Re: How to view data in alphabetical order in a subfile

 >> but if the DB you are reading from, is big a customer file is often
BIG), and you just need a handful of those records, I would still position
in the DB and reload the subfile...

If that was indeed the requirement I'd probably use SQL.  Also of course the
limit on a subfile is 9,999 so you can't hold that many records in memory
anyway.  If because of the size of the file (and subsequent result set) we
are into displaying a page at a time anyway, then a memory sort is
problematic in other ways.

I think it really depends more on _why_ the user wants the subfile sorted.
If they are looking at a set of records and want to see the same data in a
different way, I'd load the subfile into memory and sort it.  If on the
other hand they are (say) trying to find a specific record and using
different sequences to help locate it then I would agree with you.  However,
in this case I'd have probably presented them with a "search by ..." type
screen rather than having shown them a subfile and then have them request a
sort.


Jon Paris
Partner400

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