modify "define relationship" via script

[No Spam]

Using a "self join", my data base will identify the FIRST record of a
subset of records. Modifying the "define relationship" with a different
sort order will select the LAST record of the subset. Is is possible to
effect the same change in a script? The "open define relationship"
script step is not desirable, because operator error is too easy.

Can a script dynamically select one of several relationships?

Thanks for any hints.

[Matthew Smith]

In article <spamshield-BD3380.05060516072003@newstest2.earthlink.net>,
No Spam <spamshield@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Using a "self join", my data base will identify the FIRST record of a
> subset of records. Modifying the "define relationship" with a different
> sort order will select the LAST record of the subset. Is is possible to
> effect the same change in a script? The "open define relationship"
> script step is not desirable, because operator error is too easy.
>
> Can a script dynamically select one of several relationships?

Why not create two relationships? Each with a different sort order.

--
Matthew Smith
(to reply via email remove xxx)

[No Spam]

Howard Schlossberg solved my problem with:

> Define a global field (text) and a calc field. Assuming your sort
> fields are LastName, Company and City, and you want the Company to be
> the default, define the calc as (text results):

Thank you Howard! Your comprehensive reply concisely illustrates a
perfect solution to my current problem. So now I'm thinking ahead, and
I don't see how to apply your approach to a descending alpha sort.

I had wanted to be able to switch between an ascending and a descending
sort. Since field is numeric, the computation for the sort key either
adds or subtracts the field to (from) an arbitrary bias value for the
two sequences. Yet how could I flip the sort sequence with an alpha
field? Again, I would rather not "open define relationship" and have
the user change the sort.

I hope I'm not overlooking the obvious, and asking to be spoon-fed ...

Phil