Paradox DB query blank

beemr · 2021-12-29T16:20:45.000Z

I am trying to do a simple query in Paradox, and it is coming up blank.

Neally · 2021-12-29T16:26:01.000Z

Welcome.

you have to give more information and background.

What exactly are you trying to do, what exactly did you do.

We can not read minds

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beemr · 2021-12-29T16:26:21.000Z

Its a database created for payments on a job. It has the following fields:

-Date

-Amount

-Type of payment

-Description

-Catagory

When I try to calc sum the Amount column, it gives me a blank Answer Table.

If I try to pull up a known record (i.e., 6227 listed in Description), it also gives me a blank Answer Table, regardless of what fields I check or not.

sal8273 · 2021-12-29T18:26:09.000Z

What are the queries you are using?

Typically, to get a calculated sum, you need to group by customer or job number or something that makes sense. Also, how are you trying to pull up that “6227” record?

brianswales · 2021-12-30T13:09:56.000Z

He obviously didn’t even read the link about how to ask better questions.

beemr · 2021-12-30T17:22:07.000Z

I’m not understanding your question about what queries I am using. It only gives me one option. Also, can’t I get a calculated sum of any field, regardless of grouping? If I don’t narrow down the grouping, shouldn’t it give a total sum of the table?

To clarify about “6227”…my table is just like a check registry. Each entry line has a date, amount, Type (check, cash, debit, deposit), Description (To Whom), Category (labor, materials, sub, etc.) and Notes. If I pay with a check, then I put the check number under Notes.

To run my query, I click on “File”, “New”, and then “Query”. It then prompts for a table to choose. When I choose my table, a new “Query” box opens up for my chosen table. It has all six fields with blank boxes next to each.

If I check the box next to “Amount”, and then type in “calc sum”, when I click the “Run Query” tab, all it produces is a blank answer box. I assume it should calculate all of the numbers in that column.

Also, if I check all fields, and type “6227” next to “Description”, again it only comes up blank instead of locating that one entry.

Any thoughts?

brianswales · 2021-12-30T17:45:13.000Z

My mistake. I think we assumed this was a SQL compatible database. Paradox is not SQL. We were asking for the SQL Query that you were using and you are not using one.

How old is that anyway. Is it running on DOS?

sal8273 · 2021-12-31T20:51:55.000Z

Beemr:

I’m not understanding your question about what queries I am using. It only gives me one option. Also, can’t I get a calculated sum of any field, regardless of grouping? If I don’t narrow down the grouping, shouldn’t it give a total sum of the table?

To clarify about “6227”…my table is just like a check registry. Each entry line has a date, amount, Type (check, cash, debit, deposit), Description (To Whom), Category (labor, materials, sub, etc.) and Notes. If I pay with a check, then I put the check number under Notes.

To run my query, I click on “File”, “New”, and then “Query”. It then prompts for a table to choose. When I choose my table, a new “Query” box opens up for my chosen table. It has all six fields with blank boxes next to each.

If I check the box next to “Amount”, and then type in “calc sum”, when I click the “Run Query” tab, all it produces is a blank answer box. I assume it should calculate all of the numbers in that column.

Also, if I check all fields, and type “6227” next to “Description”, again it only comes up blank instead of locating that one entry.

Any thoughts?

Typing “6227” in the Description field is going to find records where the value of that field is exactly “6227” - no trailing spaces, either. If you want records that contain “6227” someplace in the Description you need to use “%6227%” or “6227” (been a long time, I forget if Paradox uses regular wildcards or asterisks.

If the “6227” query is turning up no records, you will get blank totals for the calc sum. Or, if there is no record selection filter, it is possible that the calclated sum of the Amount column of all records exceeds the displayable maximum number. I never had a lot of experience with Paradox, but I do know that it frequently swallows exceptions and errors, displaying “nothing” in favor of an informative message.

If you have the opportunity to write an actual SQL query, try “SELECT * FROM WHERE DESCRIPTION LIKE ‘%6227%’;” to see if you get anything.

sal8273 · 2021-12-31T21:05:31.000Z

Fessor:

My mistake. I think we assumed this was a SQL compatible database. Paradox is not SQL. We were asking for the SQL Query that you were using and you are not using one.

How old is that anyway. Is it running on DOS?

It’s not my place to say this, but I think we should try to help rather than say “o, it’s old”. There’s a lot of old stuff out there that is not so easy to replace.

We have one project with almost 40 years of data that runs in a DOS virtual machine. The program has no export feature, and the guy who wrote it died in the mid 90s after a long illness. By the time it was apparent that the author would be unable to provide a migration tool, the engineer already had 15 years’ worth of data and decided to just finish his project. Now, that project has been extended to more than twice its original planned life. I only wish it ran on Paradox instead of the author’s proprietary dara store, with magic encryption. And, yes - it’s been running totally unsupported for 25 years.

brianswales · 2022-01-03T00:38:43.000Z

Sal8273:

It’s not my place to say this, but I think we should try to help rather than say “o, it’s old”. There’s a lot of old stuff out there that is not so easy to replace.

Really? But you did say it. Weren’t we trying to help? What did you say that could help? You missed that part where I researched and figured out that database doesn’t even use SQL, yet your answer is about SQL?

That said, this is a typical drive-by first post. We get many of them here because this site IS helpful. They post and then forget about it and never reply or provide the correct answer.