b (Bridge) Processing Code

The b processing code maintains a horizontal relationship (bridge) between an attribute in one item and an item in another file (or the same file) on the system level.

If you attempt to file or restore a bridge in an FSI file-defining item, it will be commented-out with an asterisk (*).

This processing code is supported only from the VME.

System Processors	Update
Code Type	File Defining
Dictionary Attributes	Correlative

Syntax

bfile.reference;attr1;attr2{;{attr3;+|-}|d}

Parameter(s)

file.reference	Refers to the file in which the bridge is being built.
attr1	Contains the attribute in the current item that contains the item-ID of the item in the bridged-to file. This attribute may be MultiValue in the current file. If it is MultiValue, all items are updated in the bridged-to file.
attr2	Contains the attribute in the bridged-to item that is referenced by the bridge. Unless the optional operator parameter is specified, this attribute contains the item-ID of the current item as a cross-reference to the current file. If the optional operator parameter is specified as an arithmetic operation with an operand attribute count 3, the attribute contains the result of the arithmetic operation.
attr3;+\|-	Adds or subtracts the value of the attribute specified by attribute count 3 in the current item to the value in the attribute count 2 in the bridged-to item. The inverse operation is performed on a delete. No backward pointer is maintained in the bridged-to item. If the current item is deleted, the inverse operation is performed to automatically return the value in attribute count 2 to its original value.
d	Used as an override to delete the current item even if attribute count 1 is not null. Without this option, the current item may not be deleted if the attribute specified by attribute count 1 contains a value. All values of attribute count 1 in the current item are processed. If a value in attribute count 1 is changed, the value of attribute count 2 in the original item specified by attribute count 1 is deleted, and this value is added to attribute count 2 of the new item pointed to by attribute count 1.

The advantage of a bridge correlative is that it performs a function that previously took significant FlashBASIC coding. When an item is added, changed, or deleted, all the bridge correlatives in the file-defining item of the file dictionary are processed for that item.

NOTE

When using correlatives from the FSI during a restore, illegal or unsupported correlatives are automatically commented out (by inserting a leading asterisk (*)). For example, any correlatives intended for use within the VME whose formats would not work properly within the FSI are automatically commented out.

Example(s)

Places the item-ID of the current item into attribute 5 of the entity file. Attribute 1 in the current file contains the item-ID in the entity file.

bentity;1;5

Adds the value of attribute 3 in the current item to the value in attribute 4 of the bridged-to item (product file). The result of the addition is stored in attribute 4 of the bridged item.

bproduct;2;4;3;+