Rental contract / Inventory question

[dheraud]

I have two files, "Rental contract" & "Inventory".

In "Rental contract", I have a repetitive field where i can enter the serial number of a machine. I also have a (repetitive) description and a rate field that are linked to the "Inventory" file via a relationship to show the apprpriate item's information.

When the contract is properly filled out, I have a Sign Out button that signs the contract out.

Now, in "Inventory", I have a field called "Rental status". I want this field to reflect on the status of the machines in the contract. If the contract is signed out, the machines should be signed out as well.

SO! My problem is, I can't seem to be able to match the repititions of the serial numbers (Field "Serial", on which the relationship is based) and the "Rental Status" in the "Inventory" file. I want to click my sign out button and have each repitition that contains a serial number matched with "Inventory" and have the script enter a checkmark of some sort in "Rental status". I'm just not sure how to go about this.

Thanks in advance for the help guys.

Denis H

[SteveB]

The only way to make this work is to get rid of the repetition field and create a third file that is "Machines", with each record being a machine. Repetition fields are very difficult, and in some cases impossible, to work with.

[andygaunt]

Steve, Lets not be shy.

Repeating fields are difficult in most cases. Throw backs to times when FileMaker wasn't relational.

Now they are only good for .................................................................................................................................................................

Gee. They are that good huh!!!

[SteveB]

Andy:

I'll bet that if we looked inside one of your solutions we'd find repetition fields, if for nothing more than storing graphics. They do have their puposes, and if FMI did a better job of implementing them, they wouldn't be such a pain to deal with.

[dheraud]

I'm curious, I did have the idea to ditch the repetitive fields. But why would I need to create a third file... Could I not use "Inventory"?

And let us say that each field containing the serial numbers is NOT a repitition, how would I go about entering the checkmark in the "rental status" field in "Inventory"? (Through scriptmaker)

i.e. Look in field "Serial Number 01", find the record in the "Inventory" file and enter a checkmark in the "Rental status" field of that record.