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Q157188: PRB: String Functions Cannot Be Used with SQL ORDER BY Clause

Article: Q157188
Product(s): Microsoft FoxPro
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0b,5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbvfp300 kbvfp500 kbvfp600
Last Modified: 11-DEC-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0, 3.0b, 5.0, 6.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

String functions such as LEFT(), RIGHT(), and SUBSTR() cannot be used with the
ORDER BY clause of the SQL - SELECT statement. Doing so results in the following
error message:

  SQL Column '' is not found

CAUSE
=====

ORDER BY supports only columns either by name or number, it does not support any
other expressions.

WORKAROUND
==========

Create a dummy column using the string function and then order by that column,
as in the following example:

     SELECT *,LEFT(Prod_name,5) AS x FROM PRODUCTS ORDER BY x

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

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

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
---------------------------

1. Open Testdata database in the HOME()+"Samples\Data\" directory, for Visual
  FoxPro 6.0 goes to \\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio
  \Common\Samples\Data.

2. Issue the following command:

        SELECT * FROM Products ORDER BY LEFT(Prod_name,5)

Additional query words: kbdse VFoxWin

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbvfp300 kbvfp500 kbvfp600 
Technology        : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVFP300 kbVFP300b kbVFP500 kbVFP600
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0b,5.0,6.0

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