System Utilities

File View Utility

The File View Utility is used to view, but not modify, the records within a selected data file, along with other details such as the file type, record size, primary key size, current number of records and field information.

The Search button invokes a concurrent Search window for defining filter criteria to search the records in a Keyed data file.

(The Search button was added in PxPlus 2023 Update 1.)

To modify and update the records in a data file, use the File Update Utility.

To invoke this utility, use one of the following methods:

Location

Method

From System Utilities

In System Utilities, select the file from the list of files displayed for the current working directory or click the Directory Browse button to specify a different pathname. Click the View File toolbar button.

From Data Dictionary Maintenance

Select the file using the Query button. Click the Data toolbar button.

The File View Utility displays the details for the selected file. A grid displays the field names, current data values and field lengths for each record. Use the browse buttons to scroll through the records in the file.

This window consists of the following:

File

Full pathname of the selected file. Click the file Query button for a list of files in the specified directory.

Key

By default, displays the Primary key for the file. Click the drop-down arrow for a list of key records, if defined. See Defining Keys.

(The key definition information shown in the drop-down list was added in PxPlus 2023.)

(Key Value)

Displays the primary key value of the current record, if available. Click the Query button for a list of records in the selected file or use the Browse buttons to locate a record.

(The Query button was added in PxPlus 2021.)

Search

(Available when a Keyed data file is selected)

Button that invokes a concurrent Search window for defining the filter criteria to search the records in the selected data file.

(The Search button was added in PxPlus 2023 Update 1.)

Type

Type of data file (i.e. Keyed, Serial, Indexed).

Record Size

Maximum size (in bytes) of the data portion of the record.

Primary Key Size

Size of the primary key (in bytes).

Current # of records

Number of total records in the selected file.

(Grid)

Displays the field names, field lengths, and data values for each record in the selected file.

View multiple fields per line

Select this check box to present the data records in a list box format.

      

Expanded View

(Available when "View multiple fields per line" check box is selected)

Button that is used to view additional details for a selected data record in the list.

Close

Exits the File View Utility.

Search

The Search button on the main panel invokes a concurrent Search window for defining filter criteria to search the records in the selected data file. Filter conditions can be entered as a free-form value, an expression or a regular expression. A Case-Sensitive option is also available. Records matching the search criteria, if found, are displayed in the list box.

This window consists of the following:

File

(Display Only) Full pathname of the selected file.

Filter

(Optional) Filter options used to define the search criteria.

Expression

Select this check box to enter an expression as the filter value in the multi-line input. If the expression evaluates to 1 (true), the records are loaded into the list box.

Examples:

Example 1 - Find all records where the Region$ element is Ontario:

     UCS(Region$)="ONTARIO"

Example 2 - Find all records that do not have a phone number entered:

     Phonenumber$=""

Note:
When the Expression check box is selected, the Regular Expression, Case-Sensitive and Is Not check boxes are disabled.

Regular Expression

Select this check box to enter a regular expression as the filter value in the multi-line input.

This value will be used as the mask$ parameter in the MSK( ) function (along with the entire record string as the string$ parameter). If the MSK( ) function evaluates to 1 (true), the records are loaded into the list box.

Examples:

Example 1 - Find all records that contain the words Lazy or Cozy anywhere within the record:

     Lazy|Cozy

Example 2 - Find all records that contain a # or $ or % character:

     [#$%]

Note:
When the Regular Expression check box is selected, the Expression, Case-Sensitive and Is Not check boxes are disabled.

Case-Sensitive

(Available when Expression check box is not selected)

Select this check box if the filter value entered in the multi-line input is case-sensitive. (By default, this check box is not selected.)

Is Not

(Available when Expression check box is not selected)

Select this check box if you want the search to exclude records in which the filter value was found. (By default, this check box is not selected.)

(Multi-line input)

Used for entering a free-form filter value.

If either the Expression or Regular Expression check box is selected, enter an expression. If the filter value is case-sensitive, select the Case-Sensitive check box.

Search

Launches the search process for the specified criteria.

If matches are found, the list box will be populated with records matching the search criteria. If no matches are found, the list box will be blank and a message will display.

(List Box)

Displays a list of records matching the search criteria, if found. Although only four columns are displayed, all fields in the record are searched.

The four column headers consist of a Key (based on the selected Key) and the first three fields of the selected file definition.

Select

Displays the details of the selected record in the main panel list box while keeping the Search window open. Double clicking on a record also selects it.

    

Note:
When using the Search list to select a record with an alternate non-unique key, the first record with that non-unique key will display on the main panel, regardless of which record was selected.

Exit

Closes the Search window.

See Also

File Update Utility