Knowledge Base

PRB: Opening Database Named IN.DBC as a Table Causes Error

Article ID: 156582

Article Last Modified on 12/3/2003


APPLIES TO


This article was previously published under Q156582

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to open a .dbc file named In.dbc as a table with the USE command causes the following error message to appear:
Expression is not valid outside of With/EndWith.

CAUSE

The USE command has an IN clause. In this case, Visual FoxPro cannot determine whether the word "In" is a clause of the command or the file name.

WORKAROUND

The following syntax successfully opens the .dbc file as a table:
   USE "In.dbc"
				

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

In this case, the syntax of the USE command is ambiguous. The USE IN <exp> command closes a table located in the specified work area. Since it is not clear that "In" is a file name, FoxPro treats it like a clause of the USE command.

When FoxPro interprets the USE command, it attempts to evaluate the .dbc file as a property. Since no such property exists, the error message appears.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. In the Command window, type the following code:
          CREATE DATABASE In
          CLOSE DATABASE
          USE In.dbc
    						
  2. After the above error appears, click the Cancel button.
  3. Type the following line in the Command window to open the database as a table:
          USE "In.dbc"

Additional query words: kbdsd VFoxWin

Keywords: KB156582