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Generating Serial Numbers

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Abstract

Describes a method of creating a unique number for each record or detail.

Q&A:

Question:

I need to create a unique serial number for each part in my PARTS file. I want to have each number increase by one, and I want to start at 60,000. I have tried a couple of different things with no success. How can I get this to work?

Answer:

The calculation function INCR( ), introduced in 4ersion 4.4, provides an increment capability to XENTIS.

How it works: It uses three arguments. The first argument is a number field indicating the initial value of the result. The second argument is a number field indicating the increment value. The third argument is a number field or a text field that serves to control the frequency of its execution.

In your case, enter the following calculation expression:

SERIALNUM = INCR(60000,1,A:PART_NUMBER)

In the above example:

the first argument is the value 60000-- indicating the initial value of the serial number
the second argument is the value 1, indicating that each serial number is to be incremented by a value of 1
the third argument is the field A:PART_NUMBER, which indicates that this expression is only executed every time a new value is read in the A:PART_NUMBER field

Please note that all calculations are performed prior to sorting.