Calling a script--Methods other than Cntl+1

[chuckcou]

I am using a bar code scanner. It acts as a basic key board. I am using code128.

My problem is I need to call a script--example ctrl+1 or ctrl+2. Within code128 it doesn't have ctrl+. Thus I can't call my scripts.

My question is [color:red]does anyone know a way of calling a script other than using the contol key.

Example might [color:black]be---@zz@1 which would do the same as ctrl+1. Thus @zz@1 might call script 1.

[chuckcou]

I have been thinking about the above problem.

What if I created a layout with Buttons. Is there anyway of pressing the number 2 to go to button 2. Kind of like a value list. This would allow me to scan #2 enter and it would activate button 2 which could be my script.

One other idea--maybe a global varible. B)

Edited May 21, 2008 by Guest

[Fitch]

You can tab to a button and then press space or return to activate it. Otherwise, to go to a specific button, you would need: you guessed it, a script.

You have a couple of options:

1. Use a looping script that pauses, waits for a scan, executes, pauses, etc.

or 2. Use a script trigger plugin such as zippScript.

[comment]

You have asked the same question here:

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/195513/

[chuckcou]

Actually this is a different question on the same subject. This has to do more with Buttons. But if you think it is the same that fine.

[John Kornhaus]

Check the documentation that came with your scanner. Many of them can be configured to prefix or postfix the scanned data with a string of characters, including control characters.

You will probably need to scan in a special code from the manual that will program the scanner to first send a ctrl-number sequence followed by the characters from the barcode.

[chuckcou]

Yes, you are correct. I can program into the scanner the Cntr+. But here is the problem. Every time I do a scan it is going to do a Ctrl+.

Thus, I scan the number 1. the scan prefixes it with Cntr+. Now script 1 is active. All is good. It now waiting for me to scan a product number. I scan product number barcode and it prefex it with Cntrl+. That going to cause a problem I would think. If it didn't then I am sure this would. I now scan quantiy as 1. Again the scanner prefix it with Cntr+ or Cntr+1. Now I have a problem because I just called scrpt 1 again.

Let me know if I am missing anything.

Chuck

[Fitch]

That can still work, because you can do something to keep track of what stage of the process you are on, either in a global variable or field, or the script can look to see which field(s) contain data and/or which or empty. I.e., the same script runs, but it does something different based on the state of the process. Make sense?

[chuckcou]

I kinda of understand where you are going with this. Let look at what data would be entered.

[color:green]I Scan the barcode for 1Actual keyboard entry would be CTRL+1:Script 1 runs.

Pause at field waiting for Product Number

[color:green]I Scan the barcode for a product and it is 0008892

Actual keyboard entry would be CTRL+0008892

[color:red]File maker doesn't enter anything into the field

I don't see how this can work. :qwery:

The other problem is I don't see how file maker will see the quantity. The second I scan 1 it going to jump to script 1.

:bang:

[Fitch]

I see what you're saying. I thought you were going to send ctrl+1 + the barcode each time. I.e., you'd run the same script over and over, but it would branch each time based on the contents of the fields. (is product number empty? then scan into it. if not, is qty empty? then scan into it. etc.)

If you're just going to send ctrl+barcode, so that the number of the barcode determines what script is triggered, then I believe Michael (comment) already pointed you in the right direction.

One last wild idea: create at least ten scripts to appear in the menu so that ctl-0 becomes available - or since you have FM Advanced, you could do it with Custom Menus.