DOCUMENT:Q114702 10-FEB-2000 [foxpro] TITLE :How to Use the LIKE and EXCEPT Clauses PRODUCT :Microsoft FoxPro PROD/VER:MS-DOS:2.6; WINDOWS:2.6,3.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0 - Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, version 2.6 - Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, version 2.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= In FoxPro 2.6, the number of commands that can accept a LIKE or EXCEPT clause has been increased. This article explains the functionality of the LIKE and EXCEPT clauses, and lists some of the commands that do or do not accept the new LIKE/EXCEPT clauses. MORE INFORMATION ================ You can use the following commands to create a database so that you can test the examples listed below: CREATE TABLE test ; (afld C(5), ; bfld C(5), ; cfld C(5), ; dfld1 C(5), ; dfld2 C(5), ; xfyd C(5)) INSERT INTO test ; (afld, ; bfld, ; cfld, ; dfld1, ; dfld2, ; xfyd ) ; VALUES ; ('afld', ; 'bfld', ; 'cfld', ; 'dfld1', ; 'dfld2', ; 'xfyd' ) When you are using a LIKE or EXCEPT clause, you can specify a list of fields. For example, using the table created above, the following commands would set fields to "afld" and "bfld": SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE a*, b* LIST The following commands, demonstrating the EXCEPT clause, would set fields to "bfld" and "cfld": SET FIELDS TO ALL EXCEPT d*, a* LIST You can also use LIKE and EXCEPT together. For example, the following commands would set fields to only "dfld1": SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE d* EXCEPT dfld2 LIST The above statement would include all fields beginning with "d" (dfld1 and dfld2), but would then exclude all fields named "dfld2", which leaves "dfld1". You cannot specify a traditional field list when using LIKE or EXCEPT. For example, the following commands would set fields to "afld" and "bfld" but not "xfyd": SET FIELDS TO afld,bfld ALL LIKE x* Only one LIKE clause and/or EXCEPT clause can be specified. A second instance of these clauses will be ignored. For example, the following statement will set fields to "dfld1". The "LIKE x*" portion of the command is ignored. SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE d* EXCEPT dfld2* LIKE x* You can also specify all fields that contain the specified text. For example, this command would set fields to "xfyd": SET FIELDS TO ALL LIKE *y* Of those commands that accept a field list, the commands that now accept LIKE and EXCEPT clauses include: APPEND FROM ARRAY BLANK COPY STRUCTURE COPY STRUCTURE EXTENDED COPY TO COPY TO ARRAY DISPLAY EXPORT GATHER REPLACE FROM ARRAY SCATTER SET FIELDS SORT Of those commands that accept a field list, the commands that do not accept the LIKE/EXCEPT clauses include: APPEND FROM BROWSE CHANGE CREATE REPORT - Quick Report CREATE SCREEN - Quick Screen DISPLAY MEMO EDIT JOIN LIST SET CARRY TOTAL Additional query words: VFoxWin FoxDos FoxWin ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbFoxproSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbFoxPro260DOS kbFoxPro260 kbVFP300 Version : MS-DOS:2.6; WINDOWS:2.6,3.0 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.