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Problem with expression...

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    Problem with expression...

    Hi all,

    Here I go again with what should be a simple expression. I need to do a lookup on a table based on (in excel terms) the "row" as the length of a log and the "column" based on the width of a log. In the Board Foot field, I am using a lookup, but in order for this to work I have to convert the fieldname of the table to a number (the same number as the width). The fieldname is an S followed by the width, for example, S24 is a log 24" wide.
    (Tally is the table name)

    How do I write the expression?

    I have tried
    field("tally",convert_type(ltrim(str("s")width),"n")","tally","diam")

    Thanks,


    Robin

    #2
    RE: Problem with expression...

    Robin

    I'm confused.

    Why convert a fieldname? this would be like trying to convert a column 'name' in a spread sheet.

    In a database we'd use the fieldname in a lookup sequence to find the right record (row). Then we'd convert the value in the field in that row. Even though I'm imaginatively challenged I can't think of a reason to convert the fieldname.

    -- tom

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Problem with expression...

      In your case

      we'd find the 'row' value, and then retrieve the 'column' value that's sitting in the correct field in that record.

      -- tom

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Problem with expression...

        Thanks, Tom

        But I don't know the column I need until the width (column) until it is entered by the user.

        That is the problem. That was why I was using a fieldname that could be the same as the width or could be convert to a number. I have even tried the other way to convert the width to the fieldname by adding an "s' to the beginning, and using that as the column to search for.

        Am I confused or is there another way?

        Robin

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Problem with expression...

          Robin,

          Your approach seems to be this:

          1) find the row, using a length key.
          2) then search horizontally along the row until you find the desired width, perhaps using a search key that is tied to the fieldname.

          If I've got it right, I recommend you think vertically instead. I'd arrange the rows so that there is only one unique combination of length and width for each row. This will increase the number of rows, but a 'vertical' search to find the desired combination will be virtually instantaneous if the length / width combination is indexed.

          -- tom

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Problem with expression...

            I'm sorry. I don't understand.

            How do I tell the computer that I want it to search at the intersection of this row and that column, when the column name (fieldname) is character and the length is numeric?

            How do I use an expression to automatically find this?

            If I could have named the fields numerically, it would have been simple. I could tell the computer to lookup at the intersection of row 32 which is the diameter and the column 15 (the length of the tree).

            Even if I did switch the rows and columns, I would still not be able to dynamically search for a specific column without manipulating the number into the fieldname of the column or manipulating the name of the field to a number.

            Am I right?

            Thanks for spending your Saturday answering my q's!! :-)

            Robin

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Problem with expression...

              Is this what you want to do?
              There can be only one.

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Problem with expression...

                It looks great, let me try this with my own data and see if I have any more q's. Okay?


                Thanks so much!!! (I have worked all day on this one expression) silly me, I should have contacted you all sooner, I guess!


                Roibn ;)

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Problem with expression...

                  Do I need to use variables? I would like to use fields that a user fills in on a form and it calculates the board feet using a table.

                  I am still having problems duplicating this.

                  Robin

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Problem with expression...

                    "fields that a user fills in on a form"- please tell me more about what this means. I demonstrated a solution using variables whose values are set by filling in fields on a form.

                    Or better yet, zip up a sample of your database with the form in question and the lookup table, show me the fields you want the user to fill in, and I'll create the expression.
                    There can be only one.

                    Comment

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