Help with Simulating an Array

[core origin]

Topic: Help with Simulating an Array

Note: See attached "grid_example.pdf" (100K)

I have included a pdf which presents a simple case of what I would like to accomplish. I have searched all about for a solution here but have come up empty. I need some fresh thinking here - an expert!

I have two tables: Students, Registrations (i.e. class sign-up's)

I would like to build a schedule grid in Students which shows the child-related records from Registrations in the appropriate blocks on the students layout (see PDF example).

I know three ways to do this.

1) Single TO's for each "grid block"

2) A portal in Students and ten child-related records (f_timeblock: 1-10) in Registrations, with only the needed ones filled (thus preserving the blank rows in the portal)

3) Some combination of looping script and SetField() which populates grid block fields in the Students table

However, none of these are satisfactory. The finished product will have 10 columns and 30 rows. Plus there are hundreds of students. Too many TO's and/or empty records and/or script syncing potential issues.

I am very hopeful to develop an "elegant" solution here that has just one TO for each column.

Is there a feature of repeating fields that I am overlooking, perhaps in combination with a custom function, which would allow me to populate the first, third and seventh "grid blocks" (see PDF example) with the related registrations, while preserving the empty "grid blocks" in between?

Of course, I am wide open to a different tack as well.

I would be extremely appreciative of any good advice here.

DSW

grid_example.pdf

[comment]

This is basically a calendar. You will need 3 tables for this: Students, Slots and Registrations. See the demos posted in this thread.

Note that the selected student must be in a global field in the Slots table. This means you will have to restrict browsing the students schedules to scripted only.