How to find the data

[jimstarr]

I'm sure this is simple but I don't see how to do it (VFP9).

If I create an install for my app that allows the user to place the data files in a directory of his choice, how can the app know where they are? Thanks!

Jim

 

[Mike Lewis]

Jim,

This is a common problem. The answer really depends on the environment, and the degree of control you have over the user's configuration.

One option is to get the user to tell the app where the data is stored the first time the app is used. You could bring up a prompt that asks the user to navigate to a particular file (using GETFILE() perhaps), for example. Once you have found the file, you can store the location in a special table, or in the registry, or any other convenient location.

Another possibility is for the user to edit an INI file that contains the required location. That's not such a good idea if you are relying on an end user to provide the information, but it might be appropriate if a support person (or yourself) is responsible for the install.

Or, you could write a separate little program that prompts the user for the data location, then installs the data there and writes its location to the registry. You would run this program as a post-install task (in other words, call if from your setup program), instead of the setup program itself installing the data.

These are just a few ideas. No doubt, other people will tell you their favourite method.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[DSummZZZ]

Just guessing here, but wouldn't there be a registry entry somewhere? Or maybe an uninstall file created?
It seems a feller query one of those locations.



-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

http://www.davesummers.net/foxprolinks.htm

 

[dgrewe]

Create a Constant or global Memvar, and in the main start up program define it with
gcRootPath = ADDBS(SYS(5)+SYS(2003))

Then when you need a file do this.
use (gcRootPath+"DBF\MYTABLE.Dbf") ALIAS WHaTEVER SHARED IN 0

do form (gcRootPath+"FRM\MyForm")

set classlib to (gcRootPath+"VCX\CalssLib.vcx")

Etc...





David W. Grewe Dave

 

[jimstarr]

Thanks all for the replies so far.

Dave Grewe - doesn't your solution assume that the data files will be in the same directory as the exe? This will not necessarily be true.

Jim