Sorting rows
You can use an ORDER BY clause in the SQL SELECT statement
for the DataWindow object to sort the data that is retrieved from the database.
If you do this, the DBMS itself does the sorting and the rows are
brought into PowerBuilder already sorted.
However, you might want to sort the rows after they are retrieved.
For example, you might want to:
-
Offload the processing from
the DBMS -
Sort on an expression, which might not be allowed
in the SELECT statement but is allowed in PowerBuilder
To sort the rows:
-
Select Rows>Sort from the menu
bar.
-
Drag to the Columns box the columns on which you
want to sort the rows, and specify whether you want to sort in ascending
or descending order.The order of the columns determines the precedence of the
sort. To reorder the columns, drag them up or down in the list.
To delete a column from the sort columns list, drag the column outside
the dialog box. -
You can also specify expressions to sort on: for
example, if you have two columns, Revenues and Expenses, you can
sort on the expression Revenues – Expenses.To specify an expression to sort on, double-click a column
name in the Columns box, modify the expression in the Modify Expression
dialog box, and click OK.You return to the Specify Sort Columns dialog box with the
expression displayed.
If you change your mind
You can remove a column or expression from the sorting specification
by simply dragging it and releasing it outside the Columns box. -
Click OK when you have specified all the sort
columns and expressions.