Creating a Filter

Before you can create a filter, you must create a format that describes the data file. For information about how to create a format, see Defining Formats.

The ipload utility stores the filter information in the filters table of the onpload database. For more information about the filters table, see page Filters Table.

To create a filter

Choose Components > Filter from the HPL main window.
The Filters window appears, as Figure 100 shows.

Figure 100. The Filters Window
Click Create in the Mode group.
Choose a name for the filter and type the name in the Filter text box.
Type the name of an existing format in the Format text box, or click the down arrow and choose a format from the selection list.
Click OK.
The Filter-Definition window appears. Figure 101 shows a partially completed Filter-Definition window.

Figure 101. The Filter-Definition Window

The Filter-Definition window lets you prepare a filter that specifies which data from the input file should be loaded into the database table.

To prepare the filter definition

Click Add in the Operation group to specify that you want to add a new match condition.
Type the name of the record field that you want to match in the Fields text box.
You can also click the down arrow to see a selection list.
Click Keep or Discard in the Status group.
This selection indicates whether the matching record should be entered into the database or discarded.
Type the match condition in the Match Condition text box using the appropriate logical operators and match characters.
See Appendix D. Match Condition Operators and Characters for a list of the logical operators and match characters.
Click Perform.
Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each additional filter item.
Click OK to save the filter and return to the Filters window.
Click Cancel to return to the HPL main window.