GDL Parameter List

[Vitruvius]

Does anyone know of a quick method for printing out the GDL parameters for a symbol? The parameter window in the symbol doesn't seem to support printing and it would be a real asset when scripting GDL to have a print-out handy.

Cheers, Cameron

[david nicholson-cole]

laszlonagy wrote:
SELECT O.PARAMETERS.NAME, O.PARAMETERS.TYPE, O.PARAMETERS.VALUE
FROM FLAT(OBJECTS, PARAMETERS) AS O
WHERE OBJECTS.LIBRARY_PART_NAME='Armchair 01'

I followed your instruction minutely, but it reports that "a column" of that name couldnt be found. I wasnt looking for a column.
I thought perhaps you meant 0 (zero) not O (capital 'oh') but it is O.
Where can one find out more about this language??

>>>david

[david nicholson-cole]

laszlonagy wrote:
If you go to Calculate\SQL\Query (make sure SQL is enabled from the lowermost drop-down list in Options\Preferences\Imaging and Calculation, so it appears in the Calculate menu) and type the following:

SELECT O.PARAMETERS.NAME, O.PARAMETERS.TYPE, O.PARAMETERS.VALUE
FROM FLAT(OBJECTS, PARAMETERS) AS O
WHERE OBJECTS.LIBRARY_PART_NAME='Armchair 01'

I discovered the problem!!! If you use single quotes, it works. If you use double quotes, it thinks you are looking for a column!!
Also, it is Case sensitive!!!
If you have three objects in the file, it lists all three. So if you want a typical set of parameters, make sure that only ONE is placed in the file.
Generates a lovely table in Word.
Thankyou very much Lazlo!

[Vitruvius]

Thanks for the valuable inputs - however - in respect of my original query: Yes the methodology described works but it's far from intuitive and it is time consuming vis-a-vis the simple act of hitting the 'print' key.

How about it Graphisoft?

[david nicholson-cole]

Vitruvius wrote:
Thanks for the valuable inputs - however - in respect of my original query: Yes the methodology described works but it's far from intuitive and it is time consuming vis-a-vis the simple act of hitting the 'print' key.

How about it Graphisoft?

Well how about....? in the same way that Save As... is intelligent enough to know if you are saving a Plan, an Archive, an Image or many other things, why cant Save As (when you have the GDL Dialog in the foreground) include a choice of "parameter list". ?? - dumps out a tabbed table like the one from SQL.
Talking of which I noticed that the SQL query works well in Word, but if you paste it into a simpler word processor, the fields are NOT tab separated, so it would be difficult to paste into a spreadsheet.
(Or am I wrong in this? I tried pasting into OS9's simpletext, which should preserve the Tabs).
>>>dnc

[Vitruvius]

Dear Laszlo,

I've tried your SQL routine but cannot get the object parameter variables to print out - basically, what I am looking for is an object Parameter table with these columns:

OBJECT PARAMETERS
Variable Name Type Value

I want to be able to print this out to assist with writing GDL - it's currently too clumsy to have to review/remember long series of parameters & variables on screen.

An interim workaround is fine, but ultimately I'd like to just hit the 'print' button when the Parameters window is active and have the above print out as a table.

Regards, Cameron

[david nicholson-cole]

Vitruvius wrote:
I want to be able to print this out to assist with writing GDL - it's currently too clumsy to have to review/remember long series of parameters & variables on screen.

Perhaps there is another Criterion name in the SQL query that would reveal the names of the variables.... Laszlo??

[Laszlo Nagy]

I checked the Graphisoft SQL help file: the PARAMETERS table contains only the variable name (which is actually its description) and the variable type, which is an integer number.
With the variable type you can check the number and see what type it is in your Object. E.g. if the parameter is of length type, then the returned value in the Parameter type column is 2.
I learned quite a bit about SQL at the following web site:
http://www.sql.org/

The Graphisoft SQL documentation can be downloaded from Graphisoft at http://www.graphisoft.com/support/developer/documentation/
It is part of the ArchiCAD ODBC driver documentation (ODBC Help).

In it there will be reference to required syntax as well, like single qoutes.
Laszlo

[James Murray]

laszlonagy wrote:
The Graphisoft SQL documentation can be downloaded from Graphisoft at http://www.graphisoft.com/support/developer/documentation/
It is part of the ArchiCAD ODBC driver documentation (ODBC Help).

Thank you, Laszlo.

GS, may we please have a non-Mac-hostile version of this documentation?

I understand that the ODBC driver is windows-only, but the SQL is not. It's a feature of AC itself, and the documentation should be much easier (and for Mac users, possible) to access.

[Vitruvius]

Wow is this ever complicated.

As stated, all I want to do is print out the parameters page (variables, name, type, values) for reference when scripting GDL. And I'd probably want to print it out repeatedly as the GDL script progresses.

I don't want to learn or use SQL.
I don't want to have to script things or tinker with the Calculate menu.
I don't want to use screen shots or some cumbersome workaround.

I can print out the 3D, 2D, Master, Interface & other miscellaneous scripts. All that's needed is the ability to print out all the info in the parameters window for reference. I'm actually kind of suprised that this function isn't already available.

Cheers, Cameron

[Laszlo Nagy]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, these are just work-arounds, but not real solutions.
I wrote that SQL so you have something till this will be possible in AC.
You could write a WISH for this.
Laszlo