database corruption

[Conran]

Hi there-

This is a similar question to 'losing data', however, I need it to go to the next level.

I know for a fact that it is not because I'm entering information in a 'find' or 'global fields', or because someone is deleting information on me, or even because the file is being closed improperly. Like 'losing data', I have a certain amount of records one minute and then less records the next.

My database is broken down into 4 different sections essentially: 1. Bridal Couple, 2. Bridal List, 3. Bridal Purchases, 4. Bridal management (letters etc) Bridal Couple being the parent file and the others being the children. (I'm new to this, but I think that is my understanding of the difference of the parent/child thing)

To start a list, I need to create a new record which will give me a unique number that I use to reference the original information in the other files. (Can't get the number without being in new record, this is how I know it's not because I'm typing in find) I type in the bridal couple's details and then perform a script that will take me over to the Bridal List. I use the unique number to recall related information(name etc.) and then I type in the list. Say I do this 3 times, and create 3 new lists. It has happened that I've had to go back to Bridal Couple and try to locate the first record that I've entered and it is now gone. (I haven't left the terminal, so no one has deleted the original on me) The other 2 records I've entered are still there. I go back to Bridal List and can recall the missing couple by using the unique number, and the list will come up in Bridal List, but only the information that Bridal List needs. So the information has been correctly entered and everything, it's just now gone from the original file. This also doesn't happen all the time, and I'm often imputing multiple lists (so it's not because I'm exiting out incorrectly).

It has happened 3 times in the last 2 months, so what could be causing it? At first I thought it was someone else, or something I did, but the last time (the one I just described) totally negates all of that. Could it be because the parent file has become corrupted and needs to be reinstalled? Please help!

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

I use the unique number to recall related information(name etc.) and then I type in the list. Say I do this 3 times, and create 3 new lists. It has happened that I've had to go back to Bridal Couple and try to locate the first record that I've entered and it is now gone.

What is your unique_Id ?

How do you type in the list ? Portal ?

Which record has gone ? The Bridal's Couple names or the related records ?

[Conran]

Sorry, I'll clarify. In 'Bridal Couple' each couple gets a couple ID# (we call it a list serial number) The list serial number is automatically assigned to all new records -using automatic data entry serial number. I type in all their information name, date of wedding etc. into the corresponding fields.

Then I script over to the 'Bridal List', which is set up like a long columnar list/report. I go to new record, the cursor will jump to the 'list serial number' box first. I type in the number press return and the couple's name, wedding date, list creator's name automatically pops into the related fields using a relationship calculation.

The actual list is composed of new records because there is an item number (also an automatic serial number) that needs to be assigned to each item on the list. So a new record is needed an 'item number' is assigned and I type in the sku number press return and the description, price and department number automatically enters using another relationship calculation. (And soon a photo, see my querie about setting up a photo database)

I was told that the 'item number' is essential because without a new record serial number, you couldn't have multiple people register for the same thing. Having unique numbers attached to the record with the sku makes the record unique and therefore the computer can sort the information when finding individual lists.

I'm not quite clear about the difference between a 'portal' and a 'relationship'. I know that there is a relationship calcuation between 'Bridal List' and 'Bridal Couple'. The information that comes with it though is then copied and not directly referenced each time from the original source. So when the related information is copied into the file, is that a relationship or portal? I think it's relational -right?

So once that is done, I can find the list in 'bridal list' by typing in the list serial number. The couple with their whole registry comes up, it's then sorted and printed out.

What's being lost is the 'Bridal Couple' record. Is that the parent file or is that just another related file?

The relational information (serial number, names, dates, etc.) that's in 'Bridal List' is still there. I can still type in the list serial number and it will still find the couple with their complete registry in 'Bridal List'.

But when I look for the couple in 'Bridal Couple', the record is gone. I can 'find all' and see that the list serial number jumps over the missing record (it goes from 413 to 415 -414 is missing), the record has been deleted, but I haven't even left the terminal.

So I believe that the 'Bridal Couple' file has become corrupted, because it's only a problem I'm having in that one file and it's so random in the way it deletes information, I can't find any normal pattern in it that would explain some human error. So what I want to know is that if it is indeed corrupted,

1. Can I reinstall filemaker just for Bridal Couple file?

2. Can I save my layouts & records if I do reinstall it?

3. Can I import the needed records/info from 'Bridal List' (because most of the information is copied into the list) back into 'Bridal Couple'?

4. Will importing the records also import the original serial number with it or is the serial number lost. (If it's lost then I have to redo the entire list with a new serial number)

Sorry for the long explanation, but maybe that will help clarify things. Thanks.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

No I don't think it is a file corruption, but as you said, you're not clear about what is a relationship and how it really works.

I'm not quite clear about the difference between a 'portal' and a 'relationship'. I know that there is a relationship calcuation between 'Bridal List' and 'Bridal Couple'. The information that comes with it though is then copied and not directly referenced each time from the original source. So when the related information is copied into the file, is that a relationship or portal? I think it's relational -right?

First, there is no comparison for portal or relationship :

A relationship is a link from one file to another using a key in the Parent and a key in the Related file.

A portal is a "tool", that allows to list all records related through the relationship.

Second,

Assuming that the "Bridal List" is the Parent File and the Couple_Id is your Parent_Id, if you were really using a calculation based on the Parent_Id, the records from the Parent File being in the related file would have disappeared also. As a calculation, these records would need to be referenced to something. If not, nothing would show up.

In fact, your Names, adress and other fields (coming from the Parent file to the Line Item) are probably "copied" using a lookup (which is fine). If you delete the Parent Id, all records in the related file are still there as they are not calculated, but have been looked up priorly. They are not "related" anymore unless you trigger a new re-lookup. If you were entering (please backup before trying) a new Parent_Id, I'll bet that all records (from the Main) would change again.

There is no relationship from the Product list to the Parent_Id, so it's normal that no change had occured to the Products/Items selected.

Now, from your long description of the problem, even if we're missing the "procedure" and your script description, I'm not sure why and where, but I would say there are probabilities that you are combining both lookup fields and related fields.

And this could be very problematical....

Because, when you think you're just entering a record_Id to retrieve the Names, adresses, ...., you're in fact changing the record_Id in the Main file.

Go in Layout mode and check that none of your fields have a " :: " before the label into the field. the " :: " (ex : " ::Parent_Id " ), or go to define relationship and check that you've unchecked the "Allow creation of related records".

I' surely not saying that related field aren't useful, but in this situation, you will need a Foreign key in the define fields (but you surely already have it).

Just let us know. I'm just guessing here, but I would say there are little chance that this is a File corruption.