User Manual - Version 1.1
Contents
1. Because the QE ADD CHOICE LIST method adds the list information directly to the QE_Data table it is only necessary to assign lists to a field one time Localization DataStrike Localization For the purpose of customizing or localizing DataStrike specific application strings contain string values which are retrieved from the STR resource type within your 4D database Structure Within the STR resource type DataStrike uses resource ID numbers 27501 27502 and 27503 These resource ID s are specific to DataStrike and reference to them is made in the 4D Method named QE PREFERENCES Ce liol Ooo ogg Ooo ogg GRP 404D AD ao A ICN CEEA E EET Ci i bo DD ede ead IN4C Figure 4 Language Localization If you must change any of the text strings or localize them to a language other than English make the appropriate modifications with ResEdit to the 27501 27503 STR resources in your 4D application If these string resources are in conflict with a resource numbering system currently in use it will be necessary for you to copy the 27501 27503 resource numbers into other numbers within the STR resource Any resource numbering changes must then also be made to the QE PREFERENCES method in your 4D application please see code snippet below Upon request Soft Solutions can provide a complete list of the strings contained within the 27501 27503 resource types OQEkl_EditorForm 275012. When this dialog appears it means the QE UPDATE DATA method did not complete successfully and will need to be rerun Before rerunning QE UPDATE DATA it is recommended and required that the 4D Developer sever those relational links which are not needed for searching As a developer you will probably want to copy the descriptive information contents to the clipboard by clicking on the Copy to ClipBoard button This is important so you can determine how to proceed DataStrike cannot make this decision for you because it requires an understanding of how your database is to be used Once you determine which path s are unwanted you can call the DataStrike project method QEs_ExcludeLinks to sever the unwanted link s To sever a relational link without altering the AD structure QEs_ExcludeLinks requires one parameter which is either a pointer to a field name or a pointer to a table name The purpose of the QEs_ExcludeLinks is to designate those tables fields which will not be used in construction of relational paths Because DataStrike will only display an unsupported complex path one at a time it will be necessary to rerun the QE UPDATE DATA method If the QE UPDATE DATA method encounters an additional complex path the process just described will occur again When passing a field name pointer the field must be a related many link from the Many table or a pointer to a table E Severing a Many table link Ex
3. JateStrike The Search is Over User Manual Version 1 1 solutions Results Through Focused Technology trike The Search is Over DataStrike 1992 1998 Soft Solutions Inc All Rights Reserved Published World Wide by Soft Solutions Inc solutions Soft Solutions Inc 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road Building 12 Suite 200 Atlanta GA 30341 USA Web address www softsinc com Product sales e mail sales softsinc com Product Support e mail support softsinc com Written by Bob Keleher Concept amp Design Tim Haratine Software License and Limited Warranty DataStrike Customers IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USING By installing this software program you indicate your accep tance of the following Soft Solutions Inc License Agreement Software License and Limited Warranty Agreement This is a legal agreement between you the end user and Soft Solutions Inc By licensing this package you are agreeing to be bound to the terms of this agreement If you do not agree to the to the terms of this agreement promptly return all program materi als including written materials and binders or other containers to the place you obtained them for a full refund Soft Solutions Inc Software License 1 GRANT OF LICENSE Soft Solutions grants to you the right to use one development copy of the enclosed Soft Solutions soft ware program the SOFTWARE on a single terminal con nected to a sin
4. text for Query Editor form OQEkl_OtherForms 27502 text for other forms OQEkI_MethodStrings 27503 text for method strings Figure 5 below shows the Resource ID s the 4D developer will see within Resedit STR s from DataStrike ID Size Marne 2o50 465 27502 626 Other Forms 27503 oF Method Forms Figure 5 DataStrike STR Resources Localization Double click in the 27501 Resource ID to look at the resource strings used within the DataStrike Query Editor O STR Query Editor Form ID 27501 from DataStrike Humotrings 8 1 dott The string Query itor Sy yekoodok The string 9 fekoodok The string EELEE E The string By tokio Figure 6 27501 DataStrike Query Editor Resource Strings Now double click in the 27502 Resource ID to look at the resource strings used within the associated forms and dialogs used by the DataStrike Query engine see Figure 7 below UH STR Other Forms ID 27502 from Datastrike Ll Humstrings J DELE EE The string AMEE EE S The string FI kkk The string Saye path with filter TEELE E E The string k TEELEEE Figure 7 27502 Resource Strings used Within Other DataStrike Forms Last double click in the 27503 Resource ID to look at the resource strings used within DataStrike Query engine methods see Figure 8 below Unlike Resource s 27501 and 27502 the 27503 resources are n
5. OQEk1_EditorForm 1 gt QE_Arg_at_Display Object Font Style Show Format Show Resource Show eae QEKI_EditorForm QEkI_EditorForm E_as31_TableName ae QE_as2 _CompareText QE_at_FieldName OQEkI_EditorForm 6 T To z Eee Figure 11 Form Design Show Name 13 Using DataStrike Using DataStrike The DataStrike Query Editor The End User is presented with the DataStrike Query Editor shown in Figure 12 below when no Query Filters exist or when they select a filter and click the Edit button Query Editor o Computer Science Classes ClassName is equal to Fortran Professors Subjects taught Subject is equal to Power Marketing Available fields LELI Comparisons is greater than or equal to is less than iz less than or equal to does not contain Create Group Clear Atl J Delete Line Add Line Query Options Filter fe elele 2 2 gt Mktg Majors Fortrans Mktg Profs Figure 12 The DataStrike Query Editor The DataStrike Query Editor has a simple appearance similar to the 4th Dimension version 6 Query Editor Beyond the similarity in appearance the overall query capabilities are distinct Developers or End users can copy the current Query all argument lines to the Clipboard by depressing Control C on Windows machines or Command C on the Macintosh Values displayed in the query lines are immediately updated as values are typed in This process is auto
