FORM-LIST

Generates a select list from the attributes in a specified item.

Syntax

FORM-LIST file-specifier item-id {(n}

Syntax Elements

file-specifier as defined in General Conventions.

item-id is the name of the item.

Option

n is the number of the attribute from which the list is to start. It must be preceded by an open parenthesis. The default is attribute 1 if n is omitted.

Prompt

If you enter the command without specifying an item-id, the processor prompts:

ITEM ID:

Type the name of the item and press RETURN.

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.

Comments

FORM-LIST is similar in function to GET-LIST. However, you can use FORM-LIST directly on any file to form an active list from the attributes of a specified item.

FORM-LIST is generally used to create a select list from a list of item-ids generated by an application program, Proc, or the EDITOR.

Examples

Assume a list of customers selected on the basis of telephone area code was generated by an application program and saved in item AREACODE of file CUSTS. The item-ids in the original file are made up of a customer number with a suffix for the state where the customer resides.

Example 1

:FORM-LIST CUSTS

ITEM ID: AREACODE

55   ITEMS SELECTED.

>

A select list is generated from the contents of all the attributes in the item AREACODE.

Example 2

In this example item-ids in attributes 54 and 55 of the item AREACODE are selected and the associated items are displayed by use of the COPY command.

:FORM-LIST CUSTS AREACODE (54
2   ITEMS SELECTED.
>COPY CUSTS
TO: <Return>
     1234-CA
001  CANTRELL, INC.
002  3004 MAGNOLIA
003  SANTA ANA, CA 92712
004  714-555-6000
     9789-CA
001  BROWN TOOLS, INC.
002  34 MAIN ST.
003  ANAHEIM, CA 92722
004  714-555-6666