[Arsperl-users] specifying sort order ...

[Andrew H. <an...@hi...>]

Hello everyone:

I realize this is a little off topic, as it doesn't relate directly to 
arsperl, but I'm sure someone here knows the answer:

the short question:
	
	is there some way, inside an ARS QBE string, to specify the order in 
which results
	should be returned, similar to SQL's "order by" clause?

the long question:

I need to create a filter that will check for duplicate entries in a 
form. When a new record is created in the form, the filter should fire, 
and place the most recent duplicate entry's entryID in a field in the 
new record.

This should be no sweat, just select entries with identical field 
values, sort by date descending and "if multiple entries match: use 
first", no? My problem is that I can't figure how to get remedy to 
order by date descending. I tried setting this in the sort pane of the 
form's 'properties' dialog, to no avail. I had thought to just use a 
straight SQL query, but then I'll have to use big nasty oracle decode() 
blocks to match dropdown menu value, and I don't fancy having to find 
each and every one of those and modifiy it if I have to add another 
menu value.

It's a long story, but the company I'm working for won't pay for a 
supportweb account, and I can't seem to google ANY documentation on 
this.

I call upon the vast knowledge of the group in my pitiful struggle.

thank you all in advance,

-Andrew ;-)

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## Andrew N. Hicox
## Hicox Information Systems Development
## [voice]: 703-367-9085
## [email]: an...@hi...
## [web]: http://hicox.com
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