FIELD_TOUCHED()

The FIELD_TOUCHED() operator checks if fields were modified during the dialog execution.

Syntax

FIELD_TOUCHED (
   { [group.]field.*
   | group.*
   | *
   } [,...] )

group can be a table name, a screen record, a screen array or FORMONLY.
field is the name of the field in the form.

Usage

FIELD_TOUCHED returns TRUE if the value of a screen field (or multiple fields) has changed since the beginning of the interactive instruction.

The operator accepts a list of explicit field names, and supports the [group.]* notation in order to check multiple fields in a single evaluation. When passing a simple asterisk (*) to the operator, the runtime system will check all fields used by the current dialog.

When used in an INPUT ARRAY instruction, the runtime system assumes that you are referring to the current row.

The FIELD_TOUCHED operator can only be used inside an INPUT, INPUT ARRAY and CONSTRUCT interaction block.

For more details about the FIELD_TOUCHED operator usage and the understand the "touched flag" concept, refer to the definition of the DIALOG instruction.

Do not confuse the FIELD_TOUCHED operator withFGL_BUFFERTOUCHED built-in function; which checks a different field modification flag, that is reset when entering the field. The global touched flag controlled by FIELD_TOUCHED is reset when the dialog starts or when DIALOG.setFieldTouched() is used.

Example

INPUT ...
  ...
  AFTER FIELD custname 
    IF FIELD_TOUCHED( customer.custname ) THEN
       MESSAGE "Customer name was changed."
    END IF
  ...
  AFTER INPUT
    IF FIELD_TOUCHED( customer.* ) THEN
       MESSAGE "Customer record was changed."
    END IF
  ...