT ;ALL MEMOS

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Functions

                Thanks guys for turning my brain back on. It was a duh moment. The long name problem is not with pkzip, but with the dos batch file I use to run it. I have read somewhere about a dos switch command to allow the batch file to use long names, but I haven't found that information again. I think I need more coffee

                Jerry

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Functions

                  Try enclosing the name/path in quotes like:

                  "C:progra~1a5v4shadowdb*.*"
                  There can be only one.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Functions

                    Sorry, brain freeze.

                    "C:\progra~1\a5v4\shadow\db\*.*"
                    There can be only one.

                    Comment

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