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Query is a particularly useful tool when updating a library from an external source file. With Query, you can select components with particular characteristics to update. For instance, you could choose to update only components made by a particular vendor. Or, you could choose to update components modified after the date you last updated the library.

You can choose to query and update from any source in P-CAD Library Executive:

• an external source,
• a query result,
• a cross link result,
• or a P-CAD library.

In this Exercise, you will be updating components that are produced by a particular vendor. This vendor has just changed its component prices, so the Cost attribute in the library will be updated.

Select Source to Query:

Again you will be using the sample file ALE_CROSSLINK.TXT to update the sample library ALE_TUTOR.LIB. Select ALE_CROSSLINK.TXT to highlight it. Choose Query from the right mouse pop-up command menu.

Specify Query Criteria:

In this case, you want to update only components that are produced by CTS.

To set up the Query Dialog follow these steps:

• Click in the Criteria (And) column to the right of the Vendor attribute, enter the expression = CTS.

• Display only the Part Number and Cost attributes. The Part Number will be used to cross link to the corresponding library components made by CTS. Uncheck the Show box to the right of the other attributes. Check the New Result Table box.

Use Query Results to Update Library:

When you click Query, the Query Results Viewer appears. The Viewer contains all source components satisfying the selected search criteria. In this case, the Query Results Viewer should look like the following:

Choose the Table >> Cross Link command from the Query Results Viewer to link the Part Number to its corresponding component in the library ALE_TUTOR.LIB. Delete the TARGET:Cost column to eliminate the out-of-date library values.

Update the library by saving. Click the Source box to the right of all attributes. All attributes for the vendor’s components will by updated in the selected library, including Cost. Show component RES14DIPB.

Return to the exercise index. Proceed to the next exercise.