What is meant by '..' the two points?

[RedLion]

Hello I've got a little question,

I found an example, and I didn't know exactly what they mean by the two points?

example:

lparameters tnMenu local lnI, lcMenu
lnI = 1 lcMenu = "oMenu" + allt(str(lnI))
do while .t.
if type(lcMenu) <> &quot;O&quot; or isnull(&lcMenu)
exit
else
if &lcMenu..cModuleID = curMenu.cRunMenu
&lcMenu..show && <= The two points here, what
return && do they mean?
endif
lnI = lnI + 1
lcMenu = &quot;oMenu&quot; + allt(str(lnI))
endif
enddo
tnMenu = lnI
return lcMenu

What does it mean, and what can you do with it?


Thanks Charl [sig][/sig]

 

[JimmyK]

You must type &lcMenu..show so that Visual Fox know that &quot;&lcMenu.&quot; is macro variable and one &quot;.&quot; left for the expression.

If you type &lcMenu.show , Fox will understands &quot;lcMenu&quot; as an object or an alias.

Hope it helps

JimmyK [sig][/sig]

 

[JimBooth]

When using macro expansion the first dot marks the end of the variable name to be expanded. Anything following that is considered part of the expanded expression. So;

lcVar = &quot;MyObject&quot;

? &lcVar.Name && Expands to MyObjectName
? &lcVar..Name && Expands to MyObject.Name

In the second example the first dot tells VFP that the variable to expand is lcVar and then to append .Name to the expanded value.
[sig]<p>JimBooth<br><a href=mailto:jbooth@jamesbooth.com>jbooth@jamesbooth.com</a><br><a href=

http://www.jamesbooth.com>James

Booth Consulting Site</a><br>[/sig]