As Karen reminded us, not all the datatypes we have today existed in the '80s. Lin says his app dates back to 1988 so are we talking R:Base System V? I started with System V (1986) and found it online again; the manual says DOUBLE was available and I think that would suit Lin's purposes.
Randy's method below is the one I have used in the past when needing to change a column which appears in multiple tables. (If the table is corrupted, changing its datatype might produce concerning results.)
Bruce's code supports partial names but, if you can recall the full colname, LIS COL <colname> will show which tables a given column is found in and if it is computed.
Nicky
On 4/17/2025 8:14 PM, Bruce Chitiea
wrote:
Lin:
Randy's approach is perhaps the simplest approach.
Take a look at the attached .RMD file, which produces a export/printable BROWSE list of all tableviewNames containing the columnName you provide. I use this on my own databases. Print, or export the list to Excel, then use as a checklist to follow your progress.
It goes without saying ... so I'll say it ... be sure to perform a backup of the database to a location where you can stress-less-ly retrieve it before hacking and chopping.
Because you're not changing tableNames, you should be able to open your Forms and Reports so you can fix all the EEPs and Controls you broke. [Ctrl-F] on the [Code] tab is your bestie.
Questions.
1. You say these are "Unique" columns. Are your using UNIQUE keys as (effectively) Primary and Foreign Keys to link your tables?
2. Does this UNIQUE value contain any meaning (e.g. "galaxyNo") beyond being a simple, don't-mean-nuthin'-but-a-serial-number identifier for a row?
3. If it's just a serial number, mightn' it be best replaced with a BIGINT (+- 999,999,999,999,999,999 (commas not included) ); or BIGNUM, as Robert Diaz suggests?
Might seem like a lot of work at the outset; but, this might re-connect you with a lot of the victories you've earned over the years; and reveal Easter-egg opportunities afforded by the new R:BASE versions.
Best, Bruce
Bruce A. ChitieaSafeSectors, Inc.1142 S Diamond Bar Blvd # 442Diamond Bar CA 91765-2203
(909) 238-9012 m
------ Original Message ------From "randyp ctags.com" <[email protected]>Date 4/17/2025 4:52:14 PMSubject Re: [RBASE-L] - Data type question
--Rename Column in every table except one. Use a name like Column1. Change the data type of the one remaining column. Rename each of the others from Column1 back to Column. It will change them to the new data type. You may need to do this in the Database Explorer where columns are defined.
Will this lose the key structure and form and report connections?
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Lin MacDonald <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:07 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [RBASE-L] - Data type questionSadly, it won't let me convert to any other type because it is tied to so many tables.
And, it was initially started on R:Base System V, LOL! Currently running v. 10.5
On Thu, Apr 17, 2025, at 11:20 AM, Lin MacDonald wrote:I have a very old system. I began writing it in 1988 and have been adding to it ever since. It has been so long that I don't remember how I set most of it up!
One of my Unique keys tying several tables together is a Real data type. It will not let me enter more than 7 numbers (i.e. 9999999 or 9999.999) I really need to be able to make it something like 9999999.9. So, add a decimal point and 1 number. Is there any way to do that or am I stuck with this length?
thanks,
Lin
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