DDBuilder: Defining Column Output Attributes (Superseded)

DDBuilder has been superseded by the BASIS DBMS Data Dictionary module accessible from the BASIS IDE or the Enterprise Manager. Recommended for usage with ODBC/JDBC access to PRO/5, Visual PRO/5, BBj application data. DDBuilder is no longer included in the BBj download package as of version 12.0 but can be downloaded with Visual PRO/5.

To define output attributes (i.e., report title, output mask, and the default column value), do the following:

In the tree view, select the desired column to display the General Column properties page.
Click the Format tab to display the Format properties page.
Enter data into the appropriate fields (each field is described under Fields).

Fields

Expand

Define an algorithm that converts data from internal (stored) format to external (display and data entry) format. (The maximum length is 128 characters.) The expand code can be an external CALL, a TAOS process control merge file, or one or more TAOS process control statements.

Compress

Define an algorithm that converts data from external (display and data entry) format to internal (stored) format. (The maximum length is 128 characters.) The compress code can be an external CALL, a TAOS process control merge file, or one or more TAOS process control statements.

Report Title

Enter the TAOS report program default column heading string.

Background Mask

Define the column's data entry format mask. For example, a mm/dd/yy mask displays the expected date format. This mask does not format the input data. Data entered by the user overlays the mask.

Default

Provide the column's default value.

Output Mask

Define the column's print and display format mask. The following mask characters can be used:

Character	Description
B	Inserts a space character.
CR	Inserts the "CR" string if the number is negative, or two spaces if the number is positive.
DR	Inserts the "CR" string if the number is negative, or the "DR" string if the number is positive.
0	Replaces characters with digits (i.e., 0..9).
#	Suppresses leading zeros. Replaced by a fill character for leading zeros to the left of the decimal point. Replaced by a space character for trailing zeros to the right of the decimal point. Any other time it is replaced by a digit.
*	Inserts an asterisk character.
,	Inserts a fill character to the left of the decimal point if no digits have been placed. Otherwise, it inserts a comma into the result.
.	Inserts a decimal point if any characters have been placed, otherwise, it inserts a fill character. After the decimal point, it replaces the fill character with a space character.
(	Inserts a left parentheses if the number is negative, or the fill character if the number is positive.
)	Inserts a right parentheses if the number is negative, or a fill character if the number is positive.
-	Displays a minus sign if the number is negative, or a space character if the number is positive.
+	Displays a plus sign if the number is positive, or a minus sign if the number is negative.
$	Displays a dollar sign ($).