util.MaxLengthInList ( value_list )

Returns the longest length of the item in the value list.

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Pip Meadway - Show more from this author
PIPCO IT

Sample input:

$max_length = util.MaxLengthInList ( List ( "Aaaaaa" ; "bbbbbbbbbbbb" ; "cc" ; "2344" ))

Sample output:

12 // The length of "bbbbbbbbbbbb"

Function definition: (Copy & paste into FileMaker's Edit Custom Function window)

/* ==========================================================
 
PUBLIC (Number) <- util.MaxLength ( value_list  )
 
PURPOSE:
	Determine the longest string in the value list

RETURNS:
	The length of the longest string

PARAMETERS:
	NAME		TYPE		DESCRIPTION
	value_list	List*		The value list of strings

* Can also be a single string, a number or a null value

SIDE EFFECTS:
	None

EXAMPLES:
	$max_length = util.MaxLengthInList ( List ( "Aaaaaa" ; "bbbbbbbbbbbb" ; "cc" ; "2344" ) )

			$max_length is set to 12 (the length of "bbbbbbbbbbbb")

	$max_length = util.MaxLengthInList ( Null )

			$max_length is set to 0 (the list is empty)

	$max_length = util.MaxLengthInList ( 23 )

			$max_length is set to 2 (The number 23 is implicited cast to a string)


DEPENDENCIES: 
	Filemaker 18 or above


HISTORY:
	CREATED on 2020-06-30 by Pip Meadway

=========================================================== */


While ( 
	[ 
		~idx			= 1 ;
		~item_count	= ValueCount ( value_list ) ;
		~max_length	= 0
	] ;

	( ~idx <= ~item_count ) ; 

	[ 
		~max_length = Max ( ~max_length ; Length ( GetValue ( value_list ; ~idx ) ) ) ;

		~idx = ~idx + 1
	] ; 

	~max_length
)

This function uses a While loop (only available in FMP18 and above) to calculate the maximum length of an item in a value list.

It will also coincidentally return the length of an individual string, a number implicitly converted to a string, and the length of the filename in a container, such is the forgiving nature of Filemaker.

As this is my first submission, some explanation on my naming standard:

Almost all my custom functions begin with a 'grouping' e.g. this function is a utility function, so it starts with 'util.' I also have 'debug.' and 'iter.' custom functions.

If it's a PRIVATE function (only to be called by other functions) , rather than PUBLIC (can be called from a script), it starts with '~group' e.g. '~util.'

Of course, feel free to rename as you see fit!

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util.MaxLengthInList ( value_list )

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