restrict length of string

Report · Mar 06, 2007

I am pulling headlines from a database table to create a drop down list.
Some of the headlines are very long and therefore outputting the entire
headline makes my drop down too long for the table.

I am trying to use Len and Left, but its not working. Some help with what I
am doing wrong would be great.

Thanks,
Kim

<cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
<cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
<cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
<cfelse>
<cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
</cfif>
<option
value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
</cfoutput>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

<cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
<cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
<cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
<cfelse>
<cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
</cfif>
<option
value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
</cfoutput>

Don't work so hard.

<cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
<option
value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
'm/d/yy')# - #left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)#</option>
</cfoutput>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

Ian,

Well, actually, for the shorter headlines, I didn't want to cut them down. I
want the entire headline to be visible if it's a shorter headline. Its only
the excessively long ones that need to be cut down. I had set the length to
35 to see if the code was working, and it wasn't.

Kim

"Ian Skinner" <ian.skinner@bloodsource.org> wrote in message
news:esklag$lul$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
> </cfoutput>
>
>
> Don't work so hard.
>
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# - #left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)#</option>
> </cfoutput>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

Ian,

Well, actually, for the shorter headlines, I didn't want to cut them
down. I want the entire headline to be visible if it's a shorter
headline. Its only the excessively long ones that need to be cut down. I
had set the length to 35 to see if the code was working, and it wasn't.

Kim

I'm not sure I understand the requirement here. Left(string,20) will
show the full string for any string less then or equal to 20 characters.

Are you saying you want to show up to 35 characters, then cut anything
longer then 35 to 20 characters?

Report · Mar 06, 2007

I think it could be scope issue. As an FYI you don't the pound signs in the
if, or set, statements. Try this:

<cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
<cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
<cfset Headline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
<cfelse>
<cfset Headline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
</cfif>
<option
value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
'm/d/yy')# - #Headline#</option>
</cfoutput>

--
Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
Web Application Developer
Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/

"KimMazz" <kimazzNoOil@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:eskksa$ljp$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>I am pulling headlines from a database table to create a drop down list.
>Some of the headlines are very long and therefore outputting the entire
>headline makes my drop down too long for the table.
>
> I am trying to use Len and Left, but its not working. Some help with what
> I am doing wrong would be great.
>
> Thanks,
> Kim
>
>
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
> </cfoutput>
>
>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

Hi Bryan,

I tried it with out the pound signs and it still didn't work. Showed the
entire headline. I only put the pound signs in because it didn't work
without them, so... when all else fails, add pound signs ;0)

Kim

"Bash **AdobeCommunityExpert**" <bashcraft@wmtBRAIN.com> wrote in message
news:eskn1j$nlo$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>I think it could be scope issue. As an FYI you don't the pound signs in the
>if, or set, statements. Try this:
>
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
> <cfset Headline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset Headline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# - #Headline#</option>
> </cfoutput>
>
> --
> Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
> Web Application Developer
> Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
> Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/
>
>
> "KimMazz" <kimazzNoOil@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:eskksa$ljp$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>>I am pulling headlines from a database table to create a drop down list.
>>Some of the headlines are very long and therefore outputting the entire
>>headline makes my drop down too long for the table.
>>
>> I am trying to use Len and Left, but its not working. Some help with what
>> I am doing wrong would be great.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Kim
>>
>>
>> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
>> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
>> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
>> <cfelse>
>> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
>> </cfif>
>> <option
>> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
>> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
>> </cfoutput>
>>
>>
>
>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

Ian,

Some headlines may be 10 characters, some 30 characters, some 50 characters,
and some 125 characters, If its over a certain length, say 75 characters I
want it cut down. But for the headlines that are shorter, say 73 characters
I want it to show the entire headline. So, I thought I needed to test for
the length first and then fix it from there.

But, your suggestion works, I'll just allow a longer length for the count.

Kim
"Ian Skinner" <ian.skinner@bloodsource.org> wrote in message
news:eskm7b$mnl$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Ian,
>
> Well, actually, for the shorter headlines, I didn't want to cut them down.
> I want the entire headline to be visible if it's a shorter headline. Its
> only the excessively long ones that need to be cut down. I had set the
> length to 35 to see if the code was working, and it wasn't.
>
> Kim
>
>
> I'm not sure I understand the requirement here. Left(string,20) will show
> the full string for any string less then or equal to 20 characters.
>
> Are you saying you want to show up to 35 characters, then cut anything
> longer then 35 to 20 characters?
>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

The pound signs were just a side note. Look at the name of the variable in
the cfset statement. You had it named the same as the query column which
could be causing a scope issue. I changed the name.

