Q90026: FoxView Memo Field Limitations

Article: Q90026
Product(s): Microsoft Fox Miscellaneous Products
Version(s): MS-DOS:2.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 23-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft FoxBASE+ for MS-DOS, version 2.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

FoxView memo fields have four major limitations, as follows:

1. The user cannot enter a memo field (using the CTRL+HOME or CTRL+PAGE DOWN key
  combinations) from an @ GET <memofieldname> statement, or from a format
  file with an @ GET <memofieldname> and a READ statement.

2. An application cannot display a memo field using an @ SAY
  <memofieldname> statement. An application must use the REPORT FORM and
  ? commands to display memo field contents.

3. The PACK command does not pack the .DBT file. Only the COPY TO command packs
  the .DBT file.

4. The COPY TO DELIMITED or COPY TO SDF files create an ASCII file with the text
  from a database. However, the text from memo fields is not included in the
  file. The only method of copying memo field data to a text file is as
  follows:

   - SET ALTERNATE TO <textfile>

   - Use the REPORT FORM or ? commands to copy the contents of the memo fields
     into the file.

  The following sample code copies data from a memo field into the JUNK.TXT
  file:

        SET ALTERNATE TO JUNK.TXT
        SET ALTERNATE ON
        USE <DATABASEFILE>
        GO TOP
        DO WHILE NOT EOF()
           ? <MEMOFIELDNAME>
           SKIP
        ENDDO
        CLOSE ALL
        SET ALTERNATE OFF

The following steps demonstrate one method of copying the data from a memo field
into an application generated by FoxView. This method is limited because the
control of screen formatting and color is lost. (Paging, FIND, GOTO, LOCATE, and
so on are examples of screen formatting.) FoxBASE+ ignores SET COLOR statements
in a format file.

1. Create a format file similar to the following:

     * FILENAME.FMT
     @ 0,0 SAY "Record: SUBSTR(STR(RECNO()+1000000,7),2)
     @ 20,0 SAY Promptbar
     *  ---- DISPLAY memo field labels and field names.
     @ 2,0 SAY "Enter memo1"
     @ 3,0 SAY "Enter memo2"
     @ 2,12 GET Memofield1
     @ 3,12 GET Memofield2
     @ 21,0 SAY "Press CTRL+HOME to Enter MEMO or CTRL+END Exit MEMO")
     * EOF: FILENAME.FMT

2. In the APPEND subprogram, modify the code segment that displays the APPEND
  prompt to include a memo prompt and an additional CASE segment to implement
  the menu option, as follows:

     @ row,0 SAY "APPEND: (Return)-add Memo  Edit  Finished"
     DO GetKey WITH choice,"MEF",Returnkey

     CASE choice="M"
        *   ----- Append memo data by using Format File and EDIT.
        recnum = RECNO()
        SET SCOREBOARD ON
        *   ---- Replace <Fmtfile> with Format File name.
        SET FORMAT TO Fmtfile
        EDIT recnum
        CLOSE FORMAT
        SET SCOREBOARD OFF
        GOTO recnum
        DO TEST_FORM
        DO SayRec
     CASE ...

3. Modify the EDIT subprogram to include a MEMO prompt and an additional CASE
  segment to run the menu option in the Edit/View menu, as follows:

     @ row+1,2 SAY "    Memo  Next  Previous  <Return>"
     @ row,0 SAY "EDIT/VIEW:  Edit  Find  Goto  Locate  <Del>"
     DO GetKey with editchoice, "EFGLMNP"+DelRecord+Returnkey

     CASE editchoice ="M"
        *   ---- Edit memo field using format file and EDIT.
        oldrecnum = RECNO()
        SET SCOREBOARD ON
        *   ---- Replace <Fmtfile> with format file name.
        SET FORMAT TO Fmtfile
        EDIT
        CLOSE FORMAT
        SET SCOREBOARD OFF
        GOTO oldrecnum
        DO TEST_FORM
        Do SayRec
     CASE...
     ENDCASE

Reference(s):

"FoxView-FoxCode-FoxDoc," pages 13.5-13.6

Additional query words: 2.00 memo limitations fox view base

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbFoxproSearch kbFoxBASE210DOS kbFoxBASESearch
Version           : MS-DOS:2.1

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.