Account Name vs Name

[mike60640]

Hello, I have not worked much with server side authentication and only delt a little bit with file security settings and all of that was years ago. So I'm back now building a bigger project.

I am designing a database and want to auto enter who created each record. I know later on I'll be dealing with each users privileges and log-ins. So, what is the difference with (when defining a fields auto entering criteria) "Account Name" and "Name"?

Thanks

[bcooney]

Common question. Account Name is preferred. User Name is the value in FM Prefs on the workstation (useless, imho).

You may wish to also populate a StaffID_created, if you worry account names may change.

[mike60640]

Thanks

You may wish to also populate a StaffID_created, if you worry account names may change.

What do you mean by this? The records data should not change even if the user's account information or login changes. Are you talking about creating a whole lookup for StaffID #s to use instead so if login changes they will still be under the same ID?

[bcooney]

Yes. I do a find in an Open Script in the Staff table where AccountName = Get (AccountName). Then I capture gStaffID. All tables have an auto-entered number field, _kF_StaffCreatedID = gStaffID. So, when Mary gets married and wants her account changed, I don't care.

[mike60640]

Thanks, good idea. I'll consider that for later. But for now, this is a small place and the field is not expected to be used much. It's for problem solving data entry errors. thanks again.

[bcooney]

OK. So a simple use of an AccountCreated field with the entry option of populating this field with AccountName.

I usually have in each table:

zz_AccountCreated

zz_AccountModified

zz_TimeStampCreated

zz_TimeStampModified