PRACTICAL GUIDEUnder review

Work areas and aliases

GetArea() -> aArea; RestArea(aArea)

Preserves position and order when reading open areas.

Work areas and aliasesAdvPL

01 · OVERVIEW

Overview

GetArea captures the current alias, order and record; RestArea restores that context. It is not data, filter or transaction rollback. When working in another area, save its context through alias execution too. An alias identifies an open work area in this execution, not the physical table name. Closing an area before restoration invalidates the assumption that it still exists. (Sources: refs. 1–2.)

02 · SYNTAX

Syntax

GetArea() -> aArea; RestArea(aArea)

03 · PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

Commented example

#Include "Protheus.ch"

User Function Ed520()
    Local aArea := GetArea()
    // Does not change data or close the saved alias.
    ConOut(ValType(aArea))
    RestArea(aArea)
Return Nil

Expected result

Prints A and restores the captured context. Under review: editorial example neither compiled nor run in Protheus. Check includes, release, RDD and context before testing.

BEST PRACTICES

Restore on error paths too. Close only aliases opened by the routine and keep resource ownership explicit.
Under review: editorial example neither compiled nor run in Protheus. Check includes, release, RDD and context before testing.

Work areas and aliases

Overview

Syntax

Commented example

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