Create & check folders from variables/input

[cwt]

Hi!

I'm new to AMS and I'm trying to build a small tool which creates several folders on a network share from user inputs.

I currently use a batch script but want to switch to AMS.

This is the current content of my batch:

set /p ordnernumber=Set order number (four digits: 0001, 0123, etc.):
if exist \\MYSERVER\SHARE\%date:~-4%\18_%ordernumber%* ECHO WARNING! Order number already exists! &GOTO START

In the first section the user has to enter a four digit order number. The script checks if this already exists.

If the folder doesn't exist the user has to enter a description:

set /p projectdescription=Please enter a description

After that the script continues and creates several folders and subfolders (20 pc) with mkdir from %ordernumber% and %projectdescription% on a network share.

In AMS I created an input field (labeled orderno) with a #### input mask. Below this a xbutton which should check if the folder already exists. I created a variable for the network share:

_workingshare = "\\\\MYSERVER\\SHARE"

I couldn't file any documentation about how to "expand" the Folder.DoesExist function in combination with the content from the input field.

In the "On Click" event of the xbutton I placed

ordernotext = Input.GetText("orderno");

to get the 4 digits from the input field. How can I combine this with my global _workingshare.. in Folder.DoesExist (if then)? And the next step would be to create the desired folders and subfolders from "ordernotext" inside "_workingshare.."


Thx a lot for any help :-)

Cheers

CWT

[BioHazard]

It's a little tough following everything you've asked here - but I think I'm understanding your request. Before we get started though, let me just comment on this part of it:

In AMS I created an input field (labeled orderno) with a #### input mask

Yes, an input-mask is certainly the most straightforward way to limit the user to a 4-digit input. However, I'm going to suggest instead, using a standard input box (appropriately coded to achieve the same result). Reason being, is that I found the input-mask 'problematic' when trying to get a return on blank strings, whilst running a check against the user leaving the Input field blank. Not sure whether this is just a bug with my version of AMS (v8.0.7.0 Personal) or if it's actually a universal issue. So, I'll leave that one up to you.

Anyhow, with that caveat, here's how I'd go about the whole thing.
Check out the attached .Apz demo, noting the following:

Globals:

• In this example, your server-address is subbed for a local one (just for practicality and testing). Swap it out for your particular needs.

Input Box (On Key):

• Code employs e_Key event variable to ensure user enters ONLY numbers.
• Ensure Input Box is set to "Standard", not to "Input Mask").

xButton (On Click):

• Ensures user doesn't leave Input field blank.
• Ensures exactly 4 numbers are entered as Order No.
• Grabs Order No. from Input field to create folder by that name (at path specified in Globals).
• Runs check to see whether that folder already exists.

Code's been quite thoroughly commented throughout, to minimize confusion.
Nb. May have a bug or two - haven't checked it thoroughly yet. But should get you started.

[cwt]

Thank you very much for your help, time and effort in this! Very much appreciated :-)

One last question: as described in my starting post, the users had to enter a description (if the ordner no doesn't exist). This description will be part of the "main" folder which is created.

Example:

1234_PROJECT_DESCRIPTION

Maybe it's possible to combine the function of the xbutton (folder.doesexist after 4 digit input) with the input field. If the folder doesn't exist (or to be more precise: the first 4 digits followed by the description: \\\\MYSERVER\\SHARE\\1234_..........) the user has to enter the description. The xbutton would then "only" create the main folder followed by the desired subfolders.

Again - thx a lot!

[BioHazard]

... One last question: as described in my starting post, the users had to enter a description (if the ordner no doesn't exist). This description will be part of the "main" folder which is created...

Sure. The easiest way would be to create a 2nd Input field for the description. Then just append its variable to both the Folder.DoesExist() and Folder.Create() commands via standard concatenation convention. Modded example attached.

[cwt]

Wow, thank you

One last dumb question: how can I add an underscore after the orderno when creating the folder? So that I receive \\<orderno>_<description>?

Cheers

[colc]

Hi,
Hope Bio doesn't mind me poking in
It's quite simple where the space is place an underscore

.-- Create the folder (using value stored in "ordernotext" variable to name it)
            Folder.Create(_workingshare.."\\"..ordernotext.."_"..description); -- Nb. You'd create whatever subFolders are required, by simply concatenating the relevant folder-paths here
            Dialog.Message("Task Complete!", "Your folder has been successfully created at: " .. _workingshare);
        end

Cheers

[cwt]

It's quite simple where the space is place an underscore

Yep, that worked

Thank you @ all!

