PRB: AppleScript: "Results" are Not Implemented

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b

SYMPTOMS

AppleScript returns the message "the variable x is not defined" when it tries to execute the "set x to result" command. "Result" is a predefined variable in AppleScript. It contains the results of the most recently evaluated expression or the most recently executed command. If a command returns nothing, the result is not defined.

CAUSE

An equal sign (=) placed in front of a function tells FoxPro to compile the function as a command. However, commands have no return value in FoxPro. The equal sign tells the compiler that the return value is to be ignored because it is not being assigned to anything.

RESOLUTION

Do not use an equal sign in front of the function. The result variable will then be assigned to the value returned by the function.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Run the following AppleScript:

   Tell Application "Microsoft Visual FoxPro"
      Activate "Microsoft Visual FoxPro"
      Do Script "=DATE()"
      Set x To Result
      QUIT
   End Tell
   Display Dialog x

Remove the equal sign, and the dialog will display the date.

NOTE: FoxPro must be activated for "result" to be assigned the value of DATE(). Also the "Display Dialog x" should be placed after the end tell. If placed inside the End Tell statement, FoxPro will not quit because it loses focus before it has a chance to quit.