20. Writing 4GL Statements : Built-In Frames and Procedures
 
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Built-In Frames and Procedures
You can perform a simple function or return a value in expressions by calling built-in frames and procedures with 4GL code. Built-in frames and procedures provide new features for your application without requiring new 4GL syntax or statements. You can override them with your own frames and procedures with the same names.
The following list briefly describes the 4GL built-in frames and procedures. For more information, see the name of each frame or procedure in 4GL Statement Glossary.
ArrayAllRows()
Returns the total number of records in an array, including those marked deleted
ArrayClear()
Removes all records from an array, including any set to be deleted
ArrayInsertRow()
Inserts a record into an array at the record number you specify. The procedure renumbers the record that previously was at that position and the records that follow it.
ArrayFirstRow()
Returns the number of the first deleted row in an array
ArrayLastRow()
Returns the number of undeleted records in an array
ArrayRemoveRow()
Permanently removes a specified record from an array
ArraySetRowDeleted()
Marks the specified record of an array as deleted
Beep()
Beeps or rings the terminal bell if the terminal has one (some terminals flash the screen instead of beeping). It accepts no parameters.
CommandLineParameters()
Lets you retrieve into an application values that the user has entered on the command line when starting the application. The look_up() frame displays a pop-up frame with values from which the user can select to enter into a form field. These values can be based on a database table or an array.
Find_record()
Prompts the user for a value and searches for it in a table field column. Find_record() accepts keyword parameters to specify the form, table field, column, and an optional search value, or prompts for the search value.
Help_field()
Provides help on a field through the Field menu item of the help_forms statement submenu. The procedure does not accept parameters.
Sequence_value()
Returns a new sequence value (or range) for a database column. The sequence_value() function is a positive integer that is automatically incremented whenever a value is fetched. You can use the sequence value as a surrogate key assigned to a row of a relation, or as a join attribute between relations.