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ABL Reference
Handle Attributes and Methods Reference : TEMP-TABLE-PREPARE( ) method
 

TEMP-TABLE-PREPARE( ) method

Signifies that all the field and index definitions for a temp-table have been supplied.
Return type: LOGICAL
Applies to: Temp-table object handle

Syntax

TEMP-TABLE-PREPARE ( temp-table-name-exp [ , before-table-exp] )
temp-table-name-exp
A CHARACTER expression that evaluates to a temp-table name to be used in subsequent query statements that refer to this temp-table.
before-table-exp
A LOGICAL expression that allows you to explicitly generate a before-table for a dynamic temp-table. TRUE indicates the AVM will create the before-table. (The AVM generates the name for this before-table.) The default value is FALSE. If you specify the Unknown value (?), the method uses the default value of FALSE.
Note: When passing a temp-table to a method (or procedure/function), you are required to have compatible schema for the table on both the caller and called sides. If the temp-table on either side has a before-table, in some cases the other side may also be required have a before-table, or the AVM will raise an error.
The temp-table is in an UNPREPARED state after the first definitional method is called until this method is called. During this time, only ADD/CREATE type methods may be called.
The TEMP-TABLE-PREPARE( ) method must be called after all fields and indexes have been created and before any non-ADD/CREATE method can be called. This method causes the pending list of field and index definitions to become part of the actual temp-table object, which puts the temp-table in a PREPARED state (that is, makes it ready for use).
Note: The NAME attribute of the Temp-table object handle is writeable for dynamic and AVM-generated temp-tables. A new temp-table name cannot be assigned until the TEMP-TABLE-PREPARE( ) method has been executed.