Design functions

[Paolo]

I was just wondering what those function could be used for!

Regards,

___Paolo

[Lee Smith]

Design??

Here is what the online help says, RTFM for more.

Design functions return information about the structure of any specified database that is currently open on your computer. For example, you could determine the names of all the layouts or fields in an open database.

Important Parameters should be in quotes (""), or you can specify a field name for any parameter and return information about the item typed in that field. In this case, do not put the fieldname parameter in quotes.

For example, LayoutNames ("Clients") always returns the names of the layouts in the Clients file. If you have a field named File, LayoutNames (File) returns the names of the layouts in the Clients file if you type Clients in the File field.

Copyright

[Paolo]

Ok, I know what they do!!

But I don't know what they could be used for!

They seem useless. But it they exist then they must have a purpose!

Paolo

[LaRetta]

Hi Paolo,

Design functions can also be used in Value Lists which can be attached to globals to be used in scripting. They aren't used that often, but when you need them, they are quite handy!

They end up as a multiline and you can run your script on the first line, delete the first line and loop until the global is blank.

And with >= 5.5, they can be used in conjunction with GetField.

An example of a recent solution using FileNames can be found at:

Select & Copy Fields to a New Record

LaRetta

[Paolo]

Interesting, thank you!

[Lee Smith]

Hi Paolo

There are several uses for these functions. Probably the most notably is getting information about a database using these functions.

For a couple of files that have used these functions (there are many files available at the usual sites for demos and tip and trick files), go to:

SoftDoc102 by Bob Weaver URL Sample Files Forums.

Status in Design by: John Mark Osborne URL

www.databasepros.com

[Lee Smith]

P.S.

I've used some of these design functions as part of a file, such as layout names and field names

Here is an excellent example of this type of use.

Status Functions by Bob Cusick URL http://www.fmfiles.com/tnt8.html

It is in FM3/4 format and will have to be converted to 5/6

HTH

Lee

[Paolo]

One interesting thing to do with design function would be to create an interface that let the user navigate trought layouts without using the standard layout menu.

For people like me, that doesn't want users to move freely between layouts, it's helpful.

Every layout is removed from the layout menu, but the developer have access to the "navigation" interface that let him switch trought layouts.