I may have missed this feature or plugin but....

#1. How can I do a

SETFIELD( "samplefieldname", calculation)

?

IE I want to do a setfield NOT with a direct link that FMPRO uses but using just a simple string. The reason I am doing this is I want to assign 100s of fields to 100s of others with similar names that I could store in a DB or Repetition Field and have a script extract and then do the actual assignment.

#2. Import and Export text files easily. I am currently using tab files and am running into several issues. I have to do an extensive parsing routine to place the data into fields and then the opposite when I want to export. I know I could just CNP the text by hand and it would work but I want it all automagical.

#3. What do you do when commands like Import and Export have fixed values instead of allowing for string text inputs. IE I want to have my program import several files and have that list stored so the user can define it.

#4 How can I tell when a field has been altered? I know I can check it but I mean execute a Script after you hit return. It would be nice if after 15 years FM could actually intercept and issue events....

Any help would be appreciated and If I posted in the wrong spot let me know.

Thanks

Rod

Edited October 27, 200520 yr by Guest

Rod->

1: Oh, how we all wish we could do a SetField and specify the name, unfortunately, it's not possible... I can understand why FileMaker may reluctant to adding this feature, it weakens the strong "typed" quality of FileMaker and makes the developer much more prone to typos.

4: One way to tell if a field is altered is to keep an audit log. It may not be applicable to what you want to do though.

Im aware of the modified record date and time but what do you mean by a altered field log?

I may have missed this feature or plugin but....

#1. How can I do a

SETFIELD( "samplefieldname", calculation

You can't - you're on Windows.

It's easy with a Mac though.

Perform applescript:

set data cell (cell "gFieldName") of current record to (cell "gFieldValue")

An Audit Log is a system that tracks changes made to a set of fields and stores those changes in a field. Search the forums, you'll find many methodologies and examples (or ask for more help, I can dig up some links to my favs). A typical log entry would say something like:

10/30/2005 08:44:45PM Lastname changed from Jones to Smith.