6. a permanent part of the Query Filter The Save Path checkbox Sawe path with filter Marketing Majors taking Fortran Figure 34 Electing to save a Specific Path within a Query Filter If a User changes their mind on the path of an existing Query and elects to change the path they can simply hold the option key down and the Circular Path dialog reappears 21 Circular Relationships Circular Relationships 28 In a 4th Dimension database linked lines are drawn between one or more tables to specify a relationship between two tables These relations allow the 4D developer to take advantage of AD included forms simplified cross table searching and other various tools within 4D s various Editors When table relations become complicated the 4D developer must tackle various issues such as the correct managing of selections within both the current and related tables When one 4D table has two or more paths to another 4D table the table relationship is referred to as a circular path DataStrike will handle up to two simple non adjacent circular paths that don t involve subtables In certain instances circular paths are justifiable in the design of a database design In version 1 1 DataStrike supports up to 2 circular or multiple paths for any table This section is intended to be a primer for 4D developers unfamiliar with circular table relationships as well as a guide for handling potential ins
7. see 12 The Show Format menuitem in Figure 9 below displays the QE_Data QueryEditor form variables displaying the actual resource name and number QEk1_EditorForm t EJ t Editor QE_Arg_atDisplay JUJAS Font Style Shou Format bb gt QEkI_EditorForm OQEkI_EditorForm Show Resource tgE as51 TableHame E QE_as2T CompareText Show Name fF wee E_at_FieldName OQEkI_EditorForm 6 ee eee tala lt l_EditorFor lt l_EditorFor Figure 9 Form Design Show Format The Show Resources menuitem in Figure 10 below displays the QE_Data QueryEditor form variables after reconciling the actual resource name If you are translating or customizing resources this is how you would audit any changes to ensure they display correctly Query Editor QE_ rgeatDisplay Witte Font Style Show Format Available fields gt Comparisons PAARE SUCE eE E show Name QE_at_FieldName 2 Filter alle cancel Query Figure 10 Form Design Show Resource Localization The Show Name menuitem in Figure 11 displays QE_Data QueryEditor form variables with the actual resource name For example 0QEkI_EditorForm which is assigned the Resource ID of 27501 within QE PREFERENCES is followed by a 1 In other words 27501 1 This tells AD to look in STR 27501 and display item number STR 27501 used is for the Query Editor
8. the field list for the selected table will be redrawn in physical order Using DataStrike Choice Lists Pop up lists appear automatically whenever a User selects a field which has been assigned a pop up list pop up lists are Developer assigned and reflect an existing 4D list assigned to any visible field Sorted lists support User type ahead for fast choice selection The pop up dialog provided within DataStrike allows user directed additions and changes Items in list Major Safety Science Spanish Figure 16 Field Pop up Choice List DataStrike also supports lists assigned to Boolean fields For example in lieu of True or False the User can create and assign a list to a Gender field containing two values of Male or Female Take a look at page 2 of the QE_Data QueryEditor to see how this is done With Boolean fields it is important to only assign two choices to a list Comparison Operators The Comparison Operators area is dynamically built to reflect a valid list of operators based on the field type selected For instance the Contains Comparison Operator is only valid for string or text fields and would not be shown for numeric boolean date or time fields Comparisons is greater than or equal to is less than iz less than or equal to Figure 17 Comparison Operators 17 Using DataStrike 18 Comparison Operators tell the DataStrike Query engine how to que
9. with b nd DOE is greater than 1 o 4 Figure 22 Query Example 1 Notice through the use of the Create Group button how an End User can change the question query by grouping the three 3 arguments differently Query Editor Students DOB is less than 12 25 75 aa Students LastName begins with b 4nd DOB is greater than 1 9 74 Figure 23 Query Example 2 Notice again through the use of the Create Group button how an End User can change the question Query Editor Students DOB is less than 12 25 75 And Lastharme begins with b and Students DOB is greater than 179774 Figure 24 Query Example 3 E Editing Query Arguments Clear All Click this button to clear all query arguments shown in the current query Clear All Figure 25 Clear All Button 21 Using DataStrike Delete Line 22 Click this button to delete the currently selected highlighted argument line shown in the current query Delete Line Figure 26 Delete Line Button Insert Line Click this button to insert a new line in front of the currently selected highlighted argument line Insert Line Figure 27 Insert Line Button Add Line Click this button to add a new line after the currently selected highlighted argument line Add Line Figure 28 Add Line Button Conjunction Operators And Or and Except And Or Except Figure 29 Conjunction Operators To show how Conjunc
