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Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

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    Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

    On this page:
    https://www.alphasoftware.com/docume...ions/index.xml

    I see an asterisk as part of the function name, why is this? What does it mean? Also, some use case examples would be great on these - date and time math seems to be really troublesome for me!
    NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

    #2
    Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

    jim coltz wrote an article just for dates in this board, either search it under his name or together dates and his name or in the code section, you will find that article. that was, and is, an excellent contribution.
    if you cannot find it post back i will look for it.
    also there are many articles on the internet. since you are doing mostly web/mobile, you might want to get a book on javascript and they do talk about dates in many versions i went thru.
    thanks for reading

    gandhi

    version 11 3381 - 4096
    mysql backend
    http://www.alphawebprogramming.blogspot.com
    [email protected]
    Skype:[email protected]
    1 914 924 5171

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

      If memory serves, the asterisk indicates that the function employs lower level routines (C++ or something) and should be faster than similar alternatives.
      There can be only one.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

        I found this:
        https://stackoverflow.com/questions/...-function-name

        I aint sure...
        NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

          Originally posted by CharlesParker View Post
          not correct, but stan is, as far as i know.
          thanks for reading

          gandhi

          version 11 3381 - 4096
          mysql backend
          http://www.alphawebprogramming.blogspot.com
          [email protected]
          Skype:[email protected]
          1 914 924 5171

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

            Originally posted by CharlesParker View Post
            On this page:
            https://www.alphasoftware.com/docume...ions/index.xml

            I see an asterisk as part of the function name, why is this? What does it mean? Also, some use case examples would be great on these - date and time math seems to be really troublesome for me!
            There's nothing particularly special about these functions. The asterisk is part of the function name and is used to avoid potential name collisions with user defined functions.

            Which date/time functions are you struggling with? We can add some examples. (Specifying specific functions will help us prioritize which ones to update first.)
            Last edited by Sarah Mitchell; 10-11-2017, 06:30 PM.
            Sarah Mitchell
            Director of Customer Success | [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com"]Alpha Software Corporation[/URL]
            [B]Get in the know! [/B] Join us for our Weekly Webinars: [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com/weekly-transform-tuesday-webinar"]TransForm Tuesday[/URL] and [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com/weekly-alpha-anywhere-overview-webinar"]Wednesday's Alpha Anywhere Demo and Q&A[/URL]
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            Comment


              #7
              Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

              Thanks, Sarah! Specifically, I would like to see an example of the usage of add_minutes - I was actually surprised to hear that the asterisk is actually part of the name. David K and ghandi actually offered the help I needed (in another thread) and I am pretty sure I was barking up the wrong tree anyway when I found the add_minutes function. It would be great to see how one of these functions would be used in a UX or in a grid, not just 3 lines of code showing the syntax (although that is certainly helpful) I hope you do not take that wrong, the help system has been dramatically improved! You guys are doing a great job! It is obvious the AS team works it's butt off night and day - always moving forward.
              NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                for what is worth,
                *add_minutes is an xbasic function, which will in turn require a call to the server. in my opinion that is not ideal or what you are looking for.
                get the minutes added via javascript or the trigger in the backend, you will be set to go.
                thanks for reading

                gandhi

                version 11 3381 - 4096
                mysql backend
                http://www.alphawebprogramming.blogspot.com
                [email protected]
                Skype:[email protected]
                1 914 924 5171

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                  Originally posted by CharlesParker View Post
                  Thanks, Sarah! Specifically, I would like to see an example of the usage of add_minutes - I was actually surprised to hear that the asterisk is actually part of the name. David K and ghandi actually offered the help I needed (in another thread) and I am pretty sure I was barking up the wrong tree anyway when I found the add_minutes function. It would be great to see how one of these functions would be used in a UX or in a grid, not just 3 lines of code showing the syntax (although that is certainly helpful) I hope you do not take that wrong, the help system has been dramatically improved! You guys are doing a great job! It is obvious the AS team works it's butt off night and day - always moving forward.
                  Will do! I'll see what I can put together.