--
Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
Web Application Developer
Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/

"KimMazz" <kimazzNoOil@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:esknto$ohu$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Hi Bryan,
>
> I tried it with out the pound signs and it still didn't work. Showed the
> entire headline. I only put the pound signs in because it didn't work
> without them, so... when all else fails, add pound signs ;0)
>
>
> Kim
>
> "Bash **AdobeCommunityExpert**" <bashcraft@wmtBRAIN.com> wrote in message
> news:eskn1j$nlo$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>>I think it could be scope issue. As an FYI you don't the pound signs in
>>the if, or set, statements. Try this:
>>
>> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
>> <cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
>> <cfset Headline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
>> <cfelse>
>> <cfset Headline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
>> </cfif>
>> <option
>> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
>> 'm/d/yy')# - #Headline#</option>
>> </cfoutput>
>>
>> --
>> Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
>> Web Application Developer
>> Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
>> Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/
>>
>>
>> "KimMazz" <kimazzNoOil@optonline.net> wrote in message
>> news:eskksa$ljp$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>>>I am pulling headlines from a database table to create a drop down list.
>>>Some of the headlines are very long and therefore outputting the entire
>>>headline makes my drop down too long for the table.
>>>
>>> I am trying to use Len and Left, but its not working. Some help with
>>> what I am doing wrong would be great.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Kim
>>>
>>>
>>> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
>>> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
>>> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
>>> <cfelse>
>>> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
>>> </cfif>
>>> <option
>>> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
>>> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
>>> </cfoutput>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

<cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
<cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
<cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
<cfelse>
<cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
</cfif>
<option
value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
</cfoutput>

For edification purposes on why this original code did not work as
expected. By running this code you now have two variables named
'NewsHeadline'. The original in the 'rsGetNewsInfo' query scope, and a
new one in the local 'variables' scope. The former is the one CF was
picking to display in your output statement.

A Small Experiment.

<cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
<cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
<cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
<cfelse>
<cfset NewsHeadline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
</cfif>
<option
value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
'm/d/yy')# - #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#:#variables.NewsHeadline#</option>
</cfoutput>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

That's what I was trying to say. ;^)

--
Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
Web Application Developer
Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/

"Ian Skinner" <ian.skinner@bloodsource.org> wrote in message
news:eskr1j$re1$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
> </cfoutput>
>
>
> For edification purposes on why this original code did not work as
> expected. By running this code you now have two variables named
> 'NewsHeadline'. The original in the 'rsGetNewsInfo' query scope, and a
> new one in the local 'variables' scope. The former is the one CF was
> picking to display in your output statement.
>
> A Small Experiment.
>
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# -
> #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#:#variables.NewsHeadline#</option>
> </cfoutput>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

Bryan,

I didn't realize you had changed the code I posted. I read through so fast I
didn't see that. Thanks for giving me the answer and the explanation.

Kim

"Bash **AdobeCommunityExpert**" <bashcraft@wmtBRAIN.com> wrote in message
news:eskqih$r15$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> The pound signs were just a side note. Look at the name of the variable in
> the cfset statement. You had it named the same as the query column which
> could be causing a scope issue. I changed the name.
>
> --
> Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
> Web Application Developer
> Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
> Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/
>
>
> "KimMazz" <kimazzNoOil@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:esknto$ohu$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>> Hi Bryan,
>>
>> I tried it with out the pound signs and it still didn't work. Showed the
>> entire headline. I only put the pound signs in because it didn't work
>> without them, so... when all else fails, add pound signs ;0)
>>
>>
>> Kim
>>
>> "Bash **AdobeCommunityExpert**" <bashcraft@wmtBRAIN.com> wrote in message
>> news:eskn1j$nlo$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>>>I think it could be scope issue. As an FYI you don't the pound signs in
>>>the if, or set, statements. Try this:
>>>
>>> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
>>> <cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
>>> <cfset Headline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
>>> <cfelse>
>>> <cfset Headline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
>>> </cfif>
>>> <option
>>> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
>>> 'm/d/yy')# - #Headline#</option>
>>> </cfoutput>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Bryan Ashcraft (remove brain to reply)
>>> Web Application Developer
>>> Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Macromedia Certified Dreamweaver Developer
>>> Adobe Community Expert (DW) :: http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/
>>>
>>>
>>> "KimMazz" <kimazzNoOil@optonline.net> wrote in message
>>> news:eskksa$ljp$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>>>>I am pulling headlines from a database table to create a drop down list.
>>>>Some of the headlines are very long and therefore outputting the entire
>>>>headline makes my drop down too long for the table.
>>>>
>>>> I am trying to use Len and Left, but its not working. Some help with
>>>> what I am doing wrong would be great.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Kim
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
>>>> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
>>>> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
>>>> <cfelse>
>>>> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
>>>> </cfif>
>>>> <option
>>>> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
>>>> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
>>>> </cfoutput>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Report · Mar 06, 2007

Ian,

Thanks for telling me this. By telling me why it doesn't work it actually
helps me to understand and also allows me the opportunity to code it
correctly the next time around.

Greatly appreciated.

Kim

"Ian Skinner" <ian.skinner@bloodsource.org> wrote in message
news:eskr1j$re1$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif #Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline)# GT 35>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# - #NewsHeadline#</option>
> </cfoutput>
>
>
> For edification purposes on why this original code did not work as
> expected. By running this code you now have two variables named
> 'NewsHeadline'. The original in the 'rsGetNewsInfo' query scope, and a
> new one in the local 'variables' scope. The former is the one CF was
> picking to display in your output statement.
>
> A Small Experiment.
>
> <cfoutput query="rsGetNewsInfo">
> <cfif Len(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline) GT 35>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = Left(rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline, 20)>
> <cfelse>
> <cfset NewsHeadline = rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline>
> </cfif>
> <option
> value="#rsGetNewsInfo.NewsID#">#DateFormat(rsGetNewsInfo.PostDate,
> 'm/d/yy')# -
> #rsGetNewsInfo.NewsHeadline#:#variables.NewsHeadline#</option>
> </cfoutput>