OS-COPY statement

Executes an operating system file copy command from within ABL.

Syntax


OS-COPY { `source-filename` \| VALUE ( `expression` ) } { `target-filename` \| VALUE ( `expression` ) }

source-filename

The name of the original file. If you specify a directory, OS-COPY generates an error.

VALUE ( expression )

An expression that returns the name of the original file. Expression can contain constants, field names, and variable names.

target-filename

The name of the new file or directory. If you specify a directory, OS-COPY gives the target file the same name as the source file.

VALUE ( expression )

An expression that returns the name of the new file or directory. expression can contain constants, field names, and variable names.

Example

This procedure opens a dialog box that prompts the user to choose a file to copy. It then prompts for a name for the copy. Finally, the procedure uses the OS-COPY statement to copy the file.

r-os-cop.p
DEFINE VARIABLE sourcefilename AS CHARACTER NO-UNDO. DEFINE VARIABLE copyfilename AS CHARACTER NO-UNDO FORMAT "x(20)" VIEW-AS FILL-IN. DEFINE VARIABLE OKpressed AS LOGICAL NO-UNDO INITIAL TRUE. Main: REPEAT: SYSTEM-DIALOG GET-FILE sourcefilename TITLE "Choose File to Copy" MUST-EXIST USE-FILENAME UPDATE OKpressed. IF OKpressed = FALSE THEN LEAVE Main. UPDATE copyfilename WITH FRAME copyframe. OS-COPY VALUE(sourcefilename) VALUE(copyfilename). END.

r-os-cop.p

DEFINE VARIABLE sourcefilename AS CHARACTER NO-UNDO. 
DEFINE VARIABLE copyfilename   AS CHARACTER NO-UNDO FORMAT "x(20)"  
  VIEW-AS FILL-IN. 
DEFINE VARIABLE OKpressed      AS LOGICAL   NO-UNDO INITIAL TRUE. 
Main: 
REPEAT: 
  SYSTEM-DIALOG GET-FILE sourcefilename 
    TITLE  "Choose File to Copy" 
    MUST-EXIST 
    USE-FILENAME 
    UPDATE OKpressed. 
  IF OKpressed = FALSE THEN 
    LEAVE Main. 
  UPDATE copyfilename WITH FRAME copyframe. 
  OS-COPY VALUE(sourcefilename) VALUE(copyfilename). 
END.

Notes

The filenames must conform to the naming conventions of the underlying operating system.

If target-file specifies an existing file, OS-COPY overwrites the existing file.

If target-file has the same name as source-file, the copy fails, but OS-ERROR is not set.

If the copy terminates abnormally, the AVM deletes the partial target-file.

Enclose filenames that refer to physical devices in double quotes (" ").

Although an error can occur during execution of this statement, the statement does not generate an error message, raise an error condition, or affect the program’s flow in any way. Check for an execution error by using the OS-ERROR function and evaluating the return.