FIX: DBSETPROP() for DataType Gives Incorrect Results

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

Using the DBSETPROP command to change the datatype property of a field for a remote view gives incorrect results for the number(N) and float(F) fields. Attempting to change the number of decimal positions for type float(F) results in asterisks appearing in the field. Changing the number of decimal positions displayed for a numeric field changes only the results in the active cell in a Browse window. You can change the numbers of positions displayed in Double (B) fields, and the Browse window will reflect the correct number of positions displayed for active and inactive cells. Currency (Y) fields always display four decimal places. Attempts to change this result in the following error message when the BROWSE command is issued:

   Datatype property for field 'fieldname' is invalid

WORKAROUND

Float fields and numeric fields behave the same way. Use N instead of F when trying to change the number of displayed positions for a float field. However, the new number of decimal positions displayed only effects the active cell in a browse.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem has been fixed in Visual FoxPro 5.0 for Windows.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Type the following commands in the Command window:

   CREATE DATABASE decimal CREATE TABLE decimal (afloat f(10,5), anumeric n(10,5), ;

         adouble b(5), acurrency y(10,4))
   

2. Use the Upsizing Wizard to upsize the table to SQL Server.

3. Type the following command in the Command window:

   SET DECIMALS to 3

4. Create a remote view of the table called rem_dec.

   Notice all fields come in with three decimals except currency, which comes in with four decimals.

5. For each of the following DBSETPROP() function calls, close the view, issue the function call, and then browse the view.

   =DBSETPROP("rem_dec.anumeric","field","datatype","N(10,2)") * The number of decimal positions displayed is still three. If the * insertion point is placed on that field, the record highlighted will * show two decimal positions.

   =DBSETPROP("rem_dec.adouble","field","datatype","B(10,2)") * The number of decimal positions displayed changes to two.

   =DBSETPROP("rem_dec.acurrency","field","datatype","Y(10,2)") * Trying to browse the view will produce the error message "Datatype * property for field 'acurrency' is invalid." Resetting the number of * decimals to four will allow the view to be browsed again.

   =DBSETPROP("rem_dec.afloat","field","datatype","F(10,2)") * The field displays asterics. Using N instead of F allows the field * to be viewed, but the results will be the same as they were for the * numeric field.