Q114702: How to Use the LIKE and EXCEPT Clauses

Article: Q114702
Product(s): Microsoft FoxPro
Version(s): MS-DOS:2.6; WINDOWS:2.6,3.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 10-FEB-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0 
- Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, version 2.6 
- Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, version 2.6 
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SUMMARY
=======

In FoxPro 2.6, the number of commands that can accept a LIKE or EXCEPT clause
has been increased. This article explains the functionality of the LIKE and
EXCEPT clauses, and lists some of the commands that do or do not accept the new
LIKE/EXCEPT clauses.

MORE INFORMATION
================

You can use the following commands to create a database so that you can test the
examples listed below:

     CREATE TABLE test ;
     (afld  C(5), ;
     bfld  C(5), ;
     cfld  C(5), ;
     dfld1 C(5), ;
     dfld2 C(5), ;
     xfyd  C(5))

     INSERT INTO test ;
     (afld,  ;
     bfld,  ;
     cfld,  ;
     dfld1, ;
     dfld2, ;
     xfyd ) ;
     VALUES ;
     ('afld',  ;
     'bfld',  ;
     'cfld',  ;
     'dfld1', ;
     'dfld2', ;
     'xfyd' )

When you are using a LIKE or EXCEPT clause, you can specify a list of fields. For
example, using the table created above, the following commands would set fields
to "afld" and "bfld":

     SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE a*, b*
     LIST

The following commands, demonstrating the EXCEPT clause, would set fields to
"bfld" and "cfld":

     SET FIELDS TO ALL EXCEPT d*, a*
     LIST

You can also use LIKE and EXCEPT together. For example, the following commands
would set fields to only "dfld1":

     SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE d* EXCEPT dfld2
     LIST

The above statement would include all fields beginning with "d" (dfld1 and
dfld2), but would then exclude all fields named "dfld2", which leaves "dfld1".


You cannot specify a traditional field list when using LIKE or EXCEPT. For
example, the following commands would set fields to "afld" and "bfld" but not
"xfyd":

     SET FIELDS TO afld,bfld ALL LIKE x*

Only one LIKE clause and/or EXCEPT clause can be specified. A second instance of
these clauses will be ignored. For example, the following statement will set
fields to "dfld1". The "LIKE x*" portion of the command is ignored.

     SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE d* EXCEPT dfld2* LIKE x*

You can also specify all fields that contain the specified text. For example,
this command would set fields to "xfyd":

     SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE *y*

Of those commands that accept a field list, the commands that now accept LIKE and
EXCEPT clauses include:

  APPEND FROM ARRAY
  BLANK
  COPY STRUCTURE
  COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED
  COPY TO
  COPY TO ARRAY
  DISPLAY
  EXPORT
  GATHER
  REPLACE FROM ARRAY
  SCATTER
  SET FIELDS
  SORT

Of those commands that accept a field list, the commands that do not accept the
LIKE/EXCEPT clauses include:

  APPEND FROM
  BROWSE
  CHANGE
  CREATE REPORT - Quick Report
  CREATE SCREEN - Quick Screen
  DISPLAY MEMO
  EDIT
  JOIN
  LIST
  SET CARRY
  TOTAL


Additional query words: VFoxWin FoxDos FoxWin

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbFoxproSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbFoxPro260DOS kbFoxPro260 kbVFP300
Version           : MS-DOS:2.6; WINDOWS:2.6,3.0

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