I'm used to coding in PHP (and maybe that is the issue here), but when I attempt to setup a loop based on the number of repetitions in a variable in FileMaker, it always seems to get fowled up. Let me explain:

Let's say there are three records in a table called tasks

Go to Record [First]

Loop

  Set Variable [$i; Value:$i + 1]

  Set Variable [$taskid[$i]; Value:Tasks::Task ID]

  Go to Record [Next; Exit after Last]

End Loop

 

Now, in my brain, there should be three elements in an array-like variable called $taskid numbered 1 through 3, a total of three elements.  Then try to use the variable later in the code to establish another loop:

 

Exit Loop If [$i = Count ( $taskid )]

I have the data viewer open to the right of the script and notice the value of Count($taskid) is "?".

Looking over the count function, but all accounts that I am reading, it should be returning 3. What am I doing wrong?

Alas, you are right about that: when speaking about variables (as opposed to repeating fields) the "repetitions" do not add up to an array that could be addressed as such.

Alas, you are right about that: when speaking about variables (as opposed to repeating fields) the "repetitions" do not add up to an array that could be addressed as such.

Ok then, it is possible to use variables as arrays?

That's a rather wide question...

In your example, you could have done:

Go to Record [ First ]

Loop

  Set Variable [ $taskid; Value: List ( $taskid ; Tasks::TaskID ) ]

  Go to Record [ Next; Exit after Last ]

End Loop

 

Then, in the other loop:

 

Exit Loop If [ $j > ValueCount ( $taskid ) ]

 

 

Alternatively, you could have kept $i as the count of the first "array" (assuming it's not sparse), or devise another test, for example:

 

Exit Loop If [ IsEmpty ( $taskid[$j] ) ]

Alternatively, you could have kept $i as the count of the first "array" (assuming it's not sparse), or devise another test, for example:

Exit Loop If [ IsEmpty ( $taskid[$j] ) ]

That line is slick, I may use that then.

*EDIT*

Worked, I will be using this logic in the future, many thanks!

If it is sparse, you can increment $j in your loop and exit when $j = $i.

If it is sparse, you can increment $j in your loop and exit when $j = $i.

I am not sure I get your point: if the first array is sparse, then $i does not represent Count ( array ).

OTOH, we don't know what the second loop does.