canceling a loop with a button

[chris_sfo]

I'm building an auto launch feature with a user specifiable pause before another script is called (opening other dbs basically). I switch the user to another layout with a running countdown, and I've included a "cancel" button that calls a halt and switches the user back to the primary layout. I included the button because the status area is hidden, and the user would be stuck on the interstitial layout if they cmd-period/esc out of the script. However, while the loop is running, the button isn't clickable. Is this a known limitation? Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

chris

[Andrew6000]

That would seem to make sense to me (the button not working).

Is there any logical place you could place a "pause/resume script" step. You can set the amount of time based on a calculation.

[comment]

Set your button to exit/halt current script (in button definition).

[chris_sfo]

[ QUOTE ]

Is there any logical place you could place a "pause/resume script" step.

 

[/ QUOTE ]

 

I could have just used the built-in pause as suggested, however that would kill my nifty countdown timer. Perhaps this is the best route though... Thanks

[chris_sfo]

[ QUOTE ]

Set your button to exit/halt current script (in button definition).

 

[/ QUOTE ]

 

Tried this, still doesn't work. At least on Mac, it seems like the only way to exit a loop like this is cmd-period.

 

Thanks for the input though! -chris

[chris_sfo]

Here's the countdown routine I'm using...fyi.

 

Code:

---

Allow User Abort [ On ]
Set Field [ time_start, Status(CurrentTime) ]
Set Field [ time_end, Status(CurrentTime) + time_pause ]
Loop
	Refresh  Window
	Set Field [ time_countdown, time_calc & " secs" ]
Exit Loop If [ Status(CurrentTime) ≥ time_end ]
End Loop 

---

[comment]

The button cannot work, because the screen is so busy refreshing, it cannot register the button being pressed. At least that's what's happenning on my Mac.

 

Try:

 

...

Loop

Pause/Resume Script [ "0:00:00" ]

Refresh Window

Set Field [ time_countdown, time_calc & " secs" ]

Exit Loop If [ Status(CurrentTime) ≥ time_end ]

...

[chris_sfo]

[ QUOTE ]

Try:

Pause/Resume Script [ "0:00:00" ]

 

[/ QUOTE ]

 

Interesting idea...and it *does* work somewhat. However the cursor definitely does not know which way is up. It's constantly flashing between the cmd-period and standard cursor. Plus clicking still isn't successful 100% of the time. However you've given me some other ideas to try. Thanks for thinking outside of the box! -chris

[chris_sfo]

Ok...my first idea based on your suggestion was way too complicated. As it turns out, a slight variation including a pause of 1sec works like a charm. Below is the script that works perfectly. Thanks for helping me sort this out.

 

Code:

---

Set Field [ time_start, Status(CurrentTime) ]
Set Field [ time_end, Status(CurrentTime) + time_pause ]
Loop
	Set Field [ time_countdown, time_calc & " secs" ]
	Refresh  Window
	Pause/Resume  Script [ “0:00:01” ]
	Exit Loop If [ Status(CurrentTime) ≥ time_end ]
End Loop

---

 

Man I love Filemaker...

chris