In my posting I also mention I had tried it with table contact in database ConComp supplied by RBase with the same results. Upon further investigation the final conclusion is:
For LAYOUT to work the key work ALL must be used. If you
type:
EDIT ALL FROM Contact
Layout works as described HOWEVER it does not work if on the same table
you type:
EDIT CustID,ContFName,ContPhone,ContInfo FROM Contact
or partial columns:
EDIT CustID,ContFName FROM Contact
The explanation in:
http://www.RSyntax.com/Syntax.htm
is correct since they mention that it only works with EDIT/BROWSE
ALL
the problem is that for programmers that have been using RBase for
years it is a change in behavior for the command under Windows.
The same test is performed with RBase for DOS and it behaves the way it always has behaved where it does not matter if you use the word ALL or if you list one column or if you list all columns in the table.
So the final conclusion is that the SET LAYOUT command has two distinct
behaviors depending if you are using the DOS or the Windows version.
The explanation given in
http://www.RSyntax.com/Syntax.htm
is limited to the way that both DOS and Windows versions behaves and
it does not state that under DOS it retained the way the environmental
setting use to work. Since there is only one on-line Syntax documentation
it should show any existing differences between the RBase products offered.
This will get even more complicated when RBase for Linux is borne.
I understand how difficult is can be to retain all features under different
operating environments. I feel RBase Technologies has done an incredible
job in obtaining a degree of compatibility that has no match in the industry.
I am extremely grateful for their effort and for a product that provides
me with a great deal of fun and financial rewards.
Knowing in detail the behavior of commands and setting is my job and
knowing the subtle difference is what I get paid for. The intention
of my posting is to learn and understand.
Thank you,
Manuel
