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sort or index on two numeric fields

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    #1

    sort or index on two numeric fields

    Hi all,
    I'd like to sort/create an index using two numeric fields say field1 and field2. I'm looking at spend by vendor and departments within our company so field1 has the total spend from all depts and field2 the individual dept spend. When I create the index using Field1 alone it sorts as expected but when I try and get it to sort firstly by field1 then by field2 it doesn't work. I'm also wanting the highest spend in both cases first.
    Any advice please.
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

    For the 'highest spend in both cases first' try defining the index to sort in descending order. Ascending goes from smallest to largest. Descending, the reverse.

    -- tom

    Comment

      #3
      RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

      Arthur,

      I'd try concatenating the string equivalents of each number, after padding each on the left with zeros.

      If the By_Vendor field contained 1,050.75
      and the By_Dept field contained 525.75

      The resulting index key would look like this:

      "0001050.750000525.75"

      assuming each field was 10 wide.

      In order for the sort sequence to be correct the field width of the string equivalents of each numeric field must be fixed (rigid).

      -- tom

      Comment

        #4
        RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

        Which reinforces the wisdom of the suggestion that unless you intend to perform mathematical computations with the contents of a field, it should be character vs numerical, even if will contain only digits.
        There can be only one.

        Comment

          #5
          RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

          Hi, Stan and Tom. Sadly I did need these as numeric. Can either of you give me a pointer in how to change the two numeric fields in question to enable me to use them for indexing i.e what function do I use. Both fields are 17 in length 15 and two decimal places. An example using Field1 and Field2 would be appreciated.

          Thanks

          Comment

            #6
            RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

            num1=207.86
            num2=195.95

            ?padl(alltrim(str(num1,17,2)),17,"0")+padl(alltrim(str(num2,15,2)),15,"0")
            = "00000000000207.86000000000195.95"

            This is what Tom was referring to only that it is expanded for your widths of 17 an 15. While your fields are those lengths, if you feel that their values would never be so high it may be wise to cut the expression to a shorter width such as what Tom suggested (10 and 10).

            Steve

            Comment

              #7
              RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

              An index on the expression

              padl(alltrim(str(field1,17,2)),17,"0")+padl(alltrim(str(field2,17,2)),17,"0")


              would give you a key value like

              "0000000000001050.750000000000000525.75"

              on padl(alltrim(str(field1,19,2)),19,"0")+" "+padl(alltrim(str(field2,19,2)),19,"0")

              would result in keys like

              "0000000000001050.75 0000000000000525.75"
              There can be only one.

              Comment

                #8
                RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

                Sorry Steve, I usually hit the refresh button before I post if I am diverted from the question for some length of time. Didn't mean to step on your reply.
                There can be only one.

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

                  Stan

                  And I looked at this thread and thought that it shows you can have a field that only contains numbers be numeric and still use it in a multifield index.

                  Alpha gives the flexibilty not to have to change a number to a character field just because it might be used in an index.
                  Al Buchholz
                  Bookwood Systems, LTD
                  Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                  Occam's Razor - KISS
                  Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                  Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                  When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                  "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                  Albert Einstein

                  http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                  Comment

                    #10
                    RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

                    Al,

                    You're right, but the flexibility comes at a cost.

                    Here at least 7 different computations must be done just to derive the index key. Once the key is known Alpha Five still has to figure out where to place it in the index list.

                    In a multi-user setting with moderate data entry needs, this places an additional computation load on the system that I would, personally, try to avoid.

                    -- tom

                    Comment

                      #11
                      RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

                      Tom

                      That also brings up the question of whether this should be an index or just a sort sequence in a report. It all depends on the application and how and when it is used. Is it a report or a form displaying the data?

                      All choices have a cost and a benefit that should be consider by the designer. Having an index that is rarely used is usually a high cost. Omitting a highly usable index can be just as or more costly.

                      I tend to omit indexes until I prove the need for them. It's easier to add something to an application then to take something away from a user, even if it isn't used.
                      Al Buchholz
                      Bookwood Systems, LTD
                      Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                      Occam's Razor - KISS
                      Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                      Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                      When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                      "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                      Albert Einstein

                      http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                      Comment

                        #12
                        RE: sort or index on two numeric fields

                        Thanks to all of you for your responses.
                        This was a one off need and I just wanted to see how it could be done with numeric fields in case I needed that method in the future. I take the point about not using numeric unless a calculation is required.
                        Many thanks again.

                        Comment

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