Subject Re: Programs and SQL\'s won\'t work From Ruth Bromer <ruth@treklite.com> Date Fri, 21 Jun 2019 14:52:44 -0400 Newsgroups dbase.getting-started Attachment(s) AmountDue.sql I removed the DBE aliases and entered ARDF_Champs using dbase and the link to the directory with the project. Then I added  --DATABASE:ARDF_Champs to the first line in one of the SQL\'s.  I didn\'t get an error message when I ran the SQL but it didn\'t do anything either. When I tried to look at the SQL through the design mode, I get the following message. Error: Unallowed phrase/keyword in command: :ARDF_Champs Here is the code for the SQL.  Maybe I entered something wrong. --DATABASE:ARDF_Champs SELECT First, Last, TotalFee,   (Last || \', \')  || First  Name, AmtPaid,  TotalFee - AmtPaid  AmtDue,   (First || \' \')  || Last  FullName FROM Competitor WHERE   (TotalFee - AmtPaid)  <> 0  ORDER BY Name   Mervyn Bick Wrote: > On 2019-06-21 3:40 PM, Ruth Bromer wrote: > > > I have no idea what an ADO is. > > The BDE (Borland Database Engine) is the program dBASE uses to actually > read and write to .dbf files.  ADO (ActiveX Database Objects) is another > way of accessing data that doesn\'t rely on the BDE.  It is mainly used > with SQL servers.  It is not applicable for what you are doing.  I only > mentioned it because you mentioned Connection Aliases which are used for > ADO connections. > > >> Open each .sql file in the sourcecode editor. Enter > >> --DATABASE:Your_Alias  as the first line.  Save the file and then test > >> it by double-clicking on it\'s icon in the Navigator. > > > > I think I understand what you are saying here but not sure.  Is the alias any name I want to enter or is it the project name? > > You can use anything you like but it is better to use something that > makes sense to you.  Avoid spaces. Use underscore characters if you feel > this makes it more readable.  Perhaps something like Annual_event or > Summer_event or Winter_event for the alias.  If you only do one event a > year you could even use Event as the alias.  The alias is not case > sensitive so upper case, lower case or any mixture to suit yourself. > > Once you have created the alias (let\'s assume you did use Annual_event) > you can edit your .sql files and place --DATABASE:Annual_event as the > top line. > > This year you set the path for the User BDE Alias to point to, say, the > folder C:\\event_2019_data  Next year you create a new folder, say, > c:\\event_2020_data and all you have to do is change the path in the > alias.  Your code will work without you having to edit anything. > > Mervyn. > >