Large and Unusual extraction

rcooper176

Forums

Hi Brian,
I am trying to develop a script to run a 'Large & Unusual' style extraction over a range of different databases. This requires two seperate functions being:

  • direct extraction based on a user defined $value (similar to your IDEA Scripting Tutorial video); and
  • direct extraction based on key words in a character field (such as a description field).

My issue is that our standard databases include:

  • individual debit colum and credit column - with the credit column being either negative or positive; or
  • comined debit & credit column - where debits are positive and credits are negative

As such I need to establish a script that allows the user to define which type of columns are to be used - with the resulting formulas being ammended in the background.
I would then have the script run a key word extraction - allowing the user to define the field in which the descriptions should be tested.
The end result would be two extractions: (1) large extractions (2) key word extraction.
If you could provide some guidance on how best to structure this script it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ron
 
 
 

Brian Element Thu, 04/14/2016 - 07:31

Hi Ron and welcome to the site.

First of I think your script will need some type of dialog to capture the information from the user.  You problably need an option for the user to select the file they want the test to be carried out on.

As the file can have one or two amount fields I would have two drop downs to select the debit and the credit field.  Maybe make the second one is optional so that if the user doesn't select the second one you know that the one selected is a combined debit and credit column.  Once you have that information you can add some logic to your script to decide how you will handle the the large extraction.

You will also have to have a drop-down to select the field that the key word extraction would be on.  So this would just be character fields that you would use.  Will the key word extraction be based on words already part of the script or will the user be able to enter words?  If they are able to enter words will you be saving them in a text file so the user can reuse them in the future?

Interesting project, let me know if you need help developing the code.

Brian