printing a group of records

[Dan Snyder]

Hello everyone,
 
I'm trying to improve some of our old filePro files/applications.  I've run
into a printing problem that is common across many of these files and I was
hoping someone can point me in the right direction.


Example Situation
----------------------
We have a "shipping" file that stores both header and detail information in
one record.  To create a packing list with multiple line items we have to
create multiple records.  Then to print the packing list, we have to exit
out of the current record and screen and go all the way back to the main
filePro menu.  Then select "D - Request Output", select "shipping", load a
saved selection set, then update the selection set with the proper packing
list number.


Goal
-----
I understand that the best solution would be to redesign the application
from scratch as two separate files one for the header and one for the
details.  However, I don't have time to do that.  Right now, I'd just like
to improve efficiency by simplifying printing so that when a user is in the
shipping file, looking at a record, they could press "P" and have the
packing list print.  The programming would have to grab the packing list
number from the current record, select all records with that packing list
number and print the "packlist" output.  Sounds simple, but this filePro
novice can't get it to work.


Attempted Solution and Problem
--------------------------------
I tried the following command in a @keyP section of the input processing
table.
	system "/appl/fp/dreport shipping -f packlist -v packlistsel -a -u
-r"<18
This seems to work, meaning it selects the proper number of records for the
packlist number on the current screen. The problem is that it locks up at
generating output.  By hard coding the -r value I found that it only locks
up when you are looking at the record you want to print.  For example: If
you are looking at packing list #2 and the script is hard coded to print
packing list #3 it prints fine.  However, if you are looking at packing list
#3 and the script is hard coded to print packing list #3, it locks up at
generating output.  

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to keep it from locking up?  


Selection table packlistsel
---------------------------
  aa = @PM
  if 18 eq aa
	select
  end


 
Thank you,
 
Dan Snyder
IT Manager
Mercury Electronics
717-854-9557 ext.224