Block with multiple records

Question

hi every one
i've developed a form containing a multiple record block. i need that some functions to be done before i commit it.
1. its primary key should b auto generated, usually i handle it by selecting max value(primary key field) from data base and adding one but in this case it wont work bcoz it wont go to database before i commit it. so it wont auto generate it.
2. second problem is that there are some fields that must b filled but it should prompt the user to enter required fields when he press commit button.
thanks in anticipation
kabir

Answer 1

Have you considered creating a sequence object for the primary key. If the datatype of the primary key is NUMBER then a sequence will auto generate the next value if you placed (:your_sequence.next_val) into the dafault value property of the text item.
The second problem can be overcome by writing a When-Validate-Item trigger whereby the user will be prompted to the item that contained the required field that was not entered. You should however note that if a coulmn in your table is of the NOT NULL type then the form default behavior is to prompt user to enter the field.