10. your specifications Figure 31 The Query Button To execute a Query from the Query Filters Dialog click the Query button when the desired Query Filter is selected highlighted 23 Using DataStrike Query Filters filters for Students filter description Zor more payments made Finds students who hawe made 3 or Flury money amp Schumacher Prof more payments Flury s money amp Prof Flury Marketing Majors taking Fortran Mktg Majors FortrantmMktg Profs Payments 1 2K Donatn 1 7Sk Payments of 1200 or more Professor Schurnacher s Class Sum Pmt Loans Gonatn 1 7 ok testdate Figure 32 The Query Filters Dialog Whenever a User attempts to query a table which has more than one path to the destination table the query becomes confused until the User resolves a circular path Whenever DataStrike encounters this situation the Circular Path dialog box appears Circular Path There are 2 paths leading fram Classes to Students Each may produce different results Please select the ane you want to use Path One Classes Students Class Students E Path Two Classes gt Payments Class Payments Students e i Save path with filter Marketing Majors taking Fortran Figure 33 The Circular Path Dialog 26 Using DataStrike If a Circular Path Query is initiated from a Saved Filter the User can save the path by clicking the Save Path checkbox below and make it
11. ER RESTRICTIONS You may not rent or lease the SOFTWARE but you may transfer the SOFTWARE and accom panying written materials on a permanent basis provided you retain no copies and the recipient agrees to the terms of this Agreement You may not reverse engineer decimalize or decom pile the DataStrike plug in SOFTWARE If SOFTWARE is an update any transfer must include the update and all prior ver sions LIMITED WARRANTY Soft Solutions Inc warrants that a the SOFTWARE will perform substantially in accordance with the accompanying written materials for a period of ninety 90 days from the date of receipt Any implied warranties on the SOFTWARE are limited to ninety 90 days and one 1 year respectively Some states do not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty so the above limitation may not apply to you CUSTOMER REMEDIES Soft Solutions Inc entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be at Soft Solutions option either a return of the price paid or b repair or replacement of the SOFTWARE that does not meet Soft Solutions Limited War ranty and which is returned to Soft Solutions with a copy of your receipt This Limited Warranty is void if failure of the SOFT WARE has resulted from accident abuse or misapplication Any replacement SOFTWARE will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period of thirty 30 days whichever is longer NO OTHER WARRANTIES Soft Solutions disclaims all
12. IG In other words unlike the 4D Query Editor if you can see a table from the DataStrike table pull down menu you can query against 15 Using DataStrike 16 it The table pull down is formatted so the current table is always listed first above the separator line All other related tables either directly or indirectly are shown below the separator line in alphabetical order E Fields Comparison Operators and Values For every Query at least one Query Argument must be specified A Query Argument consists of the field you wish to search on the comparison operator and the Query Value The comparison operator tells 4D how the value will be compared to the field contents Field Selection The Field List initially reflects the fields for the table shown in the pulldown menu Fields are initially shown in their physical database order unless specified differently in the QE PREFERENCES method Clicking on the chart like icon will reorder the fields in alphabetic or physical order Note the Icon button behaves like a toggle and flips the sort order between the two options Figure 15 Field Selection Scrollable Area The first thing you will want to do when creating or building a query is to select a field The field list initially shown see Figure 15 contains fields for the current table Alternatively you can switch tables by selecting the Table pulldown menu and selecting another table After another table is selected
13. U PINTS eneon ecu hv eaceetae a a ecu a ait 20 Editing Query ATS UMC Its 52 cen crouioriaienchaaceeoauinaeecuntwuventhaeds 21 Conjunction Operators And Or and Except cccccccsssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 22 Toe And Comunion irane A 23 Thies OFC OnjMNCUOM gepi a E O 23 Lhe Except COnjunCiOn isien E 24 SDS ONS e a Aa 24 Executing Queries and Query Filters vernicresinosersinaieneciiiniees aiii 25 Cire ai RCIA ONS NDS seke ara ESAE E muav coe nneaeseawasthe 28 Solving Complex Circular Path Problems ccccccccssesseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 30 SeVerine a Many TaDICH Mnk resoneren in rides tected 31 vi Figure 1 Figure References DataStrike Insider Library and 4D Insider 6 0 5 0 ccssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 3 Pisures2 Datastiice Tisi er LA Diary mera te cekcatendea seuss Faaieedaneeeees 3 Fiore o Query Edno r POP UP USS ea O 6 Pieure 4 gt Lameuiag LOCI Zao seues E A eet ea eee te 7 Fiure s DatdSiike STRE RESOURCES oerbron EE E soe ETE teins 7 Figure 6 27501 DataStrike Query Editor Resource Strings ccccecccccsseseeeeeeeeeeeeeaes 8 Figure 7 27502 Resource Strings used Within Other DataStrike Forms 0000 8 Fig re 8 27303 Method Resource SIINE S acuta irae a E a 9 Fieure 9 Forn Desien e Show Format aseron e a A 12 Figure 10 Form Design Show ReSOumCE ssssssssseeeecceeeeccceeeenaaaaeaeeseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 12 Figure 1 Form Desien Show Naim evs cccdice
14. a numeric Function is added Sum Invoice Balance gt 5000 And Count Invoice Balance is greater than or equal to 3 The above query retrieves all Company records whose Invoice Balances are greater than 5000 and which have 3 or more related Invoice records Query Argument Editing Create Group Clear All Delete Line Add Line Figure 20 Argument Editing Buttons E Grouping An essential aspect of DataStrike that provides the power to query across many different tables within the same Query is the Create Group feature DataStrike automatically creates groups whenever a new 4D Table is introduced within a subsequent Query argument line However DataStrike does not automatically group consecutive Query argument lines belonging to the same 4D table The 4D User is permitted to segregate between consecutive same table query argument lines by clicking on the Create Group button Lreate Group Figure 21 Create Group Buttons Once the groups are established the queries can be performed individually and appropriate Set logic can be applied to the resulting record sets These combinations any combination of different related tables conjunctive logic and set manipulation providing a full breadth of query options Using DataStrike For example below is a 3 argument Query where all query arguments are for the Students table Query Editor Students DOB is less than 12 25 75 4nd LastName begins
