Once you have found a record with the QUERY and FIND functions, the record may be modified, providing that the UPDATE function is 'allowed'. To update a record, press the UPDATE key <F4>. The upper status line displays the word UPDATE, and the cursor is placed in the first modifiable entry field. The cursor may now be moved from field to field and any necessary changes may be made to the fields. After all the changes have been made, you must press the STORE key <F5> to record the changes. This stores the altered record in the data file and the screen redisplays the word FIND on the status line. To update another record at that point simply locate the next matching record and then repeat this process.
When you are updating a record, you can not change the field or fields that are part of the primary key. For example, within the screen displayed in Section 3.2, you cannot change the contents of the Subscriber field, since it is the key field of the RMSfile. During an UPDATE function the cursor would not move to that field. If the contents of the key field(s) must be changed, the record must first be deleted, and then re-added with the new key value substituted. (Note: This process can be done quickly with the Line Feed key or Ctrl + J, as outlined earlier in this chapter.)
When you press the UPDATE key <F4> while updating a record, form redisplays the record with its fields as they were before entering UPDATE mode. This can be quite useful if fields are accidentally changed, and you wish to restore the original contents of the fields.
Once you have pressed the UPDATE key <F4>, you must press the STORE key <F5> to store the changed record. It is not possible, while in UPDATE mode, to display another record until the UPDATE function has either been completed or canceled.
If you decide not to STORE a record you are updating, you may cancel the UPDATE function by selecting the CANCEL function (press the GOLD key <F1> followed by the X key). (Note: The CANCEL function is one of the previously mentioned GOLD functions that is covered in a subsequent section of this chapter.)