QSELECT
Generates a select list from the attributes of specified items.
Syntax
QSELECT {file-specifier} {item-list} {(n}
Syntax Elements
file-specifier Specifies a file as defined in General Conventions.
item-list A list of item-ids or an asterisk (*) for all items, or can be omitted if provided by an active list from a preceding list-generating command (but see Prompt below).
n The number of an attribute from which the list is to be generated. Each value and subvalue in this attribute becomes an attribute in the generated list.
If n is not specified, all attributes from each specified item are copied unchanged to the list. Values and subvalues do not become separate attributes.
Prompt
If you enter the command without specifying an item-list, the processor prompts:
ITEM ID:
Type the name of the item and press RETURN.
Note
This behaviour can be changed by setting the DEFAULT.TO.ALL environment option.
Error Messages
If you do not enter a file name, the processor displays:
[200] FILE NAME?
If you enter an invalid file name, the processor displays:
[201] 'file-name' IS NOT A FILE NAME
After an error message, control returns to TCL.
Comment
QSELECT is similar in function to the FORM-LIST command. However, FORM-LIST creates a list from the attributes of one item; QSELECT creates a list from many items.
Example
:QSELECT GUESTS * (5
24 ITEMS SELECTED.
:SAVE-LIST CITYLIST
:SORT-LIST CITYLIST
In the GUESTS file, attribute 5 of each item contains the city of each guest. The following commands create a list of these cities, save the list under the name CITYLIST, and sort the list.