Determine when paths saved

[Cliff_Wiernik]

I am aware of the process whereby R&R, if it cannot find the database files in the current directory, defaults to the location of the files when saved.____In order to control this, we build all reports with the database files in the current directory. Thus, if the reports is run in a different directory, with the database files alos in that directory, it uses the files in the current directory.____However, sometimes, someone makes a mistake and edits the report specification from a directory where the database files are not located. Since it finds the original directory^s files, the user is not aware of this and when the changes are saved, it basically hard codes in the locations. Then when the report is run from a directory with the database files, it still points to the original directory.____With R&R6 DOS, you could at least see in the database relation screen that directory paths are saved and then reselect the files properly and save it eliminating the hard coding of directories. ____In the windows version, this is not easily seen, you must select the table option and moreover, it does not want to remove the hard coding of the directory locations. I had to recreate the report to eliminate the coding. It appears that version 12 works a little better than version 10+ in eliminating the coding of the directories.____Is there a better way to control this. Because we have 8-9 companies, we have a common report directory location and specify the database location in our runtime files. We try to edit the reports properly, but it appears that with the windows version, it is next to impossible to detect when they were improperly edited and then difficult to remove the information.

[Cliff_Wiernik]

I just tested with R&R Dos and RRWv12. If I take the report definition from one directory and move it to a different directory with the same files (different data), in R&R DOS, when using report designer, it looks for the files in the new directory.____However, when doing the same with a RRW definition, when pulled into the designer in the 2nd directory, it still points and used the files from the original directory.____How do I stop this from happening. We are trying to move fully to the windows version for report designing, not only report generation, but keep on hitting road blocks. ____If I change it to point to the files in the current directory and then copy the definition back to the first directory, it will now point only to the 2nd directory and not automatically switch to the first directory like the DOS manual and program describes.____Where is this behavior documented in the windows version 12 manual.

[kfleming]

The behavior is documented in the help file in Developing Applications, Chapter 8 Distributing Reports, Retrieving Report Files.____Kathleen__R&R Support

[Cliff_Wiernik]

I looked at the information after finding that help file. It did not normally appear in the start;programs folder.____However, I does not appear to work the same as the R&R v6 process.____I have a simple 5 field report. It used the apbcode.dbf file and the report definition is called APBarCodeForm.rrw. I access it via rrw in the g:fca directory. The apbcode.dbf is in the directory g:fca.____In g:fc is a copy of the apbcode.dbf file. I copy the APBarCodeForm.rrw file from g:fca to g:fc. I again load APBarCodeForm.rrw and click the database table command. It brings up the file dialog with the default of g:fca, not g:fc. If I printout a report, it uses the data from g:fca, not from g:fc.____I have used the R&R v6DOS in a similar fashion for years without problem and it matches its documentation. That RR6Dos documentation appears to be a little different for the master file than the RRW documentation.____Is it indeed different or is ther some other problem with my files. Since the database dialog does not display path names, it is impossilbe without clicking the table pushbutton to determine what files are being used.____I can send copies of the files for both dos and windows if necessary.

[Cliff_Wiernik]

What is the status of this item. Do I need to call tech support?

[kfleming]

I still have not had the time to research this one. It is currently the third item in my to do queue of support work.____Kathleen__R&R Support

[Cliff_Wiernik]

Let me know if you need a short single file, 4-5 field database that illustrates the problems.