database structures

[Joshua Morgan]

Mr. Appell -

At the risk of asking a very complicated question, I'm wondering if you have any resource on using the database structures? I realize the list is in the help file, and I've managed to utilize that but what trips me up is the command or marker or whatever: for example: trim, dtoc, str, val, mdy, alltrim, etc. in the fromat of trim(card.first), etc.

I've figured that one uses trim to access character and memo types and dtoc for date types and str for integers and math functions, and val converts from a character string to a math value, etc.

I personally find the database structures the most useful part of the command system, but I run into limits of my knowledge about the system constantly. I was wondering if you had a list of all the commands like trim, dtoc, etc, or at least the most common ones, and if you could make it public?

By the way...is the database system related to dBase's SQL? They seem similar to me. But I know neither very well.

Thank you yet again for your continuing support!

Joshua Morgan

[Michael Appell]

1. At the risk of asking a very complicated question, I'm wondering if you have any resource on using the database structures?

Yes - there are "tons" of resources. First, I have to say, you must really be automating your form letters quite extensively with all these commands. I hope your staff is satisfied with flexibility A1-Law provides for designing and automating form letters.

2. but what trips me up is the command or marker or whatever: for example: trim, dtoc, str, val, mdy, alltrim, etc. in the fromat of trim(card.first), etc.

It sounds like you are starting to get the hang of it. Just remember that since you are working with form letters, everything must be converted back to "character format" for automatic insertion in the form letter. In fact, you (as well as others who access this support forum) probably are getting more out of the system than most.

3. I personally find the database structures the most useful part of the command system, but I run into limits of my knowledge about the system constantly.

In this context, I'm assuming you are mainly referring to your limits when designing form letters and not other aspects of the system.

4. I was wondering if you had a list of all the commands like trim, dtoc, etc, or at least the most common ones, and if you could make it public?

I'm more than happy to make it public (in fact - it already is and has always been). The command = code as you know is what accesses the "deeper" functions in A1-Law. Actually, it accesses the functions within the compiler.

Let's first look at how you may get your questions answered -

A. Please note the Search link at the top of this web pages. Since someone "may" have already asked a question that you or another may intend to post on this site, it may have already been answered. You may search this forum for "key words" in your question. Then, you get an answer immediately by reading someone else's question and the replies on this forum to that question.

B. Just make your post right here. That will probably be a lot faster than trying to read through hundreds of commands and functions. I love responding so that everyone else may benefit since others may at some point try and do what you are doing. They too may then search the forum at some point in the future and see your post. So, everyone learns from everyone else.

C. On the other hand, if you like to read and prefer to "hunt them out" and explore all of them yourself, then the following link at Microsoft may be of interest to you: