scheduling (date/time)

[gary.s]

Hi,

I was tasked to do scheduling for one of the office machines. My FMP knowledge is quite at infancy so I could really use some help here. Basically, here's how it goes...

user1 logs in and sets date, start_time and end_time.

(start_time: 8:30am - 12:30pm

user2 : logs in with similar date but diff start and end times.

(start_time: 11:00am - 3:00pm)

I would like FMP to intercept this schedule and prompts user2 "Your schedule is conflicting with userN". Then a layout will popup containing the schedules for that month highlighting (red font) the schedule(s) that are conflicting. User2 hits "OK" after learning of the conflict and do rescheduling.

hope you guys can help me on this one...

kind regards,

GaryS>

[JPaul]

Hi Gary,

you can control duplicate dates following these steps:

• create a self-join (i.e. named RelOnDate) based on the date field

• create a calculated field (unstored) CheckDate and put it on your layout

• this field cantains this formula:
  code:

  ---

  If(Count(RelOnDate::DateField) > 1,"Duplicated Date","Date OK")

  ---

  in order tho have a validity message for your user.

  If you need actions (i.e. scripts) submitted to the validations, you need a plug in that emulates the on_LostFocus statement in visual languages.

  You can find this plug in (EVENTS plug in) at www.wmotion.com.

  Another technique is the following:

• duplicate your entry form

• when user enters program, force it on the form in which only date field is enabled (other fields are disabled to receive input, we call it a 'dumb form')

• on the dumb form, create a validation date button launching a script performing the count of duplicated dates (see the preceding formula & relation)

• if the count=0 (no dups.) switch your user to the full filling form, else send a message, clear the date field $ and stay here !

In the reality i know other more sophisticated techniques, but you may have ..... headaches ..!!

Hope this helps.

[ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: JPaul ]

[ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: JPaul ]

[ June 03, 2001: Message edited by: JPaul ]