Finding row with highest priority and earliest datetime

[abds]

I have a record with a datetime field and a numeric priority field. I want to find the record with the highest priority and within priority, the earliest datetime.

In languages where date and times are numeric fields I can do indexfield=STR(priority,3,0)+STR((99999999-date),8,0)+STR((999999-time),6,0) to get what I want.

In VFP I have to use an even kludgier indexfield=STR(priority,3,0)+STR({^9999/12/31,11:59:59pm}-datetime),?,0).

1. How big should the second STR field be?
2. Can anyone think of an easier way around this?

 

[ramani]

SELECT * FROM myFile WHERE priorityCondition .AND. ;
MAX(DATE_TIME) .....
... using MAX is the key
ramani
(Subramanian.G)
FoxAcc
ramani_g@yahoo.com

 

[ramani]

The correct suggestion is not what I already posted. This shall be ....

SELECT * FROM myFile WHERE condition ORDER BY priority, datetime ASC or DESC
GO BOTTOM or locate suitably ramani
(Subramanian.G)
FoxAcc
ramani_g@yahoo.com

 

[krisb]

Just an FYI:
Max(date)
Gives you the Most recent date.

Min(date) will give the earliest.

Sorry, had to add my 2 cents )