Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!uhccux!bmartin
From: bmartin@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Brian Martin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: 4D Importing and Exporting Data (Merging databases)
Keywords: merge, import, export (duplicate record problem)
Message-ID: <10390@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
Date: 24 Nov 90 22:53:31 GMT
References: <11775@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Reply-To: martin@medix.pegasus.com (Brian K. Martin, M.D.)
Organization: University of Hawaii
Lines: 55

In article <11775@hubcap.clemson.edu> dragon@hubcap.clemson.edu (Michael E. Quattlebaum) writes:
> ... Some of the data they have is likely to have the
>same values for indexed fields (and thus 4D will not write that record).

Michael,

You have the "unique" attribute set for the indexed field. When you attempt
to add a record which contains a vlaue for that field which duplicates a
value already stored in another record, 4D rejects the attempted write,
which is as it should be.

The unique attribute should only be assigned to fields which are primary or
alternate keys for the record, i.e., the field uniquely identifies the
record in the file.

If you are indeed trying to import duplicate records, as when you would
update existing employee records with new sales information, then you need
a custom import routine.

The code off the top of my head would be something like:

$docref:=open document ("ImportFile")
Default file ([Employees])
receive packet ($docref; vEmpNum; FS)
receive packet ($docref; vSales; FS)
receive packet ($docref; vTerritory; RS)
while (OK=1)
  search ([Employees]EmpNum=vEmpNum)
  if (Records in selection=0)
     Create record
     [Employees]EmpNum:=vEmpNum
  end if
  [Employees]Sales:=vSales
  [Employees]Territory:=vTerritory
  Save record
  receive packet ($docref; vEmpNum; FS)
  receive packet ($docref; vSales; FS)
  receive packet ($docref; vTerritory; RS)
end while
close document ($docref)

Here, RS is the record separator that you define, and FS is the field
separator that you define.

Best regards,
    Brian K. Martin, M.D.
    Martin Information Systems, Ltd.
    1103 9th Avenue, Suite 203
    Honolulu, Hawai`i 96816-2403
    Voice (808) 733-2003
    Fax (808) 733-2011

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