Setting Limits on the Number of Records Read
For some reports, a limited number of records is satisfactory. When the specified number of records is retrieved, record retrieval can stop. This is useful when:
- You are designing a new report, and you need only a few records from the actual data source to test your design.
- The database administrator needs to limit the size of reports by placing an upper limit on retrieval from very large data sources. This limit is attached to the user password.
- You know the number of records that meet the test criteria. You can specify that number so that the search does not continue beyond the last record that meets the criteria. For example, suppose only ten employees use electronic transfer of funds, and you want to retrieve only those records. The record limit would be ten, and retrieval would stop when the tenth record is retrieved. The data source would not be searched any further.
Limit the Number of Records Read
WHERE RECORDLIMIT EQ n
where:
n
Is a number greater than 0, and indicates the number of records
to be retrieved. This syntax can be used with FOCUS and non-FOCUS
data sources.
For all non-FOCUS data sources, you can also use
WHERE READLIMIT EQ n
where:
n
Is a number greater than 0, and indicates the number of read
operations (not records) to be performed. For details, see the appropriate
data adapter manual.
Tip: If an attempt is made to apply the READLIMIT test to a FOCUS data source, the request is processed correctly, but the READLIMIT phrase is ignored.
Note: Using SET RECORDLIMIT disables AUTOINDEX.
Limiting the Number of Records Read
The following request retrieves four records, generating a four-line report:
TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE PRINT LAST_NAME AND FIRST_NAME AND EMP_ID WHERE RECORDLIMIT EQ 4 END
The output is:
LAST_NAME FIRST_NAME EMP_ID --------- ---------- ------ STEVENS ALFRED 071382660 SMITH MARY 112847612 JONES DIANE 117593129 SMITH RICHARD 119265415