Use different cds based on certain condition (Storing cds entity in variable)

[arisima1]

Hi,

Is it possible to use different cds entity based on certain condition?
Like(this gives error):
If(user.condition1 = true, Set(cdsname, CDS1), Set(cdsname, CDS2));
Patch(
    cdsname,
    Defaults(cdsname),
    {
        Name: "Test",
        ImageContent: LargeImage.Image
    }
);

Here is why I want to do this:
I am developing an app that stores large image data to cds (image resolution is important).
When number of records is small, app works fine, but when number of records exceeds about 300, operations like patch, filter, etc become very slow, sometimes resulting in app's crash.

I thought daily backup and removing old records might be good, but it turned out daily number of records might already exceed 300. So next idea was using different cds based on certain condition (f.ex. one user one cds entity). But in this case I would need to insert if statement every time I want to use that cds.
So I thought storing cds entity into a variable might be the solution, but the code above gives error.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[PowerAddict]

Are you talking about using different entities or different CDS instances?

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Thanks!
Hardit Bhatia
The Power Addict
https://thepoweraddict.com

[arisima1]

Hello, I am referring to cds entity.

[PowerAddict · Accepted solution]

You can do this: 

If(user.condition1 = true, 
Patch(
    CDS1,
    Defaults(CDS1),
    {
        Name: "Test",
        ImageContent: LargeImage.Image
    }
),
Patch(
    CDS2,
    Defaults(CDS2),
    {
        Name: "Test",
        ImageContent: LargeImage.Image
    }
))

Let me know if this helps. 

---
If you like this reply, please give kudos. And if this solves your problem, please accept this reply as the solution.

Thanks!
Hardit Bhatia
https://thepoweraddict.com

[arisima1]

Hi, I know I can do this, but in this case I would need to insert if statement every time I want to use that cds, and I am using that cds in over 20-30 places. That might bring a very long redundant code.

In normal programming language, setting datasource in a variable would't be a big problem.

[PowerAddict]

With Power Apps, you cannot set an entity name as text and then use it in a function like Patch.

This might be your only option.

---
If you like this reply, please give kudos. And if this solves your problem, please accept this reply as the solution.

Thanks!
Hardit Bhatia
https://thepoweraddict.com

[v-siky-msft]

Hi @arisima1 ,

In PowerApps, the source parameter of Patch function must be a Data source or Collection, the variable is not supported.

If you want to do some modification on the data source, you have to hardcode the data source name in Patch function.

So I think @PowerAddict 's workaround is the most suitable for your case for the time being.

If you want that new feature, please submit an idea to PowerApps Idea Forum. https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Apps-Ideas/idb-p/PowerAppsIdeas . If there are a lot of votes, the team will give priority to adding this new feature.

Sik