Creating a filter

Before you can create a filter, you must create a format that describes the data file. For information about how to create a format, see Define formats.

The ipload utility stores the filter information in the filters table of the onpload database. For more information about the filters table, see The filters table in the onpload database.

To create a filter:

  1. Choose Components > Filter from the HPL main window.
    The Filters window appears, as the following figure shows.
    Figure 1. The Filters window
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  2. Click Create in the Mode group.
  3. Choose a name for the filter and type the name in the Filter text box.
  4. Type the name of an existing format in the Format text box, or click the down arrow and choose a format from the selection list.
  5. Click OK.
    The Filter-Definition window appears. The following figure shows a partially completed Filter-Definition window.
    Figure 2. The Filter-Definition window
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    From the Filter-Definition window, you can prepare a filter that specifies which data from the input file is be loaded into the database table.

    The Filter-Definition window has the following parts.
    Table 1. Parts of the Filter-Definition window
    Section Description
    Fields Specifies the data-file field used in a match condition
    Status Indicates whether you want to keep or discard records that meet the match condition
    Match Condition Specifies the criteria for keeping or discarding a record
    Filter Items/Status Lists existing filter items and their status As you add match conditions, the conditions are added to this list.