This seemed like a good newsletter to revisit common
Libra errors, their causes and cures. In relatively new programs, errors may be
simple programming bugs that need to be corrected in the program itself. In
more established programs the errors usually relate to either data entry errors
or corrupted data.
These
two errors are caused by broken pointer structures within a file. They are most
commonly caused by programs ending abnormally. The program is looking for
records that are no longer there. In some modules, like Order Entry, these can
be fixed by running the Period-End Closing to rebuild the files.
This
error relates to an array element out of range. The most common cause is a
faulty date. The program may be looking up the name of month 13 for example.
Fixing the date will usually correct the report problem. The odd time a report
can also cause this error if the selection of data requested returns no
results.
This
error is caused by one program trying to jump to another that is not at the
same level. Occasionally clients employ Libra modules from different versions
and that can cause this incompatibility. Bringing both programs up to the save
level will usually cure this.
These
errors are caused when Libra encounters problems processing files. The file may
not be open or may be at a size different than that expected. Occasionally
exiting the program completely will fix the problem otherwise intervention may
be required.
This
is probably the most common Libra error. It is caused when the program tries to
save or display numeric data to a field that is too small to contain the number
of digits required, such as a page number over 1000. It can also signify that
you have some damaged records in a file and may be serious. Fixing a single
data item, restoring and or repairing the file may be required to eliminate the
error completely.
This indicates a key not found. When you run a report
the program often goes back to the master files to obtain a customer name for
example. If the customer no is changed after the data was entered this sort of
error can occur. Customer Id changes seldom affect unposted transaction files,
requiring manual edits.
These are Index File errors. Re-Sort Index files via
<F8> Utilities & 94. Sort Index Files in all Libra associated modules
to commonly correct this.
These are Btrieve File Errors. They commonly occur, like the errors
immediately above, when a server crashes while data is being added to the file.
When the server comes back up it is worth while shutting it down normally and
restarting it, which occasionally fixes these errors. Otherwise the file may
require repairing with the Bclean Utility or to be restored from a prior backup
copy. Some temporary files, if corrupted, can often just be deleted and
recreated.