loop within a calculation

[danek]

Hi all,

Is it possible to do a loop within a calculation (in Define Fields)

OR

to call a user-defined script from within a calculation?

Each record has a set of related records. I want to define a calculation field displaying a particular related record if and only if it meets other criteria as well. Right now I have a calculation which looks really ugly (I am inexperienced with FileMaker scripting please don't yell at me!):

If (GetNthRecord(Foo::Bar;1) = "Criterion"; GetNthRecord(Foo::Foo;1); "") &

If (GetNthRecord(Foo::Bar;2) = "Criterion"; GetNthRecord(Foo::Foo;2); "") ... etc

I couldn't figure out a way to lookup a related record from the list of related records based on the value of one of its fields (not the field that creates the relationship, and i don't want to make another occurrence of the table in the relationship graph) so this was the next best thing I was able to get going. There is probably a better way.

I'd be happy if I could just do the above, but with a loop. If not a loop in the calculation itself, perhaps by calling a script.

[comment]

Recursive calculations are possible within custom functions - but you need the Advanced version for writing/installing custom functions.

Another option is to use a repeating calculation field - see:

http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/137788/

[Tori Mitchell]

In an aside to comment, I'll chime in that this kind of logic would be better implemented with a CustomFunction... keeps things more sane when you (inevitably) have to come back to it.

[danek]

If a database is created with Advanced, can it be used (custom functions and all) on the regular version of FileMaker Pro?

I think I will just do all my "loop" iterations by hand for now; it's not a big deal in this case. Thanks.

(I tried to get it to work by doing a Calculation Repetition, but this ended up making my field a repeating field, which wasn't exactly a desired effect.)

Thanks guys.

[comment]

If a database is created with Advanced, can it be used (custom functions and all) on the regular version of FileMaker Pro?

Yes.

I tried to get it to work by doing a Calculation Repetition, but this ended up making my field a repeating field, which wasn't exactly a desired effect.

You could use List ( RepeatingField) in a second, non-repeating calculation field.

EDIT: Well, you could - if you had version 8.5 or higher.

Edited May 26, 2008 by Guest