Extracting from a hash file in numeric order.

[Baldo]

Hi,

I am writing a custom Server Routine to read out of a hash file. The only problem is that the key is a number. I have tried:

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SSELECT FILENAME TO X

That returns data sorted alphabetically (1, 10, 2, 3, etc).

I have done searches on previous topics and found nothing like this (lots on sorting, but none for numeric keys). Ideally, I would like to avoid having to use a separate job with a sort stage to a sequential file (which is the only way I know) as this is a transform routine to be reused.

Thanks,

Chris.

[kcbland]

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EXECUTE \SSELECT yourhashfile BY yourkeycolumn  FMT "12R"\

Your primary key column must be showing as a left justified field in the hash file dictionary. Override this format using the FMT keyword when you execute the select. You cannot use a BASIC select, you must switch to an EXECUTE or PERFORM.

[kcbland]

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http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/mbtexts/31.html

In fact, there's a wealth of information here for anyone who wants to dive into Universe BASIC full time.

[Baldo]

Hi Kenneth,

Thanks for your reply. It compiled alright, but when I tested it, I got the following error:

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Retrieve: syntax error.  Unexpected sentence without filename.  Token was "".
          Scanned command was SSELECT 'LOG' BY '@ID' FMT '12R' 

Also, can I select into a numbered select list in an EXECUTE?

Thanks,

Chris.

[kcbland]

It would only help to have your exact command.

I'm guessing you've got single quotes all over the place and that's wrong.

Try:

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EXECUTE \SSELECT LOG BY @ID FMT "12R"\

Is it imperative that you select to a list? If so, just add the appropriate keywords.

Please visit here, as it has all of the answers:

http://hometown.aol.com/mbtpublish/1.html

[Baldo]

Hi Kenneth,

I am looking at the web pages you posted the address of now. But so you know, I did actually have it exactly as you put it in (with no quotes - apart from those you specify). It just seems to parse it that way.

I will write back if I still can't do it.

Thanks,

Chris.

[Baldo]

Hi,

I am still having no luck. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris.

[Baldo]

Got it!

I assumed that the 'yourhashfile' part of your code refered to a file variable. I have found that it refered to the actual name (a mistake on my part - but that was how it worked in the select without the execute). I had an OPEN statement above and assumed that this operated on the open hashfile referenced by the LOG file var.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Chris.

[ray.wurlod]

If you want the SSELECT filevariable statement to perform a numeric sort of the keys, change the definition of @ID in the file dictionary so that it is right-justified rather than left justified. For example:

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UPDATE DICT hashedfilename SET FORMAT = '10R' WHERE @ID = '@ID';