15. ample QEs_ExcludeLinks gt Table ManyField This Many Table link will be the database field which points directly to the One table key By passing this type of field the link between the two tables will be avoided and the Search Editor will be unaware of the path relationship existing in the 4D structure E Severing a Table Example QEs_ExcludeLinks gt Table Passing a pointer to a table when calling QEs_ExcludeLinks will sever all links to that table Another possible way to avoid problems within DataStrike where 3 or more circular paths exist would be to A Temporarily remove links that create the won t work situations B Run QE UPDATE DATA to build DataStrike mapping records in QE Data table C Replace links removed in step A Alternatively if possible 4D Developers can remove links that create any of the above won t work situations Candidates would be links that are seldom used 31 32 Symbols OQEk1 EditorForm 7 OQEKkI_MethodStrings 7 OQEk1l OtherForms 7 Numerics AD Insider 2 3 A Add Line Button 22 And Conjunction 23 Average 19 C Choice Lists 17 choice lists 6 Circular Path 26 27 Clear All Button 21 Count 20 Create Group 21 D Delete Line Button 22 E Except 24 Except Conjunction 24 F Field Pop up List 17 Field Selection 16 Fields Comparison Operators and Values 16 Figure 13 DataStrike Dialog 15 Figure 14 Table Pulldown Menu 15 Figure 15 Field Selec
16. cases rend nsiruesalecuacisncesea rend eoteeecaacances 13 Figure 12 The DataStrike Query Editor cee eessesssssseeeeeeeeecceeeeeeaaaaeeeseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 14 Figure 13 The DataStrike Query Filters Dialog ce ccccssesseeecceeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeaas 15 Feur late able Pu NGO wt Mi Sissi Sse aiet ee ctae tate iow a cain eoveneesdehiees 15 Figure 15 Field Selection Serolable Aredia bast eve nave T susnwiae esta adenteebers 16 Pieure 16 Field Pop ip Chore List sisssia tet iccotaeessiasne nn somerassshabet icnotaeessaiaath nau ncer ah eebiaaae 17 Pisvie T7 Comparison Op eralOrs teat cseiesaniesiecsuaasadaquesd tanto a anid earioeTecheainee 17 Figure 18 Possible Uses of Function Option cccccceececccecccceceeceeeeeeeseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 18 Figure 19 Foncion Dialog essercene ine en a e a 19 Figure 20 Argument Editing ButtonSs ssesssseeeressssssssscrerssssssseccressssssseccreesssssseeceeessssss 20 Pieure 217E rate a1 Oup Buon s en say satahe toicet syclsas thence eeiterat becet els etaeeesenees 20 Piore 22 OUT YB Xai Ole tel acs Peters hase a ale ceticemucnnin ame neticanddaaiedeehads 21 Proure 232 Query EX ample 2 ae aatach phe seas eaewia pose each pe ee eee eee edeeed ape 21 Proure 24 Query Example 263 aner eats ele aad eee 21 Picure 25 Clear AUB UO m secs SianaracauasSautcieta a a a a a k 21 Foor or Deke Line BUOM meee en et ee Senn ten ere ree eee rte 22 Fizore 2 7 Inser Line Botones a cation ade han
17. egrating DataStrike into Your Database snnneessessseooeersssssssseeeresssssssserresssss 2 COdINS Require Me MS eccere e E 2 Mandatory Developer StePSsenenunsirosae iaa E ane eniieiattai veel 3 1 Move DataStrike Libraries with 4D Insider cc eecececeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 3 Za Seared Wid tal zao seoiid erwseisa secs bsua tine cer ncuccsae silanes va niney Macenceoniiaeds 3 Manual or Automatic Relations cccccccccssssesseeeeeeeeceaeeeneseeeeees 4 S Product Reor that ON a a a 4 4 Providing User Access to the DataStrike Editor ssnnnnoesessseeeeeesssssseee 4 Optional Developer Sie PSren acres etc E ie econ 5 1 Updating the DataStrike table map when structural changes occur 5 2 DataStrike Query Editor pop up list support for database fields 6 Datas tike LOCA 7 AO e a E tose ieee 7 4D s Layout Editor What you will see s ssssnnnessssssssoeersssssssssserssssss 12 Usine ata SIC uinna AE E EOE O 14 The Datastike Query Editor sasenar an E E 14 Loading Editing and Saving Query Filters nnnneseessssooenessssssssserrsssss 15 DataStrike Query Editor Components cccccccccceceeeeesseeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeees 15 The Table Pollo w i Mensen n taken eds 15 Fields Comparison Operators and Values cccccccsssseeeseeeeees 16 The Functions Buti cncssn curries aeons 18 Query ATS EDC acca ccenaterssies ows ied anes auld ecw acta ee eaec ces sans neces 20 CO
18. er defaults Language Resource locations Show Filter Information defaults and link exclusion QE CALL FROM FORM Lets user run edit saved query filters or create new queries QE UPDATE DATA Forces rebuild of QE_Data table amp associated arrays Coding Requirements Installing DataStrike is easy Coding is not required however there are specific requirements related to the proper placement of DataStrike methods and buttons in your 4D Application Four developer steps for completing DataStrike integration are mandatory and several are optional These requirements include moving DataStrike into your database structure via 4D Insider and then some copy and paste steps inside your 4D database Please take time to Installation properly implement the steps in the Mandatory Developer Steps section DataStrike is dependent on these The Optional Developer Steps are also important and may become necessary as your database evolves or if you want to customize your DataStrike implementation Please take a minute to read these sections and learn the steps necessary for your implementation Mandatory Developer Steps 1 Move DataStrike Libraries with 4D Insider a 2 DataStrike library 0 inser 6 00 5 Figure 1 DataStrike Insider Library and 4D Insider 6 0 5 The DataStrike Library was built using 4D Insider v6 0 5 for Macintosh Your first step is to load the DataStrike Insider library and your ta
