Use Exclamation Mark (!) Notation for Precise Referencing

MORE INFORMATION

Here is the syntax:

   USE <cDatabase_name>!<cTable_name>
				

NOTE: Do not put spaces on either side of the exclamation mark.

Step-by-Step Example

1. Create the following directory structure:

      C:\MAIN
      C:\MAIN\ONE
      C:\MAIN\TWO
   						

   This can be done Visual FoxPro by issuing these commands:

      CD C:\ 
      MD MAIN
      CD C:\MAIN
      MD ONE
      MD TWO
   						

2. Issue the following commands in the Command Window:

      CD C:\MAIN\ONE
      CREATE TABLE tb_mytbl (fld1 c(10))
      CD C:\MAIN\TWO
      CREATE TABLE tb_mytbl (fld1 c(10))
      USE
      CD C:\MAIN
      CREATE DATABASE db_one
      ADD TABLE C:\MAIN\ONE\tb_mytbl
      CREATE DATABASE db_two
      ADD TABLE C:\MAIN\ONE\tb_mytbl
      SET DATABASE TO db_one
   						

   These commands set up a scenario where a database named db_one contains a table named tb_mytbl, which is located in the C:\MAIN\ONE directory. Another database named db_two contains a different table named tb_mytbl, which is located in the C:\MAIN\TWO directory.
   
   The issue is to open the tb_mytbl table in the db_two database. The current database is db_one, so you can't use this command:

         USE tb_mytbl
   						

   It would open the table in db_one located in C:\MAIN\ONE.
3. Open the tb_mytbl table in the db_two database by using this command:

      USE db_two!tb_mytbl
   						

The exclamation mark (!) notation works in the same manner for long table names, and it makes code more readable. The notation makes it clear exactly which database holds the table of interest. It is especially useful in SQL-SELECT statements.