Function Executor Tasks

Function Executor Tasks

Function Executor tasks are grouped into the following categories:

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Starting Function Executor Tasks

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Performing Operations Tasks

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Opening a File Tasks

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Creating a Btrieve File Tasks

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Starting Function Executor Tasks

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To start the Function Executor utility

1

Access Function Executor from the operating system Start menu or Apps screen or from the Tools menu in PSQL Control Center.

2

The main window (Figure 12) appears.

Figure 12 Function Executor Main Window

Performing Operations Tasks

Because Btrieve provides many operations, this chapter cannot explain them all. The following sections discuss some common operations as well as some new ways of performing them with the Function Executor.

Note: Selecting options from all menus performs the intended operation immediately. It does not fill in the grid and wait for you to execute the command as in previous versions. Also, closing the form closes each open file. No longer do you need to manually perform the close operation.

General Operations-Related Tasks

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To get help for a status code

For other tasks, see these sections:

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Opening a File Tasks

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Creating a Btrieve File Tasks

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To get help for a status code

1

When a status code is received using Function Executor, it is displayed on the status bar of the open file.

Move your mouse so it hovers over the status code that is displayed in red.

Figure 13 Status Code Received

2

If you click the status code indicator, the full documentation for the status code is displayed as shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14 Status Code Documentation

Opening a File Tasks

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To open a data file with Function Executor

1

From the File menu, select Open. The following dialog box appears:

Figure 15 Open Btrieve File Dialog Box

Note: Client ID: If you have Use disabled, Function Executor will use a BTRV() function call. If Use is enabled, it will use a BTRVID() function call for each operation you execute on this file. With Auto enabled, Function Executor will generate a client ID for you. If you have Auto disabled, then you may enter values manually.

2

Click Browse.

3

Double-click the desired file name.

Other Ways to Open a File with Function Executor

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You can drag a file from Windows Explorer into the Open dialog box. This step fills in the file name for you.

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You can drag one or more files into the main window.

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After opening a file to display the editor window, you can use the OpCode 0 to open another file. The file appears in a new window.

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You can run Function Executor from a command prompt and specify a list of file names to open. For example:

WBExec32 person.mkd billing.mkd

You can even use wildcard characters:

Also, in Windows you can associate files with .btr, .dat, .mkd, or any other extension with Function Executor. Then when you double-click the file in Windows Explorer, Function Executor opens it.

Creating a Btrieve File Tasks

There are two options in creating a Btrieve file with Function Executor. If a file is already open, you can clone it. Otherwise, you can start from scratch.

Caution: The Btrieve engine uses file names in ways that ignore extensions. Because of this, no two files in the same directory should share a file name and differ only in their file name extension. For example, do not name one data file invoice.btr and another invoice.mkd.

Method 1: Using a current file as a template

1

From the File menu, select New. The following dialog box will appear:

Figure 16 Modify File Definition Dialog Box

2

You can manipulate keys from this dialog box as well. You can Add, Create, or Insert Segments from the Key menu. You can also save the new file as a description for use with BUtil create. Select Save As Desc and indicate the name and location where you would like the file saved.

3

To create the file, click Create. This will open the file and display a message indicating success.

Method 2: Creating a new file from scratch

1

Click the Create icon on the main toolbar; or, if no file is open yet, you may click File and then New, as before.

2

If a file is already open on screen, a drop down box will appear. Choose Create New File from Scratch.

3

The same dialog box as before will appear, but it will be blank - allowing you to input brand new values.

4

Start by adding a new Key using the Key menu, or press Ctrl-A.

5

Fill in the attributes for the key in the lower section of the dialog box.

6

Continue adding or removing new keys and segments as desired, using the menus or right-clicking the key in the list.

7

Now click the Create button to execute the B_Create (14) operation. This will automatically open the file on screen as well.

The following tasks are related to the History feature:

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To display the History window

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To toggle the docking status of the History window

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To toggle the Always On Top status of the History window

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To reset the History window to default settings

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To display the History window

1

Click View > History or click the History button.

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To toggle the docking status of the History window

1

If the History window is not visible, display it. (see To display the History window).

2

In the history items window, right-click the display and check or clear the Docked option as shown in the following figure:

Figure 17 Undocking the History window

When docked, the History window is connected to the application window as shown in Figure 17. When not docked, the History window is a distinct window. When undocked, the History window has menu items that duplicate the commands seen from the right-click menu in Figure 17.

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To toggle the Always On Top status of the History window

1

If the History window is not visible, display it (see To display the History window).

2

This feature only applies to the History window when it is in the undocked state (see To toggle the docking status of the History window).

3

In the history items window, right-click the display and check or clear the Stays On Top selection.

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To reset the History window to default settings

1

If the History window is not visible, display it (see To display the History window).

2

In the history items window, right-click the display and select Settings > Defaults.