Stuck In An Endless Loop

[Totes]

Hi,

Does someone have an example of a looping script they can point me to so I can try to learn, I did a search but could not find anything close that will delete records.

This weekend I was trying to create a script that will delete all records that are more than a year old, and all I can manage to do is delete one record and then I have to Ctl Alt Delete so I can kill FM because I get stuck in an endless loop.

James

Edited February 18, 2008 by Guest

[The Big Bear]

Ranger

It would be easier to do a find for all the records a year older and then delete them as a found set. If you have a field to search on try something like this.

enter find mode

set field (input field; search field)

preform find

show custom dialog

"is these the records you want to delete?"

If (last message choice = 1

Delete all records

show all records

else

show all records

goto wherever

Hope this helps

Lionel

[mr_vodka]

Do not forget to error trap.

[comment]

Without seeing your script, I can only guess that it either doesn't move forward in one of its branches, and/or you haven't checked the 'Exit after last' option when moving to the next record.

Speaking generally, any time you go into a loop, your first thought should be how to exit it.

[Totes]

Thanks everyone for the info...it seems that my foulup was in the exit. This was my first attempt at a loop and I was just poking buttons hoping I could get the script set correctly, but my exit was the problem.

Now another question...is it it better do do a multi-delete via a scripted loop or by a find like the Bear showed?

Thanks for the assist.

James

[mr_vodka]

In this case, it would make more sense to just find the records and then delete. No need to waste processing time with a loop when it could be done with a few script steps. With a loop each record has to be tested with your loop criteria. With a find it will do the search one time.

[Fitch]

To loop or not to loop... it depends on the problem you're trying to solve, James. If it's exactly as stated ("delete all records that are more than a year old"), Bear's solution would be more efficient.

[Totes]

Thanks,

I try that one as well, never can have too many options.

James