SRP_FastArray Match and Null Data

prattspets

Is there a way to use SRP_FastArray Match to find null data in an array?

I have an array with two columns of data. I'd like to reduce the Array to only values that are not null in Array<2>. Using SRP_FastArray Match in a loop works great for all data except null. Any suggestion on how to accomplish this without having to resort back to slow angle bracket code?

KevinFournier

The problem lies in the dual meaning of "". Sometimes it's a value, sometimes it's nothing. Take this for example:

List = "Apple":@FM:"Banana":@FM:"":@FM:"Carrot"

Item 3 in this list could mean (a) a FIELD whose content is "", or (b) a FIELD with no VALUES in it. SRP FastArray uses the second interpretation. I could alter this interpretation, but then I'd break code that relies on it's current implementation.

There is, however, a work around that won't compromise on speed, but it has limitations. Since you didn't provide code, I don't know the complexity of the data you are searching, but one option is to use SRP List. SRP Lists are one-dimensional, so they will match against "" if you specify the MatchAll flag. You can quickly get from SRP FastArray to SRP List using the SRP_List CreateFromFastArray service.

Here's some test code I wrote. I create a fast array, then I convert it to a List, then I Match against it.

Test Match_Null // Create a fast array HandleFastArray = SRP_FastArray("Create", "Apple":@FM:"Banana":@FM:"":@FM:"Carrot") HandleList = SRP_List("CreateFromFastArray", HandleFastArray) FieldPos = 0 ValuePos = 0 SubValuePos = 0 // Find banana (MatchAll is the default) Count = SRP_List("Count", HandleList) Assert Count equals 4 Index = SRP_List("Match", HandleList, "", 1, "MatchAll") Assert Index equals 3 SRP_FastArray("Release", HandleFastArray) SRP_List("Release", HandleList) end test

prattspets

Thanks Kevin - I didn't realize that the SRP_List "Match" worked differently than SRP_FastArray "Match". This should help me get the results I am looking for.