                  Also, if you're looking for a solution that would work on the client rather than the server, check out the UX getDateValue() method and the Date object addTime() method -- both of these are methods we created for use on the client to make it easier to do date math.
                  Sarah Mitchell
                  Director of Customer Success | [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com"]Alpha Software Corporation[/URL]
                  [B]Get in the know! [/B] Join us for our Weekly Webinars: [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com/weekly-transform-tuesday-webinar"]TransForm Tuesday[/URL] and [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com/weekly-alpha-anywhere-overview-webinar"]Wednesday's Alpha Anywhere Demo and Q&A[/URL]
                  Connect with us: [URL="https://www.instagram.com/alpha_software_corp/"]Instagram[/URL] | [URL="https://twitter.com/AlphaSoftware"]Twitter[/URL] | [URL="https://www.facebook.com/AlphaSoftware/"]Facebook[/URL] | [URL="https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-software"]LinkedIn[/URL] | [URL="https://www.youtube.com/user/AlphaSoftwareInc"]YouTube[/URL]

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                    Yes, in the other thread David K pointed those out to me and were the solution that I was looking for.
                    NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                      Originally posted by CharlesParker View Post
                      Thanks, Sarah! Specifically, I would like to see an example of the usage of add_minutes - I was actually surprised to hear that the asterisk is actually part of the name. David K and ghandi actually offered the help I needed (in another thread) and I am pretty sure I was barking up the wrong tree anyway when I found the add_minutes function. It would be great to see how one of these functions would be used in a UX or in a grid, not just 3 lines of code showing the syntax (although that is certainly helpful) I hope you do not take that wrong, the help system has been dramatically improved! You guys are doing a great job! It is obvious the AS team works it's butt off night and day - always moving forward.
                      I have added examples to all of the * date methods with an Ajax Callback example for the *add_minutes function. Let me know if this is helpful.
                      Last edited by Sarah Mitchell; 10-12-2017, 11:57 AM. Reason: fixed incorrect link
                      Sarah Mitchell
                      Director of Customer Success | [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com"]Alpha Software Corporation[/URL]
                      [B]Get in the know! [/B] Join us for our Weekly Webinars: [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com/weekly-transform-tuesday-webinar"]TransForm Tuesday[/URL] and [URL="https://www.alphasoftware.com/weekly-alpha-anywhere-overview-webinar"]Wednesday's Alpha Anywhere Demo and Q&A[/URL]
                      Connect with us: [URL="https://www.instagram.com/alpha_software_corp/"]Instagram[/URL] | [URL="https://twitter.com/AlphaSoftware"]Twitter[/URL] | [URL="https://www.facebook.com/AlphaSoftware/"]Facebook[/URL] | [URL="https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-software"]LinkedIn[/URL] | [URL="https://www.youtube.com/user/AlphaSoftwareInc"]YouTube[/URL]

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                        WOW - excellent, thank you that is really great! Really clean, clear and with a short example like that it really makes it easier to understand. It seems to me that one of the hardest things to learn (and sometimes still is) for a new guy is WHEN and WHERE to use a function. Because you can use xbasic and javascript together and then not use xbasic in a client side javascript event (but can) it is often hard for me (and others) to determine usage when the example stops at syntax. I have seen several times on the forum where someone has xbasic mixed in with JS in a button click and using server side code in a client side event.
                        I think that might be the key to creating better documentation - but anyways, getting back to your documentation efforts - this is perfect thanks!
                        NWCOPRO: Nuisance Wildlife Control Software My Application: http://www.nwcopro.com "Without forgetting, we would have no memory at all...now what was I saying?"

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                          Originally posted by CharlesParker View Post
                          WOW - excellent, thank you that is really great! Really clean, clear and with a short example like that it really makes it easier to understand. It seems to me that one of the hardest things to learn (and sometimes still is) for a new guy is WHEN and WHERE to use a function. Because you can use xbasic and javascript together and then not use xbasic in a client side javascript event (but can) it is often hard for me (and others) to determine usage when the example stops at syntax. I have seen several times on the forum where someone has xbasic mixed in with JS in a button click and using server side code in a client side event.
                          I think that might be the key to creating better documentation - but anyways, getting back to your documentation efforts - this is perfect thanks!
                          Just to clarify for anyone stopping by to read this thread...

                          You CANNOT use Xbasic and Javascript together
                          You CANNOT use XBasic in a client side Javascript event
                          You CANNOT mix Xbasic in with Javascript in a button click
                          You CANNOT use server side code in a client side event

                          I think you may not actually mean what you wrote as you wrote it... but the words are quite misleading. Essentially you wrote the same thing 4 times.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                            Originally posted by Beta Spark View Post
                            I have added examples to all of the * date methods with an Ajax Callback example for the *add_minutes function. Let me know if this is helpful.
                            it will be nice to see in the documentation what version of alphfive needed to use any given function.
                            thanks for reading

                            gandhi

                            version 11 3381 - 4096
                            mysql backend
                            http://www.alphawebprogramming.blogspot.com
                            [email protected]
                            Skype:[email protected]
                            1 914 924 5171

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Documentation - what's the asterisk for?

                              This is out of scope but what I have found interesting is that you can invoke xbasic function(s) saved in for example in CouchDB json.

                              So you can write function(s) using json key value par syntax and then use a little trick to run it. Nice but dangerous.


                              You CANNOT run Xbasic function directly from CouchDB json:)

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