19. gle computer i e with a single CPU or on a LICENSED COMPUTER NETWORK Each concurrent user of the SOFTWARE must have exclusive access to a Soft Solutions SOFTWARE manual during his her use Soft Solutions Inc as Licensor grants to you the LICENSEE a non exclusive non transferable right to use this Software subject to the terms of the license as described in the following sections A You may make backup copies of the Software for your use provided they bear the Soft Solutions Inc copyright notice B You may use this software in an unlimited number of custom or 4D compiled commercial database applications created by the original licensee No additional product license or royalty is required You are not permitted to sell any 4D source code con taining any portion of DataStrike to another party without first obtaining a Developer license agreement for the intended party 2 COPYRIGHT The SOFTWARE is owned by Soft Solutions or its suppliers and is protected by United States copy right laws and international treaty provisions Therefore you must treat the SOFTWARE like any other copyrighted material e g a book or musical recording except that you may either a make one copy of the SOFTWARE solely for backup or archival purposes or b transfer the SOFTWARE to a single hard disk provided you keep the original solely for backup or archival pur poses You may not copy the written materials accompanying the SOFTWARE 3 OTH
20. ilter has been deleted 9 AND 10 OR 11 EXCEPT 12 and 13 or 14 except 15 FIELD NOT AVAILABLE 16 Count QEe_HandleFx 17 Sorry you can only perform calculations on related many tables 18 This is not a related table 19 This is not a many table 20 Please select a line to edit 21 Function QE HandleFXInCircle 22 to QEe_QueryEditor 23 Query QEs_Build_Comparisons 24 is equal to Max 27 chars 25 is not equal to Max 27 chars 26 is greater than Max 27 chars 2 is greater than or Max 27 chars equal to 28 is less than Max 27 chars 10 Localization Method where first used clots String Comments String 29 is less than or equal Max 27 chars to 30 begins with Max 27 chars 31 contains Max 27 chars 32 does not contain Max 27 chars 33 select a field Max 27 chars 34 Waiting for a filter record 35 Save path with filter 36 Untitled filter 36 Untitled filter 37 Please select a field first 38 My filter default new filter name when saving QE_LockDataRecord 39 Save filter Form CircularPath 40 Replace existing Form FilterLoad 41 Query filters Form QueryEditor 42 Sorry that filter has been deleted QEe_BuildLine 43 And All same length pad with spaces these are all 5 characters long 44 Or All same length pad with spaces these are all 5 characters long 45 Exc All same length pad with spaces these are all 5 characters long QEe_HandleFxInCircle 46 Circular Path 1 Localization 4D s Layout Editor What you will
21. le number field Built from 4D methods the version number helps Soft Solutions understand which version of the program you are using 3 The third record type is for storing Query Filters Each Query Filter record is identifiable by a positive table number in the table number field The Query Filter record type contains the query argument information along with the set selection and path information critical to proper query building and execution Query Filters are created and saved by database end users Whenever the QE UPDATE DATA method is executed existing Query Filters are preserved in the QE_Data table All mapping records however are deleted and rebuilt to fully identify the new structure Installation 2 DataStrike Query Editor pop up list support for database fields DataStrike provides developer assignable choice lists for any database field Items in list Major Figure 3 Query Editor Pop up lists To assign a list to any field call the QE _AssignList method for each field as follows QE ADD CHOICE LIST gt Table1 Fieldname1 Listname1 QE ADD CHOICE LIST gt Table2 Fieldname2 Listname2 These calls should be made at 4D Start up and prior to the loading of the DataStrike Query Editor but after the startup method has been completed To remove a list assigned to a field call the QE _AssignList method for each field as follows QE ADD CHOICE LIST gt Table1 Fieldname1
22. les before considering them related Tables which are related are considered within the same path to one another When the DataStrike Editor is loaded the available table list is loaded This includes the current table along with all other related tables 3 Product Registration The small cross platform DataStrike plug in provided with DataStrike is mandatory as it requires special commands to build the database maps manage subtables and enable developer registration Ensure you place the DataStrike plug in within the appropriate 4D X folder s The QE Register command requires three 3 parameters as follows String QE_Register Developer Mac reg Windows reg Failure to register DataStrike at program start up will disable the remaining DataStrike plug in commands and render the DataStrike Editor unusable 4 Providing User Access to the DataStrike Editor To invoke DataStrike capabilities from any output form copy the button found in the TQE_Data Output Button form to your output form s This button calls the Object method QE_bCallQE Once this button object is placed on your output form the end user can simply click on the button to access the DataStrike Query Editor Installation Optional Developer Steps 1 Updating the DataStrike table map when structural changes occur The QE Data table is where all required database relationships are identified for the
23. matic and takes advantage of new commands in 4th Dimension version 6 14 Using DataStrike Loading Editing and Saving Query Filters Query Filters filters for Students filter description Sor more payments made Find all Marketing Majors who took Flury money amp Schumacher Prot Fortran and who have also taken Flury s money amp Prof Flury Glasses from any Professor who Marketing Majors taking Fortran taught Power Marketing Mktg Majorst FortrantMktg Profs Payments 1 2k Ponatn 1 7 ask Payments of 1200 or more Professor Schumacher s Class Sum Prats Loans Donatn 1 75E testdate Figure 13 The DataStrike Query Filters Dialog To edit an existing filter within the DataStrike Query Editor click on the Load button and select the filter you want loaded The filter will then be loaded and the Query can be Run Alternatively the same Query filter can be edited and saved overwriting the previous version Alternatively it can be saved as a new Query filter by altering the filter name in the filter name dialog There is no practical limit to the number of Query filters a 4D table can have DataStrike Query Editor Components E The Table Pull down Menu Students Classes Donations Keceired Donor Donor Checks Lender Loans By Year Loans Received Payments Payments Class Professors Students Class Figure 14 Table Pulldown Menu The DataStrike table pull down menu is WYSIW
