Here's a challenge

[fernando.olmos at hpa.com.au]

Hi everyone 

I have dozens of QUIZ reports that utilise a USE file, which contains
DEFINES for two date fields (c_date_start and c_date_end). The QUIZ
programs will ask the user to input these dates at run time and use them
to CHOOSE data based on an INVOICED_DATE field, which is a repeating
index.

Unfortunately some passes in these reports do not reference tables that
have the invoiced_date field as an index, so the report will produce an
"*E* Not a linkitem of the primary file" error. This is actually ok,
because most of the reports will still produce something, but as you and
I know, it's not good programming practice to allow programs to give out
error messages. The other thing too, is that this error gives users the
wrong impression and they log calls all over the place thinking their
system has crashed, etc.

My question is this ... 

Is there a way to know in Powerhouse (or through an operating system
variable?), that will say the pass that is currently running has these
so-and-so indexes in the database? I was thinking that without changing
the QUIZ reports, I could just change a few of the USE files, that ask
for the date range, to have the smarts to be able to strip off the
CHOOSE statement at the end of the use file. If I had some sort of
indicator to say "this current pass DOES HAVE the invoiced_date as an
index", then I could program in the USE file to re-create the same .TXT
file without the CHOOSE in it. It will keep changes within the USE file
and then I don't have to change each and every report to remove the last
line in the TXT file.

A sample TXT file is like this ... 

define c_date_start date century included = 20060601 
define c_date_end  date century included = 20060630 
choose invoiced_date 20060601 to 20060630 


Any ideas on this guys? 

Thanks 

Fernando Olmos 
MIS 
Senior Analyst Programmer 

HPA
Direct:  03 9217 5411
Mobile: 0410 382 857
Fax:     03 9217 5716 

 <file:///H:/Appdata/Microsoft/Signatures/www.hpa.com.au> www.hpa.com.au



**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The contents of this e-mail and its attachments are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.  If
you received this e-mail in error, please notify the HPA Postmaster, postmaster at hpa.com.au,
then delete  the e-mail.
This footnote also confirms that this e-mail message has been swept for the
presence of computer viruses by Ironport. Before opening or using any
attachments, check them for viruses and defects.
Our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments.
HPA collects personal information to provide and market our services. For more
information about use, disclosure and access see our Privacy Policy at
www.hpa.com.au
**********************************************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.sowder.com/pipermail/powerh-l/attachments/20060721/33f9ad55/attachment.html