Record Selections

 

As of the April 8th, 2010 update, m-Power’s Record Selection screen has been enhanced. Included in the enhancement are the following improvements:

  • Improved “Is in the List” and “Not in the List” options, allowing developers to have a nearly-unlimited number of list values.
  • Clearer instructions for developer inputs such as: Constant values, Application field values, and Runtime Value Prompts (where applicable).
  • Improved Range and Null options, taking the guess work out of creating these types of record selections.
  • Confirmation page when deleting record selections.

With this update, nearly all aspects of Record Selection creation has been updated based on user feedback. Let’s take a look at some of the newer features:

Jump to:
Relationships
Value Options

Relationships

While all existing relationships remain, some have been significantly improved. Each of these will be noted below.

Is in the List/Not in the List

A common complaint with the previous Record Selection was the List values were limited to a handful of characters. With this enhancement, the amount of list values you enter is nearly-limitless! Simply put each value of your list in a separate input box. Need more? Just click on the “Add…” text to insert more input boxes. Additionally, if you choose “Runtime value(s) prompt” for the Value, your end-user will have the same functionality at run-time.

Note: When adding a drop-down list via m-Painter in this scenario, be sure to add it on the input box labeled “${select.RXXX?html} (where your Record Selection # matches XXX). When this is added successfully, you will see the other options switch to disabled. Below is a screen-shot of m-Painter’s prompt page. When adding a drop-down option to an “In the List” record selection, be sure to add your drop-down option on the correct input box (illustrated with an arrow).

Is in the Range/Not in the Range

When an “Is in the Range” or “Not in the Range” relationship is selected with “Constant value” selected, you will see two input boxes for your Range value. Simply add each end of the range in the appropriate input box and click “Accept”.

Is Null/Is Not Null

If you decide to use the relationships of either “Is Null” or “Is Not Null”, you will see all “Value” options removed from the screen. This is done intentionally as no more input is required from the developer. Click “Accept” to create this Record Selection.

Value Options

Constant Value

This is a basic Record Selection screen. By default, when creating any application you will have the option, as developer, of specifying a constant value as a record selection value for this application. This record selection cannot be modified by your end-user.

Application Field Value

This Record Selection option allows you, as a developer, to specify a record selection by comparing one field in your application to another field. You can only compare like fields (Numeric to Numeric, Alpha to Alpha, etc.). In addition, only certain relationships will allow this comparison option. When a relationship is not allowed, “Application Field Value” will be removed from the Value drop-down option.

The relationships that allow this comparison are:

  • Equal
  • Not Equal
  • Greater than
  • Greater than or Equal to
  • Less than
  • Less than or Equal to
  • Not greater than
  • Not less than
  • Contains

This record selection cannot be modified by your end-user.

Runtime Value Prompt

The final option you have for Record Selections as a developer is to allow the end-user to decide at runtime what their record selection should be. This option is called “Runtime value(s) prompt”. This option is only available when creating Reports or Summaries.