file

Macro Command Help

FILE

Macro Command Name	Menu Path	Link to Command Table
FILE	Access via macro or menu only	Click here

Introduction
Notes
Example
Errors

Introduction

Detects the existence of a database file from within a menu or macro, and, optionally, the number of records in the file.

How to use

The format is:-

!FILE <var1>=<filename>,<var2>=recs

where	<var1>	is a substitution variable.
	<filename>	is the name of the database file.
	<var2>	is a second substitution variable.

Note that the name recs is not checked; any name following the = is permitted. The structure is defined for consistency, and to allow future extension of the format.

The variable <var1> will be set to 0 if the file does not exist, or there is a file read error, or the file has no read access for the current usercode. If the file exists, the Data Definition can be read, and read permission is granted, <var1> becomes 1.

The optional variable <var2> will be set to the number of records in the file. This will be zero if <var1> is zero.

Notes

A message will be sent to the display if the file does not exist, or read permission is denied, or there is a read error or any of the specified fields do not exist.

Example

1.	Check that the file COLLARS exists and set the variable $recs# to the number of records in the file.
	!FILE $exist#=COLLARS, $recs#=RECS

Error and Warning Messages

Message

Description

Solution

>>> !FILE: SUBSTITUTION VARIABLE OR FILE NAME OR RECS MISSING or 8 CHARACTERS <<<

>>> ERR 89 <<< ( 0) IN MACGET

The command is malformed. Fatal; the macro or menu is cancelled.

Check the command syntax.