Microsoft KB Archive/114702

= How to Use the LIKE and EXCEPT Clauses =

Article ID: 114702

Article Last Modified on 11/17/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Visual FoxPro 3.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft FoxPro 2.6 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft FoxPro 2.6 for MS-DOS

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This article was previously published under Q114702



SUMMARY
In FoxPro 2.6, the number of commands that can accept a LIKE or EXCEPT clause has been increased. This article explains the functionality of the LIKE and EXCEPT clauses, and lists some of the commands that do or do not accept the new LIKE/EXCEPT clauses.



MORE INFORMATION
You can use the following commands to create a database so that you can test the examples listed below: CREATE TABLE test ; (afld C(5), ;   bfld  C(5), ;   cfld  C(5), ;   dfld1 C(5), ;   dfld2 C(5), ;   xfyd  C(5))

INSERT INTO test ; (afld, ;   bfld,  ;   cfld,  ;   dfld1, ;   dfld2, ;   xfyd ) ; VALUES ; ('afld', ;   'bfld',  ;   'cfld',  ;   'dfld1', ;   'dfld2', ;   'xfyd' ) When you are using a LIKE or EXCEPT clause, you can specify a list of fields. For example, using the table created above, the following commands would set fields to "afld" and "bfld": SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE a*, b*  LIST The following commands, demonstrating the EXCEPT clause, would set fields to "bfld" and "cfld": SET FIELDS TO ALL EXCEPT d*, a*  LIST You can also use LIKE and EXCEPT together. For example, the following commands would set fields to only "dfld1": SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE d* EXCEPT dfld2 LIST The above statement would include all fields beginning with "d" (dfld1 and dfld2), but would then exclude all fields named "dfld2", which leaves "dfld1". You cannot specify a traditional field list when using LIKE or EXCEPT. For example, the following commands would set fields to "afld" and "bfld" but not "xfyd": SET FIELDS TO afld,bfld ALL LIKE x* Only one LIKE clause and/or EXCEPT clause can be specified. A second instance of these clauses will be ignored. For example, the following statement will set fields to "dfld1". The "LIKE x*" portion of the command is ignored. SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE d* EXCEPT dfld2* LIKE x* You can also specify all fields that contain the specified text. For example, this command would set fields to "xfyd": SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE *y* Of those commands that accept a field list, the commands that now accept LIKE and EXCEPT clauses include:

APPEND FROM ARRAY

BLANK

COPY STRUCTURE

COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED

COPY TO

COPY TO ARRAY

DISPLAY

EXPORT

GATHER

REPLACE FROM ARRAY

SCATTER

SET FIELDS

SORT

Of those commands that accept a field list, the commands that do not accept the LIKE/EXCEPT clauses include:

APPEND FROM

BROWSE

CHANGE

CREATE REPORT - Quick Report

CREATE SCREEN - Quick Screen

DISPLAY MEMO

EDIT

JOIN

LIST

SET CARRY

TOTAL

Additional query words: VFoxWin FoxDos FoxWin

Keywords: KB114702

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