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Mastering Local File Operations in Uniface: The lfilecopy Function 📁

#uniface #fileoperations #programming #development

When working with Uniface applications, efficient file management is crucial for building robust software solutions. Today, let's dive into the lfilecopy function - a powerful tool for local file operations that every Uniface developer should know! 🚀

This article is based on the official Uniface 10.4 documentation, and I had assistance from AI to structure and present this information clearly.

What is lfilecopy? 🤔

The lfilecopy statement is designed to copy local files to local locations while ignoring any file redirections specified in the assignment file. Think of it as your go-to command for straightforward, local file copying operations.

Syntax and Usage 📝

The basic syntax is clean and intuitive:

lfilecopy FilePath, DirPath | NewFilePath
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Example:

lfilecopy "data/test.txt", "data/saved/"
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This copies test.txt from the data directory to the data/saved/ directory. Simple and effective! ✨

Understanding the Parameters 🔧

Parameter Data Type Description
FilePath String Source file name with optional path. Must NOT end with a directory separator.
DirPath String Target directory with optional path. Must END with a directory separator.
NewFilePath String New file name with optional path. Must NOT end with a directory separator.

Error Handling & Return Values ⚠️

Understanding error handling is crucial for robust applications:

  • 0 - Success! Your file was copied successfully 🎉
  • -13 (UIOSERR_OS_COMMAND) - An OS command error occurred. Pro tip: Use /pri=64 to display the exact error in the message frame for debugging 🔍

Key Features & Considerations 💡

Local Operations Only

Remember that lfilecopy is designed for local file operations. If you need to copy files to or from network locations, use filecopy instead.

Assignment File Independence

One of the standout features is that lfilecopy ignores file redirections in the assignment file, giving you direct control over file operations.

Component Flexibility

The function is allowed in all component types, making it versatile for various application scenarios.

Best Practices 🌟

  1. Always handle errors: Check the return value via $procerror
  2. Use absolute paths when possible: Reduces ambiguity in file operations
  3. Validate file existence: Check if source files exist before copying
  4. Monitor directory separators: Remember the rules for FilePath vs DirPath

Practical Examples 📚

Here are some real-world scenarios where lfilecopy shines:

; Copy a configuration file to backup location
lfilecopy "config/app.ini", "backup/config/"

; Copy and rename a file
lfilecopy "temp/report.pdf", "archives/monthly_report_2024.pdf"

; Copy from nested directory structure
lfilecopy "data/users/profile.xml", "export/"
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Conclusion 🎯

The lfilecopy function is an essential tool in the Uniface developer's toolkit. Its straightforward syntax, reliable error handling, and flexibility make it perfect for local file management tasks. Whether you're building data processing applications, backup systems, or file organization tools, mastering lfilecopy will enhance your Uniface development workflow.

Happy coding! 🚀✨

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