how to selectively replace text in a field 1

[joetrogdon]

I have a database that has a field labeled descript which contains descriptions of products. The current fields look like this:

10 7/8 x 14 1/4 + flap, crystal clear (232 x 324)

I would like to leave the dimensions in the beginning, but change the rest to just say "Archival Plastic Bag", so essentially it would now read:

10 7/8 x 14 1/4 Archival Plastic Bag

I understand how to swap out all the data in the field, I was just unsure if I could do it selectively or exclude all numeric characters outside of (). Sorry I don't have any code for you to use, as I said I don't know where to begin.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rgbean]

Joe,
Can you give a few more examples? Are you always going to put "Archival Plastic Bag" after the initial numeric dimensions? Or is there a "conversion" list of old descriptions to new descriptions?

Is this a one time conversion? Or do you need to do this for an on going process? How many records?

Rick

 

[DSummZZZ]

It may be better to do a replace at a certain position in the field.
Like if the description is going to be at offset 17.
If not, you may need to look for a common character such as the "+" sign after the size:

If at same position:

STORE "Archival Plastic Bag" TO cNewDescript  
   &&... or however you obtain new description for above line
REPLACE descript WITH LEFT(descript, 17) + cNewDescript

If using common char like "+"

REPLACE descript WITH LEFT(descript, AT(descript, "+")) + ;
   cNewDescript

-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

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

 

[joetrogdon]

Dave,

Thanks a lot, that works great for doing it at the same position. However I realize that I need to do it with a commom character, like the +, but when I use the code you gave it deletes the entire description and inserts the newdescript.

My code is as follows:

USE e:\ceonline\testdata\inventor.dbf in 1

cNewDescrip = "Archival Plastic Bags"

REPLACE FOR SKU = "BAGS" descrip WITH LEFT(descrip, AT(descrip, "+&quot) + cNewDescrip

If you haven't guessed I'm not a programmer, our resident code guy is gone and I'm doing my best to fill in . Thanks for the help.

Joe

 

[DSummZZZ]

Sorry, big booboo. I do that about half the time (get the parameters backwards).
That last one should read

If using common char like "+"

REPLACE descript WITH LEFT(descript, AT([COLOR=red]"+", descript[/color])) + ;
   cNewDescript

-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

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