Comparing two fields

[GinTx]

I am the newest newbie when it comes to Filemaker. We purchased Pro 8 to help us manage our client list. My first job is to compare our list of clients to the OFAC terrorist list. I have created a database listing our client's last names "client" and the terrorist last name "terrorist". I need to write a script that compares the first 4 letters of each client name to the first 4 letters of all terrorist names and output something that will show me any matches.

I've been looking for a website or book that will help me understand script writing, but I'm not having much luck. I understand what I need to do, I just don't understand which functions, script steps, etc to use and how to use them. #1-can anyone point me to a resource that will basically train me to use this program and can someone point me in the right direction for this script?

[kiwiora]

There's probably someone on here with a cleaner way of doing it, but if i was tackling it (the novice that I am) I would do it as attached.

P.S I have only run this on the first 4 characters as specified. You may want to tweak it to further narrow down the match after??

p.s admin is the login (no password)

test.zip

Edited November 23, 2005 by Guest

[-Queue-]

I would probably do it similar to the modified attachment, which requires fewer fields and could be considerably faster, depending on the number of terrorist records.

testv2.zip

[GinTx]

kiwiora, I'm trying to understand your script so I can start to write my own. What does /*terrorist::tname4*/ designate or do? I understand SetField to mean we are changing the contents to whatever that above does.

[Raybaudi]

chance in browse mode but, in find mode, set only for the search !

[GinTx]

Queue - Where does your script make the search? I'm really trying to understand here and I'm having a terrible time. I need specific help. How do I tell the program to compare client record 1 to terrorist record 1-999, then tell it to compare client record 2 to terrorist record 1-999. My database name is sdn222 and the two fields are client and terrorist.

I'm sorry to sound so stupid, but I really can't figure out how to make either of these work.

Edited December 2, 2005 by Guest

[mr_vodka]

GinTx,

Queue's solution runs a script that uses the power of relationhips instead of doing a find. Basically the script runs through every record in your terror list. If there is a match in the client table, it goes onto the next record to check. If there in not a match it omits the record. When it finishes running through the whole list, you will have a list left with those that match your criteria.

The two tables are being related by a match field key that has the first 4 letters of the names.

Hope this clears it up.

[comment]

So, do we catch many terrorists with this sophisticated scheme?

[GinTx]

Actually, it doesn't clear it up. The script didn't work, either one. On Queue's script, I put in a name that I knew would match to test the script, I got the answer that there were no matches.

My problem lies in that I don't know how to edit the scripts because I don't know what they do. For example, on Queue's script, where does it designate the first 4 letters? I see that nowhere. And, I never got an answer to my question about what /*terrorist::tname4*/ does. I cannot tell it what field to do that to if I don't know what it does.

I really don't want to sound ungrateful here, because I'm very grateful for the help. I just can't input my part of the scripts if I don't know what I'm supposed to edit and what I'm supposed to leave alone. I'm at the point where I will pay someone to write a script for me that will work. If anyone wants the job, let me know.

[Raybaudi]

My problem lies in that I don't know how to edit the scripts because I don't know what they do.

Why do you want to edit ? It seems to do his job !

For example, on Queue's script, where does it designate the first 4 letters? I see that nowhere.

Queue didn't designate the first 4 letters in the script; he did in the "Define Database", that you can reach from:

File-->Define-->Database...-->Fields.

Cname4 make the calc for the first 4 chars of the Client name; Tname4 make the calc for the first 4 chars of the Terrorist name

BTW: If your DB is really only of 2 fields, you can import those names into Queue DB, so you'll better try it !

[mr_vodka]

Why dont you post a copy of your fiel with dummy information in it so we can take a look at it to help you. There is some miscommunication going on here.

We need to fully understand what exactly you are looking for to help you best.

[Joseph31]

Ok I think I understand what you have done -- but is it possible to make this script look at a text file or just one field that I could cut and past the OFAC list in. makes updating the list very easy??

Is there a way just to make a Pass or Fail script if the name appears? No need for a report

I have attached the OFAC list so you can see what I am talking about.

sdnlist.zip