The + is a combination function used in Rbase when defining variables. It is
also the default
continuation character. They are two completely separate functions.
In setting variables if I want to "add" two text values, I have to tell Rbase
what the two values
are, what to do with them and how I want them processed. The + signs tells
Rbase I am
adding two values together.
For example:
Set var vText1 = "This is a Text variable" -- establishes a variable with a
text type
Set var vText2 = "and it works well" --same type of command as the above.
Set var vCombined = (.vText1 + .vText2) --combines the two text variables into
one without an added space
between. vCombined now equals "This is a Text variableand it works well"
Note that there are no spaces between the two values when combined!
However:
Set var vCombined = (.vText1 & .vText2)
The value of vCombined is now "This is a Text variable and it works well"
The + and & variable functions allow you to tell Rbase what and how you want
multiple variables
to be combined. The + does not insert a space, while the & does insert a space
between the values.
However, + is also the default continuation character, meaning that if it is
used as the last character
of a command line, then Rbase will continue the command to the next line.
Example:
R:>Project temp TempTab +
from MainTable +
using all +
where CustID >= 100
Rbase will process the above as one single line command if this is ran in a
command file.
Now, if you are defining a long variable and have to move to the next line, you
may have two + signs.
The first will tell Rbase that you are combining values into one variable and
the second will tell it that
the command line is continuing to the next line.
Example:
Set var vText1 = ('A text string is being added ' + +
' to a second text string and then ' + +
' a third')
The first + in each line is telling Rbase to add the text strings together
without spaces added and the
second + is telling Rbase the command is continuing to the next line. In this
case, I added the spacing
at the first of each text string myself. I could have used & + and Rbase
would have added a space in
for me.
Hope that helps.
-Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael J. Sinclair
To: RBASE-L Mailing List
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 7:43 PM
Subject: [RBASE-L] - Help with syntax, why do i need ' + .vstartdrive + '
Hi All,
I hope this it not too basic of a question. I got some help with a plugin
that needed to change one parameter by having that parameter replaced with a
variable. I now understand that I have to turn the whole command into a string
and then use an &variable to fire the command string. So far so good. What I
don't understand is why I need to have a "+" sign before and after the variable
inside quotes. How does rbase interpret, |path_name ' + .vstartdrive + ' + ??
Why not just |path_name .vstartdrive +
or
Why not |path_name '.vstartdrive' +
What do the two extra "+" signs do??
--this works just fine, I just don't know why it works.....
SET V vstartdrive = .vfromdrive
SET VAR vcommand = ('PLUGINS LoadDirectoryName.rbl vfromdrive +
|fullpath on +
|TITLE where are the unfiled docs? +
|path_name ' + .vstartdrive + ' +
|delete_button on +
|context_menus on +
|read_only off +
|ole_drag on +
|ole_drop on +
|create_folder_icon on +
|delete_folder_icon on')
&vcommand
Thanks!
Mike
