KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q166936: PRB: Letters A through J and M Invalid Object Variable Names

Article: Q166936
Product(s): Microsoft FoxPro
Version(s): MACINTOSH:3.0b; WINDOWS:3.0,3.0b,5.0,5.0a,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbprogramming kbHWMAC kbvfp kbvfp300 kbvfp500 kbvfp600
Last Modified: 11-DEC-1999

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

- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0, 3.0b, 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

The following error occurs when trying to access the properties of an object
that is named by a single character from A through J, or M:

  Variable '<variablename>' not found.

CAUSE
=====

The letters A through J are reserved by Visual FoxPro to reference workspace
names. The letter M is reserved for backward compatibility with the SCATTER and
GATHER commands.

RESOLUTION
==========

Do not name object variables by the single characters from A through J or M.

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

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

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

1. Create a form.

2. Place a command button on the form.

3. In the Click event of the command button, place the following code:

        C=THISFORM
        WAIT WINDOW C.NAME

  When this code is run, it produces this error:

  Variable 'NAME' Not Found

If you need to use one of these letters as an object variable, use the following
method to return the value of a property. This does not allow the setting of
properties, nor does it expose any methods of the object.

        C="THISFORM"
        WAIT WINDOW EVALUATE(C+".NAME")

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbprogramming kbHWMAC kbvfp kbvfp300 kbvfp500 kbvfp600 
Technology        : kbHWMAC kbOSMAC kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVFP300bMac kbVFP300 kbVFP300b kbVFP500 kbVFP600 kbVFP500a
Version           : MACINTOSH:3.0b; WINDOWS:3.0,3.0b,5.0,5.0a,6.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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

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.