Computes the arithmetic mean of numeric expressions or fields.
Syntax
AVERAGE [ExpressionList]
[Scope] [FOR lExpression1] [WHILE lExpression2]
[TO VarList | TO ARRAY ArrayName]
[NOOPTIMIZE]
Arguments
ExpressionList
Specifies the expressions to average. ExpressionList can be a list of fields from the table separated by commas, or numeric expressions involving fields from the table.
Scope
Specifies the record or range of records to include in the average. Only the records that fall within the range of records specified by the scope are averaged. The scope clauses are: ALL, NEXT nRecords, RECORD nRecordNumber, and REST. The default scope for AVERAGE is ALL records.
Commands that include Scope operate only on the table in the active work area.
FOR lExpression1
Specifies a condition whereby only the records that satisfy the logical condition lExpression are included. This argument allows you to filter out undesired records.
Rushmore optimizes an AVERAGE FOR query if lExpression is an optimizable expression. For best performance, use an optimizable expression in the FOR clause. For information on Rushmore optimizable expressions, see SET OPTIMIZE and "Understanding Rushmore Technology" in Chapter 15, Optimizing Applications, in the Programmer's Guide.
WHILE lExpression2
Specifies that as long as the logical expression lExpression2 evaluates to true (.T.), records are included in the average.
TO VarList
Specifies the list of variables or array elements to which the results of the average are stored.
TO ARRAY ArrayName
Specifies the one-dimensional array to which the results of the average are stored. The one-dimensional array can be created before the execution of AVERAGE.
If the array you include in AVERAGE doesn't exist, Visual FoxPro automatically creates it. If the array exists and isn't large enough to contain all the results, Visual FoxPro increases the size of the array automatically to accommodate the information.
NOOPTIMIZE
Disables Rushmore optimization of AVERAGE. For more information, see SET OPTIMIZE and "Understanding Rushmore Technology" in Chapter 15, Optimizing Applications, in the Programmer's Guide.
Remarks
All numeric fields in the selected table are averaged unless you include an optional expression list. The result is displayed on the screen if SET TALK is ON. If SET HEADINGS is ON, the field names or expression involving the field names are displayed above the results.