Using fixed record for processing (was: automating an import)

[Jose Lerebours]

scooter6 at gmail.com wrote:
>      Thanks Nancy --
>  
>      I actually did  /fp/rreport filename -f outputname -u -s recone
>  
>      Works great
>  
>      Scott
> 

I have never been a fan of using "record 1" or "any one fixed record" to 
sit on and run reports nor any kind of process.  This effectively makes 
the process "single user" and that would be the ONLY time it should be 
used.  I hope that is the case with you.

Having worked with very large companies with several hundreds employees, 
the last thing I need is a flood of calls asking the exact same question 
all because one decided to start a process then took a phone call, went 
out to lunch, had a meeting, left for the day ... meanwhile, the process 
is standing there waiting for an Y/N or some kind of input.

Since a load of them are trying to run the same process, it is hard to 
know who to `dv` onto.

I have always used rclerk -z processname -y xnone -xa -n -s [no field 
screen name] - When running rclerk on a file using a screen without 
fields, you effectively run the -z process (unless this has changed) - 
An alternative is to use the @menu trigger ...

Of course, do not forget to make sure you "exit" the process in lieu of 
"end"ing the process.

Intended as food for though - Your approach works well but in some cases 
it presents limitations.  You may not have them now but if they come up 
in the future, you might want to know why.

Regards,


Jose Lerebours
http://www.fpgroups.com
954-559-7186