PRB: Invalid Key Length Error When Indexing a Cursor File

 Last reviewed: December 11, 1995
Article ID: Q140760
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

Indexing a cursor file with a key field that contains more than 240 characters generates this error: 

   Invalid Key Length
This procedure didn't generate an error in FoxPro version 2.6.

CAUSE

This is a deliberate change in behavior. The maximum length for an index key in a compact index is 240 bytes. If a key is longer than 240, FoxPro 2.6 truncates it. Visual FoxPro 3.0 displays the "Invalid Key Length" error message to protect against the possiblity of generating duplicates.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

This error message also occurs with a table.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Type the following commands in the Command window: 

   CREATE CURSOR Address (address C(254))
   INDEX ON address TAG address
The "Invalid Key Length" error message is displayed.

REFERENCES

For more information on Visual FoxPro 3.0 system capacities, search for "System capacities" in the FoxPro Help file.

Additional reference words: 3.00 VFoxWin
KBCategory: kbprg kbprb
KBSubcategory: FxprgGeneral

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: December 11, 1995
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.