Symbolic code executor (OpenInsight Specific)
At 01 APR 1999 03:30:32PM Nick Stevenson wrote:
I need to allow users to enter formula, in the exact form of symbolic code, but user-definable, and have 'something' resolve or execute this formula. If run-times allowed us to change symbolic code, this would be fine, but it don't and I'm stuck. I don't want to have to write a compiler. Is there some undocumented SSP that I can pass symbolic formula to and have it resolved for me?
At 02 APR 1999 12:46AM Don Bakke wrote:
Nick,
OpenInsight (and AREV) uses RTP5 to check the syntax and produce the object code for symbolics and subroutines. In either case, as you mentioned, this is not a routine that can be used in a strict runtime system. A developer-ready runtime system may use this.
FWIW, we developed a system exactly as you are describing. The client needed to provide a customized invoice formula for each client so we created a tool that allowed them to select various columns and simple math symbols to create their formulas. We would then use RTP5 to validate the syntax. The report would pull this formula from the Client profile, compile on the fly, store in SYSOBJ, and then call via the Function function. The client purchased a single-user Developer Ready system to run these reports.
dbakke@srpcs.com
At 02 APR 1999 04:34AM Nick Stevenson wrote:
Thanks Don.
This particlar app is a payroll system, and the clients want to be able to determine their own formulae for payslip items.
The SSP TESTFORMULA tests the formula on a symbolic and returns some sort of object code when successful. (I think this is what the test button on the symbolic screen on table builder uses).
Anyhow, the problem remains on what to do with that object code (and whether it is legal in terms of runtime – I suspect not –).
I guess I'll have to resort to writing some sort of code interpretor, or give the client a development licence so that they can edit table symbolics.
Thanks.
At 02 APR 1999 09:55AM Don Bakke wrote:
Nick,
I guess I'll have to resort to writing some sort of code interpretor
I'm almost positive that this would violate a normal runtime license as well, but check with Revelation. It seems that the rule of thumb is that any home grown workaround also violates the runtime license.
dbakke@srpcs.com
At 03 APR 1999 05:42AM Nick Stevenson wrote:
It would be great if we could get on with our job of producing 'robust' 'enduring' applications which allowed us to…. oh well, we did choose Revelation didn't we?
No, my 'code interpretor' would not violate licences as the 'code' would not be BASIC+ code and I wouldn't be using any Revsoft tools to enable the interpretation.
Regards,
Nick