Write information to a Log file?

[PatriciaW]

I have some scripts which I plan on using to convert an application from FM6 to FM7. First I import the data into the new FM7 databases. The scripts do things like fill in fields that are now mandatory, convert date formats etc. I would like to be able to create a log file containing information about this process ... similar to the one that FM7 writes when it converts databases.

I could write to a new database but I'd prefer not to do that. I have searched FM7 help for a hint on this, so I suspect it is not possible. Am I wrong?

[SteveB]

First, I believe you can't directly import from 6 to 7. You can create an export .mer file and then import that file. To write out a log file, I use Troi File plugin which is easy to use and lets you append to an existing file. There are other File plugins, but Troi is relatively inexpensive and works.

Steve

[PatriciaW]

First, I believe you can't directly import from 6 to 7. You can create an export .mer file and then import that file.

Maybe I used the wrong terminology. What I meant to say is that I am importing from a database that was designed for FM6 and which I converted to FM7 (by just opening it in FM7).

Thanks for the tip about the plug-in. I'll look into that.

[SteveB]

No, you used the right terminolgy. I don't believe you can import directly from 6 to 7. If you look on the Import screen's list of acceptable file types, you'll find '.fp7', but not '.fp6'

Steve

Edited September 14, 2005 by Guest

[comment]

You could write your log to a global text field and export it at the end. No plugin is required for this.

[PatriciaW]

I decided to write the log file to a conversion database, since there was no way of writing directly to a file without a plug-in. And the global text field would have created different problems.

Thanks

[bruceR]

I decided to write the log file to a conversion database, since there was no way of writing directly to a file without a plug-in. And the global text field would have created different problems.

Thanks

You're on a Mac apparently and you don't need a plugin to use applescript which can perform a simple shell script to write/append a text file.

[PatriciaW]

Unfortunately, although I am on a Mac, the system I am developing will be deployed on Windows, so I cannot use any Mac exclusive features.