INFO: Difference Between INDEXSEEK and KEYMATCH Functions

MORE INFORMATION

The INDEXSEEK function searches an index key for a certain expression just like the KEYMATCH function, but the INDEXSEEK function does not fire any triggers when it searches because INDEXSEEK never leaves the current record. The KEYMATCH function leaves the current record and then goes back to it after completing the search, thus firing existing triggers. This makes the INDEXSEEK function a better function to use with tables that have triggers associated with them. Typically, you would use INDEXSEEK to search for an existing key before you have committed the record. The following code example demonstrates how the INDEXSEEK function works differently from the KEYMATCH function.

Sample Code

   * Start code here.
   PUBLIC oForm
   DisplayStatus([Creating database...])
   CLOSE DATA ALL
   CREATE DATABASE 'SAMPLE1.DBC'
   DisplayStatus([Creating table TABLE1...])
   MakeTable_TABLE1()
   DisplayStatus([Finished.])
   SET MULTILOCKS ON
   open data sample1.dbc
   oForm= CREATEOBJECT('seekmatch')
   oForm.VISIBLE = .T.

   FUNCTION MakeTable_TABLE1
   ***** Table setup for TABLE1 *****
   CREATE TABLE 'TABLE1.DBF' NAME 'TABLE1' (CHAR1 C(10) NOT NULL)

   ***** Create each index for TABLE1 *****
   SET COLLATE TO 'MACHINE'
   ALTER TABLE 'TABLE1' ADD PRIMARY KEY CHAR1 TAG CHAR1

   ***** Change properties for TABLE1 *****
   CREATE TRIGGER ON 'TABLE1' FOR INSERT AS inserted()
   ENDFUNC

   FUNCTION inserted
   WAIT WINDOW 'Insert Trigger Fired'
   RETURN .T.
   ENDFUNC

   FUNCTION DisplayStatus(lcMessage)
   WAIT WINDOW NOWAIT lcMessage
   ENDFUNC

   **************************************************
   *-- Class:        seekmatch
   *-- ParentClass:  form
   *-- BaseClass:    form
   *
   DEFINE CLASS seekmatch AS FORM

      TOP = 0
      LEFT = 0
      HEIGHT = 181
      WIDTH = 337
      DOCREATE = .T.
      BUFFERMODE = 0
      CAPTION = "Form1"
      NAME = "Form1"

   ADD OBJECT command1 AS COMMANDBUTTON WITH ;
     TOP = 24, ;
     LEFT = 24, ;
     HEIGHT = 49, ;
     WIDTH = 133, ;
     CAPTION = "Do IndexSeek()", ;
     NAME = "Command1"

   ADD OBJECT command2 AS COMMANDBUTTON WITH ;
     TOP = 24, ;
     LEFT = 168, ;
     HEIGHT = 49, ;
     WIDTH = 145, ;
     CAPTION = "Do KeyMatch()", ;
     NAME = "Command2"

   ADD OBJECT command3 AS COMMANDBUTTON WITH ;
     TOP = 96, ;
     LEFT = 96, ;
     HEIGHT = 48, ;
     WIDTH = 145, ;
     CAPTION = "Close", ;
     NAME = "Command3"

   PROCEDURE INIT
     SET SAFETY OFF
     ZAP
     SET SAFETY ON
     SET ORDER TO CHAR1

     FOR i = 1 TO 5
        APPEND BLANK
        REPLACE CHAR1 WITH "Test"+ALLTRIM(STR(i))
     ENDFOR
     =CURSORSETPROP('buffering',2)
   ENDPROC

   PROCEDURE command1.CLICK
      APPEND BLANK
      x = INDEXSEEK('Test3')
      IF x
         WAIT WINDOW "Record found and no trigger fired"
      ELSE
         WAIT WINDOW "Record not found"
      ENDIF
      =TABLEREVERT(.T.)
   ENDPROC

   PROCEDURE command2.CLICK
      APPEND BLANK
      x = KEYMATCH('Test3')
      IF x
        WAIT WINDOW 'Record found and trigger fired'
      ELSE
        WAIT WINDOW 'Record not found'
      ENDIF
        =TABLEREVERT(.T.)
   ENDPROC

   PROCEDURE command3.CLICK
      THISFORM.RELEASE
   ENDPROC

   ENDDEFINE
   *
   *-- EndDefine: seekmatch
				

Steps to Create Sample

1. Copy the code into a new program and run the program. You will see a WAIT WINDOW displayed five times. Press any key to proceed after each window displays. A form appears.
2. Click the "Do INDEXSEEK" command button. This appends a record and calls the INDEXSEEK function to search for a string in the table. Note that the function finds the record, but the Insert trigger is never fired.
3. Click the "Do KEYMATCH" command button. This appends a record and calls the KEYMATCH function, which searches for a string in the table. Note this time the Insert trigger fires, displaying a WAIT WINDOW message.

There are other differences between these functions, such as, the INDEXSEEK

function accepts a parameter that takes you to the matching record, which
				

acts just like a Seek. However, the KEYMATCH function does not have this functionality.