24. ntered Example Sum Invoices BalanceDue gt 5000 Have Account Rep contact them asap Average Used to locate a series of related records whose specified numeric fields have an Average reflective of the comparison operator and value entered Example Average Invoices DaysLate gt 30 Put them on incentive program Min Used to locate a series of related records whose smallest numeric field minimum reflects the comparison operator and value entered Example Min Invoices CurrentBalance 1 Holdover billing until next month Max Used to locate a series of related records whose numeric field Sum reflects the comparison operator and value entered Example Max Invoices OrderTotal gt 10000 Place them on preferred customer list 19 Using DataStrike 20 When selecting the Count function however any field can be chosen because Count is performed at the record level and not at the field level The Count Function counts records whose record count matches the search criteria entered For example In a hypothetical database where a Companies table is a One table and an the Invoice table is a Many table to Companies a 4D User performs the following Query on from the Companies table Count Invoice Balance is greater than or equal to 3 This query retrieves all Company records which have 3 or more related Invoice records Expanding upon this query an additional argument containing
25. ormation on table sizes indices etc A query could likely execute faster if database and table statistics were available Installation Installing DataStrike This section outlines the requirements for copying and integrating the DataStrike Insider Library into an existing 4th Dimension database Integrating DataStrike into Your Database The entire DataStrike Query Engine library consists of 1 4D Table 1 4D cross platform plug in with 5 commands nearly four dozen 4D methods and roughly one dozen 4D forms Prior to moving the DataStrike components into an existing 4D database with 4D Insider you should ensure there are no naming conflicts between DataStrike and the target 4D database Once you have verified no naming conflicts exist or remedied all conflicts all DataStrike objects can be moved into the database via 4D Insider All DataStrike Methods and variables are prefixed with the characters QE There are 5 five 4D methods which have particular importance to developers using DataStrike These methods are shown in the following table Method Name Description QE ADD CHOICE LIST Call this method to assign 4D lists to fields in DataStrike QE ON STARTUP Initializes DataStrike plug in and 0QEiDataBuildNo interprocess variable Important Call from On Startup and from On Server Startup 4D methods QE PREFERENCES Establishes preferences for Circular Path defaults field list sort ord
26. ormational value of your 4D databases With DataStrike dead end queries and labor intensive coding tasks become part of the past Here s why e Because DataStrike is generic it can easily integrate into any 4D database e Because DataStrike queries can be saved at the table level important queries are always a click away e Because DataStrike Saved queries are records developers can conveniently package valuable saved queries to customers e Because DataStrike is optimized for the relational data model 4D queries execute in the shortest possible time e Because DataStrike is steeped in logic multiple argument line queries can be grouped ordered and organized so all legitimate end user questions can be answered e Because DataStrike has built in Set Management and support for up to 255 arguments per query searching is now a one stop proposition e Because DataStrike has a clean intuitive interface end users can get down to work immediately while increasing their productivity and improving their business e Because DataStrike supports circular or multipath relationships your users can always be sure they are getting the correct answer while knowing the precise question they are asking e Because DataStrike gives users access to any of their data your development effort for creating custom queries is finished once DataStrike is installed DataStrike does not currently track statistical inf
27. ot obvious and require some hunting around in various DataStrike methods before learning the details used to build these strings For this reason a detailed table outlining the various strings has been provided following Figure 8 Localization O S STR Method Forms ID 27503 from Datastrike Humotr ings 3 aotodok The string Sorry that field is not available for querying EEEE E The string Waiting for initialization to complete 1 tok The string Sy dotoitok The string Choice list removed fd Figure 8 27503 Method Resource Strings Please review the following table for specific Strings contained within the STR resource type for ID 27503 These strings are contained within various DataStrike methods and forms Their location method or form string number string value and comments are shown in the table Where form references are indicated in column 1 the string is used in an object on the form STR Resource Table 27503 for DataStrike Methods Method where first used he String Comments String QE ADD CHOICE LIST 1 Choice list added 2 Choice list removed 3 Sorry that field is not available for querying QE CALL FROM FORM 4 Waiting for initialization to complete 5 Updating Query Engine information 6 Unable to update the server Try restarting the server 7 Query Filters Dialog title Localization Method where first used coe String Comments String 8 Sorry that f
