PRB: "Command line too long" with BROWSE FIELDS

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.6, 2.6a
• Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.6, 2.6a
• Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5b, 2.5c, 2.6a

SYMPTOMS

The error "Command line too long" occurs when a BROWSE FIELDS command has a large number of fields, long field names, field headers, and other options.

CAUSE

By adding a large number of fields, long field names, field headers, and other options, you may easily reach the maximum command line length, the maximum compiled line length, or both.

WORKAROUND

By using named expressions stored in an array created for this purpose, you may be able to have 15 to 20 percent more fields listed in the BROWSE command in the same amount of space.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The following code automatically creates a program file that stores field names to an array and references that array in a BROWSE FIELDS command based on the currently selected database. This may help to create a BROWSE command that is short enough to compile.

************BEGIN CODE * Create a BROWSE command referencing array elements instead of * actual field names to shorten the BROWSE command line. * Can be used on databases with parent->child->grandchild * relationships or parent to multiple child with no grandchild. outfile=FCREATE("big_brow.prg") IF outfile > 0

   fname=""
   new_way=""
   sofar=0
   bigdata=""
   DO recurs
   * Write the command line to dimension the 'MYFIELDS' array
   * to the output file. FPUTS always adds CR/LF.
   a0=FPUTS(outfile,[Dime mf(]+ALLTRIM(STR(sofar))+[,2)])
   * Populate the array. CR/LF already in data.
   a0=a0+FWRITE(outfile,bigdata)
   * The fname variable contains the string you would
   * use if you issued a standard BROWSE FIELDS command
   * with field names, column headings, and so on.
   * It is created solely for the purpose of comparing
   * size.
   a1=LEN([BROWSE FIELDS ]+fname)
   * Write the actual string composing the new BROWSE
   * FIELDS statement. The third parameter to FWRITE is
   * the number of bytes to write; as the last character
   * in the string is a comma, you don't want it at the end
   * of the BROWSE command, so write 1 character less.
   a2=FWRITE(outfile,"BROWSE FIELDS " + new_way, ;
      LEN("BROWSE FIELDS " + new_way)-1)
   * However, you do want a CR/LF at the end:
   a0=a0+FWRITE(outfile,CHR(13)+CHR(10))
   * Done with the file.
   =FCLOSE(outfile)
   * Display the file.
   MODIFY COMM big_brow.prg NOWA
   WAIT WINDOW [New way (]+ALLTRIM(STR(a2))+[ chars) is ] + ;
      ALLTRIM(STR(INT((a2/a1)*100)))  + ;
      [% of the old way (]+ALLTRIM(STR(a1))+[ chars).]+CHR(13) + ;
      [The commands to browse the current table]+CHR(13) + ;
      [and any related tables are stored to BIG_BROW.PRG]+CHR(13) + ;
      [PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE]

PROCEDURE recurs

DO myloop   && process fields in this database
x=1

   x=x+1

   IF LEN(TARGET(x)) > 0
      WAIT WINDOW [Now looking in ]+TARGET(x) TIMEOUT 2
      * go to the target
      wasat=SELECT()
      SELECT (TARGET(x))
      IF LEN(TARGET(x)) > 0
         DO recurs
      ELSE
         DO myloop   && process fields in current database
      ENDIF
      SELECT (wasat)
   ENDIF
   x=x-1

PROCEDURE myloop FOR fnum=1 TO FCOUNT()

   fname = fname + ALIAS()+[.]+FIELD(fnum)+[:H=']+FIELD(fnum)+[':9,]
   my_fld_name = FIELD(fnum)
   my_fld_type = TYPE(my_fld_name)
   DO CASE
   CASE INLIST(my_fld_type,"G","M","L")
      my_fld_contents = " "
      my_fld_len      = 5   && arbitrary value
   CASE my_fld_type=="D"
      my_fld_contents = DTOC(EVALUATE(my_fld_name))
      my_fld_len      = 8   && arbitrary value
   CASE my_fld_type=="N"
      my_fld_contents = ALLTRIM(STR(EVALUATE(my_fld_name),12,2))
      my_fld_len      = 7   && arbitrary value
   CASE my_fld_type=="C"
      *   OTHERWISE
      my_fld_contents = EVALUATE(my_fld_name)
      my_fld_len      = IIF(LEN(my_fld_contents)<10,LEN(my_fld_contents),9)
   ENDCASE
   new_way=new_way+[(mf(]+ALLTRIM(STR(fnum+sofar))+[,1)):H=mf(]+ ;
      ALLTRIM(STR(fnum+sofar))+[,2):]+ ;
      ALLTRIM(STR(my_fld_len)) + [,]
   STORE bigdata+[store "]+ALIAS()+[.]+FIELD(fnum)+[" to mf(]+;
      ALLTRIM(STR(fnum+sofar))+[,1)]+CHR(13)+CHR(10) TO bigdata
   STORE bigdata+[store "]+FIELD(fnum)+[" to mf(]+;
      ALLTRIM(STR(fnum+sofar))+[,2)]+CHR(13)+CHR(10) TO bigdata

************END CODE