We have Get(RecordID)and it returns a unique value that never changes. But having stored it in a variable, I would like to safely find back to it from wherever I am, not having to care about much else. I which there was a Go ToRecordID command!

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One hour has passed and I discovered that the value in Get(RecordID) is the same as a records Auto entered serial number, what a surprice! Can I trust it's always so?

Edited October 24, 200520 yr by Guest

The record id is a hexadecimal value which is unique for each record/row. It is similar to rowid in oracle and other databases. FileMaker support a gotorecord function. What I have in my solution is, I have a global field and a relationship based on the global field to my primary key of the table. I store the value of the primary key in the global field and when I want to go back to the record, I use the go to related record(relationship name).

Keep in mind that the internal RecordID is not meant to be used as a relational key. The problem is that when you start importing records between files, the internal RecordID does not go with them.

For this reason, it's better to use a regular auto-entered serial number for the key, and then use a method like Sanjai has described to return to a previous record or found set.

Thanks, something to think about. But I guess I'm really not trusting relations and wish things could be done as if programming a Hypercard stack, I would hate to hear that it wouldn't be possible with a real database as opposed to a stack.

But what I'm seeking is an easy way to set a field on a specific record without having to go to the layout. After all Freezing window doesn't work in instant web publishing, so that's no option.

But what I'm seeking is an easy way to set a field on a specific record without having to go to the layout.

This can be done through relationships too. If you have the key of the record you wish to set, then a Set Field[] over that self join would work, without requiring a layout change.

It's been awhile since I've seen Hypercard, but I'm guessing you *could* simulate its behavior if you wished. What Hypercard-like behavior are you trying to achieve (maybe we'll have some ideas)?

Thanks, actually I have Revolution which is the crossplatform modern, "you can do everything" version of Hypercard. I started developing my application using Revolution as an interface for MySQL. But since it was hard work communicating with MySQL and I got into trouble reinstalling a new versions of the database, I got fed up. Although I like the freedom of programming in Revolution I was happy when FM8 came and bought it. Variables and tabs where what I was missing in FM last time I tested a 30 day trial. Actually I wrote to the FM guys about 9 years ago begging them to make variables available.

That is the background, and this is how you would put something into a field in Hypercard or Revolution ( a card being a record) put myVariable into field "Celebration" of card "History". My whish these days for the Filemaker guys is: Bring Hypercard to life and make it an integrated part of FM advanced!

Wow hypercard... Havent heard that one in a while.