28. other warranties either express or implied including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the SOFTWARE the accompanying written materials and any accompanying hardware This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights You may have others which vary from state to state NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES In no event shall Soft Solutions or it suppliers be liable for any dam ages whatsoever including without limitation damages for loss of business profits business interruption loss of business infor mation or other pecuniary loss arising out of the use of or inability to use this Soft Solutions product even if Soft Solutions has been advised of the possibility of such damages Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages the above limitation may not apply to you Governing Law This entire agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia DataStrike is a trademark of Soft Solutions Inc Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Inc Ath Dimension 4D Compiler 4D External Mover and 4D are registered trademarks of ACI and ACI US Inc il 1V Table of Contents PI IR CC Ne E E EN E A EE A E d AE A Vil Win me 1D atl ait yl ota tare ee Er EENE ETENEE E meena l Wins Ce DanS KE esra E EE 2 Int
29. paths with Subtables This path contains a subtable DataStrike does not support this data relationship in version 1 1 Solving Complex Circular Path Problems Beginning with version 1 1 DataStrike provides a developer dialog which serves as a tool for describing the specific data paths the DataStrike Search Editor will use when searching The following dialog appears only when three or more paths are detected between two tables Because DataStrike only supports two or fewer paths between two tables it will be necessary to tell DataStrike about any paths which should be ignored or severed Below is the dialog which will appear when DataStrike executes the QE UPDATE DATA method and encounters three or more paths a complex path between two tables Complet Circular Path 555 30 Comples Circular Path This structure contains complex circular paths which DataStrike cannot traverse i e there are circular paths within circular paths DETAILS This circular path Classes lt Professor Class gt Professors lt Payments lt Payments Class gt Classes contains tables which form part of the following circular path Payments Students lt Students Class gt Classes lt Professor Class gt Professors lt Payments You can fix this problem by excluding links between some of the tables See QE PREFERENCES for details Copy to Clipboard Figure 40 Complex Circular Paths which are not allowed
30. proper functioning of the DataStrike Query Editor Should any database which uses DataStrike structurally change the QE Data table records must also be updated Updating the QE _ Data table is accomplished by calling the QE UPDATE DATA method from a menu item an object or any other valid approach to executing a 4D method For vertical market applications for example the QE UPDATE DATA method might be called procedurally A database structure change could be a field name change a new data relationship or a new table The QEs_Rebuild_Check method will check to ensure existing links and the current number of tables are preserved from the current settings Developers should run QE UPDATE DATA whenever the structure has been changed The QE_Data table contains three 3 different type of records 1 The first record type consists of mapping records Mapping records are identified by negative table number fields in the QE_Data table They contain structure mapping and optimal navigation information required for traversing a relational database Specifically mapping records provide the table and field information necessary to perform Relate One Selection commands formerly Join and the Relate Many Selection commands formerly Project Selection 2 The second type of record is the version record There is only one 1 version record per database and it has a table number of zero 0 in the tab
31. r specifies a relationship between two Query arguments or two Query Groups where Difference logic is used between the results of each of the two arguments Here is an example of what happens In the following query Query Customers Lastname is equal to Smith Except Customers Firstname is equal to Glenn The Except operator tells DataStrike to find those records where the first condition is met except when the second conditions is met Lastname Firstname Steve Smith Set Operators Set operators allow the 4D User to specify which group of records from the current table the query will be performed on Figure 30 Set Operators The first Set operator Query All Records is chosen as default for each new query The table shown on the following page reviews all possible Set Operator Icons the purpose and a brief description Using DataStrike Set Operator Icons Icon Set Operator Description a Query all records Performs the query against the entire table Bs Query in Selection Performs the query only against the current selection Add results to Performs the query and adds the resulting Cay current collection records to the current selection Remove results from Performs the query and removes the resulting Cay Current Collection records from the current selection Executing Queries and Query Filters To execute a Query from the Query Editor click the Query button once the query is built to
32. rget 4D database with 4D Insider Once both are loaded and you have verified no naming or resource conflicts exist it will be safe to move the DataStrike library components into your 4D application Uses AILCTOR El baALoG ad DataStrike Abs E INPUT FORM E Compiler_E_IP A 400 RECORD POE _ AT CorpilerE_IPY ALERT ES pb_e_Difference Compiler QEF 4 Application type POE Union ES QE b1 AddLine Compiler HEFY ARR AY INTEGER QE Motes ARF AY LONG INT E ES pb_Qe_Intersection E Compiler_GE_Params ARR AY BOOLE AN E E Figure 2 DataStrike Insider Library Please consult your 4D Insider manual for instructions on copying the DataStrike libraries into your 4D application s 2 Setup and Initialization The QE ON STARTUP method must be added into your database On Start up and On Server Startup methods QE ON STARTUP takes care of all DataStrike dependent setup and initializations Installation Similar to 4D s Editor s DataStrike only displays visible tables and fields The QE ON STARTUP method initiates the 4D methods which map all visible table and field information including subtables and their fields provided they are visible 66 99 Table names and field names containing an underscore in the DataStrike Query Editor are replaced with a blank character mM Manual or Automatic Relations DataStrike requires either a manual or automatic relation or link between two tab
