mw4g+@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Wagner) (02/14/91)
I have several questions regarding the use of Fourth Dimension. First, however, is this the best BB for this topic? Question 1: I want to use external procedures. Does one absolutelty need to purchase the 4D externals package to do this, or can one simply place an XFCN type code resource into the resource fork of 4D and then call it by name from within 4D? Question 2: I want to use scrollable boxes as an input device for the construction of queries. This contrasts with their usual use as a data entry mechanism. Ideally, I would like to be able to multiple select in the scrollable objects but so far can only single select: I don't think this is possible. Is it? Another problem that I am having with the scrollable objects is that they are inactive when the layout first comes up. I have to manually select "add new record" from a menu in order to activate the objects. I discovered this empirically and I have some theories as to what is going on (that the boxes can only be used for data entry) but would appreciate an explanation and a solution.
emmayche@dhw68k.cts.com (Mark Hartman) (02/17/91)
In article <YbiLi1m00Vp2MBXURW@andrew.cmu.edu>, mw4g+@andrew.cmu.edu (Michael Wagner) writes: >First, however, is this the best BB for this topic? It could be taken to a database-oriented newsgroup [nb: these are NOT "bulletin boards"; they are "newsgroups"], but this one will work fine. >Question 1: I want to use external procedures. Does one absolutelty >need to purchase the 4D externals package to do this, or can one simply >place an XFCN type code resource into the resource fork of 4D and >then call it by name from within 4D? 4D has no idea what an XCMD or XFCN from HyperCard is. You have to use their (weird) format. You don't have to buy the kit; you could hire someone who already knows it to build the external(s) for you (hint, hint). >Question 2: I want to use scrollable boxes as an input device >for the construction of queries. This contrasts with their usual use as >a data entry mechanism. Ideally, I would like to be able to multiple >select in the scrollable objects but so far can only single select: I >don't think this is possible. Is it? Right - only single-select is possible for scrolling areas. 4D has no way to indicate to the database that more than one item is selected. However, I think I know what you want to do, and it's possible to do. Check out "grouped scrollable areas" and think check-mark. (More hints available via e-mail.) > Another problem that I am having with the scrollable objects is that >they are inactive when the layout first comes up. I have to manually >select "add new record" from a menu in order to activate the objects. >I discovered this empirically and I have some theories as to what is >going on (that the boxes can only be used for data entry) but would >appreciate an explanation and a solution. This isn't real clear to me. If you want to activate a scrolling included- file area, just use CREATE RECORD to start the new records, then GOTO AREA to move the cursor into the area. If this doesn't help, e-mail me and I'll try to give some more help. Best of luck, mh -- Mark Hartman, N6BMO "What are you just standing there for? Where Applelink: N1083 or BINARY.TREE do you think you are, DIS-ney World??" Internet: emmayche@dhw68k.cts.com -- General Knowledge, from uucp: ...{spsd,zardoz,felix}!dhw68k!emmayche CRANIUM COMMAND