Populate a dataset using FILL

After you define a dataset and its data-sources, the next step is to populate the dataset with data. The simplest and most effective way to populate a dataset is with the FILL( ) method. The FILL method not only populates the dataset from the data-sources you attach, the method also coordinates the loading of data and maintains the integrity of your data-relations.

In a single operation the FILL method:

• Retrieves one or more top-level records from the defined data-sources (using NO-LOCK).
• Retrieves all the related records (based on the data-relations specified) from the defined data-sources (using NO-LOCK).
• Adds the retrieved records to the dataset.

When FILL executes, the method starts at a top-level table, retrieves a single parent record and then traverses through all the child records, filling each one with records related to the current parent record. Then, the method retrieves the next parent record and the process continues through all parent-child records. FILL uses the data-relations to identify and load the child records for each parent. The following is the syntax for the FILL statement:

DATASET dataset-name:FILL(). 

The following example shows how to call the FILL method on a dataset:

DATASET dsOrderOrderLine:FILL().

Record access after the FILL

After the FILL method executes, and the temp-tables are populated, you can access the data in the temp-tables using normal ABL syntax. In the following example, immediately after FILL executes, a FIND FIRST statement is called on the ttOrder temp-table which is part of the dsOrderOrderLine dataset.

DATASET dsOrderOrderLine:FILL(). 
						
FIND FIRST ttOrder NO-ERROR.

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