[BioHazard]

...Hope Bio doesn't mind me poking in

No problemo. The more the merrier!
......................................

@cwt
Just to elaborate / clarify what's actually happening in that line of code (xButton On Click - Line-19):

The pair-of-dots (ie. '..') punctuation (which by default shows up as 'red' in your AMS code-editor) is the Lua concatenation symbol for joining string-values together. In your particular case, we're joining 3 string-values (comprised of):

• 2 relative string-values (stored by the variables ordernotext & description)
• 1 literal string-value (the underscore).

ie. ordernotext + _ + description

In written English, (obviously) we 'join' things with either the word 'and', or one of its common abbreviations (such as '&' or '+'.) But in Lua, we use the pair-of-dots symbol, instead. Hence, the above example becomes:

ordernotext .. "_" .. description

Note: The underscore is enclosed in quote-marks because it's a literal string (as opposed to ordernotext & description which are variables storing the value of relative strings).

Comprehende?
Yes, Bio - clear as mud!

[cwt]

BioHazard : muchas gracias

I still have a little problem with the folder.doesexist function in the script. I created 2 test folders with the script:

\\MYSERVER\SHARE\1234_abcdefg
\\MYSERVER\SHARE\2345_defgh

When I enter "1234" and "abcdefg" as orderno and description, the script throws up the warning (folder already exists). But when I enter "1234" as ordnerno again and "xyz" as description the script creates the folder. Can I use wildcards in

local bRet = Folder.DoesExist(_workingshare.."\\"..ordernotext.."_"..description);

after "..ordernotext.."? Or to be more precise: the script should only check the "ordernotext". I already tried

local bRet = Folder.DoesExist(_workingshare.."\\"..ordernotext);

but that didn't work.

[BioHazard]

... I already tried

local bRet = Folder.DoesExist(_workingshare.."\\"..ordernotext);

but that didn't work.

Corrrect - that won't work because it's instructing your app to look for folders named only with the Order No (and no Description appended).

Instead, you can employ the wildcard(*) symbol with the Folder.Find() function to return a table of paths for all folders beginning with the Order No. in their name. (And recurse through their subfolders too, if so desired). This would be used in place of the File.DoesExist() function.

Modded example attached. This should do the trick.

[sameer valva]

Great Job Bio , i found only one issue, its does not accept numbers from the numpad .

[sameer valva]

Another thing , it will give you that a folder is successfully Created even if its not created . If u put a non-exist path it will give you that a folder is created even the path is wrong or fake.
I tied your example apz but i didn't create any folder on the desktop as if its hidden because if tried to create the same folder name it tells you its already exists but you cant find it .

AMS 8.5.2 and Win10

[BioHazard]

Great Job Bio , i found only one issue, its does not accept numbers from the numpad .

The action for restricting input to numbers-only is coded in the the On Key event of the 1st Input box. And uses the e_Key event variable to return input via Decimal representation of virtual key-codes. A list of virtual key-codes can be found in your manual under:

Contents >> Miscellaneous >> Virtual Key Codes

The virtual key-code range for NumPad characters (with Num Lock on) for 0-9 is: Decimal 96-105 inclusive. So you'd just add this range to your code in the On Key event of the 1st Input box. Try the attached mod (but remember to ensure that Num Lock on your keyboard is turned on):

[sameer valva]

I confirm its all working , it was Windows issue , i restart the system and it worked.

Thank u Bio

[BioHazard]

Another thing , it will give you that a folder is successfully Created even if its not created .

That's exactly what it's supposed to do.

If u put a non-exist path it will give you that a folder is created even the path is wrong or fake.

How can you put in a non-existant path? The 1st Input field accept only a 4-digit code (representing the customer's Order No.) And the 2nd Input field is just an appended description determined by the user (which can be comprised of ANY character/s).

I tied your example apz but i didn't create any folder on the desktop as if its hidden because if tried to create the same folder name it tells you its already exists but you cant find it.

It tells you that a folder with same 4-digit Order No already exists, if it encounters any folder starting with that same 4-digit code (regardless of the Description appended via the 2nd Input field).

I've NO idea why you're getting 'hidden' output. Sounds like you might have a virus.