Loops, Set Field, Conditional Logic

[John Caballero]

I was thinking about looping scripts and setting field values based on conditions and wondering which method (if either)is preferred:

Go To Record(First)

Loop

If (some condition)

Set Field(some value)

End If

Go To Record(Next, exit)

End Loop

vs

Go To Record(First)

Loop

Set Field(If(some condition),some value, field))

Go To Record(Next, exit)

End Loop

The 1st example has more script steps, but the Set Field only happens if some condition is true. The 2nd example has fewer script steps, but the Set Field script step executes for every record.

It would seem to me that the 1st example ought to be more efficient, but I've never tested it.

Anyone?

[kenneth2k1]

Hi John:

Your second loop script doesn't have an if statement, so I would also guess that evaluating the conditional would take more time. But, if there is a huge amount of records, looping through all of them to check a condition might take a while. so personally I would do a find for the conditions and then loop throught the found set.

Just my thought

[Mike D.]

I would agree with Kenneth. I've used both methods and I think the number of records you will be looping through is the key to which method to use. Just make sure you use the Freeze Window script step!

Mike