Why does the DB Tools List Columns.vi only report -1 for the defined column size?

Question

I am using LabVIEW 8.2.1 with the database connectivity toolset with an SQL Server 2000 database. I would like to see how large a full record could be, so I used the DB Tools List Columns.vi in the database toolset. It easilly displays the column name and the column type, but only returns a -1 for the defined size. Of course when I add up the defined size elements, it gives me -351, which is the number of columns in that particular table. The vi I am using is very simple. I open a database connection, retrieve the data, and close the connection. The retrieved data is an array of clusters. I index it by running it through a for loop, and unbundeling each of the three parameters, and reforming arrays at the end of the for loop. This is as about the simplest vi I have ever made, but only part of it works.
Attachments:
Table size.vi ‏23 KB

Answer 1

SciManStev-
          I don't know if this gets you the functionality you want because I don't have access to your file, but I would have code it this way (see attached picture). I would have used a Array to Cluster.vi to convert the column info ouput array into a cluster so I could use Unbundle by name. I think this is what you are wanting because from what I see, you only access the file once everytime the VI runs (right?). Try this and let us  know how it works out. Thanks!!
Grant H.
National Instruments
LabVIEW Product Marketing Manager
Attachments:
untitled.JPG ‏29 KB