Retrieving and displaying records by non-indexed fields on Quick screens

[Joe Boyle]

When you run the 'S' action field command, quick first prompts for indexed
retrieval key values and then prompts for id's of fields for which values
can be entered which will be used as additional filters. I strongly suspect
that this is the case for both RMS indexed files and indexed SUBfiles.

When using indexed SUBfiles as primary files I have seen only one
requirement, which is that at least the dictionary part must exist before
the subscreen ( which will read the subfile) option is selected by the user
- but this is easily achieved by running a dummy quiz which selects no
records, but which creates a blank dictionary SUBfile part. 

You are on VMS which means that a logical can be created to easily identify
a unique subfile for any given user and time.

Regards, Joe.


-----Original Message-----
From: powerh-l-bounces+atla38=dsl.pipex.com at lists.sowder.com
[mailto:powerh-l-bounces+atla38=dsl.pipex.com at lists.sowder.com] On Behalf Of
roger32909 at bellsouth.net
Sent: 17 July 2005 04:08
To: powerh-l at lists.sowder.com
Subject: Retrieving and displaying records by non-indexed fields on
Quickscreens

Restrictions:  PH 7.10G on OpenVMS with no relational database, only RMS
files.  The project manager declined request for additional indexes.

The requirement is to allow user to retrieve and display records by at least
5 fields.  Three are indexed and can be handled by normal ACCESS statements
with default PATHs & FINDs.  But the fourth is a date range and the fifth is
a non-indexed field.
The primary file will occur 15 times and the user may drill down by using a
designer procedure 01 to run a screen displaying more details.

This system already has 2 screens with multiple prompts and a convoluted
SELECT statement, custom PATH & FIND procedures to handle screen displays of
data retrieved on non-indexed fields.  Of course there is no sort/order, but
it works.  A new screen is supposed to follow this pattern.  But I wonder if
there may be a simpler solution.

For example, I have seen (and used) permanent indexed subfiles (re-filled by
QTP or QUIZ) to sort & display records on QUICK screens retrieved on
non-indexed fields. The tradeoff is a slight delay for the QTP/QUIZ run.

I have not tried, but assume one could also declare several versions of the
same file using aliases with ACCESS/SELECT statements and passing the
retrieved data to occurring TEMPs for screen display.

Would like to hear of other possible solutions to similar requirements.

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