aphanumeric to integer?

[kaeserea]

Hello!

I'd like to have an IF Statement:
IF DATE LE &TODATE AND GE &FROMDATE

Unfortunately all the variables and the field DATE are alphanumeric and I get the error:

(FOC280) COMPARISON BETWEEN COMPUTATIONAL AND ALPHA VALUES IS NOT ALLOWED

What can I do here?

Thanx
Eva

 

[kiddpete]

Try this if it's in a DEFINE or COMPUTE;

IF (DATE LE '&TODATE') AND (DATE GE '&FROMDATE')

the () are not required, but clarify the logic. If this is a screening statement in a TABLE, try:

WHERE (DATE LE '&TODATE') AND (DATE GE '&FROMDATE');

or

IF DATE FROM '&FROMDATE' TO '&TODATE'

HTH

 

[kaeserea]

Hi HTH,

unfortunately it doesn't work...

Eva

 

[kiddpete]

You need to post more of your code. Run the FOCEXEC with ECHO=ON and post the code which is echoed back to your screen.

EX focexec ECHO=ON

 

[kaeserea]

Hi kiddpete,

I oversaw something you wrote:
IF DATE FROM '&FROMDATE' TO '&TODATE'
This worked! But I wonder why this works and the other suggestion doesn't.... Maybe you know why.

And: thanx for your help!
Eva

 

[kiddpete]

What are the contents of &FROMDATE and &TODATE, and what is the format of DATE? That may answer the question.

 

[kaeserea]

They're all alphanumeric. I guess that's why you have to put the variable into ' and ' . But the rest.. I don't know.

 

[kiddpete]

No, tell me the actual content of &FROMDATE and &TODATE and the length of DATE. Is &FROMDATE 20031231, 12/31/2003, or whatever it is.

 

[kaeserea]

Hi kiddpete,

all of the variables and the field DATE have the format 20030228. The field DATE is an A8.

Eva

 

[kiddpete]

I'm drawing a blank. I don't see why all three forms don't work, but if the 'FROM TO' formulation works, go with it.