Commodore Plus 4 - Page 157

Section 4. The File Manager 145
PI FM
Lets you set limited criteria for the creation of a subfile. You can pick alpha
betic or numeric ranges that limit the records included in a subfile. The range
applies to one field, which you specify when you issue the PI (Pick) command.
For example, you can Pick a limited range of area codes from a phone number
field.
After the subfile is Picked, you can search, sort, review, or transfer the records
to the word processor. For example, you can limit a sorted file to only those
records whose name field starts with A through F.
Note that while PI creates a subfile, it does not reorganize the records in the
subfile. The records in a Picked subfile are still arranged in the order the records
were entered. If you issue a HIGHRC command before you issue a PI command,
the PI command will use only the records whose numbers are less than the high
record.
The PI command looks for exact matches between the range limits you enter
and the entries in the records. The PI command distinguishes between upper and
lower case letters, so be sure to note this difference when you enter the range
limits.
To use the PI command, follow these steps:
1. Type pi and the number of the field you will use to pick a limited range of
records. End the PI command with a semicolon.
2. Type the low end of the Picked range in response to the prompt BOTTOM:
and press RETURN. You can use one or more letters or numbers, a word, or
any phrase up to 38 characters long. For example, to Pick a subfile of zip codes
that begin with 190 through 194, you would type 190 as the BOTTOM of the
Picked range.
3. Type the high end of the Picked range in response to the prompt TOP: and
press RETURN. Again, you can use up to 38 characters as the range limit.
The PI command creates the limited subfile by searching all the records in the
file. While the PI command is executing, a left-pointing arrow is displayed for
each record that is put in the subfile.
To review the Picked subfile, issue an rvl; command. You can also issue
commands to sort or search the Picked subfile.
Use RESETLIST to delete a Pick subfile.
Example: pi5; Uses field number 5 as the basis for the Picked subfile!
BOTTOM: My Sets My as the bottom of the Picked range.