use security log in as variable throughout

[richard2007]

Is it possible to obtain the user name from the users log in (using a5 security) and then use this through out the programme, for example on the welcome screen a message saying "welcome Richard" (richard being the user)

i wish to use this facility to auto set values of some fields, for example;

when a note is added to a case file for a client, i want alpha to auto recognise the user adding the note (through scurity log in) and fill the field in for me with the users name. i have many other uses for this facility.

i was able to create this facility in access but didnt use access's security and created my own instead (i found access's way too complicated, whereas a5 seems much simpler)

any ideas appreciated.

thanks again

richard

[Stan Mathews]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Is it possible to obtain the user name from the users log in (using a5 security)

Oddly enough, the user name of the currently logged in user is available with the function

USER_NAME()

If the user is logged in as "Richard Milhouse Nixon" ....

word(USER_NAME(),1)

would yield "Richard"

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

perfect

Thanks Stan,

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Hi Stan,

i have tried this and itr works great, however after the initial log in the variable is retaining the users name and changing the variable to

user="Richard" instead of
user =word(USER_NAME(),1)

so when the next user logs on the variable shows the last users name.

i amigine i would need to set code to remove the user maybe in an exit alpha command, but not too sure if this is correct and if so how to do it.

any ideas

thanks

richard

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Where are you assiging the variable? I believe that the autoexec fires after the login, although if you allow users to login w/o exiting Alpha that might not be the place to put it.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Why would you assign the user name to a variable at all? It is always available and current as

user_name()

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

i was assinging a global variable as i could see no other way of creating a welcome message.

i did try to create an unbound text box, but cant seem to get this to accept user_name()

i did try shutting alpha down and re starting but the assigned variable had already changed.

any ideas on how to achieve my welcome message - i have checked the help files.

thanks
richard

[Cheryl Lemire]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Hi Richard,

Try using an rtf object on your form. That will allow you to insert an expression which would be the one that Stan provided to you earlier in this thread.

Good luck

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

thanks cheryl,

i think i tried every other control that i thought would be able to do this. ill give this a go.

regards

Richard

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

right, im back on to this subject.

i am slightly diversifying from my original plan, as i now feel if i filter the start up form based upon the logged on user, this will be a better way to achieve what i want.

so far, i have a form called 'switchboard', based upon a set within which is a field called 'employeename'

i have set the filter of the form to 'employeename = user_name()' but i am getting no entry in the field employeename.

the form does have browses which have records specific to the logged on user (hence my thinking in setting a form filter).

i now understand what stan was explaining above and have used this in other parts of my programme, but would appreciate some guidance on this.

thanks

richard

[Mike Wilson]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Richard,
I think it is the syntax of your filter expression. What is returned when you go into the interactive editor and type:

? a5_get_records_in_query("yourtablename","employeename = username()")

I'll bet you get =0

And if you try this?

dim vEM as c
vEM = username()
? a5_get_records_in_query("yourtablename","employeename = "+s_quote(vEM))

I'll bet you get =1.

Then try this and see what happens.

? a5_get_records_in_query("yourtablename","employeename = "+s_quote(user_name))

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

mike, thansk for the quick reply.

i returned a value of 2 on your last suggestions. was that correct?

i have moved on a step further but not sure if i am correct.

i had created a calculated field 'c_user' with an expression 'user_name()'. then i have applied a filter to the form 'employeename=user_name()'

this has worked so far in that the calculated field is picking up the ogged user but the form is not.

i have thought about introducing an in between form, which would load with the calculated field and then a command to open the 'switchboard' using the calc field c_user as the filter.

good or bad idea?

thanks

[Mike Wilson]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

Richard,
I think you are getting too indirect and complicated about it.

Start by manually using the Genie on the form with a Query to the expression user_name() and see what happens. Do you get 2 returns?

[richard2007]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

im not sure what i am doing, but i get no returns when i try to search employeename = user_name() using the form query genie.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: use security log in as variable throughout

what happens in the interactive window when you type: ? user_name()