33. ry the selected field given the value entered Values Values refers to a string number date or time value you want to query on from the database table s specified E The Functions Button The Fx button stands for Function and allows a 4D user to perform calculations on a series or set of values from related 4D records Ex The Function option is only available for use on tables which are Many tables with respect to its immediate neighbor table in the path towards the target table This requirement ensures record grouping will occur on the related Many table Once the related Many selection is established the Function logic derives the corresponding records for the related One table Look at your possible options in Figure 18 Perform Function Hot Target LEGEND 4 One File Many File Figure 18 Possible Uses of Function Option The Function button can be used for locating sets of related 4D Many table records meeting criteria such as Sum Average Min or Max a numeric field must be chosen Clicking the Function button displays the Function dialog shown on the following page Using DataStrike Function functions for Payments Amount O Count records 2 Sum Average Min O Max No Function Figure 19 Function Dialog Sum Used to locate a series of related records whose numeric field Sum reflects the comparison operator and value e
34. tances where more than 2 circular relationships exist In certain data relationships 4th Dimension cannot query properly when using manual relationships Because of this DataStrike utilizes Automatic relationships in lieu of Manual relationships DataStrike turns on Automatic Relations where manual relations exist prior to entering the DataStrike Query Editor and turns them off upon exiting See the QEr_RunQuery method Definitions Path a set of relational links that joins one table to another Circular path a path which forms a circle or loop Simple circular path a circular path where there are only two paths between any two tables forming the circle Figure 35 2 Circular Paths Circular Relationships In Figure 35 there are two 2 paths between table B and table D DataStrike supports this data relationship in version 1 1 Figure 36 3 Circular Paths In Figure 36 there are three 3 paths between table B and table D DataStrike does not support this data relationship in version 1 1 Figure 37 Multiple Non adjacent Circular paths In Figure 37 there are several non adjacent circular paths DataStrike supports this data relationship in version 1 1 Figure 38 Multiple Adjacent Circular paths The multiple circular paths are adjacent table X belongs to both circular paths DataStrike does not support this data relationship in version 1 1 29 Circular Relationships Figure 39 Circular
35. tion 16 Figure 16 Query Filters Field Pop Up List 17 T Function Dialog 19 Insert Line Button 22 Insider Library 2 Installation 2 Introducing DataStrike 1 M Mandatory Developer Steps 3 Manual or Automatic Relations 4 Mapping records 5 Max 19 Min 19 O Optional Developer Steps 3 5 Or Conjunction 23 Q QE ON STARTUP 4 QE PREFERENCES 7 QE UPDATE DATA 5 OE_bCallQE 4 QE_Register 4 Query Button 25 Query button 25 Query Editor 14 25 Query Filter record 5 Query Filters Dialog 15 25 Query Groups 23 R ResEdit 7 S Show Format 12 Show Resources 12 Sum 19 Table Pulldown Menu 15 V version record 5 33
36. tion operators are used consider the following Customers database The following records comprise all records within the Customers table Lastname Firstname Glenn Adams Glenn Smith Steve Adams Steve Smith Using DataStrike E The And Conjunction And Or Except The And Conjunction Operator specifies a relationship between two Query arguments or two Query Groups where Intersection logic is used between the results of each of the two arguments Here is an example of what happens In the following query Query Customers Lastname is equal to Smith and Customers Firstname is equal to Glenn The And operator tells DataStrike to find those records only when both conditions are met The following records would be shown Lastname Firstname Glenn Smith E The Or Conjunction And Or Except The Or Conjunction Operator specifies a relationship between two Query arguments or two Query Groups where Union logic is used between the results of each of the two arguments Here is an example of what happens In the following query Query Customers Lastname is equal to Smith Or Customers Firstname is equal to Glenn The Or operator tells DataStrike to find those records where either condition is met Lastname Firstname Glenn Adams Glenn Smith Steve Smith 23 Using DataStrike 24 E The Except Conjunction And Or Except The Except Conjunction Operato
37. waeaeautaneees 22 Figure 20 Add Eme BWM insite cenieer ate haat neces haat eee aed 22 Figure 29 COnjunctiOn Operators eesriie E A EO 22 Figure 50 Set perators esc tist eee u tie E A E 24 Fiure oI The Query BU coitesse cs atecare sweden teen E E 25 Fic re 2 The Query Filters Dial Z aeecinnieneeiiii n 26 Fiere oo Phe Circoli Path Dalon soss E A 26 Figure 34 Electing to save a Specific Path within a Query Filter 27 Feur 9922 Creat Pats wot necetieenc E E 28 Ficure 5625 Cie lar Path Seara dasigssuehdan adusni vanassadtenden seams sen dan tdubnisancssadeeness 29 Figure 37 Multiple Non adjacent Circular paths ccccccccccccccccccceceeeeeeeeeseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 29 Figure 35 Multiple Adjacent Circular Wats aese e a N 29 Vil Figure 592 iveular paths Wilh SUD TADIES Scn a a E Figure 40 Complex Circular Paths which are not allowed cc cceessseeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees Vill Introduction Introducing DataStrike R oe a m Eo atasStrike The Search is Over DataStrike is a 4th Dimension v6 cross platform source code solution which replaces the 4D Query Editor Fully relational DataStrike significantly enhances the end user experience and value of any 4D Database by providing complete and optimized access to any related tables By adding DataStrike to a 4D database Users now have a whole new horizon of questions they can ask DataStrike will dramatically increase the intrinsic and inf
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