PRB: "Alias 'Wxx' Not Found" Error Checking Open Alias File

ID: Q88289

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, version 2.0

SYMPTOMS

When the ?<alias number>.<fieldname> command is used to determine the contents of a field in an open database in work areas 11 through 25, an "Alias 'Wxx' not found" error message occurs (where "xx" is the number of the work area).

RESOLUTION

Do not use this syntax to determine the contents in a field in a database opened in work areas greater than 10.

MORE INFORMATION

In the May 1991 edition of the FoxPro "Commands & Functions" manual, the "FoxPro Assigned Alias" topic includes the following text:

   The default aliases assigned in the first 10 work areas are the
   work area letters A through J; the aliases assigned in work areas
   11 through 125 are W11 through W125.

In the August 1991 edition of the FoxPro "Commands & Functions" manual, the "FoxPro Assigned Alias" topic includes the following text:

   The default aliases assigned in the first 10 work areas are the
   work area letters A through J; the aliases assigned in work areas
   11 through 25 are W11 through W25.

Each of these statements is incorrect. When the ?W11.<fieldname> command is issued in the Command window, FoxPro generates an "Alias 'W11' not found" error. However, if the database is opened in work area A, typing the ?A.<fieldname> command returns the proper contents of the field.

NOTE: There are only 25 possible open work areas, not 125.

Additional reference words: FoxDos 2.00 W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16 W17 W18 W19 W20 W21 W22 W23 W24 W25 redbox red box docerr KBCategory: kbprg kbprb kbdocerr KBSubcategory:

Last Reviewed: April 17, 1995