Tech Tip: Utility Method to Get Table Pointer From Table Name

PRODUCT: 4D | VERSION: 15.x | PLATFORM: Mac & Win

Published On: November 14, 2017

Below is a utility method that will return a table pointer of the passed table name:

// Method: util_getTablePointer
// Description
// Get the current server service status
//
// Return
// $0 - Pointer to Table Name
// ----------------------------------------------------

C_POINTER($0)
C_TEXT($1)

C_TEXT(name_t)
C_LONGINT(tableNumber_l)

If (Count parameters>0)
   name_t:=$1
   Begin SQL
      SELECT TABLE_ID
      FROM _USER_TABLES
      WHERE TABLE_NAME=:name_t
      INTO :tableNumber_l;
   End SQL

   If (tableNumber_l>0)
      $0:=Table(tableNumber_l)
   Else
      $0:=Null
   End if
End if

Below are examples of using the method on a Database with only one table, "Table_1":

C_POINTER($pointer_p)
C_TEXT($text_t)
$text_t:="Table_1"
$pointer_p:=util_getTablePointer($text_t)
TRACE

Since "Table_1" exists the results are a pointer to the table:

C_POINTER($pointer_p)
C_TEXT($text_t)
$text_t:="Table_2"
$pointer_p:=util_getTablePointer($text_t)
TRACE

Since "Table_2" does not exist the results are Nil/Null: